Flowers from Sharmila’s Garden – 2
Flowers from Sharmila’s Garden – 1
One of my favorite hobbies from the past…
Writing letters to all and sundry with fountain pens. Before the advent of emails and such, this was the way I kept up with all my friends and family. And even strangers!! In fact, in one instance, I met one of those pen-pals after 30 years of starting our pen-friendship!
For those who complain today that I write too many emails… well, even in those days, I would sometimes write a dozen letters a day!!
Finally, some time to enjoy some Qawaali…
Meri nazar ko junoon ka payaam de saaqi
Meri hayaat ko laafani shaam de saaqi
Yeh roz roz ka peene mujhe pasand nahi
Kabhi na hosh mein aaun wo jaam de saaqi
To remind ourselves, “saaqi” refers to the (female) partner that is usually either pouring the drink or accompanying you in drinking.
Oh Saaqi! Give my eyes that vision of frenzy
Offer to my life that evening that dies, Oh Saaqi!
I am tired of this drinking every single evening
This time give me that drink that never gets me back to my senses.
From the bartender’s corner – Balalaika
That was an interesting name for a drink. I always thought a balalaika is one of those Russian triangular looking guitar like instruments. The drink though is a variant of the grand old Sidecar.
The original formula called for equal parts of Vodka, Cointreau and Lemon juice. I do not enjoy tarty drinks too much. So, went with a 2:2:1 combination. That was just about right for me…
10K on 10K
Ran with the good old Chalupa group after a long time…
Last time I ran with the group was on October 6, 2019. Or almost a year back. Joined the group for a 6.2 mile (10K) run at 9:30min/mile pace. There were 15 runners in all including me (Kasturi and her daughter is missing from this picture since they had to leave). And then, of course, the traditional Chalupa coffee adda. Thanks Debjyoti, Rituparna, Ashok, Pooja, Malobika, Sudipto, Indrani, Seemita-di, Mrinal-da, Soma, Sanjib and Sharmila for a good time.