Memories of how I got to like coffee and how I am blessed to get great coffee everyday at work!
Pic: Public Domain - CDM (cajunwarehouse.com)
I'm sitting in front of my laptop, which is actually a "glorified desktop," since I hardly ever take it outside the house, and sipping on some delicious New Orleans CDM coffee. Yet I haven't always been a coffee drinker, which gives rise to this little story. How did I develop this addiction? And how do I now daily get treated at work to the best java in Red Stick?
While a junior at De La Salle High School, back when 18 was the legal age for Dixie Beer from Uptown 'Yat establishments like "Bruno's" or "Fat Harry's" if we looked old enough to get in, my buddies and me found a coffee house on Danneel Street off of St. Charles Avenue. The Penny Post, now called the Neutral Ground, was a throw back to 60s hangouts where we could try our hands at playing non-amplified folk-type music on "open mike nights" and not be exposed to adult beverages.
The Post had a real avant-garde atmosphere and folks could play board games like checkers, chess and backgammon while listening to great music like bluegrass and musicians with all kind of instruments like dulcimers and mandolins. Next door was Bisordi's, which was known for poetry readings and frequented by lovers of tea.
It was here where I discovered the great taste of coffee per a pot of Colombian brew among the many varied types that were available at the Post, as well as many herbal or caffeine rich teas! Bill Baily, a very engaging "barista host," accomplished folk guitar player and Post co-op employee, was somewhat eccentric and strange but convinced me to take the plunge with a special brew that was the ticket to my caffeine addiction per coffee.
Since those formative coffee drinking days, I have loved partaking of good ole N'Awlins types of coffee and mainly prefer the Cafe' Ole' blend that many folks associate with Cafe' Dumonde on Decatur in the French Quarter. I'm old fashioned and don't care for the exotic types or flavored creams like Frappuccino, Hazelnut or French Vanilla. I have to say, some of my friends are really the true cafe' purists – as they consume their coffee treasures without cream or sugar or any additives!
I'll get coffee from PJ's , Starbuck's and other places but my favorite is CC's. Being a Baby Boomer, one situation that I appear out of place at times is when I'll go to a coffee shop for some private time to journal - a great way to keep perspective on things. As I take out my old spiral notebook and ballpoint pen to catch up on some personal and spiritual reflections, I'm surrounded by a cacophony of clicks by folks using their laptops! No wi-fi, no electrical cord, or no mouse is needed for the old fashioned way - and my "hard-drive" hardly ever crashes - unless I don't get enough caffeine!
Now that I am hooked on drinking coffee, it is truly a blessing to get a fabulous cup or two of coffee every morning at work. Eddie Ross, LPN, one of the VA Nurses who works in the same building with me, treats us fellow employees every day to some mighty fine and strong cafe'! And he provides it to us in a very elegant presentation with many alternatives for coffee affectionados – making sure we can add evaporated milk, other creams, all types of sweeteners and tasty eating treats to boot at times!
It doesn't surprise me that Eddie does such a great job with our coffee, as he was recognized as Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System’s 2012 Employee of the Year for his extraordinary service to the extraordinary Veterans were are privileged to serve!
Move over Joe Dimaggio – the real “Mr. Coffee” is Eddie Ross, LPN! - Keith John Paul Horcasitas
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
I'm sitting in front of my laptop, which is actually a "glorified desktop," since I hardly ever take it outside the house, and sipping on some delicious New Orleans CDM coffee. Yet I haven't always been a coffee drinker, which gives rise to this little story. How did I develop this addiction? And how do I now daily get treated at work to the best java in Red Stick?
