Friday 20 February 2009

Dominos, Indian Idol and Mom

We sell our old newspapers , magazines and junk
to kabariwalas or rag and bone men
who come around crying loudly on the streets. This time we sold a stack of newspapers
for Rs 176 which is about US $ 3.54
Do you see such old fashioned scales in the West?
One has to be careful they can trick you.
Some of these men have faulty scales with holes in them
and incorrect weights.
The book of Proverbs in the Bible talks about it.
Mama usually keeps the paper money to use for her garden
purchases (seeds etc.) This time after a brief contemplation
she said,"Do you think we can get Domino's Pizzas with this paper money?"
Domino's opened last year in our city.We 've not sampled its fare as friends have told us that' s its very expensive. The cheapest pizza is about $4.I could make pizzas for 4 people with that much.
Anyway ,I told Mummy to keep her money -
sometimes we can splurge.
My dear Mother is watching

She sometimes does that.
Keeps her 76 years young !
The excitement it generates
is equal to

21 Fertilize my soul:

Nina in Portugal said...

I'd rather eat your homemade pizza over Dominoes any day!!

Anonymous said...

I'll bet your homemade pizza is wonderful, but get Mom some Domino's if she really wants it
:-). I mean just once.....
Indian Idol. Oh no. Idol is everywhere. ~Mary

Deare Diary said...

Amrita,
I just love reading your posts. It is always interesting to see how different things are from what we are used to.
Judy

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
interesting that you sell your old papers.
Here we have to sort paper and return it to the town's garbage filling and apy good money in addition.
We do the same with plastic and kitchen waste.
All in all we have four different garbage dispensers. Yet we pay more and more to get rid of it.
The town council are selling plastic and paper and making a fine profit.

Pizza; I give much to taste homemade pizza again.
Such a difference.

From Felisol

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

How very interesting! I can remember on the streets of New Orleans people coming and yelling or giving a shrill whistle, to sell things, mainly fruit and fish, and yes, they were quite tricky with their scales...we had the ice cream truck, of course (I never got any)...and we had people who would come and take away your stacks of old newspapers, they did this for free but I am guessing they must have resold it somehow.

Our elementary schools would also ask for the paper in what they called a "paper drive." Every student was required to bring a stack at least 1 foot high.

I think it is so cute that your mother wanted to try Domino's pizza. It is very tasty!

Pat said...

Very interesting blog...as usual. No, we don't see scales like that too much any more. They remind me of the statue that decpits justice. Have you seen it? It is a figure that is blindfolded and holding scales like in your picture and it represents that "justice is blind". Apparently it's sometimes blind with those vendors too!
Domino's pizza is ok, but I bet your homemade is just as good. Probably if you had one, your Mother would be completly satisfied and wouldnt ask for another!

Dan Lowe said...

Amrita,

What are bone and rag men? I don't think we have these in Canada or the U.S. And, it's awesome that your mom watches American Idol!! My wife likes to watch that sometimes, though I am not a huge fan; it makes me feel down when they make fun of people trying their best. Oh well...hahaha...

I watched your friends videos. I wanted to get in touch with him and tell him about a theological symposium happening in Vancouver in June with some Native North Americans (Columbus' "Indians"...LOL...). My father in law is the chair of the board of the organization putting on the symposium.

Dan Lowe said...

Amrita,

What are bone and rag men? I don't think we have these in Canada or the U.S. And, it's awesome that your mom watches American Idol!! My wife likes to watch that sometimes, though I am not a huge fan; it makes me feel down when they make fun of people trying their best. Oh well...hahaha...

I watched your friends videos. I wanted to get in touch with him and tell him about a theological symposium happening in Vancouver in June with some Native North Americans (Columbus' "Indians"...LOL...). My father in law is the chair of the board of the organization putting on the symposium.

Gigi said...

Here Domino's is very bad pizza...I'll bet yours is much better!! I love reading your posts.

Crown of Beauty said...

i haven't had much time to read my friend's blogs these past days, but i saw your comment on my last post and want to thank you for always being ready with an encouraging comment for me, whether i am able to visit your site or not. you have such a kind heart, and want you to know you encouraged me today, just by being there. will visit you again one of these days.

Donetta said...

HI Sis, I have caught up a bit. We do not even see scales here except for the produce section. Very few people even bother to make use of them. Things are weighed at he cashier.
That is good money for news paper.
Hope all is going peacefully for you .

Anonymous said...

That is interesting about selling old newspapers. I also knew what kind of scales the book of Proverbs was speaking about, but I haven't seen them in use, except in the classrooms.

And I'd take homemade pizza over Domino's too!

Mrs. Mac said...

There used to be 'rag men' when my mom was a child ... they'd go around calling out, 'any old rags, any old rags' back in grandpa and grandma's days nothing was wasted unlike today. We donate our newspapers/aluminum cans/cardboard to the local schools to profit from recycling. Pizza ... aaah Dominoes now 'outsources' their delivery calls to foreign countries for local delivery (go figure) ... have you ever tried to bar-b-que pizza on the grill? That's my favorite way to cook it.

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Amrita,I think that is a great price for a stack of newspaper. I believe I have seen some people use those type of scales at out local farmers market.Have a blessed weekend,Shelley

monsoon dreams said...

hi dear,
ur blog is where i come to when i want to feel homely and peaceful.hope u r doing fine.
i do the border of my snaps in photoscape which is a free software.google it and just download .

Julie said...

I remember the scales in the bible and the cheats. Still doing it, history repeats itself, LOL. I would take your pizza anyday over the boughten one. Peace from across the world, :-)

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hi Amrita,
How are you and you family doing? eeeh about the indian Idol, I'll watch and see how it goes...oooh and about the paper from newspapers hmmm why not use it for the openwoodfire, but this is a good idea too,

Happy weekendwishes!
JoAnn/HOLLAND

Annie K said...

Amrita,

That is very interesting about selling the old papers. I'm looking forward to exploring your blog and hearing more stories!

Annie

Rebecca said...

Dare I ask what people do with all these old newspapers?

Amrita said...

Thank you friends each of your comments was such fun to read.

I too love home made stuff I make from the scratch.Today I made vegetable soup with bottle gourd, carrots and spring onions from my garden also tomatos. Tastes so good.
I make my own peanut butter too.
I hardly ever go out to eat. Sometims just bring home a take out from the lower priced places, specailly when my sister is visiting.

Rebecca, the newspapers are either recycled or used to make paper bags.

Thank you Annie K. I loved visiting your blog too.

No Mrs Mac I have not tried the bar-b-Q pizza but it sounds good.

My homemade ones are simple. i make their topping with tomatos, onions, peppers and processed cheese. Far removed from the exotic variety you all have in the West.

Hi Dan,
Rag and bone men are peopole who come around and buy junk and old stuff you don 't want anymore ranging from furniture to glass bottles, plastic stuff whatever, even metal things.

Glad you saw Vishal 's video.
Sorry it took so long for me to reply.

Dick said...

I think your home made pizza will be better. Eating outdoor is very expensive here also, we don't go often.