on a recent visit to see my family in northern Michigan
i was excited to wake up early
enjoy my usual vacation routine
have some quiet morning time
easing into the day
reading, writing
looking out over the beautiful lake
while enjoying a delicious cup of fresh morning coffee
I was staying upstairs
with its own tiny kitchen
had everything set up to brew the coffee
ready to go
the only thing missing
was the actual coffee
but could not find it anywhere
even after checking every cupboard, drawer, and shelf
I quietly ventured downstairs
searched the big kitchen
in the heart of the house
no luck
just decaf, not real coffee at all
now that I couldn’t find the coffee
I so wanted it even more
I opened every drawer and every cupboard
checked high shelves
checked low shelves
looked where the teas were
looked on the countertops
checked the refrigerator and freezer
nothing
tried to figure out
their organizational/logical system for where they kept things
went in the laundry room checked all of the cupboards high and low
now I was even more determined to find it
went into the garage in my pajamas with bare feet
opened the extra refrigerator
the extra freezer
nothing resembling coffee in either of them
finally decided to brew myself a cup of decaf
to at least have a morning coffee-ish experience
when my family woke up
the secret location I hadn’t considered was quickly revealed
it was on a shelf at the bottom of the basement stairs
aha!
the basement
who knew?
I forget they had a basement
even if I had thought of it
it wasn’t a place I expected to find the coffee
but no worries
I was now fully awake
even without the caffeine
powered by adrenaline
and almost sweating
after my whirlwind of a treasure hunt
now if anyone needs to find anything in their house
I can help
having learned what’s in every cupboard, drawer, or on a shelf.
—
‘searching is half the fun:
life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party.’
-jimmy buffett
—
photo image: zoe coffee company
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you have my full understanding. my morning is not complete w/o a big mug of tea, with my breakfast, swiftly followed by a killer of aromatic, strong, black espresso. when i lived in Toronto, i drank granule-awful (Nestlé Gold) coffee, the flashiest places had drip coffee makers looking like laboratory equipment but the coffee was still terrible – and coming back after 2 years i swore that i wouldn‘t ever, ever dring freeze dried or any other coffee than the real thing.
i did hear however that keeping coffee in the freezer, together with vodka (my German boss at my Canadian employers taught me that – I‘m NOT a ‚hard stuff‘ drinker!) is a good thing – so searching in the freezer was a good move.
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I explored all options for sure –
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Oh wow! A very secret hiding place for coffee.
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and a really good one! )
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Haha! Very good.
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Ah … “the thrill of the chase”
the excitement that you feel when you are trying to find something or achieve something difficult:
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that’s exactly it )
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That first morning coffee is a delight, hard earned after a hunt for it!
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yes!
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Oh … and I like this cover of Bob Dylan’s classic song “One More Cup of Coffee”
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I love this song and this version
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We all have different places around the house to store extra supplies of things. They make sense to us, but can mystify guests and visitors. Perhaps we should consider
‘Labelling’? 😊
Best wishes, Pete.
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exactly ))
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sounds like my kind of reward for some serious detective work
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right!
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Oh my goodness! I was sweating with you as I read. Last place I’d look, too! 😜
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surprise! )
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Phew! I see how that scavenger hunt woke you up.
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right!
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When my dear wife Karen and I venture on our trips away, Beth, we pack a pound bag of Dunkin’ ground to take with us. Have to be ready that first morning!
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so smart
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That’s a good way and reason to familiarize yourself with one’s home! Good thing you found the morning coffee. I wouldn’t be able to function without it!
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it was rough and I was getting worried it wasn’t going to happen )
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I think your dilemma fell into the quest category. Searching for coffee would be a quest.
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absolutely quest level experience – good call
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So weird. My email notification of this post brought me to the 404. I clicked on your blog name and here was the post. The joys of WP.
So. Ummmm… why, pray tell, would the coffee be stored in such a bizarre place? At least you know your following mornings will start right!
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this was a beth issue, not wp this time. I accidentally posted it early, in its unfinished state and had to call it back and redo. why it suddenly appeared. ) the coffee location was because they only drink decaf and usually remember to leave some out for their caffeinated visitors, but forgot this time, sending my into my search frenzy. no intended slight )
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Hahah! Gotcha. I hate that unless we are smart, we would not be able to access the post (good thing I am).
Still. Such a weird place to stash it! The important thing is you are guaranteed caffeine tomorrow morning!
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right!) I think it’s because they only drink ddecxaf and bring it out for company –
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:)
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OMG – I’m howling. Wide awake from the adrenaline. I hope the subsequent mornings where more meditative… :)
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yes, all good and I moved to my brother’s house for a visit with coffee front and center after I whined about my quest dramatically to him )
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I’m sipping fresh coffee today, Monday, but getting it was an ordeal getting here. The grocery store nearest me kepps rearranging its shelves and packaging, so finding my favorite items becomes a time-consuming ordeal. Time pressure makes me anxious.
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Sounds like an Easter egg hunt. I wouldn’t have thought to search beyond the kitchen.
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I was on a mission!)
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The same thing happened to us visiting friends in Lake Tahoe. We woke up early and wanted coffee. They had a “tree” for K-cups that was empty. We had never been to their house before and didn’t find the coffee. I felt your pain!
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I didn’t to be a demanding guest, so I went to search it out on my own )
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We looked everywhere, too!
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I’m laughing aloud at your story. I can just picture you rummaging through the house desperate for coffee that isn’t decaffeinated.
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it was so funny, I was determined to find it!)
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It is a safe place to put the coffee. It must be precious to everyone in the house 😄
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they only drink decaf, so pull it out for guests and forgot to do so this time, I think. happy ending )
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Oh, I see 😄 Yes, happy ending indeed😄
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Right!
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Oh what a hunt so early in the morning…and without coffee ☕
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right! )
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whoever would have thought !
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not I, clearly )
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“I so wanted it even more” That! 😄 I didn’t realize the cap on my water flask was loose and water spilled in my backseat a few hours ago. I suddenly became thirsty when I discovered this. 😂 Your funny story is a good reminder to travel with instant coffee and tea.
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this is true, thanks!
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I can only imagine your desperation.
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)))!
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I have been searching for this post ever since I heard rumors it was in a secret hiding place.
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always check under the rocks- pro tip
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Oh, you had me at quiet time and easing into the day.
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thanks –
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I panicked when you found everything except coffee, Beth! I followed you everywhere to look for the coffee. When you found it and were all awake without coffee, I laughed. What a funny but not so funny experience! Enjoy your family on your vacation.
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it really was funny how it escalated quickly and I had to find it )
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We don’t drink decaf but have it available. We put it at the bottom of the freezer. I imagine no one would find it.
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right and this was the same situation, in reverse )
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I loved how you captured the frustration and determination in the coffee hunt! The twist at the end was such a fun surprise!
Much love,
David
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it became a battle of the wills -) thanks
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Loved this episode! Not sure everyone would want you doing a whirlwind treasure hunt in their house! Of course, coffee is a necessity! Love and hugs
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right, and I was glad they didn’t wake up when I was in the midst of it all )
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When we visit my brother and his family, it’s more like sitting around in a hotel room until we can squeeze ourselves into their crazy-busy scheduling.
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a different kind of trip -)
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Goodness, that was unexpected morning exercise! I like how you describe it as a treasure hunt :)
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sometimes adventures just happen )
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As I kept reading I wondered if you were going to say there was none to be found! The basement? Who knew? LOL Cher xoxoxo
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it’s not something they normally drink, so they only bring it out for guests, so probably just forgot )
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The basement? That’s a new one.
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Who knew?)
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😀
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