The art of tea, whichever way you drink it, or whichever country you are from, has one underlining thread for all of us. It is the cultivation of yourself as you follow the ceremony of preparing your tea – the way in which you make your tea, how and where you drink it, and with whom. Making a cup of tea creates a space for just being.”
Nicola Salter
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Hello Friend,
It’s a bit cool and rainy today, isn’t it? But it’s a gentle cleansing rain, as though God knew we couldn’t handle anything else too heavy right now.
Come in where it’s cozy. We’ll sit by the window and enjoy the lilac tree from here. We have the benefit of its fragrance too because I defied The Cowboy’s scent-sibilities and brought a bouquet into the house. 🙂
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Now, if you sit just here, you can appreciate the lilies of the valley. Do you see them there, under the apple tree? They awoke and began nodding their heads in the last few days. Such sweet, perfect little bells. Did you know, lily of the valley signifies ‘the return of happiness?’ Hmmm, yes, I think they showed up at just the right time.
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Please help yourself to the last of the banana bread. I’m afraid it didn’t last long around here. It’s the best one I’ve baked yet. I’m attributing that to my use of butter instead of margarine, and using four ripe bananas instead of three. This is the recipe I used.
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I don’t know about you but, as I mentioned, I’ve been feeling a heaviness recently. Besides dealing with the virus, we’re processing all of the grievous stories in the news, not to mention troubles closer to home. I’m a little weary with the world.
I didn’t realize how heavy I’d been feeling until I got together with good friends this week. Twice.
Earlier in the week I traveled thirty minutes through lovely scenery to a country home and a visit with two good friends. I arrived with birthday cupcakes, lavishly decorated in swirls of rainbow icing (I didn’t make them – don’t know why I need to confess that to you, but I do). I couldn’t stay long but we had a wonderful visit, shared some laughter, and even real hugs.
I didn’t notice until I was on my way home that I was feeling a little lighter. It had been so good to be together, in person.
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Later in the week I visited with another friend, socially distanced, on my patio. She had coffee. I had tea. And we enjoyed the first of the banana bread. The weather was cool and we eventually ended up inside because it started to rain. Again, a really lovely visit. Iron sharpens iron, so the good book says, and we both came away from that conversation encouraged, with some new ideas to boost our individual journeys.
Video calls have been lifelines between family and friends during these challenging months, but there is nothing better than a face to face conversation. After these two wonderful face-to-socially-distanced-face visits, I was uplifted. I straightened my shoulders and felt ready to face the world again, whatever it decided to throw at me.
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God has blessed me with delightful, understanding, funny, sincere and loving friends. Gifts, every single one. We need each other, and we need each other in person. If you have not already, I hope you’ll be able to meet personally with tried and trusted friends very soon, even if it’s only from your respective vehicles, in a parking lot, six feet apart.
The world may seem heavy these days, but there is still joy in friendship, delight in the sweetest, tiniest bell of the lily-of-the-valley, and pleasure in a bite of rich banana bread. Take heart, my friend.
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Hope is the thing that is left to us in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness … Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.”
E.B. White, in response to a man who had lost faith in humanity.
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Thank you for coming today. It’s been so good to visit with you.
Take care out there, and see you next time.
Joy
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Featured image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
