Isn't it unfortunate, when its there you take it for granted, and when its gone you sorely miss it. I was reminded of my maternal grandfather's home when I read this quirky description. The Green Ogre:A tree may be our primary connection with the universe.
Summers spent hanging around under a huge peepul tree there, watching the huge black ants scurry among the roots and fallen leaves. Teasing and getting teased by cousins and my brother, reading a book a day, wandering off to the cow shed to feed the calf. Nungus from the tree in the evening, picking parijatha with my grandmother in the mornings, listening to the never ending koels. Slapping the gigantic evening mosquitoes with irritation and frustration. Mosquito nets, dim lights.
A lifestyle disappeared?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Semmozhi Poonga at last
Sunday Aug 20th. Madras Day Celebrations. Tree walk by Nizhal.
Dr Vijaya retired HOD from Stella Maris led the walk, ably assisted by Chitra.
I quite like the design of the entrance, though the gate could have been wider?
Terminalia arjuna. I have not seen such a magnificent specimen.
Strychnos nux-vomica. Loved by Agatha Christie and ayurveda!
Erythrina indica and the diamond shaped leaves of the kalyan murungai
The light fades as we reach the Brazilian Ironwood
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Valley of Flowers - the trip that never was
We bought our trekking shoes
and paid our travelling dues.
We were off to the mountains, we three
From our town in the south by the sea.
But it seems it was not to be
Oh, so woe is me!
No monal pheasant, no whiskered yuhina
No Himalayan Poppy, no Potentilla
Himalayan Griffon I shall not see
Nor the snowy peaks of Badri.
Valley of Flowers, I missed for sure, but dear Raji and Gapi, most of all,
with you two it would have been such a blast, we would have had such a ball!
and paid our travelling dues.
We were off to the mountains, we three
From our town in the south by the sea.
But it seems it was not to be
Oh, so woe is me!
No monal pheasant, no whiskered yuhina
No Himalayan Poppy, no Potentilla
Himalayan Griffon I shall not see
Nor the snowy peaks of Badri.
Valley of Flowers, I missed for sure, but dear Raji and Gapi, most of all,
with you two it would have been such a blast, we would have had such a ball!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Valley of Flowers - cancelled
The VOF trip ended even before we started.
Rain & landslides continue.
The trip is wisely called off.
Deflated
Disappointed
Relieved
Our little loss minor in comparison to what those living there must be going through.
Rain & landslides continue.
The trip is wisely called off.
Deflated
Disappointed
Relieved
Our little loss minor in comparison to what those living there must be going through.
Valley of Flowers - the state of Uttarakhand suffers
Uttarakhand tourism, power paralysed by incessant rain
My going (or not going) on the trip is a small matter. People have died.
My going (or not going) on the trip is a small matter. People have died.
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