[In October last year I started writing letters to my Doddamma (my father’s elder brother’s wife) and to amma (my mother). In November, I went to my daughter’s place in Germany, she was expecting her second child. I wrote mails to my Doddamma and my mother (Amma) every week. I sent the mail to my sister-in-law, my mother lives with my elder brother and to my cousin’s wife. My Doddamma lives with her son. After returning home I thought I would post letters then decided to continue sending mails. It will reach them sooner and I can also attach photos.) My Doddamma is 86 and is not able to go out. My Amma and Doddamma enjoy the mails and the photos. The internet has really changed our lives, it helps us to keep some contact with our friends and relatives, if we want to.😊 I am editing a few lines before posting in Slice of Life because it would be difficult to understand without knowing the details]
27-02-18
Dear Doddamma and amma,
On the 25th Gayatri told us that the previous night Kavya had turned over to lie on her stomach. She had been trying for many days. She was lying on the sofa cum bed and Vinay was sitting near her. She turned sideways and then suddenly turned over. Gayatri and Advaith came running to see her achievement. She turned over two more times and Gayatri has sent a video. We were feeling so happy to see her turn over, she was able to remove one hand from beneath her stomach. She has completed 3 ½ months.
Last week we attended a thread ceremony of my husband’s cousin’s grandson on the 19th. This cousin and his wife live in Belfast. His daughter and family live in London. They performed the ‘upanayana’ function of their son in their home town not far from our place. We also attended two more weddings. These days we meet our friends and relatives at such functions. We have no time to visit their homes like we used to long back !! All the three days we came back by 4 in the evening. Aravinda had to take his German class and my husband had to attend the Sanskrit class. This is a ten Sanskrit beginner’s learning course organized by Sanskrit Bharati and department of Dvaitha Philosophy in Aravind’s college. The course gets over tomorrow. The students have enjoyed themselves. Sanskrit is not an unfamiliar language to many of us.
Almost every evening we go for a walk. We usually walk around Manipal lake or go to End Point. There is a walking track around Manipal lake, it takes us about 25 minutes to go around once. Sometimes we take two rounds. Many people come there for walking or jogging. Many youngsters take four or five rounds. The water has become less now but the lake does not dry up completely. It is very nice there but one sad thing is in spite of many garbage bins, some very stupid people throw bottles and plastic covers into the sides of the lake. It is very sad.
Vehicles are not allowed to End Point, we have to park near the campus gates and walk for about two kms. From Endpoint we can see the Arabian sea in the distance and to one side we can see the River Swarna flowing towards the sea. There is a park, a football and a cricket ground to one side of the road. Students come there to play. In the park there is a walking track, many come there regularly for a walk or to just sit in the park. We can see a lot of children playing there. It is nice there with fresh air blowing from the sea.
Amma, I am making a frock for Kavya from one of your sari blouse piece. I have cut the material. I have got Gayatri’s measurements when she was six months. It has been a long time since I have stitched frocks.
Last year I had preserved jackfruit pieces in salt. Day before yesterday I made ‘rotti’. It came out well, Jaggery and butter is a delicious combination with this rotti.
This week we have to get coconuts plucked, it has been a long time. Usually coconuts are plucked four times a year. The person who comes to pluck said he will come soon.
With lots of love,
Lakshmi
Brined Jackfruit Flatbread | Uppalachir Rotti Recipe – Udupi Recipes
udupi-recipes.com/2016/06/brined-jackfruit-flatbread-rotti-recipe.html
Upanayana – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanayana
Letter from Home-6 (Slice of Life)
