mind the shop

on yesterday's happy amble into my beloved city of roses, i discovered a new design shop.  but not just any design shop:  one whose owner speaks french.  as i crossed the threshold, he was busily helping a woman (visiting from St. Remy i might add) carry a newly purchased furniture item to her car a couple of blocks away.  "mind the shop, would you?"  he nodded to me before leaving the store.  i stood, happily surprised, at the storefront sentinel-like while one shopper made his way around the merchandise.  rushing back in the owner quipped, "sell alot?"  "tout les choses" i quipped back.  "ah, bien", he answered, taking another drink (i couldn't help noticing he was sipping a cote de rhone red wine AT WORK?! all caps mine for emphasis.) as i let my hands run over french linens and outdoor tablecloths, we talked about a theme that keeps cropping up:  how close Oregon is to Burgundy in terms of food and wine.  it didn't hurt that when i left there was also a new coffee shop "case study" next door where i could sample an afternoon espresso, counter-style, in a little white cup with a little silver spoon that left me both satisfied and longing for all things french.