This and That 😊

Hello everyone,

First of all, a very Happy Mahanavami and Happy Dusshera to everyone who are celebrating Dusshera today. Some people have it tomorrow. So advanced wishes for that.

May this festival reiterate how we need strength and confidence in every fight. Both Ma Durga and Shri Ram teach us the value of good over evil, but only when we choose the right path. Once you know that path and follow it, you gain confidence and strength to move ahead.

Shri Ram and Ma Durga, both symbolize truth, honesty, justice, and righteousness. Never let anyone else tell you otherwise. Never allow anyone to misguide you by misquoting them.

So, it is festival time, at my place. Little moments of bliss between big moments of duties, work, patience, and sometimes, despair.

We, as a family, are celebrating all festivals in a very subdued and low profile way, this year. So no new clothes, no decorations in the house, except the basic things that we already have in the house, no shopping etc. It’s fine because once you know the need to stay safe and resolve to observe patience, nothing hurts.

I usually never buy sweets from sweet shops during any festival, as far as possible. During these times, the consumption of sweets is maximum and this gives a chance to profiteers to make money by unfair means. Almost everything from mawa to food colours and dry nuts used in sweets are second grade, adulterated, contaminated, and cooked in poor quality ghee, which is extremely unhealthy.
So, I have been making all kinds of sweets for Ganpati festival, Krishna Janmashtami, Navratri, and Diwali at my home since almost 6-7 years now. So it is nothing new, this year too. The same tradition will be followed by making food and sweets at home, followed by a simple puja.

I’m finally settled in my sleep-wake schedule, work, clinic etc… and getting good time to write too. Like you must have noticed in past few updates. I take time to settle myself because I don’t like messing with stories. Just because I don’t have enough time, so I can’t write in a rush. So, it got delayed for a few weeks.

I have around 100 mails in my mailbox. I haven’t replied to most of them. I used to personally reply to each of you. But these days have been hectic. So, apologies from me 😊🙏

I will start posting Fire & Ice again, tomorrow. It will be up on my other blog like my previous stories, few updates at one time – as a limited period offer 😃 I have learnt in a hard way, not to leave stories on internet, no matter how simple you think they are!

After the current short story is over, I will start writing Love, Lies, Etc. That means – soon!

I have to confess that I love, love, love editing Spark & Spice. More about it in a detailed post tonight – About character names and other nitty-gritty things.

Hope the festival season brings peace and prosperity in the lives of all of you. Please celebrate in a responsible manner. Stay safe. Don’t be carried away. Festivals come every year. It’s okay to keep a low profile for one year. The entire world is going through hell. We are not alone!

Hope all of you are doing fine.

Do let me know how you are celebrating the festival, this year.

Take care. Lots of love

M.