wandering mind

Yesterday I had to stay home because my daughter was not well. I was trying to login to work to get some work done, but for some reason the connection wasn't working. So, I sat on the floor next to the fireplace with my laptop and surfed the web randomly. My daughter and I watched the past two episodes of top chef that we had missed. Then we watched some reruns of the Cosby Show and shared a good laugh. Every now and then I got up to give her orange juice or make myself some ginger tea. I haven't had such a relaxing day in a while. All weekends are a frenzy of activities and vacations are 'try to cram in a lot of fun' crazy. So, my resolution for the next year is to take random wednesdays off, every now and then, just because...

I just finished reading Cleopatra's daughter and I am in love with the love story of Cleopatra Selene and Juba II. I want to find out more about them. Anyone has any recommendations?

I stroll past a red maple glowing bright red in the evening sun one tiny leaf waiting for me since last spring waiting for me to notice her beauty clinging with all her might barely holding on takes a sigh of relief when my eyes land on her and flutters to the ground her wait is over (image from here )

I participated in the Baltimore Running festival on October 16th and ran the half marathon. It was a perfect day for running and I was full of nervous energy. I was told to walk the first mile or two to warm up since I was dealing with a hip injury. So I ran the first three miles as fast as I could. What can I say, I got caught in the energy that is there at the start of such things. Things slowed down after that. Come mile 7 there was more walking then running happening. I practically limp-walked the last two miles. To make a long story short – I finished the event in 3 hours – about 30 minutes more than my goal time. But I did finish it on my own and didn’t have to be carried off the course – so I am happy with that outcome Last time when I did the half marathon it was so hot and miserable that I told myself never to do it again - I guess 'never' amounted to two years because I forgot the misery and decided to do it again this year. This year the weather was so good, if it wa...

There is this great chocolate bar called Chocolove. It comes with a love poem. I really liked it and thought I would share it here : I Do Not Love Thee I do not love thee! no! I do not love thee! And yet when thou art absent I am sad; And envy even the bright blue sky above thee, Whose quiet stars may see thee and be glad I do not love thee! yet, I know not why, Whate'er thou dost seems still well done, to me: And often in my solitude I sigh That those I do love are not more like thee! I do not love thee! yet, when thou art gone, I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear) Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear. I do not love thee! yet thy speaking eyes, With their deep, brightm and most expressive blue, Between me and the midnight heaven arise, Oftener than any eyes, I ever knew. I know I do not love thee! yet, alas! Others will scarcely trust my candid heart; And oft I catch them smiling as they pass, Because they see me gazing wh...

I witnessed an acorn being separated from mama oak today without any fanfare she casually left her comfort zone a crackling sound and then tumbling tumbling tumbling fifty feet all the way down and now she waits to see what the future holds for her can she one day reach all the way up and lovingly brush her new branches against mother oak's familiar arms and smile gloriously for having made it

You know I try I really do To quit that glass of wine with dinner But I am being guided otherwise Today at the end of my seven mile run When I reached the dead end Where mighty Oaks and Maples stand guard They seemed to smile down upon me A crooked smile That seemed to want to say something They asked the wind to carry their message and the wind rustling through their branches whispered to me and I am not making this up I really am not the wind whispered to me "Good job on the seven mile run today It wasn't easy to find the time to do it But you did it now go home and treat yourself to a glass of wine " " Really ?" I said " But I have been told to hydrate with water after runs " " Nonsense " it said I swear it did " You can't believe everything you hear Go with your own gut feeling And do what feels right " So who am I To ignore the wisdom Of mighty Oaks and Maples Who have been around longer than me So here I am in the post ru...

It all started here - Jinksy got all kinds of people writing all kinds of limericks and they were ringing in my head as I was cooking dinner. So I asked my daughters to also write a limerick. One of them complied and here is our limerical conversation: Meghana: Many think I am crazy I am often called lazy But I know who I am Possibly as sweet as a lamb Or as pretty as a daisy Me: Daisies are really pretty And so is your little ditty Lambs not sweet me think They often times stink Maybe sweet as a little kitty Meghana: What you said is rather odd At least lamb don't smell as bad as cod I believe this is all quite weird Like the idea of my dog having a beard And changing their name to Todd Me: It's not odd it's very creative I know a Todd who is a native he is a bit weird And does not have a beard But likes to experiment with laxatives Meghana: Well my father has a terrible temper Whenever I wear a sweater All because it's only summer I think that's quite a bummer Tha...

I saw a man walking his dog this morning. Nothing so unusual about that - there were several other men and women walking their dogs. But this gentleman in particular had a very easy air about him. He was walking a labrador which was going every which way, sniffing this way, pulling that way. But the owner, oblivious to the dogs frantic demands, was walking slowly, in his sandals, with a newpaper in his hand , reading and walking, in no particular hurry. It made me smile and feel a bit relaxed :)

I am not a runner by any stretch - I do the run walk thing. I have walked one half marathon, run -walked another half marathon, and run-walked a few 10Ks. Why do I run? If I run, I don't need to take my hypertension medicine - my blood pressure stays low. If I run, I am in a cheerful mood all the time and stuff like sink full of dishes and the laundry that is not put away doesn't bother me as much. If I run, I am a better mom to my kids. If I run, my kids and my husband become more active without me having to say anything. If I run, my body shrinks even if I don't lose much weight. That's fine - but I could just run a few miles several times a week - why do I need to run half marathons? Because a lot of people I know think that I cannot do it - and one of the greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do :) Because the idea of doing something that majority doesn't do appeals to me. Because the great feeling of crossing the finish line at 13.1 mile...

rain drops played a song on the roof the wind carried it away lightening flashed a smile in the eastern sky the trees danced with joy the thunder clapped with excitement my heart skipped a beat it is morning commute time and the morning commuters ducked there heads got in their cars annoyed at this rain which could only mean bad traffic but if only they would use this time to slow down and watch the show of light and sound and water and feel their world being washed anew

The wild thoughts that come rushing out of my head lose their fizz sometimes as they spread on to the paper primped and cleaned made presentable for the world

A mother should give her children a superabundance of enthusiasm, that after they have lost all they are sure to lose in mixing with the world, enough may still remain to prompt and support them through great actions. ~Julius C. Hare

Please watch this: and here is the slide from the talk - these are the foods we need to focus on.

Some ordinary happy thoughts and moments: I am happy that my daughters go on mini hiking excursions with me. Also happy about the trail that we found near our house that follows a river. Temperatures have mellowed down a bit. I give my kids mini projects over the summer. I asked my younger one if she knew who Copernicus was - she didn't. Then I asked her to make a presentation about how Copernicus revolutionized Astronomy. She did a great before and after poster board presentation on what we believed the solar system to be before when we thought Earth was stationary and the center of our solar system and after when Sun got the spot that Earth used to claim. Planning a trip up north to Canada in a few weeks. Rainy morning - everything washed anew. (image from here ) It was great writing out things to be happy about . I will continue writing in my journal. Thanks for listening all :)

Happy moments from yesterday: Sight of bright orange Pumpkin blossoms and purple Morning Glory greeting me as I step outside to go to work in the morning. Knowing that my daughter likes George Michael's 'Faith' as much as I do. Bridging the generation gap - singing it out loud together in the car on the top of our lungs and giggling together. Finding this recipe for those cravings you get when you MUST have something and you don't feel like baking a whole cake. Midnight cravings - I have got you covered :) Walking for a mile and half after dinner when most of the houses in the neighborhood have turned in for the day. A silent summer night. Finding about a Norman Rockwell exhibit in DC. (first image from here ) (second image from here )

Happy moments from yesterday: Olive bread with coffee for breakfast. Nourishing. Temperature dipped below 90 degrees - taking the time for a walk at lunch time. Refreshing. Sitting on the deck wrapped in summer sounds and a cool breeze. Peaceful. Simple pasta dressed in olive oil, basil and big chunks of partially melted mozzarella for dinner. Delicious. Pulling weeds - don't know why that always makes me feel so good. Rejuvenating.

Happy moments from yesterday: 1. My sister's company, reminiscing, planning. 2. Blueberry yogurt loaf , garbanzo curry on rice, a glass of chardonnay. 3. Neighborhood swimming pool, cool water kissed breeze, smells of summer. 4. Clouds tinted pink by the setting sun, a feeling of well being. 5. Kids giggling for no reason , no set bed time, summer vacation.

I managed to spend the whole weekend without much internet -hence the missing gratitude journal post. So this day three is actually day 5 - I will pick up where I left off :) So, what are the five things I am happy about? 1. Mom's cooking – need I say more? 2. Had my brother and his friends over for lunch. We sat around the dining table for several hours - just talking and eating and drinking - enjoying a great bottle of Vinho Verde. If feels so good to take the time to just sit around and linger after the meal for hours. We are always rushing through our lunches and dinners during weekdays, so these lingering meals over the weekend are greatly needed. 3. Harvested a basket full of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers from my garden. Ah… this is what I dreamed of all winter. 4. Remember the pumpkin that showed up in my garden last year? Well, this year two of them showed up in my front yard. Most probably from the Halloween pumpkin that was sitting on the front porch. They are doing r...

Five things I am happy about from yesterday: Going to mom's place after work, sitting in her backyard under a tree, admiring her jasmine blossoms and sharing a slice of jalapeno pizza. Spending time with the neighbors in our cul-de-sac, watching kids jumping rope and riding their bikes around, watching our dogs chasing each other, one of the neighbors offering to make a drink made of pineapple juice and coconut rum (who can refuse such an offer?), enjoying the drink on the driveway with the neighbors - pure bliss. Biting into a perfectly ripened apricot. Playing DDR with my daughters and dancing to lady gaga's 'just dance' and Pitbull's 'you know you want me' and giggling to the younger daughter mentioning that the Pitbull song is highly inappropriate :) (I would have won if it wasn't for that rum earlier that was making me light headed) Falling asleep while reading 'Twenty chickens for a saddle' - a prefect end to a perfect summer day. (image fr...

I was reading Preeti's blog and came across this great project of seven day positivity experiment. I want to try it too. So what were the five things I am happy about from yesterday? Bright blue chicory flowers , sprinkled generously on the road side, on my drive to work. These weeds have become my favorite flowers. Would it be too weird if I pulled some of these weeds and gave them an honorable place in my front yard? Eating a grilled cheese sandwich made with havarti cheese on 'white bread' with good amount of butter on it - and not feeling guilty about it. Family dinner which consisted of leftovers and freshly made strawberry lassi (yogurt smoothie). 'aha' moment at work about automating testing. Sitting under a tree with my mom and watching both my daughters riding horses at their lessons. Petting the horses and feeding them sliced apples after the lessons. I never knew horses like hearing 'good boy' and being petted as much as the dogs do.

Sometimes when a book ends you hear yourself say - "No, wait, please don't stop yet - I want to know more." I think we have all been there -a plot that is like a good dream that you don't want to wake up from. A book where you fall in love with the characters and the line between fiction and reality is blurred and you find yourself wanting to know what happened to them. You want to wish these characters well and want to continue to be part of their lives. Well, I recently read three such books. I am not going to provide a review as there are lots of reviews online by people who write much better than I do. But do add these to your reading list if you haven't already read them: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I took my morning yoga session outdoors this morning. I spread my mat on the deck facing the sun filtering through the leaves of the big oak tree. A gentle breeze hummed as I stood in tadasana, hands folded in gratitude for the miracle of summer. I remembered the 30 inches of snow we had not too long ago. I remember thinking summer will never come and longing for warm weather. And here I am, soaking up the morning cool before it gets too warm. I touched my palms to the floor, reciting gayatri mantra. I reached up to the sky and sun smiled at me again. I feel like I could do this all day long. I had a hectic day yesterday and I needed to borrow some energy from sun this morning. The sun didn't mind as it had plenty to spare. After doing the sequence several times I was ready to take on the day. (image from here )

When the Cherries and Pears Apples and Plums Are done showing off Their ostentatious display Then the quiet dogwood Gentle and unassuming Unfurls its simple blossoms Glowing in its simplicity

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive. - Anais Nin

I met Beth through her comment on a blog. I fell in love with the way she writes - I was telling my husband that Beth writes like I write in my dreams. If you are not familiar with her work, please check her out at Beth Kephart Books . Beth is also a dancer. She recently had a contest on her blog to define what dance is. I also entered and guess what? I am one of the winners !!!! Check out all the entries here . We received the book and I feel so special holding this book signed by the author. My daughter and I are fighting over the possession of the book. I think it would be a joint custody at this point. Thank you Beth. My daughter and I just love you :)

Put your palms up to the sun Turn your face up Close your eyes Soak in the heat Enjoy the saffron light Dancing behind your eyelids Close your palms Let your blood carry the heat Singing All the way to your heart Spring is here Happy Spring all

The following two quotes have been stuck in my thoughts this whole week, so I thought I would share them with you. Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings. ~ Victor Hugo Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain

Dear Meghana, Around this time 13 years ago, we were caught in the beltway rush hour trying to make it the Holy Cross Hospital. I was doubling with pain every time a contraction came and I was afraid that I will deliver you on the shoulder of I-95. But you took your own sweet time and didn't come till 7:17 that evening. When I got to the hospital, and was all hooked up, one of the nurses commented that the heart beat looks like its a boy. I wanted my first born to be a girl - My wish came true. You were 4 weeks early. You didn't cry when you were born. They whisked you away to NICU. I had 101 fever so I wasn't allowed in NICU. I had a sleepless night and didn't get to hold you till the next day. You were so tiny that I was afraid to hold you. I can't believe 13 years have passed. It feels like yesterday. Happy Birthday Sweetheart - wish you happiness always. love, Mom

I crumble clumps of dirt that have hardened over winter. Dark dirt slides through my fingers. I have dreamt of this day all winter long - the day of getting the garden patch ready for planting. I spot the oregano peeking out in the corner where it faithfully comes back every year. I smile at it and feel warm inside. The berry bushes are loaded with buds again. The strawberry patch promises a good harvest. The tomato and pepper seedlings that I had started in March have been patiently waiting on the side. They have a look on their face of a child waiting to dive into the pool on a hot summer day. If these plant could move, they too would dive into this dirt giggling. I have watched them grow from tiny seeds all winter long in my sunny window. Now it is time for them to move on. I have been digging for a while and sun is warming my back. A glass of lemonade would be nice right about now. The sweat running down my back feels good. I have waited so long for this. Oh sorry - I was just day ...

Deb/Lori - You asked for a picture of my finished project (from my previous post). I am not sure when I will finish the blanket since I have the tendency to start ten projects at the same time. I made some wash cloths recently and here are some of them. I am also posting some pictures of the blanket which is going to be a work in progress for a while :) A basket weave wash cloth Another wash cloth Yet another wash cloth :) And finally little rectangles in the color ecru that I am making which have the potential of adding up to make a blanket one of these days.

With each knot of crochet I get one step closer With each knot I tie and affirm my hopes and aspirations Many moons from now When I have returned back disintegrated back to the basic elements Would these hopes and dreams stay secure and alive? nestled within these knots? My future generations Would they feel the love the hopes the dreams aspirations yearnings Being silenty whispered by this blanket Would they pick up where I left off and let my story continue? Would they allow my dreams to mingle with their dreams So let me dream these dreams that are not restricted to a lifespan And let me weave them into this blanket of my dreams

me: Its a cli....................mb daughter: Its a cli.................iii......mb me: Its a cli........ii......ii......ii.........ii.....mb daughter: No, not that long Its a cli.................iii......mb We were driving home earlier this evening, singing at the top of our lungs and she was teaching me the Miley Cyrus song: The Climb And as I was singing, I was remembering not too long ago, seems like yesterday, when the roles were reversed and I was teaching her: me: down came the ra...in and washed the spider out daughter: down came the wain and wasssh pider ouo me: No, down came the ra..in and washed the spider out daughter: down came the wa...aain and wasssh pider ouo I smile through my singing. I am loving my chance of second childhood through them. Happy Friday All - go sing with your kids :)

I think we touched 50 F today - yeah!!!!! The doggie water bowl that we forgot on the deck appears to be melting around the edge - Could this really be the beginning of the end of winter?

I saw an unbelievably brilliant sunrise shades of pink and orange flanked by gold unlike any I have ever seen or so it seems reached out for my camera in a quest to capture the beauty possess it but then let go of it decided to capture it with my senses instead drink it in with my eyes feel it with my skin this moment dark tree with bare branches birds contemplating on the wire sun smiling brightly behind the clouds clouds unable to contain it and the gold bursting through the seams and me the lone audience this transient moment seems to be choreographed just for me and with me it shall live as a vision of perfection