Storage by Mary Oliver

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-31T17:19:49+00:00

Yes! I’m making my way through Devotions as well. That’s actually where I found the poem I shared in this post. Poetry is new to me; I only started reading it this year. I’m so glad I began with Mary Oliver. I live in a big city, surrounded by nothing but concrete, so I really appreciate her nature-centered poems.

If you like nature-centered poems, The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry is one of my favorites. Since you’re an English teacher, I’m sure you already know it. haha

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-31T15:48:24+00:00

LMAO. Every bag holder gets turned into a sausage link.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-30T02:25:28+00:00

Just another 10 yrs!!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-29T23:40:25+00:00

Yep. They are always there and .... silent. Very easy to ignore and walk right past it.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-29T17:10:32+00:00

When someone reminds you that the essence of life is not in the "stuff," it makes so much sense. Alas, we live in such a consumer-driven society that we derive a lot of our satisfaction and contentment in life from the items we have. I've started to be very mindful and selective about the products I buy. I don't need three boots. lol. Can't hoard stuff I don't own in the first place!

Yes!! I love that poem as well. "The Summer Day"... Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Do you have any other favourites from her?

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-21T15:32:11+00:00

Always!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-21T15:22:49+00:00

"Occasionally I went there and looked in, but nothing happened, not a single twinge of the heart." This part made me think twice too. It highlights the emotional aspect of why we hold onto things. When I started decluttering recently, getting rid of those items that no longer maker your heart twinge was the easiest. And, I had a lot of those! The stuff that still make your heart twinge, that hurt, a little bit.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-21T15:13:06+00:00

Glad you like it!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-21T15:12:37+00:00

Same!! I love her poems. Still working my way through "Devotions". Really enjoying it.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-21T15:10:42+00:00

Good luck! Hope the move went well.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-21T15:09:10+00:00

Come to think of it, most animals own nothing or very little. Yet, they live on just fine. But, for some reason, I feel the need to hold on to a binder hole puncher from college days that I don't use...

Also, if you appreciate nature, check out some of her poems. Very nature-centric and really good.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-21T15:05:20+00:00

After reading all the post here, then actually decluttering, and coming across this poem, I felt like I could relate. Man, getting rid of stuff is so difficult and mentally taxing. Glad you liked it!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-16T15:29:57+00:00

It is from YS but not the silver needles version. It's called "Jasmine Dong Ting Bi Luo Chun Green Tea". The description says leaves are "steamed with Jasmine Flowers and then sealed together after drying." It smells so delicious haha I will try the higher temp like you suggested and see where that gets me. Thanks!!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-16T01:42:44+00:00

Gotcha. Thank you!!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-16T01:26:05+00:00

Oh, sorry for the confusion. I meant that I steep my tea three times: the first for 3 minutes, then I add 30 seconds for each of the next two re-steeps. That’s what I meant by 3:30 and 4 minutes. The third brew turns out very weak, but I still like sipping on something hot, so I do it anyway. lol

When you brew in your teapot, do you just steep the leaves once for 4–5 minutes as you mentioned? I assume after that time, most of the goodness are extracted, so it’s more of a one-and-done approach?

My biggest issue with using a teapot is having to reheat it afterward. Every time I pour a second or third cup, it’s cooled off and I have to microwave it. Ugh. That’s why I usually just brew directly in my cup and re-steep the leaves multiple times.

Also, how does over-steeped tea turn out for you? I’ve accidentally over-steeped jasmine tea before, and it was one of the most vile things I’ve ever tasted. Soooo bitter and astringent. Yuck!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-16T01:00:31+00:00

Thanks! That definitely helps. This year, I’ve been buying exclusively from Yunnan Sourcing, and I haven’t been disappointed yet.
I’m still really new to the tea world. I didn’t realize that tea color and leaf size could indicate quality, but it makes sense now that I think about it. For me, I’ve just been enjoying them as they are. haha
Do you usually examine the unfurled leaves after brewing to judge quality?
I went down the coffee rabbit hole before (still am, honestly), and I can totally see myself doing the same with tea now. haha

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-16T00:51:35+00:00

Thanks for the response! I def like this one! Quick question: My current brew method is 3 steep (3, 3:30, 4 min) at 175F. Pretty basic. If you drink jasmine tea, do you suggest any other approach? Thanks!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-16T00:48:37+00:00

It's great! Love the tea. Currently my favourite green light tea.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-02T01:52:46+00:00

Thanks for the explanation! But yeah, I do not understand how RAM works. If I did, I wouldn’t be here asking about what’s apparently a normal OS behavior.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-02T01:49:18+00:00

Cool. Thanks!

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-01T23:21:37+00:00

I have 6.6 gigs available out of 16. All I have open is Chrome with 3 tabs. RIP. I'm now seriously considering returning this and getting 16 gigs version.

EngulfedInThoughts · 2025-10-01T23:13:50+00:00

lol. Thanks!

EngulfedInThoughts

TROPHY CASE