Blog #32

Espresso and Community

So …, I had a few moments to reflect recently, over some espresso.  It’s no secret that I like to spend time in coffee houses.  My first espresso was at Marco’s Gelato in Eugene, over by South Eugene High School.  Later, Dede and I would meet for coffee (cocoa for her while she was carrying our first child) at The Coffee Company in Grand Forks, and we’d have lattes at the Urban Stampede, too.  In Oklahoma I had the espresso machine on the counter, but we’d get the beans at Old Judge Coffee.  In Korea we’d go to the Blue Opera for coffees, and in Georgia we’ve had several options, including when Dede worked at a coffee house, Bare Bulb Coffee.  Now there are several spots I frequent including one drive thru on the way to work, and one place that’s almost always a to-go order as we walk through the Farmer’s Market in Perry. Several folks know I refer to coffee as my emotional support beverage, and then there is the sign that could be a mantra: “Some days coffee is the only reason I have friends and a job.”

My schedule allowed a bit of flexibility to swing into a local coffee house that I’ve mentioned several times on this blog.  Between Friends Coffee in Kathleen, Georgia, has come to be a bit of a refuge in a busy world, since some things can’t be rushed, even though the word “espresso” sounds like it’s in a hurry.

This particular morning, I was reviewing upcoming shearing events and working out an estimate for a potential gig when I paused to look and listen, double shot in hand.  I was at the Dr. Seuss table, which is my favorite spot to sit.  If I’m there with Dede, we try for this table since it’s a great reminder to look at the world through younger eyes on occasion.

The gentleman behind me was engrossed in his e-reader and a cup of coffee, and a small group eventually gathered at the table next to me.  The table ahead of me had a duo engaged in subdued conversation, and another pair was in the window-bar section toward the back, enjoying a bit of time apart from others.  One of the owners had hopped up when I came in and was still in the prep area, while the other worked a project on her laptop.  A few more folks came in and a line started to form, so it was all hands on-deck, but again, not in a rushed manner.  The entire staff pitched in to serve all the customers, then as the line vanished, things settled out.

The group next to me appeared to be two grandmothers, their daughters, and the latter’s children, a toddler and an infant.  One of the grandmothers set to feeding the infant, while the other was smiling back and forth at the toddler.  The moms both enjoyed conversation with adults while caring for their children, and the grandmothers took it all in stride.  One was feeding the infant, chatting, and also watching the toddler with the ease borne of experience.

The ladies ahead of me were talking about almost any topic, since the volume of the place was high enough to mute individual conversations, but not enough to need to raise one’s voice.  Even the occasional happy shout from the infant blended in.  When the conversations lulled the background music came to the fore, not to drown anything out, but to act as a buffer precluding a dead calm.

A few door-dashers came in to pick something up, then they were on their way, and I still hadn’t finished my espresso.  It was cool to see the coffee house team work in such harmony to serve all their customers, but not obsequiously or appear in any way flustered or harried.  Lattes, scones, cookies, energy drinks, all served with friendliness and without intruding.  The team always had a moment to chat if a patron wished and made sure everyone felt as though they were the highlight of the day.

There’s another coffee house I drop in on and it has a nearly identical sense of community, yet totally different.  … and the next time I visit either establishment I’m sure the only commonality will be espresso, but it will still embody a sense of community.

All too soon it was time to pack up and get on to the work at hand, but for a few moments this community of everyone existed together, yet separately. 

 

C-Ya!

 

*** No animals were harmed in the making of this post. Shearing is an important part of sheep farming for the wellbeing of the sheep. ***