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“Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage.”
Catherine Douzel
Miss Tea Cup, Would you like to go to London? I have a meeting and I would very much like not to travel alone.”“ Of course, I shall be your travel friend. But, you must know, even if they don't have strong tea available, I will be happy to submit to the other black stuff if you deem you need ,something hot, strong and sweet to make your trip viable."
And so she did accomodate me--some coffee, because there was not a strong tea available. And so we shared in the fun.
Last week took me to London for a meeting with some kindred spirits who care about children, parents, family, home, education. I boarded a train, and finally walked. The first destination was a charming, very old, traditional pub, first called Duke of Clarence. As this is just opposite Horse Guards, (more in the podcast) and 10 Downing Street, you can be sure for hundreds of years, colleagues met to discuss political plans, wars, finances, royalty and all the matters that government required. After all, what better way to build diplomacy than over a pint of something bubbly.
It is around the corner from the Old Scotland Yard. This pub where I met a friend, (Jacqui) for lunch, adventure and curiosity. Most popular here is fish and chips or steak and kidney pie (both traditional). We opted to split ham and chicken pie! And of course a berry crumble to finish it all off. It is said that Winston Churchill occupied the upper floor called Pol Roger to discuss all sorts of issues involved during his years as a prime minister.
Westminster is the area where parliament, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and St. James Part and so much more live. Such a very fun and busy place to visit.
After lunch, on my way to the meeting, I had a photo with one of the valiant Horse Guards soldiers with his horse. When I held out my hand, the horse began to nibble my fingers as though I had something there he would enjoy. Twas fun indeed.
Consequently, several books I want to recommend from my own childhood were about horses:
books--Black Beauty by Anna Sewell and The Wild Stallion--Walter Farley
Feasting on pancakes this week
Most of us in the UK will celebrate Shrove Tuesday, which is a feasting of sweets before Ash Wednesday, when anglicans traditionally begin their contemplation on Easter Tide. Before going into a time of contemplation, we will make a gazillion pancakes—for me, 100% whole wheat (recipe in The Lifegiving Table) made with vanilla yoghurt instead of milk, and we will have an assortment of things to throw into the cakes according to preference—for me, it’s salted, roasted Walnuts this year, Clay, blueberries; Joel, chocolate chips—and will provide for others grated apple and real maple syrup.
Life, Travel and Flourishing in a Foreign Country is a paradigm for life.
Learn to accept the fact that you will be out of control, often.
Be Flexible and Cultivate patience
And so much more! I hope you will love the podcast on my membership about the “Ways of God” and more in my podcast today.
Horseguards, War Rooms, Westminster Abbey—all on today’s show—my favorite places to visit.
Horse Books--Black Beauty by Anna Sewell and The Wild Stallion--Walter Farley
Finally, a saying that I find so true as we face these challenging times:
In tough times we all hope for knights in shining armour or the cavalry to show up and effect change. Dean Devlin--screen writer
Praying for all the precious ones caught in the raging war. I’m praying for you, too, my friends!