Charlie's Bird
living the dream with Charlie and Thandi and chirping all the way back to the nest.Archive for May, 2023
Weather with you
…joh, seems like someone forgot to take their weather with them! (apologies to Crowded House). They left their ice winter weather here in my neck of the woods, where winter is usually mild, and definitely not here yet! Damn, it’s flipping cold, and the wind is howling today, which is unusual for this time of the year too. So, whoever forgot to take their weather with them, could they please fetch it and rectify the situation? I nearly hauled out my NYC coat this morning!
The weekend looks like it will be much the same, so I’m envisioning time on the couch, with my crochet project. Tonight I am cooking dinner for friends, and I’m thinking lamb shanks for main, a soup starter, and dessert – well that’s wide open still. Time to start trawling the websites!
Have wonderful weekends, and if its cold where you are, keep warm!
And just like that
… she is 12!
What a privilege it is being your mom, my beautiful, talented, gracious daughter!
Birthday week!
…this is the week of many birthdays!
Thandi’s, mine, my German friend TJ, her daughter Charli (although they are both in Mexico!), it’s a busy one! Presents for Thandi have been ordered, some have arrived, some not, it looks like she will have a day of extended gifting with 2 orders apparently only arriving on Wednesday, her actual birthday. And shame, because next week is exam week, it’s going to be a sedate birthday, until after all the formalities, when we have to have a post exam happy birthday gathering. She has said she doesn’t want a big fuss this year – fair enough, I guess, next is 13, and that one will be a bit more fuss!
But after a baby at 01h00 today, I am tired! And can hardly think about it all properly. Time to get through this day.
Isn’t it time?
…when do we as South Africans get to stand up and hold our government responsible for what they are doing to us?
I’ve just read the latest Eskom briefing, and basically, like it or not stage 8 is coming for us. And we have all (and by all, I mean middle class South Africa) have facilitated their misbehaviour, and we continue to do so. We’ve all gone ahead and made plans, making it easy for them to ignore the issues. Put some paint on that damp wall, and no-one will know… But isn’t time for us, the people to actually stand up now and say no more? I see some brave folks in Buccleuch in Jhb did that today.
I know it’ll probably be for nothing, even if we did.
And meanwhile the ANC, instead of leading the government they hold the majority in, instead of representing the people and looking after our interests, have done nothing; except talk a lot, threaten to sue people (and do) left right and centre. For what gain? To save a name or a reputation that is already in tatters? Just stop wasting energy and time and start solving problems. Stop telling us that there are challenges, we know, we live with them every day! How much longer can they live with their consciences? When are their parents going to start asking them to behave properly and do the right things? I hate how we have devolved into this.
I love living in this beautiful place, but, my word, it’s getting almost intolerable. And I know how lucky I am to live in a safe home with a bank of solar power and water tanks to keep me going.
How much harder can life get for the poor, those who cannot access the resources I can?
Wow
…the weekend had a few of those!
First, the weather. Holy Hell! Did it rain and rain and rain and rain! Real proper heavy rain! I was so happy to hear that the catchment areas around Gqeberha did get some rain too, what a relief for them. let’s hope that there is some more coming up to help ease their drought. Here at home this sort of rain washes the revolting water hyacinth down the one river. It dies once it hits the salt water closer to the river mouth, so I hope we start to see the river return to some sort of health. The only issue is that it carpets the beach and takes an age to decompose and break down, but, c’est la vie!
Then, our pop up restaurant fund raiser for Wild Women. Phew 2 nights, despite Eskom’s best attempts to make our life difficult, we persevered and made some good cash for the causes. We had just over 40 guests on Friday night and then over 30 on Saturday night. Our menu was good – we started with a Mezzo Platter with Hummus, Htipti, Spanakopita, dolmades, pita bread, olives and halloumi; Mains were Lamb and chicken Souvlaki, with potato wedges, greek salad and Pastitsio, and then for dessert – Baklava and a greek biscuit with a dollop of ice cream. I think they all ate very well!
And then, Mothers day yesterday. I always miss my mom terribly on those days, but my family looked after me nicely! Breakfast out, and a new phone case for me!
Eisteddfodding
…so the last 2 weeks has been quite the event in our home. The local Eisteddfod, with a musical child. 9 events, and some excellent results
- Piano Solo – GOLD
- Piano Duet – GOLD
- Vocal Solo – GOLD
- Vocal Duet – SILVER
- Choir – GOLD (and the medal)
- Chamber Choir – GOLD (and the medal)
- Marimba Band – GOLD
- Steel Ensemble – SPECIAL MENTION (and the medal)
- Senior Steel band – SPECIAL MENTION (and the medal)
We are so proud of our girl, and her music mates! A performance to a judge is always challenging, especially when you hear the feedback (and you don’t always agree with it), but so solid and so much promise! Thandi’s piano teacher believes that the girls’ piano duet was trophy worthy, but when the adjudicator asks for embellishments that are not written in the music… what can none do?
Love this girl!
(and for those wondering, Eisteddfod is a welsh word, used to describe a music and poetry ‘session’)
Relationships
…can really be complicated. But, they don’t have to be either. I watched the coronation this weekend, and one couldn’t help but anticipate the interactions between King Charles and his sons. I saw William arriving with his gracious wife and 2 of his children. They were smartly dressed and very well behaved and allowed to be part of it all. Young George, who may one day be King too was one of the new king’s pageboys, a role he fulfilled well. I was so moved by the moment between Charles and William when William pledged his allegiance to his father and kissed his cheek – did you also notice the “Thank you, my boy” from Charles? It was incredible. In stark contrast was Harry’s arrival, alone, without his wife and children, on arguably the biggest day in their family’s history. I watched Harry take up his seat with his cousins and interact with various family members. And I wondered how he will look back at this moment one day, and whether Archie and Lillibet will rue the day their parents fell out with his family and they were (by choice) excluded from these big family events. It is so sad, and what really is the argument about? Ego?
All I know is that life is short, and we are not promised a time to reconcile after arguments which shatter families. I would not want to go to sleep at night knowing I am estranged from my father, and that I am depriving my children from a relationship with their cousins and grandfather. I cannot imagine what it would have taken to separate me from the love and sheltering arm of my father.
Long live the King!
Charlie's Bird 