Mira is our adorable grand daughter. One of the main aims of my 4 week trip to Boise, Idaho was to get to spend more time with our daughter, son in law & grand daughter Mira. When they visit India they always come on short trips of around 21 days. On top of that they split their stay equally between Bangaluru & Coimbatore. They also take time of to take short sight seeing trips. Effectively during such trip they are hardly able to spend 8-10 days with us in Coimbatore. So we decided that it is important that we travel and spend a few weeks of uninterrupted time with them at Boise. More so to spend quality time with our charming grand daughter Mira.
Mira is six and a half years and attends first grade at Boise Elementary School.She is smart,intelligent & vibrant and talks a lot.She does well in class and her report cards carry favorable remarks.She is dropped to school & picked up either by our daughter or son in law. She also cycles to school once a week. She wears a colorful helmet on such trips. Of course our daughter necessarily accompanies her on cycling days. On one such trip I too accompanied them. I rode my son in laws cycle.I was cycling after close to 15 years. I was a bit rusty and shaking & trembling to begin with but picked up confidence in a little while and was steady thereafter.Mira is the apple of our eye.I tried and spent lots of time with
her - playing Frisbee, reading story books, solving jig saw puzzles,
cycling together in the cul-de-sac in front of their house etc.etc.We had a fabulous and enjoyable time with Mira in Boise. Here
are some pictures of our grand daughter:
Can we play Frisbee thatha (grand pa) ?
I am camouflaged - Can you find me ?
I will show you how to rake the leaves
I am now a witch - I shall fly away to the moon on the broom
During the Pongal season in Tamilnadu Jallikattu, goat fights & cock fights are common and popular sports among rural folk. Jallikattu is a bull taming sport held as part of Pongal Day celebrations on Mattu Pongal Day. In Jalli Kattu the bulls are not killed and there are no weapons and there no trained matadors. It is the village youth who gather in large numbers to tame the bulls. The most famous bull taming sport is held in Alanganallur near Madurai and is commonly referred to as the Alanganallur Jallikattu.Jalllikattu has its origins from the Tamil Classical period or Sangam Age which dates back to 3rd-4th Century AD. The word Jallikattu originates from Salli Kaasu (coins) & kattu ( packet) tied to the horns of the bull as prize money. As per legend in the olden days women chose as their husbands winners of the bull taming sport. Here is a video taken from the web, which depicts jalli-kattu in its contemporary form..
Another popular but not so well publicized sport is the goat fights or kadaa Muttu in Tamilnadu. Madurai is once again an important center where champion goats are reared. Goats carry names like Virumandi, Veera, Gilli, Billa etc Goats are generally fed dal, wheat, agathu keerai, fresh vegetables and even eggs.
Dates are their main source of energy. This is what triggers their valour
before a fight. Training sessions for the fighter goats are very tough.
They have gruelling practice sessions before they get that strength to
fight. The workouts the goats undergo are similar to what real heavy weight champions undergo.Running, swimming and bumping their heads repeatedly against hard
surfaces are some of the activities performed by these goats.
And finally another local sport that thrills the locals are cock fights. Cock fighting is said to be the world's oldest spectator sport. Its origins goes back to 6,000 BC in Persia.
Most of these pictures were clicked during my morning or evening walks. The collection of roses below is from The Ann Morrison Park which is a large urban park
located on the Boise River near downtown Boise.The 153-acre park features a distinctive spray fountain, gardens,
Candy Cane Playground, tennis courts, lighted softball diamonds,
soccer, cricket and football fields, and a picnic pavilion. These
amenities provide many leisure opportunities for visitors.The park property was purchased by Morrison-Knudsen Company
founder Mr. Morrison in honor of his late wife, Ann Morrison, and
built in 1959 by Morrison-Knudsen employees.
On Sunday 6th January 2013 we decided to drive down to Mettupalayam a busy & crowded town around 30 Kms from Coimbatore located on the foot hills of the Nilgiris. The ghat road to Ooty, the Queen of Hill Stations, begins at Mettupalayam.
The annual elephant camp which is normally held at Ooty has been shifted to Mettupalayam this year. This is an annual rejuvenation camp for elephants drawn mainly from temples across Tamilnadu. A total of 34 elephants reported for the 48 day camp which commenced on November 26 2012. On arrival at the camp a panel of veterinarians examined the pachyderms for weight and
physiological conditions. The animals were given supplements and food to
overcome tiredness owing to the journey.
The rejuvenation schedule includes a brisk morning walk on the 650-metre-track
along the five-acre stretch of land belonging to the PWD, then a bath using scrubs in the
Bhavani river followed by a nutritious, balanced diet, and rest in
natural ambiance. Based on the age and weight of each elephant, veterinarians prepared a
food chart providing specific quantity of food, fodder and supplements
to each animal. Mahouts would go through an orientation
on elephant psychology, behavioral pattern and basic medications.To
prevent the entry of wild elephants, the camp site has been provided
with solar fencing besides four watch towers, as the camp site is close
to reserve forest.
Lakewood lake is in the midst of a thickly wooded area. This is a
private lake and there are warning signs prohibiting public from entry
without permission. This is adjacent to the Lakewood Montessori School
and falls in one of my walking beats. I quietly sneaked into this
private lake on a couple of occasions and spend considerable time.
Weather was bright and sunny & glorious, the lake was sparkling and
the water was crystal clear. The lake teeming with birds mostly Mallards
- males,females & chicks. Once I saw a few Canadian geese - there was a unique pair that appeared to be romancing. They had
probably alighted on this lake for a short break before resuming their
long flight to some distant country. The lake was simply a paradise on
earth.
