I'm now the proud owner of a Coffee Master Journal and a new fountain pen!

I started this entry last night but was too tired to finish it so here it is.

Happy Monday, 4th day of LetterMo, to all!

Today's been a wonderful day. I didn't make it to the post office because I worked a long shift and was too tired to drive over there but I hope to go tomorrow.  I did mail out a few things and have tomorrow's small bundle ready to go.

At work, our DM paid us a visit and it went well. He brought my new Coffee Master Journal and I'm so excited to have it and start training! What's a Coffee Master? Well, if you've ever been into a Starbucks store and seen a barista in a black apron, rather than green, you've seen a Coffee Master. Basically, they're baristas who have such passion for coffee that they undergo an intensive training program to be labeled "super barista". Okay, so the "super barista" part isn't factual but this interview with a CM in Kuwait will give you an idea of what I'm about to undertake. I'm a little nervous at the thought of it all but eager to get started. The training is self-paced and there's no time limit so it shouldn't give any undue pressure. I hope. The journal itself is pretty slick and I meant to ask the DM if there's any prohibition against modifying it but since it's mine, I don't see how there could be. It's wonderful to have this little journal to guide me through learning more about coffee, how it's grown, roasted and such. Besides, I think I'll look great in that black apron! Ha!

While the DM was there, Mr. and Mrs. Moore came in. They're the lovely customers who make pens. I served their drinks and Mr. Moore told me several of you have called and/or ordered pens from them and he brought me a present;the Honduran rosewood fountain pen I admired! I was so surprised! So was the DM. I asked him if it was appropriate for me to accept a gift and he laughed and said it was okay. We chatted with the Moore's a bit and after they left the DM turned to me and said something like, "And that's the kind of connection I love to see!"

So, here you go, wonderful people, a photo of my new Coffee Master Journal and the rosewood fountain pen given to me by the Moore's. I haven't written my name on the journal yet but think I'll practice a bit with the new pen then write it with that. :-)

Happy Tuesday and may your mailbox bring many surprises!

Return of the pen maker

On the 23rd I posted about a customer who is a penturner. He came back a couple of days ago and brought with him a rosewood fountain pen. We were a bit slow so I had a couple of minutes to chat with him and his wife and use the pen. Holy ink, Batman, I think I'm in love!

The pen was well balanced in my hand, wrote smoothly, and the Honduran rosewood had a lovely and rich color. I greatly admired it and Mr. Moore said something like, "Maybe I should hold on to this one for you, huh?" and I beamed and agreed. It isn't an expensive pen but a new fountain pen isn't in the budget right now so I hope he does hold onto it for me. I plan to get it as soon as finances allow.

He also told me that one of you readers had been in touch with him about his pens. I didn't know which of you it was then but I do now so thank you, Rusty! Mr. and Mrs. Moore are very nice people and from what I've been able to tell so far, the quality of their work is high.

I plan to go to their studio soon and hopefully they'll have time that day to help me make my own pen. I think having one I made would be awesome but I'll have to refrain from taking it to work as every pen or marker I've taken there has been "appropriated" by someone and never seen by me again.

Do you have a favorite pen? If so, please tell me about it.