Through the Smart Phone's GPS: Chapter Four, True Beauty and Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus Lemonade

 

 

A few bites of the salad and I was on my way. I thought of my husband and how I missed him. How long had I been in this garden. How long had I been frozen? I knew an entire year had passed. I saw the ebb and flow of the sun; the summer, fall, winter and spring again. Where did he think I had gone? Was he still looking for me.
The white haired woman, there she was, at the end of the path by the hedges. I ran this time, not letting her out of my start. I startled her as she quickly turned around.
"My dear, he might be mad, but Marvin's totally harmless. There's no need to run."
What? Marvin? Oh! The man we met when we first got here. But that was so long ago, thoughts streamed through my head remembering our arrival.
A hand on my shoulder and I turned to face my husband. I threw my arms around him as he stepped back also startled.
"Here's your phone." he casually slipped it into my hand then half-jokingly explained to the woman how I couldn't go five minutes without it.
"So, how much are you asking?" He said to the woman.
I stood between them in a momentary state of confusion. It seemed no time had passed at all. How odd.
"How much for what?" White haired woman looked confused as well.
"This house."
"This house?!?" she repeated back, "What makes you think I'm selling my house?"
We both looked at her, now all three of us stood in the garden in a state of confusion.
"The sign." said Husband.
"Out front? Oh! It's for my side job! I sell cell phone contracts part time! I work for New Horizon. Our phones and GPS are the best. I saw when you pulled into the driveway that yours was giving you a hard time. That's why I brought you back here. I just got our new phones in and wanted to show them to you."
"But what about Marvin and the mean roses and the talking flowers and the last year that just went by?" I blurted, not knowing what had just happened.
They both stared at me wide-eyed.
"Why don't you come and sit down, dear. I just made some hibiscus iced tea. I'll get you a glass and maybe that'll make you feel better." once again the white haired lady disappeared.
I was left alone with Husband and he stared to me, worried. "What were you talking about?" he stared at me even harder.
"I'm not sure." I shook my head looking down and around for any sign of the talking flowers but they just swayed in tune to the summer breeze.
The white haired woman appeared with the hibiscus iced tea. It was sweet and tart and just the thing I needed to snap me out of the state of confusion I was in.
We drank and were eventually talked into a contract with New Horizons, new cell phones, new GPS but no new house.

Later that night I noticed I had a voice mail. That was strange. I hadn't given out our new number yet. I listened to see who it was.
"We all wanted to leave you with one last thought. It's a common trend now to choose usefulness before beauty but in generations before you beauty was just as valuable in every day life. If you don't believe us, look at the structures that were built before your generation. Sidewalks, gardens, even common household items such as waffle irons were built with beauty and usefulness walking hand in hand. Beauty, true beauty is never something to be discounted. Its a gift from God. It is a source of divine inspiration. Wars have been fought, love stories created, lives have been lived and lost over beauty. In our buds are the endless possibilities of growth and dreams waiting to burst forth. Our roots are the foundation and our petals the delicate beauty of potentials realized. We may not all be edible but in each of us, in all of our stories, we hold common histories and shared fables and delicate lives. We laugh with you, love with you, cry and mourn with you. We are there for every milestone of your lives. We do not need to explain our reason for being just as you do not. We walk with you hand in hand throughout history and as long as we exist, there will always be hidden potentials, hope and beauty. We are the flowers."

Beauty is a gift from God- Aristotle

Hibiscus Lemonade

Sweet and tart and refreshing. Honey and lemon go so naturally together and add the  tropical hibiscus to the mix...it makes it such a refreshing summer drink.

This tea can also be used as a mixer for rum, tequila, vodka just in case tea alone won't do.

 

4 Cups Water

1/2 Cup Dried Hibiscus Flowers
(available at a local herb store or online)

1 Cup Honey

Keep more honey nearby in case you would like your lemonade sweeter

3 Large Lemons, juiced (about 1/3 cup)

Keep another lemon on hand in case you like really tart

2 Cups Water

In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine 4 cups water and the hibiscus flowers.

Let the tea come to a boil, turn down heat and let simmer about 10 minutes until the petals soften and the tea is bright red.

Remove from heat but while still warm, add 1 cup honey and stir until the honey is dissolved.

In a glass pitcher add 2 cups of water and the juice of two lemons. 

When your hibiscus tea has cooled a few minutes, strain the tea into the lemonade.

Stir.

Taste and adjust as needed.

Chill in the fridge for an hour or two.

Serve over ice.

Hibiscus has been shown in studies that it may lower blood pressure, help maintain a healthy cholesterol level  and may also used a diuretic. It's full of antioxidants and also helps reduce the amount of sugar absorbed into the body.
It has also been rumored to help with mood swings and minor depression.
These statements have not been approved or evaluated by the FDA
Read more at
Live Strong
Gaia Herbs
Organic Facts

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