Susan and friend, Verna at tea. A Decision Not to Know
Sometimes I am defined by what I do,
Trying to make what I do, into who I am.
Yet spinning about so from one to another me
Weakens the mind and binds the soul.
Sometimes, who one is has to be said
And then it must be owned.
But who is to say what and why and when?
Is it for me to say and be and then to do?
Or shall I just do and then I will be?
I truly haven’t a clue.
Well then, what?
‘Have tea!’ I say to those who query.
And leave me quietly and respectfully be!
Amen.
Susan Patterson
Sometimes I am defined by what I do,
Trying to make what I do, into who I am.
Yet spinning about so from one to another me
Weakens the mind and binds the soul.
Sometimes, who one is has to be said
And then it must be owned.
But who is to say what and why and when?
Is it for me to say and be and then to do?
Or shall I just do and then I will be?
I truly haven’t a clue.
Well then, what?
‘Have tea!’ I say to those who query.
And leave me quietly and respectfully be!
Amen.
Susan Patterson
Audio for A Decision Not to Know
Discussion
This poem is a favorite of my husband. He requested it for today's Causerie. I wrote it early in 2005, or maybe before. It was around the time when I was doing a great deal in the business world. I've always been an active sort, but in those years, just around retirement, I started to seriously take notice of how I was feeling with the work I was doing. It was not good. Too much was just too much. So, this poem came forth. Its meaning? Doing too much often weakens a person, both in body and in soul. Then what? Relax. Be easy on yourself. Tell the rest of the world to do the same. As I was reminded recently, we are human beings, not human doings. Thank you for reading. skp
The Wonderful World of Tea
This is the first of an occasional series for Causerie. Every once in awhile, I will talk about tea. As most of you know, my husband and I are serious tea drinkers. Coffee has never been a part of our lives. The first two books I wrote have significant references to the enjoyment of tea. Tea continues to be served all day at my house. I am somewhat addicted to it. There you go.
Speaking of the enjoyment of tea. Some people are desperate, even in their naiveté. I have a friend who asked to remain nameless if I wrote about her on Causerie. I will respect that, but for this story, I will call her Charlotte. Allow me to tell you about Charlotte's recent discovery of the marvelous taste of tea, albeit, I would say, from her somewhat clueless perspective.
My husband and I have a Christmas party every year. We give away little gifts to our guests. Last year we gave tea and chocolate. Charlotte recently found a bag of tea that she was given at last year's party. She thought, 'What the heck.', she would try it. So, she put the bag in water and blasted it in the microwave. A very big no-no in the world of tea. I was aghast! But, oh my, Charlotte so enjoyed the tea! Yes, I grimaced, wondering to myself if it had steeped the right time, did the microwave boil out all the oxygen from the water, did it taste funny? Incredulous, I thought, how could she possibly like it? Charlotte clearly did not get the nuances of tea. For shame!
But then, her story became even more distressing! Charlotte told me, the next day she took the bag off the counter and made tea with it again. My God! Has she no taste at all? 'Probably not.' I thought. Yet, Charlotte still loved the tea. 'It tasted wonderful.' she said, glowing with the fond remembrance of the soothing cuppa. At this point my mouth gaped open in disbelief. I was shocked and appalled. I asked her how could she like it? Wasn't it bitter? Didn't the tannins taste? Wasn't it stale? Nope, she thought it was the best tea ever. Well, each to her own. Charlotte, a very sharp woman, is a good friend, with a sense of humor and I appreciate her telling me the story.
For me, I will boil filtered water, heat the right pot, put the tea in a large tea strainer, steep it three minutes and then drink it out of a china cup. That's the way. I know. I am a snob. Sorry. Oh, the tea that I gave her? Lord Bergamot from Steven Smith Teamaker, www.smithtea.com And further, I'm drinking a pot of it as I write this Causerie. But with fresh bags, of course! Love it. skp
Speaking of the enjoyment of tea. Some people are desperate, even in their naiveté. I have a friend who asked to remain nameless if I wrote about her on Causerie. I will respect that, but for this story, I will call her Charlotte. Allow me to tell you about Charlotte's recent discovery of the marvelous taste of tea, albeit, I would say, from her somewhat clueless perspective.
My husband and I have a Christmas party every year. We give away little gifts to our guests. Last year we gave tea and chocolate. Charlotte recently found a bag of tea that she was given at last year's party. She thought, 'What the heck.', she would try it. So, she put the bag in water and blasted it in the microwave. A very big no-no in the world of tea. I was aghast! But, oh my, Charlotte so enjoyed the tea! Yes, I grimaced, wondering to myself if it had steeped the right time, did the microwave boil out all the oxygen from the water, did it taste funny? Incredulous, I thought, how could she possibly like it? Charlotte clearly did not get the nuances of tea. For shame!
But then, her story became even more distressing! Charlotte told me, the next day she took the bag off the counter and made tea with it again. My God! Has she no taste at all? 'Probably not.' I thought. Yet, Charlotte still loved the tea. 'It tasted wonderful.' she said, glowing with the fond remembrance of the soothing cuppa. At this point my mouth gaped open in disbelief. I was shocked and appalled. I asked her how could she like it? Wasn't it bitter? Didn't the tannins taste? Wasn't it stale? Nope, she thought it was the best tea ever. Well, each to her own. Charlotte, a very sharp woman, is a good friend, with a sense of humor and I appreciate her telling me the story.
For me, I will boil filtered water, heat the right pot, put the tea in a large tea strainer, steep it three minutes and then drink it out of a china cup. That's the way. I know. I am a snob. Sorry. Oh, the tea that I gave her? Lord Bergamot from Steven Smith Teamaker, www.smithtea.com And further, I'm drinking a pot of it as I write this Causerie. But with fresh bags, of course! Love it. skp
▶ "Please dear Lord, if I haven't been faithful enough to make it to heaven, at least let me make it to a good teashop." Earlene Grey
Tea cup cabinet in the Patterson kitchen.
Cheery-bye!
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