Counsel Cellar

Never Too Late To Learn

2014-04-25T23:47:00.002+13:00

Never Too Late To Learn

(contributed by my mother Mrs. Raj Kamo)

I had been a teacher throughout my career and retired as a Principal of a Government school. I did not get time to pursue any hobbies except some interest in painting. I had a lot of time on hand after my retirement.

I was in North Carolina, USA, visiting my son and his family a few years ago when I developed a new hobby by chance. My daughter-in-law Garima had gone to attend a conference at Washington D.C. and on her return she bought two beads and magnet necklace strings, one for herself and one for my daughter Ranjana. This was an amazing piece of jewellery that could be strung in any shape around the neck or the wrist. I was so impressed by this piece of art that I wanted to make such a string for myself.

So next day we were off to Michael’s to buy beads, magnets and a jewellery making kit. I now had the tools but was not very sure of their use. My daughter-in-law’s friend Shamim happened to visit us the same day and saw me trying to design a string on the board. She told me how she too had developed this interest and had made hundreds of necklaces and bracelets. She taught me how to use the tools. She brought some pearl strings for me in the evening and helped me design and make my first three necklaces.

This hobby was turning out to be a lot of fun. I had strung the necklaces but fixing a clasp to them was the major trick item. Next morning Garima, Ranjana and I drove down to a bead shop “Beadazzled” where I observed the lady while she fixed the clasp on my necklace. It was not an easy task but I was confident that I could do it with the same expertise as that lady’s.

I was soon making necklaces and fixing clasps on them like an expert. It was not long before I was making earrings too. Garima was happy that she could gift these to her friends. I kept making necklaces and earrings and did not realize that I had made a hundred pairs. Garima suggested I hold an exhibition at the conference of A.G. Bell Association for the Hearing Impaired that was being held at Ashville that year. Garima, being a board member of the A. G. Bell Association for the Hearing Impaired, spoke to the other board members and had permission for my exhibition. I had a sale at their conference and proudly donated the proceeds to the Association. My work was appreciated a lot and this motivated me to continue with my hobby.

I have been making jewellery since then and these serve as great gifts to ladies. Jewellery making is not only my hobby but a passion and a pastime that keeps me engrossed and occupied during my free time.

God Walks My Dreams

2014-04-22T03:32:00.001+13:00

Lovely Flowers In Our Garden

2014-04-09T01:26:00.001+13:00

God Walks My Dreams

2014-03-28T03:37:00.001+14:00

A crisp narrative of the struggle of Suraj and his friends with many turning points in their lives. You can get addicted to this gripping story. Available on Flipkart, Amazon and Barnes and Noble and also Bookadda and other online stores.

Peek My Book - God Walks My Dreams

2014-03-28T03:35:00.000+14:00

http://www.book2look.com/vBook.aspx?id=wYU4Now1Qx

One World

2013-10-02T04:13:00.001+14:00

I was surfing the You Tube to hear K'Naan's "Waving Flag" song as I really like the rhythm and music of this song, it has such an Indian touch about it. I wanted to hear some more songs from him so I was browsing through and found some more songs. Then I hit upon an Ethiopian song. I was amazed to hear the song and see the dance performed on it. It was so much similar to the Bihu dance and song form of the Eastern States of India. The rhythm, the tones, the music, the notes and the dance moves were so much alike I just could not believe my eyes and ears. I wanted to check if my knowledge of Bihu is right or not so I browsed for a Bihu dance and I was absolutely right in my judgement. The two forms had so much in common it was just amazing. I said to myself yes it is One World.

Guess Who Am I ?? Bedtime Riddles for Children and Teenagers.

2013-05-14T02:33:00.001+13:00

Riddles -
1) I swing into action as people leave and rest with them at peace.
2) I see them go up and I see them go down but I cannot move with them somehow.
3) Half a coin full coin half a coin full coin with a nut, I am cool and a thing to have must.
4) I am full when they leave and I am empty when they arrive, I make them live their lives.
5) I walk with you , run with you and I jump as you jump, you can wear me but not one.

Answers -
1) I am a door.
2) I am a staircase.
3) I am a Coconut.
4) I am a suitcase.
5) I am your shoe.

Cute Message

2013-05-11T15:54:00.001+13:00

There was a cute message on a car that I saw last evening.

"Wear your seat belt, you have paid for it."

More Bedtime Riddles For All Ages

2013-04-25T00:39:00.001+13:00

1) Some have this third leg and some don't. This leg always steps first leaving the others to follow. What is this third leg ?

2) This small bowl is always clear and fine but helps in seeing the divine. What is it ?

3) These are open on my screen and help me manage everything. What are these ?

4) This book has no cover or face but builds friends in its maze. What is it ?

5) I have none and mine has one but mummy has three. What is it ?

Answers to the riddles -

1) It is a walking stick.
2) It is a contact lens.
3) These are Windows.
4) It is Facebook.
5) It is the letter "m" .

The Horizon Of Old Age

2012-11-30T03:55:00.000+14:00

I was shopping for groceries when I turned around and noticed an old lady walking down the lane. Life seemed to pass by as my gaze moved with her steps. She stopped to speak to another lady and the wrinkles on her face lit up. Each wrinkle had an experience to share like a page from the narrative of her life. Her words were soft from the calmness of the years that she had spent struggling to survive in this world. There was poetry emanating from the crevices of her wrinkles. I could see her eyes holding back the turmoils of her life. There must have been periods of happiness and bouts of depression, joys of pleasant news and tears from tragedies, that had now taken the shape of wrinkles on her face to define her life. Her trembling hands were speaking her history. I could see my face in times to come, a reflection of my life that would turn around with folds of wrinkles. Life repeats for all of us and I could see mine in her wrinkles.

What Goes Around Has To Come Around

2012-11-20T03:18:00.004+14:00

Back to Square One - Circle Of Life

2012-11-17T03:29:00.003+14:00

Circle of Life

2012-11-17T03:28:00.003+14:00

Adventures Of Drummer The Little Mouse Kid

2012-11-01T03:40:00.001+14:00

Drummer is a cute little mouse with dark grey whiskers that turn red when Drummer gets scared. Drummer loves his long red shorts and white shirt. There are times when he dons his red tie that has a design of small white cats on it. His shoes are white with red laces. Drummer has led a life full of fun and frolic trying to nibble on whatever he can lay his tiny paws on. There are tough times too when food is limited and cats are in abundance. Drummer shivers at the sight of cats and his whiskers turn red and his little pink nose freezes and turns white. Drummer is studying in middle school. He is proud to study in the best school for mice called The Little Mouse Hills School. He lives with his parents in a small hole in the big oak tree in the neighbourhood which he calls his Oak Tree House.Today I want to tell you about an incident from Drummer's life. This incident took place about five years ago. It was a nice sunny day and Drummer was going to his school with a red and blue backpack slung on his back and a red water bottle in his hand. Drummer was dashing zig zag on the road. He would roll across the road, disappear in the bushes on the roadside and reappear from nowhere. This continued for sometime. Drummer would roll like a ball of wool and dash across the road. He was close to his school when he suddenly stopped. He could see a big shining ball that looked like the Almighty Sun close to the road. He looked past the wide road and got curious to see the shining ball on the other end. He was moving his head left and right to get a clear view of the ball and was suddenly shaken by the tremors rising from the road. The road stood up like a giant beast. It started to grow ears, eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs and started to walk towards Drummer. Drummer froze and gulped. He was shivering, his whiskers were red and his nose had turned white. He could hear his heart beat increasing at an exceedingly fast pace. His eyes grew big and he tried to move back but his legs refused to move. He was grounded, baffled, scared and almost .... dead!! He wanted to scream his heart out but he was not even able to squeal. He could hear his heart rattle and chant speedily like a racing car, Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God!......He had stopped breathing. He was unable to see clearly. He tried his best but could not stop himself from falling. He had fainted!! He lay there on the road for sometime. It must have been an hour or two that he lay there on the road. Then he heard his mother calling out his name, "Drummer, get up Drummer, you will be late for school again Drummer!!" Drummer slowly opened his eyes and looked up. He saw his mother staring sternly at him. He looked around but could not see the Road Beast. "Oh, this was a dream, I was dreaming," said Drummer. Now that was some respite. Drummer started to roll across in his Oak Tree House. He was relieved and happy to be alive. He started to hum his favourite song, "I am the little mouse kid Drummer, I am the best hummer, I sing and dance till supper, I am the little mouse kid Drummer".

Winter Is Here

2012-10-26T03:13:00.001+14:00

Jhumroo at Kingdom Of Dreams

2012-10-26T03:12:00.002+14:00

We visited "Kingdom Of Dreams" for the second time yesterday. Set in the locales of Gurgaon, this is a fantasy land where one can spend some leisure hours away from home. The ambience of the "Culture Gully" at the Kingdom Of Dreams makes it worth a visit. Different States of the country have their stores and food court here to offer the unique flavour of their cultural tradition. The stores have a good variety to choose from and the food is delicious too. One gets to taste a variety of food from various parts of the country. This gives a platform to our States to showcase their unique handicrafts, food and replicas of their heritage buildings. The entire set up is very aesthetic. The facade of the building looks very beautiful with intricate carvings on the walls. Each element of the set up from the gates to the fountains and the statues in the porches and courtyards have all been designed with spectacular extravagance. The place actually transports you to a world of dreams - truly living up to its name "Kingdom Of Dreams".We had gone there to watch "Jhumroo", a musical comedy show. "Jhumroo" was not as good as the main show "Zangoora" that we had seen some weeks ago. "Zangoora" had set our expectations from "Jhumroo" very high. "Jhumroo" picked up pace in the second part of the show but was not up to the same mark as "Zangoora". One can see the effort gone in creating the sets, costumes, dances, songs, acting, etc. but it was an average act compared to "Zangoora". One thing that I liked about both the shows is that actors in both the shows try to engage the audience in their show and this makes it unique and feel real.

Who Am I - Sixteen Bedtime Riddles For Children

2012-10-23T04:21:00.003+14:00

I keep ticking round the clock but can never see the time as I am facing the wall.
I am the Wall Clock.

I wash up oysters on the sand, swing and sway and splash around.
I am the Ocean Wave.

I chugh and shake, I hoot and shout, I have the road on my side and take the children for a ride.
I am the School Bus.

I help teach the world though the world keeps cleaning my notes.
I am the Black Board.

I twist and turn and grow with time. I look good even when I am cut to a small size.
I am the Lock of Hair.

I am dark with millions of shining eyes.
I am the Night Sky.

I smoke and sniff, I hiss and honk, I cover millions of miles in hours.
I am the Train.

I am covered in a hard shell but my heart is a sweet water well.
I am the Coconut.

I steam and scream and blow a whistle.
I am the Kettle.

In layers I cover my backbone with sweet shining bubbles.
I am a Corn.

I scribble and leave black marks and sliding on paper is my art.
I am a Pencil.

I make a colourful smiley face and cheer people of all age.
I am a Rainbow.

I hop, I fly, I walk and I swim and in my Antarctic home I live.
I am a Penguin.

I hide the windows on the screen.

I am the Screensaver.

I keep changing my size to light up the nights.

I am the Moon.

I move at a slow pace with a back of heavy plate.

I am a Turtle.

Lovely Flowers Are These

2012-10-23T04:20:00.002+14:00

Brain - The Most Complicated Machinery Not Made By Man

2012-10-18T22:19:00.000+14:00

I wrote about the sections of the brain that work as multiple brains and make me work as a set of people. The Brain is the most complicated machine and extremely intriguing too. It splits into semi brains that work in parallel, synchronized to accomplish various tasks at the same time. One section of my brain starts compiling the official checklists and To Do Lists while another section has already commenced working on a task. Meanwhile a section of my brain is working at the back end making the personal checklists for the day and the week. The fourth section starts responding to mails in order of priority and criticality. The fifth section is busy comprehending the presentation to be made for the project at hand. Whew !! I feel like an Army in combat already!! The sixth part of the brain is reading a document while the seventh part listens to the discussion on a conference call. The eighth section is noting the minutes of the meeting simultaneously. The ninth section is browsing the mails and messages on my mobile and the tenth is trying to filter the outside voice of my colleagues. Oh God, this is much more complicated than I thought!! I am delegating work to my team through my eleventh brain and the twelfth section is working on a report. The list is endless and it makes me feel I am a super human. Well all of us are super humans if we go by the way our brain works through multiple tasks at hand. God must have known the complexities that life will offer us and that is the reason He designed our Brain which is even more complex than life.

Ooty

2012-10-18T06:01:00.000+14:00

Spot used for Film Shootings in Ooty

2012-10-16T02:46:00.000+14:00

Fairy Tales Coming Up Soon

2012-10-13T03:44:00.001+14:00

They are definitely on their way to production ........

Kind Gestures

2012-10-13T03:42:00.001+14:00

Some gestures can be very kind and touching at times. One such gesture from recent times left us very moved. It was my father's anniversary and we had released a column in the newspaper in his memory. We got an SMS from a person that read "God give you strength to bear misfortune. I pay homage to the departed soul and pray for eternal peace. Brotherly Sunil Batra." My mother called this gentleman thinking he must be a friend of my father and was surprised to find that this person does not even know us. Even though this person did not know us yet he sent such a touching message to share our sorrow. This was indeed a very kind gesture on his part.

Millet Fields

2012-10-11T08:25:00.001+14:00

Trip to Nawalgarh

2012-10-02T18:21:00.000+14:00

The trip to Nawalgarh was a nice and relaxing one. Nawalgarh is a city of havelis. Nawalgarh and the surrounding areas have given birth to renowned industrialists of the country. The town looked prosperous from the number of havelis in it. It had to be a rich town to have majority population living in havelis. The frescos of the havelis have faded with time though some families have tried to restore the frescos and maintain their havelis. The peacocks in the resort were a delightful sight. They strolled in the gardens and danced when it got cloudy. The colours in their feathers are amazingly beautiful. The detailing and design of their necks is admirable. God has created them with heavenly love. The town looked very relaxed and peaceful. You could wake up to the peacocks' call in the morning and get enchanted by their magnificence. Nawalgarh is definitely worth a visit if one is looking for a peaceful time well spent with family.