Today's Thoughts

Today marks seven years since I moved to the woods. Seven years of quiet days, hard winters, and unexpected growth. I wrote about my seven years here in Quiet Quarters: A Memoir. 
https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Quarters-Memoir-Afarin-Rava/dp/B0FB3QBV63

Writing has been my constant companion throughout this time: my anchor, my outlet, and often my therapist. It held me when things felt too heavy and helped me understand parts of myself I didn’t know how to face. I truly believe everyone should try it — not necessarily to be published, but to be heard, even if it’s just to give form to thoughts that would otherwise stay unspoken.

As I sit in this stillness today, my heart is with the people of Iran. The Woman-Life-Freedom movement continues. What began with truck drivers striking has spread... Now even bakers are stepping in. Their courage humbles me. Their resilience reminds me that strength doesn't always roar. Sometimes, it quietly closes a bakery in protest and stands firm. 

K

Koochooloo left us two years ago today.
She has been missed every single day.

Hoppoo and Looloo have gotten much older...
and I cherish every moment I still have with them. 

Khayyam

Omar Khayyam (1048 – 1131), a Persian poet and polymath, made great contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and Persian literature. He was born in Nishabur, Iran, and his body rests in the same city. 

The Mausoleum of Omar Khayyam, a modern mausoleum of white marble erected over his headstone – designed by Hooshang Seyhoun and built during the Pahlavi era – symbolizes modern Iranian architecture and is part of the national heritage of Iran . 

Last month, during the Nowruz celebration in Iran, many people gathered there to welcome the new year. Now, the occupying regime in Iran wants to destroy this beautiful landmark... because that's all they know and do: murder and destruction. 

(all images taken from Wikipedia)

Indie April

Indie April Teaching, Writing, and the Real Stories Behind the Classroom

In 2022, I taught a group of students who made their first leap into the world of publishing, by writing and releasing their own tiny Kindle books. It wasn’t about perfecting the craft; it was about the raw experience of doing it and figuring it out along the way. My book Indiana Joes is my reflection on that experience — what it’s like to guide students through their first big creative step while navigating my own struggles and realizations.

The following year, I worked with another class, this time on bigger projects: a mix of fiction and nonfiction. I gathered the beginnings of their stories into Summer Samplings, to show them that their first steps, messy as they were, had value — real value.

Not everything in life is neat, and that’s exactly how I like it.

#IndieApril #Teaching #WritingCommunity #TESOL #IndieAuthors

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled a timepiece inspired by the Shahnameh, the legendary Persian "Book of Kings." Crafted with the precision of Swiss watchmaking and the soul of Persian artistry, this exquisite watch is a celebration of millennia-old tales carved into the soul of a culture.

"The Reverso Tribute Enamel Shahnameh watch features a guilloché dial with a wave motif on the front and a green Grand Feu enamel finish, inviting the wearer to discover the magic of the famous Book of Kings (Shahnameh in Persian) written by Ferdowsi. The reverse of the watch features a miniature painting enhanced with gold leaves (24k, 999/1000) and vivid colours that tell the story of a king and his valets on horseback searching for the princely son lost in the mountains, soon to be rescued by a magical bird. In a flurry of shapes and colours, this scene is the result of several know-how. The reverse, on a surface measuring just 2 cm2, our Métiers Rares™ bears the fruit of 100 hours spent by the craftsmen on enamelling and oven work."

See this beautiful piece here:
https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/ru-en/watches/reverso/reverso-tribute/reverso-tribute-enamel-shahnameh-q39334s3

Nowruz 2025

As Nowruz arrives, bringing the promise of renewal and hope, I and other Iranians around the world welcome the new year with a deep longing for true freedom. This ancient celebration of rebirth reflects our unwavering desire to see an end to the occupying regime that has oppressed our people for decades. We dream of a future where Iran is free, where justice prevails, and where every voice can rise without fear. As we embrace the spirit of change, we hold onto the hope that this year will mark the beginning of a liberated and sovereign Iran.

Your Scarf

In 2023, Mehdi Yarrahi dared to sing a song titled Roosarito (Your Scarf):
https://youtu.be/7ChZablq2OY?si=64Qct7l8tqBBiy0-

For singing this song, the occupying regime in Iran arrested, jailed, and tortured him before releasing him on bail (a ridiculously large amount of money). Finally, he was tried and sentenced. 

Yarrahi explains everything in a recent video (which has English subtitles): https://youtu.be/FHumzB_kaMw?si=GzYWCNcuArfCtEzQ

Today, finally, the last part of his sentence, 74 lashes, was completed.

Yarrahi has not been allowed to work during this time, and even though he is now officially released and his sentence is done, he is still suffering physically, mentally, ... and financially. 

Mehdi Yarrahi has always stood with the people, fighting alongside them with his music. We can support him by listening to his songs on YouTube.

He is also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mehdiyarrahi

#MehdiYarrahi #Roosarito #WomanLifeFreedom

Grammar Mini-Lessons

This week, I'm posting several grammar mini-lessons based on my writing students' questions and issues I frequently see when I edit authors' manuscripts:

https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2025/02/perfect-present-versus-past.html

https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2025/02/multiple-adjectives.html

https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2025/02/appositives.html

https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2025/02/seasons.html

https://afarinrava.blogspot.com/2025/02/sentence-structure.html