The Setting:
Starbucks on a beautifully crisp and clear September morning

The Cast:
EntertainingMom, aka The Cursing Mommy and various walk-ons

The Purpose:
To achieve a moment of calm and enjoy my date with Mr. P.S. Latte

Cool Music blares through the speakers... conversations buzz all around. To my right a young couple discusses a young woman's recent decision to quit her job. Directly in front of me two men are working at their computer, writing, composing, discussing. To my left, seated at the table next to the window, two gentlemen in their Sixties converse. They seem to be old friends, or good friends at least.

Through the window directly behind me a ladder is being moved. Repair work is being done to the store front. Cars pull in and out of the parking lot. At the counter an older man in a brown fedora is fixing his coffee, adding cream and sugar perhaps. He wanders over to an empty table, sits down, opens his brown bag and pulls out a pastry to go with his coffee. He then reaches over to look at The New York Times. He seems rather distinguished to me. Very educated. Could be a retired professor or lawyer. I then notice that he is wearing dark socks and brown sandals. I see there is a hole in his sock, right on his big toe.

I love to people watch and have since I was a young child. After all, there is no better city in the world to people watch than New York. We had it all there! There are so many stories to be told by watching people. It's the writer in me. Or perhaps the nosy neighbor in me.

Starbucks is bustling this morning and I enjoy watching it all as I sip my Pumpkin Spice Latte. I have come here alone, just me and m notebook. It's a small Vera Bradley one filled with lined pages. I never go anywhere without my notebook. I like the solitude of being by myself and yet I am in no way alone or lonely. Just peaceful. And content.

A worker comes in. He's dressed in grey jeans and grey T-shirt. His long dark hair is pulled back into a pony tail. He looks over, catches my eye and smiles. He keeps looking over, trying to catch my eye. (Ewwwww!!!!) I do not want to look at him but I am dying to see what his shirt says. I am not wearing my glasses at the moment.

Suddenly there's a line again. The same line has waxed and waned all morning. There are a couple of young mothers in baseball caps with their hair tossed back. And a dude who looks like Kojak, but not in an unattractive way. And another one who looks like he says "Yo!" a lot. He's short and stout and wearing a charcoal grey suit. He's got salt and pepper hair, and I think his name should be Anthony. Anthony must reside in Brooklyn. Possibly Joi-zee. Possibly Staten Island. A pregnant young woman and a young woman with a toddler have just joined the line. The young mother has on a tank top. The thought of this makes me cold. And a girl who looks like my friend Amy with a Godawful haircut walks in. Gosh, I do hope it is not her. I can't see clearly. I try not to stare. In the end I make out that is not her.

It's hopping in Starbucks this morning. The constant whir and hum and buzz... the ice crushing, milk steaming, chitter-chatter and music are at once energizing and soothing.

As I sit here in the corner in the over-sized olive green chair I think to myself, while Willie Nelson croons, that I am exactly where I want to be. I have waited all summer, plus two weeks to be here and boy does it feel good!

I'm down a couple of pounds, the only positive side effect of being sick. I tell myself that it is Okay to enjoy my Pumpkin Spice Latte. Still, I order a Grande 1% No Whip.

The older men leave and give each other firm and gentlemanly pats on each other's backs.

I've completely lost track of time. And that is how it should be. Sweet Baby James is now crooning softly in my ears. I am certainly not rushing out now.

I notice all the girls in their tank tops. We're a good bit cooler than we should be this time of year. I'm dressed more appropriately. I decided to wear my "loud" JCrew pants I bought a while back with a white T-shirt and my long, black cashmere ruffled sweater (think Shere coat in black). It's my favorite sweater and is the perfect thing to wear in this weather. Perfect for my Perfect Drink.

I have so much that I need to do. My laundry list of items is growing longer by the minute. Due to all our ailments and illnesses I have fallen quite behind. But I am not going to tackle any of that today. Any at all. Except for my trip to the grocery store, you see. I've got the perfect recipe for the Perfect Pink Fall Drink!