This summer has been one for the books. I’ve spent time bar-hopping and coffee-hopping with friends, attended Poetry in the Park, joined Silent Book Clubs, heard live music at the Shell, and even paddled through Cocktails and Canoes at Shelby Farms. It’s been full in the very best way.
But as summer winds down and I prepare for school to start back, I’ve found myself craving something different. As much as I love spending time with other people, I genuinely enjoy spending time alone. I love my own company. Some of my favorite Memphis memories aren’t made in a crowd — they’re made with a good book, a cup of coffee, or a quiet walk through the park. Sometimes, the best dates I’ve ever been on have been the ones I’ve taken myself on.
Second Helpings Front Porch
Have you ever woken up and immediately felt like the day was already too much? Your eyes open, your body aches, and you’re exhausted … even though you haven’t gotten out of bed yet. If you haven’t, thank goodness. But if you’re anything like me, you definitely have.
Sometimes it’s because I’ve been working too hard and haven’t given myself the rest I need. Waking up to my Garmin telling me my Body Battery is 35 out of 100 and my sleep was “non-restorative” isn’t exactly the morning report I’m hoping for. But sometimes, it’s the truth. On mornings like that, I make time for The Front Porch. Not my front porch, the one at Second Helpings Café, located at 4688 Walnut Grove. It’s my little slice of heaven. I order a Butter Cookie Chai Latte, settle into one of the rocking chairs outside, and simply exist for a while. I rock back and forth, pausing only to take a deep breath or another sip of chai. Thirty minutes later, something has changed. Maybe it’s the quiet. Maybe it’s the fresh air. Maybe it’s the chai. Whatever it is, I leave feeling rested, restored, and ready to take on the day.
Belltower Coffeehouse
Belltower Coffeehouse
I love a solo date. Just me, myself, and my book! And my favorite place for one is Belltower Coffeehouse on Highland. They have a delicious, simple breakfast of eggs, toast, and bacon. And of course, there’s coffee and tea galore. The atmosphere is so chill. I’m surrounded by people studying, reading, or quietly catching up with friends. It’s the best lo-fi breakfast in the city. There are times when I crack open my laptop and get a little work done, but for the most part, I just read. No rushing. No notifications. No agenda. Just me, a hot cup of coffee, a good book, and sunlight pouring across the table. It’s one of the few places where I never feel guilty for lingering.
Sometimes the best part of breakfast isn’t the bacon or the coffee. It’s having nowhere else you need to be.
Overton Park
Overton Park
On an early Saturday morning, I love taking a walk through Overton Park. The birds are chirping, the trees are dancing, and the shade is absolutely perfect. I simply enjoy it, all of it. People always say, “I can’t believe you’re walking in this heat.” I know. I get it. But while the pavement around Memphis is baking at a crisp 97 degrees, the tree canopy at Overton Park makes it feel 10 degrees cooler. It’s my own little oasis. Some mornings, I just listen to the birds. Occasionally, I’ll pull out my phone and open my bird app to figure out who’s serenading me. Other times, I’ll listen to an audiobook or a little ’90s music. And then there are the mornings when I don’t listen to anything at all. Just ears open. Heart open. Letting the peace wash over me. If it’s raining, I’m walking. If it’s sunny, I’m walking. And if it’s overcast? Oh, I’m walking for a long, long time.
An Ode to Summer’s End
The days grew long, the pace grew slow,
With peaceful places left to know.
A cup of coffee, a shaded tree,
A little more time for simply me.
A book in hand, the morning still,
A quiet porch upon a hill.
The birds would sing, the trees would sway,
And somehow worries slip away.
No grand finale, no grand parade,
Just gentle memories summer made.
A walk, a latte, a rocking chair,
A moment to breathe the Memphis air.
Soon school bells ring and calendars fill,
Life picks up against my will.
But summer leaves this gift behind:
A quieter heart. A rested mind.
So here’s to mornings soft and bright,
To simple joys that feel just right.
Until next summer, I’ll smile and say,
Thanks for the peace along the way.
Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. By day, she’s a librarian and writer, but by night … she’s asleep.
