Eccentric Tea Woman

 Sara stood in the kitchen, swirling her second glass of cheap red wine in her hand. She wanted to leave the party for places unknown but knew that such an act was damn near impossible. Her husband, Peter, was the host and she, dressed like a modern version of Audrey Hepburn, had to be the smiling sidekick to the gracious hero. No cape required. She looked into her glass, at the blood-red wine that wanted to hypnotize her, make her feel comfortable with her role. She was Peter's wife, the creative one, the one who supported him in his destiny of becoming an attorney. She supported him completely. Sara took a long sip of her wine, then set the glass on the counter when she heard someone drunkenly giggling in the living room. She knew that Peter had probably told a joke; in fact, the same tired joke regarding his boss at the firm. Something regarding a chicken and 'hold my beer'. Sara turned to face the window that looked out to the city beyond. She longed for a cigarette, ba

 I spent most of my life harboring a love for New Orleans, so much so that I knew I had to eventually move there. Many of my friends and life experiences were in New Orleans. Me becoming a part of that city was the logical next step. And I did, right at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Some timing, huh? Still, I'm glad that I finally moved there, if even for a short time. Thanks to a good friend of mine who passed several years ago, I learned about Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street. When I moved to NOLA, it became my go-to place on Sundays right after some time spent in Rue De La Course down the street. I have no photos of the bookstore but I have a lot of quiet memories of that place. Blue Cypress is a quirky bookstore, complete with used and new titles, LOTS of NOLA-related items, and a cat that owns the place. No really.  NOLA is a literary city. And a musical one. And a party one. And a historical one. And that is what you'll find in Blue Cypress. Their selection of boo

 (artwork by Brittany Lewis ) Me: (yawning and stretching as I reach for the coffee pot, then slowly pour coffee into my favourite chipped mug) Tea Muse: GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!!! Me: Argh! (almost dropping my coffee cup) What in the world?! Tea Muse: (batting her eyes at me) It's a lovely new day, filled with possibilities and a chance for something new! Why wouldn't I be excited? Me: (sipping my coffee) Yeah, you're right. It IS a new day! (sitting across from her at the table) So, what will you be up to today? Tea Muse: Welllllll . . . . Me: Uh oh.  Tea Muse: Ha ha! Actually, I'm heading over to iN-Tea for a cup of their delicious lemongrass oolong, then going to a bookstore to enjoy some quiet reading time.   Me: Whew, I mean, sounds great! I'll be at work, unfortunately. Tea Muse: Well, that lavender you use in the tea blends ain't gonna pay for itself, ya know. Me: (sipping my coffee again) True, true. Tea Muse: (eating her bowl of cereal in silence) Me: (

  After three months of letters gone unanswered, Tony finally told me that he wanted to talk.  At first, I thought it was another joke; that perhaps, he would disappear again.  He gave me the name of a restaurant and a time and a day and soon, it arrived.  I sat down across from him and waited.  Well, he started off in a hoarse voice, I suppose you need to know the truth. I slowly nodded and then grabbed my napkin in my lap. A really bad security blanket.  He touched his glass of water as he said - I'm leaving for Colorado. In fact, you're the last person on my list to tell before I leave. I started to laugh and then took a long sip from my glass of water.  Of all people, Tony muttered, you're laughing? I figured you would be crying or something. That the thought of your older brother leaving you would be devastating news. Claire, he said, you're not being fair. I finished off my glass of water and replied - you're the first to break the family curse. Why would I be