Wordsmith at work

It is the weekend, month end and most importantly the year-end. in a few hours 2018 will ushered in with great pomp and show. Another 365 days of opportunities and options await us.We leave behind, regrets, losses, disappointments and mistakes and step into another 365 days with great optimism.So what if you don't get it right? Says Neil Gamin, "I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.because if you are making mistakes , then you are making new things, trying new things,learning, living...     2017 was marked by the usual highs and lows. Life looked up for some and for others -well things may not have worked out quite as they may have wished for. Hope is the eternal spring...Let us hope for the best and may God help us accept what 2018 has in store for us.    

 The corporate world today offers its employees the option of  'working from home ' It is convenient and timings are flexible. Quite a few avail of this opportunity and are happy because household errands and chores can be accommodated together with office work. There is another side to 'working from home' or 'work from home' which is ugly and unfair. Every day newspapers carry hundreds of advertisements luring unsuspecting victims with bountiful rewards. These jobs may include data entry jobs or telemarketing jobs. The victims often include bored housewives or housewives looking to earn a few extras bucks or college students wanting some pocket money. The perpetrators are looking for quick money by way of a  fee. Sometimes there is no investment but the returns are pathetic. Two members of my family were taken for a jolly good ride. One recounts his horrific experience while calling it an outright scam. " The policy was: Data had to be ...

I woke up from my afternoon siesta to gloomy skies, a gentle breeze and loud claps of thunder, interspersed by streaks of lightning. I was surprised at this change in weather. The intense heat of the last few days had abated and the rain fell from a gentle drizzle to a short sharp heavy downpour. The thunder continued  - loud and scary. I was not happy. My plans for the evening had gone awry.  The weather has been so unpredictable - one day you are roasting in an oven and the next your are humming 'singing in the rain'.   So is life, I say - A perfect 10 today and nothing but nought tomorrow. Man proposes and God disposes.   Stay strong, stay brave, stay calm, pray and save!!

So it was another night of terror, where the innocent and unarmed were targeted by a seemingly innocent but mentally deranged man. Terror is not just the sound of gunshots.....   Terror is rape Terror is incest Terror is domestic violence Terror is molestation Terror is child abuse   Terror is burglary Dear God save us from terror!!!

Three birthdays and too much cake in one week.The significant other turned 61(age is just a number, you say), there was a milestone birthday with the firstborn turning 21and it was the lucky and last teenage birthday of the junior sweet tooth .   The milestone birthday made me realise that there is now technically one more adult at home. What's in store for me? I wonder.Three males - A twenty-one-year-old, a 19-year-old and a 61-year-old(read 16)I find myself pitted against 3 males!! One day at a time sweet Jesus!   Death and destruction have marked the recent past. Innocent lives claimed by cowards. Will justice prevail? Will the criminals be brought to book?  An outspoken journalist and activist is gunned down because she spoke her mind, a seven-year-old is brutally murdered because he fought his perverted assailant and a talented pianist allegedly jumps to his death . How more gruesome does it get? How many more precious lives wil...

Son, This is a milestone birthday and you are twenty-one. from a baby with colic to a man of music, The journey has sure been an exciting one. Your childish chatter on tape is but a precious keepsake, The years have flown; you, child have grown, A man soon to come into his own.  It was touch and go, but today you have so much to show.  Life is sometimes an  uphill climb, just continue to smile, be gentle and kind May happiness and good luck come knocking at your door. May the good lord be with you wherever you go! You came to us a good 40 days early. It seemed that you were not going to be with us for long - Nana said that you looked like a tiny black rat, with zero chances of survival but it has been 21 years and you are alive and kicking! There were many, many moments of anxiety and fear but you little man, put up a brave fight and today we raise a toast to 21 years of 'awesome'.  A powerhouse of talent you have excelled in almost every fi...

T he city is back on its feet after the deluge last week. Water logging, flooding and a few untimely deaths because of negligence marked August 29th2017.  Mumbaikars relived July 2005 on August 29th 2017. The richest municipal corporation in India received the thrashing of its life from all quarters for its apathy towards the citizens and shoddy maintenance of infrastructure.Every time a deluge happens Mumbaikars experience a sense of Deja vu. Will the corporation ever learn or ever care?   As always, in these difficult times, the 'good -samaritan' spirit of the Mumbaikars comes to the fore. The numerous shelters that mushroomed were amazing and there have been testimonies to the same.   On one hand, we hail the famed Mumbaikar spirit which the municipal corporation seems to have taken for granted and on the other hand if  Mumbaikars practised a little more civic sense the city may not find itself in these h...

Indians celebrated 70 years of glorious freedom from foreign rule on the 15th.There was flag hoisting and there were speeches and the usual rhetoric.Th e working crowd and students enjoyed another break as our Parsi brethren celebrate yet another new year. Navroze Mubarak.  The rains continue, sometimes quite dispiritedly and sometimes we enjoy a torrential downpour.As I write this the sun is playing peek - a -boo.We are eight months into the year.Preparations are on to welcome lord, Ganesh.The junior sweet tooth in the house is looking forward to sinking his teeth into modaks, the delicacy of the festival.A slew of festivals follow.   So far the year has seen two good Hindi movies, Lipstick under the burqa and Toilet... Ek Prem Katha.  both of which have done a pretty good job in sending a message across. Hindi cinema does have its good days.  Talking about Hindi cinema takes me back to my college days when there was no online boo...

Something that I miss dreadfully from my spinsterhood days is curling up with a good book. Recently a classmate from the school WhatsApp group suggested that the group talk books. Out tumbled the names of books, authors, 'have - read', 'must - read' and presently reading. Many have continued to be voracious readers like while others like yours truly were rediscovering the joys of reading. My first tangible memory of this very pleasurable hobby was the book 'A basketful of surprises by Enid Blyton that dad brought home for me. There was no turning back.I was hooked. My parents both book lovers supported my passion for reading.  As a child, Enid Blyton was a hot favourite. I gradually moved on to the adventures of the Hardy boys and Nancy Drew.Richmal Crompton's William saw me chuckling away to glory  There was this book shack that dad dropped me off where for many years I kept alive my passion for reading. Together with Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew, the lives and...

This post may contradict an earlier post, 'Friends are forever.' I am 53 and have I lost any friends along the way? I read this rather interesting article about 'losing friends along the way' The writer received a forward that said, 'if you are not losing friends then you are not growing up.'  No man is an island and friends are an elixir to life. Life happens, you make friends and somewhere along the way you begin to lose touch with some of them, you find that you have very little or nothing in common, your goals and dreams differ, you walk different paths in pursuit of your goals and dreams and you make new friends along those paths.  Hence in order to achieve your dreams and goals and to grow says the writer losing friends is inevitable. "In order to move on, you need to outgrow people and situations.'You don't need to break friendships, you stay in touch but just about.   My significant other swears by the fact that your only friends a...

It is a quiet Sunday afternoon. I have just woken up from my siesta and thought that I would pen a few lines on the eve of my 53rd birthday.So what do I have to say for myself?  I was a few kilos lighter last year at this time. The jeans  I wore last year on my birthday are a little too snug for comfort this year. Ah! but isn't that what life is all about? you lose some and you win some!I was in conversation with a college friend whom I have not seen for thirty plus years and we thought that the gang should meet up before ailments get the better of us. Our spirits are up and age is just a number.  This one year has been none too eventful. Mostly boring house hold chores, mundane stuff but in between, I have managed to crack an article writing course that I had enrolled for 3 years ago and have rediscovered the joys of being a bibliophile in the last  12 months. I consider that quite a  feat for a boring old homemaker! I am presently...

After a 2-week computer malfunction, I am back to hammering at those keys. The rain  - gods are officially in town but we are still to bear the brunt of the full monsoon. The skies remain overcast with short, sharp intermittent showers. The Monsoon brings with it, the colour green and the greenery seems infectious. Friends have been posting pictures of beautiful flowers and luscious fruits and I decide to try my hand at gardening.  Mom was an avid gardener many moons ago tending to an array of plants and taking pride in some bright and beautiful blossoms. I was not the least bit interested but today at  50plus am an aspiring green thumb. I live in an apartment in a big, noisy city and so have to make do with a potted garden. I bought two seasonal flowering plants - I am not even quite sure of their names.I was helped by the 18-year-old to set up the potted garden.He has inherited grandma's love for plants.He has planted a tiny mint plant. The lack of space does no...

 Fatherhood was celebrated today.The father here was most anxious that his sons wish him and they thankfully did not disappoint. You never know what to expect from 2 males on the threshold of adulthood.Daddy dearest has cashed the cheque presented to him and has shared the bar of dark chocolate with mommy. It was the first time in 22years that mommy had gifted him something from her small but valuable earnings.  Surprisingly there were not too many Father's day texts flying around.  A few had changed their dp's in honour of their fathers. There were a few pictures on Facebook of friends with their fathers or friends remembering their late fathers. The fervour that mother's day generates was missing. ( I could be mistaken)Biologically, a daddy is required to make a mommy, but as things stand today,  modern families may have 2 mommies raising a child or 2 daddies raising a child or a single mommy or daddy raising a child.  The ...

May slipped out and June slipped in. We are half way through the year. There were ups and downs, highs and lows, laughter and tears. Terror raised its ugly head twice too soon in London and  Mr. Donald Trump opted out of the Paris climate change agreement.  Back home the sex life of the peacock was in the news, the moral police were at work trolling a certain film star for being 'indecently dressed' as she met the PM. Tejas, the superfast express train between Mumbai and Goa was vandalised on its very first run by none other than the commuters - 'shame shame Bhartiya vaasi..'What is it with us that we so preciously guard and care for private space and choose to disregard public property? We employ maids to clean our homes but have no qualms about soiling a brand new toilet seat in a brand new train or stealing headphones from that very train.Amid strong protests and mock funerals, trees are being felled left, right and centre to make away f...

Deep heat is what we have been experiencing for the past couple of months. May 2017 will draw to a close in another few days and the countdown to the great Indian Monsoon will begin if it has not yet begun. On the international front, May 2017 was marked by President Donald Trump's visit to Israel and the suicide bombing in Manchester.How many more lives are to be lost before peace prevails? What kind of high does taking a life give you? Some demented people spreading fear and terror, cutting short precious lives..Closer home India continues to fight for the life of one of her sons.Have mercy on us, dear Lord! Your mother is the first person in your life. She gives birth to you and then raises you the best of her ability. You may argue and fight but she remains your closest confidante. A once strong and active woman, now in her 81st year is frail and tired. She moves slowly  and speaks softly and is unsure most of the time. She is happy to...

  May is drawing to a close and a blazing sun is scorching the city. The temperature is soaring and city folk are complaining. All through April, May and June we go 'blah, blah, blah' until the heavens burst open in June. However, with the romance of the rain, we have to contend with waterlogging slush,  muck and other problems.   Both school and college kids are currently on a well-deserved summer break. The soft drink and ice cream companies are reaping huge profits. The health-conscious though prefer to stick to good old chaas. (buttermilk) Quite a few Mumbaikars are reclining in cooler climes. The rest are being roasted and toasted in the summer sun. The king of fruits is reigning supreme as fruit stalls and markets wear a golden yellow hue. The best news of all has been delivered by a popular nutritionist who has waxed eloquently on the nutritional benefits of the  Mango. "Exercising a little restraint, eat to your heart's c...

Easter 2017 will be rather memorable. Two members of the family namely my significant other and our younger son had their pockets picked and cell phones were stolen. Like many of his generation this19-year-old is a 'phoney.' He eats, sleeps and breathes his cell phone. He was like a cat on a hot tin roof when the phone went missing. No sooner had he lodged the routine police complaint did he start making arrangements to buy a new one.When I say arrangements, I mean monetary arrangements - He did not need any assistance in choosing a new phone. His father was not too thrilled about the idea of purchasing a new phone so very quickly and suggested that he use the discarded tablet. Our young man was adamant. The tablet did not meet his needs and a new phone with a memory as big as an elephant was what he needed. Grandmothsr and mother together with a  dip into the young man's  nest egg have contributed to RED ME note 4 by Xiaomi.through a flash sale....

March4th, 2017  A weekend.A blissful'nothing - to -do take  - it -easy ' in the air.Easter is around the corner.  The employed generally catch up with household chores and the unemployed take a dive from the bore and chore that is housekeeping I recently read a mother's blog about the empty nest syndrome and it sent me on a trip of my own. Kids are my favourite people. I wanted 4 but stopped at 2. However, I cannot claim to be the perfect mother. I have been far from perfect.  21 years ago Significant - Other and I  were beside ourselves raising 2 boys. Like many grandmas,   their grandma too pitched in.  Today the bond between the grandkids and grandma is cast in iron. I get all teary eyed and nostalgic as I leaf through the albums - baby pictures, school pictures, vacation pictures, fancy dress. There are so many memories and so many moments jostling for space in my heart and despite a tight squeeze, each memory and moment is gift wrapp...

When the light of day softly fades away When that flaming ball of fire is all set to retire When children hasten home after play When tweet and chirp fly home yonder When bright city lights dispel the darkness of the night When the star spangled skies are a delight to the eyes When moonbeams cast a silvery sheen.  When work is done and the day’s race is run When we whisper a little prayer- Thank you dear God, for your love and care. Your blessings we seek everyday, everywhere! 

March 2nd,2017 Yesterday, the first day of a new month began on a spiritual note followed by lean meals all the day long. The significant  - other had rustled up some delicious dahi baath(curd - rice) while I cooked a dish of egg fried rice for the heirs to the throne. The teenager did not appreciate the egg fried rice and said that he felt he was consuming Jain food. I guess the rice turned out a little too bland for his 'spicy loving palate'. The twenty-year-old, though a member of the youth choir is not very spiritually inclined, or so he says and had to be pushed to hear mass yesterday. I wonder for how long more I can push. Not being spiritually inclined is a malady affecting many young people these days. My attempt at making aloo parathas for the boys' breakfast was nothing to write home about. The aloo mash turned out to be a soggy mess,  then there was no dhania - hubby dear had used the garnish(corriander leaves) to garnish something else.  This I was bli...

Feb 28th, 2017 , 6.38pm. The last day of February dawned with clear blue skies and a nice bright sun.  It also happened to be Shrove or pancake Tuesday. Shrove is derived from the word Shrive meaning 'absolution of sin. It is also called Fat Tuesday because we use up the fatty foods before the season of lent. The actual tradition of mixing up the ingredients for pancakes  is said to be a pagan ritual. Some beg to differ and say that it is a Christian tradition with each ingredient representing the 4 aspects of Christian faith.   As the light dims the birds can be heard chirping on  their way home.A peace must gradually descend on the land but the bright city lights will shine late into the night.

FEB 26th, 2017. At 7 am my eyes open to a brand new day - Sunday- the day of the Lord and Fat Sunday  - A day to bring out the bacon and beer - the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent.The significant-other usually exhibits his culniary skills on Sunday.  So we sat down to a lunch of Mangalorean pork curry and sannas and chunks of rich dark chocolate for dessert.  Needless to say, delightful fare. The weather outside is not so delightful.  There is more than a hint of summer in the air.Oranges are yet aplenty. Mangoes are on the way. The watermelon abounds.   The twenty-year-old enjoyed a long leisurely sleep, wrapped up in his dreams, deigning to rise only when we informed him that the maid was swishing her broom through the house. The 18-year-old was desperately searching for a lost text book. He did locate the book eventually but refused to divulge where he had found the lost book.. Welcome to the world of te...