The BookShop

I work in a cafe in a book shop. I enjoy my job as I get to work indoors surrounded by lovely cakes and great smelling coffee. Also I love books and they are everywhere. Anything your heart desires is here. But the best bit about serving people in the coffee shop is meeting all sorts of people and wondering what their life is really like.
Take Tom for instance. He comes in every day without fail and orders a white coffee, no frills and certainly no cake. He is middle aged and looks respectable and clean. He wears a shirt and tie, grey trousers and a black leather jacket, oh and he also always has his briefcase. I used to think he had lost his job and didn't want to tell his wife so left for work at his usual time and just hung around the cafe until something came up for him and then she would never have to know. But turns out that that isn't his story after all. One day after work I was walking towards the bus stop to go home and I couldn't believe my eyes. There was Tom sitting in a shop doorway with one of our polystyrene cups in front of him with some change in it. He didn't look like he belonged anywhere but he kept up his standards from a life he no longer lived.
And then there was Simon. Now he really was a piece of work. He would come in every Monday morning, buy a latte grande and sit at a table. Then he would start to mutter to himself. I would catch phrases like "I can't believe it" or "Oh my God what is going on" and his tone was menacing. He would open his briefcase and get some papers out and look through them umpteen times ranting quietly to himself, he was always in a really bad mood. Some people would look at him then look away in case he stared back and said something to them or worse still took a gun out of his briefcase and shot them. I really think he was on the edge.
I used to love little Letty. She would pop in at lunchtimes and say "the usual honey" which consisted of a pot of tea and and a white chocolate muffin. She was ever so friendly, like I was her long lost daughter or something. She would talk about her children, who had grown up and lived in other cities but kept in contact via skype and such things she didn't really understand. She worked as a cleaner in a big shopping centre nearby and went home alone to her two cats, Molly and Dolly.
Yes people would fascinate me on a daily basis. Why was the lady sleeping in the leather armchair with all the shopping bags round about her.Exhausted from her life of serving everyone else maybe or overindulgence at the sales. Or why were the couple whispering in the corner, furtively checking if anyone was watching them. Was it a secret rendevous or just shy young lovers. I suppose I'll never know for sure. But at least I can be some comfort for them in this little refuge, oasis even, far away from the sometimes very real hardships that the world out there throws our way from time to time.
Long live the book shop and all who visit her.

Oh to be organised
how amazing that would be
to not struggle on a daily basis
and to remember important stuff
but that wouldn't be me.

To not be last to leave a class
or lose post its  important to keep
To not forget to wake up a little earlier
do that thing to enhance my life
but I prefer my sleep.

Wait a minute
I know I might not know what
clothes I'll be wearing next day
but maybe that's the excitement                                         
of life the not planning your
every step of the way.

Maybe life isn't so bad
for this non organised, fly by
the seat of your pants girl
When it really comes down to it

life's more fun

letting it take you for a whirl!

    

                                            

The Gym

What made me go to the gym, my husband asked
I was fine as I was he would state
that is until a toned and tanned body
would appear on the tv and who he would rate.

What made me go to the gym, my friends would ask
there's nothing wrong with you they'd say
and then they might add
your just cuddly and we like you that way.

What made me go to the gym, my children would ask
mummy, mummy stay with us they'd whine
we want you to play games or
don't worry reading's just fine.

What made me go to the gym, I asked myself
and you know, what it boiled down to my friend
trying on clothes in a three mirrored changing room
and a 3d image of my rear end!

Cafe Romance

A long way from home in the beautiful city of Paris, I was sitting in a little cafe near the Champs Elyses when I first saw him.He was getting out of a taxi and it was pouring with rain. He was tall with thick dark hair and he was wearing an expensive dark blue suit with a bold red tie. He ran with his briefcase over his head into the cafe. I couldn't take my eyes of him as he made his way past my table to a little corner by the kitchen. A waiter went over and took his order. I had ordered a coffee but what was left was now cold. It had taken me a long time to get to this cafe and have that cup of coffee. I had been extremely lonely for a long time and never thought I would want to embark on a romance again but I worked long hours and the computer helped me dip my toe back in the water. I sneaked another look as the waiter brought over his coffee. He caught my glance and smiled, a friendly welcoming smile. I took my red scarf from my bag and put it round my neck and slowly got up as he did. We did say red would be quite distinct and traditional to recognise each other. After all we had been chatting for a long time now, just not face to face. "Hi Abbey" he said "Well how do you like Paris?" He looked at me with his intense blue eyes and earnest expression and I thought to myself this could possibly be the most perfect place on earth.

         
                                           Follow your romantic dreams.........

Meditation Class

I went for my first class in meditation at the Budhist Centre on Saturday. The entrance is painted a lovely vibrant yellow, very welcoming and I was greeted by a jolly looking elderly lady (not what I was expecting).There was four of us beginners and the instructor. The room was painted white which was calming. The windows looked out onto one of the main streets in town. The instructor lit candles either side of a large statue of budha and then she told us we would do some relaxation exercises. We then walked in a circle for 10 minutes and we were told to tune into the actual walking experience itself with no other thoughts. We then concentrated on our breathing for forty minutes and were to let any thoughts pass through. Our goal was to be completely focused on the breath and have no thoughts in our minds at all. I must say this was impossible for me and I really struggled. Strangely though, at one point I actually felt myself get deeper into the meditation but got a fright and didn't continue. After the session we all felt totally spaced out but really calm and relaxed. I'm looking forward to the next one which is a meditation involving love and compassion.

The early bird gets the fortune

I haven't been to a fortune teller since I was 18 down the Barras in Glasgow. I remember she was really good and told me a few things that have came true. Recently I had heard about a Gypsy who is based in the town and has been telling fortunes since she was 11. She doesn't give you an appointment though. It is strictly first come first served. I was told I should expect to go at 8 o'clock in the morning for the centre opening at 9am. I got the next Friday off and I really tried to get up early but I got there at about 8.45am and there was at least ten women in front of me. When the centre opened everyone headed in the same direction, except a couple who tried to beat the rest by taking a shortcut but were abruptly stopped by the gypsy friend/minder who told them to go to the end of the queue. Once we had all excitedly got into the waiting room, he began to ask who was first outside and what time did they get there. One girl piped up that she had been there from 7.30am. Unbelievable I thought! She was first obviously and yes you've guessed it I was last.The nice man then began to tell us that Kizzy, the Gypsy, could take anytime between 20 mins and 1 hour to read a fortune. She would hold your hand and look deep into your eyes and predict whatever she could get from you. That meant I would probably be there waiting until 5pm that night or not even be seen at all. I was extremely disappointed to have to leave it for another day. But I learned a valuable lesson and I'll be there next time at 7am with a flask of tea and a good book. I'll keep you posted!