Tricia frequently says, “Wherever you go, there you are.” Jimmy Buffett sang that “you take the weather with you.” Both of these thoughts came to my mind this week as I was sitting outside at Via Delizia, just down the street.

Wednesday was a good day – a trip to Oblation Paper & Printing, a new book from Powell’s, and a bit of café culture at Via Delizia. As I stepped through the door the familiar waiter recognized me, I indicated I would sit outside, all I asked was if he remembered the wine I usually have, he nodded yes. A few minutes later he brought out a French white wine to the table I was sitting at under a blue umbrella. I wrote a letter to my friend Tim; he will appreciate the new ink from my stop at Oblation – Writer’s Blood, by Diamine Ink, a 160 year old company in the UK. Then I settled in to start on the new novel I had just procured at Powell’s – The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. It was recommended by my daughter, Alexis, how could I doubt that? She said it is her favorite book ever.

It struck me that it felt a bit like being back in France, and the café culture which I miss so much. Since I am certainly not in France, Tricia and Jimmy’s lines came to mind – could it be that café culture is as much of a mindset as it is a place? This got me to thinking more about what constitutes the culture after all.

First, it is an attitude toward time, going slow enough to embrace the world around you – comfortable with just hanging out. As I write this I realize that in France it was not common to see people in cafés working on computers, here someone spending a long time at a coffee shop is often using it as an office, not the same.

There is an attitude of community and people watching that is part of the culture in much of Europe, certainly in France. The cafés do not rush you with the check so you will pay up and leave, it is perfectly acceptable to sit with an empty cup while you read or chat with friends.

A visit to a “cute” cafe in France for a quick cup of coffee is not experiencing the wonder of just being part of the place and time. You have to soak it up, embrace it, and relish the moments. The French do it without even realizing it, it is in their nature and outlook on life.

Here are three places with great memories.

Embracing the environment, your surroundings, is essential to café culture, this is where it gets challenging here in the USA. So many of our places are built for speed and efficiency, both subtly communicate urgency, which is the opposite of slow. Thankfully we do have quite a few coffee shops where relaxed is accepted, and that is so important.

In an odd turn of events we may have one enduring benefit from the pandemic, outside seating has remained in many places. In France, given a choice, people sit outside for coffee, wine, and conversation. I am pleased that most of the places near us here in The Pearl have outside tables, do not rush you, and provide a good view of the traffic of people and pets; quite French for sure. So I am bringing my café culture mindset to The Pearl, for “wherever you go there you are”.

Mukilteo and Seattle

Last Sunday we drove up to Mukilteo and Seattle to visit some family and friends. I like both places but The Pearl is home now so I was glad to be home. After our trips to the beach and up north we are planning on staying a bit closer to home for a while. Tricia is posting today about our time at The Inn at Otter Crest, some great photos there.

I actually dug out my ink and watercolor for a couple of sketches.

Tricia wrote last week about World Turtle Day, it is worth looking at just to see the turtles we released in Acapulco, but the story she tells of a time we were in Hilo is so touching – here is a sketch I did for her on that blog.

I continue to sketch while watching A Place in the Sun.

Then, inspired by visions of the Mediterranean and a photo of a painting that we wish we had bought when we were in Bordeaux, I did this.

With summer upon us, I hope you can find a bit of café culture near you, grab a beverage, sit outside with friends or a good book – OR better yet your sketchpad to capture the moment.