Blog Post | But I Smile Anyway...

#SoCS Aug. 21, 2021 – Ode

21 Aug 2021 29 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, cricket, Ode, Socs, Stream Of Consciousness Saturday

Linda’s treat for us this week for #SoCS:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “ode.” Find a one- or two-syllable word that rhymes with “ode,” or use the word “ode.” Have fun!

Rather than faff around, I shall just write an ode, shall I?

On a topic rather dear to my heart, at this precise moment!

An Ode To Cricket

There once was a time when cricket
Was something that bored me to tears
Who'd have guessed it would become more appealling
As I advanced in my years?

In my teens, a game lasting a day
Seemed an incredible waste of my time
I'd rather be out shopping, or reading
More important things to do in my prime

Yet now, you will find me transfixed
Either at the ground or on screen
As I cheer on my bro from the sofa
Or the sideline, as I watch my teen

Each bowl balled, keeps me transfixed
Each run scored makes me cheer
When they get a wicket I'm grinning
If they get out, I sneer

I'm learning the lingo real fast
5 for 8 off 5 *
Tapping scores into my WhatsApp
To keep family updated, live

Oh, Cricket, you've wormed your way in
Look, how far you've come
I'm not a cricket widow
I'm quite proudly, a cricket sister and mum!

Ritu 2021

And there you have it, a little (SoCS) ode to cricket.

Today, I wasn’t watching the match from the sidelines, but my brother is playing for Finland, in a proper international T20I tournament, and I watched both matches live on YouTube, and they won both against Sweden, so, Yay! to the Finnish Bears! Another two matches tomorrow.

And Lil Man? Well, he was playing for the Mens 4th team, and with the win they secured today, their team has topped their league for this season!

I’m an extremely proud Sister and Mother, right now!

The season is still not over, yet, for my son. Maybe three weeks to go, but, however tiring it has been for me to ferry him to and fro, over the last few months, it’s worth it, to see him progress.

*5 for 8 off 5 – that was Lil Man’s best bowling score this season, and, unless anything changes over the next couple of weeks, it has him at the top of the bowling performances leader board across the club! It means he bowled five overs, and got five wickets, giving away only eight runs. Pretty good for my little Lefty Spin bowler!

Chai And A Chat #148 #ChaiAndAChat

16 Aug 2021 43 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat

Have three weeks of my break really passed me by? Do I really only have two weeks left?

Well, if you’re ready with your drink, I’m ready with my recap!

If we were having chai I’d start by telling you that since the holidays have started, I have no idea what I am doing… my life is so up and down, with things going on, constantly, that I forget what happened last week/this week, what is yet to happen… I think, this week, my mind spin is coming from the fact that I didn’t have a huge amount planned, so I was a bit lost, to be honest.

If we were having chai I’d tell you that, as always, cricket still featured heavily. (It’s the summer, it’s the season, I can’t get away from it!) He had two more one to one sessions with some of his district coaches, who appeared very impressed with his skills and progress. There were three club training sessions, where I had a great chat with one of the ‘cricket widows’ as she described herself, with her husband being the director of cricket for the club, and two sons who have been immersed in cricket since they were mere dots. Then, he had his club match on Saturday, where he did phenomenally. 3 for 11 of 9. In plain English, that means that he bowled for nine overs, and managed to get three wickets (batters out) only giving away eleven runs, which is pretty good!

If we were having chai I’d mention that Lil Princess and I went to the haidresser for trims after a good six months. I have also decided that I need to sort my diet out, so after a post I saaw by my author friend Dan Wilcocks, pledging to only shave his beard once he hits his target weight, I have created my own little challenge #keepinggreyuntililovehowmuchiweigh – yes, I am not dyeing my hair until I hit that target. My roots are pretty obvious already. Who knows, I might just like the au naturel look, but for now, that is my incentive, and boy, do I need it… I ate FOUR donuts in one go on Saturday. I am SO ASHAMED!
If we were having chai I’d say that

If we were having chai I’d excitedly tell you that Lil Man’s GCSE results came out, and HE PASSED! So, as of September, he will be attending the Sixth form of his choice to continue his education. We are so proud of him!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 (@ritubhathalwrites)

If we were having chai I’d tell you that we had a lovely lunch on Sunday, with my in-laws who came around after a long time. My Bro in law has been in plaster and a walking boot since April, and he was unable to move, before this, so it was his first time at the new house. Such a lovely few hours, it was.

If we were having chai I’d leave you with an image of Sonu Singh, who is still very haappy with the new table!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 (@ritubhathalwrites)

This week, there is cricket, as always, but only the the club training, and a match on Saturday (and possibly, Thursday). I have an appointment to take my father-in-law to, on Wednesday, and I really need to log into my work laptop, and also pop into school, too… But, I also am still on r & r mode… I need to be in tip top condition for the begining of school, so I’m still reading and relaxing!

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 336 – Smile

15 Aug 2021 38 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Smile, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Smile. It makes people wonder what you’re up to.”
Jill Shalvis

Thanks Spidey, for reminding me of that quote.

I’ve always liked it.

And it’s so true, isn’t it?

I’m not talking about that great big grin that some people flash, though, or the genuine smiles of happiness when you see people together, enjoying each other’s company.

I mean when you see someone, possibly alone, with that kind of Mona Lisa smile playing on their lips. Don’t you wonder what’s put that smile on their face? Is it a lovely message they received? Are they reminiscing some special moment? Thinking of something they arae about to do?

I love imagining what happiness is keeping a smile on their faces.

And, did you know, smiles are kinda addictive? Go on, try it. Smile at someone, pass on that kindness. It could trigger a smile revolution around you!

(Oh, and smiling is so, so good for exercising your facial muscles, so there is even more benefit!)

So, what about you? Do you exercise your smile muscles enough?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

#SoCS Aug. 14, 2021 – Luck

14 Aug 2021 34 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS Tags: #SoCS, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Luck, Stream Of Consciousness Saturday

Linda’s #SoCS prompt, this week:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “luck.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

I might be tired, unable to lose weight consistently, stressing over unbought furniture, worrying about the academic year ahead, concerned about what the future holds for my kids, fed up of the mess Hubby Dearest leaves the bathroom in…

But…

Then I realise that I am lucky.

I’m tired but I am busy, with things to do, and people to see, because I have people around me who want to be with me.

I’m unable to lose weight, but that means I have food on the table.

I’m stressing over furniture, but that means I have a roof over my head.

I’m worrying about next year at school, but I have a job.

I worry about the kids futures, but,hey, at least I have my children to worry about.

I get fed up of the mess, but at least I have a loving Hubby whose mess production I wouldn’t live without because I love him, too.

We may not have everything we want, but we should count ourselves as lucky, becayse we have enough.

Proud

12 Aug 2021 66 Comments

by Ritu in Family Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Family, GCSE, Lil Man

Today, Peeps, my pride knows no bounds.

Yes, I know they say pride comes before a fall, but this time, I am prouder than proud of my son.

Despite the craziness of this last eighteen months, with the pandemic, and numerous other barriers to overcome, Lil Man got his GCSE results today, and he passed.

My boy will be off to Sixth Form in September!

I promise, I am not biased in this thinking, but I do feel that this year group had it tougher than most. If you think about it, last year, yes the exams were disrupted, but the children had the opportunity to cover the whole curriculum before the world went crazy.

So, despite not getting the chance to sit exams, they were prepared.

And A-Level students? They have seen the disruption, too, but they’d had a bit of normalcy with their own GCSEs, two years previously.

I mean, this set of children, have lost out on around six months of face to face learning time, suffered possibly even more testing than the average year group, as the grades were to be teacher assessed, rather than exam based, and have never faced a true exam. (SATs in primary school not withstanding!)

Yet, they carried on. And for the most, smashed their grades.

Personally, I much prefer this teacher based way of assessing, as exams mean you having an off day, despite being a good student, cound end up leaving you with a bad grade.

Whereas, this year, teachers were able to build up portfolios of evidence for each child, from assignments, to coursework, to test results, and their own professional judgement of each child, to give a grade that they felt truly reflected each pupils efforts.

I fall apart in tests and exams. I know my boy is the same.

But I also know that though he isn’t a straight A student, (can I say that, nowadays or is it a 7-9 grade student, now?) he is capable, and by acheiving the grades he needed to get to Sixth Form, he has proved that.

See.

Couldn’t be prouder.

Now, how to celebrate for a guy who passed his exams? Does he want a special meal? A treat?

Nope. He wants to go to his cricket training!

So, I’ll be off on cricket mum duty again!

Still, I’ll be taking him there, extremely proud of the young man he has become. 💜

And here is a little poem I penned a few years ago, just for him.

Fly my little chick, fly
Just stretch those wings and fly high.

Roar my little cub, roar
Show them what you're made for.

Swim my little fry, swim
You're just as good as 'him'.

Jump my little roo, jump
You can get over this bump.

Believe in yourself
In the power of you.

Have faith in yourself,
Like I always do.

So,

Fly my little chick, fly
All you can do is try...

Ritu 2016

For all those Little Chicks out there, that need that little bit of encouragement… You’re doing great, and you will continue to do so, have faith in yourselves… And especially for my son, Lil Man xxx