Soul Mates for Life

In our recent trip to Bharatpur (Rajasthan, India), we got a chance to look at these beautiful birds by the name 'Sarus Cranes'. They are large non-migratory birds. They are the tallest of the flying birds (remember ostriches don't fly). They can go up to a height of 5.9 feet, that would mean taller than me. The ones we spotted were not as tall as me but certainly looked like 4 feet and that makes for quite a presence for a bird. They are pretty to look at with a long grey colored body contrasted with a red head and upper neck. They have loud trumpeting calls which almost sound like announcements 'I'm here. Come and take a look'. The most amazing fact about them is that they form long-lasting pair-bonds. They mate for life.  It is believed that if one of them dies, the other one loses interest in life and mourns the loss so much that it starves itself to death.In India, they are considered symbols of marital fidelity. Apparently in parts of Gujarat, it is a custom to take newly wed couple to see a pair of Sarus cranes.

We mate for life

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Thursday Challenge (Soft) here

A little more

At times I wish, at times I pray
To have more hours in my day
So much to do, listen and say
To live this life my special way

To walk with him on the shore
Or talk to mom a wee bit more
To help my kids at their studies
And spend more time with my buddies

A new recipe I could try
Or learn the art of growing bonsai
To wipe the dust off my book rack
To re-read an old paperback

To sip my tea at leisure
Would really be a pleasure
I'd sit and watch the rain
Or ride in a scenic train

I'd live life...a little more

To pen down some more words
Or listen to the birds
I'd paint a few more strokes
Or laugh at a few more jokes

I could spend an extra hour
Just to observe a flower
To click another snap
Or just steal a short nap

Look at the blue of the sky
Or just watch a bird fly by
I'd watch the setting sun
Or gaze at stars for fun

I'd live life...a little more

To stop and feed a stray pup
In cold, help it bundle up
I'd talk to little kids in rags
Buy them chocolates or school bags

To feel the breeze in my hair
Or whisper a little prayer
To learn to face my fears
Or wipe a few more tears

Joy to be spread, bonds to be built
Into my cup of life half-filled
I'd look for more magic to pour
And to let my little dreams soar

I'd live life...a little more

Marbles

When I was a child, little boys used to play with these small balls called marbles, making holes in the ground and aiming to shoot the marble using the crook of the index finger. I did not really play these games much but I have always been fascinated by these small spheres.

These days, kids are much into tennis, skating and even golf.

Coincidentally I also came across an interesting quote by G.K. Chesterton
"I regard golf as an expensive way of playing marbles"

Fascinating Balls called Marbles

I do want to restrict my association with marbles as plain nostalgia, I think it would be a good idea to teach my kids how to play a game of marbles in the park one of these days.

Thursday Challenge here

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground

I came across this quote written by Theodore Roosevelt and rather liked it.

This photograph has actually been clicked by my 4 year old son. It is interesting to see how the world appears when you are not tall enough to consider many things around you as unappealing or insignificant.

Thursday Challenge here