In the quiet Saturday morning before me, however, I choose to remember our idyllic time in Vermont ... with son Nate, beautiful daughter-in-law Kristen, and, of course, our favorite grandson ... Rory. They live not far from Burlington, Vermont, which, to those of you (like me) who are slightly geographically impaired ... is on the shores of Lake Champlain. If you've never seen it ... I suggest the ferry ride from Burlington to New York state ... to really understand the size of Lake Champlain. I imagine what it was like when only the canoe broke the serenity of the water ...
But this is not a history lesson ... but rather a lesson on letting kids ... well, be kids. Rory is a very sweet guy ... at his ancient age of 6 1/2 plus. It's such an innate sweetness that I suspect that some girl some day will fall madly in love with him ... not because of his thick dark hair or lovely hazel eyes ... no, not even those dimples that make ME smile just to see them ... but because of that sweetness.
Let no mistake be made: he's also all boy. Not so much in a rough-and-tumble way as an adventurer and an explorer. And thus, finally ... to the story. One evening while we were there, we went to a great pizza place in Burlington (Pizza Verita). A busy place ... so while waiting for our table, we "bellied up to the bar" ... and had a glass of vino (in vino veritas ... yes, I couldn't resist). Rory was seated with us ... when Rob noticed that he was mesmerized by the bartender (yes, think Tom Cruise and "Cocktail" ... the bartender was that talented). Rob said jokingly .. "I think that Rory may have a new career goal." Thirty seconds later ..."Mom ... I think I want to be a bartender when I grow up."
Lots of laughter ... but not the end of the story. When we arrived back at the ranch (or the colonial house), Rory was light years ahead of the rest of us ... and requested two glasses ... one that fit into another ... and some water. A mixologist was born. He asked me what my favorite drink was ... and I said, "When I'm on vacation in big cities, I always ordered a champagne cocktail." (Call me crazy .. definitely retro.)
And so Rory's signature drink was born ... mixed with one part water to two parts water ... but definitely mixed and poured. And, because this little guy doesn't know what champagne is but definitely know what Champlain is ... he proudly poured and said, "Here, Nonna ... here's your Champlain cocktail."
I will likely continue my tradition of champagne cocktails in such fun cities as New York and San Fran ... but it will forever remind me of Rory ... and will always be a Champlain cocktail!
PS ... Rory is likely to have loftier goals at some point ... fighter pilot, downhill ski Olympian ... but now, he's just a kid ... and enjoying life!
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