Winehiker Witiculture is the official blog of California Wine Hikes, which offers guided hiking and wine tasting tours in the California wine country.


It’s not always what I’m thankful for - it’s who.

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
- Cicero, Ancient Roman Statesman and Philosopher

I just determined that my annual salary qualifies me as being in the top 0.77% of people worldwide in terms of how rich I am. In the context of living in the Silicon Valley - where prices for nearly everything are so stratospheric as to be practically irrelevant to everywhere else - I admit I find myself wondering how the other 99.23% are faring. Financially speaking, I don’t feel that rich. Not nearly so.

My salary indeed gets me the things I need and occasionally it affords me the fine wines I want. I am, quite frankly, very thankful to have a salary! But the happiness my salary brings isn’t nearly as important as the people in my life. That particular sense of joy has often arrived in my inbox or via the slough of online tools I use to stay connected.

And so I want to wish all of you in Winehiking World a very Happy Thanksgiving! It has been great getting to know you and spend time with you. You are my family, and you grace and enrich my life. You therefore deserve a shout-out!

What follows is but a partial list of who I’m thankful for; the great remainder don’t have blogs! 

Tom
Vindu
Jeff
Farley
Sonadora
Joel
Tim
Tom
Tom
Dan
Rod
John
Mary
Jim
Beau
Ryan
Ben
Carol
Charlie
Jill
Tyler
Jeff
Deb
Jo
Lenn
Alyssa
Rickie
Brian
Erika
Trevor
Alder
Wilf
Jared
Elsbeth
Randy
Duane
Josh
Julie
James
Skye
Tom
Wade
Rick
Derrick
Melanie
Deborah
Ryan
Gabriella
Marshall
Brittany
Ainsley
Alastair
Michelle
Fabio
Gary
Cornelius
Ev
Mary
Mary
Wing
Michael
Tom
Casey
John
Alan
David
Kian
CJ
Frank
Joe
Larian
Jessie

This Thanksgiving, know that I’ve got much to be thankful for in the dialog you have shared with me. I wish each and every one of you a never-ending cornucopia of delight in your lives, now and forever.

All that, and great winehiking too!

~winehiker

16 Responses to “It’s not always what I’m thankful for - it’s who.”

  1. Thanks Russ!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

    Sonadora
    November 21st, 2007 15:40

  2. Cheers Russ. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Trevor
    November 21st, 2007 16:14

  3. Thanks Russ, and have a great turkey day!

    ryan
    November 21st, 2007 17:40

  4. I think we have to thank you for the contents you post here :) Ciao

    Fabio Ingrosso
    November 22nd, 2007 04:22

  5. Thanks Russ
    The sentiment is returned with interest…

    Alastair Bathgate
    November 22nd, 2007 06:08

  6. […] It’s not always what I’m thankful for - it’s who. […]

    Wine Blog | California | Petite Sirah | Winery | Vineyards | Reviews | Sonoma | Napa
    November 22nd, 2007 08:55

  7. Well, I screwed that one up..

    Sorry, Russ, Take II.

    Thanks, Russ, it is I who am thankful for you!

    Jo
    November 22nd, 2007 09:02

  8. How sweet, thanks!

    Erika
    November 23rd, 2007 12:03

  9. Thank you, Russ! We are most thankful for you, too - and I hope you had a wondeful Thanksgiving.

    monkuwino
    November 23rd, 2007 13:53

  10. Thanks Russ! Sorry for the late thanks but I’ve been in non-blog mode. Cheers!

    Jill
    November 25th, 2007 10:39

  11. Well golly, you all sure know how to make a guy feel special. Cheers to you!

    winehiker
    November 26th, 2007 09:57

  12. Russ,
    What a great post…I love it. Also, didn’t know if you saw this..don’t care if you don’t post it…but wanted to let you know you are the bwb blog my friend!
    http://wackymom.blogspot.com/2007/11/ev-nucci-gives-thanks-for-peace-globes.html

    Ev Nucci
    November 26th, 2007 11:52

  13. Hope you had good turkey and wine. Cheers!

    farley
    November 27th, 2007 08:51

  14. Russ: I’m honored to be at the top of this list (and ashamed I didn’t notice till now).

    tom
    December 3rd, 2007 10:02

  15. Awwww! I just saw this. Turkey + Wine put me to sleep for too many days…

    THANKS— great idea. I need to do a “thankful” post as well! Great idea.

    wade
    December 5th, 2007 21:53

  16. Thank you so very much. I’m a bit under the weather and don’t get to read as much as I should. The coast calls.

    Skyler

    Skye
    December 12th, 2007 03:34

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