This Diwali we are being reminded repeatedly of a half-forgotten Avocado Plum Cheesy Sandwich. I looked at that sad avocado and the forlorn plum in the fridge saying eat me before I go bad. There was a bit of garlic bread also stashed away in one corner of our fridge.
I had a few friends over and I forgot to give them the Puja fruits. And I was kind of afraid to give these two fruits to the ones I visited later. They might have thrown these back at me. So here we are with our simple thought of waste not want not.
A spread being made with these 3 ingredients. And maybe a few herbs and spices. Sounds simple enough. (Excess fat– yeah I heard that).
In all the madness of festive celebrations with multiple rounds of kachoris, malpuas, dhoklas, telebhajas and what not, these fruits leftover from Lakshmi Puja celebrations were missed.
Still haven’t found it
We had a small gathering to celebrate our valiant 83-year-old rock star champ who has been fighting it out with the Beta sweater pehno parties.
We had a little samosa party with another aunty who told us to get our shit together. Our photography has gone to the dogs. Who did that painting? Can we check it out more carefully later…
We got only 1 out of 100 in that department. I did have an advocate on my side who tried to speak out my case, but it was too late. However, she gave 1, not zero. That’s something to celebrate?
They have many other things on their mind right now. Most importantly dealing with missing workers.
Inspiration for Avocado Plum Cheesy Sandwich
Ah well, I might as well add a bit of fig jam to the plum. There was a whole lot of other herbs and spices around.
But the mint was calling out in a very fresh tone. So, we had to take care of its needs and chop it up very finely before adding it to the mix.
As I turned away with a sad, dejected air, I reflected upon a few famous words from braver souls than me. Somebody managed to capture Goebbels as well! Goebbels was a cat too but is no more.
Behind every successful man there stands a woman telling him that he’s wrong. Now when those men are gone- the women are partying away. Some men don’t like that I believe. So, we will light a couple of lamps for those who had to really struggle through their chest pains.
I had done nothing short of a little miracle going through so many barricades and lurking enemies in the neighborhood. Including a hungry tomcat named V2 (often pronounced as Bhitu) as I was informed later!
We still managed to get there with our little offering of Diwali snacks and sweets. There was one youngish handsome dog who was made to sit quietly outside. The vet was out of town.
I was asked to add some Lemon to it
As I said- gym trainers and superstars helped guide us through a very tricky Monday and Tuesday. So, by Friday, we decided- we are not going to fry anything for this Sunday post. There’s a reminder about Fire Hazards and many dogs.
Definitely many elders with COPD issues. Simple bread, butter and jam is another option. But we will do with this alternate sandwich for now. And have a little picnic in the zoo. There’s a very special giraffe there we are keen to see.
I got multiple fraudulent calls from head office saying your workers are having a field day. They are not delivering on anything. Running late on purpose and charging you on top of that for it….
What can I do? I don’t run a circus. What does a broken glass container mean in the larger scheme of things? It’s a warning from somebody who is trying to draw attention to her greater sufferings in life.
Alas, I can’t do much about it now. She has multiple members of her family helping her out. I have none!
Dancing lights for an Avocado Plum Cheesy Sandwich
Another glorious celebratory dream bites the dust. We are a bit worried about my mother who is wandering off to different places with a head injury. She has to take her medication, and we can’t force it upon her.
We have a completely different narrative sent by others who think they are doing a much better job of handling their loved ones. I am unable to orchestrate this unruly messy over the top roadshow of how “glorious” our Indian culture is across the world.
Truth is that there are people drinking in excess. There are people with loans to pay off. There are students struggling to complete their assignments on time. Parents worried about multiple things in life.
And we still have to display our avocado, plum cheesy sandwich in between. The epic wastefulness of this is sinking in slowly. Our parents had to really fight it out on various fronts to make sure we got a better education. And here I am singing a ballad of a sad sandwich.
Well, it will be even more wasteful next week. Isn’t that something?
Let’s do it with a bit more grace. You should find a better dancer. I got two left feet right now.
An attempt to change the Avocado Plum Cheesy Sandwich
We remember the old days which were spent in vain trying to make the sandwich a bit more acceptable to a larger set of people. However, it’s still early days. We will be amiss if we miss this train of many people asking for a simple fish curry instead.
Something cooked maybe with a few fresh local seasonal vegetables. Now, we have a real problem in hand of different voices of people with limited choices.
We made a very quick change for this particular season. Kali Pujo means we don’t aggravate Ma Kali. Already we had long discussions on Kalidas’ stupid act of cutting the wooden branch it sat on.
Peaceful negotiations for Avocado Plum Cheese Sandwich
Now, we know the sandwich is much better with ham and cheese. Or eggs or say even chicken. There was a story about cucumber, lettuce and tomato- once upon a time when we discussed about forbidden fruits. And we have the problem of avocado that needs to be just ripe.
Having gone through so much of conversation around this and yet there’s no sandwich on the table yet. Something is highly fishy right now.
There’s a belief system that is being questioned. Somewhere we will leave it at this point. Bhai phonta/Bhai Duj maybe celebrated in some places for brothers and may not be celebrated in some other places.
Let’s just help ourselves to a bit of good food and drinks. Whatever works for you wherever you are with some locally available fresh ingredients (hopefully).
People will be out and about wearing new clothes and enjoying with their loved ones. Fireworks and excessive waterworks are what we have to control.
Blamed from all sides and caught in a narrow gap of many mothers angry with me for whatever reason.
Sending love from our kitchen to yours. Let’s just celebrate sons all over the world.
Footnote
Sorry LadyBug
I thought I would gift it to my helper
Then I realised my cook was not paid
It’s an old one from my mother
A bit torn in some places
It may have been a bit risky to give this one
So I keep it for myself till Chhat Puja
Till you get the festive fireworks done.
Melting Lemon Drop 08.11.2026
