"shor-TEA-ning"

The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. (Ecclesiastes 12:10, NIV)

Shor-TEA-ning was the only "tea" word I could create to get across this idea of finding just the right words---and the right number of words. Less is more. Simplicity over verbosi-TEA.

I needed to pare down the words of my lesson on fear from Psalms 23, 27 & 46, before teaching it to the night class, which has a shorter timeframe. Thus, shor-TEA-ning is needed. What do I cut out? What MUST be left in?

Somewhat like my morning cuppa---if I want a more robust tea due to my time constraints, I brew a half a cup----but my tea is stronger. I use loose tea because it gives the strongest flavor in half the time BUT I only allow myself half a cup because I don't need extra energy from the caffeine. I just need the right amount for the time allotted---without skimping on the flavor. 

 Pithy with a punch. Just like my cuppa "shor-TEA-ning."

LITEA

2/12/11 Litea is a bookstore in Budapest and I love the Hungarian spelling because it reflects the two things I so-o-o enjoy in combination---a good book and a cup of tea---a good brisk Assam. I also loved this shop when I visited there on a mission trip in '97. There's just something universal about the smell of a good book store---it's right up there with the glorious smell of leather in an old library. Plus, this one had this small watercolor for sale that enabled me to bring this memory home with me.
I know that as Ecclesiastes 12:12 reminds me, "of making many books there is no end and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body." So, I try to do as The Preacher says, "find delightful words, and to write (and read, DAL) words of truth correctly."
A memory of the smell of good books (worthy of reading), a brisk cuppa and a small painting---a Litea experience right up my alley.