As always, amazed at SHHS elementary schools concert

Adam is in the 5th grade this year and in his second year of orchestra. He is interested in his instrument and has a gift in playing it. All our grandkids do well with their music, which pleases Dan and I a great deal. As I have said many times here, learning to play  music as a young person has so many benefits for life. If nothing else, just to appreciate and understand it.

Here is a sound bite of Adam's concert. Unfortunately, I didn't get the very beginning of the first song played by just the fifth and sixth grade. The second song was performed by the entire group.

Snow with Freezing Temperature in Forecast

This picture is part of a weather app and is very cool to use in unusual weather circumstances.  Today would qualify.

I just about planted my tomatoes earlier in the week.  Sure glad they are still here in the warm house.  The only thing up in the garden are onions.  I hope the wheat can withstand these temperatures.

Most of our birds are back.  The barn swallows are not finding many mosquitoes, although we did encounter a few tramping around for mushrooms—mosquitoes AND ticks. 

This Oriole was taking refuge from the cold, wet weather under our overhang, helping itself to the hummingbird juice.  We need to get some grape jelly for it.  The boys say the Orioles are making quick work of any they put out. 

We continually watch the pond, willing it to fill.  It is getting there, slowly.

Coffee

Recently, NPR had what they called a coffee week, which has inspired me to spend a little time on coffee.

Both Dan and I agree, morning coffee is a must start to each day.  Our routine is to set the coffee maker to automatically perk each morning at 6:15 am.  When we get up usually between 6:30 and 7:00 am, the coffee awaits.  We drink strong coffee.  If we are camping or we have company, I serve Dunkn’ Donuts coffee.  Our usual coffee, though, is (gasp) plain ole Folgers—or even Maxwell House.

We always enjoy visiting Doug & Drue.  They have a coffee machine that makes a delightful drink just like the corner coffee barista.  Of course, they use good ground beans. 

Tom, my former co-worker, has a son who, along with his wife, own a coffee business in Lawrence.  They even have their own roaster.  Fresh roasted beans make delicious coffee. And, the shop smells wonderful.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many places to purchase coffee as there were in Alaska.  Maybe it’s the odd daylight hours, but even in the smallest towns there were coffee huts on the corner.  I wrote about it here.  This is one of the more creative ones.  Most were just little drive-up huts.

Back to the NPR coffee week.  It was particularly interesting to hear this segment about the coffee plants in Central and South America and Africa.  It is disturbing to hear there is a disease called leaf wilt causing plants to die.  Research is being done to find varieties resistant to the wilt and to taste good.  It’s an ongoing process.  It may involve going back to the rain forests to find wild coffee plants that have a natural resistance.  You can listen to it here.

Finally, count on Seinfeld to have thoughts about coffee.  He used to not drink coffee, but has decided it not only tastes good, makes him feel good but also is a much more universal and agreeable to meet for coffee rather than eat a meal.  Here is his take on coffee.

Well, I’m off to bed because I can’t wait until morning and my cup of coffee!