18-08-2021
Yesterday was a cloudy day and at some moments there was a light drizzling of rain. I like to watch it. In the evening we went for a walk to Endpoint. It is so peaceful there and surrounded by greenery. The troubles of the world seem far away. I had read Caravans by James Michener a few months ago. The story is set in Afghanistan and the author takes us to the interiors of the country. Now , what is happening there seems more personal. I wonder what the Taliban will do. In the book we read about the Buddhas of Bamiyan and I remember their being destroyed.
On the 15th was our 75th Independence day. Last year we had been to Amritsar in January. Along with independence our country was partitioned too. The museum was an experience which brought home the horrors of those times. I think for people living in South India, it was something which happened far away, from their lives.
Sunday evening we went to a village called Kemmannu, about 15kms from our home. The river Swarna flows the village on its way to the sea. In 1991, a hanging bridge was built across the river. We were going there for the first time. My mother wanted to cross the bridge but she felt anxious as it kept rocking a little. She waited nearby as we crossed the river to the other side. It is a beautiful place and we were told there is kayaking and other water sports after the monsoon season.
Bulbuls are trying to build their nests inside the house. We kept the windows closed for two days. We hear them busy elsewhere. They enjoy the chapati pieces my husband keeps for them. Other birds come too. One morning I made chutney powder and a masala powder which I make to add to some dishes. We made pizza at home on Sunday afternoon. We get pizza base and the sauce in our bakery. My mother cut the vegetables and we enjoyed the pizzas 😊. We were making them after a long time. Along with a non-stick pan,I tried baking them on the clay pan. The taste is good but we have to be careful as the clay pan becomes hot soon and retains the heat too. One pizza got a little burnt 😊 but it was ok.
Covid cases are increasing and it is terrible to read that more children are getting infected. School is all online and children must be missing the interaction with others. We do not know when this will change. The department of languages where Aravind teaches are starting the next semester and new student have joined and it is all online. Life is very difficult for those who cannot afford mobiles and internet. I remember Basavaraj who had come to clean our garden saying his children are just playing the whole day. There are so many side effects to Covid and is creating havoc in the lives of people.
Mukhamani 
Yes, Covid is a dreadful disease, and the longer it goes on, the more I begin to believe that somewhere, a God is very angry with what we have done to this beautiful world of ours.
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Interesting to read about your pizza-making in a pan.
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I hope the bulbuls and the pizzas offer some relief from all the other horrors
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It will not be easy for those children to catch up on their education. Let’s hope that we soon manage to vaccinate all who need to be protected.
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Yes.
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What an interesting way to cook pizza. We usually just buy ours from the restaurant.. Blessings in so many small ways.
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I love the photographs Lakshmi ji. Also may be because its Sravana month, greens of kerela and the clouds.
Thank you for even feeding my eyes, Kadhai Pizza !
Narayan x
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