The Most Basic of Acquired Astuteness

We spend the first part of our life
Learning what we can do. 
We spend the last part of our life
Learning what we can’t do. 

The real difficulty,
Like discerning
The chameleon
From the tree,
Lies in knowing
The difference. 

Susan Patterson
April 2012

This little piece is fairly simple.  Occasionally it is difficult in life to determine what is exactly what.  Sometimes the chameleon is obvious,  sometimes it is not.

I think that one is not born being astute.  But it is a capability that is quickly learned.  How good one becomes at being astute may take time, sometimes years.  But in life it is important to know what works, what one is capable of, and what one should not even try.   Further, that which we can do at a certain time in our lives, we may not be able to do at times.  Knowing our capabilities is an integral part of a fulfilling, sometimes exciting and sometimes peaceful life. 

I know, I know, but hear me out.  Nordstrom has the best Roma Tomato Basil soup that you can get.  Yep.  It comes in a glass jar.  You thought Nordstrom just offered nice clothes.  No, it is soup that I want to tell you about.  A few months back, I tried a sample given to me by a very cute young man who told me I would like it.  It is so hard to turn a cute guy down, but he was right.  It was fantastic and I bought two jars right away. 

Now the directions  call for adding  three quarters of a cup of heavy cream while you heat the soup in a pan.  I do this.  But, if you are watching calories, then you might try almond milk or another lighter milk product.   When I was young and very thin, my mother used to add canned milk and butter to Campbell's tomato soup.  It thought it was fabulous.  Well, of course it doesn't hold a candle to the really great Nordstrom tomato soup.  I urge you to give it a try.   If you are not around a Nordstrom store, I am so sorry to have teased you. 

Wildlife Comes to Dinner

The racoons climbing a tree just few feet from our dining room window don't even try to blend in.  They just help themselves to whatever food they might find. 

Our night time guests generally make a mess of things, but we are happy to leave them be...as long as they don't come into the house through the kitty door! 

Till next time!  skp

Clearing Out the Clutter

I am happily putting away childish things.
Things like the jack-in-the-box
That frightened me so many times,
But that I still kept winding up
To see if it came out the same.   

I’m putting away the cat’s cradle string that I
Bound myself to so tightly, I could not let go.
Away goes the ball that I had when I so often said,
‘It’s mine and if you won’t play the
Way I want, I will take it and go home.’  

Out go the toy traumas in boxes, some of
Which are in the original packing material.  
The top that spun me around for years
Has been stopped.  
I’m putting away happy toys too.  A few of them
I’ve never wanted to share, but now they are
Too old to play with.  

I’ve saved too many relics from my childhood.
There are fears and hurts and hopes and dreams
That need to be put into their rightful spot.
It’s time to do so, maybe past time.  
It’s getting late.
Mom and Dad would be so pleased
That I am finally cleaning up the place.  


Susan Patterson
11-2011

This poem is a repeat of a posting in April of last year.  It is however a favorite of mine,  so I beg your indulgence.  Clearing Out the  Clutter  came about as I was driving home late one night down a country road.  As I was driving along, I began going into my usual fear about seeing an old man standing along side of the road wanting a ride.  (This fear came from an old "Twilight Zone" episode, of all things.)  I thought to myself, geesh, how long am I going to be afraid of a TV show?  The fear was from my childhood and it was time to grow up.

The poem uses the metaphors of childhood toys to make a point about how we hang on to ideas, fears, dreams, behaviors and attitudes that are just no longer necessary or appropriate, if they ever were.  It is about putting away that which causes us to be childish and holds back our development.  I'm still putting away clutter from here and there in my life.  I'll get everything cleaned up eventually.  skp

I just bought an iPhone.  James purchased an iPad.  Yep, the Patterson's are no longer behind the times... at least in the capacity of communication.  I now need to learn how to use the new phone.  My good friend Debbie spent two hours with me and just scratched the surface of its usage.  What a great tool!   It truly is one of the top ten inventions of all time. 

Having said that, James and I did complain that it was nice when phones were simple, when television had three channels, when cars used a key.  Ah, the good old days.  Modern life brings us opportunity beyond measure.  We can learn all manner of things and meet all manner of people through our devices.  Smart phones can be used to start a revolution for the good and to dispel stone age beliefs of evil.  But, gosh, they can also be the vessel for a lot of clutter. 

Cheery-bye! 

The Reading

A star called Moon
Came and showed me light.
I couldn’t see and didn’t know
What was around and above and below.

Moon talked of angels and dragons,
Of roses, and butterflies, and of Michael.
I wasn’t aware of the care
That was being taken for my sake.

But she knew.
And Moon shared the secrets.
For tea leaves can heal and heal again.
Whether lovingly steeped or wisely read,
They can bring you rest and care
While you are gracefully being led.

Susan Patterson
07-2003

Tea poetry is a genre in which I no longer write.   But I have included this poem in The Causerie at the request of a friend.  As you can see it was written quite a while ago and it is pretty darned twee.  However, the poem is a true story, so allow me to elaborate. 

I was at my favorite tea shop, The Chintz Tea Cup, enjoying a quiet afternoon.  There was a tea leaf reader at the shop named Shana Moon, and she offered to read my tea leaves.  "Sure, why not?',  I replied.  I tend not to put a lot of stock in these things, but I do not brush them aside either.  I won't bore you with all of the facets of tea leaf reading, but Ms. Moon was on the button with details.  Not only was she accurate about what was going on in my life, but, she also told me things that I didn't know was going on and that I now trust. 

Suffice it to say, with her reading, I went away lifted during an excruciatingly difficult time in my life.  That painful phase passed away from me and then poetry came in abundance.  I have lost touch with Shanna Moon, but, I have remembered what she told me.  There are beings  in different forms watching and caring for me...and you probably have similar help as well.    skp

I am always being asked what tea do James and I drink at home?  Well, there are lots of good teas available, but we are passionate about Smith Tea.  Michael Smith teas are hand selected and you can buy bagged or loose at your preference.  I consider them among the best in the world. 

Yunnan, Lord Bergamot, Brahmin and Bungalow are our favorites.  But sip for yourself, you will not find a poor choice. 

Just remember use filtered boiling water, don't over steep and drink out of a nice china cup.  Don't have a china cup?  Email me.  I'll give you one.   http://www.smithtea.com/


I know!    For a special treat, why not buy some Smith Tea and my book, Heart to Heart-Considered Sentiments for Teatime?  You can read good poetry while drinking good tea!  How cool is that?  The book is just ten dollars on my web site.  http://www.earlenegrey.com/      

Happy tea times!  skp

Warm wishes to you!  skp

Day of Atonement

Sunday is my best day for
Writing.

It is quiet.  I can hear the voice
Whispering inside of me.
I can look out of the window
And see beyond.  

It is the day that I can
Put down on paper what
Will make it better.
I can find redemption for
Sins of my foolishness.

I can close my eyes and
Set my fingers
To fly with words
Which call to be
Chosen worthy.

Sundays are meant for this,
Ransom, fulfilled at rest.  


Susan Patterson
09-2013

This poem is about two subject matters.  It is about making Sunday different from the other days in the week (something we routinely fail to do in our modern culture).  When we use at least one day to be quiet, to look out the window and to see what is not simply right in front of us, then our minds and bodies relax, restoring to vitality.  Certainly I am speaking in metaphors here, but you get the idea.  Seven days of the same rush and stress are too much.  Find something different for the seventh day and enjoy the results.  

The second subject addressed here is somewhat personal, but still may apply to many who read my poetry.  It is about making up for the sins of youth.  It is quite possible that I write because it is something that I can do without stress or anxiety.  Words come to me...at night... in the car...on a Sunday afternoon.  In this poem I use religious words like ransom and redemption and worthy.   It is further possible that writing for me is a gift that I offer back to the Universe to balance out earlier errors. 

Now this is probably projection, certainly speculation.  Take from this poem and all my writings what you will.  Thank you for reading.  skp

To all of my readers in Oregon,  please let me remind you of...or introduce you to Clackamas Repertory Theatre.  CRT is one of several local theater companies we have available.  In my opinion, it is the best.  The members of the group are professionals whose talent is wide and second to none.  Their performances never fail to impress.  Tickets are now available for the 2014 summer season.  The plays to be presented are The Philadelphia Story, Carousel  and Good People.  Ticket prices are very reasonable, parking is easy, but best yet, the performances are unforgettable.  Go to http://www.clackamasrep.org/  or call 503-594-6047 to find out more information.  Don't miss out!     :-) 

Till next time!  skp