A scarf for a sweetie

When I was making the yellow ribbed scarf for Simba, little S expressed a desire for a scarf of her own, in pink. It's not quite pink, but I'm told she likes it. The edging is in triple crochet. I'm rather pleased with the final product. Such a satisfying feeling, seeing the result of your labour lying proudly around. Happy happiness!

Ps: I'm amazed at the difference a little bit of light makes to the colour. It is, in reality, more like the first picture. But I like the fold in the second one too!

Snow, gap, more snow on the way

More snow

The kids went slightly crazy. Snow outside, friends over at home. They played and danced and made loud noises and ate lots of jelly and custard. They have now retired tired on to the sofas.

It continues to snow outside. It's seriously grey, and gloomy out there. Thankfully we have warmth and roses at home.

Snowy day fun

Life of Pi

It was a fantastic watch. I had read the book a few years back, when it had just become a rage. I remember itching to discuss it with someone, anyone who had read it. I found no one back then. Despite persistent urging, Arun failed to read the book. So I had to make do with my own version of the story, my own interpretation of it.

I approached the movie with some nervousness. I had enjoyed the book immensely and wasn't too keen on a visual account of it that clashed with mine, or worse still, trashed the whole story. But I had the option to go out with a girlfriend, and it was going to be a movie, so we settled on this one.

I am so glad we did. For once, a cinematic account of a novel that was almost exactly as I had visualised the story in my head. Completely as I had imagined it, gone over it many times, in my mind. The picturisation was beautiful, very sympathetic to, and in line with, the story in the book. I hate it when directors take liberties with the story line. So glad they didn't with Pi. The 3D animation was quite stunning. Irrfan Khan, as always, brilliant. Suraj Sharma is a fresh, great talent. The background score is absolutely spot on. Richard Parker, hmmm, the animation could have been a shade less human in its portrayal of emotions from a tiger, but overall, very good. Such a well made film, just the right length. An absolute joy.

Seeing the movie, after having read the book several years back, brought back the same anguish I experienced back then, with a feverish desire to discuss the story with someone. So I promptly booked Arun to go and see the movie. Which he did. And liked. A lot. What ensued was an evening of happy, animated discussion. And, for once in many years, it had nothing to do with the children! It was all about Mr Parker and Mr Patel!

So here's something for you to think about.

a. Which story did you like better?
b. Which story do you believe?
c. If you believe the story with the tiger, where do you think reality ended and hallucinations, if any, began?
d. If you believe the story with the mother and the cook, where does the carnivorous island fit in?
e. Who was Richard Parker? Really?
f. What is the significance of Richard Parker leaving without a goodbye?

It's all about your interpretation of it, isn't it?

Lovely read. Great watch.

By the bridge

This is our sixth year by this bridge. It has seen our family grow from two to four, it has seen us grow from carefree young adults into parents with responsibilities. Lately, I have been crossing the bridge to go to the other side. Because Sr lives there. That is what the other side of the bridge always reminds me of, Sr.

It's a bit cold and very grey. I am glad we walked past the bridge, as we always do during our walks, but I am happier for the warmth of home.

Artistic expression

That's a dippy there. Multicolour, because that's what Simba fancied just now. Do you see the baby Dino in mummy Diplodocus' tummy? Do you also see those brown u-shaped markings on the bottom? Those are Dino footprints. We are in full-blown Dino mania at the moment. It is absolutely divine!

I am chuffed that he thought of putting a baby in mummy dinosaur's tummy. My sweet, thoughtful Simba!

Then and now

I have just spent the last two hours trying to put Babi to sleep. It's interesting how we get used to anything and everything if done/experienced consistently for some time. I remember cribbing and complaining endlessly when the same happened with Simba, when he refused to sleep and I felt trapped. Babi is, in some ways, as bad a sleeper as Simba was, but somehow, it doesn't bother me that much now.

I'm also seeing that sleep eventually wins in this battle of excitement versus tired slumber. I see Simba calmly dosing off quite as a matter of norm. So I know (hope based on probability calculations) that soon enough Babi will succumb to the lure of the land of zzzzzzz happily and of her own accord.

Plus, like Arun and I were discussing this morning, we find that as we are ageing, we are more accepting and forgiving of minor irritants in life, but more willing to take a stand against things that are just unacceptable. Interesting discoveries about oneself.

Happy new year

In the midst of winter,
I found there was,
within me,
an invincible summer.

- Albert Camus

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year.