At Pendle Hill, in 1964, Anna Brinton would have afternoon tea. She had a huge, Russian type samovar. One would add milk or water, but even then, it would taste like tea. Tea bags, even the expensive ones, are like colored water.
I need a teapot to make tea with tea leaves. Let it steep till it’s good and strong. Keep hot water on the stove to add.
Here’s a sketch I did of her, probably winter of ’65. She was in her 80’s. If you’ve been to the Friends Center in Philadelphia, you’ve seen the statue of Mary Dyer–hung from the gallows in June, 1660 by the Puritans in Massachusetts. Anna Brinton modeled for that as a young woman. I am grateful to have known her–a strong, courageous woman–a great human.
I keep thinking I should frame this and send it to Pendle Hill. I wonder if anyone there remembers her?