The Dramatic Hollywood Rabbit

I have now lived in India longer than I lived in the US, but in my heart of hearts, America is still home.  It’s where I grew up, it’s where my side of the family lives.  Its culture, food and holidays still fill me with anticipation.    For some things I could find or create a substitute for in Delhi.  Just within the first week of arriving one of our longest family traditions was started.  It began with 20 of my in-law’s friends.  My in-laws didn’t know how I celebrated Christmas, but for my first Christmas Eve in Delhi, they had arranged for a little evergreen Christmas bush and decorated it with lights.  They had invited some of their closest friends for snacks and dinner.  We sang Christmas carols and old Hindi movie songs.  It wasn’t quite like home, but the love they showered on me, by doing this was unparalleled.   When Hubby and I were in the US one his partners hosted an annual Christmas Cocktail Open House.  I though...

Hold my hand until I go,  It won’t be long now I can hear the whistle blow My eyes see past this temporary station Through mists of time, how days have flown I see a little girl with dreams and aspirations Some whisked away in the wind I see a young woman with a baby in her hands Her dreams changed by this new life So many desires slipped through the cracks Falling carelessly on the tracks. Hold my hand until I go I’m filled with battling emotions Already I miss those I leave behind Yet eager to embrace those who’ve gone ahead I want to treasure this time with you  I want to savor my hand in yours  I want to remember the times we shared I do not wish to stumble these last few steps Perhaps missing the end of this sojourn I wish to board the train hale and hearty Looking back to those who have made this journey worthy Hold my hand until I go I believed the journey Was more important than the destination I tried to savor each day To fill each one with joy and contentment Bu...

I don't remember having fresh ginger until I moved to India.  It was never a part of our grocery list.  If you've read other parts of my blog you will know that I enjoy that peppery bite that ginger adds to food.  What you may not know is that it also can create a tasty refreshing summer drink.   I had heard from various friends how good ginger is for the throat and is used often in home remedies.  I'm not sure how much it actually helps, but I do know that fresh ginger is always added to the tea made in my house and in the winter whenever someone would have a cough, my cook would take some ginger juice and honey and give it like a cough syrup.  I  think it soothed, but whether it was a placebo effect or the fact that it just tasted good, who knows.   Then one day I was at a friend's house and I was offered ginger squash.  It was so nice and refreshing on a hot Delhi summer day, where temperatures are constantly over 100F. ...