Come over and join me on “God Bless My Coffee” channel to hear the delightful history of Maxwell House Coffee. And to get my unique checklist for finding the “perfect husband.”
Humor
WEEKLY SMILE FOR 10/28/24
Oh, my goodness, it’s been so long since I have had time to participate in Trent’s Weekly Smile — or very much of anything else here on WordPress. I was just thinking about it today and wondering if he is still doing these posts. I was so glad to go into my Reader and find him there right close to the top.
So I took that as a sign that I need to jump in and participate this week. And I really do have something to smile about. It’s my smile. No pun intended.
No kidding. I had a terrible amount of pain in my left jaw last week — sinuses, teeth, and gums — both top and bottom. Sometimes the pain felt like it was coming from my sinuses, but then it seemed to center around a tooth that had been crowned years ago.
I called my dentist and asked if he could get me in for an emergency appointment. That was Friday, but he couldn’t work me in until Monday. The pain was so bad, I really prayed for relief — and even called my pastor to pray as well. And the pain did finally leave after just a few hours. Then I dithered about whether I should keep the emergency appointment. I finally decided that, since I was already scheduled to see him, I might as well go ahead.
When my dentist looked things over, he found a cavity at the edge of the crown — on the little bit of tooth that the crown was attached to. Wow. That’s a bummer. But he was able to drill off that whole crown, fill my tooth, and put on a temporary crown until he could make a new permanent one.
But today — hallelujah! — I got my permanent crown. It looks and feels so good. I can eat normally, and I am smiling wide. I had been really concerned, because the tooth is the one right beside my eye tooth, so if I had lost it, there would have been a very unsightly empty spot there, and that would have spoiled my smiles completely.
So my weekly smile really is my SMILE.
To join in the fun of Trent’s Weekly Smile, just click the link.
DON’T FORGET THE COFFEE SERIES – DAY 2
For Day 2 of my new coffee series, I had intended to post something in prose, but I found myself reading through another coffee poem that I wrote several years ago. As I read it, I was tempted to add some more thoughts to it, so I did. And since it is now a new poem — sort of — I decided to go with verse again today.
NO NEED FOR FALDEROL
I joined the queue outside the door,
Just after 6:00 a.m.
The morning sun had chased the fog,
But warmth was pretty thin.
My breath formed steam each time I spoke,
And pockets warmed my hands.
I yearned for coffee, hot and strong,
A large cup was my plan.
We inched along with moderate speed,
And soon I stood inside.
The fresh aroma brought a smile;
It’s tantalizing tide
Mingled with the cozy sounds
Of orders glorified:
Venti Frappucino – Tall
Mocha Latte – Grande.
Americano, Cappucinno,
Really, there’s no end.
At last, I stood before the bar;
The young barista frowned.
He know I’d order coffee – plain.
No whip, no froth — just brown.
I hate to disappoint him so;
He’s quite sweet after all.
But coffee is its own reward;
No need for folderol.
I’m all for staying true to form —
A purist through and through.
The best coffee experience:
Unadulterated brew.
DON’T FORGET THE COFFEE
I got to thinking this week that it has been a very long time since I published a post about coffee. Now, for a dyed-in-the-wool coffee lover like me, that should be considered a sin. So I have decided it’s time to do a new little coffee series. I think I’ll call it “DON’T FORGET THE COFFEE.” And I decided to begin this new series with a brand new poem by the same title.
DON’T FORGET THE COFFEE!
Whether rushing off to church on Sunday morning,
Or heading out to work from day to day,
I have one specific task that’s mandatory,
I must make a pot of coffee, come what may.
Now, it’s not that I can’t function without java,
I have jumped from bed and tackled urgent tasks
Without the soothing and uplifting beverage,
But why should I? That’s the thing to ask.
I require so very little to appease me,
And I gladly do my work and extra too.
I don’t ask for extra pay or laud and honor.
All I ask is to enjoy my daily brew.
It’s about the only thing that I indulge in —
Well, there’s chocolate — I admit I love that too.
But if I forgot to make my pot of coffee,
Why, I just don’t think I’d know quite what to do.
For no matter what the new day has in store,
I am quite convinced that all will turn out fine
As long as I do not forget my coffee —
Nature’s tonic with a touch of the Divine.
VALENTINE’S DAY ADVICE
DAILY PROMPT 2138 – FAVORITE THINGS TO WEAR
The prompt asked about TWO favorite things to wear. But that doesn’t really make sense, because it doesn’t clarify whether it’s talking about upper garments, lower garments, coats, shoes, hair accessories, or a dozen other categories. So I had to do some thinking about this one.
However, I did realize pretty quickly that all my “favorite” things to wear have one or two things in common. First of all, they are all COMFORTABLE. I spelled that with capital letters because it is my primary decision maker. I used to be willing to be uncomfortable in order to be “in fashion” or to wear something that I thought was particularly flattering or would catch the “right person’s” eye. Nowadays, I am much more sensible. I cater to my own comfort.
So in the category of favorites I have to include a powder blue sweatshirt, which is cozy and comfy, a red Christmas top (also soft and comfy) with lovely sculptured silver Christmas trees on the front — a gift from my sister — a necklace that is simply the name Jesus written in script, with a short silver chain.
The second thing many of my favorites have in common is that they have sentimental or nostalgic significance. And that’s why I have a pair of black flats and a pair of tan flats that are reminiscent of some I wore as a teenager. I loved that style, and when they came back into the stores a few years ago, I grabbed up a couple pair and always enjoy wearing them.
So, there you have it. Are there other things I could include on the list? Certainly. But these are enough to answer the question. So now if you’ll excuse me, I will just go slip into something comfortable. 🙂
DAILY WRITING PROMPT 2090 — WHAT PRINCIPLES DEFINE HOW YOU LIVE?
I’d probably say that the principles I try to base my life on are found in three main statements:
1: Galatians 2:20 says, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me.” I try, as much as I can, to act, react, and speak the way I believe Jesus would in my place. I don’t always manage it successfully, but my efforts are sincere.
2.In all my work as a writer, artist, and teacher, I follow this dictum: Perfection is not a requirement in my life, but excellence is mandatory.
3. This third bit of advice I got from my canine friends, and it seems a valid way to conduct myself most of the time: Wag more; bark less.
DAILY WRITING PROMPT 2025 – WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO CARRY WITH YOU ALL THE TIME?
MY CUP OF COFFEE.
Now some folks out there may think I’m joking. And maybe I’m being just a little light-hearted about the prompt. I suppose I would have to say that my purse with some kind of money and my drivers license would be at the very top of the list. But right after that comes my cup of coffee — no kidding. If I’m home, it’s in a pretty cup — often one with my own original artwork on it. And if I’m not home, it’s in a travel cup that I can stick into any microwave for a warm-up. You might say a good hot cup of coffee is my version of a security blanket. 🙂
CHOOSING THE PERFECT PET — POEM
CHOOSING THE PERFECT PET
Sometimes I wish I had a dog that I could call my own.
He’d keep me company, and I would never feel alone.
I’d pet and pamper him and give him yummy little treats.
And I could tell him everything because he’d be discreet.
But then, of course, I’d have to train him not to “go” inside.
And when he had to “go” I’d have to be there by his side.
I’d have to walk him twice a day with poo bags in supply,
And regular visits to the vet could run my checkbook dry.
Dog food to buy, and dog supplies, could use up cash I’ve saved.
Add discipline and training to make sure he’s well-behaved.
And bathing him and grooming when he might not want it done.
The more I think about it, it just doesn’t sound like fun.
After consideration, I am very much inclined
To get a furry puppy of the artificial kind.
They’re cuddly soft and stuffed with cloth and never have to “wet.”
Yes, I’ve decided that’s the kind of puppy I will get.
WHAT IS YOUR CAREER PLAN? – DAILY PROMPT # 1933
What is my career plan?
TO DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AND MAKE LOADS OF MONEY AT IT!
No, seriously, since I shared in an earlier Daily Prompt about having several careers — which have given me much pleasure for the majority of my adult life — I don’t see any need to make any new plans now. But I couldn’t resist posting on today’s prompt — plus it gave me an opportunity to focus on one of my favorite bird paintings: This little birdie who is doing absolutely nothing but singing his heart out.
LIVIN’ IN THE HILLS — QUIRKY INK SKETCH
DAILY PROMPT 1883 — WHAT TATTOO DO YOU WANT?
Are you kidding me ???????
I won’t even get my ears pierced because I don’t like pain!
DON’T ANYBODY POINT ANY NEEDLES IN MY DIRECTION!
besides that, i’m a writer, so i know where ink belongs: on paper — not under my skin
LOVE POTION ALA CABBAGE — MY LATEST FREE AUDIO SHORT STORY
I added another free audio short story to my personal YouTube channel today. Hope you enjoy it. A humorous look at romance as a senior citizen.
DAILY PROMPT 1866 — WHAT ARE 3 THINGS YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT
Three things I absolutely could not live without are my Bible, Something to Write With, and Something to Paint With.
Well, that’s one way of looking at it. But actually, there’s an alternate list. The prompt didn’t ask us to list THE ONLY 3 things we couldn’t live without. The first list is definitely true. But so is my second list: My Bible, Coffee, & Chocolate.
There’s no question that my Bible comes first on either list. I live by God’s Word in every aspect of my life, and it gives me guidance, healing, and sanity in a very disturbed world. But those other two choices — well — they sort of ebb and flow.
There are days when I really do need to write. And my art helps release all the creative energy inside as well as relieve stress. So on some days, I couldn’t stand not being able to write or paint.
But then there are those days when all I need is to feel comforted and cozy and convinced that everything is going to be all right. On those days, numbers 2 and3 are definitely coffee and chocolate — preferably at the same time. 🙂
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK? – Daily Writing Prompt 1855
Oh, my goodness, that is such an easy question to answer. My favorite drink of all time is COFFEE — The elixir of life.
In fact, anyone who has followed my blog for any amount of time could have answered it for me, because they all know I have five specific categories on my website that are dedicated to coffee: ‘Daily Grind Coffee Quotes,’ ‘Coffee Thursday,’ ‘Let’s Talk Coffee,’ ‘Coffee Is a Poem,’ and ‘Coffee Valentines.’ 🙂
Not only that, but I’ve published the Daily Grind Coffee Lover’s Journal, and I am in the process of writing my newest coffee book titled Coffee: The Elixir of Life, which will include articles, poetry, and fabulous pictures with appropriate captions. Added to those activities, I have begun preparing a series of podcasts titled “Let’s Talk Coffee.” They aren’t available for the public yet, but soon.
So, yep, it’s coffee for me — no contest!
The Happy Wordcrafter 