My aunt decides to stay one more day.

Got up at 6, went through our chores and we opened up the house for the day. Had a long chat with Suma kunjamma over the morning cup of tea.

Kuttu, her second son, is coming to Guruvayur tomorrow and they'll all return to Thiruvananthapuram by Friday.

The maid had arrived at her usual time, for work.

Had sat on my laptop and pumped out the month's mail by a half past 12.

Lunch.

Siesta.

Lekha had gone to town by 4, to buy sundries and finish up pending work.

Selvam had come by 5, to press the clothes including Suma kunjamma's.

Tailpiece.

It was a quiet evening, thereafter. 

A very hot day.

Got up at 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Philip and Surendran had begun to clean up Raj Nivas prior to our arrival on the 5th. The caretaker had told me this; their working fees were transferred into his account.

Suma kunjamma went off to Thrissur on work.

The maid had arrived at her usual time for work.

Worked on my laptop as is the custom.

Lunch. 

Siesta.

Lekha had a good 'darshan'. Suma kunjamma helped her. They'd picked up dinner from Hotel Pazhayidam. Guruvayurappan was in the "Dhanwathari murthy" avatar.

Tailpiece.

A quiet evening thereafter.

A good start to the week.

Got up at 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Today is the 1st of the Vaishakha maasam on the Saka Calendar.

Suma kunjamma came in around 8 AM, had a long conversation with us. She had her bath, had breakfast and went to Guruvayur temple to have the 'darshan' of the good Lord.

The maid had come at her appointed time and commenced her work.

Worked on my laptop as usual.

Lunch.

Watched the movie 'Ramachandran Retd SI'. It was a taut and interesting story.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

Suma kunjamma returned by 8. We'd our dinner together.

A quiet evening thereafter. 

Was it a Sunday?

Got up at 6, the chores and opened up the house for the day. Lekha had got up a half an hour late, just like that.

The maid was in for work and hence, we didn't feel like it was a Sunday!

Worked on my laptop and fine tuned my work.

Watched Crime Patrol on television.

Lunch.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

Spoke to my aunt. 

A quiet Saturday.

Got up at 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

It was my younger sister, Mini's birthday by the Malayalam calendar and we had wished her in the morning itself. 

The maid had taken a day off because today happens to be her mother's remembrance day.

Worked on my laptop as usual.

Lunch.

Watched an episode of Crime Patrol on television.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

Going through the messages on certain What'sApp groups, guys are expressing their anguish on the Pahalgam terrorist attack on the 23rd. Understandable! 

Another work done.

Got up at 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid had come for work.

Two phone calls and I'd the local reps of the Aquaguard react in double quick time. Signed the platinum AMC too. The four filters were changed - two normal filters and one each of Copper and u/v filters.

Worked on my laptop, as usual.

Lunch. 

Saw Valiyettan for a while.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

The mad scramble for the previous trip to Koduppunna! 

Post - Pahalgam terror attack.

Our day began, this morning, at a half past 3 thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm. The chores and we were ready by a half past 5. Sajish comes around and we set off for Muhamma by a 47' past 5.

Thanks to this morning's traffic being tame, we reached Aryaa's, at Edappally, by a half past 7. Had a quick breakfast and resumed our journey. Reached Toothy Mallan's clinic by a quarter past 9 and he quickly got on to his work.

It took about an hour-and-a-half for doing up Lekha's dental work. We were meeting up after last year end and after my heart surgery! Mallan was as affable as ever.

Returned by a half past 11 and had lunch at Hotel Abhirami @ Edappalli.

Reached The Quarterdeck by 4.

Settled down soon after.

A quiet evening thereafter!

Tailpiece.

Pakistan is behaving silly. They've taken PK Singh, a BSF jawan, for having strayed(?) into international territory. A failed state, a rogue state.....that's what Pakistan is!    

A few things done.

Got up at 6, went through the chores and got the house opened up for the day. I'd two small work that was crowding my mind and wanted a way out! And soon, I'd formulated my action plan for the day.

Called up Kannan, our chauffeur, and confirmed that he was free during the forenoon. 

Accordingly, we went across to the Polyclinic, Kunnamkulam to collect a 'referral' for my second review at the AIMS, Kochi on 05 May. I'd decided to skip the meeting between the Officer-in-charge and the beneficiaries. Had a chat with Col Krishna Kumar.  

On our return, topped up the Chevy with fuel and checked tyre pressure. Kannan had, in the meanwhile, cleaned up the car.

Lunch; watched an episode of Crime Patrol.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

Had my post-dinner walk. Spoke to Captain RK Singh.

Tailpiece.

The CCS has taken certain decisions :-

     * The Indus Water Treaty suspended.

     * Attari will be closed

     * Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to enter India under the SAARC scheme.

     * The Pakistani defence personnel staff in their High Commission in New Delhi declared persona 

        non grata.

     * The Indian High Commission in Pakistan is gonna be reduced by 40%. 

A ghastly terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam, J&K.

Got up at 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

It was an unbearably hot day today.

Shelji had come in and I corrected my mistake of yesterday....gave him Vishukkaineettam.

The maid came in for work albeit much later that her usual schedule.

Worked on my laptop.

Wasn't very hungry at all but went through the motions of lunch!

Watched television for a while.

Siesta.

The evening chores. Lekha did her exercises on the bicycle and I had my walk post-dinner.

Tailpiece.

Terrorists kill tourists in Pahalgam. Pakistan needs to be given a Balakot-like experience as tit for tat.

Adieu Pope Francis.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day. 

Shelji cleared my property tax dues without hassles though I'd to dish out Rs.215/- instead of paying nothing!

The maid was at work.

Worked on my laptop as usual.

Joboy had come by with two of the three Pure Flame burners and he will bring the third later.

Lunch.

Saw an episode of Crime Patrol.

Siesta.

Lekha goes to our ration stand to collect our dues of rations for the month.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Called up Shelji to correct my mistake. Fixed up with Toothy Mallan for Lekha's treatment on Thursday.

Tailpiece.

My walk, after dinner, on the courtyard.

Pope Francis passed into the mist of time at 1105 hrs IST. My tears and prayers!

Easter Sunday.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid was at work despite it being a Sunday.

Earlier, had wished all my friends and relatives.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch of chicken biryani.

Watched Masterpiece, a Mammootty film.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Tailpiece.

Saw Maman's program at Kochi on the 22nd. Probably, they will come here after that.

 

New beginnings....

Got up at our usual time of 6, the chores and we'd opened up the house for the day.

Ramesh, the gardener and Muniyappa came and shifted our exercise bicycle from the balcony down to our courtyard to facilitate its usage by Lekha from now on!

The maid came at her usual time for work.

Worked on my laptop for a while.

Lunch.

Watched two episodes of Crime Patrol on SET.

Siesta.

Lekha began her cycling exercise this evening.

A quiet evening thereafter. Chakki and Chhottu-Mottu don't fetch up for their evening meals as before.

My walk, after dinner, on the courtyard!

Tailpiece.

Achu, Padmakumar and Rema off for Bangalore, in Achu's car. They left Thrippunithura by a half past 8 and reached Achu's house by a half past 8.

On Good Friday.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid had come by at her usual time.

Worked on my laptop as usual.

Lunch and watched an episode of Crime Patrol.

Siesta.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Tailpiece.

Can't hide my dismay at the Supreme Court proceedings on the Waqf Amendment Bill.  

End of a cycle!

Got up as I heard Rema and Achu going for the morning 'darshan' around a quarter to 6. Saw them off. We got up at 6, the chores and opened up the house for the day.

The maid fetched up for work at her usual time.

Achu was on 'work from home' and hence, was available only in snatches of conversation.

Had breakfast and lunch by myself and the others had their meals after me.

Siesta.

Soon, Rema and Achu were on their way back to Thrippunithura.

They reached Sidhi Kedar by about a half past 6. Thankfully, the traffic was much less.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Ajitha gave me the last dose of insulin, this evening from the present lot and I'll be on oral medicines from tomorrow!

Tailpiece.

Paid Rajan, our rubber tapper, his first salary of Rs.3,100/-

A surprise!

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid came in at her appointed hour.

My usual work on the laptop!

Lunch followed by an episode of Crime Patrol on Sony Entertainment Television!

Siesta.

The evening chores followed by a quiet one.

Tailpiece.

Rema and Achu would be arrived at a quarter past 11, in the night. Padmakumar is at Pidavoor and Karthika is at Bangalore because of her work.

 

An outing.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

The maid had taken a day off and so, for us it was another Sunday routine.

Had got plumber Roy to repair the leaking tap of the sink in the work area.

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch and a short siesta.

Went to see Mammootty's 'Bazooka' at Appa's for the matinee show. We weren't impressed as we see from the rave reviews that one sees in the media.

A quiet evening thereafter.  

Vishu 2025.

After setting up the Vishukkani, Lekha and I got to watch an episode of Crime Patrol on Sony television. By the time we'd turned off to bed, it was past midnight!

Got up at 4, woke up Lekha five minutes later and we viewed the Vishukkani! Turned off to sleep to get up at 6. Went through the chores and opened up the house for the day.

Handed over the Vishukkaineettam to Ramakrishnan, the newspaper boy. In the bargain, saw a brilliant smile on his face and my day was made! Went through our morning chores and after getting ready, I did the monthly aa'rathi and handed over Lekha her Vishukkaineettam.

In the course of the day, we dismantled the 'kani'.

Lekha's Vishu lunch was superb. Earlier, the breakfast of 'rice flakes and banana' was thoroughly enjoyed.

Saw the movie, 'Angu Vaikunthapurathu' - a good Allu Arjun movie.

Siesta.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Tailpiece.

A nice, peaceful day when I'd connected up with all my relations. It was nice talking with each one of them! 

It's Hosanna Sunday!

We got up a trifle past 6, went through the chores and opened up the house for the day.

The maid fetched up at her usual time for work.

Lekha, in the meanwhile, had ensured that things were stocked up for setting up the Vishukkani this evening.

Vishukkaineettam was handed over to the maid Aswathy, autorickshaw driver, Sukesan and the farmhand, Pushpaakaran. 

Lunch. Saw the movie, "Christopher" through lunch.

Our old maid, Suma had come by to inquire about my health. Damn sweet of her!

Spoke to Indira kunjamma.

Lekha and I set up the Vishukkani, watched an interesting episode of Crime Patrol beyond midnight before going off to bed.

Tailpiece.

Sukesan and his friends plucked the Labernum flowers for us and for themselves, too.

  

Preparing for Vishu.

Got up on the dot, the chores and we had opened up the house for the day.

The maid comes for work at her usual time.

Selvam, followed by Ramesh, had dropped by and I gave Vishukkaineettam to both. 

Worked on my laptop as usual.

Lunch.

Lekha goes to Thrissur, to buy certain Vishu-related stuff from Chenda Kada and Sylcon. Sajeesh came in by 2, took our Chevy for the purpose as per earlier instructions.

The maid clears up stuff prior to Vishu, on Lekha's instructions.

A quiet evening.

Tailpiece.

Vishukkaineettam to Sajish too.

Finishing up work.

Got up at our usual time of 6, went through the chores and had opened up our house for the day.

The maid came at her usual time, for work.

The Aquaguard service rep will attend to the AMC formalities on Tuesday.

Sent my biodata and the photograph across to Radhagovind and Prabal for the article that I've written for the forthcoming coffee table book.

Lunch.

The physiotherapist came by at a quarter to 3. Finished with his sessions today as Lekha feels much better.

A quiet evening.

Tailpiece.

Washing machinex of clothes as we tried to make the maid's work easier.

Today's heat was subdued.

Got up at 6, we went through the chores and opened up the house for the day.

The maid took leave as she was laid up due to her fall yesterday, in our balcony.

Work initiated at Raj Nivas in our room.

Mini informs us about Syamala being with her for studying her class X exams.

The physiotherapist also took a day off.

Lunch.

Watched two episodes of Crime Patrol. So, no siesta.

Lekha goes to town for purchases and comes back within an hour.

Tailpieces.

Today's heat was subdued thanks to the early morning showers. 

Another quiet day!

Got up at 6, went through the chores and had opened up the house for the day.

The maid came in by a half past 9.

It was Maman's birthday and both of us wished him many happy returns.

There was 'Narayaneeyam paaraayanam', at the Foundation, followed by a high lunch!

The physiotherapist came in by about a half past 12 and finished his work before lunchtime.

Lunch.

Watched an episode of Crime Patrol followed by siesta.

The evening chores.

Tailpiece.

Roy and his assistant had come by to rectify a defective light.

A nice day!

Got up at our usual time, went through our chores and opened up the house for the day.

Yesterday, Rema and Padmakumar had told us that they would be dropping by to meet us, today. Accordingly, they were here by 9, having left Thrippunithura at 6!

Yakkittiyak, all through!

The maid had also come by but she couldn't get fish, which was a faux pas. Rema loves it!

The physiotherapist had dropped by at a half past 11.

A boisterous  lunch!

Shakir Jacob had called after seeing the Padmasenans with us and he'd come to know of my surgery today!

Rema and Padmakumar had returned to Thrippunithura by a half past 3.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Tailpiece.

The guests, dropping by, have increased lately!

Another new week!

Got up at our usual time, went through the early morning chores and we opened up the house for the day. 

The maid was at work.

Padmasenan and Sujatha were the surprise visitors who spent about a couple of hours with us. Damn sweet of them, after eliciting a promise from us that we should stay at their place when we fetch up at Kochi, next.

Worked on my laptop.

The physiotherapist had come by to look after Lekha.

Lunch followed by siesta.

Preethi had returned my trouser. Her tailor had come and quietly placed it at the front porch.

A quiet evening thereafter!

Tailpiece.

Indira kunjamma and Aniyan had called. Rema, too. 

A fast-moving Sunday.

Last night we'd decided to get up leisurely this morning, being a Sunday but when the chimes of the clock struck 6, we sprang out of bed. Went through the chores and opened up the house for the day.

The maid came by, as usual. Since the workload wasn't much, she used to come for work on alternate days, earlier.

We both were ready at our usual time. Fruits and lassi for stand easy. 

Worked on my laptop.

Lunch.

The physiotherapist came around 3 and completed his session.

A quiet evening, thereafter.

Tailpiece.

No rain as predicted and consequently, the Mercury has risen. 

The showers and the aftermath.

It was raining cats and dogs during the wee hours of the morning. Consequently, the oppressive heat was subdued.

We'd got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and opened up the house for the day.

The maid was at work.

Fruits and lassi for stand easy, as is the routine these days.

Shiril, the physio, fetched up a trifle before 12 and went through Lekha's treatment. Can see the visible changes in her.

Lunch.

Saw two episodes of Crime Patrol on television.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

The nurse comes at 10 PM, these days, to administer the insulin.

Tailpiece.

Babu Sahadev had called up from Toronto, inquiring about my progress. Called up Padmakumar too.  

Got things done.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Today was the day, last year, that Sanil had left us. Mini had organised food for his family who'd arrived at Ayur for the prayer function. She'd organised an outside caterer for the breakfast and lunch that were served. From her family, both Rema and I had to stay away because of our medical compulsions!

The maid was at work.

Joboy, the Pure Flames rep, finally fetched up to carry out servicing of the cooking range.  

Shiril commenced the first day's physiotherapy on Lekha. She seems to be much better subsequently.

Allan, from Harisree and Sajith, from National supermarkets, respectively, came and delivered the grocery.

A quiet evening, thereafter!

Tailpiece.

How quickly a year has passed?! All pending jobs completed.

Lekha's dad's 9th Remembrance day.

Got up at our usual time and we'd the house opened for the day.

The nurse and the maid came by for their work. The Fiasp pen got over today and the nurse will come over the next few days only at 10 PM to administer the Tresiba insulin. Have put myself on medicines.

Today's Lekha's dad's 9th remembrance day.

The following jobs got done today :-

     * the door of the foot locker in the work area was replaced

     * the stoppers of the mosquito proofing of our master bedroom were fixed

Phew; these were long pending.

Shiril, the physiotherapist, had come by and he'll begin Lekha's treatment from tomorrow.

Lekha gets her chain-with-pearls sorted out. She'd gone to Chavakkad, after teatime, for the purpose. 

Tailpiece.

The Lok Sabha had passed the Waqf Amendment Bill by 0200 hrs this early morning.

A few things accomplished!

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we'd opened up the house for the day.

Lekha had carried out the usual Wednesday morning aarathi!

The nurse, followed by the maid, had dropped by to carry out their tasks.

Fruits and lassi for stand easy.

The carpenter was the first to arrive after that. A sliding cabinet of the kitchen, the door knob of the kitchen and the steadying handle in the lower rest room were fixed.

Geeverghese, the plumber along with his assistant, Albin, came to rectify the water motor defect.

Lunch and siesta.

Lekha had gone to town for the following after tea :-

    * booking the 'thil homam' - at the Perunthatta Siva kshetram - in her dad's name as tomorrow is 

       his remembrance day.

    * repairing the pressure cooker.

    * buying grocery and vegetables from the supermarket.

Narayanan and Rema dropped by to see me. Damn sweet of the!

Tailpiece.

A less warm day than yesterday because of the night showers.

The debate on the Waqf Amendment Act in both houses of the parliament, on at 2100 hrs.

Got connected up, finally!

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Wished Indira kunjamma many happy returns.

The nurse, followed by the maid, dropped by for their tasks.

Fruits and lassi for stand easy.

Had to get four things sorted out viz. :-

     * contact the Eureka Forbes guys regarding the servicing of our Aquaguard.

     * contact Naufal for fixing up the foot-locker door in the work area.

     * contact Nandan for repairing one of the racks of the kitchen.

     * contact Roy, the plumber, for the repair of the water motor.

Got through to all of them and have fixed up the schedules for defect rectification over the next few days, within this week.

Maman had gone across to Kollam this morning. On his return, he'd called up from Mini's house at Ayur to say that the new board of the JSS, Kollam has been cleared by the Skill Development ministry. Chambu has been appointed as Programming Officer.

A quiet evening.

Tailpiece.

Hope all the defects are liquidated within this week itself.