jasmine tea flower 2,
originally uploaded by cindigodotcom.

This morning I was driving to the UPS store to dump off some of the last ebay packages. I turned left at a light and then had to make an immediate right into a strip mall. There was a pedestrian crossing the driveway entrance so I had to wait, blocking the car behind me. The car honked. It was slightly longer than a friendly tap, but shorter than an irritated blast. They hippie guy wearing headphones thought it was me honking and yelled angrily, “HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF BEING PATIENT?” He exited the driveway. I pulled in, rolled down the window and yelled (because he had headphones on, not because I was mad) “Hey, it wasn’t me honking, it was the car behind me”. Without changing the annoyed tone of voice or the scowl on his face he yelled back, “WELL I’M SORRY THEN!”

Normally an interaction like this would brighten my day and make me giggle. This morning though, not so much. I was over tired and hungry. But then, I thought, lighten up man, at least you’re not hiking 20 miles a day.

Life is so good.

The picture is of my new favorite tea. It’s flower and leaves are dried and tied with a tiny string. When you submerge the dry sphere, it expands into this really beautiful and delicious thing. Seriously, I don’t know why but it effects me on a deep level. When I look at the expanded tea it makes me happy on a gut level. Strange but true.