Thinking Allowed: Eternal youth and charm

Jakob turned 39. Which might not seem like a big deal except he comes from a unique lineage of men that achieve eternal youth at the age of 39. Don't worry this is not some morbid eternal youth, but, a truer one based on family myth and legend. So though he may have spent his birthday in bed, he can solace himself knowing that he is three times a man in Jewish religion and yet forever young. I am not sure of the particularities of this family trait but I am sure Peter can write it all up in an article, hopefully written on a long scroll made of birch bark using a feather quill, if you ask him politely.

The girls and I celebrated this momentous moment for Jakob by eating a lot of chocolate cake with him and then going to the coast in his honour. We stayed in a small seaside town that dripped with ocean spray and charm. And it got me thinking about what in particular makes a town charming? Often it seems that there is a chicken and egg sort of cycle that leads to town charm. Charm leads to visitors which leads to money which leads to more charm which leads to....you get the picture. Hence, many ski towns being so incredibly charming. Except this town we went to is a fair bit more charming than the towns above or below it along the same coast and they all get visitors so there must be more to it. So as my children played in the newly and expertly renovated playground I had time to stare off into the distance and wonder. Which invariable led one of my children to demand 'what are you looking at?' They love to ask that when I stare off at nothing thinking, making me stare off even more wondering if others are able to multitask when they think? Anyhow, here is the best I've got.

Things that make a town charming to me: a library and post office are minimum requirements. Scenic location (in this case the town is nestled on a headland surrounded by beaches). Walkable with a main street. A mix of shops that prove the town is not just a tourist destination but a home (pharmacy, hardware store, sewing supplies...) A variety of cafes. Lets be honest even if we don't go into the cafes, just seeing others cosied up cradling hot drinks from fancy mugs makes us feel good. A great bakery (mediocre bakeries are disappointing and detract from charm). A built up harbour - even if you don't own a boat it is nice to see all the boats other people own. Artists. Artists seem to bring charm along with them and make towns better. If you doubt me please go to Homer Alaska. Nature - being surrounded by nature really does increase charm and so do nature trails and activities. Playgrounds - even if you don't have kids, having kids running and laughing makes places cuter. Love and pride. A town might have all these things but it has to both be loved and look loved to be charming. What'd I miss?