Signs

Each Wednesday, I publish an excerpt I am considering putting in my upcoming book, Coffee and Me.

Outside the entrance of the Cow's End there is a sign, shaped like a plaque, that says, "No Pets." The line is a bit long this morning, stretching onto the sidewalk, and from where I stand I count three dogs inside the restaurant and one sitting with its owner on the outdoor patio. So who is at fault here? The people for ignoring the sign, or the establishment for not enforcing it?

It doesn't particularly matter to me. I am still buying my large coffee, carrying it to the bar behind me, pouring in my creamer from a very cute pink carafe, popping in my two Splendas, and heading upstairs to journal.

Today is a get-it-all-out day. This is where I pour out my soul on paper, then tear the paper up, sending all my worries into the trash before I go sit on the beach.

At the beach, I see two more signs. One says "Surf" and points to the left. The other says "Swim" and points to the right.

After a few minutes of peaceful meditation, I notice an older gentleman with a cute little dog, sort of in the same genre as Bella. He puts down the leash, walks into the water, and begins to swim on the surf side. The little dog stays put.

I am amazed at the obedience of this little dog. The man isn't out too far, so he doesn't get hit by any surfers, and I go back to my blissful experience of listening to the waves and watching seagulls, mindful that I am still on vacation.

Later, I need to drop my son off at his ASB camp and decide it is time for my afternoon iced drink. Instead of going back to Saba Surf, I opt for Alana's. At the last moment I realize, hey, I should go to Awaken, but I am already in the left-hand turning lane and would rather not cause an accident. So Alana's it is.

I order my iced Americano with oat milk, and this time the barista leaves the oat milk for me to pour in. This is something I need to keep in mind for the future, so I don't need to say when.

Below the register, I notice a small sign explaining that for every two hours you stay in the shop, the expectation is that you purchase an item.

Hmm. Signs seem to be the theme of the day.

I am noticing that in all three cases, the sign lacks an enforcement mechanism. Each one depends on the willingness of people to follow it.

I head to the back and enjoy my iced Americano, but I don't stay two hours.

Which rule are you still following when no one is checking?

Here, I made this. My gift to you, for taking the time to read.

Images are from my imagination, generated by AI. Writing is all me.