tea and sleep

I have not slept for more than a few moments at a time, maybe, for two days. The rooms have been either too hot or too cold. It has been too early, or too late, or time has simply not been measured properly. Whatever the reason, my mind will not quiet. When my eyes close, blank, bright visions of stark sharp whiteness. What thoughts will calm me? Think of the cats curled up on soft blankets somewhere. Think of my hands kneading warm bread dough on flour-silk wooden boards. Sunrise over the water. The aroma released when harvesting sun-ripened tomatoes. Think of the studio, what it might look like... to give me a sanctuary to hide in, the planning of something new. Let my mind have that distraction for right now at least.

High windows, low windows, comfortable chairs and wooden tables, shelves of tea alongside art supplies and books.

Shelves of tea. Rows of tea. Tea. A nice cup of tea. A nice cup of tea would be so nice right now. If someone brought me a cup of tea... If someone could just keep bringing me cups of tea until... until... Until I could breathe again. Until I could feel my own bones and flesh and the weight of myself in this chair. Until I could rest again.

Now whenever my eyes close I think of tea. Dream of tea. Tea and sleep.

A desire ever since moving to the Freedom Maine land, 1996, now the plans for a private studio are moving from thought into action. Yes, a personal space of my own simply for creating and resting and sipping tea that is away from the business of, well... doing business. Indeed it is possible that the future might also include the occasional open house invites, where my latest carved wooden spoons, kiln fired bowls, or new tea blends will be only subtly displayed... but after sharing spiced hummus and garden veggies, a little bit of time together talking about the weather growing colder or warmer, days shorter or longer, and watching the sunset, it will be a gentle nudge, pleasant farewells to folks, a tranquil sigh perhaps, and then to embrace solitude again.

The art and tea, and self, will be found for sale elsewhere*, with labels and tags and hype not so welcomed in the studio, in the hope that within it's walls it may remain a more peaceful place.

Oh yes, I am looking forward to this.

*admittedly, the "elsewhere" will indeed include right here, online, as seen in the sidebar along with other needful things.