Last Chance

I spent the last three months struggling to write a post. Just when I had almost given up, the universe sends me a sign. It literally said ‘Last Chance‘. That’s the name of the Lens-Artist challenge for the week. So taking the chance to get it done, before December ends.

How we spend our days, is, of course, how we spend our lives.

Annie Dillard

2022 will go down in history as the year COVID was defeated. Or not. Anyway schools reopened, travel took off and my nest was finally empty.

The Knight is sailing around the world. My day begins with his messages and pictures of his life at sea.

Sunset on the Atlantic, by sierra_70

In his words, “Sunsets, sunrises, daily cloudy skies- they keep me alive and cheered up. The starry night sky, with the Milky way showing up occasionally, is something I look forward to every night, regardless of how dead I am at the end of the day.”

I miss him. Thank goodness for technology. I travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific via his tales.

Dusshera break and I was arm- twisted into taking a quick trip to visit my second born. What an unforgettable adventure it turned out to be! Travelled solo, mistook Jama Masjid for Red Fort, reconnected with school mates and discovered how easy it was to become teenagers again.

Oh! I ice- skated too because my brat decided I needed to do that. It was terrifying but exhilarating all the same. Out flew all the thoughts of gliding like a swan. Instead it was down to my wobbly knees to hold the balance and take baby steps. No way was I was falling splat on the incredibly cold, hard ice. Mission accomplished. Hence, the euphoria.

Playing on ice

Post the session, watched the real masters, kids training for ice hockey. Now that was breathtaking.

Perhaps, the only thing to rival solid water were the visuals of gushing waters.

Monsoons in Doon and the river Bandal frothed and foamed.

Foaming Fury

That didn’t stop my mother and her two companions from climbing up an old aqueduct from the British era.

Framed!

Lookout point!

The path to the aqueduct was rather picturesque. The clouds hung low, the river tumbled over the rocks and a herd of goat blocked our passage. The humans had to give way.

Just for a moment, the people and the herd paused to watch the monsoon fury.

No post is complete without a mention of my trip to Faizabad in the summers. The days were sultry and languorous.

Early morning walks and strolls at dusk. The air echoed with hymns. Sita-Ram chants, everywhere. And peace.

A-Spire

Dusk

In fact, my time in Faizabad reminded me that we don’t need much to be happy.

For instance, a dip in the mighty Saryu on a hot summer evening. Watching the boys dive gleefully in, their joy was infectious.

A Simple Life

To taking more chances, cheers!

Advertisement