I was standing out on the walk way of the depot watching the goings on, drinking a cup of coffee I got from the railroad agent. It cost me a nickel. . . Makes a fella want to give up coffee.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Big Man’s Keeper)
Pard, I had to chuckle when I read the above comment by our ol’ pard. It shore hit home this week. I had to go have labs taken, that means seein’ the vampire to get blood drawn, and since I had to be fastin’ as is my custom I went to Denny’s for breakfast right afterward. I noticed immediately that the menu had changed, and that usually means one thing–prices have gone up.
Well, better take a sip ‘fore I go on. That’s it a deep one if’n it’s not too hot. When I received my bill, I saw that coffee was $3.39. I was shore glad I had at least drunk three cups. The coffee’s not real bad, not as good as that yur drinkin’ for shore. But, my mercy–$3.39. I had to laugh for I remember the time when my Grandpa Jones slammed his hand down on the table at a cafe and declared, “Ten cents for a cup of coffee; that’s ridiculous!”
I can well remember that back in college when I had a few cents to go out I made sure that I drunk enough coffee to pay the bill. For example, I could get a cinnamon roll and coffee for $.75 so I made sure I drank at least seven cups of coffee. That was about my limit. When I started datin’ Annie, I tried to keep a dime to buy a coke at the snack bar in the evenin’ or an ice cream. We would then share it. My big money was saved for Sunday night. A couple of times a month we would go to the Village Inn Pancake House where we could each get a meal for around a dollar.
Pard, I said all of that to jist remind yuh not to be over spendin’ this Christmas. I understand the scheme of things, and I know that if the price of this goes up, then the price of that has to go up. The thing, Pard, where does it all end? So don’t be spendin’ much on me, unless you’re buyin’ me a new pair of boots, or a new Stetson. Then I’ll gladly accept it. Christmas, I know, is for givin’, but we ought also to be puttin’ our focus on the reason for givin’. Focus our sights on the Lord Jesus Christ and I guarantee that it’ll be a very Merry Christmas!
I see yur smile; yuh enjoyed that coffee this mornin’. Good, it was black, hot and strong. Makes a man’s innards take a notion to get on with the day. Yuh, be havin’ a good week, and I needn’t remind yuh to check yur cinch. Ride easy, ride watchful for there’s plenty of fools out there on the road.
Vaya con Dios.