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Sunday, June 5, 2011

LEFTOVERS

Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart.

(Thomas Fuller)


Leftovers always present challenges that I can’t resist, and I rise to meet them.


A bowl of last night’s chicken, veggies, chappatis, old bread or even a bowl of humble dal fires my imagination and challenges my culinary skills. It becomes imperative that I transform these miserable leftovers, which everyone would rather see given away or better still dumped than on the table, into respectable dishes that can hold their own against any discriminating palate. And very often I am stunned by the amazing results!


I see so many possibilities in bits and pieces of cloth, wool, old clothes, ceramic tiles, empty bottles anything that would appear as waste. A stitch or two here, a dab of paint there, some embroidery, a little crochet or knitting, a bit of glue to stick imagination to an otherwise useless bit of garbage, and what lovely things emerge with new value of utility and beauty.


As I travel through life, I view the leftover part of my journey and I’m fired up to do wondrously beautiful things with it. I start to collect bits and pieces of memories, experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly to make up an intricate mosaic. Each moment has so many possibilities and potential to develop into life points, aha-moments, thought provoking points, crazy, hilarious nonsense, tender and loving snapshots, thoughtful silences, romance, moon-light and tears and so much more. It excites me, it humbles me.


I appreciate leftovers. I love the way it pushes me to find what is good and useful in each day of my life and put it to good use.


Glossary:

Chappati........an Indian flatbread made from whole wheat dough, cooked on a gridle. Resembles tortillas.

Dal.........lentils made as a thick soup with added spices and tempered. It's a basic food and is eaten with rice or chappatis.

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12 comments:

  1. Hi Joy, this was a wonderful post. It is a great reminder to appreciate the things that are "left over" and put value to them. Daisy is improving everyday, she is a very bad patient however and does not want to stay calm, she wants to be a normal dog. Take care my friend.

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  2. Marlene, it's good to hear about Daisy's improvement. She so reminds me of Heidi.

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  3. Being resourceful and creative - what a wonderful way to live life. I try to do that as well, for I dislike wasting things. Enjoyed the post, thanks so much!

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  4. What an interesting post. Perhaps I should be considering the left-overs in my life. I've never really thought about them in the way you describe them. I always imagine that whatever is left over remains left over and is never carried forward, but I realise that really isn't the case, is it?

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  5. Ken, It isn't the case. My leftovers are my legacy to my kids.

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  6. Leftovers are usually troublesome here but now I will look at them in new light. Your blog is lovely and I'm happy to be your new follower.

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  7. Hi DHH, welcome. I am glad to see you here. I love your blog too. Thank you!

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  8. So well collated "Left overs" with "potential to develop into life points, aha-moments, thought provoking points, crazy, hilarious nonsense, tender and loving snapshots,.... and tears and so much more". Somewhere in these lines, I can hear some fine notes too Khushi.

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  9. Thanks Raj for hearing "some fine notes."

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  10. I thinks its a great idea to be resourceful with leftovers.

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