The tea pot
The boy’s first attempt at pouring tea
It was a scarlet enamel tea pot that is all.
Her place was usually in the galley on the side,
Sometimes visible on the table amongst the charts.
She bravely withstood the buffeting of the waves
Playfully threw her lid from view
Had no preference to the brew
Not impressed by picture card or perforated dividend stamp?
Cared not that she was placed on a tray with crisp white cloth
Cared less that her companions were chipped or misplaced
Not converted by the apostle chrome-plated teaspoons
Delighted in the absence of a fine bone china jug.
During a storm she slopped in a bilge,
But soon retained her dignity on the side again
Only to slide and wedge against the riveted hull
Within her belly, nectar to revive a sickly child, sustain our pa
And sooth our nursing mama.
Not shaken by the child’s first attempt to brew
Not worried by her nakedness when washed and prepared for guests
Almost happy to glow for a while
Before the family came for tea around the pot once more.
Silent Sunday
Lake at Whiteknights University of Reading
Wise Women … Sri Laksminkara
I am presently a scholar of Sanskrit and classical Tibetan and previously of Greek and Latin; also a voluntary librarian in a library that services an Institute of Tibetan and Asian Studies. Also a library assistant in an Academic Library. So I come across many literary works that celebrate women and their lives. Works from 5th century BC to 21st century. It is my intention to dip in to ‘my’ collections over the next few weeks and remind myself why I collect such works and commemorate the women their contribution to a male dominated society.
For instance Laksminkara (c 8th Century AD) who was a princess entitled to privilege and a fine education. Laksminkara was destined to marry the King of Ceylon and become a queen. When she discovered that he was an impious barbarian she declined his offer and became a wandering yogi, living in remote caves until she became enlightened. Because she was educated and able to document and record her practices – they are now preserved in Tibetan canon. She wrote songs and poetry one in particular was called Advayavajra , extant in Tibetan and Sanskrit encouraging Buddhist practitioners ‘not to disparage women, to worship women from all castes and to realise women embody nondual wisdom’ (Willis 1989)
She was in time and with her spiritual resolve able to convert her brother King Indrabhuti who became a great siddha. Also her fiancé became a student of a low caste teacher and devoted his life to Buddhist practice.
Laksminkara still remains an inspiring role model for Buddhists as a goddess of wealth, abundance and good fortune. Her epithet Sri means glorious … Glorious fortune.(Shaw 2006)
Bibliography.
Shaw, M. (2006). Buddhist Goddesses of India Oxford, Princeton University Press.
Willis, J. (1989). Feminine ground : Essays on women and Tibet. New York, N.Y., Snow Lion Publications
Short and sweet
I have taken to sailing into the cataloguing department at Reading University Library wearing hair-ribbons in various colours and fabrics – with joy. I have a little wardrobe of delicate delights. I have also worn some earrings resembling chandeliers that would put those in the Versailles dining rooms to shame and be the envy of Madonna herself –they are a little OTT for the cataloguing department but they will be there again!
Sadly, the ‘shorts’ did not make it and in my heart I can understand why; they are a little brief and I am 61 years and should not perhaps have such aspirations – thinking that I might turn-back time or even stop the clock.
I was prepared to compromise – not to show too much flesh by wearing some leggings as well. I even gave it a try and through my Kate Moss eyes I was more than OK. But then, through the eyes of a ‘librarian’ it would not do! Thighs at the information desk might be little too much before lunch!
As a child, as spring wore I remember the anticipation of the summer ensemble of shorts, ‘T’ shirt and sand shoes. Hair ribbon no longer required; hair was cut short or tied back in a pony tail. I was one of three sisters and so until my brother came along we had no concept of boys and girls; the summer was spent playing cricket with a broken oar, rowing, sailing and playing in the creeks and rivers … shorts were so right.
As a teenager in the late 60s shorts made a quick come back in the shape of ‘hot pants’ – I had a rather beautiful pair in purple suede but after a season the shorts died.
As a mum I behaved like a mum; doing the right thing, setting a good example; not rocking any boats. Shorts might have made an appearance carefully described as a divided skirt, culottes or Bermuda shorts but they were never short.
It seems this coming -of – age manifests in many ways – I no longer have reason to conform; I can make the rules. If I want a pair of shorts, then why not?
So this summer I took a leap and bought a pair of ‘cut offs’ from the Allsaints sale. Yes, my father’s pocket handkerchief would probably be bigger and maybe I will catch ‘my death’ but OMG did they look fab. While I was Spain me and my shorts never parted. So whenI removed myself from my denim delights for the last time … I hoped another fashion quirk would catch my eye and so I could prepare myself for another shopping spree. As it happens I have seen a rather sweet blue and white polka dot rain mac. Off we go!
Shorts now in Brazil
Silent Sunday
Good light and shade in Queenie’s Garden
Television Night
We did not have a television so as a treat I was allowed go after school each Wednesday to my friend’s home where we would watch back- to -back TV before, during and after tea. My dad would meet me a little after 8 o’clock – at the end of her lane where it joined the A27.
Pat was my best friend and an only child who not only had a television but a Dansette record player and a new red bike –things I could only dream about. Her home was so different to mine – it was a semi-detached house; the front door had a knocker and there was a garden swing! We would love to sing and dance to her little collection of records by Neil Sedaka, Frankie Vaughan or Brenda Lee. Best of all we loved to watch the TV.
I particularly enjoyed Robin Hood staring Richard Green and the Adventures of Sir Lancelot (Lancelot played by William Russell), fuel for my eager imagination. Popeye added to my delight before tea.
Then my friend’s parents watched the news and programmes such as ‘All our yesterdays’ presented by Brian Ingles and ‘Tonight’ with Cliff Mitchelmore . Meanwhile us giggling girls energised by white Mother’s Pride sandwiches with Shipham’s paste followed by butterfly cakes would re-enact the antics of Hood’s merry men in the back garden. A listener would have heard us singing the constant refrain of the theme tune that was requested each Saturday morning on Children’s favourites. It was a lively ditty that I could easily repeat today – ‘Robin Hood Robin Hood riding through the glen … with his band of men’
However the highlight was yet to come – Coronation Street the brand new ‘soap opera.’ After my home bedtime! It was my first experience of ‘grown-up’ television and it was a wonderful story set in Manchester – a million miles away – I got to know the bold and brassy Elsie Tanner, and her son, the loveable rogue Dennis, also Harry Hewitt the bus driver the single parent of Lucille who went on to marry Concepta the resident barmaid of the Rover’s Return. There was Florrie Lindley – a shy lady who owned the corner shop and the out-of-place university student – Ken Barlow. All the characters gathered in the Rover’s return or in the Glad Tidings Mission Hall to gossip and unravel the everyday story of a northern town – to our delight!
I, enthralled by the accents and ‘sophistication’ would remain rooted to the seat only rushing to the outside toilet during the commercial break.
Although our backgrounds were poles apart, Pat and I we were constant and true friends together until we left school years later.
Silent Sunday
Practicing with new tripod
You can take a girl out of England but …
The girl in Brazil!!
My daughter has more varieties than Mr Heinz himself. So the so called proverb ‘you can take a girl out of England but you cannot England out of the girl’ doesn’t apply. She has little or no Englishness –that dropped out generations ago. Grandparents and great grandparents on both sides were immigrants from places such as Ireland, Scotland, Yugoslavia, Italy and South America.
However it doesn’t stop me trying to ensure that while she is in Brazil she keeps some English traditions, such as the age old tradition of tea drinking and the more recent phenomenon wearing of Elle Macpherson underwear. (Oops! She is Australian) The latter is expensive here and more so in Brazil, but a simple gift and inexpensive to send if the need becomes urgent.
Such a pretty design
The tea drinking is not difficult as she can get tea – Matte, a favourite in Brazil. Traditional English is of course imported but expensive. Unfortunately, the dear girl has adopted my taste for more sophisticated teas that are not so easily available.
Some tea was taken in the luggage a year ago and I have since sent some. This proved to be expensive as it is heavier than underwear; it also takes longer and seems unreliable. I have had tea returned for no apparent reason six months later –damaged –so much so that it looked as if had been dragged across the Atlantic Ocean and back again.
Another problem is more frustrating – Rio de Janeiro is very humid and belongings are incline to get damp and mould very quickly –and that includes expensive tea.
My daughter has tried everything to solve it. She is going to try keeping the tea in airtight containers in the fridge. I hope this works as I have sent her back with a small tea-chest of supplies.
Tea just unpacked in new home
Meanwhile if anyone out there has any good ideas as regards keeping teas dry and fresh in her new home a fafela on the edge of a mountain five minutes from Copacabana Beach please let me know.
Silent Sunday …
Sanskrit homework
Going to Rio de Janeiro
Just a taster!
In March I am going to Rio de Janeiro to stay with my daughter and her Brazilian partner for three weeks. I am sure they will have some plans and will have lots of priceless local knowledge as regards our site seeing. We will indeed see more than most tourists – I am delighted about this.
However, I am keen to have some input in the preliminary plans and my daughter would agree. But I am unable to find a book or information about Rio and what there is to see. There is of course the Lonely Planet and Rough Guide but they are a little bit dull – impersonal – and without pictures.
I do have pictures sent on a daily basis from a mobile phone of streets, beaches, markets places, cafes unfortunately there is no connection with the real thing.
Over the years I have become familiar with a few cities of Europe particularly London; by going there regularly – again and again making mistakes. Rio is a long way away so I cannot afford to make too many mistakes no matter how fruitful they have been in the past. By taking the wrong path I have often found my way into a beautiful avenue, museum or art gallery – so I am not averse to mistakes per se – I would like to be a bit prepared or at least make a small contribution to the itinerary.
You know me well enough to know that I would like to see the National Library, I have read a little about its size, beauty and standing amongst the other national libraries on the http://www. But, I would like to know more about its academic strengths and the works I might be able to see – as tourist might in the British Library.
As my father sailed to Brazil on many occasions – once in a life boat after being torpedoed by a German ‘U’ boat, I would like to see the dockland and a maritime museum. Especially as I have been to Belem in Portugal from where Christopher Columbus sailed to discover the Americas, and from where and to, Tall Ships sail regularly to celebrate his discoveries.
As you know I love to shop: so a look at some local markets would be a bonus. Without local knowledge I would not know where to find the best and most spectacular; such as Spitalfields and Borough markets in London that reflect the diverse culture of London and England.
I could not go to Brazil without visiting a coffee shop and tasting real Brazilian coffee. Where is the best place?
The other thing; tea – Matte is the Brazilian tea, where can I experience that? Where does it grow? Does Matte have a similar place in the Brazilian culture as tea in China?
Music … ?
I would value any thoughts you might have in these matters; please suggest books to whet my appetite and add to the meagre collection I have on the subject or websites that might enlighten me a little.
I cannot wait !!
Coat Hanger Doll's House 