There are a handful of valuable (to some) items and things I either bought, found on the net and printed out, like the above wheel, carefully pinning it to a cork-board...and then never used. An expensive black leather tea journal, far more suited to true tea tasters than my sensibilities. Tossed it out after staring at it with suspicion for six months. I found that just like with bird-watching, I don't really want to learn to identify the bird in too much detail, happiest sightings are experienced with a sharp intake of breath, a feeling in my belly, the words BEAUTY hitting me in the heart and the colors and sounds of the wings as they flit by. Yes, much like this sort of childish appreciation of birds, so too do I find myself a tea-blogger who seems to push away from over describing. I keep this blog, partly due to vanity for it pleases me to see people visit it, but mostly to keep for myself a record of teas that moved me, one way or another, and always in unexpected ways. I may not be using the language and nuance of a true Gongfu Cha expert, but I am growing closer everyday, to touching the true heart of my own tenderness for the Earth through the touch, taste and feel of teas from around the world. And that's pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good for a neurotic-striving-consumer-wanna-be-Dudeist-buddha-mom.