Dear Husband normally hates posing for photos, but he will begrudgingly agree to smile at the camera if I am with him.
The internet is forever, so I will be able to access these photos a decade or two or three from now and then sigh in resignation about how marvelous I looked in 2025.
Looking back at old photo albums, I see countless photos of my children and my husband, and so few snapshots of me. That’s because I WAS THE ONE who always remembered to bring the camera out and to use it. I really was there at all those family events, yet there is little proof. Admittedly, those clunky cameras and camcorders of the 1990s didn’t really make it easy to turn the lens on oneself but still! I was younger and thinner and blonder–does anyone remember that? Well, now I can take care of my bitterness (and my vanity, I suppose) and take countless selfies of me, myself, and I. So there.
My awkward smiles, jowls, and wrinkles should make the rest of you feel really good about yourselves and the way you look. You’re welcome.
My offspring laugh at these shots, and probably occasionally roll their eyes. It’s still my job to cheer them up, you know.
And years from now, when I am gone from this world, but since the internet is forever, my offspring can reminisce about how awesome their parents were, and about how much they miss their mom in particular. (Polish mother guilt transmitted from the grave!)
I paid a lot for my iPhone, so I might as well use it.
Taking selfies on a regular basis keeps my photography skills sharp. And writing about the adventures that go along with the selfies should keep my brain sharp. I could write an article about this for AARP Magazine!
I guess I want all of you to feel a bit jealous of our life as a retired couple.
Sometimes it just feels good to stretch my arms all the way out.
The occasion: We spent the late morning exploring the architecture of Columbus via a handy phone app. We opted for ice cream for lunch at the iconic Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor, then we joined a guided tour of the Miller House and Gardens. The day ended with cocktails and a lovely supper right in downtown Columbus.
My rating: **** out of 5. I wondered if the drink would be dominated by the cherry liqueur, but it was well-balanced and the bourbon flavors came through without too much sweetness. My objection was the lemon twist, which overshadowed the orange twist and made the cocktail smell too citrusy.
Final thoughts: Columbus is amazing! The city deserves all its awards and accolades. We stopped at public buildings designed by Eliel Saarinen, Eero Saarinen, Kevin Roche, and I.M. Pei, among others. After all of these years of visiting Indianapolis (and going to school in central Indiana), Husband and I finally carved out the time to drive down and see why the area is a destination for art and modern architecture lovers. This city of 46,000 residents boasts a whopping seven buildings recognized by the National Historic Landmarks program. (I believe we found five.) We were impressed, and we would love to go back to see even more–one day was definitely not enough.
Listed on the menu: Yes, as “French Quarter Old Fashioned”
Ingredients: Bulleit Bourbon, Strongwater Creole bitters, vanilla syrup, garnished with orange peel and Filthy cherry
The occasion: The skies were clearing, the sun was peaking out, and our schedule was wide open, so we stopped at the Western-themed Bulleit campus (ah, since Bulleit calls itself a “frontier” whiskey), which really was not close to anything, yet very prettily situated in the rolling hills of Kentucky. Husband and I decided to skip the tasting flights and go for cocktails instead. We enjoyed our drinks outdoors, in comfy Adirondack chairs. Soon we were joined by two parties of two, and the ensuing conversation was entertaining.
My rating: ***** out of 5. The cocktail was tasty and beautifully presented. The bitters were a bit more fruity than the usual Angostura, which worked with the vanilla syrup and the honey and caramel notes in the bourbon. Happily, even with the syrup, the drink was not really sweet, and highlighted the bourbon, which one would expect at a powerhouse distillery bar.
Final thoughts: The “bros” were out in large numbers on this Friday afternoon. Many of the men were wearing Hawaiian shirts and arriving together in tour vans. (Kuddos for being responsible drinkers.) We wondered if these were bachelor parties, but some of the groups looked a bit older, wiser, and calmer. We later learned that central Kentucky, with a large array of distilleries and breweries, was a destination of choice for “divorce parties”–all this makes sense now.
Ingredients: Buffalo Trace bourbon, brown sugar, natural aromatic bitters, orange fruit, bing cherry, and grapefruit twist
The occasion: We were taking our sweet time driving to Indiana for our annual visit, so a stop in Kentucky’s Bourbon Country was an easy choice. The stormy morning cancelled our outdoor plans, but we managed to visit Castle and Key Distillery near Frankfort, and then grab lunch in the historic downtown area. Bourbon with lunch is never a bad idea.
My rating: **** out of 5. I always appreciate a unique twist on the traditional Old Fashioned recipe, and this drink literally provided that–a twisted grapefruit peel resided in the glass along the orange piece and the cherry. I could smell the grapefruit oil every time I brought the glass to my lips. I enjoyed the novelty, but it wasn’t exactly a perfect fit with the bourbon’s notes.
Final thoughts: Bourbon on Main had an extensive whiskey list, as advertised. Full bottles of Pappy Van Winkle rested proudly on the bar. Husband enjoyed a shot of their “house barrel” Knob Creek, aptly named “Boat Rye’d”, I am guessing, since the Kentucky River is directly behind the building. Oh, and the food was good, too, so we wouldn’t mind returning next year.
Monica Lists 