
So Whom to Invite?
How imperfect are we
That we cannot find time for tea!
How we rush to be better,
To be sharper. To be more fine.
And yet we fail to fully live
In the wisdom of our time.
Perfection can be found most simply
By having the right company at tea.
Whether it is with those we love or,
With an angel stranger,
From that which is in front of us,
To that which eventually could be,
Our most perfect selves may be
Discovered by having the right company at tea.
Susan Patterson
Circa 2003
Audio:
Discussion:
PS. The line in the poem, 'With an angel stranger' refers to Abraham hosting angels but not knowing it.
Report From the British Isles...Finally
Back in October of last year, my husband James and I were invited to go to the British Isles with friends Harold and Jolyn Plough. Such a journey is not our usual. It took considerable thought before we decided to give intercontinental travel a try. But happily we made the right decision and for three weeks in March and April of this year, we hurtled ourselves across the countryside of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Whew!
For two weeks, the four of us daunting expeditioners took part in an overview tour. (Collette Tours, www.gocollete.com is the name of the company we used.) And my goodness, Christine, the tour director kept us moving. Bags often had to be out in the hallway for pick-up at 7:00 am and we were off in our bus by 8:00. We had much to do and see! It There was very little down time and when it came, yours truly was either too tired to keep her head up, or she went shopping. What can I say?
The third week of our journey we spent on our own wondering around central England. We stayed with our good friends and consummate hosts, Chris Bird and Edmund Preston in Kinver and l we spent time in Oxford. So as not to bore you with too many details in this posting of The Causerie, please allow me another chance at providing you with pictures and tidbits in future editions.

www.blenheimpalace.com
What you see is the back side of the palace, for heaven's sake, over looking the gardens, The estate is 2000 acres give or take. It was built as a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The palace has been in the Churchill family for over 300 years was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
Some say it is testament to unbridled ego; some say it is a stunning masterpiece of design and grace. We were of course simply awed by the grandeur of the whole estate. It is well worth a visit and look at history.
❖
