She's alive! Aliiiiive!

Not only am I alive, but I'm still seeking coffee. And seeking it in, of all places, Oklahoma City.

Why Oklahoma City, you ask? Because that's where my incredible in-laws are from, and because that's where I spend at least one week a year -- one typically very undercaffeinated week a year, at that.

Sadly, this most recent trip back to OKC was not taken strictly for pleasure, though it did, like any other family trip, have its ultra-bright spots: My husband and I actually made the journey West to celebrate his dear mother, who passed away last week after a hard fight against a long and awful illness. Luckily for all of us, my mother-in-law was an amazing woman, and she leaves much celebrating behind her -- we laughed together, cried together, and marveled at the strength, intelligence, wit, determination and love she shared with everyone she knew. I'm proud to have known her, and only wish our time together could have been longer and healthier.

In any event, the week was punctuated by some lovely moments, some quiet living, some exploring of the city, and some good times with the good people who have invited me into their family.

One of these good times? Free Coffee Monday!

I know, too good to be true, right? But it is! It is true! Not only is it true, but it's good! Good free coffee, people. I wouldn't lie to you.

My nephew and his girlfriend (of course it is ridiculous to call a man who is almost exactly my age my "nephew" but this is one of the few awkward side notes of being married to a "much older man" -- a story for another time, perhaps) mentioned Free Coffee Monday to me over (awesome) pizza this past Sunday night, with a sweetly tentative, "Do you want to go? We'll be there at around 7:45am."

Heck yeah I do!

Hosted in part by coffee caterers Cafe Evoke and supported by beanheads like Elemental Coffee Roasters, Free Coffee Monday seems like an awesome way to unite a vibrant-if-small and definitely growing segment of the caffeinated population of Oklahoma City. To top it off, this past week's offerings were provided by a soon-to-open bakery in Norman, OK, called Crimson + Whipped Cream -- the really nice folks behind which I actually met at the recent Coffee Fest Meadowlands. Far out, right?

(For you non-Okies: Crimson and cream are the school colors of Oklahoma University, which makes it the palette for the OU Sooners, which even this yankette finds impossible not to root for. Boomer Sooner!)

The events have been held at the communal-ish space at 1708 NW 16th Street in Oklahoma City's Plaza District (home to some really funky galleries, boutiques and a salon-cum–vintage shop), though Evoke is looking to recruit other hosts as well. When I rolled in at around 8am to meet up with my relatives, the place was already jumping, full of exactly the type of cool urban folks I'd felt were eluding me on every previous trip to town.

So awesome. So validating. Finally, a place for me to fit in in the Heartland. And not just that, but also a place to enjoy a good cup of coffee and a really solid piece of pumpkin bread (and/or a chocolate-chip scone -- can't wait for C+WC to open).

Thanks, Cafe Evoke, for being the brains behind this operation. Thanks, Elemental Coffee Roasters, for the really killer French-pressed joe -- I needed that. And thanks, Crimson + Whipped Cream, for being really cool and friendly and for remembering me, and for definitely building a shop I will hang out all the time over those long, windy Christmas vacations. Long live Free Coffee Monday!

And even though it goes without saying, I'll say it: The coffee might be free, but livin' ain't. Tip your baristas.