The Beauty of Autumn in Baltimore: A Coffee Shop Adventure

Heads up to any readers out there, this post was written in October 2025, and I was in the midst of a temporary lay-off. Dealing with unexpected weight gain, which I found out was due to perimenopause, and just wanted to create an essay, rant, or prose about the thoughts in my head. There is no purpose to this blog; I just wanted to share a glimpse into my life at the time. Also, just writing, writing is becoming a dying art, and I would like for it to make a comeback, like common sense and $5.00 footlongs.

Welcome to another Coffee Chronicles, where today I spend money, I should probably save on a cup of coffee and a meal. Earlier, I kept up with my neighborhood walk, which was supposed to lead to either Sistah’s Sweets or Blueprint Café. These walks have been refreshing to my spirit as I build back up to running in the mornings again. During the pandemic, I ran every day and lost 20 lbs. in 2020. Fast forward to 2025, and I have now reached over 200 lbs. Please don’t tell Toni Fine, I can’t handle her form of critique. My medication has definitely contributed to the weight gain. Despite this, my goal is to walk over 10,000 steps a day.   Today, my walk took an unexpected turn when I encountered a man having a psychological break, shouting and threatening those around (and even those not around). At this point, I turned around and took a different route, feeling guilty about not helping yet needing to take care of myself. Along the way, however, I was struck by the often-overlooked beauty of Baltimore’s autumn, the vibrant orange trees rival Vermont’s leaves, while the sun’s warm caress heats the concrete and creates the perfect balance of a warm fall day and a crisp breeze. This temperature swing feels, unmistakably, like a sign of global warming. After my walk, which ended up less brisk than hoped, I made my way to Blueprint Café, only to find it crowded, just like Bird in the Hand Café. Wondering if I have a developing issue with coffee shops beginning with “B,” I scanned the menu, realized it was more of a late-afternoon lunch spot, and decided to try again another day. Debating between Sistah’s Bakeshop and just 7-Eleven coffee, I remembered Kitsch Kitchen. I’ve been there a few times, always enjoying the service, so I decided to grab coffee and maybe a bite before heading home.  

Upon arriving, I saw only one person ahead of me ordering food, which at first seemed promising. However, the wait stretched to five minutes for three items, testing my patience. Realizing my irritation, I took a moment to talk to my inner child and gently parented my ego, reminding myself to stay calm. Once centered, I ordered a drink called “You’re My Best Friend” and Avocado Toast on Honey Grain bread. (For those curious, “You’re My Best Friend” is a drip coffee with shots of espresso, caramel, chocolate, and cinnamon—though I requested no cinnamon). The drink was traditional with hints of chocolate and caramel, while the avocado toast, though good, needed more seasoning. I longed for flaky sea salt or red pepper flakes, especially since Avery Farms’ avocado toast has spoiled me in the past. As a side note, the last time I visited Kitsch, I tried their “Breakfast at Tiffany’s “a smooth maple espresso with just the right amount of sweetness. I really enjoyed that cup of coffee.

I picture myself at R. House, blogging or writing book chapters. My layoff gives me time to rest, though I know I should get more organized. Instead, I explored local coffee shops with a side quest that boosts community connections. No Coffee Chronicles tomorrow; I’ll be working, but Thursday brings another coffee adventure outside Baltimore City. For now, I’ll enjoy supporting local businesses, even if it doesn’t help my weight goals.

Thank you for reading this post!