October 2018 – Page 2 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Daily, Life, Photography Art, Random Thoughts

Switch to Outdoors

Posted on October 24, 2018October 6, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

With the autumn winds and rains in full swing, the outdoors offer a walk filled with an array of colours. For the children, non rainy days of autumn are spent outside for they beckon them like beacons of joy and fun. To experience days like these, living in the country is better than the cities. There’s nothing better than the fields, the green and the beauty of nature to revamp and rejuvenate ourselves after a long day. Although it is true that the cities afford to give us the modern living, but the daily existence gets mundane and boring after a while. In fact the growth of modern technology to the feasibility of internet or app based food and groceries delivery, online shopping deals, excessive indoor entertainment options and increased working hours with limited breaks have all contributed its’ fair share to the humdrum existence. Even worse is when the regular childhood hours of outside play is substituted with gadgets and indoor toys.

The aftermath was that the entire focus shifted to living within the walls of our homes, to the point of limiting our daylight exposure. The recent report released by VELUX has highlighted the statistics and data researched about the “indoor generation”. The consequences are alarming not only to our physical well being but emotional and mental health too of the present and future generations.

To break from the daily routine of work-home-work cycle isn’t easy, especially for the city dwellers. The options though limited are feasible. First is to get outdoors as frequently possible especially during office breaks. If that is limited, try walking through a public park before joining the regular commute. Second, bring nature and daylight into our homes. Although we live smack in the city, the bigger the windows, the greater amount of sunlight in our homes Third, bring nature into our house with indoor plants, rooftop or balcony wall gardens and increase the ventilation. Fourth give allotted time for outside play especially for the kids. It would be great if the entire family spends some quality time outdoors. Fifth and the best option is to get out of the town over the weekend at least fortnightly or monthly and rejuvenate with nature. With many bed and breakfast establishments open all over the countryside, the break would be worth it. And for those of us who have extended family living in the country, it pays to visit them once in a while.

Despite all the modern conveniences that man has invented, it is the soothing and peaceful presence of nature that offers peace and brings not just physical wellness but emotional and mental sanity.

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Daily, Photography Art, Random Thoughts

Ripe not Sour

Posted on October 23, 2018October 20, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Yesterday night, the bedtime story was Aesop’s Fable of the Fox and The Grapes. As I was explaining the story and it’s morals to my toddler, the first question he asked was why didn’t the fox try shaking the branches so that the big fat grapes fall down. To answer, I had tried one explanation that the vine was too strong and second the fox was too tired. Unfortunately he didn’t believe it.

Late night, the moral of the story was going around in my head like clockwork. It’s so easy to speak ill of the things we can’t attain. Why do we do it ? May be it helps to distance ourselves from our failures, of what we couldn’t or can’t have. May be it does help us to dissociate ourselves between our ideas, beliefs or thoughts against what has happened. Yet the reality is by calling the ripe “sour” doesn’t change anything.

Life is full of goals, desires, ambitions and temptations. Some of them are within grasp but the rest we have to let go, either by choice or by circumstances. Though at times we do regret that the may-haves would have been possible if we gave a little extra push from our side. Although by blinding our eyes and declaring the true, false may bring momentary gratification but it doesn’t change the situation. Instead we miss out on another attempt for something better. For unless we pluck up the courage to admit and determine what went wrong, we will continue on the path of disappointment and disillusionment, eluding the “ripe grapes” repeatedly.

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The fox who longed for grapes, beholds with pain
The tempting clusters were too high to gain;
Grieved in his heart he forced a careless smile,
And cried, ‘They’re sharp and hardly worth my while
(a quatrain by Aphra Behn in Francis Barlow’s illustrated edition of the fables (1687))

Daily, Family and Society, Reflections

Caught by the Web

Posted on October 22, 2018October 4, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Sorry, network out of coverage area.”
“Free Wi-Fi available”
“Is there network coverage in this area?”
“Is there internet facility available in this cafe ?”

The above sentiments have been either echoed by us or we have heard them on a daily basis. Most malls, stores, cafes and even public waiting areas advertise the availability of internet and free Wi-Fi. While for them it is a means to attract more customers, sometimes we do require internet facility in these areas. Yet the right balance has to be struck between the need and the time spent using the internet. Wi-Fi is needed depending on our professional as well as social requirements. Yet besides the eight working hours, how many of the remaining hours do we spent on the net ? Are we in the era where we are more anxious about the availability of internet at home or at social gatherings instead of spending quality time with our family or strengthening our social relationships? How many of us neglect direct interactions in favour of compulsive checking of our social media accounts? The answers will reflect on the extent to which the internet dominates our life.

Like all modern technology, the internet does open up a vast chasm of information, which can turn out to be quite useful or just distractions. The knowledge that we glean from the net is like a two edged sword, it has to be accurate factually and also add on to our enlightenment in a positive manner. For such a use, the internet is indeed instrumental to add to our daily time. Yet at the same, the web is indeed a trap with lots of data where the reliability is questionable as well as having an adverse effect on our daily life.

The scales of usage have to be precariously balanced. Introspectively, it all comes down to what we use it for; materialistic impulses or sensible living. If we engage in imbibing on trash like gossip, slander, impure or wicked thoughts; besides wasting our time, we feed ourselves on junk that causes more harm than good.
As Proverbs 15:14 says,”A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.”(NLT version)

Putting in the wisdom of His Word to practice, proper choices have to made regarding the use of the net. For the internet is indeed a treasure trove but if it comes at the expense of family time, loss of relationships or excessive usage to the point of anxiousness, then it’s time to reconsider whether we are indeed a victim of the trappings of the spider’s web.

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Christian, Photography Art, Reflections, Stories Around the World

Stranded yet with Faith

Posted on October 21, 2018October 3, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Adrift and Unbroken: Path to Redemption besides being recently released, what both these movies have in common are them being true stories of being lost and hopeless, yet they survived.

Adrift (June 2018) tells of a harrowing journey of heartbreak, loss and survival; loosely based on the true story of two experienced sailors, Tami Oldham Ashcraft and Richard Sharp, who embarked on a 6,500 km delivery passage and had sailed directly into Hurricane Raymond. As the full force of its winds struck, their vessel became a wreckage and Mr Sharp was lost at sea. Ms Ashcraft, severely injured, battered and bruised was able to fashion a makeshift sail from the remains of the boat and set a course for Hawaii. She managed to survive for 41 days, powered by peanut butter and sheer willpower, before being picked up off the coast by a research vessel.

Unbroken: Path to Redemption (2018) portrays the life story of Louis Zamperini, a World War II veteran who was an athlete who had made it to the Olympics, joined the military, crashed at sea, survived for 47 days, picked up by the Japanese and put into a prison camp. Yet this famous evangelist began his greatest journey after he arrived home from the war, suffered post traumatic stress symptoms and turned to alcohol — all struggles that unfolded before he accepted the Lord and experienced an incredible life transformation.

Like the above two real life stories, there are many more true stories of those who were stranded at sea and survived the ordeal.

Among the various modes of travel, conveyance by sea is done with a great deal of preparation. The right vessel is chosen, the course is chartered, the engines are double checked, the fuel, supplies and survival kits are stocked in plenty, weather predictors foreseen as well as all emergency measures and other requirements are taken into account. Only then the anchor is lifted and the vessel is set to sail. Yet all the planning can change in a matter of hours or even seconds. For there is nothing more unpredictable as the elements of nature.

Imagine getting caught in a storm at sea, then being adrift in a vast ocean or sea, where one has no control over the waves or how the vessel can be steered. If the vessel in which we were travelling is destroyed or roughened, survival becomes a question. In such a scenario, a quagmire of emotions will flit through our mind and soul. Among them would be fear, terror, anxiety, helplessness and despair of what would happen ahead.

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Yet for 19 year old Aldi Novel Adilang, an Indonesian boy who was stranded at sea for seven weeks (July to August 2018) said, he survived by reading his bible and heeding the advice of his parents to pray. He was set adrift in the Pacific Ocean while working as a lamp keeper on a floating fish trap with no paddle or engine, some 80 miles off of the coast of Indonesia. He had not only run out out of supplies after the first few days, he had lost hope and had considered committing suicide by jumping into the ocean. Then he remembered his parent’s advice who had taught him to pray to God at times of distress, he chose to turn to God instead. The teen recounted that the Bible he had on board along with prayer helped him get through this trying experience. Finally, after 49 days, a carrier saw his distress signal and he was picked up. As said, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

Likewise, Louis Jordan instead of a simple fishing trip, had survived a wretched 66 days of endurance in March 2015. His father had attributed his survival to strong constitution and religious beliefs, which had made up for his inexperience as a sailor. For, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.(Jeremiah 17: 7)”

There are many more real life stories of surviving horrifying ordeals of man and nature, all put down with sheer grit, will power, hope and immense faith. “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, then whatever you wish, ask, and it will be you (John 15: 7).” No man of His Word can be left moored for long for His Faith will be both a compass and anchor, to direct him near the shores and find him a safe place to rest.

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Daily, Food, Stories Around the World

Cakes of Rainbow

Posted on October 20, 2018October 19, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

For any celebratory or ceremonial occasion (some festive ones too), the setting is incomplete without the main dessert of “cake”. Originating from the Old Norse word “kaka”, among the desserts which has been adapted to the history of that era, cakes were initially started off as modifications to the regular flat breads. Gradually the breads became more elaborate and softer as evidenced by the origin of phrase, “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” (Let them eat cake) where brioche was a luxury bread enriched with butter and eggs. Since then it has been through a lot of history, transitioning in make through the era of the world wars, civil revolutionary years and even the great depression. It has even became a part of the superstitions, like for instance an old English belief of putting a fruit cake under your pillow would make you dream about the person you will marry.

The entertainment industry also felt it’s presence, basing a number of songs and few movies on it (even in the vernacular languages). However what fascinated me was the myth of Joan’s rainbow cake which I had recently seen in the movie “Salt and Pepper”. Here the protagonists in the movie bond over food and both of them bake the Joan’s rainbow cake simultaneously as the movie progresses.

As per the narrative, the cake is baked by a French lady Joan, who awaits the return of her husband who was in the army at war during the WWII(1939-1945). The soldier informed Joan about his arrival. To surprise her love on the day of his arrival, she baked a delicious strawberry cake and waited for him, but he never turned up. Although she was little disappointed, the next day Joan baked a pistachio cake, anticipating her love would return at least today, but the soldier did not return. She joined the cakes together with some whipped cream. Her wait continued into the third day when she made an orange cake. He still did not come. That night, she went to bed with a heavy heart. Next morning her love arrived bearing a gift of chocolates for his lady. She combined all the cakes she baked with cream. She then melted the chocolate and poured it over the cake, and then served it to her loved one. They ate it together in celebration of his return and their never ending love.

Despite the fact I am unable to ferret out and ascertain the proof of authenticity behind this tale, the whole idea of having a three layered cake with whipped cream and a chocolate dripping is nevertheless an irresistible delectable feast for all. Moreover, it’s the feeling that goes behind that cake that makes it special.

There have been many versions of the rainbow cake and many a time we come up with our own style during the baking. All the same, for every cake the pot of gold at the end of the baking is worth every attempt to create a masterpiece.

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

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Daily, Quotes, Reflections, Stories Around the World

Surprise for Kindness

Posted on October 19, 2018October 2, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”Philippians 2:4 (NKJV)

Unfortunately, in this modern world that we are all a part of, taking care of ourselves and families is another rat-race. Amidst all the melee it is quite difficult to be kind, especially when doing so would put you in a bind. Sometimes at that moment we feel that by lending a hand we end up giving up our desires and dreams. Yet little do we know that how far that little bit of kindness can go. Ideally, the random acts of kindness should be done expecting nothing in return. As by kindness is when we light others by our own inner flame. Small acts of kindness, a lending hand or even a simple hug, are one among the many essence of humaneness that makes the darkness fade away. Over the years, we realize that we have been blessed with two hands, one to lend and one to help ourselves or receive help. There is a story that I had once read about the mechanic. Although I don’t know if it’s true or not, this story reminds me of life’s surprises courtesy of random acts of kindness.

Story of the Mechanic

Jimmy is an automotive mechanic, but he has not worked for some time now. He always has a good heart, but always feared applying for a new job. One day, he gathered up all his strength and finally decided he will attend an interview. All dressed up in a neat white shirt and slacks pants, he went on his way. His appointment was at 10 am and it’s already 8:30. While waiting for a bus to ride going to the office where he is supposed to be interviewed, he saw an elderly man frantically kicking the tire of his car. Obvious that the there is something wrong with the car, Jimmy offered to help the old man with the problem. While he was working on the car, Jimmy told the old man that he was supposed to go to an interview as a mechanic in one company but would probably miss it because he would not be able to make it on time.
When Jimmy finished working on the old man’s car, the old man asked him how much for the service. Jimmy said there’s no need to pay him because it was not work for him, just helped someone in need. “Well, I could offer to take you to the office for your interview. It’s the least I could do, please I insist” the old man was persistent. So he agreed.
At the waiting room of the Company Jimmy has applied for, there was a long line of applicants waiting to be interviewed, and he was told that the interviewer was late. A sigh of relief for Jimmy, but other applicants looked over to him because he still has some grease on him left after the car repair. He did not have much time to wash it off or have a change of shirt.
One by one, the applicants left the interviewer’s office with gloomy looks on their faces, a sign of disappointment.
Then his name was called, the secretary escorted him to the office. A cup of coffee was served for him; the interviewer was sitting on an executive chair facing towards the office window. Rocking the executive chair back and forth he asked “Do you really need to be interviewed?” Jimmy’s heart sank. The room suddenly became a confined space for him. “With the way I look now, how could I possibly pass this interview?” he thought to himself.
Then the interviewer turned the chair and to Jimmy’s surprise, it was the old man he helped earlier in the morning. It turned out; he was the General Manager of the company Jimmy was applying at. “Sorry I had to keep you waiting, but I was pretty sure I made the right decision of having you as part of our workforce before you even stepped into this office. I just know you’d be a trustworthy worker, congratulations.” Jimmy sat down as they shared a cup of well-deserved coffee as he landed himself a new job.
-Short story by Jayson M. Familara

Although the surprises of kindness follows the common adage “you reap what you sow”. Yet as time goes by, we realize that kindness should be done without expecting anything in return. Instead, our inner light should want to do the random act of goodness. And that by itself, should give us light at times of trouble.

To quote Amelia Earhart, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” Whether we get the shade of the tree or not, globally the new trees will benefit the ecosystem as a whole.

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Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Photography Art

Happy by Berries

Posted on October 18, 2018October 10, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“..it is a corpse, and not man, which needs these six feet. . . . It is not six feet of earth, not a country-estate, that man needs, but the whole globe, the whole of nature, room to display his qualities and the individual characteristics of his soul.” (Ivan Ivanovich)

These were the lines told by the character Ivan Ivanovich in the story “Gooseberries” by Anton Chekhov. One of the most noted Russian playwright and short-story writer who brought early modernism into theatre, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov practiced as a medical doctor throughout most of his literary career. Gooseberries was written towards the end of Chekhov’s life and this tale explores the themes of social injustice, the quest for fulfillment and happiness as well as our perceptions of what makes us happy.

In short, Ivan Ivanovich, tells the story of his younger brother Nikolai Ivanovich. The latter is a government official who is possessed by the desire to return to the country where he had spent his early years with happiness and carefree joy. The sign of this cherished dream was owning land with a gooseberry bush. Finally his aspiration came true. Ivan Ivanovich tells of his visit to Nikolai, who has become now idle, stingy, mean and apparently happy living in what he imagined to be his earthly paradise. Ivan Ivanovich then contemplates about the nature of human happiness, which according to him is the result of any man’s views within the walls of the narrow world he’d built for himself.

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For me, the beauty of this story lies in the measures by which we define our happiness. Each one has their own concept of being happy. While one labels being happy in the creature comforts and the luxuries confined within the four walls or one’s estate neglecting the outside world, the other feels happy by engaging in social activities and routines with other fellow beings.

The pursuit of happiness does lie in what we want in our lives. Fame, riches, material gains versus being free of spirit, enjoying social works and community, morality or spirituality; we get to decide what we want. One fact that is glaringly obvious is that happiness is a perspective that is temperamental. Happiness can be an illusion or a reality. Either by living a life of a buoyant pragmatic approach realism or by a vacuous bourgeois existence, we get to chose how to be happy. Just as no man is an island, our happiness increases when we share it. The approach for happiness might be different for each one of us, but if the path to one’s happiness lies in the complete destruction of another person, then that view of happiness is not only distorted but is dangerous and disastrous as well.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts