Right under my nose: There Was Granny Squibbb's absolutely delicious iced tea

Besides being a “Trend Tracker,” I'm an artist of sorts. For years I've had fun drawing pictures of scenes that include a hapless Victorian character named Col. Chambers in various states of agony and ecstasy. A couple of years ago I compiled a book of these drawings titled “Who is Col. Chambers” and self published it on GreenRhinoPixelbooks.com . Col. Chambers pictures have even been snapped up by some astute collectors who appreciate the unusual. For years I have been giving these slice of life watercolor and ink, pseudo- etchings to my family members and to a few dear friends. The walls in our homes in Garden City NY and Saunderstown RI are encrusted with Col. Chambers pictures and I delight in showing visitors the fruits of a fertile imagination.

A friend who has received more than a few of these little pictures is my Saunderstown neighbor, Robin Squibb. Once, from the bath house at the threshold of her nearby pier, she saw me crash land on my head while I was navigating the slippery rocks to gain access to the inviting waters of Narragansett Bay. Seeing my condition and being a compassionate person, she not only gave me permission to use her pier to go swimming, she insisted upon it. This generosity of spirit couldn't go unrewarded and, to show my boundless appreciation I made her an involuntary member of the Col. Chambers Fan Club. Col. Chambers has since become a light hearted bonding influence in our relationship.

Robin's successful career in movie making required her to make scenes shot on different days and under different conditions fit together seamlessly (an art in itself), and it has required an awareness of the challenges of perfectionism. That's why I was delighted when she told me she was going to use her talents and energies to open up a new chapter in her life as the proprietor of Granny Squibb's Iced Tea.

Granny Squibb (Robin's Grandmother) sailed schooners, won tennis tournaments and made amazing iced tea. Not a summer day went by in that wonderful old house next door to us when she didn't have a glass of it ready for everyone - so it was only fitting that Robin perpetuate a family tradition and keep Granny's tea flowing. Naturally, to celebrate Robin's entry into the entrepreneurial class Col. Chambers had to show his approval with a glass of her delicious elixir and I gave her a cartoon depicting Granny herself doing the pouring.

The trend-tracker believes Granny's success is assured, and as you can see from the Col. Chambers cartoon, he heartily agrees. You'll have to try some. You can get a case of it at Rochs or for more information go to WWW.GRANNYSQUIBB.COM