Posts

Scent of spring: Songbirds, cherry blossoms, and warmer days

Image
    Spring, perhaps the most awaited season of the year, is about to grace this region of the world with its presence. I know spring is about to arrive in Delaware because after a series of unusually frigid mornings, which lasted from December through February, cheerful chirping of red-breasted robins, blue jays, and chickadees has now filled the morning air. In contrast to spring mornings, winter mornings are so hushed and uneventful that one may even question if birds exist in this land at all. To me, birdsongs are the harbinger of spring.  With the first sight of a bluejay perched on the backyard fence or a cardinal dancing on a leafless cherry branch, I know that my wait for spring is almost over, for I’ve learned from past experiences that an increase in bird activity signifies the approach of spring!  In this part of the world, during spring, nature comes alive with an abundance of activity. Everywhere I look, I witness signs of life. I witness new life in the ...

My painting diary: Withered flowers

Image
Like the petal that gently floats in the air, we float in our imaginary world, feeling light & carefree. #paintingdiary

My Painting Diary: Starry sky

Image
Sitting under a star-studded sky, she sang the song of life.  # paintingdiary Medium: Watercolor 

Painting Diary: Lavatory illustration

Image
Medium: Watercolor

Our protective mothers and their daughters

MOTHERS are protective; they are protective by nature. Mothers shield their offspring, try to keep them out of harm's way every time, all the time. Mothers want the best for their children for sure. However, some mothers are not only protective, they are 'overprotective' about their kids. While a mother's protectiveness is instinctive and critical to a child's survival, is a mother's 'overprotectiveness' desirable or healthy for a child? Are there sometimes high costs associated with a mother's overprotective nature?  When Elora Roushan, 36, a full-time professional and a mother of two, was in her adolescence, she switched to wearing salwar kameez upon her mother's wish. A salwar suit accompanied by a dupatta was the only outfit she was allowed to wear outside. While her friends always wore jeans, she almost never wore them on the streets of Dhaka. Today, she believes that her mother's overprotectiveness made her a shy person and af...

Ramadan Away from Home

The aroma of crispy lentil fritters, crunchy jilapi, flavoursome haleem and sweet-plump dates is missing in the air, so is the ambience of Ramadan. But life goes on; Bangladeshis living in different corners of the globe observe Ramadan in their own way, thousands of miles away from their roots.  The Daily Star link  June 20, 2017 While some manage to prepare spicy-savoury chickpeas, fried delicacies and fresh lemonade for iftar throughout the holy month, there are others who do not even find the time to eat a traditional iftar, except perhaps on the weekends.  Fasting in a foreign country is a different experience altogether. “We fast for nearly 17 hours here in Toronto. Being without food and water for 17 hours is not easy, but our bodies have adapted to the rituals here,” said Sabrin S, 36, a medical doctor and a graduate student who lives in Canada. “There have been many occasions when I missed my iftar because I was attending an evening class,” Sabrin furthe...

Anger

Sometimes, we are angry, so angry, We're angry with ourselves, Our friends and kins. We're angry with everyone around us! We think everyone else is happy And that we're the only ones burdened, Burdened with sorrow, and A dismal life devoid of hope and happiness. We search for tranquility in chaos, We feel agitated and completely suffocated, And we so want to crush the world around For some breathable air! We want to vent the rage inside But not one avenue is within sight. The anger builds up, builds up slowly, Eating away all the love nestled in our hearts. When anger takes over, we forget, We forget that things could've been worse, Much more miserable than they're today. Bear in mind, better days can't be too far away. ~Wara