Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sunday Salon: Where I talk about my mom, reading & BBAW


This Sunday, I will break one of my own rules. I seldom talk about my personal life. However, here I will talk about my mom, who is a very young 74! A few of you might be aware that I and my mom live together, very near to my youngest brother's place. We had to make this move in April 2008, as my mom wished to live near him. I wasn't very keen but I complied. And now I am happy for it, although it took me a while to settle down.

My mom has gone to visit our native place in Orissa to see my 94-year-old grandmother. Initially I wasn't very keen about her going. Anyway, I am all alone here and believe me, I miss her! I knew I would but didn't know how much! And I know she won't miss me as she would be with her mom and her siblings.

My mom and I always shared a moment or two over a morning cup of tea. Last two days I have really felt bad, drinking it alone. I wasn't able to read anything either. It is lunch time now and I am yet to make something for myself. I realize now that she keeps me going.....nagging and all. She is very feisty and has a mind of her own. And I am very independent minded. So you can imagine the fireworks. One might have thought I would like this alone time. And yet I am missing her, writing about her. I miss her quoting the newspaper. I miss her watching the TV!

My mom is not much into long books. She likes to read newspaper articles and short stories. And poetry too. She can actually quote from Shakespeare! She still has a collection of his works from her college days.....leather bound and musty! (I couldn't find those to post a picture!). It is gonna be hard until she gets back on 17th September! I am counting the days!

I thought I will post a picture of my mom for all of you (Click on it for a bigger image). Here you see my mom, I and my niece, Ananya, who is really my cousin's daughter: .

Coming back to reading, I am in the midst of Daughters of the Witching Hill by Mary Sharratt (pages 96). It s not a very easy book to read, hence I am taking breaks. However, I plan to finish this today. A great book for RIP V! My 4th novel...:D Apart from reading, I am on a poetry writing roll. Somehow the words are simply flowing and I gotta write. You can check it all out by visiting my poetry blog, rooted.

I did sign in for BBAW, but did not send any of my articles to be considered for any kind of nomination. Nor did I go around nominating anyone. I really think, I don't need to do that. There are SO MANY good blogs and why do I need to choose one? As I see it, most of the same blogs get nominated each year and win, if you can call it that. ( A few might deserve it, yet..). The very purpose of finding/exploring new blogs fails. 

Having said that, I will anyway try to find my kind of blogs, adding those my google reader. Interaction is important with like-minded people instead of bestowing fulsome praise to all and sundry. Maybe it is just my opinion but I am entitled to that. I will participate in the BBAW in my own way and pace. It is all about originality, isn't it, folks?

Have a great Sunday and do let me know what are your plans?

23 comments:

Bernadette said...

What a lovely post to share with us all, I'm sure your mum is missing you a bit too even though she's with other family members.

I spent a perfect Sunday: book club meeting in the morning followed by lunch with my parents and when I got home instead of doing household chores I did a little bit of blog hopping and quite a bit of reading :)

BooksPlease said...

It's so nice to see your photo - now I can put a face to your words. I'm sure your mum is missing you too - you sound very close - there wouldn't be fireworks otherwise.

I agree about BBAW. I didn't even sign in, although I thought about it. I like reading like-minded blogs and I do keep finding new ones, mainly through the comments.

Not doing much today - maybe some gardening and of course some reading. Oh, I nearly forgot - it's the village flower show today, so we'll be going along this afternoon and watching the dogshow too, I hope.

Sarah at SmallWorld said...

Love to see your picture!! I hope your mom returns to you soon!

I haven't participated in BBAW since its first year. I find it kind of tiresome. I find plenty of new book blogs to read through TSS!

Marce said...

What a lovely post. I am sure she is missing you too. You should read the paper and cut a short story or 2 you think she will love.

It is funny how we don't realise a routine that has more meaning than we realise.

Also this was my first time participating in BBAW. I have to agree with you, I think I only found 1 new blog to me, I was disappointed, there were so many of the same blogs and some that were nominated, hmmmm. Oh well over all it has been an amazing year for me.

Nise' said...

Thanks for sharing your mom and niece with us. As others have said it is always nice to put a face with a blog.

My mom and I are very close even though I live in Michigan and she lives in Alaska. We will be spending 3 weeks in Seattle together in two week!

Leslie @ This is the Refrain said...

Beautiful post and beautiful picture! I know what you mean about missing your mom. I'm back living with my mom and I definitely have missed her the few times she's been gone.

fredamans said...

Beautiful photo! So nice to "see" you.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I don't like to write about my family either on my blog, but I often do.

How nice that you live close to your family!

Here's my Sunday Salon:
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2010/09/tss-nancy-drew-can-you-believe-this.html

bermudaonion said...

It's funny how you sometimes can't live with someone but you can't live without them either. It sounds like you and your mom have a special relationship.

Stephanie said...

That is wonderful that you and your mother have such a close relationship. I am very close to my mom too, but we live 45 minutes away, so we don't see each other daily or even weekly.

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Yvonne said...

Beautiful post and photo! Thanks for sharing with us.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

What a lovely post about your mother. She will be home soon, I'm sure. You are lucky to still have your mom and grandmother as well.

Clare Dudman said...

Not long to go now, Gautami! Like everyone else I am delighted to see what you like - and your mother too.

Athira said...

I miss my mom terribly! They live in Kerala, and although I left home believing I need to be on my own, I wish I could now go back home and settle there! Before you know it, Sep 17th will be here!

Veens said...

Well, I know how you feel :)
I and my om are like that, having her near - I never really thought I would her so much when she is not around. :)

Alyce said...

It's wonderful that you appreciate having your mom around so much! I know what you mean about quiet houses. Mine was so quiet on Friday when the kids were both at school.

I loved the photo of you and your mom!

Melody said...

That's a lovely post about your mother, Gautami! Thanks so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

My Mom's my best friend. I think it is very sweet that you miss her so much. I wish I lived closer to mine.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photo...very nice to get a glimpse of the person behind the blog as well.

I understand what you mean by BBAW. I was interested to participate, but I would never feel comfortable nominating myself or anyone else in any category. There are so many great book blogs out there...and yes, it is rather dull when the same old blogs get nominated again and again.

Memory said...

What a lovely post! Four months ago, I moved to a different country, and I've missed my mother ever since. I'm glad we have Skype, so I can still talk to her often.

Julie said...

What a wonderfully sweet post! You are all beautiful, and I love to peek inside. I think it's awesome how close you are to your mum, and I applaud you for being the wonderful daughter (fireworks and all) that I know you are!

Julie @ Knitting and Sundries

Teddy Rose said...

You have such a lovely looking family! Thanks so much for sharing your photo.