Everyone has a favorite coffee mug. I'm sure one's choice says something about a person, or at least about the day they're having. When I was in college, my favorite mug during a semester with a particularly nasty 8am math class (Modern Abstract Algebra--shudder!) had a lovely pastoral Christmas scene. A gift from a friend. Nothing remarkable about the way it looked, as it was winter. But when you lifted it up, it jangled out a Christmas tune. Loudly.
Professor: "There is an element e such that for all a in R--"
Liz's coffee mug: "Oh! The weather outside is frightful..."
Liz: (Muffled)"Crap."
Professor: "A times e equals e times a--"
What Liz Hears: "Blah blah blah blah"
Liz: (internal) "Must...have...caffeine"
Liz's coffee mug: "But the fire is so delightful--"
Liz: (Muffled) "Crap!"
Professor turns from board and sweeps baleful glance over classroom. Liz has yet to have a sip of coffee...
Professor: (writing on board) "Equals a, then the--"
Liz's coffee mug: "And since we've no place to goooo"
Professor: "Mizz Jasper, would you please turn off your coffee mug? Some of us are trying to learn."
Liz: "Sorry, professor."
Liz's brain: "Caffeine! Caffeine! Now! Now! NOW!"
Liz's mug: "Let it snooooowwww."
Liz: "Crap! I mean...Whoops! Sorry, professor. I thought if I covered the bottom it wouldn't--Sorry. Won't happen again."
Liz: (internal) sigh!
Professor: "Blah, blah, blah, Q.E.D."
Thankfully, for all concerned, as my coffee always went cold in that mug, it was only a matter of time that I drowsily stuck it in the microwave to reheat and fried the music chip.
So what's on my desk now? Well, we have roofers overhead. From the sound of it, a hundred 400 lb linebackers with oversized power tools, nails the size of baseball bats and cement boots. It is a morning for my Shakespearean slurs mug. Lots to choose from, but my eye keeps going to " Canker-blossom" and "Roast meat for worms."
A writer must always keep herself surrounded by things that inspire.
Liz Jasper writes murder mysteries, even when there are no roofers overhead. (Good gad what are they using now? The hammer of Thor?) Her EPPIE award nominated paranormal mystery, UNDERDEAD is available at http://www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419909344. Or, you can visit her website at http://www.lizjasper.com/. Or friend her at myspace www.myspace.com/underdeadauthor, where she blogs as character Jo Gartner. Now, stop reading this and go do something useful like vote for Helen at the romantic times website. (Link below, with her post yesterday.)
