The Power of Introverts

I thought I was an introvert. Now I know for sure. 

What’s confused me for years is that I genuinely enjoy interacting with people. I’m not a recluse. I even have a knack for speaking in front of large groups. That sounds more extroverted to me. Why then, when I get done speaking, take off the microphone, and say goodbye to my host, do I crave complete solitude? If I’m an extrovert, why do I feel like I’m squeegeeing myself across the parking lot to my car?  

But how do I make sense of these conflicting aspects of my personality?

Susan Cain’s book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, helped me answer these questions. Cain blends research and stories to help the reader gain a stronger grasp on how nature and nurture collaborate to shape personality.

My one critique is that the book could be about a third the length, then again, that could be my Scottish genes expressing themselves again. But I found myself throughout the book wishing Cain’s editor had cut more from the final manuscript. It’s still worth weeding through the text. You’ll discover deep insights into your own personality and the personalities of those around you.

Home-Roasting coffee

Home-roasted coffee is the difference between fresh-squeezed orange juice and juice made from concentrate.

It’s been more than a decade since I started roasting my own coffee. It’s ridiculously simple and as a Scot I love that it’s cheap.

You just buy a hot air popcorn popper. Just be sure it’s the kind that rotates air, not the kind with the jet at the bottom. Here's a picture of mine where it sits just outside of our back door.

Put in the coffee and turn on the popper/roaster.

In minutes—about 7 minutes during the summer and about double that in winter—you have your fresh coffee.

All tolled, we’re talking less than a minute of your time.

One downside: roasting coffee smells nothing like coffee. It smells more like someone forgot about the maple bar in the toaster oven. Just make sure to do it outside and you'll be fine.

Give it a shot and let me know how it goes.