Self-Isolation

Covid-19: The last few years have been horrible would be an understatement– with all the Covid restrictions and the loss of so many lives. However, despite catching Covid in April 2022, I’m looking forward to the future with a new sense of optimism. I just need to make a full recovery now. This is my last day of testing negative and looking forward to seeing my baby daughter after a week of self-isolation.

Self-testing kit @ home.
Self-testing kit @ home.

School trip

school trip

Introspective: This is one of the few photos that I like and I came to appreciate.  This is partly because I was not aware this picture was being taken.  I came to know about its existence about a decade ago by a chance encounter with my secondary school teacher. He gave me this photo so many years later. Thank you, sir!

Sense of silence

Nighthawks

Nighthawks  When I first saw the Nighthawks painting a few days ago, I was taken aback by how Edward Hoppe managed to capture a sense of silence. This painting raises so many questions. What are these people doing so late into the night, do they know each other (e.g couples/friends or even strangers) etc.  The painting captures a feeling of loneliness and isolation that matches Hopper’s description of it as “literally an illustration of loneliness.” Edward Hoppe,  American, 1882–1967

Plantonium– Mile End Road, E1 4UN

Plant Hunter. I discovered this plant shop by accident opposite the Genesis cinema, nestled among all the restaurants and off-licenses. It’s so refreshing to see a different type of business on this road.
When we entered the Plantonium, we were greeted by a young lady who was passionate about the plant! She cheerfully answered all our questions.
The Plantonium has a wide selection of potted plants for most inner-city plant hunters and the price was reasonable. I plan to buy a Bonsai tree on my next visit.

The white cat

Schrodinger's cat

Schrodinger’s cat. Came across this cat during my lunchtime walk resting on the wall daydreaming. Trying to elicit a response to capture an image was met with indifference. The cat ignored me and closed its eyes. It was only when I was walking away it took an interest to look back with a disapproving look!

Yesteryear

Before-photo – fading

That’s me. This cropped image is part of a larger family portrait that was taken in Bangladesh. I had not seen this for many years and almost forgotten that it existed, and it only came to light after a family friend sent this from Spain. My memory is a bit blurred when the portrait was taken, except that it was shot on a hot summer’s day in a local bazaar. Sadly, the passage of time and the tropical climate, humidity, had nearly destroyed the picture, but I’m grateful to the friend for sending the photograph that evoked the memory of my childhood.

This is my first attempt at restoring a photograph. The first left image is fading without restoration!

Hottest chillies in the world

Naga plant

Final curtain callAfter tending to the Deshi Naga Morich (chillies) for 10 months. With the onset of autumn, it’s time to say goodbye to this splendid specimen. This type of Naga is indigenous to Southeast Asia, and it has gained popularity amongst the younger  Bdeshi gardeners in London!  Also see gardeners’ world for different varieties of chillies grown in the UK.

Snow

Morning walks. Working from home from a small study can be isolating, but today I enjoyed watching the snow falling while preparing for online meetings.

Monday 8th February 2021 

Ephemeral Beauty

Fog park

Ephemeral Beauty. Today’s photo was sent by the young guest contributor (Jenny) during her early morning lockdown run.  It is remarkable how fog can transform a landscape into something magical!