1-11-2022
November is here and I wonder where the days have gone! It seems just the other day when we welcomed the new year. Here, in many ways life is what it was before 2020. But there have been changes in all spheres of life. And we move on.
Early morning exercises have become a wonderful part of my life. It is dark and quiet when I start. I enjoy those moments. Then drinking hot and strong filter coffee while reading blogs. What more can one ask for?
27th was a bad day. I called my friend to enquire about her mother-in-law. We met her whenever we went for a walk near their house. She was very particular about her health. She walked morning and evening and did other exercises too. She once told me her father-in-law had been confined to the bed for a long time. She and her husband had looked after him. She always prayed that she should remain active till the end. My friend told me her mother-in-law had fallen three months ago, fractured her hip and was bed ridden. I was shocked. Later I came to know another friend had suffered brain haemorrhage and was in the intensive care. We do our best, but God only knows what is written for us.
When life troubles us nature calms the mind. The monsoon season has ended. We keep water for the birds, and it was nice to see bulbuls gracefully sip water 😊. The still, serene waters of the lake, the setting sun and small lake on the way to Endpoint soothe the mind.
Today evening we went to the beach side. We live about 10kms from the Arabian sea. Soothing sound of the waves, infinity of the sea and the setting sun give precious moments to remember. Thank God for such places 😊, they are something to smile about. Sadje’s photo of the hills in the distance came to mind when I saw the islands in the distance.
On the 30th, we decided to make carrot halwa, it had been a long time since I had made it. Aravind grated the carrot. A few days earlier I made millets chutney powder. Yesterday I made a spicy pickle called ‘tokku’ form salted lime. There is something very satisfying about preparing something.
I just finished listening to The Count of Monte Christo. It is a fascinating book. I have read it many times but listening to it is a different experience. And I am reading three books 😊. Earlier I used to finish one book before starting the next. I don’t remember when the change happened😊. Many a time we are not aware when certain changes have quietly become a part of our daily routine😊.
https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/carrot-halwa-recipe-gajar-ka-halwa-recipe/
Mukhamani 
We should all appreciate the simple things more. I’m sorry to hear about your friends. Your pics are lovely!
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Oh yeah, what is carrot halwa?
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A sweet dish made from grated carrot, milk and sugar. https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/carrot-halwa-recipe-gajar-ka-halwa-recipe/
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Thanks!
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Gajar ka halwa already? Yummy. Thanks Lakshmi for sharing your week with us. And for linking it to WDYS.
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Nice post Lakshmi, thank you for sharing
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Your carrot halwa looks very appetising.
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Absolutely gorgeous photos of the sea, of nature. I, too, am soothed by nature. I like the way you phrased this – “When life troubles us nature calms the mind.” Seek small moments of grace and delight!
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I am sorry to hear about your friend. It is always great to have help in the kitchen. It is a good to just talk while preparing something. There is great satisfaction when the item is finished. I usually have two books going at the same time. One On my kindle and that I can hold on my hands and physically turn the pages.
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My heart goes out to those in need, and I am sorry that your friends have had so many troubles. I also find Nature to be a great solace when troubles come in battalions. The photos are beautiful.
The carrot halwa sounds tasty!
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You are very lucky to live so near to the sea. Every time you see the sea, it is different. One of my favourite songs is about the sea. It is called “Seascape” by Amazing Blondel:
Strains of delight come greet my ears
Such music sweet can ease all fears
As windy waves upon the shore
Do calm the cormorant by their roar
Wistfully watching I wonder
As ships go out to sea
At mariners yonder
And how their lives must be
With oceans to wander coves of tranquillity
Oh none could be fonder
Of his sailor’s life than he
Sights of beauty come soothe my eyes
Paint pcitures pure to flay disguise
Of coral reefs and sheltered bays
Unchartered coastlines to appraise
Through foul or fair
All tempests you’ll bear
Yet show not a care
For the danger you’re in
You leave all behind
Trade kin and your kind
For capstan to wind
And a yarn to spin
Idyll of grandeur excite my mind
Conjure up peace with adventure entwined;
Crystal clear fathoms and myriad wrecks
Attired in booty arrayed on their decks
Sorry it’s so long but it’s serious stuff!
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It is beautiful. Yes the sea is an amazing place. We feel so humble at its infinity. I studied BA in Wilson college in Bombay, from 1979 to 82. There was only a road between my college and the Arabian sea. Looking at it in its different moods was a great experience.
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Thank you for sharing your insights and photos with us. Nothing beats contentment in small regular things such as nature, food, books etc.
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I have learned to make Indian carrot halwa, but I make it with condensed coconut milk, as I can’t have real milk. We love it!
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What langage is used to hear “the comte de Monte Christo”. I rad this book in my yoth . It’s true it is fascinato)ing.
Love ❤
Michel
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It is in English.
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It is so sad to hear about your friend ‘s accident when she was just trying to get enough exercise to keep healthy. We should all take care about falling at our age.
You are so lucky to live in an idyllic place.
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The food looks delicious. Wish I could join you for the meal. Read the Count of Monte Christo several times. Always a good read. I usually am reading several books at once. I pick one according to my mood. Why not? Enjoy, Muriel
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Hi. As you say, 2022 has been flying by. I thought that 2021 zoomed by faster than usual, and 2022 is doing the same thing. As for books, I’ve never gotten into reading more than one book at a time. Fairly often, though, I stop reading a book if it hasn’t grabbed me within the first 30 or so pages.
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I too stop reading a book which does not hold my in the first two chapters. Why waste time when there are so many books to read ?😊
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