It ain’t over till it’s over

“Technically, according to chemistry, alcohol is a solution.” – Unknown

I want to apologize to the five of you (maybe that many) who follow my column regularly. I haven’t been able to give this little endeavor the attention that it needs. That’s not fair to you (or maybe it is). You see, I’ve just been tremendously busy helping my family with their flood recovery. Sure, I’ve had free time. But writing a column about Bourbon has been the furthest thing from my mind.

It’s a very strange thing going through a disaster. At first it was “all hands on deck”. The outpouring of help and relief was wonderful. Don’t get me wrong, it still is. The giving, helpful, altruistic, nature of humanity has shone brightly. Yet, things seem to be winding down on that front. And that’s okay. It’s just the way it is.

Problem is, after the waters have receded, and the initial clean-up is over, there’s still tons to get done. My family’s home, to put it bluntly, was totally trashed. Appliances, gone. Most of the furniture, gone. Walls from the floor to four feet up, gone. Kitchen cabinets, gone. Flooring; hardwoods, laminate, carpet, subfloors, gone. Personal effects, gone. We were able to save a lot of things, but it’s no lie to say that this has been devastating. Bourbon has been the furthest thing from my mind.

Personally, I’ve been at their house nearly every day – cleaning up, ripping out drywall, repairing subfloors, tearing out and repairing bad wall joists, replacing electrical outlets, hanging drywall, etc., etc., etc. It’s been tough. Not trying to sound like a martyr. I’m more than happy to do it, and it’s been strangely fun (more on that in a few paragraphs). I love my family. Bourbon has been the furthest thing from my mind.

Thank goodness I retired this past January and have the time to do it. Also thank goodness that I retired young and still have the strength and know-how (a little) to get most of this physical labor done. Yet, I get home at the end of the day, and I’m just wiped out. Then, I have to get all of my own responsibilities taken care of. Bourbon has been the furthest thing from my mind.

I’m not trying to take all of the “credit”. It takes a village, and we have certainly had tons of help – thank you to all! Again, other family members, friends, the local community, neighbors, church groups, heck, even total strangers have come out of the woodwork to lend a hand or a handout. Did I say thank you? Well I’m going to shout it again: THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

On the other hand … This calamity has brought my family closer together. Literally – my in-laws are living with us. There’s the age-old schtick about how in-laws are a pain. Not so here. In a weird way this has been a really fun time. Still … not thinking of writing about bourbon.

Of course, booze has played its part through all of this (how could it not?). Although, strangely enough, it hasn’t been bourbon. My father-in-law, Ron, enjoys his scotch. Quite often throughout our recent time together, when the day is over and we’ve put the hammers, drills, and paint brushes down, we’ve enjoyed an evening libation together (or two, or …).

Our booze of choice? Costco’s Kirkland brand scotch (I didn’t say he enjoys fancy scotch). In reality, the stuff is very good. It’s amazingly smooth and sweet with just a wisp of peat at the finish. Who woulda thunk? BTW, the same goes for Kirkland’s Cognac – wonderful stuff. Which is also amongst Ron’s favorites.

Ron and I have drunk together before (that’s an understatement). Yet living together, working together on the restoration, and having a libation together on a daily basis has brought us closer. I love that!

The same goes for my wife’s cousin Ken, who lives right next door to my in-laws, and whose house was also wrecked by the flood. You know Ken. He’s written many wonderful column for this publication for a while now, including several recent columns on his experiences throughout this nightmare. He’s actually the one responsible for talking me into writing this column (so you have him to blame).

Ken recently re-discovered Mickey’s Malt. I had not imbibed in Mickey’s since college (in the ‘80s – yikes!). It’s been a nice blast from the past, and it’s pretty good stuff. After working at Ron’s there have been a few times where I’ve walked next door and enjoyed an ice-cold one and great conversation with Ken. Fun times, despite the tribulation. Yet, bourbon has still been the furthest thing from my mind.

It seems like this writing is a little disjointed (you should be used to that by now). I suppose that’s because I’m a little disjointed (see above). I’ll wrap up by saying that I’ll get back to my normal self soon. Just like all of this chaos surrounding me will right itself, with a little more work of course. I’ll get back my bourbon state of mind and return to the caramel-y, oaky, boozy, good stuff. Until then, cheers!

Jon Smyrnis is a lifelong Indianapolis area resident. He enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, kayaking, dining out, and, of course, fine cocktails and great bourbons.