Caffeine...no tax

July 3rd today, the day before Independence Day; one of only a couple of holidays celebrated on a specific date, rather than on a Monday. July 4th on a Wednesday is tough - takes two vacation days to make a long weekend, but a Saturday is the worst - it's celebrated on the Saturday so no long weekend.
Thursday this year; I was already planning to take Friday off before we decided to combine my business trip to Boston, next week, with a few days of vacation in Springfield. Looking forward to it, even though it promises to be hot and very humid.
So, I don't know if people got an early start on the holiday, or if I was just lucky, but I stopped into the local branch of a coffee company known in some parts for its tax avoidance strategies and, for once, there was no line. It usually extends all the way to the door.
The woman in the sundress at the counter had constellations tattooed on both shoulder blades. She would perhaps have been the blip if I had been able to get a good shot without looking like a stalker.