As you probably know, chamomile tea tastes of straw from the bottoms of elephants. And elephant-bottom-straw tea is for grown-ups. I had successfully eluded both chamomile and grown-up-ness for many years, generally scrunching my face at both, until some weeks ago when a lady at the biscuit store accidentally gave me chamomile with milk in lieu of Earl Grey, and something happened: Dear reader, chamomile was delicious. I smelled it and took a long drink and then another and then one more before saying, "ExcusemepleaseI'msorryIbelievethisischamomile." I scrunched my face up a tiny bit, but I didn't mean it. Shame ensued, as it does for lovers of the forbidden. I fled. A month passed.
And then last Thursday I bought a cup of it to accompany me home on the train from Boston. (Reasons: It was raining. I wore a trench. I knew no one would know me on the train.) I leaned my head against the glass and inhaled deeply and drank. Some miles in, I spotted a rainbow. Whether the chamomile brought the rainbow about, I cannot say. But the rocking tracks and the chamomile did something over those miles through Stamford and New Haven, and when I reached the sparkling city all lit up I was loving of those dusty golden orbs and tea that tastes of straw, and I was grown.
Other indicators of aforementioned grown status: enjoying black licorice, watering plants in the sink, forgetting things, discussing the Comforts of Barley with friends at dinner, owning pants in two sizes. I am horrified/don't care.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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21 maids a-milking:
No blog post has made me laugh more, especially before 8am.
Thanks.
Perfect timing, too. It's moving day. Moving. Day. I'll try to face it like a grown-up.
How strange, I too am a chamomile unenthusiast, and I was also recently served it by accident at a restaurant. I don't mind it, but I am not sure I can muster the full grown-up enthusiasm for it that you seem to be cultivating. And same with black licorice, ew.
However when I spent this weekend reorganizing our pantry and beaming at it with a sort of motherly pride, I did know that something was off.
I am waiting for this to happen with me and coffee.
Funny, I feel like this about all tea. I should like it, but I can only muster a mild appreciation for it, and even then, only if I'm in England. When I drink it I just wish it was coffee.
<3 you
Clapping my hands together in utter delight and wild adoration.
Heavens, if only I could muster the same grown-up appreciation for black licorice. Yuk.
And, for the first time in my wee life I found myself wishing ever so hard for those five quiet hours on the Amtrak between Beantown and NY. Just me, all quiet, no one to interrupt my tea sipping and trench coat-wearing as I fog up the glass peering out at the sedges and dinghies in those tiny Connecticut towns.
Chamomile = blech.
All other grown up activities - check. Except I think I have three sizes of pants. And I've always loved black licorice, so that might not count.
i've loved both black licorice and chamomile since i was a little one.
maybe that's what they meant by "advanced beyond your years?" the licorice and tea?
i am so confused here. black licorice is most definitely barfy, but manzanilla (en español)?! i too have enjoyed it for years and have been drinking it since i was practically born. it's the cure-all for any stomach ailment. it is floral and sweet and does NOT at all taste like elephant butt. in fact, when i think elephant butt, i think maté.
I always water my plants in the kitchen sink, and once I started washing my babies there, I was done for. ;)
I have long suspected, but you've confirmed it: I am not grown up! I still detest licorice and chamomile. Also, @Mouse, coffee. I don't water plants in the sink. Actually, I tend to forget to water them altogether. Yes, I definitely forget things.
oh no! next you will be playing
bridge.
wait, that's me.
nice blog,... keep posting
http://topicdiretory.blogspot.com/
@Sarah: Hope Moving Day went well, and glad to make you laugh.
@Others: Black licorice. A polarizing subject.
LICORICE 4EVA
I love chamomile (I don't love how Americans look at me when I say it then frown like I asked them how they are then eventually say 'oh, you mean chamomeeeeel?') and black liquorice. But like Avid Reader I feel the same as you did about all *real* tea made with tea.
You wouldn't need pants in two sizes if your pockets were stretchy.
Boo- I STILL hate black liqorice, but I like chamomile! I thought it was funny that lady gave it to you with milk...do you have it with milk now? I always like milk in my tea even if they are herbal.
this was so incredibly amusing I can't stop smiling :)
How perfect. I too have been recently feeling the inexorable pull of Being Grown (and sometimes doing everything in my power to withstand it). You put it so wonderfully though.
(I drink chamomile before bed. Herbal nightcaps - another sign of grown-up-ness.)
You reminded me of a poem! http://somevagueutopia.blogspot.com/2010/05/camomile-tea.html
I love chamomile, in fact, I think I might have some right now :D
Ha! I still can't do chamomile... I adore green tea but chamomile is just too grown up for me. Love love love your description of it - straw off an elephant's butt... he he!
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