Rain.

Our first summer showers arrived with thunder and lightning and the photograph above was taken at 5.30 pm today.

We have been having really hot and on the odd days, humid days. The rain is a big relief.

The thunder however scared Koko and since there was no one else was at home, she came and slept over my feet under the table where I was sitting and working on my desk top.

Perks of having dogs at home!

Has The Pandemic Wrought Any Positive Changes?

Today’s topic is the brainchild of Shackman who I know has had a great deal in mind and life during the pandemic as I am sure that all of us have had too.

In my case, at the individual level some positive changes that took place are the following;

1. I recommenced Jala Neti as recommended by some doctors who I trust.

I however use an old trusted vessel which I had stopped using some years ago.

2. I recommenced Pranayama exercises as part of my daily yoga routine.

3. I rescheduled my morning routine to accommodate these changes and now follow a different one than I was following pre-pandemic. This change has improved my digestion and sleep and overall wellbeing.

I am convinced that I escaped the annual tryst with the seasonal viral infection that I undergo every winter last year due to the above changes. That was the biggest gain that I had during these different times.

At the macro level, some positive changes that I have noticed personally are:

Return of some types of birds to my neighbourhood that had disappeared till last year.

Improved quality of air due to reduced traffic on our roads.

Thanks to the pandemic to some extent and its belligerence on our borders, our dependence on China has reduced considerably and local enterprises are rejuvenating to fill the gap. This in turn has contribute to our economic recovery for the IMF to predict that India will grow at and astounding 12.5% this fiscal.

Reduced consumption of oil has brought prices and demand down and people everywhere are finding that they can live differently and a better life.

Working and studying from home has brought about a paradigm shift in our approach to employment and education. Quite how this will pan out in the future is yet to be seen but, having tasted the simplicity and efficacy of these developments, there is bound to be major shifts.

Hygiene’s importance in our lives has been driven home more strongly than ever before by the practical experience of the pandemic.

This is my take on this week’s Friday 3 On 1 blog posts where Conrad, Shackman and I write on the same topic. Today’s topic has been suggested by Shackman. Please do go over to the other two blogs to see what they have to say on the same topic. Thank you.

Perception.

My friend Sathya posted this on Facebook.

This reminded me of a post that I wrote here almost ten years ago.

The link will take you to the blog post but, the images there have been taken down to save space. Here is an image of the Indian Mock Strawberry flower.

This flower continues to pop up every  morning now  in our garden without any deliberate planting or tending. Remarkably resilient plant!

I think that Sathya will vouch for the fact that I am a joyful person as she is too!

The Most Heart-breaking Thing In My Life Now.

Our dog Chutki was diagnosed with diabetes and very high sugar levels three months ago and has been on very strict diet in terms of both quality and quantity of food that she can have. She is simply not used to this lifestyle although for us improvement is visible and very encouraging.

Whenever we sit down for a meal at the dining table, she comes around visiting each of us begging for food and that simply breaks my heart. Every day and at every meal.

This is my contribution to this week’s Friday 8 On 1 blog post topic. The other seven bloggers who write on the same topic every Friday are Maria. Sanjana, Padmum,  Raju, Shackman , Srinivas and Conrad.  This week’s topic was suggested by me. Please do go over to their respective blogs to see what they have to say on the topic.