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.
A cycle ride from the new house, to one of my fave places.
I’m at …
“Paschimavahini, located near Srirangapatna in Karnataka, is a sacred stretch of the Kaveri River where the water flows westward. It is a major pilgrimage site, particularly for the Hindu ritual of Asthi Visarjan (immersion of ashes) to help departed souls attain moksha, as well as a popular spot for holy dips. “
(with Help from my AI buddy)
…
One of the places featured on my Srirangapatnam cycle tour. It just took one hour.
Now I’m with my great friend Satish in the village of Ganjam on the island.
This meeting together with one with Florian
two night ago has helped me make another ….
BIG decision.
This is turning over a new leaf … more active, less overthinking, focus on what matters, sorting out my residency in Mysore.
We haven’t quite finished moving yet as there’s much moving to do within the house itself.
The moving that’s necessary is distributing things within the house, emptying the garage, getting rid of more excess (selling art and whatever remains being hung) and I suppose generally diminishing the chaos.
Here’s photographs of the main rooms and guest bedrooms.
Guest bedrooms (en suite)
First guests have been and given it the thumbs up.
…
Library and study
Photos to come later
Sit out and garden, Out front. Tibetan flags
Terrace (what could go here?) on the first floor
Halls (aka lounge or living rooms), there’s two and a dining area
It will, of course, continue to be sharing our home….. with other species too…
It’s been a challenge at times with over ten years grieving after Manjula’s diagnosis.
But first MAnjula and our team has continued to do good
Welcoming guests to our home, helping them to love India in their own sweet way
Supporting young people through …
Sponsoring Kaveri and Naveen’s education
Creating innovative events with NGOs and schools within our community for nearly 200 young people
Gifting bicycles, almost 50 since we got engaged
Regular reflective space meetings at mysore BnB for individuals and groups of young people
.
So what next?
We’re moving house and will relaunch (rooms will continue to be available later in the year). Do check http://www.manjulasmysore.in
We’ve committed to supporting Naveen through college and will offer work at the BnB
Our immediate priority will be to sell the art ( ( MAnjula was right, I collected too much) and the money will go towards our next goals in supporting young people (and maybe some more elders.)
Three years ago, one of Kaveri and my favourites was Big Panda and Tiny Dragon
Norbury’s latest book reveals how journeys might be forced on us. We can’t ignore it, we have to adapt and it’s ultimately a positive development.
BUT that depends upon our perspective and how we handle it.
Same with us.
After sixteen years …
I’ve been given notice by the landlord that he wants the house back for a family member.
That’s a big practical undertaking and will be a massive emotional challenge — as I’ll be leaving the home that MAnjula created, shared with thousands around the world and lived in together for nine wonderful years.
Today, SB and I visited a possible alternative.
I hesitate as it isn’t an independent house, however we could potentially have two together on one floor.
That would be four bedrooms, two halls, two kitchen, four toilets/bathrooms, a balcony, and a dining space.
Where could we put the library?
With a view over the rooftops
and the adjoining park.
The other worry I have is the potential neighbours.
The owner seems to be a friendly open and helpful guy.
I expect he’ll be concerned about our different guests coming and going and having to deal with the unknown foreigner.
Pets might be an added problem. We have a cat billet-doux and I may want another dog.
I hope, he realises that our approach to rearing and managing a dog is very different, it’s kind and gentle. With Lucie she had a great temperament. That’s partly down to how we managed her. That’s not always the case here.
After a first glance I think we could make it work.
Registering with the Foreigners Registration Office is always unpredictable and stressful.
It’s extra this time as I’m not knowing where
my next visa will come from
…
Owner wants his house back, after sixteen years, it’s the house I’ve lived in for the longest, in my whole life.
It’s where MAnjula created our home, introduced it to the world as Mysore Bed and Breakfast and where she lit up my life like a smiling sunbeam for nine years. It’s where we sited a blue plaque (as a famous person lived here), her library and entertained thousands of people.
A museum even jokingly claimed it as their annex because it’s a living breathing art gallery from around India.
Pictures, sculptures, paintings, carvings, posters, books, all sorts of artefacts (aka clutter) from around (mainly) India, Europe and even Canada and the US.
…
Continuing to sponsor and support eleven year old Kaveri in spite of her mother and new partner sabotaging us, by changing schools, days of absence and inability to help
In Didion’s book ‘a year of magical thinking’ (well it lasts for longer than a year … like forever) she writes about the vortex, I call it being bushwhacked.
One is ….
Attacked for no apparent reason, as the sadness arises — mainly due to recollections that appear — as if from nowhere.
There’s also a regular hidden sadness that surfaces as intolerant anger.
Sorry everyone.
I’m dealing with CBB — can’t be bothered — but it’ll get sorted.
Me and MYCycle 