The last three days have been very windy. Dry coconut fronds are falling regularly. We keep them outside the gate. Some of our neighbours carry them home as they are good fuel in firewood stoves. These days we see the seeds of the Crown Flower plant floating by. They have white hairs attached to them. We call them Ajjana gadda, which literally means grandfather’s beard 😊.
On the 21st was my father-in-law’s death anniversary. It is the custom to invite a guest for lunch. This guest performs the rituals. There are elaborate rituals and simple ones too. Ours was the latter. My husband and mother cut vegetables early in the morning and I prepared the dishes. My husband’s brother came too.
Yesterday I took my mother for an eye check-up. I had got an appointment earlier. We were in the hospital by 9.30. Yesterday was Yugadi, the New Year’s Day according to the Hindu Lunar calendar. There were very few patients, but it was almost 12 by the time we returned home. When we have to go to the hospital, I prepare lunch in the morning itself. My mother has cataract. She has to have an operation but there is no emergency. My brothers are coming to our place in the third week of April and she will go to Hyderabad with them. My elder brother said he will take an appointment there.
While waiting for the doctor to see us, I started talking to the lady sitting next to me. She had come with her son who is studying in class 9 for his eye check-up. Five years earlier due to a reaction from a medicine he had many health problems. They come from a small town about 50 kms away. It is interesting that many people here when asked about how far their place is, reply by telling us the amount of money they have to pay for the bus ticket. This lady told me she pays Rs 59 for one bus ticket. People who commute by bus regularly immediately understand how far away the place is 😊.
Just now Gayatri called to say that they have received the parcel we posted on the 14th. She is yet to open it.
Mukhamani 
I too have cataracts but they are not sufficiently advanced to be operated on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the way you take us through the moment – I feel as if I’m sitting there beside you, observing the ritual at lunch. The pictures you always include help us see what you describe. I’m glad the box arrived! When will she open it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kathy had cataract surgery several years ago and couldn’t believe the difference in colors she saw afterwards. I was told I have the beginnings of them, but they are not yet ripe. Hope your mother’s surgery goes well whenever she has it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a firewood stove and I’d love to try burning coconut in it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fronds of the coconut tree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would a coconut burn if you put it in a wood stove?
LikeLike
Please do not burn the whole coconut. It will burn. The white part of the coconut is very taste. People use the coconut shell and husk as fuel.
LikeLike
Thank you, Lakshmi. I had forgotten that the coconut has a white part inside. Silly me!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The second photograph (? you pouring out coconut) contains a profile face in repose
LikeLiked by 1 person
To the left is my mother and to the right, my husband. Both are cutting vegetables.
LikeLiked by 1 person