Growing up moving around quite a bit within the States and Spain, my parents from two different countries, and having two older brothers, my mind was often on gender and geographic politics, even at the age of four. As early as I could handle paper and pen, writing became a means of making sense of things (more on my background and books here).
Back then, I delighted in being a novelty. At the same time, I knew enough that it was tragic how presidents and kings war over map lines, treat people unjustly because of them, and use them to decree who can’t marry whom.
Now I delight in how citizens are taking matters into their own hands. These days, it’s hard to find anyone on my street who isn’t some sort of blend and proud of it. There’s everything to gain from meeting people from everywhere and reaping all the good we can teach each other.
My husband, Khashayar, is from Iran, which means extra celebrating at the Spring Equinox. Persian New Year is cultural, not religious. Cuntries that also celebrate it include Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Albania. Even Japan celebrates it’s own version.
Here’s a speech about it I did during my stint as a member of Toastmasters, an organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills…
Today’s guest, Lalita Bawa, is a retired teacher from India, who blogs at Life is Beautiful 🙂 She’s a freelance writer, and authors stories and picture books. She loves nature and enjoys creating content that revolves around her life and touches her — such as the lives of dogs, as she shares here…
Who has more fun? A pet or a stray? by Lalita Bawa
One day at the crossroads they two met
one on a leash, the other running from the threat
They exchanged a glance as they proceed
Oh! What fun it is to get a lovely leash
A master
A home
A life with so much peace !!
A leash is a chain, that pulls me down
Heavy is my head in this heavy crown
You are free to explore and race at will
A minute on the plain, other minutes on the hill
Your home, an open field, under the sky
You can smell and taste all that you want to try
***
Oh! What say you? My leashed buddy
I chase all day long, still sleep hungry
In the rain , ignored by passersby
No one runs to meet me
All night I cry
I am filthy, dirty, and muddy all day long
You are so well-groomed
Move in a car with a song
You sit on your master’s lap
and get a royal pat
I am shooed away and often called a brat
***
Oh! What fun it is, to fight on the street
you look like a warrior and make my heartbeat
I sit and stare from my window seat
Eating spongy cakes, munching daily cheese
Well! I have a suggestion to make
Let us switch roles just for a day
we shall know
Who has more fun a pet or a stray?
What are you celebrating these days?
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Thank you Daal for your News Years speech. It put a smile on my face and put me in a calmer state of mind than the one I was in. Wishing you and Kashayar and all of your loved ones a very happy new year.
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Interesting speech! When you was showing the picture in the book the thing that caught my eye was the Garlic. My property has a lot of wild garlic and seeing it come up is one of the signs of Spring. A relative of Garlic is “Ramps” (wild leek). Every Spring we have festivals involving Ramps to celebrate Spring.
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that sounds wonderful! the garlic symbolizes good health 🙂
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Oh yes, we have a “tall tale” about 2 brothers who are centuries old and sleep most of the year. They only wake up during Ramp season and it’s said that it’s the ramps that keeps them alive.
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interesting!
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Happy Nawrooz to you and your husband, Daal. May it be filled with joy. Your Toastmaster’s speech was enlightening and I really enjoyed it. I love the idea of the darkest and for some the most fearsome part of winter becoming the beginning of the New Year. It says a great deal about hope and the future. I love the table. Would you be willing to explain the symbolism of the fish? What are traditional dishes served at Nawrooz? Thanks for sharing this cultural celebration.
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what great ideas – I’ll consider an additional post about them 🙂
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they eat fish on new year — & the goldfish — I haven’t yet figured out — but here is a link to new awareness on the ‘torture’ of goldfish (my husband refuses to put goldfish on his new year’s spread): https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-nowruz-persian-new-year-goldfish-deaths-luristan-newt/28378300.html
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I like the man who put an orange in his goldfish bowl – a creative and compassionate solution.
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yes – that’s common now. the ‘7 s’s’ have multiple choices, so my husband omits the bowl of water
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Nice speech! That was very interesting. Maybe we celebrate New Year on first of January just to have a celebration and reasons for fireworks when it is most dark outside … 😉
My plans for spring are: to enjoy it and take care of my flower beds, maybe start some vegetables.
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sweet plans! I love how we can enjoy new year days from everywhere — we need more celebrating 🙂
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We can do our own spontaneous celebrations, e. g. the “Sunny Sunday” celebration or “This cake turned out really well” celebration, invite people … 😉
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great ideas 🙂
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Happy Persian New Year – wonderful video!
I find it interesting, dear da-Al, that you have a Hamsa design on your shirt; any special reason for it?
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lol on sale at Traget
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What can one NOT find on sale in Target! Let it protect you, as a Hamsa is supposed to do.
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❤
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