I'm still envisioning getting kissed on the lips by Helen Mirren...

by Sally Fields

gave her the air of a young, teenage girl with her first crush.

The lady is a goddess...

"I think I just died and went to heaven."

I just said it out loud...

Dame Helen...

that way is now the proper way to hold your tea.

the 19th century when Meissen first endeavored to use handles on tea cups.

In Asia there is a specific practice of holding one's tea bowl, with one hand under and the other hand cupping the bowl to drink.

In France it is still custom for some to drink coffee from bowls, not proper cups as we know them. Authentic espresso cups have no handles, and we'll use glasses similar to 'shot' glasses more often than not.

It is correct form however, to raise one's pinky just a bit when drinking tea of course.

'Random Factoids'

because none of them have handles

I prefer the Chinese reasoning behind that method:
If it's too hot to pick up, then it's too hot to drink!

And that's mighty true with me. Can't tell you how many times I've burned my tongue or lips when holding a teacup by the handle. Blowing on it does nothing, and I still can't tell how hot it is.

?t=1m9s

Lyrics:

EVERYTHING STOPS FOR TEA
Featured in Buchanan's 1935 comedy film, "Come Out Of The Pantry"
(Goodhart / Hoffman / Sigler)
Jack Buchanan


Every nation in creation has its favourite drink
France is famous for its wine, it's beer in Germany
Turkey has its coffee and they serve it blacker than ink
Russians go for vodka and England loves its tea

Oh, the factories may be roaring
With a boom-a-lacka, zoom-a-lacka, wee
But there isn't any roar when the clock strikes four
Everything stops for tea

Oh, a lawyer in the courtroom
In the middle of an alimony plea
Has to stop and help 'em pour when the clock strikes four
Everything stops for tea

It's a very good English custom
Though the weather be cold or hot
When you need a little pick-up, you'll find a little tea cup
Will always hit the spot

You remember Cleopatra
Had a date to meet Mark Anthony at three
When he came an hour late she said "You'll have to wait"
For everything stops for tea

Oh, they may be playing football
And the crowd is yelling "Kill the referee!"
But no matter what the score, when the clock strikes four
Everything stops for tea

Oh, the golfer may be golfing
And is just about to make a hole-in-three
But it always gets them sore when the clock yells "four!"
Everything stops for tea

It's a very good English custom
And a stimulant for the brain
When you feel a little weary, a cup'll make you cheery
And it's cheaper than champagne

Now I know just why Franz Schubert
Didn't finish his unfinished symphony
He might have written more but the clock struck four
And everything stops for tea

Thanks.


from a tea devotee.

Tikki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert_at_the_2006_White_House_Correspondents'_Association_Dinner

So BRAVE!
My chest and stomach still constrict just thinking about it.


"But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works. The President makes decisions. He's the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Just put 'em through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration? You know, fiction!"

“It is a well known fact that reality has liberal bias.”

Love, love, love him!

Recently he was updating on his WHC dinner experience, said that during it and worse after it in the gatherings, he was totally shunned. Oh, now I remember the reason for the update, SCALIA's dying. He said SCALIA was the only one who came up to him, smiling greeting chatting.

Well, *this* put a wet rag on my fond memory of his performance.

and so is Colbert.

But then I heard about this grievous faux pas.

Sorry, Helen. It's over.

have ruled that there is no "grievous faux pas". I bow.