Tag: memoir

Coffee Shop Chronicles: The 5 Senses

Starbucks Route 1, Princeton, NJ September 2000   Why do we stop ourselves? –5:42 PM– There’s a woman here without socks on, sandals with toes sunning themselves as legs boldly thrust forward into the world.  Chunky heels, a firm step, a heavy stomp.  Somehow it makes them stronger.  Women who wear pointy high heels, they …

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Coffee Shop Chronicles, Father’s Day edition: Saying goodbye

Starbucks Rt. 40, Delaware April 2006 Last week, I hugged Roomie down in Maryland, and that’s when it hit me: I’m saying goodbye. I almost cried. I’m moving soon, so it’s time for those farewells, that talking to the people I should’ve been talking to all along. My Grande Java Chip Frappuccino turns into a …

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Driving Detroit with Dad

“Dad would like you to drive the van,” my mom says to me. “It’s easier for him to get in and out of it.” Despite my dad’s notoriously poor behavior as a passenger, I immediately respond, “Sure, I’ll drive.” Then I conjure an image of how the rest of my family will react when they …

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Coffee Shop Chronicles: Overheard Conversations

Starbucks Livonia, MI Have you ever just sat in a coffee shop and listened to conversations? This can be done anywhere really: in a park, on a bus, at a college football game, a kids’ softball game, in a lunchroom, at your coworker next cubicle over.  Anywhere.  What does that say about them? I’ve listened …

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Coffee Shop Chronicles: Writing Letters

Tuscan Cafe Northville, MI What is that woman writing? “Hey, behind you,” I whisper to my husband. “There’s a woman writing.” We’re sitting along the wall in what I’m calling “our spot.” I seem to default here when I come in; the light is good and I’m out of the way from the main path. …

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