Flowering in the rain...

The rain, though never really absent from this part of the world, is here in all its fury! Everywhere I look is water and despite the mud, and the insects, and the infections, and..., I really love the monsoons and the dark clouds it brings along. Our little garden too stands bravely against the pouring drops and here and there you see lovely colourful patches and even though the sun is not out, your heart still manages to sing!

The humble French Marigold, leftovers from winter plantings, are a bright patch of colour. Come hail or wind, this hardy species refuses to bow down!

The Hibiscus too is a colourful relief in bleak rainy weather. This one here is a white Australian (supposedly) variety and is as colourful as the red ones... The rains does not seem to touch the petals!

These pink flowers are like delicate puffs but they remain undaunted by the torrents of water that fall on them.

Some roses I have tried to protect by at least providing partial shelter overhead. This miniature pink is one such example...

And can monsoons exist without the intoxicating fragrance of the Rajnigandha? These bulbs had been presented to me by my mom when I was carrying Arjun so they are all the more special to me...

Along with flowers, our old swing too has turned colourful...

Kabir

Reading Kabir today...feel so connected when I read his verses...Here are some:

Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag
Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag
Just as there is oil in the sesame seed, and fire in the flint stone
your beloved is inside you, awaken if you can!
------------------
Kabira Garv Na Keejiye, Uncha Dekh Aavaas
Kaal Paron Bhuin Letna, Ooper Jamsi Ghaas
Don't be proud Kabira, by the sight of your high mansion
Tomorrow you will have to lie on the earth, and above there will be wild grass
--------------
Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin‚ Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin
Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya‚ Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin
When I exist, my Lord does not
when my Lord exists, I do not
All darkness was removed, when I saw the light!
----------------

'Eating out' at midnight...

Sanjib came home around eleven on saturday and for a change, he wanted to go out! Arjun and I, though almost on the verge of falling off to a dreamless sleep, did not give him a chance for second thoughts...

At this hour, in the place where we stay, it was not likely that we would find anything or anyone on the roads. "Let's take along a couple of hot cases", said Sanjib, "Just in case we find a dhaba open." We went off in the general direction of a old, derelict 'dhaba' that goes by the name of 'Baba Hotel'. turns out it was about to close but more than happy to pack some dal tarka and make some 'Alu subzi' for us to take home.

We reached home around 1 at night and needless to say, both the dal tarka and the 'alu' was finger-lickin' good!