Iced Tea Style. . .

Iced tea, like so may other things in life, means different things to different people I suppose.  A staple summertime drink in my formative years, there were always two pitchers in the refrigerator at my maternal grandparents' house outside Philadelphia where I grew up and spent the first half of my twenties.  

Made with Lipton Tea, one contained heavily sugared tea with several sprigs of spearmint, which grew along the run from my grandparent's spring house down to the creek that ran in front of the main house.  My grandmother, mother, sister, and I enjoyed this particular pitcher.  Since he preferred unsweetened tea, there was always a second pitcher for my grandfather with sprigs of spearmint but NO sugar.

In our own home, the Grand Duchess and I continue the tradition.  We make two pitchers of strong Lipton Tea.  One is heavily sugared for yours truly and the Young Master, which is labelled Episcopalian Iced Tea.  The second unsweetened pitcher for her is labelled Lutheran Iced Tea.  A slightly humorous, good-natured wink and a nod to our respective varieties of Protestantism.  

As I remarked in a Zoom call to my maternal uncle earlier in the summer, and however much we might try in younger life, the apple never falls far from the tree.

In totally unconnected news, I have finally managed to achieve tenure at my institution of higher learning.  More than a year after submitting my portfolio and application, the letter came via email on Friday morning.  I can now teach, research, and write basically until they have to carry me out in a wooden box.  To mark that particular milestone, the Grand Duchess, who achieved tenure herself some years ago, took me to breakfast this (Sunday) morning. 

Equally pleasing, my close friend and colleague from Nepal, with whom I do quite a bit of work, achieved the rank of full professor, receiving his letter early the same day.  The two of us touched base briefly via Zoom Friday afternoon to revel in the respective good news.  We agreed that it makes the end of the long summer break somewhat easier to bear as we gear up for the start of the fall term in just two weeks on Monday the 25th of August.

-- Heinz-Ulrich