Mrs. Teabody Greets the Day

Gentle Reader, are you at all disconcerted by the whimsicality of Mother Nature? Sub-zero temps one Tuesday, short sleeves a week later? Weather forecasts are dire and mind boggling, and through it all the nay sayers continue to say nay to the idea that climate change has been brought about at least partially by human greed. Mrs. Teabody trusts you will err on the side of caution when venturing forth into Nature and remain vigilant. Tea, of course, can make the swirliest of times a bit more palatable, and Tickle Your Fancy has some doozies. Most recent to join the repertory at TYF is the surprisingly  delicate "Groundhog Grog" a special blend of green tea with the flavor of almond cookies. For a lift, TYF also offers for the first time in loose form, "Across the Universe," not only paying homage to the Beatles with its international combination of flavors but carrying a cinnamon top note that resonates well with those feeling a bit jangled. Come by and sample bot...

Good Morning and Happy New Year, Gentle Readers all. Mrs. Teabody has been in a bit of a self-imposed hibernation through the "slings and arrows" of the past few weeks, hoping time will heal the ruptures in Mrs. Teabody's spirit. Perhaps, you, too, have a heavy heart. Most immediate is the sense of disbelief and loss with the Connecticut massacre and, closer to home, the loss of H. Lyle Duffey and the very recent passing of Naomi Brown Weller. In remembering both Lyle and Naomi, Mrs. Teabody weeps not only for her own loss but for the heartache their children are feeling. The poet, Ben Jonson, composed a poem about the loss of his son that ends with these lines: Rest in soft peace, and, ask'd, say, "Here doth lie Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry." The world is a different and sadder place without both of these people, but it is a better place because of the "poetry" they created in the world. Mrs. Teabody counts their poetry among her ...

~  from Shakespeare's"Winter's Tale" Act 2 Scene 1 HERMIONE:  " What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come, sir, now       I am for you again: pray you, sit by us.  And tell 's a tale.   MAMILLIUS:  Merry or sad shall't be?   HERMIONE:  As merry as you will.   MAMILLIUS:  A sad tale's best for winter: I have one  o f sprites and goblins.   HERMIONE:  Let's have that, good sir.       Come on, sit down: come on, and do your best       To fright me with your sprites; you're powerful at it.   MAMILLIUS:  There was a man--   HERMIONE:  Nay, come, sit down; then on.   MAMILLIUS:  Dwelt by a churchyard: I will tell it softly;       Yond crickets shall not hear it.   HERMIONE:  Come on, then,       And give't me in mine ear.  " Good Morning, Gentle Reader, from t...

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”   Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol Good Morning, Gentle Reader where at this early hour, all is quite dark. The Christmas tree lights sparkle and each window holds a glimmering light, and the house is redolent of pine boughs and cloves, and a wonderful sense of expectancy hangs in the air. Mrs. Teabody has said time and time again that Christmas is the very best season of all, and what is the best season of all without many smiles? Without much laughter? Mister Teabody is what was often referred to in another time as a card: a person who attracts attention by his wit. Mister Teabody  has the ability to put a smile on Mrs. Teabody's face at least a dozen times a day in at least half a dozen different ways. An E-mail  will ping its arrival on Mrs. Teabody's computer and  upon opening it, she will  find a  laugh-out-loud-worthy cartoon or  video Mr...

This column is not written in the voice of Mrs. Teabody. Like many of you I have wrestled with the elements of yesterday's mass murder in Connecticut, and I have a few thoughts of my own. I welcome you to add comments. First of all, examine your heart and ask yourself how differently you would feel now about the killer if he had been black. Take it a step further and imagine how your fellow Americans may have reacted had that been the case. This is merely food for thought-- something that crossed my mind. Next, let's talk about personality disorders . It should go without saying that ANYONE who kills another human being is not sane. An adult white male armed himself with semi-automatic weapons and  systematically slaughtered completely helpless children. He is a murderer, and his "personality disorder" is that he did not revere or respect the right of his fellow humans to live, including his own mother. Why did he feel that way? Thou shalt not kill   is univer...

Could this be the right car? Greetings, Gentle Readers, on this balmy December morning, and if the forecast changes today's wardrobe selection, just know that this is, after all, December and the lower temps will return soon enough.  Yesterday was a grand day for "putting up" outdoor lights and  if the resulting overall effect at Chez Teabody leaves a lot to be desired, and if  the experience has placed a bit of a  strain on the Teabodys' usual conviviality, one simply chalks this up to necessity. Chez Teabody should not put on a face of dour disregard for this festive season. Mon Dieu! Mrs. Teabody thanks all gentle readers for their seasonal displays. Much appreciated. Good news for all you tea lovers! The tea ship has sailed into the Tickle Your Fancy harbor so do plan to visit soon to scoop up all the new teas. First of all, there are the tried and true Earl Greys and rooibos teas but the shelves are also newly filled with ambrosial delights su...

Good Morning from Chez Teabody where Mrs. Teabody sits admiring the barren woods of Meadow Grounds Mountain pasted against a background of pale blue mountains from her little perch in the east window. A few telltale crumbs are all that remain of a lovely buttery, ethereal  croissant purchased yesterday at the closing note of a truly memorable day-long visit in NYC with Mrs. Teabody's youngest sister, Lady Shumleywinks. In celebration of Lady Shumleywinks'  special birthday, Mrs. Teabody had purchased tickets to  "War Horse", that stunningly beautiful, award-winning play at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in the Lincoln Center. And that is where Mrs. Teabody fell in love with a horse . . . Mrs. Teabody cries easily. At this stage of life there is little point in holding back positive emotions, and she made no attempt to restrain her feelings from the first sight of the foal getting his legs in the imaginary pasture field of pre-WWI Devon England. His ears twitc...