June 9, 2015 {160/365} Tea & Sunshine
"There are few hours more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." - Henry James
Today was filled with tradition and nostalgia, beginning with lunch with my mom at the Tea Shop above George Watts and Sons, a fixture in Milwaukee since 1870. My mom recalls lunching at Watts when she was a secretary at Northwestern Mutual in the 1950s. The tea room still looks the same and they still serve their signature Sunshine Cake. The day's nostalgia continued after lunch when we ran into Sister Nivard in the elevator. The sweet nun was principal of my grade school over thirty years ago and of all things, she still remembers my hair. Sister was at Watts celebrating her 91st birthday, but she still looks the same and she's still sharp as a tack. Mom and I spent the rest of the afternoon visiting my Aunt Bertine who still lives alone on the East Side despite turning 98 next month. Along with my cousin, Paul, we looked through old Larson family photos while Bertine told stories that I've heard many times, but still cherish. It was a lovely afternoon.
