"MO" TEA but "SLO" TEA

3/10/10 Yesterday, I had a real sinking spell in the wet, drizzly afternoon and just wanted to crawl under a heap of quilts with a cup of hot tea and a good book----finishing the last chapters of Without Reservations, travels of an independent woman. I love what C. S. Lewis said about that. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” My kind of man----at least, my kind of thoughts.

The aforementioned activity would have lead to a nap----another of my favorite activities though not advisable when my work life necessitates an 8:30 bedtime. I knew that it was time to pull in for a spiritual teatime for needed rejuvenation though it couldn’t be one with caffeine or then I’d have trouble sleeping later. So many restrictions for this “scheduled” woman.

In "The Portrait of a Lady," poet Henry James said, "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” I agree but I didn’t have energy for creating “ambiance”---I just needed a lift. Sotto voice sermons wouldn’t work nor would hymns of old---I needed to crank up something more along the lines of “Stayin’ Alive” to help me stay awake.

I tried watching Jeopardy---that’s actually a “thrill” for me. That was a positive action because they had a “Dance” category and I was able to answer them all----even the $1,000 one. Actually, they were so easy, any one over 50 could have answered them. Still made me feel good---but that only lasts 30 minutes.

I finally got off the couch, brewed a cup of Typhoo decaf, (“slo” tea) located my iPodTouch and opened up my “Dance” playlist. And I was off (to dance and pack for Texas).………still having trouble keeping those earbuds in my “bum” ear, but I had it loud enough that it didn’t matter. Soon there was a real cacophony at 1152 as I “sang” (that’s using the term loosely) with Chris Rice. Did I read scripture? No. Did I pray? No, not conventionally anyway. Was it spiritual? Yes.

O, and when the love spills over,
And music fills the night, (my late afternoon)
And when you can't contain you joy inside... then

Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus and live

……….or in my case. “Dance with Jesus and stay awake.”