Memorial Fund for Gabriel

It is with a heavy heart that I write this today because I miss a little boy named Gabriel. Watching his brother Raven and his father Woodstock, a/k/a Loren David O'Connor, suffer through the pain of their loss while trying to make arrangements for his burial, memorial and wake is really hard. Gabriel Jaden Coates was with us for a short 3 years, 2 months and 2 days, yet he has made a profound impression on the hearts of people that will last forever. He left this earth to enter the spirit world on Sunday, May 24, 2009 at about 11 am. Gabriel fell into the water of the Antelope Creek, which was fast moving and deep. His body was recovered by very compassionate rescue workers about two hours later.

Woodstock, Raven, his friends and family are sort of moving in a state of unreal shock. Things need to get done. So we are helping in whatever way we can. Funds are urgently needed to buy the casket and to buy a plot where he will be laid to rest. Please spread the word and help in whatever way you can.

Please visit the dedication site for Gabriel at http://www.angelsforgabriel.org. News and information about his memorial, burial and wake will be posted on this blog. Lots of pictures will be loaded soon that I took of the gathering site where little Gabriel drowned. We took photos of the creek and the campsite where he laughed, played and enjoyed. There is a very spiritual picture on the site now that shows what we believe is Gabriel's spirit that appeared while Woodstock and I were standing by the stream talking about Gabriel, about what happened, about his life, about what to do now. It is then that we both felt his presence and a butterfly landed on Woodstock after that moment. I took a photo in the direction of where they found Gabriel's body in the water and that is where the column of light appeared. It was an intense, sad, happy, etherical time.

We will be assisting Woodstock with transferring of funds to the Funeral home when it is placed on the paypal in the amount we need. The general manager Chris Girdner at the Girdner Funeral Chapel is giving us until Tuesday at closing time to come up with the total for the casket. This is urgent. Other arrangements are being made and other funds are needed very much. Please email angelsforgabriel@gmail.com if you have questions or if you want to help in some way.

The Forest Service, the fire department, the Siskiyou county Sheriff's department, the Fish and Game dept. personnel, and the townspeople volunteers from Tennant were very gentle, kind, compassionate during the entire ordeal. We are all grateful to them for the way they handled this situation.

I have many things to write and memorial signs and brochures to make, and a website to update, so please help us facilitate this link being spread far and wide to get the funds together. Gabriel deserves a decent casket, memorial, burial and wake. Help us give him that much, please. Woodstock should not have to concern himself with money at a time like this. Right now we are all camping in our rigs while this is all taking place, so family please plug into this compassionate service.

Much love and blessings.
Summer Breeze on behalf of Woodstock, Raven, Gabriel & Raven and
Jazzy all his friends and family.

There are Coffee Shops and Booths Springing up Everywhere

As Cephas and I traveled through Oregon into California, we noticed a lot of new coffee shops and coffee booths springing up in places where we couldn’t find good coffee before. From Burns, Oregon to Sisters, Oregon we counted several new shops on the way. In Sisters, we stopped to buy a good cup of coffee from a little coffee booth hidden off Highway 20 behind the gas station just as you get ready to drive west down the mountain. It was good to give them our business. Yes, they have a little shingle out along the road.

In Burns, Oregon we discovered a new coffee booth just across the parking lot from the new booth that we noticed six months ago when we traveled through their town. The new one sits on the inside corner of the lot towards the back across from a major family restaurant along highway 20. The other newer booth sits in the lot of the gas station adjacent the other coffee booth and gas station. One fuel center is an automated one while the second one is a newly remodeled convenience store with the newly built coffee booth. Business must be good for the coffee industry to see this much growth in a recessive economy!

I should’ve taken pictures of all the shops we passed in our travels. I would have a dozen or more shops to feature on this blog. You know what they say, though, hind sight is 20/20. The lesson was learned and we started to photograph and document the specialty coffee shops, cafes, and coffee booths that we encounter. You’ll  be seeing dozens of them featured here in the coming months.

Our first feature will be a little coffee shop, cafe that is a little more than a booth with a patio for seating and outdoor cafe. It’s called Joe Monkey. I won’t say any more about it yet. You have to wait for the special feature coming soon. We took photos of the shop and its owners and gathered some contact information for the owners. Cephas and I are excited to be writing coffee features. We feel like espresso reporters!

Out of Newspapers so Pull up this Blog on Web Hosting

I am always in search of quality web hosting so I read through one site after another in my quest. This is one person's offer for inexpensive web hosting that I want to share with you.

A Personal Blog Review for your Sipping Enjoyment

I'm sharing some personal blog reviews for your sipping enjoyment as you visit the cafe and lounge with your coffee or tea. Alone in Home is a personal blog so pull up a comfortable chair and enjoy some reading about family and life in general.

The first thing that I noticed was the title and how it had a personal at home feel to it. The subtitle sends a message that welcomes you into the journal to read more about this person's family, I thought. "I'm alone. Accompany me." I felt a personal connection with the author from the beginning and that feeling continued as I read the first post titled "I Got a New Uncle Named Pak Tam". This post is all about a wedding at their grandparents home complete with a photo of the family attending the ceremony. It takes place in Labu Besar, Kulim, Kedah.

Then I realized I don't know the blog author's name at this point, so I went searching to find out who was writing about their family life. As I looked for the writer's name I found a related post below the photos of the family wedding. It moved me very much and gave me insight into a life that I can only imagine and not really understand. This post is called "Save Gaza - Save our Brothers & Sisters". Upon reading this entry I felt much compassion and I realized that the name was not so important because I felt the touch of another soul and I feel like I know this person who is writing the journal. I saw a glimpse into another world and some strangers lives who now are close to my heart and are not strangers any more.

The blogger is not alone in home any more because I am there, too. Thanks for the wonderful stories about your life and family. I will be visiting again soon and often. I feel like I've made a friend. By the way, the author's name is Nas or just Alone.

The Cafe's First Poetry Round Robin

Image by . SantiMB . via Flickr

It is my pleasure to introduce The Midnight Writer's Cafes First Poetry Round Robin. I will begin the poem with the first two lines which I will base on inspiration taken from the picture above.

The rules for this round robin are simple. Ponder the photo above and read the two lines of the poem that I wrote. Add two lines in the comment below along with a link to your site and any comments or suggestions about the round robin or the cafe blog or the photo or the poem. All of this information will be taken into consideration in future round robins.

What are you waiting for? Sprinkle your creative magic dust to the two lines below.

(1) Arching above the confines of my mind run pillars of artfully crafted wood

(2) Whose designs compliment the geometric symmetry below me

Please number your lines in sequence with the ones before your comment, such as (1)(2)(3)(4) and so forth....

This round robin will run until it reaches a sensible completion of the poem. If that is doubtful in my mind, I will put a vote out to the readers to let them decide. There will be prizes and other rules made up as this goes on and you will help contribute to all the action.

Have fun and show us your talent.....

The Midnight Writer

The Cafe Blog Made the Smorty Hall of Fame

Great news everyone! Mark your calendar so you'll remember what date we will celebrate this momentous anniversary in The Midnight Writer's network blogging history. On May 4, 2009 I received the long awaited email from Smorty. It relayed the great news that this blog, The Midnight Writer's Cafe, has been accepted into the Smorty blog program.

It was well worth the effort and the wait. I signed up last year for Smorty and entered blog after blog into their program, reaping one failure after another. Scratching my head, I asked "what am I doing wrong?" I was more determined than ever to qualify a blog for Smorty. So I set out to read and understand their rules.

Apparently, I had found a challenge and I was up for it. I was unaware in the beginning how different Smorty is from other companies and programs that I had joined. You have to live it to understand it. Now this blogging for the notable Smorty became a quest. Success has come!

So how did I figure out what to do to qualify? Pure inspiration! You want to hear about how I figured it out?

The Midnight Writer

Round Robin Let's Keep the Herbal Tea Going

There are a few subjects that I would like to cover today starting with the continuity of a "round robin". First of all, I should ask you if you know what a round robin is? I'll explain it for you just in case.

The term "round robin" is French in origin and has its roots based in France where many people signed a petition to the Crown in protest of authority and the signing was done in a circular or ribbon fashion to disguise the order in which it was signed. This way no one could be dubbed the ring leader.

My hope for this blog is to introduce the platform of a round robin whereby modern practice creates letters or contests or sports events with multiple people participating. One example would be many people signing a petition or many people sending a Christmas letter by passing it around. We will define the rules for our "round robin" together as we explore its use and define how these sessions will take place at The Midnight Writers Cafe.

I found a round robin generator that I want to try out here.

The first round robin event that I would like to promote is a poety writing. We'll start with two lines to a poem which I will write here. People will add to it by posting comments until two lines that act as the perfect closure for my first two lines are written. Then I will write the ending or solution to the poetry or prose and publish the final version with all the authors being given credit. I will provide a link back to your site if you have not already placed it in the comment section.

This should add a little creative fun to this site while we slam espressos, or tote tea or sip a smoothie. Come back often because there are more ideas brewing. Watch for the beginning of the round robin in my next post.

The Midnight Writer

How did Espresso Arrive in the Coffee Scene?

Espresso means made expressly for you.

Whether or not you are a history buff, that is a good question. It is a question that I would like to explore since I am such a coffee fan. I think it would be good to know where my favorite beverage originated. Don't you?

So I went digging on search engines looking for the answer to this question: "when, how and from where did espresso enter the coffee scene?"

Here is what I found:

The first true espresso originated in Italy in the early 1900's. I found some impressive information at "1st in Coffee" so visit their site to read more. According to their information, "Luigi Bezzeri patented the first steam driven espresso machine."

Fascinating. Did you know that?

How did the word spread about this new coffee taste sensation with lots of caffeine kick?

The Word for Today is Relaxing so Pick a Calming Tea

Today I feel very relaxed and sort of melancholy. I'm imagining all those leisure walks we used to take just strolling with no particular place to go. I'm hoping that my hubby will be open for a nice walk either down by the river or along a mountain road. We have been way too stressed out lately with our vehicle problems and the burdens of life in spiritual, personal and financial areas. I'm making a healthy decision to bring about some changes in my life to protect my spiritual and physical and emotional well being.

One of the steps I decided to take that I want to share with you is to take in more healthy food and drinks. You all know from reading my posts how much Cephas and I love coffee. It's like a staple for us and some days it's more like a daily ritual. That is why I want to change it. I want to drink coffee because I want to enjoy it not because I need to drink it. If anything becomes an addiction it could be a problem so we're going to attempt to nip this habit and make it a drink of choice, not need. How will we do that?

By drinking more teas and juices an smoothies. These are all healthy for you and they are part of the Cafe/Coffee Shop experience as much as coffee. This is exciting news for all of you because we can delve into many new territories here. You can learn with me as we share information on great drinks and their benefits. I would like to find the best economic deals on some of those products as well so help me out here. I still want to hear about your favorite drink.

ON to Today's Word Pick: relaxing and calming.

I am choosing one of my favorite teas for this effect, chamomile.

Have you ever tried chamomile tea? It is smooth and calming with a slight euphoric effect. If you are tired it will induce sleep or it will enhance your desire to meditate. Babies will calm right down if you give them some chamomile for their stomach or their teeth. I have used it for my grandchildren with great success.

Chamomile has many benefits from helping children with teething pain, settling the stomach, calming the nerves or aiding with sleep. Herbal journals purport that it protects against staph and strep so it is a handy medicine to keep in your kitchen. Mixed with a bit of yarrow it carries great antibiotic and antiviral effect.

I love the taste. If you want it sweet add a touch of honey but do not give honey to children or infants under one year old.

Brew a warm cup of chamomile today and relax.

The Midnight Writer

Famous Coffee Shops Around the World

Image by Ewan-M via Flickr

Image by Ewan-M via Flickr
As of yet, I have not received any nominations for any one's favorite coffee shop or cafe. So I'm extending the invitation again and hoping that my readers will reciprocate with an entry. I'm really anxious to start writing features here about coffee shops, cafes and your favorite drinks as well. Hurry and send those entries today and include a photo, too if you can. Send all information to themidnightwriter1@gmail.com for a quick response.

While I'm waiting for the nominees of all those great cafes around the country and around the world, I'm starting my own feature spot on famous coffee shops around the world. Maybe this will stir some inspirations from my audience.

The photograph shows the lovely "Old Coffee House in Soho, London, England". The address is 49 Beak Street which was formerly known as Silver Street. I love the design of this coffee house. It is featured on The Randomness Guide to London so visit their site to learn more and tell them The Midnight Writer's Cafe sent you.

What do you find attractive about The Old Coffee House?

I like the location, the building style and the colors are very nice. As for the service, I've never been to this lovely coffee house yet but it is on my list of places to visit.

Aside from serving ale from their own micro brewery and they have a wine list, too. Food is served with banquettes held in the back, according to the Randomness Guide to London. When I conducted a google search for this coffee house under its name The Old Coffee House, they were the first one on the list. I found a google map to locate it so you can bookmark it for your travel plans.

Tis the Season for Iced Frappuccinos

It's heating up outside so folks tend to go for the ice. Featured drinks everywhere add the ice, from iced tea of all kinds whether it be earl grey or green, to frappuccinos served on ice- blended or not. There is an appeal for these iced coffee drinks that are espresso based. They come with a host of flavors added such as vanilla, hazelnut, caramel and mint. The icing on the drink is the whip, of course.

With all the craze for iced drinks and frappuccinos, how much information is available about whether iced drinks or hot drinks are better for you in the warmer weather?

Between you and me, we can uncover this information and share it right here on your favorite online cafe. Now don't get me wrong. Regardless of the outcome of our research, I fully intend to enjoy some iced tea and an occasional iced vanilla frappuccino this summer with lots of whipped cream on top. Cinnamon adds the perfect finishing touch to any iced or hot coffee. You should try it!

My personal preference in drinking coffee remains with the hot espresso based drinks and lately I'm leaving out the syrups 75% of the time. I need to cut back on the sugar. You might consider using less sugar in the summertime to help keep those bugs away! If you're sweet smelling they will love you more.

The Midnight Writer

Watching "The Day After Tomorrow" Makes me Want a Capucchino

The cup is warm in your hand as the steam rises teasing your nostrils with its rich sweet aroma. A cozy feeling washes over you while you inhale its aroma and let the scent of the vanilla that mingles with the rich French roast coffee you used to make the espresso shots. The cream makes it thick, rich and soothing to the stomach as you drink copiously from the venti sized cup in your hands. You are still savoring the warmth within your hands.

The warm beverage is creating heat inside your stomach which feels good as you watch the approach of the superstorm on the movie. A polar shift will take place and the whole northern hemisphere will be plunged into an ice age. Anyone who steps outside during the temperature shift will freeze almost instantly. That is cold. Now they're talking about giving orders to the National Guard to evacuate as many people as possible to Mexico to prevent total loss of life during the freeze.

I'm watching this storm advance with high winds, rain, ice, snow and frigid temperatures invading the continents freezing everything still in place as it advances. The scientists are sharing a twelve year old bottle of scotch. I look down in my still warm hands and gingerly sip some more of this delicious capucchino that I have been nursing for ten minutes now. The foam has all dissolved by now adding more creamy texture to the beverage.

I reach for a fleece blanket and wrap my legs in it to warm up. My room isn't really cold. It's just the power of suggestion watching all this ice advance on the city of Manhattan. Someone is convincing people to go outside but the young man whose father is a scientist is warning them not to go outside into the frigid temperatures. He's telling the people they will freeze to death but they are not listening. Droves of them are leaving the library to walk outside trying to run south before the snow gets too deep. What a terrible misjudgment!

I pull my blanket closer to my body and add a dash of cinnamon to my vanilla capucchino. I'm thinking about sitting closer to my husband for this movie so we can emulate sharing body heat to survive the frigid storm onslaught...by proxy from The Day After Tomorrow.

Do you suppose that all the predictions of the polar shift and weather disasters predicted for 2012 will happen?

Is Hot Chocolate Just for Cold Winter Days?

Photo Credit: The Midnight Writer
Seriously, what is your opinion? Hot chocolate- is it just for cold winter days or is it just as enjoyable in the summertime?

Oh, you thought this blog was just about coffee? I'm sorry if you had that misconception, but I thought I explained it very well in the introduction to this blog. This is a cafe. Here, we will share about all drinks shared in a cafe/coffee shop setting. This includes many kinds of drinks, such as:

• ~ teas
• ~ coffees, espressos, capuchinos, lattes
• ~ hot chocolate, cocoa and chocolate based drinks
• ~ herbal teas
• ~ energy drinks
• ~ smoothies
• ~ juices

As you can see, there is a lot of room for discussion. But this post is about hot chocolate.

MMMMmmmmm......Delicious, rich, hot, steamy cup of chocolate is great for the cold hands in winter time. After coming in from sledding all afternoon, we used to cozy up in the living room near the woodstove and share hot chocolate with marshmallows. Mom knew how to make it best. The conversation centered around the chocolate, the next day's sledding excursion and who was going to shovel the driveway after the next snow. Beyond that, we talked excitedly about a good movie to watch that night and was there enough cocoa and marshmallows for the next round.

Can you relate?

What about drinking hot chocolate in the summertime? Do you have some good experiences to share or suggestions as to when and where this is a good warm drink to share with family and friends?

My favorite place to drink hot chocolate in the summertime is while sitting around a campfire during a high mountain campout. Usually we spend the days hiking and foraging for neat rocks and plants, so come night fall when the moon rises we build a cozy campfire and circle around to share exciting adventure stories. Sometimes we tell ghost stories or discuss possible adventures for tomorrow.

Camping. Campfires. Family. Friends. Moonlight. Hot chocolate. A perfect combination. With toasted marshmallows from great willow branches.