2970 Tasting Notes
My father had a heart attack on Monday morning, and this week has all been a blur. It’s been the hospital every day, with all the horrors and wonders that it contains. It was a very big heart attack, and we don’t even have a prognosis yet. No idea what his mental function is, if he’ll be able to come home, if he’ll recover and what that recovery would look like.
I, fortunately, live nearby, and my wonderful boss gave me the week off, so I’ve been parked in his hospital room as much as I can be, and trying to run as much interference for my mother as possible.
I barely know what day it is. I could not tell you when I last had tea or what I had been drinking. I know I was drinking a cup of tea when I got the call about him, and that I did not finish it.
Do you have blends or flavors that you find particularly comforting or soothing? Or ones that give you strength? I’m going to need a lot of comfort and strength.
This is rambly. It’s weird to write. I still had to write something.
Oh no. It’s starting. That horror of horrors, that unbearable ordeal. The dawn of my pain and suffering.
Summer is here.
Today is 100 degrees. Tomorrow will be anywhere from 106 to 108.
Cue the deep sigh.
You’d think I’d be used to this, I grew up here and have lived most of my life with this sort of weather, and yet every year it catches me off guard. It was also such a mild spring! Whhhhhyyyyy?
This means tea drinking becomes a more extreme sport. Grumble.
I am always a fan of a fruity black tea blend, but it’s going to be extra in the summer months. Has anyone tried anything fruity and delicious I should check out?
We are beginning to talk about finding somewhere with better summers when retirement comes. We have already had some 90+ days with high humidity, although a rare cool spell is upon us right now. But where to go? I don’t want snow and long winters, I don’t want long, sticky super hot summers. Thankful for air conditioning!
Y’all come this direction! It was a damp, bone-chilling 52 yesterday :) I have not yet tried it because I don’t have the self-control to let it get cold before drinking it, but I have been effervescing over some Basilur Tangerine loose leaf my menfolk got me for Mother’s Day. Tangerine and vanilla. I’m thinking that on ice, it’ll taste like a creamsicle.
I love that my note mentioning the cold weather is directly after your note. It was like 55 degrees here today.
It’s not black, it’s green but one of my fruity favorites is Teakruthi’s Ceylon Emerald.
And here I am sitting while outside is around 10-16°C today and overcast. It should go higher son though and sunnier.
Do you have those weeks where you don’t want to drink favorites? That is this week- it’s a busy one, and I’m alone in the office this week, and my attention span for things is shorter than that of something with a very limited attention span. Also my ability to compose metaphor is shot.
So, onto this blend, which is serviceable, but not beloved. Hitting just the right note for this week.
I’m just feeling Parisian this week. It’s what I’ve been grabbing almost the whole week- and I’m not sorry about that. It’s always good blend of black tea and fruits has been just what my frazzled brain has needed.
What gives, universe? Why am I so busy?!?!
Ooof. Did they sneak extra days into this week, or is it just me?
Lots and lots going on at work, in various hobbies, and just in general. I feel as if I’ve been running since last week, with no breaks, and this week will be no exception.
When I have that sort of week, I like to sit with a classic stand by tea, and so I pulled out the Paris. I can reliably enjoy it at all times, without having to think about it too hard.
Yes, a perfect week for Paris.
Tea of my morning!
You know, I’m not entirely sure why I bought this. Apricots, in any form, are not really my favorite. I don’t hate them, but if given options, it would be highly unusual for me to pick something apricot.
But every once in a while, apparently, I see something apricot and I am interested.
I picked this up the last time I was in the Tea Cozy shop (which is such a lovely shop, run by lovely people!), and I surprised myself by requesting some of this.
I don’t regret buying this, but it’s not destined to become a favorite or a cupboard staple, but there is nothing wrong with it.
I find it actually more buttery than apricot-y, a bit less fresh on the palate than I expected, but not unpleasant at all.
The weather is getting warmer, so I stocked up, and then promptly drank all of, some fruity black teas. Now I’ll need to restock!
I’m not 100% sure that I’ll restock this in the next tea order, but I do like it. The trouble is I have fruity blends from Harney that I like better (Tower of London, Paris, Capri…)
But it still has a nice balance of flavors, and I enjoyed this tin.
I never can entirely make up my mind about this one, but as it’s made it into my cupboard more than once, I feel like I should just admit it has it’s place with me.
A friend made me a bunch of dehydrated citrus slices, especially for putting into tea, so I tried one here. It was just a little too tarte, so the lemon slices will be saved for something else.
Hello all!
So, apparently, when my world is full of stress, I stop logging. I don’t stop drinking tea, of course, but I’ve been an absentee Steepster member.
Well, Evol Ving Ness posted a kind word, and summoned me back from beyond the veil. It was just the invitation I needed.
I had a tin of this that I’ve been drinking all week, and today was the last cup of this particular tin.
Oh, I am so happy to be back! I have to do a serious update on the cupboard, and I"m ready to write so many more notes!
I’ve missed you all.
And thanks to you, I just almost placed a H & S order yesterday.
I pulled myself away from the submit payment button in the nick of time.
Welcome back!
Haven’t had ToL in ages, but thinking about it makes me smile. (Now there’s a tea goal—-paring your pantry down to nothing but teas that make you smile.)
Yaaaaay! Welcome back!
I’m glad Evol reached out to you – good to see you back!
Welcome Back! (:
Glad to see you back! I also took an unintentional, extended break from Steepster (came back a few days ago), but am attempting to make sure I check in daily. I miss your updates, as well as so many others. I rely on the people here for new tea ideas! :)
As you are aware, things are very, very stressful right now.
Today is to involve nothing but soothing things, and I will start my day off with this cup of autumn bliss.
Hello Rosehips! We miss you! Hope you are ok. <3
Hello! Thank you so much for checking in. It was just the burst I needed to get back here. It’s time to start logging again.
Thank you for the kind check in.
I’ll second that “miss seeing you!” Hope you have had plenty of good cuppas to keep you company in the meantime.
Sometimes things, even so-called easy things, are hard. I get that. Sending you big hugs.
I look forward making a H & S order at some point and comparing notes on some of your favourites. In the meantime, I am so pleased that you responded and that we will be seeing more of you.
Keeping your father in my thoughts today!
<3
I’m wishing your dad the best and quickest healing possible!
Oh, friend…there is nothing as exhausting as hospital waiting. You know, during my most stressful personal and family crises over the past 10 years, no tea is better than the simple ones that are just there for you. I believe I see you mention Paris often…may you have precisely enough of it to get you through this tough time. I’ll be praying for your family.
I am so sorry! I will be praying. I agree with gmathis – tea that you love. Queen Catherine was my every single morning cup when I went through radiation and before that, depression. Now when I know something stressful may be coming up, tulsi seems to help me cope a little. I have plain loose leaf and add some lavender, but the bagged tulsi blends might do it, too.
Strength, peace, and courage to you to you and your parents!
Oh goodness, I am so so sorry. I’ll be thinking often of you, your dad, and your mom this week. I’ve never had a hospital stay, but I’ve been an anxious family member and gmathis is spot on – the edge-of-your-seat waiting is so incredibly exhausting, both emotionally and physically. I feel for you so hard right now. The teas I always go to in those situations are the same ones I drink for special occasions, the ones I hoard and save and buy in bulk. The ones that never fail to make me smile. Hold on to any bit of happiness you can find right now. Don’t forget to take good care of yourself when you can. <3
I am so sorry to read about your dad! Keeping him, and you, in my thoughts and prayers this week. Like everyone else has said, take care of yourself when you can this week and rely on those teas that bring you comfort and strength.
I am sorry to read about your dad! I wish him a quick recovery and calmness to you and other family members. I hope you will get prognosis soon and hopefully it will be a promising one!