I love a good neighborhood café. Not only for a good cortado, or some time to focus on my writing (like right now), but because over time, you get to know the people. It becomes a sort of community.
When I lived in NYC, the neighborhood Jack’s Stir Brew on West 10th St was my pick, close to my office and even closer to my apartment. Today I sit in a French style boulangerie only a block and a half from my office in the uniquely vibrant neighborhood of Del Ray.
Last Saturday a café acquaintance and I chatted at the tables on the sidewalk where dogs were walked and babies strolled past us. He showed me a photo of his latest watercolor of flowers while I shared with him a picture of the fashion portrait I painted the previous evening.
“Hey, what’s with the jersey barriers and a crowd of people blocking off that side street?” I asked while gesturing to the block I go down to loop around to drive home.
“Oh, J.D. Vance lives there. You didn’t know that?”
Now I do. Along with his suggestion that I stop by the farmers market on my way home to get the yellow peaches and what teachers were best for painting class at the Art League.
The spirit of the café blooms with its people. Face to face time is a shrinking commodity in today’s culture.
Speaking of the power of face-to-face time, acupuncture, with its deep listening and hands on treatment by the provider is rare in the western medical model. We need both of course, but integrating the two enhances health.
Autumn, on the precipice of winter with its viruses, is a perfect time to come for a ‘face to face’ acupuncture tune up. Together we will come up with a treatment plan that works uniquely for you. Contact me to set up an appointment.
After the session you might just want to sit at one of the cafes outside my door enjoying the difference you feel in your body, mind and spirit. Here is to an inspired season!
