Spring Socialization Outing
Spring Socialization Outing
Although the weather wasn't as warm as last week, today was a lovely day for planned socialization.
Laura and I met at O'Rourke's Diner, where we spent the first twenty minutes or so just trying to get through the multi-page menu. Then she amazed the waiter by ordering not one, but two breakfasts (and almost finishing both). I was all set to order a cheesesteak, until I noticed the "BLT to the 4th Degree" on the menu. Yes, that's a BLT with four kinds of bacon. Plus cheese. Nice and healthy!
Next stop was the famous Niantic Book Barn. It's exactly as fabulous and mind-blowing as you might have heard. And if you haven't heard of this amazing used bookstore, you can learn all about it in their anthem. (We meant to ask for an in-store performance, but it slipped my mind.)
So, at the Book Barn, they have two shops (about a mile apart), one of which is an old barn surrounded by smaller outbuildings that are also filled with books. The selection is truly astounding, and very well-organized. They have books on every topic -- and I do mean every topic. There are also comfy sofas and other things to sit on, scattered throughout the store... although you do have to look hard to find a spot that isn't already occupied by someone else:
(click to enlarge)
Yes, the place is also full of lovely, well-fed cats. They sleep in every nook and cranny of the barn. (The downtown store appears to have only one cat, but he's about as big as three regular sized ones.) Outside the barn there are also a few goats and other animals... but really. I was already satisfied by the multitude of beautiful cats.
I found a biography of Anne Frank I've been meaning to pick up for a while, a picture book about London, a David Sedaris book, and a few other things. The prices were great! I'm so glad I finally went to this place, because I found out they are open from 9am to 9pm daily, and besides that -- they're right on my way home from work. Danger, Will Robinson!
We were getting tired by the time we'd visited both stores and several of the smaller buildings, but we still had one more stop to make. We headed out to Old Lyme, home of the Bowerbird (unfortunately, they don't appear to have a web site of their own). This is a great gift shop full of interesting toys, stationery, and things for the home. I love it! I had only been once before, but I knew we would enjoy poking around in there together, and we did!
Mark this down as another day of successful socialization. Over the years that we've been friends, Laura and I have introduced each other to some great places. Early on, she took me to Kathy John's for the first time, and I took her to Design Forum. She's also taken me to the Gifford Pinchot Sycamore, and we discovered Brass City Records together. It's always a fun time when we get together, whether we're visiting old favorite spots or finding something new!
Although the weather wasn't as warm as last week, today was a lovely day for planned socialization.
Laura and I met at O'Rourke's Diner, where we spent the first twenty minutes or so just trying to get through the multi-page menu. Then she amazed the waiter by ordering not one, but two breakfasts (and almost finishing both). I was all set to order a cheesesteak, until I noticed the "BLT to the 4th Degree" on the menu. Yes, that's a BLT with four kinds of bacon. Plus cheese. Nice and healthy!
Next stop was the famous Niantic Book Barn. It's exactly as fabulous and mind-blowing as you might have heard. And if you haven't heard of this amazing used bookstore, you can learn all about it in their anthem. (We meant to ask for an in-store performance, but it slipped my mind.)
So, at the Book Barn, they have two shops (about a mile apart), one of which is an old barn surrounded by smaller outbuildings that are also filled with books. The selection is truly astounding, and very well-organized. They have books on every topic -- and I do mean every topic. There are also comfy sofas and other things to sit on, scattered throughout the store... although you do have to look hard to find a spot that isn't already occupied by someone else:
(click to enlarge)
Yes, the place is also full of lovely, well-fed cats. They sleep in every nook and cranny of the barn. (The downtown store appears to have only one cat, but he's about as big as three regular sized ones.) Outside the barn there are also a few goats and other animals... but really. I was already satisfied by the multitude of beautiful cats.
I found a biography of Anne Frank I've been meaning to pick up for a while, a picture book about London, a David Sedaris book, and a few other things. The prices were great! I'm so glad I finally went to this place, because I found out they are open from 9am to 9pm daily, and besides that -- they're right on my way home from work. Danger, Will Robinson!
We were getting tired by the time we'd visited both stores and several of the smaller buildings, but we still had one more stop to make. We headed out to Old Lyme, home of the Bowerbird (unfortunately, they don't appear to have a web site of their own). This is a great gift shop full of interesting toys, stationery, and things for the home. I love it! I had only been once before, but I knew we would enjoy poking around in there together, and we did!
Mark this down as another day of successful socialization. Over the years that we've been friends, Laura and I have introduced each other to some great places. Early on, she took me to Kathy John's for the first time, and I took her to Design Forum. She's also taken me to the Gifford Pinchot Sycamore, and we discovered Brass City Records together. It's always a fun time when we get together, whether we're visiting old favorite spots or finding something new!
