Coffee toppings

After this morning’s exercise class, I walked over to the Hyatt for coffee and the papers. I was delighted when I went to sprinkle toppings on my latte, as the cinnamon container had one of those screened tops that sift it so nicely onto the foam. The I went for the chocolate, and three things went through my mind in rapid succession:

• The holes on the sprinkler are way too big


• Wait! It must be grated chocolate.


• This is going to be the best morning coffee ever.
  

It was a cool morning here in Scottsdale; the same temperature here as in Boston when I got up—37 degrees. There was frost on the grass when I went out, something I hadn’t imagined I’d see here.

But I sat outside on the hotel patio, with a fountain bubling beside me and a view of the McDowell Mountains beyond the golf course. With the New York Times in hand and looking forward to my sister Joan’s arrival this afternoon, it has a heck of an enjoyable cuppa.

I’ll surely be grating some dark chocolate onto my latte at home, which will drive Bob crazy. Not being a coffee drinker, he gets playfully impatient when I put on a frother pot to warm milk for my coffee, then hand pump it to create some foam. His cup of tea is much simpler.

The loudest exercise class ever

What a refreshing scene at an exercise class I tried out in Scottsdale, Ariz., this morning – not due to the instruction, but because the women talked nonstop and the conversation kept turning to food.

The women were all late middle age or older, fit and self-assured. The young instructor started the conversation by describing some recipes she'd tried and talking about a gala she'd attended at the Phoenix Children's Museum.

The gala required that guests use valet parking, and when her car was returned, it was stocked with a milk-and-cookie nightcap. For hors d’ouvres, the museum had served kid-themed food: upscale versions of peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese, and macaroni and cheese.

Soon there was one main conversation and several side chats, all at a good volume -- somewhat like a restaurant where the acoustics are intentionally tuned up to give a sense of liveliness.

I found myself smiling -- wider and wider. This scene couldn't be more different from fitness classes I'd seen elsewhere, where the friendliness was reserved for before or after class.

One woman started talking about the soup at Goldman’s Deli, and before long there was a plan to meet there tonight at 5:30. The instructor mentioned that split pea was the soup of the day, and there was a debate about cold or hot (!) borscht. I’m guessing there’ll be a pretty good turnout this evening, and I’m definitely adding it to my list of restaurants to try.

Bob and I hope to spend the cold months here in Scottsdale when we retire. The thought of getting older can be worrisome, especially now that aches and pains are more prevalent and last longer than they used to. And the idea of moving away from friends and family is daunting.

But this gathering of women was quite reassuring. Most are visiting from colder climates, but they’re staying young by paying attention to fitness, connecting with other women and enthusing about food. I was uncharacteristically quiet, but can see myself joining the conversation when I become a regular here someday.