Coffee Akka Brews !

I am going to be I, Me and Myself yet again. Having received word wide recognition and acceptance, with all your permission and to further my interests in my cooking journey,  I solemnly declare that I will not stray away from my path. On that note,  without going into the details of why I am what I am, and because all of you are already too familiar with me, I will head straight to the matter I wish to briefly elaborate in precisely a few hundred words. So let’s begin.

From today, that’s being a Saturday, I will describe a foodie day a day, so that, at leisure or at work, some of you or most of you may be tempted to try out these basic recipes. Now please do not flare up if what I am going to say is already known to everybody.  As always I will keep reiterating and stressing on the most important fact that practice makes perfect and perfect recipes can make you drool.

So let’s begin with the humble coffee. I do not brag. I simply live in a charming city named Chennai and I reside in the hub of the commercial spot and because some of you may have forgotten let me repeat yet again. I reside very close to famous coffee outlets..So let’s not waste any more time.

Head straight to Dr Nair Road near Holy Angels School where you will find a Coffee Day Outlet. Just ask for a 50-50 blend of Plantation A and B. The shopkeeper will pick the choicest roasted beans and grind it in front of your eyes. I buy only 250 gms at a time and if I run out of it, all that I have to do is to take my Scooty out for a ride. It is as simple as that.

Got the awesome aromatic powder?  Now wake up. Its 5AM.  Put three tablespoonfuls of coffee powder in the top compartment of the brass coffee filter.  Pour hot water slowly so that the powder becomes moist.  After a few seconds pour a little more of the hot water taking care that only half of the top compartment is filled .

Keep half a litre of Heritage Milk aside. Place it in a copper bottom vessel and allow it to boil. Do not add water to the milk. Once the milk is boiled, take a heavy eversilver davara and tumbler. A pure silver davara and tumbler will do fine too. Pour hot milk into the tumbler. Add the first few drops of the concentrated coffee decoction that has collected in the lower compartment of the coffee filter. Add sugar, stir well,sprinkle Nescafe instant on the froth and proudly serve it to yourself……

A TIRELESS MOTHER WHIMPERS !

Yesterday, someone, I do not remember clearly who, but I am absolutely certain that it is a friend from a friendly forum who wanted to know when I was going to write a post again. "It's been long since you wrote a post" read the post on the wall...I was touched :-)

"I do not  know," I replied in a comment which has been liked and comments have been replied by many members of the august group. I was surprised to find the inactive members participating in the thread.

One friend said.."Are you really serious? I bet you must be joking."

Another said..."Oh ! Really ! You do not know when you are gonna write next !"

"Take a break and come back with a bang said another."

"Hey! Hang on there said another."

I scrolled down the replies, revisiting the likes again and again to stay updated with the latest count which kept increasing much to my despair when it struck me……..

"Hey the LIKES are pouring in for the four worded comment. " I DO NOT KNOW ".

Are they pleased about my inability to come up with a convincing reply? I wonder. I, the self proclaimed author, am in the dark about when I am going to resume writing once again...EEEEks...this is scary ! Will I never be able to resume writing once again ? How am I going to keep up my reputation ? Will I no longer be able to irritate the readers with my long boring posts?

When they read my posts, I read their minds. :-)

Anyway there have been a few  things taking up all of my time. Since a friend has posted the query on the wall, I am duty bound to respond immediately. I think it is my responsibility to explain why I am not writing about I, me and myself these days. Old habits die hard. Having been trained to be efficient in correspondence, I respond herewith...

Seriously,  house chores and office duties do take up a lot of time.

But, honestly, let me tell you, I have not blogged because I am just not doing anything. I am working on ideas to make the best use of the space available at home and build a library of medical books. I have been trying to arrange and rearrange  the books for many years now without much success and I will gladly welcome any viable space saving solutions. Till such time that I find a permanent solution, the medical books, text books volumes 1, 2, 3......  will lie in neat heaps, some in untidy mounds, some strewn all over the floor, on the beds, on the side tables, on the sofa, on the Diwan and on the Dining table. So you can very well imagine my plight. I am constantly rearranging the position of books to create space to eat, move and sleep. One day, I will be residing in a medical library which I will call my home.

Anyway, I am prepared to meet such an eventuality and till such time that the home becomes a full fledged library, I will continue to refurbish my wardrobe. I plan to hire the services of a Tambong who may be compelled to take a week off from work to help me with the washing, starching and ironing...Now how the heck do you expect me to write?

I am watching movies so that in the midst of all this craziness, I can continue to remain sane. I am attending weddings and upanayanams, visiting the veggie vendors, hanging out with friends and making mojitos. I am doing mundane things, I guess, all simple real stuff....other than blogging.....

Ten years later.....

Aah my poor blog. I have been ignoring it for some time now...So here I go..I will give a title later.Right now I am too sleepy !

It's the 30th of April, two months since I retired from government service. Friends ask me ." Hey ! You Rocking Woman, how's life post retirement ? How are you spending your time these days? "....to which I reply..

" I am taking it easy. I am an early bird and as always I am up at 5AM .The only change in my routine as I see is that I am not in a hurry. I do try to finish my chores before my Godmother arrives and now that I am a full time homemaker, I have requested her to come twice a day. She is a trusted worker and together we go around the house cleaning and scrubbing, mopping and washing, rinsing and dusting as if we had never done all this before...I was diagnosed with OCD many years back...

To all my friends who are still curious to know, I tell them...."My morning begins with the filter cuppa and a scan of the newspaper. Earlier I would just have the time to go through the headlines. Now I have all the time in the world to read atleast three newspapers every day, solve the crossword and chat with friends online.

As I look back and recall my years of service in the department, I am pleased with myself. Starting with typing on the Remington using the carbon paper, banging the side bar each time to move to the next line, to manual noting and drafting initially in ink, later in ball point pen and finally when I did graduate to work on the Personal Computer I was on cloud nine. My learning journey did not stop there. With the world wide web opening several avenues for self learning, I mastered the art of cut copy paste and became friendly with word, excel and access.

Today friends and relatives around me are so concerned ..."You have been so busy and active all these years. What are going to do now ?" they ask me. Please be engaged "..they also say...I am amused.

I am not perturbed though. After all these years of hard work, though I do appreciate the confidence people have in me, why should they be so interested in what I do...I ponder. What I wish to do or not to do is my choice...The younger gen is vocal about their choices..So why can't I ? I am just going to sit back and relax.

I also tell them...."Recently I acquired the latest hologram tech enabled mobile phone and that is a boon indeed. Got a few apps uploaded, some senior citizen friendly and I am learning to use them. I am doing a little bit of social service. I sleep in the afternoon. I go for a walk in the evening. I have never been so active ever before. I also continue to write, draw, try out new recipes, meet my friends to paint the town red....I chuckle...

Earlier in January this year, I had submitted my pension papers to the Personal Claims section. Jagriti the officer in charge is a 25 year old young girl recently recruited. As I spoke to her, memories of my first day at work came flashing by..

I joined service in June 1990 and I was twenty five years old then...how time flies...I thought...

It's been many years now and what a journey it has been...a journey of highs and lows but I consider myself fortunate to have served in the prestigious organisation. I was slipping into the past unmindful of the present.The Seventh pay commission is in force and I am happy with my pension package.

"Maam! please sign the papers and submit it with a recent photograph," ...Jagriti had said. Overwhelmed with memories of my stint in the department I was getting emotional.Your retirement benefit cheques will be handed over to you on 28.02.2025 on your day of retirement she said.....

From 1st of March, I started drawing my pension.......Forgive me for the abrupt ending...This post is due to be up on this wall only on 30.04.2025 smile emoticon

SYDNEY MAY JOSH BARKARAR !

Dear Boys In Blue,

I trust you are fit and in fine spirits.Out here, down under and elsewhere your fans are doing good. It's summer in India and stores are doing brisk business. Blue Jersey No7 and India theme world cup saree are in fashion.How is the weather In Sydney? What does Rainman predict? Are Duck and Lewis going to play today? Who's going to rain on whose parade? Where's the party tonight ?

You are duty bound and nation comes first. In the interests of the bleeding billions who stand by you at this hour, it is my duty to tell you that butterflies have entered our stomachs and I fear they may become pigeons.

May the best team win and may you be the best team. Just a request "Can you restrict them to a score below 270 ?"

I do not wish to burden you with unnecessary trivial matters that may stand in the way of your thinking process and the crucial game today,Yet ! I am compelled to bring this matter to your notice immediately.Trusting that my pleas will reach your ears and believing that the bearer of this message will inform you before the match begins, I write this post.Please check your inbox.

You are true professionals,masters of the game and currently in form.May your good run continue.

I know you not.You know me not but as a parent who prays for the welfare of her child, I pray for you. I am that caring aunt who loves her nephew.I am that sister remember who shares a rakhi bond with you.I am your contemporary,the mad youth the cricket frenzy boy girl or a kid and I am way too excited.

Dear Boys,the crowd will be packed to capacity with three fourths in blue who will be cheering for you. Back at home billions have started their akhanda prayers. The country is in the grip of acute coconut shortage.Coconut and flower prices have soared on low supplies.

Today morning, I checked what the stars had to foretell for my team.They augur well. If positive vibrations in my altar are anything to go by, seems likely that we have a bright chance of retaining the cup and as a friend remarked.."We Indians do not have the habit of returning back even pens,pencils or rubbers.Forget the cup."

I offered flowers to my favourite deity. What will I get out of all this ? My love is unconditional. I have no advice to give you except to remind you just in case you forget, "Please keep the worth of a duck and a lewis in mind while playing and emerge victorious."Just in case it happens to rain....

Please do not let us down.I am that caring aunt who loves her nephews.I am that sister, remember who shares a rakhi bond with you.I will rejoice when you win.

Its a funny feeling but I have to tell you what I think.I am worried about the sledging.I am truly concerned.I am pretty sure that the man at the helm is cool but some of his other brothers are not........Keeping my fingers crossed

An ardent fan

FIRSTHAND FROM AUCKLAND !

She writes a review in a limerick

about the seam and the snick.

She looked into the window.

On the sill was a tiny sparrow.

She captured it with a smart click.

She refreshed the sports page,

the final result she tried to guage.

Days such as these are hard to come by.

"Could the match end in a tie ?"

The match was gripping at that stage.

It was a thrilling seesaw ride.

Fifty - Fifty for each side.

Duck and Lewis came into play.

Cricket was the winner today.

For the top slot, two teams vied.

Today's match was pretty close.

Day after's outcome no one knows.

The finish was nail biting.

Proteas were again choking. 

They walked back in tiptoes.

The match was evenly placed.

A beat skipped, hearts raced.

The Vettori look is the in thing.

Grant Elliot pulled a hamstring.

A target of 298 the Kiwis chased.

The streets wore a deserted look.

Nobody was on Facebook.

Eyes were glued to the screen.

Curtains were closing in on CWC15

in the backdrop of a ‪#‎bleedblue‬ outlook.....

A TAMBONG WEARS A BLUE DHAKAI FOR GOOD LUCK !

All that one has to do, is to make a cup of filter coffee and start tapping on the keyboard.That is exactly what she is doing right now as a flood of thoughts inundates her mind. How does a Tambong woman who has spent her first twenty three years in the City of Joy feel ? 

What was she upto, the same time that, day, that year ? Was she playing with paper boats during the KaalBoisakhi? No ! Though she did get a sense of being in Venice many times in those 23 years.Was she scared to go out ? Oh ! Yes you bet.! Those were the black out days, days of aggression and she recalls friends across the borders and the sound of war sirens.Was she playing para and gully cricket ? The tomboy did .Will the rains interrupt today's match ? she pauses to think.

As she goes back on a flash back, she remembers the pujas, her school, the ice rink, her friends, her birthday bashes, her vacations, the picnics and the movies. She strains her grey cells a little more and vivid pictures of South India Club, Lake Gardens Ram temple, Hanuman Temple, Kali Bari, KC das and Mouchak appear in front of her eyes.A little more musing and her thoughts are in Dhakeswari, Traders Assembly and Tantuja. Just a little more and the birdie is travelling by a doubledecker bus or a tram all the way from Tollygunge to Lake market via Deshapriya park and Triangular Park upto Gariahat. 

Just in case she forgets, she remembers the huge grey iron gate of the primary school that showed the way to freedom. On the way she stops by Asha Bros, Junior Bros,Gupta Bros, Southend stores, Dr Bolai Mitra's eye clinic and The Jebson's Watch Co. This is all happening on that day, that year on Rash Behari avenue.

Lined with trees on both sides, the arterial road of South Calcutta hold precious memories for her. She remembers fondly the water cleaned streets and the nine o clock siren. She clearly remembers Rani Rashmoni bungalow on RB avenue and wonders if the heritage structure is still in place. From Gariahat, where the tram turned towards Syed Amir Ali avenue, that day, that year, dressed in white and white, she gets down at Birla Temple and walks into another school. From there, a mini bus takes her to ParkStreet, enroute Gurusaday road and another day, another year, she has secured admission in a prestigious college on ParkStreet.

Friends are destined to meet they say and the fortunate are blessed to have childhood buddies as friends for life. She had an awesome childhood and youth in Kolkata. How can she ever forget the cha ghughni, puchka, jhaal muri, luchi, aloo dhom, rosogollas, chumchums, mohunbagan, mohammedans and the vegetable rolls.

Today, she has to meet an acquaintance or a stranger who knows Bengali and she will not stop chatting. The fifty year old becomes a teenager again.When she is down or feeling low she just has to go on a nostalgia trip. She converses in chaste Bengali, that is what she believes, her happy hormones are elevated and she is in a state of Euphoria. She  impresses mute onlookers as she guides the young Bengali who is new to Chennai, Mumbai,Virginia, Jaffna, or Timbuktoo.

Now why is she saying all this? She is travelling on a memory trip. So if you happen to be a person with an oriental connection, you have played outdoor and indoor games every day, you drank water from the gushing spring on the road just outside your home, you had breakfast, lunch and dinner at a friend's house on a bandh or a holiday or because you simply wanted to, you were certainly in Kolkata, that day, that year and you will relate with equal nostalgia whatever she says today.

With neither television nor the internet to interfere, this day, that year, meant more interaction with friends and family. A visit to the Lily pool, lakes, Anderson club, Kali temple and the vegetable market was a daily routine. A trip to the Victoria memorial, Dolls Museum, Birla Planetarium, New Market, AC Market was a monthly affair. Dhakshineshwar and Belur Math was a must trip when relatives came visiting. The rest of the year, when she was not writing an exam, she was attending birthday parties, bengali weddings or simply admiring nature as she strolled on the banks of the Hooghly. When was she studying ? That is a million dollar question! Anyway! That was an awesome those days, those years indeed..

Well ! why is she saying all this ? The Tambong is just on a memory trip. Ignore and read on. She will tell you that Bengali women have a great sense of dressing up.You have to agree with her that Bengali women are very beautiful. It must be because of the fish and the mustard oil they consume.They have glowing skin and great hair. Now why would she say all this now? Simply because she has seen them this day that year, still seeing them this day this year and no ! she is not biased. Ask her and she will tell you a true story about their dreams and drapes, her love for the cotton and the sheer bliss in wearing the tangail and jamdani sarees. She will convince you that the Bengal cotton is the best and has no competitor.The grace in a Bengal cotton saree is unmatched to any other saree not even to the Kancheepurams and the Silkcottons. That is her strong opinion and you have no option but to agree.

Draped in a white starched Dhakai that day, that year she packed her lunch for the day. Her mother called out to her..."Hey girl come soon.We will miss the toss." Many a cricket crazy family lived in the city of joy who followed every single ball. One could identify a fan from his body language. 

An ambassador was waiting for her and she stepped out in style in a grand Dhakai saree.......She was headed towards the Eden gardens.

Playing outside the subcontinent this day, starting as favourites, India plays her neighbour and listens to Shoiab, Kapil and Ranbir in the studio .We care for our neighbours with whom we share a love hate story. Don't we truly find them to be inspiring also, they the people with whom we share common interests and love for sarees, food,music,movies and sport ? That day, that year and this day, this year why does religion and petty politics always have to play spoilsport ?

Baangla Players ! they are our neighbours, they are good too because they have made it to the quarter finals.They are our friends coz isnt that how we grew up, taught to "Love Thy Neighbours". They play against a formidable India today and I have mixed feelings,strong emotions of patriotism with a sincere prayer for peace to return in the subcontinent on this day The 19th march of 2015....

The Bangladesh National Anthem brings a lump in my throat and tears to my eyes. Leave the chokers for now. I am choking listening to AAmmmaar shonar Banglaaa!Aamee thomai Bhalobhasheee....Heavens ! Still ! I will bleed blue !

Pick IT up. Pin IT up. All day,you Will Have Good Luck !

Please read "IT" as " it "

Much though I would I would like to be independent of IT , I cannot. Much though I would like to lead a simple life without IT, I cannot.We are all physically attached to IT ,at sometime or the other and little wonder that, IT has always been as integral part of our daily life.

I was born a little more than four and a half decades back and my association with IT started the day I was born.Nearly half a century and the thousands accumulated over the years,if available with me today, could, when joined, one with the other, also be a few miles long.

Whenever and wherever I set my eyes on IT ,I am tempted to pick IT up and also ensure that IT is kept in safe custody. Yet ,when in dire need, I am searching for IT.

Mayawati is my trusted servant.Anything of value,other than IT, lying on the floor is promptly handed over to me...I noticed this just a few days back.No wonder they went missing.

I keep IT in my handbag and my little purse.I know IT will be of use and I take pride in donating IT generously.That's an act of plain kindness ,where everybody is free to borrow without any qualms and nobody minds lending either, without any regrets.

Whenever I go shopping,it's on my TO BUY list.When I am done with my shopping ,IT is still on my TO BUY list.When I need IT, I go crazy searching for it.I make franctic efforts to locate atleast a couple of them,and that's maybe just a couple of days after I had filled my cart.The older women,like my mom and mom-in-law have a ready stock.So when the search options are exhausted,help is always near ,as the last alternative.

Coming to the efficiency part of IT, ofcourse,none of us could ever do without IT. Over the years, we would have accumulated a few thousands and lost them too. I had decided one fine day,many many years back,that I would keep one in all the vantage sighting spots. Yet ! they dissappear. I have also tried to take stock of the situation,why they dissappear repeatedly, periodically and why I continue with the same probe always.

When I am no longer able to change a situation,I am also challenged to change myself and after a thorough examination of my routine activities ,I have come to a conclusion that I can not change.....all for the sake of a SAFETY PIN......

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