Reva's arangettam

Here are pictures of Venky's daughter's arangettam yesterday evening. Annie, Grizilda, Prem's family including his sister and son were there. Couldnt get any pics of Annie and Griz as they left before the programme got over.

Flagstaff

This was a national park called walnut willow park. We stopped here on the way to grand canyon. These were the homes of early Native Americans(cliff dwellings)wonder how they reached it/lived.we were able to access a few.
serene place. sat on a rock and waited for others.narrow paths with deep gorges .Climb up was worst.Nature is just amazing.

Bhatt Family

I got into our blog today after my trip to India and was shocked to see this message. I have such fond memories of the whole family. I spend many evenings at their place and had such wonderful meals with the family. I always looked forward to maam's meals, they were a welcome change for me from the hall meals. I used to walk with Poopy and Priya in the evening all around the campus, they used to take me to all the remote areas of the campus where none of us would ever try to venture. They were a loving couple, they cared and respected for each other so much, it was a treat to watch them. I used think lucky are those people who truly find a soulmate in their life. There were days when maam got back from work and she felt very tired and would go and lay in her bed and ask sir if he could massage her legs and sir would very lovingly do it for her, those images are still fresh in my mind. I also had the pleasure to introduce Jay( my husband) to them and Jay has been able to meet them many times after that. He loved them so much. He will be shocked to hear such a sad news. Sir was the reason I chose a red saree for my wedding. He had suggested me to choose a red saree since the color red is very auspicious. True or not I really feel blessed in my married life. I had such a great time with them. I will miss them a lot. They have been a great part of my life and will continue to be. Sir and Maam are truly great souls and I feel blessed to have known them. They will forever be in my heart and their kids in my prayer.
I hope the kids are able to cope with the loss of such wonderful parents.

Sunita-

Obit 2

Mrs. Radha Bhatt passed away yesterday at her Chennai residence. She had been ailing for the past two months. Had various complications including diabetes, fibroid, I hear.
Such an energetic and pleasant lady, she was. I cant forget the rasam and rice she fed me some afternoons when we were visiting sir. They had seemed such a happy and content family.

The Party

Was Happy to see the New Party being floated in TN and Venky playing a crucial role. Residents of Chennai can see Venky picture in Banners and posters all over Chennai and I am sure TN. All the very best Venky.

Cheers.

Tight-rope walk?

I wonder how they put the clothes on the line on a daily basis?

Jesus and Christ

Just through with reading Philip Pullman's The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ.(Maha, I assume you have read it.)
It comes as a handy book for beginners too, especially in understanding some aspects of Jesus' life and his teachings. But as the author says, This is a story, and an atheist's interpretation of the life and death of Jesus. Hence good Christians might not exactly appreciate the book. The book portrays Jesus and Christ as twins, and how one betrays the other unwittingly.
But altogether a good narrative and an easy read (which is expected as Pullman is a children's writer). But beneath the seemingly easy prose, there are complex  theories, thoughts and questions for us to ponder. I particularly liked the Garden of Gethsamene soliloquy, which reflects some of my doubts and fears.

April....Happy Easter.

Pull a fast one on your friend and celebrate your friendship on April Fools' Day.

Happy Easter.
Wishing everyone to new beginings. Easter fills us with hope, joy and warmth. Hope you all enjoy your easter eggs, chocolates, egg hunting and all the other things you all plan on doing.OR a day of rest!
May there always be baskets of Easter goodies in your life.
Have a great week end.
Hope this brigtens the day after the previous blog!!!!!!!

40 th Birthday!!!!!!!

Soon or some may have already reached the 40th birthday.
My hubby turned 40, 1 card he got for his birthday,had me thinking , shortly i would be following hmm.. already aches pains, our parents better than us!
Thought would share the words of the card ,you guys may enjoy it too!
First one said
On your 40 th birthday
The
secret
to staying

young
is
eating Right,
Exercising,
Taking your
Vitamins,
Getting Plenty
of REST...
(inside the card)
And Lying About your Age!

Tryst With Nature

This year on New Year day decided to spend some quality time with Nature with a Wordsworth Poem in my heart..

I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Creek

......Enjoy.