Twenty- five Seven

Gratitude is hard to find in hard times

April 27, 2018

As April slowly slips to May, it’s hard to find things to be grateful for. With each day bringing a different problem, this month has been particularly stressful . And as the month coming to a close, things are going to get even more difficult.

Yet as we prepare for difficult times ahead , I remind myself that there are still things to be grateful for . Because in gratitude we find solace in our otherwise stressful life. I’m not looking for the silver lining but truly appreciating what I have.

Love : An abundance of love from family and friends. This month has brought home to me the importance of a loving family.

My father always tells me that while we don’t choose our families, we definitely choose our friends. So we should choose wisely. I am grateful for my friends who always find time for me even though I may not always find time for them. Thank you dear ladies relaxing afternoons we shared over conversation and a delightful summer lunch.

Health & Exercise : At the beginning of this month, I had a minor health issue which led to some major investigation. I am grateful that nothing major has developed and the only weighty problem is my weight.

But I am grateful that we have a Gym in our building so that I can sneak out at least 35 minutes on the treadmill.

Blogging & Bloggers : How can something that is intangible become a real part of your life? It can and unlike most people who follow Google blindly, I am becoming one of those blogging addicts who finds herself constantly checking out alerts, stats and new posts.

I am grateful to all my blogger friends whose engaging posts keep me entertained and well informed.

Lastly, I’m grateful for this quiet time which perforce I had to spend at home. It has given me a chance to introspect and catch up on many thoughts that have been running amok in my head.

Sharing these thoughts with Vidya Sury’s #Gratitude Circle
Bhau Daji Lad : Mumbai’s charming city museum

April 27, 2018

When it’s holiday time in Mumbai and most of the children are at home, it’s also the time when most of the domestic help has gone off on leave or will be going away in the no-so-merry month of May.

Fear not! You can have the Perfect Mumbai Summer by visiting the local sights that often remain neglected and unseen in the whirl of your busy life .

The perfect city museum

When Anna Shetty and Daughter No. 1 were little, The Bhau Daji Lad Museum used to be our favourite spot to visit especially in the morning or later in the evening when the sun went down. Frankly, when Anna Shetty was a toddler, I used to have my heart in my mouth when we used the convoluted S bridge to get to the museum because she was a poor traveller suffering from motion sickness.

But every time I see it, I feel happy because it reminds me of a casata plonked in the middle of the city. It is stunning with its pista green walls and strawberry pink highlights.

Formerly known as the Victoria & Albert Museum it, is in the heart of Mumbai. It is compact and captures the spirit of Mumbai. Unlike most museums, this one storeyed structure with its quaint turnstile entrance and exquisite chequered tile flooring, magnificent staircase and balustrade is small enough to retain the interest of little ones.

A museum with a difference

The specialty of this museum is the models that portray different scenes in a bygone life – a typical Indian village for one. You can also see models of the Mumbaikar who made up Mumbai – the couples dressed in their traditional costumes . Or you can see soldiers from old Indian regiments.

I love this Museum, more so because it is airy and well ventilated. Long neglected, this gem has once again been reinstated to its former glory by the hard work of Tasneem Mehta .

Today it is a thriving cultural centre with many activities planned year long to make a trip to this Museum truly satisfying.

So if you are from South Bombay, go down the fascinating S bridge to Byculla and make a visit to this lovely, little place.

Remember, however, that the museum unlike others, is closed on Wednesday.

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum,
Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Rani Baug),
91/A, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road Byculla East,
Mumbai 400027, Maharashtra, India
+91 22 2373 1234
+91 22 6556 0394
+91 22 2371 5991
+91 22 6556 0394

Hope you do manage a trip to my favourite museum of all time .

Ciao,

p.s. All images used in this post are taken from the original website of the Museum. Surely these will tempt you to make a visit isn’t it?
Half & Half #ThursdayTreeLove

April 26, 2018

This tree is normally completely bare or completely full. I was surprised to find it half green and half not .

Joining up with Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove-38.