Author: Archana

Once a Physiotherapist now a Wordsmith. Field Botanist. Bonsai. Proud Indian. Fauji Wife. Doting Mother and Mother-in-law. Devoted Grandmother. Reluctant Cook. Happiest on a road less travelled. 60s are the new 40s ;-)
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Another Use (ThursdayTreeLove)


Looking up to see leaves growing in perfect symmetry


I see this pair of Coconut Palms daily … From my window and every time I walk out.. ofcourse then I have to crane my neck to look up. The trees have soared over the years which means I have to bend my neck back a lot but the sight of the beautiful leaves is worth it. 
The leaves are arranged in a perfect symmetrical circle and the sky peeps through the gaps in between
Yes, each frond of the Coconut Palm is one leaf which is of the pinnate type. Coconut belongs to the Arecaeae family and its botanical name is Cocus nucifera.  I will not go into the innumerable uses of this tree .. all its parts have found their way into our lives and I am sure most of you must have experienced this! 


And here is another ‘new’ use for the tall coconut tree…

In Pune, they are always used to anchor cables as they are weave a web across buildings. Mostly these are cables for broadband providers .. the ones that bring fast internet to our PCs and cell phones.
Here are the same two trees hosting cables..
Even as I admire the leaves, I must add that the old leaves fall away .. this sounds routine but let me tell you that each frond is quite heavy and can hurt if it falls on any human walking/sitting below! One such falling frond caused a huge tear in the rexine top cover of a ricksha !! So always be careful when walking under a Coconut Tree! Falling coconuts can be dangerous too!
Falling leaves can be a hazard as are falling coconuts

Coconut trees swaying in a breeze are the most soothing sight, one that never tires me. We need not be on a beach to enjoy this as coconut trees are quite commonly grown in cities. 





Have you noticed the leaves of the Coconut?

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
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H is for Help

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 



Help!
In order to ensure to properly look after Mom and her newborn , Grandma has to be on her toes practically round the clock. And NO. I am not trying to glorify myself. Ask any grandma who has been in my position.


So I had to recruit reliable helpers. In Maharashtra, we have a practice of special helpers who come in to give a massage and bath to the newborn (a very difficult task). I was advised to check if this lady suffered from any skin ailments, other infections.. that was tough…..I relied on references and then hoped for the best! 

Besides this, Grandma needs to have good advisors for customs that are usually followed with a new born baby. In my opinion, its a good idea to know what they are and then decide what to follow. 


There is nothing wrong or demeaning in asking for help. It doesn’t lower self esteem or reduce a Grandma’s importance in any way. That is what I learnt..


What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!
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G is for Grandparents

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Grandparents. 
The word conjures a silver haired couple with happily wrinkled faces who find it difficult to keep up with their grandkids.

As I look around me, I find that people of my generation are fairly fit and only a few have chosen to turn silver! (Self excluded!!) We don’t really fit into the picture mentioned above.

In an era when family members live or work in distant places, we have to befriend technology. This has meant we have to learn to use the computer, email, smartphones, different Apps (for online shopping or food deliveries or digital payments) and so on.


I miss my Cassette collection of kids songs… Sigh.. And My brain refuses to let me remember beyond a couple of lines. Sometimes I only remember the tune, no words.


Very embarassing!


If only the cassette player was functional…

But.. there is hope!!! You Tube, Facebook are two places where I have found ‘old’ Marathi baby songs, poems and even stories. Yay!! 


What do you think of tech savvy grandparents? How have you used technology?
I am sure my post may cause a deja vu to some of you.. especially anyone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver


Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement. All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view! 
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F is for Fit

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet some not so sweet moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

I  am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a newborn! I would love to hear from you!



Fitness. 
Is that a surprising topic from me? 
Well, grandmom has to be fit to look after her babies right? She is also managing her own household and job (if she is working), so staying fit is of utmost importance.


Its important to have strong, fully mobile and painfree knees.. As also to have a strong back and shoulders. Bending and straightening and lifting happens all the time and a catch or stiffness can really make things difficult. 

With a newborn infant at home, time is at a premium. I cashed in on fitness acquired by a regular regimen over several months.  Whenever I could, I did Yoga and Suryanamaskar (Sun Salutations). 


What has been your experience? 
See you tomorrow folks!


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!
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E is for Environment

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet some not so sweet moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

I  am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a newborn! I would love to hear from you!

Environment.
That’s the buzz word these days. 
Conserve. Protect. Recycle. Upcycle. Reuse. 


Diapers seem to be one of the baby products that are most environment unfriendly. Practically, its not possible to use cloth nappies all the time and readymade diapers are a must for some occasions. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find that there now exists companies that make ecofriendly diapers for babies. They are chemical free as well!! 


Indeed awesome!!They are made from Bamboo or similar natural materials. I was also impressed by 98% Water based Wet Wipes. As with other ‘eco friendly’ products, these too, are priced more that the regular ones. 

Diaper inserts made from natural fibre


Continuing on the theme of Reuse and Recycle.. I overcame my aversion to the needle and thread and took to stitching. I even purchased a Mini Sewing Machine for this purpose! 

This was my very first attempt and I created two lovely ‘दुप्टी’ even if I say so myself.. But you have to wait for my M post to see them!! I only mention them here as I could successfully recycle old fabric to make them. 


I even stitched a baby cap ‘टोपडं ‘ from an unused blouse piece!


Surprisingly, I really enjoyed making them. It was my two-bit effort towards the environment.

I made the dark blue cap using the light blue one as a guide!

What are your thoughts on reducing the environmental impact of diapers? Have you reused any old fabrics to make things that babies need?


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver


See you tomorrow folks!


Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement. All posts from a maternal grandma’s point of view!  
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D is for Diet

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet some not so sweet moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Diet!
Its quite fashionable to throw this word around but a correct diet is of utmost importance to a new Mom. Not only for her but also for the baby. 

There are umpteen guides on what to eat and what not to eat and with respect to the latter, I found that trial and error was the only way to decide. Something as basic as ‘ वरण भात ‘ (Varan Bhaat) – can cause the baby to suffer from Colic. (This is simple meal of Rice and Toor Dal or Arahar Dal or Split Pigeon Peas with Salt, Ghee and Lemon). 


‘डिंकाचे लाडू’ Dinkache Ladoo or Laddoos made from Edible Gum are a must for new Moms and grandmas are the ones who have to make it. This calorie and nutrient rich sweet offers a load of health benefits. Luckily I was saved the effort of making them as every visitor chose to bring this particular gift … We were inundated with boxes of Dinkache Ladoo.
All were identical except ones sent by a dear friend who said they were ‘कच्च्या डिंकाचे लाडू ‘ ..They looked and tasted totally different from the usual ones despite having the same ingredients. 



My daughter became a big fan of these which motivated me (yes me.. a reluctant cook) to get the recipe and make them. And yes, they passed stringent taste test …Yay!!!!

Pregnancy, delivery, dinkache laddoo



Do you make Dinkache ladoo?
What special diet foods have you made for a new Mom? 
I am sure my thoughts will cause a Deja vu to some of you, especially anyone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver


See you after the weekend folks!



Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts from a maternal grandma’s point of view!!

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C is for Cry

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet some not so sweet moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants)and are not meant to be a guide.


Cry
Babies sleep, feed, play and cry! 
Its a most natural thing. My husband says crying is one of their ways of communicating with Mom.. maybe its something they don’t like, or they are hurting somewhere etc.. Its for adults to decipher what our baby is telling us and act accordingly.


In the initial week, I being the Grandma was expected to ‘know’ reason for crying and the solution.. Hungry kya? Wet kya? or Colic kya??

So burp the baby.. that’s easier said than done. We had been shown  different positions to encourage the baby to burp. All these images make the task look so simple, but trust me, its not easy.. 
While its considered bad manners for an adult to burp, that’s the best sound you want to hear from an infant!! 


Bath time is another situation when babies cry.. The trick is to have water at the correct temperature. In the absence of a thermometer, I simply dipped my elbow in the water and adjusted it till it was comfortable. Usually it worked!


What did you do when baby cried? 
I am sure my post will cause a Deja vu to some of you, especially if you have hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts
2013 Random topics
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

See you tomorrow folks!

Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement. All posts from a maternal grandma’s point of view!! 

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B is for Books

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet some not so sweet moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 




Decades ago, I had referred to a book called Dr Spock’s Baby and Child Care… 
It was invaluable especially as we had lived in remote places (to put your doubts at rest.. let me say we always had a Doctor at our base) and this was a huge help..

That’s my decades old copy!



In this Internet age, I was unsure about the status of hard copy books and if they have any takers at all.

But I was pleasantly surprised to see that new parents in my family are referring to ‘books’ as I know them. Some of the authors have associated websites which means there is access to images, data and information that cannot be put into a book .

Yet another surprise was now, there was a Dr Spock series specially for India. 
Wow!  

What to Expect the 1st Year by Heidi Murkoff has answered many of our questions and doubts.


I am sure there are many more informative books. Which do you refer to or recommend?
I am sure my thoughts will cause a deja vu to some of you, especially anyone who has hosted a new born. 
I would love to hear from you!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver


See you tomorrow folks!


Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement. All posts from a maternal grandma’s point of view!!
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A for Advice

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Sweet moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are certainly not meant to be a guide. 


A is for Advice! Does that sound strange for or from a grandmother? 
Hmmmm…


When I became a grandmother..  advice poured in from everywhere.. all contradictory to each other.. some of it mired in old customs, some practical and some simply idiotic. 
Finally I chose to follow the doctor and just ignored the others. Some persistent advisers had to be firmly told to refrain and this was not a comfortable task. Yet it had to be done. 

A few years ago, when I tried to give Advice to my newly married daughter, I was gently but firmly turned away. Naturally I was a bit upset.. But when I heard her explanation, I thought my heart and head would burst with pride.


“Did you not do everything by yourself Ma living in far away isolated places? Then why can I not do so in the city?” (She was referring to our stays in remote places in India where my Fighter Pilot husband was posted.) 
I had obviously done something right to have brought up a sensible girl. 
Thereafter I stepped back and made it known that I was available if and when she needed help or advice. 
I followed this through her pregnancy and now even as the baby is growing. 


Bottom line, give advice when asked for. 
Similarly, when in need, seek advice without inhibition or fear of what people will say. For everything else there is Google! 😉


Do you face an Advice overload? How do you deal with it?Are you a prolific advice-giver?  
I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a newborn! I would love to hear from you!


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

See you tomorrow folks! I would love to hear from you!


Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement. All posts from a maternal grandma’s point of view!!

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Holy Tree (ThursdayTreeLove)


What do you first see in this image? 
This photo has been taken by my husband to catch the first golden rays of the Sun reaching this small Maruti temple on our walk route. What struck me was the perfect V shape flare of the Peepal tree that grows right behind it. 


The Peepal is yet another Ficus variety common in my city and goes by the botanical name Ficus religiosa. It belongs to the Moraceae family and exudes milky sap when a branch is broken. This tree has typically heart shaped leaves with a long tail.. some of us have preserved these in books whereby they dry up and only the intricate venation is visible. It loses all its leaves in spring and is covered with lovely new red leaves. 

Leaf



I wonder if this lovely leaf could have been the inspiration for the famous Paisley design??!!


Unlike other Ficus varieties, I have not seen aerial roots on the Peepal. It is usually seen in temples and as a roadside tree often growing to a mammoth size and provides welcome shade for any and everyone! 

I am sure all of you must be familiar with the Peepal. And its a popular tree on the fantastic ThursdayTreeLove blog hop hosted by Parul. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. If you have an image of a tree you like, then do join! 

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