Aahaa Chennai

Despite the inch-long thorns, the raiding ants all around, the noisy crows squabbling over the fallen chikoo, the smoky smell from the smouldering refuse heap, the lingering haze forming a white cloak, up above, hiding under the leaves but desperate for a sunny balm, a dainty yellow head making its presence felt, lets out a glimmer of a  smile.

One busy morning, when... the water supply suddenly stops, the pressure cooker has hiccups, the  boiling milk  goes crazy n' curdles, the power supply is in a 'now on, now off,' mode, the fast ticking clock brings on a headache, the school uniform gets mysteriously misplaced, the pile of peeled onions makes the eye water, a line of ants march in eyeing the delectable biscuits in the snackbox and you end up gnashing  your teeth as the iddlis turn out to be rocks, the generous sun sends out a message through the window mesh. Each day, I share a bit of my glow to enliven your humdrum existence.

Feeling sad that I look a little different from the usual symmetrical and perfectly shaped blossom below. However, what I see nearby gives me a big scoop of hope.

I've  gotten used to hearing these words again and again. "Practice makes perfect." Watch me practice my poses...                            up straight,                              The 'resting now' pose The 'meditative' pose The 'sideways' attempt The 'perched on a precarious tip' pose. I make sure that I don't attempt what is beyond  my  physical capabilities.

A seasonal happening... the sniffles have arrived, forcing me to stay indoors but irresistible Nature refuses to let go, unfurling a delicious green spread, embossed with an artistic touch, as I peer out through the window. Nature recommends... feasting on green sights, even making you forget your watery eyes and the fact that your head feels like it's been pounded by a hammer.

Sometimes the slideshow of your morning walk, in a small patch of green, a verdant dot in a smoggy cityscape, stays in your memory, for days and days together. Nature stuns... with exquisite designerware or even a  rabbit out of a hat, at times, as you jump out of your skin, literally speaking, even though it is just a harmless rat snake, doing the rounds, slithering away at amazing speed, at the flicker of an eyelid, keeping your yard, rodent free.

Happy that I'm becoming tall and strong. Another reason... feel privileged to grow up, buffered by lush patches of green, which does make my Earthy tones stand out.

In a holiday mood... with a cool breeze blowing, thoughts just keep coming. Will the coming year be a fruitful one, with more greenery in the surroundings? A murmur in the background... from a tall legend. Looking trim and fit to face the coming year.

Hope...a four letter word, easy to spell but an intangible something, which is at times bright and vivid, then turns hazy, making you feel... that what you wish for is close by, almost within your grasp, while your mind says the opposite... slipping away, far, far... out of reach. When you dejectedly think, it's all over, 'Hope' gently peeks out, then springs up, saying... I cannot be brushed off easily. New Year Wishes, resounding with 'Hope,' coming your way.

Today's garden diary: Donning a white garb, standing tall, I see someone swaying gently to a whispery tune... Peace on Earth and goodwill to...

Tiny shoots all dressed up, each flaunting, two delicate, green leaves, are coming up fast, reminding me of the joy in sharing those fresh bouquets of amaranth, bringing smiles all round, which will soon give way to a nutritious green stew, with mouths relishing the not-to-be-forgotten, unique homegrown flavour, which has its own growing band of fans, who savour those memories and seek those bunches again and again, many months later.

Enjoying the admiring looks from holidaying visitors. The year-ending holiday atmosphere is contagious and I feel doubly buoyed when I think of the approaching year and what it holds for me.

Oh no! There's a plant growing in my veggie shelf, inside a basket, the tender shoots gathering strength, gazing curiously around, showing off their mauve attire, twisting their way upwards. After a round of 'oohing and aahing,' an engrossing biology class begins for the little one, whose hands are itching to bury 'the strange creature' as she calls it, deep into the soil and watch it grow and grow... Days, months... fly past and soon, hands are eager and ready once more, to dig deep, to dislodge the plumpy gifts designed by Nature. The time has come to start dreaming of sweet potato fritters.

The sight of a thriving, small patch of green, which hits my eye the moment I step outdoors, with its gaily swinging, fluttery, yellow blossoms, makes me pause, coz, it's a proud showpiece, carefully nurtured by small hands. Here and there... in this green patch, are tiny  green sticks nestled amongst the leaves, that will most likely, metamorphose into fresh bunches of string beans in the near future, giving rise to a sense of fulfilment, plus accomplishment, also a feel of contributing 'my mite,' inside a  particular, caring n' tender heart. A sense of pride is awakened, when tiny feet patter into the kitchen, swinging a small basket, filled with bits of refreshing green produce, which is then put on display for the world...friends and family, to see, feel, smell, their ears open wide to hear the engrossing tale... of greedy ants wanting their share. The produce is then spread out and hands delve into the pods with  immense ...

A sunny morning and also that kind of morning, when 'Nature' wishes to present... a showpiece from its bag of treasures. The mind, jostling with many thoughts, calms down, as I stop to view... The many many gentle ripples criss crossing the top of the shimmery lake are whispering... Come hither... Enjoy the sight of etched water colour paintings, I am proudly displaying today - of the carefully tended trees and  dense swaying foliage, preserved in wet canvas, seemingly upside down. The 'at times hazy' paintings are relishing the soft massage offered by the 'now small, now big' ripples that dance over them, the curving patterns and movements, covering large swathes of water, their synchronised movement leaving one awestruck. The effect  is enhanced by those shadowy n' graceful, dark, semi-circular patches, gracing the neat bunds, which are echoing with joyous sounding splashes, with the ever busy sun, marking stencils of...

The wind is ready. So are we, shout the participants of a colourful orchestra aiming to make a mark in the annual garden concert. The leader has arrived. The members... swing to a merry tune and seem ready to step up their act.

A drop of water... looking to be cherished. Just supposing, I were the last drop of water  on the Earth, would you give me to... a parched (human) mouth or a drooping plant or the 'not seen this for many days' tree or the stray n' tired looking cow, cat or dog, the bird flying far in search of water, the elephant bent upon destroying everything in its path seeking water, or the frail patient in a hospital where water is in high demand or a crowded school where the taps are running dry. Oh no! The wind has decided it should go back to the Earth, to the soil, until we care better for water and its sources.

In a dilemma... caused by the wind, trying to toss me up. The soil particles are flying, the leaves are shaking, the wind is racing round and round. Searching for a spot to shelter. Not beneath the friendly Tulsi plant now bent to one side, Nor behind  the  chikoo tree raining its ball like stones nay fruits or inside a fallen mud pot with its once erect Hibiscus plant, nor those crazily swinging  branches. Not fond of giving up and with a bit of luck, I've manged to find a safe corner, which I temporarily share with an active squirrel family, where... the sun sneaks in now and then, draws a leafy pattern, then shifts to a striated pattern, then plays a game of a pinning  a halo around my head or a warm wrapping around my toes, changing it to a  wide golden blanket gently straddling the nook, upon which, I enjoy resting on. Wander a bit and you can see me with my thinking cap on, gazing soulfully, shaking my head, now and...

The sky decided to don its long hidden, dark cloak and the wind woke up, feeling excited. The news going around was that... today's the day, when the jubilant power of the wind would be on display. Showing boundless enthusiasm, the wind moved across the tops of the silent, statue like trees, the dainty shrubs, the glowing ornamentals, the gentle flowering plants, gathered all its reserves of energy, mobilised extra speed, let loose its repertoire of sounds, woke up its chorus singers starting with... the gentle breeze mixed with a balmy one, moving onto the... the dust-lifting, gusty winds to the cresendo artists - the terrifying cyclone wind, at times the howling banshee, alternating with the  synchronised drumming of thunder, the flashy show of lightning high up in the heavens, letting loose a tirade, a planned assault, while rushing past/making circles from one end to the other, enjoying the creaking n' eer...