these days
These days, now in my 77th year here on this crazy granite planet, I spend what money I have mostly on just two things – my half of our exorbitant rent, and coffee. I use my car only when I have to, as evidenced by not stopping for gas for three weeks and at last spending $32 to fill it up, crazy time in gas-taxed California. I don’t go to the movies, I almost never eat out, when I buy a book (here and there) or a CD (hardly ever) they have been loved by another previously, used on Ebay. I sold my guitars and don’t have a new one, the vast majority of my clothes and shoes are old and funky (Yay!!), and I cut my own hair with a trimmer in the mirror, which explains a lot.
But this is about coffee. I drove or walked to a Starbucks for a grande Pike Place five different times this week – three times after work – and I also buy Italian Roast by the pound and go through it at a scary pace, wildly perked, loved, and appreciated dripping down and out from my $20 coffee maker – a life-enhancing (saving?) purchase after my Portland divorce in the spring of ’21.
Saturday morning I walked the mile and a quarter to Starbucks, understanding that if all the seats were taken I’d turn around and walk back, adhering to the fundamental truth yelled in ‘Animal House’ – “We need the dues.” – as an exercise thing now at 76. Though not to belittle the importance in my life I place on coffee. Right up there with Ann, my sons and grandkids, my loyal friends, the Red Sox, and, I suppose, world peace. I did, Saturday, find my favorite seat available and on the yummy-coffee-satisfied-young-man walk home I snapped these two photos, within 15 yards of each other. Some of my other favorite stuff – Zen and kitties.
Ferris Bueller said to his pal Cameron, “See what a finski can do for a guy’s attitude.” All I need is a still valid debit card, good for $3.45.