I didn't protest when my friend Katrine suggested — apropos of nothing — that we order a bottle of Champagne one afternoon last week. The marvelously warm and sunny weather, combined with the fact that I had finally begun to recover from a debilitating cold, provided justification for the extravagance. Champagne has a way of transforming mundane occurrences into tiny celebrations.
"Any time is the right time for Champagne," Katrine said, filling our glasses. "You can drink it when you're happy, but also when you're sad."
"I think of Champagne as inherently hopeful because it brings to mind new beginnings," I added — the bubbly had clearly brought out our inner philosophers.