dhivehi libaas

tradition

vs.

dressing up

Spilling over from the sides

This is what happens

when the 100,000 inhabitants

of an island that is only 1km across and 2km long

decide to go for a walk

all at the same time.

At times like this,

I reckon the best place to be is out in the sea.

what does happiness smell like?

the fresh saltiness of the ocean
as the sun melts into it;
the damp earth after a gentle rain
that leaves the trees glistening green;
the blend of cloves, cinnamon and cardamom
as they infuse into my earl grey;
the sweetness of their soft cheeks and hair
as my children smile in dreamland;
the heady fragrance of white blooms
that serenade the moon;
the comfort of his skin where my head rests
as we whisper into the night.

what smells wrap their warm tendrils around your heart?

My wish for today

because i dream

a home with a view

of majestic mountains

or the shimmering ocean

the sound of happy children

the embrace of loving arms

the smell of bread in the oven

soft light perfect for photos

a cool breeze

blowing through the windows

which open to tall green trees

and a peaceful street

under blue skies

~

happy times four

two faced

don't be fooled by

outward appearances.

one's true self

is hidden inside.

because it is a risk worth taking

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”
~C.S. Lewis~

it's your choice

choose hope

for then

anything becomes possible

On my kitchen table: the joy of food

Ramazan seems to be as much a month of fasting as feasting.

Only a few more days to go.

What are you cooking today?

Linking up with Meri today.

one size fits all

smile

and the world looks instantly brighter.

nothing to smile about?

start practising for when you do.

~

what's making you smile today?

where do you fit in?

small,
inconspicuous
yet still
an essential piece
of the puzzle.

good things

long peaceful walks

empty laundry hampers

eager little helpers to make chores fun

sweet, syrupy gulab jamun

love enclosed in a hand written note

browsing a bookstore with no time limit

tv programmes that everyone wants to watch

smoked salmon

planning a renovation project

swarms of hugs sent with love

For Dhatha and Nammi

In the cookies of life,

sisters are the chocolate chips.

~

Missing you both.

Looking up to heaven

alone

your shade

hugs my heart

What do you see?

What you see

depends on

what you are looking for.

~

Can anyone recommend a place where I can get canvas prints of photos done?

Blue skies and warm weather

Blue skies

warm weather

summer days

~

More of my Oregon pictures

My submission to Project Alicia's Photo Challenge.

The Bookworm and the Techie

they have such contrasting personalities

but they get on so well with each other.

and together,

they make one hell of a team.

i will always be

their biggest cheerleader.

thorny elegance

"Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow."
~Abraham Lincoln~



“March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path.”
~Kahlil Gibran~



“Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.”
~Voiltaire~

.

Divergence

Every house

however big or grand

always lacks one room,

one thing that is still needed

to make it complete.

We too are the same

however fulfilled we seem

we are one step behind

happiness; complete bliss.

We seem good

on the outside, yet

on closer observation

there are cracks everywhere

many that are too deep

to be repaired.

We set out to achieve

a mutual goal.

But now, have we diverged?

Our goals do not seem

the same anymore,

nor our paths the same.

Or does achieving distant goals

take endless time?

It appears though

that slipping back

does not take any time at all.

The cracks get deeper

and wider

as the mansion threatens

to collapse

and crumble onto the skeletons

on which it is built.

In the words of Rumi

Let go of your worries
and be completely clear-hearted,
like the face of a mirror
that contains no images.
If you want a clear mirror,
behold yourself
and see the shameless truth,
which the mirror reflects.
If metal can be polished
to a mirror-like finish,
what polishing might the mirror
of the heart require?
Between the mirror and the heart
is this single difference:
the heart conceals secrets,
while the mirror does not.


~Jalaaluddin Rumi~

Don't pick me

Very often,
it is the thought that counts.

All you need is faith

I like the sentiment behind this ...

have faith, and we will succeed,

we will get there.

All you need is to believe in it.

Yes, we will get there.

I am the beach

I am mountain dust

and granules of rock

ground over a million years

into angular grains
that now gleam under the sun.

An enticing bed of comfort

a haven of solace

a platform for noisy fun

a restful harbour to seek your troubled inner self.

Pause,

hold still

listen

to the symphony of the

waves and

the chorus of the birds.

Watch

the evolving shadows

the scurrying crabs

the dance of the seaweed

the sea kisses on the rocks

the teasing waves

the laughing children

the smiling parents

the contented lovers

the throngs of sun worshippers

leave trails of footprints.

Come walk my shores

talk,

share,

reconcile,

love.

Seek the answers

and the reassurance

your heart desires.

Follow the path of your dreams.

As the day ends

lie down on my bed

warmed by the departing sun.

Feel the peace

of the shore

the magic of this place

where the sea

meets land.

Just you

and just me.

The children of the stars.