Licorice Tea

Hello Friend,

I’ve been out here on my front step, watching the sun reflect on tiny snow crystals dancing in the air, like fairies skittering about. 

Take a breath of that crisp freshness. So full of possibility. Aaah. Isn’t it invigorating?

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Now, come on in. Welcome, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.

I hope you don’t mind, but we’re having licorice spice tea today. It’s one of my favourites. And apparently, if internet sources can be trusted, it’s great for improving mood and boosting the immune system. Bonus!

When I asked myself what I could possibly serve with licorice tea, my brain immediately announced, “Chocolate!” But that could just be me … I think chocolate goes with everything. 

So, I baked a devil’s food cake just in case I was right. Served it to the Cowboy, topped with luscious whipped cream. He has the palate of a chef and, when I told him my idea to serve chocolate cake with licorice tea, he thought it was the worst idea ever. But, lo and behold, once he tasted it he pronounced it a great combination. And he doesn’t even like chocolate cake. 

Please, have a seat. I’ll pour our tea, have a piece of cake. Let me know what you think.

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Have you taken stock of your neighbours? I’ve been thinking about mine a lot this week. It’s been so quiet out there in the cul-de-sac, and I’ve been praying for them, as well as praying for a safe way to see them to make sure all is well. If I had phone numbers I’d call them, but I don’t. We’re more of a visit-on-the-sidewalk kind of neighbourhood.

When things in the world started getting serious, the driveway next door was empty for four days. That’s so unusual and I started to wonder, out loud, if things were okay with them. On my umpteenth time at the window to check if a vehicle had returned, the Cowboy started calling me Gladys, the nosy neighbour from that old TV show Bewitched.

Thankfully, both their vehicles have returned and I’ve seen them a few times, so we can all breathe a little easier.

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This morning on my way to the mailbox I met my Iranian neighbour backing out of his driveway. He is such a gentle, soft-spoken man that I almost broke the six-foot rule in order to hear him better. His family is all well and keeping safe. The “nosy” neighbour in me was satisfied.

I’m happy to report that all my people are returned home. A nephew from England, one friend from Africa and another from Thailand. All self-isolating and all doing well so far. Do you have any people still trying to get home?

This is the week we would have traveled two provinces over to look after Little Man, Bright, and Sunny while their parents vacationed in Cuba. But, of course, those plans have changed. I’m so thankful for video chats. I’m able to see all my grandchildren – and our daughters too, of course – every day if I want. It’s not quite the same as actually putting my arms around them, but I’ll take it.

Oh, I have a wonderful story about Bright, one of the twins, just-turned-three. Apparently his Daddy was getting after him for something or other – trust those little boys to get themselves into trouble. They’re so curious and so smart that they think of things others wouldn’t dream up. Anyway … Daddy told Bright that he was being a bad boy.

To which Bright responded, “No, I not bad boy. Grandma Joy say I GOOD boy. I NOT bad boy.” I know I know. In my day, I would have got after him for talking back to Daddy. But … it just warmed my heart to know that deep in his heart he remembers what Grandma Joy told him.

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I will try to keep the grandma stories to a minimum on your visits. I know some people find them tedious. However, as other grandmas understand, sometimes we just can’t help ourselves.

I’m so glad you helped yourself to more tea and another piece of cake. What did I tell you – great combination!

It’s wonderful to be able to catch up like this. I found myself taking comfort in the fact that if my family were not spread over three provinces, we could actually get together without breaking the new no-groups-over-fifteen-people regulation recently put in place by our province. The same kind of strange comfort I get from my stockpile of computer paper and bulging bookshelves.

These are indeed strange times, but the days go by. Days in which we can choose to see beauty and joy. Or not.

Here’s an exercise we can both try. Why not take a moment in your day, break out of your cocoon, and listen. Just listen. What do you hear?

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We seldom notice how each day is a holy place

Where the eucharist of the ordinary happens,

Transforming our broken fragments

Into an eternal continuity that keeps us.

Somewhere in us a dignity presides

That is more gracious than the smallness

That fuels us with fear and force,

A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.

John O’Donohue

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Until next time …

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Featured Image of white and pink tea cups and jug by Jill Wellington from Pixabay