Category: Manjula’s gift

Dharma

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I’ve always had a soft spot for Ashoka who was an innovative Emperor in India over two thousand years ago.

He was the emperor who converted to Buddhism after regretting his army killing thousands in the battle to take over what is now part of the state of Odisha.

…

This week, I’m helping Kaveri with her revision and learning about the Dharma Mahamatras, appointed by the emperor to do good.

I like that

I’m feeling the connections

🤭

Look

We’ve even got our own copy of an Ashoka column, in the house. It was one of the ways he promoted good amongst his people.

So maybe I’m a reincarnated Dharma Mahamatras?

I quite fancy that.

Look at the evidence: social and community work, experimenting with participative democracy in England, radical work with disabled people, ‘Seeing is Believing’ events in India to establish community/business partnerships, facilitating the development of hundreds of community projects and groups, in the name of MAnjula helping young and old people and gifting almost 50 bicycles. I even helped design and deliver — for an Indian company — European-wide workshops on interpreting their ethical policies into appropriate daily business behaviour.

Ok ok, that’s enough of the trumpet blaring. It’s important to say we should be facilitators in helping each other.

Farrell factoid footnote.

What’s the difference between illness and wellness?

I and we, admittedly a joke but with a serious message. We should connect and cooperate to be kind to each other. As sapiens we’ve taken a wrong turning.

I’ve always looked for the ‘we’.

This is so obvious to me.

A top priority is ..

.. Kaveri and helping her develop and grow. When you meet her ask what BK is.

Sharing

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I wasn’t feeling well this week and so Kaveri wrote me a note

How kind and thoughtful is that?

… and then I stumbled across this study which reaffirmed what we know —- how relationships are critical to a happy sustainable, satisfying life.

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness (Robert Waldinger | TEDxBeaconStreet)

Here’s my girls …

My Indian wife and daughter.

Farrell Factoid Footnote

Kaveri isn’t actually my daughter but it’s as if I’ve ‘adopted’ her and support her on behalf of my beautiful caring compassionate wife

New friends, which name?

SF3 Comments
People for Animals appealed for people to adopt their rescue dogs

We know PFA from when Lucie was a pup. They spayed her and made the tell tale notch in her ear so she wouldn’t be picked up in the street and operated on again.

We chose two new friends

and appeared in the ‘Star of Mysore’

But what should we call them?

….

We’ve had the following suggestions. (Some more than once)

Ging (Ginj)

Luce (Luca)

Edwina (teddy bear)

Kappu 

Shunti 

Ginger (Rogers)

Fred (Astaire)

Inji (ginger)

Kari (black)

Tom

Hebden and Bridget ( a play on Hebden Bridge, where I’m from in the UK)

Amy and Vince (amor vincit omnia)

Blackie and Cinnamon

Black and Decker 

Karrupa or Karuppan

Inji —- Together becoming …. Karrupinji 

Pepper and Paprika. 

Black and Tan 

Ranelot and Bufolet 

(french children’s book names for Frog and Toad) 

Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont

(from Dangerous Liaisons to match Billet-Doux, our cat’s name)

Paddington 

Spike 

Summer

Shadow

Biscuit

Cheech and Chong

Luca

Lucia

Babu and Bibi 

Ping and Pong

Jean-Philippe and Marie-Chantal .

ginger

Venus and Pluto

Bingo 

Tofo

Coco

Tango

Momo

Milti

Millu

Broono

Blacky

Browny 

Pancho

Jasmine

…

Thanks for your thoughtful suggestions

If there’s any strong favourites, let me know.

I’ll discuss with Captain Kaveri, ably assisted by General SB 

Update on names

Luca (Lucka)

Tom

….

Jasmine (jas)

Gingee, Shingee or a variation.

Lowly-raised

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I’m feeling a bit low

Just back from walking Lucie after another not-much-sleep night I peeked into the guest book. 

Marie and Armand (see cycling photo) have just returned to Lyon. We had a great time together. Marie, an author and illustrator left a lovely image. Yes it’s me!!

If only I’d remember to ask more guests to write in it, as it proves to be a real tonic. 

Continued…
And again (northern English, you’ll understand)

It helps lift my head up from peering into the grief gravy when I all-too-often reflect on the things I wish I’d done better. I recognise I did what I did in difficult circumstances and my beautiful MAnjula was overall very happy. 

Looks like another trip to Italy might be on the cards.

But I’m always brought up by inviting memories of radiant MAnjula to shine, who will always be a part of me

We have a rich mix of wonderful guests and not only friendly northerners. 🤔🤭

Then wonderful photos pop up.

Thanks to our friend Google

Manjula’s love

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Radiated through her smile and her actions.

As I’ve paddled my boat through the grief gravy the layers of Manjula’s love become more apparent. I learn more everyday from her life.

“But when you want to gain love through success, it cannot be achieved through anything quantifiable. The people that will be crying when you depart the world are not doing so because of any number that is tied to your name. They are doing so because you were a loving partner, a caring friend, or a shepherd of kindness. You are dearly missed not because of what you’ve earned, but because of what you represented.”

Find the article here

Happy Birthday.

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I’m in the park to wish Manjula happy birthday and hang out with billet-Doux, butterflies (messengers from Madam) and too many mosquitoes!

Here’s the lovely video created by Faizan through which many old and new friends have met Manjula.

My ulterior motive on being here was to be security for the flowers and stop people stealing them.

I failed

But it can’t affect our celebration of her wonderfulness.

As I completed a video call to my son Oliver in Vancouver, —and realised I was due back to make breakfast—three sets of neighbours walking in the park saw Manjula’s poster and wanted to know her story. I’d never met them before a mom her son , another young woman and an elder.

We all shared smiles and joy.

Reflective space

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What is it?

An opportunity to meet to share your thoughts with other young adults (and one or two who are just young at heart)

Our monthly meeting is a way to connect and share with other open minded people ….

Reflect on what’s happening in the world, consider what the future holds, support each other, share the mistakes we’ve made and lessons we’re learned, be more active and less passive.

…and stroke a dog (Lucie) and a cat (Billet-Doux). If you’re lucky, there maybe cake.

Interested?

Check the links on this page for more information.

https://meandmycycle.com/2024/07/17/whats-to-talk-about/

https://meandmycycle.com/2023/09/11/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/

Send an email to Stephen with any questions. He’s on tours@mycycle.co

Join the WhatsApp group. https://chat.whatsapp.com/CReQUVWoPWNJlybLbPsFTi to get notice about future meetings.

We’re part of Manjula’s Mysore everything we do is in her name and memory

which provides ….

– a monthly reflective space

– individual meetings and smaller focus groups, (on request)

– access to Manjula’s library

– opportunity to suggest innovations and help implement them

Mysore Bed and Breakfast and mycycle tours.

from Stephen

The not-so-young one.

Manjula is still with us, even though her beautiful spirit has gone to find a new host.

Reflecting Again and again

Metamorphosis Ripple effect.

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The newly named ‘Radical’ needs protecting from the sun, rain, trees and other animate and inanimate objects.
First stage: waterproof cover found after the third attempt. Dont ask.

Nothing is straightforward, it’s India.

The old velvety inside of the roof, sadly couldn’t be retained.

Sowbaghya aka SB gave it to the paper collection man as scrap.

Next …

… job is to clear the garage and obstacles (plants, furniture, two wheelers) from outside, to make the drive drivable.

I’ve accumulated so much stuff.

In my defence, I have lived here the longest in my whole life. That’s fifteen years.

One step closer.

I leave for the U.K. in two weeks and plan for radical to live there. Given the regular downpours we’ve had she should have moved in previously

I’m well suited to India.

I’m expert at putting jobs off.

A formidable team

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No time for photos

I tentatively opened the garage door into kat planet.

B-A-Do was lying parallel to the limen, I thought relaxing until I noticed a quivering rat by her mouth. She half done the job but seemed to be frozen. As she pulled away I found a stick and finished the task

It’s then in noticed all eyes from the kits, mesmerisingly proud of mum, watching from their raised wooden cushioned castle. I passed the dead cat on a shovel for their approval.

Later as they were all turning and jumping in seemingly choreographed mayhem in the yard, I realised one was leading the chase of a cockroach. I followed and finished it off

We were a formidable team.

We miss the kats but mum (Queen) stays with us.

missing them ..