Just as Orwell had a ritual, I, too have a ritual when it comes to tea and writing. I usually never sit down to work without a cup of tea. Although I like to keep a kettle on my stove (just for looks) I usually microwave a cup of water for two minutes, and add one tea bag. Orwell would not approve.
When it comes to the tea vs. coffee debate, I believe my dog, Nanna, also would fall on the side of tea. For some reason, she thinks when I open a tea bag, it’s time for a treat. I believe this has to do with the fact that when we got her as a rescue, whoever had her before us must’ve kept her treats in a canister like the one where I keep my tea bags. From the first day she came home with us and I opened the canister for a tea bag, she came to the edge of the kitchen, sat up straight and proper like a good dog, and looked at me with those big brown eyes as if I was supposed to know what to do.
At first I said “What?” She didn’t answer, so I wasn’t sure what to do, but the next time I said “Treat?” And she wagged her tail so I took that as a “Yes, Please,” and gave her a treat and now she has me trained properly so that every time I make a cup of tea, she is there, waiting.
I am celebrating National Hot Tea Month as I write this because I am sipping on a cup of hot tea while Nanna is napping in her crate after a nice doggy treat.
What rituals do you use when it comes to writing, tea (or coffee), and pets?
Mary
Mary--I drink some tea, never coffee, but my tea drinking has no part of my writing ritual.
ReplyDeleteOne ritual I DO have with my dog is making sure his nose is nowhere near my keyboard. He's been known to snuffle around my keyboard while I'm working on my laptop (in my lap) and once actually submitted a Muffin post early (on someone else's day) by nosing around and making my finger hit a key accidentally. (I had to delete it quickly, but of course, my post title still came up all that day, even though the link went to the right writer's post.)
How about a picture of Nanna next time? (Rescued dogs are the best!)
My former cats used to try to help me type, but the dog not so much. Love that yours does! I'll post a picture soon and explain where the name came from.
DeleteI bet if Orwell had had a microwave, he would have used it to make his tea.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Jenny. I feel somewhat relieved by your iincredible insight. Thank you!
DeleteI used to eat popcorn and drink wine. (Ok, this was only when I was writing at night) I like to have coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, and I like to have something to drink when I am at the computer, always. I am trying to drink more water, so maybe I should get a new drinking/writing ritual. :)
ReplyDeleteI also meant to say that I love the story about your dog and the canister. It is amazing to me how conditioned dogs are. Currently, if i sit in a certain chair, my dog wants to sit on the couch. But he never tries to sit on the couch unless I sit in this certain chair. So weird!
ReplyDeleteToo cute. I have two dogs who provide me plenty of "butt-out-of-chair" time and one of them is a dachshund, and for some reason they are notorious for being foodies. She can be in a dead sleep and if I crack open a jar of peanut butter or open the refrigerator drawer where the cheese and deli meat is kept, she comes charging in full sprint. She also whimpers at my desk starting at 11:15 and continues until I get up for a lunch break around noon. She has me pretty conditioned. I drink tea occasionally (especially when I am trying to lose weight!) but mostly love a warm cup of coffee when I'm writing. Scratch that. I'll take coffee anytime!
ReplyDeleteMargo and Renee, it's funny how dogs have such personalities and idiosyncrasies, just like us. And they are very good at training their owners! Nanna also comes running when she hears the refrigerator drawer where we keep the meat and cheese.
ReplyDeleteI wish I did have a writing ritual. Maybe I'd focus better. Since I no longer have a cat (no pets of any kind), I am on my own. Sad, I know. I do not drink coffee except an occasional iced one as a treat for which I am then up all night. I do love tea - decaf only - the un sweetened iced I drink all day, the hot only in the morning with sugar. Chai mostly. What other rituals help some of you get words on the page?
ReplyDeleteTea is also my beverage of choice. Earl Gray in the morning and mint tea or green tea with lemon later in the day. And iced tea when our critique group meets.
ReplyDeleteMy dog usually is in his bed next to my chair when I'm writing, unless he's in front of the door looking for the guys to come home.
Coffee, well iced, no sugar, loves sitting on my feet while I attempt to write.
ReplyDeleteMy blog and site is an amateur. My grammar isn't the best, 2 brain surgeries, TBI, and PTSD. I love life, refuse not to give up. A blog of stories, fun, and to raise awareness of the need of service dogs. I am continuing to add, a page and blurbs of great blogs like you, hoping you will share my link with others www.afurbabieslove.com
Coffee, well iced, no sugar, loves sitting on my feet while I attempt to write.
ReplyDeleteMy blog and site is an amateur. My grammar isn't the best, 2 brain surgeries, TBI, and PTSD. I love life, refuse not to give up. A blog of stories, fun, and to raise awareness of the need of service dogs. I am continuing to add, a page and blurbs of great blogs like you, hoping you will share my link with others www.afurbabieslove.com