Today I got my coffee after a run along the Mississippi River, not a bad way to start the day. 🙂
It was a nice way to start the day – just the perfect amount of chilly and not humid (much) yet. I stopped at Starbucks on the way back to hotel to grab a coffee before I got ready for another day of conferencing. We have reasonable coffee at this work conference, but the cups are teeny (6 oz-ish). I need more caffeine that that to sit and pay attention as an adult!
Since I’m in Memphis, we’d probably talk about Memphis food (delish!) and music (everywhere!). Last night I went out for dinner at Itta Bena, a restaurant above BB King’s club that has a very speakeasy/secret club feel and caught the end of the Grizzlies game. The Memphis fans were very loud in support of their team, which was very fun!
If we were having coffee, we’d also likely talk about family and in-laws as I’ll be seeing mine in a few hours. Families are always interesting and I’m curious to see what Oliver thinks of Darrell’s family. He’s met them before, but was much younger. Now he’s probably going to notice a little more that the Arkansas delta region is very different than Omaha. 🙂
If we were having coffee, I’d probably tell you about this book I read this month. It’s set in Africa and the language is just gorgeous. It’s a mystery and the protagonist is a someone who writes a newspaper advice column that incorporates recipes into the advice (a fantastic idea if you ask me! My heart is broken – give me a recipe for chocolate cake!). You guys know I like books with yummy food, but it was really the characters and the language that I loved. There’s a glossary in the back of the Afrikaans words, but I liked trying to figure out what they meant in context. I definitely recommend it! Since I’m in Memphis, I’ve moved on from this to The American Plague, a non-fiction account of the yellow fever epidemic in Memphis in the late 1800s. The history is fascinating, but I’m a geek.
We would probably also talk about the fascinating state of American politics right now as that’s almost all anybody seems to be talking about these days. I will confess I’ll be actively AVOIDING talking politics when I get to my in-laws’ later because that’s definitely not territory I want to wade into. Politics and family never mix in my experience.
I’m really enjoying reading more this year, as part of my goal to get back to doing more of the little things I enjoy. If we were having coffee, I’d definitely ask for some book recommendations. Have you read anything good lately? Are there any topics that are “off limits” with your family?
Thanks to Deborah, Coco and Lynda for hosting the Coffee Date!
Thanks as always to Lynda, Coco and Deborah for hosting!
A Little More Each Day 
Ha! I love that I am not the only one who has to try to figure out the word in context before I let myself check the answer. Sounds like a good trip to Memphis. I hope you enjoy your family time. I can’t think of anything that is specifically off limits maybe religion and politics with my father-in-law 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only word geek. 🙂
I’ve been trying to do more reading for leisure lately! That sounds like a really interesting book! :] (And incorporating recipes into advice–I love that!)
Ugh, politics. I completely agree with you, haha. I steer absolutely clear of that topic wherever possible (especially while on my rotations). I hope your visit with your in laws goes smoothly!
It was a fun book 🙂
I’ve never been to Memphis but sounds like a cool place to visit for sure. I also need my big cup of coffee in the morning before I can deal with anyone. I’ve not heard of that book but it looks really interesting. Thanks so much for joining us for coffee today!
Thanks for hosting!
My family is so touchy–you just never know when you wade into crocodile infested waters with them. It’s the strangest thing…
Mine can be like that too. I just hold my breath and tread carefully until its over!
What a beautiful picture from your run! And nothing beats a piping hot cup of Starbucks coffee. 😉 That book sounds great. I am reading The Food Critic’s Wife which is pretty good so far.
I’ll have to check that out!
I don’t see my in-laws very often. They are pretty cool and aren’t very political at all. More artsy, if anything. It’s usually a fun time. The bridge in Memphis is lovely.
It wasn’t too bad. They really enjoyed seeing my citified kid who kept asking if everything was safe. 🙂
Hope it was a good visit with you in-laws! Sounds like a great run along the river.
It was a fun visit. They kept laughing at my little city boy asking if everything was safe. 🙂
Those books sound really interesting! I really need to pick up a book – my plan was to read more this year, but I still haven’t gotten started! Politics…it has been painful, I’m completely fatigued from the process.
It hard to drag our eyes and minds away from politics right now.
What a lovely place for a morning run!
I too love books which incorporate food and reading. I know of some good ones but can’t think of any off the top of my head. When I do, I will tell you. Oh, here’s one The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.
Best of luck with your in-laws!
I’ll add that to my list!
What a beautiful run! It looked like it was going to turn into a really gorgeous sunrise/set. I have to agree – family and politics don’t mix. Mum made the mistake of asking me which way I was planning to vote on an issue over here in the UK in Dad’s earshot, aaaaaaaand let the exasperation commence!
I love the sound of the book – one to add to the list!
It was a gorgeous run!