Twenty- five Seven

But I like springtime Best #FridayReflections

June 17, 2016

There’s a reason to love every season but I like springtime best.

Quite simply because my birthday is in the middle of February.

So all month long I feel special and have a sheepish grin playing in my head.

And come the day, I love the greetings that come my way, by phone or post or any which way.

I love my moment in the sun when I feel cherished and appreciated by everyone.

In winter I can wear warm clothes, my cardigans and woollen stoles, but I love springtime best.

It’s not yet time for sandal time with open toes and sand beneath your feet. Nor can I wear my calf length pants and wade through muddy puddles.

Mbut springtime I can still wear silk and drape a chiffon scarf or wear a Kanjeevaram sari still because it still is Spring!

I love the slightly warmer days where you can still enjoy a cup of hot steaming tea or sips of soup with buttered toast.

The air is clear and crisp and clean with trees sprouting fresh tips of green or purple pink to slowly grow

Into a shady canopy for summer time that’s not too far away.

Spring time with its clearer skies and chirping birds and trees breaking out into fresh foliage – pink tips and leafy green to provide a shady canopy in summertime that’s not too far away.

My flower beds a riot of colour as petunias flower in the Spring as do the Phlox , Delphiniums and Ladies Lace

The markets filled with strawberries, grapes and honey dew melon – dripping with the sweetness of Spring.

I like Spring time best.

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I’m linking this with #FridayReflections hosted by Sanch and WriteTribe
Dry skies dry up hopes in a Mumbai sky #SkywatchFriday

June 17, 2016
Saturday’s overcast sky and light rain showers had Mumbaikars Tweeting and Instagraming as the first few drops of rain finally made their appearance.

Saturday’s sky promised relief from the oppressive heat

Even the ugliest bridge in Mumbai looked ‘pretty’ in the rain

So out came the umbrellas and rain gear with Wow Dinga wearing a new pair of gum boots . Alas! This turned out to be what is crudely translated from the local idiom as ‘ a cat’s piss of a shower’ as the clouds went away and the skies turned blue once more.
The sun bade us goodbye as the clouds covered it up.

With the sun shining brightly again, perhaps I’ll bring back my parasol and go for a swim to cool off.

Happy weekend Rain Gods! I hope you listen to our prayers.

Linking this post to #SkywatchFriday
Are you celebrating Father’s Day ?

June 15, 2016

Why do we in India celebrate Father’s Day a US National holiday?

Advertisement in shop window reminding us to buy something appropriate for Father’s Day

While shopping for gifts yesterday, I came across this huge sign in a shop window advertising Father’s Day. Over the years, this public US holiday has become part of our holiday list as well. Luckily it is a Sunday so we don’t have the loss of another working day, but what it ensures is an increase in sales of men’s shirts, perfumes, ties and other accessories. It also means more dinner/lunch reservations for families celebrating Father’s Day.

As Ripley would say, believe it or not, the Third Sunday in June has been declared a National ( read US) holiday by none other than President Nixon in 1972, 6 years after President Johnson mandated it to be celebrated as such. Several countries since then have followed suit, India included.

Undoubtedly, the US achieved el supremo status after saving the Western World from two terrible wars that radically revolutionised the social order. They also changed the way the world did business. It was no wonder then that it’s superiority extended to the cultural domain, and Father’s Day , like chewing gum, apple pie, Coca Cola, garbage bins and yellow school buses have gained Universal acceptance and become part of our traditions too.

Unfortunately, I’m not celebrating Father’s Day with my own father, but am celebrating it with a lazy brunch at the Club with the father of my girls.

How are you celebrating Father’s Day?

[ctt title=”Happy Father’s Day to all the Daddies of the World! May you have a lovely Sunday.” tweet=”Happy Father’s Day to all the Daddies of the World! May you have a lovely Sunday.” coverup=”T91EN”]