America-dalli Narayana

My doggy friends in America
My experience with Mowgli, Sassy and Caesar moved me. They know just to love - no questions asked. Their warm backs, soft necks, tender looks, instant energy and frank doting
aaah! A whole new world of joy for me.

Mowgli in San Jose

He looks at me with soulful eyes
And sweeps me off my feet
I come back from a half-hour walk
And he licks my face - like I'm his treat.

Caesar in Chicago 

Expensive dog food is yucky! He ignores it.
And jumps up and down for simple - curd 'n rice.

50 pounds or five, knee high or half way
You guys won me over, before I could say coffee and fries.

CURD RICE ?????

Is that why we call him Narayana??

Sassy in Boston

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I think thoughts of a large dog at home. But it will remain just that. I am not ready for the hard work.
Would you like to keep a pet?

To Starbucks and to Coffee

Our trip to America

We had taken the early morning flight to Dallas from Lexington, deciphered the Dallas airport and made our way to the different terminal and the gate to catch the flight to Sanjose. phew! Soon after take-off the flight attendants came by with loaded trolleys. One coffee please - I said. The gentleman gave me a stern look and said, 'madam you have to tell me if you want milk and sugar, or I give it black'. I smiled and nodded. With a flourish he announced, 'One coffee with milk and sugar for the lady'. and handed them all to me ... the coffee, the milk and the sugar.

During our stay in this foren land, my husband and I often ventured out on our own. We packed a mini snack of muffins, Oreo biscuits, or some sandwiches. caught a bus or got dropped off and wandered around. We walked into mom-and-pop shops, sat by lakes, did the tourist stuff, and some wandering around. Starbucks Coffee has been our biding companion during the America stay.

Starbucks coffee was the first purchase we made in dollars. God! their small cup is soooo tall!
After munching on packed goodies we dropped into the stirring aroma of Starbucks coffee
When it got too cold or windy we wrapped ourselves into the nearest Starbucks and sipped a Tall One.
That's where we rested after an elaborate walk-the-mall experience in Lexington
That's where we waited for my brother to pick us at San Francisco
That's where we waited for a friend's daughter at Taylor's Street, Chicago.

One can nostalgic about - the overpowering aroma of rich coffee - the feeling of Youngness that pervades the shop - the chattering line and the wait for turn - the placing of the order - picking up the cup and walking to the counter for milk and sugar - capping on the lid O so perfectly - mmmm I so liked it all
Not that we can't do it all here in India - just that we don't!!

And when I saw this steaming kettle at the Starbucks near City Hall, Boston, my day was kind of made. I hastily put down the hot cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts (more of a Boston thing) that was in my hand to click this one.

steaming brass kettle

They say the kettle weighs 200 pounds. and the steam comes from the boiler of the building. Starbucks just has a retail place here. But I like to think that the kettle belongs to Starbucks!!!!

Get lot more info here The steaming kettle

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Laguna Beach

The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew
The furrow followed free;
We were the first to ever burst
Into the silent sea.

These lines from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner evokes for me images of the vast and silent Pacific Ocean. and I had dreamt of gazing upon the waters of the Pacific some day.

Laguna Beach

I did just that at the simply amazing LAGUNA BEACH.
The beach is a paradise for brush strokes and shutter bugs. We approached it from Tustin. We walked up to the cliff and from a vantage point looked down at the blue waters of the pacific.
A fringe of tall palm trees swayed in the October breeze.
Hard grey rocks offered their strong backs while the sea splashed against them in white mirth.

Smooth stretches of sand invited barefoot romping.
Silken skirts edged with bridal lace appeared here and there, when the sea reached into the shore.

Elsewhere surfers rode high on rising tides, making me wish I had the guts to do that too.
Volleyball on the beach...there were teams of mixed groups playing the game, with boisterous cheering from the enthusiastic ring of spectators.

we then walked down the streets. stopped at an art studio. sipped coffee while gazing into the watery horizon.
an amazingly beautiful place.
almost surreal
No wonder many artists have made Laguna Beach their home. If you can, do spend a day at Laguna beach.
Thank you B for suggesting the place. It was exactly what we would want to see.

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Laguna beach is in California, driving distance from LA.