[1] #76: Tea and Crumpets

Crumpet |ˈkrəmpət| noun: a thick, flat, savory cake with a soft, porous texture, made from a yeast mixture cooked on a griddle and eaten toasted and buttered.

I didn't know what to expect, but that didn't keep me from having my expectations. I guess my grandparents could have put just about anything in front of me and said it was a crumpet and I would have believed them... but I was expecting a scone, I think; something like a tea buscuit, or maybe a tough cookie. A crumpet is none of those things though. It is more like an English muffin, except that only the bottom is smooth, like a pancake that never gets flipped over to the other side. Like a pancake, sunny-side-up.

My Grandpa bought a pack of crumpets from the grocery store late last week, to help with my list. Grandma is absolutely certain I won't get them all done (though I've been reminded a few times this weekend that the leaves in the yard are aaalllll mine), and I think Grandpa is set on proving her wrong. It's been a fun first week in their home. 

We had crumpets and tea for breakfast, two mornings in a row (and apparently I sip every hot beverage by the tenth-on-an-inch, as I haven't been poured a full mug for a few days now). They are floppy and sponge-like in their pre-toast state, but once toasted, buttered and jammed (or marmaladed, in honour of Paddington Bear) they are really quite good. I don't know that I would build a crumpet into my regular grocery routine, but I think it was a successful experience on the whole. Grandma says it shouldn't count because it was too easy... just can't seem to satisfy her with this little project of mine! 

We'll give her some time though... maybe she'll come around. 

[1] #29: Sponsorship

I attended an event in the spring hosted by the Christian radio station Life 100.3fm, echoed in my area as the frequented frequency 98.9fm. The night was primarily a musical one and featured Sean and Aimee Dayton (North Bay locals and acknowledged as honoured community leaders in my small-h-home), among others; but what caught my heart that night wasn't drummed, strummed or sung... it was seen.

During one of the intermissions between sets they played a video advertizing Compassion International; it featured a series of interview clips with people who are involved in the organization -- but the catch at the end was that each person they featured was a sponsored child, all grown up. The story changed from this is what you can do for them, to this is what somebody like you did for me. It was a brilliant move as far as marketing goes, but I believe the grip around my heart was more Spirit than suggestion. I picked up a package that day and introduced a few close friends to a little Togan girl called Jaqueline Mokpokpo Adjovi Atchiki who liked singing and playing hide and seek. She was a cutie, but I waited too long to act on her behalf and my chance expired in August. 

Last Wednesday I sat down with the phone and called Compassion like I should have in July. Another kind soul picked up Jaqueline and has been taking care of her for a while. Thanks to Raquel, my refreshingly friendly receptionist, I am now the beaming-proud sponsor of Manish Kushwaha. He's just turned six years old, and until I get the rest of his information in the mail that's about all I know of him! Raquel picked him out for me; all I asked was that she give me someone from India. Something about that country holds a heavy place in my heart. One day I hope to go and meet this little one. 

As I learn more about my little Manish I'll keep you in the loop. 

One last thing: If you think of it, say a little prayer tonight for the kids who don't get picked up off the tables or assigned over the phone. Prayer is just as powerful as money, and can move a lot faster. I truly believe that, you know.   

[1] #74: Black Coffee

2:39pm

This may well be the most difficult, straining task of all seventy-seven set out. As I write this first part, I have not yet accomplished this goal... but I will soon. I am determined.

3:17pm

I felt particularly adult as I ordered my drink from the little Tim Horton's kiosk in the Burlington Mall. The feeling died down a bit when I requested my 80 cents change to come back in the form of dimes, and vanished completely under the crimson veil of my full-faced flush when I realized she was a couple dimes short and would have to interrupt the other cashier to fill my order. I mumbled my apology and my thank-you and shuffled off quick as I could, coffee in hand.

To my surprise, the first sixteenth-of-an-inch was almost... pleasant. It started as a spreading warmth. A second before any kind of flavour hits the only thing my body registers is the heat that relaxes the muscles in my shoulders and sets off a chain reaction through my nervous system: a melting of the stiffness in the back of my neck, a sigh down my spine, my jaw eased. The pleasure  of this inspired a few emboldened mouthfuls. It was between two such gulps that the rebellion began.

My bitter receptors that were temporarily stunned by the dramatic temperature shift suddenly bolted into action and declared my mouth and my brain at war. My tongue became a field of battle between what I wanted (accomplishment of a daring culinary feat and the bragging rights that came with it), and what I absolutely, fiercely and with an astounding finality of decision DID NOT WANT: black coffee.

The conflict expressed itself on my face a few times, to strangers' vague concern and Loreen's amusement. A few potential solutions came to me as I wandered the mall on the hunt for a new pair of footwear (to replace the single pair of flats I've been wearing since June). The first thought was to alternate sips of coffee and sips of Bom Dia (a Brazilian fruit smoothie with no banana puree!). This was disgusting. Acai berry and pomegranate? Let me put it this way: if Tim Horton's ever decides to try this tropical-fruit duo as a flavour shot, I advise you pass. My second idea was chocolate... which led to the purchase of a coupled mini M&Ms tubes (one for Loreen, of course!) and I have to say this breakthrough took care of another 1/2 inch or so; unfortunately, I felt like a dirty cheat and put them away. My coffee is about room temperature at this point.

5:50pm

Between the mall and my grandparents' house I carry my coffee and nurse it slowly like a glass of wine (except rhinocerosly less enjoyable). By the time we show up for dinner just before six my cup is very cold and still very much black coffee. I leave it outside and opt for tea indoors.

11:26pm

Coffee: one inch and stinky.

Cup: weakening at the seams, much like my sanity.

Thoughts as they come:
~ I wish it was Roll up the Rim season so there was still some kind of hope a the end of this dark, bitter tunnel.
~ Loreen snores. I guess I should turn off the light soon. I am lying down. I did not plan this well.
~ This coffee tastes a bit like when we used to eat dandelion leaves that were still covered in grass flecks and dirt.
~ I was once told that Tim's puts a little cocoa in their coffee to make is sweeter and more addictive. I think they should up their dose.
~ The ceiling is very squeaky. I guess I should say floor, though. Both are true, but it is used much more as a floor in this particular home, if we're talking time as a percentage. I suppose if I was confined to bed-rest and I had to stay on my side and I went a little crazy, I might also start calling it a wall.
~ I do not want to finish this cup of coffee tonight. Or ever, actually, but tonight for sure. Coffee with my breakfast in the morning?

11:36pm

Breakfast it is.

10:37am

Woke up to the Grandfather Clock chiming nine times in the hallway. Stalled the coffee by reading a "Which Way Book" with Loreen; we were brainwashed into scientific submission and turned into a squirrel. Moral of the story, if you go into the lab there are no good options anymore. Run away with the boy in the net while you have the chance.

At breakfast my Grandma mercifully drained out my one inch of day-old coffee and replaced it with an inch of her own. It is certainly hotter than the alternative and I have to say, it did taste better - but there were coffee grinds settling in my cup, and that was a new thing. At 10:48am the last, victorious drop was consumed! And I have to tell you, I am a little proud of myself. 

So there you have it; one small black coffee, crossed off my list.

The Shovel: Scoop [1]

42/77 COMPLETED 54.5% TRIUMPHANT

Seventy-Seven Things 26/09/12

1. Go walking in the rain wearing a princess gown 04/09/12

2. Make balloon animals like a professional clown 28/03/12

3. Road trip (or fly) out to see the Paulsons (and Heather!) in Saskatchewan 28/12/11

4. Watch a movie I've never seen before with the sound off (Spanish subtitles only) 10/04/12

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. Memorize the Veggie Tales short, "Flibber-O-Loo" 22/09/12

10. Tag a Northlander train 30/04/12

11. Learn at least one really convincing sleight-of-hand magic trick 21/08/12

12. Climb a big ol' pine tree like I used to when I was a kid 04/02/12

13. Attempt to grow my own little garden - cherry tomatoes, sugar peas, carrots... 12/06/12

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. Go to Liberty's "College for a Weekend" and see Emma 22/03/12

18. 

19. 

20. Ride Behemoth again! 16/06/12

21. 

22. Play a game of Candyland 24/04/12

23. See every exhibit in the ROM. Get gifted a membership!!! 22/09/12

24. 

25. 

26. Relive Clifton Hill Wax 25/04/12

27. Write and mail out an old-fashioned Christmas letter 06/05/12

28. 

29. Sponsor a child 05/10/11

30. Audit/crash a course at McMaster/Mohawk while I'm in town 13/02/12

31. Climb up onto a rooftop and sing my little heart out 08/05/12

32. Rock a Bingo game with Missa 20/11/11

33. Crochet a scarf (or other clothing item) onto a statue *yarn bombing* 20/04/12

34. Finish “digitally manuscripting” the whole Bible; prepare to give to Shiloh 26/09/12

35. 

36. One new, spontaneous experience 05/06/12

37. Begin taking a course in Hebrew 04/09/12

38. 

39. Dye a brightly-coloured streak into my hair 10/05/12

40. Pay for the meal of a stranger behind me in line 26/06/12

41. 

42. Buy a full chicken or turkey and learn to use every part of it 13/01/12

43. 

44. 

45. 

46. Brush my teeth with baking soda 09/04/12

47. 

48. Go birdwatching: binoculars, a nature guide book, the whole bit 04/02/12

49. Witness the emergence of a butterfly/moth from its chrysalis 26/04/12

50. Participate in the quasi-internationally recognized festival Ice Cream for Breakfast Day 04/02/12

51. Walk from Canada to the United States... even if it's just over the border. 25/04/12

52. Learn the longest word in the English Language: how to spell it, what it means 22/04/12

53. 

54. 

55. 

56. 

57. 

58. 

59. Go to a driving range and/or play a game of golf 25/04/12

60. 

61. 

62. Solve a Rubix Cube 03/01/12

63. 

64. 

65. 

66. Catch a firefly 27/05/12

67. Eat a whole watermelon by myself... or at least try really, really hard 09/09/12

68. 

69. Donate my blood 26/12/11

70. Try caviar/escargot for the first time - even if it's also the last time 22/04/12

71. 

72. 

73. Jump into a huge pile of raked-up leaves 26/10/11

74. Drink a cup of black coffee 06/10/11

75. 

76. Have tea and crumpets. Find out what a crumpet is. 21/10/11

77. Ride my super cool bicycle to church (or Bible Study) 25/09/12