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The Blooming Balcony – Recipe for a Happy Balcony

by Tina Basu
written by Tina Basu

I have been telling you all the new things that I am doing in life lately, taking time out from a hectic schedule. It’s great when you do something that you like – almost like a stress buster. 

So the new found hobby is gardening! Now those of you who stay in apartments know it’s difficult to maintain a balcony garden. So I have got some potted plants. The fresh green sight makes you feel happy when you see them dazzling under the sun or swaying in the wind. What better way to make your surrounding fresh and happy.

The happiness just doubled when you see the first blooms of the season. It’s an awesome feeling when you see fresh bright flowers in your terrace, specially when you know it’s your fruit of hard work and energy. 



I have got some flowering plants rose and China rose to be precise. I love the soft pink hues of my flowers and the lovely red bloom. Have a look at my flowers.

Pink China Rose 



Pink Rose 



Red China Rose 



Apart from the flowering plants I planted some vegetable plants and that gives even more joy. That’s because I planted the seeds directly from my kitchen without too much hope. But when you see the small shoots coming out and little leaves forming you know you have given life to something. All these plants are my babies. 

My kitchen garden has a pumpkin plant, chilli plant, shrubs of coriander and fenugreek. The lone chilli plant has given me almost 20 chillies 🙂 .Isn’t that just great!

The pumpkin plant has given loads of flowers but no fruit so far. I intend to plant a tomato plant and may be some bell peppers. These veggie plants give me more joy than the flowers frankly.

Now I must mention here my better half is also quite enthusiastic in gardening and looks after the plants when I am not around. 

Leaving you with some photos of my babies from my balcony. Let me know if you liked them.

Little Pumpkin plant 


My Chilli Babies 


Let’s see if I can do a post on kitchen gardening ideas and small planter ideas from scraps that you might have in your house. 

Until next time have a great blooming day!

P.S. I’m nicely cozing up in my bed and am too lazy to open the laptop. So this entire post is written edited and posted from my iPhone. If you see formating errors please excuse I’ll correct them tomorrow. 

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This post is written for Write Tribe Festival of Words Day 7  on the prompt Share a Recipe (not necessarily food)
Also linking it to UBC Day 7

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Observation Exercise – I see Yellow

by Tina Basu
written by Tina Basu

If you have been reading my posts lately you will know how hot it is in India at this time of the year. Specially with the heat wave creating a havoc. 

In this time if I have to think about a color I can only think of yellow – bright glaring yellow. Every damn thing looks like burning yellow to me now. 

So today’s post is all about yellow that I saw around me today.




The prompt for Write Tribe Festival of Words for Day 6 is “going for a walk and then writing about everything you see on the walk that is that color, or everything that reminds you of that color”.

Now I didn’t actually go for a walk, too much of a task in this heat on a weekend but I’ll write down about all that reminds me of yellow that was associated with me or I saw around today.


Sight that brings smile

There are quite a few trees around my house in Kolkata and we get to see a lot of birds around, something which has become so rare in a metro city. For last few days I have been noticing this nice and sweet twitter of an unknown bird and have caught only glimpses of it. Today was lucky enough to actually see it sitting on a branch and picking on some insect. The sight of the beautiful golden bird brought a smile on my face. Bright yellow and black it was a great sight in front of me. But the little yellow friend seemed to be quite shy, by the time I got my phone out to take a snap he had hidden somewhere behind the leaves. Not quite camera friendly I can see.

A Golden Oriole Source

But I quickly Googled with the description and what I got to know that it’s a 
Golden Oriole. They seem to like warm temperatures and are mostly seen in warmer places of Europe and Asia. In colder months they migrate to warmer places in and around Africa. Hmm, so someone likes the heat.

Sight that makes you cringe

This is the first thing I saw in the morning and wasn’t too happy with it, thus didn’t want to start the post with it. The bright yellow blazing sun making every one crazy at this time of the year! In a place where temperature is on 38 degrees and 40 degrees on an average with 70% humidity you just cannot survive without the air conditioning. But as soon as you turn it off in the morning you break into sweat. That happened when I opened my windows to let some fresh air in. The morning sun hurried in uninvited and at 9 AM it was bright big ball of yellow. [Yes 9 AM ‘cause it’s weekend!]

The Blazing Sun Source


And throughout the day it was a blazing yellow reminder of danger. As if it wanted to say – “it’s not my fault, you humans are the one who brought upon global warming, now you don’t blame me!”

Sight that makes you yumm..

The only thing good about summers in India is mango. It’s raining mangoes everywhere. From Alphonso, to ‘Himsagar’, to ‘Lyangra’ and what not! [‘Himsagar’ and ‘Lyangra’ are special varieties of mango that you get in Bengal]. If you happen to go to a vegetable market you might see your regular vegetable seller is selling only mangoes instead of other vegetables or fruits. Such is the craze of mangoes in India. So when my mother served some fresh ‘Himsagar’ mangoes during breakfast the only word came in my mind was yummmm.. It gives you such a sugar rush. Awesome.

Yumm… Source


Sight that brings back nostalgia

It’s after a long time I am spending some time with my parents here in Kolkata for some time since I am working from here for a short while. It’s after 9 long years to be precise. Thus I am enjoying all the nice home cooked food that I have been longing for ever. You might be a good cook, you might outsource that to a house help but nothing beats your favourite food cooked by your mum!

So there is this big Maggi row going on in India where they have been tested positive of having excessive amount of Lead and MSG in their product, so much so that it stands banned in the country at this moment. This also brought up the debate on how safe the packaged foods are that throng the shelves of the supermarket. All of these doubled with my resolution of wholesome healthy eating, as I had mentioned in the post – When Life asks you to Restart, I am sticking to home cooked snack which is nutritious and wholesome and fresh. And when you have your mum around you know it will not be any less than the best. This evening snack comprised of ‘poha’ or ‘chirer pulav’as we call it in Bengali. I used to love it as a child because it was full of dry fruits and had a sweeter taste. But my mum knows I am craving for some spicy food lately. So she rustled up a spicy ‘chirer pulav’ with golden sweet corns and potato and nuts. It definitely was yumm and a nice bright plateful of happiness.

www.vanitha.tv.org


So isn’t my day all bright and yellow? Have you lately noticed any one color in particular and have observed that around you? You can let me know in a comment below.


P.S. I didn’t click a photo of the ‘chirer pulav’ so I am getting a photo from Google. Rest have the sources mentioned anyway.    


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This post is written for Write Tribe Festival of Words Day 6
Also linking it to UBC Day 6

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100 Word Story – I’ll Be Free

by Tina Basu
written by Tina Basu
I’m trying to keep up on the fiction challenge for this month. Today I’ll post using the photo prompt at Friday Fictioneers by Rochelle Wisoff -Fields. 

I haven’t posted here for long while I was in my slumber. And before I get into hibernation again I better make good use of the time I have in hand!


So here’s the photo prompt followed by my 100 word story.




PHOTO PROMPT © C. Hase


I’ll be Free

Not a single person… no visitor!

This is how they treat their princess!

No attendants, no men around.

Doesn’t anyone remember the time when princes and kings flocked my court?

There wasn’t a single damsel more beautiful in the world. And they dared to call me evil?

They were jealous… wretched jealous hidebound priests.

Look at me… my beauty still knows no bounds…not even after thousand years.

You cannot keep me chained here in this isle forever.

I’ll break the shackles… I’ll be free… I’ll wait as long as it takes someone to land here… but I’ll be free.


***
Word Count – 99

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This Fantasy Fiction is written for Friday Fictioneers by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. 
Also linking it to UBC Day 5

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Short Story – Love v/s Honor – Write Tribe Festival of Words

by Tina Basu
written by Tina Basu
Source
You might have noticed I am taking part in the Write Tribe Festival of Words, where you write a post based on the day’s prompt. Yesterday’s prompt was one of its kind where it asks us to learn new words and their meanings. 
I remember when I was young I had developed a habit of reading the dictionary to improve the vocabulary and learning new words. But that stopped right after school, i really dont know why I stopped it. 

Anyways I took up Corinne’s Challenge of learning seven new words and using them in the post. I need to confess i knew only two out the seven! But I enjoyed the entire exercise.  I’ll list the words below with their meanings followed by the short story so it’s easier for you. You might feel its long but believe me it isn’t just about 1K words! So enjoy. 


Short Story – Love v/s Honor 

The drive wasn’t a very long one from New Delhi, in just under four hours they were nearing the Kalara village. The dusty roads, patches of farm land, unkempt houses made the village look no better than middling. This was the very place where Jasleen’s parents belonged to. After the recent revelations about her parent’s deplorable death she had no other choice but find out the truth. All her life Jasleen had believed her parents were taken away in a dreadful accident. Harish whom she fondly called ‘kaka’ was her only family. Harish had performed all duties of a mother and a father single handedly ever since his dear friend Rajesh had left little Jassoin his care fourteen years back. But Rajesh and his wife never came back. His worst fears had become true and he vowed not to open that chapter again. Not until his little Jasso was old enough.

“Is this the place?” she asked inquisitively.

“Yes”, his voice was cold.

Jasleen’s mother, Preet belonged to the famous Maan family of the Kalara village. Her family since ages were the Thakurs and demanded great respect across the land. No one dared to gainsay Ram Singh Maan, the head of the family and Preet’s uncle. This land was famous for their strict rules and following their age old traditions.

Harish belonged to a neighboring village and had met Rajesh in Delhi when they were quite young. The newly married Rajesh had just moved to Delhi and had taken up a room next to Harish’s in the dilapidated colony. Within a year their little daughter was born and they were a happy family. Harish never heard them speaking about their families in their ancestral village. It’s only when he had asked they had mentioned the name of this village and the ordeal they had faced in their village.

“Do you know there house?” Jasleen’s question brought him back from his deep memories about the night when Rajesh came knocking at his door looking overwrought.

“No it’s the first time I’m visiting this place” he said shifting back to recalling his last meet with Rajesh. They had heard about Preet’s ailing mother and as a last wish she had wanted to see her daughter. Quite unwillingly Rajesh had consented in the visit.

“Should we ask someone here?”

 “I think we need to find someone”, he said searching for someone to ask the whereabouts of the Maan family.

“I see someone sitting below that tree, there”, Jasleen said pointing towards a tatterdemalion sitting below a big tree.

“Are you sure? He looks like a fakir, I don’t think it’s a great idea” replied Harish looking skeptical.  

“You only asked me not to reveal my identity, who better than this man, I don’t think he will ask too many questions” she replied while getting down from the car and walking towards the tree. Harish quickly parked and followed suit.

“Baba do you know where the Maan family lives?” she asked gently

He looked up to her squinting his eyes in the harsh afternoon sun.

“The Maan family, do you know where their house is?” she asked again.

“Why do you ask?” asked a feeble voice.

“I am doing a documentary film on villages of India, I need to visit old traditional families that is why I ask” she replied keeping in mind the cover Harish had developed for themselves.

“You are making cinema? Will you show the truth in your cinema?” asked the dilapidated man with hopeful eyes.

“Truth? What Truth?”

“If you show the truth I’ll tell you where they live”, gesturing her to sit beside.

With her video camera in hand Jasleen and Harish settled down to record the statements of the decrepit man.

“I haven’t been like this always, I have seen better days in life. I was a farmer and had a family. I had a beautiful wife and a son. We were happy in lives. My son was good in farm and went to school. He was popular in the village because he used to sing well and was often called to sing in the village fair. I didn’t have lot of money but I sent him to the Govt. college in the nearby town along with the children of the affluent of the village. It is there where he geminatedwith the girl of the Maans’. They had grown close in spite of knowing the hideboundtradition of the society here. You know how young blood is. They don’t think about anything.”

“And… what happened?” she asked with a quivering voice.

“The Maan’s got to know from the bunch of ladies at fair, the good for nothing quidnuncs about their relation. They threatened to kill my son, I don’t know what they did to their girl”

“And he just kept quiet?”

“My son was deeply in love, he fled somewhere with the girl and I didn’t see him for a long long time. The Maans took away my land and house. They didn’t leave me with anything. They had made our lives a hell. They sent men across villages to look for their daughter, I heard they went to the big city also”

“Did your son ever come back?”

The feeble man’s eyes started welling up. With a trembling voice he continued. “They tricked him to come back. They sent out false news of the girl’s mother’s ailment. They were back in the village after two years. My eyes had strived long to see my child. But when they were back the Maans lynched them to death. They had hung their bodies from this very tree. My wife died of grief, I was left with nothing. My world ceased to exist with their demise.

These Maans are demons, they are hardlined conservatives. In the name of tradition and honor they kill people. It’s fourteen years since their death, their only mistake was they fell in love. Hope they are well wherever they are and their love is eternized.

Beta now you know about the Maans, will you show the truth in your cinema?”

With trembling hands Jasleen reached out to wipe the tears off the old man’s cheeks.

“Yes Baba I will, only if you promise me you’ll come with us.”

“Come with you? Why? Where?”

“To my house, in Delhi”

“But why? Why do you want to take an ailing man to your home?”

“Because I am your son Rajesh and daughter-in-law Preeto’s daughter, Jasleen”

The name Rajesh left the old man speechless. His trembling hands reached out to hold Jasleen’s hand. He didn’t want to stop his tears today.

As he settled down in the car with Harish and Jasleen a ray of new hope shone over his black and white life.   


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I am participating in write tribe festival of words #4 Post written for DAY 5 Topic: Learn new Words.
Also linking to UBC Day 4.
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7 ways to survive the Heat Wave this Summer

by Tina Basu
written by Tina Basu
Source – www.onlysimchas.com
Summer this year has been very harsh. If you are in Northern, Eastern or South Eastern parts of India you will know what I am talking about. This is said to be the 5th deadliest ever heat wave that the world is facing and the second deadliest one in India (according to a news report in Times of India). 

So far the death- toll as a result of heat stroke has already risen to 2330 across India. Places in Telengana and Andhra have recorded temperatures as high as 47 – 48 degrees. That’s like insane, and it’s not even a desert!

I am currently in Kolkata spending some time with my family and this city has become like a hot furnace. Probably a very wrong time for the visit, but couldn’t help. There is no sign of rain, forget the norwesters and storms that usually take place around this time in the Eastern part of India. It is insanely hot with the temperature soaring at 40 degrees on an average during day time. Life without an air conditioner is just not possible at this time. But that isn’t a solution somehow. How long can you be indoors?

I was researching on natural ways to protect self from this deadly heat wave and thought of compiling some essential tips that might help others.


1. Staying Hydrated throughout the day

Source: www.tripleffect.com

The body produces sweat to regulate the temperature in such hot weather conditions and as a result of excessive sweat the body loses water and sodium. It’s important to keep yourself well hydrated to give back all the moisture that body needs. Taking 10 to 12 glasses of normal plain water helps to hydrate your body. Tender coconut water has been found to be very useful in restoring the lost sodium and potassium.
source: www.blogbigtime.com

Liquids to avoid: Alcohol, coffee and sugary beverages. They are mostly diuretic and you will end up losing more fluids and be dehydrated.

2. Get in the Shower

Source: wechoosehealthy.com


The best thing of summer is you can take as many baths as you want. It’s better to take off the grime and sweat. I am currently taking 3-4 showers a day! I just can’t stand the sweat at all. Kolkata is a very humid place since it’s closer to the sea. What I am practicing is not drying myself completely after the shower. It feels nice when he water evaporates. It leaves your body cool.

Things you must avoid: Chemical laden deos and dusting powders. I personally don’t like talcum powders though they help to blot the sweat. I feel they clog your bodies pores and the skin cannot breathe. I would rather choose an antiseptic liquid rub which will help to prevent prickly heat infections also.

3. Getting your Clothing Right

source: www.peruvianconnection.com


Throw your silks, denims, and heavy fabrics at the farthest corner of your closet and get those natural fabrics out for the summer. Going out in this weather is almost a sin and going out in clothes where you are not letting your skin breathe is a bigger sin. Light cotton fabric allows the skin to breathe and you will sweat less. It’s time for all the florals and pastels dresses and kurtis. It’s in fact so hot here I have not even dared to touch any of my denims at all.

Clothes to avoid: Dark colored clothes, synthetic fabrics, denims, heavily embroidered clothes.

4. Scheduling your Work

source: india.jobs.rbs.com
I know it sounds difficult but you need to save yourself. Schedule your day in a way that you are at your workplace by 9 am. Unless it’s really required don’t even venture out from 11 am to 3pm. That is the time the sun is at his worst. Even if this means you are reaching your work place little early it is good, you will avoid the harsh heat outside.

And do not leave without applying your sunscreen lotion/ cream. So far Nutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen with SPF 50 has worked the best for me. I also use Chap Stick with SPF 15 to protect my lips.

source: faceit-skincare.com

Things to carry: Umbrella, large hat, a light scarf. Use any method to avoid the harsh sun rays – yeah even if it makes you look like Bandit Queen!

5. Eat Right

source: www.babble.com


It is equally important to check what you are taking in this summer. Instead of spicy oily food choose well cooked fresh meals. Red meat and eggs increases heat in body so I am keeping them in minimum. Instead vegetables and fruits like gourd, cucumber, watermelon, pineapples, peaches and apples has lot of water content and helps to keeps the body cool. If you are someone you likes lentils and pulses it’s time to be generous with adding water in the recipe. The thinner the lentil the cooler you will be. Add leafy vegetables – they have good water content too.

Food to avoid: Deep fried fast food, oily food, foods with preservatives, street food, open cut fruits sold by the road.

6. Time to go Green

source: www.indoorplantscape.com.au


Bring home some foliage for your own good. Indoor potted plants inside or around the house keep the atmosphere cool and clean. You will end up making your house look beautiful and get fresh oxygen to breathe too. Win win situation for yourself. It’s also great if you encourage your family and kids to plant a tree – it will also help in nature in the long run.

7. Encourage indoor games

source:www.clean-pool-and-spa.com
Most of the schools and colleges are closed for their summer vacations at this time to avoid the heat. Kids and elderly are more vulnerable to heat strokes. Encourage your kids to play indoor games than going out in the sun for a game of football, cricket or basket ball. Activities like swimming is refreshing but swimming in pools under hot sun is equally damaging. If you have access to an indoor pool – nothing like it.
While we are taking care of ourselves and our families it’s also important to realize your pets require protection in this heat wave too. Get your fuzzy friends a trim and a wash so that their skin can breathe. You can make a water bed for birds on your windows or terraces for birds. I have made one and it’s great to see the pegions visiting and getting their drink of the day!


Stay safe and stay protected. If you have any more tips for the summer do let me know. I’ll be happy to learn and add them here with due credit to you. 

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Linking this post to UBC Day 2.
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Fiction & WritingFive Sentence FIctionMicro FictionUncategorized

Five Sentence Fiction – Looking out

by Tina Basu
written by Tina Basu

Time for some fiction in the blog. I am thinking of taking up a 30 day fiction challenge for this month. Let’s see how fruitful it can be. Wish me luck. Today it’s going to be a Five Sentence Fiction based on the prompt from Lillie from
 Lillie McFerrin Writes – House of Five Sentence Fiction. 
And how does it work – you need to write a fiction story in FIVE sentences. – short and sweet. Let’s go for it.

Looking out

“What Mr. Pibbs… don’t pull me, leave me alone, can you?”

Three days in a row Ella hadn’t left her bed, she didn’t feel like doing anything, not after what Connor did to her… how could he call off their wedding just a week before the D-Day!

“Time for your food, eh?”

If not for Mr. Pibbs she would have starved herself to death in the last three days, with the single thought in her mind.


She got up and stood near her huge window… ‘what a bright fresh day’ she thought picking up Mr. Pibbs in her arms… a day to re-start perhaps, no more wasting tears for that jerk, she was now sure of it, ‘thank you my love’ she said planting a kiss on the thick fur of Mr. Pibbs. 

Photo Courtesy – WiseGeek
Today’s prompt – FRESH
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Linking this post to FSF @ Lillie McFerrin and Ultra Blog Challenge Day 1.
I am participating in Write Tribe festival of words #4 Post written for DAY 4 Topic: Being Human – writing an inspirational post.
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