Right after I left him on his bus stand I went to the park. It was hot and breeze less and in my dark color Georgette suit I was sweating more than usual. But as, I have promised myself I took no less than 10 rounds in our 25m by 25 m park.
Today, I have planned to buy a few school shirts for Virat. So I make sure that I finish shopping and cooking, all before he is home. 
A few days ago, we both were having lunch, when I got a call from my neighbor, who happens to be my son’s best friend’s mom. I said a warm ‘hello’ to her and in response; she started questioning me about my upbringing and said some very abusive words. That left me completely shocked and hurt. I was puzzled and didn’t know how to react. I just tried to remain calm and allow her to finish. I didn’t clarify as I don’t think I need to, as I know what the whole episode was.
Actually earlier that day, on the way home Virat spilled a few drops of water on her daughter’s book, which she was reading. To that, she started crying and started saying something wrong to him. Virat immediately apologized but that doesn’t stop her from nagging. Then, he told her that she too had spoiled his books many a times before (I know about this as whenever this happened he came out to me crying and complaining but I asked him to forget and forgive).
So, the accusation upsets her.
As I write about I was wondering whether it was right on her part to be too harsh or judgmental just listening to her daughter; or, on my part to keep quiet. I wish I could have told her that for every parent his or her child is the epitome of truth but that doesn’t make the other a liar.
World is a complex place and I know that tough phase of parenting is still ahead. I just hope that we all safely and wisely navigate through all such problems.
I won’t finish my this post with this bitter story and I have an exciting recipe to share. Granola bars are my favourite snack and can easily skip my lunch or dinner to have them.
Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Ingredients
• Oats – 1 ¼ cup
• Oat flour – ¼ cup
• Dessicated coconut – ¾ cup
• Wheat bran – 1/3 cup
• Salt – ½ tsp
• Chopped dried fruit – 1 cup
• Choco chips – 1 cup
• Butter – 50 gms
• Honey – ¼ cup
• Oil – ¼ cup
Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degree C. Line an 8-by-8 inch square pan with baking paper. In a bowl, combine oats, oat flour, coconut, wheat bran, dried fruit and chocolate. In a separate, small bowl, whisk together butter, oil and honey until smooth. Mix all the ingredients together. Transfer to prepared pan, then press the ingredients tightly with a big spoon or using your hand into all corners of the pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tops are golden and the edges are light brown. Let it cool completely then pop that into the fridge. Then they’ll be even easier to cut without crumbling.
bakingflavours 