{a short, but STRONG relationship...}

I met a new man while on vacation.  He was sweet, dark and strong... and he made me oh so happy.  His name is Conrad.  Conrad filled a huge void in my life, if only for a very short time.  He filled me with sweetness.  He calmed my nerves, and he strengthened my day.  You see, Conrad is a local coffee shop in Boone, NC.  And I wanted to bring Conrad home with me.... 

The coffee that is served in the camp where we attend our family reunion is only coffee in the sense that it is supposedly brewed from coffee beans.  As far as I'm concerned that is still up for debate.  However, one WONDERFUL day, while down in Boone,  out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a little coffee shop, way up on a hill, in a shopping center, and I honestly think I saw angels hovering above it.  I wouldn't lie to you about something as serious as coffee.  When I entered the doors of  the coffee shop, I knew I was in heaven.  The smell of the fresh roasted  coffee beans made my heart flutter.  Freshly ROASTED beans y'all.  Every few days, right there in the store. In the back of the store was a collection of burlap sacks, full of green coffee beans from locations all over the world, and centered right smack in the middle was a great big BEAUTIFUL coffee bean roaster.  My heart lept with joy.  I'm quite sure that the barista's that waited on me last week might have tired from me singing the praises of their wonderful coffee.  I can honestly say, each and every one of the many cups of coffee that I had there last week was the best cup of coffee I've ever had.  It was THAT good.  The creaminess, and lack of acidity was indescribable, and it made any cup from Starbucks taste like motor oil.  That's saying a lot from a girl that does indeed enjoy her Starbucks Latte's.  Sadness fills my heart to tell you that there are only 3 Conrad's coffee shops, all in Boone NC.  All a short 7 hour drive from me. =( I will have to wait until next year to visit again.  Fear not, my love, I will return, and shall consume as much of your sweet nectar as I can.   If you're ever in Boone, make sure to stop by and try one of Conrad's Latte's.  I'd say to tell them that Lorrie sent you.  But they don't know me. At all.  Unless you mention that I'm the crazy lady that kept telling them how much I loved their coffee, and talked their ears off the whole time they prepared my coffee.  Then, they might know who I am.  ;-)