Oh My Sweet Coffee

I learned at a very young age NOT to speak to my Mom until she'd had her coffee. If anyone attempted speaking to her she'd grow horns, spew fire from her nostrils and shout, "Don't talk to me until I've had my coffee!!!". Frightening but effective. Two cups in and that fire breathing beast slumped over the kitchen table would transform into my Mom. Because of this I regarded coffee as a magical beverage and when I became of "coffee drinking age" I discovered I was right. It did have magical properties! I, like my Mother before me, start each and every day with several cups of coffee. (My kids are allowed to speak to me before I've had it, they just know it may take a while before they receive an intelligible response.) I've been very happy with this ritual and honestly don't understand people who are not coffee drinkers. Nor do I understand the inclination to give it up. Why would you do such a thing?! Quit smoking, yes. Give up red meat? Sure. But coffee...STOP THE MADNESS!!!! 

That's what I thought. Until a few mornings ago when I learned the hard way that I was out of coffee. Sigh. No worries, there are places to buy more. But we've been having really bad weather. When faced with a choice of staying safely inside or going out in a blizzard to get coffee, I opted to stay inside. 

For two days.

With no coffee. And you know what?

The world didn't stop. 

And I felt no pressing need to murder anyone!!! 

For years I've been convinced that very bad things would happen to all those around me if I didn't have coffee. It appears I was wrong. I didn't even have a caffeine headache. Makes me wonder what else I can live without?