grace, graciousness...grateful

because of her graciousness and gentleness my friend h. reminds me very much of audrey hepburn. one afternoon in a sky high cafe in manhattan that over looks 5th afternoon, there i was sipping tea and reading. h. leaned over and mentioned that we happen to be reading the same book, and thus began our friendship.

one evening she invited me to her dinner party. i walked into her candle lit home filled with pretty music and friendly party people. she herself had prepared delicious food that spread from one end of her lengthy dining table to the other. she wore a soft cotton black ankle length dress as she mingled with her guests in her bare feet. it was a special evening. i only found out weeks later that there was a secret in the air. it was her birthday. rumour has it that she wanted to spend her special day with friends without the stress and pressure that can come when another birthday presents itself.... simply a celebration.








a red velvet cup cake kind of day...

this afternoon as we were to rendez -vous in soho for lunch. she is on the mend. she sprang her ankle. she called to say that she has made red velvet cup cakes and if i can come by her place to share with a cup of tea. it's hard for her to navigate the city with a bruised ankle.

... these angels come into our lives and catch us when we are mostly not looking.

i only hope that i can be a friend as well to those close to my heart. i've got some good examples...
dear friends... i hope you have a red velvet cup cake kind of day!

familiar strangers

there's a tiny little 'cafe' that i visit that serves indian food. it's a cute little spot with delicious food. it has an incredibly informal and fun atmosphere. folks on the go stop in for a friendly, tasty quick bite and are off in no time. the 'chai tea' is delicious (knowing that 'chai' is the word for tea, but somehow that's what it's called), so it's sweet to take a moment to sip a warm cup of chai and just be... alone or with friends.

yesterday i spoke a bit with y. who was granted asylum here in the states as he is from tibet. we spoke about his children, the time he spent in india, as well as some of his experiences here in the states. it didn't just happen like that. our little friendship has been brewing for quite a while. over time, when i stop in for a nice warm meal we trade smiles, and then hellos, and then 'how are you's,' and when i don't come for a while 'where you been and how have you been...' yesterday as we got to talking about new york culture, the high price of rents, and his wife and children who are coming soon from india... it dawned on me that these are the makings of relationships, how a person or persons go from being strangers to sharing our thoughts and experiences. it's a nice flowering to our days and our lives...

sunday brunch

i had a delicious lunch with g. this past sunday at cafe orlin. lady n., i think you and i and k. were there for a weekend brunch. now that i think of it, it was the first time we met. what a fantastic day. and then walking over to the boardwalk in greenwhich village to sit in the grass and talk...

well this past sunday i had poached egges and potatos. thing is, brunch in ny is a big thing. it's a wonderful way to meet with friends after an intense week and hang around, eat good food, and catch up.

the starbucks appeal

i've often wondered what is the appeal of starbucks cafes, and i think i am beginning to get an idea why. i don't visit starbucks often. i don't know the politics of the 'situation,' and i think there are many from the mumblings about towns that i have heard. i'm not a coffee drinker, and for me their tea is tasteless. that said, no one can deny they are successful.

yesterday while waiting to meet s in front of starbucks, simply a meeting place, it being cold, i snuck inside to get warm, and thought why not have a nice warm cup of tea while at it. the christmas carols were piping through the sound system filling the cafe with christmas spirit. the lines were long with groups of families and friends getting their tonic of choice, from little boys getting hot chocolate with swirls and swirls of whip cream, to mom's grande mocha something or other.

i sat down with my green tea chai latte (with soy)... it does get pleasingly complicated doesn't it? ... and waited for s. taking off my jacket, pleased at the warm woolen sweater i had chosen for this chilly day, i wrapped my paws around my warm beverage. swarms of folks made their way in with the lines almost out the door. i wondered what is the appeal. less expensive and probably better coffee can be had elsewhere.

while i sat there getting toasty, singing along to the christmas carols quietly and looking forward to chatting with my friend, it dawned on me. starbucks isn't just a cup of coffee, it's an experience. a place where you meet with friends and family and indulge yourself in sinful pleasures like chocolate and whip cream and coffee and tea done up in a way grandma never has. not that it is better, it's just different...