Sitting with Charles in Cafes

a joyous pastime

Image description: an orange mug full of black coffee beside a tower of milk and cream containers on a white speckled table - Photo by Charles Earl

One of the fun things about life these days is being able to spend a lot of time with Charles. From March 2001 when he moved in with me to November 2023 when he was laid off, every day except sick days and holidays, Charles went to the office on weekdays. Now we spend much of that time together.

Since I went to my first café in Yorkville with my friend Vanda as an 18-year-old high school student, I have been a café habitué. I like pubs too, but cafés are cheaper and open before 11 a.m.

This morning after doing some grocery shopping, we spent an hour or so on the patio of Art House Cafe. Over Americanos, we discussed the state of the world, the latest updates in space stuff, our budget and food plans for the next while, Charles inventory app for our food needs, and a story idea I had that involved putting seniors in space and giving their families money. I shared my anxieties about all the work I have to do. Charles talked about issues with tech stuff he had to work on for our various projects.

We talk about all of these things at home too, but there’s something about getting out of the house (or apartment in our case) that sparks conversation and feels joyous.

I am grateful for these café interludes and conversations with my darling husband.

In my opinion, a good café requires first of all good coffee. I like Happy Goat and Equator Coffee which is served at our favourite cafés: Art House Cafe, Ten Toes on Somerset W. and Equator Café, NAC is also a fav of mine. What these cafes have in common aside from excellent coffee is an excellent atmosphere, friendly staff and a connection to the local community. There are numerous other cafes downtown, not as many as there used to be. The coffee isn’t as good. Sometimes the atmosphere is lovely, but if I can’t have a good cup of coffee there, I’’d rather not go. In some cases, the coffee is in small mugs at expensive prices. That’s no good either. Or the place doesn’t have proper seating.

I am savouring this time with Charles. I admit that sometimes I don’t do a bunch of stuff I’m supposed to do when I had planned because we end up in a café, having a conversation about something really engrossing, glorying in each other’s company. Charles is my husband, my lover, my confidante and friend and my coffee buddy.

Do you have a favourite cafe? What do you like about it?

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