Welcome to book review three of fifty-two for this year’s virtual coffee shares.

Coffee Self-Talk: 5 Minutes a Day to Start Living Your Magical Life
Author Kristen Helmstetter
Published in August 2020
Publisher is Green Butterfly Press
Available in eBook, Audio, Hardcover, and Paperback (198 pages)
Stress and Time Management | Neuropsychology | Creativity
Rewire your brain with positive affirmations while enjoying your morning coffee. A positive vibe comes from this book, from the playful cover to the optimistic words within. Can how we talk to ourselves be a magical spell for living our best lives? Empower your life with words—coffee, self-talk, and five minutes.
Kristen Helmstetter has over ten other books about self-talk available.
If we were having coffee, I would share my big life transition. I hesitate to use the word “retirement.” Honestly, I’m struggling to accept the concept. Earlier this week, I had my last day as a police officer. My health and life reached a place where policing no longer fit. I have no idea what this means, but one step at a time . . .
If we were having coffee, I would share that I started working on a puzzle that I first completed in March 2020. It’s a challenging one, and it has taken me a while to feel up to completing it a second time through. This is the picture from the first time I completed it. I expect I will work on it this time for a few weeks.

If we were having coffee, I would ask if you are thinking of participating in April’s A-to-Z blog challenge. Yes, I know it’s January. However, a post a day dictated by a letter of the alphabet requires advanced planning. I like to pick my A-to-Z theme early, but I’m drawing a blank for ideas. Anyway, suggestions? Have you thought about your theme?


Here is the coffee bean grinder. How was your week?
By Shari Marshall – 2025

Hi Shari
Sorry I’ve been absent on commenting. I am glad your blog is thriving.
Another A to Z already?
I don’t know if I have it in me anymore. No thoughts whatsoever as I add to mine so infrequently. At least you have me thinking.
I hope you are well.
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Hello Stu. How are you?
A-to-Z isn’t until April, but I usually start thinking about it around now because it requires so much prep. I’m not sure if I have it in me this year, either. We shall see.
Thanks for stopping in.
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Food? Plants?
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Food is a fun idea. I like describing things and doing an A-to-Z food description exercise would be great practice. Thank you for the suggestion.
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Congrats, Shari, on your retirement. I’m not participating in the A to Z blog challenge as I try to keep my time boundaries for blogging. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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Thank you, Natalie.
It is smart to set time boundaries for blogging. Thanks for stopping in.
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Escher is always fun. I can see why that would be so hard!
Congratulations on your life change/retirement or whatever you want to call it. I hope you can find a way to transition into a full time writing career!
Enjoy your weekend and have a wonderful week 🙂
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Do you know what else is hard about this Escher puzzle? Some of the pieces fit almost perfectly in the wrong spot. I spent time refitting a bunch of pieces yesterday. Regardless, the challenge is satisfying.
Thank you, Trent. I’m working on a resume for an editing position with a Canadian company. It’s strange and unnerving to apply for a new job after so many years of being a police officer. There is excitement, too.
Happy Saturday.
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Yeah, having those fit-in-the-wrong-spot pieces does make it harder… Have fun! And good luck with your new job hunt!
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It’s a stunning puzzle! Your post reminded me that I should enter the A-Z challenge this year. It’s been a while. Congrats on the retirement!
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Thank you, Regina. Thanks for stopping in.
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Hello! Congrats on the puzzle finish and retirement/new phase of life! I hope you find peace with your decision and that you enjoy what comes next!
I am definitely doing A to Z, but I haven’t thought about my theme yet. I need to soon, though!
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Thank you, Jayden.
The theme is the hardest part. Once we pick that the rest just flows.
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Definitely!
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Congratulations on your new phase in life. Maybe another term would be “work optional”? Would that work?
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