Enjoyed: Friday, June 28, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Shotgun Shell Old Fashion”

Ingredients: Bottled in Bond Ragged Branch Bourbon, buttered brown sugar syrup, house made falernum bitters, and an orange zest

The occasion: Dear Husband retired this morning, after 38-plus years of work as a federal employee. His colleagues lined up to applaud him as he left the building, which really touched him. His closest co-workers toasted (and roasted) him at a lovely luncheon the day before, and even I got gifts and a gorgeous bouquet for being the woman behind the successful man. I am indeed so proud of him! I couldn’t let him merely sit at home on this auspicious afternoon–we needed a quiet celebration of our own, in a pretty setting, with bourbon, his favorite spirit.

My rating: ***** out of 5. Ragged Branch makes a superior product, and their cocktails are obviously designed to play up the best flavors. I had not tried this variation of their Old Fashioned, and I wondered if the spiciness of falernum would be overpowering. Happily, the drink was divine, with the buttered brown sugar bringing out the caramel notes of the bourbon and the bitters adding subtle citrus notes.

Final thoughts: As we sipped, we chatted about the past 38 years. As the adage goes, “The days were long but the years were short.” His job provided security for his growing family, brought him in contact with fascinating people, and took him on numerous trips in the USA, Europe, Asia, and even Australia. And most importantly, he always found his work interesting. Not bad, I’d say. Congratulations, my dear.

Enjoyed: Friday, June 21, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as Cherry Old Fashioned

Ingredients: Journeyman Pit-Spitter Cherry rye whiskey, orange simple syrup, bitters.

The occasion: Husband and I drove out to Indiana for the funeral of his one and only aunt, who left her beloved family at the age of 94. Aunt E. never missed our birthdays–we would get sweet cards filled with good wishes. Our trip coincided with Husband’s birthday, so his thoughtful sister arranged for meals, drinks, and cake (so much cake!). The next day, our party of three (Husband, his sister, and I) met up with my sister and her husband at Journeyman, and we kept the birthday celebration going.

My rating: ***** out of 5. My brother-in-law ordered the same drink, and we both loved it. Although I am not a fan of sugary drinks, this one was balanced just right, with the crisp rye hitting my palate immediately but followed by a pleasing fruity essence. This whiskey is flavored with Michigan Montmorency cherries, probably as a nod to Journeyman’s Michigan roots. Michigan knows how to grow remarkable cherries.

Final thoughts: Husband and I visited the original Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, just about three weeks earlier (see my post about stop #72) and enjoyed it. The vibe at American Factory is less intimate and more industrial, but fun nonetheless. Our dinner companions made it an even more memorable evening, and we are eager to return.

Monday, July 1, 2024

Yes, today’s news worries me. Yes, the state of our world has worried me for a long time now. But this blog is not the forum I want to use to work through that set of emotions. I am not burying my head in the sand (or “drinking to forget”, either) but I want to this blog to focus on my emotions about aging, my adventures going forth in retirement, and my challenges as the next chapters of my life unfold.

I want to focus on the positive, at least for today. I don’t want to be in a perpetual state of worry.

Today was Husband’s first official day of retirement. We didn’t set any alarm clocks, but we awoke kind of early, anyhow. We both did chores around the house, and we both caught up on our emails.

AND…my first retirement check arrived. Wow. Kudos to my former employers for being on the ball and getting the checks to us before the long July 4 weekend ahead. (I was impressed with the efficiency!)

My first retirement check arrived. I am still needing that to sink in. The amount isn’t large, but it’s going to be coming for the rest of my life. Wow. I am so very grateful that my job–and more importantly, that Husband’s job–came with the guarantee of pension checks. Not too many employers offer pensions anymore, do they? Still, our new budget is being put into place, and I am staying vigilant about all our financial affairs. Worrying is not fun, nor healthy. Forward I go–time to deposit that check!

In a lowball glass, mix 3 ounces pineapple juice (I used the unsweetened juice from a can of pineapple rings), 2 ounces vodka, and 1/2 ounce lime juice. Stir well, add ice to almost fill the glass, and stir again. Slowly drizzle about 2 teaspoons of grenadine down the inside of the glass. The grenadine will sink to the bottom. Stir the drink before you sip, which will sweeten it and make it a pretty pink color.