There’s Always Something

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Helga

This got written yesterday but not posted! Thanks Joe!

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but today I was reminded there is always something. Life  may be going along swimmingly and then there’s suddenly this.

We went to the loft to make sure it is ready for a guest who arrives tomorrow. There had been some damp, but we thought it was a black south-easter thing and not the normal northerly rain. How wrong we were. The entire ceiling was damp the water had dripped down to the bed below. Courage took the whole thing apart so it can be replaced.

Fortunately, the guest can stay in the Little Lookout. Getting this fixed is going to take a bit of time.

After work, I took Mike’s car back to the storage garage and walked home. Views of the valley. 

Blessed to enjoy the mountainside. The sunrise was pretty amazing as well.

Home and now it’s time for dinner.

A good day. I got steps. I got work and today is Adrian’s birthday.

Happy birthday Adrian! Mike is on the phone with him as I write.

From my Bible reading, it’s Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8:27

“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain  you.”

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Road Finally Tarred

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the road was finally tarred. For the last few months, a company has dug up the road to lay new water pipes. They started in about March.

Finally, today we got to the tarring stage. The “kidney rattler” – that’s what the foreman said this machine does…gives kidneys a real rattle.

Men at work… 

Done.

Now they need to replace the roll-over kerbs they broke up. They have said they will.

Meanwhile, Courage worked on the loft window roof section. He stripped it back.

Tomorrow, the engineer will come to see how we can reinforce it to make the window slightly higher.  It’s this section above the window that is now exposed. The horizontal beam will be made a little higher.

For me, I worked for most of the day. This afternoon, we walked to Fish Hoek and on my way home, I saw Werner, the builder who built our house. I stopped to talk, ever keen to find out the latest of the house he is supposed to be building diagonally behind us. He said there are still 2 more objections to overcome and then he should be able to start, so we wait to see. Maybe it will be this year. Mandy (the owner) has waited so long.

The rain seems to have passed, although the north wind is still blowing. There is also cloud about but no rain.

We have just been watching planes land at Heathrow Airport (FlightFocus365). The first plane that came in aborted landing which we have never seen before. It lost its place in the queue and ended up coming in after about half a dozen more arrivals.

Wednesday done and dusted. Time for a quiet evening.

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Saving The Day

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that I worked for almost 10 hours.

It was a Monday on steroids! By the time I turned my clock off, my head was sore, my eyes were dry and my brain was fuzz. I needed to do something to save the day. This is a phrase I saw someone on Instagram say – if you have a hard day, do something to save the day.

Julian and I went walking. It was a beautiful day and the evening was too. We walked down to the beach where it was quite high tide…

So we came back through the beach houses…it’s quite a big piece of land with the little precast houses…towards Kalk Bay mountain…

and towards Fish Hoek mountain…

The sun was beginning to go down…

We walked back along the cat walk in time to see the Monday paddlers arriving home…

What a save it was. I came home feeling much better.

I wasn’t the only one working today.  Most of the lounge curtains are done…

Now it’s time to call it a day.

Psalm 128:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Mountain Walk

Posted on June 9, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we went for a mountain walk. It wasn’t very high or long but it was round the lower area of your peak! We walked from home and eventually went up Contour Rd to the path to Elsie’s Peak. The view is always special and the perfect day made it better.

The path passes through trees which are now recovering from a fire.

The reason I chose this route was to see a house that is being built right next to the main path up. This is it from above…

We walked until we got to the left turn up the mountain and then turned right down. This was once an alternate route up, but the house is right in the path.

We went down to the house and had a look around and tried to figure out where everything would go.

We walked home along the road. It was a good easy ramble.

End of the weekend and a busy week ahead for me.

This was the Bible verse on our wedding invitation 38 years ago! (One day I must dig out the invitation and post it here for posterity.)

Psalm 127:1
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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A Thoroughly Good Saturday

Posted on June 8, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was a thoroughly good Saturday. Part of that was speaking to you!  The sun rose with the promise of a beautiful clear day.

The plan was for us to walk to Harbour Bay for breakfast at the Blue Kiwi. Julian would meet us there. On the way we stopped at Glencairn Beach as there was a lot of activity… it was the False Bay Express Swim of 5km

Swimmers swim from Glencairn towards Simon’s Town. They turn at the wreck (opposite Harbour Bay) and then swim back ending at Fish Hoek Beach. 5km. Water temperature anywhere between 12 & 14C. What a challenge. What an opportunity! I would love to try swimming from Glencairn to Fish Hoek, but I have lost my swimming fitness and would have to get a lot more training in. Here are a bunch of the brave…

It was a perfect day for it.

Onward we walked. Julian picked us up and we went for breakfast which was delicious! This is the outlandish French toast at Blue Kiwi.

I’ll have that again!

Afterwards, Julian went onto Simon’s Town and we walked home. We were met with a side-car rally.

That was fun to watch.

In the afternoon, we went for a drive over Chapman’s Peak and stopped at the Hout Bay Coffee shop. It’s always been one of our favourites.

The coffee is delicious. Inside the shop..

The seating is in the tent. Very rustic…

They had a wheat free, sugar free ginger biscuit which I had. Mike and Julian shared a cheesecake.

From there we drove all the way along the coast through Camps Bay, Clifton, Sea Point, Green Point, through the Waterfront and back onto the freeway home again. It was interesting to see some of our old haunts from 40 years ago.

That’s why I say it’s been a thoroughly good Saturday. I also managed to work for 2 hours.

Sun is setting and dinner is waiting.

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Rain Has Gone

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I worked 9 hours, so when that happens, there’s not much else that I do. With the rain this week, Els,  you went stomping in puddles which was a lot of fun.

Gotta love puddles and gum boots! They work so well together.

With the rain, Courage has been working on an indoor project. We have Granny’s wicker chairs which have been very weather beaten out in the sun.

Courage has painted them light grey which matches the cushion covers perfectly

Good job.

While I’m busy working, Raiku has full on taken control and ownership of my rocking chair. This feline face says it all…

So cute.

With only 2000 steps on my pedometer, we took a walk at the end of the day…

You can see the rain has gone and the next week looks grand. Dinner is done and it’s the weekend!

Psalm 125:4
Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

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Resting my Pancreas

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Now here’s a funny phrase that you will have heard: resting my pancreas. I learned about it through your Mom who learned about it through your dietician. It is actually one of the hardest things to do to fully rest your pancreas. It means not eating at all for a full 5 hours which is easy overnight but during the day it’s a challenge for me. I tend to snack, even if it is healthy snacks. Today I tried ‘resting my pancreas’ and not eating between 8 & 1 and I’ll next eat after 6pm. Every time I get up to go and grab a nartjie or rice cake, I reach for a glass of water instead because, I announce, “I’m resting my pancreas!”

So what’s this all about? What does it mean and why do we have to do it. I googled it to find out more.

To simplify, the pancreas releases enzymes that break down carbohydrates (including sugar) and fats. The more of those you have in your body the harder your pancreas works. It also releases hormones (glucagon and insulin) that regulate your blood sugar.

You want a healthy pancreas to avoid diabetes. Part of keeping it healthy is resting it so it has a break from dealing with all the stuff we eat.

The outcome of resting my pancreas will be a more stable blood sugar level and a lower chance of getting diabetes. The last time I had my blood sugar level checked it was perfect so I want to keep it that way. 1 out of 9 adult South Africans have diabetes.

Day 1 of resting pancreas achieved. Now I have to try for all the other days ahead and that is going to be a challenge! I think it will get easier the longer it’s done, but I don’t know if I can keep this up. No snacking!

I worked more than 8 hours today and I’m looking forward to going for a walk. It rained quite a lot this morning, but now the sun is making an appearance.

Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Number Plate Day

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I learned how number plates are made! I had a busy day but one of the jobs I  meant to do before Julian arrived today was get the number plates made for our new shared car.  We drove to the place in Fish Hoek and hardly had to wait before the number plate man set to work…

Putting it through the roller…

Out with the old…

And on with the new…

Another job done.

The day began looking very gloomy.

But by 8am, the sun had come out and I managed to get a load of washing done and out in the fresh air.  It looked like it wasn’t going to rain at all, but by the time lunchtime came, the rain clouds had gathered and when we went off to do the number plates, there was a shower or two. It was later this afternoon that more rain fell. Let’s see if the weather forecast is accurate for tomorrow when they say there will be morning showers before the cold front has passed and sunshine returns.

Psalm 123:1
I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Friends Gather to say Goodbye

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I got together with friends to say goodbye to Jo. She and her husband Mark are heading back to the UK for the summer and we will miss her 60th birthday in August.

We will miss Jo! She really enjoyed the fitness watch we gave her she’ll not forget us as she walks.

I worked about 6 hours today. Late morning, we walked to Fish Hoek to buy a few things. It was really unusual for me to be able to afford the time to take a Tuesday morning walk. We walked down the cat walk…

And back via Daisy Lane…

The weather forecast for today was for no rain, so I was surprised when it poured overnight and showers continued today. In fact, one of the neighbours reported 22mm had fallen last night. It was pretty overcast and there were a few drops while we were out. Funnily enough, it was quite warm – not nearly as cold as expected.

Meantime, we are keeping an eye on the politics of the country debating what may happen, could happen, should happen. It’s the great unknown to be honest, but time will tell and that will be pretty quickly because a government needs to be formed & there’s a deadline.  A new season in South Africa for sure.

To Proverbs we go for some sound advice.

Proverbs 16:20
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Monday With a Slight Difference

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was a Monday with a slight difference.  Mondays are always very busy for me. Because I sit at my computer all day long, I do try and get out a little just to keep moving. Today, I worked from 7 to 8am and then went for quite a short walk. Rain looked like it was coming, so we did the 25 minute loop. From Daisy Lane – One brave soul coming out of the sea.

Home along Daisy Lane… no rain came.

Then home to work, but the other thing that made today different, was I went swimming! We have a swimming WhatsApp group and if someone feels like swimming, they put it out on the group. Mid-afternoon I joined Liesl at Glencairn Tidal pool. The tide was high and the waves were crazy so it made the pool quite fun. Today it was about 14C. I swam 10 widths of it and then when Liesl arrived we just kept moving. By the time 40 minutes were up, I was freezing! I came home with my feet numb and had a hot shower. Truth be told, I’m only getting a little warmer now.

So a good day’s work, some walking and some swimming…that’s a satisfying Monday.

The sun is now setting at 7.45pm and rising 14 hours later. My bedtime is getting earlier too.  The rain didn’t come in the expected deluge. Maybe it rained somewhere in Cape Town, but it didn’t rain on me. In fact, we were able to get washing dry. The forecast is that tomorrow should be fine, but there will be rain on Wednesday and Thursday. We’ll see how accurate they are. Winter is here.

Today I read Psalm 121. It has 8 verses and I once decided to memorise them, so when it comes to Psalm 121, I know it off by heart. I’m going to type it out and then crosscheck it to see how many errors I make.

Psalm 121:1-8
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your shade at your right hand;  the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.

3 mistakes and a number of grammatical errors.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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All of Highway, Hillside and Echo

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I set off for a long walk. I’m keeping an eye on my step counting because my goal for 2024 is to walk 3 million steps. To walk 10000 steps a day would come to 3 million 650000 steps, so 3 million should be do-able. But when I twisted my ankle, there were several days without many steps. When I’ve been unwell, same story – no walking was done. And with winter looming and rain forecast this week, I need to brace myself for rainy day walking as well.

I set off as the sun was rising.

I walked all of Highway, turned right into Kommetjie and came back along Hillside.

No Daisy lane short cut today. I walked the whole circuit down Hillside, up the first part of Highway. By the time I got to  my gate, I hadn’t done 5km, so I walked to the end of my road…

5.29km for all of Highway, Hillside and Echo. I’ve not done that before. I spent the rest of the day taking it easy, but may go stretch my legs a little again before sunset.

Steps so far this year…I’m on track…

Rain is coming…

There’s been a spit and a spot today as well.

Today I ended the Gospel of John. Last words…

John 21:25
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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We Had a Good 1st June

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today we had a good 1st June which included a lovely chat with you as you and your Mom made oat cookies & hot chocolate on what was a very rainy day in your little town. Meanwhile, in Cape Town, the sun shone and skies were blue for most of the day. It was just later this afternoon, the wind picked up and there are more clouds. If March, April and May are considered autumn in Cape Town, June, July and August are winter. They come with quite spectacular sunsets. This was a short while ago. A small thick upright rainbow covering a bit of the distant mountains.

Then the clouds got splashed a glorious pink…

Tomorrow is forecast to be chilly, but from Tuesday the mood will change as the rain arrives.

Today was the day Mike said he needed me for a few hours. It has been ages since we went shopping together. I walked into Fish Hoek to get in some steps and he met me in town. We went to Nused and actually bought a very nice white chest of drawers to replace the green one in the Little Lookout. This one will serve the same purpose, has better drawers and will take up less space, so next job is to get the green one sold.

From there we went to Mr Price Home in Diep River. We bought doormats, one for our front door and one for the Loft. By then, hunger had set in, so we went to this place in Bergvliet.

It was buzzing. Mike watched chess…

I had their eggs benedict and it was very good.

Then it was to the Blue Route where we meandered through the shops, but didn’t buy anything. From there we came home, via Fish Hoek where we did some grocery shopping at our local PnP.

This afternoon was very relaxing. I even dozed off in my rocking chair.  Mike slept and so did Raiku. Some say Raiku is not a lap cat, but day by day I am seeing his reticent habits change and his eagerness to investigate a comfie lap certainly has increased.

Dinner was burgers with fried onions, lettuce, gherkins, cheese, tomato, mayo & 1000 islands dressing, with potatoes on the side. Self-compilation required. Seconds were had.

Yes, we had a good 1st of June. And now it’s time to enjoy the evening.

I’m almost at the end of the Gospel of John.

John 20:30-31
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Last Day of May

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today is the last day of May. I went into the CCFm studio for a quick visit with Jonathan and Rachel who present the Breakfast with Friends show. Jonathan replaced me when I ended my radio career 10 years ago yesterday. It was quite fun to be on air and have a short chat with them.

That done, I came home to work.

There was another last today. Apart from being the last day of May it was the last time my bedroom windows will be without curtains. This happened this week.

And today I was told to go work elsewhere. When I got back, this had happened.

They are perfect. It’s taken us 3 and a half years to decide we want curtains in our bedroom. We always thought it may obstruct the view. There were two things that influenced our decision. The first is that it’s winter, so the sun is no longer rising over by Pringle Bay – it’s now rising closer to the Helderberg, so the angle is directly in through our bedroom windows. WE have blinds but they don’t provide complete coverage. The other thing is when Mike was sick, he moved up to Julian’s apartment to recover. Julian has curtains and Mike saw what a difference they made.  They definitely soften the windows. Now I want them in the lounge.

We’ve had some lovely sunsets recently. This was this evening.

…and this was yesterday evening.

One of the most moving moments ever written was in my Bible reading this morning.

John 19:30
When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

 

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Ten Years Off Air

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today marks 10 years since my last morning drive show. For 10 full years I did the Rise & Shine show and now I’ve been ten years off air.  I think I may have mentioned before that my life is very cleanly compartmentalised into decades of activities.

In my 20s, I got married, had 2 children and finished my degree, so that was one very productive decade.  My 30s I spent raising my family and I started working at CCFm, selling advertising and doing a smidgen of on-air work. My 40s were spent presenting the morning drive show – both our children finished their degrees and Stacey got married. That was a happy, memorable decade. My 50s have been a rich tapestry of other activities. Ten years ago when I resigned, I could never have predicted the changes that would come in the 120 months ahead.

The biggest blessing to come out of the last ten years has to be you, my darling Elsie!  My first grandbaby has to be the highlight. So very special.

Then there was the arrival of our Fish Hoek property which I never would have predicted.  But even less expected was  the building of our new home, 2 years worth of orthodontic treatment & Covid!   Here I am on the half built house.  This was May 2020.

And all the way along, from July 2014 to now, I have had the blessing of my online recruitment work. What started as a menial part time admin position has grown to a full time job of significance.

Ten years ago, I was about to turn 50 and so now I’m leaping enthusiastically towards my 60th birthday! Wow! It seems surreal.

I applaud Jonathan Haller who, tomorrow, will have presented the CCFm morning drive show for longer than I. It’s not easy getting up in the very early hours of the day and, come rain or shine, getting to the studio in time to do a well prepared show.  Would I do it again? Yes, I would. Tomorrow I’ll join Jonathan at 8am for half an hour of reminiscing.

I think I have grown over the last 10 years & I’m looking forward to the next decade.

John 18:37
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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I Walked To Vote

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we voted in SA’s general election. We vote at Sun Valley Primary school. Last night I went to bed super early and so I woke up really early too. At 7am, I decided it would be a good idea to walk to the voting station. I left when it was not quite light…

And it was very misty. There was no sign of Fish Hoek beach…fully hidden by clouds…

Final stretch of my walk –

And round the corner to find the queue quite substantial.

I walked for an hour. Then I queued for an hour. Then Mike arrived and saved me. They stopped him and told him to follow the lady – she was fishing all the ‘pensioners’ out of the queue. I was with him, so I tagged along! After that it went pretty quickly but I did feel sorry for the people I overtook! I saw our Doctor waiting in the queue. He waited until it was his turn. He is Mike’s age. People who value their health were prepared to stand and wait. There were others who figure they are 60+ and have earned the free ride. I saw people I know arrive, walk past everyone, announce their age and go to the front of the queue – fit as a fiddle…like me! Lol. I don’t blame them.

I was pleased not to have to walk home.

I came home for breakfast and work.

In the afternoon, the electricity department arrived to look at the trees again. I reported overgrown trees in the city land next to us about a year ago and nothing got done. Our wheelie bin was nicked so when I reported it on the City of Cape Town app, I also re-reported the overgrown trees interfering with the electricity lines. The new bin arrived yesterday. The trees were inspected today and I was told the problem would be referred to the right department. We’ll wait to see.

Once the cloud lifted there was a significant berg wind. There is rain coming. Raiku has been in for most of the day. He followed me down to David, hung around the cottage while I spoke to the electricity people and then followed me back home.

John 18:5-6
“I am he,” Jesus said.(And Judas the traitor was standing there with them). When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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