One of the enduring Kishore family traditions is the handkerchief mouse. Everyone in grandfather's generation seems to know how to coax a handerchief into a mouse shape and bring it to life with some amazing moves, and nobody in Papa's generation seems to have a clue how.

Dadaji was bid farewell by all of us in the havan today.

There he is, gazing at us with a smiling countenance as he always does.

Dadaji, I will miss you very much.

Although we would have preferred to meet under much happier circumstances, I got to met cuz Rohan for the first time. He's already a handful, and the three Kishore brats are going to have quite a time!

I woke up to see P-M really distraught. They explained to me that this morning, suddenly, Dadaji had decided to take his place among the stars in the heavens above. While I can't quite understand what they are talking about, I have this sinking feeling that I won't have him around to regale me with stories, teach me so many things, be my partner in crime.

We're leaving for India today, the three of us. Bade Papa is also leaving. We'll all assemble in Patna.

Dadaji, I'll watch for you among the stars.

P-M finally decided I was old enough to enjoy a visit to the zoo, and took me to the Oakland Zoo today. It was completely fascinating. Birdies of all colors and feathers. Doggies of all sizes, from little ones to huge maned ones to gigantic ones with trunks. Although they did not seem to be doing much, just sitting around and lazing.

But even more fun than the birdies and doggies was the other stuff. This frog proved a tough climb, but I immediately knew what to do with the hollowed tortoise shell. And then there was the sky ride, the railroad car, and the best part of the day for me, the carousel!

And then there was this enclosure with the very tall doggies and short ones.

My dad can beat up your ... snake?

At least the giraffes seemed suitably scared ...