How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? Many a thing you know you’d like tell her. But how do you make her stay?…

…Why you sit in the sun with her and indulge in tea and conversation. One incredibly fortunate interviewer for USA Today spent time with Julie Andrews, known for her leading roles in The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, to discuss her new book, Home: A Memoir of My Early Years.

In 1998, after throat surgery damaged her vocal cords, she turned from singing to writing as her main creative outlet. Ms. Andrews always had a love for the craft, publishing her first children’s book, Mandy, in 1971 under the name Julie Andrews Edwards. It seemed this was to be a second opportunity for expressing herself.

Julie spoke eloquently and openly about her early life and career. She chatted about her latest book, the arduous process of writing it, and to the interviewer’s delight, Ms. Andrews also provided tea bags. She prepared the tea — declining to sweeten her own — and proved without a doubt that grace, charm, and tea continue to be a timeless combination.

Metro Boston News writer Dorothy Robinson was fortunate enough to be among those who had the opportunity to interview British born actor, Ben Barnes, just prior to the opening of his breakout movie Prince Caspian.

Robinson tells us that she discovered a tired but elated and always charming Ben suffering from a severe throat infection and discloses that he spent the time not only — chatting about his discovery by a casting agent while he was in the play “The History Boys”, his subsequent audition and the movie — but soothing his discomfort with sips of tea.

Our appreciation goes out to Ben Barnes Fan for providing this image