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