Saturday 31 May 2014

A priceless treasure


Image courtesy:hisks on rgbstock.com


Cleaning her way through the attic Sarah came across a small wooden handle with a brass base.“Ah! Scrap,” she thought flinging it out of the door. It rolled and landed at Brian’s feet. Picking it up he muttered,”Oh no! She’s at it again . Wonder what will fly out of the door next. I’d better hurry out.”

Suddenly something caught his attention. He turned the thing in his hands.  His eyes popped out. “My God, this is amazing!!!  Tipu’s seal, and that too in my attic?”


Quickly slipping it into a corner of the safe he rushed to the attic. 


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100 word post written in response to prompts for the Light and Shade Challenge Friday i.e 
1) the picture prompt given above and 
2) the quote by G.K. Chesterton
 "Don't ever take a fence down until you know the reason it was put up."


Do take a tour of my blog  Fabric of Life too, 

to get a feel of some of the books doing the rounds , poetry, fiction, etc.

And Of course, don't forget to leave your footprints in the form of comments and suggestions. Your words mean a lot to me.



Saturday 24 May 2014

The Sunsilk Experience


The train chugged in exactly ten minutes late. But even before it came to a grinding halt I had caught a glimpse of her by the door. Making my way through the milieu I reached her only to be shoved .I lost my balance but before I landed on the platform two firm, caring hands steadied me.


“Hey Ma! Take it easy,” she said.


I looked up smiling. But before long the smile disappeared. There before me was the apple of my eyes. But what is this? She looks different. I tried to figure out what was amiss. Has she lost weight? Is it the dress...? Suddenly it dawned on me that her crowning glory was the subject of concern. I missed her long and thick tresses. I ran my hand through her hair. Gone was that silken texture. Coarse strands greeted me.


“What’s this?” I asked. “Not oiling your hair properly these days?”


“Ma, now don’t start off,” she said.


The rest of the journey back home was uneventful.


********

“Ma, can you do me a favour,” she asked.


I looked at her enquiringly.


“Ma, can you rub in oil into my scalp and shampoo my head with that wild mussaenda leaf juice you always use to clean your hair?”


“Just give me a few minutes,” I said. “I will massage your head.”


“What about the wild mussaenda leaf juice?” she asked.

“That will have to wait for another day. I have to boil and keep the leaves  overnight before I squeeze the juice. Besides, it’s getting dark and it’s not proper to pluck leaves after dusk,” I said


“Then what do I do? Just see my hair. It’s like chagary (coconut husk),” she lamented.


It was then that I remembered the pack that was delivered to me the previous day, the New Sunsilk Natural Recharge Shampoo and Conditioner. The hamper was an instant hit. It looked good. But then looks can be deceptive. Would this prove the adage wrong, I wondered. I had to find out.


“Wait, I have something new. Let’s try it out,” I said.


She looked at me with wary eyes. “Hey, I am not a guinea pig,” she said. “Don’t try out anything new on me.”


“Don’t worry, at the most what will happen? Your hair will remain as it is. It can’t get any worse,” I said. Then added, “In that case, we always have the option of grandma’s remedy (wild mussaenda leaf juice) to set things right.”


Hesitatingly, she agreed. The head massage over, she stepped into the bathroom armed with the shampoo and conditioner.


Two hours later I ran my hand through her tresses. Lo, behold!  What do I see? What do I feel? …… Soft strands of silk parted to my touch.  The scalp was clean and shining and the coarse, dry hair was replaced with soft silken strands. The limp, entangled tresses had given way to a bunch of thick, strong tuft. I gently tugged at the strands. They did not yield to the pressure.  The natural look was back. The process of repair and recovery had started.


The transformation was there for me to see in my daughter's new, refreshed look. 


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Co- created by celebrity hair stylist and Sunsilk expert  Jamal Hammadi and manufactured and marketed by Hindustan Lever Ltd.,  the pleasant smelling paraben free neutral pH, New Sunsilk Natural Recharge is infused with ginseng plant root extract  and oil ( Source : Info printed on product). The idea is to nourish, strengthen and recharge the hair follicles and add bounce and volume to the hair.

A piece of advice – Want strong, silky, abundant hair?

  • Nutrition is the key to good health and good hair. Have a balanced diet. Make sure you eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, carrots, fruits, nuts, etc.

  • Handle your hair with care. There is a saying in Malayalam that “One spoils the eyes by touching them frequently and the hair by not touching it,” So make sure to communicate with your hair. Old timers recommend a minimum of 100 brush strokes a day. Warning – Don’t be harsh on your hair. After all I am sure you don’t want to cause damage to your crowning glory.


  • Trim the hair at regular intervals to get rid of split ends. Split ends hinder hair growth.

  • Tie/plait  your hair when dry. Avoid pollutants and harmful chemicals. Shield from direct sunlight.

Sunday 11 May 2014

Mom & Me











Image courtesy of kangshutters / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

With trembling hands she touched me, eyes moist with tears of joy.
Lips quivering, she cuddled me, I knew I was secure.
She kissed my fingers, then my legs, my forehead kissed she as though to bless.
I looked at her with startled eyes, then knew I should offer her a smile.

I gurgled at her in delight, “Mom I love you.”   



Image courtesy of phanlop88 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net



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This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

The prompt  :  A 5 sentence post containing the word'mom.'



Enjoy some wonderful verses at Poets United: Poetry Pantry  too.


 Do take a tour of my blog  Fabric of Life too, 

to get a feel of some of the books doing the rounds , poetry, fiction, etc.

And Of course, don't forget to leave your footprints in the form of comments and suggestions. Your words mean a lot to me.

Sunday 4 May 2014

Dear Sunny aka Surya Bhagwan

This post was chosen as a 'WOW!' post by BlogAdda



Planet Earth

4th May 2014

Dear 




Image courtesy of Victor Habbick /
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Oh God! I must admit you are hot. Today morning when I stepped out of the ‘cool ’ interiors of my house **will put even the boilers and furnaces to shame** your rays blinded me for a second. Even as I blinked, I could feel the 'warmth' you exude thanks to a scorched cheeks and hands.  Ten minutes into my task outdoor and I did not have to look far for water to quench my thirst. The steady stream of perspiration flowing down my forehead was sufficient to sooth my parched lips. ** Yuck ** Ah! That reminds me of something that happened yesterday.








Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
It was a long, tiring day what with a lot of chores to complete. Finally everything over, I decided to sit and relax on the stone bench in the courtyard. But what do I see there, leaves strewn all around, enough to make a bag full of manure. I looked up at the Ashoka tree in despair, hands folded I begged for mercy. Do you know what Ashoka said? “Don’t blame me. It’s all Surya’s doing. He glares down at me as though to kill. The very sight of him makes me shiver, hence the hair fall (leaf fall) . I hate the sight of these bald patches on my skin. Look, there are signs of wrinkle setting in.  Do you have any special sunscreen that will ward off the ill – effects of UV on my trunk? I need it urgently. ” I was left speechless. I wondered how things had changed. I had always thought that tension, stress and worry were the soul mates of only us Homo sapiens. But here I find trees no better off.





Image courtesy of foto76 /
 FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Now there are these heavy weights (Jeans) in my hands. You tell me what do with them.   Neither can I let my son wear them, nor can I dispose them.  It’s your fault. I had just wanted them to be dried and sanitized not bleached.  If you really wanted to show them some love you could have tanned them. Think I will have to put it under the feet, doormats worth 2000 rupees each.  Now isn't that pure luxury and creativity? **Anger boiling, the body’s AC is switched on. Steady stream of perspiration trickles down.**    




Image courtesy of prozac1 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
One question- Are the Heavens facing a drought like situation? No, No, just clarifying. You see the wells, the lakes and rivers here are fast drying up. The earth is cracking.So was just wondering whether the Gods and Goddesses are drawing water from planet earth. Ah! Do I see you sipping water from our rivers. Now don’t you think this is a little tough on us earthlings?  






Image courtesy of markuso /
FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Are you even aware that there is a fresh battle raging here between the squirrel, the crow and others?  Food is scarce, so they vie with each other to lay hands on the handful of mangoes there at the top of the tree. ** The top seems to touch the sky. Looks like I will have to charter a plane to pluck them. But is it worth it? ** We humans are left just taking in the sight. **Mann mein laddu nahin phoot rahein hain. Mann mein aam nichodne kee koshish har rahein haein **









Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono /
FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Everyone says the moon is cool. So naturally after you bid us goodbye, we look to a nice cool nap at night. But it seems your heat has bogged down the moon too or else why would the moonlit nights be hot and sweltering. Now don’t be bossy. Leave the moon alone. Let him show us earthlings, some love.







Image courtesy of xedos4 /
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
**Sniff, Sniff** Looks like something is burning. Oh no, I just forgot, I've put the milk to boil. Sorry, I must stop here, will catch up with you later in another letter. But in the meantime just one small request. Stop trying to get close. No don’t mistake me. But the way the summer is getting hotter with each passing year it looks like you have forgotten our pact, the one of maintaining a respectable distance. Show some mercy on us and of course don’t drink up all the water. Our body needs it to keep the AC running. 


Show mercy . Give us some respite. Don't show so much love. 

Looking for a positive response.



**Sapped of energy,perspiring profusely**




Yours  ** Wish I could shoot you**

 




Earthling G  ** But Helpless**



Image courtesy of Simon Howden / 
FreeDigitalPhotos.net




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This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

The prompt  : Write a witty letter to the Sun God/ Goddess convincing him/ her to go a little easy on us.



Do take a tour of my blog  Fabric of Life too, 
to get a feel of some of the books doing the rounds , poetry, fiction, etc.

And Of course, don't forget to leave your footprints in the form of comments and suggestions. Your words mean a lot to me.