I’m slowly learning mango farming. Well reaping the product at least.
We’ve had streams of friends and neighbours on PYO – pick your own and donated kilos of the beauts.
We’ve moved on from the hook on a stick, to the giant butterfly net (not) and used two types of blades to get to a tool standard that works for the reachable ones
I’ve created an extra long pole (metal curtain rod and bamboo) to help reach to the top of the tree and its outer perimeters. The ‘unreachable’ ones are a challenge. The first extension broke, the next couldn’t quite reach
We’re not complaining. Well the old woman that cleans is… as I’ve not achieved the usual standard (I’m certain that’s not true)
Next stage is for someone to climb the tree. Two requests (farmers and experienced friends) haven’t worked out but maybe the grandson might step in.
BUT
We have collected hundreds of mangoes (this is one productive tree) and I’ve ordered a professional telescopic pole.
Delicious breakfast, family from round the back came for Mangoes (but they’re getting harder to reach) and Luca tucking in.
We’re sharing caring types —- some to our human friends, others to fruit bats, squirrels and insects, some have lost patience with me and dived to smash their mango brains on the ground.
Over dinner and generally amongst our guests the upsurge and role of yoga in our lives is often discussed.
Mysore is one of the major centres of Yoga in India.
One of the concerns I have is how about the I and we. (its one of my pre-occupations which is fundamental to the human condition) it turns out that this bothers a lot of the yoga teachers that come here to train, too. Its reflected in the quote below.
“In the New York Times, American writer Judith Warner noted a disturbing social trend. Just as the women of the mid-70s took flight into consciousness-raising groups, the workforce, divorce and casual sex, their daughters are also taking flight, but that flight is inwards. “They’re fleeing to yoga,” she writes in the Times, “imitating flight in the downward-gazing contortion called the crow position. They’re striving, through exquisite new adventures in internal fine-tuning, to feel more deeply, live more meaningfully, better inhabit each and every moment of each and every day.”
Now don’t misunderstand me. I feel that yoga is an integral part of life here and its great that it has becomes popular around the world. But its only half the story in more ways than one. Many in the west who follow yoga recognise that the inward focus (on I) is only the beginning of the process and that in time as it develops within the person it blossoms into ‘we’ . it follows the Gandhian dictum ‘be the change you want to see’ so i feel that the inward focus is only the beginning of the process. The problem is, in my humble view, that that is where is stays for many people. the shift from the I to the w just doesn’t seem to happen.
…
Continuing the theme….
What’s the difference between illness and wellness?
The latest wonderful creation has arrived from Aadirika aka —Mostly beautiful Maya— (check Instagram) has now created three fab memory portraits of MAnjula
Our first Second
All to be found at Manjula’s Mysore.
Out third
Thank you Aadirika, for your intimate understanding of what MAnjula meant to me and representing our wonderful life here in Mysore.
Who can you spot in this latest portrait?
…
Manjula (obviously), Lucie our first dog of the family of over 15 years, Kaveri, walking Luca — our latest addition and in the tree. —- Billet-Doux my sweet (love) letter sent by Manjula, a few years ago. Plus the dragonfly and old man with his head in the clouds.
Sugar … I’ve spelt it wrong again it’s Sowbhagya or SB …
who’s useless?
Those of you who have visited us since 2019 will have met SB and know her trademark humility. Don’t let that confuse you, she can be full on.
SB with Lucie
Sowbhagya was first introduced to our community (family) through great friends Justin, Heejung and their boys
when they lived in Mysore. They have now moved to South Korea.
Ina a guest who became great friend from Australia with SB
After MAnjula died Sowbhagya came to work at Mysore B and B so she’s been with us for seven years — but now things have moved on — a lot.
SB’s birthday
She’s now a Director of the business, and fully looking after the house, recently she’s helped find our new base at 179, shifted over 17 years of accumulated clutter. In the new season, later this year, she’ll take a lead with the guests.
If that’s not all she helps coordinate a chit fund, runs her own catering business and brought up her son Naveen (now 18) as a single parent.
You’ll have met Naveen in previous postings. He’s turning out to be a thoughtful confident young man.
One of our activities.
Another critical role has been helping with Kaveri who we sponsor in Manjula’s memory.
In this way she’s blazed another trail which Kaveri is following. SB created for herself the opportunity to meet and work with a wide range of foreigners before she even came to Mysore B&B. This has helped broaden her experience and horizons.
Watch this space for how Kaveri is already following that path and growing through meeting the foreigners and guests from throughout India.
So as you can tell. She’s open to challenges, she’s decided it’s time to formalise her divorce (she’s been separated from her husband with little if any contact for over 15 years) and start a new chapter in her life.
That might include trips abroad as Kaveri’s chaperone as she’s just obtained her very first passport.
So there you are — an important member of our team, helping hold it all together.
This best wishes for the continuing journey is ..
From Maïlis, Stephen, Kaveri, Billet-Doux, Luka and many guests.
Me and MYCycle 