2016

I've kept this blog, on and off, since 2006. In 2015 I used it to chart daily encounters, images, thoughts and feelings about volcanic basalt/bluestone in Melbourne and Victoria, especially in the first part of the year. I plan to write a book provisionally titled Bluestone: An Emotional History, about human uses of and feelings for bluestone. But I am also working on quite a few other projects and a big grant application, especially now I am on research leave. I'm working mostly from home, then, for six months, and will need online sociability for company!


Thursday, April 02, 2009

Philadelphian Vignette

A beautiful French patisserie, Miel, serving the best coffee I've had in this city so far, and a pristine display of beautiful art — I mean, cakes. I decide to have my coffee there, and the new owner gives me a lovely plate on which to eat my baguette, and takes pleasure in making my coffee "in the right cup." I sit at the bar facing the street, and am struck by a woman wearing a smart short red skirt, black boots and jacket, and a black fur hat — it's really a circlet — with a red flower in the side, over long, well-groomed blonde hair. She comes into the cafe, and asks for the smallest bottle of water they have and sits next to me, eating handfuls of cheerios, rattling round loose in a big opaque plastic bag. She strikes up a conversation with the man next to her, who's reading the New York Times, and asks if he's raising children into the world.

3 comments:

Jeffrey Cohen said...

Perfect!

LanglandinSydney said...

I just witnessed the EXACT SAME THING in Drummoyne!

This old world is a new world said...

really?? the exact same??? You see, when I read this I wonder which bit of this scene you are thinking of. I first thought the red and black outfit, but then I think that's probably unlikely, as I suspect (no, I know) not everyone notices colours and textures of clothes in the same way I do. Then I thought it could be the snackalicious cheerios? But reading the New York Times? The exact same thing, Langland???

Don't mean to sound too pedantic; I'm really curious to know which bit you are thinking of.

And, Jeffrey: thanks!