I don’t usually, but did today. I stopped at a Starbucks I used to frequent because I had some time to kill. I figured if I was going to sit for a while, I would be a considerate person and order a drink to pay for my seat time. Looking at the menu, I saw they had a new seasonal item, a “Pecan Crunch.” The barista explained it’ a 4-shot espresso with some pecan syrup. She recommended it as a latte for “more balance.” I guess making is a latte is supposed to smooth out the flavor a little. My first sip was a little rough. The taste was a little semi-sweet, with the slight bitter taste of well-roasted pecans.

The summer has been a bit long with classes. Fortunately, it got worse for the fall, as I got saddled with a special program on top of a normal full class load. yeah. Joy. I enjoy the teaching, but the tempo is a bit much right now. It’s like cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people in a small kitchen with a 4-burner stove, and you have 5 pots needing heat. And you’re behind, and they’re early.

“I’m tired, boss. Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I’m tired of never having me a buddy to be with, to tell me where we’s going to, coming from, or why. Mostly, I’m tired of people being ugly to each other. I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world, every day. There’s too much of it. It’s like pieces of glass in my head, all the time.”

Dolly Parton passed away today. I caught the news in a post online this afternoon. Made me a little sad, I guess. The world lost a little bit of sunshine today, I guess. When someone I know, or at least recognize, passes, it makes me pause. A bit of reflection, maybe some memories, maybe the good times, maybe the bad. It’s what happens when you pause. When all of that noise of the daily grind goes away, and when those pesky thoughts peek out at you, it’s best not to stare back.

Anyway, we’re not there yet. So we just keep moving. It’s time to finish the drink and get going. The daily grind continues; I need to pack up, pick up some groceries, and then maybe some great Chinese for dinner.

Next time, I think I’ll just try the Pecan Crunch straight up.

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