Eccentric Tea Woman

  I want, I feel the need to control everything in my life. If I don't control every little fiber of my life, then something will go wrong. I will fall down on my face in shame and embarrassment. I will be a failure.  I used to be like that until quite recently. Like last week recently. I received not-so-good news regarding my small business on Friday afternoon. The letter fell from my hand and my eyes focused on nothing before me. I felt as though I had done something wrong when only later I learned that it was an honest mistake that would be handled in time. I kept asking myself how this could have happened to me. After all, I was in control of everything, right? Wrong. Yes, I am the owner of a micro business (I have no employees and no storefront), yet it has been a struggle these past several years. I am now waiting to hear from a job that will hopefully get me out of this quagmire. I was frustrated with myself for not having everything under control - I thought everything was

  A young woman walked into the room, glanced around at the plethora of books for sale, and then noticed the older man assisting a customer as he stood behind the checkout table. He must be a volunteer, she thought as she began to slowly peruse the titles ready to be purchased and carted off to their new home. She flipped through a box of Fiction titles, only to wander to another box filled with graphic novels. She pulled out several books in a non-committal manner, then walked up to the man and set the books before him. Oliver offered her a smile that spoke - Welcome to the library book sale. So glad to see you here! Can you help me, she asked him, as his smile faltered just a little. I'm not sure which book to purchase, so could you read through them and let me know which ones sound interesting? The man resumed his regular smile as he replied - sure, glad to do it. The two other volunteers watched with careful eyes as he gently flipped through each book and read their dust jacket

  When I turned 50 several weeks ago, I also turned into a knitter. For the longest time, I thought that knitting was some form of magick that I would never be able to access, let alone understand. I also thought that knitting was a hobby that little old ladies did in their spare time. Once I turned 50 and delved into knitting, I found that I was dead wrong. My boyfriend purchased a beginner's kit for me, then I took off. I purchased bamboo needles, watched an excellent beginner's knitting video  , and made time for this new hobby. Yesterday, I delved deeper into the world of knitting and discovered many organizations, yarn suppliers, and people who are passionate and happy about their love of knitting. I, too, found a hidden joy I didn't know I had, for it dawned on me that knitting was a HOBBY. For the longest time, reading and later working with tea were my hobbies until they became my job. I had no idea that I didn't have any hobbies to claim as a way to calm down a

 You're not crazy, she told me over the phone. In fact, I'm rather glad you trusted me enough to tell me these things. I smiled even though I knew she wouldn't be able to see it. I can hear voices all around me, she added. My mother used to threaten me with sending me to a mental hospital, until I spoke of how her husband, my father, was cheating on her. After that, she never bothered me again with those empty threats. So, I asked, would you consider yourself to be a witch? Oh yeah, she immediately replied. Do you think I am, I asked her, hoping like hell she would tell me no, of course not. She fell silent and then replied - yes. Yes you are. Why are you even asking me? I laughed off her reply, but I knew it was true. Especially lately, when the dreams come at night. We hung up, and I felt those soft and cold hands from my dreams touching my arms, comforting me while a voice whispered French in my ear. Oh Marie, he sighed, my sweet sweet Marie. My name isn't Marie, I w