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Opinion

Saving Pando

The air quality in my neighborhood was recently affected by the wildfires. For days, there were no blue skies; a pall of smoke hung stubbornly in the air. One morning I looked out and wondered how we came to this. I thought about viruses, fires, heatwaves, and summer snowstorms. I thought of our current politics, the extreme polarization of our views that paralyzes us into petty arguments and lofty discussions, but no action. And most of all I felt the longing build inside me. The longing to be able to walk, see the mountains, feel… Read More »Saving Pando

All Better

Published on KQED (NPR) Perspectives Sep 3, 2020 https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601140236/sandhya-acharya-all-better When the first day of school rolled in, the teachers had a surprise planned for the first graders. We stopped at school to wave and say a socially distanced hello and collected a plastic box full of tissue wrapped packages. The kids were instructed to only open it with the whole class a full four days later. We kept the box in the car to make it easier for the six-year-old to stay away. Several times a day he came and asked how many days were… Read More »All Better

OCEAN HAIKU

Ocean Haiku   An ocean simmersToes wiggle and wait ashoreWaves whisper welcome – Sandhya Acharya

I’m Bored

I am dealing with a problem this summer. I am sure a lot of you are too. In the absence of our usual travel plans and summer camps, the kids are at home – the entire time. And every few minutes during the day, the sultry air is punctured with this poignant phrase, “Mamma, I’m bored!”

First July 4th

A few years ago I came to the University of Notre Dame to do my M.B.A. The first week there we were invited to view the July 4th fireworks. I had just gotten to know my roommates and together we walked up the green lawns to find a spot to view the fireworks. I didn’t know what to expect. New experiences were so multifold that it took me several years to process them all. In fact, there are still vacant moments when a little incident might pop up demanding to be examined, internalized, and processed.… Read More »First July 4th

Father and Child

Under the shade of the tall Redwood,⠀Young saplings grow their roots.Gently as the wind enters the wild,⠀They sway together, Father and Child. – Sandhya Acharya

PLAY

We were taking a walk around the neighborhood. My kids ran a little ahead of us and found two sticks lying below some tall redwoods. They were giggling uncontrollably when we caught up to them. They had figured out a way to push the sticks ahead of them as they ran. As it bumped across the concrete, the sticks made a Thar Thar Thar. “Look how it vibrates,” said my five-year-old. “I can feel it in my shoulder,” said my eight-year-old. A few minutes later the sticks had been repurposed into bows with plans of… Read More »PLAY

LOVE AGAIN

Published in KQED https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601139805/sandhya-acharya-we-will-love-again We were savoring the last spoonful of a new brand of yogurt. “Thank You,” I exclaimed to the maker of the yogurt, calling out the name that was emblemed on the packaging and added, “I love you.”. My eight year old immediately piped in “Don’t say ‘love’. What if she gets coronavirus?” I suspect he already knows virtual transmission of the virus can’t happen, but this was his first reaction. Lockdown in coronavirus times means no playing with friends, no four square, no following lizards, no jumping on logs until the… Read More »LOVE AGAIN

QUARANTINE – ROUTINE

I wake up these days expecting to snap out of a bad dream. Then, as consciousness descends, I accept, again, that this is our new reality. The new world we are in. And it’s only been days.The news alarms, so after a while I put my phone aside and focus on what to do today. I am grateful that with the kids at home I have a task(s!) to do. I plan their schedule. I decided to take comfort in routine.The first day I opened ‘school’ at home, complete with the teacher’s chair, morning greeting,… Read More »QUARANTINE – ROUTINE

WONDER

Can you imagine seeing something for the first time and experiencing that sense of wonder? The first time you see that leaf shimmering and falling to the ground. The first time you see a bird flying in the blue sky. The first time you see a butterfly flitting among the flowers, bubbles, balloons, kites, dandelions. How full and grateful your heart feels just being there to see them.

Book Review: Priya dreams of Marigold and Masala

by Meenal Patel for #MCBD I participated in the Multicultural Children’s Book Day because there is a world of diverse books out there for all of us to discover. #MCBD is a fantastic attempt to bring these voices and stories to the fore. I received Priya dreams of Marigold and Masala written and illustrated by Meenal Patel to review as part of this effort. ‘Priya dreams of marigold and masala’ is a sensitive story of a little girl who is curious about where her Grandmother, Babi Ba came from. She wants to understand more about… Read More »Book Review: Priya dreams of Marigold and Masala

PHULKA FULL OF JOY

There is something mesmerizing and magical about a Phulka that balloons up perfectly. The fire coaxing the water in the roti to become steam, to push, seek escape. The roti fluffing up into a perfect sphere, wobbling on the stove like a balloon ready for flight. The aroma of hot wheat escaping. The dollop of ghee soothing the puffed Phulka. It took me years to get there. I used to look in admiration and some envy as my better-skilled friends and relatives minted phulkas by the dozen. When I tried my hand at it, the… Read More »PHULKA FULL OF JOY

PUT ON YOUR SKIS AND LET’S GO

Two days back, as I sat in the chair lift transporting me over the stark white slopes, I could feel giant knots in my stomach. My skis dangled heavily off my feet. A moan escaped me as I fell on my back from the chair at dismount. As I began sliding down, I breathed in panicked spurts. Muscles that I didn’t know existed strained and protested, and my heart pounded wildly. I screeched on my skis, wedging them in the brake position the entire way down. I fell, I struggled, I cursed.It was ski season, and… Read More »PUT ON YOUR SKIS AND LET’S GO

MANGALORE MEMORIES

This is a long overdue post. This summer while I enjoyed the warmth of Mangalore weather and my parents’ home, I had the honor of doing a book reading at @cheekychimpsmlr for 10 Gulab Jamuns. It was my first time doing a book reading in India so it was really special. I loved the space that @vidhyahrao, Sanjay, @nanditaraoaroor, and @ramgopal.rao have created. It’s a kids paradise with jumpy houses, bouncy balls, climbing ladders, etc. It is safe and clean and a wonderful option for parents who are looking for a drop-in daycare of its… Read More »MANGALORE MEMORIES

THE HOLIDAY GIFT

Published in KQED https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601139350/the-holiday-gift Holidays are also a season of giving. As we embrace the spirit, more so today, on #givingtuesday, here’s a bit of holiday humor from my household.THE HOLIDAY GIFT Come October, its festivity time at our household. Diwali, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years; the holidays come in quick succession, the more the merrier. We bring out the diyas from the storage. Warm candles find cozy corners to nest in. The old Christmas tree is dusted off and decorated with ornaments and shining blue and golden “Merry Christmas” signs. The entrance of the house is… Read More »THE HOLIDAY GIFT