And Mehndi colours her hands with dense leaves and swirls, sending its fragrance around her with wishes that her life too may bloom with flowers and beauty.

He comes decked in royalty, his friends the Shenai and drums escort him to his coy beloved now embowered in the marriage tent, filled with fragrance and dreams... May her mehndi be kissed by him, her sweet, red coloured hands and may those carry a future of falling roses and gems.

They all sing, sing as the horses and elephants bring him to her...he will place her in his heart. Her mehndi will answer his silent longings and the fire will bear witness to it all..

And back to life in good Old Montreal

So I spent the weekend in Florida - at the wedding of one of my second cousins. I went there with the apprehension that this was going to be one of those family events where all you did was smiled and pretended to care - but I was wonderfully shocked!

This part of the family turned out to be super amazing - the bonds that grew among us second cousins over a mere four days just defy description. I now feel closer to them than to so many of my first cousins!

The wedding was truly memorable - quite the mixture of west indian and gujrati :) Needless to say the food and music left nothing more to be desired.

A weekend forever etched in my memory...

3+4=7

AJ: So yuh know how 3+4=7? Well figure it out...

Me: 7?!? hmm not bad.

AJ: No no no - you're thinking length aren't you? Well its not that.

Me: *totally shocked and amused tone* you mean WIDTH????

AJ: Steups

Magnolias in the sun

With spring come the most beautiful flowers created - when bare, brown wood explodes into pink and white blossoms one marvels at change....at time moving on...and at Spring!

Soon there will be long warm days...with sweaty nights and heady floral fragrances. I see already the tanned skins moist and inviting. I see already the balcony on Mariette with friends and wine - friends and beer - maybe even him and much more than just wine - who knows?

Is it the question or is it the answer? The nights lit by the candle's glow - the summer moon entering on stealthy bare feet...to light a bed of red silk and white roses. To dance upon incense smoke and a lover's embrace.

Blues and reds...greens and saffron - colours of our youth never faded - never to be faded... ever real, ever bold. The path is new - where do I stroll, where stop? where linger, where flee? To lose...to win - or is it in losing that one wins?

Relent! Relent!O Summer relent to my desire...