ARUNDHATI BASU

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Chasing Clouds

Billows upon billows upon billows of clouds hung in the morning sky yesterday. We were in a Gainsborough painting. Driving through the Cotswolds and staring at the sky. Of course, I reminded Adi to keep his eyes on the road too or we would be looking down upon the countryside from the clouds. A bit too early for that. To keep his eyes in place was the yellow vista that comes up in April with timeliness. The rapeseed fields that spring up along the roads leading into the Cotswolds. They shall turn uniformly yellow in some time so much so that you cannot spy a speck of green amongst the sheets of yellow.

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“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky.” Rabindranath Tagore
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“I know that I shall meet my fate somewhere among the clouds above; those that I fight I do not hate, those that I guard I do not love.” William Butler Yeats
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“When I look up and see the sun shining on the patch of white clouds up in the blue, I begin to think how it would feel to be up somewhere above it winging swiftly thought the clear air, watching the earth below, and the men on it, no bigger than ants.” Eddie Rickenbacker
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“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” Edward Abbey
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“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” John Lubbock
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“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.” Gilbert K. Chesterton

And before I leave you, I cannot make Sunday complete without browsing through the postcard collection, so here are a few below. Are you having a good day? I would love to hear about it. I am sitting in front of the telly (’tis the noble day to be a couch potato), munching on spicy French Toast, catching up with the final instalment of The Voice, a reality show, and wondering what to rustle up for dinner.

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Baptistery of San Giovanni, Firenze.
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The Baptistery, Firenze.

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On that oomph-y note, till tomorrow then, my lovelies.

Responses

  1. Osyth avatar
    Osyth

    Ay ay ay … Sophia in her corsetry and la Dolce Vita – what’s not to love? What is really to love is your sublime homage to the clouds. I’m a particular fan of WB Yeats and that quote is gloroiusly fitting. Don’t disappear into the clouds just yet though … terra firma needs your wit, wisdom and words a long time yet 🙂 And your pictures. Not forgetting your beautiful pictures ….

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      You are killing it. Those words made my Sunday *goofy grin. Sophia makes me happy. Have you watched her in ‘Houseboat’? A classic is special because of her and of course Cary Grant (I love his wicked deliveries). Yeats is sublime, isn’t he? The Lake Isle of Innisfree, aah. The aim is to keep my feet firmly on earth so that I do get to meet people like you, even though virtually x

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Osyth avatar
        Osyth

        In my (possibly not so) humble opinion, Sophia is the most beautiful, divine woman of all time. Houseboat was a Saturday afternoon treat when I was growing up. Cary Grant is still my mother’s heartthrob and why not? Yeats. Yeats is the beating of my heart. Lake Isle of Innisfree – just utter poetic perfection. When my children were little, I had his Cradle Song written in my rather crude calligraphy on vellum over the cot each one inhabited and then grew out of. He was right. I did miss them when they had grown. But not all the time because I do rather enjoy the me-time I can indulge in now 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        Ha ha ha, you are precious. Me-time is a necessity plus you gifted them Yeats as toddlers. Hmm I shall look up Cradle Song. Btw your mother and I have Cary Grant in common. That man was utterly butterly wonderful.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Osyth avatar
        Osyth

        I’m joining the Cary party per-leeze … he was my ideal man (still is actually but my husband must never know this terrible truth!) You’d love my mummy …. total old-school upper eccentric. Priceless and to be bottled! x

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        Ha ha ha. I do not know if I can say the same about my mummy. She was a dragon though she is quite tamed now by a virago of a daughter. Cary, I believe, would never complain about more women in his pen. And husbands have the distinction of being the chosen ones to pamper us. How can they not stomach some truths 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Osyth avatar
        Osyth

        I like your style! There is still a line I don’t cross with mama … it’s unspoken and those that know me have look of panic in their eye when I’m getting close! I’m tempted to turn my redundant back room into an homage to Cary and Sophia and la Dolce Vita and all the other delectable goodies from that era that could SO do with returning and giving us all something to desire and delight in! x

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        I have crossed lines with my ma alright. That does not hold her back. I mean we your quintessential sparring duo. What do I say, my mother pushes boundaries. Back rooms, Cary and Sophia and classic heart-throbs, I cannot fight the delight of that. Do share x

        Like

  2. Vy from VYLYST avatar
    Vy from VYLYST

    How cute! Sometimes I even some figurative shapes of the cloud like an elephant or a bunny. 🙂 By the way, I bought exactly the postcard of the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Firenze and sent it to a friend in France. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Oh my, we liked the same postcard. The chances of that! Yesterday itself, Osyth, the clouds elongated into long puffy stretches on either side of that triangular billow. Now imagine that. Veritable rows of soldiers, marching away, singing ditties that remind them of home.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        Vy! I confused your reply with Osyth’s. Brain fade. Pardon me *bambi eyes

        Like

  3. Jen Stewie, Overseas avatar
    Jen Stewie, Overseas

    Those clouds are so fluffy. They look like they would be fun to bounce around on, except you would unfortunately fall through in an instant. How deceptive of them. Anyway, they are still pretty to look at.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Ha ha ha, indeed, a fall might not be pretty. It Would Not be pretty, let’s agree on that and seal it with a chocolate & orange biscotti (cos that is what I am going to nibble into right now) 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Jen Stewie, Overseas avatar
        Jen Stewie, Overseas

        Agreed. I’m a bit late, but I hope you enjoyed your snacks.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        Oh and how 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  4. arealwookie avatar
    arealwookie

    Sophia was quite the beauty in her younger years…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      I cannot fight you on that. Sophia loved and owed everything in her life to pasta. I think she won me over with that line. One who acknowledges pasta to be the reason behind her success is no mean woman, eh.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. arealwookie avatar
        arealwookie

        eh…I see you have picked up on a Canadian colloquialism unlike our neighbours to the south (USA) huh? Of course we won’t talk about how funny the Brits talk…perhaps we could poke fun at the unintelligible English of the Irish though 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        I am a sponge. I soak everything in *solemn tones. Eh is liberally used in Canada too, eh? 😉

        Like

  5. iwannabealady avatar
    iwannabealady

    You had me at clouds. One day fairly recently, I looked up at the sky on my way to work and fell deeply in love with clouds. I’ve seen them my whole life and yet. Now I am constantly pointing them out and people think I’m a cloud loving weirdo. Every morning before leaving my driveway I stop to look at the day’s cloud formations. It makes for a good start and gives me peace. Plus they are always so interesting in their variation.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      You just wrote that many lines on clouds. Of course, you are a cloud loving weirdo. High five sister 🙂 It is not a bad kinda weirdo though. Sealed and guaranteed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. iwannabealady avatar
        iwannabealady

        Aww shucks. Thanks darling!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        😉

        Liked by 1 person

      3. iwannabealady avatar
        iwannabealady

        What is this time you keep writing?? And is it winding down?! It seems to be winding down. I thought I should know and was too ashamed to say I didn’t know. But now I must know! Hahaha

        Like

      4. iwannabealady avatar
        iwannabealady

        Oh my goodness… It’s how many minutes ago you responded…. I’m dying of laughter!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        I shall need some strong tipple to answer the time query. It is a thought-provoking one 😉 Methinks you need some too. Salud! x

        Liked by 1 person

      6. iwannabealady avatar
        iwannabealady

        I’m not sure what tipple is, but I’ll take it!

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        Alcohol 😀 On a Sunday night I would suggest nothing less x

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Cheila avatar
    Cheila

    Lovely views!! And the clouds look beautiful. I got this idea that you should change your blog name to “Chasing popcorn – thoughts by Cathy” hahahaha

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      HA HA HA. Hmmm you are giving Me food for thought now. Rosa has to wait her turn. I will chase popcorn all my life unless my teeth fall off halfway through xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Cheila avatar
        Cheila

        You still have about 30 years of good teeth!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        I think I am close to shedding few fat drops. The thought of leaving popcorn after that shall be crucifying.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Cheila avatar
        Cheila

        Never leave popcorn!

        Like

  7. thebooktrailer avatar
    thebooktrailer

    What a lovely post and lovely pics too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  8. deaththelifestory avatar
    deaththelifestory

    It’s been a very lovely day. And the Cotswolds! Lovely. The sky was lovely today (I’m in Cornwall…) and it always feels so much more lovely when we can get outside and feel the sun!

    (Love the postcards too!)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Thanks 🙂 You live in the county that has my heart. I would someday love to live there in a cottage by the sea. The night sky in Cornwall is fantastic too. I remember when I went glamping in Pencuke and the sky was a glittering dome awash with stars. Sigh.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. deaththelifestory avatar
        deaththelifestory

        I do – all of my photos on my blog are local. I live in the centre only 35 or so minutes from either coast. We’ve been here just over two years, and after years of visiting we absolutely love it. I can’t imaging moving anywhere else (although coastal does appeal!!)

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        Lucky, lucky you 🙂 We cannot wait for Easter bank holiday when we drive down to Cornwall for a week’s stay. It never stops calling us back.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. deaththelifestory avatar
        deaththelifestory

        We were in the same situation. I love it: particularly Penwith, but there’s no work for me there. I work in Plymouth, 40 minutes away from our lovely little cottage in the middle of nowhere! Where are you going at Easter?

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        We are yet to sort out a cottage for the stay. Lazy us. Looking at Looe and the Roseland Peninsula. A cottage in the middle of nowhere is 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      5. deaththelifestory avatar
        deaththelifestory

        I couldn’t ask for more. Hope the weather is kind to you 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        That is lovely of you. I quite hope for the same. Hope you have a productive, satisfying week.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. deaththelifestory avatar
        deaththelifestory

        Thank you. And you too!

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  9. earthsmagicalplaces avatar
    earthsmagicalplaces

    So fluffy and cute… plus they’re not rain clouds for once which is always a bonus in England 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      You bet 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Fabulous-Fusions avatar
    Fabulous-Fusions

    I didn’t know post about clouds can be so interesting 🙂 🙂 Only You can write like this 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Ha ha, you are too sweet. But clouds are I promise. Just go look and if you spot them, lend your imagination to them sweet girl? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Fabulous-Fusions avatar
        Fabulous-Fusions

        Will do today! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
        Dippy-Dotty Girl

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Jerry Peri avatar
    Jerry Peri

    Nice paintings on the postcards.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Ha ha thank you Jerry! If only I were that accomplished 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jerry Peri avatar
        Jerry Peri

        Hey, dippy dotty, it’s all in the mind, you are about there!

        Like

  12. DBA Mountaineer avatar
    DBA Mountaineer

    What a wonderful clouds you have there.

    Like

    Reply
  13. Dina avatar
    Dina

    Wow, the clouds … and then the rapseed as weel.It’s always an eye-pleaser, isn’t it! ❤ Such a beautiful scenery with the blue sky. We just went for our evening walk in Cley and enjoyed the yellow fields.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      I have more yellow fields coming up! They are becoming even more lush by the day. They are just so unbelievably beautiful that I can imagine that the walk would have made you quite so happy. We wait for them each year with some eagerness 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Satpura Tiger Reserve avatar
    Satpura Tiger Reserve

    How charming! In some cases I even some allegorical states of the cloud like an elephant or a bunny…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Absolutely. All shapes and sizes of clouds are fodder for the imagination. Bring on the elephants and the bunnies.

      Like

      Reply
  15. Sariska Jeep Safari avatar
    Sariska Jeep Safari

    What a beautiful post and dazzling pics as well!..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dippy-Dotty Girl avatar
      Dippy-Dotty Girl

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply

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