Photo by Elizabeth Halt
Photo by Elizabeth Halt

around town

October 21, 2012

on this chilly afternoon, i am thinking about coffee and tea.

the first three photos were taken at a bakery in northwest portland called two tarts. they have the cutest little cookies. each one is a mouthful. or two.

the last two photos were taken at townshend’s tea company on alberta street. on this visit, i tried a roasted coconut mate latte. it was good. (to which i say, whew. i don’t love tea so am still trying to find just the right drink there.)

thinking about coffee and tea makes me think of a) the strangeness of memory and b) the power of a tune. during a visit to the wisconsin state fair one summer, i heard the ink spots sing a song that included the following lines: “i like coffee. i like tea. i like the java java. it loves me. coffee and tea for the java in me. a cuppa cuppa cuppa cuppa coffee.” what feels like a million years later, i still remember it, never mind that it seems like that space in my memory could be used for much more important things, like the exact day of my sister helen’s birthday.

speaking of the power of a tune, i used to use tunes to memorize words for spelling bees. if you ever ask me how to spell a word like rapprochement, for example – not that i imagine you ever would – if i don’t sing the spelling to you, then you should know that i am singing it in my head and then translating it to regular speak so you don’t laugh at me.

5 comments... (add a comment)

  1. tammy j

    only laughing WITH you because you’re an
    enchanting little person.
    i don’t know anybody quite like you.
    the cookies are perfect.
    and like you…
    i love the ‘idea’ of tea. all the coziness that goes with it. i just have never been able to like it. the closest is earl grey.
    i rather like it. and lady grey.
    and oh yes. once i was served a delicious tea
    by a beautiful japanese lady. in a tiny cup.
    it tasted just like a flower garden. delicious!
    hey!
    maybe i DO like tea. LOL!
    i love these pictures. it’s just like being there too.
    xo
    tam

  2. LOVE this little tea & coffee song, Elizabeth! I’m a tea girl… and a macarons girls, so the flavor of all this really resonated! ;o) Fun photos–so cozy… perfect for autumn. Happy Days ((HUGS))P.S. Are you enjoying the Byron Katie book? She’s on my reading list.

  3. I want to go to Two Tarts now! (Also Townshend’s, for their emerald chai.) You’ve inspired me in the baked goods department. I think I might need to bake something today.

  4. elizabeth

    Tammy: Hahaha! Maybe you do!

    Tracy: You would love their little macaroons! They were all delicious. I am enjoying Byron Katie, yes. I’ve read that one before – it’s my copy, just happily re-reading it.

    Kylie: What did you bake?!

    Helen: :)

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