Eccentric Tea Woman

 (Golden Farmers Market - Golden, Colorado) Many years ago, my mother introduced me to the world of French pastries when we walked into La Baguette in Memphis, TN. Although the little shop had many items to choose from, my mom showed me the almond croissant . . . and I haven't been the same since. Their almond croissant was heaven to my mouth - the tastes of butter and sweet almond caressing my tastebuds. I ate their almond croissants once every six months because enjoying them meant not only a decadent treat but also a little bit of stomach pain afterward. It seemed that while I could appreciate the finer foods of the world, my acid reflux thought otherwise. Since that time, the almond croissant symbolized a moment of sheer selfish pleasure for myself, the one time in which I throw all gastro-caution to the wind and just give in. The almond croissant has become a bit like a World of Warcraft quest for me - seeking it out every chance I get and knowing that the reward will be just ...

  Plural of everything can exist, possibly in mental notes and images. Was this the result of our wishes becoming fulfilled from a lack of desires? We have become materialistic, trying everything until there is nothing left to duplicate. Surely, textbooks will write of us one day. Viridian Tea Company - Tea Blends for the Strange and Unusual!

(Rikki Don't Lose That Number - from YouTube)   My mother introduced me to all genres of music while I was growing up - Stevie Wonder, Deep Purple, ZZ Top, and above everything else . . . Steely Dan. Now, when I first listened to this group, I thought they sounded really cool. Like "I'm too young to get what they're singing about but I know it's cool" kind of cool. I sang along with them about Rikki not losing that number, or reeling in the years (with CHEESE and not tears), and so on. And, for the longest time, I thought they were black. I wasn't trying to be offensive or anything like that - it's just that to my young ears, they sounded like black guys. Imagine my surprise many years later, when I discovered that not only were they white but also Jewish! And you know what? My love for them has not changed one bit, even as I embrace my 47 years of life on this planet. I loved Steely Dan back then and I love them now. In fact, I even got to see them in...

  My tears will no longer come yet my eyes are heavy from anger and lack of sleep. A light - there is always a light - is far away yet I can still see it in the dense fog created by breaking of trust. Someone broke it carefully, like an egg. I want my tears to come, seducing me into a false hope that I can no longer deny but accept from within. The light comes painfully, ripping my skin apart, preparing me for the next level of bliss.

  Throwing a stone across a pond, causing ripples - each linked to one another in the grand scheme of things. The stone represents changes and what one looks forward to in life when boredom and ennui are rampant. Lakes, rivers, ponds, all: the source of breathing and a feeling of existing, of simply existing , moving beyond what we know as trivial. Too often, people expect too much and receive too little, their stones creating ripples too messy and fractured to take in with any sense of responsibility. Shall a painted stone bring any relief to the mundane? Shall a feather? Whispered words taken directly from direct meanings? Are the ripples meant to be more than life: the universe tapered in a single act, condensed and wrapped strictly for those with limited depth? Pity felt - ripples more in a movement to ease, no longer suffering. Looking for tea and books outside of the norm? Check out Viridian Tea Company ! Tea Blends for the Strange and Unusual! (Spider Witch Tea Blend - inspi...

  I know nothing about lilacs, except that their smell is heavenly. Apparently, a large bush grows in my boyfriend's backyard; I had to see the blossoms up close. One sniff and I smiled. . . and then I wanted to know more about it. The Latin name is Syringa vulgaris and they are a part of the olive family. When people want to calm down, lavender seems to be such the usual go-to (I love lavender too!), yet smelling those lilacs brought about a sense of calm within me as well. How many people smelled lilacs for the first time in their lives and suddenly felt inspired to capture that scent or the colour? I will also admit that when I smelled the bush, I thought about Squidward in the SpongeBob Squarepants cartoon who apparently loves lilac soaps LOL! Why am I finally taking notice of the natural beauty around me, after years of enjoying walks through Overton Park and the botanical gardens in Memphis, or City Park in New Orleans? What has changed for me, if anything? Am I now mature e...

  Celebrating Shabbat can come in a myriad of ways - going to a synagogue, spending time with friends, enjoying a cup of kosher wine on a Friday evening, or pulling up weeds. This past Friday, my boyfriend and I did just that. Now that Spring has (somewhat) arrived in Denver, the time to exercise the green thumb comes at you like a very good itch. For the longest time, I had much respect for all things green and growing, yet never really took the time to do anything about it. That all changed when I moved to Colorado. If you're not into Nature and being a part of it, then Colorado may not be for you. But, I digress. Last Friday held nice temperatures with a bare hint of cool breezes - the perfect time to pull up weeds. After enjoying some local beer consumption time, James started to pull up weeds in the backyard. I soon joined him. At first, I was the official bag holder as he dumped weeds into it, only to change as I sat down on the pebbles to get good and dirty. I would grab a s...