Say A Little Prayer

Okay now. That post title came straight out of the song playing in a loop in my head. Say a little prayer by Diana King. No idea why. Except, years ago – the song often aired on TV and by some strange coincidence, I would watch it. Rather foot tapping music. And you know how some songs just stick in the head, without being favorites or anything like that.

However.

I find the title apt for this moment because it is April 1 tomorrow and that means the big day – the beginning of the A to Z Challenge. Month-long blogging. Two blogs. Tight schedule. Ensuring posts are up on time. And so on, and so forth.

Stress? No.

Fun? Yes.

I am not going to get worked up thinking of how hectic it will be. Every day, when I walk on my terrace, I’ll compose the next day’s post and draft it, and come home and write it. I’ve cleverly been avoiding discussions of how many posts have been written/scheduled on our A to Z Facebook Group.  I intend to carry this serenity through, because, dear friends, it is good for my health.

Of course, I am thrilled at how some of my friends have pitched in voluntarily with guest posts for April and I can’t wait to bring them to you. It is like holding on to something exciting and biting my nails off – thanks to the mandatory waiting! Who likes to wait? Hmph!

April 1 is also significant for me as we’re also going to be busy with school reopening and getting ready for the new academic year. I am a wee bit sad to think it will be the last year for my son in a school setting. Strange to think that this routine will change forever. This is a crucial year as 12th graders are more or less on the brink of deciding on their career paths.  It is also a year of hard work. So we are looking forward to it!

I am glad to say my medical reports are good and I spent time in the doctors’ office bugging him. I am not good at sitting in one place, unless perhaps, I am sleeping or strapped to the chair. I tend to keep walking around – and see what I did. Took photos of the good doctor’s clinic’s wall art.

Say a little prayer, indeed

Rather good taste, I thought. Beautiful paintings. Kalamkari art (a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile, produced in parts of India and in Iran – more about this in another post!)

I wish I could have taken better pictures but there was so much sunshine I couldn’t avoid the glare on the glass frame!

As with all occasions, we begin by invoking Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.

 Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi

Lakshmi’s consort, Lord Vishnu

Little Krishna slaying the serpent demon Kalinga

And my namesake Goddess Saraswati, Goddess of Knowledge, music and arts. Oops…I am her namesake, right?

Hanuman the original example of devotion, loyalty and strength. I am a devotee.

You know I am besotted with the skies. Who wouldn’t be – to see that celestial multi-colored canvas with birds flying?

What plans for April? Are you participating in the A to Z Challenge? What? Haven’t signed up? Do it now.  Let’s rock it together!

Linking up with Unknown Mami, who hosts my favoritest meme Sundays In My City – she sponsors world travel via our keyboard. No visa required.

Happy Ugadi to you! (Happy New Year, where I live!)

While the people of Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh use the term Yugadi/Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा). Marwari, people of Rajasthan celebrate the same day as their new year day Thapna. Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand.^[2] Manipuris also celebrate their New Year (Sajibu nongma panba) on the same day.

Here’s a scene from our City Market

Image credited