ELLIS' GARDEN
YELLOW IT IS FROM THE ELLIS' GARDEN 30 OCT 21 💗❣️❤️ DIL🖤🤍💖KHUSH🧡💘💛
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ARTICLE : FLYING FOX
FLYING FOX LT COL NOEL ELLIS 28/X/2021 It was ages ago that one was made the Head of a “Spider School” three decades back. The name sounds weird but indeed it was a ‘Colony of Spiders’. One was familiar with the ‘Spider Colony’ SC as one had the privilege to be part of as a Gentleman Cadet (GC) from IMA Dehradun. One had volunteered for ‘para jumps’ during term break. That small little parachute on your sleeve was a coveted accoutrement and worn by only a few. Some of us who had decided to forego their term break for adventure activities were sent to the SC. About fifteen of us were packed in a ‘Shaktiman’ and dropped in the ‘Deoban Forest’ somewhere parallel to the Mussoorie hills. It was cold and there was snow at places when we reached our camping spot. A couple of tents were pitched and it was home for the next few days. The first day was a LD (Lecture Demonstration). We sat on the Grand Stand to witness the demo. The opening lines were, “Welcome to the Spider Colony”
ARTICLE :
DAHI- CHEWRA & PAAN LEAVES LT COL NOEL ELLIS 25/X/2021 The day demand for betel leaves goes up when there is some festival or ritual. One feels good to give them away. May all blessings of the deity’s be showered on all those who offer them. I hope our friends also pray for us. The betel leaf they say signifies freshness and prosperity. One bite acts like a mouth freshener. The burst of betel flavour is unbeatable. Prosperity is bound to come as one has three vines growing. Our Bai is one of the regulars in doing pooja. She has all the right to pick and choose the best leaves. I dedicated all the leaves to the Indian team to perform their best in the most awaited match. What more could I do to make pooja a blessing for every family? I pull out the watering hose and wash the leaves till they look nice and glossy and worthy as an offering. We let people select the best ones from the vines of their choice. Milkman too collects the leaves when he comes to deliver milk packets. Gene
ARTICLE : STREET LIGHTS
STREET LIGHTS LT COL NOEL ELLIS 24/X/2021 A street light pole in front of our house is a favourite perch of many birds. In our childhood we found birds sitting and chatting on electric or telephone cables. Now that most of the cables have been dug underground, these birds have innovated. From Robins to Bulbuls, from Mynahs to Crows, in an odd case the Kite finds its way to sit and enjoy atop the pole. These are the best vantage points to spot prey. It is also a place where after a hectic worm and beetle hunt they come and rest before the next shikar. It wasn’t surprising to see these birds using that place to also groom themselves. Straightening out and clearing the debris stuck between the feathers. Fluffing them and cleaning them to keep them dust proof before the next kill. The Kingfisher also uses that platform to bang its prey before gulping it down. As the prey struggles to free itself, it is sorted out by banging it on the light pole. A few
