The other day I was talking with a couple of friends, and one commented on my musings. He said that when he read the first paragraph that he has no idea what the subject will be. The other gentleman agreed and added that you could not tell from the end either. Well, this was rather distressing as I consider my columns a masterpiece of clarity. Thus, I will advise immediately that I will write on tea, which the first gentleman loves. Unfortunately, he uses mundane bags whereas I use loose tea leaves. Thus, I will comment on the virtues of loose tea, specifically on White Empress Tea. How much more clarity can one show?
However, I did also want to supply information on a couple of other subjects before I forget. The first involves folks who move down here from the frozen north and who immediately cannot stand a temperature below 60 degrees. That happened to me yesterday when there were eleven of us signed up for 18 holes of golf, and I looked at the reservation and found that I was the only one left. I almost deleted myself, but decided that this would be a good opportunity to see what I could do by myself. I could take my time, no one would snicker at my drives, and I would keep my own score.
Well, it worked beautifully. I had seven birdies, an eagle and a hole in one. Regrettably, the golf system is not perfect and the powers that register things will not accept a truthful statement – even with puppy dog eyes. They demand verification. Heck, the only other person I saw on the course was two holes in front of me. I doubt that he would have vouched for me. What makes it worse is that it would have been my second hole in one! The first occurred under similar circumstances last winter – with the same results. Oh well, things work out in the long run.
The night before that golf happening our neighborhood had a social and the flavor of the night was a trivia contest. It was very exciting. There were nine tables and the lead went back and forth. Then, we were told that there was a final question where you could wager all your points on the correct answer. They started out by saying it would be on the Wizard of Oz. I figured our table had it made as I have read all the Oz books I could get my hands on (not the new Doctor Oz books. I don’t read them even if he is the grandson of the Wizard). Unfortunately, I have not read the real Oz books for many, many years.
The question asked was to give Dorothy’s last name. At that, I admitted that I could no longer remember it. I did tell our table that someone there would know it. Sure enough a lady at one of the other tables did. She is apparently an Oz fanatic and knew immediately that Dorothy’s last name was Gale. It is my understanding that she was a nurse and had written her nurse’s thesis on the medical values in the Oz books – for which she received an outstanding grade. In any case, her table won amidst cheering, stomping and chest pounding. Trivia is not taken lightly in our neighborhood.
Oops, the White Empress tea discussion. This tea is made with Mei Zhan varietal leaves that are three years old. The supply I reviewed comes from a Chinese farm known only to the seller (and perhaps Marco Polo). The leaves are highly aromatic and have a depth of taste and flavor that is unusually complex. (Wine tasting has competition). It is rarely exported, but fortunately you can now purchase four whole ounces for only $76.40.
I just mention the latter as my birthday is not that far away, if someone is so inclined . .
Barry Evans writes about Life in The Villages for Villages-News.com