Word Magic

 A very simple word today: Tea

definition: "a hot drink made by infusing the dried crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water.

" I even read one definition of two women having tea included gossip.

What images does the word "tea" create in your mind? I was surprised to read "tea and gossip", but yes that sometimes is part of it. I know I talk about tea alot, but I often wonder when I mention that word to someone, what are they thinking? Is it the desperate need for a cup of caffeine in the morning or a fancy ladies afternoon tea experience with tiny sandwiches and sweets? This tea girl wants to know.

For me I think of many different things:

1. That it comes from the camellia sinensis plant, which is in the camellia family. "Camellia sinensis is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree in the flowering plant family Theaceae. Its leaves and leaf buds are used to produce the popular beverage tea. Common names include tea plant, tea shrub, and tea tree." Wikipedia

2. Much of the origins came from China and Asia.

3. The pleasure of sitting each morning in silence to sip the warmth of a variety of teas from white to black to oolongs to puers.

 

4. I picture the people all over the world sipping tea, as it is the second most drunk liquid with only water being sipped the most. 

 

5. Tea is an opportunity to visit with friends. It is what the British call a "cuppa".

6. On a cold day it warms me and on a hot day it cools me.

7. Some people enjoy tea out of a pretty teapot poured into a china cup with saucer. Others might sip their tea from a jar. And some people sip their tea from tiny cups that you might think are only for a child.

Today a friend came to tea. We sipped a lovely black tea, nibbled on scones and fruit; but most importantly we chatted. About a year and half ago I started inviting friends to come to "tea". The purpose was to catch up with our lives and it was framed with cups of tea.

I think most often when I think of tea time it is one of two things. It is either my quiet time in the morning or a shared time with friends.

So tell me dear friends, when you say you are having tea what image sits in your mind?

Have a terrific week, dear friends!

Green!

 

Even as a young girl I was a lover of nature. I would rather be outside than indoors any day of the year. With each growing thing I find outdoors I fall more in love. After reading Forest Bathing a year ago I have fallen more in love each day with the color green, both in nature and in my home. In the spring time I am particularly drawn to green surrounding me. It amazes me to see so many different shades of one color. Even on my watercolor palette I find I have more green than any other color. It soothes my soul and makes me feel peaceful and just plain smile.

 

Yesterday as I walked through my favorite antique mall I noticed green. Oh, I want that chair. Did I say I love chairs too. For someone supposedly "down-sizing" it is still a temptation.

Spring Green

Rumbling in my head

You delight me with such joy

Green grows before me

m.miller

There were many plants in the antique mall too,

a celebration of springtime.

The Enkindled Spring 

By D.H. Lawrence  

This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green, 
Wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes, 
Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between 
Where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes. 

I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration 
Of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze 
Of growing, and sparks that puff in wild gyration, 
Faces of people streaming across my gaze. 

And I, what fountain of fire am I among 
This leaping combustion of spring? My spirit is tossed 
About like a shadow buffeted in the throng 
Of flames, a shadow that's gone astray, and is lost.

 

Have you noticed the shimmer of yellow green as the trees once again come alive with new growth? It just takes my breath away and I have to stop and notice the glory of springtime. 

 Happy weekend, dear friends!

Notice what you notice!

A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

 As you know each Monday for a year I have a theme. The last two years have been to share a word. It is time for something different and a challenge for myself. This year I will share two things each week, a flower and a poem or a word of inspiration just for you. Often I will challenge myself to write a haiku, but sometimes it will be a poem from someone else. I will try to make it a positive one, but I might slip from time to time into something that is a bit uncomfortable. I hope you follow along with me and enjoy 2022 with a flower and a poem.

Witch hazel blooming in my garden right now.

This is a favorite of mine, so I just smile when I see it start blooming in winter.

It reminds me of fireworks, a celebration.

 

 Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For days of auld lang syne

 

Today really is a poem in song, but so appropriate for the beginning of a new year. I have sung these lyrics many times, but for some reason today the words "a cup of kindness" really just jumped up and grabbed me. Let's remember to celebrate the beginning of each day with "a cup of kindness".

Happy New Year, dear friends!