A tea setting for just the right company. Tea in the Right Company --
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
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:
This early tea poem is my tribute to Britain and our trip over the pond, as the say. It is also the poem with which I start every reading. Tea in the Right Company sets a tone for a time to relax, to listen and to ponder. The message of course is that we often rush all around and become very busy in order to become better and more fine, when in reality the process can happen simply by putting ourselves in the company of good people. James and I were certainly made better by being in the company of Harold and Jolyn Plough who recently traveled with us to the United Kingdom.
PS. The line in the poem, 'With an angel stranger' refers to Abraham hosting angels but not knowing it.
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
Did you notice that The Causerie was not showing up in your in box? Did you think that I had died? Did you remember that I promised editions of Causerie from Britain and none were forthcoming? Well, we don't always do what we plan to do. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Please allow me to explain.
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.
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.
The gardens and rear exterior of Blenheim Palace. This is Blenheim Palace in Oxforshire, England.
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.
❖
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.
❖
From left to right: James, Susan, Jolyn and Harold. Mr. and Mrs. James and Susan Patterson and Mr. and Mrs. Harold and Jolyn Plough taking afternoon tea in the Indian Room at Blenheim Palace. The room was decorated in the East Indian style. The tea was excellent (the Palace chefs filtered the water, thank goodness), the food was top notch and the four travelers were very appreciative.
▶Yesterday is but a memory, a lovely vision or a vital lesson. The choice is yours. Earlene Grey
The beautiful countryside of Ireland.
More of the British Isles next time. Cherry-bye!
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