It’s a rare day I don’t get out to have a cup of coffee at one of my favorite shops. Though I have plenty at my house, I love the ritual of ordering a warm cup of happiness from a friendly face who knows exactly what I want.
My go-to place is Zeke’s [https://www.zekescoffee.com]. I order a large, dark roast coffee with peppermint and white chocolate, one shot each. Mindy knows this. She’s worked at Zeke’s forever and recently won Baltimore’s Best Server in The Baltimore Sun’s Best of 2019. I look forward to seeing her as much as I do having my coffee.
When I walk into Zeke’s or Red Canoe 
[https://www.redcanoecafeandchildrensbookstore.com] I feel a bit like Norm on the show Cheers; everyone knows my name. It’s an experience of all the senses. Mostly it’s the warmth and comfort of the familiar and being with people who have become friends.
This past week I had the opportunity to share some of my beloved coffee spots with my work-mate and friend, Robert Hoffman [http://www.rahthebird.com]. We met at the gallery where we work, MAXgallery [https://www.maxgallery.us] in Butchers Hill. Our mission was to deliver flyers for the upcoming May show, Diverse Fibers.
Robert and I had a great day … and yes, it actually took all day to deliver four hundred flyers to local shops and galleries … so we treated ourselves and had a coffee in nearly every coffeehouse we visited. Can you say caffeine high?
It’s wonderful to share coffee with a friend, and, in my opinion, it’s just as important as meditation. We all need to get out of our routine, find a friend, and choose a special spot. Whether it’s a bookstore, coffeehouse or the park, it’s so important to connect with friends, relax, and just enjoy the moment in which you are living. And coffee, it’s always important to enjoy your coffee! 
Scenes From A Baltimore Kitchen 