Tag: coffee

On Coffee…

“Betty Gene, would you like me to bring you a cup of coffee in bed?”
The Husband to my Gramma

“Sure, kid!”
Betty Gene

The Husband proceeds to hand her a mug filled with coffee beans.

That exchange between my Gramma and The Husband happened years ago, around 1995 when she and my mom were visiting. They had the run of our bedroom while we slept in the living room. Gramma’s husband has always treated her like a queen, including bringing the morning’s first cup of coffee to her while she was still in bed. We all love to bring up that joke whenever someone offers anyone a cup of coffee… “remember the time Bryan brought you that cup of beans, Gramma?” 

I knew about her early morning coffee delivery and by the time I was a fan of coffee, too, I’d take advantage of it. Whenever Betty Gene and John drove their big RV to my parents’ home, usually for Christmas, I’d get out to their home on wheels, take over his side of the bed and sit there with my Gramma, demanding my mug, too. And he always brought it.

Friday evening, in the middle of the desert, I took advantage of a Starbucks to help break up my three hour drive home. I have high standards for coffee, and don’t care for theirs, usually. Like many people, though, I’m a HUGE fan of their concoction they offer every fall and winter, that chemical, probably crack-laced Pumpkin Spice Latte… two pumps, not three, easy whip, please and thank you! The rest of the year I find their basic coffee-shop brew over roasted, making it harsh and bitter.

What the heck, they finally got it right! Have you tried that Flat White? Are they using better beans? A different roast? Or have they just got the right amount of espresso to whole milk down, finally.

The Flat White is good. Especially when it is 90 degrees, you are in the middle of nowhere, and breaking up your long drive home.

What do Dirty Foreheads, Chocolate, Facebook and Diet Coke have in common?

Simply put, faith. And check out the ash-happy job my priest did last year in that photo… impressive, huh? He said I needed extra ashes.
And come this April 5th, look out- don’t get between me and any corn dogs or chicken wings. You have been warned.

CatholicMemes.com for your hip humor needs.
CatholicMemes.com for your hip humor needs.

But I digress… all of the above are some common ways people sometimes remind themselves of what their faith means to them, and how they arrived at their beliefs. During Lent you, some of your friends, and acquaintances may be giving up chocolate, Diet Coke or Facebook; on Wednesday; February 18th you might see a lot of smudgy, dirty foreheads.

Why?
BustedHalo.com sum it up nicely in about two very jazzy minutes:

In choosing to avoid or give up something that is usually part of my every day life, I have the opportunity to remind myself, multiple times each day, of what my faith means to me. This year, it’s gonna be MEAT. Yow. This will be a toughie. Many times each day I will be reminded to stop and offer a prayer, give thanks, and contemplate my faith.

I’ve never given up coffee… I love my family too much to inflict a cranky, grumpy me on them.

Coffee for Bill

The Husband has a group of friends that buy each other coffee a couple of times each week. At least. It takes all their strength and willpower to stick to only a couple visits per week at this favorite coffee shop. Honestly, we wonder what they put in the coffee as it is ridiculously good.

Zumbar has arrived...
Zumbar has arrived…

Every time I come up the stairs to his office I chat a bit with Bill, the security officer, and think, “This guy needs a coffee!”

Croissants lined up in the case at Zumbar in the Sorrento Valley area of San Diego
Croissants lined up in the case at Zumbar in the Sorrento Valley area of San Diego

I brought the Coffee Club their Americanos today, and brought one to Bill, too. I’ve been meaning to do this for a couple of years, at least. Can I take a second to reiterate how glad I am that I picked up this project for the year? I am making myself remember to do little things for, and say thanks to the many people in my community that do so much for everyone and my family.

Thanks, Bill!

We Never Want to See you Again…

Some of the sweetest words ever spoken to me were “…and we hope to never see you again!”

Recently I was under the watch of the Polster Breast Care Center. I am grateful for the kindness shown to me every time I came in for an appointment. Never did I feel rushed, never did a question go unanswered. One of the ultrasound docs even sat with me and helped me come up with questions about the extraordinary amount of junk showing up on my scans. Bottom line, after two years and four MRIs, I’m fine. Praise God and the fine staff at Polster!

Bringing teas and coffees to Polster Breast Care Center today. I won them in a raffle at a Mom’s club last week, and have more than enough already. The women who are waiting for their appointments have a restful lounge area to sit in, and I know someone will enjoy these treats. I’d wager that we all have things like this that we could share… look around, is there maybe something you have that could give someone else a little lift?

IMG_5259

Thanks to Anne for providing the coffees and teas that I won!