Friday Ramble - March Migraines and Espresso

It is still dark outside, and through the window comes the rattle of the wind across the roof, the susurrus of snow falling on the deck and the trees in our garden. Here in the kitchen, there is the burble and hiss of the De'Longhi espresso machine, the rattle and hum of the refrigerator in the corner.

By rights, there should be the sound of a toaster too, but it will be an hour or so before I can even think about toast. This is a "bang up" month for migraines, and I have awakened with a whopper - thought about doing prescription meds when I opened my eyes but opted for a beaker of industrial strength espresso instead.  The stuff in my cup approaches the consistency of solid propellant rocket fuel and could be dispatched with a fork. Steam rises in arty curls from the surface, and a splendid darker froth rings its shores. The fragrance of Kicking Horse Coffee's Cliff Hanger blend is ambrosial.  Yup, I can do this.

Why is it my thoughts always turn to Paris when it is raining?  With beaker in hand, I am looking through my rainy day "stash" of Cavallini rubber stamps, vintage postcards and notebooks - the small ones with maps of France, old French postage stamps or the Eiffel tower gracing their covers.

Snow or no, it will be a grand day, and when the migraine has expired in my espresso sea, I am just going to curl up in a corner somewhere and read something in French, perhaps the latest Fred Vargas.