There are two things I wanted to write about, and I already forgot one of them.
The first is that I saw a Cuisinart Single Grind Coffeemaker.
Wait—I remembered! The second is how we (I) think the last 80 years have been the most important in human history.
My Grandma Hott always made enough coffee for four or five people. She made it for her and Grandad, but chances were one or both of her boys would show up for coffee. My Aunt Judy joined when she retired. If anyone else came by, Grandma would just make another percolated pot.
She still makes the coffee. Unfortunately, she doesn’t need as much these days.
Meanwhile, I’m over here using a K-cup. A big pot of coffee to a K-cup. It makes you think. Not only about how we’ve gone from family sitting around the table having coffee together to brewing a single cup alone, but about how much more plastic I’m putting into the world in the name of convenience.
Maybe I need to start a percolated coffee revival. But then again… who would I invite, and do I really want to see anyone that early in the morning?
Now for that second thought. We (I) think the last 80 years have been the most important in human history. And sure, the last 50-some years have been pretty significant to me-because, well, I’m here! We always think our own lifetimes matter most, as we should.
Still, when I think of the “big inventions” that changed my life: AI, the internet, cell phones, microwaves, cordless phones, the Roomba, sunscreen, tampons and pads, antibiotics, vaccines, electric blankets (though one caught fire once when I was a kid)-I have to laugh a little.
All these modern conveniences make life easier. But look at everything humans accomplished without them: pyramids, sundials, planting by the moon, turning cacao and coffee beans into something heavenly, art, architecture, music, theater, astrology, sailing across unknown oceans, using plants for medicine, tanning hides, fermenting and smoking food.
It was all so much work, but maybe-just maybe-people were happier? Probably not. But I’ll bet their stress looked different.
Now, all our modern “conveniences” just help us cram more and more into each day. We struggle to be mindful. Most of us just zone out.
As for me? I’m simply going to enjoy my coffee now that I got all this out of my head. I’ll drink it slow, stay present, and try to enjoy every single thing I do today.
Salt Latch 