My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
…to morning coffee when this scene presented itself. This day started around 3:00 am when I woke up tossing around in bed. So, I showered and headed for coffee. That’s when this happened. Pulled off to the side of the road and shot it without a tripod. Pretty steady hands before coffee.
While walking the streets in Westerville, Ohio, I discovered these chairs on a porch at a small shop. Colorful and eye-catching I raised up my camera to capture in pixels what I saw and felt. But what did these eclectic chairs on this porch lead to?
Ironically the shop is called Serendipity. At first I thought it was a coffee shop but they were advertising ice cream sundaes. After walking inside I discovered it’s an older home where they have converted the different rooms into small coves with tables and chairs. People can come in find a table in a corner that suits them for study time, after all it is a college town, or read a book, or write in their journal or share an intimate conversation. For any of you couch potatoes, you could sink into the couch located in a back room and watch CNN on a flat screen TV. Weather permitting you may want to grab one of the tables on the patio or you could pick one of the brightly painted chairs on the front porch and stare at strangers as they walk by.
I met the owners, a husband and wife team, who hire the college students to help in the shop. I would use the words friendly, outgoing, energetic, to describe them. From the description above you may think I’m describing a coffee shop but it is more than that. They served a little bit of everything including sandwiches, fries, soups, salads, ice cream, malts and coffees. Did I mention ice cream? Their ambiance was inviting enough that I’ll go back sometime and try one of their paninis or a sundae or a salad or a bowl of soup or a quesadilla or a cappuccino or a……
I noticed this man as he sat in a coffee shop and watched as he wandered in his thoughts. I reluctantly interrupted to ask permission to take his photo. After asking me why I told him I had a project going where I try to take at least one photo a day. My answer was sufficient as he agreed to let me take his image, wanting to know what to do. I suggested he just relax and be himself. I think he did that very well and think I captured him in his thoughts. Not sure where he was in those thoughts but that is not the essence of the image. He let the camera create the image. Now is this a candid portrait?
While making my latte this morning I grabbed one of my favorite cups and thought of my friend Beth. I smiled. Since then she has come to mind throughout the day. I remember our talks, the trip to NYC when her daughter sang at Carnegie Hall, the carriage ride through Central Park, seeing the Phantom of the Opera, sharing a bottle of wine and the time we watched the fireworks from the top of her moms house. What a gift those experiences are to me. But what really has touched me today is her simple gift of the four coffee mugs. I’ve had them for 5-6 years now. I like them and use them almost everyday. When I’m in a mindful place while making my latte, I think of her and lift up prayers or positive thoughts for her. And, of course I smile!
I am aware of how family and friends are gifts. They have been there for me and helped me when I needed them. They let me cry with them. They helped me get back on my feet when I was down. They encouraged and supported me. What a gift that is! Yet, today I am thankful for the material gifts they have given me? Those gifts make me smile.
We are moving into the season of giving and receiving gifts. I know a giving a simple gift to family and friends, such as a card, a letter, a phone call or a mug, will help them in times when we are not able to be there with them. Family and friends can touch our lives even while we are separated by 100’s of miles. What simple gifts will we receive this Christmas season? And, what gifts will we give? It can make someone smile!
Thanks, Beth, for the mugs and thanks for all the gifts you have given me! 🙂