“Funny, he never asks for a second cup at home!”

Those who remember this line from the 1960’s / early ‘70s-era Folger’s commercials will also remember that this was Mrs. Olsen’s (played by Virginia Christine) cue to teach the young housewife the secret to getting her hubby to ask for a second cup: Folger’s Coffee…“It’s mountain grown, the richest kind!”

[wistful sigh]

Well, I never thought I’d hear myself saying this… but I've only had one cup of coffee this morning and I’d gladly settle for a cup of Folger’s right now! Yup, you heard me… freeze dried coffee, and I’d drink it with a smile! At the moment I'm scowling over a cup of [shudder] herbal tea!

That’s right…it’s that time again. In preparation for the Yom Kippur fast I’m once again weaning myself off of caffeine, and it’s not a pretty sight.

Now, before the usual suspects start posting alarming comments again, let me state unequivocally for the record that I have never, and will never use suppositories to get my caffeine fix! Nu-uh, don't even start with me people…not gonna happen!

Anyway, to help divert my attention from this latest caffeine dilemma, I am embarking upon a quest of sorts… and to accomplish it, I need to ask for some help from my loyal readers:

As most of you know, my daily commute takes me through one of the most beautiful, but desolate, parts of Israel: the Judean Desert. Along the way I pass a couple of extremely isolated Israeli Army checkpoints, and I've gotten in the habit of occasionally bringing them cold drinks during these scorching summer months. Standing out in the middle of the desert in full battle gear is hot (but vitally important) business, and I know these young men and women deeply appreciate it when commuters remember them.

However, now that the weather is beginning to change, I realize that these soldiers will now have to prepare to spend the late fall and winter months manning (and womanning) the same exposed checkpoints… in cold, damp and windy conditions.

I got to thinking that I would love to occasionally drop off some hot coffee and/or tea for the soldiers... but getting it there presents a logistical challenge. I could always invest in some kind of thermal carafe… but then I’m faced with the issue of getting it back (I don’t always take the same route home… and quite frequently, the checkpoints are re-staffed, relocated or even temporarily abandoned).

What occurred to me is that Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts (and other places too, I’m sure) have these nifty foldable cardboard boxes that are lined with a plastic. They hold 8 or 10 cups of coffee and have a convenient pouring spout. Most important, the cardboard keeps the coffee piping hot for well over an hour and can be thrown away after it is empty!

What I need from you, dear readers, is help in locating a source for these foldable coffee boxes. I have called a couple of Starbucks, and have been told by the minimum wage baristas that they aren’t allowed to sell the boxes empty and in large quantities…. Only one at a time filled with coffee.

I tried a couple of different ways to convince them of the merits of my request, but I let's face it... these are the same people who think that by calling it a 'tall' I won't notice that they have just sold me a $3, micro-sized serving of coffee. Whatever.

Anyway, if anyone out there can help find a source (it doesn’t necessarily have to be Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts) that will sell me a case or two of these boxes, please shoot me an e-mail with the details and I’ll take it from there.

The young men and women of the IDF who will be serving in the chilly, windswept hills of the Judean Desert this winter will deeply appreciate your efforts.