The Art of Tea Trading

Tea: Chocolate Cherry

Music: Lara Supan, "Be Here to Love Me"

Time: Afternoon.

It's icy but not iced over, if that makes sense, so I got out for a photowalk late this morning. When I got in, I brewed a cup of the chocolate cherry tea -- a hand blend from friend/collaborator/undefinable kindred spirit Seánan Forbes -- and began editing images.

My youngest, who loves hot tea (and has high regard for Seánan, who spirited her away to New York for a sleepover at the American Museum of Natural History), came in to watch. She saw the tea.

"I'll say nice things about your art if you give me that tea," she said. (It's a small packet, perhaps three brewings' worth.)

"I've already started it," I said.

"So give me the rest of it."

"I'll give you one cup."

"Give me half and I'll say something nice about one of your pictures."

"Fine," I said.

"I like that one," she said, pointing at the screen. Then she walked out.

So, yeah, I gave up tea for approval. I know what that says about me. I'm okay with that.

I just wish I could remember which piece she said she liked ...