Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Tea With Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi








Here is an excerpt from a must-read book series, known as "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". This is book #5 in the series (pictured) and the chapter is entitled, "Tea is Always the Solution".
















Mma Makutsi made the bush tea and they sipped on the dark red liquid as they discussed the best approach to Mma Holonga's suitors. Tea, of course, made the problem seemed smaller, as it always does, and by the time they reached the bottom of their cups, and Mma Makutsi reached for the slightly chipped tea-pot to pour a refill, it had become clear what they [Mmas Ramotswe and Makutsi] would have to do...





(and then the next chapter is entitled, "How to Handle Young Men Through the Application of Psychology"- is this a page turner, or what?)




I have tasted red bush tea and I must say that it is an acquired taste (tastes like boiled bark to me). I prefer black tea. But I do enjoy reading about the life and times of the ladies at the Gaborone, Botswana based detective agency and mentally partake tea with them as they brew a pot to put their clients at ease, clear their thinking or calm their nerves in a stressful situation. The red bush tea flows freely throughout the books.




The books are one reason you haven't seen much of me lately -- I've been reading(!) Nay, consuming the stories. Thankfully my librarian can order these books and get them to me quickly so I can go from one book to another almost uninterrupted (I have jokingly called her my "dealer", because these books have truly been an addiction). That and working at the post office every morning the past two weeks has kept me from updating my blog. Well, there is also being a mom-- the kids demand all of my attention from the minute I pick them up from school to the second they are all off to bed (and sometimes beyond).




My days have been full from dawn to dusk!


If you like artsy postage, like I do, you might want to check out the latest sheet available (as of Sept. 28) with the artwork of Romare Bearden (1911-1988).





If your local post office doesn't have it, do go to usps.com to order stamps by mail.





They come right to your door, nicely backed with cardboard and wrapped with celophane.




Pretty much all new postage releases now are "forever" stamps, so if you lose a sheet in the back of a desk drawer and it doesn't surface until your next deep cleaning, 8 years from now (haha), they will still be good for the first ounce of a first class mailing without additonal postage, no matter how much postage has gone up in that time.





Some insider info-- the price of the first ounce postage has not gone up in about 3 years, but there have been increases in the second ounce (from 17 cents to 20 cents) and parcel mailing costs have increased, to defray the postal services billions of dollars in debt and rising costs of doing business over the years (fuel to run all of those delivery cars and trucks!)


For more Tea on Tuesday posts, visit Kimmie's blog.

15 comments:

Yvonne said...

Wonderful post. I would love to read the series you are reading now.
Romare Bearden is one of my favorite artists. I have had a piece of his work (cut from a magazine) on my design board for quite awhile for inspiration. It is a fabric collage called Junction Piquette and is 96 by 68 inches. Just lovely work. Very unique.
Happy tea day!

Linda Jo said...

Great post! (post being a key word for you) I guess I'm going to have to read those books after all.... I do love ordering stamps by mail.. so much easier and always in stock! I know you are so busy and I miss you....

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Sounds like a wonderful series of mystery books. Your choice of books make perfect sense for tea today, too. But please don't get me started on USPS. Right now, they are my least favorite and most poorly operated company around. I know you work for them, and I used to, too (as an independent contractor). But all that flies out the window when people act incompetent. However, have a super tea Tuesday.

~*~Patty S said...

Super post N on many levels!

Hate to be the person that says I saw the movie (instead of reading the book ROFLOL) BUT....
they had an HBO series and it was spectacular..I was so bummed that it did not continue...The accents were delightful...just the way they said BOTSWANA was wonderful!

Happy T to ya...nice to see you in blogland!
oxo
p.s. after reading about your cards longggggg journey to Tammy overseas...well I have always Loved our PO and going to the mailbox!

Halle said...

Great post with so much info!
I like ordering my postage online. I like having all different denominations of stamps on hand.

Dianne said...

I've heard of those books. I might have to check them out!

Margaret said...

I knew if I waited around long enough you'd eventually turn up and you don't disappoint either, love the tea story!! my smile late in the day.
I hope work time/playtime evens out a bit in the near future, we miss you and your art.

Unknown said...

I love that series .... "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies" is probably my favorite one .... I still have a couple more to go, but I save them for deepest dark winter as a way to warm and brighten my day.

This summer I read one of his 44 Scotland Street books and loved it equally as well. "The Unbearable Lightness of Scones." He is a wonderful storyteller! I heard him on Prairie Home Campanion a few months ago - and he was funnier than Garrison Keillor!

I hope things work out for the USPS .... You don't know what you've got til it's gone ... We have amazing service for the price. Canada Post is a horror story ... You postmasters are our unsung heroes :)

Caterina Giglio said...

I know what you mean, the days are just packed, aren't they?? xx

Nancy said...

Hmm, that sounds like an interesting series, might have to look them up! I'll stick to black tea too :)

Lorrie said...

Those are such fun stories. I read one years ago and never got back to them. Now that I have time to read for pleasure I'll add them to my list. Thanks for the reminder.

Jill said...

It's good to hear from you again! I am going to read a grown up book for fun again...someday...really I'm sure of it! (It's been over 6 years. I know because the last one was while I was nursing my 6 year old.) I'll keep this series in mind. It sounds like "my cup of tea" :)

Ann said...

i have not heard of these books...but i would love to reaad them!! i'll have to go looking!!
you are a busy one,aren't you!! glad you are taking time to enjoy something "just for you"!!!
xo

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

Romare is one of my very favorite artists. I have bought these twice...wonderful post. Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Anonymous said...

I landed some of his postcards in a Pomegranate blow-out sale. Glad I haven't used them yet, 'cause now I can get stamps to match. Thanks.