14 March 2026

My first stop – Durgapur for a few hours

I am here in India for work. I came a day earlier to check in on my mother-in-law. Sharmila arrived a few days ago, and you can see why; my mother-in-law is not going through a great phase. She appears to be but a shadow of her old self.

Sitting with her, watching her pained movements, and listening to the few words that drained her energy, too many memories of my father from six years ago came rushing back. It feels as if the second part of the movie is starting to unfold.

It is very difficult to watch the pain that age can put the elderly through. But such is the passage of life. The good moments were earned to help make these moments bearable.

11 March 2026

Tried this “Kaapi” beans

Bought this coffee bean packet from the Indian coffee place that goes by the same name in Atlanta. Ground it and then did the normal “filter kaapi” process. Did not come out as well. I now realize that the distinct flavor and aroma comes from the chicory that is added to coffee beans in the traditional South Indian coffee.

Category: Coffee | LEAVE A COMMENT
9 March 2026

Do you have any ideas for me?

Some time back, I got this strange idea to learn and memorize various things. That has led me down the path of memorizing country names, capitals, flags (not finished with this yet), Morse code, the periodic table, and what have you.

Right now, I am learning and memorizing all the US Presidents and their election years.

In keeping with current political movements, I am calling this quirky exercise of mine “Occupy Brain Cells” 🙂

I think I will be done with the Presidents in another couple of days.

Looking for new things to learn and memorize. Can you make some suggestions?