The Most Powerful Chessman- Day 18 of #100happy days

“Sir asked us which of these chess pieces is the most powerful”, my son began, arranging the rook, the bishop and the knight in a straight line.

“What did you say?”, I asked knowing that with my younger one, anything was possible.

“I told him, Rook”, he replied, flipping the chessman over. “Because the rook can do a handstand.”

“And why did you say that”, I asked after I finished laughing.

“Because Sir is too serious, and I wanted to make him laugh!”

Can’t fault his logic. Can’t but admire his intentions. The world definitely needs more people like him!

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Enjoying My Race- Day 17 of #100happydays

I trained hard with a time target in mind. Dragged myself out of bed so I could do my long runs. Dodged speeding cricket balls while doing my speed-work. I did everything I could. And yet, 5 miles into the race, I knew it was not my day. Things should have fallen into place, but didn’t.

So, I stopped looking at my stopwatch and started enjoying the run. Started high-fiving the people who had gathered to cheer. Paced other runners who were close to giving up.

Happiness is in enjoying what you have, not mourning what you feel you should.

 

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I took a picture of the iconic Bandra-Worli Sealink during the course of the run. This is the only time you get to traverse it on foot.

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Giving a Weed a Home- Day 16 of #100happy days

“Look, Mamma, that looks like something from Harry Potter’s Herbology class”, exclaimed my older one.

When I looked where he was pointing, I had to agree with him. With its droopy sepals nearly hiding the rapidly ripening fruit, the thing did look like something that could be cut up and brewed into a potion.

We spent many minutes examining the fruit and talking about why the plant needs such sharp thorns. They learnt more in those few minutes than they might in a few science classes.

Officially, it’s a weed, but it will always have a home in my garden.

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Tomato Soup for the Soul- Day 15 of #100happy days

On a cold winter day, you don’t need very much to be happy. A warm shawl to wrap around yourself. A bowl of steaming hot tomato soup in front of you.

All these years, the tomato soup used to be from a packet. Pour the contents of the packet into a pan of boiling water, making sure there are no lumps, and keep stirring till done. Bliss, in fifteen minutes.

But this winter, tomato soup has been made from scratch. Using the plumpest tomatoes I can find, and by balancing the spices just the way we like them.

Pleasure guaranteed.

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Spanning Generations - Day 14 of #100happy days

I don’t often go for a walk in the evenings, but when I do, the best place for a walk is the ground opposite my house.

Where else do you cross pensioners strolling around the boundary line, and see mothers trying to get their pre-school children to socialize with others of their age? Sometimes, you nearly get hit by a cricket ball, but you don’t mind too much, because you know that you will have bragging rights when the kid who hit it starts playing for his country.

I’m lucky to have such a lovely place so close to home.

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