GOT WINE????

 

It’s that time of year when those of us with an affection towards the fermented grape start stocking up. No, I don’t mean in anticipation of the holidays—although there are a plethora of wine occasions in the time between Halloween and Valentine’s Day which will require a sufficient supply! I’m talking about Hurricane Season. While it officially begins June 1, things don’t usually get “fun” until late September, at least where I live on the Chesapeake Bay. While I don’t understand the science of a monster storm—it has a lot to do with the ocean and gulf waters warmed in the summer sun, and other some other stuff—I do know they are better endured when fully stocked. Hence, I ensure a sufficient wine supply in my Hurricane Beach Bag to get me through the dark and stormy days.

There are other items I have tucked into my Hurricane Beach Bag, of course. The little things that make post-storm trials and tribulations a little more enjoyable. These items include:

Books. Lots and lots of books! One of my favorite authors releases a page turner every August (thank you Sandra Brown!) and I save it until a Hurricane Emergency. But alas, I gave into temptation and already read it this year. But worry not, my TBR (To Be Read) pile is as high as an elephant’s eye. I will be able to keep myself entertained should the need arise.

And of course, in order to read all those books while the electricity is off, I keep my Itty Bitty Booklight handy. I expect to get a lot of reading done in the darkness that is part of the “fun” of a week—or longer—without electricity.  It is near impossible to sleep on those hot humid nights without benefit of a/c, let alone a fan to offer a slight breeze.  (And don’t believe the advertisements, those little battery-powered “personal” fans do not offer a dang bit of relief!)  So I will spend the nights escaping into a fictional world, preferably one set in the middle of a blizzard.

Next in my Hurricane Beach Bag I will need liquid refreshments.  Not water (that’s part of the FEMA survival kit) but something refreshing to tickle my tastebuds and relax the stress.  To that end, I secure a few cases of my daily caffeine staple, Diet Coke, which isn’t quite as refreshing without ice but is still a daily requirement. 

And, of course, along with the de rigeur stash of red wine there will be chocolate.  Dark, creamy chocolate that is perfect food for after a hurricane because a) it does not require cooking or refrigeration: and b) is ooohhhhh, so tasty!  And it does have its health benefits.

So in the event of a hurricane, while the non-hurricane-impacted world remains plugged into their social media worlds, I’ll be curled up, nibbling chocolate while enjoying a glass of wine and reading a book by a meager light.  Kind of cozy, if you think about it.

But you don’t have to suffer the effects of a CAT 5 storm in order to break out a Hurricane Beach Bag. These BEACH BAGS o’ FUN can be opened and enjoyed any day of the year. Everyone should have one…just in case! Cheers!