It's gotten cold here. Being my heat is only on during pre-programmed morning and evening allotted time slots (which work around my general class schedule) I tend to like to be home when the heat is on. Some people want to be in front of the TV before CSI; Val wants to be in her flat when the radiators fire up! Woot!
My thoughts turn to the winters I spent living in England, and thing I remember most is always being cold. I have reverted back to methods of keeping warm I used when living in old servant's cottages and farm houses in England. Why should it be different in the medieval core of Florence?
Well, there are some differences:
In England I'd boil water for baths because the water heater couldn't fill a tub with hot water. Shortly after draining the tub, I'd have to give the PVC pipe running down the outside of the cottage a swift kick to loosen any ice formed. Otherwise I'd come home to a still full tub, and the chore of repeating boil water-kick pipe routine many more times in the evening. That was precious time needed for fire-building and cooking.
Here, the hot water situation is hit or miss; if you get it, it doesn't last long. (Yep, leaving that one alone.) What sealed the deal on a membership I bought to the palestra, besides the (really good!) Yoga and selection of cardio machines, cleanliness, and space - was - it was warm! Yes, it's open 7 days/week, 1/2 a block from my flat, and has a hydrotherapy pool/hot tub/hammam/heavenly waterfall shower area that rivals most spas. I think this week I've spent more time in there than actually working out...
Some methods I wish I thought of back then: hot water bottles? genius?
Some I don't have now: like a fire place.
Either way, I've mastered the art of bundling up, and always reverting to hot tea, mostly herbals. Even when purchasing mugs for hot beverages, I've caught myself in the store doing a dry run of the "hand-wrap 3rd and 4th fingers of the right hand through the handle" - grip. I reach for the mug like I did my old "Columbia Yellow Dot" on bowling league night.
NOTE: Yes I did just admit to having been a faithful member of bowling teams - and still have the old "Yellow Dot" at home (and the shoes!) just in case a "bowling emergency" should present itself in the future.
Currently in my kitchen I counted 11 different kinds of tea, three types of honeys (eucalyptus, chestnut, acacia flower), fresh lemons, sage leaves, dried eucalyptus, dried hibiscus flowers, fresh and candied ginger. It's a tea buffet!
But the newest weapons to enter my hot beverage arsenal over the past 5 or so years are the Yogi Teas. I discovered them when I was researching Ayurveda and found them to have herbal remedies for just about everything. My friends would see the mountain of Yogi Teas in my kitchen and give me that "Got enough tea, Val?"look.
"My medicine cabinet," would be my response.
Really, when you're feeling bad, cold, or even content, there's nothing like wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of spiced tea. I became more inclined to not use drugs for simple things and turned more toward nature.
These teas go everywhere with me - teas for energy, muscle soreness, breathing, cold season, digestion, calming, etc. I was scouring the markets for herbal substitutes recently when I ran out of the stash of Yogi Teas I brought with me to Italy. Then a friend located an organic store (with an even more AWESOME restaurant attached!) we were there the next weekend and I commenced to restocking my "medicine cabinet." Now you understand the tea buffet...
But what I really like about Yogi Teas are the little tags with the zen wisdom sayings. If you are fortunate enough to be in close proximity with me while I'm sipping a warm mug-o-wisdom, I will share it with you - whether you are interested or not.
Three years ago, for example, I shared this one - and every time this tag reappears, I laugh:
"Experience yourself"
Deep. But when shared with a couple of dudes in a work trailer after some long days, the response from one of them, "Yeah - I experienced myself in the shower this morning, Val, but thanks."
*snicker*
Yesterday's morning tea wisdom:
"Oneness is achieved by recognizing your self"
For a minute there, I thought this was referring to my new-found affinity for "oneness" with hot water bottles ...
There are some that are poignant, relevant, like today's:
"Love what is ahead by loving what has come behind"
The experiences we've had in life that have brought us to where we are now, being grateful for them, as well as for whatever lies ahead. Similar to my WWRFD (snakes!) ramblings last summer after getting a little lost on a hike. Again.
One of my favorites:
"The universe is a stage on which you dance, guided by your heart"
I think I addressed this in Drop it Like it's Hot, yes? Not sure if the universe had belly dancing in mind, which, by the way, I've been unsuccessful at continuing in a formal classroom environment. But I still have my "jingly things" standing by should another belly dancing opportunty arise (and thank you, J, for the DVD!)
Then there are some that make you go, WTF? "When you know all is light, you are enlightened."
Yeaahhh - I'm still waiting for that megadose of enlightenment...
Either way, it's always fun to read the little tags & think about why that random saying made its way into your day, while wrapping your hands around a mug of warmth.
Just those little moments in life for which to be grateful - now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to make another pot - think I'm going for the Cocoa Aztec Spice - and position myself in front of my heat sources which should be kicking on any minute.
Peace, love, and all things warm and cozy on a cold winter's night.
My thoughts turn to the winters I spent living in England, and thing I remember most is always being cold. I have reverted back to methods of keeping warm I used when living in old servant's cottages and farm houses in England. Why should it be different in the medieval core of Florence?
Well, there are some differences:
In England I'd boil water for baths because the water heater couldn't fill a tub with hot water. Shortly after draining the tub, I'd have to give the PVC pipe running down the outside of the cottage a swift kick to loosen any ice formed. Otherwise I'd come home to a still full tub, and the chore of repeating boil water-kick pipe routine many more times in the evening. That was precious time needed for fire-building and cooking.
Here, the hot water situation is hit or miss; if you get it, it doesn't last long. (Yep, leaving that one alone.) What sealed the deal on a membership I bought to the palestra, besides the (really good!) Yoga and selection of cardio machines, cleanliness, and space - was - it was warm! Yes, it's open 7 days/week, 1/2 a block from my flat, and has a hydrotherapy pool/hot tub/hammam/heavenly waterfall shower area that rivals most spas. I think this week I've spent more time in there than actually working out...
Some methods I wish I thought of back then: hot water bottles? genius?
Some I don't have now: like a fire place.
Either way, I've mastered the art of bundling up, and always reverting to hot tea, mostly herbals. Even when purchasing mugs for hot beverages, I've caught myself in the store doing a dry run of the "hand-wrap 3rd and 4th fingers of the right hand through the handle" - grip. I reach for the mug like I did my old "Columbia Yellow Dot" on bowling league night.
NOTE: Yes I did just admit to having been a faithful member of bowling teams - and still have the old "Yellow Dot" at home (and the shoes!) just in case a "bowling emergency" should present itself in the future.
Currently in my kitchen I counted 11 different kinds of tea, three types of honeys (eucalyptus, chestnut, acacia flower), fresh lemons, sage leaves, dried eucalyptus, dried hibiscus flowers, fresh and candied ginger. It's a tea buffet!
But the newest weapons to enter my hot beverage arsenal over the past 5 or so years are the Yogi Teas. I discovered them when I was researching Ayurveda and found them to have herbal remedies for just about everything. My friends would see the mountain of Yogi Teas in my kitchen and give me that "Got enough tea, Val?"look.
"My medicine cabinet," would be my response.
Really, when you're feeling bad, cold, or even content, there's nothing like wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of spiced tea. I became more inclined to not use drugs for simple things and turned more toward nature.
These teas go everywhere with me - teas for energy, muscle soreness, breathing, cold season, digestion, calming, etc. I was scouring the markets for herbal substitutes recently when I ran out of the stash of Yogi Teas I brought with me to Italy. Then a friend located an organic store (with an even more AWESOME restaurant attached!) we were there the next weekend and I commenced to restocking my "medicine cabinet." Now you understand the tea buffet...
But what I really like about Yogi Teas are the little tags with the zen wisdom sayings. If you are fortunate enough to be in close proximity with me while I'm sipping a warm mug-o-wisdom, I will share it with you - whether you are interested or not.
Three years ago, for example, I shared this one - and every time this tag reappears, I laugh:
"Experience yourself"
Deep. But when shared with a couple of dudes in a work trailer after some long days, the response from one of them, "Yeah - I experienced myself in the shower this morning, Val, but thanks."
*snicker*
Yesterday's morning tea wisdom:
"Oneness is achieved by recognizing your self"
For a minute there, I thought this was referring to my new-found affinity for "oneness" with hot water bottles ...
There are some that are poignant, relevant, like today's:
"Love what is ahead by loving what has come behind"
The experiences we've had in life that have brought us to where we are now, being grateful for them, as well as for whatever lies ahead. Similar to my WWRFD (snakes!) ramblings last summer after getting a little lost on a hike. Again.
One of my favorites:
"The universe is a stage on which you dance, guided by your heart"
I think I addressed this in Drop it Like it's Hot, yes? Not sure if the universe had belly dancing in mind, which, by the way, I've been unsuccessful at continuing in a formal classroom environment. But I still have my "jingly things" standing by should another belly dancing opportunty arise (and thank you, J, for the DVD!)
Then there are some that make you go, WTF? "When you know all is light, you are enlightened."
Yeaahhh - I'm still waiting for that megadose of enlightenment...
Either way, it's always fun to read the little tags & think about why that random saying made its way into your day, while wrapping your hands around a mug of warmth.
Just those little moments in life for which to be grateful - now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to make another pot - think I'm going for the Cocoa Aztec Spice - and position myself in front of my heat sources which should be kicking on any minute.
Peace, love, and all things warm and cozy on a cold winter's night.
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All entries are strictly observations from my point of view. This blog is not intended as professional commentary on travel, wine, food, or any other subjects I discuss - it is for entertainment, an online journal, for my friends, family, and anyone interested in my stories or journey in general.
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