Expectant Dad

Well, it's good to know that I'm in good company with my tea addiction. Your commentary was great to read. I have to admit that at the end of another long, tedious and not particularly productive day, my head feels completely zapped. I feel as lacking in energy as I've been for a very long while indeed. Instead of writing I feel inclined to throw a question back at you. I need some advice.

My eldest son drinks and enjoys the occasional cup of tea but is in no way a slave to it, while my youngest son has no interest in it at all. Neither of them care that much about coffee either. The thing is, knowing what enormous pleasure both tea and coffee have given to me over the years - to the extent that it's hard to imagine a life without that essential gustatory accompaniment - should I try to get my sons hooked? Can I consider myself to have done a proper job as a parent without introducing to them to these delights?

I only enjoyed a single moment of grace today, walking along the canal to the office when the sun broke through between more heavy showers of rain. This is an expectant dad, mum still sitting on the eggs in her nest on the other side of the canal. They are much later this year than usual, a result presumably of the cold temperatures. I know this mating pair well and I think the feeling is mutual. They seem to recognise me and be far more tolerant of me than other passers by. Two years ago they had three cygnets, of which two survived into adulthood. Last year, to my knowledge, there was only the one. I'm guessing I'll soon find out what this year will bring. I really hope that the fact that the babies haven't appeared yet isn't a bad sign. Fingers crossed for this beautiful fellow that he'll have some offspring to care for soon.