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Year Two, Day 28: The Horrible Coffee Incident

My niece came for her piano lesson yesterday with a very special guest- Penelope,the newest member of the fam! She is a four month old Golden Retriever.she is so cute, it hurts just to look at her! We are busy arranging a doggie play date with Penelope and Honey Dog.

In spite of the heat, I had a stellar day yesterday. Maybe it was because of my new Gwynnie Bee blouse.. Maybe it was the puppy. Or because it was the last day of spring term and I actually played the piano for about an hour at the church, for enjoyment! It was heavenly to play just for the joy of it, instead of frantically practicing for an upcoming performance. I actually memorized about 12 measures of the Chopin Nocturne I am working on.

But I started to wilt after an hour. It was 98 degrees outside. That would mean it was about 120 in the church!  I had grocery shopping on my agenda. Supermarkets usually had stellar AC. And the Safeway up the street had a Starbucks inside. I formulated a plan in my mind to beat the heat, and enjoy my Saturday evening:

A vanilla bean cappuccino at Starbucks while I checked email, made a grocery list, and enjoyed the AC. Then I would buy grocery and head home to make dinner. Too hot to cook, so a big fat Greek salad topped with smoked salmon and my homemade constraints would be the ticket.

At Starbucks, I was greeted by a friendly young lady. She said I was her first customer on her own. Her supervisor was on break. I gave her my order. And she gave me the most horrible drink. But she , was so sweet, and said she could do it over if it wasn't right. I smiled and told her it was wonderful, as I tried not to grimace around the straw. I thought I had ordered a vanilla creme frappacinno. I didn't need caffeine so late in the day. She gave me an iced coffee with so much vanilla sweetener, I thought I would gag. Plus, the ice had melted. It was lukewarm. I should have said something. I really should have. But I was hot and tired. Maybe I wasn't clear. I humbly took my saccharine sweet lukewarm beverage to a table and took out my Kindle. I will just have a few sips, I thought. That way I won't have so many calories. So it is a good thing! This botched order saved me some calories! Still, I was disheartened. I thought of all the people who were going hungry. How dare I be so selfish and shallow!

 Just then, I noticed a disheveled, middle aged man scarfing down what looked like Jo-Jo's at the table nearby. I thought maybe he would like my drink! That would make this whole experience worthwhile! But, I hesitated. He might not be homeless.I might offend him with my offer! I sat still, pondering. Then he stood up and smiled at me. I thought he asked if I could spare some change.

"I might have a little", I said. But would you like my coffee drink? She made it too sweet".

"No, ma'am", he stammered. "I asked if you would pray for me. I am homeless and having bad luck".

I told him of course I would pray for him! I asked him his name. We shook hands. Then I remembered the coins the pastor of my church had made for Memorial Day.
They said: "Thousands died for my freedom. One died for my soul". On the other side was engraved a cross and the United States flag. I pulled out the coin and a dollar. I told him I wanted him to have it to cheer him up. He took the coin and dollar bill. He had tears in his eyes.

"This is so nice of you". Then he looked up shyly and said,"I like sweet coffee!"

Bingo!  I gave him the drink and instantly felt full of joy and light.
Just think, out of a horrible coffee drink came a moment of loving humanity. God really does work in mysterious ways.


Here is my food and exercise log for yesterday. I succeeded in ending eating earlier than usual! One good thing about the heat is it dampens my appetite. A bit.

FOOD LOG 06/04/2016
7:00 a.m. Earl Grey tea, black.
8:00 a.m. 1/2 grapefruit.
8:30 a.m. Special K Gluten free cereal and almond milk.
10:00 a.m. 1 bottle Strawberry Lemonade kombucha (Brew Doctor)
12:00 Whopper, no bun, no cheese, rice cake, small order of onion rings, watermelon, unsweetened iced tea
3:20 p.m. Whopper, no bun, no cheese, rice cake (YES 2 whoppers.they were two for one. I had lunch with my mom. I seem to , eat more around my mom. Just saying)
5:30 p.m. 2 sips of horrible, too sweet iced lukewarm coffee, granola bar, pumpkin seeds.

7:45 p.m. Big Fat Greek Salad, smoked salmon, small helping of mujaddara and tzatziki. Ice water

EXERCISE LOG 06/04/2016
8:45 a.m. 15 minute walk to MAX
9:45 a.m. 15 minute walk to Music Center
3:25 p.m. 5 minute stretching
6:30 p.m. 15 minute walk home

It's supposed to "only" hit 90 tomorrow. Maybe tonight I will sleep. But tomorrow for certain I will hit the gym!

Happy Sunday!

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