Coffee Cups.

Ok, someone needs to explain to me about the coffee cups. When did Americans decide to start walking around with their coffee mugs? Not the thermos mugs, the ceramic ones right out of their kitchen cabinets?

I get that we have a "to-go" culture. I get that everyone likes their coffee in their car and this is why we have coffee shops on every block. Heck, we even have coffee shops with drive-thrus.

But really, why do all of the parents feel the need to walk their kids into school with their coffee mugs in hand? Yesterday at my daughter's ballet class after school, a mom was still carrying her coffee mug with her there, too. When did the "to-go" mugs disappear anyway? The thermos ones ones with the lids  that actually kept it warm. Doesn't coffee get really cold really fast when you start walking around with the mug outside? And what if you drop it? And what about spills? And how the heck do you even fit it in the car cup holder?

Once, John was watching a soccer (football) match in Belgium with his coffee (thermos) mug in hand. It was a cold, early morning match. And one of the other dads asked why he had a cup and if it had whisky in it.

In Belgium coffee was a treat. A break. There was no such thing as coffee "to-go"and I can count on one hand how many Starbucks existed in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. And two of these were at the airport.

When you ordered coffee at a coffee shop, they served it on a tray, with a cookie. Or maybe a piece of chocolate. Or at my most favorite cafe in La Hulpe, they even served their coffee with a little amuse bouche of chocolate mousse. Yum. But the treat part wasn't what made it special, in fact, most of the time I couldn't even eat the cookie. (Stupid gluten allergy.) It was the attitude. It was the idea that this was a chance to sit down for a minute and drink a cup of coffee. It didn't have to take long, just a few minutes. But it was a break from your day to have a cup of coffee.

 Americans, I challenge you to take a coffee break. Tomorrow morning, when you drink your cup of coffee, go SIT DOWN somewhere. Sip from your coffee cup, take a few minutes to think about your day or even read your phone. Surely you can find a few minutes to try it. Trust me, you'll like it.

Relapse

I am always homesick for Belgium when we have a rainy day. And today is a rainy day.

I suppose it's normal to have a relapse. I suppose that it's normal for that relapse to hit about now. A month into the new school year, the shiny new shoes are not so shiny. The reality of homework and routines have set in.

We had a brilliant, glorious summer. Filled with festivals and fairs, family and friends. The weather was sunny and perfect. It provided a lot of distractions and excitement.

Today, when I pulled up to the curb in front of our house, I watched a city worker attach a long, red and white pole to the fire hydrant on the corner. The reality of what's in our very near future, set in. For my Belgian friends who might not know what this means, it's so the fire department can find the fire hydrant when that corner becomes a mountain of snow and ice. Yes, we Americans are nothing if not efficient.

That red and white pole is about six feet tall. I know last year's winter was especially harsh, but really? Does it have to be six feet tall? That's a bit excessive, don't you think?

I suppose it's time to tackle some of those projects I never got to this summer because we were having too much fun.

But maybe they can wait just a little longer.  There's a fire in the fireplace and rainy days make really good writing days….