The Green Miracle

“When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”

In this case it is true, though I admit I am not a religious person. With the loss of my shrimp tank I thought it be best if I try to recuperate with a day or two of reflection, memories and mourning. It would seem that was not meant to be for long. Last night at 9:15pm there was a knock on the door from my two neighbours (who I had never met nor seen before by the way), they were holding a small black kitten and asked if it was mine. I replied that it was not my kitten, eventually finding out that some children saw it wandering the street alone so they got their parents and ended up knocking doors trying to find the owners. I believe I was one of the last stops as they asked if it would be possible to look after him with intentions of advertising about the kitten. I said yes (much to my husbands distaste) and so I welcomed him into my home.

Don’t mistake my husbands tone, he truly does not want this kitten and has made it quite clear, as he did with our other 4 cats; but I do admit that 5 cats is perhaps a bit too much. Well if I could I would offer a home to all the cats in the world, were it large enough. So for now I have my hands full with a black male kitten, I believe he is roughly 8-9 weeks old. Far too young to be roaming around and I for one could not turn him away. We called him ‘Ollie’ after Oliver Twist, we needed a name for him because I call my other cats names like ‘baby’ and ‘little pudding’.

A part of me wants him to be collected from his real owners but a larger part of me wants to keep him. One of my cats has taken such a shining to him and they are the best of friends. Perhaps because Mr Sooty Pants is also a pure black cat and as he was the youngest of our four he must remember what it was like coming into a new house for the first time.

So how long I have him for is beyond my knowledge but while I have him I’m going to make the best of it. And yes I realise this was a long story about nothing tea related, for that I am sorry. So to finish this post off I am sipping some of this Ruby black tea, though it has gone cold as little kitty is asleep on me and I can barely reach for the drink. A tea chosen to cherish the wonders of life, the good times and the bad times…it’s truly random and amazing.

I decided to re-steep last nights leaves and just in time too as Death Note drama has just released it’s second video a few hours ago. So really it’s just like I’m going to carry on from where I left off (in both senses).

The re-steep was a good call because it’s still full of flavour and strength, perhaps a little more sour and bitter. The wood and malt tones still preside with sweet and sour notes with the dry, dark cocoa finish. Just as beautiful as the first steep. :)

Some quick notes on this one tonight while I stay up and watch Death Note (the drama version ie live action film). This tea came from a friend in Taiwan as part of an exchange along with some other locally sourced tea.

This comes in the large tin as pictured along with an airtight lid, meaning I can just open and enjoy asap without having to find somewhere for it to go.

The raw leaves are long, thin and curly with a sweet wood and malt scent. Subtle and toasted.

Once steeped this tea has a thick malt scent with some sweetness though also a bit dry and sour.

Flavour is not quite as thick nor sour as the smell but it does have a lot of character non the less. The malt and wood tones mixed with sweet and dry create a complex yet pleasing combination. Further sips reveal soft leather and dark cocoa notes.

It has similar characteristics to the other Sun Moon Lake tea I’ve had previously and I think for the time being this might be my ‘go to’ black tea. I’m going to keep it near my kettle for easy access. Plus perhaps my husband will get curious one morning and make himself a cup…well probably not but he may if I coerce him. I bought him a ceramic all in one steeping mug with lid so he can take loose leaf to work.

So it would seem this ended the night perfectly, and the Death Note drama is pretty awesome too!