May Tea ’24

From Randy W. “Prayer for Our World”

In the midst of this
Horrifying image
The only solace
Four survivors
Perhaps a family
Holding together
The grace of life
As if our world
Might be whole again
Adorned with trees
And lemons.

From Deborah MN:

I’m getting my first lily of the valley open today!

From Lesley M:

Tea this morning…flowing like water…settling like wood…encouraging the dragon, for that
moment, to rest.

From Karen H:

In honor fo our spring & Leslie’s fall, I’m recalling a poem (that I don’t know who
wrote…”The spring flowers, the autumn moon, summer breeze, winter snow. If useless things do not
clutter your mind, you have the best days of your life.”

From Siddiq vB:

Alas, the signal failed // frozen pictures of my friends // made tea anyway.

From Karima F:

Me and the ocean all part of the same cycle.

From Chad O:

tea sloshing the rim/life returning in shades of green/living earth awakens

From Karima F:

New life meeting new life in me- thank you You are so welcome Feel free here.

From Siddiq:

The green storm arrives //blossoms and elm seeds like snow // lying on the ground.

From Kathy:

In the midst of sakura with blossoms gone, there stands one young green maple. by Kito

From Deborah MN:

Drizzly rains brings relief from the drought So many flowers “opening up in sweet surrender”
Happy tea Ya Huqq

From Kim C:

Green green green/ waving at me/ out the window / and into the tea bowl/ fragrant happiness

From Karima F:

Spring blossoms bring heaven Blossoms, bugs, buzzing, becomes, All in my backyard

From Sabina:

Bluejay outside Warm tea inside A shared moment

From Chad O:

tea sloshing the rim/life returning in shades of green/Wood dragon floats by

From Kim C:

Turbulent green energy/ whisked into a gentle foam/ slurped into blissful contentment

From Victoria:

Shades of green: Once you notice, look closer; look wider; look farther; look deeper; Look up!
Look around. Notice what is green – taste what is good. Such lovely floral findings by everyone.

From Dean O:

Thunder releases rain/Thirsty earth is grateful/Tea friends share their flowering hearts

April Tea ’24

From Jean K: Thank you for welcoming Chloe to our practice today. I think she will enjoy learningmore about how to fold the fukusa when she and I practice together. We are leaving you allnow to work on the garden. Many spring blessings to all!! From Lesley M: we are...

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...