Author Arti Jain's "and all the SEASONS in between" - #BookReview

Every so often a book comes along that leaves you with a smile and a feeling of peace. One such book for me is "and all the SEASONS in between" by Arti Jain. She has written a remarkable fairy-like tale woven through with delightful childhood memories.

A novel for all ages, toddlers to the ageless young-of-heart, this is an uplifting narrative of sunny days in India spent under the tutelage of loving grandparents and an uninhibited imagination. Every sentence and phrase is exceptionally well-written prose, which at times feels almost poetic in style.

Artemis, a young girl living in a valley surrounded by hills and Himalayan mountains, divides her days between a fairy world of imagination and real life with a loving family. In an early scene, she spends time with her grandfather, Papaji: "I planted myself on the cool soil next to him; my face turned up towards the lush vines watching the sun dabble with its leaves -- a dapple of bright here, a dash of dark there." Each setting is made vivid with unique descriptions, whether referring to dragonflies or radishes or yoghurt baths.

What has me most enamored of the book, along with the pleasing book cover and writing style, is Arti's reading of the final chapter, "He carried dirt under his fingernails".

*** 

Visit Arti at her web site: My Ordinary Moments (artismoments.blogspot.com)

Check out her book at Amazon.com in ebook and paperback formats.

Listen to Arti's reading from the book: He Carried Dirt Under His Fingernails | Arti Jain | English Spoken Word - Bing video

*****

E is for EGGPLANT PARMESAN at Assaggio's #AtoZ

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:

an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.

*** *** ***  

One of my favorite restaurants is Assaggio's. And a favorite menu choice of mine is Eggplant Parmesan. In the early 90's, my initial experience with Assaggio's was in Honolulu at Ala Moana Shopping Center, my home away from home for 12 years. After a hard day's work, the restaurant offered a soothing respite. It also presented its patrons with visual tranquility. 

 

My thoughts quickly return to a platter of fragrant baked eggplant, smothered with fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. In the background is heard the steady, rhythmic flow of water into a pond below. Between bites, a glance reveals a school of colorful Japanese koi fish swimming languidly past the window table. The waiter asks, "More wine?"  

 

photo by Gail M Baugniet

 

A plaque fronting the sculpture reads:

 

WAIOLA

The Living Waters. Symbolic of the new life found

in the Islands of Hawaii by all peoples and of the

harmony of Aloha achieved here through the

mingling of cultures.

This fountain form is made of silicon bronze, weighs

two tons, stands fifteen feet high and cascades

1000 gallons of water per minute.

 

Artist: George Tsutakawa        Engineer: Jack Uchida

June 30, 1966   

 

***   ***   *** 

 

Near Horizons and Break the Cycle Linking Poems #52-#53

From Poem #2 SMILING BACK

When I wrote the 70 poems for 70 days, I had no idea if anyone else would read them. After pouring my heart onto the page, I had met my initial goal of writing the set of linked poems. Later, it became obvious that while I'd scratched the surface of my memory, that mere scratching had triggered an opportunity to delve deeper into the topics that surfaced during the writing process.

 

Once the little book of poetry was published and distributed to 70 friends and family members as gifts, it seemed practical to post articles that reflected on the poems, or to write more in depth about a segment of a poem, or to contemplate new ideas stemming from the original seed of thought.

 

Give me a choice between chocolate or a new project,

and I'll take both . . . every time!

 

 

Now, a year later, I am reaching the end of this latest project. I hope you found something of interest in the preceding Sundays. Over the next three weeks, may the final sets of linking poetry create a desire to pen the precious thoughts welling up in you.

52

Near Horizons

Farms spread out

by design of county plats

Home for dinner

Each family tucked in

for the night. 

Breakfast a routine affair

Like Sunday drives

after mass

And holiday visits

to relatives. 

Roads with numbered routes

Lead to fishing holes

And beach parks

hold dreams that encompass

only near horizons. 

Dare to break the cycle

 

Poetry is meant to be read not as an interpretation of the poet’s thoughts, but as a means of opening the reader’s mind: to spark imagination, to recall memories long ago experienced, long forgotten; thoughts happy and sad, thought-provoking experiences that form and inform the person you are today. Do not fear the past so you can enjoy the present and plan a happy future. Poetry can open for you infinite possibilities. Claim what rings true for you, leaving the rest for others to explore their own awakening.

 

*****     *****     *****

 

53

Break the Cycle

 

 

No! My education

is too lacking.

The words all

come out wrong.

Why would anybody

even care?

Marathons are

not for weak,

questioning souls 

but for

strong minds,

solid knees,

and muscular hearts

Yes. I can

believe in myself. I can

stop braiding negativity

into disbelief. I can

start spinning confidence

into success.

 

When a child is told often enough that they don't have the strength or the brains to accomplish something, this negative attitude carries over into their adulthood. Breaking the habit of believing this may seem insurmountable, and often is, because negativity only breeds more of the same. 

 

Need incentive to change?

 

Check out this TED talk entitled "How to stop screwing yourself over by Mel Robbins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp7E973zozc#t=834.232184

 

or

 

The skill of self confidence by Dr. Ivan Joseph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-HYZv6HzAs#t=18.4932751

 

 

 

L is for LAKE MICHIGAN #AtoZChallenge

For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate.

L is for LAKE MICHIGAN

The prevailing wisdom for writers is to “write what you know.” I was born and raised in a small town which extends seven miles into Lake Michigan and is known as “the coolest spot in Wisconsin.” The reflection of sun and moonlight on the pristine waters was visible from the long expanse of beaches along the state’s eastern shore. From the lake’s depths, fishermen pulled an endless supply of fish that had populated this Great Lake since its formation during the glacial age. 

What simple pleasures we enjoyed in our youth at the lake, building sand castles and drifting with lapping waves, devouring concession stand hot dogs for lunch, and contending with hot sand between the toes. 

 

My first swimming lesson, many, many years ago!

Thanks, Dad.

Such experiences are the fodder for enticing stories and voluptuous poetry. Reliving these times is a way to savor The Fun in Writing. Innocent memories, of course, are distorted by the adult writer’s mind after consuming too much caffeine. Lapping waves become treacherous tides. Moonlight over the water reflects instead the sinister flash of a gun. 

Imagination is a gift all humans should cultivate, along with a side of humor. And there’s nothing wrong with serving up a helping of fun with that caffeine, be it from coffee or chocolate.

 

HELP YOURSELF!

 

 

 

#26 COURTYARD - A Flight of Fantasy

26

COURTYARD

 

 

 

On lazy sun-washed afternoons

imagination turns to thoughts of

courtyard pubs, where friends gather to discuss

whatever most consumes their waking hours.

Tucked away behind the Seine in Paris, or

in a secluded nook of Gloucester’s boat harbor,

topics range from art and plotlines, to the

tantalizing satchel in the local consignment shop.

Gossip reigns.

Food arrives, sporadically.

People pick at plates of

battered squid and cherry peppers.

Wash down Gorgonzola cheese-stuffed mushrooms

with dark beer and fresh-brewed coffee.

Or some exotic drink,

served in mugs sporting

a hodge-podge of designs.

Each holding a life story at the bottom,

shimmering for patrons to review

at leisure between sips.

Reality appears on no menu

in these flights of fantasy,

these parcels of precious moments,

free of conflict.

Close your eyes, relax.

Breathe deep.

 

***** *****

 

Life’s too short to live in the world of reality 24/7/365. Every so often, take an unscheduled flight of fantasy away from the planned schedules that dominate your life. A flight of fantasy is not an attempt to escape career or family. Taking a “thought” break is merely a way to refresh your mind, and your attitude.

 

As you envision an impressionistic painting, soar to le Louvre. Think of cherry blossoms and immediately be transported to Japan for the Cherry Blossom Festival. On a too-yellow-bright summer’s day, let your imagination take you to Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula for the fabulous changing colors of autumn. (Just don’t let your imagination land you in Green Bay on a winter’s day!)

 

Stressed, but still too much work? Take a flight of fantasy to an eastern, uncrowded beach in Waikiki. Rent a lounge chair, sit back, and observe. Surfers wait to catch their next wave, free hula shows spring up; yachts cruise out for sunset.

 

Close your eyes, relax.

 

Breathe deep.