Highs & Lows of the Day

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that had highs and lows. The biggest high of the last 24 hours though, was hearing that yesterday, you, my sweet, darling Elsie, invited Jesus into your heart. I couldn’t be more delighted. When I did the same thing in 1979, my life changed and the effect of that simple step of faith has influenced every day since. My prayer for you is that you will feel the love of God in your life and heart all the days of your life. You are 5 now. May the blessing of knowing Jesus be as fresh when you reach old age. I am so grateful for the hope we have as Christians. Wed 11th October 2023 will be an important day in your life.

And that hope is what is carrying us through this trial. David’s blood results came back. While he is feeling better, recovering faster and able to get out a bit more, to our astonishment, his blood results came back unchanged. Big clumps of clots – sticky undissolved microclots that are preventing his endothelium from healing.

They are tiny, but they are still there. As we tried unpacking this information, we concluded that as he’s not entirely better, we were expecting some clots but not that they would be the same (or maybe even worse). The email that came from the doctor’s rooms asked if David had been sick or even been reinfected with Covid because this was a clear sign the endothelium is still not better.  The way ahead is to continue the blood thinners in the hope that they continue to slowly dissolve the clots.

Our mood was lifted somewhat, by the brilliant win SA had against Australia in our second match of the cricket world cup. It always feels good beating Australia.

Tomorrow is another day.

Isaiah 18:4
This is what the Lord says to me: “I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place…”

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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Hadedas at Sunrise

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we saw large noisy hadedas at sunrise. They are the noisiest birds in Africa!

It was a glorious morning, so we threw open our bedroom balcony doors. Raiku immediately was drawn to them.

I wondered what he had seen. And when I went to look, it was  the neighbourhood hadedas…

A short while later, they took off towards Fish Hoek, barking their loud interruptive cry as they went.

Because the day was so beautiful, we went to the beach. The sea wasn’t as great as it looked. It was warmer than recently – probably about 16C but it was a little choppy in places and had unusual undercurrents. I thought I saw a seal out at the barrel so I initially didn’t go out there, but then I realised it was a duck. I’m not afraid of ducks, so I swam out, then back to Mike, back to the barrel and back to the beach. It was a good 30 minutes in the water again. I loved it.

I worked for 7 hours.

David had a friend around, which took up his morning. Tomorrow we should get his blood results back. We’ll see.

I’m not sure if Valerie-Gail still reads my blog, but if she does, happy 70th birthday!

End of another busy day.

Isaiah 16:5
In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

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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When Fake is Good!

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that Mike and David dropped Julian at the airport and then went onto Stellenbosch for David to have two lots of blood done. They were home after 12. David was tired. Small steps.

I had shopping to do including picking up David’s new prescription. When I went to drive away, to my astonishment, Raiku ran out from one of the gardens up the street! One of my comforts is we are so far from the road, but cats will be cats and you can’t tell them where not to go. He dashed across the road, up the neighbour’s driveway and through the gap back home. And then later, he bought in a (dead) lizard. That’s Raiku for you, but then there are times butter won’t melt in his mouth. After a hard day’s exploration…

Today was also Courage’s birthday! He turned 31.

It was a beautiful day and after 4 days of wind, it finally dropped and the sun shone. I stood on the side balcony and thought our entry courtyard looked so pretty.

We have a perfect lawn. It’s when fake is good. Our artificial lawn has been a great buy.

We haven’t mowed it or weeded it since it arrived. It just looks perfect all the time. The vine is also growing and looking healthy. This is not fake.

But the flowers on my desk are. They look very summery and never die.

I worked 8 hours today – my eyes are tired and it’s time to stop.

Isaiah 14:24
The Lord Almighty has sworn,
“Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

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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Clawed by Claw’d

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

It had to happen! Yesterday was the day I got clawed by Claw’d. I had picked him up,  had him on my lap and he was just sitting there when someone accidentally knocked over a cup. It fell and made a big clatter. Claw’d ‘skrikked’ – I held onto him a little tighter, comforting him, but he had none of it and in his haste to get away, he had his claws out. One of them went right into my right hand and dragged across my skin before exiting a centimeter along. It bled for a while, but with the help of some disinfectant and a plaster was soon on the way to healing.

I’m glad it was me and not David. With the anti-coagulants flowing through his veins, the bleeding would have taken a while to stop. Not only do I have a scratch on my right hand. Almost in the very same place Julian has as well. He mis-stepped the other day and grazed his right hand. It’s not the only time we have nursed the same injuries. We have been doing the same over the last 5 months. When we were coming down Jacob’s Ladder on St Helena Island we leaned heavily on the railing. This was to take the pressure off our knees. Putting all our weight on the rail 699 times strained our shoulders. We didn’t know it at the time. It was only when we got home that we both simultaneously started complaining about a sore left shoulder.  Whenever Julian came we would discuss our rotator cuff  – how bad it was, how it affected sleep, when it hurt the most, how hard it was to put on a jacket. Time passed and very slowly we have enjoyed improvement. Neither of us went to the doctor or for physio. We just tried not to use it too much. Literally, our recovery was altogether similar up to today when we are almost back to normal.

I worked 9 hours today. It was hard on my eyes, but at least I’ve caught up from the weekend email.

Isaiah 12:5
Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

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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The Day The Granite Came

Posted on October 8, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you and I had a long chat. I can’t believe how tall you are getting and your new hair cut makes you look so much older. Your Mom’s cell phone battery started dying, so you went and plugged it in. After you did that, you told  me you were going to do the washing.  Then you ran outside  & when your Mom said, “where’s Granny?” you replied, “I’ve put Granny on charge!” That was very funny!

Google reminded me today that 3 years ago our granite arrived.  The island piece was about 150kg or more – some family members say it was 200kg, but I think that’s an exaggeration. It was not an easy task getting it up the mountain…

Up the stairs…

Almost in the front door…

And with much relief, being put in place.

We were so excited to have it cleaned up and ready for use.

And 3 years later, it hasn’t changed…

This was one of the risky purchases of the house. We bought it at the annual Womag Granite sale in November 2019. It sat at a place in Athlone from November 2019, through Covid to October 2020.

The company did a great job with the fabrication process. They cut it perfectly, making the most of grain pattern, so that it looked like a river running into the sink. Loved it. Twas a risk that paid off because in the end the total cost for original purchase of the slab, fabrication and installation was R17000. It covered the main island top, the kitchen counter and Julian’s kitchenette counter.  I’m appreciating it tonight.

I am deeply disturbed by what is happening in the Middle East and am watching events with concern.

Isaiah 11:5
Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

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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Back to Kommetjie

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day we woke early and before 8, David and I took a drive to Kommetjie. We returned to where we had walked on 3rd April. David had been sick for 6 weeks. This was back then…

He found short walks hard work and used his stick as extra support. Today, his whole demeanor was different. No stick, walking much quicker and he walked further too.

He still uses his stick for the stairs and has a long way to go but he is moving slowly in the right direction. Very grateful!

Home on a very windy day. We swapped the guest’s linen as he’s here for another week. Then I relaxed for a while, enjoying the cats…

They had the right idea.

We watched cricket for a chunk of the day, although I took a walk to Fish Hoek midday to buy a couple of things. Home for more cricket, which is Sri Lanka playing us in our first world cup match. We are about to win. While that game ends,  there is rugby on with Samoa playing England in a world cup match.  Tonight at 9, Ireland plays Scotland in rugby which we’ll be keeping an eye on. I’m not such a big rugby fan but am following the scores.

I can’t end the blog without mentioning Granny who passed away 10 years ago today. Always remembered and loved.

Isaiah 12:4
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.

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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Biggest Lesson Learned From Airbnb

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

It’s been two years since we put our units on Airbnb and started hosting. And there is one massive lesson I learned almost immediately. We had put together the listing and were about to push the publish button.

Before we did, Mike and I sat down in my office and prayed. We prayed that the Lord would bring the right people and they would find our cottage a place of peace and rest. We committed it to the Lord and then we pressed ‘publish’ and the listing inquiry. I was thrilled.

I was super eager to get them, so when they asked for me to keep it a day or two, I had no problem.

We continued with the next message. They were coming for a birthday celebration.

And then this message arrived.  Bear in mind, we had just prayed for God to send the right people. This was our very first inquiry. I thought they phrased it so well. How was I going to reply? At that moment, I realised there was only one right answer. At that moment, Airbnb changed me. I was not the judge. I would accept unconditionally the people who came to our place. I am sure there would be many guests who come who are vastly different to me. And I was right on that score. Most guests are delightful, but we certainly have had some colourful ones (think the  Russians who threw a wine bottle through the bedroom window).

My thinking became more concrete this week when I watched Andy Stanley’s latest video.

I want circles not lines. I can’t control people’s choices and my unconditional love and acceptance of them is not necessarily approval. But I am not the judge.

And that’s the biggest lesson God taught me through Airbnb. I wish I’d learned it earlier.

For the rest of the day, friends came for tea and I worked half the day. I did a little shopping this afternoon and now am ready for the weekend.

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

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 Out For Dinner

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was mainly a work day where I sat in front of my computer and worked. After a full day, the highlight had to be we all went out for dinner. We haven’t been out for dinner together – Mike, me, Julian and David for so many months, so it was a real treat. We went to Saveur in Simon’s Town. Julian and I walked to just past Glencairn. The wind was howling, but we didn’t get too blown away. The train is running between Glencairn and Fish Hoek again and we were there to witness it…

Dinner view

It was so good to have David be well enough to come with us. He just has to take it easy and not overdo it.

Now we are home and watching You Tube travel videos. It’s time to end.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.”

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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No 2 Sunrises are the Same

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day that was windless and balmy although there was also lots of cloud, making it more of a fancourt slate kind of day….mostly grey. Early this morning we watched what looked like a satellite – it may have been the international space station, but that’s a guess. It seemed to be moving, but not as fast as the ISS is said to move. If it was the ISS, we would have looked like this from up there (this photo is dated April 2021 and comes from https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/cape-town-south-africa-2/)

Our sunrise today looked like this…it made me reflect that no 2 sunrises are ever the same…

The rest of the day unfolded in a useful sort of way. We did a couple of loads of washing. Julian arrived. I did 6 or 7 hours of work. Mike put down a bunch of pavers outside his study door.

He had help finishing it and it will certainly stop sand from blowing in.

No two days are the same either. We went to the beach this morning. The water is warming up. This morning it was about 16C. It was not clear and there were streaks of red tide. I also passed a plump blue bottle. A good day to keep my head above the water. I was in for at least half an hour. So lovely.

Isaiah 11:10
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious.

This is why, 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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Shark Siren Went Off

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we went to the beach for a swim. It was great to be back in the water, which is warming up. I swam for about half an hour and then warmed up in the sun. While we were getting ready to head off home, the shark alarm went off. I was surprise and really pleased it hadn’t been sounded when I was in the water. I went to find out what the issue was – ‘No madam, we are only testing! It hasn’t been sounded for a long time, so we wanted to check it was still working!’ It was.

The shark net drill is back to normal.A few workers are in the water & a couple in the boat…

And 4 on the cat walk pulling the rope to the rock.

Home to work and because I took time out to go to the beach, I’ve only worked about 7 hours today.

Today, also, Google reminded me that 4 years ago this was underway. The land was being cleared for the steps. This was then…

And this is today…

Telephone pole is still there!

We now have 99 steps from the road to the top wall. This is from there…We’ve come a long way. In 4 years time, hopefully there will be another building behind us.

Last night David and I played Chess. I haven’t played in donkey’s years. Of course, he won, but what he did was put the game onto his chess.com analysis app and then sent me the link. I could see exactly the move that sunk me! Twas fun though.

Maybe there will be more of this from time to time. I just need to be prepared for a beating.

Isaiah 11:2

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord  –

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xxx

 

 

 

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And So Spring Sprung

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you went to school, even though it was the holidays. You chose school, so off you went. You are doing so well. Today in Cape Town, it was the day full on, spring sprung – in fact it may have been an early summer’s day.  There was very little wind, warm sun and blue skies.

This photo was taken when I stood on the mountain on what will hopefully, one day be, Gleneagles Rd.

And looking from my house, that’s where I was standing…It means that, if the road does get built we will have a view of it happening.

I was super busy at work – 9 hours. It’s going to be like this until Thursday this week and next. Fridays will probably be a little quieter.

We’ve watched cricket today – we think South Africa may lose this one, but we will wait to see.

Next Tuesday (10th) David has booked his next blood tests. Hopefully, there will be evidence of dissolving clots. Meantime, he carries on with this regimen of medication. The bottom one offers stomach lining protection.

Today, the washing rack on the balcony showed signs of blowing over. David went outside to prevent it from doing so. Last night he forgot his walking stick downstairs. These little things – tiny little things to most – are leaps in the right direction. He still gets tired, but we are hopeful that he will make a full recovery. He just has to pace himself. Maybe, when Julian comes this week, we’ll all go out for dinner.

Grateful!

Isaiah 11:1

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xxx

 

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3 Hour Hike Through Newlands Forest

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that started out very relaxing but ended with aching feet and sore muscles. It was a beautiful spring day and I lay on the couch and relaxed.

David took the car & went to church. He is doing better and we are so grateful. He just has to remember not to overdo it.

At lunchtime, Mike and I decided to go to Newlands Forest. When we got there, we took a look at the map and decided to walk the 1.5 hour walk. Sounds good to me. The craziest thing is that in all my 40 years in this city, I have never been in Newlands Forest. Today was the day. Everything I would see would be new.

We chose Newlands Forest for the shade on a warm and sunny afternoon and there were plenty of trees to provide it.

We walked up and up towards the contour path, admiring the trees as we went.

Eventually, we got to the contour path. I have a feeling it was just before it we were supposed to take a path off the road and down through the forest, but no, we didn’t. We walked onwards and upwards to the contour path and then carried on walking. Mike said there was a broad path leading down the mountain and that would complete a healthy loop. Along boardwalks, across rivers, over many rocks and under a massive fallen tree.

 

When we got to what we thought was a wide path taking us down the mountain, it was actually a river and there was no route down. This was the end of the road for us. From here, we had to retrace our steps. Any further and we’d be on our way to Table Mountain! But it was all pretty spectacular.

We returned the way we came until we decided to take a ‘short cut’ which turned out to me longer than we thought. There were lots of rivers…

And a boardwalk..

Three hours later, we got back to the car. It was really a lovely ramble through the forest & we will definitely visit again.

We got home just before 6pm and were properly tired. Burgers for dinner and some rugby to watch. Good way to start October, speaking of which, today is Pastor John’s birthday. Happy Birthday!

Isaiah 9:2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

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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Close Orca Encounter

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

You and I had a nice chat today. You showed me your lego. I showed you the cats. You love watching the cats. So do we. They are always full of fun.

The big whale appearance of the day were False Bay’s well known duo of Port & Starboard – this pair of orcas cruised right in front of our house, very close to the shore. We enjoyed watching them…

Then we noticed a set of paddlers coming along on their surf-skis. When the paddlers saw something in the water they stopped. The orcas didn’t! 

The orcas went straight towards them! Until eventually, the orca was right below them.

The three paddlers at the front managed to slowly start paddling away but the one at the back got stranded.

One orca seemed to follow the three retreating paddlers, while the one behind paddled to catch up.Once, he’d caught up with is mates, they  could watch from a safer distance.  Sure would have been an adrenaline rush and a story to tell back at the club.

The leviathans of the seas. Quite a sighting. Mike took this video. Imagine these coming towards you!

For the rest of the day, we cleaned the Seaview apartment. The new guest arrived and he’s here for a couple of weeks.

I walked to Fish Hoek to buy milk and came home via the mountainside which is awash with flowers and an abundance of growth. There was also a guinea fowl family with their chicks.

Since David started on his long Covid treatment, at the end of each month, over the many months that have passed, I have wondered if this time next month David will be better. End of May, end of June, end of July, end of August – he wasn’t. Today, end of September, David is fractionally better. It is a slow improvement, but it is an improvement none the less. Today he went to Olympia for breakfast! Later in the the day, he came to our apartment to get something he needed. Usually, I get a message. Today, he came down.  He was really tired this afternoon & he slept more than an hour, but he still feels his body is getting better.

Isaiah 8:17

I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him.

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 Day of Nature

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Wow! Today was a day of nature for sure. It began with a majestic sunrise.

Then, after the sun rose, I noticed a lone baboon on the roof of the house across the road.I learned his name is Sagweba. From the whatsapp group…

Sagweba made his way up the mountain behind our neighbour’s house and chilled there for a while.

But then he decided to seek some shade so he climbed into the neighbour’s garden and spent a good amount of time under the tree.

Eventually, he upped & climbed over the fence onto our stairs. He then passed Courage and Brian who gave him a wide berth and climbed over our back fence and went onto the mountain. Courage and Brian were spellbound. So frozen were they, they didn’t think to call us and I was told about it when I went to check to see if the baboon was still there. Then I got the story! Sagweba was last seen in Glencairn.

While he was mooching on the mountain, a number of whales were moseying around the bay. This was a mother with her calf.So close to the shore and causing quite a traffic jam between Sunnycove and Glencairn. Such a treat to have such a diverse and rich abundance of nature around us. The amaryllis is almost a bouquet.

When God is silent, He is not absent. The display of beauty around us today is evidence of that.

Isaiah 7:9

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

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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Electricity Fixed

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the electricity got fixed. In fact, last night, after 8pm, I got a call to say the electricity department was downstairs to fix the problem. When they found out where the problem was and that it needed a very tall ladder, they decided to come back this morning. They bought with them their ladder and sent one of the guys up to make the fix.

We were super happy that’s been fixed. Our solar performed well but it’s good to have the backup of Eskom.

Today the cats went to the vet for their final shots. Apart from trying to track Raiku down before leaving, it was without drama. They have settled so well and were very quiet with only the odd wail coming and going. Home again and we let them out the box on the stairs. I was interested to see where they would head. They both ran up the stairs and were waiting for me to arrive to open the door for them. They were a little ticked off with me, but soon settled back into normalcy.

Work = 8 hours +. Tomorrow, I’ve kept my calendar clear for regular work and for watching cricket.

The day was super springy! Someone posted this…

It did come with red tide…all the pink bits close to the coast.

Across the bay, after the storm, Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els will remain closed for a while. The storm damage was surprising…

Apparently, more than 2 months worth of rain fell over the weekend in the Western Cape. A storm of note.

Isaiah 6:3

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

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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