Give me a free day, a train ride, and Boston streets—I’m happy.

Some days are made for wandering, and Boston never disappoints me.I love going to Boston any chance I get.

Sometimes I drive, other times I take the commuter rail or subway—whatever is convenient that day. I walk around, eat wherever I feel like, and go without an agenda.

But the Pandey boys need plans and direction. And Mr. Husband prefers to drive into the city. That works only if you go to one place, do things nearby, and then head home.

Saint Anthony’s Feast has been on my list for a long time, and this year I finally convinced Mr. Husband to go with me.

Anand, on the other hand, had his own plan. He didn’t want anything to do with a day out with Mom. He took public transport to Plainville Casino just to eat at Wahlburgers—his favorite restaurant. Only if Mark Wahlberg knew how lucky he is to have my son’s loyalty! We all left home at the same time.

Our subway ride was fun. It was packed because of the Red Sox game, and I was so glad I stuck to my plan of taking the train. Driving into the city would’ve been a nightmare on game day.

We walked around Newbury Street, had a drink, and then strolled to the North End. So many people in one place—it was such a fun experience. Food stalls everywhere, music, dancing, parades, thousands of people enjoying the day.

It was the perfect reminder for me—not to eat at fancy restaurants in Italy next month, but to look for local spots and try the real delicacies. Mr. Husband had a great time too. Looks like there are more Boston trips on the horizon.

Boston never gets old—and neither does finding new ways to enjoy it. 

A linen Saree at work. 

Things we get to see in the train :)

Do we romanticize marriage too much ?

From a young age, women are conditioned to believe that marriage is the most important chapter of their lives. — that a spouse becomes everything. Over the years, I’ve met so many families, from newlyweds to those married for decades. We’ve all seen countless marriages in our own families and circles, and each one is unique. Somehow, each couple finds their own equilibrium.

But sometimes, things quietly fall apart — not because  anyone is at fault, but simply because we feel… done with each other. This happens more often than we admit. Divorce may not be as common in either the younger or older generations, but this isn't even about divorce.

This is about feeling alone. Feeling invisible. Asking — sometimes begging — for time, attention, or just basic respect.

At my age circle, the kids are grown. They’re off to college, working, maybe even married. And I see this shift happening — a quiet resentment or distance growing between long-married couples. Husbands who feel their wives were never quite what they needed, and wives who feel they’ve given their entire selves to their husbands and families… and are left wondering if it was worth it.

There’s a powerful line in the movie App Jaisa koi, where the wife says something like, "If you get your meals and medicine on time, you won’t even notice if I am gone."
Is that how it is?

Are you seeking companionship? Adventure? Fun? Or are just asking — finally — for respect?
And more importantly, do you respect ourselves enough to ask for it?

                        A simple cotton saree for Saree at work Monday 

A Festival of Goddess Laxmi, and the Gift of Community

 Last Friday was a religious festival—one that women in Southern India celebrate in honor of Goddess Laxmi.

I don’t remember this festival from my childhood, but since moving to Franklin, my neighborhood women have started inviting me to join. There are a couple of houses where I am always welcome.

Today, I was invited by two mothers from the Desi Moms Network. They live about 20 minutes from my home, and one of them hosted the celebration on a larger scale.

All these years, I had only seen women coming together for this pooja—going door-to-door in my neighborhood.. But this time, I was invited to a home the host was a mom from my Desi Moms  group, and seeing all these women gathered together, chanting prayers, and sharing food reminded me just how important a “village” is for everyone.

The older generation always had these religious festivals and gatherings—these celebrations were their support system. While the host prepared for the pooja, the men were in the kitchen. The women helped each other put flowers in their hair, fixed each other’s sarees, and offered compliments, taking pictures. It was a warm, joyful scene.

Neighbors checked in on one another, chatted about life, and exchanged updates. While it was mostly women, the host also invited family friends, so there were a few kids running around. Her 10-year-old daughter was taken care of with kindness and care from everyone.

The best part was seeing the host’s smile. She had been up until 3 a.m. decorating and preparing, slept only a few hours, and then woke up to cook and preparation for pooja. She must have been exhausted, but her happiness and the support around her made it invisible.

That night, I saw a new meaning to “village.” Sometimes, the village gives you the energy and strength to carry on.

I think that night goddess Lakshmi was celebrated not just with devotion but with connection.

An Uppada silk for the celebration—light, breezy, and handwoven from the very state these households call home.

Smiles, care, and a Red Wristband : A Day of Belonging Canobie Lake park

Sometimes, something feels unthinkable. Someone dreams, someone wishes, and someone decides to make it happen. People come together and support the idea — and before you know it, it becomes a reality.

An amusement park usually means thrill, screams, crowds, long lines, chaos, and noise — exactly the kind of environment most of our children struggle with.

We were exploring outdoor activity options, and Canobie Lake Park came up. Many families wanted to try, though they were nervous to go alone. But once we decided to go as a group, everything began to fall into place. A few phone calls and emails later, the park team offered us discounted tickets, red wristbands so kids wouldn’t have to wait in long lines, and even the flexibility to bring our own food. They were incredibly accommodating.

Finally, the date was set: August 3rd Sunday

Even that morning, I wasn’t sure how many would actually show up.

But for the first time, no one dropped out last minute — in fact, two families joined at the last moment. Maybe the excitement gave them courage to take the leap.

In total, 29 families came together, around110 people including grandparents and had a beautiful day at the park. There were so many moments of friendship, support, and care. And yes, I’m sure there were moments of meltdowns and chaos too — but those are part of our everyday lives anyway.

Some of our kids went on the rides over and over again. Some never set foot on one — but they walked around and took it all in.

Some spent hours in the waterpark. Others just sat nearby and watched. One grown child explored the whole park on his own, while his mom enjoyed her ice cream — comforted by the fact that she’s not alone on this journey. She has her village.

I’m just so happy our children got a day to enjoy — like everyone else.

I'll write more soon — the good, the bad, and the messy. But for now, I want to stay in this moment of happy smiles, deep gratitude, and the quiet joy of accomplishment. 

The woman, their Guest Service manager who made this possible. 

The first set of family pics, Kids were not ready to wait. Lesson learnt. Dont dream about group pics in amusement park 

The bathroom had the supplies for women 

My Fav ride at the park

A cotton silk for a photoshoot for an inclusive show

#InclusionMatters

#AutismCommunity

#SpecialNeedsParenting

#VillageSupport

#NeurodivergentJoy

#EveryChildBelongs

#FamilyDayOut

#MeltdownsAndMagic

#RealLifeRealLove

#ParentingJourney

#TogetherWeThrive

#OurKindOfDay

Beyond Roles: Living for Ourselves Too - Turning 50, Turning Inward

In a beautifully decorated backyard, eight women met to celebrate womanhood, friendship, strength, and joy.

The host had just turned 50 without making a big deal—without even mentioning that. She simply invited us for a summer backyard party.

While toasting, she shared that she hopes her 50s are for her—focusing on her health and preparing for a life doing what she enjoys the most.

Most of the ladies were in their late 40s and early 50s, and almost everyone was going through the same thought process—realizing that they had spent their lives as daughters, wives, and mothers. Now, they want to live for themselves too.

Life, thinking beyond responsibilities. Beyond what will people say?

How interesting that is. It shows that sometimes aging makes you wiser and smarter—and more so, a no-judgment person.

We could all openly talk about our roles in the household, society, and community—various aspects of parenting and raising children with the weight of expectations on our shoulders.

The best part of the evening was the women talking about the host.

She is such a genuine person, and that’s what makes her special. As we all talked about her, I realized that everyone looks for the same things in friendship: authenticity, honesty, kindness, trust, and simply being there.Isn’t that the basis of every relationship? 

It was more than just a gathering—it was a gentle reminder that we are allowed to grow, to change, and to choose ourselves.

A beautiful linen, a gift of love from a dear friend. 

Jagjit Singh Sang - Har gosha gulistan tha kal raat jahan main tha.. So true

Why Social Health Matters More Than We Think?

During my walk, I came across a TED Talk by Kasley Killam where she talked about how important social health is.

She explained that while mental and physical health are important, it also makes perfect sense that we need to feel like we belong somewhere. We need people around us—not just friendships, but meaningful, nurtured relationships in our lives.

She shared something called the 5-3-1 Rule, which I found very interesting:

• Connect with five people each week

• Nurture three existing relationships

• Spend one hour each day connecting

While listening, my first thought was, Who has that much time? But she addressed that right away.
She said the average person spends over four hours on their smartphone daily. So instead of listening to news headlines all day, make a phone call to a family member. Instead of listening to another TED Talk, write a thank-you card. If you're at a coffee shop, don’t just grab your coffee—say hello to the barista, ask about their day.
Instead of getting lost in random news, schedule a meetup with a friend.

I totally understood her point about making phone calls—something I’ve been doing all my life.
But I did wonder: does connecting with mothers in my Desi Moms Network count?
I think it does.

Still, my lifestyle isn't the same as everyone else’s. I’m now inclined to read more about her studies, because just like nutritious food and meaningful relationships are essential, a meaningful community is equally important.

I often feel that if I could go back in time, I would’ve spent more time at local town events. I wasn’t really part of my town’s community. I volunteered a lot in schools, but not much within the town itself. Now that I have the time and ability, I’m focusing on broader community work and organizations—sometimes leaving my local town behind.

I’ve definitely built a strong community among Indian families, but not so much with my local neighbors.
And this reminded me: health is not just physical or mental—health is also social.

Ted Talk link - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpSDuDIaBGk

A simple Bengal cotton for Saree at work day.

 

When nothing works sunset at the beach always does. A quick trip to Cape with Mr. Husband