It’s a beautiful Tuesday morning in early Fall. I wake up around 8 am, get dressed, and head out to my favorite coffee shop, “Java Dogs” before my first class. It’s located downtown across from the beautiful Cape Fear River. As I walk along the boardwalk the salty smell from the river and the fresh fallen leaves blowing in cool wind fills the air. It’s a comforting and familiar smell. The coffee shop is located in an old-fashioned historical building called The Cotton Exchange, along with other small businesses. This little coffee shop has been here for years and is well-known by locals in the area and adored by many. All their coffee is good if you ask me and they are very accommodating for those with allergies. I make my way up a small hill and enter the building then walk into the coffee shop. The shop is painted an olive green that clashes with the original brick wall that’s slightly exposed to the right when you walk in. The shop is filled with little kickbacks from tiny figurines from popular movies, from hand-carved sculptures of different kinds of boats. It also has photos of our small town, taken by local artists, that are climbing along the walls. It's busy, per normal. I get in line patiently waiting for my turn. All the baristas are kind and inviting, greeting me with a warm smile. I place my usual order, a small hot apple cider with one shot of brown cinnamon sugar. Next, I find a quiet corner on the long green beach to draw in, by the big window that acts as a whole wall facing the street out front. I pull out my old beaten-up sketchbook and a few different kinds of pencils, spreading them out on the small table. The atmosphere here is always upbeat, calm, and reassuring. I typically come here in between classes to do homework or just draw with nothing in particular in mind. I just sit back and let the inspiration flow.
I look around taking everything in. A good station on the radio is playing pop music softly in the background, the baristas are taking orders, grinding fresh coffee beans, and pressing them. All the coffee here is freshly made, with its own little coffee bar where you can hike and make your own little bag to take home. The smell of fresh hot coffee and baked goods fills the room. The woman sitting to my left is well dressed in a nice colorful blouse and nice jeans, she’s with her little white dog. She’s very cherry and nice, I’d say she’s in her early 60s. Her little dog walks across the bench and right up to me. The little dog’s big brown eyes are staring up at me and I know that it wants to be a pet. So I ask the woman if it’s okay to pet her dog and she says yes. The little dog's affection makes me smile, reminding me that my own dog is waiting for me at home. There’s an old man sitting by himself on the upstairs balcony reading the local paper while drinking his coffee. A mom and her two young sons walk in and wait in line. The boys are both happy and energetic, excited to get a sweet delicious treat from the bakery display. Once it’s their turn their mother orders a coffee and then asks what they would like. They look closely, giggling as they press their little faces against the glass. One boy asks for a chocolate chip muffin and the other asks for a glazed cinnamon bun. The boys do a little happy dance when they get their sweets and their mom finds a place for them to sit down. I then turn and look out the window as I sip on my drink. I like watching as people make their way across the street and walk in and out of shops. As I watch
everyone go by, I lose track of time. My hands guided my pencil along the page acting with a mind of their own drawing everything I see. I glance down at my stench book and over the last 30 minutes, my page is now full. Full of stenches of all the different people I’ve seen through this short time. On the single page, there are small caricatures each unique in their own way. The caricatures are showing their personalities through hair, clothing, and facial expressions. There are all kinds of different people, some small, some tall, round, or thin. Some are dressed in bright lively outfits, others in more dual casual clothing. I see people walking alone and in a group. Some are happy, others are sad, but most of the people I see are happy. It’s said that inspiration comes from the things around you, that speak to your very soul in a sense. I’d like to believe that it’s true.