Go for the Pot

Some people invite one to have a cuppa,
Others offer invitations of more.

Whether the invitation is one of
Tea, laughter, love or more,
I prefer to have a pot.
And then another.

So when you are offering tea,
Do not be miserly.
Make a pot.  Drink it down.
Make another and then
Really get down to
The business of what
You had in store.


Earlene Grey/Susan Patterson
October 2005

Goodness!  What was I thinking of when I wrote this poem ten years ago?  Golly, I will not venture an explanation or a comment on a public blog, for heaven's sake.  The meaning of the poem, dear reader, is for you to consider and then to decide.  I will be interested to hear your conclusions.  skp

This poem is found in Musings With a Cuppa-The Poetry of Tea, page  54, http://www.earlenegrey.com/musings-with-a-cuppa--the-poetry-of-tea.html

The health benefits of tea are legendary, but only just now are becoming known in the US.  From preventing disease to helping to loose weight, tea is just plain good for you. Here is some of the health promoting properties of tea:

Enhancing immune function
Lowering LDL
Increasing HDL
Reducing blood pressure
Thinning the blood
Reducing the risk of heart attack
Lowering risk of stroke
Reducing the risk of cancer
Boosting longevity
Aiding digestion
Preventing dental cavities and gingivitis
High in antioxidants
High in nutrients.

Another interesting example of tea's benefiting properties is that it is the only beverage that will pick you up and calm you down at the same time.  L-thiamine, a natural product in tea, is the reason.  It relaxes the mind without drowsiness, but also makes one more alert and picks up the mood and sharpness.  

So, drink to your heart's delight.  Find a tea that you enjoy.  This may be a process.  There are so very many teas available these days.  Do not assume the first one you try is what every tea will taste like.  Learn how to brew a good pot of tea.  Try a variety of teas for the taste and caffeine content.  All tea is different.  You will find one or several that work for you.  Then, enjoy the flavor and the health benefits. 
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Susan Patterson is available for tea talks and presentations about the facts, fun and poetry of tea.  For information, email,   [email protected]

Happy birthday to Edmund Marshall Preston, producer of Radio Kidderminster Worldwide Podcast!   http://www.radiokinver.co.uk/YTH/Home.html    skp

When Life is Not Easy

We can cry and snit and hurt
And cry why and why not
And moan and mumble
And say it is not fair.

Or we can step aside.
Or rise above,
It is ours to decide.
What to choose,
What to loose,
What to bear and
What to love. 

Susan Patterson 
August 2006

This poem is published in Heart to Heart-Considered Sentiments for Teatime,   page 53.  To purchase, go to www.EarleneGrey.com

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It is easy to say, 'rise above.'  It is not always easy to do.  There are no guaranteed right answers in time of trials and hardship.  That which we have for sure, is our own decisions and attitudes.  We can maintain a good attitude and try very hard to make the right decisions given the information and circumstances.  Hopefully, everything else will fall in line from there.  If things don't work out the way we expect or would like, that is when 'rising above' comes into play.  skp

There is a new tea shop in town, and boy, is it great!  The English Garden Tea Cafe, 1121 SE 82nd Ave. Clackamas, OR, 503-342-6497,  is a treat.   The food is excellent and reasonably priced.  The service is efficient, warm and friendly. 

The teas served in the tea room are locally blended and will hold there own with the best teas in the country.  You are given a timer set for just the right amount of brewing at your table.  When the bell sounds, take your tea out of the pot, put it on the saucer provided and enjoy.  How cool is that for those of us who enjoy a properly brewed cuppa!  

Beth also offers tea related gifts which are very nice English-made dishes and accessories.  No, she doesn't offer Earlene Grey books, yet, but I bet she will soon.  😉
Please treat yourself and a friend to a nice cozy tea soon.  You won't be disappointed. 

Man Discovers Fire

You are my sustaining and living fire.
I warm my hands at your smile.
My muscles are melted with your touch.
I drink in tonic heated by your laughter.

Fearsome creatures stay from me
Because of your brightness.  
Friends come near to me
Because of your glow.  

You are the heat of my passion.
The embers of my comfort.
You ignite in my loin
And simmer in my soul.    


Susan Patterson
02-2011

Ah, the love poems of Susan Patterson!  Perhaps this one is a tad smulchy and over stated...perhaps not.  If the shoe fits, as they say, wear it.  skp

'Man Discovers Fire' is found in Susan Patterson's new book, Unnoticed Moments.  ( on page 81)

Unnoticed Moments is a collection of poetry from Susan Patterson spanning the years 2010 - 2014. Her work, characterized by its simplicity and clarity, reveals the multiple levels of human nature.  She writes about daily life and almost dares the reader to act upon the truths that are in the each soul. This perfect bound edition will intrigue the reader again and again.  Price is $12 for the book, $10 for the CD, free shipping. 

Please visit www.earlenegrey.com

If you have not already seen the play, 'How to Succeed in Business, Without Really Trying", then by all means, go.  You will not be sorry.   Many people do not know this play, but once you sit down and enjoy the humor and music, it is not soon forgotten.  And where, do you ask, can I see this play?  Oregon City, where else?  Now where?  You will find it at the theater in Clackamas Community College.  Although this is not a college student play, the school is good enough to share their very comfortable stage with the professional Clackamas Repertory Theater. 

Clackamas Repertory Theater in Oregon City, presents 'How to Succeed'  through the 23rd of August.  The extraordinary actors of this company simply do an outstanding job.  In the opinion of Earlene Grey, this is the best theater company in the metropolitan area.  Every show they offer is top notch.  When you have seen one their plays, you will want to buy season tickets.  Check out Clackamas Rep to see what they have to offer.  http://www.clackamasrep.org/  

À bientôt!    skp

Therefore, It Works

She protects him by telling everything
And by telling nothing at the same time.

He bears witness to her injuries
And salves her wounds with silence.

She goes before and clears the way.
He comes along side and picks up pieces.  

He supplies the where with all.
She fashions the breadth of beauty.

She has made him safe from the cruel.
He has made her safe from the fools.


Susan Patterson
07-2015

This poem is apparently controversial.  Some people hate it;  some love it.  I have been told it is depressing.  Ah, I see.   Rarely do I explain a poem from my perspective.  Not doing so is sort of the unwritten law of the writer.  However, this time, I will break the rule.  My intention is to tell the story of a couple.  This poem is a love story.  The man helps the woman in her weakness; she helps him in his.  There is no underlying anger or control.  Neither is taking advantage of the other.  All actions are taken for the care and betterment of the partners.  

It is not however the story of one specific couple.  You, as the reader, may fill in the blanks of the names and the circumstances.  Further, those names and circumstances may change from time to time.  The fact that it will always fit one couple or another at some point, is consistent.  My intention was to spotlight how we may care for each other when we learn the needs.      skp

One of the easiest ways to save water is to cut down on meat and dairy.  One quarter-pounder is worth more than 30 average American showers.  Pork costs water to produce, but has also been the cause of some water pollution when pig waste runs into local water sources.  A serving of poultry costs 30 gallons of water.  A vegan person indirectly consumes nearly 600 gallons of water less per day than a person who eats the average American diet.  That's more than 200,00 gallons a year!

Following are some interesting facts: 

8 oz of soy milk - 16.4 gallons of water
10 min /shower - 30 gallons of water
8 oz of orange juice - 32.9 gallons of water

6 oz of rice - 9.6 gallons of water
6 oz of pork - 330 gallons of water
8 oz of beef - 850 gallons of water. 



Source:   Native Foods Restaurant, https://www.nativefoods.com/ and National Geographic

Invitation to Simplicity

If you please, my dear,
Leave vestments behind.
Take tea in the
Open air of summer,
Indulge yourself in the
Pleasure of the warm sun,
Warm tea and me.

Earlene Grey
05-05

Well, dear readers, you asked for it.  Several of you mentioned that you enjoy the more light-hearted poetry.  Here then is a very light poem.  You can almost hear me giggling in the recording.  Please take no offense.  I mean no harm to the more conservative or tender of those among us.  Naked tea...another option for the more adventuresome. 

                                                                                      ♨︎

By the way, I do not know the above painting.  The first reader to identify it will get a free copy of Musings With a Cuppa-The Poetry of Tea.   Please email me at [email protected] with your guess.  The winner's name will be published in the next Causerie. 


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For those you who are wondering, the above painting is not me.  So, don't even ask.  There are many differences between me and the young woman.  For one thing, my hair is gray.    skp

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The first annual Lone Star Iced Tea Festival is taking place in Houston, Texas on Sunday, August 9.  Yes, Texas.  What fun! 

This Victorian-themed celebration of the South’s favorite summer beverage will include tea talks, live entertainment, vendors, tea samples, children’s activities.

• Talks Include: Keynote Speech on 1904 World’s Fair and Invention of Iced Tea (J’Nean Henderson), Tea Etiquette (Penny Ward), A Tea Journey Through Texas (Lee Garcia), The Secret Language of Fans (Meredith Spies). The True History of Steampunk (Colonel Mike Legerdemain), Spice it Up: Herbs and Spices (Oralia Acosta).

• Live Entertainment Include: Country singer Breelan Angel, Blues singer/songwriter/guitarist Staci Butler, Flamenco music and dance by Lucia & Valdemar, Belly dance and Hawaiian Dance by Khalilah Dance Troupe, Cowboy Poetry by Smokey Culver.

• Children’s Activities: Children’s Tea Poetry & Tea Party with Kimberly Wilson; Clowning, Face-Paining and Balloon Artistry with Jen-Jen the Dancing Clown.

More information at www.houstonteafestival.com <http://www.houstonteafestival.com>
Facebook.com/icedteafest <http://Facebook.com/icedteafest>