Lessons in humility

Last winter when Randy walked into Little's Shoes in Pittsburgh and walked out wearing a pair of Ugg Australia brand boots. I teased him a little. Oh, it wasn't nearly as much as I could have if Tom Brady were already the spokesmodel for the brand. Even though Randy's boots look like heavy boots, and not those ugly Uggs, I still made a few cracks at him. However, the rest of the Beijing winter his feet were warm, even in the unheated areas of his workplace. I couldn't wait until this winter came around so I, too, could enjoy feeling in my toes. Yes, I will admit it. I love my Uggs.

In the spring, Randy bought himself a hiking stick. It is shaped like a cane, but  bright purple, and has a point at one end. Again, I thought it was an odd choice, and I may have implied a few things about his age or something about wanting to re-enact a song from a Chorus Line. But then I saw how this hiking stick (definitely not a cane) worked in real hiking situations, and I found myself asking to use it, too.  It really helped me on some steep, loose trails today. It won't be long before I, too, have one of my own.

For months, Randy has been talking about this great beverage served at a nearby Sichuan restaurant. It is steaming hot Coke with slices of ginger added to it. There was nothing about this that sounded at all appetizing to me. I used to be a total Diet Coke-head. Since giving that up more than eight years ago, I can scarcely stand the taste of soda, unless, of course, it is mixed with Bourbon. Additionally, having accidentally sipped a few Diet Cokes that were left to warm in the car, I knew that i did not like warmed up Coca Cola. Tonight, though, after hiking in the chilly mountains, I was ready for a hot beverage, and, unfortunately, coffee was out of the question. I decided to give hot Coke and ginger a try.



I sipped the teeniest amount, mostly because it was too hot, but also because I just knew I would hate this drink. I didn't. What I expected, hot carbonation and too-strong ginger flavor, wasn't there. The boiled Coke was not bubbly, and the ginger was actually rather mild.  It wasn't love at first taste, but I thought I could drink at least a glass. As I drained that glass, the flavor grew on me. I had a second, and half of a third. I am now a believer. Hot coke and ginger just might be my new winter beverage. It can't possibly replace coffee, but I was pleasantly surprised.