While we waited for breakfast outside our diner this morning, a family of four arrived, settling down at a catty-corner (and socially distant) table.

The little girl, a toddler, turned around and smiled at us, wide eyes welcoming, two curly pony tails sprouting from the top of her head. She tapped her tiny black sneakers on a rung of the highchair. Converse style — holding barely five inches of feet. 

Children — and diners — are good for the soul.

✧✧✧

About this time last year, we put the diner on speed dial. We're still sticking to outdoor seating, but, with vaccines, I can see a booth in our not-too-distant future!

We discovered our lower limit for al fresco dining: 42 degrees and sunny. It helped to have a coat long enough to sit on, a cushion against the chill of metal chairs. Today — a cloudy 51 — was a cinch.

One more reason to love spring.

Diner takeout. An early pandemic essential.