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 had no idea what the subject would 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 another subject before I forget. It involves folks who move down here from the frozen north and who immediately cannot stand a temperature below 60 degrees. That happened to me one time 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 my name, 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 could keep my own score.
Well, it worked beautifully. I had seven birdies, an eagle and a hole in one and beat my age. 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 the previous winter – with the same results. Oh well, things work out in the long run.
Actually, they apparently don’t as I mentioned my frustration to my golf friends the next week. They indicated that they all had been subjected to the same inability to convince anyone of their spectacular successes when they happened to be playing by themselves. There were even two guys both of whom vouched for the other’s hole-in-one, but the powers that be refused to record them. Thus our names never appeared in the newspaper with the hundreds of others who have made a hole-in-one during the week.
There are always things that occur in life that cannot be understood. I try to be a nice guy, and I have helped many old ladies across the street. True now some of them try to help me across the street, but you get the idea. The point is that all these people have a hole-in-one on a framed scorecard, and I have absolutely zero. I have asked friends and even golf instructors why I am in this situation. The usual answer is that I have to hit from the tee to the green and perhaps it will roll in. If I insist on hitting it to the right or left – or short, I will never be a class golfer. Oh well, The Blonde in the house still likes me.
Oops, the White Empress tea discussion! This tea is made with Mei Zhan varietal leaves that are three years old. This supply 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 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