I’m over the hill in Santa Cruz (well yeah, I’m over the hill the other way too), and I’m enjoying a nice latté and bagel with cream cheese at a place new to me, called The Abbey. It’s a coffee shop located at a Presbyterian church here. I drive right by it every week, and finally decided to check it out. (The pastor at the church I currently attend really frowns on stuff like this. Oh well. I don’t.) The room is full of comfortable couches, decorated in a artistic way, and has music playing that isn’t too loud and isn’t annoying. Nice. I’m thinking they can use just a bit of work on the coffee part, but maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m not exactly a coffee expert, like some other oboists!

This is a nice way to begin the teaching day. Better than receiving a student email canceling yet another lesson.