Heart on Lark

It’s difficult to live in Center Square without feeling very, very spoiled.  There is quality and variety around ever corner.  You want books?  Go to Dove & Hudson.  Live music?  See Tess or Howard.  Artwork?  Edible, wearable or otherwise?  Crisan, Elissa Halloran, First Friday.  In the mood for Greek or Indian or Mexican or Thai or Lebanese or eggs Benedict at three in the morning?  Done.  For cripes’ sake, Justin’s is our go-to neighborhood restaurant.  JUSTIN’S!  I think idealistic dumpster-bagel-eating Leigh circa 2001 might actually reach up from the past and smack me for being so bourgie, but, oh man, that grilled brie sandwich with caramelized onions and apple?  Keep your day-olds, FnB.  All of this is not lost on me, of course.  It’s impossible to express the appreciation I feel every day for so many little things: a market that’s three blocks from my apartment, the art supply store that’s open when I run out of Mod Podge, Romeo’s across the street for that last-minute gift, Scratch for coffee and sandwiches.  Oh, and once you’ve finished your shopping you can take your book and coffee and go sit under a tree in the park and pretend you aren’t lusting after dogs (that came out wrong, but you know what I mean.)  It’s almost too much.  We’re too well–fed and –watered.  Too entertained.  And we’ve obviously gotten to the bottom of why I’m broke all the time.  Anyway, even though this isn’t typically the time of year to be grateful for anything (other than degrees above zero) I’m totally feeling it.  Heart on Lark.  *Note: After writing this my sister and I went to The Good Leaf on a…well, you know and had a great experience.  Alexandra was interested in teas for bedtime.  Owner Michelle Marks explained the relaxing properties of different ingredients and even gave my loose tea virgin sis a few filters to get her started.  We left with two types of tea and snacks for just over ten dollars.