April Tea ’24

From Jean K:

Thank you for welcoming Chloe to our practice today. I think she will enjoy learning
more about how to fold the fukusa when she and I practice together. We are leaving you all
now to work on the garden. Many spring blessings to all!!

From Lesley M:

we are making tea…looking down and looking up…spring and autumn both

From Kim C:

Friends arrive unexpectedly/ when one lifts one’s gaze/ Me turns into Mwe.

From Gerow R:

Following this morning’s rain/ Snow arrived—purifying, delighting/ This noontime tea.

From Kathy L:

not really a poem. thinking of “We” and the phrase Ichiza Konryu which loosely
translates to “one seating building up” It’s a phrase which speaks to the host and guest being
respectful of and in tune with each other during a tea gathering. Even though there is a host
and there is a guest, these boundaries can blur and energies can be co-mingled. fascinating.
Tea. thank you all.

From William S:

Seeing – through my eyes/ through my ears/ through my hands/ through heart
connections/ seeking the universe beyond the visible…

From JBA:

As I whisk tea, I feel the presence of others making tea and we come together as one.

From Kim C:

Sunlight brightens this frothy bowl/ Slurp, slurp , monster bowl of hot tea/ One tear
remains/ puddled on the tray

From Chad O:

Spring tea with Koji/ my womb is warm and alive/ Everything is growing!

From Kay H:

Bowl is now empty / Today’s tea a memory / Folded into my fukusa.

From Randy W:

in the company of friends / all whisking away / the wind chimes continue their concert
all around us

March Tea ’24

From Susan R: Quiet here this moment, but like returning salmon, the flow was powerful From Lesley M: Stopping the battle … Letting the foam have bubbles … Spring and Autumn mix From Dean O: In the middle of tea / the great-tailed grackles / returned to my yard today...

February Tea ’24

“Luck is the Guest that turned up.” Lesley   From Willi S: I am borrowing the words of Gary Snyder, which I think are uniquely applicable today.  We can all individually decide what he means by WILD.  "People often think of art as the most highly cultured, the most...

January Tea ’24

​From Jean K: Our lives / shirts on the ironing board / tears of grief and gratitude / with water and whisk we blend them all / and sip From Kate S: Hurrying to a place where I yearn to slow down, to listen to the sounds of making tea and the jumbled thoughts in my...

December Tea ’23

From Kathy:Running Teachers!! Shiwasu! From Jean:running teachers know the value of mistakes From Lesley:making tea to a single point … a knock at the door … a tap at the window … points in flowing motion From Jean:Phone call, I’m at the door, interruptions happen,...

November Tea ’23

  From VictoriaThe comments on sprouting and awareness of the abundance of kindnesses reminds of the Thanksgiving poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, which starts:We walk on starry fields of whiteAnd do not see the daisies;For blessings common in our sightWe rarely...

October Tea ’23

  From Kathy:   10 Virtues of Tea by Rikyu:  Blessed by gods / shakes off sleepiness / discharges filial duties / wards off disease/ makes one love and respect people / frees one from earthly desires / keeps one healthy / has contact withnobility / prolongs life...

September Tea ’23

  From Gerow Drinking tea/The shifting of the season’s light/ Illumines this double autumn. From Siddiq Approaching the gate / What can I look forward to? /  Never mind those thoughts!   From Deborah Summer to Autumn in 24 hours here; joining friends for...

August Tea ’23

  From Deborah MN First time at the library. Quite noisy and distracting. Fun though to join you even late.   From Karima Thank you soooo much for this beautiful tea time together! Must go.   From Kate I begin in uncertainty, slowly, my hands remember   From Jean...

REMEMBERING – The Old Lama Kitchen

Lama children on the steps of the Old Kitchen (1981).  Arielle, Asha (Bernard) and Jamil inside the kitchen (1981). Photos offered by Asha and Uwais Old Lama Kitchen - A few memories By Irit Umani, June 2023 When I think of Lama’s Old Kitchen, my mind almost...

June Tea ’23

  From Chad Being in NO tea/my body needing to rest/I become a guest. ( thank you) From Jean the glob, it sinks, it floats, it pulls us in, but like healing everywhere, just add a bit of hotwater, whisk and drink, and all of your cares will be gone. From Lesley...