Why this blog is called "Gallimaufry".

gal-uh-MAW-free\, noun.

Originally meaning "a hash of various kinds of meats," "gallimaufry" comes from French galimafrée; in Old French, from the word galer, "to rejoice, to make merry"; in old English: gala + mafrer: "to eat much," and from Medieval Dutch maffelen: "to open one's mouth wide."

It's also a dish made by hashing up odds and ends of food; a heterogeneous mixture; a hodge-podge; a ragout; a confused jumble; a ridiculous medley; a promiscuous (!) assemblage of persons.

Those of you who know me, will, I’m sure, understand how well some of these phrases (barring the "promiscuous" bit!) fit me.

More importantly, this blog is an ode to my love for Shimla. I hope to show you this little town through my eyes. If you don't see too many people in it, forgive me, because I'm a little chary of turning this into a human zoo.

Stop by for a spell, look at my pictures, ask me questions about Shimla, if you wish. I shall try and answer them as best as I can. Let's be friends for a while....

10 February 2009

Spreading the love.

My intention, when I started this blog, was to speak about Shimla. It was a simple, desultory thought: let me talk about my love for Shimla, show others the Shimla I see. Somewhere along the way, this blog took on a life of its own. Over the years and also while working on this blog, I visited other sites, and met some wonderful people.
I'd like to dedicate today's post to some of these wonderful people whose writing and/or photographs inspire me, offer me solace, galvanise my thinking, make me laugh and direct me to other perspectives which help to broaden my mental and sentient horizons.
  • Scribbler is one of the most creative people I have met in my entire life. More than that, she is a very intelligent and compassionate person with a wonderful sense of humour. Her writing reveals a very wise head on young shoulders. I am filled with awe whenever I read anything she writes, because it is usually deeply insightful.

  • Little Atoorva is my Alice in the bureaucratic wonderland. Her innocence, unspoilt by the nonsense that passes of as reality, constantly refreshes her readers. Her world is populated by beauty. By enchantment of thoughts, of ideas, of images.
  • Ann lives in the wonderful town of Sydney. Her meanderings in her town help me to explore a city which I have not visited so far, but would like to, now that I have seen it through her eyes!
  • I met Subrat in the course of work many, many years ago. I was (and still am) struck by his wisdom and his warmth. In today's world, where people have turned into emotional and professional cannibals, Subrat's remains a lone voice of sanity. Pity he doesn't write often enough.

  • Melanie is an old soul in Jimmy Choo shoes. Her posts on her life and loves are genial and deeply astute. She is very observant and has on more than one occasion, revealed great perspicacity about life's ticklish issues.

  • Mahanandi defies description. On the face of it, it's a food blog. Its author, Indira, shares recipes and photographs that would convert the most ardent anorexic into a foodie!What a great ambassador for Indian and Andhra food.

  • Dick Richards is my spiritual guru. I do not remember when or where or how I stumbled upon his writing. I sometimes feel as though I am the Eklavya to his Dronacharya! I keep going back to his words and finding new lessons in each thing he says. Wise, gentle and very, very humane. A great teacher.

Thank you, each one of you. You have made my life richer. Those of you reading this blog, please take some time to visit each one of these people in cyberspace and be prepared to be amazed.


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! I will take your advice and visit everyone else on your list. And I sense a blog post of my own coming on. Not about "sharing the love" as you do so beautifuly, but about feeling it, letting it in, allowing it to wash over. I'm humbled and grateful. Many thanks.

Anonymous said...

On a lighter note...not being conversant with Indian mythology, I went on a brief internet excursion looking for the story of Eklavya and Dronacharya. I now understand that Eklavya represents devotion to a guru, and I have a request to make of you: please don't sever your thumb! :)

Ann said...

I am touched and flattered. Thank you. I look forward to visiting these blogs that are so special to you.

Geetali said...

I look forward to the promised post, Dick. I learn something every time you write.

Ann, seeing your blog has become a part of my daily ritual. I hope to save up enough money to be able to see Sydney someday. Thank you for sharing the joy.

Anonymous said...

Here it is -->
hre="http://www.ridingondragons.com/?p=982"

Geetali said...

Wise words, yet again, Dick. And a lesson in humility.

Atoorva said...

Thank you(* blushing*) for this post,....it definitely made me very happy . Also thank you for introducing me to another wonderful blog (dick Richards') . Will check out others too .

Geetali said...

Atoorva, I meant every word.
Dick's blog is superb. As is this one:
http://www.positivityblog.com/
Do have a look when you have the time.

Related Posts with Thumbnails