The Art of Tea 13/05/2018

Very early start this damp and grey morning, I am heading off the Waitara RSA for a talk for RSA members. This meant I had to get myself out of bed and organised very quickly. In response to the damp grey I decided on the bright depth of Ceylon Black tea flavoured with Pomegranate and mint. As with black tea the tannins give a deep slightly woody taste which is offset by the sweetness of the pomegranate and the bright lightness of the mint. I used my red ribbed cast iron tea pot and cup.

With the onset of a wet weekend I had to leave the work in the garden and get onto cleaning the inside of the house, something I have a habit of avoiding. In the rain yesterday all my houseplants got a shower to clear of any dust and cat hairs and brighten up their leaves. While they were all outside I dusted and vacuumed their areas inside. Then after a morning in the rain I brought them back in tidied them up and feed them. That task is now done for the season.

Once I get back from the expo today I will get onto starting off my seeds for the flower gardens. I have Scabiosa mix, white, lavender and lilac; Nigella, Persian Jewels in colours of rose, lavender, mauve, purple and blue; Stock mix, carmine, pink, apricot, blue, yellow and white, Poppies, white, mauve and red, Christmas Lillies and Amaryllis Hippeastrum in a deep red, Marigilds, Calendula, Snapdragons, Sweet Pea. My flower garden should look a picture next year.

With all the rain in the night Khepra made his way indoors to sleep on my bed, winter is almost here although the temperature are still warm. Aurora has a sleeping place in my wardrobe and Serida has staked out the seat in the foyer; there she can keep an eye on people going by and Aurora getting past her by coming in the front door. 90% of the time peace reigns with the three cats.

Today I am sharing the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius on maintaining harmony in life.

“Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn't matter. Cold or warm. Tired or well-rested. Despised or honored. Dying...or busy with other assignments. Because dying, too, is one of our assignments in life. There as well: "To do what needs doing."

Look inward. Don't let the true nature of anything elude you. Before long, all existing things will be transformed, to rise like smoke (assuming all things become one), or be dispersed in fragments...to move from one unselfish act to another with God in mind.

Only there, delight and stillness; when jarred, unavoidably, by circumstances, revert at once to yourself, and don't lose the rhythm more than you can help.

You'll have a better grasp of the harmony if you keep going back to it.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Blessing to you all and may you move through this upcoming week with balance and harmony.

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#Sunday #musings #tea #art #cats #garden #rain #Autumn