Tea in My Life…

Years ago, I found this “poem” somewhere, I don’t know where, but it pretty much sums up tea in my life.

In celebration: I’ll put the kettle on

In sorrow: I’ll put the kettle on

In anticipation: I’ll put the kettle on

In sympathy: I’ll put the kettle on

In dedication: I’ll put the kettle on

Just because: I’ll put the kettle on

Every day, all day: The kettle is on

 It’s pretty much all that I drink.

Call me boring, but if I’m not drinking tea, then I’m drinking water. I find that many don’t understand how someone could love a beverage so much that they make it a focal point in their life.  I tea drink for many reasons; taste is foremost of course, but it’s more than that, that keeps, “the kettle on all day.” Tea also keeps me intellectually interested… all the culture and history surrounding it, the different brewing methods, learning about new tea types, the artistry of the tea ware, the solitude of the moment, and the joy of sharing it with others. In sharing, I organize a meetup group, all about tea.  We have been “drinking tea” together for over seven years now, with over 300 events in that time.  I also teach various classes about tea – the six types, countries of origin, customs and cultures of tea, etc. at a local community college and at one of the local libraries.

My house…

Is a gallery of tea cups, teapots and other tea accoutrements – auctions and eBay are my downfall.  My cupboards are overflowing with teas of all sorts.  My library of books, which is ever-growing, includes anything even slightly related to tea, and I even have a bumper sticker that says, “I break for tea.”  When all is said and done – tea adds “flavor” to all aspects of my life.  I wake up every morning looking forward to my first cup of tea – during the day, I seem to be always sipping, and my final cup in the evening helps me to slow down, relax, and provides a peaceful way to end my day.  Tea is fuel in my life –  for my body, my mind and my soul.  These two quotes basically sum up my relationship with tea.

“If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.”

Japanese Proverb

“There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.”

Bernard Paul Heroux