I share more personal stories about drinking coffee, from half a cup, thick with milk and sugar, allowed in childhood, to large cups, hot and black, once old enough to make my own choices. This episode includes the story of my father’s tornado experience and his insistence on building a storm cellar as a result. And, naturally, after a night in a storm cellar, nothing but coffee can get things back to normal. I round out the episode with one of my coffee poems.
Coffee
THE DELIGHTFUL HISTORY OF MAXWELL HOUSE COFFEE — ON MY COFFEE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
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.”
DON’T FORGET THE COFFEE – DAY 3
I realize I’m lagging in moving forward with this new coffee series. I’ve had tons of stuff going on over the past couple months, and just never could find enough time, energy, and creativity all at the same time to get back to blogging with any regularity. But I’m on it again today. Hopefully, I can stick with it a little better over the next couple weeks at least. Anyway, let’s focus on some coffee now.
I thought today I’d talk to you about dunking. It probably isn’t considered good manners in any culture to take a piece of food in your hand and stick it into your cup of coffee until it gets soggy — and then slurp it into your mouth — possibly even dripping some coffee down your chin at the same time. 🙂 But I’ve done it since I was a kid, and I love it. (Well, not the part about the coffee dripping down my chin.)
Some of my favorite memories from childhood involve times when my grandmother, my mom, my sister and I went to another town very early on several Saturday mornings to visit my mom’s sister and her four kids. Grandma always bought a big box of doughnuts, and my aunt brewed a pot of coffee. We all sat around the table with cups of coffee, ready for dunking. Now, of course, we kids all had cups half full of a brew that was made up of about one half coffee and one half milk and sugar.
But those were such special times. And every once in a while, when I’m missing my family, I think back to those Saturday mornings. And sometimes I go out and buy myself some doughnuts just to sit and dunk them in my coffee while I sit and remember how happy we all were to be together enjoying that treat.
Of course, my coffee today is a little different from what it was back then. I stopped using sugar in my coffee about the time I got out of college, but I still used milk until one day when I was teaching high school and got really nauseous. I knew I had to get something to settle my stomach quickly, so during the 3 minute break between classes, I rushed down to the cafeteria to see what might be available. The lady in charge had just brewed a fresh pot of coffee, and it smelled so good. Suddenly I felt that if I sipped a little hot coffee with nothing else in it, that would help my stomach. And to my surprise, it did the trick. Just a few sips of the black coffee totally settled my stomach, and I have never added milk or anything else to my coffee since then.
Once in a great while, I will try some specialty coffee that has a lot of flavored cream or syrup — just to have a different experience — but those times are rare, and I usually end up disappointed in how it tastes after all.
But now back to dunking: I have never outgrown the desire to dunk things in my coffee. Cookies, of course, top the list of dunkables, along with doughnuts. But I also like to dunk my toast in my coffee as well. Occasionally, I dunk crackers, and I remember a time or two when I dunked my chocolate fudge in my coffee. Mmmmmmm!!!. When my mom was alive and we could be together on Christmas Eve, she and I made it a habit to have some of her homemade fudge and coffee for breakfast every Christmas Eve. What fun.
And, of course, it’s so many of those special family memories that make coffee a comfort food for me. I’m sure that’s a good part of the reason I love coffee so much and want to drink it every day. And I’m grateful that I can drink it without any negative effects. I can even drink it right before going to bed. In fact, some nights when I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep, I can drink a cup of coffee and get all relaxed and settled enough to get to sleep again. And, of course, if I’m really wide awake, grabbing a couple chocolate chip cookies and dunking them rounds off those midnight snacks perfectly.
I hope everyone reading this article has had the joy of dunking goodies in their coffee. But if you have not, be sure you try it before the day’s over. You won’t be sorry. But be sure and keep a napkin handy for your chin. 🙂
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.
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. 🙂
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!
A DRINK CALLED ‘JOE’
I’m still working on my coffee poetry book, and I’m thinking about including this poem in the mix. I’m not sure yet, because I’m not positive it’s clear and understandable. If any of you who read it on here have an opinion about whether the point is clear — or confusing — let me know in the comments. Thanks. And — hopefully — you’ll enjoy it.
A CUP OF JOSEPH DANIELS???
I heard the story this way,
And perhaps it’s mostly true:
That way back when, in World War I,
Coffee’s popularity grew.
It seems a Joseph Daniels,
Navy Secretary then,
Made efforts strong to change some things
And bolster moral men.
He instituted new rules
So Navy guys would think,
And contemplate the consequence
Of inebriating drink.
Banned alcohol consumption,
And, naturally, that led
To stewards brewing coffee more
For sailors to drink instead.
According to the legend,
This mark the guys did toe,
But much disgruntled at their loss,
Nicknamed their coffee “Joe.”
A NEW COFFEE BOOK IS BREWING
I’m working on a new coffee poetry book. It will include a little more than poems though. I think I’ll use several of the coffee photos and quotes that I used in my coffee lovers journal and intersperse them between the poems. I’ll have to see how the plan works out. Right now, I think it is destined to be more of a “coffee table” book [no pun intended :)] with full color inside. I have loads of coffee poems already written of course, but I have to write some new ones as well. Today, I thought I’d share one of the newest — hot off the press, so to speak.
MY BEVERAGE OF CHOICE
I have a great respect for milk and tea,
And I drink both of them occasion’ly.
I’m not a snob, though some may think me so;
It’s just that I’ve a favorite drink called ‘Joe.’
It’s quite a nickname, that, and quite a tale
Of how it came about, but truth to tell,
That story isn’t pertinent to this rhyme,
So I will share it all another time.
For now, I’d like to focus on my cup.
Its freshly-brewed aroma lifts me up.
The coffee’s hot and black and medium roast.
To celebrate, I’ll make a tasty toast:
To coffee, life’s elixir, piping hot ⸺
The energizing drink that hits the spot.
But comforting as well; it soothes my soul.
My beverage of choice: it wins the poll.
PICK-ME-UP CINQUAIN
Life gets so busy, and I’m finding it harder and harder to post on the website the way I used to. I miss it. And I decided today that it has been entirely too long since I have written some cinquain — or since I have written about coffee. So I decided to combine the two subjects and here’s what I came up with.
PICK-ME-UP
I need
A pick-me-up.
And I know what will work:
A cup of fragrant, fresh-brewed joy —
Coffee!
It’s great
At any time.
One cup won’t be enough.
I feel inspired to brew up a
Full pot.
YES!
🙂
Just Smelling the Coffee Brewing makes Life Better!
Coffee-Minded Cinquain
Coffee
Is on my mind.
A smooth yet robust roast:
Tantalizing aroma and
Rich taste.
I must
Now brew a pot —
Enough to share with friends.
A treat this special deserves to
Be shared.
Recipe For Creative Writing — Revisited
What? You don’t think I’m serious about this recipe? Well, I assure you that I am. In fact, I’ve been writing — very successfully, I might add — for many years now using these ingredients on a regular basis. I originally posted the recipe about five years ago, but when I revisited the article recently and thought it over, I realized that I’m even more convinced of its effectiveness now than I was then. So I’m re-posting it just for the fun of it.
1. A Quiet Corner:
I must have quiet when I’m creating. If I’m simply relaxing — or doing housework — or eating — I often enjoy listening to music, a TV program, or a lesson on a subject that interests me. But if I am intent on creating something with words, I do not want any conversation or music whirling around me. I want to be closed into my own private world — just me and my words — until I have received conception of and given birth to that brand new entity that has been waiting on me to bring it into the world. So this ingredient is a must.
2. A Cup of Coffee — or Two:
My, there’s just nothing that quite equals the soothing, uplifting aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. And I’m tired of hearing all the uninformed critics out there who try to make coffee drinkers feel guilty because there is an element of caffeine in coffee. I have always maintained that, since the Lord told us in Genesis that He made the seed-bearing trees and plants for us to eat, then we should be able to partake of coffee with a clear conscience and a happy heart. And let’s not forget that God made the coffee bean with the caffeine in it.
Furthermore, there have been numerous medical and scientific experiments done over the past half dozen years that prove coffee has many beneficial qualities for the human body — everything from quickening our brain function to eliminating headaches as quickly as aspirin to protecting the body against several kinds of cancer and heart problems. Naturally, nothing is good for our bodies if we partake of too much of it, to the exclusion of other important elements. But in moderation, coffee is a great blessing. And considering the fact that, in my family, a good cup of coffee has always been associated with family togetherness, wonderful fellowship, and comforting relaxation, coffee is, for sure, a substantial ingredient in my recipe.
3. Chocolate:
As with coffee, the medical field has grown in its understanding over the past decade concerning chocolate. Researchers in the field have learned that chocolate has many helpful — and healthful — benefits for our bodies. Again, we remember that everything we ingest is most helpful when taken in moderation. But there’s one more quality associated with chocolate that we must add to our evaluation of it. We need to consider the connotations associated with that delicious treat — you know: mother’s love, romantic love, comfort, and a little extra surge of energy. Now, given all those positives, how could I possibly leave chocolate out of my recipe?
Combine all ingredients in whatever ratios make you happy.
So there you have it folks. There’s just no other recipe quite so perfect for the dedicated, committed creative writer. And if you haven’t yet used this particular recipe, give it a try the next time you sit down to write. Your masterpiece may be just a quiet corner, a cup of coffee, and a chocolate bar away.
~~~
Coffee Valentine # 5
Valentine,
I just couldn’t seem to find the words to tell you how much I love you. So I’m hoping this 100-pound bag of Brazilian coffee beans will tell you everything you need to know.
The Happy Wordcrafter 