Lovely night out

Had a lovely night out with Ashoka before he leaves for Sikkim later this week. He has the possibility of some land there which, with the mountains, might be better for him. He would be able to indulge his other passion which is paragliding.

I cannot see what he sees in it. I would hate to be suspended in the air by a parachute and then to look down and see all that space between me and the ground!

Going green

Managed to finish the grass cutting today. Of course there is always more to do but the grass cutting in the main areas of Buddha Garden is done.

When I was having my shower I noticed that parts of my legs had got very stained from the grass and it took a lot of soap and elbow grease to get them off. It reminded me of when I was a market researcher when we were asked to do some research on a cream that could be rubbed on the thighs to get rid of cellulite. It was a particularly vicious shade of green and we wondered whether it would turn our skin green when we used it. We joked that although our thighs would be green they would be beautifully thin and firm!

Various ways of 'going green' I suppose!

A very young volunteer

This was the youngest volunteer we have had this year – Ricardo from Italy who came with his mother who is wondering about coming to live in Auroville.

He was lovely, soaking up everything around him like a sponge. And of course he reminded me of Sam.

A very special time

Today in the morning we planted trees and I realised what a special time this is. We continued planting trees that we started yesterday afternoon and I was very aware of the changes that we are making to the land. How very special this time is.

Unfortunately the picture looks rather mundane – just a bunch of people planting trees. Yet the time that we spent planting trees on this eroded land won't be repeated. It is not like growing vegetables where there are a lot of regular jobs which happen on the same plot of land. Once the trees are planted it changes the place forever.

It was a very special time in the transformation of this land.

Driving too hard

Was meant to lead a tree planting session this afternoon but sat up rather suddenly after my nap which put me into dizzy mode and feeling very fragile.  I am sure it is because I have been driving myself too hard, especially after this morning which was full of extra jobs.  I think I was also rather dehydrated as I have been very thirsty all afternoon.  It has happened before and I take it as a sign to slow down.

Rajan very kindly led the afternoon work session and they managed to plant 12 date trees along the fence.  I went to have a look and got one of the volunteers to take this picture which I am going to send to Sam.  When Emma asks him 'what is Nanny doing' he answers 'Nanny is planting trees'! Now he can see what it looks like.

I have obviously got to stop pushing myself so hard.  This time it has been all about getting a certain amount of work done before the monsoon starts.  I think the problem is that I feel if I don't do things like lead extra sessions then the work won't get done.  I think that is partly true but now with Rajan helping in the mornings we are getting much more done generally so maybe one extra session will be all that is required.

I do love to do but must have time to be as well.  And driving myself until I come to a standstill is stupid.

As it is

Went to yoga today and although after all the physical work I feel very strong, various bits of my body were hurting during some of the asanas. Yoga often shows me what is really going on and I fear that I may be pushing my body too hard. I feel good doing physical work and can often get carried away with it and lose connection with my physical body.

Coming away though I felt very much that some of the kinks in my body had been straightened out.

A flying rock

During my extra grass cutting session this morning I was hit by a rock between my eyes. Although it hurt at the time there was no bruise, but I couldn't help thinking what does it mean? Is it telling me there is going to be some blinding insight? Or maybe some change in my life? Or is it just telling me that I should wear the shield over my whole face??? the problem with the last one is that when I wear the shield I can't see very well because it all steams up from my breath!

I feel I have worked very hard today what with the grass cutting together with an extra work session in the afternoon. Rajan has started joining us in the morning work today and it made a lot of difference. He keeps and eye on things when I am not there and keeps on moving everything forward.

I feel tired tonight and also feel very satisfied.