Writing at Wegmans

I think I'm still suffering from a sleep deficit from my insanely late nights of working earlier in the week. I fall asleep within minutes of turning out the light and still feel tired in the morning. This morning, in fact, Tab and I both went back to bed after getting the boys their breakfast. They were happily watching Antz downstairs and let us sleep for another hour.

Tab was asked to photograph a reception at the university library this afternoon and agreed, even though it was inconvenient to have to go in to Princeton today. He was asked by one of his contacts at the university library. "I like to stay on his good side," said Tab. "He can make life difficult for people he doesn't like."

"You are so good at reading people, and your mother is so very bad," I said to Tab. "Remember New Year's Eve, how she kept throwing out those incendiary comments, when anyone with any sense would have known to leave. You must have gotten your people skills from your father."

We dropped Tab off at his office and then the boys and I walked over to Firestone Library to return a few books and pick up some more. Next we drove to Kohl's where I bought another non-sexy nightshirt. Then we went next door to Wegmans. Walking into Wegmans, we were greeted by an explosion of color, fruits and vegetables in the most vivid shades of red, purples, gold, and green, a welcome sight after the dull monochrome of the snow-covered outdoors.

The boys played in the playroom while I sipped a cup of tea in the food court. I spent a happy hour there by myself reading my novel and writing in my journal. I've always loved writing in a public place. I remember when I was in college, whenever I'd get stymied on a paper, I'd take my notes to the student center and find a quiet corner where I'd write. And those were the days before portable computing, of course, so every bit of a paper's first draft was in longhand. It still amazes me to think I got through four years of history papers with only a typewriter, a manual typewriter, in fact.

I'm not sure why I find it easier to concentrate in a coffee shop or food court like this one at Wegmans. Maybe it's the change of scene, maybe it's the quiet background noise. I like to look up from my paper (or my Palm screen, today), watch people coming and going, take a sip of my tea, and then delve back into my own little world.

I read somewhere that J. K. Rowling starting writing the first Harry Potter book while on the train. I understand completely.

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