Itching

I wish I knew more about wines. I love most merlots, but I haven’t got the palate to discuss whether they’re woody, fruity, or any of that. The best I can normally say is whether the wine is particularly dry or very tannic. Sometimes, though, I can almost taste differences. The merlot Cory gave me for Christmas is very fruity, and nicely so, and tasting that really makes me yearn to taste differences more of the time.

All this to say: sitting here with a glass of wine, feeling more relaxed than I have in a while (Eric is finally home again!), but still somewhat tense and irritated by things that shouldn’t be bugging me.

Sam is working on a project for the PTA Reflections contest, and I keep having to force myself to walk away from him while he works. Some people seem to really have a knack for letting kids do what they wish with projects, which is really admirable; a small part of me, though, is competitively gung-ho, and I keep wanting to offer advice and suggestions. I can’t and shouldn’t, of course, and I know that, so…wine and blogging.

Funny how everybody else in the family is happily absorbed in projects right now. Gabe is building a train track, Eric is cooking (perch en papillote with leeks and tomatoes, a squash and mushroom gratin), and Sam has his art. I’m browsing around, thinking about what to do for the dishcloth exchange, but the comparative idleness is making me itch. I foresee much knitting after dinner!