[claire]Saturday, July 17th, 11:30am India

[Mark Holmes]

Hi gang,

Sorry we haven't written in a few days, but we'll remedy that just now.=20=

  It's a beautiful sunny day.  The crows, mynah birds and chipmunks are=20=

carousing and caroling in the background.

Some highlights from the last few days:

=95 Our dear friend Rada Krishna (the one who's photo you might have =
seen=20
mixing up medicines in the first photo album) is back for a few days=20
and is on the case rallying some local doctors and medicines in case of=20=

any problems.

=95 Our evening satsangs in Tara's room are gaining in popularity, and=20=

are very uplifting as well as fun.

=95 The ashram has also organized volunteers to come by each day and=20
chant a mala of 'Om Tryambacam" (a mantra for protection) each day; a=20
mala is 108 repetitions.

=95 Raju stopped by and improvised a hilarious puppet show starring=20
'Lucky' and 'Pearl', our two imported resident teddy bears.  His own=20
mirth completely inspsired ours, and I was lucky to get a few minutes=20
on video tape (available for $29.95 at better stores.)

=95 Yesterday we tested our improvised (yes, there's a lot of =
improvising=20
going on here) popcorn pot and it worked famously.  In fact Vishvaa's=20
first batch was a big hit, and accompanied our viewing of the first=20
half of The Meaning of Life.

=95 Clare and Vishvaa are now in the running for Busiest Saint in =
Kerela;=20
it's a fierce competition, and Tara is very pleased by it all.  Mark=20
made the mistake of 'resting' on his laurels for a couple of days when=20=

they first arrived, and has subsequently lost crucial points in the=20
standing, though appears quite game to stay in the race.

The last few days have actually been a bit challenging for Tara.  It's=20=

difficult to know how much detail to mention to such a large public=20
group; but also the situation and symptoms change literally by the=20
hour.  Generally she's not feeling so well despite the intake of many=20
ayurvedic medicines and following a naturapathic juice regimen.  Tara=20
also hasn't really yet mastered a good pain-management regimen, and the=20=

pain ebbs and flows a little too sharply for her taste.

But despite the internal discomforts, externally life is beautiful, and=20=

she's very overwhelmed by the love, devotion and care she's receiving. =20=

And despite her low energy, she still manages to manage the groups of=20
visitors that come daily with customary grace and hospitality.  Tara's=20=

even learned to do this lying down.

The Pony Express e-mail bag is a daily ritual, and though we don't=20
always have a chance to respond directly, we really love hearing from=20
each of you (hint hint hint hint ;-).

Sending much love to all of you from all of us,

Tara, Clare, Claire, Vishva and Mark