GUESS WHO??

Oh....the joy of childhood!

DON'T SIT IN ONE PLACE TOO LONG!

A RULE OF LIFE:

If you sit in one place long enough.... people will draw circles around you!

WE ARE WHAT WE ARE!

Look at what arrived on my window sill this morning!!!
(Sorry about the bad quality pic). This little creature really got me thinking...

Firstly, what is it?...

It's called a 'SCORPION SPIDER'. For some reason, this little creature has taken on the image of it's arachnid compatriots. I have no idea why, but isn't it so much like us?

We too, sometimes take on the image of something that we are not. Think about the 'cool dudes' one sees around in their shiny armour and status cars. Think about those who get on their high horses about something... religion, politics and philosophical views. We sometimes meet people who may appear cynical, but on closer inspection one can see that they are hurting at some deep level. We all have put on false fronts at some stage or another. All these things are called 'Posturing' - a human trait designed to fit in with the sociology of our species.

But underneath it all the posturing, we remain human. We remain a species with a myriad of traits and emotions, but each with a core, unique identity. When we try to be something other than what we intrinsically are, we find ourselves unsettled and confused.

In the spider's case; even if he tries to look like a scorpion, he remains a spider - without enlarged pinchers or long sting.

So think about it... what harm is there to ...

JUST BE YOURSELF!

BE CAREFUL WHAT SEEDS YOU SOW!

A couple of years ago, whilst spring cleaning my cupboards, I found an unusual envelope. When I opened it, I discovered some tomato seeds. These belonged to my late father who died in 1998. As I looked at the envelope and it's contents I became quite nostalgic. My dad was a special person. He loved his farm, despite never having enough water to build the farm of his dreams. Instead, he fiddled with little things - growing amazing cucumbers, strawberries, onions, lettuce, beans, spinach and of course his famous tomatoes with limited water.

My own garden doesn't have a vegetable patch, but as I pondered the envelope I decided to simply scatter the seeds in my garden - as a final tribute to my dad - (something like scattering the ashes of the dead). Imagine my amazement, a few weeks later, when suddenly my garden was abuzz with baby tomato bushes.

That was at least 5 years ago. Since then, the bushes have reappeared, constantly in progressively stranger places. Each time the bush has produces an abundant harvest. I've reaped delicious cherry tomatoes as well as standard tomatoes from the contents of that special envelope.

Obviously, in my garden...my Dad lives on!

HOW TO AMUSE ONESELF...

In years gone by, when there was no television, we would find creative things with which to amuse ourselves.

On our old farm....it was 'ANIMAL SHADOWS'.

The pictures above(if it is not obvious) show a rabbit and a woodpecker.

SOMETIMES YOU'RE JUST IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

This was one of those special moments, some years ago...

FISH IN BOURKE'S LUCK POTHOLES!

A RAINBOW FOR YOU!

Last evening after a touch of rain, we went out for a walk and were treated to an amazing Rainbow in our sky.

I did a little research this morning on rainbows. There are numerous explanations about their formation, but they all suggest three simple components in rainbows;

Raindrops,

Sunlight, and the

Observer.

It is ironic that – without the Observer, there would be no rainbow?!
Is this not an incredible privilege - to be able to observe a rainbow?

Your particular observation is unique to you. No person can stand on exactly the same spot as you, so you are the only one that sees that particular reflection of the rainbow. I find this really amazing. Rainbows certainly are

“The greatest light spectacle on earth!”

The point I am making is that we need to be grateful for our powers of observation. To be able to “SEE” the amazing phenomena which surround us on this earth is a very special gift! How often do we pass things by... or simple take them for granted?

Perhaps to observe a rainbow might also be our opportunity to observe the old-age symbolism of the rainbow.... “Hope”.

Think about it – what a privilege!!

A CACTUS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY????

Please tell me...

Who, in their sane minds, would consider giving a CACTUS to their partner on Valentine's Day??

I saw these items on sale at our local Spar Shop this week and it has really bugged me, so I want to put the idea out to you... have I lost the plot?

What message does this send?

Perhaps it says; "We're in a prickly relationship!" or

"You are a thorny, prickly, untouchable person!".

In contrast, my daughter thinks they are quite 'cute'...sorry, I don't buy that!

Is Valentine's day the time for a sense of humour or have the marketers the skill to sell us just about anything?

Certainly, if my husband gave me one of these, I might convert it into a 'JACKTUS'!

MOMS AT HOME

This piece is dedicated to all the mothers who have chosen to be at home with their children...

Your choice to be with your child and to bare close witness to his/her life, is not an easy one and is certainly not as rosy as it is sometimes made out to be. But your choice should be commended! You are part of a select few women who have elected to concentrate on shaping a future generation. You are the unpaid teacher, homemaker and most certainly the foundation of your family. Your role should be highlighted and acknowledged!

Most mothers, whether in industry or at home, battle with guilt at some point in their lives. Working mom’s, who have their own battle, sometimes feel guilty that they are not at home with their children whilst mom’s at home sometimes feel guilty about not ‘being part of broader society’.

In today’s society, moms at home are a minority. They have chosen a life which is often frowned upon by society at large – especially if they elect to be with their children throughout their children’s school lives. These moms seldom receive compliments. They are usually unpaid and their only reward is the knowledge that they are fighting for the growth, stability, happiness and achievement possible for their children. They are the ones who provide the opportunity for their children to reach the heights of excellence. They take extra time to help their children identify their strengths and encourage them to reach their dreams. They are always there to pick up the pieces when things go wrong and often volunteer to do the same for the children of working mom’s. Indeed they should be commended for the investment of time and energy which they so patiently and freely give. By their deeds they subtly teach us all the values of love, compassion, generosity, kindness, helpfulness, creativity and passion to a growing generation.

In addition, moms at home are often responsible for everything that happens at home – the cleaning, the groceries, the maintenance, the finances etc. They adopt numerous roles – taxi, doctor, dietician, nurse, disciplinarian, teacher, counsellor, children’s projects co-ordinator, gardener, builder, plumber and advisor, not to mention the main role of being a mentor to their children. They usually support every member of their household in selfless ways by doing odd jobs which their family hasn’t the time for. Meals, dry cleaning and various errands are just a call away.

I often bump into moms who are fatigued, fretful and ready to give up this way of life. I want to say... PLEASE DON’T GIVE UP THIS IMPORTANT ROLE! Your contribution is vital to our communities. Please take care to look after yourself well and remember - “A jug cannot pour anything if it is empty!”

You, dear ‘Mom at home’, are an angel in this difficult world! You are the heart of our society. We need you desperately! That little human being, whom you hold in your arms, will eventually grow up. With your help, he/she will fully become that amazing person who they have been created to be. Your child will look back and know the hands that shaped him/her and, in turn, will hopefully take good care with his/her own offspring.

A FRIEND IN NEED

I received the following story, via email, recently. I am not sure who wrote it, but the story is profound and worth sharing. Hopefully it will inspire us all to reach out to others in friendship...

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,
I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.
His name was Kyle.
It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.' I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives. 'He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends
He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! 'He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.. When we were seniors we began to think about college.
Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship...

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great.He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. 'thanks,' he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told them about the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved.My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

SPECIAL MOMENTS

There are moments in our lives which we would like to simply pause, so that we can etch them into our memories permanently.

This was one of them...a couple of years ago. These two chickens were hatched in our home - in an incubator which my daughter designed. I never thought I'd say that I would love chickens, but these two I did! This is a picture of the two of them - after I'd bathed them and dried them with a hair-dryer. (Yes, chickens can be bathed and blow-dried! Indeed they love it!)

The chickens were eventually sent to a farmyard - to peck out their lives, in luxury, with other similar creatures.

LONELINESS

You can be around people, plenty of people, but still be lonely.

Loneliness happens, in the mind, when a sense of isolation has developed and when that person’s thoughts become marginalised. It happens too when you think others around you understand you and then you discover that this is not the case. It happens when you think others are interested in your thoughts and then you discover that their wavelength is totally different from your own.

Loneliness is a horrible place. It’s about a sense of abandonment, a hankering and about putting up walls to protect the soul. It’s about being less than half a person. Human beings are social creatures and made to connect with partners.

In contrast, a soul-mate, is someone who connects with you on a deep mental level. When this happens, emotions follow suit and you realise that the loneliness has left. You realise that your life can be shared and witnessed, after all.

Loneliness is conquered this way... when a soul mate is found. The connection happens and the person is granted the freedom to allow their body to show the changes and to truly connect with the other person. Marriage was intended to celebrate that partnership in a public manner.

The unfortunate thing is that the social convention of marriage and the commitment required by society doesn’t recognise the sense of extreme isolation which comes from loneliness. Society has few crutches for this dreadful condition.

When someone is lonely and you are observant, you will literally see that person wither away. Unfortunately there are few observant people.

Loneliness is death to life!

FOR YOU...

I'll Paint You A Rainbow
Grace E. Easley

I'll paint you a rainbow to hang on the wall,
to brighten your heart when the gray shadows fall.
On a canvas of joy outlasting the years,
with a soft brush of sweetness to dry all your tears.
I'll paint you a rainbow with colors of smiles
That glow with sincerity over the miles.
On a palette of words I will tenderly blend
Tones into treasures of sunlight and wind.

I'll paint you a rainbow that reaches so wide,
Your sights and your sorrows will vanish inside,
And deep in the center of each different hue,
A memory fashioned especially for you.
So lift up your eyes, for suspended above,
A rainbow designed by the fingers of love...

WOW...IT REALLY RAINED!

The little stream, below our house, came down in absolute flood the other day...

This was after three hours of pelting rain! The taps in the sky had been opened up full throttle. Indeed some poor person's garden wall landed up on the other side of their street after the water had dammed up behind their wall. The power of water is truly amazing!

UP RAG PROCESSION-click on image to enlarge

The University of Pretoria's Rag procession took place on Saturday afternoon. People lined the streets to see the various ingenious creations of dedicated students. Each float was a masterpiece, finally presented to the public after many hours of painstaking labour. Congratulations to all you amazing students and thank you for your entertainment! We enjoyed it thoroughly!!

UP RAG PROCESSION-click on image to enlarge

...WINNERS!!!!: NERINA/MOPANIE!!!!

UP RAG PROCESSION

The University of Pretoria's Rag Procession was held on Saturday afternoon 31st January 2009. The floats were extremely impressive. I thought I'd put a few pictures up on this blog for all to see.