Mocha Joe’s
STIRRING THE BEANS
It was that kind of café. Can I score a spot on the over-sized couch backing the wall cornered to the wall of window? This was always forefront in my mind, since it was the hot spot seating. Only area with a couch, tucked into a large corner. Best views of all the action inside and outside on the corner of two major city streets.
This was before the standard of eyes soul sucked into black mirror screens bound by ear bud occupation. It was a time when people still actually looked at one another, spoke, and interacted in a natural flow.CINNAMON COFFEE
Guaranteed company, conversation, entertainment, laughs, great unending coffee and food that hit the target every time without being overpriced. It was the neighbourhood hangout. If you don’t know big cities, you wouldn’t know that they are comprised of a multitude of ‘neighbourhoods’. People get to know one another, even if it’s only recognizing each other on sight.
For several years, I lived just a five minute walk from Mocha Joe’s. I haunted it every weekend. There were almost always a dozen or so friends there, others dropping in, coming and going. I knew the owners. They were also part of my social circle at the time. Sometimes I’d stop in on my way home from work during the week. Holidays made for an extra coffee lounging day.
My partner also spent time there with me and socialized there on his own. I brought friends from other social circles there. I even took my sketchbook with me regularly and drew while I was there. Drawing people in public is an old habit of mine. It’s excellent practice and trains the eye fast.CINNAMON CREAMY ESPRESSO
There are so many memories from that time. I can still see the light brown of the couch, feel it under me as I’m leaning on the table, taking a sip of my coffee. My sketchbook is sitting to the side. I’m surrounded by familiar faces I shared so many special times with. We’re talking, smiling, and laughing while we each savour our selected coffee favourites. Hugs and good-byes when it’s time to leave.
Mocha Joe’s hasn’t existed now for several years. I haven’t lived in that neighbourhood for several years. Before I wrote this post, I went back to visit where it used to be. It’s now an Asian restaurant and for some reason, all the flair and life is gone from the place. It melts into the rest of the building, looking bland. That magic and warmth left when Mocha Joe’s ceased to exist. The memories are stored away in my mind. All I need to do is push play and I’m there again, holding the most delicious triple shot latte ever.MEMORIES
All photos taken by Nine with a Pentax digital 35mm camera and 90mm Tamron macro lens.
I really enjoyed this piece by you. I just went to look at the winner’s post and I am glad you placed in the contest, congratulations!
Your coffee photos are beautiful and mesmerizing. I’ve never tried a cinnamon stick in my coffee but now I’m curious to.
I felt as if I too was there at Mocha Joe’s and felt a sadness when you described how bland it is in that area now and how all the fun and laughter has silenced.
This is why it’s important to enjoy each and every special moment we can with the ones we love and that make us smile. Continue to enjoy those cherished memories ~
Thank you @crosheille. If you can get the Ceylon cinnamon, that's the best. Cinnamon is a bit sweet also. I don't leave it in the whole time, since it would get too strong, so best taste tested for preference.
Yes, I felt sad when I went to see it. So much has changed now.
In the moment enjoyment as you've described. That's where it's at. Thank you.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll have to look for that one. Yeah I let it sit for about 20 minutes and it was really good. I’ll have to play around with the timing :)
Yes, playing around with the timing, haha. It gets stronger the longer it sits, soaks out the cinnamon. 😂
How well everything is presented, just amazing beauty! I think this was the best post of all on the topic of this competition - about coffee. All the posts that I have viewed during these 2 days are good, but not in this format. The best and highest score for this short creative work. None of the participants had and still does not have such a wonderful presentation of the material (information about coffee). The post is stylishly decorated, beautiful photos, everything is done from the heart and at the highest level. I will come to you to read something new. My mark is 100 points out of 100 points. I watched the post with great pleasure and read everything. Thanks!
Thank you so much @antikus369! I think everyone did their very best. I saw several posts I enjoyed. I'm glad mine really resonated with you. I look forward to seeing you stop by again. 😊
Hahah I've never been a fan of coffee but I've started to drink it now bc of work lol just to keep myself "active" u know. Though I really enjoy going to Cafes and sit there and just watch, especially through a window, watch people passing by in a hurry and just think there hahah Cafes are really peaceful places I think, most of the time I'd say hahah I haven't been to one for a while now but seeing so many Cafes posts in here is kinda making me want to go back to one and take some shots of the "peace" in there lol also I should try the cinnamon coffee lol
Loved ur shots here and the story, made me a bit melancholic but in a good way, loved that, thanks God we can always replay :)
Big hug! 🫂💙
Mate, Mate, Mate! You're in mate land, shouldn't you be holding onto a cup of mate like it's the most precious liquid pale green gold? 😂
You drinking coffee tells me what your schedule is like. I feel deeply for you.
A cafe is a great place to watch people float by like fish in a fish bowl. Really glad you liked my shots and story. I think some of the sadness I'm experiencing about life must have come through to add that melancholic experience you mentioned.
Yes, replay the "movie", re-runs of good memories are warming times when needed.
Hugs to you too! 💙😉🐡
Oh boy it's 3:30 am and I should be asleep but no, I'm here awake bc #coffee and my schedule xddd sighs..
Yes, mate land, it shows I'm not argentinian right? 😆 ahahah I do think mate is nice during a very cold winter day but not at all the rest of the year xD so as summer is getting closer I want mate even less now hahah
Gotta keep swimming now 🐡💙 (n try to sleep lol)
LOL, wired on coffee and your schedule sounds far too familiar.
Yeah, I know, definitely not an Argentinian. I was mate indoctrinated by a Canadian, lol. That's so funny that you see it as a winter drink. It is a pick me up. I like it over coffee for that, but all year long.
You're always swimming in the deep waters and you do it so well. I have seen how that is many times. 😂 Hope your day goes well and smooth like a calm ocean.
When I lived in Leadville I worked remotely and frequented a coffee shop called City on a Hill. I went there almost every day. Great coffee, chill baristas, cool art/photography on the walls, and I could always find a seat.
Leadville isn't the dead little mountain town it used to be, though. It's now overrun with tourists and rich out of state second home owners. The last time I tried to visit City on a Hill there was a line out the door. So I left. It's weird but I actually have a sense of loss for not being able to go back there. A good coffee shop is hard to lose I guess.
P. S. That last photo is outstanding.
It's not fun to see a place you had a connection to and enjoyed change in that manner. I know the feeling well. A good coffee shop and brew pub are hard to lose (pub is still there, it's changed in the manner you described about City on a Hill). Just had to add in beer, since I know we're on the same beer page.
Really happy to hear you liked my last photo. It's my pic of the pics. Sometimes I think the weird shots I take are pleasing only to my eyeballs. 😂
Oh yeah, brewpubs and dive bars are hard to lose too. I have a sweet café/bar spot in a town I can't mention because if I do then people might figure it out and I hope to god it never gets discovered.
🤣 Yeah, the are...sigh...I just remembered another pub that's a full 24 hour drive from where I am now, but is one of those old favourites too. Never spread the word on good haunts, they get taken over by living people and then as a haunting spot, it because impossible.
Ah man cinnamon in coffee is risky business 😂 I've only had it once never ever tried it again!! That last image BTW is stunning 👌
What's your favourite coffee and what do you like to add to it? Real cinnamon is an old favourite of mine, but it's not the case for everyone. Thanks and really glad you liked the last image, it's my favourite of the four.
I prefer a medium dark roast, I don't add anything else to my coffee 🙈
I'd go for that one. I've had some good medium dark roasts. You like it served up neat, nothing to detract from the taste of the coffee. 😊
Yes exactly!!
Cheers! I drink it that way too (and not with cinnamon 😉😂).
My, my, what stunning photos!
You got me there with the cinnamon😍
Great story!
It's sad to visit and find your favourite place gone.
Thanks for entering, we appreciate your participation:-)
Thank you! I see you're a cinnamon fan too. 😊 It's been gone for a long while, but that's true of many such things now. I'm happy to participate. 😊
Haha! Yes, the name of community says it all :-) I'm a big cinnamon fan😍
Glad to have you!;)
🤣🤣🤣 I use cinnamon a LOT. I know that's the name of your community, but it was pure coincidence due to my obsession with cinnamon, which wins over chocolate.
No, I could tell you have a "real love" for cinnamon too:)
🤣 Thank you for appreciating that. @dandays seems to think it's driftwood, but he has no taste anyway. 😉
I'm always marvelled to know that some people don't like cinnamon😂
I love everything about it.
I think the sticks are so beautiful, but I need to improve my way of grating them. I hate using graters🤣
It's obvious by the virtual strangers I surround myself with.
I didn't feel attached to the coffee joint or anything and I'm not disappointed it's no longer there either. Oh, and another thing, the final picture, there's a reflection of a sign I can't read. WTF!
Seriously, though, really. I enjoy a piece of driftwood with my coffee too.
💖
It's best not to attach to anything that's temporary. Enjoy what you have in the moment, since it all leaves, like so many dogs walking out the door waving tails of good-byes.
You probably don't have any refined taste for Ceylon cinnamon, how could you? You're not the chef in the house.
It says....
"Private Property No Parking Dandays"
Yes, I know for sure, I read the sign when taking that shot, since I knew you'd ask.
What a cool post and reflection about a place that clearly meant a great deal to you. Sitting in a cafe watching people go about their lives is a past time of mine. The arguments, business meetings, casual connections, lovers, happiness, sadness, lonliness, enjoyment...So many things to observe about people and all in a comfortable and welcoming place? What's not to love.
Yes, it was a very special place where several dozen of my friends and I used to meet and hang out. Weekdays, it was a little quieter for people watching. Always a comfortable and welcoming place.
I'd enjoy it I think. Sounds like my sort of place. (If it was still there.)
I think you most definitely would. It was very colourful, a spectrum of enjoyment.
I liked the idea of the couch position, I'm not a fan of having my back to the room, windows or door.
That would be couch fitting.
Whatever happened to Mocha Joe if I may ask because I am so sad that everything you said is in now in your memory.
It's a beautiful memory though, remembering the friends you gained as a result of coffee and drawing and how each one of you knew one another even though by your faces
Cheers to this memory.
Gentrification is one component. A larger percentage of small businesses have been pushed out for that and many other reasons.
Everything changes as time goes by and eventually all that is left are memories of what was. What I really miss is how different people were then as compared to now.
Thanks for checking out my post and cheers to memories!
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Thanks for this sir.
You're welcome!