Thursday, July 23, 2009

Howdy Du, Some Rain

(1)
Thanks to all of you who have sent rain thoughts my way. It worked!! It finally rained here after weeks and weeks of temperatures in the 100s. The rain started last evening and for a few minutes I just stood still and started at the wonder of it ...



* sheets and sheets of cooling rain drumming a steady rhythm on the roof
* steam rising from the thirsty tar road and pavement

* sun-scorched leaves of the tomato plants in our vegetable garden nodding in the rain

* fat cat staying close to my feet under the desk - he's the only one that's not happy




Here's the avocado plant with fresh raindrops. See how well it's doing!! :)



(2)
Last weekend I did my first duathlon: Howdy Du 2009. It was a 3 mile run, 17 mile bike ride and another 3 mile run. It was a hot and extremely humid day, but still a lot of fun. I finished in 2 hours and 9 minutes. The runs went well, but I really need to work on my cycling speed. In Austin everyone is into cycling - thanks to Lance Armstrong. We recently joined this group, and it's been a lot of fun so far.



The weekend's almost here ... enjoy it!

33 comments:

LadyFi said...

Love the rain shots - so refreshing!

And what an absolutely fabulous painting! It looks as if it is made out of cloth. I love it!

Mridula said...

Bindu after ages, and soaring temperatures it rained well here too but then tomorrow it would be water logging and clogged traffic. Still , it rained. :D

ArtSparker said...

The painting is spectacular. You must be happy. We are very dry in California, which always makes for fire danger here.

Kate said...

We just got much needed rain here too. It is on my bucket list that I want to do a run (maybe just a 10k). Congratulations on yours, quite impressive!

ArtPropelled said...

Bindu your painting is fantastic!!!
You must be thrilled with the healthy avo plant....and the rain.

pink dogwood said...

It is raining over here as well - I am glad you got some.
congratulations on finishing the duathlon - I guess it is like a triatholon , but without the swim.

And lastly, I just LOVE your painting - it is just amazing.

Celeste Maia said...

I bet you felt you were in India at the beginning of the monsoon. I have such fond memories of the downpours in Cochin, the sweet, warm smell of the earth. Lovely photographs. And your painting is fantastic, congratulations, you should be very happy.

meb said...

Fortunately we (NC) haven't had the temps (tho it will be 98 tomorrow)... or the lack of rain like a lot of the country has, but enjoyed the pix and loved the kitty.

The painting did look as tho it's made out of cloth. Beautiful.

ArvindS said...

Great Du job! 2hrs 9 mins is a pretty good time :-)

It rained (poured) here too today after many days and I had just watered my lawn this morning!!

Unknown said...

Bindu,

I love your painting! It is nice to see a round painting.

I wish we would get some rain. So far, all we have gotten is heat, windy heat, and heat with thunder. Still, I am ever hopeful.

You are impressive - with your Duathalon. (I think I spelled it wrong. Sorry.)

3rdEyeMuse said...

oh, Bindu! Circle of Women is really wonderful ... I am glad you signed it when you did ... and that avocado plant looks so happy ... yeah for rain!

congrats on finishing the Howdy Du!!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

I really love your painting! The colours are so vibrant, with the contrast with the olive green and the red. What medium is it?

Barbara Martin said...

Your painting is awesome with the complementing colours and placement of the figures. Well done.

Congrats on the rain. Positive thoughts bring good results.

Candace said...

Found you through One Day At A Time. Wow, what a great blog you have, Bindu. The rain-laden greenery and that lovely cat and the PAINTING. All too too lovely.

I'll visit again.
Take care.
Candace

bindu said...

Thanks, everyone - for your comments. It is very encouraging to get positive feedback on my painting. It's acrylic on canvas with some embellishments.

The rain is gone now, but the forecast says we will have more soon. Looking forward to that ...

Lakshmi -Celebrations said...

I am so much glad that i could sent some rain over to you dear friend.I hope reading my post brought luck in Austin,i am happy.It was wonder seeing your painting.Lovely,ur indeed creative.Loved the rain shots.
Its raining in Delhi too,from yesterday and brought down the temperature.Congrats on ur run too...

Vamsee Modugula said...

Hey Bindu,
Rain is beautiful. It has been raining constantly for the last month in Mumbai and I absolutely love it.
Your avocado plant is looking very healthy. Nice going!!

That painting is fabulous and what cool imagination. I love it and the title is so apt.

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

I can't imagine myself without drenching self in rain every monsoon!

Beautiful picture the first one.

Slow and Beautiful — Snail

Anil P said...

Beautiful painting. Circle of Life of Circle of Women.

On a circular canvas does it require a different sense of proportion when painting?

Shalini said...

Lovely seeing the rain drenched shots. And I love the painting...especially the great pattern you created.

SG said...

Hope you are having a great weekend.. the firts pic is my favorite.. that single bud surrounded by wet leaves.

Indrani said...

Great art work, Bindu! The painting is so bright and vibrant.

Sekhar said...

Rain.... here too :D
Just saw some blogs before coming here and there was rain in all of them. And ya here too I had my rendezvous with rain. Thank God. May the Rain last long :)

GMG said...

Hi Bindu!
Sorry for the long absence! But don’t you think it was a great vacation; some very busy weeks and just a few days off... ;)
Lovely post, with lots of interesting items!!!
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is still turning around Iceland, now in Waterland... Enjoy and have a fabulous week!

Chris Daly said...

I love your painting, this one and all of your work. You have such talent.

Unknown said...

That painting is so beautifully painted. Very nice

Unknown said...

Hooray for rain! The painting is beautiful, Bindu. congrats on your duathlon - I will tell my crazy friend who enjoys participating in these events about Howdy Du. I remember when I was young and enjoyed them, too. ; )
many hugs!

LadyFi said...

Just wanted to say thanks for your comments. And I do agree with you about the tigers in India - it makes very depressing reading. WWF is a major force in trying to keep tiger-based products banned (in China, for example) but it is a very slow process.

Rajesh said...

It is nice to know finally you could enjoy the rain this season. The embroidery on the wall is fantastic.

Blu said...

Stunning, your painting is simply fantastic. WOW.

Glad the rain came for you. Blu x

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Wow i liked this wall hanging .. looks so good and want to try this when i go india..

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Just wanted to know this is fabric paint right..Is the base color of the cloth is sap green ? IF possible can u pls send me the scanned photo copy of this outline...

bindu said...

Pavithra - thanks for visiting! You have a beautiful blog too, with great looking recipes. The painting is acrylic on canvas. I don't have a template - it was drawn free hand and is my original design. Glad you liked it!