“Sometimes, even changing just one word can alter perception enough.”
Ritu Bhathal
One-Liner Wednesday – One Word
20 Apr 2022 21 Comments
in #onelinerwednesday Tags: #jusjojan, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, One Liner Wednesday, One Word
#TikTok Drain #Poetry!
18 Apr 2022 44 Comments
in Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Poetry, TikTok, Wormhole
I haven’t penned a poem for a while, but something inspired me today, and here it is… on TikTok, for you. If you are a Tiktoker, do follow me on there, otherwise, just enjoy my poetic musings!
I’ve found another wormhole Another drain on my time I can’t believe it’s happened So I thought I’d write a rhyme Those kids, they made me do it Said, go on Mum, it’ll be fun So I logged in, started scrolling And slowly I became one One of those Tiktokers Lip synching to silly sounds Trying to match the dance moves On the trending clips I found But, back then in lockdown I kept my privacy Only sharing videos With those I trust, you see. Then life got hectic, so I stopped Deleted my account Until the call for Booktok Grew loud, there was no doubt Time for me to jump back on And do it for my book For a way to get promotion New readers I could hook I started out pretty well A couple of cute videos Followed some other authors and booktokers that I chose Then I started to scroll again FYP calling me Silly sounds and dances But something more, you see I found all sorts of communities Browntok, queertok, cooktok Watching listening learning Snippet clips that really rock I learned how knowledgeable people are But also just how biased I saw how creators responded They didn’t sit there all quiet One video led to another And soon an hour passed Jeez, I could have written words I hold my phone, aghast Tiktok, I do love you so But you’re taking me away From the very reason I’m here TO write, not watch and play! And, an aside, those kids I mentioned before They tell me I’m too old for this Well, that I will ignore I find myself peppering my daily life With the latest trending sounds A little dance here, a soundbite there While my kids try to shut me down Because, although it is a drain A little Tiktok fun And getting some more followers Is grand… will you become one? (Tiktok obsessed) Ritu 2022
Chai And A Chat #182 #ChaiAndAChat
18 Apr 2022 31 Comments
Hello Peeps!
Firstly, apologies for being late, this morning. I usually schedule my post the night before, but I didn’t get round to it!
And, I can’t believe that it is the last day of my Easter break! I know I have had two weeks off, but still feeling not 100% post covid, and I could do with a few more days, all truth be told, but that won’t happen… Right, have you got your drink?
- If we were having chai I would tell you that all in all, it was a quiet week, which I am still in need of.
- If we were having chai, I’d say that I managed a tiny bit of writing and a whole load of reading. The weekend was beautiful, so I sat outside to write for a while!
- If we were having chai I’d admit to being a bit lazy, but I still got the house cleaned, and laundry done as needed.
- If we were having chai I would mention that Thursday was Vaisakhi. Usually, we take part in a large parade on Saturday, celebrating it, which culminates in a big meal or fair outside the Gurdwara. This year, we were still dubious about large crowds, and after feeling so bad with Covid just a few weeks ago, I didn’t fancy that, again, neither did the rest of the family! So we celebrated quietly at home but did visit the in-laws to pay our respects.
- If we were having chai I’d tell you that I have now got my new glasses, but I keep forgetting to wear them! I do like them, though, and as long as I keep wearing them when reading or using the screen, things will be good!
- If we were having chai I’d tell you that we did get out as a family on one of the days, heading to Westfield Shopping Centre in East London. Lil Princess has a thing about London, so we thought, why not? It took nearly two hours to drive there, and back which totalled a longer time in thtransit than actually at the shopping centre! But, she came away happy, with a carrier bag filled with bits she wanted, and I got books! Yes, I know I am always complaining about my TBR pile, but I couldn’t help it!
- If we were having chai I’d admit to a little more chocolate than usual, but it was Easter, and that was kinda unavoidable! Had another quiet day on Sunday, but the boys went to the cinema, so Lil Princess and I chilled out!
- If we were having chai I would end, as always, with an image of Sonu Singh. He’s going to miss everyone being around all day, when we go back to school!
This week I am hoping that all the rest won’t just be for nothing, but we have a hectic week, what with staff down, due to courses, and just that feeling of going back to school! Wish me luck!
And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!
Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 371 – Beliefs
17 Apr 2022 24 Comments
in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Beliefs, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Easter, Ramadan, Vaisakhi
“All religions lead to the same God, and all deserve the same respect.”
Paolo Coelho
What a lovely quote, Spidey! One that I live by daily,
So, I am the product of a Sikh family, growing up going to the gurdwara, attending various paaths(prayers), and learning about the Gurus in more detail. I am not baptised, though, so I consider myself educated, and still a Sikh, but not a part of the Khalsa, who are the more devout of the believers. I live by what our Gurus taught as much as I can, and seek to do good in life.
Vaisakhi, Bando Chorr Divas (same day as Diwali), our Gurus birthdays – all times we prayed and celebrated for specific reasons. Even now, I ensure I pray, eery day, in my own way, and play a special prayer every morning to bless our house and family.
I loved going to the Gurdwara, especially for the three-day-long prayers called an Akhand Paath, where the whole of the Guru Granth Sahib (our holy scripture, described as the eleventh Guru) is read. The temple we used to attend had rooms where we could stay for the duration, and it was such fun! We prayed, too, of course, but we were allowed to help in the kitchens, play games with our cousins, with fewer adult eyes upon us, eat chips and beans on a Saturday, when they had a special menu for the kids, and when we got older, we could pop out too, to the lovely local shops! That might not have been anything connected to my religion, but still, fond memories!
However, I was born in a predominantly Christian country and went to a Church of England school, where worship was by singing hymns and reciting The Lord’s Prayer, as well as visits to the school affiliated church for different occasions. I learned the significance of Christmas and Easter above the fact that you got presents or chocolate eggs on that day. I still find myself singing the odd hymn, here and there. And I can still decide most of The Lord’s Prayer, too!
My best friend is Muslim, as is one of my closest work friends, so Eid and Ramadan became something I wanted to know about. I even attempted to fast with my bezzy at university. I couldn’t hack even one day. Respect! I learned why fasting took place, and the significance of it, rather than looking on and wondering why not allowing yourself to eat or drink for the whole of the day was actually worth it.
We’ve had family friends who are Hindu, and I know those who are Greek Orthodox, Catholic…
I don’t know someone of every religion out there, and I don’t profess to.
But what I do know is that each and every religion is rooted in the same beliefs, when you boil their teachings all down.
How they are interpreted by individuals is not something that can be prescribed.
But, whenever there is something to celebrate, I’m with each and every religious brother and sister of mine, out there. I thank you for educating me about different beliefs – the hows and whys intrigue me.
And if there is something to celebrate, we should all do it!
Right now, this week, we have had Vasakhi, and on Saturday in my marital hometown, there was the annual procession, back after three years, due to the pandemic. Each year thousands of Sikhs flock to Gravesend to be a part of this parade. and with us Sikhs, there are always countless other non-Sikh brothers and sisters who join in, for the fun, the colour the food, and I hope, for some education.
Our Muslim friends are in the middle of their rosay, fasting until they will be ready to celebrate Eid.
And today is Easter. Okay, so I might not go to church, but I will raise a prayer to the resurrection, and then eat my Easter eggs, hot cross buns, and wish I had a family who liked roast lamb as much as me… (They don’t so I won’t be cooking that! I mean, who doesn’t like a good roast dinner?!)
It’s up to us to embrace and celebrate each other’s beliefs. Not a melting pot, as some wanted, where all end up conforming to the same culture, but a salad bowl, complementing each other’s individual beliefs. (Taken from something America, I cannot profess what, but I remember reading it and thinking ‘Yes! That!’)
Let me end this post by wishing all those celebrating, a very happy Easter!
So, do you have a religious belief? 💜
Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!
#SoCS – April 16, 2022 – Nose/Noes/Knows
16 Apr 2022 28 Comments
in #SoCS Tags: #StreamofConsciousnessSaturday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Linda G Hill, Socs
Linda’s SoCS prompt
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “nose/noes/knows.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Have fun!
Who knows how many noes you need to utter to a boy before he understands that it is extremely unattractive, rather unseemly, and, quite frankly, disgusting, to pick your nose?
There.
How many points?
But I Smile Anyway... 
