Westward Ho, the Sequel

Hello readers,

I've been out in Utah this week, where it is still quite mountainous. My sister has been pointing out the changing leaves and how lovely they are and would you just look at them on them there hills in all their golden glory? Maybe I'm not appreciating the fall color as much as I should right now, because the altitude has me pretty drowsy and there's been quite a bit going on. I mean, the hues are pretty and all, sure. But I've been mostly preoccupied with the folks who keep messing up my coffee order.

For a great many years, I've been particular about, well, everything. I've had to unlearn some of this behavior so, for example, my sister doesn't suffocate me to death with a pillow, or my husband doesn't decide there is a younger, much more chill version of me somewhere that would be much more preferable to live with.

I've decided some things aren't worth being anal about.

Coffee is not one of those things. When I'm as drowsy as I've been, I require two extra shots of espresso in my grande cappuccino. I absolutely will not compromise on this. But for some reason, when I place my order out here, it can be a source of confusion. In my coldly logical, but not terribly mathematical mind, it should not be that difficult to add two extra shots to my drink. But there have been baristas who can't seem to math that math. One asked me: "So you want a coffee?" No! Another asked me if I wanted a frappucino. No, no, no! Yet another said "oookaaaay" as if something was really wrong with me and my need for a jolt. What is the deal here? I'm being polite. I'm being patient. I think I'm being clear. But I can't seem to get what I want unless my sister places the order. I just don't understand it.

And so it goes...what a year this week has been.

Writing prompt: Think of a time you didn't get what you want, or it was a challenge to get what you wanted. Write about the circumstance. Then, reflect on what lesson you may have learned from it and scribble that down too.

Endnotes

What I'm reading: It's Banned Books Week, so of course I couldn't help but read my friend Alison Law's excellent report about the growing resistance to book bans in Florida. Alison has just launched a new literary segment on Atlanta's NPR station called "Bookmarked" too, so if you're in the metro area, be sure to check it out!

What I'm watching: As I said, I'm at my sister's house, which is where I originally sucked it up and watched that glorious feminist shark flick "Under Paris." This week, in a quiet moment, my sister and I watched the positively ridiculous Nicolas Cage flick "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent." In it, he plays and down and out version of himself and winds up on a mission for the CIA. At first, I thought the premise sounded stupid and told my sister that it didn't seem like it was my cup of tea, but she persisted (it was the tone of disappointment that wore me down) and it...wound up being my cup of tea, after all. Ten bucks says Sis will rope me into watching Cage's 2021 flick "Pig" next...

What I really enjoyed: Brett Goldstein's "The Second Best Night of Your Life" standup act last week was as absolutely hilarious as you'd imagine. He'll be in New Orleans and Fort Lauderdale next weekend, so if you can get your hands on tickets, you will not regret it.

What I'm happy about: The Baltimore Orioles making the postseason. The Decatur Book Festival's return next weekend. The bowl of caramels on my sister's kitchen counter.

Where I hope you'll donate this week: Hurricane Helene caused nearly 800 miles worth of destruction throughout the Southeast last night. Please find a way to give what you can to some of these devastated communities through the organization of your choice.