Summer Blessings

Some people light up the room and warm the heart by just entering your life. Naren and Vivek, Sachi's nephews, are two such brothers. The older one, Naren, came to visit us on his way home from California to Chicago. He is finishing the fourth year of med school in Chicago and was in Stanford for a month's rotation in cardio-pulmonary. Sachi picked him up from the Omaha airport while I stayed back to cook some dinner. We had gone to Maryland for one of Sachi's jigri dost's daughter's wedding and had just come back the night before; I was not all done with my work. I used the time to cook Naren's favorite dishes. Just as I was finishing he remembered to call (fifteen min. from home) and remind me that he eats only vegetarian on Mondays and Tuesdays. It was Monday that day. The menu was quickly changed but was not as sumptuous as it could have been. Next time he should remember to call his Sikh badoma much earlier. Sikhs are either vegetarian or (most of the time) non-vegetarian; no Monday-Tuesday vegetarian business. I guess a little in-home cultural adjustment is needed in our very diverse family. We got half a day on Wednesday to feed him tandoori chicken. Dinner that evening was in Omaha (P.F. Chang's) with Jeff. Poor Jyoti was working till ten at night. Naren stayed with Jyoti and Jeff that night. Jeff took Naren to the airport early morning (thank you Jeff). This was a very short trip and just whetted our appetite.

I took the above picture in front of the garage where the boys were socialising one afternoon. Ravi had come home to spend some time with Naren. After he left Suraj took Naren for a ride in the little BMW (with big appeal). It is manual shift but both the boys have learnt to drive it well.
Jyoti came over on Tuesday and stayed overnight. She and Naren stayed up into the wee hours of the night watching TV and making fun of everything they could think of. They speak the same language.

Jyoti left Wednesday afternoon for work. Naren walked out with her to see her off and I took the opportunity to take this cute picture.

I continued clicking while they talked by the side of Jyoti's car.

Then Jyoti casually reached up and pulled out a hanging booger from Naren's nose. Sisters will be sisters; Who cares if the brother is a doctor now.

Both Naren and Vivek: you have to come back for Thanksgiving, specially since it is on Thursdays. Our new baby (OK Jyoti & Jeff''s) will want to meet her Mamus soon. So plan on it for sure.

Ravi had a lot of thinking to do this past few days. His studies and football were cutting into each other's time. Ravi is a natural athlete and draws nourishment from punishing his body and pushing it to its limits. Studying is a relatively new love. A choice had to be made. The decision was heart wrenching. He talked with the one person who is made just like him and has travelled the same road.

He told Baba that he had made the decision to drop football and concentrate on studies. Baba looked as heart broken as Ravi.

"When did you grow up!!" is how the conversation ended. We are very proud of you Ravi.

Our garden has been overtaken by these giant sunflower plants. I think the seeds came from 'The Jack and the giant bean stalk' fairy tale. These plants are ten feet high and have flowers that are more than a foot wide.

I am having great time photographing them from the ground against the blue sky.

These are the normal variety and make up in numbers what they lack in height and size. They brighten our poolside and are very striking.

Talking about pool - our out-door pool is now closed for the year. The schools are open and boys do not have swimming sessions anymore. Backyard is sure quiet without them.

Nandini, you had written about the white Dahlias. They are still blooming; seven to eight at a time, right outside our bedroom window. We remember you when we see them.

The brightest and most arresting flowers of the year were these gladioli. We had more than two dozen plants and they put up quite a show. Now they are done. Slowly and imperceptibly fall is inching its way into the year. Mums and marigolds, the fall flowers, are in full bloom. I am sitting here remembering a multitude of filmi songs that immortalise this transition. Of course some flowers never fade.

This one appeared on my window one day with a note: I love you.

These flowers are for Jyoti and Jeff. We are invited, along with Jeff's family, to their home for dinner today. Jyoti never cooked when she was at home here; but now has turned into quite the chef De cuisine. We are looking forward to meeting the Burlingtons who have become dear family members.

Sachi clicked this picture and insists I include it. I love smelling the marigolds. These flowers pack memories of many temple and gurudwara visits. They remind me of group-stringing with family for wedding ceremonies and to hang as garlands adorning pictures of dear ones that have left the world but not the heart. They are easy to grow and bloom for a long time. People in America grow them for decoration only. They do not use them as we do. I think of these flowers as a slice of Indian culture in our yard.

We are back from the dinner. Jyoti's cooking and Jeff's grilling was superb. Jyoti's Pecan Pumpkin pie and Jeff's mom Norma's Corn Casserole was plate licking good. In the above picture the whole gang is standing on the back porch enjoying being a family. Isabel and baby Finley kept every one on their toes. We really had a wonderful time. Jyoti looked tired as we said good bye. Hopefully she will take rest now and not host any more dinners.

Sachi is doing good. His stamina has improved enough to do something in the afternoon and squeeze in an occasional evening outing too. He has just recently been able to eat a few things to substitute for a can of ensure every now and then. He has decided to increase his working hours (2 more) daily. We are glad for these small gifts.

Bye for now to all our friends and family. Will keep checking for news about you all. Thank you for adopting the blog.

Love, Ambi.

PS: Loved reading the note from the Bridges. We miss you. Will cash in the invitation one of these days! Thanks.