Urvasi, a heavenly society girl. Powder blue, silver and a hint of red. Today the garlands are of mums and a few roses given by a merchant named Joe. Tuesday is blue. Offered for Vyasa puja a few years ago now. This society girl wouldn't eat anything not cooked in ghee. A red back drop might make it scream. A heavenly society girl might also make you get up and scream too. From that the name came.
The construction was finished today. Perhaps for a while things will be smooth. With the chill of the fall pedalers are getting scarce. Still we're out and about. Today several were on small bmx types. What a sight, grown-ups on a twenty-inch frame. Still they continue. The breeze and fog off the ocean sped me along my way to the asrama.
Pralad a dad. Yeah, the orange panel skirt while Giridhari has a vest and sash. Mahaprabhu has just a sash and chodder but they do make the most of the simple outfits just as they do with the more elaborate ones.

In the beginning I would just write out a description of each name for each outfit like the colors and such. But that didn’t work. The seamstress had written the first of the descriptions. So in my “dictionary” I wrote in the introduction that the first were written by “Mr. Webster” and the rest were done by the “devil himself”. At first this one was called red and purple. But when I started using pictures to show people what the Deities were wearing I gave this one the name Yudhisthira and the evil Sukini. That’s ‘cause Yudhisthira was considered religious principals personified while evil Sukini was the cheating dice thrower in the game that the Pandavas played in which all their wealth was cheated away from them.
The construction was unbearable today. It seems like the last phase for a little while but Friday and today the cars were backed up for what seemed like miles. All afternoon there was “gridlock” all long the beach tower. So I finished by pedaling on the trainer. That’s right, with the fall back and construction, that piece of equipment we all love to hate has made it’s presence felt.
The dark makes the Deities want to take their rest earlier. The blue and white with gold belts is going on quicker. It must be the most elegant of the night dresses. Oh the dark winter age has begun.

Follow the angels, this is a title of a book complied from Guru Maharaja’s lectures. This dress was offered on Guru Maharaja’s vyasa puja a few years ago. Green for Mahaprabhu with yellow chodder and sash. Giridhari has yellow with a green belt. Gandharvika has green skirt and veil with a black polo and a yellow choli. The garland maker said “I’m going to make them like the one who usually makes them today since I’m doing them for that one any way” So they are a little different than most days. Today Gandharivka’s has only a couple of flowers facing out in the center and none facing out at the top. Giridhari and Mahaprabhu’s have roses, pompoms and petals more like everyday.
Wow, the time has fallen back and so it’s welcome my old friend darkness. There’s time to talk to you again. But I finished before the dark surrounded me. One pedaler followed me and kept me going at a fast pace. It was a fun way to compete. I was able to stay ahead the whole time though. Many recumbents and families pedaling together today.
I was so pleased to be back in time for the afternoon waking and evening service.
In the ninth this evening. The deities are bringing me in earlier so they can perform their evening pastime sooner than it has been being.

The white rabbit of Nadiya. Nadiya sasadhara. Ganga-Yamuna that is silver and gold. Silver tirm and gold lace. Like Giridhari's vest and Gandharvika's belt. Mahaprabhu has a chodder and sash but they're lemay. The garlands are of roses, petals and wild flowes that break the light in prisms that no one knows the names of.
Straight away to the grocery for the Deities' fruit. Around by the opal cliff and the road a block above the beach around by the public radio past the tennis courts back behind the bird house mailbox and the tackle shop. Back to the asrama to wake them and offer the fruit. Then back out. Go get some juice someone told me. "i don't have enough time." "There's always time for juice. I'll get you some money for it" But i slank away and rode without the juice. It was fun to get back in under the chime of the clock. Past the motorcycle place, the book shop and the used car place that was once vandalized by the radicals. What a ride.
It's a miracle mom. Time I am, says the Bhagavad Gita. And tonight it goes back in it's flight, an hour added just for tonight.
Fall backward so they decided to finish early.

The white rabbit of Nadiya. Nadiya sasadhara. Ganga-Yamuna that is silver and gold. Silver tirm and gold lace. Like Giridhari's vest and Gandharvika's belt. Mahaprabhu has a chodder and sash but they're lemay. The garlands are of roses, petals and wild flowes that break the light in prisms that no one knows the names of.
Straight away to the grocery for the Deities' fruit. Around by the opal cliff and the road a block above the beach around by the public radio past the tennis courts back behind the bird house mailbox and the tackle shop. Back to the asrama to wake them and offer the fruit. Then back out. Go get some juice someone told me. "i don't have enough time." "There's always time for juice. I'll get you some money for it" But i slank away and rode without the juice. It was fun to get back in under the chime of the clock. Past the motorcycle place, the book shop and the used car place that was once vandalized by the radicals. What a ride.
It's a miracle mom. Time I am, says the Bhagavad Gita. And tonight it goes back in it's flight, an hour added just for tonight.
Fall backward so they decided to finish early.

The white rabbit of Nadiya. Nadiya sasadhara. Ganga-Yamuna that is silver and gold. Silver tirm and gold lace. Like Giridhari's vest and Gandharvika's belt. Mahaprabhu has a chodder and sash but they're lemay. The garlands are of roses, petals and wild flowes that break the light in prisms that no one knows the names of.
Straight away to the grocery for the Deities' fruit. Around by the opal cliff and the road a block above the beach around by the public radio past the tennis courts back behind the bird house mailbox and the tackle shop. Back to the asrama to wake them and offer the fruit. Then back out. Go get some juice someone told me. "i don't have enough time." "There's always time for juice. I'll get you some money for it" But i slank away and rode without the juice. It was fun to get back in under the chime of the clock. Past the motorcycle place, the book shop and the used car place that was once vandalized by the radicals. What a ride.
It's a miracle mom. Time I am, says the Bhagavad Gita. And tonight it goes back in it's flight, an hour added just for tonight.
Fall backward so they decided to finish early.

The white rabbit of Nadiya. Nadiya sasadhara. Ganga-Yamuna that is silver and gold. Silver tirm and gold lace. Like Giridhari's vest and Gandharvika's belt. Mahaprabhu has a chodder and sash but they're lemay. The garlands are of roses, petals and wild flowes that break the light in prisms that no one knows the names of.
Straight away to the grocery for the Deities' fruit. Around by the opal cliff and the road a block above the beach around by the public radio past the tennis courts back behind the bird house mailbox and the tackle shop. Back to the asrama to wake them and offer the fruit. Then back out. Go get some juice someone told me. "i don't have enough time." "There's always time for juice. I'll get you some money for it" But i slank away and rode without the juice. It was fun to get back in under the chime of the clock. Past the motorcycle place, the book shop and the used car place that was once vandalized by the radicals. What a ride.
It's a miracle mom. Time I am, says the Bhagavad Gita. And tonight it goes back in it's flight, an hour added just for tonight.
Fall backward so they decided to finish early.

"When was this outfit offered?" one of the folks asked today. "Two years ago on Guru Maharaja's vyasa puja" i replied. "It looks like a Janmastami dress to me" It is rich and full, lots of layers of cloth. Mahaprabhu has a sash, vest and chodder. Giridhari has a long coat, cumberbund and chodder. Gandharvika has a skirt that has a double layer of valieance of different shades of purple, along with a whole passle of pleats that show in the center. Pink and purple. The name does reveal the day it was offered "I was born at midnight and when I heard that Vrndavana is for shallow thinkers, I fell head over heals for Mahaprabhu" is the first line of Guru Maharaja's autobiography, augmented by my parphrasing of something he said later.
The traffic was congested everywhere today. There was some paving going on. Fortunately i had been using different routes around the construction that helped me to avoid a lot of the back up. Then down by the harbor there was a long line for no apparent reason. The sun was low in the sky but just high enough to make it practically impossible in every way to see. Some how i got through. Then as i turned my face back to the asrama there was more on the road by the beach where if i live to be one hundred i won't be able to say what the reason for it was. Still i got back for the sunset arati just under the tag of the clock.
The Deities were ready to take rest early this evening. They let me put them in their night dress quickly. Interesting to see how when the different people dress the Deities' hair i can tell each ones work.

The oldest of all but in a new dress. The line of vyasa puja address by Srila Prabhupada. It’s called paper silk because of it’s sheer nature. It Prabhupada’s disappearance day and that’s what inspired this dress for today. The peacock crowns were offered when this outfit was. Delicate garlands today of yellow flowers and even a few of the stems are stretching them out a bit.
Between the twin lakes around by the sunny cove where a few sufferers are gathered. Then past the windmill bike shop. It also has a coffee bar whose “open” sign is on. Through the harbor with the sail boats anchored bobbing with the tide. Around the corner behind the old grocery store that has closed now. Back around the same trace on the way to the asrama for the celebration of Srila Prabhupada’s day.
I saw Vraja kissing santa claus underneath the math logo in the middle of the night. She has purple skirt and orange choli and veil. Mahaprabhu has a purple dhoti and kirta with an orange chodder. Giridhari has an orange dhoti and kirta with a purple belt and chooder. A simple outfit to put a quiet end to a festive day

Mahaprabhu's posse was riding again today. The aruna hara posse that is. So let me see, Gandharvika and Giridhari are part of Mahaprabhu's posse but who else would there be, Swarupa Damodara, Ramananda Raya, Raghunatha Bhata. The mystic verse of Swarupa Damodara says that formerly Gandharvika and Giridhari were one then they separated and agian united in Mahaprabhu. Swarupa Damodara is like Mahaprabhu's second body. Ramananda Raya "initiated" Mahaprabhu into the raga marga of the gopis and spoke the limits of the highest devotional sentiments. Raghunatha Bhatta was there to taste all the esctatic mellows and record them, his notes served as some of the basis for the Caitanya Caritamrta. Whata posse!
Pedaling along into the darkness, but this evening i was prepared with a light. As i returned to the asrama one of the folks watched me comming up the drive and called out, "Hard core!" Along the way there was the post office for the swami's mail, the fruit market for the offerings tomorrow, and the usual chase along the opal cliffs, the east cliff and through the downtown past one of the folk's abode and on to the natural bridge rounding the bridge and heading back to the asrama. There was the royal taj, the woodstove shop, shopper's corner and the school. Through the harbor and back along the opal cliffs until i turned back up for the asrama and the folk awaiting to call me hard core.
The lotus nails, Bhakta Blade's favroite night dress. He put Giridhari's pants on him and at first it seemed as if he had mixed the legs but upon furthur review the pants were properly placed. Still Gandharvika's sari foxes him though. There's a bit of service left for me even now. Thank my lucky stars

The beautiful blue sari dress, Sue Nila Vasana. The palo on her sari is red like the boarder. Giridhari has yellow with red stones and purple chodder along with a purple belt. Mahaprabhu in his traditional mango kirta with yellow pants has a green chodder and sash. The garlands wilted before the end of the day and left stretches of string showing.
Around in a short one today. Mostly i was pedaling to see just how far i could go and still be back for the sandhya. One pedaler had "girls kick ask anyone who knows one" in a sticker over their back wheel. Another homemade creation that looked like it was supposed to become a recumbent one day, but right now it just looked to be a couple of frames joined to form a long low rider. Sandhya was right on time.
The lions club met tonight. The purple red with jewelry is an excellent one for the cooler nights of this time of year. With the excitment of halloween building, the frost is on the pumpkin so they need a little more warm night dresses.

The peacock fan dress, red with green and blue and of course peacock feathers embroidered on. This one is from this year's Nrsinghacaturdasi but the jewelry comes from their original night dress. It's red gold and white. Giridhari's has what the maker called "pipe gold". It goes so well no one has noticed that it comes from an older dress. The garlands with their delias, roses, carnations and leaves went almost perfectly with the dress.
A hard and fast one today. i began playing beat the clock to get there before closing time. Then i went back around the road by Sundari's hair salon, a tattoo parlor and a surf shop. Then back to the normal run along the east cliff the sunny cove and past a bike shop over the bridge to the java junction. From there to the movie theater turn it all around do it again and come back for the festvial of Govardhana puja.
Blue and white. The blue on Giridhari comes across because his dress is mostly white with his blue skin showing through. They lay in their beds decorated with aromatic flowers as i turned out the lights.

The madhuvrata, the honey bee, today is the amyavasa, dark moon. Some kind of black dress is recommended for this day. Onyx jewelry very black is featured on this one. Here in Gupta Govardhana where the green grass in winter grows, Mahaprabhu’s garland came all the way to his toes. Giridhari and Gandharvika’s were shorter at least as they fit on them.
Today, dodging the construction, I was taken behind a bank and seven eleven. Then on by the hook and the radio station. On past the public broadcast facility over the bridge in the harbor then passing by the astanga yoga center I had a smile ten feet wide, at least in my mind. The bikes at the shop were still outside a good sign as far as time goes. An electric pedaler shuffled by with the sound of motorized travel. Back to wake them and perform the evening service.
The touch that kills. One of the first Chinese silk outfits. Embroidered, and textured so luxuriously that it’s hard to believe that it’s a night dress. Still that’s what it is. What else would a “gentle God” wear as a night dress?

"They're so beautiful" i heard someone say today when i opened the curtain. Havirbhu, born of butter. This dress, as i've said before, is said to look like the foam on ghee. The creamy beige and wispy chodders and veil also Mahaprabhu's sash. The rich fabric with the small shapes of the avacado and orange-rust. Simple garlands of roses, carnations and leaves. One of the major folks came to give a speech and saw the garland maker and asked "And WHO are you?" i think the garland maker was surprised ar such a question. After she understood he was being Alice in wonderland she answered..
Pedaling away today on the usual route, i passed a brother and sister a couple of times they didn't seem to notice. There was a man and his women companion that i also went by two times. Many pedalers since it was Saturday. One place a driver had stopped along with another driver and they were having a converstaion which blocked the flow for fifteen minutes or so but everyone was able to get around somehow.
The night dress is the most blessed event. Another made for SP's vyasa puja. Such a day is so much good fortune for his followers. Everyone expected so much from him still he tried to benefit everyone but not taking time off .

Saint Patrick's Easter comes fashionably late. From Gaura Purnima a few years ago. Interesting that yesterday was She'll be there with bells on. Krsna says that of months he is November and December, Magra sirsa. The month that comes before that is Kartika, or Radharani's month. So this week it happened that way, Thursday was a Radhastami dress and Friday, today, was a Gaura Purnima, or a Krsna dress. Rotadendrum and roses made the garlands today. A forest or wild flower mood, certainly my favorite.
i'd have to admit that today i was getting better. i don't know how much worse i could have been than yesterday as far as pedaling goes. The opal cliffs and way behind the main street pulled me through. There was one pedaler on a ride that looked like a recumbent without being one. It's wheel base was long enough but it was a regular saddle rather than the chair like one 'bents have.
The usual tell me lies this evening. While i was dressing them, the folks were making sweets for a festival tomorrow. So late into the night the candles burned. It was that kind of festival day

She was there with bells on today. A pale green with purple trim. Giridhari has a light floppy chodder that flows around his arms and lifts in the breeze of his dancing. Laughing as it passes from his left arm to his right and mixing with both Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika's clothes. Mahaprabhu's pants and kirta are a deeper green than Gandharvika and Giridhari.
One of the folks today told me that whent they see me pedaling i look like i'm going to fall off. Well i wonder if that's how anyone else sees? Around the east cliff the flower shops and hospital parking lot i certainly felt as if my legs were made of lead today. Still i was able to complete my rounds in time for the sunset service and beyond.
It's a miracle mom that the dress was finished in time for vyasa puja, the day after janmastami. Since it had to be made simultaneously with the dress for that day. This evening was another quick time, perhaps the Deities were also ready for taking their rest.

The white knight is talking backward today. An orange and copper colored outfit. Mahaprabhu's sash is to cover that his kirta had to pieced together after the compensation was made for the dhotis being made backward. Gandharvika's jewelry was given to her for Ramanavami a couple of years ago now.
No darkness today. To the post box of the swami, through the village along by the wharf up the bridge to the opal cliff, between the twin lakes past the public radio around the harbor, the motorcycle shop, the shopper's corner, next the school, and around by another bike shop. From there to the east cliff then the soccer field and back up the road to the asrama. Back before the sun had gone down.
This evening while dressing them in the O dear doe night dress, the apprentice changed his name to "Bhakta Blade" one of his middle names is Blade in honor of one of the swamis. Otherwise they went to bed a little early with the help of the Bhakta Blade

The second ekadasi of the month means the queen in days of old. The seamstress was happy to announce that she'd used every color in the rainbow on this dress. So have you seen them all in gold? Garlands were of the petal type again today. The peacock crowns top this outfit and jari jewelry made by one of our folks trims it well.
Good evening darkness once again. The light faded faster than my dhoti today. Several drivers were after me since i'd left my head light at the asrama. i should know by now. By the half way point my eyes were being blinded by the stamp of the car lights. Still never under estimate the power of a good pedaling session.
Pralad-a-dad this evening. Gandharvika's pannel skirt, Giridhari's vest and Mahaprabhu's sash. Earrings made for this dress make it a quick one to put on them. For those about to dream............

Giridhari and Gandharvika wear yellow and red in this one. Mahaprabhu wears his more traditional mango color with red. One of the folks says it has a Mexican flavor to it. In fact a Mexican memember suggested this combination. A young member in fact and that's why it's called "Out of the mouths of babes". Petal garlands that are the most wonderful of all.
Today the cars forced me into a variation. Straight downtown but then back around to the point and around up and back down to the opal cliff. Then back to the town. Up and back and round about just to squeeze the distance in without leaving the sandhya out. In the begining there were lots pedalers but as the sun went down they began to disappear. All along the twin lakes the sight seers came and went. i just pedaled on making merriment.
There's a name for the colors of the rainbow, i want to name this night dress by it's color, they call east bengal the radhadesa, call this one baby blue.

The Deities were offered a new dress today for the appearance day of Srila Guru Maharaja. It's olive green and yellow-gold chinese silk. Rich and wonderful. There's a little red trim just to set it off. i didn't name this outfit, Guru Maharaja himself did. One evening some of the folks were playing scrabble with "devotional words". One of them spelled out "die to live". That is one of Srila Guru Maharaja's original sutras. Then some one not playing the game saw the board and asked "what's a diet olive?" It was too much, too perfect. That's how i know he picked the name himself. The name is "diet olive".
Several pedalers spoke or waved today. There is a sign that says one phase of the construction will be completed by the end of the month. "That's two more weeks!" my mind screams at me. i just keep on pedaling. One of the folks pedaled off asking me how long it would take to get up the road from the asrama and back down near a country store and get back to the asrama. He later told me it wasn't as long as he remembered. Up a hill past a Catholic retreat down the steep hill where he had to ride his brakes. Then past the coffee shop and the vikrama yoga center. Another hill past a trailor park through a stop light and back to the road to the asrama. Takes longer to write then it does to pedal it.
There i was here "in the ninth" dressing them in the same night dress that they were offered five years ago on this night. A little anniversary celebration. A taste of dejavu all over again.

Cutty Sark. The short skrit dress. Mahaprabhu's garland went down past his feet today. His dhoti, kirta, sash, and chodder are of the royal blue color with gold and bits of red. Giridhari is all yellow with blue and red mixed in to the cumberbund and chodder. Gandarvika has red-purple choli, sari and veil with blue strips in the veil. Her jewelry has red and blue. Giridhari and Mahaprabhu's are also red and blue. Jala mala jala mala kari
As i pedaled away from the asrama i looked to my right to see a deer running along side. i don't know if i scared it or it was the horses that did. Along came a pedaler right up beside it and frieghtend the deer away. The roads were queit as i went to the swami's post box. They stayed that way even along the opal cliff, between the twin lakes, through the sunny cove past the harbor and back agian for the sandhya.
The most blessed event. The dress to wear before the vyasa puja day. They took rest a bit early anticipating the festival tomorrow.

Friday is purple. Already they've worn purple a couple of days this week. So shut up kid was the choice, mostly pink for Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika. Giridhari has a purple jacket that flies in the breeze and winds behind Mahaprabhu's arm on one side and on the other into Gandharvika's veil. Full roses and petals in the garlands. The center featured marigolds. i'm not superstisious, no i'm not superstisious.
Only black trucks that tried to cut me off today showed any semblance of the date in question. Some several single pedalers out training today. Most made a high sign, some of the "serious" ones don't. "That's for the mountain men" One soccer mom pulled in front of me and a minute later went through a stop sign in front of another oncomming car. i heard the driver exclaim as she pulled out of sight, "Hi! How are you" as he looked to chastisize her. Round about by the hospital and back to the asrama. Looking at my chronograph i noticed i only had a moment to make it back for the sunset, so i had to take a short cut. Made it just under the tag.
The night dress from September one and ten one and two thousand. They must have had some plan for this evening since they had me dressing them quite quickly and for now they lie down only for a moment and happily engage in their pastimes.

Is it tomorrow? Or just the end of time? Today's dress is green and purple with silver trim. The purple just swirls through the pattern. The garlands are of stock and larkspur. The flowers keep falling out, by the end of the day there will be gaps in them. The Guru Maharaja's Vyasa puja dress of a couple of years ago it's still going stong.
Around past the soccer, tennis and baseball park. Even a couple of pick up basketball games going on. The sun brought out many pedalers today. Teams on the road the asrama is on, families between the twin lakes and some junior high school students at the shopping precinct. After a pilgimage to recola dvipa i return for the sunset arati.
In a reverse of the day clothes the lion on the chase has deep purple with an equally deep green flowing in and out the purple main color. Oh but they were glad to have the carnations offered at the sunrise arati by the apprentice removed this evening.

The designated cooker today told me "this is my favorite outfit." T. Rock with Giridhari's pink pants that i always thought looked more red. Gandharvika has a ruffled skirt of purple and pink while Mahaprabhu has a purple dhoti with pink in the center of the pleats. Giridhari has a classic look from another society with a long skirt that flies high and his chodder follows suit.
Chasing the sun i pedaled into the evening. A mission from one of the folks kept me looking to complete the task. When i returned unsuccessful the requestor told me i should go all the way downtown to find it. It surprised him that i was on the case. Originaly he asked someone else who handed it off to me. From there i went to the opal cliff around by the beach to the twin lakes back to the shopper's corner past the school down to the beach and the loop returns me to the asrama.
The lotus nails is the night dress. A long coat for Giridhari and a sari for Gandharvika. The apprentice tried to put it on her. He just about did it right. In the end it was i who finished off. Giridhari's hair was done for the first time since Saturday for Sunday. They quickly went off to their resting places where they happily engage in their pastimes.

"Those are my college colors. Go blue!" That's what someone said when they saw the 'Nila dress worn by them today. It's blue and yellow and gold. Mahaprabhu has a yellow dhoti and chodder. Giridhari has gold pants with a jacket with blue and gold swrils. Gandharvika has blue choli and veil and skirt. The veil has a gold boarder and the skirt has gold triangles in it.
On an up hill climb near a baseball and basketball park i overtook an ebike. At the previous stop light he pedaled up next to me. "Meep meep!" He announced his ebike's presense. "See you later" He said as the light changed. "Yeah yeah" i thought "you're pedaling a motorized cycle and i'm not." As i went by he was surprised. At the next light i stopped. He pulled up behind me again. This time he didn't say anything. At each light for a few blocks my lead got longer and longer. Perhaps he needed a recharge. We past the park players and a bird house. Next was a tennis park where the next world number ones were gathered. i turned off for the opal cliffs and didn't see my ebike companion any more. From there it was the usual trek through the town, over the harbor and past the movie theater. Then back to the sandhya with the cobwebs blown out of my brain.
The lions club dress this evening. One of those night dressses that has jewelry made for it. Still keeping together, no real signs of wear and tear. An apropriate dress for the cooler autum nights.

It is a colorful chodder, and check out the belt. It's one made by the seamstress. It's got the jari of India and the trim and stones of the west. Even the small Krsna got a jari belt made by the seamstress in this outfit. Full roses and petals mixed with some zennias for today's garlands. One of the older dresses i can't even rightly recall what day this was offered.
Along the west cliff today. It's quiet now. Few sufferers today, a gloomy day. A couple of teams out training today, The erranders were in sweatshirts and hoods. As i pedaled my way back to the evening service a van slowed next to me. i thought it must be one of the group and sure enough "Haribol!" a sure sign of the parisionors. Any of the locals can shout "spandex" or something else but one who knows that i am a pujari and no other would use "haribol". With that i began the sunset service.
The baby blue and white night dress this evening. They dance on into the night while i pick the flowers for the mangala. They'll lie down only for a moment and then rise up to happily perform their pastimes.

"What a beautiful outfit!" That's what someone said today. Of what value is a silk turban if not bowed down before the Lord? A question asked in sacred text. So when this dress featured a silk turban it became the answer. Giridhari's blue dhoti, Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have copper color. Mahaprabhu's is crusted with blue beads while Gandharvika has a broad blue boarder on her veil to go with the sequins on the skirt portion.
As the autum aproaches i pedal along laughing as i'm passing beneath the harvest sun. i've yet to feel the chill in the air while today i saw several pedalers in windbreakers. i saw a skateboarder in front of the ancient mariner but his tricks were shaggy.
The touch that kills the material desire this evening. Early to bed 'cause they're early to rise. The flower pickery kept me up quite late inspite of myself.

"Wow! Look at that outfit!" That's what someone said as they saw them for the first time today. "You were here when it was offered" i told them. "Yes, but you remember all of them, I don't" he ended. It shines before my eyes as if a thousand suns rose up into the sky at once and calls me 'Across the universe' it was offered for SGM's vyasa puja in 2004, jaya gurudeva!
Pedaling down the road to balance my load with sandhya arati on my mind. The tourists are out of town now. Going along the opal cliff only local sufferers on the water or the beach. Even in the village the outlanders are few and far between. Droping and weaving over the hills and around the construction the sandhya finds me there with the bell.
The most blessed event even though the singer stomped so hard i thought Giridhari's turban would come off, we all got a laugh out it and ejnoyed the kirtan that seemed a bit strange.

Rodadendrum, roses and stock flowers in the garlands today. That made them look fluffly and light. Mahaprabhu wore green today and Gandharvika a blue and silvery sari. In keeping with the traditional purple on Friday, Giridhari wore a purple jacket with yellow dhoti With Radha and Krsna combining to become Mahaprabhu, the yellow dhoti and blue sari combine as the green dhoti and kirta for Mahaprabhu.
As the day went on the traffic got lighter. Fridays are usually lighter days for that. This one was helped by the opening of another remodled grocery store. They came from far and wide to check it out. As i went down through the village i saw that there were more people walking than behind their wheels. Away from the village i passed a bike shop where they were taking in their bikes to tell me that i had just enough time to make it back for the sunset service. i pedaled nigh on to as hard as i could to make it over the hill and all the way along the winding road that goes on to the asrama door.
To night in their tell me lies dress, Gandharvika, Giridhari and Mahaprabhu were dancing. From outside the altar door the light was visible and caused it to be said that "Indeed Gandharvika and Giridhari and Mahaprabhu are still dancing this evening."

The peacock feather dress, Mayur. Giridhari had a vijaynti garland today. That is five different color flowers and it goes to his knees. There were yellow roses, orange marigolds, red dalias, purple dalias, and pink roses. Even here where there are so many flowers growing on the Deities' land that's a rare thing. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika didn't have but three or four colors. The garland maker began with Giridhari's and put the most effort there. The way the feathers in this dress have held up for so many years is remarkable. A testament to the hard work put in on them.
As i pedaled by the sunny cove i came upon four geese and i had to ask if they hadn't gone for the winter. They simply answered "oh don't be silly". Time krept up on me and beckoned me back to the asrama, just in time to offer the sandhya. The older folks pedaling for a personal best or to do some errands not so many others. They must all be recovering from the SCcounty century of Sunday. One hundred miles is so many ways around the county.
This evening i found that Krsna is a brahmacari. Since Giridhari is dressed in mostly orange it looks as if he's taking the color of the brahmacari asrama..

Ahhh but Giridhari looks different in this dress than usual right? The folks couldn't decide. They've seen this many times before but this time there's a new flair. The chodder stood out more taking a prominent place. His high hip was making it's presense felt. A real superstar.
Pedaling through the rain got so intense the last had to be done on the trainer. The tool barn is the home for the rainy day. Outside the crusiers were shrinked and pinked and the few trainers were racing the rain as was i. The pedalers and sufferers were staying away from the beach and the road just to avoid the rain.
O deer doe the night dress. The light green with dark trim coupled with silver featuring Maharpabhu with the longest chodder and skirt

The ekadasi day, don't tug on superman's cape. One of the first dresses made after the originals. Blue stars on Giridhari's dhoti. The cape has the stars too. Like a poster from the days of my misspent youth. The garlands came from one of the folks' gardens. "When one is in Krsna consciousness one thinks 'oh what a beautiful flower...'"
From the east side to the west side i pedaled all around the town today. One pedaler taking their ride into the shop saw me stop so they could walk it across the street seeing me stopping exclaimed "go on go on" so i pedaled on between the going home traffic and the on going construction. A few brave souls are out on the beach but not for long. The return pass shows they've long left for warmer ground. Back to the asrama for the sunset service. And i heard the singer ask that musical question how does this song go?
Pralad a dad. An orange and silvery Nrsingha caturdasi dress that has quite an aroma. And they go off into the night for their appointed rounds as i turn out the light and ask them to take their rest in the beds decorated with flowers.

So you want it with the veil like this and the chodders the opposite colors? Then the skirt is supposed to be how long? OK. Now how many dresses? hmmm. When the outfit was picked up they figured that it didn't make them enough money so the answer was "You can't have it your way!" Rose petal garlands today with a few full roses and dailias for the center. The cream and red along with light blue trim still wowed everyone on the Janmastami it was offered.
There were a couple of trainers out today. i informally pedaled along with them. We did some friendly informal competition. We went past the cruisers, kids and grown up trikes. The "course" took us in and out of traffic between the cars, trucks and busses. A couple of familes pedaling and others just walking were some of the obsticales on the "course". Who was winning and losing was never told since we all went to our separate destinations our competition ended as mysteriously as it began.
The newest dress tonight. The one offered on Radhastami this year. Giridhari has a white coat with blue trim. Since the blue is the same color as his body, he has white as the dominant color. Gandharvika and Mahaprabhu are inverted with the blue being the prominent. Gold crowns and belts top it off and hold it all together.

Radha's own. The color she chooses for herself. The garlands had gladiolas today along with roses, leaves and petals. Though this is a silver dress, Giridhari has brown buttons on his jacket. The kick pleat in his dhoti was a wonderful fan today. Gandharvika's hair featured silver clips in the front along the line that worked well with the boarder of her sari. Mahaprabhu had orange flowers in the front of his to set off his mango colored dhoti, kirta and chodder.
A hard and fast pedaling today, between the raindrops. It kept most people off the beaches and their pedaling. Those who did brave the weather were bundled in raincoats and gogles rather than sunglasses. i got back for the sandhya just as the clock was striking the hour. But as i walked to the altar there was a round of applause.
A couple of weeks from this year's ninth day of the wanning moon of kartik the night dress was one offered for that day a few years ago. Dressing went on late into the night while sky outside cleared off.