Life's a Beach

Yesterday evening we drove down to Melkbosstrand for a wee walk on the beach. Daisy (the dog) was so excited to be in the car, she didn't really mind what the destination. Unfortunately we can't let (lazy) Daisy off her lead at the beach because she just runs back to the car, funny dog.
We took the coast road and for some 5kms or more the sea was a medley of colour with more than 300 kite surfers enjoying themselves along with a few board sailers. the wind was pumping as it does at this time of year but what a joy to smell the sea, breath in the fresh air and stretch the lazy legs. Timothy and the girls joined us and while Rowland paddled in the shallows Timothy and I took a short walk. Koeberg power station always brings to mind a James Bond movie (of old of course) and it was especially eerie yesterday with the mist rising around the building.
I always enjoy the evening drive along the beach front, even out of season it's really good to see how many people extend their day after work by going out and having fun.
To one and all we wish you a Happy New Year, dinner awaits tonight, my mouth waters when I think of the Salmon Roses I intend to enjoy before the Kingklip Bento Box.
So, in 2010 remember to find the joy and share it.

That time of year

I remarked about a year ago that we can be sure of three things happening each year a
The minstrels will threaten to go on strike.............check
Our president will take a new wife.....................check
George Michael will be arrested in a public toilet..........
watch out George

Tuesday Tip

For our year end special we have not one but two tips. The Copenhagen conference doesn't seem to have been much of a success but we have two major tips for governments of the world to use or loose.
From Rowlyone, the love of my life
As you know, when you put a heavy object into water the mass of the object displaces water, making the water level rise. So, it stands to reason that if all the boats, yachts, ships, schooners, container vessels etc were removed from the sea, the sea level would of course drop.
But there's more
My theory is that someone should invent a paint that changes from black to white according to light and temperature. Every roof in the world would be painted with this special paint. In the winter the paint would be black, absorbing heat and retaining it. In the summer the roofs would be white, reflecting the heat away from the earth, thus reducing global warming while allowing the houses to remain cool.
Go well and prosper

End of year madness

I'm hoping that the new year will bring a calmer air to the shopping centres. Purple Ronnie had her set to with that horrible woman and I had two unpleasant encounters.
Just before Christmas I had parked on the upper deck at Canal Walk, there are three bays in a row, the middle one being handicapped parking. I parked in the left side bay. As I walked away from the car a woman stopped in front of me and waved her handicap disc at me, I smiled and indicated to her that she should drive in. Long story short, she was angry that I was in a handicap bay, I said I wasn't and would in fact never ever do such a thing, she insisted and so I said that in the spirit of Christmas I would move my car. Which I did, Mrs Selfish then parked her car over the center line of the two bays so that no one else could get in. No compassion from me there.
Yesterday when we drove out of the centre, again rooftop parking, we approached a speedbump, quite slowly I might add, a young couple were walking over the bump, she was pregnant and had a toddler with her. They crossed over and we were going over the bump when hubby looked at us and said "F@#%ing idiot" Well. I'm not sure if that was directed at us or part of a funny story but I was tempted to roll down the window and ask if he kissed his kid with that mouth. But, anger only begets anger so I shut up. Did we do wrong, I think not but he seemed to believe us guilty of some heinous crime, after all you don't use such words over nothing.
So,lets hope the intolerant and grumpy either lighten up or stay home in 2010 and leave the rest of us to enjoy life.

Peace and goodwill

What a lovely Christmas. We were 18 to lunch, they all arrived on time, 12.30 and after a few introductions, punctuated by chaos, we settled down to our first course. Shaved roasted beef fillet, smoked rainbow trout, peppered smoked salmon along with baguettes etc. Sion and Tiana brought a crayfish cocktail and I made some goats cheese and pesto pastries. After that the presents were handed out by Kelly and Jeremy, ably assisted by everyone else. Father Christmas had of course left gifts at the homes of the young ones but there were still a few more.
Main course was roasted Pork Loin and Lamb as well as chippolata sausages. Roast potatoes, glazed carrots and a big tossed salad. Rowlands mom had bought tiny red onions and I roasted those alongside the potatoes, delicious. For dessert we had Litchi Ice Cream (home made), Christmas Pudding, three colours of jelly, custard (home made of course) and cream. Cheese and biscuits were offered with coffee but there were only two valiant takers.
We had Papillon "champagne", kids bubbly, fruit juices and my personal favourite, Shirley Temples.
I guess we're on the list of highly privileged folk in this world.
The crowd finally left at around 4.30 . After the chores were done we sat down at 8.30 to watch our most recent traditional Christmas movie. Love Actually. We are such a couple of softies and thoroughly enjoy all the stories which we know so well by now. Richard Curtis produced a piece of mini history for future generations, complete with Ant and Deck, Barbie, Spider Man and the obligatory rolled eyes and "Duh"
On Saturday we lazed the day away, something we only do at this time of year. He watched sport and surfed while I went through piles of papers I've been saving, articles I want to read and so on. Most relaxing. That evenings intellectual offering was Beverly Hills Chihuahua (no, seriously) a no brainer which we totally enjoyed, including the note at the end from Disney and the American Humane Assc about not giving pets as gifts until you've put a lot of thought into the idea.
Sunday we only woke at 7.45 am. Wonderful. We showered and then hit the road. Off to the Waterfront where we had coffee at Vide Cafe. There was only one (delicious) cornetti left - a croissant type thing with delicate custard inside and a dusting of icing sugar outside - so we shared that and each had a (tasteless) toasted thing. Off to Exclusive Books (you'll perhaps recall that I don't frequent the local one) to use my voucher and spend a gift. It was so nice browsing. After that we took a drive through Green Point, past the stadium which looks just like a giant UFO and along through Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay.
We truly live in the BEST city in the world.
Over the top down to the city center, along De Waal Drive and finally, via Paarden Eiland we arrived at Century City. Ratanga Junction was in full swing and we chased into Canal Walk for the goodies we needed.
Finally back home where he sat at the computer sorting the photos we'd taken (the wonder of digital) and she embroidered some mermaids to be sewn on to a duvet cover for Kelly. Samatha and the kids popped in to say hello. What a nice day.
Last movie of the weekend, The Secret Life of Bees, starring Queen Latifa and Dakota Fanning. A gentle and most enjoyable film, a good way to end a weekend of total relaxation. It's back at work today, monday night ironing and then the countdown to New Years Eve.
Yes indeed, life is good.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

and ladies. To all our dear family and friends may this be a wonderful Christmas for you and yours. Eat, drink and be merry but never forget why we're enjoying the day.
Despite the soccer I feel that 2010 will be a good year so good luck to you all, may the light at the end of the tunnel NOT be an oncoming train
love you all

Louise & Rowland

Compassion

There was an altercation in my office yesterday. We know both men involved and it was a silly spat, involving a few bad words and ugly looks. The cause was absolutely trivial and if I didn't know the two I would have laughed out loud at their behaviour.
The younger of the two, probably in his mid forties, looks fit and well with the almost outdated shaved head. But you see, his head isn't shaved, he recently underwent chemo after surgery for a nasty form of cancer. During the course of treatment his partner suddenly died, of an anurism or some such thing. How cruel life can be sometimes.
The other man is a little older. I don't know much about his home life, but I know his past has been rough and his business life is stressed and worrysome.
I don't justify their actions, I just try to understand. You see, it's easy to feel compassion for a photo of a sad "aids baby" or starving village somewhere we haven't heard of and no doubt will never see for real. But how can we judge the actions of others when we don't know their story.
A friend sat at my desk today, his house almost burned down a few months back, his wife was trapped inside and suffered burns and damage from smoke inhalation. She's struggling to cope with life. I've suggested and offered Reiki, I hope to see her soon.
I don't feel for the man who's been at the traffic lights for 5 years, wagging his finger at us when we don't offer him money. I feel for the young girl at the same intersection, selling newspapers with little hope of ever improving her lot. Some days the burden of wealth must be great if you have lots but can't decide who to help. Other days the wealth must wonderful, who am I kidding! I worry about the child, un restrained in the front seat of a car, standing while her mother talks on her 'phone and weaves around. I'll feel no pain for the mother when her car's gone, just sadness for the child.
After yesterdays spat, a regular appeared in the office doorway, smiling and asking for a little cash to buy some food. He comes to the area abour 5 or 6 times a year, always smiling despite the fact that his legs don't work too well and his crutches are old. He defies us to feel sorry for him, he has a handle on his life and he's coping.
Don't expect me to be all do-gooder when a child's molested or an old couple killed for R5. I won't care about the perp's upbringing, no excuse. But, I do care for the millions of people the world over who have to carry their pain, loss, fears, whatever and still put on a brave face so that they won't be judged.
So, next time the sullen cashier with the bruise over her eye can't be bothered to say hello, don't judge, try a little compassion instead.

Tuesday Tip

Okay, you're in a hurry, late for work, a movie, a hot date, whatever. Blast, your shoes need to be polished (indulge me please, some of us do still polish our shoes.) You can't find the shoe polish, you know how it is, more haste, less speed.
If you can't find the shoe polish, body butter will do the trick, it gives your shoes a silky shine and works until you find the real thing.
I don't think you should substitute shoe polish for body butter, it doesn't smell so good.

I'm in need of solace

Last night we watched Quantum of Solace, how sad. I won't call it a James Bond movie, it just happened to feature a character with the last name Bond. What happened to the old tried and trusted formula? Where is the innuendo, please, we don't have to be PC all the time. The Martini? they made a halfhearted attempt at that in the movie but it fell flatter than the "sex" scene. The scary villain? the persian cat or disfiguered henchman?
If I want an action movie, no contest, it has to be Bruce Willis and preferably a Die Hard movie. Clever plot with lots of action? Well, you can't go wrong with the Bourne movies. In the days of Dirty Harry we knew what to expect just as we do with the Ocean's movies and a host of other franchise films. No one messes with Ice Age or Toy Story so please leave James Bond alone.

Virtual Friends

About 25 years ago a friend remarked, most indignantly, that standards dropped the day they allowed jeans into the Opera House. I think she was on to something.
For me, it was when the Personnel Officer became HR. Human Resources. It sounds like something from Planet of the Apes. It means that employees are no longer people, they become a number, creepy. But it goes further, our sport teams are no longer teams, they have become Franchises! Like Mugg & Bean. As such I presume they can be bought and sold.
Slowly, traces of human contact are being eroded. I titled this Virtual Friends because when I'm out driving, shopping, even walking I see sad people who have a cellphone stuck to the ear, or perhaps those entrail things that make them look as if they're talking to themselves. Perhaps they are. Do we really have to talk to a friend while walking into a shopping centre or negotiating a mountain pass? I think not and yet the scene in a comedy sketch recently where girls are sitting together at a table texting one another instead of actually talking doesn't seem too far fetched.
I hope there are enough sane people left to encourage a society with human contact, not the desensitised humans who have no sense of empathy for their fellow man and thus no remorse when they do him wrong.
The good news is that I know many people who won't be taking that dismal path and will always consider their fellow man, I like to think that we are the humankind of the future, just like the ones of the past, before they allowed jeans into the Opera House.

Tuesday Tip

Not so much a tip as another Christmas thing. Rowland came up with this great idea. As we have a few family members abroad (such a silly word, abroad) we will be emailing a family photo to them. What we plan is that at 1pm (1300hrs) on Christmas Day we will take a photo of the family, I think there'll be 14 actual family members but we may throw in a couple of guests just to confuse people.
By the wonders of modern science we (meaning Rowland) will email the photo to family around the world and hopefully they in turn will email their Christmas photo to us.
If we all do this at 1 p.m. local time we just might create a Mexican Wave of family love around the globe.
Or we may crash the internet - I hope not!

Hold that tiger

In deference to my mum who is a fan I shan't repeat any of the Tiger Woods jokes I've found amusing. However, I have to give this years fun headline award to
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Hydrant"

Tuesday Tip

I guess it's officially the Festive Season, 1 December, the Adderley Street lights are on and no doubt countless stand-in Santas are stocking up on hand sanitiser. (the real one is way too busy checking the naughty and nice lists).
Todays tip, pace yourself. If you haven't finished your Christmas shopping already, don't panic. Remember, your kids will still love you if you stop short of mortgaging the house to pay for their gifts. Even though Makro sent me a delightful catalogue of gifts, I really don't think it's necessary to spend upwards of R2000 on a gift for your 4 year old. Tish! she must learn to appreciate what she gets. Time enough when she's all grown up to pout and stamp her foot.
Christmas dinner doesn't have to be a menu for heart attack, just something really special, the secret ingredient is always the same, love.
What I'm saying is, this is a time of peace and goodwill toward all men, regardless of faith, colour or creed so please don't get hung up on the fact that you can't afford to celebrate the way we imagine the stars do, a gift is a gift, whether it's material or a gift of time, as long as it's given from the heart the rands and cents don't matter.
So, chill, relax, sing some carols if that's your way and don't forget to put away some moola for the post Christmas sales.

The good, the mad and the fugly

They were all there on Sunday, giving generously of their time and gifts for the Teddy Run from Century City to Maynardville. We arrived at around 8.30 to watch the parade and there were already a couple of thousand motorcycles waiting.
We weren't allowed to park in the Virgin Active car park, it was already seriously overcrowded with about 17 cars parked there so we commoners parked on the other side.
I am too much of a sissy to ride a motorbike but I do admire them. When Rowland was in the US last year they went through the Harley factory, he had a ball.
By 9.15 there must have been between 4 and 5 thousand bikes, grouped together by club or brand and it took around 25 minutes for them all to exit the carpark. It's not just about bikes, fashion plays a really big part. Some stunning leather jackets, laced down the side like corsets, jeans, jeans and more jeans, some fat, some skinny. Little kids, old kids, mended limbs, limps, beards, crash helmets, stuffed toys. One couple rode off with two hula hoops on the front of the bike. I just wonder where these bikes are hidden the rest of the year.
We had a super time, gazing wistfully at some 8000 people living their dream, way to go folks.
After the bikes we went through to Philadelphia to the crystal shop. Aletta and Maurice aren't just shop owners, they're entertainers and just so very friendly. I bought a good few Christmas gifts and we were there for at least an hour. I was quite taken with the Tibetan singing bowls but couldn't get a sound out of the one I was holding. The love of my life picked one up and in no time it was singing away, beautiful. Needless to say he bought one and gave a virtuoso performance later at home.
Good times.

The X Flies

There I am, sitting at my desk, working away, I pause, take out a ripe plum and open my mouth, all the better to take a bite with. Before I can blink there's a fruit fly staring me in the eye and trying to steal my plum. Fortunately it's too big for him.
Or I'm in the kitchen at home, The knife is poised to cut open a pineapple and whoops, there it is. A fruit fly.
This happens all the time, there are no flies in my home or office until the fruit moment. I can come to only one conclusion.
FLIES LIVE IN ANOTHER DIMENSION and they know how to quickly slip into ours at the first whiff of fruit.
What else could it be and how do we learn this nifty manouvre?

Tuesday Tip

A few years back we flew to Australia on Singapore Airlines -superb. It was the begining of the tightened air security and so of course nothing sharp was allowed anywhere. On our return we were chatting with the kids about the trip and I remarked how silly it was that the airline gives out a travel pack, complete with dinky tube of toothpaste which is impossible to open because there are no sharp, pointy things available.
Well, I knew Marleze was smart when she chose Timothy but she proved it by telling us (with a straight face) that the pointy thing is in the lid of the tube, you just have to turn it around and voila, the tube is pierced.
While you may know this already, there are those out there who still struggle to open tubes of glue, tomato paste etc. I attended a super Mandala workshop about a year ago and several of the ladies couldn't open their tubes of paint. Thanks to Marleze I was able to seem rather clever when I showed them how. Now it's your turn.

Just another Sunday

Technically we're working today. Motordrive is hosting a "Dyno Day" which, for those of you not in the know, is a day when a specific car club will come to our workshop and the members' cars will be given a run on our rolling road to find out what power the motor has. So, in the tradition of Caroline, here are my 10 sentences.
1. Sunny day, just a little wind
2. Friendly people, all earnest about their cars.
3. Music pumping courtesy of the DJ outside the building.
4. Boerewors rolls with lots of onions.
5. Short skirts and skimpy tops.
6. Carwash girls.
7. Mums, dads and little kids.
8. Rowland is getting a workout climbing in and out of the cars.
9. Old friends and new ones mingling, chatting and sharing a hobby.
10. The CTSR Crew will be making a donation to Nazareth House, Elsies River.

Pit y

I often wonder what target audience songwriters/performers have in mind when they produce something new. Last night we watched a few tearjerkers in VH1, things like "Don't give up" and "Where is the love". Madonna's latest crotch grabber doesn't grab me but I'm really taken with the new Pitbull song. It brings to mind a Conga Line.
"You can bring your girlfriends, dada dada da kick, dada dada da kick, dada dada -blow farty party favour - kick."
"Hotel, motel, Holiday Inn
Through the foyer, up the stairs, have another gin"
Sorry Pitbull, I'm in my sixties and we just have to get up and dance.

Fine words

I read on Sky News today about a couple whose daughter had jumped to her death a couple of years back after being teased and bullied by two other girls. I don't know the full story but it seems that yesterday those girls were found guilty of her murder. The parents say they forgive the girls and part of what they said was
"Forgivness means that we refuse to be shackled by bitterness"

The thin line

The line has been crossed!! It's one thing to dis Britney, she's young, she can take it but How Dare They boo Cat Stevens!!
What is the world coming to?

The Great Potato Challenge

Olivia is a talented young lady, she shows a keen interest in a variety of subjects and follows them with gusto. Like many achievers, Olivia is not blessed with patience, she's a typical child of the noughties, now, now, now..
I issued the potato challenge. Mostly because I really wanted to grow my own potatoes but also because working with nature can only be a good thing.
We each have two potatoes, the eyes had started to grow and I followed Jamie's instructions as well as conveying them to Olivia. A little soil in the bottom of a bucket (Grandpa drilled drainage holes) the two potatoes and some more soil to slightly cover. It should be understood that I am no gardener so this year has been something miraculous for me, growing herbs and veg and only the first batch of coriander died. I explained that this is an excercise in patience as I think we'll only have potatoes around the end of January. I have never seen anything grow as quickly as my potato plants, we're talking 2 or 3 centimetres a day. Yesterday a friend who has grown his own spuds for many years told me not to plant Mediterranean potatoes as they may be sterile. Oh No! However, this morning I saw the first purple flower on one of the plants so I'm quite optimistic.
In a perfect world, I'd meditate every morning, do about a half hour of Yoga followed by some Belly Dancing to really get the day off to a good start. Not happening. But this is what I do. After listening to the seven o'clock news I turn off the radio and turn on a CD, something meditative to listen to while I make work breakfast and lunch. Once that's done and I've cleaned the kitchen I go into the garden, some days perhaps to hang a load of washing, others to tend the estate. It should be noted that the "Estate" is small. I water the potplants, check for nasties that may be eating our produce and pick the occasional strawberry. This is a wonderful way to connect with nature, I'm getting my allocated 10 minutes of vitamin D, talking to the trees and birds and getting an all round good start to the day.
Of course I don't have small children to contend with, that makes a difference.
So, if your world needs some "me" time, take the potato challenge and get to know nature. To those of you who've been doing this for years, why didn't you share your secret?
I'll let you know in January whose crop has the most potatoes, mine or Olivia's. As I'm not the perfect Granny, I hope it's mine.

Good news, Bad news

A man just walked into my office and he paid me thirteen hundred rands.
He took the money out of his sock!!

What price Fame

It seems that some time ago the world decided to slag off the famous. Don't allow them to bask in their glory, mock them and chase them. So sad.
Britney Spears visits Oz and the government (no less) want to know if she'll be lip synching. Really. I'm sure the average show goer wanted to see HER, see her dance and if she sounds better on disc than in person well, go for it.
A photo of Paris Hilton on a billboard with VACANT across it, I know, I also chuckled but it's not on.
The British PM is in hot water because he sent a shabby letter of condolence to the mother of a soldier killed in combat. Be grateful there was a letter, I wonder how many SA parents have received letters of condolence from our PM?
A few years back I became noticed. I would be out shopping and shop assistants and customers would look at me, smile or blush and whisper to one another. It turned out I look like some (poor, unfortunate) actress and so I sort of made their day by saying hello. I've never found out who the poor woman is but I still get the occasional stare so maybe they're showing re-runs of "my" show.
That's the fun side but one day I was standing at the veggie counter in WW when a man came up to me
"You're not her are you?" "No" I replied, "sorry".
"I've been watching you for five years" (Aaagh!!) "and now I see it isn't you"
So, my very own stalker. I can laugh about it but imagine having a life filled with stalkers and people who are mean about you or poke fun at you.
What a world.
To quote poor (possibly) misunderstood Michael Jackson
"Heal the World, make it a better place"

A rare treat

On Saturday we went to Kamersvol geskenke. As this year speeds by at an alarming rate we realise how many things we've missed in 2009, both from lack of time and lack of ready cash. There are certain fairs we always attend but we gave them a miss this year. We went to the Teddy Bear Fair but not the Miniatures Fair, no cheese fairs, no good food fairs - you get the picture.
We were so excited as we set off, Rowland and I along with DiL number one and her two lovely daughters. I enjoyed the fair, it was in a most picturesque setting, parking was far away but we had the choice of walking along the dam wall or being hauled up to the homestead on a tractor/trailer. Good fun.
I am a self confessed kitch collector but even I wouldn't buy a bent and bruised kitchen colander with glass beads hanging around the edge. Nor would I buy a "distressed" picture frame or a chicken wire creation with a bit of stuff growing on it. Apologies to anyone who did.
The food was good and lots of ice cold drinks. Grandpa sat under the trees with his camera and watched the many, many people walking past. There were too many and we all felt that numbers should have been restricted, I know business is business but saturday was quite a crush.
I bought a few Christmas gifts but some of the items were priced too high. I don't mind paying good money for something good but please don't overcharge.
Sadly I have to report that I have never seen so many discourteous men as were at the event. Marleze agreed, shoving their way past, just generally behaving badly. So to the good guys, thanks for your patience but to the others - well, you could have stayed at home!
After the rush and bustle we drove to Spier. I find it a most refreshing example of trust in your fellow man. We bought rolls and stuff at the deli and went down to the lawns to picnic. It was the perfect Cape day. Sunshine and just a hint of gentle breeze. Scattered around the lawns were red plastic footballs for anyone to play with, fake birds tied to the hand rails, artificial flowers wired to the trees and nonsense flowers made out of red styrofoam balls. No signs saying "keep off "or "don't touch" just welcoming relaxation.
Kelly rode a pony, very serious and not looking our way and Danielle, Marleze and I went to see Moyo, again, no-one said "you can't come in" just "Welcome, would you like some lemon tea"?
We were home by three, what a nice day (sometimes the word nice just does the trick).
Thanks to our tour guide Rowly who was patient and drove so well.

Tuesday Tip

I get funny bits of trivia from Arcmax, sent to my computer. Things like "Lord Byron, though considered one of the most dashing and attractive men of his time, was overweight and had a club foot" Treasure what you have! This tip seems somewhat strange.
According to an expert, you can use a drop of vinegar or VODKA on each lens to clean eyeglasses without streaks. Now, I really think there are other ways to clean my specs and Vodka serves me well as a marinade for steak or salmon. Here's a much better Vodka tip.
Take a small jar with a screw top lid, about 125ml capacity. Fill the jar with jelly tots and then fill with Vodka. Put on the lid and place the jar into the dishwasher, on the top rack. Leave it in for a full cycle and when you remove it and cool it down you'll have a delicious liqueuer.
Much better.
P.S. If you don't own a dishwasher you'll just have to have the Vodka on the rocks with a twist of lemon.

Boys!!!!

After a busy day yesterday I was about to shower when Samantha and the kids arrived. I excused myself and had a quick shower, I put on my plum velvety pants and my much loved lilac blouse with blue butterflies on it. I walked out to the patio, Jeremy checked me out and said
"Granny, why are you wearing your pyjamas?"

Happy Days

I rarely buy a magazine that's sealed in plastic. That tells me one of two things.
1. The publishers are not confident that the contents are good enough to sell.
2. The publishers don't want our sticky fingers all over the mag while we queue.
Either way I don't much care, I don't want to buy a pig in a poke. However, when I saw the Jamie Oliver DVD inside the plastic wrap on Taste magazine I had to buy it. What a bargain, I imagined it would be about 20mins of teaser advertising when in fact it's about 50 minutes of a really good gardening/cooking show, Jamie at Home. The Jamie Oliver magazine is out of my price range, with or without plastic wrap but I'm looking forward to the next two DVDs courtesy of Taste. The magazine's good as well.
On Saturday I made Cabbages & King's Leek and Cheese Tart. Wow, it's really good. For authenticity I bought the leeks at Spar. It's a big tart and we enjoyed it more on day two, it seemed to settle. Thanks to the Jamie DVD I was able to wash the leeks correctly.

Saturday -aaah

I rarely use the computer over the weekend, too much during the week. It's been a somewhat hectice week and when I read this yesterday it seemed most appropriate for today.
It's good to leave each day behind,
like flowing water, free of sadness.
Yesterday is gone and its tale told.
Today new seeds are growing.
Rumi

Tuesday Tip

We always have a bowl of nuts on the dining room table, along with a nut cracker. The nuts last so much longer when you have to crack them yourself. I hate to throw away anything useful so I asked mom-in-law if anything can be done with nutshells. Here's the tip.
If you throw the shells around your precious herbs or lettuce etc the snails won't crawl over and eat your crop before you do as they can't slither over the shells. You can also crush eggs shells for the same effect.
I sprinkled the shells around yesterday and time will tell whether this tip works.
Now, what can I do with the coffee grounds?

Tuesday Tip

Yesterday I went for my annual check-up. First off for a mammogram, very nicely done I might add, then up to the doctor for the rest.
Sugar, cholesterol, blood count, urine, blood pressure, ECG and the girly bits.
It takes next to no time out of your year but once it's done you'll have peace of mind or perhaps a caution to mend your ways for next years test. Do please do this, you are never too young to take care of your health.
So, my boobies are neatly pressed and I am in good health so, I'll try my best, all things in moderation and hopefully I'll get another A next year.

Gobsmacked!

I was in the post office yesterday evening. As I queued, the young lady already at the counter was nattering away on her cell phone. We waited. The gentleman behind the counter told her that he needed to ask her something about her mail. She nattered. I went to the next teller and as she was weighing my parcels I glanced over at said young lady. She was talking on one cell phone and texting at the same time on another. The gentleman was still waiting.
Eventually,with her oblivious to our stares, still talking and texting, the gentleman leant forward and said
"Excuse me, you're being very rude, I said I needed to talk to you"
"Oh" she said "I didn't know I was being rude"
As they say "Puleeze"
Mr Post Office deserves the Patience of the Day Award.

Tuesday Tip

I don't actually have one but my fan always questions me if I don't post an idea.
Perhaps a good tip is Never Give Up, be like the man who won the Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine. For some 60 or so years he cracked the knuckles on one hand only, in order to prove that cracking your knuckles doesn't cause arthritis. He appears to be correct.
Never worry that people will laugh at your ideas. The Public Health Ig Nobel Award went to a trio who invented a bra that converts into two gas masks. It gives new meaning to the term "Bosom Buddy"
Don't be embarrassed that people may call you a Silly Tree Hugger. The Veterinary Medicine prize was given to a couple who proved that cows with names give more milk than unnamed cows. Aaaw.
Stick to your guns. Shelly Berman did a comedy sketch about flying in which he points out that most would rather die than make fools of themselves. Well, be a fool, ask dumb questions and invent cuckoo things. That's how a lot of the really important stuff in life came about.

From my lips to George Clooney's ears

Well, not really. I've been a fan of ER since the first series back in 1994 when Dr Ross melted our hearts and then broke them when he left the series a few years later. Now, I'm watching the 15th and final series of ER. It's had its ups and downs but I've stayed true. ER isn't on my list of favourites because, like George, I've moved on but it will always be on my list of all time favourites. Back in the day the groundbreaking series (which your folks probably watched once you were in bed) was Hill St Blues, not ever to be missed and it was some 13 or so years later that Messrs Spielberg and Crichton gave us ER.
Last nights tear jerker was about organ transplants and dear Dr Ross in a small way contributed to saving Dr John Carter (remember him, we were with him through his drug problems, stabbing etc. etc.)
Well, I shall miss them when they're gone, four more episodes to go. More Emmy nominations than any other series - 124 - well deserved I say and in my dotage I may buy the entire 15 years and sit and remember when.

again with the quotes

but I just love this one.
Hard work spotlights the character of people:
some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses
and some don't turn up at all.

Sam Ewig

Tuesday Tip

Become an organ donor. Once you've cast off this mortal coil and moved on, allow someone else to benefit from your various body parts, you'll never need them again.
I had assumed that almost everyone is a donor until I saw a request on Sky for organ donors. If your religous belief doesn't allow that's a different matter altogether and must of course be respected but, if you're scared of demon doctors or body part harvesters well, I don't think you need worry.
I'm kind of squeemish about my skin so it's excluded on my donor card, silly of me I know, perhaps one day I'll get over it.
So if you don't already and if you think you can, leave a legacy for a few needy people.

Clickety Clix

The love of my life celebrated his birthday yesterday, so nice to have it on a sunday. I must say he's looking good. He still has most of his own teeth, walks well, nice and straight. Really nice wavy silver grey hair and the kindest eyes. All things considered I chose well.
Samantha and Sion and their families came to lunch, Timothy and his ladies were away for the weekend. Some time back an old family friend gave us a piece of venison (I didn't ask what) from her area in the Free State. Vegetarians, I'm sorry. So, the meat cooked for 5 hours at 170 in the oven on saturday and on sunday I put it into an onion and mushroom sauce, with a handful of raisins, left it to warm in the slow cooker and it was really good. I roasted a big fat chicken and cooked loads of vegetables. Dessert was chocolate and caramel mousse with two colours of jelly and apple cake. Basically we were pigs.
A while back I had a conversation with a customer who sells venison, mostly to the trade but he had asked if I wanted to buy from him. Seeing the look on my face he said "I suppose you're one of those people who don't want to eat Bambi" I agreed wholeheartedly and so he went on to make some quite valid points.
The meat that he sells is born naturally, lives completely free range and is killed humanely, unlike some other commercial meats. I have to say he made his point well. I didn't buy from him but his arguement still holds so I didn't feel bad eating the meat yesterday.
Even so, for me the best part of the meal was the gem squash, the carrots, the roast potatoes, the roasted butternut with just a hint of chilli sauce and the peas. Vegies do indeed rule.

A friend

I often marvel at friendship. The kind that starts young and lasts forever. Not all of us are blessed with such a thing. We had a neighbour whose best friend from primary school UK came to live in SA, They had been friends since the age of 9, and just carried on as if they were never apart. How great. I sense such friendships among the bloggers I follow, you are all so lucky.
Friendship can't be forced and many people will only meet like-minded folk as they grow older. We attended a friends 60th birthday a while back, the main speaker was his friend of over 50 years.
I believe the difference between a friend and an acquaintance is that no matter if you haven't seen one another in ages, sometimes decades, you take up where you left off, as if perhaps you went to the kitchen to make tea and on your return the conversation continued.
The words of todays quote in my desk diary sum it up
"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words".

Tuesday Tip

It's only three months to Christmas. Whether it's your religious belief or it's the festive season, there's no doubt it impacts on our lives. So, if you haven't already bought all the gifts (ho, ho) start seeing to that so that the ccard doesn't buckle under the stress. We're hosting Christmas dinner this year for the family so I'm toying with menus, decor ideas and just trying to decide on the tone of the day. The tip is, make it a fun day to look forward to, not a stress filled agony of a day. It's truly a time of wonder for children around the world, see to it that it carries over to the adults as well, none of that cynical "Oh it's just another moneymaking holiday" nonsense, it's only that way if you allow it to be so.
And please remember, Father Christmas needs advance warning if you want a really special gift so make out your list and post early for Christmas, it may be worth your while.

Another Copycat

How these things get around, I wonder if Pia stole it?

1. What time did you get up this morning? Rowland brought coffee at 5.55 and we were up by 6.15
2 . How do you like your steak? Grazing in a field
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
4. What is your favorite TV show? House, Life, CSI (Las Vegas) Lost, The Closer and The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon rocks.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Sorry to sound boring but really, Cape Town. I've always fancied Tuscany but I hear the locals aren't too friendly.
6. What did you have for breakfast? Special K and a cup of coffee followed by my lunchtime sandwich half an hour later - I was hungry.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian, Greek, Moroccan, and Asian…I love it all. I could honestly survive on sushi. I just kept Caroline's answers.
8. What foods do you dislike? Brussels sprouts, Turkish Delight and Marzipan
9. Favorite Place to Eat? Lunch is always good at CTFM Canal Walk and we often have breakfast at Giovanni's in Green Point.
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Honda FRV - blue
12. What are your favorite clothes? I love my velvet and silk knee length jacket, anything velvety or silky or pretty or floraly and my fake leopardskin coat.
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Singapore again, Perth obviously, most places in the East as the culture is still so different from our own. Not USA
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Half full is always a good place to start.
15. Where would you want to retire? Retire??? I wish
16. Favorite time of day? I don't really have one, each segment of the day has its own ups or downs, mostly ups.
17. Where were you born? Boundry Park Hospital, Manchester
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Oh please. Although I enjoy MotoGP, Kurling, Ice Skating and those funny things like extreme ironing and wife carrying. 19. Who do you think will not tag you back? It's true, ignorance IS bliss sometimes, I don't know what tagging is.
See above, proof of my incompetance, I lost the question 21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Everyone
22. Bird watcher? On occasion
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
24. Do you have any pets? Daisy the spaniel, Amber the cat, Merlin the parakeet
25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share? I'm not pregnant
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A nurse, an actress (I'll have to blog about Joe Holroyd)
27. What is your best childhood memory? Wow, I had a magic childhood. I grew up in a small seaside town (I sense another blog here) where we were "victims" of benign neglect i.e. we were allowed to be children and go out alone for the day and play and just have a good time.
28. Are you a cat or dog person? I'm 51 percent cat and 49 percent dog
29. Are you married? 43 years and counting
30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes. A seatbelt certainly saved both Sion and Samantha when they had accidents.
31. Been in a car accident? Yes I rode into a pole one day, hit a truck another and on yet another occasion I was in a shunt pile up. I like to think things have improved!
32. Any pet peeves? People who talk constantly on cell phones, ignorant bombastic types who think the louder they talk the better, people who assume they can pass on racist jokes and I'll laugh out loud. Sarcasm.
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Parmesan, mushroom, a little tomato
34. Favorite Flower? Daffodils
35. Favorite ice cream? Vanilla
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Kauai
37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? Passed first time (disregard question 31)
38. From whom did you get your last email? A customers proof of payment
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Ikea if we had one
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Probably not, but I have developed a new excercise where I shimmy and do an arm wavy thingy at the same time.
41. Happy with your job? Yes, I spend time with the love of my life, meet many interesting (and not) people. Home job, even better, I meet new people through Reiki sessions and embroidery jobs.
42. Broccoli? Yes I really like it but just can't even sneak in a tiny florette for him.
43. What was your favorite vacation? I should say Singapore or the holiday to Perth about 5 or six years ago when we were spoilt rotten but I have always enjoyed our trips to Wilderness so much that they have to be a collective number one.
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Lunch actually with (Rowland of course), Timothy, Marleze, Danielle, Kelly and another guest Sara-Jane
45. What are you listening to right now? 5 fm
46. What is your favorite color? It depends on the day or my mood but it's purple, burnt orange or green.
47. How many tattoos do you have? Not a one
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? See question 19
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 15.37
50. Coffee Drinker? Oh yes.









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Blog like a Pirate

Aaar me hearties, tomorrow 19 September be the 8th Internation Talk Like a Pirate Day as well as me brother Captain Martin's birthday. So yo ho ho and a bottle of rum landlubbers have a hale and hearty weekend else y'll be walkin' the plank.

Oops

Well, it seems I was wrong, my (awesome) iPod did need something else. A teeny weeny speaker. For my birthday the boys and their families gave me an external speaker for my iPod, it plugs into the base of the iPod and produces enough quality sound to be heard across a very crowded room. It's smaller than a tennis ball, slighlty larger than a golf ball and can be re-charged by plugging in to the usb port on my computer.
Just what I needed.
On the subject of birthday, the love of my life spoilt me as ever, a necklace and the most adorable piggy bank. The pig is wearing sunglasses so I've called him Jack. Number one daughter and her family bought me daffodils - I just love them and added a donation towards a blouse I'm eyeing.
We had such a great family evening, a school night so they left early giving granny time to clean up and then watch CSI.
Good times

Tuesday Tip

I have a freezer bag marker pen which I use, not surprisingly, to mark containers that I'm putting into the freezer. I usually cook double quantities and those meals are really welcome after a long, late day when I finally arrive home. However I also find the pen to be useful when marking things to go into the fridge. I know, someone, somewhere is sighing, rolling her eyes and saying "Virgo!" I like to know when the Organic Tomato Paste will expire so I mark the tube, a normal marker pen wipes off but this one has staying power. So, from jams to mayo to paste if the container reads "use within 30 days of opening" I'm too sissy to regard that as a guideline, I stick to it and my trusty freezer bag marker pen helps me out.

Gigapixels

It seems that we're in the era that believes size does matter. It has to be tiny but big with immense capabilities. I have what GD2 refers to as my "olden days" cellphone. It's a comfortable size, it shows the time.When I'm doing important banking stuff it receives my top secret bank code and if my car breaks down or I run out of petrol (been there, done that) I can call for help. I have a camera to take photos, a small, basic digital camera and I take small, basic photos, granny stuff. What I'm getting at is, we don't all need masses of mind blowing capability in our small appliances. My (awesome) iPod has all I need. A few family pics, quite a bit of music and some of my meditation discs as well as my "How to play the djembi drum" CD. When I acquire an appliance I don't need to know how many gigawhatsits it has, I want to know how many CDs it will hold, how many photos. Don't start a sentence with "Well..." just give me a ball park figure.
For most of his adult life my dad was a professional musician so to me a gig is what he went on most Saturday nights. I'm often reminded about an old comedy sketch, it may have been Dudley Moore, where the poor shopper is ridiculed by a sound system salesman. He asks trick questions about woofers and tweeters and causes untold embarassment. I don't care if the saleperson thinks I'm a daft old lady, I don't need to be blinded by science, I know what I want and perhaps more importantly what I don't need.
I'm trying to stay on track, be natural etc. so that the day the electricity runs out I won't be too dependent on these newfangle gadgets.

Tuesday Tip - sorry it's late

Take a self defence class or course. This suggestion isn't just for the girly, girls, or the young ladies, it's also for the golden girls and the men.
I read in yesterdays Aussie newspaper that a woman was attacked at home in her kitchen, early morning, by a would-be-rapist. When he tried to remove her clothes she kicked him in the groin and broke a ceramic bowl over his head.
Way to go lady!!
He ran out and the police are looking for a man in his early forties who may have an injured groin and head.
Three of us attended a self-defence workshop a few years back. The lady who gave the course had no tales of doom and gloom nor tales of heroism, just sensible advice and really good hands-on combat training.
We left there feeling ready to take on the world but as our instructor pointed out, this is the first step, never forget to scream and run if you can. So, she didn't give a false feeling of greatness, just the basics that even 90 year olds can follow and a sense that if push came to shove we would be able to kick him in the groin and break a ceramic bowl over his head.

Tuesday Tip

Get a hobby.
As the years fly past I can't help noticing a difference between those who have a hobby they love and those who don't. Perhaps you're one of those people who don't have time for such things but the truth is the day will no doubt come when you have time on your hands, a lot of time and if you haven't developed an interest in something other than work/family/work/spouse/pet poodle or whatever, you are going to get bored, tired and OLD.
We're in the lucky position where our friends and family cover all age groups and it's easy to spot the ones who have something extra in their lives. We know people who cook, travel, caravan, sew, paint, go bird spotting, belly dance, cycle, play golf (why I ask?). There are those who can't wait to get home to tend their garden or perhaps carry on building a replica of the Eiffel Tower out of tooth picks. The love of my life really enjoys photography and takes hundreds of photos every month, now he's cataloguing them by subject, family member etc.
We've seen too many vibrant folk retire from the job of 40 years or so and when they wake in the morning they have no idea how to spend the day, they become dull and old and slowly seem to fade away.
I suppose this post partners the "never stop learning" one but it's a sort of survival kit to keep the mind as young as we'll wish the body could be. So, give some thought to reviving your love of knitting, perhaps macrame will come back into fashion, who knows, but try to find your groove and by the time you're old you'll have done so many fun things that you smile more and certainly walk taller.

I kissed a girl

And I didn't like it, nothing to do with cherry chapstick either. Despite living in Cape Town for most of my adult life there is one custom I have never been able to get into, kissing total strangers on the lips in greeting. I mean no offence to all the lovely lips out there but really, to me a kiss is highly personal and special, not to mention the unknown germs lurking on the strangers lips.
I love to hug and when I meet an old friend or family member it's just so nice to feel the warmth of that kind of greeting but when a mere acquaintance grabs me and puckers up, no. Lets be honest, if it was Colin Firth (sorry dear) I would no doubt make an exception but in general I'm saving my kisses for the ones I love.
A friend gave me five beautiful roses last week, burnt orange with a red border, they are so very lovely and I didn't even have to kiss her.

Tuesday Tip

Make Snickerdoodles - they're so good.

snickerdoodles - makes about 35 or 40 biscuits

250g butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (please, not essence)
110g brown sugar - I use the treacley one that looks alive
220g castor sugar
2 eggs (free range of course)
410g plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Extra 1 tablespoon castor sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon mixed together

Beat butter, extract and both sugars together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time until just combined.
Sift together the flour, bicarb and nutmeg and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Mix together well, I use the dough blade on the Kenwood, just for a short while.
Cover and pop into the 'fridge for about half an hour, just to firm up.
Put the castor sugar/cinnamon mix on to a plate and taking a dessertspoon or so of the mixture, roll into a ball, roll in the sugar mix and put on to an ungreased baking sheet - 7cm apart.
Bake in a moderate oven - 180c - for about 12 mins. The balls will flatten into lovely biscuits with a slightly cracked surface and thoroughly tasty taste.

Thank you for the music

Am I being unreasonable? Saturday morning, the dulcet tones of Christene wake us at around six, she plays really good music (if indeed it is her choice) and barely says a word. But wait! Seven o'clock and verbal diarrhoea begins, accompanied by really stupid yelling and fake laughter.
Am I unreasonable to want - wait for it - MUSIC on my music channel of choice? No such luck so, I change to another radio station where I am expected to listen to some guy summing up what was said during the week I DON'T CARE, I want music. On to another channel, then another, no luck, it seems the ego driven programmes have no place for music. If I want talk, I'll tune in to talk radio, I want MUSIC!!!
During the week I don't much mind the chatter, LeeAnn, Mabale, Sias (a fellow ginger) and Damon keep me well entertained, they seem to be intelligent people and there's no off-mike fake laughter. But at the weekend no such luck.
But, we have a cunning plan (and we're fortunate enough to have DSTV) and so on goes the telly (a no-no any other morning) and we tune in to VH1, great music, modern and old, all is well.

Tuesday Tip

Keep the mystery alive.
No matter how close, lovey dovey, kissy, kissy you are, there are some things your partner doesn't have to see. These days the opinion seems to be "you have the right to know". I don't always agree.
Once upon a time it was generally agreed that a man's mother, wife and occasionally sister did none of the following
She didn't break wind, shave (anywhere) or have temperamental times of the month. Those things were reserved for lesser women. Now, the "opposite sex" know all about things with wings, chin waxing, brazillians ("You mean that's not natural darling?") and bowel movements.
Keep the mystery alive. He's not stupid, he knows these things happen but he doesn't have to witness the process. Save the girly stuff for when he's gone to the hardware store or watching a boring rugby game.
Likewise gents, she doesn't have to pull your finger, see you waxing that manly back and bum or painfully tweezing nose hairs. Toe nail clipping in the lounge is a no no, let her think that your toe nails never grow, just like her leg hair.
So when you hear from a man that his lady is natural, never wears makeup, doesn't have to excercise and can eat what she likes well, she is indeed one who keeps the mystery alive.

Apology

It seems I forgot yet another famous family member, she is a cousin, living in Canada and she is no other than..........Brenda Lee.
I am so chuffed that she reads my blog!!

Rowland

After reading "Mommy Forgets my Name", the love of my life pointed out that I forget his name. This is so funny, I'm one of those people who don't shorten names, it's Caroline, Veronica, Timothy, Samantha etc so it's particularly rich to be reminded of just how many pet names I have for the Silver Surfer - most of which will not be revealed.
Just remember - A Rose by any other name would smell as Sweet.

Tuesday Tip

I really like carrots and we eat them almost every day. Here's a quick way of slicing them, rather like the fine cutting of onions.
Place the carrot on the cutting board after peeling it. Hold the fat end and with your sharp kitchen knife slice down the center of the carrot, (not cutting the fat top). Turn the carrot over (would that be 90 degrees?) and make the same long slice. Now you have four legs joined to one fat top. Simply slice across the carrot and you have triangles of lovely carrot.
Enjoy.

One for the Moms

I love this rhyme, featured on an SOS Children's Villages book mark.

Mommy Forgets My Name by Bruce Lansky
My mommy calls me sweetie pie. She calls me honey bunny.
She also calls me poopsie,
which I think is kind of funny.
My mommy calls me sugarplum
and also sleepyhead.
My silly mom forgets my name
when she tucks me into bed.

Moms Rule!!

What's in a name?

A few years back we started writing down the names of "celebrity" customers, you know, the ones who share their name with someone famous. I had forgotten about it until earlier this year when we were served by Jessica Simpson in Bloemfontein. Here are a few of the ones who have crossed our threshold, with their spelling.
Jack Bower, Jean Voight, Gary Cooper, Robin Williams, John Williams, Charlie Brown, Dean Martin and Blackbeard (truly). The family ones I add for fun are my cousins ex wife Mel Gibson and my cousin Missy Elliott.
Have a grand long weekend.

Words to live by

With the world in tumult, as it is, I have a short line from todays Daily Om which I think sums up life
"Integrity is the foundation of civilisation"
Now if the world can just find integrity......................

Tuesday Tip

Go to the wardrobe, open the doors and grit your teeth. It's time to get rid of the old favourites. You have to pretend you're Trinny and whats-her-name and ruthlessly chuck out the clothes you haven't worn for two years, the clothes that are too small - no, you won't loose weight and fit into them again, unless of course you're pregnant and even then it's doubtful - and the clothes that frankly, are just too awful, bad choices in the heat of the moment etc.
Here in Cape Town winter is yet to come, we have the dreaded August/September storms which for some reason always coincide with first Sion's and then Rowland's birthdays. Hmm. There will be more cold and rain and out there are many people who don't care how retro your clothes are as long as they are warm.
Jerseys, t shirts, skanky tracksuit pants or good quality, hardly worn garments that you shouldn't have bought, the recipient probably won't be too fussy, warm is warm.
Watching The Closer last night I was reminded that one man's junk is anothers treasure. I sweet lady once told me that the way to recognise her house was by the boat in the side garden. Well, she didn't recognise the treasure there because on The Closer they had an eighteen foot powerboat on the front lawn, it had been filled with water and was being used as a sort of jacuzzi.
I am THE biggest horder in the world - I think I prefer collector - so if I can do it, anyone can. Besides, if the economy picks up you'll have a good excuse to shop.

Google Google

I did.
There's a programme on the travel channel, Chef Abroad, I really enjoy this guy, he's Canadian and I think this is his third series. In the first series he did a really good show around Cirque du Solei, showing how their canteen is set up for the different nationalities of the performers. Another was about the Nascar teams on circuit in the US and the food programmes they support with leftovers.
Last week our chef abroad went to Google headquarters and featured one of the many restaurants set up for staff meals. It's called Cafe 150 (I think) and they source all their food within a 150 mile radius, the menu changes every day and the meals appear to be fantastic.
Take a look at the site, it's really interesting.
Have a splendid weekend, regardless of the weather, just stay warm (or cool) inside yourself and go with the flow.

Tuesday Tip

Scooped! Pipped at the post! Robbed of glory!!
I had todays tip all squared away and I was so excited about it. The Silver Surfer (aka the love of my life) was playing on the internet on Thursday when he came onto the dumb video site. He called me over and we both watched, smiling and laughing, totally enthralled.
I was going to write about renewing wedding vows, I never got it. A vow is a vow, I haven't broken mine so why would I renew it, it's not a library ticket. This clip however made me think it would be fun to do it over again, if only we were more agile.
So, when your big surprise has been aired over the internet and even E TV news have shown it, for heaven's sake, it's a bit of a fizzle to say
"You must watch Jill & Kevin's Wedding Video"
But just in case you haven't..........

Hot Date

Yet another really good weekend, we must be on a roll. On Saturday the love of my life took me to lunch at Cape Town Fish Market, Canal Walk. We arrived early as we were rather peckish and our waitress led us to a table by the window, the better to watch the shoppers. I am really impressed by the way this restaurant seems to be tackling the big R (recession). They have some good deals on the menu (sorry, forget the wine list), various combo meals starting at R65. The Sushi is always excellent and this meal was no different. So, after two Sushi plates and a Kingklip Bento box I still had a tiny space to share some cheescake with my man, just call me Porky.Our waitress, Nafeesa was perfect, not too attentive, no questions when our mouths were full and just friendly enough. 10 out of 10.
Earlier we were at Merripak and Fabric City, two more businesses where good sense has prevailed, prices are right and the staff are really nice. What a pleasure.
But, this is just what every company has to do, not just try harder but maintain a high standard of performance. Whether you're the boss or the worker, give what you expect to receive from others and don't even mention the S word, for every one striker there are at least 10 unemployed.
I heard on Sky News that QE2 hauled the wan, sorry, bankers, over the coals at a dinner, asking why if they're such financial experts the weren't able to foresee the monetry chaos - or words to that effect. A question on many of our minds.
So, the sun is shining, another working week but a good weekend to look back on. I read today that the final Harry Potter book is to be made into two movies, releasing in 2010 and 2011, John Travolta is deep in depression - a few group distance Reki's perhaps - and I really hope Angelina J has left her hotel room.
So much more to enjoy and I don't want to miss any of it. We'll take the grandkids to the Scratch Patch in a couple of weeks time, Granny needs stones for the garden, we're building a tiny labyrinth, the fairy houses were fixed up yesterday after the winter weather. We'll stop off for Marcelle's on the way home and say to one another
"Aren't we blessed!"

A Lily by any other name would smell as "sweet"?

I am a great Lily Allen fan - to me she personifies the quiet genteel young thing that gets everyone into trouble while appearing innocent herself. The gentle voice, soft melody and sometimes really cruel words. My favourite at the moment is F You
"Look inside, look inside your tiny mind, then look a bit harder
Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired, of all the hatred you harbour
So you say it's not OK to be gay, well I think you're evil
You're just some racist, who can't tie my laces
Your point of view is medieval".
and further along after rude chorus
"You say you think we need to go to war
Well you're already in one
Cause it's people like you
That need to get slew
No one wants your opinion".
All this from a young girl who wants to sue the REAL Lily Allen for daring to use her own name on a clothing line.
But I still like her music.

Tuesday Tip

Well, these were supposed to be last weeks tips but I wanted to try them first. From the Gourmet Newsletter two really good ideas.
Butternut is the first one, I think it's good for toddlers as well as adults. Peel the neck of the butternut - I like to save the bowl part to stuff - and cut into small cubes. Put the butternut into the food processor and pulse until it's really fine. Place the bn into a small pan, add about a cup of water and simmer gently until cooked. From this you can make a delicious sauce for pasta or perhaps lunch for junior, it's a base to work with and it does work.
Breadcrumbs. I used to buy Japanese breadcrumbs, they are about 500 percent better than cornflake crumbs but it's a bit of a schlep going to Plumstead to buy them. Now I make my own and the secret is in the crumbing. Cut stale bread into cubes - something like a baguette works best - and place a few at a time in the liquidiser - not the processor. Watch as the bread merrily leaps into the air (but do put on the lid) and ends up as fine crumbs. Pour the crumbs on to a baking tray and bake for around 15 mins at 180 c. When you take them out you can add whatever may be appropriate for your dish, finely grated parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, whatever. If you only have fresh bread, do not despair, just put less into the liquidiser as it will clump up.
Bon Appetite

Bragging Rights

You know that expression "Be careful what you wish for"? Well, be careful with your bragging. I'm rather proud of the fact that I catch rain spiders (humanely) and seem to feel a rapport with them, they certainly don't scare me.
Last evening I was working away in the kitchen, cooking and so on. As I turned my head slightly to the left, there it was, on my shoulder - A RAIN SPIDER!!
Much to my surprise I screamed as I hit the tassles of my Indian scarf off my shoulder, heart a racing.
So much for bravery and rapport, if a simple scarf can scare me so much what would I do with a real spider.

Good Times

We had a really great weekend. You know the kind where Friday seems so far away you've already forgotten what you did?
Apart from the usual boring housework, Saturday was good and then Saturday evening we went to Timothy's birthday bash - 40 years old (twin). It was so nice seeing the "kids" we've know since they were around 5 years old, Samantha popped in, in between her celebrations and we all missed Sion & Tiana who couldn't make it. I have one teensy, weensy criticism, don't people dance at parties any more?? We used to pump up the volume and dance the night away, now it seems you keep the music on medium and pump up the chatter. Oh well.
On Sunday my cousin Brian and his wife came to lunch, they're out on holiday from the UK and we hadn't seen them for a good few years. Lucky them, they booked in to a B&B in Camps Bay and because they're the only guests they were put into the penthouse apartment. It was so very good to see them, Samantha and the kids came over, for some reason Timothy was a little tired so they couldn't make it.
The icing on the weekend was watching Slumdog Millionaire last night, Oh WOW what a good story, everything about the movie was good, those Oscars were well deserved and I'll certainly watch it again, a star in the DVD collection.
So, despite the recession we had a fire in the fireplace, the house was toasty warm and we were sheltered from the rainstorms. We are truly blessed.

The voyeur in me

I'm no fan of "reality" TV, I don't watch soapies - unless you count D. Housewives - and I'm not much of a gossip. But how I love to watch people and imagine what will happen next. Perhaps that's why I'm so fond of movies.
On the way to work today I passed a couple, man and dog, he appeared to be training the dog. The obedient Boxer dog sat down, upright and proud, his human pointed a finger and then turned his back and walked away. Proud Boxer sat and watched but as his human moved further away the dog stood, looking a little anxious.................and that's where it ended because I was too far up the road to carry on watching.
Do you ever wonder, driving through the suburbs at night, about the lives of others? The glimpses you get. We were travelling down a long busy street one evening, summertime and the sun hadn't yet set. Most of the houses alongside the road had open front doors, open into the lounge. As we passed one I saw the middle aged couple, in each others arms, dancing around the tiny room. Hallmark stuff.
I love to watch young children, around three years of age who have figured out the art of conversation. They sit and chat most earnestly and no doubt make more sense than most of the adults they know.
Sometimes the world seems to have become too judgemental and we are often all too happy to believe the first bit of gossip we hear but, for all the public faces we all put on, once the front door closes and we're alone, only we know the truth of our lives.
But it's fun to speculate so if I peer into your garden as the cars speeds past your home, rest assured, I only want your story, not your life.
Yikes - I sound like a creepy stalker - sorry!

Tuesday Tip

I don't have a tip today, it seems my few brain cells are on vacation/strike so I don't have a cunning plan for this week. Instead I have a few questions.

Why are hearses so big and powerful when they only carry one passenger?

When are you no longer eligible to be referred to as "the late" after your death?

When you buy peeled onions, do you peel them?

I have many more questions but those will do for today, don't want to strain those brain cells.

Tuesday Tip

Sing in the car. It feels so good and you don't have to offend others with your bad voice. Have you noticed what firm cheeks most of the singers have? You take in more oxygen and after a few minutes feel so gosh darn good.
Once upon a time, when out driving, I'd notice how many people were singing along to the radio or (then) cassette. Things seem to have changed and now there's more talking than music on the radio and of course the awful cellphone. It seems that to some it's more fun to natter on the 'phone than it is to sing.
Not for me. Sion lent me a knock-out compilation CD and I've had a great time singing and reminiscing, can't wait to get into the car and sing my way home.

It's a Guy Thing

Men in hats. I'm intrigued by the apparent unconcern about how they look. I see "cool" young men, dressed in the latest but with what appears to be a tea cosy on the head, sometimes replete with crochet flowers (honestly I'm not joking). One of our men is currently wearing a pale blue floppy with big white daisies on it, he also favours a dusky rose floppy with a turquoise border. We once had a refuse man who sported a curly blonde wig with a shower cap on top but, teamed up with the pink nighty, I think he was making another statement.
Take a look around, good looking movie stars with silly beanies pulled down over their eyebrows. Another way to wear the beanie - pulled up at the top, resembling a teat on a babies bottle. How about the knitted baseball cap? for Arctic games perhaps? Then we have the cap back to front, the flat cap, plain or tartan, the ranger hat, the trilby (yes, still worn in Cape Town)and that unusual faux leather hat.
If I had the time and wherewithall I'd write a coffee table book about men in hats, with a short forward by David Attenborough, chronicling the rise and fall of head apparel, from the comb-over to the balaclava and all in between.
Just remember one thing - real men don't wear hoodies.

Tuesday Tip

This one is quite relevant in Cape Town today, heavy rain, blocked drains, clogged gutters etc. Do not be tempted to climb on to your roof if you are a man over a certain age, you are not as young and agile as you think. We have so many friends and acquaintances in their fifties who have had climbing accidents - at home. There's the guy who fell of his roof and luckily only broke one bone, the one who fell off and broke several and spent ages in hospital. The doctor (really you'd think he would know better) who broke his ankle cleaning out the gutters. So many accidents. My favourite is the guy who balanced a ladder from the back of his bakkie on to a tree branch, planning to walk across and cut a few branches. The wind had other ideas but I believe he was well cared for in hospital.
Please, dear loved ones, we want to enjoy your company a while longer, take care.

The Expert

We were eating dinner and listening to the TV. It was a Grand Prix programme, quite interesting in fact, they featured some old guys I'd heard of. Then on came a cute young man (I face the screen) and he was chatting away. "is Reubens Barrichello from France?" I asked, "because I thought he was from Brazil but now he sounds French" You know, silly wife chatter.
"That doesn't sound like Reubens" said he "it's Mussa (Massa??)"
Well, I think I know my Reubens, painted well endowed ladies, but my man is the expert. Up he got to look at the TV "Yes, it's Mussa, see how he keeps lifting his left arm in front of the camera"
I had noticed that and I thought it was so cute the way he kept showing his wedding ring to the ladies. "It's to show off his watch" said he.
Sigh, I know nothing about sport.

Tuesday/Thursday Tip

Do not put off until tomorrow that which you can do today.
Trust me, I know.
Tuesday was a holiday. Well, lets face it, I'm no youth so I was happily cooking, cleaning, washing, sewing the day away. I could have done the tuesday tip on the home computer but I thought "Nah, I'll do it tomorrow at work". Tut, Tut.
Yesterday arrived and the gods were in the mood for a laugh so they turned off the adsl lines in Parow and I couldn't do anything on the internet.
Serves me right.

Evolution/Devolution

Is the world become a big cry baby? It seems to me that whenever one side wins the other throws a temper tantrum and calls in it's bully boys. New busses - we'll have taxi violence. Intelligent educators - we'll go on strike, march and picket. Required to actually learn at varsity - no worries, we'll trash the place until they give us DSTV. Now, the shopkeepers are threatening violence against the Somalies because they're, guess what? better shopkeepers. But it's not just here, it's all over from sport (can one word be an oxymoron Ms G?)to reality TV to politics. The media tell us what is THE TRUTH, from Paris Hilton to unheardof despots, they are the final word and we may not question their authority. My unfavourite morning DJ was being particularly snide, rude and unpleasant today and yet gawping admirers 'phoned in to compliment his genius.
Yesterday we watched a kick-ass MotoGP, won by Rossi in the last few seconds. The guy who came second didn't call his friends to beat up Valentino, he didn't sulk and call for a re-run, he was an adult, he behaved the way everyone used to, with good grace and manners.
Please can the world forget sledging, stop ganging up against the winner, loose the whinging and whining because someone else is better and stick togather to create a better place.
I had the good fortune to spend some time with four interesting young ladies this weekend. Their interests are slightly different as are their temperaments but the one thing they shared was honesty. If you question a 13 year old, she will mostly be truthful (even if it's to tell you she lies)about basics. Not about her BFF or has she done her homework but about her outlook on life. It's very refreshing not to be treated like a fool for the sake of politeness because that in it's self is impolite. If you don't like the soup - say so, don't gild the lily with sweet words, be frank and honest. I think the GreenPoint Stadium looks like a giant ugly baby bath, a blight on the coastline. Some spoke the truth, others saw the money so there we have it. Awfulness and a whole lot more unbuilt houses.
We have to be able to accept simple facts - You won, You are a better business person - You are a better singer - I am a better cook. You don't have to give up because someone is better, you don't have to fight back, you just have to strive harder to win next time. Stop dumbing down or we'll all be on Jerry Springer.
My dear sister spoke some disturbing words last week. We were discussing meat and I pointed out that lamb and beef are both pricey and not too healthy so we eat chicken, pork and fish. She doesn't eat pork - "Why?" I foolishly asked. "Because they're more intelligent than dogs" she replied. Oh my, vegetarianism looms ever closer because I have to accept the wisdom of her words.
Love life and don't be dragged down by the fools.

Guilty Pleasures

No, nothing too naughty. Some days I just like to browse the slightly over-the-top sites, things like Engrish.com which sometimes has me in tears of laughter while at the same time feeling bad about laughing at others. I read a really good article on www.gourmet.com, written by Robert Ashley about The Gross-Food Movement, it's delightful. He mentioned a site called thisiswhyyourefat, take a look and be horrified by the things people eat while at the same time feeling smug about your own diet. See what I mean, now I feel guilty but what a pleasure.

Tuesday Tip

Beware short cuts. As I may have mentioned, I really enjoy cooking but sometimes a quicky meal is fun too. This was going to be my tuesday tip until I tasted it so, "don't try this at home". I steamed some broccoli and cauliflower and was going to make a cheese sauce topping. "But wait" I thought "Why not top this with cheese slices ? quick and easy peasy" but not tasty, wasty. It's not a good idea, even if you cheese slices left over from family night, resist the temptation and either use plain grated cheese or make that sauce.

TGIF

I'm having a geek day. You know, when you have two left hands (sorry T) and one has no thumb. I make up around 20 parcels a month but today, the packaging tape kept twisting into a self embrace, I left parts out of one, I put the wrong invoice into another and had to rip it open before the glue took hold. I can't see the (faux) wood of my desk and I really don't know what all these papers are for. It must be friday, time to wind down the spring, get ready to chill for the weekend. My daughter is taking me out to breakfast tomorrow and the love of my life is my hot date for breakfast on sunday. A lot to look forward to, I feel a little less geeky now.
Have a good one.

Tuesday Tip

Always say "Goodbye". Even if you're angry, tired, bored, whatever, treat every day with your loved ones as if it's the last.

My BFF

Mothers, you may want to cover your daughters eyes for this one.
Tomorrow is our 43rd Wedding Anniversary. I was 18 and he was 22 when we were married. Fifteen months later Sion was born and twenty two months after that along came Samantha and Timothy. We've worked together for the past 25 years and he is truly the love of my life - I don't just say that.
Lest you think this is just a fairy tale well, we've had our ups and we've had our downs, we've had our fights and we've had our loving and do you know, I wouldn't change it for the world. When I listen to people spouting on about kids being too young to marry, wasting their youth etc. etc. I can honestly say that there has never been a day when I regret marrying "young".
So to the one I love, through thick and thin, sick and sin - cheers, I hope we have many more xxx

Tuesday Tip

For the carnivores. It seems to me that when buying chicken breasts they are sometimes (as is the case with some of us humans) rather small and flat. I prefer to buy chicken breast on the bone with skin. Once the small bone is removed and the skin easily slipped off you are left with a D cup breast rather than the AA you pay more for, ready boned and skinned.

Glum

When I left for work this morning the day was gloomy and it made me think that there's something sad about an empty house in winter. As I walk through, saying goodbye to Daisy and Amber, turning off lights and the radio I'm followed by that middle ground between dark and light. Suddenly the house feels colder and very lonesome. It's different on a sunny day when happy light pours through the windows, perking up even the dullest corners and leaving a happy feel to the day.
Today I'll hurry home to turn on lights and music, for number three will need cheering up. Perhaps the sight of me doing a weeks ironing will bring a rosy glow to the bricks, it certainly brings one to my cheeks.

Duh

Dr Edward Martin, Edward D May, Ray Edwards, hmm do we sense a theme here? Mr Johnny Brown, Mrs Kate Johnson, Will Wood and my personal favourite - Peter McWealth. Apparently these are just some of the people who think I'm truly gullible but, as Timothy will tell you, they've taken gullible out of the dictionary. (Sorry, old family joke).
These people, along with countless members of Nigerian royalty seem to think that I'm going to part with my money (what money?) at the drop of an email.
I won't even mention the countless strangely named people who believe they can do wonders for my sex life, most of whom assume I'm a man.
What fun the internet can be and how sad if there are really people out there who will fall for the trickery. On the other hand, it could be that my cynicism has allowed me to let tens of millions of rands just slip through my disbelieving fingers, a bit like the boy who cried wolf. Perhaps one day I'll miss out on a genuine legacy from a distant relative I have never met.

Tuesday Tip

Send a slap-o-gram. I'm a pacifist but I do think that sometimes it's good to let off steam mentally. Don't dwell on things that are upsetting, if a customer bugs you on the 'phone, or your Aunty or anyone who should know better than to test your already fragile spirit - send a slap-o-gram or if you're really gentle, a mental pie-in-the-face. Perhaps for me the pie is a better choice although the pastry would have to be soft and flaky, I want to cause mental chagrin not mental bodily harm.

Bee afraid

Yesterday I decided to make some breakfast bars, Bill Granger style, I'd copied down the recipe from TV. Samantha and the kids were around to lunch so it seemed a cosy thing to do. The mixture was put into the small oven, the oven chips were in the big oven and I was about to put the casserole into the micro to reheat when a bee came into the kitchen. Well, the smell of honey from the breakfast bars was so good, why not. Unfortunately he brought his posse along and slowly but surely they slipped into the kitchen. We're not a family who scream and wave their arms when they see a bee, nor do we believe "if it flies it dies", I don't even buy fly spray. But there is something very Stephan King about a slow tide of rather big honey collectors. They sniffed around the oven, the jar of buttermilk rusks and slowly, slowly advance further into the kitchen.
I opened the front window and Samantha bravely went around into the kitchen yard to close the door only to report on more arrivals. You know how it is when you really need to speak to someone? they call it "voice mail". We needed the number of Howard the bee expert but couldn't get anyone with his number. I did get a wrong number in Goodwood who had clearly had too much Port at lunch and just wanted to chat, she didn't sound like a bee keeper.
However, those days in Girl Guides were not wasted and Samantha came up with the idea of lighting candles around the oven to scare the bees outside. By now we had around fifty in the kitchen, I had closed all interleading doors and put a blanket over shape shifters door. Then I realised that if too many bees pitched we'd have to hop over the neighbours wall to escape to freedom.
I was planning to put a shroud over my head so that I could rescue the chips from the oven, I'd given up hope of reaching the microwave so heated up the casserole on the gas stove and I didn't want it to burn.
Good news, whether it was animal communication, candles or sheer boredom we don't know, but the bees were heading on out for greener pastures and we were able to get lunch and hightail it to the patio.
Life is full of little surprises.

The stuff dreams are made of

I was at a craft market one day, buying something for one of my hobbies. The lady next to me remarked that she too enjoyed what I was doing and had I been doing it for long.
"Well", I replied, "I haven't actually done this for quite some time but this will go into my dream room until the time is right"
"Wow" she said "I also have a dream room, our lives are so busy and there are so many things yet to do and I know I'll get to them one day"
A kindred spirit. I know I'll make lots more bears, sew lots more clothes, embroider lots of stuff and make amazing creations. When the time is right.
We all have dreams and I don't see anything wrong with preparing for them. The hiking boots, still in the Cape Union Mart box, the new set of golf clubs, brochures on exotic destinations. The list is only a short as our imaginations make it so dream on.

Tuesday Tip

Buy a paint scraper. One of those things you use to scrape the paint off glass without scratching it. They all seem to be yellow and have a plastic handle with a really sharp blade fitted to the base. Apart from cleaning off paint and varnish this little goodie cleans lots of stuff. Use it to clean the oven window when you get those pesky fat dots, labels off furniture - very carefully otherwise the wood comes off as well and really just about any seemingly un removeable (?) sticker or splash. DO NOT USE IT ON YOUR SELF CLEANING OVEN. But of course you'll use your common sense.

Supapa Troupapa

On saturday five of the grandchildren came to stay until sunday. Number two had a prior engagement. It was fun although there was a moment during dinner when I thought I might be channelling Louise Fletcher and I was actually on the set of One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest. It was four girls and a boy - I think I'll call him the Lone Ranger, number six with five girls. Well, the Lone Ranger was once again on the keyboard playing with the sound effects and the girls were colouring in (not for number six, "it bores me granny"). They all love to sing and it was so sweet when they started singing Mama Mia - all words correct and in tune. I went to find the ABBA CD. One cd cupboard came without a key and someone in their wisdom decided to push the lock down so the cds have been prisoners for a few months. I really missed Pink, I don't exactly play it when the kids are around, "you and your hand" is perhaps for older ears. But back to the tale. As ABBA were imprisoned in the same cupboard, the love of my life found a drill and drilled out the lock. I played the cd and it was great. Today I removed the Music of Cosmos cd I've been enjoying this week and put in ABBA Gold.
So there you are, if you saw a crazy woman singing along in her car, a big smile on her face and Merlin the parakeet on the front seat next to her, that was me.

Tuesday Tip

Me Time
It's so important to make time for yourself. No matter if you go out to work stay at home, run a business, the time comes when you really have to focus on yourself and your well being.
Perhaps you're a care giver and it's all you've ever wanted to be, helping others is so rewarding to you that you don't consider it to be work. You're raising a family and you love them deeply, why should that be considered work? Whatever it may be, you still need time for yourself.
I'm a fine one to talk, some weeks that's all it is, talk. I know that I should maybe go in to the garden after work, we have a life size 5 yearish Tibetan Monk statue, Tao. I should sit next to him for just ten minutes, take some deep breaths and just unwind. Me time.
If you're one of those super efficient people who only work to the clock, ink in an appointment with yourself and stick to it. You wouldn't cancell a meeting over something trivial like a burst water main or a collapsed ceiling so why cancel one with yourself?
I think for some the biggest hurdle is to get rid of that pesky feeling of guilt. "I should be doing this or that". You're not going to cause the earth to stop spinning if you take a break, just do it.

Shape Shifter

I do believe our cat Amber is a shape-shifter. We have a door on the family room which closes off the lounge to naughty cats and dogs, you know, the ones who sleep on the couch and scratch tapestry chairs. This door has a large center pane of glass with four long and four small square panes around it. We don't have the outside panes, not from laziness or lack of cash but because the door serves its purpose and the glassless areas allow the breeze to slide through.
Every morning I shoo Daisy through to the family room and carry Amber through. I close the door. I repeat to myself "the door is closed". I go to work. When I arrive home in the evening, sitting on the back of the couch in the front window is, guess who, Amber the cat that's who. How does she get into the lounge??
So, we have a few possibilities
1. Someone unknown sneeks into the house and for a prank lets the cat through - unlikely
b. This rather fat cat is able to pull in her tummy, shrink her head and slip through the (70cm or so above the ground) empty window frame which is no more than 10 cm wide.
I saw a picture of a cat of the same colour stuck trying to get through an outside window, it apparently can't be done.
So, that leaves shape shifter. I will have to borrow a motion detector camera, place it on the fridge, facing down the hall and see how she does it.

Tuesday Tip

Don't allow time to get the better of you.
In the movie "About a Boy" our hero (Hugh Grant) with ample time on his hands, divides his day into units to get by faster. You on the other hand probably wonder where on earth the time went. I was heating hot water bottles the other (cold) night, it takes 3 min in the microwave. This is what I did in three minutes.
Dried the dinner dishes in the drainer. Filled an ice tray. Sorted cereal bowls for the next morning, filled a glass with water and took it through to the bathroom, searched for and found the elusive cat (more about her later).
So when a task seems too big, break it up into units, 3 minutes today, maybe 6 tomorrow. Nothing is insurmountable. As a customer once told me (regarding his debt)
"you can't eat an elephant in one go, you have to do it slowly"
This took 4mins and 12 seconds, not even an elephant's toe nail.

Missing you

Samantha emailed me "Beautiful Words of Truth"around 15 paragraphs begining with Maybe. It made me cry (I'm a softy)
This one is for all of you with loved ones far away, Australia, USA, Canada, UK, South Africa..........
Maybe...there are moments in life when you miss someone- a parent, a spouse, a friend, a child - so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real, so that once they are around you appreciate them even more.

Names

I enjoy names, personal, business, whatever they may be so, I think it's a great pity so many companies are opting to be known by their initials. When the children were small we passed a building site with a big board bearing the name "Lillicrap". They loved it. How about Savage & Lovemore, you couldn't make it up. If they become S&L the TV addicts might think it means Sex & Language. How about the funeral parlour called (I kid you not) "Human & Pitt". Haw & Inglis are now heading their boards H&I, no schoolboy fun there.
I like company names that spark the imagination "Well Hung" picture framers. "Licencetokill" exterminators, "Big Strong Boys" well, presumably big, strong, boys.
Names that tell it like it is, "Spar", save, Pick n Pay, that's pretty obvious. Checkers??? "Fishermans' Friend", only if you want your eyes to water.
Twenty some years ago my sister and I were in a surf shop in Australia, she showed me a bottle of mens "cologne", the name, "Sure F*&#".
Short and to the point as a good name should be.

Tuesday Tip

VOTE!

A wee bit of news

I have just read a sweet piece on IOL news. The headline
"Toddler rescued after potty drama"
It seems this three year old from Wrexham (and they are supposed to be quite smart there) put her foot through the handle of the new potty dad had bought and it wouldn't come out. I thought three might be a bit old to start toilet training but no doubt this poor child will be too traumatised to use the toilet for some time to come -not! The fire brigade were called in.
Ever on the ball google featured an ad for "3DayPottyTraining.com" who will now have to revise their lesson to include "How to remove a foot from a potty handle without calling in the firebrigade".
To the debutante potty users - be careful.

Fast Forward

Like most people (I guess) we see a lot of TV ads in fast forward and we certainly go through life on fast forward more than we should. Daisy and I had just come in from a bracing walk, Autumn is in the air, I was just in time to see the Cadbury chocolate ad.
There sits the gorilla, listening to Phil Collins, In the Air Tonight. A favourite in the car. He waits patiently as the camera pans down to his drum kit, we get the message. Viewers around the country are waiting,
"Da da da da da da da da da"
Such fun, thanks Phil, thanks Cadbury.

Goosebumps

I seem to be quite the chatterbox this week.
If you haven't already heard this amazing lady, please type Susan Boyle YouTube in the Google box and watch the video of her on Britain's Got Talent. I believe I was viewer number 15 million and ten or so.
I defy you to listen to this awesome voice without tearing up and perhaps getting full body goosebumps.
She's wonderful.

The other woman

You know who she is. She's a little older than you, not as pretty. She clearly doesn't take care of herself the way you do, a little overweight, unfit and that hairdo isn't the best. One day you're walking in the shopping centre or perhaps in the unforgiving changing room at the dress shop, you look in the mirror and HORRORS!! you are HER. When did this happen? Was it because you didn't have the discipline to do yoga every day? You gave up dancing because the schedule didn't suit? Perhaps it was too many smoothies, that extra helping of potato salad with delish. Helmanns mayo? It doesn't matter, it happens to all of us.
I believe that's why we have winter. Under cover of those lovely winter clothes and bolstered by comfort food in modest helpings, we can fight back. So the love handles turned into tractor tyres, you can fix that, you just needed a nudge.
My new regime is back to walking Daisy twice a day, yoga three times a week, dancing every day even if it's only for ten minutes. I took out the Chinese dinner set that's never used these days and plan some tasty Eastern dishes that just fit into a medium bowl.
When summer comes I'm going to kick that other woman's butt!

Tuesday Tip

Ginger is a really healthy addition to your diet. If, like silly me, you wasted half the root ginger trying to peel it, (potato peelers just don't do the job and if you slice the skin off there's not much left to use) then do this. Take a dessert spoon and peel the ginger, holding the spoon as if it's a knife and the skin just comes away so easily you'll want to keep on showing off.

Mooo

It's no secret that I'm not Sporty Louise. I enjoy watching soccer and kurling. Do ice skating and cheer leading count as sports? or Cirque du Soleil? However, I really enjoy MotoGP and we're both Valentino Rossi fans, he came second yesterday. The race was quite good but what I found most intriguing were the cows. A group of spectators at the front were waving what looked to be big, blowup plastic cows and as the bikes came past the cows jumped around excitedly. In the midst of these cows was a lone blue dolphin, perhaps a lonely KZN supporter who had lost his way?
(I had to ask the experts if a. the dolphins are rugby or cricket and b. where they're from).
I'm just not sporty.

LG

It has been a good weekend, hard work in part but it's always good to be pressure-free. I'm making some covers for the grandchildren, we're not sure what to call them, so far it's toe-throws, I'm embroidering (machine of course)motifs on them. Olivia and Kelly each have different style fairies, Sara-Jane will have dolphins, Jeremy cookie monsters,Danielle Carribean Creatures and Jessica butterflies. We checked on designs this weekend and I'm having great fun embroidering.
Yesterday the family came over for the Easter Egg hunt, only two left to look for the Easter Bunny. The girls sat at the garden table colouring in. Colouring in is interesting to observe, as the person grows so does the style of colouring, I believe you can colour when you're in your nineties. DJ Jeremy was in the mix on the Casio keyboard, reving up bike sounds, planes etc. Our poor neighbours.
I thought, as no doubt did others, that the person who decided to hold Coke Fest over Easter weekend in Cape Town must be nuts, it ALWAYS rains over Easter. Surprise, they were clearly privvy to special information, I hope it's a success.
Enjoy the rest of April, the month where we get to complain about the loss of income due to the holidays while, at the same time, enjoying every day off work
Life's Good

Clap your hands

Yesterday was a strange day, so many things good and bad happened to so many people we know, perhaps it was the almost full moon. A friend was retrenched, another had bad news about her health, one was divorced. One received good news about her future, a business venture took off well for another. I didn't win the Lotto.
Olivia came to stay, gd number 4. She's been building a very nice fairy house in our garden and was anxious to look for signs of occupancy. Needless to say we didn't find much but we are both hoping that the fairies were hiding in the bushes and watching our efforts. Aside from the house we plan a waterpark, it's going to be very nice actually.
We made pizza which I was told wasn't as good as Butlers.
But we are confident that the fairies will come to visit, so, if you're a believer, clap your hands and say
"I believe in fairies"
They will hear you.

Tuesday Tip

Embrace joy. Don't be afraid or embarassed to feel joy, allow it into your being, dance and glow with joy. Don't be rigid, smile and laugh at trivia if it amuses you, no matter if no-one else gets it. Let you eyes well up at the sight of an amazing sunset, grin when the Guinea Fowl chase your car and in the face of adversity remember the many joys of living. So what if we're in a recession, you won't solve problems by being glum but perhaps you can lighten the day for just one person at a time with a smile and a kind word. And joy.

Tuesday Tip

Never stop learning.
No matter what your age, you are never too old to learn, it may take a while longer but please continue to persue knowledge. Be it books or a hobby, something creative, a new way of gardening perhaps, keep on searching and learning more. The mind has more than enough space.
My amazing sister, a lady of a certain age, decided to become a librarian, she graduates in June, I'm so proud of her.
One of our children was constantly asking questions and waiting for the right answer, he was never afraid to appear stupid (as he sometimes did) because he had a thirst for knowledge. As the other two grew to adulthood they followed his lead and all three have kept their enquiring minds active.
The love of my life often refers to himself as a student, no matter that he's 65, he hasn't sat back on his laurels and watched the world go by.
Keep finding out about new things, there is so much out there that even if you live to be 1000 years old, there will still be something new and exciting to discover.

Two ladies

I met two ladies who had met the Dalai Lama. Ordinary people, just like us. I have no idea of their beliefs. When they told me their story of the meeting they glowed with joy and seemed to rise six inches above the ground. It was clearly an amazing experience for them.