Today I noticed the way I drink coffee. I came up with a few questions and decided to interview myself on this subject.
Question: At what age did you start drinking coffee?
Answer: I remember my late Mother offering me a taste of her coffee via a small teaspoon. It seemed exciting she was letting me try something new, but I soon found out that it seemed pretty nasty. I scrunched up my mouth and shuddered as the bitter liquid went down my throat. I wondered why anyone would want to drink this terrible tasting stuff.
Later in life I refused coffee, stating I preferred Pepsi (now it’s Coke), or anything cold to the dreaded coffee or tea. I didn’t drink tea until I was twenty-nine, and that was only because I was in need of something hot to soothe my throat and strained vocal chords. I had another performance that evening and since the waiter at the Chinese restaurant left the thick ceramic cup, sans handles, on the table along with a pot of steaming tea, I decided to end my longtime battle with the herb drink and took a taste. Even though it took me close to an hour to sip my way through two tiny cups, it really helped soothe my throat. I only drink it black or plain.
Back to the coffee. I suppose I drank it at a Denny’s Restaurant late night/early morning, after my band played a night club. We stopped for a quick bite to eat and I was feeling not only exhausted, but weary. I had been holding down a full-time day job and singing six nights a week. Seven more days to fulfill my obligation to my boss, and then I would just be working at nighttime. I couldn’t wait.
Mother went with me to the gigs, and she also had to get up to go to work in a few hours. She recommended strong coffee with cream and sugar. I drank down two cups. It sure did the job and we made it home safely, slept away the exhaustion and made it to our respective jobs on time. Coffee became my go-to drink for energy and stay-awake power. So, I was twenty-four when I drank my first cup of coffee.
Question: You have a special mug; heavy ceramic, creamy white, from Starbuck’s. Must you drink from this mug or do you have other vessels from which to enjoy your brew?
Answer: I’ll name them for you.
- Starbuck’s
- Mickey Mouse
- Ideas Project Cup (it shows the design after the hot liquid is poured in)
- L’Academie de Cuisine 30th Anniversary (my culinary school)
- Daisy The Curly Cat (the most precious fashionista kitty in the world)
I usually use the Starbuck’s mug as it holds about two full cups of coffee. One of these takes me through the day.
Question: How long does it take you to drink your cup of joe?
Answer: The first half goes rather quickly. The last half is the part I take my time over. The first sip allows my brain to say AH. The second sip brings out the UM and by the third I am drinking large swallows. I sometimes get side-tracked; taking care of home, husband and pets, then I end up heating the coffee in the microwave. this way I get the UM all over again.
I can stretch this process out and sip on the last remnants in the mug for a few hours, by taking tiny little sips and measuring the time in-between with reading, writing, researching or playing a few games of solitaire. I especially enjoy thumbing through the Style section of The Washington Post. I read the horoscope, the comic strip, “Mutts”, and sharpen three number two pencils in order to solve the daily Sudoku puzzle. These games are small interludes I use to relax my mind and start thinking about what I am in the middle of writing, or mind grazing for new titles and ideas.
Question: Are you addicted to coffee?
Answer: No. However, I need caffeine. Coffee – Tea – Sodas … they all work for me.
Nighty-Night to one and all. It is time for dreaming and rest. Tomorrow is an early day but I will be around in the afternoon. I hope you have pleasant dreams and a wonderful Wednesday.
