Coffee Date | Fall 2019
If you and I had coffee...
We'd meet up at the local pumpkin patch because they have the best apple cider around, and as soon as we pull up, their bakery draws us in with the aroma of cinnamon, and clove, and baked fall goodies. I'd ponder over whether to order the mulled cider or get a cup of it chilled and decide on the latter because it's still so warm outside. We'd take our drinks and climb aboard the hay wagon that ran tours around the ten-acre farm property and made frequent stops at the actual pumpkin field, dropping patrons off and picking them up on the next circle 'round.
We'd chat about the gorgeous landscape as the wagon made its way through rows of apple trees, and you'd point out the sheep and donkeys grazing in a pasture off in the distance. We'd both agree that this wagon ride would be so spooky on a dark autumn night and imagine a cozy bonfire and toasted marshmallows afterward. Eventually, our wagon would turn around a bend and in the clearing, we'd arrive at the pumpkin fields, hopping off to look around and pick out one to take home.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that I have a doctor's appointment coming up this week and I'm feeling very anxious about it. I'll be having some testing done and it's been a while since the last time I've seen my numbers, so I'm worried about what they will indicate. I haven't been feeling my best over the last few months, and I know the news won't be good, but I am hopeful that it's something that I can manage on my own with medication dose changes and adjusting my routines. I'd ask if you get nervous before doctor's appointments and what you do to quell your fears.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd share that sometimes I miss living in the city. When I was in college, I lived in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and loved being close to everything. I was within walking distance to the grocery store and a shopping mall, and there was a community park on the other side of my neighborhood. It was only a short drive into the heart of the city and there were so many opportunities to get out and do things. I was so active because I was able to do a lot of walking or could even ride a bike in my local town.
Now that I live in the middle of a mountain range out in the country, I feel cut off from the rest of the world. It takes twenty minutes by car to get into town where there is a grocery store or any restaurants. The closest mall or movie theater is nearly an hour away. I do love the peace and quiet that comes with living in a rural area, but I'd confess that I miss being close to my friends and am frustrated that I don't have as many opportunities to get out and stay active.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that I'm considering becoming a foster mama to a cat or a dog. I miss my sweet Harley so much, but I'm not sure that I'm ready to adopt and take on the life-long responsibility of having a pet again. I'd really love to foster a dog because the obligation to take her out for walks would be a good excuse to take myself out for walks, and let's be honest, I could always use some more exercise. I also miss the companionship of having an animal around. My depression and anxiety are always better managed when I have a dog or cat, and they help keep my stress levels low. For now, I'll just heart-eyes over all the cute animals I follow on Instagram.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that lately, I've been pondering the idea of roads not taken. I'm working on an essay on the topic and became very emotional as I was writing the other day. I found that I was thinking about someone and was maybe even writing to that person as I was drafting the piece. This is someone who chose the other road and has since realized that perhaps it was not the right choice. But there are a lot of instances in my own life where I've chosen to go a certain direction when I've come to a fork in the road, and I always wonder what would have come from a choice for the other road.
Would my life look differently? Would I be around the people I have in my life now or would I have an entirely new circle of friends? While I know it's impossible to go back and change the choices we've made in the past, I do think it's healthy to look at those choices and realize that they've all been building blocks to put us exactly where we are today, in this moment.
If you and I had coffee...
We'd pick out our pumpkins and grab the next hay wagon ride back up to the front of the farm property. We'd go into the little building that houses the general store so we could pay for our pumpkins, pick up a few other goodies, and order another cup of cider for the road. We'd get back to the parking lot with our arms full, and after stashing everything in our respective vehicles, I'd give you a big hug and promise we'd meet up again soon.
