Ronovan’s weekly haiku challenge:

Seasons change swiftly Branches unveil shades of green New cycle begins Ritu 2021

13 Apr 2021 25 Comments
in #ronovansweeklyhaikuchallenge Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Branch & Swift, Haiku, Ronovan's Weekly Haiku Challenge
Ronovan’s weekly haiku challenge:
Seasons change swiftly Branches unveil shades of green New cycle begins Ritu 2021
12 Apr 2021 30 Comments
in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat
How has the first week of the holidays gone by so fast?
No, seriously, time is whizzing by, and it feels like I have done nothing I wanted to!
So, do you have your drink handy?
This week, we have a skip arriving, so we can get decluttering, before any big move takes place. That’ll keep me busy! Also, I hope to get to the hairdresser. As much as I said I’d embrace my greys, I think I am ready to embrace them with colour, now! Also, a visit to my dear beautician to get eyebrows done! Since lockdown 3.0 is easing, today, shops are open, as well as a lot of of other services. We will tentatively see what we can do, to keep these kids occupied, though Lil Man is occupying me himself, with training on all five of the week days! And an opticians appointment for him too, just before we start back to school. Speaking of school, I may just pop in on one of the days, too, to make sure I’m all set for the start back… but I haven’t decided, definitely, yet.
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!
11 Apr 2021 33 Comments
in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, good, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday
“If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”
Roald Dahl (The Twits)
What a lovely quote, Spidey!
I do love a bit of Dahl wisdom, and this is a wonderful example.
I have always believed this, and I think that the eyes are the window to a person’s soul. So, it’s not just smiles I look at, but the eyes.
It is very hard to hide emotions from eyes, I feel.
A smile can lose it’s shine if it doesn’t reach a person’s eyes. A person can beam at you, flashing their teeth, but if the eyes aren’t twinkling… it makes you stop and think.
Equally, your eyes can give away when you are trying hard to mask a sadness, dissapointment, or even anger.
But, if, ultimately, you are a good person, it emanates from you, exactly like Dahl said.
So, what do you think?
Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps.
10 Apr 2021 38 Comments
in #SoCS Tags: #SoCS, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Difference, Stream Of Consciousness Saturday
Linda’s #SoCS challenge this week:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “difference.” Whatever the word “difference” conjures first in your mind, write about it. Enjoy!
What a difference a day makes.
That is a line from a song, yes, but it also holds such a lot of truth in it, too.
Take yesterday, and today, for example. (forgive me, I write this on Friday evening, so it is ready for Saturday.)
Yesterday, I woke so early, at 3.30am, so I could be present for the funeral of my uncle, who passed away in Australia. So, time difference pending, I was up at the crack of dawn, armed with my phone and laptop. I connected with the family via WhatsApp video call, so I, along with my parents, and my other uncle and aunt in Kenya, and other key family members, could be there when Mamaji (my uncle) was brought home, as is the custom with our final goodbyes. We were present, but not, if you know what I mean.
Still, it meant a lot that we were able to attend this occasion in a way that a few years back, would have been nigh on impossible to .
After, that I switched from phone to laptop, so we could follow the live streaming at the chapel of rest, where the cremation was going to take place. Again, another miracle of technology allowing us to hear the words spoken about Mamaji, and to see the rest of the family who were there.
By 6.30 am, I was shattered. Emotionally, mentally and physically, I was drained.
So, after a cup of tea, and some breakfast, I climbed the stairs and joined the rest of the family in a couple of restless hours of sleep.
The rest of the day drifted by, as I tried to get my energy up, not with much success.
Fast forward to today, a day later.
I slept solidly, last night, for a good eight hours. I had no alarm to wake me, as it is Easter break. And I woke feeling positive, energetic and happy.
That one day, filled with sadness, but also, relief that Mamaji was on his final journey, so different to today, where I feel at peace.
I sat and looked at photos of him, today.
Mamaji wanted none of that extended mourning that is typical of Indian families. He said, specifically, “Cry for me, if you have to, for a couple of days. After that, smile. Remember all the good times. Don’t be sad I’m gone, be happy we were together”. He even requested that everyone should wear bright colours at the funeral, not the whites, creams and muted tones that are the norm. “Celebrate my life. I had a good one.”
Yesterday, those photos came with tears. Today, I could look at them with a smile on my face.
See, what a difference a day makes.
09 Apr 2021 20 Comments
in #WritePhoto Tags: #WritePhoto, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Flash Fiction, New Borns
Our #WritePhoto prompt this week:
Mary had a little lamb Its fleece was white as snow Its nose and ears and hooves were black Except for its front left toe The other ewes just lay in wait For their newborns to come Mary sighed with happiness As she was already a mum