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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Cup and Saucer (08/28/14)
Coffee Makes Me Poop

I am gently age-challenged, having a brain charged with static memories, stuttering false starts vocally and physically, nearsightedly stumbling over nasty bumps.

I’ve been subjected to not-so-surprisingly ungracious trends spanning seven decades of life’s often deplorable oomphs. Harrumph.

A cup of tea would be nice. In my glass-fronted secondhand hutch perch my favorite second and third-hand cups and saucers. Creamy white with hand-painted pink desert roses, Desert Rose Franciscan Ware has graced lovely, semi-elegant dinners with dearest friends and family.

Those dainty little cups, filled with hot brewed tea are a pretty way to have your cake and eat it too. I remember, as an overly eager sweet-toothed imp, being served tea in Gram’s beautiful china, lovingly served with her almost dunkable crumb-free pound cake. We lingered over our toothsome treats as we played Bingo with her jar of dimes.

Rites of passage, marked by teacups and saucers to hold the cookies; guzzling delicious Vernors Ginger Ale straight from the bottle, watching “The Lone Ranger” with big sister and Gram. Ah, memories . . .

I have sadly lost track of a dear English gal friend who understood my love for cream and raspberry preserves in my tea. She and her affable husband lived in a synagogue, working for their room and board – and potato pancakes. Tea with potato pancakes is a tasty treat.

Times sadly change – hot beverages are now served in large mugs or paper cups. I do have matching Desert Rose mugs, barely larger than the cups, and not accompanied by dainty little saucers unless balanced exquisitely.

Mugs are usable, yes, but where to put the tea bag? And the empty little spent packets of sugar, creamer and artificial sweeteners that have replaced (and cured my addiction to) sugar cubes?

I digress. For shame. I was dreaming of a cup of tea. Because my hands shake more than they need to, I have switched to paper plates and plastic cups and glasses, passing my pretty china with a wink – assuring them safety for the moment.

Today there are mugs of every imaginable and unimaginable description. My sister has an almost enviably adorable elephant-shaped gray plastic mug holding her mandatory hot chocolate. I have an insulated plastic “glass” with a lid and straw for both hot and cold beverages. Not as cute as an elephant, but so very practical and unbreakable. Sigh.

Yes, the time when bibs, plastic and paper become the new décor of the harried housewife with shaky hands. I am not complaining, truly – I am wincing at the thought of how many beautiful things found there way to the kitchen floor – often filled with food. Breakable, sometimes irreplaceable, but the dog loves me.


Because I am ashamed of my title – not my origination but perfect for its purpose, I am including a bit of perfect prose for you to savor as you imbibe your favorite hot beverage in its dainty little cup and saucer – if you still do:

"Drinking From My Saucer Cause My Cup Has Overflowed

I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough
But I've got loving ones all around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe,
about the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed."

To put a little crunch in your cookies, I am ending with an obnoxious offering from a catalog that arrived this morning. It boasts a revolting mug “Does a cuppa joe make you go?” shaped like a freshly dropped “pile. It reads “coffee makes me poop”. If this ruins your appetite, please box and send your cookies to me …
________________________________________________________________________________

Author's Notes:

Drinking From My Saucer Cause My Cup Has Overflowed
Originally recorded by: Michael Combs and also by Bill Anderson.
Written by: John Paul Moore
http://www.kingjamesbibleverse.com/poems/cup.php

Johnson Smith’s “Things You Never Knew Existed . . . and other items you can’t possibly live without!”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 1337 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Rice
09/04/14
Clever and well written entry.
Thanks for sharing.
C D Swanson 
09/05/14
Oh...I loved this well written nostalgic and brilliant piece of writing. I loved your words in which the story lept to life, and I was nodding and smiling as I read. I miss the days of sitting with my grandmother sipping coffee or tea from dainty cups and saucers. I was only telling my mom that this morning and I grabbed a dish to place under her mug...so she'd have a place for her spoon and stevia!

Anyhow, this was captivting in every aspect, from the internal reflective dialogue, to the beautifully written poem.

I guess you can tell...I LOVED THIS!!! Excellent work, thank you for sharing with us.

God bless~
Ellen Carr 
09/07/14
A great way of covering the topic. You have contrasted the elegance and nostalgia of cups and saucers well with the practicality of mugs etc. Well done.
Allison Egley 
09/07/14
I liked this, espeically the beginning.

I would caution you, however, in using someone else's poems or songs, even if you give credit. Technically, even if you give credit, using someone else's work in whole or in part without permission is in violation of copyright law. That's why the challenge rules say not to use any song lyrics unless the song is in the public domain. If it IS in the public domain, I would put "public domain" in the credits part, along with the author's name. I wouldn't worry about it too much this time, just something you might want to be aware of in the future.

I loved the beginning of this, and honestly thought it was pretty strong even without the poem.
Graham Insley
09/09/14
Once again your word choice is amazing and makes your entry zing along.

I agree with Alison, while I like the poem I don't think it was necessary for your entry and I too worried about copyright.

You always write with powerful word combinations that even an ordinary game of bingo takes on new life.

Well done.
Bea Edwards 
09/10/14
You have such a powerful way with words that I was sure "drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed" was yours! Ha, good entry though, nicely written.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/11/14
I rarely read titles, but this one caught my eye and made me giggle. I could totally relate to the MC and her shaky hands. I'm not even 50, yet tremors harass me. You made me think of the one habit my daughter came home with after spending a semester in Ireland. She drinks tea now, but it has to be a certain type.

I liked your poem too. It felt disconnected from the other part, almost as if you had two distinct entries, but it still made me smile. I'm curious by your notes, maybe I'm misunderstanding them, but it seems if the poem is actually song lyrics. If so, be careful about using them unless you know for sure that said piece is in the public domain.

You did a nice job of tackling the topic. I smiled at your words several times and felt a warm feeling as if I'd been sipping on your tea. Good job.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/12/14
Congratulations on ranking 7th in level 3! Happy Dance!
Catrina Bradley
09/12/14
I came for the the title, but was captivated by your MC. I kept picturing Mom, who depended on the saucer to steady the shaking cup and to hold her teabag. (And she drank from the saucer, too.)