wandering mind

Have you ever seen a shamrock plant ? I bought one 3 years ago. I never transplanted it to a bigger pot. It has been dutifully flowering with the most beautiful delicate flowers. Apparently, the name Shamrock is derived from Celtic word for Clover - more information here . The underside of the leaves is a pretty purple . At nights, the flowers bow their heads and the leaves close up as they settle for the night. I find this plant truly magical.

inviting you to smile and lighten up :)

My dinner tonight was begging to be photographed Roasted red peppers (in the toaster oven on 450 F with some olive oil ) on flat bread sandwich thins topped with a mix of yogurt cheese and asiago cheese, two kinds of grapes, and strawberries. The only thing missing was a good wine to go with it :) I wanted to share this amazing art that I found: Pursuit of Happiness

Recently I have been writing about my kids a lot - what can I say, they are my world :) My 10 year old is always trying to incorporate her latest vocabulary words into her conversations. I remember from a couple of years ago, her attempts at incorporating some weekly words - "I feel tranquil after a bath" or "what's the weather like tomorrow? Are we expecting precipitation?" Last week one of the words was "innate" and she knew the meaning of the word, but was struggling with how to use the word. We were talking about certain medical condition one time and I told her that people are born with that problem - so she says - "thats an innate problem" - I told her no the word doesn't work in this condition. A couple of days ago were watching American Idol and one of the judges exclaimed that this girl sang so well that it was gift from God - it cannot be taught. My daughter looks at me with a sparkle in her eyes and says "innate" - ...

I never realized how the talk of our economy not doing so great effects our kids. My younger one (10 year) keeps asking me if we are doing ok and I reassure her that we are. She asked me if we were rich? I told her that we have enough to have a comfortable life. Recently both the parents of her best friend have lost their jobs and she is really worried about the family. Last Sunday we were at the mall and we all had fun throwing pennies in the fountain as we made a wish. All the pennies are collected for a charity so it is fun and for a good cause. Anyways, we were talking last evening as we went for a walk. She says "Mom - do you know what I wished for when I dropped the penny in the wishing well. "What", I asked. She says "I wished for the economy to get better". I was speechless. A little girl wasting her dear little wish to fix a problem of grown ups? It made me a bit sad - well more than a bit sad. She shouldn't have to worry about stuff like that. B...

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" Whoever came up with that knew what they were talking about. I have been working 12 hours days for past couple of days, trying to finish up something at work and becoming terribly inefficient at it. So I decided to take 10 minutes and share something beautiful. (image copied from here ) Last night when my daughter was at ballet, I went across the street to Lowes to browse the plants. I found what I thought were miniature pansies but the tag on the plant said that they were called violas - I haven't seen them before. They have a very delicate sweet fragrance. Some of the websites say that they are perennials. I love how they look and smell :)

As we were driving to the ballet class for my 12 year old, we passed a lot where trees were cut to make room for some kind of construction. Here is how our conversation went: me: Oh, they cleared this lot her: More trees cut - it bothers me me: Well, we need places to live her: The problem is that we are multiplying too fast me: Maybe I shouldn't have had you? her: No, I like that part mama We both smiled and moved on to discuss some other pressing problem our world might be facing :)

It was another one of those cold drizzly afternoon. I had to make a quick run to the grocery store. As I grabbed one of the grocery cart by the door, I prepared myself to be jolted by the cold metal and hard plastic of the cart handle. I found a pleasant surprise - the handle was warm. Still warm from the warmth of the previous user of the cart who must have left it there just a few moments ago. I smiled at the little gift, thanked the perfect stranger for the unexpected warmth, and pushed on through the double door of the store. This is the kind of world my heart desires a world where we are trying to make it just a little bit better for others, a world where we appreciate little things.

Karen from Border Town Notes has honored me with this great award. Yesterday, when I opened my blog, I saw a note from Karen and rushed over to her blog to see what was there for me. It brought a smile to my face. Deep down I am still that kid who loves getting a 'super job' sticker . So, thank you Karen :) Here is the award "This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award." Now, my turn to pass on the smile to some other fellow bloggers - I guess I shouldn't pick anyone who Karen already picked :) Transient Lives...

As I was walking the other day, a tree branch that was outstretched onto the sidewalk caressed the top of my head. I had a feeling of being blessed. My grandparents used to do that - put their hands on my head as they would say 'jeetee raho' (may you live long). A brief moment under the tree, a wayward branch - unleashed memories of distant land, times past, people long gone.

I believe our dog Lucky has shown some artistic potential with her paw prints - what do you think?

If you like the simplicity of Alexander McCall Smith's Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series, then you will like A Guide to the Birds of East Africa you by Nicholas Drayson. It is not really a guide, but a novel and makes for an interesting read. I picked up the book at the library because Africa has been on my mind lately because of some wonderful bloggers that I have met from there recently. Also the cover of the book made me think of Lori's artwork that she wrote about recently. Here is a review that summarizes it nicely and here is an interview with the author. And here is an excerpt to give you a taste of the writing: Is it an endearing quirk among European explorer to imagine that every geographical feature they clap eyes on for the first time is in need of a new name, or is it just a plain silly one? As far as I understand it, humans have been knocking around this part of Africa for - give or take a birthday candle - three million years. The existence of a large wet pat...