Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wonder ??? Wednesday #2 Weird

For me this is more wonderful, than weird.  When I first drank tea in this cup and saw the Geisha looking back at me, it was kinda spooky!  I discovered this fine Bone China came from Japan, during WWII.  My Mother-in-law didn't care for the color or look of it and gave me 6 settings.  There was not a tea pot, to be found.  It was a set given to her by a great aunt. This china is from
the 1950's, it is called Hayasi Kutani.  You can also look it up by referencing Geisha Ghost.  The molded art is made, by very thin translucent porcelain also known as Lithophane.  This process can create a 3-D image.  YOU can see the image when light n' shadows are in play, when you tilt your cup of tea.   You can also set the cup in a sunny window and view it at different times during the day.  Sunlight alters the image and the Geisha Ghost will appear.

It is believed this process was first developed in China.  In the 1930's, the Japanese started producing Lithophane on sake 'n tea cups.   During WWII many sailors and soldiers were buying pieces to bring back home, during 1945-1952.  This art form stopped production. sometime in the 1950's.

Over at Poets United I provided this prompt-so many directions to go in tea, Geisha, ghost, WWII,  and our memories.   Tea memories started for me with my Nannie Nonnie, at the age of 10, she decided I need a lesson in tea.  I think it was more of an excuse to check to see if her  daughter in law was giving me the proper guidance, in my manners.  Anyway I made Mom proud,  pinkies up and no slurping.  lol






Journey of steeped memories
wake me
 echoes from my past
arrive in one sip
tiny leaves in a ball 
placed in black tea pot with a peony
graced her table
small servings of refreshment
a test of my skills
Clouded memories arrive and the mist
affects my eyes
like a sparrow's tongue
I'm am encouraged to taste
the bitter brew
Nannie's sweet dew
nectar of the mountains
Nature's offerings captured in a moment
one can travel the world
 in a cup of tea
cultivate your dreams
earth's notes swirl
memories plucked like ripe fruit
arrive all in the celebration
ceremony of
tea
the character of full body or fruit
its boldness reminds me
of ghosts, from my past
they linger like musical notes
and
play a faded tune
I do not see the Geisha
I see my
Grandmother
reminding me
to be a lady
to be the best me
all instilled
in a cup of
 tea


 I took this photo with a hint of tea.  I wanted you to see the Geisha, the ghost!  



 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Wonder??? Wednesday

I thought it would be fun to start off the new prompt at Poets United in a zany direction. Who better than Dr. Seuss to take us there.  He was the man that so many of us enjoyed in our youth, read to our children, and  some are now enjoying with their grandchildren.

Here is my silly adaptation.  I chose to write a tribute type poem to Dr. Seuss.  I must say "Wacky Wednesday" did invade my life.  Once I discovered the book and read it with my daughter, life changed.  We celebrated "Wacky Wednesday" with dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner.  Once in a Blue Moon I would let my children eat dessert first.  I know wacky, right!  I did make sure it was something with some protein in it, like Peanut Butter Chocolate pudding!   I hope in honor of Dr. Seuss, you too will embrace Wednesday and do something wacky! 






Dr. Seuss
you silly goose
you set my mind a whirling
like oysters do, I too began a pearling


You made reading fun, when I was young
your rhyming gave me a twisted tongue
I learned to love the abuse
oh, Dr. Seuss you silly goose


Children came and you again entered my brain
allowing me to dance down memory lane
my thoughts scrambled like green eggs n' ham
 I need to live like a clam
or maybe like Horton hears a Who
then I think of red and blue and things one n' two
the Grinch reminds me of Cindy Lou
Then Wacky Wednesday had that silly shoe
How do you do it..get in my head
 you nested in my capillary bed


If I ran the Zoo
Horton would not have heard the who
The Cat in the hat
would have found a bat
inside his chapeau
How would we grow?


Would I have Hopped on Pop
What would I talk about at the bus stop?
Sneetches would their bellies have stars
Would a  green dog in a yellow tree have cars?

 

Oh, Dr. Seuss
You silly goose
would a fox wear socks
would Knox find a box
would my tongue be in knots
Thanks Dr. Seuss for all the crazy thoughts!!!


Thanks for tying my tongue in a bow
Thanks for letting me grow
Thank you, Thank you
 Dr. Seuss
for being zany like a goose
for giving me an excuse
n' setting my imagination on the loose***