"C" is for a Cup of Morning Passion

Normally I'm not a very nostalgic person, but I must admit at times I fondly reminisce of the numerous 24-Hr restaurants I frequented throughout the 70's, 80's and even the 90's. They were the gathering places of that day and time, for everything from Bible studying and letter writing, to after-game or after-movie hangouts.

My friends all knew where they could find me mulling over a journal or trying to pen a compelling personal essay or poem. Often writing late into the night, I would easily consume nearly 2 pots of what was usually a special blend of Farmer Brothers Coffee -- black with sugar. I wasn't critical of the coffee...much anyway...as long as the restaurant was clean and the service great.

When my husband and I first dated, many wonderfully romantic and often deeply inspiring late night conversations took place in one of those very relaxing enclaves called a booth. We would sit across from one another, holding hands and milking the moment as we got lost in each other's heart-melting gaze. Me with my coffee...he with his Pepsi.

For one of our wedding anniversaries we decided to stay in a historical, downtown Seattle hotel, only 3 blocks away from the Pike Place Market and home to the first Starbucks. You see, I always thought lattes and cappuccinos were going to go away. HA! No matter, neither of us gave in to the craze (then anyway). Instead, we simply enjoyed the surprisingly yummy complimentary coffee in our room.

It was the most delectable full-bodied coffee I had ever tasted! Yet, low in acid -- because it's slow-roasted -- which made it stomach-friendly! This meant a lot to me, since I had found it more and more difficult to sit in one of those old-time coffee shops imbibing cup after cup of Farmers Brothers, or Kona, or any other masterful blend.

So, who is this amazing gourmet coffee company, based in Seattle, who wasn't afraid to stand up to Starbucks, you ask? (I knew you'd want to know.) Well, it's Caffe Appassionato!

"It was no accident that we named our company after Beethoven’s sonata, 'Appassionata,' a piece of music written against all odds by an eighteenth century composer who could not hear a note he wrote...

"Like Beethoven, we felt passionate about our work. And like the 'Appassionata,' the coffee we sought had to surround the senses while captivating the spirit."

Now I no longer need to venture out to locate that perfect spot to write, enduring whatever "black gold" might be on the menu that day. I am quite content remaining in our humble home, sipping on a perfectly roasted and freshly brewed cup of Morning Passion...a perfect cup of coffee for a perfect ending :~)

Challenge the Pond-er

Here's a good way to challenge *me.* ~ 

(Please note: This is assuming you are a member of Facebook...hhhmmmm)

Pick one of my *Likes* from this link: Pond-er's fb Page. For more than just the 5 featured ones in the sidebar, click on Info, located below the picture. Then, let me know what you chose by sharing it on my Pond-er wall...and if you like my page, there's a button for that, too :~) 

Now, let's see if I will have a story to tell about it - to post on my blog. I'll let you know if I picked yours by leaving a comment on my Wall, under your post. And besides, there's always a fun or challenging moral to all my posts (well, almost always) - to tuck away for some motivated moment in time :~)

Reliable as Rain Falling Down, Not Up

Does anyone punch holes in the top of large juice cans anymore? You know, with the "other side" of that old bottle cap opener, the pointy triangle end. As a child, it amazed me that to get the juice to pour out of the can nicely, rather than just a blub...blub...blub, a second hole had to be punched in the top of the can across from the first. There was a right way to do it and it worked wonders!

Today you buy coffee or a latte to go and the lid has a tiny hole across from where you sip. I usually don't give it much thought until I tip my cup and not much of that invigorating espresso with the yummy caramel flavor seems to hit my mouth. That's when I immediately inspect that teeny little hole to make sure it's open. It was certainly the right way to make those lids.

Know what makes it right? Because for every inflow there has to be an outflow, and vice versa. It is a law of physics - no less impacting than when Newton said, "what goes up, must come down."

I love to write. What writer doesn't? Then what in the world could possibly stop the flow of those beautifully orchestrated metaphors and lingering states of suspended disbelief I know I am so capable of? And yet, at times, the writer in me just does one of those blub...blub...blub's. That's when I inspect my teeny little hole to make sure it's open, and possibly even make it a bit larger.

If I want to receive anything I need in my life, I know I have to give. That's right. It's another one of those crazy physical laws like Newton's. I will need to get completely away from the narcissistic side of my personality that thinks what I'm currently doing is all important, and freely give. Albeit, this may seem to be a might difficult in this particular moment, since I'm right in the middle of confronting my own worst enemy: writer's block or, what's right block.

Actually, I have found this to be a perfect time to go to one of my social networks to see who's asking for an opinion, or perhaps initiate some new discussion, or maybe even let another artist know how much I enjoy their work. What a fantastic playground to relieve my stress and simply... give! Rather than visiting my writers' group for help, on this occasion I look for how I can help someone else. Usually this causes a far greater influx of writing possibilities than anything I ever give out.

Not only have I found my teeny little hole, but I cleared it, and even made the opening a bit larger. My writing flows just right. How? By freely giving. The Law of Giving stops the blub...blub...blub and is reliable as rain falling down, not up :~)