Coming of age

Some people have the ability to make us feel happy by just being who they are. They don't have to do anything special - yet one feels lighter when you've been around them. One such a very special person turned 21 on 25 August 2015.

Marni. Beautiful, warm, creative and intelligent - our Fairy Princess! Your whole life ahead of you and so many possibilities still to be explored. May your future shine as brightly as the light you bring to those around you. Believe in yourself, you are amazing! Love you.

Posing for a photo of a selfie ... does that make it a pelfie?!

Party time!

Happy 21st!

Something new...

I have been itching to change the blog header for some time now. Took several photos last weekend, only to discover during the editing phase that something or another was not working the way I imagined. So, I tried again this weekend and could suddenly feel it coming together. With a little 'ta da' then ... the new blog header. ;-)

At least the euphoria of this accomplishment, albeit small, combated the (F)august feeling somewhat.

Happy looking forward to spring friends!

Of meditation, mindfulness & pretty things

This post is long overdue. I did the photos some time ago, but I couldn't seem to unscramble my thoughts into something coherent. So, today I decided to just start (even if it is with this bit of whine) and, well … just get on with it! JFDI.

I am very much NOT a morning person. My nocturnal cycles never gave a damn about the fact that I have a day job and children. The morning routine always consisted of falling out of bed at the last possible moment, organising everyone like a drill sergeant and arriving rather breathless at the various destinations. 

Then about a year ago, it all changed. I would get back into bed with a mug of my special brew* for 20-odd minutes. Looking at my bookcase, listening to the morning sounds, playing with beautiful oracle cards or reading something inspirational. Absolutely no to-do lists or planning, just a bit of now. With the wonderful aroma to keep me present. Mindful. Even time seems elastic – the 20 minutes simply keep on giving! Definitely a much more zen way to start the day. Coffee meditation. 

Fast forward to my birthday. I had an absolutely fabulous day, and to top it all, I received the most wonderful gifts. In addition to lovely flowers, luxury vouchers and bath treats, a large number of presents complementing my morning ritual! Crystal oracle cards and a pretty book to write in, a tea (coffee pot) with an arty handmade card, coffee beans and a new ice blue moka pot. And, from my friend who recently had to make her own peace with stillness, a beautiful handmade card with a book voucher, a small book on mindfulness, a fragrant candle, and the prettiest cup and saucer ever.

So just like that, coffee meditation exploded with new sensations. The colour of the moka pot, the smell of the coffee being poured from a proper pot, the clank of the cup against the saucer, the beautiful illustrations of crystal mandalas and gentle nuggets of mindfulness. The result is an enriched experience, almost sensual in the way it touches mind, body and soul. 

I wholeheartedly recommend this and, like I have ... surrounding yourself with awesome people!

Coffee meditation.

It’s a thing. ;-)

* To get an understanding of my relationship with coffee, several other posts, specially Ode to the bean should give some insight. 

Autumn

End and beginning rolled into deep yellow, burnt orange, 'rusty' brown and merlot red. A few remaining glimpses of green. Sneaking up on us seemingly overnight and heralding that brief time of the year when we reflect on summer and prepare for winter. Hiatus of sorts. What was, what is and what lies ahead.

Autumn.

 

Sunday afternoon companions!

 

 

 

 

 

   

A bit of fun with settings on an overexposed image...

x

The jinni of writing

There are a number of other blog posts waiting in the wings, but this poem came tumbling out last night and demanded to be heard – forthwith. I am but a humble servant, so herewith and rather forthwith then some ramblings about the process and agonies of writing itself:

I am ensnared
between desire
and possibilities
still abound

the words
so final
anchoring thoughts
creating a picture -

firm, 

unwavering
delete button
notwithstanding

what of other lives,
directions,
possibilities,
do they perish…

 …or persist
to another day
another page
another image

the questions
always present -
wondering if
this version is just 

the jinni
laughing,
cajoling
never letting up

but without a start
there will be nothing
but fleeting thoughts
so here go I

torn between fear
and hope
painting the words
regardless

 

 

 

 

Air-spirations and returns

Saturday 7 February 2015. At OR Tambo international airport, eagerly awaiting the return of one of the (temporarily) lost members of our 'tribe'. Dewald decided to expand his work experience and went to the UK for just over a year. There to meet him of course were his family (parents and grandparents), but also our little group ... 

Picture the following scene. Seven people, ranging in age between 16 and 52, walking around the airport with balloons tied to their hands. Pieter got some balloons for the welcoming party and we carried them with chutzpa. Very festive, animated and … loud! Let it be said that when we are all together, the words quiet and reserved do not feature strongly. Truth be told, not at all. So our entrance to the arrivals hall did not go unnoticed. And then the wait began. For me, a wonderful opportunity to take some unhurried photos – some posed, some candid, some viewing the world from a different angle. Air-spiration as it were.

An amazing place, really, the international arrivals hall at an airport. People waiting. Those picking up strangers set apart from the rest by the named placards they’re holding. Everyone else waiting for loved ones, friends or acquaintances. Expectation blooming on the faces when the first people appear from the hinterland beyond. The energy shifting palpably and the air almost crackling with expectation. Every face coming through the doors scanned.

Then … the familiar face appears, looking drawn and tired, but head-shakingly smiling at the racket generated to mark his arrival. Welcome back D, you’re home!



The (rather rowdy) welcoming committee!



Balloon fight!! As I said, very seldom quiet and reserved ;-)



This little boy was fascinated by all the balloons and got one from Uncle Wessel...

 

Shoes at Tambo!



At an angle

 

Waiting ... in red

 

 

A rare moment of tranquility!

And there he was ...



Dewald!



With dad

And just like that, he's back! :-)

Christmas 2014

All things considered, 2014 was a bit rough! Elections, goodbyes and people close to me going through hard times (not dwelling, just saying). I felt as if I was still dealing with May’s issues when the first decorations went up for Christmas. Nearly missed the whole thing. Fortunately, that is just the occasion the last minute was designed for. So we not only had one, but two very stunning Christmas dinners. The first with Pieter and Jeané , and the second with Ouma, Nic and Alta … of course with all living-in family members and special extras in attendance. Good fun, laughter and companionship. Which is the point of any celebration or feast or special day you wish to celebrate, I suppose. Salut!  And just so that it's clear - the food was awesome … thanks to everyone for the various contributions!

 






Pieter, Jeané, Danae, Marni and Roelie

Enjoying a moment with the girls!



The second dinner ...

Ouma Dina! Master baker and cook. :-)
 

What is a Christmas without flowers... thanks Nic and Alta! Beautiful.

Steam train to Cullinan

We got up in the middle of the night for this excursion … ok, ok I am being a drama queen, but only a bit. Being ready to leave at 6:40 on a Sunday morning feels like the middle of the night. Anyway, we set off, picked up Nic and Alta on the way and arrived at the Hermanstad station well on time and were soon settled into our compartment with our two cooler boxes. 

The excursion is a steam train which runs between Pretoria and Cullinan (mainly at weekends) and is maintained and staffed by volunteers – Friends of the Rail. The train started moving at 8:00 as advertised, but after only a 100m or so we ground to a halt. Apparently the train does not have the same standing as the commuter trains and we had to (patiently) wait our turn. At about 8:45 we started moving to everyone’s delight and the next stop didn’t occur until we’d passed at least one other station. In a very stop-start fashion we made our way to Cullinan and arrived there at 11:15. Fortunately, the ham and cheese croissants, Uncle Nic’s lovely homemade lamb sausage rolls, eggs, mango, watermelon and a bit of bubbly with OJ (if you so wished) saw us through the long trek. Wessel offered two Americans in our compartment some watermelon and they also seemed to enjoy it very much.

Earlier in the week, Wessel and Nic decided to scout possible places for lunch and drove to Cullinan to make a reservation for us. Just as well, because in addition to the locals, bikers and other visitors, about 300 odd people disembarked from the train. Apart from the few people who elected to have their own picnic, everyone else needed to be fed before 15:00 when the return journey started. Our reservation was at an Italian place called Piacere, where we spent a leisurely 2 hour lunch sitting outside and enjoying the food and company. After lunch we took a gentle stroll (no fast walks with a full tummy) back to the station. Our only detour was to go to the lookout point at the quarry – apparently it is the largest of its kind in the world. Unfortunately, the vantage point did not offer a view that gives a proper understanding of the magnitude. Anyway, at least we can say we have been there. 

The return trip was a bit faster and we were back at the station by 17:30. A good trip with good friends and ... another item ticked on the bucket list.

Now the customary photographic evidence ... and a big thanks to Danae for some of the photos she took - check the captions for acknowledgement of hers.

 

Nic and Alta and some of the refreshments...

 

Family and the rest of the refreshments :-)

  

Danae, Marni and Roelie ready for the adventure



Thanks for the photo Danae!

 

Some were awake ...

 

And some not ...

 

A view of the 'steam part' of the train.

 

A very interesting motorcycle - apparently also used as a hearse. (Source: Danae)



Lunch time! (Source: Danae)

 

The two most beautiful girls...

Leisurely walking. (Source: Danae)