A few months ago, a family of cats took residence in our bookshelf. While the family itself is fairly reticent, a boisterous youngster emerges each day to entertain our son Nikhil with his various feline adventures before returning to the confines of the pages where he dwells when the books are put away. Entertaining Nikhil is a bit of a challenge. …
It’s 1982 and I’m at the bus terminus waiting for the bus to go home after school. The bus has not showed up, so I have to wait another hour for the next one. I have nothing to fear though, I have just checked out “If Only They Could Talk” by James Herriot from the library and I happily perch…
As another year ends, it is perhaps appropriate to reflect on the passage of time. This is also the second part of my blog on exploring stoic philosophy through songs, particularly Hindi songs. This blog focuses mainly on Seneca’s “On the Shortness of Life” (“De Brevitate Vitae”), a moral essay that he wrote around 49 AD. I’m relying on the…
My introduction to stoic philosophy came via a YouTube video. Titled “Stoicism 101”, the engaging video was presented by Dr Massimo Pigliucci, professor of philosophy at the City College of New York. Presented at an informal setting, likely a pub in NYC, Dr Pigliucci provides a very good overview of the history and philosophy of Stoicism. I was intrigued enough…
“It’s about regimental pride,” said my friend, “I will send you a video regarding this.” I was speaking on the phone with my classmate Chengappa after thirty-five years. I remember him as a superb sportsman in school but I must confess our paths did not cross much then, boys tend to be self-absorbed in their own cliques. However, I’ve been…
When we first moved to New England, I was smitten by the scenery. We moved in summer and the trees were tall and green. Narrow roads wound their way surreptitiously through towns and the countryside. For long stretches, they were bordered by stonewalls. And the trees, tall and green, flanked the roads on either side, the sun peering through the…
I remember the first time I told my daughter a bedtime story. She was a little over two and not in the mood to sleep one night. Jungle Book was the ideal story since she loved animals. Her curiosity was piqued as I narrated the adventures of Mowgli. When I got to Sher Khan and “roared”, she burrowed closer to…
While driving through my neighborhood a few months ago, I happened to pass a house that had a number of items placed on its driveway with an accompanying “Free” sign. There were the usual knickknacks – items once bought but of no interest to the owner now. What caught my eye, however, was the sizable pile of books. As I…
Once in a while, I come across a book that captivates me. The author is able to draw me into his or her world and take me along on a journey in which I am an interested and intrigued companion. Homer (Sonny) Hickham Jr.’s memoirs titled “Rocket Boys” is one such book and I just finished reading it last night.…
Fourth grade was an exciting time for me. I changed schools and was now studying in the same school as my older brother. An impressive colonial-era building, with large sprawling fields – I was fairly intimidated and in awe the first few days. It was also the first time in my life that I had access to a library. The…