Saturday, September 30, 2006

Just need a little Bengali Mahal Jadhu, it's the mercy of the guru, he'll take us to where everything overflows like a gaura preme. A light watercolor silk with dragon flies and lotus flowers. The garlands had the biggest roses available along with labatire and big white jasmines. Gandharvika's shaped into a heart and Giridhari's tickled his knees.
"You were hauling it today" someone told me. "I had to speed up to get around you at the blind corner." i didn't know i ever pedaled that quickly. A wide variety of pedalers out on this saturday. The beach crusiers, tandems and mountain people. Mostly just out for fun, no teams or serious trainers that i could detect. Sometimes those are the best kind of pedalers 'cause they just do it for the fun of it.
The most blessed event is getting the Deities in bed quickly and simply. Seeing them in their beds just before the lights go out is a sight no parent in this world can match. Radha and Krsna's bed is an elegant teak wood with a canopy, Mahaprabhu has a brass bed as well as a bigger one like that a teenager would have. When will he arise in my heart and madden me?

Friday, September 29, 2006

The dress of the day was named for the seamstress that made it. "T.Rock" Made in that fly in the breeze and Giridhari's skirt is a full as you please. Gandharvika's veil is short and small. In that tradition she did wear her veil like a sari but more like the flying nun. The garlands are of carnations and dalias i think a sunflower or two also worked it's way in. Big really big.
More skateboarders than pedalers today. And yea as i pedaled by the school today there were no protesters reminding us that cell phone towers will fry us all. A convertible followed me along the opal cliff on my back to the asrama. i was glad when it passed me for good. From the soccer field i sprinted back just under wire for the sunset.
O don't you wish you could disguise? Still Friday night is the night they wear the tell me lies night dress. A quick one to put on them as it gently floats along.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Today the seamstress came to the altar to tell me what dresses were going to be used as patterns for the one for Guru Maharaja's appearance. i couldn't keep from laughing as i wrote in the name for it. Even though i agreed not to tell what it is we both kept laughing about that. The Deities looked on in their oldest of all but in a new dress. Green paper silk with fusia and gold. Rose petal garlands with wild flowers interspurced. Seamstressji was happy with the way they looked.
As i pedaled along today one of the folks saw me and put their hands through their sun roof. The odd thing was is that the car was moving and they had to take their hands off the wheel to do it. Pedaling along the downtown type run racing the clock. By the grace of Mahaprabhu i made it back for the sandhya. Pedaling past people demonstrating against cell phone towers in their neighborhood. One of their signs said that the tower would microwave them. Cars playing rap, families pedaling together and couples on tandems. What a day for a pedal.
It's a miracle mom that i've been able to assist in the puja for this time. Purple, beige, and gold. Swirling, dancing that you feel and hope that prayers for mercy come real.
The white knight was defiintley talking backwards today. The beige and orange dress with gold trim. Gandharvika has a beige skirt with orange pleats. Wednesday is all carnation garland day. Mahaprabhu has a sash to cover the fact that his kirta had to be sewn in two pieces. In spite of that the outfit looks wonderful and no one has ever noticed that the sash is more than that.
As i pedaled by sunny cove i saw at least twenty sail boats on the ocean having fun. i do believe they only knew i was a pedaler. Many of the other pedalers had on wind breakers today, a sure sign of autum. i beat the dark back to the asrama today, it was good since the jotish wasn't charged.
The lotus nails and the aprentice dressed the big Deities mostly. i just put the jewelry away, dressed the small deities and finished the big ones. That is their hair, crowns and Gandharvika's sari, well that was left up to me.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

"Can't you see how different the color of this dress is than the night one they wore last night?" That's what one of the seamstress' understudies asked me today. Understudyji told me that besides the night dress there wasn't another outfit that shade of blue. i pointed out this day set, Urvasi. Anyway. Like the night dress where Giridhari wears white in this one he wears mostly silver. It has red trim sometimes there is a red back drop which the seamstress thought it might scream too much.
i pedaled down to the ocean today, back to opal cliffs and the sky. 'Cause once in a while cliffs don't call, they scream. As a came up around a bike shop i saw one of the wrenches pedaling home. He was on a fixed gear at a stop light he didn't click out he balanced. Then with the green he speed off on his calves the size of New Hampsire. i pedaled into the darkness this evening no escaping the light use. Slowed me down a bit also since i couldn't get clicked in properly i was a bit shakey.
This evening the lions club met. The evenings are getting a little cooler so it's good for them to have this dress made from velveteen type material. It'll keep them toasty where ever they go and whatever they do once the lights go out.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Those garlands look so wonderful. Someone said that as they looked at the rose petals and buds in the garlands today. Sikhipicca camara, the peacock fan dress. Today it was combined with jewelry made for a night outfit that has been retired. So let me see, something old, the ankle bells and bracelets. Something new, the dress is one of the most recent ones they have. Something borrowed, the jewelry from the retired night dress, and there is some blue in the crowns.
Pedaling out from the asrama i saw two women and a man pedaling together dressed as a team. Certainly one of the only mixed teams i've ever seen. As i pedal on the sidewalk and through parking lots to avoid the rough roads of construction those on mountain bikes with their fat tires and suspension systems go right over them like suvs over the all terrain. As the fog rolled in pedalers put on lights and flashers. Some even manifested wintery clothes. "When ever the temperature gets below seventy, my coach put me in tights" One pedaler pro told me. Hmmmm. Well i didn't bring any with me so i had to wait till i got back to the asrama and then it was time for the sunset service and so i'll just have to wait 'till tomorrow.
They call east bengal the radha desa, call this one baby blue. Ever since Radhastami this has been their Monday night dress. The bunglers would never believe this dress is a night dress. Just because it's soft and lacey they'd see it as opulent as any day set they see on Deities in bengal. Or am i just being a puffed up westerner?

Monday, September 25, 2006

The first of the short skirt outfits. Mahaprabhu has royal blue, Giridhari has yellow and Gandhravika wears burgundy. This was a Janmastami dress. During that midnight arati when the devotees saw it for the first time, Giridhari’s crown slipped into his eyes and I fixed it with the curtain open. (haha) The garlands for the day were of tube roses and petals.
A double fantasy today. Two times around the same path. A new twist to the way around going through a different portion of the hospital parking lot to avoid some of the sidewalk. At the pleasure point a young lady got caught in the ocean and had to call for some help. Two guys on a rock signaled some sufferers who went over to her and pulled her out safely. After that the sea lions and pelicans seemed quite tame and ordinary. Around the path one more time after that and back to the evening program.
Chinese silk smooth as milk. The rich full feel of an opulent night dress. A soft end to an exciting day

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Hiranya Padma, golden lotus petals, blue and orange flowers sewn on. An orange kirta for Mahaprabhu, orange chodder for Giridhari. Gandharvika has orange trim on her skirt and veil and aren't those cherries in the garlands again today? Big fluffy roses along some jasmine balance them out. One photographer asked them to smile for his camera when they wore this dress some years back. He had it mounted in India. He next presented it to SGM and asked him to give the picture to the seamstress. SGM wouldn't, instead he told the photograper to make the presentation.
Even though the summer is over and gone, there were still many people on the beach today as i pedaled by. A gagle of junior high schoolers were near the sunny cove. Laughing, joking and pedaling on. Fifteen beach crusiers in formation along the opal cliff surrounded some seasoned citizens slowly pedaling. i charged back for the evening and was still breathing heavy when i blew the shank to begin.
The most blessed event ended the day. The usual Saturday night dress goes on in a familiar manner yet looks like the day it was offered each time. Flowers are gettting scarce but still at least one astotara sata puspa arati every day.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

i asked "Is this the Govardhana puja dress?" she said "Shut up kid" This one has Gandharvika and Mahaprabhu in pink and Giridhari in a purple jacket with a pink dhoti. Gandharivka's garland was of petals and carnations with some roses while Giridhari and Mahaprabhu had whole carnations with roses. Giridhari has a turban with a couple of single peacock feathers that dip low. All three have effulgences that match the color of their dress. Oh yeah, it was really offered on Guru Maharaja's appearance day.
One of the flagmen at a construction site asked me if i lived at the asrama today as he stoped me for a while. i answered that i did. He looked like "I knew it". At another construction place some war protesters were on the sidewalk so i had to pedal over some rough pavement that i would have rather avoided by pedaling where they stood with their signs. The drivers sounded their horns in approval. The kala rupa blocked my path to the ocean today so i just turned back for the sandhya. It was designed and destined since i arrived with just enough to begin at the proper junction.
Copper color this evening topped by the peacock crowns and effulgences. Visvam Gaura rase magnam

Thursday, September 21, 2006

i just had to get rythm today and polish the lord's shoes. It was dark moon so they wear the honey bee, Madhuvrata, dress today. SGM told us not to dress them in all black as is done in some temples, so there is this outfit with the bumble bees along with other black trim. Marigold and tube roses make the garlands today. A handful of miniture roses also You've been doing this an awfuly long time, some one said to me, but i said i've got to get rythm and polish the lord's shoes.
The construction goes on. While pedaling along the money changer's road i bumped into another pedaler and i said pardon me, he said you be saving the planet i said you be saving it too. Then we went on about how we wanted to. You see everybody has some where to pedal to some to relieve your cares and let your troubles through. After that one i headed back to the asrama and the sunset arati was performed in the nick of time.
A lion on the chase, purple with a hint of green. Giridhari's skirt flowing and his sash like a neck tie waving in the breeze, they dance the night away in one that was offered for Nrsingha deva.
Mahaprabhu wears a turban in this one. It was made for Gaura Purnima a few years ago now. He has a long kirta with a belt. Because of that it's called Superstar. Gandharvika and Giridhari wear their silver jari crowns. Giridhari's jewelry is "super bling" in the words of the apprentice. "What's with the cherries in the garlands?" he asks. "i think they're so in case the offering is late they can munch on them." i answer. We both laugh at that one.
The sail boats were out again today. Quite a sight to see fifteen or twenty boats just off the shore. Lots of pedalers out today. It's not too hot but not that cold yet either. The ducks and geese must have went south for the winter i haven't seen them in a week or so. Two of us pulled up to a stop sign together today. i was making a left turn but i didn't know if my man was. i looked over to ask, but he didn't make any indication that he even heard me. The light changed and he went straight ahead and i went to the left back to the asrama. This evening i learned the art of dying.
O deer doe, that's something you don't see everyday, a deer thought as he ran beside me just before i got to the driveway, that is a boy on a small horse with round legs. The apprentice exclaimed "what the?" As he tried to figure out how Gandharvika's veil goes on. By and by he got the hang of it.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

One two three four tell 'em what the Deities wore. A beautiful blue sari, Sue 'nila Vasana. That's what Gandharvika had on today. With it she has pink and purple jewelry. A deep blue choker brought from India by someone here. Mahaprabhu has orange, mango and yellow pants. Giridhari has yellow dhoti and jacket with purple chodder and sash. Giridhari wears his peacock crown and effulgence while Mahaprabhu and Gandharivka wear gold jari.
pedaling to see the sea lions on their rock and the monarch butterfly habbitat by the natural bridge. Through the homless garden project. Passing by the sufferers at the steamer's alley. The deity of the sufferer has been wearing this garland for about a week it looks. 57 miles to the gallon for 99 dollars a month the sign in the motorcycle shop reads while i head back for the evening. As i wind up the road the daylight leaves. The race is close, i think i just make it in before the purple tents of night are pitched.
The orange night dress from so many Nrsingha Caturdasis ago, Pralad-a-dad. Outside the curtain a young ballerina is dancing on the floor. Back on the other side of the curtain, i lay the Deities down in beds covered with aromatic flowers and ask them to happily enjoy their pastimes.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

The amazing technicolor dream chodder. The rusty orange of Giridhari and Mahaprabhu make this one a kind of Monday color. Gandharvika's pale blue, well... Petal garlands today. Those are always a favorite since they take so much dedication to complete. Mahaprabhu's hair looked exceptional full today.
Another day to ride it like you stole it. Not much time and so many errands. At least today the light store was still open when i got there. In that neck of the woods the crosswalks are bricks. Reminds some of the five hundred in days of "yore" when the whole course was made of bricks. Seeing members of the asrama walking the long and winding road was the most interesting sight of the day.
There are names of the places of the pastimes of Mahaprabhu, they call east Bengal the Radha desa, this night dress is called baby blue. Gandharvika's monatika, necklace and ring were made by one of the young folks and a younger sibbling made a necklace for each of the small Radha and Krsna.

Monday, September 18, 2006

The way Gandharvika's hair was done today made me think that she must have taken a cruise on a good ship of all day suckers. The curls showed across her forhead. Everyone who saw her thought she, Giridhari, and Mahaprabhu looked great. Perhaps i'm the only one who got a little chuckle about the way she had her hair today. She came in colors, the way she'd curled her hair. She was like the queen in days of old.
The road took me by one of the folks homes and then on to the natural bridge. On my return to the asrama i was on a foot bridge and passing by some walkers i heard one say "look out for this biker" . i got another chuckle thinking how i don't think they'd believe i am a pujari. Further down the return i saw a recumbent with flags and festoons. The pedaler gave me a wave and i saluted as we passed. Fortunately i made it for the sandhya.
The ninth was the day of the moon when Guru Maharaja appeared and this evening that's the name of their night dress. i've described it before purple, green, and fuscia. The jari crowns are holding up well. One folk wants to fix Gandharivka's. He says it looks a little askew. Perhaps so. He' s welcome to try.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

The wispy chodders so sheer no wonder they float in the breeze of the dancing motion. With the orange flowers and avacado leaves make these colors soft and subtle. The garland maker today told me exactly which one was which. "Not that you've been thinking about last time all week or anything." The roses in these ones are so big that they covered their bodies. Also there are cherries white flowers that look as if they're jasmine on some kind of miracle solution for growing.
Pedaling along i came upon one of the folks and cried out "Gaura Prema!" he didn't look as if he hadn't heard. So i tried again, "Gaura-an-ga" He looked as if he'd been awakened from a dream. " A great personality" he said. Then he told me that his bike didn't have brakes. "Look out!" i shouted as he nearly ran into a car in front of him. There i made a left and he kept on straight. i back to the asrama and he to the downtown. From there i was off to see Mahaprabhu over the hills and not so far away.
No matter how far i rome the most blessed event is being able to put them to bed also. This evening they had their jewelry, crown and garlands off when i went to start. A sign that they were ready to take rest as soon as i got back.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

In the begining Radha and Krsna were one but then they separated for their pastimes. Now Gandharvika in blue and Giridhari in yellow have combine again as Mahaprabhu who is in green. So does that mean that Mahaprabhu is the original personality of Godhead? His garland was roses and leaves while Gandharvika and Giridhari had carnations mixed in as well.
Try as i might today i just couldn't make it to the lighting store before it closed. i was amazed to see the shop closed so early on a Friday so with a tear in my eye i pedaled back through the park of the patron saint of large sandwiches beyond the nerolink and the metaphysical book store. By the time i got to the furniture store where the radicals had broken the windows, i was laughing out loud. Descending that hill and climbing the one that crests at the animal hospital i saw that i'd be in time for the sandhya and i felt like i'd won stage seventeen or something without so much as the aid of a chewable vitamin. My sense of victory was enhanced when a driver kept comming closer to me on the road directly to the asrama. The further i got to the right the closer that charriot got to me or so it seemed. But they got around me at last. These pastimes are very deep.
The night dress of the copper color that uses the peacock crowns and effulgences. The order was almost backward this evening. i stared by taking Gandharvika's garland, but then Mahaprabhu had me finish him first. By the time i was inviting them to come to their beds the order was more straight forward and proper.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Green and yellow for Gandharvika, green alone with a little red trim for Mahaprabhu and Giridhari has yellow with a big green belt with bits of red in the trim of the chodder and the patka. Sunflowers in Gandharvika's garland they show the whole day. Giridhari plays his flute while meditating on how to please Gandharika, following the angel.
The construction just keeps on going. i went a way i'd been avoiding today to see if the work was complete and to my surprise it wasn't. So i jumped up onto the sidewalk for the length of the really intense section. That led me past an out of business suffererboard shop. The past Hope to a park featuring four basketball courts and a couple of tennis ones. Tracing the cliffs of the east i came to the dog wash that asks "when your car gets dirty you take it to a carwash so when your dog needs a bath where do you take it?" Circling around the post office i return to the asrama and perform the sunset arati.
Purple, orange and white. Giridhari has his smallest cumberbund in this dress. After the seamstress made this one, the conclusion was that it was too small. So he hasn't gotten one like it sense. Without the apprentice things were smoother and quieter.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Out on the horizon there's an outfit whose colors seem like, at least once upon a time, the Deities favorites. Yeah, the aruna hara posse rides again. Today's garlands are solid carnations. A simple dress that goes on easily enough still looks sparkly with it's crystal beads on the edges of the skirts and chodders. Simply wonderful.
The fog krept in on it's quiet kitten pads this evening while i pedaled along. It made all seem almost chilly. As i passed between the twin lakes there were twenty or so sail boats on the ocean side. The bon fires were already lit and people were laughing and joking and carrying on. Beyond the shopper's corner this time and all the way to downtown the first time in six months that i've stopped there. The darkness chased me back to the asrama but i won by a few minutes.
The apprentice's favorite night dress, the lotus nails. He was happy to help dress them in it this evening. The long kirta of Giridhari drives him wild "I get this one when it is retired" he always tells me. Hmmmm.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

The color she chooses for herself. That's how SGM described the color of Gandharvika's sari in this dress. One side of Mahaprabhu's chodder is different than the other. Giridhari has yellow and silver chodder, jacket, and dhoti. They don't have jewelry made for this outfit so this one borrows from others.
From the ground of the seva asrama to the shores of sunny cove. i've pedaled on the brightest days and when the push was comming to shove. Today the racers were out to train for something i don't know. The boys and i were out for errands and to answer the call of the pedals for sometimes they don't just call, they scream, "come out come out don't wait you'll be too late" He who came to my door yesterday embraced me today and said poet ji is a fan of the bengal cats. Then tightening his russian converse lace he let a smile cross his face and arose into space.
The lions club seems good for tonight since the cool is begining to return. It's a bit before the prescribed time for offering the winter dress still here the first breath of the shade of winter is in the air.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Yudhisthira and the evil Sukhuni. A red and purple outfit where Mahaprabhu has a purple dhoti with a red kirta, Giridhari is similar but he has a jacket the lifts gently as he sashes in the arena. Gandharvika wears a purple sari with long sleeve red choli. Today's garlands have yellow sunflowers in the center. One of them came out when put in the box so i had to "cheat it back in"
Peddaling through the late afternoon along the opal cliff to the boardwalk. Winding through the downtown to the school and back past the auto detailing shop and the street food all the way from Hong Kong. A skateboard convention there must have been fourty or fifity skaters. i pedal by on my way through the harbor and by the market, radio station and trailer park. Along one of the main streets back to the sandhya. At the conclusion of the sunset arati a highly placed monk opened the door and said "I just wanted to see you once before I leave"
There are names for the tirthas of the world and they call east bengal the Radha desa, where the Ganges doesn't flow, and this night dress is baby blue

Monday, September 11, 2006

Punctuality and cleanliness, i was taught are the two most important things in Detiy worship. Today's dress was offered on Radhastami. The nutshell verses say that Krsna teaches worship of himself through his finest potency, Radharani. So since Gandharvika's skirt has bells on the bottom, i called this one "she'll be there with bells on" A soft green with purple trim. A florist had given lots of roses so the garlands today have roses both whole and petaled. Mostly they're red and yellow with a few leaves to give some space along with a third color.
peddling past the natural bridge, the tourists are getting less and less. Soon the sea lions will out number them. Today's unusual sight was some one peering out of a sun roof of a stretch limousine. From the way they were dressed it seemed there must have been some kind of pool or jacuzze inside. Wild, who would have thought that such things would be going on?
The touch that kills, a glimpse of this dress will steal your eyes from any thing of this world make them thirst only for the sight of the divine couple, who are ever inviting us to participate with them in eternal serving mode.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

"When I was making that garland I thought it was like totally for Mahaprabhu, but now it's like totally on Giridhari and Gandhavika's is so long. I mean it's like totally not what I thought like totally that they like totally decided totally for themselves like totally which garland was totally for who totally like totally like totally totally like you know what I like mean like totally totally like totally like i like totally like like it like totally" That's what the garland maker said today when i opened the curtain this morning. In spite of this mix up the Deities shown as if a thousand suns rose up at once into the sky and called us to leave this material universe. Jaya Gurudeva.
The summer is over and gone but still there were hundreds of people at the twin lakes section of the beach as i peddled by today. Bonfires at the ready and music playing. At one restaurant there was a ranchero band playing with people dancing and laughing. One bike shop had a sign advertising it's rentals and they were all rented. Kids playing high school student were walking and skateboarding just to create problems for the cars. All too quickly i found that it was high time i went back to the asrama and start the sandhya
After the sandhya came the offering and the most blessed event, the night dress, was put on the Lord and he was laid in bed, the lights went out and the day ended.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

This crown just isn't going to get along with this hair style. Giridhari's crown just kept slipping off today 'till i pujari pinned it as well as tying it down. Giridhari and Mahaprabhu have yellow and purple with just a touch of red. While Gandharvika has the same yellow and purple but her veil is just a bit different shade of purple with gold flowers. These colors came together to match a set of crowns that someone brought back from India. The night this Gaura Purnima dress was offered i was asked to wait to offer arati till one English teach got here with his students. They were all Japanese and as such they were excited to celebrate Saint Patrick's day. During his speech the teacher said that Gaura Purnima was like our Saint Patrick's day. So this dress became "Saint Patrick's Easter comes fashionably late."
i peddled to get the swami's post today. From there it was off to the wharf. Then past the beach white trash trailer park. As i peddled toward the sunny cove the houses got classier and classier 'till i past the doctor's mansion.
Then the Deities were dressed in their bronze colored "tell me lies" night clothes. Peacock crowns and effulgences top it off. Goes on fast only Giridhari's chodder and skirt are floating with the gentle swirl of their dancing.

Friday, September 08, 2006

"What the ?" The apprentice exclaimed this morning as he tried to put Gandharvika's skirt on her. Then when he went to put her choli on her he was similarly confounded. This is the only dress made this way so he hadn't seen anything like it. Both Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have copper color. Mahaprabhu's kirta has seed beads on it that must have taken several hours to sew on. Gandharvika's veil has a broad blue boarder Giridhari has a white kirta and dancing skirt that flow high on the breeze as he dances across the stage. His dhoti is deep blue. A silk turban of white with blue trim, white pearls and peacock cluster the seamstress made.
After the tune-up i pedaled along today wondering if i had the same ride as the one i took in yesterday. Dodging the construction again today. With so many cars gridlocked people are increasing the number of pedalers who've had it with driving their magic carpets (ha!) The pedaling started from the bike shop so it was like going from the middle and working both directions. Due the celebration of the tirobhava of Haridasa Thakura the lord took his rest late so rose a little late in the afternoon, but by the sunset he was back on schedule.
It's a miracle mom! That's the expression that always comes to mind with the night dress they are wearing tonight. So simple yet so elegant. Gandharvika has two peacocks on her palo which only the seamstress and i know about i think. Mahaprabhu has the most simple outfit possible. Giridhari has a long coat with gold pants that are revieled as it splits with the quickness of his step.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

"When did they get this outfit?" Some one asked me today. "Today" i said. "Really?" i had to laugh since they got it last year for Guru Maharaja's appearance day. Then they understood. "Why did I use that color there and not over here?" The seamstress asked. "Well it looks different after you see it on them" i said. One of the folks had a lot of saris that they gave to the Deities and so the seamstress combine all the pinks and purples for this one. Since it comes from Guru maharaja's appearance i took the first line of his auto part of his biography and added a little at the end.
"I was born at midnight. When I heard that Vrndavana is for shallow thinkers, I fell head over heels for Mahaprabhu"
Around the opal cliffs, between the twin lakes hearing the people partying on the beach past the public radio over the bridge round by the motorcycle shop and back to wake the Deities. Then back as quickly as i could to the bike shop to dop it off for it's three month tune up tomorrow. On the way back for the evening arati, i saw another pedaler also headed for the arati, Gaura Prema, i shouted he looked around and grined from ear to ear, thew up his hands and answered "Gaura Hari bol!"
The apprentice was here this evening. He was going to get Mahaprabhu's dhoti and then spilt the pancapatra on it. We had to wait fiftten minutes for it to dry.This O deer doe dress is a kind of silk that dries quickly enough we could dress the other Deities while we waited for Mahaprabhu's to dry. in the end this silvery dress went on fine.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

All good folks know that Krsna took the peacock as his guru, since this regal bird taught him how to dance. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have peacock blue in their dresses. Mahaprabhu has a cape, vest, and dhoti with sash. Gandharvika has a deep blue underskirt with a lighter blue over lay and veil. She also have a belt of ribbons and flowers. Giridhari has yellow cape, dhoti, sash and vest. The garlands have tube roses again today. Made for Janmastami a couple years ago it's quite spectacular.
Wow, another quickie. Lots of roadies pedaling for training. No team colors but their must be a race comming. The geese honked and the sufferers stood in their wetsuits. Cars and drivers to dodge everywhere. The construction is still going on. When does it end?
Pralad a dad tonight. The orange, and silver grey panel skirt. A kirta with a vest for Giridhari. Good for a chilly evening trip out for dancing.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

While Gandharivka and Giridhari have yellow and red in this dress, Mahaprabhu has a mango color kind of orange. That seems to make philosophical sense. That's 'cause Mahaprabhu is the combination of Radha and Krsna. Hmmmm. Garlands of tube rose, rose petals and marigolds today. The colors suggested by a young girl so it became known as "out of the mouths of babes."
Fast and furrious today. The kala rupa was chasing me today. Many people out for some holiday reveling. Families pedaling with their dogs, picnicing on the beach, stacking drift wood for bon fires later, and the sufferers down by the natural bridge. A neighbor slowed his van to say "great day to pedal home!!!" i had to agree Then as i pedaled into the barn at the asrama one of the residents exclaimed "You really haul bass! We just got here ten minutes ago and didn't even see you on the road" All i could reply with was a smile.
They call east bengal the radha desa, call it baby blue. Just offered a couple of days ago for Radhastami, this dress is a night one. Fine and fancy and the blue and white make it the Monday night/ Tuesday morning dress.

Monday, September 04, 2006

The first Ekadasi brings don't tug on Superman's cape. The second Gaura Purnima outfit offering. The blue stars on Giridhari's cape and dhoti make this a fun dress. Extra big marigolds in the garlands for today. "Do they laugh at the devotees in kirtan?" someone asked me today. "Well yes" i had to answer. "But it's in a good way"
Pedaling hard today. There wasn't much time to stop and talk with the geese or to see the bon fires set up at the twin lakes. i just tried to keep my eyes front today and pedal out and back in time for the sandhya.
And in the ninth day of the wanning moon of Kartika was born a representitive of the savior of the world. Giridhari has a red coat while Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have peacock blue. A simple and quick dress for their night pastimes.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

The book says "he's the moon of Nadia" but someone who Bungles said it really means the "white rabbit of Nadia" It is white, the Nadia sasadhara outfit. Gold chodders for Mahaprabhu and Giridhari. Giridhari also has a vest with a cumberbund that goes under it. Gandharvika's belt is off center my dear apprentice. Today was this day's garland makers birthday. "Those are real cherries in the garlands today!" The maker exclaimed. Giridhari's hair was in the "agreeable negligence" 'do today. hmmmm. One told me it looked great, but i have my quiet doubt.
As i pedaled through the village today one driver opened his car door and shouted out "Gaura Haribol!!!!!' i gave him as big a smile as i could and returned "Gaura Prema!" The strip malls are being redone. seems like they're supposed to look as if they were from a downtown from days long since gone away. With their gabled roofs and wood pannels hmmm.
The most blessed event as usual on Saturday night is to dress them and put them into their beds. So as it is written so it was done.
The book says "he's the moon of Nadia" but someone who Bungles said it really means the "white rabbit of Nadia" It is white, the Nadia sasadhara outfit. Gold chodders for Mahaprabhu and Giridhari. Giridhari also has a vest with a cumberbund that goes under it. Gandharvika's belt is off center my dear apprentice. Today was this day's garland makers birthday. "Those are real cherries in the garlands today!" The maker exclaimed. Giridhari's hair was in the "agreeable negligence" 'do today. hmmmm. One told me it looked great, but i have my quiet doubt.
As i pedaled through the village today one driver opened his car door and shouted out "Gaura Haribol!!!!!' i gave him as big a smile as i could and returned "Gaura Prema!" The strip malls are being redone. seems like they're supposed to look as if they were from a downtown from days long since gone away. With their gabled roofs and wood pannels hmmm.
The most blessed event as usual on Saturday night is to dress them and put them into their beds. So as it is written so it was done.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

A new dress, a night one at that. New jewelry, hair and clothes for the Radhastami day. They call east bengal the Radha desa, call this baby blue. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have the baby blue as the main color with a bit of white and gold trim. Giridhari is the opposite, white with blue and gold. That because he's blue anyway and having him wear blue just wouldn't look right. Bangles, berets, rings and manatika were the gifts Gandharvika recieved today.
Pedaling along the wharf i looked to my left and saw to very large pelicans. Wonderful birds they are too. The rest of the pedaling was about like the other days before. past the old movie theater, the school and through the construction zones. A lot of people pedaling with their families so at times it was a little slow.
Since today was a night dress offering they wore it for this evening too. The folks will find out at the mangala arati that it is a night dress.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Green, silver and a purple trim. Another outfit where Gandharvika's skirt is a little short and the slip has trim on the bottom to make it long enough. Giridhari's dhoti, chodder and coat swirl and float in the breeze as he dances across the altar. Mahaprabhu chodder hangs quietly at his side. Gandharvika's skirt has silver circles on the bottom that reflect the light like polished mirrors. The garlands have both tube roses and sunflowers today along with rose petals and leaves. The from the Deities land look. Always the best.
As i pedaled near the beach today there was the first hint of a chill in the air. The folks had broken out their sweaters and light jackets. As i pedaled on by a bicycle shop i saw another pedaler out doing grocery shopping. Full paniers and large, cushioned saddle on a beach cruiser frame. The buses whooshed by close today reminding me that i should have been out earlier. Rounding the shopper's corner and heading for the asrama, i see a large amount of ebikes putting along. Must have been a convention somewhere. Racing the kala rupa back up the winding road to the asrama for the sunset arati.
A heavier purple with a bit of green this evening. From a Nrsingha Caturdasi of years back, the lion on the chase takes the Deities into the night and to rest on a bed decorated with transcendental flowers.
Green, silver and a purple trim. Another outfit where Gandharvika's skirt is a little short and the slip has trim on the bottom to make it long enough. Giridhari's dhoti, chodder and coat swirl and float in the breeze as he dances across the altar. Mahaprabhu chodder hangs quietly at his side. Gandharvika's skirt has silver circles on the bottom that reflect the light like polished mirrors. The garlands have both tube roses and sunflowers today along with rose petals and leaves. The from the Deities land look. Always the best.
As i pedaled near the beach today there was the first hint of a chill in the air. The folks had broken out their sweaters and light jackets. As i pedaled on by a bicycle shop i saw another pedaler out doing grocery shopping. Full paniers and large, cushioned saddle on a beach cruiser frame. The buses whooshed by close today reminding me that i should have been out earlier. Rounding the shopper's corner and heading for the asrama, i see a large amount of ebikes putting along. Must have been a convention somewhere. Racing the kala rupa back up the winding road to the asrama for the sunset arati.
A heavier purple with a bit of green this evening. From a Nrsingha Caturdasi of years back, the lion on the chase takes the Deities into the night and to rest on a bed decorated with transcendental flowers.