My son Prashant was all of ten when he decided to bake a cake for me .
Today he is baking a coffee cake, a chocolate cake and mayonnaise for the sandwiches. A busy banker by profession, he is apparently quite enjoying his stint in the kitchen – his latest is making Hyderabadi Biryani! Bless you son for finding your happiness! His very capable assistant is his almost 7 year old son, Vardaan!
Today’s venture is the old Bong favorite ‘kosha mangsho’. I suggested he make poories to go with it!After all , in for a penny in for a pound!!
On the other hand , Vijay is on Work from Home (WFH). His idea of helping in the house , besides getting the exercise is to do the vacuum cleaning. His wife is happily painting on canvas and getting more and more involved in her art work.
I am in touch with my school mates of 50 plus years ago, most of them are in their 70s . Rohit lost his wife some years ago. His happiness also lies in cooking and apparently he is good at it. His 12 year old granddaughter gave unequivocal evidence of it by asking Nanu if she could have her birthday party in his flat ?
And would Nanu please cook pasta for her – his pasta is the best! I can visualize Rohit beaming from ear to ear!! His agenda for Today is making imli chutney!
Imli Chutney made by Rohit
By the way he told me that he has had trouble with his knees for the longest time. But in this last month he has been doing pocha in the house — down on his knees !
And…. his knees are not hurting any more !
Anil has involved himself in helping his neighbours , especially those who are older than him. He is a fitness freak—now he is sweeping his yard every morning, in spite of his Man Friday who lives on the premises. After that he does two-three hours of exercise and later breakfast. He is part of a couple of ongoing projects so he is also a WFH candidate.
With so much to do, he admits “I had this feeling that I had plenty of time so I was taking it easy—yes I will do it .. where is the hurry? After all that exercise I would start feeling drowsy and I would procrastinate. Suddenly I now feel I am running out of time…I had better buckle down and finish the work in hand.
“I have been working from home for the last couple of years so this is nothing new for me. Before the lockdown I used to watch at least one or two movies and documentaries. Now, in the last 6 weeks I have not had any time for TV!”
Pimi who is 80, is busy stitching masks for whoever wants them. Earlier she had been knitting baby caps for charity. Yes knitting and sewing (on her 70year old sewing machine!) are her happy pastimes. She has inducted her friend Veerta to the sewing venture also. Another older friend of hers has been reintroduced to knitting caps.
As for me , I am keeping myself and my mind in great shape by stitching masks (and getting better at it every day!!) I paint my watercolor flowers and birds and I cook what I want to eat! I am also teaching art to two kids – one of them has the potential and is picking up well!
I am one of the lucky ones I have a live in maid! She helps with all the mundane chores but I like to cook for myself.
