Hillary invited folks to discuss books by posting a survey result and a meme on her blog. It was about books. How could I resist?

It’s true. They do.
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Grey Kitten had asked me to note three beautiful things from my birthday — and I did:

1. Rudi thoughtfully flew out to Chicago to spend the weekend with me. He offered backrubs and breakfast runs and moral support on a day that didn’t turn out quite the way either of us had hoped it would.

2. I work with some wonderful women who, in the middle of their own running around and long work days during our conference, bought me cards and a cake. It was above and beyond. And the cake was delicious.

3. The city of Chicago surprised me with a birthday show. Caught unawares, we rushed down the hallway when we started hearing booms around 6:30. We were in time to catch most of a Valentine’s Day fireworks show reflected in a building across the river from us. Apparently they were being launched (possibly by Donald Trump’s company?) from the bridge just down the street from our hotel.

I admit it. I like to send out themed packages to random strangers and get presents back in return.

The most recent swap was tea-themed. I figured that since Mum and Rudi and Danny had all given me lovely tea presents at Christmas that I’d better expand my horizons and a group on Ravelry offered to have someone send me some fun tea goodies.

Brenda in Rochester, New York, sent me a box that arrived while I was away in Chicago. I came home to this wonderfulness:

She sent me three teas from a company local to her. They are Warm Hearts (an herbal blend Rudi is particularly interested in breaking into), Caramel Cream (which purports to have little bits of caramel pieces interspersed with the leaves), and Royal Blend (which was Ceylon and green teas blended together with some pretty blue flowers). I made a pot of the Royal Blend last night to drink with the vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie Rudi prepared, and it’s really tasty. Definitely one I’d consider buying more of.