"Our pace took sudden awe" -Emily Dickinson

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Tonight was my seventh "last night" at Starbucks.

Okay, I included store transfers in that number.

I have not worked at Starbucks for at least a month at this point. Of course, I miss it for the people who I do not see everyday. I miss it because I love coffee so much. I miss steaming milk. But frankly, that is it.

I mentioned to one of the employees that I graduated from college with a degree in English and writing.

"Oh really?" she said.

"Yes," I said.

"And you work at a bed and breakfast? What a waste."

I froze mid-coffee scoop. Froze, but only for a moment. She does not know what the job entails. That is okay. I began scooping again.

And then, of course, I began to dream again about my affair with writing. I can only mildly call it an affair for now. Family and work have taken precedent over it. I cannot answer the question of why it does not fit into my schedule often other than the obvious answer: perhaps I am not as passionate as I once was.

That hurts.

Alright, enough already. It's no thing to complain about - this stage, that is. Writing will always be my first love. And today I made chocolate ganache eclairs with strawberries. And I absolutely loved doing it. And I do not regret spending the time and detail it took to create those little masterpieces.
Perhaps I am merely placating myself.

Bah.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

March 2

Not unlike my good friend Teres, I value what a hot mug of coffee between my two hands in the morning means.
It smells our apartment with the fine aroma of fresh-ground coffee beans from Central America (these are, by far, the best):
It warms my hands that have turned blue from poor circulation:
But primarily, it's that taste that comes from sipping on coffee - first the creamy taste from my half and half, then the burst of citrus or nuts, and then the bitter taste coffee brings and the lingering one it leaves behind.

Don't even get me started on pairings. That is, chocolate bars alongside hints of cocoa, or lemon squares to compliment citrus keynotes.

Today, it sits beside me as I look out an open window and listen to a multitude of birds and watch the sun already begin to reflect off roofs. Spring begins and I am armed with my coffee.