Synchronicity: Good Coffee, Good Book

I was pretty pleased to learn that local author, Heather Lende, has picked up Raven’s Brew Coffee as a sponsor for her upcoming national tour to promote her new book: Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs.

Besides Heather Lende, I’m a fan of Alaskan artist Ray Troll, coffee, and ravens. Years ago, I found a T-shirt in a Juneau store that had an exciting Troll design, a raven rising from a cup of coffee. The T-shirt read: “Raven’s Brew, the last legal high.” I bought the shirt and wore it proudly. I assumed that Raven’s Brew was something Troll had made up, and wished there was such a brand. Within a week, I received a visit from a man from Ketchikan, whose girlfriend intended to open a coffee stand in Juneau, offering a new coffee roasted in Ketchikan. My career at the time put me in a position to promote such things, so the man handed me a pound of whole bean Raven’s Brew coffee, hoping that I would let people know if I liked it.

Did I? I supposed with someone like Ray Troll creating their artwork, it had to be that good. Besides drinking their coffee, I’ve collected their logo products, including a pair of Deadman’s Reach blend mugs produced before Mr. Troll realized he’d misspelled the name “Baranof” on a chart in the picture.

Raven’s Brew remains my roaster of choice, although I now divide my loyalties between them and Haines’s Ripinsky Roasters. Plus, on a freelancer’s income, small-roaster coffee becomes an occasional expenditure, especially since I’m the only family member who drinks it. (I’m learning, though, that it’s better to support small roasters whenever possible. (paid link.))

At any rate, it’s really cool that fellow coffee lover, Heather Lende has Raven’s Brew supporting her. They have a link to a sample chapter of her book on their Website. I’ve downloaded it, but haven’t read it yet—I really want to read the entire book, so I may hold off until I can get to town for a copy. The Web page also has her tour schedule. If you can see her, do so. We’ll be out of town when she does her reading here in Haines, at the library. Just my luck . . . bet they serve Raven’s Brew, too!