Indian food and my being cool
On our way to Palm Beach the day before yesterday, Heaven Admin took me to a marvelous Hare Krishna Restaurant in Chattsworth, Durban, South Africa, for a most welcome lunch.
I happen to love Indian food. For a moment, put the food aside. As soon as I stepped into the Temple which leads to the restaurant, I was practically swooning from the sweet and settled atmosphere. It was beautiful.
Then we had the most delicious food. Unfortunately, my camera isn’t working quite right, and I can’t show you pictures. I spent maybe an hour of time I don’t have looking for photos on the web that I couldn’t find. One place had great photos, but the photos were all stuck together.
Anyway, we had an okra and paneer dish. I love okra, and I love paneer. And I love Indian spices.
If you don’t know what paneer is, often spelled panir, it’s a fresh-made cheese that doesn’t melt. It is easy to make, and I have made it myself. I did find a photo of what paneer looks like:
We also had a delicious dahl, a sumptuous semolina pudding and a yoghurt cheese cake. Yum.
Now I will tell you two of my lapses from coolness.
Very quickly at the restaurant I spilled some of the okra and paneer food on my jeans. A big blob. Try spilling a big blob of food and maintaining a sense of being cool.
The following lapse occurred after the restaurant on the drive to Palm Beach and the beautiful Indian Ocean. Perhaps you will understand what I was compelled to ask. Perhaps you won't. I don't think it can be explained. It can be understood, but not explained.
I looked up at Heaven Admin and said:
"Is the Indian Ocean still here?"
And Heaven Admin understood.
Comments
You spilled on your beautiful jeans????? And was the ocean still there?
Yes, I confess I did, Lauren, spill on the beautiful new jeans you gave me. But immediately I ran to a restroom and washed it.
These are the most beautiful jeans in the Universe!
And, yes, the Indian Ocean is still here!I walked barefoot in the sand. The tide was out. I even got my feet wet in the cold water. Seashells seem to be fewer.
Your messages are so refreshing, dear Gloria! Until these, I had thought that the kind of relationship you have with God meant the sacrificing, surely, of an intense personal life. I am very heartened to learn that it does not mean this after all, in very special cases at least! Keep up the virtuosic work! As if you need anyone to say such a thing.... :)
Sharon of Iowa City
Beloved Sharon, now I know the Sharon you are! I'm so happy to know. You are a Godwriter™ and, God willing, today, the Godwriting™ from that quickie workshop in Iowa will go up on this blog, or maybe in two parts, not sure.
I wonder if you know how meaningful what you wrote is for me. The fact is that my whole personal life is on a totally new level since God blessed me with Godwriing and Heavenletters. There is no comparison. The people I have met, the turns my life has taken, heart-opening and adventure-filled! Unbelievable, I'm in South Africa. No one could make this happen, except You-Know-Who, and here I am!
Yes, God in Heavenletters, is, in fact, opposed to sacrifice. There is no obligation with God. He says something like this: When we act from obligation, we tend to expect a return and obligate others. As a matter of fact, I discover that, with Godwriting, I am doing what I always wanted to do even though I had no idea of what I most wanted to do until it started happening.
Years ago, Heaven Admin suggested that I write a book, a story of my life. Whatever Heaven Admin says, I take seriously. However, I was concerned about ego-flouting. I have had this same concern with this blog as well. It's a lot of me, me, me. Maybe I have too good a time with it!
Of course, sometimes I do stay on the topic of God and Godwriting and Heavenletters; I also seem to have to play on this blog as well.
Sharon, your comment is a key to the book about the story of my life which, so far, I'm calling The Little Things. Your comment will appear somewhere in the introduction or preface of the book. You give a prime reason for the book's being. You have done a great service to me and my heart.
I have a sabbatical here in South Africa in order to write this story of my life and a few other books and a musical. You have inspired me to get going. In regard to your statement above, dear Sharon. yes, I did need omeone to say such a thing. Thank you.