“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire Cat in a tree. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked.
—Lewis Carroll
‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response.
‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered.
‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.’”
When we awoke this morning, we had no particular plan in mind. We didn’t really know where we wanted to go, what we wanted the day to hold. On this trip I have been frequently overwhelmed by possibilities. I have been impressed time and again that there is simply not enough time (nor do I have the mental bandwidth!) to experience all the things that sound appealing. If I choose to go one way, of necessity, at least for the present, all other options are lost to me. Saying “Yes!” to one path means that I must say “No” to dozens of others.
The making of choices does not end there. I must also choose what attitude to carry on whatever path I take. I can choose to live with regrets and longing for the paths I did not take. Or I can choose to focus on what is right before me, to experience and enjoy this path to the full. To embrace life fully wherever I happen to find myself.
And what am I to do when the path I choose doesn’t work out? I am learning to simply adjust and choose another path. This is made easier for me as I am learning that there is always another path, likely at least as delightful as I expected my original choice to be.
I began my morning with tea and Vigils (early morning prayer) on the small enclosed patio off our room at the Sonoma Creek Inn, a sweet little hidden gem on the outskirts of Sonoma. It was a bit chilly, so I didn’t stay out long, but it was delightful while it lasted.
We wanted to go to Mass at the Mission San Francisco Solano. When we arrived, however, the entire mission was locked tight. Ah, well. Time to readjust. So we spent a leisurely hour strolling around Sonoma Plaza. Aside from the French pastry shop where we bought fresh bread and hot chai, not much else was open at this early hour. Still, it was fun to just explore and windowshop. We’ve learned that these little towns with Spanish influence often have many quaint spots tucked away down narrow passages called “paseos”. Sonoma had a few as well.
It seemed just plain wrong to come to Sonoma and not enjoy a little wine tasting. But Sonoma County has over 425 wineries! Where would we even begin?!? We’d heard of an especially fun winery about 45 minutes north of Sonoma. That seemed like as good a place as any to start. So off we went…
…to Williamson Winery in Healdsburg where George gave us the most memorable wine tasting I’ve ever had. He paired each wine with a cheese and a gourmet condiment.
Why did God bless us with incredibly sensitive taste buds and food with such delicious flavors? Does He enjoy watching us enjoy the foods He provides? I hope so, because if He does, I surely brought joy to His heart today!
Ron at Rodney Strong Winery taught us a good bit about why California wines taste the way they do. Trent at Francis Ford Coppola Winery not only was knowledgeable about wines, but beer and bourbon as well.
The treat of the day was at Sonoma Portworks in Petaluma where Bill, the owner and winemaker, and his lovely wife Karen, gave us an in-depth education on port, brandy, sherry, and grappa. He even took us into the private work area so we could sample an experimental project he currently has in the works. We also learned that it is illegal to ship his port to a residential address in Kentucky. Too bad! Or maybe it’s a good thing since I won’t be tempted to buy more port!
We closed the day with wonderful Italian food on the patio of the historic Swiss Hotel back on the plaza in Sonoma. Of course, this meant that we didn’t eat at any of the other dozens of interesting restaurants we passed, much as their menus tempted me. And somehow I’m okay with that.
It’s been a lovely day, packed full of wonderful experiences. Even though we barely scratched the surface of Sonoma County, we couldn’t have done any more.
How will we fill the next 24 hours? How will I fill the rest of the life God has allotted to me? Maybe the Cheshire cat was right. Maybe it doesn’t matter…if I will just enjoy and be present to the path on which I find myself.
