Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. β Izaak Walton

Fun, Humor, Life experiences, Nature, Travel, Food, Work, Silly Verses, Nostalgia, Random Thoughts
Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. β Izaak Walton


Top 2 pictures captured in the backyard with the moon peeking through tree branches,
Bottom 2 pictures from the front of the home, clear and unobstructed view! π
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dolly-parton-county-music-icon-dies-80-rcna236277
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly!
There never was anyone like you,
There never will be anyone like you,
You were one of a kind,
You were very kind,
Bringing joy to fans and many alike,
There was so much to love and like,
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly!
Little lady, Big pipes, Country music legend, Big heart, Great stature, Universally loved: RIP Dolly Parton π A life well lived. π
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Many monsoons ago it was a cloudy day. The sky was overcast and the Sun was trying to peep through the clouds. It was summer holidays time and just before the onset of the monsoon season. With time to kill and desire to get some fresh air I set out for a walk. My path took me through a wooded area. Saw couple of shadowy figures in the distance. It was the SiRash combo. Si a sicko π and Rash his rash sidekick π. Both of them bullies, meaning they were insecure and cowardly, up to no good and always craving for attention. Known for imposing their views on anything and everything and acting like they were God’s gift to humankind. π Anger, hatred and jealousy were their driving forces. π‘ They were always on the lookout to pick on someone. Generally picking on anyone who they thought wouldn’t respond or object to anything offensive said by SiRash. On occasions I would ask them to back off if I felt they were unfairly targeting a person they thought was vulnerable and too meek to respond. Let’s put it this way: We weren’t exactly close friends. I always wondered why folks who could drill some sense into them chose to remain silent. π€ Either they wanted to avoid trouble or were just glad not to be picked on. Whatever it is, if bullies are not confronted, they take it as a license and approval to carry on with their bullying ways. This day I was just interested in enjoying the weather, the cool breeze and natural surroundings. Was hoping that SiRash combo were also out for the same reason. No such luck, true to nature they started taunting me hoping to get me riled up. Soon we were in a wooded area where the canopy of the trees covered the entire road in shade. I was determined not to play into their hands by responding back. I walked briskly ahead of them even as the taunting continued. I think they were disappointed to not hear me say anything. A little further ahead of the wooded area the road forked. Just as I was about to take the right road I turned around. They were looking very expectantly for me to say something. Instead, I smiled and flipped the script by flipping a finger. π Message sent without a word said! π I walked on the right road, and it was bright and sunny as if to indicate a small battle won. Disappointment writ on their faces they took the left road, which was still dark, covered by cloud. Groping in the dark and looking for their next target probably. I couldn’t care less!
Acknowledgements: Image for the story created using Google Gemini Nano Banana 2 using prompts
https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1546061/garry-sobers—where-art-met-sport
Legendary cricketer Sir Garry Sobers passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026. π An exceptional athlete blessed with otherworldly talent, Sobers was a cricketing genius who exceled in all aspects as a cricketer: batsman, bowler and fielderπ A career spanning 20 glorious years, cricket fans were blessed to witness greatness unfold before their eyes as the great man entertained wherever and whatever team he played for, be it the West Indies, the Caribbean island team (Barbados) he represented, and the English county and Australian State teams in their local cricket leagues. π He even led and played for the Rest of the World team with distinction. π Some sportspersons wow with their talent, some wow with their achievements, some wow with their natural ability to entertain and then there are a very few like Sobers who wowed with all those qualities and had so much fun whenever he stepped on the field of play. π Sobers’ talent and achievement were such that his popularity transcended the sport as he always carried himself with grace and a smile wherever he went. I suspect even the teams he played against were secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of his genius even while praying for their team’s success. Even the famously tight-lipped Brits, who were at the receiving end in many of the matches Sobers played against them, were singing his praises when the great man’s final innings on earth ended! I have seen a few grainy videos, on youtube, of the great man playing that was enough for me to appreciate his talent and achievements and also to understand why he was so entertaining. In Barbados, that tiny speck of an island which has produced many cricketing greats, he is much revered and probably more popular than any other cricketing great! π
Rest in peace, Sir Garry Sobers π
The Gods felt it was time for them to be entertained by your talent π
Your memory will live on in the YouTube videos and the words of those who enjoyed it firsthand and from those who heard it from the people who were lucky to enjoy it in person. π
P.S. I was traveling last week and learned about Sobers’ passing away on my return home. Hence the late tribute π

A prescient person! π


Just when you are resigned to hearing and reading more news about greed, grift and graft π‘ comes a heartwarming story about generosity and goodness πthat restores the belief
Generosity + Goodness > Greed + Grift + Graft!
You just feel like reaching out and giving a warm hug to the 88-year-old gentleman still working 8 hours/day, 5 days a week and applauding π the efforts of the social media influencer and all the folks for their kindness and generosity to ensure that the nice, grandfatherly person can enjoy retirement ππ
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ed-bambas-army-veteran-working-grocery-store/

What did the snow say after the snowstorm? π€
Snow: I was blown away by the experience! ππ