Living Life Authentically

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I didn’t go out the front door at all. I only went onto the balcony a few times. I did no exercise. It was a rest day. I’m gearing myself up for the 16km trail walk on Saturday. I won’t complete my rings today.

I had a good day’s work. I also saw on the traffic whatsapp group there had been a massive accident on St James Main Rd. We can see the road from our balcony, albeit through the telescope. I could see the congestion, that a bus was involved & the lights of the emergency personnel, but it was only later when someone posted this photo, that I saw the severity of it.

How that happened, can only be guessed.

I try to live life authentically. While I’m often told what I write here makes my life look idyllic, there are always ups and downs and I have written about those…2017 being plagued by break-ins and worse still, David’s Long Covid which has turned into a chronic illness not unlike Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The other day when friends came to visit, they went upstairs and took a look at our the main bathroom, which has the amazing spa bath in front of a viewing window. This was me in it in 2022. Okay this does look pretty good, but there is more sky than sea.

One of my friends was really impressed, but I was quick to tell her that in actual fact the bath hardly gets used and when you are in it, you are too low to enjoy the beautiful view, but it does look impressive when you walk in the door.

Here’s another picture that is deceptive. We have just been out on the balcony where we had sundowners. If I lean forward and take a photo through the wires, this is what you will see through the lens of my camera…

But in reality, while sitting on the balcony chair, this is what I’m seeing. I took this photo at eye level….

It’s easy to mislead people on social media. I appreciate the view either way. The other day when I visited Sue who is on the sea-side of the road, she told me that she had specifically chosen the see-through panels of glass so she wouldn’t have this kind of visual obstruction. I can see her balcony from mine and the glass becomes very murky and needs constant cleaning. You have to pick your hard. But my point is it’s easy for social media to portray a deceptive view of anyone’s life.  I try to live life authentically. Everyone has difficulties. Life may look one thing and be something completely different.

Just Mike & I for dinner tonight.

I read all of Psalm 119 today. Longest psalm in the Bible.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Living Life Authentically

Figuring Out Fish Hoek

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

One of the best things about the summer months is that the sun rises so early. By 7am, when we are not having a beach day, I put on my walking shoes and off I go. Some of roads on the mountainside are in bits and pieces and the most famous one is Ranger Rd.

Ranger Rd begins at Highway.

Where this sign is…

It arrives at Berg, so it’s necessary to turn right into Berg and then immediately left into the next very short section of Ranger. Just 10 houses long, this is a cul-de -sac…

It ends at a little path through to the next section – maybe the rocks had something to do with why they didn’t build this part of Ranger road.

Then there’s a long section that joins up with Pass Rd.

From there, the next part of Ranger Rd is up the hill…

I didn’t walk that way today, choosing instead to walk down to Kommetjie Rd. to take a pic of this sign. If you are ever visiting someone in Ranger Rd you need to know which part.

Poor delivery vehicles need super-navigation powers. Ranger Rd ultimately continues all the way to above the Sun Valley traffic lights, where it ends at the bottom of Harrington.

I walked back along Berg Rd. to Highway and back the way I came.

My 6km walk took just over an hour and mitigates against me sitting at my desk for the next 7 hours.

There’s been a black south-easter today – a strong wind accompanied by a spattering of rain and this afternoon, for a short while, some thunder. The rain was just enough to mess up the windows, leaving them streaked and dusty.

Mike has had a run of maintenance issues. First there was a plumbing rattle. Then suddenly today, the electricity went off. He thought one of the invertors had died, but turns out there was a minor issue in the Seaview Apartment which caused a trip. Late Monday afternoon, we had a massive load on our internet and it slowed everything down. We couldn’t figure out where it was coming from, so today (apart from the electricity), Mike has spent the day splitting the internet zones so each one can have its dedicated connection. This means that heavy use by a guest won’t impact me. And finally, I nipped out to buy milk late this afternoon and had to come home via a petrol station as one of Mike’s tyres was really flat. 0.7 bars. I had it pumped up to 2.3 and it got me home and looked okay an hour later. It’s probably a slow leak and will need to be sorted. It never rains, it pours! There’s always something but it’s not so lekker when they come in batches!

Psalm 118:29
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs, Living on Fish Hoek mountainside | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Figuring Out Fish Hoek

Life Without Lunch is Working

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I got evidence life without lunch is working. I went to the doctor to get my cholesterol medication prescription renewed. I am on 10mg Aspavor but because I don’t like chemicals, I diligently cut the pill in half and only take 5mg. The Doc took my cholesterol to see how I was doing. He was really happy. Before I started on the Aspavor 2 years ago, my total cholesterol was 8 and my LDL was 6, which freaked him out. LDL is the bad cholesterol.

Considering this was non-fasting (I’d had half a cappuccino at around 2pm), these are good numbers.

Then he weighed me and measured my waist. I was shocked when he told me I was 4kg less than I was a year ago and I’d lost 3cm around my waist. Life without lunch is working. Not that it really gets any easier. I have to remember to drink more during the day and I find it very difficult to get through the afternoon without the half cappuccino at around 2pm. Then there is also the temptation to over eat morning and evening! I do feel better in general.

More good news came in today –  Stacey’s application for British citizenship has been approved. As it pertains to the female line, there’s no guarantee that David will get the same benefit, not that anyone is planning on going anywhere, least of all the UK! It’s just helpful to have.  Maybe one day, the UK government will lift more restrictions and David will be eligible.  We were so happy Stacey’s was approved.

I had a good work day too.

So, all in all, a good day.

James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Life Without Lunch is Working

Beach Morning & Evening

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I was at the beach twice. In the morning, we went down to swim. As usual, we crossed the bridge at Sunny Cove station, where a train was passing through…

It was a perfect swimming day. Sea was so flat.

The Trek Fishermen were tethered to the barrel again, so I swam out and asked what type of fish they caught the other day. All were yellow tail. I told them the water was very warm (later I heard it was about 18C) and they were very interested in that. I swam back to the beach and up down, back to the barrel and back to the beach. Turns out I swam 1.6km and was in the water for 40 minutes. It was wonderful.

Afterwards, we walked to the shops and on our way back, the Trek Fishermen were bringing in a haul.

Some nice fish there.

Home for breakfast and work.

Then, at 2pm, engineer Paul and plans lady Leanne arrived for a meeting on the next steps for Julian’s build in the plot behind us.

After work, we took off to the beach again, but not to swim…just to enjoy the evening…

Another lovely evening.

A couple of fire engines have just rushed past on their way to Simon’s Town. A fire has broken out on the mountainside just after Harbour Bay. I think the Simon’s Town Boat company took this photo and called it in…

Hopefully, they will get it under control quickly.

Let me wrap this up but not before I say, Happy Birthday Barbara! I hope you have had a wonderful day.

James 2:8
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Beach Morning & Evening

Early (Perfect) Summer Day

Posted on November 17, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day summer & Fish Hoek showed their best side with hardly any wind and beautiful, clear water….not very warm, but not bad. There’s always a debate about when summer starts in Cape Town. September and October are considered spring – some may throw in November to make it a quarter of the year, but today it sure felt like summer.   I sensed it’s not going to be long before my 30 minute dips stretch to 45 minutes. The swim was that good.

When we got down to the beach this morning, we noticed a couple on the sand, close to the cat walk with a small whippet or maybe it was an Italian Greyhound. It was not a big dog  and looked like a greyhound/whippet kind of breed. Two things: it was altogether gorgeous and it was not supposed to be there. The dog side of the beach is the Clovelly side. From the cat walk to the little yellow and white lighthouse is dog-free. From there to Clovelly, dogs have the run of the beach and it’s about 3/4 of the whole beach, so dogs are far from compromised. The owners of the dog left him sitting on the beach and went to have a dip. He was so cute, staring out to the water keeping an eye on them – running up and down, then sitting and staring, the odd woof – running up and down again.

Fish Hoek people can be a bit picky about dogs on their side of the beach and as I entered the water, I noticed the owners looking a little concerned as their pup attracted ongoing attention. People approached, looked at his collar, looked around him and wondered what he was doing there.  “Don’t get involved” I said to myself, but as more people looked at the dog, I decided to swim to the owners who were still not sure if they should continue their swim, and let them know the Fish Hoek rules. There are no big noticeable signs that end of the beach saying “No Dogs”, so it’s understandable that visitors may think they are allowed. I engaged the owners and told them where the dog zone was. They were very appreciative. I went on with my swim, but later saw them walking towards the dog side. They let their dog off his leash and off he went to find an abundance of new friends! There’s always something happening on the beach.

A good relaxing day, spent mainly at home.

I started the book of James today. He doesn’t hesitate. He has something on his heart…. an important message to tell. Twenty words in and he jumps straight to it…

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the test of your faith develops perseverance.

God never wastes pain.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Apartment living, Day to Day Blogs | Comments Off on Early (Perfect) Summer Day

A Huge Catch of Huge Fish

Posted on November 16, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the wind finally dropped and we were able to go to the beach. One significant thing that happened yesterday and today were the fish were biting. Yesterday evening Julian walked down to the beach and it was all happening. The trek fishermen had pulled in an enormous catch. Julian took this photo – a huge catch of huge fish

Possibly a thousand fish. Fish Hoek living up to its name.

Early this morning, we saw them out again. When we walked down to go for a swim, there were 5 bakkies on the beach to load up the first catch. A boat of trek fishermen, meanwhile, were tethered to the barrel.

They were still there when I got in the water, so I swam out to them to ask them how many they caught yesterday. They said it was more than normal but they hadn’t heard the exact weight. I asked if it could have been 1000 fish & they said that was possible. That is a lot of fish. I asked what they were waiting for and they said the fish were now swimming past Fish Hoek and not entering the bay. They were waiting for a shoal to come in. By the time we left, they were still there, but began rowing to shore because the shark net was going to be put out and they were in the way.  There were a number of other fishing boats around, but I don’t think the abundance of yesterday carried over to today.

Today, guests arrived for three nights and this evening Sandy is coming for dinner, so I am getting this wrapped up. Such a beautiful evening which even less wind expected tomorrow. Windless summer days are a treat.

An easy Bible verse choice from my reading today…

Hebrews 13:14
For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A Huge Catch of Huge Fish

And Then This Happened

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we got a new dining room table. Ha! Yesterday, I wrote it was too big and too round & then this happened…

For months and months, Mike has visited Nused in Fish Hoek and admired this table. He has walked around it and looked beneath it and appreciated the wood selection and craftsmanship. Overnight, he decided to go and buy it and if it doesn’t work sell it back, so that’s what he did. The moment it was delivered and put in place, we knew it was here to stay! Mike is thrilled.  It doesn’t take up as much space as we thought it would.

It’s definitely a table of substance – yellow wood and imbuia. We are very happy to have it.

My walk today took me up Highway, down Zoutendyk steps to Hillside,  down Mossop steps to Simon’s Town Rd, to the Glencairn lookout and then back. I went up Echo Steps and arrived at our front gate at exactly 5km. It was quite a blow walking on Simon’s Town Rd. The wind didn’t hold back and I strained into it on the way and blew joyfully back on the return. It is due to drop tomorrow and Sunday, so hopefully we’ll get a swim in soon.

Work is done for the week & the weekend lies ahead.

Hebrews 12:14
Make very effort to live in peace with all men..

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on And Then This Happened

We Changed The Lounge Around

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

You know it’s a slow day when the ‘big’ news is we changed the lounge around!

My walk this morning was to Fish Hoek to buy a few essentials. We walked past Nused to see if the beautiful round yellow-wood dining room table was still there.  Too big and too round for our apartment but Mike absolutely loves it and is always hoping he may be able to use it. It was still there. It opened up the whole conversation again about our dining room table needs. The plan was for Mike to make it. Remember these marvellous pieces of wood? It’s black wood.

Mike hasn’t been able to make it because he had a rotator cuff injury, so we are left making do with wonderful (late) Aunty Wyn’s patio table, which Courage did a great job varnishing. It does warm my heart to use it, just not as a dining room table!

So there’s been debate about which table to use for Christmas. There is the option to bring up the (very big and heavy) pearwood table which David has in the cottage. Mike, now that his shoulder is improving,  could put together the wood for the table top and use it for a trestle top. That’s probably what will happen.

Today I read Hebrews 12. The first verse always takes me back to when we bought the cottage, which is 10 years ago next month.  I was so shocked the seller accepted our offer.  When the estate agent came round for my signature I asked what happened. He recounted the story saying as he had arrived, she (the seller)  said, “Polly,” (the estate agent was an ex-policeman so they called him Polly!), “we need to pray.” He told her she didn’t know what he was coming about. She said, “It must be business”. I’m not sure of the order of things, but after the prayer, there was discussion about our offer. The owner asked if we wanted to flip the house or live in it and he told her we wanted to live in it. At some stage, she took our her Bible and turned to Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..”

And with that, our offer was accepted.

I was stunned. There were many things going on in the background. And that’s so with life. We pray, by faith, we hope and wait but we seldom know how God is at work behind the scenes of our lives. Sometimes, we get a glimpse and we are in awe. That was one of those occasions.

It’s now about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on We Changed The Lounge Around

From the Roof

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Yesterday, I finished the blog with a mention of plumbing issues. Grandpa and Courage went off and got the parts needed for the repair and came straight home & up the ladder. I decided to go up and look as well and as a result got some lovely photos from the roof. Trying to find the problem… 

Solar panels & gabion baskets…

The photo above will look entirely different in a year’s time I think. It’s a good one to keep.

And the view towards Fish Hoek. The higher you go, the better the view.

At least the issue is now fixed, but it took more time than we hoped.

Today, I glanced at my Easter Lilies and they are opening! What a transformation.

I’m told the red stamen must be avoided – apparently they stain something terrible. They are the part that gives off a beautiful fragrant aroma, so what I’ve done is cut off the ones that are about to fall and left them in a plastic container. Hopefully the scent will hang around a while.

I did a good day’s work and tomorrow there will be more. No swimming until the wind has died down, but I have been getting some enjoyable walks in.  Julian arrived today, so maybe we will go walking too.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on From the Roof

Birthday Blooms

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

I’ve been loving my birthday flowers. I got a few bunches and because I work from home, I get to enjoy them all day every day while they last. As I don’t have many vases, I put a couple of the bunches together.

These came off the cake…and are now on my desk…

These are known as Easter Lilies. They came from the neighbour and are slowly beginning to open.

Spring is such a beautiful time of the year. On the way back from the beach this morning, we passed this colourful display.

If we get this abundance on earth, we can’t imagine how amazing the gardens of heaven will be.

The beach was wonderful this morning. The water was warm and flat. I swam a couple of times to the barrel as the tide was low.

There was another unexpected ‘gift’ presented to us early this morning. As I was getting ready for the beach, I walked through the lounge and there right in the middle of the carpet was a large, (deceased) adult starling. No sign of Raiku. He had come in, deposited his catch and left. Maybe he heard us talking about starlings in the roof at the other house & wanted to prove he was doing his bit.

Mike has just come in to say a valve on the hot water cylinder on the roof has just completely broken and needs urgent attention. Courage is supposed to be going home now but instead he & Mike are charging off to the hardware store to buy a part so it can be repaired. So, for the moment, he’s turned the water off. It will be good to get this done today because tomorrow the wind is going to be howling and it won’t be a day to be on the roof. There’s always something.

Up to Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Birthday Blooms

Feeding the Flocks

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I found the perfect 5km route. It’s from our house down to the Sunny Cove traffic lights, across the road, along Simon’s Town Rd to the Glencairn lookout. Turn around, all the way back to the lights, then up Hillside to Daisy Lane and back home again. 5km. There’s always something to see and usually someone to talk to. This morning, I saw a seal in the kelp. He had caught a big fish and was slapping it on the surface of the water. Once done, he let it go and then dove down to get it. He bought it to the surface, slapped it about a bit. Meanwhile, a flock of seagulls, hovered expectantly. As soon as the fish hit the water, they swooped in. You have to look very carefully to see the birds. The seal’s tail is disappearing in the middle of the photo. Very difficult to get a good photo.

That’s how the flocks get fed. Breakfast for the seal and the seagulls.

While I was watching, an elderly gent came up and watched with me. “Never seen anything like it”, he said. We spoke for a while about the whales and the orcas. He said he lived above the graveyard, close to Harbour Bay.

I walked  past one of the houses on Simon’s Town Rd that is being renovated. In 2018, when we were not sure if building was a good idea, I visited a show house in the area. When the estate agent heard I was not sure about building, he enthusiastically suggested we buy this house on Simon’s Town road. For me it wasn’t even a consideration.  Eventually, it got sold and the new owners have renovated the floor above the garages and are living there while the upper floors are done.

They are busy taking off the roof, so it will be interesting to see if they plan on building up, or just replacing  the roof.  There is lots of building going on in the ‘hood.

From the estate agent we also found this out…twas the day a massive boulder came tumbling down the mountain and right through the cottage roof. It was the estate agent’s grandparents & he emailed me the newspaper story. Amazing! It happened 65 years ago yesterday!

The wind has already dropped this evening and we will have a brief reprieve from the south-easter. Tomorrow, we should get in a morning swim.  Julian arrives Wednesday in time for another couple of days of the Cape Doctor, but after Thursday, it shouldn’t be too bad.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

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

Keep the smile going.

God Bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Feeding the Flocks

Tafelberg Rd to the Blockhouse

Posted on November 10, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was another very windy day in Cape Town. David came up for coffee and we had leftover cake for breakfast.  Later in the morning, we decided to head for Cape Town to go and walk to the Blockhouse. We are planning a longer 14km walk in a few weeks time and decided to try the end part of it. We drove into town and right to the very end of Tafelberg Rd (the Cable Car road). There are a couple of car parks, mainly for the route up Platteklip Gorge, so we parked about 200m after this sign where the road is closed.

We just walked along Tafelberg Road above the city. It was a really easy walk along tar for 2.5km. The views are amazing. One day I want to climb Lion’s Head.

Looking back along the road we had walked…

After the tar ends, a broad dirt track continues.

This path would have been in the line of the April 2021 fire that burned down UCT Library.  Rhodes Memorial and UCT…

It is a bit stony in places,  but easy walking until eventually it takes hairpin bend right and and then left up to the Kings Blockhouse. Before arrival, is this wall – part of a house built in 1895.

The memorial stone…

And this was his view…although back then, there would have been more mountain and trees than roads and buildings…

The King’s Blockhouse is just above.

And along the road is one of the canons…

We decided to loop above the Blockhouse and return on the upper contour path, which is also an easy walk with an abundance of beautiful spring flowers and fauna.

Lovely city and bay views

Woodstock cave is above.

We passed a copse of trees.

A little further along a track veers right and that goes down a very short distance to Tafelberg Rd. In a strong south-easter, the walk is mostly protected. It was only on our return as we approached the car that we were out of the lee of the mountain and walking into the teeth of the wind.  A 9km return walk. My watch told me I only maintained my fitness and didn’t improve it! It wasn’t steep enough to get my heart rate up.

Home for an hour long chat with Stacey.

Mike is busy watching rugby.

A lovely weekend.

Psalm 108:4
For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Tafelberg Rd to the Blockhouse

Special Friends Day

Posted on November 9, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I had special friends visit, making it a very special day. I am so sorry I didn’t get more photos. Most of these friends go back decades. I have been in their homes, have prayed with them and for them, cried with them and they are people I run to for prayer and support. The last couple to arrive came from Melkbosstrand. I got a photo of them. Paul and Nadine.

Riana made an amazing Carrot Cake. Thanks John for the photo…

Freedom Foods platter and then Courage made me a chocolate cake!

My heart (& tummy) are full.

At 5ish I went for a long windy walk, passing one of my favourite views of Fish Hoek. This is from Berg Rd.

A busy but fulfilling day comes to an end.  I think I sucked the marrow out of turning 60.

Psalm 107:1
Given thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Special Friends Day

The Best Things About My 50s

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

I’ve been thinking about the best thing about my 50s and of course you make the top of the list! Born on the 21 May 2018, you immediately became the very best thing that happened in my 50s.  Precious one…

I’m sure Julian says the best thing that’s ever happened is the arrival of Elizabeth and Alexander and Anne says the same about Ella. Our parents in heaven have 4 great grandchildren they never met. They would love that!

There were other things that made my 50s special…travel! Overseas…

Africa…

And here in SA – Drakensburg

And lots of fun with the family…at home…

And away…this was the Drakensberg….

This Christmas we hope to all be together.

In the last decade rich friendships have been fostered & more recently, there’s been the fun of a whole new beach community who we love to mingle with.

There have been many blessings between 2014 and 2024. We bought the cottage a month after I turned 50 and built the big house behind it 5 years later.  We never in our wildest dreams ever imagined living this close to the sea – or having 85 steps to our front door!

The blessing of  a very fulfilling new occupation also came in my 50s.

One of the best things I laboriously did in my 50s was get my teeth sorted. The other day I came across some of my (dreadful) braces photos. What a prolonged, 2 year journey, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been so worth it.

Of course, the last decade has not been all smooth sailing.   Stacey’s miscarriage, David’s long Covid, the sudden loss of Adrian’s Dad and the passing of Mike’s sister  left us all with lingering sadness. All 4  happened within a 13 month period from December 2022 to December 2023.  Also, on 2nd March this year, we lost our sweet cat, Claw’d. Raiku still misses him.  But this is life and we get through these trials one day at a time.  The Lord goes before us.  He makes the rough places smooth. We have His salvation as a solid foundation.

This year, each day,  I’ve taken a Bible verse from my daily reading.

Psalm 106:44
He took note of their distress when He heard their cry.

The next 10 years is sure to be full and rewarding. I’ll enjoy each day as it comes.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Best Things About My 50s

The Trees Got Cut

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the trees (finally) got cut. They were obstructing the main electricity line into our house. More than a year ago I reported it. Nothing was done. This year I reported it again, especially after the 7th April fire. The main neighbourhood watch chairlady raised it with the local counsellor and she took it up with the electricity department. Today a truck rolled up. I got a call and half an hour later the job was done.

They also cut down a massive dead bush just off our balcony.

They loaded it up and took it all away.

One big job done. After all the winter rains, there is quite a lot of trimming that needs to be done. We’ll have to have a discussion about when and who…it may be a Courage job but there is still so much of it, there will need to be a bakkie that carries off all the branches.

The wind continued to blow today, churning the sea into a milky green.

Looking in the other direction, you can see where the colour changes. I’m not sure why.

Tomorrow, the wind is forecast to drop in the morning, so we may get out for a swim. That’s the goal at any rate. This morning, I went for a 6km windy walk which got me all my exercise and steps up front.

One of the Bible verses I encounter every November on this day…words are not minced here…

Ezekiel 16:49
“’Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Trees Got Cut