It doesn’t really feel like Fall yet; but there was an edge to the breeze coming in my windows this morning that said Fall is upon us. And the edges of leaves are starting to turn color.
It was a day to have soup for lunch. By the time I had been to the bank and the post office and the chemists (not an affectation -- Woodlawners will know what I mean), I decided it was a day to have soup and a sandwich.
There are at least a dozen places in Woodlawn or along McLean Avenue where I could have gone. But I knew where I wanted to go: the Corner Scone. For countless Saturdays and Sundays I’ve had lunch, or a scone and coffee there. I’ve read, or emailed or texted, or browsed their selection of used books. “Not that I need more books”, I’d say, but more often than not come away with one or a half dozen.
I’ve chatted with the staff, fallen into conversation with strangers, heard about local events and musicians and even deer sightings in the area.
And on countless mornings I’ve grabbed a coffee on the run for the 8:36.
Today, on the edge of Autumn, I could have had soup and a sandwich, and finished my current book, Ruth Rendell’s Portobello. I started it there last Sunday.
But Monday, there was a sign on the door: Closed.
It was only open for six years, nothing in Woodlawn’s long history. But I want it back.
In the end, I decided I wasn’t hungry for lunch today after all.
Thanks for the coffee and the scones,
for the conversations and books,
and for the place to go.
