Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Coffee Shop Chronicles No.8 - A Writing Companion

A whole lot of new today. A new place and a writing companion. College daughter is home this week on Spring Break, not that it is at all Spring like here, but it is slightly warmer than the Upper Peninsula.

We arrived at the coffee shop at quarter past ten.


This coffee shop is where the seed was planted for The Coffee Shop Chronicles. Last Spring, I visited here for the very first time with a friend for a round of lattes after a very fulfilling and orange pulpy breakfast at a nearby restaurant. If you are interested, you can read that post here. Intrigued with this place, I mean a coffee shop in an old house, in the middle of a very touristy summer town, it doesn't get any better than that. I returned the week after our latte meeting, after one of my personal training sessions. 

I was still in the early days of personal training. At that point I was still very much in the "working on self-confidence" phase. Not just self-confidence in my body, but self-confidence in my talent, my future, my journey. Trying new things and exploring was in its infancy stage. 

I had come here to experience the place, the people, and the atmosphere. I liked what I had seen the week before and wanted more. That time I had come with only my purse, my iPhone and a magazine to read. No notebook, no pencil.

While I was here last Spring there was a large round table filled with, older than me, ladies. From what I gathered listening to them, they met here on a weekly basis. I sat enthralled, listening to what they talked about and was highly entertained by their conversations.


Imagine my delight today as Mallory and I sat down at our little two seater table in the corner, that the large round table to my right was filled with these very same ladies.


The main talker of the group was just warming up to a new topic as Mallory and I sat down. 


She stated to the group that she had received an email from her daughter the week before stating that her grandson would love to get a text from Grandma. Grandma seemed to know how to send a text but was lamenting to the group how she kept getting a message after she sent the text that said "attempt failed". Grandma was then confused as to whether she actually had texting on her phone. One of the other ladies at the table piped up and said "You have to pay for texting you know, you can call for free, but you have to pay for texting". Another lady at the table offered to help Grandma walk through the process. So Grandma whips out her Samsung Galaxy s5 and starts tapping away on the screen with her stylus. The friend pulls out her iPhone 4s, which I feel like is comparing apples to oranges. They walk through the process together and Grandma gets the text to go, but you could tell she was still holding her breath waiting for that "attempt failed" message to appear. I seriously wonder who is going to the cellular store with these ladies when they go to pick out new phones...probably the grandchildren. 


Even though this coffee shop has Wifi and outlets, and a fair amount of people are here on the computers. There are just as many face to face conversations going on. This place is much smaller than my usual coffee shop and forget coming here in the summer, when all the tourists are in town. Still this place has a wonderful, unique coffee shop atmosphere. 

By eleven o'clock the place was starting to clear out. The table of ladies bundled up and left, the two book readers  in the front window left as well.


All that remained were those on their computers and two girls at a corner table reading and writing, drinking Chai Lattes and sharing a Chocolate Chip Scone.



Next week I will be away cruising in the western Caribbean, dragging Glen from historic point of interest to historic point of interest. College daughter has graciously agreed to fill in for her momma and do a Coffee Shop Chronicle from her adorable coffee shop in Marquette. 

Until next week...



20 comments:

Sandra said...

I love all your photos and your comments on the surroundings and the people in your coffee shop of the day! I wonder how the owners of coffee shops feel when people settle in to read and write and work on their computers for a certain length of time? I expect that if we drink or eat enough, they don't really mind! I loved hearing about the round table of regular older ladies! My grandson certainly teaches me new tricks on my iPhone! He's going to show me Instagram next time he said!

How wonderful to have a personal trainer and then to be whizzing off to the Caribbean to shorten your prolonged winter!

I am lucky enough to be experiencing spring in my part of the world and I'm willing all the swollen daffodil buds to open with each new burst of warming sun-rays!

Karen Lakis said...

Oh, I do love the story about the ladies helping each other text! Wow - a week with Mallory and then a cruise - 2 awesome weeks in a row!

Lynne said...

Each week I look forward to your Coffee Shop Chronicle . . . this was especially enjoyable today. I liked the round table cell phone, texting conversation. So true . . . just ask the grands, saves a trip to the cel shop too.

Enjoy your time away . . . I am sure the camera will go along with you too! I look forward to Mallory's northern CSC and your return. Have a wonderful, warmer, sunny time!

Ahayes1225 said...

Enjoy your trip! I love the way you have been able to adjust and continue with your writing.

Jeanne said...

oh have a wonderful time in the Carribean! Know it will be warm and sunny! I am enjoying your coffee house chronicles, and it is fun listening to all the people talking and "catching up" on their lives!

Dotti said...

Well, it looks like you and Mallory had a grand morning! I'll be looking forward to her post and as for you, have a grand time, my friend, on your cruise. It will be delightful, I know.

Nonnie said...

I love when a coffee shop is small and cozy, it seems so much more inviting to linger awhile and drink in its environs.

Deanna said...

Another wonderful coffee shop adventure, this time with your daughter, how wonderful. I can identify with those ladies sitting around the table discussing important issues like texting. A group of my girlfriends meet in the summertime at our B&N coffee shop, probably not nearly as quaint as yours but the atmosphere is similar. Have a great trip!!

Turn The Page said...

Love this Sarah! I giggled at the Grannies whipping out their fancy cellular devices. Ha, I still have the goofy free flip phone that came with the plan that hosts a family of 5, with the other 4 being licensed, valid "smartphone" carrying members. It is definitely time for me to upgrade. I look forward to Mallory's post. Have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to see what you capture with your lens in your paisley rain boots! Aloha

Barb said...

Oh, the characters one meets! The thing I like about people-watching is imagining their stories. Have a great vacation! (I hope you find a coffee shop...)

Unknown said...

these posts just make me smile Sharah. I LOVE the name of that coffee shop and how cool that Mallory is going to fill in for you. that is just so cool. Have a BLAST on your Cruise. We love cruising and despite what you hear in the news, we've never had any bad experiences. Bon Voyage!

Cathy H. said...

This coffee shop looks cozy! Love the stories, especially the circle of ladies! I know Mallory enjoyed joining you and I'm looking forward to her post! A cruise!! Sounds wonderful! I'll be looking forward to you pictures! Enjoy the warmth!

Nicki said...

Very intimate location. I look forward to Mallory's go at this and enjoy your travels.

Unknown said...

The ladies at the table sound like a hoot! How fun! Your description of their conversation was very entertaining!

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Lovely I can just hear their voices and smell the coffee, have a wonderful time it sounds wonderful and you deserve it...

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful time on your trip! Perhaps you will find a nice little coffee shop there!

Kim Stevens said...

Speaking of coffee shop (from your last post) I realized I hadn't seen a chronicle this week...and here it is! Love the ladies convo at the table and can't wait to read the one from your daughter next week. I just hope I remember because I'm taking a blog break next week while the kids are home. Have a great time!

Ida said...

Well it's nice to have that special place you can go and enjoy coffee and conversation with others. Have a great time on your trip.

stacie said...

How fun to spend time with your daughter. Love the story and the photos. I hope you have a wonderful trip, enjoy the warm sun. I'm off to visit my parents next week in Florida. Ready for a bit of sun myself.

Naomi said...

I've been loving and looking forward to your coffee shop adventures each week.