Sunday, November 23, 2014

The Coffee Shop Chronicles No. 23


It seems I have come full circle. I am back at the coffee shop where The Coffee Shop Chronicles began. Just as on that first day, there is snow outside.The wind is blowing and the coffee shop is warm and friendly.


The only differences are there aren't the mountains of snow in the parking lot, yet at least, since this is the first snow of the season. Here at the lakeshore we haven't gotten as much snow as those further inland have received. This is also November not January. It is hard to believe it has been almost a full year since I started the Chronicles. It has been a good year, filled with interesting people and great eavesdropping experiences. I have explored lots of coffee shops and found that I enjoy being a coffee shop critic, maybe that can be a future career. I love sharing my first impressions of a place with you, the reader. Now if only these coffee shops would read what I write and fix the things I find annoying, like bad Feng Shui.

I have grown as a writer and a story teller thanks to the Chronicles. No matter what you chose to do in life the only way to get better at it is to practice and practice a lot.

I arrived at the coffee shop at twenty minutes to eleven.

A late start due to darkness and the need to snow blow the driveway before I left the house. I wanted to get Scout out for short walk before I left. With these short hours of daylight I have to wait until after 8:00 a.m. for it to be light enough for us to walk. Once we were out, Scout was moving fast so what was going to be a 15 minute walk in a wind chill of two, turned into a 40 minute walk in a two degree wind chill. I must admit near the end of the walk, at the fast pace we were moving, I was sweating from all the layers I had on. My hands are always the first thing to get hot, which is odd since my feet are almost always blocks of ice. So the mittens came off and got tucked into a pocket.

As we were returning home a tiny patch of blue sky appeared and the writer in me got excited as I marveled at the tiny spot of blue as it appeared, peeking out as if to say "Hello, do you remember me?" Then the wind blew and the tiny spot of blue was covered by a thin wispy veil of pale lemon drop yellow, which was then in turn swallowed up by an angry sea of winter gray. If I wrote nothing else that morning I was happy. Oh the little things in life.

As I entered the coffee shop I was greeted by the warm, friendly smile of Brenda the order taker. This was going to be a good morning. There were two young college guys in line ahead of me. Note to self, this might be a good place to bring Mallory. The one was definitely a regular since Brenda knew his name. They placed their order to go. Bummer now I couldn't study them or write about them. Once they had left I stepped up to the counter to place my order. A grande Chai with a Oatmeal Muncher Cookie. I knew I was going to stay here for lunch so I chose the cookie over a muffin.


The great discovery over the last year is that I love writing at coffee shops. Whether I am writing a chronicle or working on a writing project. There is something about them that is conducive to writing. I guess the biggest thing, at least for me, is that there are no household distractions; no laundry that needs to be washed, no floors to be mopped or vacuumed, no meals to make. Mallory and I were discussing this just the other day. She too feels that the only place she can do homework now is a coffee shop which can prove to be expensive for a college student. Thankfully she does have an on-campus job and she doesn't spend money on anything else except groceries, so if a latte or mocha a few times a week helps her be productive as she brings these college years to a close, so be it.

The coffee shop is quiet today. All the schools have a snow day, so the moms that were hoping to get out to the coffee shop are now stuck at home with their bored children. And the older folks are just plain smart and staying off the roads.

The one couple of interest was a college age couple that were sitting across from me. At first I thought that I was witnessing a break up conversation, and she was the one doing the breaking up. She seemed cool and very much in control of the conversation, he seemed much more agitated. In the end though I think they were just having a serious relationship conversation and she prevailed. I don't think they were breaking up because after their conversation they each went to the bathroom, refilled their coffee cups, came back to the table, pulled out their laptops and homework, put in their earbuds and settled in to study. If they did break up it was the weirdest breakup I have ever seen. Although when I got in line to order my lunch, he was right behind me and only ordered for himself, so who knows.


With no more interesting characters to write about, I pulled out my other writing. I have been working through the writing exercises in this book, Wishcraft by Barbara Sher. I give all the credit to Amy Duncan from Four Corners Design for recommending it to me. Seriously it is so good, if you are struggling with what direction you want to go with your life and especially your creative life these exercises give so much clarity. I am on Exercise Eight. In what imaginary environment would your best self emerge? I wrote about our future house including in great detail about my art studio. It will be big, with high ceilings, lots of windows for natural light. Heated floors will be a must, because I want to be able to work out there all year round. Separate workspaces for my writing, my photo processing and photography still life set up. A little mini kitchen and a cozy leather couch for reading and naps. An area for the dog and his dog bed.  It was fun to do this exercise and I could see everything quite clearly in my head as I wrote about it. The overall theme I picked up on for my ideal environment is Space & Comfort. It was a fun daydreaming exercise. You should give it a try and see what your ideal imaginary environment would look like.


I hope to write a couple more Chronicles before the end of the year, but with only a little over a month left before the end of the year that time might go very quickly. There are some projects that I need to finish, and some others that I need to lay the foundation for before 2015 starts. I can make no promises. I truly want to thank you for joining me on this writing journey. It has been a lot of fun sharing my observations with all of you.


21 comments:

Ryoma Sakamoto.Japan said...

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Anonymous said...

Loved your chronicles today, as always. The book will go on my Christmas wishlist, and yes I could write a vivid account of my dream work space, which I did note in a journal from one of Kim's lessons recently. Hubby knows it will be on the list for our next home. I love your warm and comfy seating.

Jeanne said...

so enjoyed your chronicles today and how interesting that book looks! Will definitely check it out. Sp g/ad you are enjoying your exercises!

amy of studio four corners said...

a joy to read...I want the studio space you described! I am happy that you are enjoying Barbara Sher's book and I give you kudos for persevering with your writing - a talent that you graciously share with us through your chronicles...I look forward to so many more...

Ahayes1225 said...

Oh my look at that snow. No snow here yet. In fact it is supposed to be 60 tomorrow and was in the 20's this past week. As always I enjoy your Coffee Shop Chronicles. I really could see you as a coffee shop critic. That cookie looked good.

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Brrr lots of snow . Love your chronicles please keep writing them. The book looks good another one to add to my ever growing list.

Donna Hopkins said...

I really tried to focus on your story, but the chai latte and that cookie kept calling me. I'm trying to get back on track with healthy eating, and of course, now I only want cookies! So I had a bowl of oatmeal and came back to your post, giving my full attention. Sarah, your coffee house chronicles are heartwarming. I love your sense of purpose and direction - always balanced with wisdom. Beautiful photos today - I want to curl up on that sofa with your book. Your dream studio is divine - and I'll be putting that book on my Wish List, too! You are truly a writer.

sweetbriardreams said...

I just love your chronicles and I now have my daughter reading them too. Brilliant writing and observations, long may they continue! Keep warm x

cheryl Crotty said...

I have to look up this book now...your Chronicles have been lovely but December is a busy month so do what you can and let the rest go...Oh dream space and light...heated floors...sounds so good...I did got some light and space back this week when we took down the crib and dressing table that was used for our beloved boys...but the little one prefers my bed now...so light and space here I come..
Enjoy your Thanksgiving and month ahead and stay warm and cozy wherever you find yourself.

Dotti said...

A fun visit today! Thanks for sharing. I do enjoy reading them and the space looks so conducive to photo taking. That's not always the case. I'd probably keep going there just for that reason alone!

Elizabeth Halt said...

I just stumbled upon your blog and am delighted by it / your Coffee Shop Chronicles! Can't wait to read more of them. I live in western (upper) Michigan and also adore coffee shops. They can indeed be conducive to writing, though sometimes I am very distracted by the conversations. Wishing you WARMTH this November!

Lynne said...

I enjoy . . . might say love . . . your Chronicles . . .
I must get into some drama . . . wondering if there was a break up or not . . .
Visualizing Mallory meeting someone in a Coffee Shop . . .
Is that drama, dreaming, wishful thinking, or what . . .

Carol said...

Nothing beats pouring a cup of tea and pouring over the latest coffee shop chronicle.

Unknown said...

Sarah, I enjoy your Chronicles, especially your people-watching. I look forward to whatever you dream up!

xoxo

Cathy H. said...

Another great chronicle! Pretty snow outside the coffee shop window! I can be a little more grateful for winter where I live, it's not nearly as harsh! We're actually in the 60's today! The book sounds interesting, I need to check it out!

Funkyrosebud said...

I really enjoy your coffee shop chronicles, look forward to next year's

Vanessa Morgan said...

Oooh, I just loooove your photos. Especially the one with the snow in the background. Now I feel all cozy.

...Nina Nixon... said...

I know those small patches of blue sky so well, but no snow here...yet. Though I think it's looming around the corner. It's just a matter of time...I'm sure.

Carola Bartz said...

This was interesting and fun to read. I cannot write very well in coffee shop, I'm just too distracted by other people. Libraries work well for me, and I love to sit there and work on my "stuff". It reminds me of my university years when I was constantly studying in the library.

Michelle B said...

Your dream art studio sounds wonderful! I wish I had a spot that I could close the door and not have any distractions, maybe I need to go to a coffee shop. :) I do find it hard sometimes to let go of what I think 'needs' to be done so I can focus on creating. The book sounds good, I will have to look into that one. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you've been doing these chronicles for a whole year!I couldn't agree more about the need to practice, practice, practice in order to get better. I've been diligently doing that with my photography and I've been seeing some results. Good for you too for sticking with it. Sometimes it can be hard. But the results are worth it!