A Cup of Tea in Ireland

Twice I travelled to Dublin to study at the James Joyce Summer School.  There we students were housed in a novice nun’s residency while the young women themselves were on summer break,  and yes,  you guessed it,  my husband told everyone he’d sent me to a nunnery!   (See My Love Affair with James Joyce)

The Joyce course lasted two weeks,  and Monday through Friday we attended morning classes taught by university professors,  and afternoon lectures by visiting Joycean scholars.

But on weekends we were free to stroll through St Stephens Green park,  see a play at the Abbey Theater,  visit the Irish Writers Museum,  shop for sweaters and Irish linens on Grafton Street, or pub crawl in Temple Bar.

One weekend several of us decided to take a day-long bus tour out of the city.  We left in the morning and the bus’ tour guide regaled us with Irish history and song as we drove through the beautifully lush countryside.

We were promised a lovely lunch,  but when the bus pulled up to a simple,  rather inelegant-looking roadside cafe I was skeptical.  But the Irish stew and the traditional apple cake were delicious!

And – unlike a teabag in a styrofoam cup as might be expected at a roadside dinner back in the States – when I asked for tea the waitress brought me a small tray with a teapot,  cup and saucer,  tea strainer,  sugar bowl,  and two pitchers – for milk and hot water.

So if tea is your cup of tea,  I hope you get to drink it in Ireland!

– Dana Susan Lehrman

All That Jazz

We both grew up in classical music-loving families,  and still keep our radio set to WQXR,  though admittedly we seldom go to classical concerts or opera.  And as children of the 50s we love rock & roll,  and doo wop, and folk and country,  and of course the Beatles and the Stones and the Dead, and the whole rocking and soulful soundtrack of our generation.   (See  My Favorite Beatle and Rolling Stoned at the Garden)

Our son follows the jam band Phish and we love their sound too.  But though we enjoy all that music,  we don’t necessarily seek it out.   What we both really love is musical theatre,  the Great American Songbook,  and jazz – both hot and cool.

Over the years we’ve seen some great singers and musicians in cabaret and music hall –   Tony Bennett,  Annie Ross,  Ruth Brown,  and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme opening for Frank Sinatra on his 70th birthday.

And Lena Horne,  Keely Smith,  George Shearing,  Jane Monheit,  Bobby Short,  Regina Carter,  Barbara Cooke,  Kenny Washington,  Bonnie Raitt,  Warren Vache,  Luci Arnez,  Joel Grey,  Nancy LaMott,  Roy Hargrove,  Audra McDonald,  Christine Ebersol,  Harry Connick Jr,  Cyndi Lauper,  and Dave Brubeck bringing down the house the last time we saw him at age 90.  (See Brubeck)

And the Manhattan Rhythm Kings,  Dick Hyman,  Liza Minelli, Jay Leonardt,  Blossom Dearie,  Vince Giodano & Nighthawks,  Margaret Whiting,  Bucky, John and Martin Pizzarelli,  Jessica Molasky,  Bill Charlap,  Dianna Krall,  Milt Hilton,  Bernadette Peters,  Woody Allen,  Judy Carmichael,  Michael Feinstein,  Patty Lapone,  Esmeranda Spalding,  Aaron Weinstein,  Norah Jones,  Stacey Kent,  and Cyrulle Aimee.

And when I was a teenager – Ella Fitzgerald in Danbury.  (See The Camper-Waitress Goes to the Fair)

But in our book the best of the jazzy chick singers,  with that special ping in her voice,  was the incomparable Rosemary Clooney.  We’d never miss Rosie when she was in town.

Rich Conaty said it on WFUV’s Big Broadcast every Sunday night – “Don’t you never forget,  rhythm saved the world.”

– Dana Susan Lehrman

Pickleball Hopeful

When I started playing pickleball a few years ago I couldn’t quite explain why I found it so addictive.  (See Pickled!)

Until then I’d been playing lackluster tennis with frustrating results.  (See Tennis Woes)

Then I realized what it was – pickleball is much like tennis – except much more fun!

The fastest growing sport worldwide,  there’s a push to see pickleball in the Olympics.  But – to mix metaphors – a sport has to go through many hoops to gain Olympic status.

Yet there is a slight chance that pickleball will be an Olympic sport in 2028.  Of course I’ll be 84 then,  but if I train real hard for the next four years –  who knows!

RetroFlash / 100 Words

– Dana Susan Lehrman

At best sports were a minor part of what really mattered in life.
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