An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

Pull, don't push  open, don't close  savor, don't rush  relax, don't overwork defy, don't respect complicate, don't simplify torture, don't be merciful ignore, don't be cognizant And there are those  if you tell them one thing  they will do the opposite  just because they can

Secrets don't tend to hide forever they will be discovered whether you like it or not sometimes you stumble over it without expecting to see or they rip the band aid and tell you with no frills here is what happens this is what to expect either way to be blindsided in the name of protection makes it all a moot point when it hits you like a brick wall

jump into trouble  in a way  that surprises no one look before you leap and damn the consequences the first one in and the last one out a protector of all and beloved by many with a fearlessness that strikes terror in your enemies  and awe in your allies. But I roll my eyes  and follow  while I carry your shield. for someone has  to save you  from yourself.

transcribe mystic writing  onto stone tablets  such complicated pictures and intricate descriptions hammer and chisel by the light of a candle a snapshot of real life in a mystic age ten centuries later  we puzzle over the words  but little do we know this so-called hymn  to the Gods  is a Sumerian woman's  complaint  about her mother in law.

I told him that I was going out to finish my Christmas shopping. I got a long heated rant of how he doesn't like crowds or people the chaos, the headache the parking roulette crazy drivers long lines sullen shopkeepers canned music artificial snow and on and on and on Long gone are the days of window shopping and small stores and groups of carolers smiling children hot cocoa the festive atmosphere goodwill towards men --I just stood there for a moment and I looked him  in the eye and I said: "I know... that's why I didn't ask you to come along."

Wrapping paper gift boxes for: Lego sets wooden models fluffy blankets stuffed animals warm slippers a skateboard markers and construction paper glass ornaments illustrated Bible Grinch-shaped cookies generic gift cards reindeer poop marshmallows raisin coal And for the trip to family: neck pillows shot glasses bottles of sake'