The end of the year, the white knight is talking backward. The orange and beige sort of shade. The garlands are more normal lengths today. They have orange roses that just about match the color of the dress but then there are red and white ones too. One of the folks told me that Gandharvika's necklace looked like a little garland.
Lots of pedalers out ending the year with a ride, there was a team out training, a man on a unicycle and a husband/wife team ridding ramboulets. i almost had to stop and ask them how they liked the bikes since i've often daydreamed about a bike from that maker, but the light changed and we went our separate ways without speaking. i went for a treatment but the giver wasn't there so in my mind i heard the voices of lemond, landis and armstrong saying take the fourty minutes and go for a ride! and was i glad i did!!
Ending the year with the touch that kills, the chinese silk that defines rich color and texture combining red and creamy white with accordian chodder for Giridhari.

The garlands were made in the "Russian tradition" today. There are Russian roses around somewhere whose petals are as big as your hand and today they were in the center of the garlands. Giridhari's had sunburst type mums and with their centers showing reminded the garland maker of Jagannath's eyes. The sizes of the garlands seemed to be mixed up today. Gandharvika's was short enough for Mahaprabhu, while his was long enough for Giridhari whose would have been a good length for Gandharvika. This flower display set off the havirbhu dress. The golden foam on ghee with it's orange trim and avacado green floral print. A festival for the eyes, right?
The twin lakes provides a place to rest your mind at this time of year. The people are mostly inside just the waves and driftwood. From there through the harbor and over the railroad bridge leading to the boardwalk. Through the town and back to the sandya where an Indian came with his beads and all laughed, joked and said "I'm a funny guy"
The most blessed event sees the Deities to rest this evening. While the fire crackles and the christmas lights twinkle.

A garland for Mahaprabhu in San Jose, wow that hasn't happened in a couple of weeks. Silk ones have been the order of the day. Then after that when as i look to Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari, the she is Miss America. The smokey blue of Mahaprabhu and the purple coat, dhoti and chodder for Giridhari. Gandharvika has a white sari with green, blue and a touch of purple sequins The first thought was to use a tierra turned upside down as a belt for her but when the seamstress heard that made the name of the dress she said she couldn't use it.hahahahahaha she can't get me to stop the names that easily.
The crisp cold day in deep and dark December the people are out of town in celebration of the season. Pedaling is light and tumble the twin lakes, bike shop and harbor the natural bridge. A few brave sea lions and gulls great me as i make the turn and head back for the sunset service.
Tell me lies that you can't cover. The last time this year that they'll wear this night dress. Once again the temple warmed by a fire that cracks and pops into the late hours.

Is it tomorrow or just the end of time? The lime green, purple and silver. Wispy light chiffon floats in the breeze with the greatest of ease. By this dress it seems that Gandharvika's pattern calls for short skirts with an extra pannle on the bottom of the slip to fill up the space. Silver circles on the bottom of the real skirt with purple beads in different patterns complete the scene.
The cold makes my mind drift back to the days of my mispent yesteryear where the snow and sleet would be a factor in my daily pedaling. The boardwalk is empty as well as the cliffs, steamer's alley is vacant except for the white caps. The deity of the sufferer even has a coat on today. With all that it was time to get back to wake the Deioties and head into the sandhya
Yeah, that holiday just passed and i saw vraja kissing santa claus right beside the Math logo this lweek. The fire in the nath mandir keeps it so warm though there isn't a need for chodders. Now the problem is heat.

The aruna har posse rides again. The all carnation garlands today that were wilted by the end of the day so much that i thought there should have bee new ones made for the afternoon. Crystal beads hang from Giridhari's skirt like in the forest green dress but Gandharivka's skirt is ruffled in this one. Mahaprabhu has the standard dhoti, chodder and kirta as in most outfits..
Today the wind huffefd and puffed and kept me in the barn. i pedaled there for all i'm worth and got the same nowhere as always, When will it end, i asked, when will it end? And the wind howled never.
This evening Bhakta Blade appkied the switch on me and he dressed the small Deities. He did it in short time but i had all but finished the big ones in the same amount of time. Still the wind kept howling, not to stop at all oh when will it end?

"This one is the most beautiful they have" i heard that today, the day of Sue Nila Vasana. "When did they get it?" On a Janmastami. It seems so long ago by now but it keeps on looking wonderful. The garlands are the rolled style of petals today and with the colors in the dress they are outstanding.
The rain came again today so i was just raising the steam in the barn. The sherlock holmes hat and sweatshirt kept me from chilling to fast or getting drenched on my way back to the asrama.
Pralada a dad. The orange panel skirt for Gandharvika and vest and jacket for Giridhari. Mahaprabhu has the standard dhoti, kirta chodder and sash. Earrings made just for this dress. They must carry on their pastimes indoors on these kinds of nights, but then they can dance between the raindrops.

"That's so cute, the way you brush Gandharvika's hair out of her face" That's something i've not heard before but today was a first. The rose petal garlands were a bit short but still nice and Gandharvika's seemed to be missing a rose. Still Giridhari had his amazing techincolor dream chodder flying today. So many fantastic bright colors, and that was just in the night dress.
The day dress was also clear and bright.
Pedaling to see one of the folks today down by the natrual brigdges quite a nice day for one that was forcast to be full of rain and clouds. As the darkness approached and the time for the sandhya drew nigh, i put my cleats to the pedals and flew through the sky back to the asrama in time for the shank.
They call this one baby blue an elegant dress for the night when the anointed one was said to have been born. But it also seems that perhaps the day was adjusted to fit the religious feelings of a particular king. Any way the Deities still enjoy their evening pastimes and dance the night away.

"Superstar? I thought it was the yellow, gold and white" "Well i'm sure i put the right picture up and it's pink, white and silver." "Well the hair decorations will go anyway" That's what the Saturday hairdresser said to me. The garlands were quite good today. They have rose petals, leaves and one whole rose in the center. Rather than folding the petals they are rolled along with the leaves which gives a new kind of look.
As the Christmas shopping season comes to an end i pedal past the shops and they close almost in succession as i pass. Traffic is light on the cliff and through the shopping precinct almost no one out and people walk calmly and quietly. Then around the horn on past the park and the license branch, the toffynosed restaurant back to the asrama.
New chodders, that's what one of the folks gave the Deities for Christmas, in fact that's the only present they've been given this year. Pink for Gandharvika, blue for Giridhari and a black model for Mahaprabhu. And to all a good night.

The cutty sark, short red-purple skirt of Gandharvika named this dress. Giridhari has yellow with blue trim and red stones. Mahaprabhu has blue and gold. Today's garlands are quite a sight to be seen. Roses, rose petals, stems, and mums face out. The small deities have been wearing silk garlands this week since their maker has gone off to some other where. A time for "family" has taken it's toll on the asrama population. wild.
Pedaling by the city college between the new construction and the houses on the other side. The farmer's market is out of town. Folks are cleared away from the cement boat and the state park. The village is full of shoppers and tourists looking for something they don't know.
The most blessed event with it's purple, blue and pink. It's almost chilly enough for a fire but laziness stops short of building one. They'll be dancing enough to keep themselves warm tonight.

Ah, yes, Saint Patrick's easter comes fashionably late. "This is an old one isn't it?" Someone asked me today. "Yeah, it's three or four years gone by now." "Still it's such a beautiful dress. The crowns, effulgences and hars" "The garlands are too." Giridhari's cape is so wonderful. The folks who came today for sure haven't seen the Deities in a while. But that's alright, come back, Prabhu, Gandharvika and Giridhari don't ever forget. "How could you stay away so long?" They ask when someone decides to come back.
The sun came out today and despite the cold the pedaling was alright. Down the asrama road to the bear and then to the leaf around the opal cliff and then back up to the asrama. Streets are full of lights, still the asrama's there to go to. The ramble around from the asrama and back to wake the Deities is colorful, full of traffic, and windy but just to be out is such a rush that it makes up for all that it isn't. Now the nights have begun to ever so slightly get shorter
Tell me lies that you can't even try and disguise. There is ample time for them to engage in their night time pastimes. They are divine as they go out dancing night after night.

On time was the story of the day 'cause they wore the Radhastami outfit, She'll be there with bells on. Light green with purple. The garlands were quite well done, the three didn't match but individually they were very good. Giridhari's nose ring that had been lost was found in the crease of his left elbow. Their hair is excellently set today too.
The rain is unstopable so the barn has been pedal central. The circles are getting better and better but oh don't i long for the outside. The good side of all this is that this is the longest night of the year and so the light will begin it's return.
It's a miracle mom, that the Deities will have more dark hours to enjoy their night pastimes. The purple night dress is just right for that. Giridhari's long coat flies high in the breeze while his chodder floats gently on the air.

The amyavasya, dark moon day that means Madhuvrata. The honey bees are black and they fly across the yellow dress. A little different swirl today, Bhakta Blade did a lot of the dressing this morning. The garlands are of the carnation type with pink, red, and white. Since he put on all the same jewelry and i helped a bit with the finishing they didn't look so much different.
A flower in your sika and head to San Francisco today. The Haight and Ashberry along with the Golden Gate park where the freaks used to congregate. Such memories of SP and his pastimes there.
The lotus nails. An orange and green dress. Soft and inviting so as to make us chant, dance and lose material conception.

'Nila the blue and gold dress. Mahaprabhu has yellow pants and a sequin blue kirta while Gandharvika and Giridhari have the same shade of blue but without sequins and gold. Giridhari's jacket has gold leaves swirling through it. Ganharivka's has triangle of gold and blue with gold appliques. Today's garlands were made from the ends of the flowers. Rolled rather than folded rose petals with some whole roses and mums. Not the suspended animation garlands of yesterday though.
The cold won out today. The barn had to give me shelter. i went willing to pedal away because of the thin layer of ice from the day. Bhakta Blade did come and talk with me to help keep my mind occupied though.
Then while dressing the Deities in the Lions club, he tried to put Gandharvika into the high fashion mode. That is he tried to put some of the inside things on the outside. "This belt sure is weird!' He exclaimed. Then i had to show him what the "belt" really was. Otherwise they got to bed pretty much on time.

The weather outside is well....Nayanam galid asru dharaya, when will my eyes be decorated with tears while i chant your holy name? The finest sentiments of Mahaprabhu name this dress. Mahaprabhu has all green, Giridhari has a red coat with white dhoti and Gandharvika has all blue. The velvet is comfortable in the winter months. The rose petal garlands as usual go well with the dress.
Pedaling in the cold is good for the pedaler's soul. The usual route around the cliffs and the cemetary soon i've warmed to a quick pace and my cheeks have forgotten how much they were complaining on the road from the asrama.
The baby blue, the white with blue and gold trim contrast well with Giridhari's skin tone. The gold belts and crowns finish the color scheme well.

"You dress Gandharvika so skinny" it wasn't the first time i'd heard that criticisim. "Yeah, someone else said that to me too." i answered. "But i told them 'yes, but you know as well as i that in United States that women are considered prettier if they're thinner'" i explained, the second one replied to me "You're weird, murkapujari" Gandharvika's blue sari is no exception. Giridhari has yellow and Mahaprabhu wears green today. "In India they pull her skirt out very wide" She said. "That's because in their culture people are considered more attractive if they're a little puggy." hmmmm. The petals in the garlands today kept comming out. It didn't really show, the garlands didn't look skimpy, still the petals were all over the altar and had to be swept up many times.
Just as i began to pedal today the hail came. It didn't last long but the rain afterward came quite hard for a while. So i had to retreat to the barn again. Does it ever end? How much more can i take? How long before the sunny skies of spring and summer return?
The red and creamy chinese silk tonight. Gandharvika's skirt is cut in such a way as to look like she's swirling around. That is the pleats are cut on an angle. i'm sure how ever i've put it on her that she'll continue to look skinny.

The mums look like the rising sun in Giridhari's garland today. Gandharvika has lilies that are gazing at the stars and Mahaprabhu has roses and carnations. Like this outfit that has so many different kinds of flowers embroiderd on it as well as the petals that make Gandharvika's skirt. They've got flowers everywhere, on everything they wear.
A cold and rainy day left me to pedal nowhere fast again today. The wind blew up from the Monterey bay. The hum of the trainer was all i could hear today. Quite a winter so far, as many hours on the trainer as in the outside.
The most blessed event as usual on Saturday night. Their hair hasn't been touched by anyone but me since Tuesday. In the land of dedication how can this situation persist? Can't some come to the seva asrama and set the Deities hair?

As the garland maker brought the second garland to the altar i had to say "i'm glad i've got the curtain closed" "Why?" asked garland maker, "Are you doing things we shouldn't see?" "Yes" i answered. But i had already put a garland on Giridhari and when that one came i could tell that it should be Giridhari's. i changed them and with the curtain closed no one would know that i'd done that. The second ekadasi and so the queen was here as in days of old. "Look at that jewelry" someone else said. It was made for a puspa abhiseka celebration a few years ago now but just has that ever-fresh quality that Krsna has.
What a day for pedaling. One of the few days in the last week or two that the rain wasn't a factor. Still the roads are wet but the sun did come out for more of today than for what seems like ever. The usual run around by the pleasure point, the hook and the village up the rise and past the fruit and vegetable markets to the road most traveled and back to the asrama.
They told me lies this evening, as i put the Deities to bed. i mean they got ready early and went without any real setbacks. hmmmm.

Follow the angels that's the day outfit. The green and a little bit of black for Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika while Giridhari has yellow with a green belt and other bits and pieces. The garlands are of petals, poinsettas a hand ful of roses and leaves. Here in the material world we're all refugees i follow Gurudeva and he follows the angels.
Pedaling off to the bear and the leaf even a light bulb today. Racing with the darkness i was able to pull into the asrama driiveway just a few minutes before the sun had fully disapeared behind the hill signaling the endof the day. There were a family of skunks as i pedaled up this evening and a few yards down the road there were a couple of deer over looking the gulch. What is happening in their heads?
A lion on the chase. Purple and green for the Friday. Another aprentice asks if the morning waking is different from the afternoon one and if the noon offering is different than the afternoon one. Then as we spoke, the time for the Deitie's afternoon nap came along so i had to depart and ready the beds, flowers and cooked down milk.

"I haven't seen a backdrop with this outfit in a long time!" Some one told me today. Usually this dress is a Tuesday one but since Mahaprabhu has orange dhoti and kirta i put it on Wednesday. Also different jewelry than the standard fare. The garlands were of all carnations which is typical of this day though.
Pedaling through the overcast day i go the route of the opal cliff to the sunny cove. Hook around the lake on my way past the motorcycle shop. The shopper's corner makes the left and the school laughs as i pass unseen beneath the traffic light. Back past the old theater through the harbor and over the bridge under the watchful eye of the charactures of world leaders.
O, deer doe, have you seen Krsna? The night dress. Bhakta Blade had fun separating the belt and taking the back drop down. "Another episode of Hare Krsna jousting!" Lying down for the time it takes me to chant the mantras, they perform their pastimes with happiness.

"Does the red back drop just make you want to get up and scream?" i asked Bhakta Blade. "You better believe it" was the answer. The garlands were like the odds and ends of the week's flower ration. Giridhari's silver ankle bells had been hitching a ride on Gandharvika's skirt for the month. i was surprised to see them there.
Still the rain keeps falling on and on and on. So the lemon sees more pedaling than the giant. We got to live together we got to live together. The rain drops on the roof are only erased by the noise of the trainer as i pedal as hard as i can for as long as i can which is about an hour and a half.
Pralad-a-dad this evening. Bhakta Blade built a fire so hot this evening that there is no need for the winter chodders that sometimes appear to take the chill from the night air.

"Where did Gandharvika's veil go?" i must have asked myself that four times this morning. i found it at last with the crowns that were made for the outfit. The hangers just aren't good enough to hold all the pieces of each dress so it had to be kept separate. You can't have it your way. Petals and whole roses for the garlands today.
Break the circle, cross the line go out to the natural bridge. So few people out i pedaled along the path that traces the beach. Made for pedalers, it is usually full of joggers, walkers and seniors. By the steamer's alley a few sufferers trying the waves that were so incredibly high. The sufferers look so small it points out how big the waves are. The deity of the sufferer has a new garland today. The most sufferers i've encountered in a while but there they are.
Baby blue, that's what you can call this one. The Deities must by tired of staying up way late since they were in bed earlier than usual.

"Give this basket of flowers to Hare Krsna" That's what the florist said. Then a man was looking at it and asked him how much it cost. "Well ten dollars" the florist reluctantly replied. "But we have these vases also." The man bought a vase. As he handed the basket to the garland maker he said "See? Hare Krsna wanted this" The garlands were made of roses, mums, leaves and carnations. Are you going to the asrama tonight? Is the arati starting on time? Tell me they're wearing an elegant dress of deep forest green with silver incerts and black and clear crystal beads.
On past the city college to one of the folk's house for some "folk medicene. Back past the post office and coffee shop. The yoga studio and Christian place up a hill past the light then to the asrama to wake the Deities and perform the sunset service.
There they are "in the ninth" just this sight will take away all material pressure. Giridhari with his body curved in three places and flute to his lips invites us to taste the pleasure of his service.

"The Deities look so good! It's like magic" an Indian man tells me. "Yes, Bengali Mahal Jadhu" he laughs since that means Bengali castle magic. The dragonflies on this painted silk dress keep it light and airy as my art teacher used to stress that was what made water color the medium that it is. Rose garlands today with Giridhari's to his knee, Mahaprabhu's almost that long and of course Gandharvika's formed a heart in her hands.
The clouds overflowed today but with rainwater instead of any thing like candy floss. So the nowhere bike got the call for the pedaling today. Now where can you go even with a million dollars and a nowhere bike? So it went as i tried not to let my mind wonder where it could go.
Still the Deities allow me to help them into their night dress and on into their beds, the most blessed event indeed. This evening they didn't wait for even a minute they went straight from day clothes to night dress.

Shut up kid! That's what Mahaprabhu's seamstress told me when this outfit was made. Today the pink turban and purple jacket for Giridhari was paired with a rose, leaf and statis garland. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have pink with green beads. Their garlands are the same. The peacock feather in Giridhari's turban dipped just to his eye and his chodder is a rose pink.
A stormy day so the nowhere bike came along for the pedaling. Nothing to see, nothing to say and nothing to hear, just the rain drops on the tin roof. Until Bhakta Blade came to chatter the last fifteen minutes away.
And what was that chatter? Tell me lies, the night dress. Copper and blue beads the usual Friday night dress. They were ready for rest quickly since the weather outside was damp and chily.

From a new outfit to the oldest of all but in a new dress. This one was a Gaura Purnima one. Gandharivka's choli is one that the left sleeve is formed and the right one is snaped on each time she wears it. The light 'paper' silk has a green/teal color that is unique. The only outfit that Giridhari has pants and a patka that looks a little like the front of a dhoti. Mahaprabhu's kirta has the oldest part of the name in the peacock from a back drop on the thriteenth street temple.
Down to the town post office for a passport. Then back through the twin lakes, the bright sea and the loop between the hospital and the flower market. Up the asrama road for the waking and on and on.
An extra quick dressing so they could get ready for the festival tomorrow. i saw vraja kissing santa claus.

Vyasa puja day the Deities get a new dress. Mahaprabhu has dark blue with a sash and chodder with black and blue. Gandhavika's sari is the same shade of blue with the same boarder. The belt has ribbons that are a little off center. Giridhari has mostly a light purple. There is a bit of black ribbon going through the dress too. Double garlands today, one carnation and one with orchids. The orchids are almost the same colors as the outfit. The new name is Nila, Aruna, and Syama live at the arena of pure consciousness.
All the way to the freedom boulevard and back. Passing by college, state parks and fields. i pedal out of the asrama and then back for the evening celebrations.
The lotus nails to close the day. So many flowers and a back drop to take out. The end of the celebration day, sees the Deities eager to take rest.

Full moon today so they wear the true value of a silk turban. Giridhari has a white jacket and turban to go with his deep blue dhoti. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have orange with blue trims, Mahaprabhu a chodder and sash while Gandharvika has a broad blue boarder on her sari. Mahaprabhu's kirta is crusted with blue seed beads. Garlands are of rose and tube rose flowers today with a few big daisies for the centers.
All the way from the asrama down through the heart of downtown and out to the natural bridges. No tourists and few locals except for the sea lions and gulls. Then quickly back up to the school and boardwalk with it's famous roller coasters over the railroad bridge trying not to look down and fear falling into the creek. Back to the asrama for the preparation for the festival.
The lions club met this evening with it's jewelry. The first night dress to have jewelry made for it, something not usually seen at mangala arati. But here it does happen from time to time.

visalaksa sikhipicca camara Today's outfit is the peacock fan dress. Red mostly with peacock blue and green trims. The jewelry comes from an old night dress but goes so nicely with this one. Mahaprabhu wears his cloisine heart too. Garlands with small roses and big daisies. Crowns done to match too. Everything all the time.
Around the horn, ha ha, the usual run by the bear and wharf, the hook, the windmill on top of the bike shop and then back to the asrama.
Baby blue and white. A thick rich embroidery soft night dress. This is another evening of all night dancing, but that's what one of the mantras say, lying down only for a moment, perform your pastimes with grace and happiness.

Gandharvika has a bone hoop skirt in this one. The chipmonks dress, purple and silver. One of the first outfits that was made for Janmastami and a few extra pieces added for Radhastami. Garlands with big daisies again today. Also there were sunflowers and roses. Bhakta Blade polished the silver a few days ago so today it sparkled in the people's eyes.
From the seva asrama to the trout gulch and back via the east cliff. As long as the sun stays high the temperature does too. Lots of pedalers out to soak up the warm after a week of wind and cold. The sufferers have retired for the season but still some folks are on the beaches along with the gulls and sea lions going down the hill near the lagoon before the up slope to the public radio. From there past the small park and the sufferer shop back for the sandhya.
The rich chinese silk again this evening with Giridhari's jacket lifting in the breeze along with his accordian chodder. His kick pleat swirls around as he appears to be a dancing actor.

"White, yellow and gold, the daisy in a snowstrom, that's what I call this outfit" That's what the garland maker today told me. "Why? What do you call it?" "Across the universe." i answered. There were big daisies in the garlands, no coincedence, i think. These were pink, yellow and red though and the supporting flowers are roses. An elegant dress no matter what you call it. Krsna has hundreds of names so his clothes can also. As he entered the arena some saw him as the most beautiful cupid, others as the most intimate friend, others as the perfect child, others as the formidable adversary, and one as death personified.
Wow pedaling outside today. As the daylight gradually faded fast i went along the main road to the opal cliff up to the sunny cove between the twin lakes and back for the sandhya.
Once agian they could be dancing all night, staying up late to perform their pastimes, the most blessed event.

The ekadasi day. Since it's the first ,one at least now, the "don't tug on Superman's cape" is the dress. Rose petals along with whole roses and leaves make the garlands today. Gandharvika has a bright yellow choker with a gold, real gold, dolphin in the center. It was given at a fire yajna when the priest asked for the assembly to offer some gold. She's worn it for many years now, it can serve as a reminder of one of the higher type of pastimes of Krsna, but the less said about that the better probably.
Another day when the cold and dark drove me into the barn. i'm sure that my pedal strokes get well honed durning this time but the boredom kind of sets in soon. Pedaling on the way to no where, leaving any place just waiting for the summer to return and get the sun back on my face
The usual copper and peacock crowns and feather effulgences. All the Deities have them, at first the question arose if they all could have peacock feather effulgences but a picture of the Deities from the math in Vrndavana answered the question. An earlier night for them which they must be happy for.