ONE: People who “hate getting old” are silly. Every year is a privilege. Every birthday should feel like a triumph. Even in these scary times in which we live. Because having faced a few good years on this planet gives you a certain awareness about life. So let me tell you this: don’t worry the world won’t end just because it seems to be getting away from us.
TWO: When someone (anyone) starts a sentence with, “I’m not being …”, they always are.
THREE: Speaking of which. I don’t mean to endorse violence. I hate violence. Yet I can’t help thinking if I had two weeks left to live I would really love to punch a politician or two in the face.
FOUR: Being happy is nearly as good as being rich.
FIVE: It’s a good idea to learn as early as you can to love and be loved in return. I waited until I was almost thirty and that’s just too damn long.
SIX: Meat is murder. A murder with which I’ve made my delicious peace. Meat is how man conquered the planet and came to sit savagely at the top. For better or worse.
SEVEN: Still, a raw apple, a handful of nuts, and a hike in the woods will make you feel like you can accomplish anything.
EIGHT: Once you get older and your palate develops – whiskey begins to taste really good. It really does.
NINE: Speaking of whiskey. I’ve discovered a new whiskey drink. Well, it’s hardly new, and I wasn’t the one who actually “discovered” it. This is another of those long-forgotten drinks that have recently been resurrected. Most believe that The Fourth Regiment is a cocktail that dates back to the 1800s. Cocktail historian Robert Hess bought a book on eBay entitled 282 Mixed Drinks from the Private Records of a Bartender of the Olden Days (published in 1889) that is thought to be the first known written recipe of The Fourth Regiment. My glass is tipped to the historians who dug it up. It has three kinds of bitters. One of which is celery bitters. Making this a slightly savory take on a Manhattan cocktail.
TEN: Life is like the best book you ever read (or movie, or recipe, or post – you choose the simile). It’s not how long it is, or where it begins or how it ends. It’s not about complicated plot-lines or fancy ingredients. It’s about how it makes you feel. And that’s entirely up to you…
So raise a glass with me on my birthday. I’ve still got lots left to learn. GREG
Ingredients
- 1 ounce rye whiskey
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 dash celery bitters
- 1 strip lemon peel (as garnish)
Directions
Stir with ice, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon strip.
Woah! Talk about a belated celebration! Happy Belated Birthday, my friend! Salute! Great post!!
You are so right, Greg! Life is short and stress be gone — damn it — I’m talking to you DT!
Happy belated birthday Greg!
Happy Birthday! Great list of wisdom. And wonderful drink! A really good one. I actually have this on my list of things to write about next year. 🙂
Great list. I don’t want to punch any politicians, but I understand the sentiment. What I’d like to do is divorce politics and media in some fashion. Politicians craft sucn insultingly daft sound bites that get legitimized by the way they’re presented via the media. In person, anyone saying such things would be laughed and at humiliated — and rightly so. Perhaps what we really need is manadatory laugh tracks. In the meantime, though, I think a bit of nice whiskey can help.
Happy Belated friend, glad our paths have crossed. Really like the post, too!
#2 is priceless. Just like you. B‑lated b‑day cheers to you!
Birthday well stated. Drink well poured. Life well live.
Carry on…
Life well lived… LOL
I’m sorry I missed your birthday but you still have my wholehearted congratulations. Add another to your list…live every day as if it were your last, it is not a given.
Happy, happy birthday. I do hope you were showered with love and friendship and perhaps a few gift cards for your favourite store. Cheers to a lovely looking cocktail in a beautiful Art Deco(?) glass.
Happy birthday! I just celebrated one, too, but sipped on white wine instead of a whiskey cocktail! I love your tips on how to live life to the fullest no matter your age.
Beautiful post, my friend! I read it to my daughters who are depressed lately (and who isn’t?) and it touched them as much as it touched me. As for whiskey, I am a bit more partial to scotch, but that’s entirely an emotional association, as scotch was my father’s favorite spirit:) Happy Birthday!
Scotch is whiskey. Well, I mean Scotch is whisky! GREG
Love, love, love this, Greg! Every wise, thoughtful word of it! Happiest Birthday Wishes to you… Cheers!
Happy Birthday Greg. My birthday is next month and now you have me thinking…I still have a lot to learn!
=
It’s a bit of a strange coincidence that you should say something about whiskey tasting good — I just realized I dreamt of enjoying a glass of it last night.
Maybe it’s b/c so much of our taste buds die with age and whiskey no longer tastes as bad?
Hah!
Cheers to your birthday, sweet Greg! We’re practically twins — mine was 2 days ago. xo
Here’s cheers dear! Happy Birthday wishes comin’ atcha!
Here’s to you, Greg. Happy Birthday, and thanks for your words. I always leave with a smile and a great recipe!
10 excellent lessons, and here’s to many more. Cheers and happy birthday!
Where the heck am I going to get celery bitters? Oh well, I am seemingly not old enough yet for this cocktail, because I still don’t care for whiskey, despite trying. Happiest birthday to YOU, Greg!
Most good liquor stores should carry Celery Bitters. Or try online. GREG
http://the-bitter-truth.com/bitter/original-celery-bitters/
Gotta love that sweet vermouth! Happy Birthday to you, wise fellow!!