CB&W: Structured

The theme for this week’s Black and White Photo Challenge is Structure. And as usual Cee gives us license and freedom to enjoy – who can resist that right?

TempleKalika Mata Temple an 8th-century temple at Chittorgarh Rajasthan India. The upper parts of the structure are more recent.

VijayVijaya Stambh is an imposing victory monument built in 1448 AD. Constructed of red sandstone and white marble, Vijay Stambh is nine storeys tall with a height of 37.19 meters and a base height of 3.0 meters. Another version and other details are in an earlier post.

CafeThe inner structure of a modern day cafe

Bike

Couldnt resist a quick covert snap of the innards of this bike. Not only had I never seen the inside of a bike from such close quarters but the man (whose hands are visible) was/is a fascinating character. Apparently some part for the bike wasn’t available (or too expensive) and he was trying to get it repaired through some jugaad tactics. And Steve Woz says “where’s the creativity?” Possibly he is not familiar with the Indian jugaad :- a flexible approach to problem-solving that uses limited resources in an innovative way.

LeafAnd now time for my latest craze – the teak leaf. It’s massive with such well defined structure don’t you think?

MicroHowzz that for intricate structure?

No strA leaf decaying but the structure, unlike for other stuff, is the last to go.

stoolThe neat structure of a handmade woven stool made of reed and rayon strings

RoseI am, in all honesty, not a big fan of roses but this one’s near perfect structure and symmetrical asymmetry was captivating.

So which one is your favorite – or didn’t you like any?

Mexican Sayings – A Reblog

I love quotes and when I stumbled upon this set of inspiring Mexican sayings complete with delightful visuals and asides I couldn’t help sharing it with you.

via 10 Inspiring Mexican Sayings That Will Make You Wiser

Thanks Fabiola 🙂

Just 4 Fun #77

GM

And while moving ahead we often miss how far we have come

old

Isn’t that right? In fact despite our bodies aging our hearts and minds go on a retrograde journey

Speak

And even then some people don’t quite learn do they?

Truth

So now that I have your attention and seeing how interested all of you are in getting the grey cells to work here’s a little something to keep you busy 😉

Quiz

Do let me know when you solve it 😀

Donkey

Ever since then I’ve stopped working hard!

Bed

And adopted laziness as my top priority – err well not that I needed much persuasion.

Ring

Too close to truth isn’t it? I wonder if things would change if women started handing out rings and proposing to men? What do you think? Well I think there’s love. Love what’s that you ask? I have no answers my friend – though Winnie the Pooh does

Winnie the Pooh and Piglet Quote Wall Watercolor Painting Art Print - Nursery Baby Boy GIrl Room Decor Gift - FondNest by Jamie Schapper

 

 

Funny how the simplest of things escape us – like this one

❤Never Fear the Shadows... there's a light shining somewhere!️

Oh well much as I would love to sit here and hunt out more fun stuff the fact is I have work to do.

This is my hope when I go into my son's territory

I tried several times – but no such luck. It was till there when I woke up several hours later. So since it can’t be put off any longer, this is it for this week. See you with more fun next week and wish you all a wonderful Holi.

Be colorful always.

A disclaimer as always none of this stuff is mine but borrowed from the internet and text forwards.

 

The Wilful One

For Becca’s Sunday Trees I have one that grabbed my attention from half a mile away with its peculiar wrung-out-towel-like trunk. Have a look to see what I mean.

20171208_162618

Strip me

wring me

but

I swear

I will

find a way

again

and

again.

 

The Song Within

mg-rose-stem
Photo (c) Marie Gail Stratford

The Song Within

Words 100

She was late. All because of the cook. And so inconsiderate of him to take the car.

The signal turned green and the surging crowd spilled on to the road.

It was just February and already so hot.

Oww her shoes hurt.

Not as much as her piercing barbed comments.

Cursing, she hurried ahead of the riff-raff.

A melodious voice rose above the traffic din. “aaaa~aaaa am the one of happy colors.”

The next winner of Voice India!

She slowed down.

A garish electric blue sweater wearing strange mismatched socks limped past her.

Wait.

Not socks but a prosthetic leg.

***

*Main hoon khush rang Heena – a Hindi movie song.

Written for the Friday Fictioneer – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Marie Gail Stratford for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.

Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts.

 

CFFC: Bird by Bird

So! Time for Cee’s fun foto challenge – Birds. And way we go.

 

Dove heckleTwo pigeons out for an evening walk

Dove twoA bit of a deep discussion on household matters perhaps? She seems to be giving him the push to do something…

Dove leafHe yields but she doesn’t seem to happy with his choice of bedding for their little one does she?

Carrier pigeonsThere aren’t any birds here but these were the cages for the carrier pigeons who acted as trusted couriers between kings, queens and paramours.

Tile artBirds in the walls of the palace – such long graceful necks don’t you think?

PlaneOh look that’s a bird, no it’s a plane…darn it. But it sure does look like a bird doesn’t it? No? Well, I need to get my eyes tested. 😉

RobinCaught this philosophical and reflective robin on the wall of an ancient temple

Stuffed BAnd this one wears a stuffed glassy expression. Perhaps it spotted his boss while playing hookey 😀

PenguinThere’s Scooby and his toy penguin.

PeacockGorgeous stunning mirror mosaic work popularly known as ‘inlay’ in India most commonly seen in Rajasthan.

Peac2And another one.

GarudaYes that’s a bird – Garuda a divine eagle-like bird and considered to be the king of birds in Hindu (as well as Buddhist and Jain) mythology. In the bird form, Garuda is typically represented with the wings slightly open as if on the verge of flying. In part human-form, like this one, he usually an eagle-like nose, beak or legs, his eyes are open and big, and he may have either two or four hands. He is the vehicle mount (vahana) of the Lord Vishnu. Garuda and serpents (Nag) are half-brothers and yet arch enemies. And both are worshiped with individual dedicated days – Garuda Panchami and Nag Panchami. There’s a very interesting (and a bit complicated not to mention involved) story so perhaps another day another time.

Thanks for visiting – do let me know if you have any favorites.

 

A Tree Story by Theresa

“In the garden of good and evil there grew a tree. It was one of Dahlia’s trees, but it did not know it”. Click to read more: What you see when you are traveling

Thank you Theresa – I really loved the story 🙂

SPF: Forced into the Backseat

24-sascha-darlington-february-18th-2018
Photo (c) Sascha Darlington

Forced into the Backseat

Words 202

What the hell Khushi!” Arnav pounced.

“What?” Khushi didn’t look up.

Hissing in frustration, in two quick strides Arnav switched off the television.

Khushi leaned back and popped another chana* in her mouth.

“I don’t get it Khushi.” He thrust a finger into her face. “How can you sit here and watch some stupid soap while Angel cries her heart out?”

Khushi shrugged. “It’s nothing major.”

“You know?” He sat down with a thump.

“She’s heartbroken.” Khushi said in a stage whisper.

“What the…!” Arnav was back on his feet fists clenched. “I’ll kill Shubham.” he ground out.

“Go ahead,” Khushi waved, “but remember your precious Angel won’t thank you for it.”

How can you be so calm?”

“What else can I do? They are adults. They have to sort it out.” Khushi shot him a darkling look “You also stay out of it.”

“I have to do something!” He paced the floor.

“Go tend your plants.” Khushi went to the kitchen. “Or take up kickboxing.”

Are you crazy?”

“It’s going to take some time.” She expertly sifted and prepared the batter for the jalebi*. She wrinkled her nose at him. “It’s been 30 years and we still haven’t stopped have we?”

***

*Chana: Roasted Bengal gram

*Jalebi: an irresistible crispy juicy Indian sweet

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for hosting the challenge and Sascha Darlington for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.

Just 4 Fun #76

GM

So are you ready for some fun? But where’s the scope for fun during weekdays you ask?

Change

Or perhaps you would prefer to put it like this:

Let your smile change the world

Now that’s the spirit! 😀

ChocoJust the other day I was thinking I can resist chocolates but not jalebis or chikki 😉 What about you?

SoundSome time ago my sister called me up and said, “I was having this conversation with my son and I swear I could hear Ma coming out of my mouth!” Has that ever happened with you?

Man mirror

So true… but then too serious for a Monday fun post right?

Minions Pinterest - @minionsalive

Heheh – me and who else?

Caution: u see this coz I post thisSo which one is your favorite 😀

Lol hilarious. I have to try this...even though it will probably get me into a lot of trouble.

That’s me apologizing for this post – not as much fun as I thought it would be. Maybe I am just tired and the week’s just begun…

Screen Shot 2018-02-19 at 9.38.21 PMHow I wish I could be Hobbes 😀 Oh well Calvin has to go to school and we will have to go to work but since we are on the topic of wishes…

Funny Pictures Of The Day � 38 Pics

Ahh that sure does sound like bliss 😉

That’s it folks and as usual none of it is mine but borrowed from the world wide web. Have a super week ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

A Wounded Lioness

This week for Becca’s Sunday Trees photo feature, I bring you one with many layers to her.

T1An impressive tree, I think, a mango tree perhaps. If so she would have been stoned, prodded and climbed all over the entire long summer. But undaunted, unconcerned she has continued her journey to reach for the sky.

T2I come closer. She allows a money plant to drape her like a scarf, even allow a lamp to rest on her curves.

T3Hey wait! That’s no drapery – it’s growing out of her. Just another surrogate mother for one who is not even her kind. My kind? she asks. What’s that? All life is my kind.

T4Just look at those wounds and scars. Don’t they hurt? I ask. No she shakes her branches.

T6Liar. I choke on tears as I walk over to the other side. Her silent howl of despair unheard in this vast preoccupied universe.