Coffee & T & Amber Marie

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A famous coffee brand says having it in one’s cup is the best part of waking up. While I don’t choose that brand these days (sorry!), I do agree having coffee is one of the best perks of the morning. Even people who somehow don’t like the taste of coffee, can usually agree that the smell is amazing!

Being from up north originally (Minnesota) and having 65% of my personal DNA come from the Nordic countries, coffee just makes sense. It is like it is part of my blood and almost everyone on my dad’s side of the family starts drinking coffee by the time they reach double-digits. Gathering at an old cafe to sip on coffee and chat was a staple of our family time for as long as I can remember, and after my immediate family moved away when I was a kid and then would return to MN to visit, this tradition continued. As a young person, I would want to leave the restaurant to go do “SOMETHING,” wanting to ditch the adults and be with my cousins, not appreciating the connection that the setting and the the warm drink facilitated. Now, after time and the greater and greater dispersing of the extended family, and the sad losses of key players in the aforementioned described scene, those are some of my fondest memories.

Coffee has been such a staple in our family and in our home for my whole life—it’s a bit strange perhaps how something like water and coffee beans can make something so soothing and comforting—but it is the way it is.

Another fond memory I have related to the magical roasted beans is my dad singing the Ink Spots’ song called “The Java Jive,” and swapping out a few key lyrics for me. It is a cute song as is. If you are unfamiliar with this song from 1940 (way before my time and my dad’s time!), see the video and lyrics below.

“The Java Jive” (Ink Spots, 1940)

Lyrics of Java Jive by The Ink Spots

chorus

I love coffee, I love tea

I love the java jive and it loves me

Coffee and tea and the java and me

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, boy

verse

I love java, sweet and hot

Oops, Mr. Moto, I′m a coffee pot

Shoot me the pot and I’ll pour me a shot

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup

Shoot me a slug from that wonderful mug, oh

I′ll cut a rug like a bug in a jug

Slice of onion and a raw one (yeah)

Draw one

Waiter, waiter, percolator

chorus

I love coffee, I love tea

I love the java jive and it loves me

Coffee and tea and the java and me

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup

verse

Boston beans (that’s that fancy food)

Soy beans (nobody eats that down the market)

Green beans (sometimes)

Cabbage and greens (that sounds like home cooking)

I’m not keen for a bean (sour food)

Unless it′s a cheery, cheery bean, boy

chorus

I love coffee and I love tea

Lipton, I love the java jive and it loves me

Coffee and tea, the java and me

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, yeah

verse

I love java, sweet and hot

Oops, Mr. Moto, I′m a coffee pot

Shoot me the pot, now pour me a shot

A cup, (a cup), a cup, (a cup), boy, (yeah)

Shoot me a slug from that wonderful mug, oh

I’ll cut a rug like a bug in the jug

Drop a nickel in a

Slide, Johnny

Bring it up slow, now

Waiter, waiter, percolator

chorus

I love coffee, I love tea

I love the java jive and it loves me

Coffee and tea and the java and me

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, boy

Writer(s): Ben Oakland, Milton Drake

https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/The-Ink-Spots/Java-Jive-1

It’s a fun song, huh? Well, my name is Amber and my middle name is Marie. My mom goes by her initials of TJ, but many in the fam even shorten that and call her T. Many times when I was growing up, I would hear my dad sing this song, but say: “I love coffee, I love T, I love Amber and she loves me… coffee and T and Amber Marie… a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, ah…” I remember feeling very special when he would sing this to me, and it still comes to mind occasionally. Especially when I use my elaborate coffee station in my kitchen, or when I smell that aroma that sends me back to my childhood with cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents, gathered together in a a mad circus of talking and laughing and sipping away.

Life has gotten much more complicated since those early days at the cafe and the family has grown and changed immensely, but coffee will always be extremely meaningful to me.

Coffee and T and missing those early family memories…

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, ah… (Maybe I just found my sign-off?!)

A decade+ later…

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Well, I tend to get distracted, but over a decade since my last post is even a lot for me!

Life has has some major ups and downs since the last time I was here. I will probably get more into that (but I don’t know how much exactly…) and how that has changed/affected me at a later date.

For now, I just want to say HELLO again. How are YOU???

And thought I would share a few updates since the last time I posted.

In the last decade+, here are some work/career/project/health highlights:

Started a small photo booth business near the end of 2015

Started grad school 2016

Went fully vegan (was one step away as a lacto-vegetarian since I was 11) and gluten-free in 2016

Was diagnosed with MCAS, EDS, (and later POTS), Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia, etc. (and figured out the long list of foods I must stay away from) in 2016

Finished my first novel (co-wrote it with 3 friends) and it was published in 2017 (I also did the cover art for the novel)

Had some fun book signings and took part in a book panel in 2017

Did the cover art for another author’s book in 2017

Presented a lecture on animal universality in literature, wrote my ECE (extended critical essay) on literary devices used and the therapeutic nature of literature in two chosen books, and completed my thesis, which is a linked short story collection, in 2018

Graduated from grad school in 2018

Started teaching English/composition classes at a private University in 2021

Started hosting a book club at the end of 2021

Created a photo shoot concept and modeled for it to express the theme for an art show

Dreamt up, planned, hosted, and participated in an art show with over 30 artists included in 2025

Started some new web sites and new business ventures 2025-2026

Working on some new books/stories and new art work currently

Have rescued 4 new dogs since last here (2 are my daughter’s dogs—my grand-pups) (I will share photos at a later time )

Have continued doing the Polar Bear Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics every February —2/28/26 will be my team’s 18th time plunging! (Here is my personal fundraising page for this year’s plunge if you would like to donate!: support.somo.org/AmberAndersonYear18)

Have also traveled quite a bit in the last decade—especially since 2022—bringing me to 21 countries, some other territories, and 42 U.S. states so far

And I have had several personal gains and losses that I’ll leave out of this post, but that have impacted me (and continue to do so) in huge ways

I guess that is a good start after such a long time away. Maybe it won’t take me so long between posts next time.

I need to think of a good sign-off…

Should I care?

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Well, it’s been a few days…or more…but I am back now.

It’s hard being a writer (and an artist). Not hard like risking my life, like police officers and firefighters hard, but hard because there is so much inner conflict involved.

I want to write and paint what is inside me. I have so much to say and show. But on the other hand, I know what I have to say is not important. Sure, everyone is important to someone, and my kids are still young enough to think I’m important for now, but I know I’m not actually important. Writing today especially, I know nothing I have to say is really actually of value.

Value is found in the people who help others. The people who dug through rubble looking for loved ones- their own loved ones or others’ loved ones. Value is found in people giving their time, energy, sweat, maybe even blood for another person. Value is in one person caring about another person, even when that person can’t give them anything in exchange.

So, I know my essays, my poems, my short stories, my drawings, my oils and acrylics, do not really matter. I get it.

It’s also scary because it’s so personal. I know people might hate my work, but my work is not just work. It’s me. When someone hates my art, my words, it’s like they hate me.

Don’t get me wrong- I’m sure there are plenty of people who dislike me even without seeing my work. It’s still scary to put so much of myself out there on display, giving the critics a free ride straight to my heart.

Should I care what they think? Maybe not. Do I care? Unfortunately, yes. Or maybe, fortunately. Maybe that is what makes me human. Maybe that is why I write. Maybe that’s why my kids think I’m important, because I do care.

Anyways, I have a meeting tomorrow regarding one of the novels I am working on. And I am meeting with the awesome Mrs. VanCardo on Tuesday to see if I have the illustrations right for her children’s story. Hopefully the caring comes in handy.

Until next time.

-Amber

 

 

Hello world! This is the first one…

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So, I have decided to join the world of blogging. We shall see where it takes me, and those who decide to read my posts…

A little about me: I am a mom, a wife, a writer, an artist, a lacto-vegetarian, and an animal lover. In the past, I have been a waitress, a caterer, an office manager and small business owner, a model, a Licensed Massage Therapist, and more.

I love books, movies, swimming, all things beach (besides sharks-they’re scary), and sunsets. I enjoy plays, concerts, sporting events, riesling, merlot, Bud Light, apples, and hummus. I like finding good deals on things, I love shoes, and I enjoy travel. New places to see and new adventures to have are some of my faves.

I dislike people being unkind, rude, presumptuous, or arrogant.

Also, as the blog title indicates- I have a soft spot in my heart for a nice cup of coffee (or four). Like the movie called “Death Becomes Her” means that death looks good on her, is agreeable with her, etcetera- coffee makes me look, sound, and feel better for myself and others. Thanks Coffee!

Hopefully, you will enjoy what I have to say. Maybe you’ll even have a product or business you’d like me to check out/ promote. Who knows?! And hopefully my technical skills will advance during the process. Let the blogging commence!