Between a Bud and Flower!

All buds do not become flowers. Some become a prey to the insects. 

Thos who become flowers live to give fragrance and nectar!

I have been recently reading about the adverse impact of the two lost school years for children in India due to the Corona pandemic!

While the political masters justify about online learning about it having been a substitute, the reality is that children have lost the soul of schooling, which is social life and group learning. 

A generation of children would soon return to schools from November 2021 as it stands now, with losses and griefs! I wonder whether the educationalists are ready to welcome children back to school and provide a smooth passage for children during this transition time! 

I come across children and parents who speak about the losses and disappointments of this season! Our classrooms would soon be a place of gathering of children who have a long way to go to recover from their losses before they can turn to curriculum based learning!

Will there be parent-teacher consultation to make this transition easy for children!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

In search of Food!

I have often noticed Barbets come to the papaya tree searching for ripe fruit! It is still too early for the fruit to be ready! The morning flight stations of the birds in our garden include fruit trees. 

I met a migrant worker who told me that he has to search for food every day as it is now three months since he has had a regular job. His family in Orissa depends on him. He sends what he earns once or twice a week and lives with what is left over!

Yes there are many, who still search food in our cities and rural areas! 

I have similar experiences with neighbours. If they do not have a daily job, they would find it hard to feed the family!

I wonder whether the churches would have a food store, from where the neighbours can come and gather enough for their need in these difficult times following the Corona pandemic!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

A time for everything!

The nutmeg tree gives its fruit to the farmer in its season! The split fruit hanging in the tree is the sign that it shall soon fall and the farmer can gather it !

After five to six months since the fruit first appeared, when it is finally split exposing the maize and the nut, one season in the life of the tree is over. Another season soon follows. 

During all the season the tree is giving!

Each fruit counts. Each contributes to form the heap of nuts, ready to be sold! One in the many!

To be giving is its nature!

I begin the week with this thought that life is for giving, an offering to the God of love in service!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Not too far away form our cottage!

It is when we notice smoke amidst thick foliage early in the morning , one suspects of illicit alcohol brewing! It is on the increase as branded alcohol has become more costly!

The third common medical condition for which people in late fifties seek help from our hospital is alcohol related cirrhosis if liver!

The alcohol dependent life at home is one major cause for childhood trauma!

When would this change!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Morning bird songs!

It is nor more a cacophony, but bird songs with birds in sight in our garden. Some birds come to the courtyard of our cottage and sing for us regularly. A bird watcher referred to it as the domesticating phase of some common birds. When this happens it is likely that some of them would make nests in the premises. 

Make birds our friendly neighbours!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A surprise visitor!

I was watching the flower of Madagascar periwinkle in our garden. A green lynx spider appeared on it and disappeared before I could take a sharp photo! A lost moment!

Not so, I still have this photo of the spider. 

The times when I stay wishing for something better, have sometimes been too long! Such longing for something better takes away the richness of what is already present. 

A family who came to visit talked about the many needs of their son for forty minutes. It was when I interrupted after listening to all the difficulties, mother told us something about his skills and interests. She produced a psychology report suggesting that his IQ is 134, whom the psychologist referred to as a gifted child. 

There is so much that we have; what we do not have is far less than wet we seem to think. 

The flower was beautiful; the spider made it stand out!

What is given to us and what we have is good enough and plentiful!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Sunday spotting!

The morning hours in our garden do bring sights that can be surprising and fascinating. It was the same today! I found these dragon flies and butterflies in unusual places. There was a butterfly that suffered injury in one of its wings!

It is the tenth year since we started living in this cottage. We have many pleasant memories of 

our time here. With domestic helpers helping us we found it easier to keep the garden and the the property in good shape. For Anna it was a special experience as she enjoys planting, caring and gathering the yield. Anna has been liberal with sharing the produce with our neighbours, who share theirs with us.  

For the gift of life, health and the good things that surround us, Anna and I raise our chorus of praises!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)