Paula Scott offers this coffee formula in response to the column on "I can't make a good cup of coffee."

Paula's great coffee for one average-size mug:

Grind some whole beans yourself on or near the day you will make the coffee. The darker and shinier the beans look, the better they probably are. (However, I don't make "Char-bucks" style coffee and usually avoid French and Italian roasted beans.)

Get one of those cone contraptions that sit on top of your mug. Put in a paper cone filter and two heaping scoops of ground coffee.

Boil some nice water from the Food Store. Dribble a little on your grounds and then, after contemplating the aroma for a half minute, slowly pour in more water--until the mug is about 3/4 full.

If you 1) have a bigger mug, 2) don't need room for any fixings, or 3) like a stronger cup, increase the amount of coffee used.

Drink while hot and congratulate yourself on not having overdone the caffeine.