Wondering, Wandering, and Writing

The Background
            My sister and I decided to get away for a couple nights.  Just us.  No children, no dogs, no spouses.  Just us.  And our spouses agreed!  Yay!  (You probably understand that’s the only way we can get away with no children.)  The plan?  None.  Well, of course we’ll eat. Sleep.  Play Scrabble without keeping score.  Nothing exciting or stressful.  We booked a place that seemed to fit the bill and is halfway between us.  We probably paid too much, but I’ve been known to do that from time to time.

The “Coffee Pot”
            The first morning, I awoke first.  I had my usual cup of hot tea.  After a while I decided to make a pot of coffee so it would be ready when Nancy awoke. Well …… this coffee machine also makes expresso and froths milk or whatever and operating it turned out to be above my pay grade.  Finding where to put the coffee grounds took a minute.  “Open” is barely visible on the front of that compartment.  I pushed there and WHALA, I could put the coffee grounds in place.  Now … water.  I searched on the front, on the top, and on the sides.  I pulled a tab on the back and a plastic ruler-looking thing came up.  I put it back.  FINALLY …. I saw a symbol of three drops of water on the top.  I pushed there, and like magic a space for water appeared.  I poured in the water and put the carafe under the grounds-holder. I pushed the “coffee on/off” button.  Nothing. Well, it does help if the thing is pulled in.  Plug it in.  Push the button.  Go sit on the sofa and sip my tea.  No sounds from the coffee pot.  That’s a bit odd.  So, I check out the situation.  There is nothing in the carafe.  What the heck?! 
            Thank goodness for the internet and instruction manuals.   While looking for instructions I see this machine is only $349 on Amazon.  Yeah, we’re in a place above my usual lifestyle.  I’m all for the economy coffee pot from Wal-Mart or Dollar General.  But, I’ve digressed and we still want coffee.  The instructions look incredulous.  I’m supposed to pour a full pot of water into this little space beside the coffee grounds and I can’t find a way the water can get from that little space to anywhere else?  I fill the carafe again.  I slowly pour the water into this small space that seems to have no outlet, expecting to clean up a puddle.  I am amazed that the water gurgles its way into the reservoir for the coffee maker.  I put the grounds back in place, then the carafe, push the button, and wait.
            A few minutes later we had coffee. 😊
            The reservoir for the expresso is still full, and probably will be when we leave.
            Later that day, we tried to use the dishwasher.  That’s another story.

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