Silent Sunday …
Library snapshot …
How better to celebrate my first week back at work … dear Alice
Alphabet on Thursday C is for the Cube tea pot
I found this book in a charity shop in Cheltenham; I was killing time and enjoyed ages in the corner laughing out loud. I had to buy it , if only for the comic value … it was interesting too.
It would seem that the Cube teapot “illustrates both British inventiveness and the national obsession with ‘improving’ things. It reflects the continuing search for the perfect teapot – one that makes a perfect cup of tea, but also doesn’t drip, is easy to pour and it can be used and stored away without chipping the spout. Most of the improvers, over the years have settled for just one of these problems, an infuser just for the right brew or an unchippable spout, or a lock-lid. The CUBE claimed to have combined all these individual needs in one ‘perfect ‘ design. The story that followed is a joy.
Monday and Picasso
Still troubled by a ‘stuckness’ during my back problems; I struggle to find inspiration and motivation. My hopes to be creative and involved in the Christmas festivities have almost passed me by. However, at the weekend I did some drawings and this morning I proof-ed some dry points; with some collagraphs also in mind …
I understand that Picasso said ‘ … inspiration does come, but to those who are working’ I am not exactly working just playing … but remain hopeful.
Silent Sunday …
Saturday
For the last few weeks I have whined and wailed about my misfortunes, so why change the habits of a lifetime. However, while the sun peeps through and the howling gale now a pleasant breeze; I can sweep the leaves and tidy the garden and take pleasure from these drawings done earlier as the aforementioned sun struggled over the chimney pots.
Thursday’s Alphabet … B is for Black Tea and pot
I don’t have favourite tea; all, even those I have yet to try are special and hold a happy opportunity. Black tea, I take when I return home from work at 5.30pm or a little earlier at the weekend when the afternoon begins to fade at about 4pm; sometimes, with a cake or biscuit. The one I have at the moment is called Tippy Yunnan. It is a very forgiving tea and allows me merely to use boiling water (others are a little more tender and prefer 80 degrees) and steep it 2 or 3 times. While it is deliciously smooth; the first steep simply sparkles. Thereafter, the flavour softens and becomes comforting as the night draws in. Black tea is known for its anti inflammatory qualities, so lately after the leaves are completely steeped I add some camomile flowers, that also has healing characteristics along with aids to a restful sleep.
I have a nice teapot bought in a charity shop that gives tea time a sophisticated air albeit a little out of focus!
Silent Sunday
Saturday …
My daily blog post has been difficult these last few weeks. I thought returning to work even for a few hours might make it all better and of course it will in time. As I write I hear that little voice ‘What is the rush?’
After a lifetime of commitment and routine, why should I not consider my welfare and health for a week or so? It hard to believe I am deserved and entitled to this merely because I have paid into a National Health Service.
So being back at work albeit between painkillers and attached, at times to the TENS, it was good catching up on emails, booking next year’s annual leave and looking at a few books.
AlphabeThursday … A is for the art of tea
I am tired of writing about my recent demise, but being away from my place of work I feel bereft of ideas and inspiration. Even, this week returning with a ‘phased’ doctor’s note I am still unable to use the surrounds positively in my daily blog post; it just doesn’t seem appropriate.
Even with the AlphabeThursday that came to a natural close last week and is not directly related to the library; I struggle for inspiration. I am incline not to partake in this round until I feel better.
But this is silly!
I reflect on daily life since being confined to home for the last few weeks, alone and in pain for hours at a time. I have learned to break the day up with pleasant interludes; snack-ettes and tea breaks to coincide with the pain control. These rituals are not new, they are part of a recovery plan not this most recent, but probably as I came from the womb. Comforting actions to revive, motivate, strengthen in times of hardship, grief and down-heartedness. I have tried other remedies, some extreme, maverick, inappropriate, some perhaps more suitable I have continued and maintained.
Tea drinking has remained a favourite and stood me in good stead for the past few weeks.
I have been drinking tea since I was a child (except when I was drinking some more harmful fluids to get enhanced joys) then, milky and sweet; dropping the sugar and milk later.
It was much later when I began acupuncture during my menopause (15 years ago) and the practitioner recommended green tea and introduced me to to a supplier of fine Chinese tea and thus my relationship with tea developed and a means to celebrate my well being rather than regret my passing fertility.
So, in a bid to revitalise my blog posts I begin a new AlphabeThursday with the Art of Tea. A is for Anne at Attic Tea, Acupuncture and the queen of Camellia.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 