I love the varied poses people have chosen for this photo, the variety of costume, and of course, the abundance of tea, at Colombo, the major port of Sri Lanka.

Postcard art by F. Earl Christy (1883-1961)

I cannot say enough about the graphic novels/histories of Rick Geary. It is the teapot here that has prompted me to post this, but Geary’s work is fabulous in every way. Now, I could be chided, as Miss Madeleine Smith’s chosen beverage when entertaining was hot chocolate, but this is no time to quibble. I have at least a half dozen of Geary’s books, and you should, too.

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C.S. Lewis

There’s nothing quite so lovely as a can of beer that’s delicious on the inside and fun on the outside. Such a gem is Marooned on Hog Island Stout from the 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco. The can reads, “Exhausted by the tedious work and rancid beer, deck swabs O’Sullivan and Freccia abandoned Sir Francis Drake’s Galleon. Days later, they washed up on a tiny island in Tomales Bay, where they encountered local oyster farmers John and Terry. Soon, these beer mutineers and oyster mercenaries were feasting on roast pig, fresh oysters and goblets of the captain’s finest ale. They could think of worse fates than being MAROONED ON HOG ISLAND.” The packaging was done by TBD Advertising of Bend, Oregon, and long may they prosper.

A trade card for a merchant in Skaneateles, N.Y., circa 1905, advertising Chase & Sanborn coffee and tea; the card opened up to reveal advertisements inside.

“Chess Game” (1877) by Adolphe Alexandre Lesrel (1839-1929)