Matcha, Hot: Blogging Around with Rommy Week 27

“When the going gets tough, the tough go to tea.” 
― Js Devivre, The Tea Traveller's Constant Companion: Oregon



Art brewed in the blood
won't lose sharpness or flavor
at temperature's whim.



Liner Notes For this Groove: I take the majority of my tea lessons in one of the prettiest places I know, Shofuso (the Japanese house and gardens in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park). But this last weekend wasn't the best time to practice there. More than half of the USA was going through a scorcher of a heat wave. I wasn't sure if lessons were going to be cancelled outright, so I emailed my teachers to ask if the small utility room we sometimes used in the winter might be a better choice. They thought that was a good idea, so lessons were on.

Even with the venue change, I didn't expect too many people to make it. It was still a nasty day and the room's air conditioner could best be described as well-meaning. But it was a pretty full shed house, with a bunch of newer students (I was actually the most experienced one who showed). Even in a stuffy room, humid enough to make the tea clump and the tools stick to your hands a bit, we all enjoyed our lessons.

So dear Groovers, how was your weekend? Hopefully it was less melty than mine! Let's talk about it in the comments section. As always, feel free to drop a link to your cyber home if you'd like to continue the discussion there.

Song Choice: Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode

20 comments:

  1. The only true art is art brewed in the blood.
    I find it sad that often the stories I love best are the ones I get to work on the least often, because I know they have no "commercial appeal."

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    1. I know I have to make time for that kind of writing or I'll go mad. Try not to neglect your heart too much. Sometimes we just have to write the stuff that pleases us, even if we're the only ones who get joy out of it. We're allowed to have joy too. :)

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  2. Ha ha, the "well-meaning" air conditioner -- what a great phrase!

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    1. The poor thing...it tried. But I was grateful to take tea lessons in an 80 degree room instead of the 100+ degree outdoors.

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  3. Gorgeous write, Rommy!💖 I resonate with the scorching heat .. it has been like that here in my part of the world for three months now .. the level of humidity is insane so much so that we are dripping with sweat. Ack! On a happier note 😊 I am looking foward to my first day at work next week on Monday!!💖💖

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    1. YAY! I hope your new job is awesome!!! <3

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  4. "Art brewed in the blood" says it all. It's great that you still got to have your lessons, despite the scorching heat.
    I am still trying to acclimate myself to this new place — I have realized that it doesn't happen so easily for me but as long as I stay occupied, things seem just fine (most of the time). :-)

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    1. It's been ages since I changed residence, but I remember how awkward things felt until things started feeling like they fit me. LOL, I too like to cope by keeping busy. Hopefully that out-of-place feeling will give way to comfortable familiarity soon.

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  5. Water color? Inks brewed in blood.
    Did you know that when all else fails to remove blood from clothing, etc., try your own spit. It will only dissolve in YOU, the bleeder's own spit.
    ..

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  6. Art brewed in the blood... that's the only kind that matters, perhaps!!

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    1. I couldn't imagine being happy with any other sort

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  7. I am sipping tea while reading your poem. It is my brew of choice, and I am fascinated in the traditional ceremonies.

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  8. Love the haiku, love your notes. I live in Texas where hot is almost always in the forecast. I know nothing about tea or ceremonies. It sounds fascinating.

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    1. I've been a student of traditional Japanese tea ceremony for ages. Learning the forms can take a very long time, but I love that there are so many ways to go deep into this art form.

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  9. Continuing with the comment from my blog...

    See, this is what I mean with your tea practice being extraordinary. Your commitment emphasizes the benefits you reap out of it. For what feeds our souls, there's no such thing as bad weather just careful preparation or improvisation.

    The heat wave has hit us too, here. Luckily we are not undertaking the "hard-core" hiking this summer but rather doing something light and on wheels.

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    1. I do see my practice as something spiritual. There's a rhythm and flow to the movements. When I'm really into my practice, my movements flow with my breath. I think the practice itself has helped me be more inventive about modifying my plans when the situation calls for it.

      I hope that fun goes along with the wheels. :)

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  10. I love the the-weather-doesn't-own-me tone of this poem. I imagine the speaker raising an eyebrow, crossing her arms, and pursing her lips after she makes her poetic proclamation.

    I love the quote, the wordplay is delicious (the truth of it is even better).

    I am so glad you got to enjoy your matcha, even while sizzling.

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