Early mornings are still deliciously cool, partly because there have been grey rain clouds shielding the city from the rising sun every morning. When I take Sam out for his walk, the air is still bracing (not chill like late December mind you), but still very pleasant. As we stand enjoying the cool air, Sam sniffing it exploratively while I scan the skies, Julie, the resident female dog of our complex, comes gamboling up to play with Sam. Their having exchanged pleasantries and sniffed noses, we set out for a walk in the neighborhood in a companionable fashion, Sam on his leash, and Julie running circles around us.

Past the badam tree already shedding its leaves, down the drive and out the gate, to see the rain clouds still heroically holding back the sun to ensure a cool morning. Then on to the Abacaus School gates where the school’s dog, Sandy, awaits with upright and alert ears, and a friendly, welcoming face. He runs up and down behind the closed gate barking occasionally, wanting to come out and play. There was one occasion when he managed to slip through when someone was entering, and ran up to us! He and Sam got to know each other and I was able to pet him and play with him until the watch man came running and dragged him away although it was evident that the poor dog was simply being sociable.

Then through the neighborhood, past all manner of flowers beginning to bloom, the early morning newspaper delivery man on his rounds, the milk van depositing the sachets to the assembled army of delivery boys, the BPO girls heading for the main road in a chattering mass, the school vans grinding through the roads, picking up their preciousl bright eyed and bushy tailed passengers……its a lovely time of day. We return from the walk, refreshed and energized, all set for the day, to the sounds of the child next door having her music lesson, ‘Saaaaa….Reeeee….Gaaaa’! Sam for his duties at home, I for a trip to the Boat Club and an outing on the river, post which I head out to work.

How long will these cool mornings last? All indications are they will rapidly begin warming up in the near future. The flowers, the dropping leaves, the sun rising a little earlier than before……soon we will be in the Chennai ‘Spring’ in earnest, followed by the heat! Each Season has its blessings, however, and its up to us to make the most of them. I do enjoy the cool mornings though and hope they last till February!