Coffee time and it’s Friday morning! While on my way to work taking the scenic route through downtown… because I can… brought me to the intersection of Cypress Avenue and Athens, where I stopped at a red light.

Riding a motorcycle allows you to be connected with most everything around you no matter if you want to be or not. This morning was no exception! A strong northerly breeze was kicking up across the intersection which was filled with the most incredible fragrance of roasted coffee beans. You know that smell is better than how it actually tastes but this wasn’t from a steaming hot coffee pot.

I started to continue on my way but wait… I have smelled this here before and could it be that I am missing out on something really good? I decided to flip around the first chance I got and followed my nose till I found the source.

There on Athens is Coffee Creek Espresso & Deli and sure enough… on the north side of the A-framed roof was a smoke stack belting out the fresh aroma of coffee beans being roasted.

Into the line I went and waited my turn… of course I knew I wasn’t getting the coffee in the roaster but I knew this was going to be good.

I told the person at the window how wonderful the smell of the roasting coffee was and they said, yes, Gerald is busy in back roasting a fresh batch. I purchased a latte and carefully stuffed it in my pack, then continued on my way to the office where I have enjoyed one of the best coffees in a long time. Yes, I like a good cup of tea, too, but I never smelled tea in the morning smell so good.

Now here at my desk I launched my daily barrage of junk emails in hopes something interesting might actually land in my inbox. After a few hundred plus of trashed junk emails… there sat in the inbox just a lone few worthy of reading. This one really got me going as I sat here sipping on my coffee.

From Don and Denise Rowlett, recently of Redding, now owners of historic Pinehurst Inn, east of Ashland, Ore.:

Dear Duane,

To view this week’s menu, click here.

This week we are featuring an entree suggested by Paul Abbott, a member of our “clean plate” club! If you liked our Parmesan Herb-Encrusted Chicken or our Ravioli, you’ll love our new Chicken Scaloppini.

Thanks to everyone who booked rooms! We are nearly full for the next few weeks. If you have not yet given us the chance to spoil you rotten, make a reservation at ThePinehurstInn.com.

All Points Bulletin! Briggs and Stratton (our “lawn mower” goats) escaped! They were headed for the border but were captured as they lingered over the daisies near the back porch.

Here is another sign for you. We change the sign each day, so we would love to hear your suggestions for Obama, McCain and Biden coffee. Subscribe to the “Here’s Your Sign” list to receive a photo of each day’s sign (when we have time to send them out!).

Would you be so kind as to forward this message to a friend or two? We would be REALLY grateful! Thanks!

- Donnie and Denise, Hosts

Duane Langshaw lives in Old Shasta.

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