Leaflet No. 6
This week’s leaflet tea tastes like … apple, rice flour, rum raisin, blueberry, and lavender
Hello, everyone.
Tea Leaf Tech is a process in which I brew a cup of the Beobab.tree’s blend (its bark, leaves, its fruit, and a dapple of honey—of course!), which is a way to introduce settling and warmth into the day’s spiral of events. During this time of sipping and slowness, ideas and images collect at the bottom of the cup. The readings of the tea leaves laid to rest on ceramic glaze will be the basis of Wednesday’s leaflets. From here, I invite you to sit with your own cuppa and peruse what sensations this week’s tea blend has to offer.
Enjoying:
Nothing Even Matters - SiR. A song that’s been on repeat all December and now still. The titling of the song is—tiny spoiler—a pivot in connotation to its contents. You will hear for yourself. SiR has an intimate place in my heart for the album “Chasing Summer”. It’s one of my favorite albums, ever, for its production (great features, too) and meaning. “Chasing Summer” is rife with yearning, missed connections, transfiguring longing into a continuance for loving while mourning what is necessary. For me, it’s sometimes healing to indulge in wistful songs, to permit myself to cry. This new release makes me happy for SiR. It makes me emotional to see him create something like “Nothing Even Matters”, a soulful, gorgeous-soft-gooey-catchy song. It’s a declaration of gratitude, of devotion. Black love is so beautiful. Any and all instances of Black love is a sacred reason for delight.
Also, I can see this song being a nod—no, a hug—to Lauryn Hill & D'Angelo’s duet by the same name. It’s special, I guess that’s the word I want to use, that love reminds us how we can be spiritual. How another person’s love and presence becomes a part of our already-full soul.
You're part of my identity
I sometimes have a tendency (Ooh, oh)
To look at you religiously (Baby, baby)
'Cause nothing even matters, to me
SOS - SZA. I kinda love what “Kill Bill” did for all the Femmes out here. 2022 was the year I watched both Kill Bill movies with Alexander on a plane ride from Portugal to the States. This song’s so clever. There is a power in being able to sing out something as forbidden and violent as murder, but it be …healing. To say what SZA does weaves vulnerability into transgression—but also—transgressing pain. I love the self-awareness the protagonist has—”yea, this is not the best idea…but I did it as sober as light”.
Being in Tokyo was a trip…and also a treat:
apple-flavored Lipton black tea
Mitarashi dango
this combination needs to be historically preserved so it can be packed in children’s school lunches in the year 4022: blueberry jam and light cream cheese (No, not the same as using blueberry cream cheese) on white bread.
Rum raisin popsicle bars
Here is some sweetness:
Inspired by Sally Wen Mao’s Ode to Emptiness
Today when I was trying to get onto Substack to transcribe today’s leaflet, I incidentally typed in “sun” (vs “sub”, hoping for some quick field-population) and pressed entered on Duckduckgo. I was taken to the results page, featuring twelve images of our sun. I was reminded how glorious and red-orange she is.
My dad wearing a lavender wool 507 Kangol hat, backwards, with a burgundy fleece jacket
My mom receiving a “We Miss You, Ms. ____” banner, colored in by her students while she’s been gone for the month. Seeing all the presents she gets from people. Growing up with her being a “stay-at-home” parent, I really enjoy her being recognized in the workplace.
This morning my sister left me a Yeo’s soymilk can (yum!) on the bathroom counter, knowing I get up way earlier than she does.
Getting sleep to feel, although slowly, regular again
Images in the tree bark:
This time around, I invite you to bachata over to @ isabeobeo on IG, where I’ve been sneaking bark transcriptions in my regular feed. From December 18th to now, I’ve been spilling images as seeds.
I hope your day is kind to you and you are kind to you.
Warmed,
Isabel