Angel’s trumpet - Frosty pink

Angel’s trumpet, also known as trumpet flower or the horn of plenty is a tropical shrub grows flowers up to 10 inches in long and 4” across.  These are the flowers that are mostly white in color, but they are in delightful forms of yellow, blue, red and pink decorating our yards and gardens.

Angel’s trumpet is richly scented, white, lily-like trumpets that hang downs are intoxicate fragrant in evening.  As they grow well on any good moist garden soil in full sun, I have seen them almost in cool climates on hill stations.

Ange’s Trumpets is a common name for two closely related genera in the Solanaceae family of Brugmansia and Datura; Brugmansia Frosty Pink is the name of this particular color of flowers that I captured in Kodaikanal.

Summer memories

The nature sun is very unkind towards us today for the first time in this season of summer and the heat waves are so rage making it ever so hot day of the year.  Usually this season might be wonderful at home with sea breeze rising by noon but today its quiet different with the usual breeze which instead of pleasing, rashes away. It’s an expected mighty during the peak season of summer, but still I wasn’t cared and hoped the usual sea breeze will blow away the heat but today it had joined hands along with it to become normal very later.

Usually this is one of my favorite seasons even the temperature raises to peak; the wind would bear nostalgic memories of past and caresses slightly during the empty afternoons. What mostly striking memories of this time was the vacation and happy days spent at granny home and along with cousins the holidays are the most charming phase of life with cool cadies, ice creams and juice items. Playing Ludo, snake ladder, monopoly and trade business has been a part of this season we play and the days would be totally noisy and most of our excitements were on afternoon under the water tank shadows on terrace and balcony where the cool breeze uplift me in air.

During summers these are the memories cherish me while taking back in to solace and the wind plays a major role in recollecting memories which swing me back front inside the heart. The wind is one of my inspirations during this season where some of the notable poems were written on this time and leaving mind to slim various thoughts, the afternoon calm give way to the deep insight to wind through the open windows. The crashing leaves, chattering squirrels and chirping birds are the nature resonant keeps the spirit upwards and self motivated towards the end of pleasing evening… writing a poem or letter from the heart, floating in the air.

Kodai 2012

The day wakeup for us about 3 in the morning and driving out of home by 5AM in two cars, it was surprise to see still the signals at GST (Grand Southern Trunk) road works out on behalf a smooth traffic flow was on the road, since the international airport is on way.  It was a pretty wonderful dawn as we passed the suburb traffic, it was only on such occasions I get to see the sunrise which was vibrant this time with colorful hues and while passing the Kolavai Lake of Chengalpattu it glitter so beautiful on water which I couldn’t capture by poor chance.

Mist spread on mountains

We had our breakfast somewhere before and near Tiruchi and lunch on the hills half way to Kodaikanal, which we usual have at Tiruchi and only this time we were earlier on hills. The sun beating heavily at the foothills went gradually rising down as our msl level rose… the mist and clouds began to cool us under its white blankets and shower later.  We had no idea about rain as we come across the day with heavy sunshine; the bags tie to the roof rails were supposed to drench escaped with mild wet cloths.

Cousin sis Deepika collects Yellow Mimosa (see the flower at last pic)

As we reached the CSI Retreat Center House beside the Kodaikanal Lake by the late afternoon enthralled me in its pleasing cold and pleasant stay environment among the woods and lawn. It was just like a home stay where breakfast and dinner were provided by the retreat center and the Yorke House allotted for us has a spacious hall and a dormitory to accommodate 20 plus people, and it was like a dream come true of staying together with dear ones under single tiled roof.

Jungle Myna

The house came entirely under our control and there are round tables for chatting and playing cards and having dinner together… even there’s a TV in the hall we aren’t interested to watch and more than it wasn’t playing gladly. Being nearby lake, dad and uncle went on their way walking after a small refresh and tea, we kept chatting and I was flashing around and found a couple of jungle mynas retreat at the lawn and there was a  dog lookalike a husky in spiky hairstyle! Lol

Spiky hair dog!

My uncle’s family is a regular visitor to the CSI Retreat Center and my cousin used to say Bison or Indian gaurs   are regular visitor to the retreat center for grazing and two days before our arrive too there were bison’s around the house, says the manager. But till we left the place staying there for 3 days, there wasn’t a bison but we saw a herd of them next to the Bryant Park’s forest area which extends beyond the CSI Retreat Center.

Indian guar captured near Bryant Park

It was a newly experience for me to sleep in a dormitory with cots one above another and it was indeed fun being together with cousins and even after lights turn off, we kept chatting and teasing like nothing. The younger once are all sent to sleep at upper berth and elders remained at the lower along with me and it was somehow warm at the lower berth since the contact with cold roof is prevented. It was quite wonderful being together and sharing our space and lean hands which I wish continues not only on this occasion alone.

Yellow Mimosa

More on the vacation is yet to continue…

Indian Summerset

Dropping temperature

sprinkle drop lets at night
bringing fresh flowers
to bloom at gleam.

The summer set’s in
but still remarkable at height
where ridges and mountains
moisture like fresh flower buds.

Footnote: Indian Summerset Lilium was captured in Kodaikanal, and the pastel pink flower was so pretty catching our attention and the flower bud looked just fresh like out of shower was impressive!

Dad’s health cause

The last 5 days were not so good for us since dad health was little ill due to diarrhea and low sugar sent us to deep distress and once the diarrhea comes to halt, the low sugar sent him to shivering and slightly moving condition. One entire night he was restless between the bed and restroom and next day he was seen physically so weak and was forced to check the nearest clinic for medication and drips of glucose which gathered him strength but it doesn’t last as soon the sugar level decreased.

It went down as not so worrisome but the stressed intestine at other hand began to twist and pain and along with this he was mentally upset due to his condition and felt sorrow for not helping me on routines. Mom was indeed forced to take care of me single handedly with her already wrist and heels problem, it was impossible for me being easy and mind kept thinking about his health and wishing for a quick recovery.

On Monday he visited our family doctor and only later his health condition becomes better and again he took blood test on Tuesday which showed rise in blood sugar level as he didn’t take diabetic tablets in the confuse state on health and the cause of drips of glucose. He went out only late evening for a short walking after 4 days of suffering from health disaster and I could seen him little energetic now and bright smile on his face, which I wish last forever…

He’s also suppose to take a cataract operation at the end of the summer which has put forth lot of worries and if it is not for the surgery which has been nothing these days in the medical dictionary  taking care of me had been the worrisome for the three of us. Since after the surgery dad needs at least a month of rest for getting remedy and only mom has to take care of me, the toughness ahead really push back me thinking how could we balance… even though we express our grief of how to manage it seems senseless and words of void and feels so hopeless when no response for others, the so called dear ones.