She then removed the coffee pot and poured a tall ceramic mug full of coffee and put it on the table before him, adding a smile as a sweetener.”
–C.J. Petit (Tate)
Now ain’t that sweet sentiment? Pard, that’s the way it should be. Along with a good, hot, strong, black cup of coffee all a person needs is a smile from his sweetie. Do that in the mornin’ and it sets the tone for the whole day. The truth be told, however, Pard, I’m usually the one who makes the coffee in the mornin’. But when the wife gets up, there’s a “goon mornin'” then a hug. Yep, that’s the way to get the day started, oh, along with meetin’ with the Lord first thing every mornin’.
No philosophyzin’ or politicalizin’ this mornin’, just some coffee talk. I read where one ol’ boy made his coffee so strong that he remarked to a vendor, “If I’m lucky, I make my week’s coffee and by Tuesday and don’t work the rest of the week.” Pard, that must be some strong coffee. I’ve heard the complaint that some folks put too much water in their coffee, but… And from what I hear, and some say it’s the truth, that some old-time Texas Rangers made their coffee strong and thick enough to patch a pothole, but again, that’s just what I heard.
My Grandpa Jones started rollin’ in his grave when he heard the price of coffee these days. Grandpa owned a cafe in Boulder, CO and before that a pharmacy in Industry, KS. They were on a trip and stopped to eat. Grandpa was appalled that coffee cost a dime. He slammed his hand on the table, and complained, “Never heard of such a thing as coffee costing more than a nickel.” But I’m not so old that I don’t remember when coffee came with the meal, especially breakfast, and there were unlimited refills. Ha, Pard, that reminds me of goin’ to the Sycamore Inn durin’ college. Once in a while, we’d have enough money to buy a sweet roll that cost fifty cents. We made sure we drank at least five cups of coffee to even out the bill; yep, by that time inflation had set in and coffee most everywhere was a dime.
Say, yur quiet today. Is it the upcomin’ storm, or did yuh burn the hair off’n yur tongue on the hot coffee. Pure delight this mornin’. No harsh words, nothin’ worth talkin’ ’bout in the news, most of it lies anyhow. But here’s another true story. I done tolt yuh ’bout my Grandpa Jones, well, here’s one ’bout my Grandpa Adkisson. Grandpa was a big man, which was causin’ him blood pressure problems. The doctor put him on a strict diet and Grandpa asked if he could drink coffee. “Sure,” the doctor said, “drink as much as you want.” When Grandpa went back to the doctor he had lost weight, but his blood pressure was still up. It caused the doc to shake his head, then he asked, “How much coffee are you drinking?” Grandpa thought for only a moment and replied, “Only about five pots a day.” The doctor advised he cut back to maybe two pots. See, instead of eatin’ he was drinkin’ coffee.
Listen, Pard, here’s the truth, if’n yuh get up on the wrong side of the bed, don’t crawl back in. Just head on out to the kitchen, and make yurself a pot. Then yuh can relax while it’s a-perkin’ for patience soothes the troubled soul. When the perkin’s done, take a sip, lean back and thank the good Lord, then take a deeper sip. It’ll perk up yur mood, sure ‘nough. Now, see yuh can leave the day not agitated, yur gizzard is smilin’ happy thoughts an’ not makin’ any gurglin’ noises. Yu’ll have a fine day, long as yuh remember to check yur cinch.
Vaya con Dios