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Puzzled

TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND

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For many years I’ve enjoyed puzzles as a way to spend time with my family and friends,  as well as a quiet way to think things through and chill. It started more than fifteen years ago, always in summer. I’d put a big puzzle out on our dining room table, knowing the kids were home and we’d have hours to fill, and that there were no big holidays, so we wouldn’t need the larger table. Anyone who visited, or was here, could join in.

It’s a surprisingly great way to connect with people. Puzzles require that you sit (or stand) in one general place and concentrate, yet it’s easy to talk and as you search for pieces, as well. People tend to chat more with each other, and really listen, without outside distractions; with a puzzle, there’s no TV or screen to get lost in. It’s also a nice way…

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This Is How CBSE Is Brainwashing Your Child

The Male Factor (TMF)

CBSE Class7

Civics in CBSE Class VII

CBSE is telling your kids that their mothers are not valued in their homes as their work is not valued. In this aspect CBSE is comparing the mothers’ work to the work done by the housemaids and teaching your kids that household work needs to be valued higher to give respect to their mothers. So, now you should shell out extra money for the work done by the maids and also expect mothers to start demanding money for their love and care. It was seen earlier as feminists tried to pass a law for giving salary to the wife. So, according to this feminist lesson, mothers love will soon be available in market on sale (feminism and consumerism go hand in hand).

In India, a large population of women from poor families make a living by working in different households. Lot of these poor…

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Notes From the Zookeeper: Gratitude

Becoming Cliche

I love my job. There are so many things to be grateful for.

The first call is the critically endangered Golden Dart Frog. The second call is a Bumblebee Dart Frog. I have played these calls back to them for fifteen minute stretches three times a day, five days a week for several weeks now. It gets them grooving.

  • Ingenuity and success. Bowers made of coconuts cut in half are recommended for breeding Dart Frogs. I only have one, and my Annulated Boa has commandeered it. So I made due with what I had – black snake hide-boxes set atop the lids from Chinese food takeout containers. And you know what? It worked!

These are just a few of the eggs hidden in the exhibit. If they hatch, Dad will carry them to a water source on his back. Check back in about 10 days days.

  • Hoses…

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Notes From the Zookeeper: Remember Meatball the Miracle Tortoise?

Becoming Cliche

Remember this little guy? He is a tiny miracle of a Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) . His egg had been broken during excavation of the nest (we have to excavate them or the eggs will die), and his keeper had carefully replaced the broken bit of shell and hoped for the best. And out he came with only a small cosmetic defect in his shell.

Now Meatball is a year old, and my how he has grown!

Right before Christmas, guess what? Meatball had a baby brother!

Radiated Tortoise says it is going to have to odd, because it just…can’t…even…

The hatchling should be a male because it was incubated at a lower temperature – 84F. A temperature of 88F produces females. This minute difference in temperatures is one reason why climate change can have a devastating impact on a species. A few really hot summers can result…

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Niagara Falls Winter Wonderland

World in your eyes

The power of Niagara Falls

It was January 1 cold and sunny morning. The trip to Niagara Falls was enjoyable because of the free of traffic highway and excitement to see the winter fairy tale. Our expectations did not deceive us.

The mist of falling water created the special light and made all the beauty around. And we dive in the Winter Wonderland of Niagara Falls. Magnificent winter landscape!

(To see the pictures from gallery in full format click on any and follow the arrow).

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Oh, Now I Understand

notquiteold

This morning at breakfast, I had some very nice toast and butter. My husband and I are careful with the carbs and the calories, so really good bread is a treat. We are also careful with the evening snacking, so I was really hungry.

But there was a pair of sad, pleading eyes staring up at me. A bottom lip thrust a little bit out.

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And as hungry as I was, I gave that last bit of toast, so nicely buttered, to Theo.

Which of course made me think of:

My Mother.

Oh, she doesn’t have those mournful eyes or that trembling lip.

No.

I’m thinking of her because now…

Now I understand.

I never had children of my own. Motherhood was a concept always just out of my reach, always just a bit out of focus.

But now I have a dog.

And now I am just a little…

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Le Grand Colbert

World in your eyes


While being in Paris the restaurant Le Grand Colbert was chosen for the fortieth anniversary lunch. It is located on a quiet small street Rue Vivienne right behind Palais-Royal. To avoid crowd we decided to come there a little bit later than regular lunch hours. What a surprise was waiting for us? The entrance door did not have a handle to come in. I tried to knock, and then made a signs through the window to waitress to open the door, but no reaction followed. We were about to leave with a huge frustration. Suddenly the car stopped in front of an entrance and a young man with a bouquet of flowers came to the door. Somebody from inside opened the door for him. I asked this person if they are opened and work and had the positive answer. Then I told him they are in trouble because there is…

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Sweet November in Paris

World in your eyes

Plane tree leaf

The beginning of November in Paris this year is awesome. Warm and sunny days were much appreciated by local people and tourists. It does not look like there is a slow season in Paris. Although November is the last autumn month there are plenty of tourists in the city. Anyway, Paris is beautiful in any season and you can enjoy walking around lovely attractions, beautiful streets full of shops, cafe, restaurants, souvenir boutiques and many other interesting places. It is for sure Moveable Feast as it was said long time ago by Ernest Hemingway.

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