Timber, Eh?!

The mother earth was kind to her today, unlike past few months, Geetha said aloud. There was no one around, though. 

‘I think it is a season of rains and showers, the grass is silky green, if you just forget to trim even for one fortnight. The pine cones are falling occasionally, and acorns are all around. Some of the Oak pods, are just over grown galls homing the wasps. They are ok, no need to drive them out because  it is just a part of ecological harmony. Sometimes when they drop on the ground there is every danger waiting under the dried leaves. Copperheads love to eat cicadas, dropping to evolve from 9 PM to midnight under such Oak trees, it is wise to be cautious than be sorry,’ Geetha continued to talk aloud to herself as she was sorting some open corners that needed care, as she was working on the lawn that evening. 

Hello, how are you, a neighbor was wishing her as she was doing some yardwork in the front. 

Hey neighbor, howdy! Geetha answered loudly this time, not chatting within her mind.

Chatting within her mind, mumbled to herself.

Why are you so pensive asked her neighbor. 

No, I am good, come let’s have a chai and chit chat said Geetha.

Both Susan and Geetha sat together watching the Bold and the Beautiful show of two competing corporate families in rivalry, vengeance, love and despair all at once.

They would comment on each scene and say been watching since past 39 years, may be it will keep going and we may need to revisit earth after we are dead and gone all over again!

Oh no. I am good, I don’t even wanna think about it said Susan. Good thinking , said Geetha.

Imagine in this wide world what is the significance of erring of any ancestors or of any human errors, miseries or thoughts, Geetha said philosophically.

Well, to me it matters, need to be somewhere in twenty minutes, or else this weekend I may not get to buy my medicine. I ought to go, said Susan. 

Well, nice seeing you then, neighbor, they wished each other a good bye. 

Geetha was going to prune the rose creeper that grew it’s long branches all over the walkway near the lawn. 

She was trimming all small edges, poking out sharply. She even thought the Oak tree is growing a little too much on the edge towards her window in the room upstairs. May be a little bit of pruning may not work,  it needs to be cut, timber.. she thought.  I will call the landscape helpers tomorrow or day after and trim the edges, and clear driveway, Geetha was thinking as she was putting away the trash. 

I need to see if Sonu Mami has returned the car jack and starter jump kit and the ladder too, Geetha remembered as she wanted to call the handyman. Their nephew borrowed it as he wanted to help her with some repair work to the car as well as gutters.  She just saw that there were birds nesting on the branch she thought of having it cut. Oh my. That would have been a Timber.. thank God for allowing me to see that’s a disaster for the protected Blue Jays.. 

In this whole wide Universe, little things, indeed matter, she thought sipping her second cup of Chai. 

prompt :I Refuse

I am going Manjula, see you all after Monday.

Where you going Swapna?

I am going to my in law’s home. Hope to see you all later.

Ok, you all take care.

Mom, where is Swapna aunt going? 

I think it is to her in law's home, she will be going.

On Monday we have an art class, can you help me with it?

Sure I can, sweetheart.  What for, were you asking about aunt Swapna?

‘Mom, will tell you later,’ Lata ran away to play as soon as she changed into her play clothes and drank milk.

****

‘What’s  the matter Emily,’ asked Lata.

I am so not ok with what they tell and what they do, said Emily. 

Whatever is bothering you?

I like to have cake, and coffee but I am never allowed.

Emily went into the restroom and wiped her eyes and lightly touched her hair and came out.

‘Emily, my dear, you are still young and coffee causes acidity in kids system. It is not about you, your sisters are all grown up, now they are going to high school and college. Why don’t you wait till you graduate elementary school?’

Emily gave a beautiful smile and said that is fine, as long as my cake is still there, I don’t mind not to have instant coffee!.

There, that’s my girl. Lata patted Emily and let her to go play. 

Lata, can you go with me this evening, we are going to town and watching movies tonight, Dinesh said to Lata as she was returning from her tutoring class. 

Oh, sorry Dinesh ji, I am busy and have no interest to go out tonight.

It is ok, jeered Saloni. We are better off without you my dear, saying sarcastically. 

Salon is very grown up looking and always in her mini skirts or jeans and T shirt and keeps playing shuttle cock or jump rope.

I think she is been watching too much of teenage shows and Sabrina shows, thought Lata.

You seem to be upset, asked her dad. Yeah. No, nothing Lata faltered.

Oh you seem to be having a rough time, was it the boys, who upset you?

No, I mean not really, but my own friend who was good with me, suddenly changed to someone I do not know.

Why, what happened, what did you do? asked Manjula.

Major Nallappa will be visiting our school tomorrow to make selections, for weeks we were working hard, marching, parading, practicing daily at least an hour during morning, and once in the afternoon, missing lunch and breakfast, at least until recess and get refreshments. 

Oh, what you got today, her brother asked pouring a cup of Orange juice in his glass. 

So why are you so irritated, father asked again. 

I do not like the way some girls go around caring neither studies nor norms to be followed.

Is that all or are you jealous of Saloni, akka, asked brother Manoj.

Manoj! Yelled Lata.

She is very responsible with etiquette,  Manoj, don’t talk to your sister so rudely. That kind of behavior is not encouraging  advocated grandma Pushmataha amma.

Alright naani, don’t support your namesake so much, and took a laddoo from her plate and ran away. 

Manjula, you must take care of your lalla, complained grandma Pushpalatha amma garu.  

Guys, it is time to have personal time, take care, father went to the living room to watch national news, lighting his triple 5, and in a corner, watching it all, Lata was quietly doing her homework as she was listening to the news, read by Yoshika Ratnam. I need not worry, if I refuse to follow some peer pressure, thought Lata, and realized, she has higher goals.