Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Monday, July 12, 2021

A Book for My “Girlfriends” – The Ladies’ Oracle

Bibliotherapy – The Ladies’ Oracle – Guide on Matters of Love and Life

THE LADIES ORACLE

A Fascinating Book

VIKRAM KARVE

BIBLIOTHERAPY

Reading can be fun.

Reading can also be therapeutic.

Bibliotherapy may be defined as the use of books to help people solve problems.

Yes – you can benefit from bibliotherapy – use books to solve issues that you may be facing at a particular time

Many of us use bibliotherapy without realizing it.

Reading is ameliorative in nature – and – an enjoyable read always cheers you up – and puts you in a good mood.

Whenever I am in a blue mood – I browse through my bookshelves and pick up a good book.

For me – reading is the greatest of all joys.

The moment I start reading a book – I enter a different world – and this change of environment has a positive effect on my mood and emotion – and lo and behold – my spirits are uplifted.

Those who do not have the habit of reading remain imprisoned in their moods and immediate surroundings.

I have just picked up a delightful little book called “The Ladies Oracle” by Cornelius Agrippa from my bookcase.

Here is a picture of the title page of my copy the book:

THE LADIES’ ORACLE By Cornelius Agrippa

Let me tell you about this intriguing book The Ladies’ Oracle and you will see how this book can cheer you up and lifts your spirits too – an ideal book for BIBLIOTHERAPY .

Whenever I buy a book – I write down the date and place of purchase on its first page.

I have duly recorded that I bought The Ladies Oracle on 14 February 1989 – on Valentine’s Day – more than 32 years ago – on the pavement bookstalls opposite the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) near Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) at Fort in Mumbai (then called Bombay).

I don’t remember what prompted me to buy The Ladies Oracle.

Maybe – I wanted to present the book to my darling wife

Or maybe – because there was no such book as “The Gentleman’s Oracle” – at the pavement bookstall.

But that is not important now.

So – let’s talk more about this amusing little book.

HOW TO USE THE LADIES ORACLE FOR BIBLIOTHERAPY

Let’s get down to using this delightful oracle.

First choose a question from the ninety five listed in the book from pages (v) to (viii) numbered 5 to 100

(I wonder where the first five questions are?)

I select question number 35:

Shall I always enjoy good health...?

Now as per the the instructions – I turn to page (i) – I close my eyes – and I put my finger on the “Table of Signs”

I open my eyes and I see that – I have placed my finger on the “sign” representing a single square.

Now – I consult the table starting from page 10 – I follow the line marked by the number of the question (35^th line) – till I arrive at the column which has the chosen “sign” over it – and this figure gives me the number of the page (74) on which the answer is written.

I open page 74 – and I look the “sign” traced by my finger (a single square) – and alongside the “sign” I find my answer:

You will always have joy, health and prosperity...!!!

Fantastic...!!!

I am feeling good already.

Bibliotherapy seems to be working.

Now the next question, number 15:

How many lovers shall I have...?

I follow the same earlier procedure as stipulated in the instructions – and – the Oracle gives me the answer:

You will have a great many lovers – but those that have so many lovers – they generally choose the worst...!!!

Hey – I have to be careful in love…!!!

The next question, number 91:

What opinion has the world of me...?

The Oracle answers:

You are thought to have had more than one adventure...!!!

Wow...!

Have I really sown my wild oats that much...?

I ask the oracle:

Shall I be happy in love...?

And the oracle says:

You will find more pain than pleasure...!

Oh, Dear…!!!

I better steer clear of falling in love...!!!

So I ask the oracle:

Will my reputation be always good...?

The oracle answers:

It will always be as you make it...!!!

I must take care to build up a good reputation!

I ask the oracle:

Shall I go many long voyages...?

The oracle answers:

You will do well not to voyage farther than round your own room...!!!

Great...!!!

That puts an end to all my travel plans...!!!

All I am going to do my entire life is go round and round in my room...!!!

What a gloomy answer...!!!

And I thought browsing books was supposed to lift my spirits...!!!

Okay – just one last question – and the answer better be something good to cheer me up – or else no more ‘bibliotherapy’ for me...!!!

I select question number 74:

What is the person that I am thinking about doing at this moment...?

and the Oracle answers:

She regrets not being with you...!!!

Really…?

My, My...!!!

It seems to good to be true…!!!

So I call her up (the “girlfriend I am thinking about at that moment)

She says in her sweet loving voice:

“What a coincidence. I was just thinking of you and the good times we had together – I wish you were here with me…”

Wow…!!!

Bibliotherapy really works.

I feel thrilled, jubilant, ecstatic, on cloud nine, in seventh heaven – and right on top of the world – as I rush off to surprise my beloved sweetheart.

And just imagine – I thought that she never even thought about me...!!!

It looks like it is the end of what I thought was my one way unrequited love – and the beginning of a new exciting romantic relationship with her.

Yes – things are looking up…!!!

Long live The Ladies Oracle

Oh, Yes – The Ladies Oracle is a delightful little book you can consult from time to time on matters of love and life.

Believe me – you will enjoy reading and using this marvellous book.

It may be called The “Ladies” Oracle – but I feel that even men can consult it with satisfying results.

_______

Dear Reader – why don’t you try it out…?

I am sure you can easily get a copy of THE LADIES ORACLE online or at your bookstore.

It is delightfully entertaining reading – guaranteed to lift your spirits.

I always carry this oracle in my pocket to enliven my moments of waiting – waiting at airports, railway stations, while travelling.

Take it with you everywhere and you will never be bored.

It is a small book – pocket-size – easy to carry everywhere.

Get a copy of this interesting book – The Ladies Oracle

By the way – while surfing the net – I discovered that The Ladies Oracle is available as a free download for your smartphone at the link -> http://the-ladies-oracle.soft112.com/

(Please do due diligence before you download – and – download and use the oracle at your own risk – and – just for fun)

Then just ask the questions you always wanted to ask – and enjoy the answers…!!!

Do tell us whether you found the oracle useful in matters of love and life.

Long live Bibliotherapy

_______

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

This Article was Written By Me more than 25 years ago in the early 1990s and first posted on my creative writing blog in the year 2004 at url: http://creative.sulekha.com/bibliotherapy_173419_blog and reposted a number pf times in my blogs including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/11/bibliotherapy-aka-book-therapy.html and http://creative.sulekha.com/bibliotherapy_173419_blog and http://creative.sulekha.com/the-ladies-oracle_290719_blog andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/02/oracle-for-valentines-day.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/04/bibliotherapy-ladies-oracle-by.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/05/bibliotherapy-made-simple.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/bibliotherapy-ladies-oracle-guide-on.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/a-book-for-my-girlfriends-ladies-oracle.html etc

Eyebrows : Part 1

Romance

EYEBROWS

Story

VIKRAM KARVE

_____

PART 1

My Boss’s Wife

_____

She was really beautiful – incredibly alluring – so captivating – that – I could not take my eyes off her.

Yes – Dear Reader – she was an exquisite beauty – with flawless fair complexion – her luxuriant black hair flowing down her back – her sharp features accentuated by the light falling on her face – her nose slightly turned up, so slender and translucent – as though accustomed to smelling nothing but perfumes.

I stared at her face – totally awestruck by her beauty.

She was stunningly attractive, a real beauty, smashing, sophisticated, elegant, truly chic – my type of woman – optimally designed, precisely engineered and finished to perfection.

I fell madly in love with her – I desperately desired to possess her.

Till that moment – I had never wanted anything belonging to someone else.

Yes – she belonged to someone else.

She was married.

In fact – she was married to my Boss.

She was my Boss’s Wife.

I looked intently into her radiating eyes – totally mesmerized by her beauty.

“Why are you staring at me…?” she said – breaking my trance.

“I am sorry…” I said, contrite.

“I saw you staring at me. You tell me – why were you staring at me…? Were you looking at my eyebrows…?” she said, looking anxious.

“No. No. I was looking at your face – you look so beautiful…” I stammered.

“Don’t lie. You were looking at my eyebrows…” she said.

“No – I was looking at your face…” I said, embarrassed.

“I saw you looking directly…” she said, curtly.

“I was looking into your eyes – your eyes are so beautiful…” I said, truthfully.

“And – my eyebrows are horrible – are they…? she said, looking dismayed.

“No. No. Your eyebrows are…” I tried to say – but – she didn’t wait for me to finish the sentence – she turned abruptly – and she walked away.

I saw her leave the wardroom – so – I decided to follow her.

She was standing in the alleyway – and she was looking intently into the full-size mirror outside the wardroom – the mirror in which we were supposed to check if we were properly dressed – if our uniform was spick-and-span – and our grooming was neat and proper.

While looking into the mirror – from time to time – she was touching her eyebrows.

It was quite clear that she was checking out her eyebrows.

But – I looked at her from top to bottom.

Even in her side profile – she was stunningly attractive – and ravishingly sensuous.

She had worn her sari in a manner that was so revealing that she might as well have worn nothing.

Her shapely breasts were boldly outlined under her low-cut flimsy blouse.

She had tucked her sari tightly – and had worn it low – accentuating the curves of her well-proportioned derriere – and enhancing the sex appeal of her smooth stomach, adorned with a perfect navel.

I let my eyes travel over her exquisite body – and feast on her beauty.

I was making love to her with my eyes – when suddenly – a few hard taps on my shoulder jerked me out of my lovely enthralling state of trance-like bliss.

I turned around.

It was “Doc” – our ship’s Medical Officer.

“What are you doing…? Are you crazy…?” he said, “Even the Captain has noticed you ogling at her – he has gone to the head for a piddle – you better get inside before he comes back…”

_______

(“Head” is Navy Slang for the Toilet on a Ship.

The name derives from sailing ships in which the toilet area for sailors was placed at the head or bow of the ship.

While sailing using wind power – a sailing ship cannot travel directly into the wind.

So – the one location that is always downwind is the head or bow end.

The wind – as perceived on the vessel itself – would always blow along the deck – appearing to come from behind – or possibly across the deck – if sailing at an angle to the wind.

So – locating the head (toilet) at the head or bow of a ship made sense – since the downwind would carry most of the odor away...)

________

Observing me passionately eyeing my Boss’s Wife with a yearning look – “Doc” said angrily to me:

“What are you doing…? Are you crazy…?

Even the Captain has noticed you ogling at her.

The Captain has gone to the head for a “piddle” – you better get inside before he comes back…”

We went inside the wardroom – and “Doc” took me to the bar.

He made sure I kept clear of my Boss’s Wife.

I wanted to talk to my Boss’s Wife – but “Doc” strongly advised me not to do so.

“Let me speak to her just once…” I pleaded with him.

“Don’t be stupid. I have noticed – the Captain has noticed – soon – her husband – your boss – he will notice too…” he said.

“Notice what…?” I asked, curious.

“You have fallen madly in love with her…”

“What nonsense…?” I interrupted “Doc” – and I said angrily to him, “how can you assume such things…?”

“I saw the intimate way in which you were talking to her – and later – the lustful way you were eyeing her in the alleyway – you are not only madly in love with her – you are desperately horny for her too…” he said, “she is a married woman – on top of it – she is your Boss’s Wife – it is best for you to keep away from her – do you understand…?”

I thought about it.

What “Doc” was saying was true – I was indeed passionately yearning for her – and I might do something stupid that would get me into big trouble and ruin my navy career.

So – I listened to “Doc” – and – I kept away from my Boss’s Wife for the rest of the evening.

After dinner – towards the end of the party – my Boss’s Wife walked towards me – and she said to me: “Where did you vanish…? I wanted to talk to you…”

“I was talking to “Doc” – our Ship’s Medical Officer…” I said – and – I introduced “Doc” to her.

“Ah – you are a doctor…” my Boss’s Wife said – she looked at me – then she looked at “Doc” – and she said to him, “he must have told you about my eyebrows – I must do something about it – “make up and beauty treatments aren’t working – I need to go in for a permanent makeover of my eyebrows – maybe – some eyebrow correction surgery – do you know anyone…?”

“I will check Ma’am – I think a classmate of mine from medical college is a cosmetic surgeon…”

“Oh – is he in Mumbai…?” my Boss’s Wife interrupted “Doc”.

“Yes…” said “Doc” to my Boss’s Wife, “he is in Mumbai. I’ll find out the details and give them to your husband…”

“So nice of you – but please hurry – I must get something done about my eyebrows…”my Boss’s Wife said to “Doc”.

Then – she smiled – she wished us “Good Night” – and she walked away.

__________

To Be Continued…

____________

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

Continued from Eyebrows url: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2021/07/eyebrows.html

Friday, July 9, 2021

Corruption – A Mathematical View

Whenever I see media reports of rampant corruption and scams in all spheres of life – I sometimes wonder why corruption cannot be eradicated.

Then – I remember this article I had written long back...

CORRUPTION IN A NUTSHELL

______

FORMULA for CORRUPTION

Musings of a Veteran

VIKRAM KARVE

_____

A MATHEMATICAL FORMULA FOR CORRUPTION

One morning while browsing through my old diaries I chanced upon something interesting – a formula for corruption which was told to me by one of my colleagues long back – and – which I had jotted down in my diary.

Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion – Accountability

______

Or simply put:

C = M + D – A

where

Corruption (C) equals Monopoly Power (M) plus Discretionary Power (D) minus Accountability (A)

_________

I had posted this corruption formula earlier in my blog.

_________

REVISED FORMULA for CORRUPTION

After observing the proliferating corruption and scams – I thought about it.

And – I realized that I had missed out one very important aspect – which should feature in the corruption formula – TRANSPARENCY.

Yes – I feel that TRANSPARENCY can help reduce corruption – especially in this age of Information Technology and Internet.

So – here is my Revised Formula for CORRUPTION

Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion – Accountability – Transparency

________

Or simply put:

C = M + D – A – T

where

Corruption (C) equals Monopoly Power (M) plus Discretionary Power (D) minus Accountability (A) minus Transparency (T)

________

Do have a look around and see for yourself whether this formula is really applicable.

Or – would you like to add some are other factors too which contribute to corruption...?

________

HOW TO CONTROL CORRUPTION

Going by this formula – it seems to be very easy to reduce corruption – isn’t it...?

In order to reduce corruption – you simply have to:

1. Reduce Monopoly (by increasing competition)

2. Eliminate Discretionary Powers to give or to withhold largess (by fair and participatory decision making)

3. Fix precise and proper Accountability (by proper rules and regulations)

4. Ensure Total Transparency (especially thorough widespread use of Information Technology).

If it is indeed so simple to control corruption – then why don't we do it...?

WHY CORRUPTION IS NOT BEING CONTROLLED

The reason why no one wants to control corruption is quite clear.

Most people – especially the powers-that-be – they benefit from corruption.

In fact – a large section of society – so many people – they all thrive on corruption.

And nowadays – there is no social stigma attached to corruption.

If you look around – you will observe that so many corrupt persons who are involved in scams and amassed huge amounts of wealth – they seem to have a respectable place in society and enjoy great social status.

This is because in the present-day social scenario:

It is the triumvirate of your Power, Wealth and Fame – which determine your status in society.

In today’s world – things like honesty, integrity and character will not earn you much respect.

In fact – you may be dubbed a fool if you are honest and straightforward.

So many people benefit from corruption.

So – why should anyone want to eliminate corruption...?

The fact of the matter is that most people are happy with corruption and they have no interest in eradicating corruption.

Think about it.

_______

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

This is a Re-Post of my article posted online by me online earlier at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/corruption-made-simple-mathematical.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/10/corruption-in-nutshell-part-1-formula.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-reduce-corruption-corruption.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/05/formula-for-corruption.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2016/05/can-corruption-be-eradicated.html etc

Eyebrows

Romance

EYEBROWS

Story

VIKRAM KARVE

_____

PART 1

My Boss’s Wife

_____

She was really beautiful – incredibly alluring – so captivating – that – I could not take my eyes off her.

I stared at her face – totally awestruck by her beauty.

She was stunningly attractive, a real beauty, smashing, sophisticated, elegant, truly chic – my type of woman – optimally designed, precisely engineered and finished to perfection.

I fell madly in love with her – I desperately desired to possess her.

Till that moment – I had never wanted anything belonging to someone else.

Yes – she belonged to someone else.

She was married.

In fact – she was married to my Boss.

She was my Boss’s Wife.

I looked intently into her radiating eyes – totally mesmerized by her beauty.

“Why are you staring at me…?” she said – breaking my trance.

“I am sorry…” I said, contrite.

“I saw you staring at me. You tell me – why were you staring at me…? Were you looking at my eyebrows…?” she said, looking anxious.

“No. No. I was looking at your face – you look so beautiful…” I stammered.

“Don’t lie. You were looking at my eyebrows…” she said.

“No – I was looking at your face…” I said, embarrassed.

“I saw you looking directly…” she said, curtly.

“I was looking into your eyes – your eyes are so beautiful…” I said, truthfully.

“And – my eyebrows are horrible – are they…? she said, looking dismayed.

“No. No. Your eyebrows are…” I tried to say – but – she didn’t wait for me to finish the sentence – she turned abruptly – and she walked away.

I saw her leave the wardroom – so – I decided to follow her.

While looking into the mirror – from time to time – she was touching her eyebrows.

It was quite clear that she was checking out her eyebrows.

But – I looked at her from top to bottom.

Even in her side profile – she was stunningly attractive – and ravishingly sensuous.

She had worn her sari in a manner that was so revealing that she might as well have worn nothing.

Her shapely breasts were boldly outlined under her low-cut flimsy blouse.

I let my eyes travel over her exquisite body – and feast on her beauty.

I was making love to her with my eyes – when suddenly – a few hard taps on my shoulder jerked me out of my lovely enthralling state of trance-like bliss.

I turned around.

It was “Doc” – our ship’s Medical Officer.

“What are you doing…? Are you crazy…?” he said, “Even the Captain has noticed you ogling at her – he has gone to the head for a piddle – you better get inside before he comes back…”

_______

(“Head” is Navy Slang for the Toilet on a Ship.

The name derives from sailing ships in which the toilet area for sailors was placed at the head or bow of the ship.

While sailing using wind power – a sailing ship cannot travel directly into the wind.

So – the one location that is always downwind is the head or bow end.

The wind – as perceived on the vessel itself – would always blow along the deck – appearing to come from behind – or possibly across the deck – if sailing at an angle to the wind.

So – locating the head (toilet) at the head or bow of a ship made sense – since the downwind would carry most of the odor away...)

________

Observing me passionately eyeing my Boss’s Wife with a yearning look – “Doc” said angrily to me:

“What are you doing…? Are you crazy…?

Even the Captain has noticed you ogling at her.

The Captain has gone to the head for a “piddle” – you better get inside before he comes back…”

______

To Be Continued…

______

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

Copyright Notice:

Friday, July 2, 2021

“Trunk of Tree” Pudding – Simple Recipe

On request of a Foodie Friend I am posting a simple recipe for the quintessential Navy “Trunk of Tree” Pudding.

“TRUNK OF TREE” PUDDING

RECIPE

________

(For 4 Persons)

________

Ingredients

Eggs - 2 Nos

Butter - 100 grams

Sugar - 80 grams

Cream Fresh - 100 grams

Chocolate Powder - 2 tablespoons

Flour - 25 grams

Dry Fruit

(Walnut, Cashew Nut,

Dry Cherries, Almond

Pistachios Etc) - 25 grams

Fresh Lime - Two

Sherry - 30 ml

(Use Brandy if Sherry is not available)

_________

Method

1. Make Sponge with Eggs, 25 grams Sugar and Flour.

2. Bake in a Greased Baking Tray. Leave it to cool.

(Sponge is ready)

3. Cream Butter and 45 grams Sugar. Fold in Sherry or Brandy gently.

4. Add Chopped Dry Fruit, Fresh Cream and Chocolate Powder and Fold in gently.

(Cream Mixture is ready)

5. Divide the Sponge into Two Parts. Apply Cream Mixture. Keep some Cream Mixture for covering the top of the sponge.

6. Prepare Lime Juice with remaining Sugar.

7. Cut the sponge into a Trunk of a Tree. Shape and arrange in a dish.

8. Soak the Trunk with Lime Juice. Fill the remaining cream mixture into a pastry bag and decorate over the trunk by using the nozzles of pastry bag.

9. Trunk of Tree Pudding is Ready.

10. Serve Cold.

_________

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Monday, July 12, 2021

A Book for My “Girlfriends” – The Ladies’ Oracle

Eyebrows : Part 1

Friday, July 9, 2021

Corruption – A Mathematical View

Eyebrows

Friday, July 2, 2021

“Trunk of Tree” Pudding – Simple Recipe

Blog Adda

COPYRIGHT

Vikram Karve Linkedin Profile

Total Pageviews

Indiblogger Creative Writing

WriteUpCafe

BlogCatalog