Seagulls and Ducks and Elephant Teapots

When there is no peril in the fight there is no glory in the triumph.
Pierre Corneille
French dramatist (1606 - 1684)
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Hello! So much has happened and I haven't posted in so long.

I've moved into a condo, which is lovely and strange. I feel grounded but disconnected at the same time, which I didn't know was possible. I'm on the fifth floor and have a watery view, but I miss the forest and earth and blackbirds which came with my house. There are only seagulls here, who swoop so close by the windows. They are large windows, almost floor to ceiling, and from where I'm sitting I can see little boats on the lake (they're not little, I suppose, but they look so from here). I sat here a week ago and put my mind in the middle of the lake and pretended I was sinking and there was nothing but water, like in the beginning. That's one of my greatest fears...open ocean...though it distills down, as most fears do, to a fear of the unknown. I go and feed the ducks though, sometimes. They seem to stay all year round, because I see them hundled together on boat ramps in the dead of winter, staring out at the ice and waiting patiently for it to melt. They never really seem grateful for the food, they seem to expect it whenever they see a human. We are similar to them, aren't we?

My room is decorated in a sort of almost-there-but-I'll-finish-it-later kind of way. It's victorian/vintage/shabby-chic all mushed together. I have a four poster bed, which I haven't done anything to yet, cream coloured quilted coverlet which is a king so it falls all the way to the floor (which is dark hardwood and un-rugged). A lovely green velvet chair, over stuffed, ornate carved frame, quilted and buttony and gorgeous. An art corner in complete confusion, random prints yet to be framed and an easel. Amazingly carved trunk from Indonesia, old vintage wooden radio, paintbrush jars, faux suitcases holding my paints, and a bookcase. Oh, and lots of flowers and lace doiles and pot pourri, aka "junk". I don't love love love it yet, but it's on it's way. I have a beautiful mirror with nowhere to hang, and no dresser as of yet, and no room for a desk, and it's a huge mess right now.

I like having the freedom to sit and have an afternoon tea. I set up all the cups and saucers and sugar bowls, and then relax while reading The Age of Innocence, or T.S Eliot, or other scrumptious poetry anthologies. I have an elephant teapot. He's amazing. I've come to the conclusion that everyone would enjoy having tea if only they owned an elephant teapot. Next...a camel.

I'm starting classes in a week or so. I have a light schedule, so I may have some more free time to do unproductive things...like painting and reading and going to visit Rembrandt every day of the week. You may be thinking "and having tea", but let me tell you, having tea is anything but unproductive. I kind of pretty much I'm not so sure maybe have decided on doing art conservation. But what scares me is that when I came to this uncertain conclusion in my mind I experienced a sense of relief. Am I just taking the easy way out? Probably. Will I be able to live with myself? Probably not.

I have to go and get the rest of my textbooks and validate my student card but it's a cloudy day and I don't feel like going at all. It would be great to make some tea and curl up with a book and watch old movies and cat-nap. Maybe I'll do just that. After all, I haven't used the elephant for a few days.

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Tea Quote of the Day

Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage. ~Catherine Douzel

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Tea of the Day

Tazo Green Tea Blend "Zen"



"Select pan-fired green tea from Zhejiang province in China, artfully combined with lemongrass, spearmint, and a hint of lemon essence."

This is my absolute favourite green tea, it's so refreshing and relaxing (provided you don't oversteep).