M. Suzanne Terry

Most days, I really love my introversion. I appreciate that I can enjoy my solitude (a useful skill, as I am single and thus get a lot of it). I like being able to restore my own well of energy without needing others to do that for me.

But my particular brand of introversion is not without its problems, one of them being a certain measure of social anxiety. Like in our church building when 1) it’s Reformation Sunday and 2) there’s a baptism (and the extra people who came to see it). Many, many people – tiny, tiny space. Add to this that I’m in the choir, so I couldn’t just sit in a corner and hide – I had to be up and moving around and part of the service – and this leaves me counting the moments until I can escape. I’m really proud of myself that I did not run screaming from the building afterwards.

Then I drove to Fort Worth in construction that I’m pretty sure has been going on for at least the 22 years I’ve lived in the area, and that didn’t help. I went to the Friends of the Library book sale, which was also crowded. At one point, I texted my friend, “I’m going to go stand outside and breathe deeply.”

But then we went to eat Ethiopian food at Samson’s, and it was so relaxing.

I’m gonna learn to make injera. That’s one of my food goals. 

Margarett and I split the vegetarian sampler, as is our habit. As soon as I folded the first piece of injera over the miser wat, all the stress of the day faded. Margarett enjoyed it, too:

“My fingers smell delicious.”

Then I had coffee. For me, Ethiopian coffee is half the reason to go.

Little shelf-ish (were you wondering when the shelf would appear?) coffee tray

I normally drink my coffee black with no sugar, but I enjoyed a little sweetness with this one.

CUTE.

We stuck around while I sipped my coffee and ate until we were beyond full, and we got to talk to the owners. We had a nice chat about children and the ethics of responsibility and capitalism and systems that perpetuate abuse. Good times.

I was so content by the time we left that the drive back to Denton didn’t stress me out at all.

I’m writing 31 Days of Shelfies.