COLE WALSH - CLASS OF 2015 It’s a brisk morning as I pull up to Starbucks, dreaming of the staple of my morning routine: coffee. Pike’s Place? Blonde Roast? Macchiato? The options swirl uncontrollably in my head. Which will taste better--a butter croissant? No. A blueberry scone, or maybe some lemon cake? The possibilities are endless. Then I notice the unusually long line to the drive-through window. I can usually expect at least a 5-7 minute wait on any given morning, but today, a solid 15 minutes stand between me and my coffee. I can’t skip the coffee--I need it to survive the impending confusion of a CX day. Then it hits me--the only possible reason for the line encircling Key Bank. The perfect combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. The sweet sensation of fall in a cup. The most tangible form of love in the world. That’s right, folks: the Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned. What better way to welcome the cold weather than with Starbucks’ most classic drink? The promise of pumpkin bliss is the best incentive to wake up in the morning. The reason for the extensive line is crystal clear. Every man, woman, and child within a 10 mile radius of Falmouth’s Starbucks drive thru has no doubt heard the news. Not only are there several cars in front of me - I am followed by hundreds more, all waiting for that incomparable blend. I suddenly hear Blake and Eva list all the schools that have been cancelled on account of this glorious occasion. Unsurprisingly, Falmouth is on the list. I know Mr. Palmer won’t waste a minute under the pumpkin-less roof of FHS when there is Spice to be had elsewhere. Mr. Radtke, no doubt, has locked himself in his home with his Latte, only to come out for another when the cup inevitably empties. Suddenly, the radio fuzzes out. What can this mean? I’m a bit worried until I hear Barack Obama’s calm, collected voice. “Pardon the interruption”, he says, “but I have an important announcement to make. Because of the return of our long-awaited friend, it gives me great pleasure to tell you all that the recession has ended.” I hear cheers and merriness from outside my car. Thousands of people are now waiting for the ultimate: a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte with Whipped Cream. My phone has been buzzing for a solid 10 minutes with various texts, voice mails, and tweets, all trying to make sure I've gotten the news. One particular message from my sister threatens to end my life if I don’t bother to pick one up for her. I’m not upset though—I understand the power of the Latte. The swarm of people around my car makes driving through the line a bit difficult, but somehow I manage. Celebrations have begun, tailgates have been set up; some people have even begun to die their skin pumpkin-orange. Security guards line the Starbucks window to protect the baristas, or, as I like to call them, the Keepers of the Spice. Their lives have become exponentially more significant today—the holiest of all days. Finally, it is my turn. I pull up the window, in complete awe of the joy awaiting. A shining white cup is handed to me, carrying the most important substance in all the world. The black sharpie proving the PSL actually belongs to me sends my body into shock. I almost can’t believe it is happening. Tim smiles at me and tells me to have a nice day. I will, Tim. I will. A HORRIBLE SIDE NOTE: It turns out that the glorious PSL might actually be really bad for you. If you want to avoid the delicious yet not nutritious caramel color level IV, "Monsanto Milk," Carrageenan stabilizer (whatever that is), preservatives, sulfites, and pesticide residue that may reside in Starbucks' holiest of all grails, try making one yourself with this recipe. Just mix up the milk, coffee, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin spice, then store your blend in a milk jug in the fridge. When you're ready to indulge, pour it in a mug, heat it up, and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.
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