Jade

The past week has been coloured by the ill-health of one of our cats, Jade. She has alwasy been thin in a Siamese kind of way; but recently lost weight again. We put her on tablets and special food for a possible kidney problem; then she stopped eating. We tried antibiotics. When there was no change, and our beautiful cat was just fading away - although still "herself"- we had to decide to let her go. I miss her everywhere I look, it seems...but most of you will know how this feels. She was small, and black with white socks and a white blaze and chest, and gorgeous jade eyes (green, not the reflective blue in the pic!). She was no lap-cat, but condescended to sleep on beds. Her smallness made her seem very prim and proper; she alwasy spoke politely when spoken to (Siamese ancestry again!).

To those bold enough to wonder, the answer is, "Yes, we'll get another cat!" - probably in the July holidays.

Continuing

We recently swopped two rooms around: the boys' room to the study, and the study to the boys' room. They have more space; I have a view of the garden; we all win! Friends and family, seeing the change, all agree it's a good one. "What took you so long?" is the most frequent comment! You might be saying the same about this new post - indeed, I'm saying it to myself: what took you so long?
The answer isn't really important - at least, not as important as writing again. Like moving rooms, it's obviously right...

Amongst all the busyness and ups and downs, one or two things stand out. There have been many hugs - from small boys, from friends. As my children get older, it does indeed "get easier", as my friend Barbara always reassured me. I marvel at what my boys can now accomplish on their own - new words delighted in, new heights climbed, new social skills mastered... I keep hearing stories of God's goodness, of his timely intervention in our lives: a house rented out, a meal provided, a job offered, forgiveness asked...Now and again, my soul is refreshed by a beautiful view, an autumn leaf, or shared laughter. Things grow and change. I pick myself up and try again.
Life is good.

Turn off the TV!

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/why-turning-off-the-tv-can/#comments
I posted a comment on this article, whose sentiments I heartily agree with, back in October - somehow didn't post the link :) .

NOT on MY bucket list...

Well, my friends, it is official: I am not a roller-coaster rider. I knew this; Steve knew this; but somehow*, today, I ended up on the smallest of Ratanga Junction's roller-coasters, the "Bushwacker". It certainly left me whacked! I still feel a bit naar, 8 hours later...Let us move swiftly on from that sad scene...
Alexander will definitely be Steve's adrenalin-junkie partner in years to come. William tried the roller-coaster, but neither wanted to go again (did Mum's reaction perhaps have something to do with this?!!!) Alexander had the most fun, as he could go on the "kiddie" rides, many of which William was too tall for.
My tip for overcoming that ill feeling, by the way: keep walking. Once I'd mustered courage to get to my feet again, I gradually felt better, although, needless to say, I did NOT watch the Cobra riders scream their way past me!
Will I go again? - certainly! I will go as a non-rider, which will still let me on the boat- and train-rides (sedate); and also allow me to watch my husband and boys having fun!
* A note of explanation seems necessary here. We were all "geared up" for this day, which was a school fund-raiser. I had resolved to try my best on the rides, but NOT on roller-coasters. Steve assured me we would begin with the slowest, and work our way up, in terms of adrenalin/ difficulty (depending whose view it was!) Somehow, this small roller-coaster was the first ride across our paths, and I gaily marched in, determined not to look or think...And therein lay the problem. I should in fact have used my brain and good sense and politely declined!

Stretched to the limit!

This week saw both boys at home ill: William all week, and Alexander on Thursday and Friday with his brother. I have a deadline of TOMORROW (Monday) for the first chapter of a textbook I am co-writing - so Friday and Saturday saw me feeling frazzled! On Friday, none of my ususal supports was available; but by Saturday I had managed to bail out of one or two commitments (guiltily), and have more or less finished my chapter. We are writing an Additional Language English Textbook for Grade 11s - "we" being a group of 4 authors and an editor who is like a 5th author in terms of help! I've had to do some fiction-writing for the chapter, which I've enjoyed - putting into practise all I teach.

swimming in the rain

My own title, before I explain it, reminds me of seeing the musical "Singing in the rain," in the West End in London...I only really recall that main song! Back to swimming: today was a bit overcast, and we got home late, but the boys wanted to swim, so...to save time I let them swim naked, and it was just starting to rain, but the pool was warm (heated, don't you know!) They had such fun, and it is such a delight to let them do out-of-the-ordinary things...So when last did YOU swim, or walk, in the rain? - on purpose that is, not because you had to!
I am gradually taming my Blackberry - it now delivers emails to me, but I haven't yet sent one...I still don't quite understand its interfaces...
I had a hard-working weekend editing a job from Stellenbosch University, all about "service-learning" - community service, in a broad sense. Very interesting, stimulating work!
On Saturday Steve's mum invited me to a fundraising tea, where we listened to a briliant story-teller. She told very realistic, every-day stories about her relationship with God - waiting for rain in the Karoo; being patient with her kids...I could see myself doing something similar one day, I think! (the storytelling that is; being patient with kids is MUCH harder...)
I wish I needed less sleep! - there is so much to do, and learn, and enjoy...

Thankfulness

today, I am thankful for normality. There have been no "downs" in my day; and quite a few "ups" - enough to make me smile, and laugh, and think, "This has been a good day!" I have succeeded, as on so few days, in focussing on what is good and positive and right...the sun and cool wind; Alexander's smiles; satisfying work reviewing essays, and revising poetry with a student; a tasty meal to cook with meat in it; an afternoon where William didn't get too cross or upset; time to write...I haven't shouted, or been shouted at...(Yes, gentle friends, I do indeed shout!) Life is good. Even better, God is good - and he is good all the time, not just when life seems to be going well! That is indeed a rock-solid thought.