Hello there!  This is Susan Patterson (sometimes known as Earlene Grey).  You may be wondering what this email is all about.  Please allow me to tell you. 

About a year ago I started a blog, sending my poetry all around the world.  If you are someone who already gets the weekly Causerie , thank you for helping make it a wonderful success.  If you do not receive the Causerie,  I invite you to join the other readers who enjoy my gentle poetry. 

A Causerie (which is French for little chat or discussion) goes out every week to those on my mailing list.  Now you are included as well.  Following is an example of the blog.  You may also visit the archives and read last year's offerings.  But, not to worry.  If you are too busy or not interested for any reason, you can simply unsubscribe at any time.

Thank you for reading this Causerie.  Please email or comment if you wish.  I would love to hear from you.  As ever, happy tea times,  skp 

Unnoticed Moments

I cherish the unnoticed moments of life.
They drift in and out of my memory
Like the scent of a new season,
Or the touch of a warm hand.

Unnoticed moments make us wise.
They make us brave.  

It is the unnoticed moments
That urges us to forgive and
Brings us closure.  

It is unnoticed moments
That causes us to fall in love.

Unnoticed moments--
Sounds that
Utter what we need to hear.
Sights that allow us to see
Pieces formerly imperceptible.   

Unnoticed moments are those
That fly away if we do not reach
And catch them.  


Susan Patterson
09-2013

So much of the time, we celebrate the major events in our lives.  But let us celebrate the everyday moments as well.  They are probably more important than we ever imagine.   That's pretty much it, not much discussion needed here.    skp

No, I am not playing pirate here, ordering you to walk the plank.  This article is about exercise.  Eeeuuuww!   Experts tell us that exercise is very important, and they also say that if you have to do one exercise, make it the plank.  It works every part of your body.  Some people can hold a plank for a very long time; the record is 80 minutes.  In 2011, the record for holding a plank was 36 minutes, 58 seconds, set by Betty Lou Sweeney, a 71 year old woman, for heaven's sake.

You don't have to do that.  Start out with seconds, then work up to minutes.  Two minutes is pretty darn good.   

Any yoga or Pilates instructor can help you get started, but here is a link with information.  http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-the-Plank-Exercise        Good luck! 

▶  The wisdom one derives from taking tea is destined to be shared.  Earlene Grey

Cheery-bye!  skp

The Sum of the Parts is Greater Than the Whole

Independence is not for us.
It doesn’t work.
Our one simply doesn’t add up to
The sum we need it to be.



Susan Patterson
circa 2005

Do you remember the algebraic axiom, "The whole is equal to the sum of its parts."?  Aristotle said "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts."  I'm kinda with Aristotle on this.  Either way, one is rarely enough, whether it is people or potato chips.  Now, you know I am a quiet person who loves her solitude.  How does this work, enjoying one's own company and still appreciating the value of more than a single person?  I'm not sure.  But I do know that over a life time and in times of trouble, more than one is always a good thing.  skp

   ▶If you become the company that you keep, then be sure to keep interesting company.    Earlene Grey

Happy days to you!    skp

It Must Be Something Like This
For Every Generation


In college, so many years ago,
You read quickly to make sure
That it all got done
In due time.  

You kissed passionately to make sure
The object of your affection knew
The depth of your love.  
Drinking lasted for hours.
Dialogues were radical.    
Parents did not call.  

Now it is different.
You savour slow reading.
Love-making is less frequent.
Drinking is limited.
Conversation is smart.  
Parents are gone.

Your children are now doing what you did.  
They think that you do not know
What goes on.  But you do.  You remember.
You smile.

You smile and wait for them to catch up.  


Susan Patterson
01-2104

Not much to say here, is there?  Every generation thinks it is unique.  Yet the similarities of each generation are far greater than the differences.  We smile at our children, smiling at their children.  skp

▶ What has happened in your day that matters?  Write it down.  Keep it close.      Earlene Grey