Coffee Percs

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

So I moved up into the cover, where I could build a fire, have some coffee, and take stock of the situation.”

                         –Lou Bradshaw  (Cain)
 
Hang on, Pardner, whoopi — Powder River let ‘er buck.  Here we come 2023.  Lookee ahead, the trail looks clear, but we don’t go gettin’ lazy on the trail.  Ol’ slewfoot might be settin’ a deadfall, or have some of his varmints layin’ in wait for us.
       The ol’ mule is packed tightly and we’re on our way, the Lord as our guide.  Don’t be frettin’, Pard, I’ve plenty of coffee packed.  Enough to get us to our first stop.  Yuh know, at the beginnin’ of each year’s trail, we need to stop an’ look over the land we’re gettin’ ready to cross.  Check our supplies, we don’t want to get caught without enough coffee or ammunition for we don’t know the twists and turns of the trail ahead.  
       Ahhh, be nice to just sit here and gather in the aroma of that brew–the taste ain’t bad either.  But the way is calling, time won’t sit still so we won’t neither.  Before we go to saddlin’ up, we should take a minute to think of those pards who’ll not be headin’ into 2023.  Some passed by the way.  The devil got them at last, ha ha, but death is only momentary ’cause the Lord throws us up right into glory.  He’s already traveled that trail and knows the way.
       Speakin’ of coffee.  Yuh remember that time up on the North Canadian when that rascal done shot up my coffeepot?  Not the Canadian?  Well, where was it then smarty-britches.  The Purgatoire?  Come to think of it, yur right.  We were a day or so from Las Animas.  We had to use my pan to make coffee.  Ahh, the memories of past years.
       So, Pard, as we travel remember this ain’t no tip-toe-through-the-tulips sorta ride.  It’s for eternity.  We need to be ready for anything that Old Scratch may have hidden for us.  He’s lurkin’ around; saw some tracks yesterday.  Yep, 2023, it’s ahead.  I reckon there will be the troubles and trials like any other year.  But we have to take the bad with the good if’n we’re goin’ to make it to Glory.  So hang on, Pard, the trail is looming in front us.  It’s time to tighten our cinches and be on our way.  Yeehaw!
       Vaya con Dios.

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Isabella hurried back inside returning less than a minute with a mug of coffee. I couldn’t help but smile as I took a whiff of the rich aroma. She knew I liked it black and strong. Taking a sip I savored the flavor of the brew, I didn’t care if it was this morning‘s coffee.”

                    –D.C. Adkisson  (Winter of the Wolves)
 
“‘Tis the season to be jolly,” come on Pard, join in, “fa la la la fa da la la.”  Well, it goes something like that.  Welcome, coffee’s on, it’s hot and strong this morning.  Right chilly, but feels sorta good.  At least it’s not twenty below like our Pard, Miles Forrest faced back in that winter north of Meeker.  Whoopee, my toes are barkin’ just at the thought of it bein’ that cold.
       Say, I read somethin’ the other day that made me smile.  Now you can chuckle, but I don’t want yuh guffawin’ and spurtin’ out yur coffee all over the table.  Here’s the story:  It seems that an old codger was forever gripin’ an’ complain’ about his wife.  He told her one mornin’, “I want two eggs!”  She tryin’ to be nice replied, “Well, dear, how would yuh like them cooked?”  To which he replied, “I want one scrambled and one sunny side up.”  She dutifully went to the kitchen, scrambled one and cooked the other one sunny side up.  But when she put it in front of him, he snapped back, “You scrambled the wrong egg!”  I picked this up from a preacher-man in North Texas by the name of Graham.
       In one way it’s funny, but in another sorta sad.  Some folk are never satisfied.  We should be doin’ our best, especially in this season when people’s nerves are somewhat on edge to be friendly and compassionate.  Yuh never know how that compassion can reach out an’ heal a soul.  No matter how bad a look they give you that might cause you consternation or bile risin’ in the gizzard smile at them.  I wrote earlier that “Yuh can’t always have a good day.  But you can always face a bad day with a good attitude.”  Now, that’s good preachin’!”
       Take that last swaller an’ join me, “Follow me in merry measure, While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la ti da fa la.”  Yuh be havin’ a very Merry Christmas, Pard,  Be a-smilin’ at folk, for they may be havin’ a bad time.  Let yur light shine, even if’n yuh fall off yur hoss ’cause yuh didn’t check yur cinch.
        Vaya con Dios.

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

The sun shone bright and cold and only the round-and-round growl of the coffee grinder, the rush of a steady wind, and the crackling of the hay sounded in the lean-to.”

                         –Laura Ingalls Wilder  (The Long Winter)
 
      Have yurself a seat, Pard.  Coffee’s on the way.  Say, did yuh ever read that book by Wilder?  Brrr, I read it years ago, and it made me cold jist readin’ it.  They went through some times, not jist Wilder, but all those who helped settle this great country.  Blood, sweat, tears, and death was the norm.  Hands were blistered and calloused, but they toughed it out.  Now we have those twinkies and snowflakes tearin’ it apart.  
      Here yuh go–ahhh, take a whiff of that aroma before yuh start yur slurpin’.  Breathe deep, close yur eyes–now take a sip.  Watch it–it’s hot!  This coffee sure ain’t for that woke crowd, yet it’ll sure get yuh woke up fast.  I saw where the alphabet folk got their way with their blusterin’, threatenin’ and degradin’.  I say degradin’ because they tear down the dignity of mankind, of God’s creation.  A small event with that transfer of criminals?  Nah, it could be the sound of another nail in the coffin.  They’re provokin’ a patient God with their shameful ways.
      But ‘nough of that nonsense.  Yuh like that coffee?  Folks from Coldspring sell it (Spring Ridge Roasters) and let me tell yuh, Pard, they’re good folk.  They’re genuine, not like some I’ve known.  Which reminds me, Christmas on the Square is today in Coldspring.  Weather the cold (ha, ha) that’s a joke, Pard.  We’ve had to turn on the air conditioner and it’s December.  Now me and my toes don’t relish cold weather anymore, but winter is supposed to be at least chilly.  I might have to meander down an’ see if there’s something I need to buy.
      I remember back in the time of my childhood lookin’ at the courthouse bein’ decorated and there was the annual Christmas parade.  Sometimes it would be cold and snowy, but the doin’s went on regardless.  It was all done to bring a smile to a child’s face.  Now they want to mutilate and confuse them.  Christmas should be a time of innocence, but there is evil lurkin’, sinister folk doin’ the biddin’ of their father the devil.  Yuh be doin’ yur part to keep Christmas in recognizing the birth of our Lord an’ Savior.  
      Best be on yur way, I’ve got to clean up and go downtown.  Think I might buy some more of that New Guinea coffee.  Don’t have to worry none ’bout sliddin’ off into the ditch because of snow, but I’ll be lookin’ for yuh anyway jist in case yuh forgot to check yur cinch and fell by the wayside.
       Vaya con Dios.

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

We don’t drink froufrou coffee. The coffee at the cafe is strong enough to grow hair on your chest. You could ask them to heat some milk and try to cobble together something that tastes like a latte. It’s not espresso, but it might do.”

                    –Colleen Coble  (Alaska Twilight)
 
You still traipsin’ around doin’ yur shoppin’?  I’ve been missin’ yuh, but I know the feelin’ as I had to go out one day.  Whoopee, some folks don’t think that the law pertains to them when they’re out drivin’.  Pard, despite all the things happenin’ we’ve got to remember that the season is for celebratin’ the love of God.  The mystery of the Incarnation is upon us and we ring bells, put up lights, and sing carols along with drinkin’ our coffee in Christmas mugs.
       I don’t want to be puttin’ a damper on yur singin’ of “Joy to the World” but they’re messin’ with God’s moral laws again.  I thought I heard another nail bein’ driven in the coffin with this law they’re tryin’ to pass makin’ same-sex marriage legal.  Why if that don’t ruffle yur feathers I don’t know what will.  The Holy Writ says right from the start that man is to marry a woman and be united into one.  Cayn’t happen any other way.  Don’t think that this makes the Lord smile; it grieves Him.  There is a reason for the family to bein’ like it is:  father, mother, children.
       Enough of that, drink up that coffee there’s plenty left.  We got to get busy drinkin’ that pot down.  Let’s hum a tune while we slurp.  How ’bout “Deck the Halls”?  Ha, that’s won’t work.  I get coffee all over my moustache.  Say, Pard while we’re in the Christmas mood, what’dya buy me for Christmas?  Hope it’s not a pair of socks.  Why just because I wore a hole in one I was a-wearin’ for a couple of years an’ yuh saw it, yuh’ve been buyin’ me a pair every year.
       Pard, Christmas is a time for many things, and one of them is memories.  I’ve got a whole heap of them.  Why sittin’ here I was thinkin’ of all the lights we used to see downtown around the courthouse when I was growin’ up.  Sure glad Coldspring does it every year.  We went to the lightin’ a week ago.  The cross was brightly lit, the nativity had lights showcasin’ it.  Things were put in proper perspective with the Lord of Glory being the center of attention.  Pard, be sure as yuh go about yur travels this holiday season to, of course, check yur cinch, but also to not lose focus on the great event that took place.  That the Lord that He is the reason for the season!
             Vaya con Dios.