Friday, November 07, 2008

It's Time for Tea

We have come upon those dreary days when one just wants to sit indoors with good friends and a cup of tea. Or perhaps one would prefer to take their tea and to snuggle up in front of a fire with a good book. The Chinese have a long history of tea drinking and have much to say about the subject. I thought the I would share a page from the Chinese Tea Reader "Ch'a-Su."

Suitable Moments for Drinking Tea

When we are interrupted while contemplating
During a good conversation deep into the night
When there is a light, soft drizzle
With agreeable friends and slim concubines
When the children are at school
In a bamboo grove on a spring evening
Under unusual rocks.

Unsuitable Moments

At the theatre
While opening letters
When the children are not at school
In torrential rain.

To Be Avoided When Drinking Tea

Sullen servants
Bad waters
Money worries
Large gatherings

28 comments:

Rowena said...

In a bamboo grove on a spring evening -- will have to remember that one for another day. It'll be perfect tea weather when I get back to Italy (and I could just shut my eyes and pretend that I'm in that bamboo grove, no?).

M. Domínguez Senra said...

Great! Once I read a book on esthetic taoism and I see that even to play guitar it's not suitable the rain.

Today I'm going to a beech (not beach) forest, because I was indoors the whole week.

we're doomed said...

If you replace the word tea with soothing beverages. The philosophy seems to still work.

Carla said...

Rowena, I think I'm going to visualize that bamboo grove. Peaceful, no?

Aaoiue, I wonder what it is suitable to do in the rain. The beech forest sounds nice. Do take some pictures.

Carla said...

We're Doomed, Yes, I think it still does. And I like the sound of "soothing beverage." May they all be "soothing."

The Fool said...

H'lo Nomad. To agreeable friends and slim concubines under unusual rocks. And tea, of course.

*clink*

Carla said...

Fool, *clink* *clink*

Isle Dance said...

Beautiful!

Pamela said...

I'm snuggled up with my Th{r@flu.
I rarely get these bugs so I'm feeling quite sorry for myself (sniff sniff)

Carla said...

Ilse Dance, Thanks.

Pamela, Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Hope you get well real soon.

Annie Wicking said...

Hi Carla, Does this mean I can drink tea all the time as I have no 'Sullen Servants' to worry about...lol

Best wishes,my dear friend and thank you for sharing a cuppa with me...
Annie

Envoy-ette said...

I liked this post! What struck me as true the most? In torrential rain! I totally get that.
My tea is in the early morning hours before I get the kids up.

Carla said...

Annie, How fortuitous that you have no sullen servants. I must make a note that it's safe to drink tea at your place anytime.

Envoy-ette, It sounds like you have your tea drinking regime all figured out.

Jeevan said...

In all, I love having tea/coffee ‘When there is a light, soft drizzle’.

pandave said...

Those are some excellent words of wisdom. Though I must say that sometimes, when it's raining outside, I do sit and have a cup of tea.

Maybe he means drinking it outside in the rain?

Fida said...

Addicts don’t pay attention to restrictions :-)

Carla said...

Jeevan, I totally understand that. Nothing like it being cool and damp to make me want a cup of tea.

Pandave, Yes, I can't imagine really being able to enjoy a cup of tea sitting outside in the pouring rain. Must be that.

Carla said...

Fida, Very true. Are you then a tea addict?

Fida said...

Addict? There's not even a word for it :-)

Carla said...

Fida, Ah yes, I certainly understand. Especially on a dreary day like today. Just realized I'm quickly running out of my favorites.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Makes me want to put the tea pot on the kettle and settle in.

Carla said...

Jeanine, It's been perfect tea weather here...I've certainly had a few potfuls in the past couple of days. I settled for cocoa this evening though...thought I'd better mix things up a bit.

Anonymous said...

Interesting list and when I am next in the presence of slim concubines, I will have a cup of tea;-).

Carla said...

Dawn, Luckily I've never had to worry about sullen servants. I wouldn't mind finding that bamboo grove though.

Steffi said...

Really good choice for a post!At the moment we have here perfect tea weather too.The month november is perfect for it!

Carla said...

Steffi, Then we must be having pretty much the same weather. I will think of you as I sip my tea.

GirlonTour said...

This is lovely. I love it.

:D

Carla said...

Girl on Tour, Welcome. So glad you enjoy.