A is for Abligurition

Spending just an inconceivably large amount of money on food.

On my way home.......

And so it is that the All Cape has come to an end for my team. It has been an eventful week but very rewarding. Playing in the Southern Cape at 4 different clubs was a challenge as the greens run a lot slower than our home club.  But the friendships developed over these last couple of days will last a lifetime.  So watch this space as I am almost home so all the pic's and stories will follow shortly.......

Leaving for Knysna

Today I leave for Knysna on the start of a brand new adventure.  For me, going on a sports tournament is a brand new adventure as I never had the opportunities growing up to be able to participate in any sort of camps and sports tours.  Various factors in my life prevented me from being able to have such opportunities, so please forgive me for my excitement.  I will post a daily diary just to make sure you don't miss out on any of my little tour......

Email to My exSouth African friend in Aussie

By admin on October 25, 2012

We suspect this letter written by Paul Harris, will resonate with other people that only get bad news from friends who live abroad.

Hi Jeff

Hope all is well with you guys. I will drop you a line later with the family news but I would first like to respond to the email you sent me attaching an article by Clem Sunter which seemed to concern you about us here in South Africa.

You also sent me an article last year by Moletsi Mbeki warning about the danger of an an “Arab Spring” in South Africa. I often get emails like this from “concerned friends” worried about us which is sweet of you guys. Of course we are concerned. Some worrying things have happened but we have been through and survived much worse in much more volatile environments. Including the Boer War, two World Wars, Apartheid , the Rindapest, Ge Korsten and Die Antwoord !

However for as long as I can remember there have always been people who think SA has 5 years left before we go over the cliff. No change from when I was at school in the sixties. The 5 years went down to a few months at times in the eighties! But it seems the people who are the most worried live far from the cliff in places like Toronto, Auckland, London and other wet and cold places. Also from St  Ives and Rose Bay in Sydney,  Dallas and Europe and other “safe places” that are in the grips of the Global Financial Crisis, which by the way is quite scary. Many of them have survived decades of rolling “5 years left” since they left South Africa. So maybe they will be right one day!

My message is, please don’t stress about us in South Africa. We are fine. We are cool. We know we live in the most beautiful country in the world inhabited by the warm and vibrant people. There are more people here with smiles on their faces than any country I have ever been to! Young people are returning in droves with skills and a positive attitude. Collectively we bumble along and stuff many things up while letting off a hell of a lot of steam (have you heard of a chap called Julius Malema?). Yet in between South Africans do some amazing things like win a few gold medals, big golf tournaments and cricket and rugby matches. The South Africans I know get off their butts and do things to build our country rather than whinge from a position of comfort.  We actively participate in projects that improve the lot of underprivileged communities. I would not trade for anything last Saturday in a hall full of 1500 African teachers singing at the top of their voices and demonstrating their commitment to improving education in their communities.

We have our challenges and surprises. The standard deviation of our emotions are set at MAX. You are never just a “little bit happy” or a “little bit sad”. At one moment you can be “off the scale”  pissed off or frustrated or sad or worried or fearful or depressed . The next moment you “off the scale” exhilarated, or enchanted, or inspired, or humbled by a kind deed, or surprised by something beautiful . It makes life interesting and worth living. After all why do we have emotions?

We also have passionate debates about the future of SA. Helped of course by red wine which you must taste again because it is getting better every year! Clem makes a great contribution to the debate as do others like Moletsi Mbeki. Russell Loubser the ex head of the JSE made a feisty speech the other day that has whipped up emotions. Up to MAX on the emotions meter of the ANC Youth League whose campaign for nationalisation of the mines was attributed to people who have IQ’ s equal to room temperature. South African politics has always been volatile, we have opinions that could not be further apart and it evokes emotion on a massive scale. Interesting and stimulating for those that want to take it seriously but noise in the system to me. Fortunately we are rid of Apartheid that would definitely have pushed us over the cliff. These are the birth pangs of a new and unpredictable democracy. So buckle up and enjoy the ride and contribute ! That is the message I convey to South Africans.

Sad as it is, it is true that the South African diaspora has a largely negative influence on confidence in South Africa. It would not be a problem if their fretting about how long we will last before we go over the cliff was merely a reflection of their concern for us, their friends and family. The problem is that it does impact foreign investment which is important for economic growth. A person that is thinking of coming to visit or investing is often put off by listening wide eyed at the stories of people who have gapped it. As you know I own Ellerman House that hosts many foreign visitors and I have never, EVER, met anyone who has visited for the first time without being blown away by the beauty of the country and the warmth of the people. It is not for nothing that South Africa has the highest ratio of repeat visitors of all long haul destinations.

So, Jeff, how can I help you stop stressing out about us? Maybe best is that you get exposed to some articles and web sites that give a more balanced and uplifting perspective of South Africa. I have attached some links below that you may find interesting. The two websites are SA The Goods News  and The Homecoming Revolution, both have stories that will make you feel better. The article is by a young Jewish lady Martine Schaffer that I work with and admire greatly.

I will sum up my feelings about South Africa with a quote from Joanne Fedler’s book ‘When Hungry – Eat’ that Martine also quotes. Joanne emigrated to Australia in early 2000.“South Africa is a place of spirit-distorting paradox, a land with a bipolar disorder that swings you from joy to despair in the space of a heartbeat. It twists your arm behind your back and ties your sanity in a knot. It bullies you until you’ve forged your opinion on politics, crime, AIDS, the state of the roads, the economy or the politicians. It’s not for the wishy washy or the fence sitters. It demands you know who you are and what you stand for. It keeps you fit, on your toes and looking over your shoulder. It steals your purse and holds your soul ransom. As much as I was, at times, on the edge of sanity living there, I was also stimulated, driven and felt bungy-jumpingly alive. The shades of happiness and fear mottled. I knew that leaving, like chemotherapy, would kill off the best things in my life as well as the worst.”

So please don’t worry and if you get a chance put in a good word for us.

All the best
Paul Harris

Happy...

Love this quote by John Lennon.  It reminds me of the time my brother was asked to draw "plates" in school, and when he drew 2 round patterned plates for his teacher, she grew irate and said to him, plates man, don't you know what plates are???  Girls wear their hair in 'plates'.  Being a bit overwhelmed, boet decided not to say a word but mum was called in as he was insubordinate and would not listen to instruction.  My mum, of course tended to agree with boet and said he had drawn beautiful plates, which of course made teacher even more irate.  Mum, relented and decided to explain to the afrikaans accented teacher that had she asked her son to draw plaites, and not plates he would have indeed done the correct drawing as having 3 big sisters with long hair he knew exactly what that was.  I guess my point is that life is so full of misinterpreted conversations, misguided quotes and heated arguments, we tend to forget what we are all here for.....

Thank you.....

How many times a day do we say 'thank you'?  I know we say it a lot, it just rolls off our tongues when we receive something, pay for something etc.  But how many times do we say thank you for something and really mean it?  When I came across the pic I am posting today, something triggered in my brain.  Those 2 little words with a huge meaning, just pass my lips without a thought many times a day.  

So I leave you today with this implanted in your brain.  When you say thank you today for any reason, stop and think and say it from your heart.  

Wise words......

I often sit in front of my pc wondering how to move forward.  Sometimes one is so bogged down in life and just trying to live it, one forgets the basics. But they never leave you, the little life lessons learnt from great people, like your parents, just sometimes need a little nudge, and there we have it, forward motion.

So as I sit in front of my pc this morning, readying myself for a busy day ahead, I just clear my head, get back to basics and put my best foot forward...... (thanks mum, you are definitely on my shoulder today :) )

Have a fabulous day everybody...........

The Wooden Bowl

The Wooden Bowl
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work..

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back sometimes.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. 

Happy Easter......

Let this Easter egg remind

you that nothing can destroy

your dreams & love.

Have a very joyful Easter.

Good morning.....

Blessings or lessons.......

And so it is....... which one are you????

Living in Africa

Over the last couple of weeks it has come to my attention how much negative publicity about our beautiful South Africa, Facebook friends are 'sharing' and 'liking' and commenting on.  So obviously I live in a dream world, or am I the only one that really loves my country enough to have some kind of hope for our future.  I often wonder why I was born on this continent and why I do not have the compulsion to leave in the hope of finding greener pastures.  I have finally accepted that this is where I was born and this is where I will be buried.  Yes, we do not live in ideal circumstances, but we know how to control the world around us.  Yes, we have the highest crime statistics, but we teach our children how to protect themselves.  Yes, there is negative publicity all around us, but we do not have to spread the negativeness, instead we should be sharing the positive achievements in our daily lives.  Now these are my personal thoughts and only my humble opinion.  But once again, I point out that those same people never fail to post a picture of South Africa, their birth land, every single week. The longing never seems to leave the hearts of true Africans.

So I leave you with these words from Helen Keller.... after all we live in the Jungle, the Jungle of life......

Interesting facts about Thailand...

THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND, we will be visiting this crazy land in 75 days :)

I'll bet you never knew this!!!

In the original native culture of Thailand , when males reached the age of 18 they had to participate in the following community ceremony.

They lay themselves stark naked in a large circle, feet facing inward. A beautiful young naked girl kneels over the ankles of each the men.

She places a blob of honey and various crushed sweet fruits around his navel to attract flies and insects.

(This keeps them off his face during the ceremony.)

A specially chosen nubile and very beautiful naked girl then does a sexy and sensuous dance in the center of the circle.

As soon as all the men become fully aroused and develop erections, the kneeling girls then reach over the knees, pull the fully erected penises downwards as much as they can and then on a given signal from the center dancer release them.

The men's penises would then spring back up and go "WHAP!" against their belly.

This exercise was a measurement of the strength of their masculinity . . .the man who killed the most flies was elected to the court of the King.

And that folk's, is why the current capital of Thailand came to be named Bangkok .

 

 

Happy birthday little sister.....

(Sharon - back left, me, brother Kevin - the arty photographer and my first born niece, Miss Teagy-popz)

Sharon, today is your birthday, and my one and only wish is that I could be there to wish you in person.  The miles have separated us for many years now, and more and more I feel it is time we spend more time together.  My family means the world to me and not to be able to celebrate with you today is taking it's toll.  But, hey, it is a happy day today, so enough of the doom and gloom and more of the good stuff.

I was all of 10 years old when you came into my life.  And, I guess that was the day a star was born.  I am so proud to be your sister, you have achieved so very much in your life, sometimes beyond all of our expectations.... you are now a successful business woman with your own family including my 2 little nieces which when looking at them portray you and your values.  

Happy birthday my sister, may your day be filled with happiness and love.  

SENIOR DATING…

Dorothy and Edna, two "senior" widows, are talking. Dorothy: "That nice George Johnson asked me out for a date. I know you went out with him last week, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer."  Edna: "Well, I'll tell you. He shows up at my apartment punctually at 7 P.M., dressed like such a  gentleman in a fine suit, and he brings me such beautiful flowers! Then he takes me  downstairs, and what's there but a luxury car... a limousine, uniformed chauffeur and  all. Then he takes me out for dinner... a marvelous dinner... lobster, champagne, dessert, and after-dinner drinks. Then we go see a show. Let me tell you, Dorothy, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died from pleasure! So then we are coming back to my apartment and he turns into an ANIMAL. Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way with me two times!"  Dorothy: "Goodness gracious!... so you are telling me I shouldn't go out with him?"  Edna: "No, no, no... I'm just saying, wear an old dress."

Going walkabout in my backyard....

Sometimes one forgets how lucky I am, .... taking the puppies for a walk  yesterday I decided to take my camera along and let you all see where I live and the beauty that surrounds me everyday.... 

So as I set off, this is the first thing I see, the magnificent Table Mountain,  and I might add, I take a peek at  our mountain daily, let's just say, it keeps me grounded......

As we amble along, me and my mighty protectors, Logan and Izzabella, we come across some beautiful wildlife.... well when we eventually get there, as Logan tends to get agitated when I walk so slowly enjoying the view....

Come along guys, lots to see and do.........

The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) is a large, distinctive, pale-coloured waterbird which is easily recognised by the conspicuous dark chocolate-brown patch around its eye.

The view on the way back, Helderberg mountain range in the background... on the one side,

 and Tygerberg Hill on the other side.....

What a magnificent place I live in...... I am truly blessed to have been born in Cape Town.....

Out and about in Cape Town - Hout Bay

Affectionately called ‘the republic of Hout Bay’ by its residents, due mainly to the limited means of access into this attractive suburb - there are only three - Hout Bay lies just 20 minutes’ from the centre of Cape Town yet has a unique and timeless beauty that makes it so popular with locals and visitors.
Hout Bay was formerly a fishing village and has managed to maintain its unique combination of fishing harbour and country atmosphere, despite development. Its long, sandy beach faces a bay framed by mountains and is quite simply exceptionally beautiful. Capetonians throng here over weekends to partake of the local fish & chips and to catch a glimpse of the resident Cape seals that make the harbour their home.

 

Photos - copyright - courtesy of Kevin Wells - Artist, photographer and my brother :)

Moving boxes - by Victoria Toms

At the end of the month we will be moving our lives to a new house and a new start… a new adventure of sorts.

I don’t really mind the moving part so much because for the first month or so it really feels as if I am on holiday, new surroundings, new sights and smells all so very exciting.  But thereafter, reality kicks in and it feels like you have lived there forever, but what I don’t like is the packing and then the unpacking of all the boxes.

 

It is the thought of actually packing my possessions into boxes, sealing them with tape and then have them hang around until the move takes place that really irks me.  You pack things and then forget and start swearing when you can’t find the mug that your friend uses when they visit and then it results in reopening of the already sealed boxes that drives me nuts!

But the part that puts a tiny smile on my face is that on the other side of this torture, you get to unpack your things  and place them in their shiny new homes.  The new place we are moving to has little shelves I have already envisioned by photo frames standing on, and I have already picked the spot for my printers tray, and have made plans to buy a new carpet for the lounge, so it is not so bad and this has a silver lining after all.

Another big thing is that this new place has 2 bedrooms, which in due time will be filled with a tiny body and the pitter patter of little feet will echo through the corridor… But I suppose I should hold my horses and tap on the brakes slightly with that idea because I have a ton of unpacking to still do!

Happy Friday

And so it is, once again Friday.  The time flies by when you counting down to a big event.  81 days to go....... in 81 days I will be stepping onto an Emirates flight to Phuket.... 

For me this will be a life-changing holiday.  It will be the first time in my 49 years I will be winging my way to a luxurious 17 day holiday of hotels, flights, beaches, fine dining, great company... oh boy the list is endless.  Now, I am not ungrateful for all the holiday's preceding this one, but there is a huge difference in holidaying doing self-catering and with family to the actual luxury of hotels and being catered for.  So everybody, including CB, hang in there, only 81 days of countdown remaining....

 

 

Out and about in Cape Town

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them"

Desmond Tutu

 

 

 

These photos were taken at Kirstenbosch Gardens on the 3rd January 2013 by my brother Kevin... The photos portray for me a day of serenity and family time, not forgetting our 2 mighty warriors in pic no 1.....

 ( My brother Kevin is an avid photographer with a keen eye for the arts.  All these photos have copyright, but should you wish to utilise his services please feel free to contact me via the email link.)

IMPIGNORATE

 

 

IMPIGNORATE (vb.)

One could jump to the conclusion that by calling someone an impignorate, one implied that the individual was a brainless barnyard beast with a superlative snout and a voracious appetite, but one might be just a tad off the mark, considering the word is not a noun but a verb!

Actually impignorate is an obsolete term meaning to pawn or mortgage something.

Out and about in Cape Town

Over the last couple of  days my bowls has taken me to some really gorgeous places in Cape Town.  As I stood waiting my turn to bowl,  I had a look around me, and realised how lucky I was to live in the most beautiful city in the world.  So, I decided that everyday, other than my crazy word, I would like to bring to you a photo taken in Cape Town on my travels.  I am not the world's best photographer and I am just getting to grips with our new camera, so today you have the very first pic's from amateur photographer - Cindy Louise.....

These photos were taken in Stellenbosch while out looking for a perfect wedding venue for my 'other' daughter..... and she found it, nestled in the valley in what seems to be a bit of paradise......

WINKLEPICKER

 

WINKLEPICKER (n.)

If you were to ask the average person on the street what a winklepicker was, there's no telling what the person might say.

On the other hand, there is something slightly suggestive about those four syllables that might lead one to think it might be slang for something sexy. All of which leads to the next question, just what sort of "winkle" requires a "picker"?

A "winkle" is an English-term meaning a water snail (usually cooked in the shell and sold in pints along with some vinegar by a street vendors). "Winkles" are eaten with a pin or pointed object to get the winkle out of the shell (hence the term "to winkle something out").

However winklepicker usually refers to a style of shoe or boot worn in the 1950s onward by both male and female British rock and roll fans. Reminiscent of medieval footwear worn by jesters and today by pop stars, the feature which gives both the boot and shoe their name is the very sharp and quite long pointed toe.

ZOUCH

 

 

Zouch (n.)
A most interesting and unusual surname of Old French origin.
It is also a topographical name for a dweller by the tree stump, which is why soldier, scholar and champion drinker, Francis Grose, gave it the last spot in his dictionary, entitled "The Vulgar Tongue - Buckish Slang and Pickpocket Eloquence" (first published in 1785).
To avoid any bashful blushing from born-again babes in the woods and hot-to-trot holy rollers, politically-correct pundits who peruse publications for a living today, have redacted this entry to read: "Zound (n.): a differently-abled, experientially-enhanced, non-traditionally ordered Don Juan with temporarily unmet objectives."

Monday.... 85 days to go!

Glabella

Which arrow is pointing to Ryan’s GLABELLA? 

Get the answer below.

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The space between the eyebrows is called the GLABELLA.

Feeling the butterflies....

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” 

So the day has begun, happy Sunday to you all.  My thoughts are in turmoil this morning as I play my first really big game of my bowls career.  I am not sure many people understand my thought pattern today, as personally I don't quite understand it myself.  I know I am capable of winning my game and moving on in the tournament, but then the self-doubt and all the losses I have suffered come creeping in to cloud my judgement.  I am trying to take all the positive energy and leave the negative at home, but before I know it, there it comes bubbling up my tummy in the form of thousands of butterflies.  

I have so many people wishing me well and the one thing I don't want to do is disappoint them, but most of all I don't want to disappoint myself.  So, I am trying to tell myself, do your best, play your best game and may the best man win..... that is the best I can do at this stage to overcome the creeping nerves and the shaking hands.....  

This is what I have decided, let the nerves surface, let the shakes abate, stand on the mat, check my bias, find my mark and bowl the hell out of the game!!!!!!

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf