Braking & Breaking
Goodbye, Coffee Chain & Coffeemaker
Funnies & Foodies December 2025
Giggle: Coffee Chain Closes
That Guy is glad to see it go! He does not like their tarry tasting rocket fuel. He, Dearie, and Hooligan a counter picket to Teary’s protest of the closing. That Guy’s neighborhood needs a local coffee shop as does mine.
Visit Culinary Cartoons for all “That Guy” toons!
Gab: Criers Gona Cry
This month’s toon was inspired by the closing of a corporate coffee chain’s store in my neighborhood. The company announced hundreds of closings with only a day’s notice. It was no loss to most of us because we never entered or drove through it.
Upon the announcement, a woman from my community went online to vent. She wanted neighbors to join her in making signs to picket the closing. The replies were worth the read as most of us were puzzled by her passion for a corporate chain that obviously cared nothing about our neighborhood.
Back in the day when we had a locally owned one, we frequented it often and have great memories there. My favorite is I was there for a meeting with a magazine editor when my son, Jordan called to tell me he passed the Alabama State Bar!
Goods: Tossing the Coffeemaker
In last month’s toon, That Guy tossed his coffeemaker and his electric frother, along with many other microplastic producing products. I recently did the same. I let go of my coffeemaker and electric frother to make safer, plastic free coffee. I purchased Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker in two sizes, a smaller one for when it is just Kev and I and a larger one for when company comes. The aromas of Red Cat’s Alabama Audubon Blend are incredible as I ”bloom” the grounds by pouring just enough water to saturate them. Next, I wait 30 seconds and then slowly pour the remaining water over the coffee. Brew time is four to five minutes. Alabama Audubon Blend is a bird friendly blend of coffee. With permission from Alabama Audubon, every bag of this blend contributes support to the organization.
For the pour over, I purchased a Michael Aram teapot for boiling the water from my Sans Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System. And I warm and froth our cream by hand in my Mauviel Copper Sugar Pot. After coffee the pots for coffee and creamer go in the dishwasher. And my Arman pot remains on the stove. It is much prettier to look at than a big coffeemaker. And my island is not filled with electrics and their noisiness. Making and drinking coffee in the morning is now a quiet, sustainable ritual. And I sip Alabama Audubon Blend as I watch the winter birds outside. The only thing missing is a Red Cat in my neighborhood.
