I've never had a taste for wine- nor any booze. I don't judge- ain't got a thing against those who drink in moderation and don't make a nuisance of themselves- I just never developed a liking for any of it.

In Alaska, many communities are dry. The booze and drug trouble amongst the native folks up there is really unfortunate. It controls many lives- and many of the youth, too. All of the oil and mining camps up north are dry...

I managed a fishing-camp out on the Aleutian Island chain. We were a dry camp and the drunk Bering Sea fishermen were SUCH a problem that when they registered into a room, they had to sign a wavier acknowledging that they were aware of our no possession of alcohol/no intoxication policy AND our $1000.00 fine. If they broke the rules, the captain of their boat was fined a thousand bucks and he in turn deducted it from their pay. It was nothing for me to levy $20,000.00 in fines on a Friday Night! Also- I am 42 years old and have been hit/punched 4 times in my life. All four of those times were by drunk Alaskan crabbers that I was forced to deal with while managing that bunkhouse. Jeez- when I decided to become a chef no one ever told me I might end up getting the blazes knocked out of me on the job! Ha!

I had an uncle who was an alcoholic. When we were little he used to come to the house drunk and it would really freak us out but that doesn't mean all alcohol is bad. Anything has the capacity to be bad if it's abused. I love to have a glass or two of wine with or a couple cocktails with the girls and since my knee surgery it's wonderful to relax with a glass of wine in the evening. It relaxes my muscles from all the exercises I have to do during the day. All things in moderation that includes cookies, chips, soda, fast food and alcohol.

I Love two glasses of wine with a meal twice a week. I Love white wine or a blush wine with fish. I also love a Good Red wine (Merlot) with steak or Italian food. I try to limit myself to two glasses of anything per week. I agree every thing in moderation. Cookie

well they say that one a day is actually good for you. It works for the French so I go with that and end up having a glass with dinner about 5 nights a week. I love red zinfandel. That is probably my favorite over all but with something like a light fish dish I really like savignon blanc. In particular one that I found called pumello. It has notes of pumello and passion fruit. It's so refreshing on a hot day. Other favorites are Rioja, beaujolais, good pino noir, very dry riesling pretty much I like them all as long as they aren't too sweet.

Why you're welcome Jafo!!! I hope you have a good time. So you guys did not move so far away that you can't "pal around" with your old buddies? That is great.

How did your garden do after you moved away? Did the lucky person that inherited it keep you informed of the progress, or did you ask them not to since I know it'd break your heart.

You are so right about defining a drunk. When a person is a drunk as you pointed out.... it is speaking of an alcoholic who drinks and drinks daily, on the job, or not, and has lost control of their life and their ability to control their drinking. They have allowed the booze to take over, and take over it will. And it'll bite 'em in the ass as well! I find drunks to have one common denominator = obnoxious as hell, and often this is whenever,... drunk, sober or otherwise!!! I can see how this would make many turn away from drinking at all, especially if they had to grow up with it on a daily basis. That is sad, and I can certianly understand how it would turn a person against drinking altogether. But I like that you pointed out that all who drink are not terrible drunks, just us common guys and gals who enjoy a brew or a glass of vino or even a cocktail every now & then and also on our nights out! There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Just do not drink & drive it is too dangerous;)