Happy Deepavali!

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Deepavali Wishes to you and yours!

Rain-dance

One hot humid morn
Another summer day doeth dawn
And as the hours tick by
A sudden cloud dots the sky
Before long there's more and plenty
The clouds have gathered for a party
Out of the blue descends a downpour
Thunder and lightning O' wait! There's more!
Now who would not enjoy
A rain-dance, boy-o-boy!

So that's exactly what this mint did
This hot summer 'noon she bid
At work a half-day nip
Out in the rain, she did skip!

Ooh its that time of the year again!

Remember this from last year?

Yup, I did it again. I have come to accept this wet, cold weather at this time of the year, because I believe that is what makes these blossoms the absolute wonders they are. As always, the weather forecast for the next few weeks in our region talks of rains like no tomorrow. Throughout the week, as I was plotting to head towards the Tidal Basin over the weekend for some blossom viewing, a tiny voice kept piping in with doubts on whether it was a wise idea. Another part of me kept chiming to not give in. And guess who won? :)

As I was teetering on the brink of this decision, a particular voice provided the much needed push to turn an idea into reality. And that was none other than Sujatha. 'Are you still going tomorrow?' she asked. And just like that, it was a go. We planned to meet at 7, since the rational side of us declared rain was only predicted for the afternoon. And we should have been done well before that. Seemed perfect.

I went to bed with the alarm set for 6am. I woke up a few times through the night to hear heavy rains and the window in my bedroom looked soaked. When I finally woke up at 6, the weather definitely didn't look encouraging. I pinged Suj again and thank God it was still a go. 'Its been raining all night, but its stopped now. See you at 7 she said' :). And thus I was on the road after a quick wash and layers of warm clothing and sufficient rain gear.

All along the drive, it was wet, cold and dreary. 'How am I going to walk around and take pics?', 'Perhaps there aren't any blossoms', 'Is this going to be a wasted trip?' and so on and so forth the mind was playing its usual tricks. But right as I entered Independence Avenue, I was treated to glimpses of some beautiful blossoms that showed a lot of promise.

As I parked and started walking around my favorite place in all of DC, I had checked all regrets and doubts and misgivings out of my mind. My camera was getting wet, it was drizzling quite a bit but nothing was going to stop us. We walked around the tidal basin, avoiding puddles and stopping to take pictures and to smell the fresh scent of the blossoms. An occasional soothing breeze would make us halt and soak in on this wonderful communion with nature. As always, the trail was near empty.

What? You want me to cut out the poetry and just show you the pictures? Alright :), will do. But there is one little thing I have to share with y'all. It turned out that Sujatha and I were both in red jackets. Initially Sujatha's son C (who delighted us with his august company this morning) said we looked like twins. And then just as 2 more 'red jackets' were sighted, he went 'So you guys are quadruplets now?' and so on it went. It appeared the rest of the population out for a walk in the rains had orchestrated a 'red jacket' outing. So people, if you plan on being in this area for Cherry blossoms this year, red is the color! Don't tell me I didn't warn you.

That said, lets go!

Thawed

There are snow days and then there are pileups. Today being a day off, thanks to MLK day and the skies turning it into a snow day was somewhat perfect. This wasn't a pileup kind of day....just an hour or two of snow and then the sun emerged, bright and warm. There's that small window of photo op, a sliver of time to capture this wintry mixture for posterity.

The Potomac river is everywhere in the VA/MD/DC area. It originates near Harper's Ferry and is carried along the C&O canal all the way to the Tidal basin in DC. A small park hosts this river as it flows through the county where I live. Its but a few miles away, the river that separates VA from MD. Its a beautiful park, filled with walking trails, a golf course and camping grounds.

The best time to visit this serene place is right after a snow shower. Its my favorite drive after clearing the snow from the driveway and off the car, the warmth of the sun sets the mood for a drive along the Algonkian park.

You enjoy this winter scenery while I go fix myself some green tea.

Season's greetings

Blessed blossoms

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning

Yes, all IS right with the world. Every year, since I have been in this area, the cherry blossoms lure me. There have been times when I've decided to not go to DC and capture these beauties. And without fail, I do go. And without fail, I am mesmerized by the sheer spectacle that nature brings for a short span of 3 weeks.

The Cherry Blossom festival, following the bloom schedule, comes around the last few weeks of March and the first few weeks of April. It is a very popular time for visitors to flock to the area. Parking can be a nightmare and the streets are packed. The festival culminates with the parade along the National Mall also featuring floats, dancers and mascots. Some years, rains puts a damper on the cherry blossom spirit and on the visitor's as well.

Given all these conditions, cherry blossom viewing for locals becomes a big challenge. That does nothing to stop the likes of me. The best way to catch cherry blossoms to your heart's content is to take a long walk along the Tidal Basin early in the am on a weekend. Yup, one of the area's best kept secrets. During the 3 weeks that cherry blossoms are around, I usually pick one morning when there is no hint of rain and make a beeline to the Tidal Basin.

This morning was one such. Forecasts had doomed the weekend with rain and thunderstorms. But come Saturday morning and the skies were clear. Cloudy, sure. No rains though. I quickly gulped my morning cuppa and off I went. The sun was still asleep, and the clouds were doing a fine job lulling it for a while longer. By the time I found a decent parking spot and had loaded my camera, it was picture perfect. The blooms were on in full swing, the walkway was clear with dew drops strewn all over and the blossoms looked fresh and welcoming.

Such is nature. Unfailing in its delivery of beauty and wonder. The morning hours bring about a serene atmosphere around. The smiles on the faces of passersby, the friendly wuff's of the dogs being walked, the grunt from the homeless guy in whose hand you just delivered some fresh dough nuts, the shutterbugs- each of them reveling in the serenity of the moment. I might not live in a quaint English countryside, but these are some of the times that make me thankful for being able to grab such moments when nature decides to be her best and I am able to witness it live.

Without further ado, I share with you some freeze frames of the breathtaking beauty of cherry blossoms.
Blossom viewing for 2008 - check!

Its different

This winter I find myself with a plentiful stock of patience. To go through these winter days and months, taking each day at a time. Usually, in all these years that I have been in the North-East coast of the US, it has been an impatient, cranky stretch of 90 or so days. Then it was all about complaining at having to wear layers, the time taken to don the scarves and gloves and boots and coats and jackets...never-ending..even if it was for a simple chore such as pick up mail from the mailbox.

This year, I prefer taking it a day at a time. Sometimes the temperatures are higher than usual, sometimes dipping low, sometimes there's snow, sometimes icy rain. And what I do and how I deal with these little changes differs from day to day, week to week. If the temperatures are dipping to the chilly lows, I cut down on the errands to run, make myself some warm soup, light up the fire and nothing could be better than curling up on the couch with a good book, a funny movie or TV re-runs.

On snow days, as the snowflakes drop from the skies above, as I sit in my cube at work, overlooking a wide window, the scene is breathtaking. I know in a few hours, with the pile up, we will get an email asking us to wind up early and leave cos driving can get treacherous. One of the many little surprises that the season delivers, a short day at work. Though it takes thrice as much as the usual commute time, one gets home. Just the warmth that emanates from the fire combined with the warmth of a plan to make some c-o-b soup(cream of broccoli) is enough to make one bring the comforter from upstairs and tuck in.

And then there are the warmer days, warmer just in comparison. When the sun shines brightly, the tempertatures are still low, but feels like a sunny outdoorsy day. One opens the french windows or the front door and gingerly pops half a toe out, to feel the air. Yes, definitely still cold. But the cheery sun tells a white lie. Thats when one brings out the red coat, a cheery matching knit set of scarves and gloves and cap to do some chores, run errands, shop and dine out with girl friends. Its also the best time to buy furniture for the deck and swimwear! So I have discovered. The stores seem to stock up with the latest fashions for spring and summer in the peak of winter!

Which brings me to my closet! I find myself fingering the sleeveless blouses and skirts and dresses in eager anticipation of warm days and open-toed sandals. For now its boots and clogs, shoes and socks. I am willing to wait...for those sunny days...to try out the new clothes I purchased from my India trip...sleeveless, half-sleeved...they all await for warm summer days. I am perfectly at peace wearing full sleeves, flannels, woollens and corduroys. There's definitely something different this winter. Maybe I am a better adjusted person.

How is it today, you ask? Well, I can hear the windchime in the deck from my bedroom upstairs. Its been chiming all night warning me in its dulcet notes that its going to be a windy day. The wind tunnel that passes behind the house has been howling, the bells that chime in my neighbor's have been talkative. Its cold and windy. Time to bundle up and stay indoors as much as possible. And them wind tunnels...it is best to avoid them or keep interactions with them at minimal. There's one at work, leading from the parking lot to the office building. Thats going to be making some noises as well!

Oh, and one more thing, last spring I'd read about planting daffodil and tulip bulbs, my favorite spring flowers. So I had them bookmarked and ready to bed some in good time, apparently early fall is a very good time to do so. Gives the tubers plenty of time to hibernate and stock up on food till spring. I diligently planted some 50 odd bulbs of both varieties. Then I almost forgot about it. Cos you know, when fall brings unexpectedly warm days coupled with an India trip can do wonders to your memory about cold winter days that you wish to avoid. Now with snow and rain and these chilly, windy days....in the midst of brown shrubs and leafless trees, I see some fresh green shoots. I cant tell if its the daffodils or the tulips but the locations all indicates its one of the two. I am in doubt. Last time I heard, these werent supposed to spring till spring! So what gives? Many a morning, I want to tuck them in, pat their young heads and tell them to go back to sleep. Its not time to wake up, yet! One part of me though, is thrilled beyond bits. I mean, for the black thumb that I have been known to have, this is nothing short of a miracle.
Yes, Amma, Miracle-gro works. Aapki daya se :D.

- A bundled up, winter-fresh mint!

Closed

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
~Helen Keller

Seasons greetings! Have a great holiday season and a wonderful new year ahead.

See you all next year, with new beginnings and hopes for a great start....