He took another sip of his scalding coffee. He wondered sometimes why he wanted the higher quality Arbuckle brand; he drank it so hot he couldn’t taste it anyway.”
–Nathan Wright (The Trail)
Good Saturday mornin’ to yuh, Pard. Trust yuh had a good week. Coffee’s on, strong and hot; it’ll tickle yur gizzard plumb right. Made some of that espresso this mornin’. Now, Pard, contrary to what folks think, I’m no conusseuer; I just know how I like my coffee. Why some put on the package, a hint of grape, or lavender, or chocolate. What I want to know is, does it taste good? I can’t taste any of those hints. I came across this coffee ’cause it was on sale and I’ll always try new coffee. Usually not too bad as long as it’s strong enough. What did the ol’ puncher say, “Life’s too short for bad coffee”?
Pard, since I’m ponderin’ coffee, I want to be tellin’ yuh that I’ve been ponderin’ a lot this week. Yesterday I pondered what it must have been like when Jesus was a boy. I do that quite often. The good Lord must’ve had a reason to not include much of His young life in the Holy Writ. Mostly probably, ’cause it has nothin’ to do with His task, His purpose, and our salvation. Most likely I’ll ponder it some more.
Just like I’m ponderin’ how yuh can drink that hot coffee so fast. My mercy, it’ll burns the hair off’n yur tongue. I reckon yuh done scorched yur throat down to yur gizzard an’ yur holdin’ yur cup out for more. Pard, sometimes…
But back to ponderin’. I’ve pondered a lot of about Genesis, especially the early part. My eldest daughter sent me a little thought, that caused to stop my slurpin’ and ponder. Now, I’ve pondered most of this before. Shem, yuh remember him? Noah’s son. Shem would have known Abraham, and I tend to believe that he was the man that Abraham gave honor to–Melchizedek. Now get this, since Shem was before the flood, he also would have known Methuselah. Now, go ahead an’ take a swallow, ’cause this is something I haven’t pondered until now. Methusalah would have known Adam. I wonder what ol’ Adam told Methuselah? Think of all that Adam knew. He walked with God, He talked with God. He sinned and was tossed out of the Garden. Did he tell Methuselah what the Garden was like, what the serpent was like, how life changed? Something for sure to ponder. But Pard, take it a bit further. Since Methuselah knew Abraham did he discuss those same things with him?
Yuh go ahead and ponder. Don’t be wrackin’ yur brains over it, but somethin’ interestin’ for sure. Here’s another thing I ponder. Why do I always have to be remindin’ yuh to check yur cinch?
Vaya con Dios.