The mercury in the thermometer today tells me it’s 36 degrees Farenheit outside.  Only three months ago we had a forecasted temperature of 102.  Contrast the two together and you get a difference of 66 degrees and for me that’s quite a change.  I am almost always cold.  When the mercury begins to dip below 70 I just have to put on a sweater.  Today is one of those days.  Because the air outside is cool I thought it might be fun to share a post I wrote way back in July but never released.  Hope this step back in time brings some warmth your way.

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July 6, 2012

Excessive heat is the forecast for yet another day in our community.  Accu.Weather.com tells me the mercury will rise to 102 degrees Farenheit.  That’s HOT!!  Not allowing the outrageous heat to inhibit my movement I ventured outside to partake in a small excursion to Brodhead, Wisconsin.  Our destination was the JAVA House and Harvest Moon.  The purpose for my husband was a planned meeting with one of his customers.  My intention was monkey business.

Java House, as you might assume from the name, offers its customers a full array of coffee options as well as many other beverages both cold and hot.  Not to be outdone by other coffee houses they also have pastries to compliment your beverage.  A lunch menu is also available.  I can say from personal experience that the coffee, pastries and lunch offerings are wonderful.

The interior is furnished with an eclectic collection of mismatched vintage tables and chairs.  The walls of the establishment sport an exposed brick.  The bricks appear to be original to the structure.  Adding to the ambiance is a gas fire-place, which is obviously not in use today.  Attached to the coffee shop is a gift shop called Harvest Moon.  Harvest Moon is crammed full of “primitive” themed collectibles.  They have rugs, old furniture, signs, candles, garden art, quilts, table runners, jewelry, etc.  Harvest Moon is an adorable little shop with much to thrill the lover of vintage American decorations.  Both the Java House and the attached Harvest Moon are delightful!  Stop by some time for a cup of java and sit for a spell.  I’m certain you will find both of them well worth your time.

We arrived at our destination early only to find a small hand-written sign notifying customers that,

due to excessive heat and lack of air conditioning

they unfortunately would not be open.  Me being a “rule follower,” assumed that the sign was correct.  I read the sign out loud to my husband and waited for his reaction.  Assuming that we would leave I was prepared to turn and head back to our Chevy pickup.  My husband is not a “rule follower.”  He bends them as far as he can and as often as he can.  He was not about to assume the sign was accurate.  Rather than turn and run he climbed the stairs and tugged on the door.  Imagine my delight when the door to the establishment swung open.  We cautiously walked inside as my husband announced to the barista our dilemma.  She was puzzled at our encounter with the notice because is was her belief all signs had been removed.  You see yesterday they did indeed have to close because not all of their air conditioning units were operational.  The lack of adequate cooling had allowed the temperature inside to reach 97 degrees.  Obviously the heat was unbearable for both the employees as well as the patrons.  The small hand-written sign was not meant for today.  With the confusion over we gladly chose to stay.

My husband and I had arrived early so we had plenty of time to select and order a beverage as well as a pair of scones.  Being we were the only customers in the building we had the pick of the tables.  I chose a large table facing a window.  The generous expanse gave me plenty of room to spread out my laptop and belongings.  My husband chose a separate table suitable for himself and his soon to arrive customer.

As soon as our order was prepared we each retrieved our food and headed to our respective tables.  My iced coffee and scone were wonderful.  Sometimes I get so excited about being away from home that I forget to slow down and savor my purchases.  Today was especially a challenge because aside from my burning desire to put fingers to my keyboard there was this little bird chirping in my ear suggesting that I take a walk through the attached gift shop.

I announced to my husband that I would soon be en route to the other half of the building.  He smiled and told me to have a good time.  It was nice having someone else present because that meant I could safely leave my belongings without being concerned about theft.  I’m sure my face sported a smile as I quickly walked past my husband.  I slowly browsed through the small, cramped aisles gazing in every direction, absorbing as much of the merchandise as possible.  Often I paused to examine items carefully.  There were several that could have easily been added to a shopping basket.  I resisted though not wanting to spend any money, much to the disappointment of the establishment’s owner.  Having successfully resisted all temptations to make a purchase I turned and headed back to my table.

By the time I returned to my belongings my husband’s customer had arrived and their meeting was well underway.  I unpacked my laptop and began typing this post.  My fingers sailed over the keys as the words poured out of my mind.  Sometimes it’s so easy to put on paper what I have to say and sometimes it’s like pulling teeth, long and grueling.  Before long my story was complete and my husband’s customer was on his way out the door.  I carefully gathered up my things, packed them in their appropriate places and joined my husband.  He finished drinking his beverage, then took his dishes to the tub set aside for dirty dishes.  We made one last look in the direction of our tables making sure we had not left anything behind.  Once certain we were leaving with everything we had brought we walked toward the exit and left the building.  Another excursion had come to an end.

I’m so glad you took the time to share with me my recant of my excursion.  Let’s make a date to meet again soon.  Have a wonderful day!