But I Smile Anyway...

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!

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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

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Beliefs, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Easter, Ramadan, Vaisakhi

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

by Ritu 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?

One-Liner Wednesday – Childhood

13 Apr 2022 32 Comments

by Ritu in #onelinerwednesday Tags: #jusjojan, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Inner Child, One Liner Wednesday

For Linda’s #1LinerWeds

Chai And A Chat #181 #ChaiAndAChat

11 Apr 2022 41 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat

Hello Peeps! I can’t believe a week of the holidays has already passed!

Still, I am off another week, so I can chill with you as I let you know about last week!

If we were having chai I would tell you that I have had a week filled with appointments, reading and sleep. Which I really needed, and still do, to be honest. Nothing major planned, just bumbling around, and snoozing when I felt the urge. perfect!
If we were having chai, I’d tell you about my appointments. So on Monday, I had a nurse check-up at my new GP surgery. BP etc. was fine, but I have definitely put on weight, but you know what, I seem to have lost the urge to lose weight. I don’t feel it the same way I usually do. But other than that, all was fine. On Wednesday I was back there for a Drs follow up appointment because I seem to have a blockage in one ear. A special spray was prescribed, and I was able to leave. You know, I read reviews about this surgery and they weren’t great, but so far, I have had nothing but great service from them.
If we were having chai I’d tell you that on Tuesday I had a regular optician’s appointment, and thought I’d follow it up with a trip to the nail place with Lil Princess. The nail appointment was a success. She is so happy with her new nails! The opticians gave me the results I was expecting. After a great run of 13 years, my laser surgery is now starting to allow that natural deterioration to happen, and the astigmatism is showing its head, too. So, guess what, I will eventually need varifocals or bifocals! I never had long-distance sight issues; always short-sighted, but now I have the beginnings of distance vision deterioration, and I will definitely need glasses for reading and screen work! but, at this time of my life, I am actually quite looking forward to them! Lil Princess thought it was great fun watching me trying on frames, and helping me decide which would be the best for me. I shall model them in my next post, I guess! But for now, you can check out the nails!

If we were having chai I would tell you that cricket has well and truly started again. It’s been an expensive week, as we ordered Lil Man’s new kit, and paid for his yearly subs. But he is ecstatic! And the ground he will be training at is lovely. I have introduced myself to some of the other cricket mums who were there too. I think this will be a great place for him! He was meant to be playing a match on Saturday, but it got cancelled because of the waterlogged ground, so he got extra training, instead. Let me share with you the glory of this place!

If we were having chai I’d remind you of that garden chair, the hammock I mentioned a few weeks ago, which we didn’t have rope for. Well, it’s up, and we also took delivery of my newest favourite place to read. An egg chair! It is so lovely to sit in. We also installed a little birdbath, and had our first barbecue of the year!

If we were having chai I’d share with you, my gorgeous egg chair in more detail. We have been looking for one for a while, now, and this double size is perfect for curling up your legs and just relaxing. I am already seeing the arguments about who gets to sit on it. I have first dibs, obviously! But, if you are looking for a piece of garden furniture or even something to put in a conservatory, I recommend one of these!

If we were having chai I’d have to recommend this book, especially. When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando. Yes, it’s YA fiction, but so good. It is based in the UK, in Manchester and the story revolves around three black youths and how stereotyping and racial profiling affects their lives. I finished it in a day, I was so hooked. She is a great writer, and this is her second novel. Both are brilliant!

If we were having chai I would end, as always, with an image of Sonu Singh, this time chilled out on the table in the conservatory. What a cutie! 😻😻

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This week I will continue to relax. Oh, and pick up the new glasses, too. Hubby Dearest has an extra day off, and it is the long Easter weekend, so hopefully, we can do something special. The biggest thing I can hope for is good weather! Have a great week, Peeps!