meanwhile

"Meanwhile," suggests Kazuko Okakura, our former Minister of Culture, "let us have a sip of tea. The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the soughing of the pines is heard in the kettle. Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things."

My best friend Rosa sent so many lovely little gifts for Hanukkah. I thought the Frangos were going to be my favorite, but instead I have fallen in love with the special "After Meal" tea. It is the Orange Ginger Mint by The Republic of Tea (caffeine free). It contains ginger, orange bergamot mint, anise hyssop, lemon thyme and blackberry leaves. It is really different and soothing. Thank you!! And after re-reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" I especially liked the quote (above) that was reproduced on the tea's container.

Two words are so beautifully used in context that I was fairly certain of their meanings, but decided to look them up just to be sure.
soughing: a soft murmuring or rustling sound
evanescence: the event of fading and gradually vanishing from sight