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In The Shadow Of The Iris

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
9:51:00 AM MST

Delightful

I have a circuit of coffee shops I visit. Coffee shops, I've discovered, are a perfect atmosphere to read, write in ones journal, write letters to other people, scribble in my notebooks and enjoy something tasty while doing so.

Coffee shops can be a bit pretentious. Especially if you show up alone, laden with important things like a pen and paper, or worse, a laptop. Usually, and I'll give it a 90% ratio, I leave my laptop at home. I used to be able to drag my laptop to coffee shops and get a considerable amount of writing done. That is, until basically every damn safe haven added wireless Internet to their menu. I admit it, I cannot resist wireless temptation.........

I go to these places for several reasons. One, typically, there are no distractions. There is no lint on the floor I feel obligated to pick up (like my house), there are no pets there trying to bat a pen out of my hand. One should turn off thy cell phone and adhere to Library etiquette, which never happens in my own home. I don't get distracted by pretty things, shiny things, noisy things, time sucking avoidance........plus, usually I get a good cup of java to sip at my leisure. Bonus.

But yesterdays excursion to the Java Shop was different. Instead of falling into my own rabbit hole like I typically do, I was distracted by 4 woman. Delightfully distracted actually.

Now, in case your thinking about doing the coffee shop circuit, Real Estate is an important factor to consider. Never sit too close to the counter. Stay away from the front door. Avoid sitting by the sugar, creamer, napkin bar. Avoid the spot next to the bathroom. A good corner, is prime location, but you practically have to stand in line for such a dream come true, or stake it out from the middle and watch the person who's sitting there for signs of leaving. The Lap Toppers usually grab all the wall tables, because they need that energy producing plug in. Yesterday, I was stuck in the barren sea....the middle......

The 4 ladies that changed the entire dynamics of my day were older. Ok, much older then what I normally see at the coffee shop. In their 70's? Maybe a mixture of 70's and 80's? I'm not good at telling ages. Hell, I used to think 35 looked so old and here I am, 35, thinking hey, this isn't so bad. They were also clearly on a date, with each other. A coffee inspired, mid-day get together. Dressed to the nine's, sparkling with jewelry (a shiny distraction for me) attired in individual, but signature sassy outfits.

In no way did they observe the library etiquette of hushed tones and quite chit-chat. These 4 were whooping it up. I simply had no choice but to pull out a notebook, start taking notes, sketching them and all out eavesdropping.

It was all gossip. Stories. Past and Present. Current affairs and salacious rumors. I would have sworn I was listening to 4 teenagers talking it up about everyone, and everything they had heard over the past week. It was wonderful! The eavesdropper/observer that I am was entertained for over an hour by these ladies. The things they talked about..........well, it fell nothing short of unexpected, remarkable, unique and sometimes downright hilarious. They were like busy bee's, buzzing around flower top topics, never pausing for more then a moment on one petal.  

The highlight for me was when, (After they had all mutually agreed that Hillary Clinton had had a facelift) they somehow got on the topic of Scientology. One of the lowest toned ladies there made a statement that produced, a blow of my cover, chuckle from me.

She said, "Well, I don't know who shoved that Scientology butt plug up Toms (Cruise) rectum, but someone needs to tell him aliens don't give a hoot about what religion we all partake in."

Classic, I tell ya. Bloody Classic.

I took over two pages of notes on these ladies. I couldn't help myself. It didn't hurt to look busy anyway <grin>  I really admired the way they bantered, and laughed. They laughed and gorgeously laughed. They disrupted the entire normal coffee shop vibe and I adored them for it.

I don't always take time to physically visit with my friends. We all seem so busy, so wrapped up in our own lives, that most months the best we can achieve is late night phone calls. I aim to change that. If just sitting next to 4 beautiful woman, listening in on their conversation warmed my heart like it did.......I'm certain doing the same thing with my own friends would do wonders, for all of us. I made some calls yesterday, caught a few friends off guard and gave them a time and the place.

This week is about connection, when it really comes down to it. Forget about all that fleeting romantic commercial crap. This week is a subtle reminder to keep the people you care about in your mind, and hopefully in your arms with a good old fashioned hug. I plan to do that this Thursday with my friends~~~~

And now, I would like to thank twopeople from our little community that surprised me with the Kindness/ Nice Matters Awards. Thank you, very much ladies. I'm always rather word tied, tongue tied, when it comes to such things. (now you know how to shut me up) So I will simply say your beautiful words are cherished and you gave me a smile a mile wide....


Thank You Kath @   Secret Garden       
And
Thank You Michelle @ (((Reflections)))
Both Beautiful Ladies with Beautiful Journals.

And I Treasure the Beautiful in Life~~



Written by justaname4me2 Blog about this entry
This entry has 29 comments: (Add your own)
  • #29 Comment from gdireneoe 
    3/13/08 8:04 AM Permalink
    See Girlie?  It ISN'T just a me-fan thing...  People adore you for what you've shared here.  Let me tell you what you bring to me...inspiration and validation...:::whispering:::...(and a modicum of envious frustration)...  It seems, through here, that we are very similar in many ways.  Our "look beneath the surface" (thank you for noting that....;) ) awareness of life, some of our insecurities (that shine through...note: shine, not scream...we're pleasant...;) ), so many attributes...  And good writing (hence my envious frustration).  So glad to see you embraced, Girlie. ;)  C.
  • #28 Comment from cinisoul 
    2/29/08 3:45 PM Permalink
    Curious did they know that they gave you a nice inspirational day? I envy you I have no places like that i can go to.
  • #27 Comment from donejustwrite 
    2/24/08 9:18 AM Permalink
    I am JEALOUS of this experience!  It sounds so wonderful, so relaxing, so enjoyable...

    Ah, bliss.
  • #26 Comment from helmswondermom 
    2/22/08 10:10 PM Permalink
    What a great experience!  I would love to have been there to hear all that with you!
    Lori
    http://journals.aol.com/helmswondermom/DustyPages/
  • #25 Comment from vanessavalencia 
    2/21/08 10:00 AM Permalink
    Oh, you had me reading every word!!  Isn't it magic, you took a moment that was sooo good for you in that coffee shop, and then shared it all with us!!  How wonderful!!!  I looooved it!!  Every word!!  Those funny fab ladies!!!
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