tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301227582012-01-20T11:50:53.295-08:00A collection of discourses - myriad, profound, uplifting... <br/>Bah! Who am I kidding?! <br/>It is just a blog.Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.comBlogger2991100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-24896384499292335902012-01-07T14:51:00.000-08:002012-01-07T14:51:55.743-08:00

I crocheted a few hats for this winter - made-up patterns that are variations of the standard hat pattern. The four here are each different from the other in some way - one even has ear flaps that provides the trendy chain mail helm look :) Hats are the easiest to crochet - two ways to do it: from crown to brim or brim to crown. For kids I prefer brim to crown so I can start at the brim and

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-82563962602056392502012-01-02T21:30:00.000-08:002012-01-03T09:34:47.300-08:00

Much like the last couple of cushion covers, these use paste batik technique (as in the Letters Flag project) just as a mask to preserve the white of the muslin on the outlines. One of my favorite subjects for art work is fish. I like the variety of colors and even variation in the general shape that makes it fluid and gorgeous. The fish and the turtle called to me, just insinuated themselves

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-25326233870441549492011-10-31T18:59:00.001-07:002011-12-15T09:59:36.981-08:00

Dress-up is always fun. Especially if it comes out of one's imagination. With that in mind, I've tried to encourage the kids to come up with costume ideas. I cannot forget Ana's first. How stubbornly sure she was about being a Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich! Now, it's not like Halloween sneaks up on us unawares on anything, but for some reason, Ana and Oggie don't settle on what their costume

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-65916997873034772282011-10-29T13:58:00.000-07:002011-10-29T13:58:44.724-07:00

As I noted in my earlier post, we did have two new baby girls arrive in our midst just a few months apart. I didn't know if I was going to be Periamma (Aunty) to a little girl or a little boy as I was looking through my stash of Rainbow Blouclé to settle on something cute for this sweater. This again is a simple pattern I've used for crocheted sweaters, with many thanks to Julie. Her Kimono

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-49279878113709332362011-10-27T12:53:00.000-07:002011-10-30T13:18:18.746-07:00

After four boys among nephews and first cousins once removed (?)... well, wait a minute... I've always considered my first cousins as my siblings so their children are - from an emotional attachment factor at least - much my nephews. Hmm... relationships are so much easier and clearly categorized in Tamil - I am an Aunty for sure but in Tamil I am Atthai (aunt via brothers) and now a very happy

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-41407331562766822722011-09-16T13:23:00.000-07:002011-12-15T10:03:33.842-08:00

I've done quite a bit of embroidery during high school days, and still do on and off. Between kids, cooking (a passion of mine), gardening (in summer only), laundry/dishes/cleaning chores and work (not to mention commute to/fro), dropping-off/picking-up kids from school, doing some arts/crafts activities with the kids at home plus reading awesome books with/to them and such, needlework takes a

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-51033382765828822032011-09-14T12:38:00.000-07:002011-09-16T12:55:13.766-07:00

My mom, after making those fancy satin cushions, decided to use the same smocking-ish pattern for a skirt for Ana when we recently visited her. It is gorgeous, of course! Ana wanted her Pattee (grandma, my mom) to make a long flowing princess dress with that pattern for the chest, much like old-fashioned smocked dresses. But, lack of time made my mom put that on hold. My mom used up the

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-33466315892642924262011-08-13T14:03:00.000-07:002011-08-13T14:03:53.621-07:00

My mom made this blouse for Ana: designed, embroidered, and sewed it. I love the collar. I used to have a dress with this same collar that my mom had made for me when I was little. It was a white dress with redwork embroidery. I remember it had red lace edging. On my request, my mom made it a little bigger so it can hopefully stay with us a few more years as she grows. I love to do

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-81625438482307315852011-07-02T10:49:00.000-07:002011-07-04T11:24:15.507-07:00

For as long as I can remember, from the time I started registering such things, my mom had some project or the other going, learning new ones as and when opportunity presents itself. She still does. Needlework and sewing are her top favorites. Now that my parents are visiting us, I got to see first-hand something that she was in the process of making: these gorgeous satin cushions! She sews

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-72334376263667352072011-06-16T16:12:00.000-07:002011-08-03T21:09:17.833-07:00

Bourne Sanction, Bourne Deception, by Eric Van Lustbader No doubt many from my generation went through the Richard Bach phase quoting profusely from Illusions, saving a special place in their hearts (and bookshelves) for Jonathan Livingston Seagull. When I was young and impressionable, and not so jaded, I fell in love with just about every dashing character in the novels I read. Like Jason

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-46266804689738755512011-05-17T15:59:00.000-07:002011-05-18T09:06:27.673-07:00

Cheek by JowlTalks & Essays on How & Why Fantasy MattersUrsula K. Le GuinI am yet to complete reading the Earthsea series by the author, having read three books of the same. But, it is her prolific writing and unique and thoughtful style that has kept me exploring her other works besides the popular fantasy series.Cheek by Jowl is a collection of Ms.Le Guin's thoughts on Fantasy Writing, as the

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-66545302941961099382011-04-21T21:26:00.001-07:002011-04-21T21:29:39.254-07:00

Last year, Nana initiated us into felting. I've made a few felted items on and off for hobby since then. Wet Felting as well as Needle Felting.With a limited budget to splurge on crafts/arts supplies, it seems a bit out of my range to buy good quality wool for my felting projects. Thanks to Nana, I had a stash of beautiful soft merino wool roving in wonderful colors to start with. And, since

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-18757528851894101492011-03-31T11:40:00.000-07:002011-03-31T12:57:13.065-07:00

Since the kids are learning to use napkins a lot at meal times (esp., the pre-schooler who simply rubs his food-smeared hands on his shirt and hair and whatever else is within reach), I've been making some napkins on and off.Usually it is just a pretty printed cotton fabric, no fuss, simply cut a 15"x15" square and sew the edges. Dark color prints, so mustard and turmeric and ketchup and sauce

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-90304662060343989542011-03-27T14:21:00.001-07:002011-03-27T20:54:09.715-07:00

I love patchwork quilts. There is something about the mish-mash of colors and shapes sewn together that makes it very endearing, especially when it is reclaimed, recycled fabric.Of course, I don't have the patience (or time) anymore for large quilting projects, so, cushion covers come in handy, satisfying the need for fresh covers and my longing to make some patchwork.The half a dozen cushions we

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-86337438766901332692011-03-25T20:21:00.000-07:002011-03-27T20:50:36.361-07:00

There is no doubt that the right fabric - design, color and texture - makes the sewing project look stunning.But, pretty designer fabrics and vintage prints are not cheap. I do hunt for deals but with a very small budget for utility sewing materials, I rarely have enough to splurge on just the perfect fabric for each project. So I make do with what I manage to get. I am at peace with that. For

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-30781045159624832852011-03-19T20:14:00.000-07:002011-03-27T14:18:18.113-07:00

A good friend reminded me to post pictures of the paste batik items we've been making on and off. So, here are a couple of potholders, coasters and place mats.Place mats are much (ab)used in our house - every meal we sit down together at the dining table for involves place settings, with food served family-style sometimes but usually just portioned-out plates...I had a limited set of acrylic

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-57270230872203958522011-03-16T08:22:00.000-07:002011-03-16T08:23:25.269-07:00

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-20682513233700798652011-03-13T17:10:00.001-07:002011-08-03T21:13:36.963-07:00

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games has received rave reviews and justifiably so. It certainly is a page-turner, with interesting premise and memorable characters. Even if quite gory (for the young adult at least), it seems to be within the expectations of what a fantasy-minded reader might accept, considering the new rules of survival in the new

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-40254513408027561102011-02-09T21:05:00.000-08:002011-03-27T14:17:39.829-07:00

Those gorgeous batik prints are hard to ignore every time I walk by them at the fabric store. I wanted to make something like that with my 5¾ year old Ana.Initially I was toying with wax-resist like I've done before. Rather than wax, I wanted something that can be made easily at home. (Washable) Glue batik seems popular for kids activity as it can be just washed off. But, rather than buying

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-66474543425054937182011-01-24T10:43:00.001-08:002011-01-28T19:44:22.835-08:00

Unseen Academicalsby Terry PratchettTake Football, Soccer if you will, although I prefer Football. No, not the game per se. The insanity the game births and nurses and fosters. That's the subject of Pratchett's genial attack in this 37th book in the Discworld Series. Unseen Academicals are the wizards of the Unseen University (UU), led by none other than Mustrum Ridcully, (with the Librarian for

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-52081663602257967462011-01-11T11:31:00.000-08:002011-01-11T12:20:42.660-08:00

Felting was on my list of things to try in 2010. And thanks to my mum-in-law, I finally got over my inertia and did it over the Winter Holidays. And am in love with it! (Thanks Mom! Not just for the wool and the book, but for being there when I first tried it).Both Wet Felting and Needle Felting are simple and rewarding activities even children can try (Ana tried and seems to like it). This is

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-38177089101205299442011-01-09T14:18:00.000-08:002011-01-09T16:47:35.644-08:00

Keys to Good CookingA Guide to Making the Best of Foods and Recipesby Harold McGeeDoes pan size influence the cooking process? How to keep wooden (or plastic) cutting boards clean? Different starches have different thickening power, which ones to use for what? Why is it that beans give people gas, how to minimize it? Does covering raw foods with oil allow botulism bacteria to grow?Most cooks pick

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-89188316214251292772010-11-29T14:37:00.001-08:002011-01-09T13:43:38.772-08:00

The Lost Symbolby Dan BrownAges ago, when I recorded my thoughts on my then recent-reads by Dan Brown, I was looking forward to the next book involving Prof. Langdon. Now that I've read The Lost Symbol, I must say I feel terribly let down.I typically reserve this little corner of mine for noting down books that I liked - a sort of self-imposed rule to share the joys... after all, what is the

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-30851208308282930172010-11-26T20:45:00.000-08:002010-11-26T21:01:50.938-08:00

This is a simple quilt, no fancy piecing, just square blocks stitched into rows and then into a 34x44 inch rectangle to make up the front, with appliqué heart in the center.I had a plush micro-fleece blanket in red and pink print which is warm enough for Spring and Fall. I used it as backing for this quilt, sandwiching soft cotton batting in-between.It started out as Ana's quilt with the

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-2156754797390213152010-11-24T12:27:00.000-08:002011-10-31T20:39:50.451-07:00

The cotton and spandex knit fabric is one of my favorites to use for kids' clothing (pique, ribbed, jersey etc.) as it has a bit of stretch and is very forgiving when I ignore some of the basic tenets of sewing :)) I had enough fabric to make a size 3T elastic-waist pants for Og and a size 5T fitted-elastic-waist one for Ana and figured if not at this age, when else will they let me make

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-41109136236566898382010-11-03T09:22:00.000-07:002010-11-23T12:17:28.676-08:00

The Third ChimpanzeeThe Evolution and Future of the Human Animalby Jared Diamond(2006)Originally published in 1992, The Third Chimpanzee covers a broad range of topics drawing from author's personal experience and research on environmental determinism to anthropology, evolutionary biology, linguistics, archaeology.Each chapter in this book can easily develop into a book of its own. It seems a

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-44052306910924576092010-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:39:50.444-07:00

Last year, Ana just wanted to be a ghost, and Oggie was fascinated with the hand-me-down giraffe costume. No fuss. And dress up is a fun activity, not necessarily restricted to one day in a year.This year, she settled on being a flower. A blue flower. Like bluebells. Maybe more teal blue than purplish blue. With petals standing up on the head, not around the face. Maybe not bell-shaped petals

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-72150896111740370312010-10-10T18:40:00.000-07:002010-11-23T12:16:30.253-08:00

The Edge of Physicsby Anil AnanthaswamyDespite giant leaps forward, we are still in the dark about ninety-something percent of the universe as we know it. Mind-bogglingly grand and intricate experiments are devised by experimentalists around the world to test the theories and possibly gather clues that will shed light on our understanding.In The Edge of Physics, Ananthaswamy, a consulting editor

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-7828154520351815992010-10-05T19:12:00.000-07:002010-10-20T18:45:00.708-07:00

Rag quilts have a certain rustic charm that I like. The pieces are sewn to expose the raw edges, usually flannel or fleece that won't fray much, and trimmed to make a fringe for each piece.I had made this small rag quilt for Ana when she was little, then Oggie used it for a while. Now, Enid uses it as a picnic blanket in summer and stays warm in winter.Soft cotton on one side and flannel on the

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-77772469638403247242010-10-01T19:23:00.001-07:002010-10-01T19:41:02.806-07:00

This lacy afghan, my very first large afghan project, was a Christmas present for D almost 8 years ago. He doesn't wear scarves or hats or sweaters for that matter and does not care for knit socks either. Just a nice warm coat in winters, that's it. Perhaps that's why he likes the Inverness I made for him, even if it is not terribly fancy or warm.Anyway, nothing complicated about this pattern -

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-23286336473773025462010-09-24T18:40:00.000-07:002010-10-01T09:21:41.988-07:00

Men at Armsby Terry PratchettThe gonne: A weapon that hides and kills from a distance, urging the holder to do its bidding, no mercy. Or is it?Commander Vimes is one of my all-time favorite characters in the Discworld. With his all-too-human flaws and less-than-perfect life, he still has an unambiguous idea of right from wrong and manages to do the right thing at all costs. And, he can find his

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-8463317535120847462010-09-20T18:39:00.000-07:002010-09-30T19:51:24.290-07:00

The Truthby Terry PratchettImagine a world without books, without printed matter. Of course, we can trace back the approximate point in history when the written word was passed along from manuscript to engraving to printing as we know it today.What if we can step back in history somewhere around the time engraving was at its height and printing was unheard of? That is exactly where Pratchett

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-50481635642536320512010-09-07T12:49:00.000-07:002011-08-13T14:00:33.424-07:00

Nothing new about these projects... Oggie loves Thomas and Friends™. Ana never cared for Thomas until Oggie started liking them. Just another way to compete with him for his toys, looks like. Anyway, Oggie wanted Thomas pants and rather than buying them, I decided to make one for him. I had enough fabric leftover for a tiered skirt for Ana as she insisted she loves Thomas too. If I don't indulge

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-20814532074951602512010-08-16T15:31:00.000-07:002010-10-22T09:24:57.084-07:00

I love peasant tops. Especially the Huichol and Poblano embroidered ones: cool white cotton, with bright colored floral embroidery designs.I didn't know the value of these beauties when I was little in India, but, I remember a few of my favorites, very much like the Huichol ones. Cheese cotton or Crinkle cotton was the preferred fabric which was perfect for the Indian heat, with tight and

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-22802392215130555612010-08-06T00:40:00.000-07:002010-11-23T12:16:30.259-08:00

A User's Guide to the Universe: Surviving the Perils of Black Holes, Time Paradoxes, and Quantum Uncertainty by Dave Goldberg and Jeff BlomquistThe majesty of physics - its fundamental rules that seek to describe our universe - is in itself awe-inspiring. If one doesn't see it that way, then the book presents what we know, and don't know, and may never know anytime soon, in such an unorthodox

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-23392170701041557852010-08-02T19:31:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:39:50.439-07:00

I have a slight fascination for culottes, not sure why. Well, possibly because my school uniform on Sports Mondays involved "divided skirt", with tons of pleats, not just a modest skort. I wanted to make skorts for Ana, but, maybe next year... she is still quite a baby and can get away with shorts while involved in active physical play. Although I have no problem with shorts, Ana seems to

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-55063774268729402142010-08-01T18:50:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:35:51.852-07:00

I've always loved the asymmetrical handkerchief hem in flowing long belly-dancing skirts. It takes a lot of fabric to get it full and round. I've made a couple of asymmetrical hem skirts for Ana, but, when I decided to make a halter top this time, rather than the usual A-line, I wanted to add an extra dimension with the handkerchief hem.Halter tops are terribly cute on little girls, and the

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-4460769110828426472010-07-28T19:12:00.000-07:002010-07-29T16:18:30.824-07:00

Pyramidsby Terry PratchettPyramids is the seventh book in Pratchett's Discworld series, one of his early works, considering there are about three dozen books published so far.Imagine an old kingdom, not much unlike Egypt, where time stands still because of... Pyramids. Yes, these imposing yet seemingly innocuous structures actually act as huge dams in the flow of time, accumulating and recycling

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-40766246378942396922010-07-18T17:35:00.001-07:002010-07-19T12:20:16.590-07:00

I guess the title says it all. On the wee hours of one morning, just past midnight, having tried for most part of the night to get Oggie to sleep and failed, I gave up and lay there in the dark, thinking of something new to sew for Ana, among other thoughts that bounced around in my head almost causing a headache. And this design just popped into my head. It is so simple, yet quite elegantly

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-82097711073607441892010-07-14T08:27:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:39:50.434-07:00

My mom doesn't believe me, but to this day, I remember a white round yoke dress with red trim and embroidery she made for me when I was three or four.I've never attempted a Round Yoke until now, but have always had a fascination for it. One of the skirts my mom got for Ana was a candidate for alteration and I decided to use it for my maiden attempt. The fabric for the skirt was wonderful, even

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-30608572487490581592010-07-12T10:03:00.000-07:002010-07-12T10:32:05.782-07:00

"Your slip is showing", "Your petticoat/chemise is showing" were powerful words that suitably mortified me when I was little. It was unladylike to let your undergarments appear for public viewing. Not anymore :)Anyway, I've seen many petticoat-hem skirts and dresses, even fancy gowns and wedding dresses that look elegant and beautiful... so, I wanted to make a few for Ana. This is the only one I

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-14843668187351704412010-07-10T07:57:00.000-07:002010-08-03T14:43:58.742-07:00

If I remember right, when I was in High School, we had to sign up for one of the (required) ancillary/extra-curricular classes - classified as SUPW - Socially Useful Productive Work - and they varied from carpentry to cooking to crafting with coconut shells and what-not. We could take a different class each year, and I did. My first batch of ketchup and pickle were done in one of these classes

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-67974058457386514422010-07-07T08:17:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.236-07:00

Thud! by Terry PratchettPratchett's early books, the first couple at least, were just a bit different, a bit off-beat, but, nothing as spectacular as the later ones which blow me away. Pratchett sets his stories - most of them, if not all - in Discworld, and that possibly qualifies them as fantasy. But, his ability to take the real issues of our world, set them in a parallel world which is just

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-17416906014894334572010-06-14T16:48:00.001-07:002011-10-31T20:35:51.847-07:00

I had bought five yards of white cotton ribbed knit fabric on sale a long time ago and have been making t-shirts for the kids. The intention then was to sew stylish t-shirts for Ana, dyeing them suitably and maybe embellishing them... I love the fabric as it is durable and soft, and some of Ana's non-girly ones are now hand-me-downs for Og. They still are in great shape despite many washes

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-49712044347249518002010-06-10T14:20:00.000-07:002010-06-10T14:45:22.810-07:00

I believe in fairies... I believe in fairies. I do! She claims.And, I believe her.Blue is the new pink for my little girl, and just when her pink-and-purple fairy skirt (thanks, Nana) started fraying from (ab)use, I was happy to make a new one for her. As usual, a made-up pattern, based on another skirt she has. Asymmetrical lining skirt in orange fabric, with a multi-colored outer skirt and

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-29352186680864497012010-06-07T19:33:00.001-07:002010-06-09T11:09:34.887-07:00

The Lightning ThiefThe Sea of MonstersThe Titan's CurseThe Battle of the LabyrinthThe Last Olympianby Rick RiordanThe Young Adult Fantasy genre, or for that matter most fantasy adventures, typically feature an unlikely hero, young and inexperienced, full of verve and vigor, favored by Fortune/Destiny, accompanied by a couple of trusted friends, always ready for adventure regardless of personal

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-16136935410384895862010-06-01T00:45:00.000-07:002010-07-14T13:32:03.251-07:00

Pioneer kids were sewing dolly clothes and even their own rag dolls by five or six, and were making their own clothes, mending and altering hand-me-downs.Let's face it, in this modern world, sewing has become a superfluous skill, what with ready-made garments and things flooding the market.When we do take the time to exercise that side of our creativity today, it is usually for someone we adore,

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-4097818737135721002010-05-24T11:32:00.000-07:002010-05-24T12:09:08.783-07:00

Even after the Infant Sweater and Little Girl's Short-sleeved Jacket, I had enough Bouclé yarn leftover to crochet a skirt for Ana.Nothing fancy, just a simple short skirt with cotton fabric lining. It is a slightly asymmetrical skirt and I'd like to claim it is so by design :)The one element I've had in my mind for a long time but didn't get around to adapting for the kids' clothes is the

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-68831910028202895572010-05-21T12:50:00.000-07:002011-01-26T12:40:19.255-08:00

I try not to get too attached to material things - helps me recycle as needed and reduce clutter... However, there are a few things of such high sentimental value that I can't bring myself to part with them - especially things hand-made with love and good wishes.My most cherished of all Ana's baby things is this little patchwork quilt my mom made for Ana. It is pieced together with my mom's old

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-44510800921981986052010-05-01T14:27:00.000-07:002010-05-04T07:07:07.999-07:00

On Catsby Doris Lessing"If a fish is the movement of water embodied, given shape, then a cat is a diagram and pattern of subtle air. "I admit, I struggled through The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing and gave up. Not because of the book, but my inability to handle it all in one long session. It is complex, to say the least. And, I guess one's state of mind plays a big role in being able to absorb

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-21790546101029051622010-04-23T09:02:00.000-07:002010-04-23T09:26:05.968-07:00

I had enough yarn leftover from the Baby Set I had crocheted for baby D sometime back. I was working on a black crochet shrug for Ana, but, didn't like the medium weight worsted yarn I was using for it - made it look too bulky... I might finish it before next Winter... however, this Bouclé leftover yarn seemed to beckon me :)I wanted something cropped, yet long-sleeved, rather chic yet light

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-38190179757982572822010-04-21T19:28:00.000-07:002010-04-22T09:13:57.428-07:00

I still remember the quiet smile with which my mom acknowledged the cushion cover I held up to her: My very first independent sewing project using my mom's old manual Singer sewing machine - the kind that requires rhythmic pedaling else the old brown belt would come off, leaving me cursing and trying to set it back in the wheel. The cushion cover had ruffles at the edges nonetheless. And I did it

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-91180597034502337562010-03-28T00:25:00.000-07:002010-03-28T00:25:00.270-07:00

Sensations Bouclé yarn™ is one of my favorites. It is not the easiest to work with, but, the results are pretty stunning. I prefer crocheting with it, rather than knitting.I had bought a large skein of this yarn as it was on sale. After using part of it to make an Infant Sweater, I had enough left to make something for Ana. I was toying with the idea of making something for Oggie, but, he has so

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-41231915343174898612010-03-18T13:20:00.001-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.241-07:00

Secrets of Mental Mathby Arthur Benjamin and Michael ShermerHaving encountered mathematics as the language of physics in my previous life as a Physics grad student, I wasn't too terrible at it. But, numerical manipulations weren't my forte. I just didn't fancy it much. Which is why it amazes me when I encounter brilliant minds who come up with clever tricks to compute seriously involved numerical

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-71763175041162368712010-03-16T11:31:00.000-07:002010-03-16T11:32:03.730-07:00

As we drive around getting to places we need to be, doing the things that need to be done, and making the best of our time and energy, it does seem hard to look at the big picture at times... and, every once in a while, we do what we can so our children need not grow up in a world that gets progressively hostile, stifling their existence, making even the basic function tedious...Towards that end,

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-4905392326586096472010-03-10T07:06:00.001-08:002010-03-10T08:11:40.051-08:00

I got these in my Inbox a while back and thought some were brilliant. (Might have to click on the image to see full size text)

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-83873461499936089112010-02-24T00:57:00.000-08:002010-03-03T18:44:58.944-08:00

For 16 years, going on 17, ever since we met in Ohio as green grad students with stars in our eyes, this young lady has amazed me with her thoughts and accomplishments... And, when she shared the news of her niece's birth, I was pretty excited, for two reasons: One, well, naturally a new baby makes my heart leap with joy; Two, she'll be in my neck of the woods more often to visit this niece, and

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-87060319165449584752010-02-21T10:03:00.000-08:002010-02-21T10:28:55.737-08:00

Barely perceptible warmth of the evening sun caressing my backRefreshingly cool zephyr gently inciting goosebumpsWhispering rustling marsh plants waving and conspiringBold animated toads and frogs croaking and chorusingSteller's Jay scolding, loud ducks quacking , sweet geese honking Tiny lambs bleating, busy chickens clucking, proud peacocks clamoringSpringwater Corridor, thank you for being

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-6950294127009308782010-02-08T22:04:00.000-08:002010-02-09T09:53:27.037-08:00

When I got a phone call late last year announcing the birth of this bonny little boy, I couldn't resist making a teeny sweater to send my wishes...As always, took me a while to complete this simple sweater, wrangling 20 minutes here and 30 minutes there, over a few weeks.The pattern is my favorite - Julie's simple one - that I meddle with a bit for each project, adding a few rows here, changing

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-26038901386446682192010-02-04T00:47:00.000-08:002010-11-23T12:16:30.265-08:00

13 Things That Don't Make Senseby Michael BrooksHighlighting just 13 of the possibly many anomalies that are not easily explained by our understanding of our world, Michael Brooks has presented an interesting collection that spans Physics problems to Mimivirus to Life-and-Death to Homeopathy to Sex/Reproduction.Initially, in the Prologue, I was just a bit put off by the observation about Nobel

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-34211828712814086742010-01-08T12:33:00.000-08:002010-07-29T12:37:32.261-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bibleby Jonathan GoldsteinHaving enjoyed glimpses of Jonathan Goldstein's unique brand of humor in This American Life on OPB radio, I expected his book, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible, to be a rather irreverent but refreshing take on tales from The Old Testament.No doubt the book could come across as offensive, as things usually do when dealing with controversial topics

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-85715035708009312032010-01-07T14:29:00.000-08:002010-07-29T12:37:32.266-07:00

Eating healthy can be quite challenging in today's world where the ready-made food market is crowded with inexpensive junk. Which is one of the reasons I love to cook for my family. To make smart and healthy choices so that eating right becomes a way of life rather than a passing fad.Amrit: Luscious & Heart-Healthy Indian Meals by Purnima Nandkishore is a well-researched, practical collection of

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-12174496871303850062010-01-05T21:20:00.000-08:002010-07-29T12:37:32.272-07:00

Moving Picturesby Terry PratchettAlthough set in the Discworld, this is a fairly standalone book with very few recurring staple characters.While not one of Pratchett's best, it has a few interesting breaks in an otherwise run-of-the-mill parody.Of course, I love Pratchett! So, I did look for his Midas touch in this book. Perhaps that was my fault as I found very few. However, the book has his

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-53667387739372225442009-12-28T12:47:00.000-08:002009-12-28T13:25:06.815-08:00

When I brought out the Christmas Boxes mid-December, excited about the traditional heirloom hand-me-down ornaments and stockings, plus cards and books therein, little did I suspect that I'd be in for a few surprises least of which was a bunch of fat ants and a few empty candy cane wrappers - yeah, I had happily packed away sweet juicy candy cane I had used as ornaments on the tree last year. And,

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-52475348143734993632009-12-23T14:29:00.000-08:002010-01-16T20:04:56.487-08:00

One of my virtual friends was expecting a baby girl and as soon as she told me about it, I was too excited to settle on what to make to welcome the little one. And, somehow, when I went yarn-shopping with Ana and she pointed to this purple bouclé yarn, I knew I had to make something cutesy and girly.The pattern is sort of made-up as usual - borrowing ideas from some of the other patterns I found

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-39215980164075510242009-12-04T11:01:00.000-08:002010-07-29T12:37:32.278-07:00

Thief of Timeby Terry PratchettWhile not one of Pratchett's keel-over-laughing funny yarns, Thief of Time allows for plenty of guffaws and chuckles along the way as we get to know more about the History Monks and the dreaded Auditors, as well as the enigmatic Susan Sto Helit, grand-daughter of Death himself. Of course, in the Discworld, very-real-yet-intangible-constructs are personified. So

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-50939355887054949722009-12-01T12:56:00.000-08:002009-12-01T19:52:18.357-08:00

My concerned,"Oh no! Please don't squish them so... the beads may cut loose..."was met with,"Well, this is how people use the cushions... if you don't want them to be used, put them in a museum or something."And that's how my embroidered cushion covers end up in the linen closet for the longest time, never getting their turn in the limelight. For, if they did, I couldn't stand the abuse they had

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-21218556774632103662009-11-30T10:26:00.001-08:002009-12-01T12:56:44.914-08:00

I was sorting through the closet to get the winter gear in order and found a bunch of hats and scarves I made last season, plus one of my old favorites that I didn't have the heart to part with.D, in my tropical mind, is a Polar Bear. He has no need for coats and hats and layers to bundle up in. He also has a deep-seated dislike for scarves. Scarves for men, that is. The nice long argyle

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-71740047000472864742009-11-16T10:32:00.000-08:002009-11-16T12:28:52.764-08:00

I was sorting through Ana's costume cubby (yep, she has a dedicated cubby with all sorts of things to play dress-up) and found this first one I had made for her when she was barely one and a half. This started out as her first Christmas dress and turned into a much-(ab)used Princess Costume over the last three years.Amazing it still fits her: of course, I made it an ankle-length gown when she was

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-87665625407846992052009-11-09T13:00:00.000-08:002009-11-09T13:28:56.349-08:00

I made this for my mom half a dozen years ago. She leaves it here with me so she can use it when she visits. She has no need for winter wear in Madras :)This is another of those made-up patterns that has to remain one-of-a-kind... haven't made any other like this. I liked the stitch patten in this and I think I used the same pattern for an afghan - probably the one I made for my mum-in-law, will

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-88596884545652499812009-11-08T18:25:00.000-08:002010-02-15T08:47:48.197-08:00

This crochet sweater is another project I started last Winter for Ana, as a Christmas present. It was "mostly done" and remained unfinished till a few days ago :)The pattern is inspired by Julie's baby sweater pattern which I have adapted for many different baby sweaters.I just made a few changes, adjusted the gauge, sized it large enough to go over Ana's clothes, and used chunky chenille yarn as

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-71884232119526824952009-11-06T16:05:00.001-08:002009-11-07T13:13:07.877-08:00

Mid-Autumn through Winter and early Spring, I feel incomplete if I don't do some crocheting or knitting.If I am not in the middle of a crochet project by Thanksgiving each year, I feel restless... something about the chillness in the air, the shorter daylight hours and limited outdoor activities make this a very Zen-like pursuit for me - a way to stay centered while a zillion things pull me every

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-71318479750311528492009-11-03T21:06:00.000-08:002010-11-23T12:16:30.271-08:00

The Fabric of the CosmosSpace, Time and the Texture of Realityby Dr. Brian GreeneI can't even begin to write anything meaningful about this book, just like I can't simply write about the taste of the purest honey or the smell of the sweetest lavender. It has to be experienced to be appreciated. As an ex-physics-student sporting starry-eyes in her first Elementary Particles class, and tearing her

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-44433610851685862222009-11-02T21:17:00.000-08:002009-11-03T18:16:39.775-08:00

Found another vintage treasure in my Inbox along with the announcement for a Wish-I-Could-Participate kind of event: the NW Film & Video Festival Nov 6th through 14th.I have always liked embroidered patches. One of the souvenirs I look for during trips/vacations is rustic-looking embroidered patches that I can add to my existing clothes, well, to my kids' clothes nowadays...And, when they outgrow

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-28833519541197789662009-10-16T06:36:00.000-07:002009-10-16T16:10:00.869-07:00

Found another neat thing in my Inbox (thanks Dan at RBR!).Can't wait to replace my noisy old industrial strength fan with this sleek and elegant bladeless one.While the pros seem a no-brainer - not noisy, not a cleaning nightmare, not to mention the chopping hazard if I leave it accessible to the kids......the sole con I can think of is just about as weighty: can't make the R.D Burman-esque "

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-72455598505635786682009-10-14T20:10:00.000-07:002009-10-16T16:08:13.569-07:00

Found these in my Inbox (thanks Darcie!)These mind-blowing Trompe L'oeil (trick the eye) 3D murals are painted on the sides of buildings by artist John Pugh.Main Street, Los Gatos , California. Even the woman peering into the ruin is part of the mural.Taylor Hall, California State University , Chico , California. The Doric-style columns are actually nothing but paint.Honolulu, Hawaii. This mural

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-37805452214919737202009-10-13T19:32:00.000-07:002009-10-16T16:08:35.264-07:00

turn into delightfully appealing typographic art at Shopping LostsWhile GIMP is nothing to be sneezed at, the tool is only as good as the wielder and I am more of a paper-and-pencil artist dipping my toe in the Digital Art ocean, dreaming of all the magic Photoshop will let me create... If I had the luxury (read money and time) of taking lessons now for pure pleasure, among the many things I'd

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-72435614059280021432009-09-29T19:57:00.000-07:002009-10-01T20:54:45.932-07:00

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-82542954607340140722009-09-26T21:00:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.289-07:00

The Mother's Guide to The Meaning of Lifeby Amy Krouse Rosenthal"What if we could live out our life non-sequentially?"That is the heading that caught my attention as I flipped the pages in, "The Mother's Guide to The Meaning of Life", a cheery, light little book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. As I read the short piece under that title, I found myself nodding emphatically at a few statements and

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-49444933309319387482009-09-20T19:53:00.001-07:002009-09-27T19:32:48.256-07:00

D managed to sneak in a short break from his work in India and take a cultural tour of Druk Yul: Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon aka Bhutan.While he has offered to do a guest post about his experiences one of these days, I am not holding my breath, considering the 10,000 things he has lined up that are much higher priority for him :)Not being much of a souvenirs person himself, I had to

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-68836926711638398372009-09-16T21:23:00.000-07:002009-09-17T16:06:47.487-07:00

Besides the bursting-with-Nature Parks in most neighborhoods good Fishing & Outdoor recreation healthy bike-friendliness even a bike-drive-thru on demand love-it-or-hate-it-MAX-rail-transit Way-of-Life Farmer's Market Refreshingly Casual yet Carelessly Chic Who-the-heck-cares-if-you-can-splurge-on-Designer-Wear attitude which doesn't sacrifice style or sophistication one other reason I love

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-84113263316532915632009-09-13T10:33:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:39:50.429-07:00

I was sorting through Oggie's clothes pulling out the ones he has outgrown to make room for the wonderful hand-me-downs he got from his nephew that are just his size now... and found these well-worn and much-loved pants.Before I dealt with them appropriately, I figured it would be nice to leave a note for myself here that I do sew for my boy as well :)Nothing special about these pants. I

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-77711302428195516782009-08-27T19:38:00.000-07:002009-08-28T09:04:25.790-07:00

Another of my mom's crafts...She made the Bird Hanging Decor when she came over for Ana's birth. Yep! My mom made these lovely pair of hanging bird decor four years ago and they have been adorning our living room since and I hadn't thought of posting it until now... Basically, cut a template for the bird in thin cardboard or cardstock paper and have it handy as we need to make many similar pieces

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-66965428612732806792009-08-13T23:56:00.000-07:002009-08-14T00:23:41.680-07:00

Little bits of stocking fabric, some thin craft wires, some tape, glue, fancy decorations and some imagination is all that is needed for this stocking fabric craft that my mom does on and off.My mom made the butterflies with a little button magnet stuck on the back so it can adorn the fridge door. The flowers are just for fun, she said.So, Ana and I decided to try our hand at this craft. Ana

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-86624862656288324612009-08-03T09:18:00.000-07:002009-08-28T08:57:16.406-07:00

These gorgeous decorative hangings are another of my mom's creations, possibly inspired by some show or article in a magazine, she can't seem to remember...It looked a bit daunting at first, but not anymore, not after my mom showed me how to do it. Perhaps there is a reason magicians don't reveal their trade secrets :)Basically, take some velvet or felt-like fabric in two or three bright colors,

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-88097475084852187832009-07-28T22:13:00.000-07:002009-08-03T09:49:35.887-07:00

Now, my mom likes to try out different craft activities on and off. She patiently hunts and gathers the raw materials, tries out a few till she is satisfied, and puts it away to move on to another activity.This here is one such simple thing she tried sometime back, before my visit. It looked quite pretty that I wanted to record it here.Materials used: thin wires, colorful hollow designed tubes,

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-29193492611409219052009-06-12T19:05:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.295-07:00

Night Watchby Terry PratchettThis is by far the darkest I've read of Pratchett's Discworld series. While his characteristic humor and elegant style is very much present, the plot and social commentary dwell on the dark side of human nature. In that sense, this was one of the tougher books to read after getting used to Pratchett's form, but highly satisfying.Close on the heels of Thief of Time by

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-91831851629477355972009-06-01T19:41:00.000-07:002009-09-10T19:35:29.222-07:00

As soon as I learnt that Oggie was on his way, I switched to decaf again. Yes, again, because I had switched to decaf when I was expecting Ana, and promptly after I weaned her, I found out old habits die hard.It was a bit of a struggle, naturally, for about a week - headaches and moodswings, partly due to pregnancy and partly due to caffeine withdrawal.Even with decaf, I limited myself to three

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-61679746364344924792009-05-26T19:06:00.000-07:002009-05-27T19:33:29.981-07:00

Ages 8 to 12 were incredibly enriching in its own way for me, now that I have the wisdom to appreciate it.Among the many things that began to shape my thinking and interests, one stands out distinctly: Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar.Thirukkural is a Tamil (I prefer Thamizh to Tamil, but, I can compromise a bit) composition by sage Valluvar (aka Thiruvalluvar, prefix 'Thiru' signifies utmost respect

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-18630152243817376262009-05-21T19:45:00.001-07:002009-05-21T20:40:03.160-07:00

A Zen master, Shou-shan, was asked by a disciple, "According to the scriptures, all beings possess the Buddha-nature; why is it that they do not know it?"Shou-shan replied, "They know!"Shou-shan said, "They know! But they are avoiding it."It is not a question of how to know the truth. The truth is here; you are part of it. The truth is now; there is no need to go anywhere.Says that old rascal

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-15623511547404321792009-05-14T14:15:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.302-07:00

Why We Make Mistakes: How we look without seeing, forget things in seconds, and are all pretty sure we are way above average.by Joseph T. HallinanPulitzer prize winner and former writer for Wall Street Journal, Hallinan, has presented an interesting account of the short-comings of the human mind in Why We Make Mistakes through several real-life examples that run the gamut from mundane to

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-82541219845814178192009-05-14T03:30:00.000-07:002010-11-23T12:16:30.278-08:00

World Is Sound: Nada Brahma Music and the Landscape of Consciousnessby Joachim-Ernst BerendtAs an aspiring physicist in my previous life as a single, diligent, fanciful grad student a decade ago, partial to non-fiction of the more interesting kind, I read this book for the first time. It left me with mixed feelings as I noted in my journal then. After a decade, re-reading it from my small but

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-89853789321362909272009-05-13T13:18:00.000-07:002009-09-10T19:38:01.511-07:00

I admit that I saw myself as a striving perfectionist, being proud of it as if it were a virtue so noble and lofty that not all can live up to it. I am glad I am growing out of it. Perfectionism is not perfect - it can often serve as a valuable lens through which to understand a variety of seemingly unrelated mental difficulties, from depression to compulsive behavior to addiction, apparently,

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-20355467388082751402009-05-10T15:25:00.000-07:002009-05-20T21:15:46.266-07:00

Clumps of white shaving foam dotted with freshly trimmed mustache and beard, and chunks of spent toothpaste clinging desperately to the sink refusing to be washed down to the sewer; long strands of scraggly dark hair swirling about on the bathroom floor after a rushed morning brushing; hand soap, lotion and toothpaste tubes desperately longing for their partner to keep them from oozing out

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-43982390962405025712009-05-08T19:57:00.000-07:002009-05-08T19:57:00.438-07:00

Two ladies come to mind from my childhood when I think about enterprising and hard-working single moms who just kept at it and made their lives better, especially for their children. I was about six or seven years old when my mom, a superb cook and multi-tasker, told us that Saraswathi maami* would come in every evening, make chapathis and dal and such for us, and watch me for a bit till my mom

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-84527895954958934772009-04-29T20:13:00.001-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.315-07:00

The White Tigerby Aravind AdigaI was quite impressed by the Booker prize winning debut novel, The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga."If we were in India now, there would be servants standing in the corners of this room and I wouldn't notice them. That is what my society is like, that is what the divide is like.", says Adiga in an interview.The novel portrays the brutally realistic,

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-19552011394745892702009-04-23T00:47:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.321-07:00

Unaccustomed Earthby Jhumpa LahiriMuch like the Pulitzer-winning debut Interpreter of Maladies, Unaccustomed Earth is a collection of short stories mostly about upper middle class Bengali immigrants to America. The struggles to adapt while watching their offspring assimilate easily into the new culture seems to be a driving theme in most stories.Interpreter of Maladies immediately threw me back

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-72816055175522699792009-04-22T20:19:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.327-07:00

Eric by Terry PratchettFeet of Clayby Terry PratchettNo, these two books are not in sequence or in anyway related, except for the fact that they are set in Discworld and are written by one of my favorite authors.Eric was laugh-out-loud funny in parts even if the story was fairly run-of-the-mill. But, the story had to be run-of-the-mill because it is a parody. What's not to like about the talking

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-53258257343429750942009-04-12T20:50:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:37:32.332-07:00

The Black Towerby Phyllis Dorothy James WhiteI've read about a dozen or so of P.D.James. About a decade ago. On a whim, I wanted to read a few again just for nostalgia, like reading Agatha Christie over and over even though I know what happens... Adam Dalgliesh, aging yet athletic, sharp, with a keen sense of justice, makes a likable protagonist. BBC's production of Adam Dalgliesh mysteries are

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122758.post-42522467093836756282009-02-09T19:51:00.000-08:002010-07-29T12:37:32.339-07:00

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver RelinI finally managed to borrow this wonderful book that was on my Reading List for almost a year.Now that I have read it, I am awed and humbled by the perseverance and dedication of this human being to build a school in a tiny little village tucked away in the formidable Karakoram mountain range. And, the school was only the beginning.Leading

Sheelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238noreply@blogger.com1