THE T IN TIME

The clues are becoming less subtle. I ache a bit more in the mornings when I get up. I have to take my glasses off to read stuff close up. Those were the signs I was expecting, but now new evidence of aging or perhaps maturity has crept into my life without fanfare..

I've become a tea drinker.

I've never been a hot tea drinker...ever.

In South Texas everyone drinks iced tea, if you don't you get deported, but hot tea? I've always thought the only guys who drink hot tea are English. Really the only man who ever looks cool drinking hot tea is that Star Trek Captain and I suspect that's only because he has a gizmo that produces tea out of anti-matter or whatever, "Tea. Hot. Earl Grey."

A few weeks ago, while wrestling with nasty green invaders in my lungs and throat suddenly hot tea seemed like a good idea. I don't know why, but it did. So I made a cup...and fell in love. Now I'm slurping it down like I've won a reward challenge on "Survivor."

I've made many a bad cup of coffee, but tea seems like it was made for me. Drop in the bag, add hot water. Leave it alone and then take out the bag. It's virtually impossible for even me to screw up! Why did it take me so long to discover this?

What else have I been missing?

I was in World Market the other day and realized there are a multitude of teas to try. It was then I saw my future.

This decrepit fat man behind a walker blissfully wandering the aisles of teas, periodically spouting to no one in particular gleeful phrases like, "Orange Pekoe!".

That's if I can read the labels without my glasses of course.