Sunday, January 2, 2011

Bolt of Lightening

October 4, 2010: I had just visited with my friend Alpa and I was headed back to my car when I decided to stop in at the liquor store to pick up my proverbial bottle of Absolut--I don't care, I know its not the 'in' vodka but I like Absolut. It has a clean flavor, its a classic Vodka.  I walked in the door, noted who was in the store at 5.30 on a Wednesday besides me; the older man with the shopping cart, the UW jacket and the very red nose, making a mental note to not drink too much in older years--it doesn't look good and headed to the vodka aisle.  I picked up the Absolut Blue and was just turning to move to the check out aisle when my eyes passed upon an unusual bottle with a red fly on the front.  Then my eye moved out a bit and saw other bottles that were a little unusual and as I focused on the first one, I saw that it was from Washington state, and this other one, from Bend Oregon and another, with an odd picture of the back side of a woman and 'tail' in the name(what are you suggesting, btw?) made from APPLES and it was like I had been struck by lightening, all the bells and whistles went off and I thought--OMG! Its happening! Its TIME!
OK...now cut back briefly to 5 years ago when I had returned from Wenatchee, home of the Washington Apple to lament to my friend Kenny that they were ripping out all the apple orchards to either build houses or put in vines.  I said, "We should make Calvados!, We are the Frickin' Apple State but not for long if they keep ripping those orchards out" and we laughed, talked and moved on with our lives. I mean, I wasn't looking for a career for me! I was trying to find something inspirational for Kenny--but I have always loved cognac, armagnac, calvados...etc...

Now, back to me in the UVillage Liquor store: I put back the Absolut, decide to try the Washington Dry Fly Wheat Vodka and head to the counter. Its $34 versus $23 and the guy at the counter tells me they make a whiskey that they keep behind the counter at $50.  I am wondering if this could my new life vehicle?  but BOOZE?  wasn't I trying NOT to drink? and I dont even drink that much and I am my worst target audience as I drink wine not booze but anyway--I paid, left and called Kenny on the way home. I have found my new passion!

more tomorrow...