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.