The coffee carafe is rinsed and never washed so there is the remnant of countless pots of coffee which have been served marked by the stain which is amazingly near or at the same level indicating that the exact amount of coffee is brewed every time. Once the coffee is ready it is served in one of a variety of cups which lay underneath the bar and are used for the specific purpose of this daily ritual. Some are personalized with a name ,some with slogans and some ended up there from other establishments. The latest editing of the Hibbing and Duluth papers lays on the bar and are sectioned off so each member of the coffee posse can dissect the news and report it to the other. Opinions are often and expected to be interjected and it is noted that as one gets older the less worry of what other people will think of your opinions. Most guys will just nod their head in agreement or acknowledgment that it was heard.
Notes are compared and daily tasks are discussed. A trip to the drug store, grocery store and Doctors Off ices is the trifecta. All three even though up there in years pride themselves as being able to keep their driveway and walks clean and wonder about the ambition displayed by the younger generation which
is never and will never live up to or meet their expectations.
By the time most normal people are thinking of waking up or just rising the coffee posse is breaking up for the day. Nothing happened and all is safe on this watch. Rudy will walk home if the weather is nice or Jerry will give him a ride home and double check on the next days schedule.
Once in the house he will walk to the stove where the small sauce pan sits and fill it with water placing it back on the stove top to heat up. This always has been amazing to me since he is legally blind and out of habit or practice it is as automatic as breathing.No measuring devices or aides just do it.The water boils and he walks the water to the bowl placed at the table which already has the instant oatmeal in it and pours the water over it gradually while stirring with the other hand and arriving at the right consistency. A half a banana is on the table and this is eaten only after the oatmeal is eaten. The next course is toast and it will vary but for the most part two pieces lightly uttered with jam or creamy peanut butter for variety.
Once breakfast is complete the dishes are placed on the counter top to await washing or are washed at that time depending on how busy he may be.The table is cleaned up and the cards come out. Well worn and faded but the only deck that will satisfy his needs because the numbers are large. Solitaire is the game of choice and it is a daily battle to see if he can outwit the deck, At one time he kept track of wins and losses but the game is now beyond that and is part of his routine which for some seems boorish but for him means freedom and Independence.Just as the shoveling and the meeting of the coffee posse.He would rather be doing something else, hunting, cutting wood, building shelves and cabinets for his grand children, traveling, one of the many things he used to be able to do so freely but are now just part of his memory and the card game helps keep that edge so he can continue to talk of those days gone by.
Mom is usually up by this point and t she will assist him while he checks his blood sugar and tracks his pills for the day. errands may be discussed and than he will retreat to the recliner where the well worn remote will be used to turn on Emirle Live followed by The Price Is Right. Not the same as when Bob Barker ran things but still his favorite. The days can blend together until one sits back and realizes that this is not surviving but living. Everyday brings a purpose and regardless if it is mundanely routine or not it is living.
