Posts Tagged ‘India’
My experience with the ‘washed’ coal mafia
August 26, 2025Read the leaves if you can’t read the lips 😊
July 22, 2025
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Mary Jane in Manhattan
July 10, 2025I was walking in Manhattan in May,
Past yellow cabs honking near Broadway.
The air felt busy, the crowds were thick,
Then came a smell- strong, sweet, and quick.
It wasn’t a pretzel or pizza slice,
It smelled like someone was rolling spice.
Not cinnamon rolls or roasted seed-
Nope. Just good old-fashioned weed.
By Times Square lights and Central Park trees,
It floated along with the city breeze.
Outside a deli, near a bagel shop,
Someone lit up with a quiet pop.
No one cared, they just strolled on by,
Even the pigeons looked a bit high.
It’s legal now, so folks don’t hide,
They puff their clouds with urban pride.
So if you’re in Manhattan and sniff something strong,
Don’t worry- it’s weed. You won’t be wrong.
Just smile and breathe (or hold your nose tight),
It’s part of the city, both day and night. 🌆🌿
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Confessions of a confused father
July 3, 2025Confession Time 📚🙈
I have never read a Harry Potter book. Yes, you heard that right.
This, despite both my children- Siddharth Ratho and Aditi Ratho – being Potterheads. In fact, Aditi’s devotion continues to this day, long after growing up and acquiring all the signs of responsible adulthood (jobs, deadlines, her own business venture now – and the ability to function without a wand 😀).
I’ve always stood my ground – with this (very grown-up sounding) logic:
“Why read fantasy when real life – and fiction based on it – is already so fascinating?”
To which Aditi would patiently say, year after year, “Just read the first ten pages. You’ll love it.”
I didn’t do it. Not becuase I am stubborn- just… habitual realism 😊. My children even got my late father to read a few Harry Potter books. But I did not relent 😎
But then something magical happened.
Aditi’s debut novel — Suzie Mistry and The Imagination Factory — got published last week! 🥹💫
I’m immensely proud – the kind of pride that makes you sniff the pages, carry the book around like a trophy, and tell complete strangers, “My daughter wrote this!”..My late father and late father in law must be so proud too – wherever they are.
…At this point, refusing to read my daughter’s book just because I’m “not into the genre” would be… well… churlish (and grounds for family disownment 😄).
So I read the first page.
And guess what? I’m hooked !
Turns out magic runs in the family after all 🤔
Reading it tonight.
And yes, you can find it on Amazon. 😁
An ordinary life 