Stephanie
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I chuckled at a conversation on 'In the Heat of the Night' over a cup of coffee. The hostess served her guest while stating, "Here is your decaff, no sugar-sugar, non dairy creamer coffee. Why do you even drink that?" His response? "Well. It vaguely reminds me of something that I use to enjoy." In the day when I was able to have REAL coffee, I frequently ordered the JUMBO GRANDE' cappacino's, munched on chocolate covered coffee beans and even nibbled coffee ice cream. It is as important a taste for me as chocolate for any PMSing woman. I have many wonderful memories in my real coffee days. I started drinking it after my only child married & moved half-way across the country. My life went from being 'Moma/best friend' to one of varous friendships, childless. (Men) NO romance involved, and undoubtedly the best days of my young adult-hood. I was finally able to discover 'Stephanie' and all that she was about. First on my agenda was a Wicca 101 class with the local coven. Although I have never come out of the broom closet for personal reasons, I enjoyed that fellowship immensely. My studies took me to the local bookstore where I ordered endless cups of coffee and poured over books of spells, history and theories. My next stop would be 'live' rpg. (Role playing,) A college in Atlanta had a large group of thespian and stage hands who gathered together in a pristine forest to act out D&D battles in improptu chaos. With a gallon jug of tea my coffee friends and I ran for nearly 5 solid hours of play in the most beautiful woodland I had ever visited. I was never able to play much as a child due to severe asthma and allergies. With a recent weight loss of 100lbs and strong gym membership I revelled in those things I'd missed in my youth. (Coffee helps, lol!) I was reawakened to a fear of mine...HEIGHTS. Or better yet...fear of FALLING from them. I had followed a group across a log that bridged a ravine. Halfway across I froze. A young man walked out to meet me and carefully talked me off of that log. Till then I'd been unaware that fear could literally freeze a person. From there I decided to face my fear and took 3 flights in what is called 'Discovery Flight'. There are not lessons, but 30 minute incremments one can pay for to fly in a controlled area with a professional pilot. You are able to sit in his/her seat and take the controls. It is breath-taking in the best of meanings. I had a blast. More coffee friends. There is a freedom that can not be described unless experienced by a person. I also had taken up walking on top of a wall around a large old stone fort on our local beach. (Alas...only movie stars can go there now for filming. Closed via hurricanes to the general public.) Two people can easily walk side by side, yet the height does go above tree-top in certain area's. My first time on the wall I wanted to do like a fly on the windsheild of a fast moving car. LAY DOWN spreading out my arms & legs to hold on. Lol! Ridiculous. In all my fear is not gone. I did meet the enemy within and win little minor victories. They remain in the bottom of my cup of coffee to reflect on when time allows. There are many more...just as sweet and real. I may hold them at any time to warm my soul.