Five Minute Friday - Coffee

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Today I get to write about something I care deeply about - coffee. It's no secret, given the name of this blog, that I love my morning cup of coffee and just any coffee break in general. I take coffee seriously! I enjoy visiting unique coffee shops when I'm traveling, trying coffee from small batch roasteries, and I even worked in a small batch roastery myself for a few years.

Of course I love the taste of a good cup of coffee, and the flavor notes coffee can add to everything from ice cream to barbecue rub. (Yes, I use ground coffee in my rub for brisket and other meats) But there's more to it, because there's also an experience that I associate with good coffee.

My morning coffee is my (usually) quiet start to the day. That's the part of my daily routine where I'm not likely to be interrupted and I can savor my coffee while I read my Bible and then make a plan for the day. A fresh-brewed cup of coffee is called for when I need to do lesson plans or grading, when I am writing for my blog, or when I have bills or other paperwork to go through. 

Coffee also represents friendship and fellowship to me. Since my teen years, I've been going out for coffee with my friends, or getting together with friends for coffee break. When I was in high school, I met with friends at a local restaurant that kept the coffee refills coming while we talked. When I was in college, I regularly went out for an evening coffee and cinnamon roll with a few friends. I wound up marrying one of those friends and we have been enjoying morning and evening coffee together for over thirty years. I enjoyed visiting with coworkers over coffee break during all the years I worked. My family made a big deal over each of our kids reaching the milestone birthday at which they were allowed to drink coffee. I got together with other moms for coffee breaks while our toddlers played, then while our kids were in gym or co-op classes together, then while our teens hung out together, and finally while our nests were emptying. Many of the best conversations I've had have been accompanied by at least one good cup of coffee. 

It's not just about the taste, or the warm mug in my hands, or even the caffeine to help boost my energy. That cup of coffee brings to mind a Bible study that helps me connect with God, and conversations that have connected me with the people I love all through the years. Comfort and continuity. Conversations and connections and companionship. Not bad for a humble cup of coffee. 

 After all, what would you expect from a blog originally titled Homeschool Coffee Break, but coffee break posts? And when I set up a second blog for book reviews, I named it Just A Second, because it was second blog and also because I had a habit of hollering "just a second!" to anyone who needed me while I was reading! Naturally, I'm always game for a second (or third, or fourth...) cup of coffee.