Monday, I’m meeting with a contractor who is going to help with the projects around the space, and I want to make sure I have everything ready to maximize the time with him because I’m planning a grand opening in a month, when Minnie is back in the States.
I still haven’t figured out how I’m going to find people to attend—I make a note on the middle of the page:
How do I spread the word about the grand opening?
I add:
Ask Lennon? Miles? Lorraine?
I take a bite of my sandwich, crunch a chip, and keep writing, flipping around from page to page.
Porch swing benches. Rocking chairs. Make the space feel like a summer evening on the farm.
Porch Sips & Sits: A community table for people to sit and chat with strangers. Make it easier for people to connect and make new friends.
Some of these are written in the margins at odd angles, so I have to turn the journal this way and that to keep reading and adding to them.
How much staff do I need? Actually—how many people can I afford? Open for breakfast and lunch, then only open for special events in the evening?
I pause and look up as a horn honks down the block.
All around me, the city lives. There are people biking, driving, walking, jogging. I hear snippets of conversation and see evidence of real life happening all around me. Only I’m not on the perimeter. I’m right in the thick of it.
I flip the page and see my original list, and I smile.
Because I didn’t even hesitate to walk into this café, get a sandwich, and sit down at this table and eat it. Alone.
I confidently turn to my list... and cross it off.
Have a meal by myself. In public.
Look how far you’ve come, Claire.
John: Claire, moving to Chicago was one thing, but Amelia just told me you’re opening a bakery?
Claire:
I’m meeting with a contractor this morning.
John: Are you nuts?
Don’t tell me you sunk the profits from the house into a bakery, Claire, for Pete’s sake.
Claire:??
John: You don’t know how to run a business.
Do you have a business partner? Investors?
When this goes under, you’ll have nothing left—and then what?
Claire: Gotta go, contractor is here.
John: Call me when you’re done.
I’m doing it.
I’m actually doing it.
