Shared love and shining memories of Manjula, Lucie and Ina, whose love remains with us.
Thank you to Sowbhagya and Satish, for remembering and honouring our precious family.
While I’m not at home.
Footnote from the Internet.
Pitru Paksha is a 15-to-16-day Hindu observance dedicated to honouring departed ancestors through sacred rituals, prayers, and food offerings.
Tearfully
A few friends got together to say farewell to Farrell.
I’ll be away for a few months so we arranged an early birthday gathering.
Thank you so much to my wonderful friends and yes it’s the young ones I’ll miss the most.
The Directors of Manjula’s Mysore who as part of being a responsible business organised ways to support young people in memory of Manjula
Plus the new addition Kush
And another new friend …
We have a lion at our gate.
Footnote
I plan to be back in January when we’ll share important news. In the meantime I’ll use my exile to explore more countries and myself.
After leaving home the first space they enter for many students is the ubiquitous van.
As we know our children (aka future adults) are constantly learning
Through observation, sounds sights, our behaviours show them ways to be —- not always thought through or the best examples.
Imagine for a moment what they pick up from that first space in the morning after leaving home.
Is it calm, kindness, helpfulness?
Maybe but most likely in that van —- they’re recklessly sped around, constant horn, regular screeching, aggressive insensitive behaviour of a seemingly uncaring driver.
Not all the apples are bad.
So let’s not assume they’re all the same —
I’ve observed careful, safe drivers
—- but too many demonstrate the worse road behaviour.
So often our children are transported in a bad van and shown the worse behaviour.
So should we be surprised if we are creating future inconsiderate aggressive pushy people on the roads and maybe elsewhere?
What can we do about it?
Challenge bad behaviour when we see it?
Discuss this with our children?
Kaveri isn’t taken to school in a van.
But when we walk the streets, or she rides pillion, or cycle, we both notice and comment on both good and bad behaviour on the road.
My duty is to help her observe, evaluate and ultimately think for herself
…
We often forget that everything is an experience that we can learn from.
.. to create a great evening.
This time to say farewell to Maïlis.
For two years running Maïlis has been our lovely guest. She is at risk of becoming ‘part of the furniture’. In a nice way obviously.
The little one has disappeared.
Kaveri has just left for school
Others are keeping up the good work but — will they flower before I have to leave the country?
Florian reaches 50, young and very young people visit the library, go shopping and share lunch.
I expect it is a relief to escape the traffic.
Ashish came on one of his timely (they always are) visits. He’s a best example of how friends introduce us to new friends, originally brought to us by Anna, this time he kindly introduces to another new friend — Nesan
It’s one of the great benefits of sharing our home.
As usual laden with gifts and treating us all. He stocks us up with an incredible range of goodies.
Luka was overcome with excitement,
After our visit to the Nursery for garden additions.
We joke about getting away from Bangalore but we all value the change, so perhaps it’s time for a holiday once the court thing is resolved.
Fact is the traffic is getting too much in Mysore!
This was my response to the message posted in our local Mysore community….
I’d love it, but I just can’t. To me .. It reflects different dimensions, feelings or moods. MAnjula my wife who sadly died seven years ago would reveal all
These layers.
Starting from the left Her smile, shining like the sun would infect everyone she met. The middle is her action, being there always helpful and determined. The third her calmness in whatever situation. The style reflects her embracing the tradional and the modern. Wrapping it all up would be her attention to being present and attentive.
I can’t take it as I’ve just moved and already have too much art
https://meandmycycle.com/2026/05/08/behold-beauty-in-so-many-ways/
…
The full message …. posted to our local WhatsApp group in Mysore.
Dear Art Lovers,
This is not an easy message for me to write.
There is a piece of art that has been a meaningful part of my journey for a long time. It has quietly shared my space, witnessed many chapters of my life, and carried a presence that words often fail to describe.
However, life has brought me to a point where I can no longer hold on to it. While letting it go is difficult, I feel that this piece deserves to continue its journey with someone who truly connects with it and appreciates it from the heart.
I don’t want to place a price tag on this artwork. Some things cannot be measured by a fixed number. Instead, I would love to hear from those who feel genuinely drawn to it.
If this piece speaks to you, I invite you to send me a personal message sharing:
• Why you feel connected to this artwork.
• What story, feeling, or memory it awakens within you.
• And what amount you would be comfortable offering for it.
Over the next few days, I will read each message with gratitude and care. My intention is not simply to find a buyer, but to find the right home for this piece—someone who will cherish it as much as I have.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for honoring the journey of this artwork.
It is a canvas painting on a wooden frame.
Dimensions 28 by 58 inches.
with minimal effort.
We may meet a potential gardener today but frankly it’s an easy job
Shame about the eyesore across the road
