Inkblot

            Good food can do wonders! Without proper food, my brain won’t 'brain' and my mind will start to 'mind'—as in, it will be bothered. Most of us cannot function efficiently without the right stuff going into our tummies. Good food is definitely a good mood for me. Being a foodie, I love eating seasonal, fresh, and healthy foods. My mom cooks the best dishes, and this might be one of the reasons (even though I don't admit it aloud) for my disinterest in stepping out of home. When it's raining cats and dogs in the Western Ghats, my taste buds, in association with my tummy and mind, crave strong flavors. It's not hard to find edible species here in our region. (If you're a non-vegetarian, you might find every creature edible here!) I really enjoy this sometimes. Going into the plantation, on a slippery path, fearing every step and being very careful not to slip; looking out for leeches and checking for any blood if they have sucked me; finally co...

              How does your day start? When I'm at home, after I wake up, I often find my dad either proudly recounting his early morning work at the plantation or announcing his to-do list for the day. Most mornings, I hear our cat meowing and see my mom prepping breakfast, greeting me with a big grin and a lovely "Good morning." In the background, my grandma murmurs old songs. These moments fill me with gratitude and a sense of calm. I seldom miss an opportunity to thank God for keeping my loved ones and my surroundings well.               Well, for every child on earth, their mother holds a very special place in their life, and I am no exception. My mom is my most favorite person, and she's my answer to questions like "What is your most favorite thing?" or "Who is your favorite?" Literally, I am nothing without her (of course, I wouldn't exist without her). At this point, you might start to feel like yo...

                 This morning, I spotted a moth resting on the leg of our wooden sofa in the sit-out at my home. Fascinated by its unique appearance, I couldn’t help but wonder what species it was. A quick scan with Google Lens revealed that it was a Yellow Monkey Moth . It's amazing how technology can satisfy our curiosity in an instant! These moths are known for their vibrant yellow color and distinctive markings . Seeing this little creature up close reminded me of how much beauty and diversity there is in nature, even right in our own backyard. I feel very lucky to stay in such a beautiful nestled in the Western Ghats . 

  This scorpion came into the house tonight! We were all surprised and scared, but this isn’t something new for us. Being inhabitants of the Western Ghats , we can’t really complain about such encounters with wildlife . It’s like we humans are the minority here, dwelling in 'their' territory! The picture you see here neither looks very scary nor does it capture the true experience. I only had a few seconds to take a picture while we were a bit panicked seeing the scorpion. Fortunately, one of us noticed it, otherwise, it might have found a corner to hide in—or worse, it could have stung one of us! On the floor, the scorpion looked like a puzzle piece, blending in so well that it was almost camouflaged . Haha!