Ruby Tuesday Too - Jaipur Musician - February 25, 2014

Soon, it will be three months since I arrived home from India and I am starting to
feel nostalgic for my "other" country.  I've been going through hundreds of photos 
but haven't gotten started with my resolution to learn some Hindi before my return.
Babysitting for granddaughter, Harper, now twenty pounds, leaves me pretty
weary by day's end.  I will get started March 1st, even if it's just an hour a day.

In the meantime, here's a musician that caught my fancy during my five month
stay in Jaipur.

I am participating in

Ruby Tuesday Too

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The Daily Border Closing Between India and Pakistan - February 20, 2014

The Border Security Force of India struts their stuff

My good friend, Verena Lukas, sent me this video which I found so interesting, I
wanted to share it.  The video depicts the the Wagah  border crossing between 
India and Pakistan.  Since 1959, the Border Security Force of India and the 
Pakistan Rangers have conducted this "Beating Retreat' ceremony, just before
sunset.  The lowering of the flags follows a rather theatrical parade by the forces of 
both countries.

In the partition of India, which was the partition of the British Indian Empire, which 
took place in August of 1947, India and Pakistan were divided into two separate
countries.  There was a massive exodus of people from both countries, with over
7 million Muslims moving to Pakistan and 7 million Hindus and Sikhs moving to
India.  This was accomplished with much violence and slaughter and about 500,000 
people died in the exodus.

The Pakistan Rangers performing

To the present day, the partition resulted in much conflict on the Indian Subcontinent.

While I would like to see this daily border closing, which is viewed by many people
from both countries and countless numbers of tourists, the ongoing outbreaks of
violence between the two countries, keep me far away.  At least, I've gotten to see
the video. 

Thanks for sending it, Verena.

Photos courtesy of Bing images, domain free

Happy Valentine's Day, February 14, 2014

At the ancient age of sixty- nine,

I must confess to this,

I still harbor a secret longing,

For a romantic Valentine kiss.

Not that I haven't had my share,

Of roses, champagne and such,

But once you reach your "waning" years,

You miss that special touch.

I feel a sense of envy,

For those with sweethearts close at hand,

They're the ones, with twinkling smiles,

And special evenings planned.

I'll spend the evening by myself,

Sipping wine while the fire burns,

Immersed in Valentine memories,

Of the man for whom my heart still yearns.

Carmen Henesy

The Bird D'Pot - Sandhill Cranes in Zephyrhills, Florida - February 2, 2014

I must confess, aside from pretty common bird varieties, I am no expert.  I confuse
egrets and cranes - though, of course, thanks to their color, I do know flamingos, and,
I can certainly spot pelicans and peacocks.

I am currently on a wonderful month long visit to family and friends in the southern
United States, figuring that, at the vintage age of 69, I might not have another chance 
to see some of the people that I love so much.  It has been a very special trip.

It began with a seven day stop in Florida, visiting Charlene Payton, my friend of forty
years.  We worked together for a year as young nurses in Tampa.  Throughout
the rest of our lives, we have often visited each other and traveled together.

While having breakfast one morning, I spotted these two birds out on the golf
course, among the beautiful old oaks draped in their Spanish moss, the setting
reminiscent of a Southern romance novel.  I immediately grabbed my camera,
intent on snapping a few photos.  Charlene told me the birds were sandhill 
cranes who would resent my intrusion and take to the skies.  They did not and
I blatantly stepped closer, barefooted, advancing slowly.  I had forgotten that
Southern grass is often full of "stickers".  

Thanks to Wikipedia, I learned a good bit about these birds, native to North America

and "extreme northeaster Siberia".  The sandhill crane ( (Grus canadensis) is a large

bird, weighing 8 to 10 pounds, in the adult bird.  Male and female look alike.  The

adult is gray in color and has a bright red forehead, white cheeks and a long pointed

bill.  The sandhill crane stands on long, dark legs.

These birds have a large wingspan and soar much like hawks and eagles, using

thermals to obtain lift.  The article said that they can fly for many hours, without

flapping their wings, conserving their energy.

For more information on the sandhill crane, go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhill_Crane

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/id

I am participating in 

The Bird D'Pot

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Cats on Tuesday - A Marietta, Georgia Feline - January 27, 2014

During my recent visit in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Georgia, I pulled kitty duty 
for a few days with my dear friend, Camilla.  Nearby neighbors of hers were off
on a botanical tour in South Africa for two weeks, leaving their two cats to wait 
patiently ( or impatiently, perhaps ) for Camilla to come for their afternoon feeding.
This one, in particular, was waiting at the door, almost ready to bolt out as we
entered while the gray one remained downstairs, near the food dish.

I am participating in Gattina's

Cats on Tuesday

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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, Georgia - January 27, 2014

It seems that, even 7000 miles from India, that country I love remains part of my 

life.  During my visit to Atlanta last week, my friend, Camilla Arthur, took me to

see my mother.  Leaving Lawrenceville, she insisted we make a stop in 

Lilburn to visit an incredible Hindu temple that absolutely took my breath away.

It was bitterly cold so we did not do an inside tour but drove about the perimeter,

in awe, marveling at its beauty.

A mandir is a Hindu place of worship - a center of cultural, spiritual, and social 

life - a place of peace.  The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir opened in August,

2007 - the result of 1.3 million volunteer hours, built in only 17 months.  It is 

comprised of Turkish limestone, Italian marble, and Indian pink

sandstone.  More than 34, 000 pieces were handcarved in India and reconstructed

in Lilburn, a beautiful part of "the country of my heart" in the state of my birth.

To learn more about this incredible Hindu temple, visit their website at:

http://atlanta.baps.org/index.html.  It would be well worth a visit if you are in the

Atlanta, Georgia area.

Everyday Life - January 19, 2014

A street scene in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

I am participating in 

UE's Weekend Challenge - Everyday Life

Monday Mellow Yellows

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Wolf Moon aka Mini Moon - Sky Watch Friday - January 17, 2014

Alas, travel and renewing friendships and eating at wonderful restaurants has limited my
online time ( and extended my waist size ) but I am sure all you blogging folk understand.
I couldn't resist getting out of the car the other night when returning from dinner at A 
Pearl in the Grove in Dade City, Florida  as the "wolf moon", the smallest full moon of 
the year, was making its debut.  The Indians ( native American ),  of what is now
the northern and eastern United States, a few hundred years ago, to keep track of
the seasons, gave names to each recurring full moon.

I am participating in

Skywatch Friday

Look upward, add your photo,

and join in the fun!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_moon#Farmers.27_Almanacs

http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/weird_full_moon_names_of_2014/22072416