89 Posts
That could be the name of a local rock band! But is it in fact the subject of my blog tonight. We live in an amazing place, not far from expansive farmlands that are gradually being urbanised and developed into large sprawling homesteads on small plots of ground, where one could touch the neighbour's upstairs bedroom window, with an outstretched arm. It is almost as if people are afraid to be apart, I have so often noticed this phenomenon in the local shopping centre parking, loads of parking spaces and someone will park me in.
My daughter has a tutor for her maths, and it is my privilege to drive her there once a week. I particularly enjoy this trip because this teacher and her husband live on a farm with horses and abundant birdlife and an expansive view that stretches across open land down to the sea below. Within five minutes drive I can be back in the local shopping centre for lunch with a friend. My daughter is currently looking after the animals and horses on the farm as the owners are away on a short holiday. She is petite and courageous, totally in her element putting the night blankets on the horses and feeding them on the cold early mornings instead of staying in bed late during this short winter recess. She is very excited about her exam results and we have been completing the university application forms for a study program in veterinerary science. I have seen determination written across her forehead and I am backing her fully. It may take years off my life, but it is better to try to live one's dream, we only get one chance at it.
I have lived in this valley for most of my life and the suburb has grown immensely. It is very sad when large tracts of land suddenly fall under the hammer and are shredded and cemented into densely packed designer houses, all conforming to the architects idea of modern living. The exterior must match, and it is difficult to tell one house from another. Streets are named after some extinct flower or bird that was eliminated in the name of progress. People move from inner cities to the countryside and then complain about the remnants of nature be it animal or bird that is either eating the garden or waking them from slumber. Result: some of those prehistoric birds adapt, and are now finding out the benefits of bird trays put out for them, and saline swimming pools instead of the waterways now piped and redirected elsewhere.
It is said that as we become more wealthy we develop an interest in "green issues". Mostly that is the colour of money. Sadly we have an example of that where a completely endangered flamingo colony is threatened by a huge township development. The mayor of the town is not bowing to the pressure of conservationists because he blatantly stated on a talk show that no flamingos will stand in the way of a 2 billion rand venture. The birds will have to move somewhere else.
As we have observed with the recent events in the country just north of South Africa, if people are dispensible, why would animals be any less so. So tonight was a heartwarming time for me, as my brave daughter optimistically wrote out her motivation for wishing to study further. Her deep love for the animals that adore her back, and her sense of the future well-being of all living creatures puts hope back into my heart. And if I am ever offered the opportunity to live on a farm, surrounded by these wonderful creatures I would be in my element too. Oh well, at least it is only a five minute ride after all.  Live your dream, love from Eve.
Another day in "Paradise"....
Today was a very long day, albeit we are at minimum daylight hours. My weekly visit to a different company, I don't think I have been this drained for a while. It seems as if the work ethic in that office is alive and well, eight and a half hours straight with no lunch break. The energy seems to come from somewhere. Where it really shows is when I sit in front of the telly after dinner. It has a hypnotic effect on me, and is so soothing I can be asleep as soon as the first batch of really bad commercials hit the screen. Sometimes though the adverts are better than the movie. My family are very self-contained and if the television was switched off we would not miss it. There are days where it is only turned on for the 7pm news, and then the various overseas news channels are also scanned for what is happening in the world. My daughter is working and studying, my son is studying in the morning and putting his skills to practice in the afternoons and is again glued to his computer in the evenings. The sitting room is quiet as they keep to their corners of the house. My father is perfecting his recording skills and is about to cut his first CD on his piano in his domain. I love to hear him playing, as it is very nostalgic and makes a house into a family home. He is very modest but he is getting better and better. I have learned something new on Excel today. (It sounds funny, but I believe it is good to learn one new thing every day no matter how small!).
Our domestic scene surrounding me is something like this: four dogs on various dog blankets and a sofa especially set aside for them, clean covers on a regular basis, and a little black and white cat, almost feral, is grooming the youngest canine member of the family. They both arrived on our doorstep in bedraggled and near death states, and have bonded in spite of their differences. Jed and Wally have warm winter coats on. The one bar of the gas heater is all they need to stretch out in blissful contentment. Oh and the poor long suffering man of the house is in a deep sleep, he's also taking a bit of a knock with the cold early mornings. I am so lucky that he brings me a cup of tea first thing. After that it is everyone to themselves. Routine is a great leveller in the realm of great expectations of what married life offers. Domestic bliss, not, I am mostly away from home, except to catch up on the weekends and to prepare for another week. There is no choice actually. Keeping our heads above water takes precedence, and I am keeping up with modern office technology, which is useful.
We go out to work everyday and the dogs guard the house in return for home comforts. We are glad we have our furry companions who go completely hysterical if they hear an unusual noise, day or night. One of our near neighbours was severely assaulted in his bed in the middle of the night recently by knife wielding assailants. I hope our dogs are alert enough to save our lives one day, something they appear willing to do every time somebody even touches our front gate or rings the doorbell.
There is so much political unrest and uncertainty at the moment in the north of our country, and on the home front there are hefty increases in our mortgage loans, prime lending rates, petrol and electricity. My boss is full of the woes of a pending collapse of the property industry. I have offered to work three days instead of four for the same pay to help with her budgetry constraints, lol. Of course none of the above is funny, but hey, while we wait for paydays, at least the time is slowing down for now. I am not capable of holding the world on my shoulders and I need all the energy I can get to make it through another working day. So for as long as the employment can last, bring it on! Perhaps one day I can lay me down and get a real rest. Wake me up when the movie starts though!!.
Tip for the day: It's not our job to carry the world alone on our shoulders, but if we all hold a tiny piece, perhaps we can make a difference in a positive and uplifting way.
So keep on smiling, love from Eve on the other side of "Paradise" 
Deep down south we are freezing our butts off
The mad man is shouting and we can't do nothing
The sun aint shining and it's very cold
Just change our agenda, smiles all around
don't eat ice cream, choose hot chocolate instead
Ignore the angry man who's losing his head
don't worry tomorrow the sun will shine again
Somethings going down in Africa, it's not looking good
Early mornings, long working days, school holidays are here
Drink hot chocolate instead and don't rise early from your warm bed
Will somebody, anybody do something about this man
Birds are clever, they are already pairing for the Spring
winter fynbos is in full bloom, roadtrips loom
and a coldfront is approaching from the Atlantic
Why is he still ruling a country in pain, where is democracy today
Stay indoors and weather the storm, just as the forecast warns
hot chocolate with muffins are the best, I am so grateful for the rest....
Who is this man, who rules a country in pain???
Enjoy the holidays, hope it all works out for the best.,
brave citizens of Z, your suffering is soon to end
when winter ends the summer follows, we will eat ice-cream again.
I promise.
Love from Eve
THE JOURNEY
This morning I climbed from my lofty bed; thankful for the roof overhead,
The night storms still passing above; first light exposing how rough,
The weather is always bad this time of the year; cold wet winters are the norm
I have grown to love the north westerly fronts; when I can close my door against them
And set a cup of warmth before me; a steaming bowl of promises
I've always taken on the challenges; this winter's day is like no other
And though I feel the comfort of home; and dread the thought of leaving
I know how blessed I am; with the milk of human kindness
I witnessed this morning with a cold grasp; of the other side, a man with a trolley
Pushing aloft his treasure; is it shopping you may ask
It is piled high with heavy wet branches; he must propel in driving rain
His objective is to get warm again; the great divide is very plain
And though our paths may cross; and our purpose may be dual
Mine is of such a minor scale; whilst his suffering is very cruel.
Eve (c)2008
I wish everyone a safe passage through the winter of their lives, may they find a warm haven to be safe in.
Love from Eve, South Africa
We have reached the winter solstice in the south. As much as the north is enjoying the longest day, we are about to experience the longest night. There are great preparations in this house to complete a project that has been keeping us busy for a number of weeks, the restoration of a bedroom cracked at it's seams. In a poetic manner somehow the walls cracking were symbolic of the turmoil of the occupant of the room, my daughter. She has weathered the storm of her life, and is now starting fresh. Her colour scheme is an appropriate choice for the cold weather we are experiencing at this time of the year. Think of plum and burgandy, majestic violet and slow dance. All the colours she has chosen, and how these beautiful warm colours are blending to make her room look splendid and cosy at the same time. The eye can convince the brain that all coldness is dispelled in a room full of rich vibrant colours.
We are not cold in this house. We are fortunate to have a gas heater, hot water, warm food and one another for company. Beds with winter linen and a sturdy roof over our heads. We are blessed with the fruits of our labour. Being DIY nuts, it is our labour that keeps us up until midnight finishing off projects that are shelved because of a busy working week. By keeping busy the winter is flying by. Tomorrow the room will be completed and hopefully the princess will be able to hibernate there comfortably for the remainder of winter. She is suitably appreciative and I am hoping that the disrupted household will return to normality after the decluttering of a teenage bedroom is finally sorted. We have quite a long way to go with the rest of the house as my father has offloaded the contents of his home too. There will be cause for celebration when we are finished with the big tidy-up, candles and wine would be appropriate. A friend of mine recently commented how much she loved winter. That is great if one has a roof over one's head, warm clothing and all the home comforts that make winter fun. Not fun for everyone though.
To commemorate this longest cold night, I have a poem to share.
DISGRACE
The rain is falling silently
There is a storm on the way
The clouds are building on the horizon
Wind is beginning to whip the day
Night is due within hours
And we will lock our doors
Venture out only if you must
This storm velocity roars
DISGRACE is not a well used word
It is likened to a storm
It is cold comfort in the night
DISGRACE is the devil's form
It is the tail of a dog caught stealing
Headlines of a newspaper revealing
The weeping of a man deceiving
A child distraught with grieving
It is likened to a storm above
Indiscriminate betrayal of love
Cold and sinister, no recourse
Disgrace is blame, nature's force.
Eve (c) 2008
And thus friends, the longest night of the year for us has just begun. Time to close the curtains, put on the gas heater and forget our troubles until tomorrow. Our four dogs and one cat are very grateful for the comforts that their two- legged human family are fond of enjoying on these cold nights. No venturing out tonight!
Greetings from the Southern Hemisphere, next stop Antarctica!
Notes on raising a Child....
I thought a lot about what I wrote about childhood innocence and how in its purest form it is strong and unbreakable. I know that my description was meant within the context of a secure and loving homelife, where all the ten commandments are a part of daily living. There is not a mention of "thy shalt not abuse the trust of thy children, nor take away innocence before the time is right". Call it the 11th commandment. What if this was entrenched firmly in the brains of apparent God- fearing people, would the abusers of the trust placed in them when caring for our children think twice about what they were doing? Would they stop abusing innocence?
It seems that rules are made to be broken. Sometimes by even highlighting a no-go zone, people delight in defying the rules. We still have murders, incest, infidelity, greed and deception. All fall under the heading of "Abuse of Trust". I believe this is the biggest vice of all. If a child has learnt betrayal through the inconceivable act of an adult laying hands upon them in a sexual manner and then being made to believe it is their secret and shameful, this is a crime of life-changing magnitude. All other petty crimes emanate from adults who behave badly. If their behaviour is not exemplary in the presence of a child, the child will absorb these vices like a sponge. If the child is not corrected, the no-longer innocent person will grow into a lifestyle lacking guilt and rather a strong sense of justification of why the anti-social behaviour is okay, because behaving like an innocent person is showing a weakness of character.
Children are the closest to where we have come from, and it is wonderful to see how they communicate with one another in the infant stages, very sweet and caring. As they grow they tend to imitate us, and their behaviours also tend towards the personality they are born with. If the child is living in a family who detests human weakness, it could manifest in the playground, where bullies first try out their new found ability to intimidate others. Unfortunately some adults will delight in making a child grow up before the time, and infer that they are readly for childhood romances, and even decide who the child would date. Why destroy innocence so soon? Comparison of one child with another is another loss of innocence. Isolation from siblings and a lack of family bonding is a loss of innocence. Children who grow up in a home lacking in love and attention lose their innocence when they see what they are lacking in another family.
My own mother was an only child and she hated it. She insisted that my brothers and I appreciate one another, as we were indeed fortunate to have one another to grow up with. I enjoyed my secure childhood as long as differences between us were not highlighted. School is a loss of innocence, when we are forced to compete for a place in the ranks.
All of my examples are merely a part of growing up. If we have all the factors that make us stronger, we can still remain innocent to a certain degree. A loving family will easily dispel fears about the challenges we face everyday. But if we have suffered "abuse of trust" by an adult, innocence is lost forever. An unforgiveable rite of passage, and anyone capable of such a deed is deserving of the punishment afterwards when named and shamed.
All is not lost if the victim is carefully counselled and loved, but one cannot ever restore innocence lost. It is never to late to have a happy childhood, when we are given the opportunity to enjoy it again with our innocent children. A precious gift indeed.
~Evelyn Du Val~
Yesterday it poured with rain. Buckets in fact. Which suited the mood. It was a very sombre and biting day because of the afternoon that loomed. To celebrate the life of a child, who had not learned how painful parting could be, no matter how grown up we become. He knew adult suffering, but as adults soothed him and guided him he never let on how much he was struggling with his illness. He dealt with his circumstances with an extraordinary sense of knowing. He was enfolded in a family's love, and the love of his Jesus who became the shining star, his guide and his reason for being alive, and finally taken to rest. He wanted to leave with a message that Jesus is alive. Even the hardest heart could see the benefits of a belief that could take one to the other side and still leave those left behind feeling a sense of peace and awe that a young child could be so reassuring to those who were left behind that he had gained through his passing.
We sat in a Church hall that filled to capacity and stared into a corner of the wall. Empty and desolate but still reassuring with flowers and symbols, and spiritual songs telling us that where we are in our lives. Everything had been prepared and carefully orchestrated, in the correct manner that these events demand. My heart was already gutted at seeing his large school bus parked outside and his schoolmates in uniform and wearing yellow sashes. We were there to remember him and to comfort his family. In a heartwarming way it was the family who comforted us. His brave and dedicated mother had remarked to their pastor who was present at his passing that he had now become everyone's child.
I am aware of how he will now become ageless. I experienced a loss of a young boy who was a cub of mine years ago. When I commiserated with his mother afterwards, she spoke of his sense of knowing, his calmness in the week that preceded his accidental death. She felt he was prepared. I was so fond of him and being young myself I mourned his passing for many years. Every child I saw the same age gave me a pang that he was no longer alive. That is the sad part about a premature death. All the contemporaries move on and grow up. Those who were close to the child never see him growing up and he does indeed remain a child forever.
As I sat there and watched the photos on a screen behind the podium flicker through his life and listened to the soothing words of the pastor about the meaning of life and death, I gradually found meaning in the large group of congregation, close family and friends from all parts of his life that had gathered together. We collectively made the entire event sweep into a bonding moment where we all understood why we had to say goodbye, and move forward with no regrets. There was a power that crept into my sadness and I felt so thankful that caring people could take time out of their busy lives and come together to really comfort each other. I left wanting more...
Of course now that I look deeply into the eyes of this child who quietly slipped away, I see his picture radiates a confidence that he had a message that we should not forget. Childish innocence is the least fragile of all and we have a duty to ensure that we cherish the wisdom and clarity that is frequently expressed and sometimes can take our breath away, as in the expression "out of the mouths of babes". Listen to what they are saying, for their words may be the truth we are always looking for once we grow into maturity.
Innocent love may disappear and be replaced with a different kind of love, but the child in all of us still knows where we come from. And with the strength I witnessed in a bereaved family who made the celebration of their precious child's life so special, I knew that he expected and received nothing less. Love one another with all your heart, that is all that is expected of us.
Take good care of yourselves, Love from Eve
Interesting question I ask often when people tend to squabble about petty differences. Unfortunately the single thought can escalate through a growing consensus of opinion, without analysing the real reason for the particular difference that sparked the debate, which becomes a feud and eventually a nation at war with foreign intruders or within its own borders. Indeed love is a word we tend to overlook when we take leave of our senses to follow the crowd baying for blood.
I have always dared to be different. It does me no good actually. But sometimes keeping your head when all around are losing theirs (apologies to Rudyard Kipling, and yes, pun intended) can be a very interesting exercise. For a more simpler example, when you have prepared for a difficult examination and all around you the questions and last minute discussions about what you should have studied are causing the level of panic to rise to a dangerous level after which you cannot remember anything you studied at all. Worse, when the exam is written all kinds of fear about failing sets in when you hear what answers others have given. Fortunately I always prepared well for my exams and the one percent inspiration and ninety nine perspiration always paid off. Turns out I would get a high mark and suddenly the worst case scenario didn't materialise after all. I kept my head!
When we are in a crowd, it is human nature to want to be part of the group. Notice how quickly a crowd of people will amass to hear one charismatic person talk. When one person is a legend as in the entertainment industry or even in a theological or spiritual sense, all sense of individuality disappears. It is cool to worship an idol on a mass scale. I am not criticising the concept because in the right circumstances it is great to feel as though we belong to one great human race, with love as the common theme.
Sadly in this country the true test of an elected group to act in a humane and compassionate manner because of the power they were entrusted with has failed to deliver. When the chips are down, we only have each other after all. Like the inn that was full, there is no real help forthcoming after the mass of support has dissipated into their own lives again. Long after promises are made and people base their vote of confidence on those promises, the truth seeps in. In a group, they are powerful, swept along by the strength in numbers. Break down the unity and there is no delivery. We are alone when misery steps in.
I weep for the homeless people freezing at the edge of the ocean, who played their last card in trying to find a safe passage to a land that would give them a life where they could live in peace and put down roots without being harassed and murdered because of being different. Their own countries are subjected to genocide. What can they do? They are at breaking point.
The United Nations cannot promise them a new home. The asylum seekers may only take refuge in one donor country. There are no more options. Go back home, or stay in a hostile country, where long term safety is not guaranteed. What's love got to do with it? Very little, and that is sad.
Just as a little boy challenged the Emperor's new suit of clothing, so political dissenters will step up to the podium and tell the truth at great risk to their personal safety. Somehow though, their love shows through in that they are prepared to risk being labelled a rabble rouser in order to expose the lies of those who will deceive with false promises.
I wish I could save the world, but sometimes the truth hurts. I am useless on my own. We each have to be sure about our love for one another and act on it when we see an injustice, whether in the playground or in the boardroom. We must choose our leaders based on facts and not because it is the popular thing to do. Love is easy when we do all things for all the right reasons. It may just start a new movement in the right direction after all. This world of ours needs all the love it can get.
I am so distressed with seeing broken bodies, starved of love and compassion, and worse beaten into submission for the ideals of meglomaniacs. Sociopaths are good at what they do. They are good looking and smart. Their words are well enunciated, and the tone is warm and encouraging. The men aspire to be them and women fall in love with them. They surround themselves with people who will do their bidding and their methods of keeping loyalty are covered up.
Why so deep today? Because I have found out the hard way that promises made by those in authority are usually empty. We may as well be listening to a recorded message. Remember to always have a plan that will work for you when disaster threatens. Save for the rainy day, work to earn your own living, live on the top of the hill and keep your own counsel. Surround yourself by those who love you and believe in yourself.
Love has everything to do with it and it all starts with a single thought:
"Purity of heart and mind is the basis of love."
We are all capable of so much more! Follow your heart, love from Eve 
June 7th 2008. My previous posting is a reminder of how to continue living in the face of bereavement. After I had posted it I remembered what today means to us as a family. My late maternal grandfather's birthday was today. My late mother-in-law's birthday was yesterday, believe it or not she passed a day later, the 7th June at the age of 70. We had in fact been celebrating her special birthday just hours before. And 7 years later to the day, my fahter-in-law passed. How could he know the significance of that date? He was in hospital with a heart condition and had lost his short-term memory. Indeed when he died we felt as if he had been called by his life companion. He had been spared his earthly life for exactly another 7 years. I find it difficult therefore not to believe that everything is pre-ordained. Sometime though it is said that when we become older we live looking forward to a significant day or event in our lives. Perhaps my mother-in-law had decided that 70 was a very good milestone and that is what kept her heart going. So often a person dies the day after a milestone birthday. Do we make a pact with ourselves?
Why though, the significance of the number seven? There is a superstition that if we break a mirror we will experience seven years of bad luck. I have worked at my current job for seven years, and it felt like a very stressful time in my life. My mother passed on, after her sell-by date was reached (she said 70 years was sell-by, whatever!) and my daughter was abused and nearly took her own life two years later. I actually believe her self-esteem was low resulting from the sudden departure of my mother who worshipped her being the only grandaughter out of six grandchildren. The maternal bond is very strong. Then my brother took his life a year after this. I also believe my mother was his rock, after his married life never really advanced from the honeymoon stage, and faltered at the altar. When the ring is on the finger, the facade drops and the truth about one another sets in. If one has not spent a length of time with an intended marriage partner, the hasty marriage can become a millstone!
Ok, so I am not quite sure what the significance of this date and the number seven is after all. I have rambled on a bit, but life is a mystery after all. There are more questions that answers. But somehow when the dates fall into a pattern, and a number that is deemed perfect in a biblical sense features in life-changing events such as births and deaths, I have to believe everything is for a reason.
I treasure the memories of those who have passed, and this is a perfect day to do so. Rest in peace. Love from Eve.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I wasn't sure how to word my blog topic today. We have had a terribly sad event in "Paradise" this week, a death of a child. Any parent who has suffered such a loss is tested beyond the capacity and endurance of love and what it means to be able to love when it hurts so much. When my husband and I decided to get married we met an elderly priest (now passed) who agreed to perform the ceremony. We attended his sermons on many a Sunday after that and were amazed at his depth of perception and wisdom about life and the chances we take on a daily basis. Indeed after every sermon his congregation would sit both in tears and yet buoyed up full of hope and love that everything is for a reason. On one particular Sunday he told the story of a family who had lost a precious child to illness. In their distraught state they questioned the love of God and if so why bad things could happen to make us wonder why life was even worth living. His reply was "to love is to hurt". It does not help to put ourselves into a box and shut off all emotions. We have to take a chance of love. There is no-one immune to pain and suffering and death is a fact of life. He reminded us that life is a daily challenge and love is what makes us get through the day. So many people lose out on life because they are afraid to take a chance on love. Life is happening as we speak, so enjoy every moment of it with people who can be loving and caring, and that teaspoon of sugar will make you feel infinitely better. I will be attending this young man's funeral on Tuesday. He was 12 years old, hardly you might say a young man, but in my eyes he earned the title because of his extreme bravery and the wonderful years he gave his family whilst growing up. I am hoping in the years to come his memory lives on as that is indeed a way of honouring his life.
On the flip side of this sad story there are two remaining young adult children in the bereaved family. I know that this particular family who are secure and loving will take strength from each other and remember to also honour the living. I often questioned why in years gone by the senior generation to mine seemed dour and unable to show emotion and a softer side. So often when on their deathbed they express their love for family members and ask for forgiveness for not displaying their true feelings of deep love for them when opportunities were there.
I watched a movie the other night that partly clarified why this happened. Before the advent of modern medicine, life expectancy was not much more than age 45. Mothers died in childbirth, children were orphaned and the mortality rate for children and teenagers was high. Indeed an outbreak of influenza spelled death to thousands. Nowadays the life expectancy has risen to 70+ and infant and childhood mortality has dropped considerably in Firstworld countries. So gloriously we can now express love towards our children, and live without the constant fear we may lose them to some unexpected epidemic or outbreak of a common disease that kept populations down in the past. The particular mother in the movie I was watching was accused by her grown-up daughter of not showing any emotions, of not wishing to be touched or hugged, and instead of being a good parent she was feared by her children. She explained that she never cried when her two youngest children died, and merely decided she would turn her numbness into strength. That meant no tears, and not showing any emotions. By shutting off that part of her, she forgot to love her living children. That strength was in fact a weakness, and over the growing years she became insensitive to those around her, believing she was a stronger person for dealing with life issues in a decisive and emotionless manner. Intense discipline can however become a tight knot in our stomachs and our hearts can turn to stone.
I have spoken to surviving siblings who vehemently stress that the child who had died seemed to take priority in the mind of the parents. Whilst honouring the dead child who suddenly became saintly, the living children stood in the shadow of his or her memories. Thus, if a favorite flower is picked, remember to take care of the remaining flowers. The garden needs nurturing to continue to blossom and grow. It cannot do so without love. Take a chance on love today and show your love to those that matter to you. Hug the child in all of us! Our loved ones who are taken from us prematurely are already in a another garden most lovingly prepared for us all one day.
And so dear friends, my thought for the day is this:
" TAKE A CHANCE ON LOVE - IT WILL REAP DIVIDENDS!"
Love from Eve in "Paradise"
Wow, we are into the sixth month of the year. In this neck of the woods, that means we are three and a bit month's away from Spring. How is everyone doing? Same old routine, going through the motions? Now if it is the baby's first year, he or she would already be sitting up, saying a few words and sleeping through the night.
Since we are not babies I am almost sure that nothing in the development of our minds or abilities has changed. Except for students already preparing for mid- year exams here in the South, at least in the North that is year -end exams. It is amazing how fast the year can pass when one is busy. My daughter is writing her final two exams in November and thus will be finished with formal schooling by then. We are planning a short holiday to a game park as an end of school treat, and I am becoming anxious as we have not booked the accommodation yet. If we do not hurry up all the year end holiday destinations will be full. Indeed we live in a very special place where the outdoors beckons no matter what the season. We have not experienced freezing weather yet, but plenty of good solid rain which is always welcome in a mediterranean climate. We have a water shortage during the summer and all precipitation is welcome.
I am a teensy bit envious of the summer in the North, but hey I am actually a winter babe! I was born in the southern hemisphere in time for a full on winter, I believe my mother had three weeks of solid rain to contend with as a gift from my unexpected early arrival. I always enjoy the cold and rain. It leaves one with a good excuse to stays indoors and relax. It is perfectly acceptable to wear all kinds of fleesy clothing and blankets and eat huge carbo- loaded meals to keep warm. Hot soups and different kinds of local spicey cuisine together with red wine or muskadel around a roaring fire. On the clear days the sky is as blue and clear as ever and a thin sun can still have a warming effect. The horizon appears to be lower and the afternoon sun slants across the garden much earlier. We react like the animals in hibernation and turn up the heating and put on the lights earlier once the sun dips down beyond the skyline. My washing of course now takes longer to dry, but there is no pressure. After a long day at work it is absolutely divine to return home to a welcoming meal and settle in front of the telly early.
The baby is definitely well into the routine by now. After all these years the conditioning never fails. Winter is merely an extension of the summer, the time to take stock of all that we have worked hard for in the warm months, and whatever can withstand the winter storms is a true test of how we are doing. So far so good....
Wishing you golden days no matter the weather, love from Eve in "Paradise".
Ah another year older, I have been 29 on the 29th forever, but agreed it was finally time to turn thirty. The family and my colleagues at work and especially my boss were so kind and I had a really enjoyable birthday. The winter weather always sets in and true to form it was a cold and wet day. I received all kinds of interesting gifts, a book by my favorite author, an electric blanket for keeping warm at night, a double of course, I share everything with the better half. He actually was quite out of the birthday scene as he had an early morning appointment and I had work as usual. It was so wonderful to enjoy a lunch out with my boss the day before and we did not discuss work at all. Pizzas and champagne for lunch in the office on the day! Then yesterday evening a small group of close family went out to supper, my father's treat, no cooking and it was so relaxing. I have some birthday cash to jingle in my pocket and so the birthday shopping beckons.
I fall under the starsign of Gemini, and yes, we do want to rule the world. Well those of us with the split personalities. I definitely can multi-task, and the grandiose personality emanates from the repressed free spirit. Here I can fly and express myself! I thought I would either write a poem to me for my birthday, or do a little quiz. The thing is I can never decide which is my favorite colour. I can look good in blue and I really do like the colour sky blue. Orange like the beautiful sunsets and the warmth it exudes also makes it my favorite color. So I have two favorite colors. Every birthday card I received had some cute animal pic, so I guess I am a recognised animal lover. Ok, and both the restaurants we patronised specialised in seafood, and I do not particularly enjoy seafood as a first choice. I wonder if my better half could answer the quiz, I somehow doubt it.
And now for a poem:
On turning 30++ (yeah right!)
Who are we?
We are who we are
and we get what we pay for
we also pay for what we get
I care for me and I care for you
I care for you more than me
thus if I am more than one person
That is a good thing to be
Enjoy life and don't live for one
spread wings in the great sky
live by the sun and never die
before the time... because life is fun!
Eve (c) 2008
( Apologies,no wonder I was given wavy candles on my birthday cake).
Take care everyone!! Love from Eve
It's a bit of a blue week in "Paradise". Firstly a wave of misery- struck humanity has encamped themselves on the ocean's edge due to criminals who hide behind the term "xenophobia" to bully fellow Africans into believing they are a menace and unwelcome in the "Rainbow Nation". Men women and children are now homeless and distraught because of the warped opinions of citizens of this country who acted on jealousy and greed to terrorise these people into believing they should leave. As the world is, I believe, mostly inhabited by good people, there is a mass of sympathy and support for the victims, both by the government and the man in the street.
I am upset because these good people are no different to anyone else, except that they built up businesses and managed to eke out a living in a harsh world where we all start with nothing and die with even less. Unfortunately there are always going to be people who act on differences, whether it be looks, popularity, brains or simply one's birthright. What is birthright? Simply rules made by civilised communities. Unfortunately that right is misused. We all have a right to be born, be safe and happy and live in a non-judgemental society where everyone belongs. An uncivilised society does not have law and order. When laws are made and not upheld we are going backwards. If I could rule the world, (haha), there would be a law against discrimination of any kind. Of course laws are supposed to uphold a basic human right, in theory but in practise, we all operate under our own set of laws. If a person dares to be different, he or she is immediately sidelined. The "fear of rejection" is the key to conformity. Conformity is an unwritten law and it exists!
I am celebrating another year of life this week. Unfortunately I am not partial to switching into an over the top party mood, in fact my birthday always makes me a bit depressed. I think back to happier times, when my family was bigger and my mother was alive. I have been missing her more that any other time of the year. We have been so incredibly busy too and as a result more accident prone. I injured my nose after tripping on some steps on Sunday evening whilst finishing a day's chores and that was the last straw. On Monday I went to work feeling very self-conscious, but the show had to go on. Everything mechanical is breaking down in the house, all part of a topsy turvy week, where all I can think of are those poor displaced families. My life is easier, but again, how easy it is to become the brunt of hatred and ostracism.
We are supposed to celebrate life and be thankful for what we've got, but there is something missing. If we could truly celebrate our differences all the time in a true and meaningful way, then life for everyone could be a party. Oh well, I'll have a pretend party in "Paradise" and everyone is welcome. Enjoy life! Love from Eve
Ok, now it is three mornings with little or no water. I mentioned yesterday that the lightning had damaged the reservoir pumps. Seems as if the engineer has to climb up there every morning to manually switch them on. After living in this valley for the best part of my life it is really amusing how some things never change. And quaint as that may seem there are people who have to commute over mountains every day, myself following that route once a week over a pass. The view from the top is stunning, but I only really noticed it on my afternoon ascent this week on my way home, as so consumed with the journey and intent on the task ahead, I failed to concentrate on the surrounding scenery. We climb invisible mountains everyday, it is a pity we could not get a glimpse at the top every now to enable us to see the bigger picture. On this mountain top I could see the valley stretching out below, with a early sunset beginning to turn orange and the sun at a level with my eyes that it almost blinded me. After a long day at work I felt as if I was in an aeroplane on take-off. Actually quite exhilarating and a way of letting off steam to trundle through the twists and turns of a road leading me home at the end of the day.
I was thinking about how our lives go through different stages in which we appear to be stuck in a rut and wonder if life will be ever different and then suddenly we are at the end of the road, in the valley, so to speak. I have witnessed elderly relatives cut down on possessions and settle for less as they prepare for retirement. No more climbing mountains. A home with no stairs and a tiny living room. And it is as if the brain down scales with less expectations and more relaxation. I am so worried that it will seem like a small death when I reach that stage. I am hoping that because of the natural aging process that this slowing down will be painless and unnoticeable. Sadly when people pass on and their obituary fills a page, I wonder if regret formed a large part of the last chapter of their lives or does the mountain gradually slope downwards and deposit them on the level without them noticing it.
Of course we are most equipped for the difficult challenges when we peak in our twenties and thirties, and that is when the mountain is not an issue. The forties and fifties these days, health permitting, are equally effortless. When we reach the sixties and seventies the mountain still appeals, but the ascent is slower. We prefer to take the longer route around the bottom. All a matter of genetic engineering possibly. The good news is that some of my family in their seventies are still preferring to travel over the mountain and are showing no signs of settling for the home on the straight yet. I had a uncle who started to travel the world when he was in his eighties, and a great grandfather of mine travelled over from the UK to this country in his nineties. My own father moved out of the retirement home where he and my late mother had settled. He said it was too depressing. He lives with us now and is seldom home with all the activities and travelling he enjoys.
The message then is to remember to climb every mountain and when you reach the bottom, climb the next one. That way there will be no time for regrets. Enjoy life, love from Eve
Oh heavens two mornings without water. We are early risers and I usually have the bathroom shift in the morning. Today to my horror we were only able to use whatever remained from the kettle for our ablutions. Apparently the water pumps at a local reservoir were affected by lightining during a thunderstorm at lunchtime two days ago. You'd think we'd learned by the first cut off and kept a bucket of water for emergencies. Of course the water would be restored later in the day, but after the working deadlines have passed. I was in a bit of a flurry as I needed to be presentable for the shift day at my new firm. My daughter sympathised with my panic and managed to fill a half a bucket of water from the hot taps and I actually managed quite well. It's amazing how much water is wasted and we are constantly advised to use it sparingly. I did not feel too bad because I had it relatively easy compared to the homeless who have to steal water or those who do not have water on tap. For just once I felt a fraction of the discomfort those poor folks endure every day in an effort to make their way into a difficult world further complicated by extreme poverty.
And to make matters worse we have a huge problem with refugees pouring into this country and now being the target of xenopohbic attacks. Bad enough that they are forced to leave their homes and flee their home country, because of political unrest but then they are facing further ostracism and murder in a new country. I am so saddened because the locals are also fearing for their jobs and livelihoods and are unwilling to share with somebody who may just be better than them and work for much less reward. It's a trait of humans not to see the bigger picture. Nobody should ever worry about someone stealing their job as bosses will only employ the best. Unfortunately the employers keep a tight rein on the number they are prepared to employ. I have often found that once I secured a position in a firm, how everyone seemed to be overworked and underpaid. If it is so difficult to find a good job, why then the shortage of staff. If the company is making profits it is surely better to make sure that the employees are not worked to death and made to feel guilty for taking sick leave and annual leave. If a boss was clever he would employ more people and make sure that everyone got a slice of the pie. Sorry for the food reference, but that is what it is all about after all. Share the jobs more, pay equally and prevent the crisis that has developed because of greed and insecurity about one's true worth.
And as I discovered this morning, we can manage on less if we are forced to through circumstances we cannot control. Why not do it anyway. There is enough food and resources for all on this planet, we just need a more efficient management. Perhaps we all should go on a survival course in a desert for a couple of weeks. After surviving that, everything else will be easy. If Freegans can survive on what we throw away perhaps we are wasting the resources that could feed a starving nation somewhere. Waste not, want not. Till later, love from Eve
|
