Abingdon, the town where my parents live, has surprisingly great coffee options. The two biggies are The Girl & the Raven and Wolf Hills Coffee. Both are walking distance from my parent’s house, so I’ve been deciding which would become my coffee shop office for blog writing, greeting card doodling, and generally getting me out of the house and deep into town people watching.

The Girl & the Raven is a legit restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch, a full bar, as well as a nice selection of coffee options. It has a really nice atmosphere and the food, cocktails, and coffee are great, but it’s vibe is a little less sit and hang a while and more like have a nice meal or snack and enjoy your day. I worked from there with Christopher a couple times right after they opened when I was working remotely during peak covid, and then again I got a coffee and drew a little last week. While no one has said, you can’t stay here, I did feel weird taking up a server’s table to drink a latte and sit for a long time. I took my time drinking my coffee and drawing, but when my coffee was out I left and headed to Wolf Hills for the next portion of my writing and drawing time.

Wolf Hills is a true coffee shop. They have all kinds of coffee drinks, baked goods, lots of tables in all sizes, so I don’t feel as bad when I take up residence in one of my favorite tables for two in a little alcove by the door. I like to see the people and eavesdrop on the town goings on. Maybe one day I’ll even talk to someone and make a friend. The coffee here is good, they have a new selection of seasonal beverages each month (I think) and the staff is super friendly. There are usually other people here working, so I am very comfortable hanging out for a while here. I get here after the morning people, because mornings are not my favorite, and I don’t want to make the line longer for people trying to get to work or drop kids off, or whatever else people have going on before 10AM.

I also love the walk to Wolf Hills. There is a really nice alley that runs between Main Street and my parent’s road, with so many cool plants and flowers, it’s quiet, and shady, and I just love it.

I try to be mindful of my loitering. I make sure I always have a coffee or a snack in front of me, I tip extra, and I try not to stay more than a couple hours at a time.

I am grateful that coffee shops exist. The chance to get out of the house, enjoy a fresh coffee prepared by someone else, and a change of scenery is much needed during this time of stressful transition. My sanity is hanging on by a thread some days, but Wolf Hills is definitely playing a big part in keeping me from completely losing my shit.