The Emperor of China sent it to me

Yesterday, Martha came over with a bottomless bag of goodies. But goodies or not, there is nothing like a real-time arty friend, with whom you can talk, show, trade, and have this tea. I knew we would become fast friends because she doesn't take anything in her brew, and I never have milk in the house! OK, also because I adore her art. And anyway, she is one of the nicest people I've met in a long time.

I put the little knob into a big mug of hot water, and it looked like this: First it sank to the bottom, then very slowly unfurled as we watched it. Then I took out the flower, and we drank the tea. Along with Martha's cashews and her daughter's biscotti. (She also brought a bagful of shortbread "stars"; later that night, I popped one in my mouth before I put them in the fridge.....oh, I almost fainted with pleasure, so I ate two more...)

We went through piles of fabrics, hers and mine, and I got a wealth of information -- Martha, you know so much more than me! about transparencies, printing them, where to get them right here in TO, gave each other trading cards, and talked about life (you know, the usual). And just when I thought the bag could hold no more, out came this huge bundle of wallpaper samples. I'm telling you, at that point I called her Mary Poppins!

A la prochaine, Martha!