Thursday, November 15, 2007

Camp Coffee

I made coffee this afternoon, not because I like it, because I needed it. I went down the hall to the industrial coffee maker and was just getting ready to load up the basket with crushed coffee fruit, when one of my fellow employees happened in. She is a young little sprite, hardly bigger than a mayfly, and very quiet. True to my nature, I engaged her in a little playful banter.

I held up the coffee bin and asked her, “How many scoops do we put in here? Nine?” Her shocked expression was priceless, so I perpetuated the hoax, “I going to make strong camp coffee, you know, the kind you have to strain through your moustache to drink, you’ll need to grow one real quick if you want a cup!”

She sidled out as inconspicuously as she could; it’s a small room and she knew that I had seen her, since I spoke directly to her. “Ha ha…” was her wide-eyed, half-smiled reply.

I proceeded to make the coffee correctly, four scoops. Not the tar that one of the secretaries that retired recently used to make.

When the water finished running through the basket and the brew was complete, I poured some into my cup. I couldn’t help noticing the grounds immediately. They were floating where only coffee and sugar were supposed to be. In a furtive and embarrassed sneak, I stole a glance into the basket. There, I spied the problem; the filter had fainted down from the side and allowed the grounds to escape down the hole and into the waiting carafe.

So, I had unwittingly fulfilled my own “prophesy”. There was a full 12 cup pot of coffee that Gabby Hayes would be proud to serve the cowpunchers around the chuck wagon.

*NOTE*
This is NOT a picture of me. It's George "Gabby" Hayes, the crusty old camp cook from Roy Rogers movies.

I wear glasses.

10 comments:

the photoSmith said...

i never understood the 'camp coffee' thing growing up. it wasn't until i was one of the 'adults' at camp that i discovered the brazen kick of camp coffee, and i've been hooked on the stuff ever since...

Anonymous said...

aA said, "This is NOT a picture of me...I wear glasses"

invigilator_tex said, "And you're not NEARLY as handsome as Gabby was!"

I understand that poor little girl is now afraid to leave her house. Way to go, Dude.

aA said...

tex, it was a risk i was willing to take. kids today need to toughen up!

Anonymous said...

She was likely dumbfounded. All those years of being taught not to talk to strangers. And they just don't come any stranger...

Anonymous said...

I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time.
Steven Wright

Anonymous said...

Hey, Coffee Sissy....We are getting a Starbucks in 3 days at Kroger !!!!!

the photoSmith said...

i'm shocked you don't have a "hey look at me. i'm not at work because i'm taking the whole week off" post on here already...

Rob V. said...

Amazing -- the resemblance between you and Gabby Hayes. Just remove your glasses, wear a big, floppy hat, and work on developing a little "hitch in your git-along" and you could be Gabby's spitting image.

aA said...

mr V...really all i need is the hat...you haven't seen my gait when i get out of the car after 55 minutes behind the wheel...very similar-ish!
as for the glasses, well, i will need them to keep from knocking my teeth out, thus looking MORE like Mr. Hayes...

Anonymous said...

Wow - I had flash back of coffee ninny! I still can't put that stuff in my face...eeewww! (Even if Gabby Hayes is making it) However, you know I'm going to have to try out something at the new Starbucks :o)