There should be a law..

 That every single day of our lives, we have stop whatever we are doing to watch the sunset. 

Saw another spectacular sunset, driving to Costco, about 30 minutes away in Coventry. Most of the time, it was on country roads, and not just the sunset across the open fields, and the odd village, but on the east of the horizon was a beautiful double rainbow. So beautiful, just so, so very beautiful. Open sky, shades of blue and the clouds, lined with liquid gold, as if it was a piece of stained glass and the gold edges were holding the clouds together. 

Normally I like the freedom of a watercolor effect, because the watercolors tend to bleed a little, asserting their freedom, breaking through boundaries- they are not constrained, like oils or acrylic, which btw was my mum’s medium of choice. Today, the sky was structured, though wisps of cloud still strayed away. 

So yes, about the law, it must be considered by any sane society, to encourage its citizens to feel good by being in nature. After all, we count our lives in days, everything is made up of days, like weeks, months and years, so what a shame if we’ve lived life, and to not see the day come to a close? 

The clock has just gone past midnight, so technically, while I started this on Thursday, it’s going to be published on the blog on Friday. 

I should know better. Maybe this is one more alarm I will set on my phone, to remind me to stop whatever I’m doing, and come time for sunset, I will head our, stand by the door, or better still go out to the hill in the park overlooking the Tesco’s, and admire the sky and the sunset. 

Veenu Banga

9/30/2022

12:13 am.

The worlds within our World!

 We coexist with the worlds that inhabit our world. We just never think of it. What made me realize that could well be a teaser for what’s coming from me!

Next book intro: A Fun Way To Learn! series

As we walk the earth in our day-to-day lives, are we aware of a whole world alive and thriving in the trees? 

This story unfolds the days and nights through the curious eyes of a fun-loving, friendly baby sparrow and his siblings. Meet the Sparrows' neighbors and the world they inhabit in the tree tops. Find out their fears. See their excitement when Ethan and Adelyn fill the bird feeder and when their Mama Sparrow heads to the birdbath. Eavesdrop on their conversations.

*Pictures and new words for your little ones to help expand their vocabulary.*

Been a bit grueling with this one. Back and forth, etc. And now I’m finally close to the finish like, with bringing it all together. 

Navratri started today!

Veenu Banga

09/26/2022

11:35  pm.

The rain was

 A bit of a damper. But, not enough to stop us from having a marvelous day. 

After losing a few posts when I accidentally deleted them, I hope this one survives my tired bones, but exhilarated spirit. It was such a great day. Visiting all our favorite haunts, it was like we had never left. 

Seven years is a long time, and something’s had notably changed. For starters Pinocchio, our favorite local Italian was no longer in business. In its place was another Italian restaurant. Rob the humongous store was very much there. I still remember my surprise seeing their wine cellar for the first time. It must have been the size of a regular grocery store in Florida. Then there was the cage, which looked more like a chapel, because of the ornate wrought iron gates that housed wine bottles with visibly displayed price tags of thousands of euros. 

One location of Pizza Saco was also permanently closed. Covid must have extracted it’s toll. Other changes included changing traffic patterns, with increasing padestrian areas, especially near the city Centre areas such as Centraal and the Grand-Place.  A bit of a damper. But not enough to stop us from having a fabulous day. 

The day showed us all four seasons. There was rain when we started, then it became cloudy; followed by sunny, and then rain again. A hail storm quickly followed this! Back to sunshine again, and soon dusk was asserting itself with a coolness in the air when we returned to our hotel. 

We had a great breakfast/ brunch at Le Pain Quotidien, followed by a late lunch at Bia Mara and the walkabout in the abovementioned areas. We went to St. Nicholas Church and spent about 45 minutes there. We were then shopping around the area going to our old favorites. 

We had the best intentions to go to Pizza Saco for dinner, but the Gods had a bigger and better dream dinner in mind for us. For that story, we will have to wait till tomorrow!

Veenu Banga

09-16-2022

11:26 pm. 

Magic in the sky tonight!

 Since it’s past midnight, I can’t say today, or yesterday and be speaking factually. So, Thursday night, we were headed out and there’s a very brightly twinkling light in the sky. I think it’s a plane, but it doesn’t move. So out comes my trusty Sky Guide, and it’s Jupiter! To its right is a bright big moon, growing boldly towards fullness. 

Saw them again, and on the highway or in the city, these two seem to be the only Inhabitants of the vast expanse of sky. The city lights fade out the stars. Then we went out in the fields, where there’s nary a light to be seen, and Jupiter and the Moon, are flanked by several twinkling stars. 

Magical night sky, the stuff that makes you happy to be alive. Another day, another magic, always a different display. Bring on the magic show, Mother Nature, blessed to stand witness! Thank you. 

Veenu Banga

September 10, 2022

12:53 am.

How suddenly the day turns..

What a glorious to my day! I had some great news about a friend in a faraway place. Childhood friend, I may add. While I was still rejoicing that fact, it was time to join a zoom call and the first person to join, told me I was looking very beautiful. 

While I cannot vouch for the looking part, I can certainly vouch for the feeling- yes, I felt beautiful. I immediately realized that it was because I was happy! 

Lesson to self: be happy, and you will always be beautiful.

Then, in the afternoon, news of the Queen. What a lady, working till the very end of her life, she appointed the Prime Minister on Tuesday, and departed the world on Thursday. May her soul Rest In Peace. 

Veenu Banga

September 8, 2022.

11:54 pm.

Charlene approves!

Charlene approves! Rather, Master Charlene, I should say when I refer to my qigong buddy. 

Charlene sent me her sweet message today to join her in Energy for the weekly Thursday mid-morning qigong practice class.

Charlene hadn't read my "Eddie of the green coat," which is currently my favorite poem. So, of course, I send it to her with my favorite lines: 

"..and I 

Then let my eyes gaze contentedly over 

Your green coat attired imposing self. Comforted, 

I closed my eyes, knowing that our nearness was real

And not a dream."

 I also sent Charlene a couple of photos of Eddie and "Handsome trucks," she said as she approved! 

We both must have good taste. 

Veenu Banga

9/8/2022

12:01 am 

~~~~~~~

Trying to stay the course

 When years and years of destructive behavior completely throws you off balance, it is not easy to stand back up on one's own. Except, that's the only way to do it. 

Another day, and my lack of self-discipline with timekeeping, only aggravates the issue. At some point, our failure to stand up for ourselves in a timely manner tips the balance towards self-sabotage. All this crap about going with the flow, trying to keep the peace, or being stoic is just that- Crap with a capital C. 

All this crap robs you of your resources of self-preservation and self-care ability. And that is the first step backward. In that first step, you can either stumble and get back up, or you can stumble and roll backward, which speeds up the process of getting undone. 

You allow yourself to be bullied, which becomes controlling behavior and easily slides into abuse. At some point, that hurts, but habit integrates it into one's life, and habits die hard. Then the only way to rebound is by hitting rock bottom and bouncing off that rock. Where you may land is another story. And who you follow or don't follow- will direct the outcome. 

So, when one's balance is lost, standing back up alone will have to be slow steps, not without hand-holding. Except the best help is at the end of one's arm. 

The simplest and easiest road back up is to stop in your tracks. Then, see where you are in your life. Realize that you've not listened to your small voice all the time. When you are convinced that you're mistaken, that you must be the problem, consider the possibility that you were not to blame. Then, tell yourself that you'll give yourself a chance. And do it, give yourself a chance, and do one thing for yourself, which gives you joy. 

When the wise tell us to live in the present moment, they know what they are talking about. It's up to us to learn from others' mistakes and wisdom or waste more of our life making our own mistakes to learn from them. 

Life spins by faster and faster as time goes on, and while youth tarries, late adulthood is not so patient and moves quickly. The goal should be to make self-care a habit, make what gives you joy a practice, and above all, learn to say No, and mean it. It's about how much life we can put into our remaining years. Going forwards, that is in our own hands if we can use the crutch of what gives us joy. It can help us discover and embrace our passion. 

Veenu Banga

September 7th, 2002.

2:09 am

Only this love..

From a Facebook chat: 

Relationships end when both people have learned everything that they were meant to learn from one another in this lifetime, and their auric fields are no longer in resonance. Thus, there is no cause for blame as it is simply a moving forward. only this Love ~ Cathy Ginter

Veenu: Yes, I thought this very appropriate. 

They say we change our social circle, 'friends' every seven years, I suppose another way of saying how we evolve by contacf and interaction with others. 

“When health is absent Wisdom cannot reveal itself, Art cannot become manifest, Strength cannot be exerted, Wealth is useless and Reason is powerless.”

-Herophilies ( 300 BC.)

My Eddie phase..

 I’ve realized, I’m going through an Eddie phase. I simply love that poem, and sometimes read it before going to bed. My favorite lines are, “Once we came close enough to whisper,” and 

“..and I

Then let my eyes gaze contentedly, over

Your green coat attired imposing self. Comforted,

I closed my eyes, knowing that our nearness was real

And not a dream.”

Also,

‘…we may

Again traverse together, and our paths stay steady

Long enough for us to appreciate each other better.” 

This page on my blog was open on my old phone, as I had read it last night. The reason I say I’m going through an Eddie phase is because I’m always camera ready to take a photo of the Eddie Stobart trucks. 

Today, we were on our way to Waitrose, I saw an Eddie Stobart truck standing in the Lay by, as the short rest areas are called here. I took a quick photo from the moving car, and then proceeded to look at it. My squeal of delight, startled even me. I don’t remember, ever, ever, having been so excited. It was a fairly decent photo, considering it was from a moving car, but definitely not worthy of an excited, crazed schoolgirl crush squeal. That’s when it occurred to me. That I’m being a bit silly. Let’s see how long this lasts, considering I’m over ‘that Pakistani guy’ who exclusively sings Mohammed Rafi songs, and that other person, fellow from the Islands who sang some of my favorite songs with that cute sing-song Island accent that the Islanders have. I don’t even remember his name, and that was just a couple of months ago. 

On our way back, the Eddie of the green coat was still there, in the same spot, in the same Lay by, so I know it was him. Might have been a her actually. Many of the trucks are named, and I’ve seen female names painted at the front. There could possibly even have been a female driver. Anyway, as we approached the roundabout at the end of the road, there was another truck waiting at the lights, and it turned left. Or gracefully maneuvered the turn. Took two more photos, and I have too many now. 

The thing is, I’m not alone. This is something I discovered when I wanted to share the poem with the company and was looking for their Facebook page. I discovered, not one but a few Eddie Stobart fan pages. I knew train spotting was a thing, but had no idea long haul truck spotting was a thing too. There I found out that when you spot a truck, you have to give, preferably it’s ‘name’, if it has one, and all its technical details as well, which of course I wouldn’t know. There are members of these groups, in the thousands! 

 With so many ardent and devoted followers, Eddie of the green coat is not going to give me a second look. Which is perfect. Because we love, not necessarily to be loved in return, but because of how it feels to us. For the joy we get from it. Love is a feeling, internal and personal. The fallacy of being loved in return or the unrequited love saga, don’t do the feeling of ‘loving’ any justice. So love, and enjoy loving, don’t taint the feeling by making it dependent on another person’s emotional reaction to oneself. Love is only between one’s soul-self and our Spirit. If a bond has been forged, our souls will find a way. 

Till next time, Eddie Stobart, safe travels, to both you and I. 

Veenu Banga

5th  September 2022

11:43 pm. 

 

Oranges and Lemons

 I don’t know if it’s a good thing, or not so good, that we get our fruits from across the oceans, wherever we are, or wherever we go. With that said, I think I’ve become quite seasoned and can pick good tasting fruits by knowing their country of origin. 

Oranges, they’re best if they’re from Morocco, Spain and South Africa, in this order. Rarely does the produce of Peru rise to the taste of these places. I always imagine the heat of the sun and the sands of adjoining deserts of countries like Morocco that contributes to the ripening of the fruits. However, how far from the time of harvest must the produce be, if it’s coming from such distances. 

One hopes that the exports of these countries benefit the growers, as farmers in any country are not as well rewarded for their efforts and services, as they should be. 

What is frustrating, is that in places like Florida, which has historically been known for its citrus, lemon trees are discouraged and I can’t recall when I last purchased locally grown lemons in Florida. 

Some farmers markets where farmers with small holdings are present, it’s often possible to find locally grown produce, especially berries. For mangoes, and other tropical, it’s South Florida. Merritt island has a few mango orchards, and they’re locally available. Locally grown Oranges however, are hard to come by. Which reminds me, this week we got nice South African easy peeler oranges from Waitrose, they’re super sweet. 

I think I will have one now!

Veenu Banga

Blessed with my tribe

 It took a long time, but I have finally found my tribe. While I could say we are an army, because we are, it’s because we scattered all over, that I’ll just say I’m connected to a handful, and that they’re more than enough. Kindred spirits. 

There is an inherent element of selflessness to Energy workers. My Tribe is like that. We gather together sometimes, and remain connected in various ways. What brought on this appreciation was a casual chat with Charlene. We text frequently, and I love taking pictures to send to her, and she sends me photos of her farm and her flowers. and other interesting events and milestones in their lives. She’s in NYC, so we’re not exactly close as in vicinity.

Charlene has been knitting and crocheting woolen caps for the last several months. She periodically sends me photos of her handiwork, sometimes she’s even wearing one of them and I get a photo of her modeling her piece de resistance. She’s been knitting them for an agency that supports seniors. The other day she told me that she’s going to make 50 woolen caps for the seniors to wear in the Manhattan winter. I told her, I would like to donate a few copies of my book to a shelter where there are kids, especially at Christmas time. Charlene said that’s exactly what she is doing, knitting the caps to be included in Christmas hampers that will be delivered to seniors by volunteers! 

That’s what I love about my friends, my real ‘friends’, like Susan, not acquaintances. Besides, I’m a sucker for seniors and for little kids. Both are close to God, our creator. One group preparing to be headed there, the other group have just come from there. So special. Life, in all its fragility, in all its illusionary games. It’s the only one we have. It’s something to remember, every day. 

Veenu Banga

September 3rd, 2022.

12:53 am

Ooooops!

 The clock struck 12 at midnight, it was 5 minutes ago, 

I was too busy penning my thoughts elsewhere, and did not know

Where time flew by, and while the midnight hour is done,

The night is still young and I can tarry here, no need to run.

My coach is no pumpkin, I sit at a table on an orange chair, 

No glass slippers on my feet, to be abandoned on the palace stairs. 

I have the moon for company, and witness to this night,

That I did not shirk my promise, and on my resolve will make right.

I suppose I could let, these few words do the job,

However, that’s not doing justice, my blog I will not rob.

I will say with gratitude, it was a day of one special happy surprise,

It was something kind and thoughtful, it brought moisture to my eyes.

Having said that in the spirit, to fulfill my promise for the day,

I will stop the verse for now, and in prose further have my say. 

Veenu Banga

September 2-3, 2022.

12:17 am.

Paryushan came and went

 Paryushan ended yesterday on the 31st of August. On the last day everyone exchanged messages of Khamat Khama and Micchami Dukkadam. Just a beautiful tradition, humbling and comforting. It is basically asking for and giving forgiveness for any harm or hurt we may have inadvertently or consciously caused to anyone. Fortunately, most people intellectually understand, that if they have been the cause of pain to another, they are not absolved from repeating their mistakes or future behavior. However, it is comforting to say it. 

In my personal opinion and in my life, I find that apologizing, and asking forgiveness, just humility as a core strength, or value system is the most comforting feeling. It comes to me so easily. It saves argument, which is quite abhorring really. 

I have heard Jainism described as ‘Hinduism on steroids’. One of the beauties of Jainism is that there’s minimal ritual, and an absence of priestly Pooja’s. Where priests are involved, being human, they can sometimes play favorites, and even decide whether or not they want to like you. 

The Hindu Calendar has started its busiest time of the year. At this time, India is celebrating the Ganesh Festival. Bombay will be a party city, as this religious festival becomes more and more commercialized. This will be followed by Shradh or Pitrupaksh, 15 days of piety in remembrance of our ancestors. Then the Navratri festival begins, celebrating the 9 nights in honor of the Mother Godess, in all her forms. During these months, my heart longs to be in India, especially for the Durga Puja dance, the Dhunuchi Naach. I’ve been seeing it on Yiu Tube. Navratri was a prominent festival in my mother’s life. She specifically celebrated the 8th day, and gave Kanjak to little girls, and even to little boys. That may not have been traction, the boy thing, but then, my mum preferred being fair to the kids, than to buckle to tradition blindly.

Temples arrange special festivities and Pooja’s, so it’s a great time to air your sarees and silks, as there’s lots of temple going, and lots of socializing. 

Dussehra will close out the Navratris and then everyone will be looking forward to Diwali. It’s also wedding season in India. Certainly not the time to buy diamonds or gold, as their prices peak in the season. 

Here, Thanksgiving and Christmas follow in quick succession. Another year accelerating to a close. We couldn’t wait for 2022 to arrive, after the difficult time in 2020-2021, and now 2022 is on its way out. All eyes are on 2023.  

May all our days that remain, be good to us.

Veenu Banga

September 2nd, 20200

1:29 am. 

Hello September

 All the things we think, and all the things, we remember and forget. The sum of our thoughts, memories, miseries, misgivings, mischiefs, all type of moments, make up our lives. 

This morning I woke up with the realization it was September already, that was my first thought, and September is a special month. It’s the month of the winter equinox. “Welcome September” were my first words, albeit in my mind, even before I opened my eyes. Then, I made a resolve. Let’s see, if by the 30th of the month, that resolve has held. 

For the last couple of weeks or so, the days seem to have a different complexion, and a very different feel in the air. The reluctant nip in the air has arrived here, in the UK. In Florida, we are still in Hurricane season, officially till November 1st. Hurricanes have been known to arrive even later. If like in past years, when we have not had a hurricane, it lulls us into a false belief, that the hurricanes will stay away, and sometimes, they do, but other times, we have been quite rudely surprised. 

However, we’re not going to speak to soon. To be back in the present moment, space, and place, the one big change that I will feel, is to do with the blackberries. 

One of the joys of the English summer is the wild fruits, especially berries, growing, or rather overgrown at every turn. Along most walking paths, the blackberry bushes flank both sides of the track. I’ve seen a few creep up trees and grow really tall. These are established bushes, or blackberry brambles as they’re also known. It’s a given that I would stop every few steps and pluck the biggest and juiciest, and one big blow on them, and into my mouth they went. July and much of August was especially fruitful, pun intended. 

My favorite walking path was along the canal, five doors down from our doorstep. The canal boats are tethered on both sides of the canal, and their names are always a source of delight. The last really funny one, was KNOT NOW, painted on to show it written in a sailors rope, replete with twists and a knot in its name. Because they are peoples homes, I refrain from taking photos. 

While there are other bushes, and plants, mostly natives, including several herbs that I recognized, it was the blackberries that edged their way front, forward and center, so to literally speak. They are everywhere, even on the ground, growing along the floor’s edge where it met the fence, in our parking area. Big fat ones, but I just did not want them from so close to the ground. 

What the blackberry connection to September? Well, since autumn is being ushered in this month, according to an Englishman houseguest, who accompanied us on one of our walks, it  is an unwritten English rule, that after the end of August, starting the 1st of September, no berries be plucked, so that they are saved for the birds in the area, and also for birds who who migrate here in the winter. So in honor of the tradition, and of course, in reverence to the birds,  my foraging of blackberries has come to a stop. 

Meanwhile, across the fence in the parking area, an apple tree has been peeking over the fence, branching out with its fruits still clinging on to it. They were really tiny ones in July, and then in August, I noticed that they suddenly seemed to have grown! They’re bigger now, almost to full maturity, and have been losing their green. Since it was on our side on the fence, I have actually helped myself to a couple. The crunch is just so massively satisfying. One apple fell to the ground, as I was retrieving it. It dropped in between an overgrowth of dried bushes and when I went to retrieve it, I realized it was filled with the thorny blackberry brambles, mostly dried twigs and thorn. They are very vicious, the blackberry thorns. As long as you stick to plucking berries, it’s all good, but the thorns, are rigid, strong, and very sharp. Very unforgiving if disturbed. So I just let the apple be. Hopefully some animal can get to it. 

The apples are growing bigger and redder. The cycles of nature, in perfect orchestration. Bye, bye blackberries, hello apples. Nature, always on the job, on top of things. Everything perfectly planned.

What can I say after that? 

Veenu Banga

1st September 2022.

11:52 pm.