Night Fire Below the Street

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day you stayed at home again while things settled down in your home town. Your Mom sent me a lovely photo of you doing a work sheet. You are so good at writing.

This morning I got up early, fed the cats and made coffee. I went out on the balcony and heard a rumble. Looking down, to my surprise I saw a fire engine heading down the street. I wondered what had happened and thought there must be a backstory. I went onto the Whatsapp group to discover that (probably) a vagrant had lit a fire below the houses on the street in open land between the street houses and Simon’s Town Rd below. The brush caught and it flared up. The home owners took these pictures…

The wind was blowing from the north so it was blowing towards Simon’s Town. The fire services came quickly with 2 posted onto our street while more fought the fire from below. Photo by Charles Booysen.

The residents of 53 and 55 were up with their own hosepipes at 3am. Fortunately, there was no damage or injury but it scared them. It flared up this afternoon, so the fire engine was again at work to dampen things down. Hopefully, that will be the end of it.

For us who live on the mountainside, the threat of fire is something we have thought of often. Mike has spoken about cutting back some of the dead bush close to our boundary before summer. We never imagined a fire coming from below. It’s always a thought that it will come from the mountainside. There is a wooden house high up on the mountain that has stood for decades, which is a comfort to us that fire doesn’t come this way often. We need to be diligent in keeping the dry wood away, especially before the heat and wind of summer becomes apparent.

It’s been a quiet work day. I’ve done about 4 and a half hours.

David went out this morning and came home exhausted. He took 11 minutes to get up the stairs. He purposefully takes his time so he doesn’t overdo it. The fatigue is the thing that he needs to  manage. If you look at him, you’ll think he’s fine. When you see him get up to walk, you’ll realise he’s not.

Psalm 145:2

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

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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If You Have a Cat, Get One of These

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day there were riots in Swellendam! What I heard on the news is if you stayed in an informal settlement you automatically got an indigent subsidy. Then the Council instituted a new policy which says shack dwellers have to apply for an indigent subsidy in order to get the free utilities. Information was not clearly given and the affected residents protested saying the Council were taking away their free electricity units.

I’m so sorry this happened. Peaceful protests are one thing, but when hooligans run amok, set computers and building alight, burn tyres on the roads and loot shops, it is completely unacceptable.  Hopefully, things will return to normal tomorrow.

For me I worked the morning and in the afternoon, between working and listening to David commentate on Chess, I finished collating all my tax. Now it’s off to Stacey to cast her eye over my spreadsheet and then to my tax lady to submit.

David on the big screen commentating chess. He had more than 1000 viewers.

Mike did a bit of shopping and while out, he bought something. If you have a cat, get one of these…

It’s more used in a boardroom than for cat entertainment. It’s a laser pointer light that people who give presentations use to point at various things on their white board or power point presentation. For us, it’s a barrel of laughs watching the cats chase it, especially Claw’d. He’s crazy about trying to catch the light.

Just don’t shine it in eyes!

The guests in the Seaview Apartment want to stay on for the weekend, but last night we had a booking for Saturday and Sunday night, so I’ve asked the weekend guests if they would prefer the cottage. I’m waiting to hear. If they don’t, I’ll have to offer the current guests the cottage instead.

Time for dinner.

Psalm 145:1
I will exalt you, my God the King;  I will praise your name for ever and ever.

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 Varied Tuesday

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today I took Julian to the airport. It’s always nice to get out, have an eye break & drive across the city. There was an accident on the M3 coming back and as a result there was slow moving traffic. It looked pretty bad with a lot of emergency vehicles and a fire engine. There was also someone receiving first aid on the side of the road & that looked quite intense.

It was an opportunity to pray for all involved.

Back home, David was doing a live stream of a chess match which was quite entertaining to watch.

Stacey tuned in. Her FPGA channel is also doing well.

Meanwhile, a reservation came through for the Seaview Apartment and the guest wanted to arrive today! She said she’d be here about 4pm, so I went down to the terrace to see if she had arrived. The cats followed me. They are so cute, peering through the bars at the road, very alert!

The guest arrived and I showed her to the apartment.

Mike has been very busy with the top plot. Today the plumber came to extend the sewerage pipe so that the gabion baskets can be completed. He has really enjoyed using his theodolite, but this evening he is tired.

I till haven’t done my tax, so I need to make that a priority tomorrow.

Today, it’s 15 years since my Dad passed away. Time just slips away and we need to embrace each day and try to enjoy it to the full. My Dad’s handwriting.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through. Dad’s in heaven. He has passed through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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A Run of the Mill Monday

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was one of those day where I reached 5pm and thought to myself, ‘I’ve got nothing to write about!’ These days happen more than I care to admit, because they are regular run of the mill days where the things that unfold are exactly the same as always.

These kind of days start for me around 6am which is when the cats inevitably start meowing. They sleep in their bed in the study and we close the door so they can’t race around the apartment. At around 6am their calls for food and company are real. So they go from this position…

To eating…

To meowing to go out.

While they are in that process, it’s still dark & I don’t want them out until the (unseen) caracals have (if they exist) returned to their lairs. At daylight, they can go out. That’s around 7am.

Meantime, I do my Bible reading & make coffee. If Mike is awake, I’ll make for him too. If he is asleep, I only  make for me. Then it’s to my rocking chair to watch the world wake up. I watch the planes take off and look up on Flight Radar where they are going to. I saw one go left and the next go right. As soon as they get over the N2 they become visible. They are easy to see at night but their flashing lights are really visible during the day. I love watching them.

Mike wakes up. David arrives for coffee or breakfast or both. We chat with him to find out how he slept & what his day looks like. This morning he had to get up at 4am. It’s a gruelling time and not ideal as he’s just got into a sleep routine, but he was asked to teach from 4.30am ‘just once’. The co- teachers in the classes he teaches see him and hear him and can’t figure out why he is ‘sick’ because he looks and sounds so normal. They don’t have a clue as to the enormous amount of energy it takes for him to teach a lesson.  Once he has had breakfast, he goes back to rest before his next lesson. After those he will ‘crash’ and sleep in the afternoon. Then he comes up for dinner.

Meanwhile, I usually sit down to work and then break for breakfast. Courage and Brian arrive and they start work out back. I work for the day, breaking for tea and lunch. Courage and Brian leave at 4.30pm. When Julian is here, we will walk and then dinner is between 6pm and 6.30pm. Then there will be either some TV or just conversation until about 8pm or half past. About then everyone retires to their apartments to do their own thing.

And that is a typical day in my life. The cats have just arrived to say  hello. The Lord provided the sweetest, most well behaved boys I could ask for. And they stayed still for a few seconds.

A satisfying work day.

The other thing that happened today was my new car licence disc was delivered by courier. I ordered it from https://online.natis.gov.za/ on Wednesday 9th and it arrive today! No more queueing at the Fish Hoek Traffic department for me (well actually for Mike because he would do it for me and get into the pensioner queue!).

Psalm 142:5

I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

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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Hiking Kalk Bay Mountain

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we did two walks. The first was to Scarborough where we went to pray.

View from the rocks where we prayed.

We had to cross the river to get to the rocks and that meant taking our shoes and socks off. It was very refreshing being back on the beach barefoot. We got back to the car, rinsed our feet in a puddle, dried them on the grass and were good to go. It was a special time.

Home for a piece (or two) of Mike’s freshly baked bread before we took off for Kalk Bay. We parked on Godfrey Rd and walked up the Echo Valley steps. Our route took us from the Echo Valley Sign, right at Weary Willy to Ou Kraal. It’s just less than 3km so a very easy afternoon ramble.

There were some steep bits but also a lot of easy paths.

Glimpse of Kalk Bay…not far up the path…

We continued to the Weary Willy sign.

That was where we encountered another hiker with his dogs and he told us what to expect. At this point there is a river to cross. I wonder what it was like at the height of the heavy rain a couple of months ago..

Once across the river, the path goes over a ridge and we arrived at a beacon at which we turned right.

Then begins a long and easy descent toward Boyes Drive. It was this contour path that had my attention. Many times I have seen lights on Kalk Bay mountain and now I can imagine this is the path along which night hikers walk. The view from the path towards our house…

And that mountain from my house…the red line is roughly where the path descends from the beacon.

The flora was beautiful…

And we soon arrived at Ou Kraal which intersects with Boyes Drive.

An easy walk back to the car and we arrived an hour and 45 minutes after leaving. And we missed the rain. A very satisfying afternoon on the mountain.

Sometimes I see lights higher up the mountain, so with more time and fresh legs, that will be one to also explore.

A good weekend.

Psalm 142:3

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.

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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Mike Got His Tripod!

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

What a good chat we had today. You showed me a very interesting anatomy book you have been looking at and told me about the skeleton. That was fun to see.

I had a busy day. I did some work at the start of it, then we went out for breakfast. After that we walked down Fish Hoek Main Rd and decided to go into one of them to see if they had an industrial tripod. That was where things got interesting. The guy in the shop said he thought he had one. He looked around then Mike spotted it. It was an exact match for the theodolite. Remarkable! After a bit of negotiation a very suitable price was decided upon and the deal was done.

We think this one may have belonged to the owner of the theodolite because it attaches perfectly to the top being the same brand. It’s a Swiss built Wild. Perfect! Mike was over the moon. He spent the afternoon fashioning a holder for his laser to put it on top so he can easily measure distances.

Speaking of the laser, we used it to entertain the cats. It’s got a red light that we flashed around the carpet and the cats had a fine time chasing it. The light was pretty poor but you get the drift from this photo..

So entertaining.

Julian and I walked to the end of the beach and back and with 16000 steps done today, I am so tired!

Time for bed!

Psalm 142:2
I pour out before Him my complaint; before Him I tell my trouble.

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 Dark Fog

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I woke to see blackness across the bay. The bright string of street lights joining Clovelly to Kalk Bay, the harbour lights and distant twinkling of Muizenberg were shrouded by a cold dark fog. It sort of reflected my mood. It’s been almost 6 months since David fell ill and my heart was saddened that up to now the anticoagulant therapy has not worked. I went out onto the balcony and peered into the darkness. This is a trial. It will pass. Just because we can’t see the lights, they are there. Just because we can’t see the healing, it will come.

A cappuccino in the darkness followed & soon my spirit lifted. Everything will be all right. It will just take time. Our lives have been pretty idyllic and we are grateful. Trials come to everyone. This is ours for a season.

David’s blood results came back and there is no change. This is not surprising because David’s recent condition hasn’t changed. He’s trying to put himself in the best possible place for healing, so he’s cleaned up his diet, is off sugar and most recently has stopped having dairy. We’ll see how he does in the coming days.

And it’s Friday which makes everything a little better. I worked 8 hours. And then we took a walk to the end of the beach and enjoyed some lovely long sunset shadows…

Home again for dinner and a Grand Design.

I only got 5 hours sleep last night so I am ready to turn in for the night.

Psalm 142:1
I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.

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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Early Spring Weather

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that we got to swim again. The sea was flat and cold and when I got out, my fingers were numb. It was that cold. It’s the 4th time we have swum this month & I think it was the day the sea was the coldest. We left home later than usual so got home after 10am. But there are definitely signs of early spring weather, even if it’s just for a few days.

I worked for the rest of the day, while Mike worked on his theodolite tripod. He also wanted to see if the gabion baskets on the right side of the house are stable, so he took some measurements, which I wrote down. We can measure again in a month’s time and can detect as little as half a mm of movement.

There was hardly any wind and the sun was beautiful and warm. Raiku enjoying the balcony…

This evening, he is meowing at the door very eager to go out into the darkness. Caracals also come out at night, so my two are locked in until tomorrow. Sorry boys!

Julian and I walked to the end of Echo. A beautiful evening.

I am looking forward to the weekend, although Saturday I need to do my taxes.

This photo was taken by a local resident Linzelle.

Psalm 141: 8
My eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge

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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37 Years of Marriage

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today is our 37th wedding anniversary! Yup, ’twas 37 years ago Grandpa and I got married. This was the day!

When I woke up, Mike had been up late last night working on one of his creative anniversary cards. He’s so good at it. They are super special.

Inside…

Can’t beat my two cats, that’s for sure! And he got their profiles drawn perfectly. I had a hearty laugh!

We had a cooked breakfast.  I did some work and after my regular Wednesday meeting, we went to do some shopping to get David’s prescription filled. They have reduced some of the medication. We hope to get his blood results by Friday.

The afternoon, Mike slept and Julian arrived.

Celebrating our wedding anniversary always makes me reflect. Reflecting over the last year leads me to the struggle we have faced as a family. I’ve not mentioned it on this platform because it hurt so deeply but in November, Stacey had a miscarriage which was devastating for all of us. We were overseas and I was so far away. I felt so helpless not being there to comfort her. Stacey has such a strong faith and she knows God is in control but the pain was deep.

Then this year, David’s long Covid has consumed our time and energy. He is resilient and we are so grateful that he is mentally strong, but despite this, it is not easy. It’s not ‘forever Covid’ but we have resigned ourselves that we are in for the long haul.

Trials affect a marriage one way or the other. One of the things that has happened is we have been united in our grief both with Stacey’s loss and with David’s health. When they hurt, we hurt.

It’s 37 years of marriage and it is my prayer that by the time I sit down, God willing, to write 38 years of marriage, it will be with these trials behind us. For now, it’s a dinner out for us this evening.  It’s been a beautiful day with the sun shining and the sky blue. We have a lot to be grateful for. We continue to trust God for all things & we surrender all.

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

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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David Had His Bloodwork

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day David had his 3rd lot of blood work. The first was 9th May & confirmed he had microclots & therefore Long Covid. He started treatment on 16th May. The 2nd was 13th June which revealed the microclots in his plasma had dissolved but he still had quite a high volume of microclots in his platelets which is why he still had his symptoms. Today is the 3rd lot. We should get the results later in the week.

Mike took him to Stellenbosch and with the taxi issues still not resolved, we watched the Whatsapp groups carefully. They went Baden Powell and found everything super quiet. Very few cars on the road and hardly any people. It was a quick and easy trip, faster than usual and they were soon on the way home. They got home about lunchtime and not long after, this came up on the Whatsapp groups.

We were grateful it was a morning appointment because the issues seem to have continued through the afternoon.

This afternoon, I took a walk across to Sun Valley to pick up our car. What a quiet walk. There were hardly any people on the roads, and with no taxis, everything was far quieter.

On a lighter note, I found this grand announcement

I think cats think every day is cat day. Raiku, the hunter.

Claw’d the uncertain follower…he’s under table.

On my bed.

Morning wrestling. Claw’d often initiates these encounters and quite often is also the first to run away. They are clearly a very well bonded pair of male cats and this behaviour is entirely normal. They are play fighting and it’s so entertaining to watch. They usually fight a couple of times a day.

I think a video is required…

Such fun. They keep us thoroughly entertained.

Psalm 141:1
I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to 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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Taxi Violence

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie,

Today we woke up to a mass of cloud coming in. Our morning sunrise usually is this…

This morning it looked like this…

The massive bank of cloud soon dispersed with the rising sun. At lunchtime, Mike and I walked to Fish Hoek for a few groceries. The beach was perfect.

With this on our doorstep we don’t need to go anywhere in the world.

Today Raiku caught another mouse. He doesn’t do too much damage. Catches the mouse and then brings it inside and allows me to pick it up and take it out to be buried. There are a lot of mice around & they’ve never had cats to worry about.

On our walk today the stark absence of taxis was obvious. The taxis are striking. The main reason for the strike is the City of Cape Town is clamping down on illegal, unroadworthy vehicles and will take them off the road if they are not safe. The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said the police were being heavy-handed and taking taxis off the road for what they described as ‘minor infringements’ such as no seatbelts. Today is Day 5 and the taxi drivers have taken the law into their own hands and as a result, freeways are blocked and busses have been set alight. Cape Town has made international news for all the wrong reasons. It was bad on the way to the airport. Cars were having stones thrown at them. Two of the drivers had guns on them and fired shots out their car window, killing two of the perpetrators. Santaco can’t control their members. They say the violence is caused by others.  Tomorrow Mike is taking David to Stellenbosch for his blood tests. Hopefully, things will have quietened down. We pray for peace.

Psalm 140:7
Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.

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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Two Cats a Cuddling

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day we had a quiet Sunday. Last night Peter and Riana came for dinner and while they were here, the cats were naturally skittish. The funniest thing was we were sitting at the table and the cats love sitting on those dining room chairs. They were confused at having us all at the table and there was no space for them, so they retreated to the study. When I went to check on them, this is what I found. Two cats a cuddling…

Such cutie pies.

David has had a bit of a rough week. He had a sore throat and headache for a number of days. By Thursday, he was feeling better and went to see a friend in Claremont. He came home at lunchtime to spend the afternoon recovering. Friday he took it easy until the evening, when, just before he went to bed, he walked 400m around the apartment. At the 400m mark he started feeling fatigue, so he retired for the night. Yesterday, he went to Olympia and bought us all egg and bacon croissants for breakfast. I offered to go for him, but he really wanted to get out, so off he went down the 100 steps, to the restaurant and back again. Today, he’s been exhausted and his legs have been particularly painful. Tuesday he goes for blood work so we’ll see if any there are any fewer microclots in his platelets. It’s always difficult seeing him like this, but we just need to take 1 day at a time. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Psalm 140:6
I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.

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 Broken Cup

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

It was a treat to speak to you today. My favourite moment was when you were showing me round the new building and as you were walking, I was telling Granpa how clever you are and all the good things about you. As I spoke, you were smiling this big smile as all the affirmation settled into your soul!

For us, it was a relatively quiet day where I cleaned our apartment. It feels so good to get it properly clean. I’ve done quite a lot of carpet sweeping over the last few weeks because the cats are great shedders! And Raiku loves stalking the broom while I’m using it which makes sweeping super fun. We are getting into the routine with them now. As soon as it’s light, I let them out the house and they come and go as they please. Claw’d is more a home bod and spends more time coming and going. Raiku stays away longer, but saunters in a few times a day. As soon as it gets late and I see they are  both in, I close the window and they are in for the rest of the night.

I’ve been thinking about my broken mug. When it broke, months ago, there were two things happened. My immediate thought was ‘ah, a cruise mug is broken, we’ll have to go on a cruise to get a replacement!’. The other was a strange desire to make that my mug of choice. I didn’t really know why until a day or two ago, when I announced just because it is broken it doesn’t mean it can’t be used. And after saying that, I reflected, ‘just because I’m broken, it doesn’t mean I can’t be used.’

I guess we all feel broken at times. Just because you are broken, it doesn’t mean you can’t be used.

The big deep clean was not without purpose. It hasn’t been done for a while, but it got properly done because the Berettas are coming for Best of Both. I’d better get to the kitchen.

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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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Raiku Caught a Mouse

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day Raiku caught his first mouse. He was so impressed with himself. He bought it in with Claw’d closely behind and first deposited in the study. But the need for affirmation was too much, so he picked it up and delivered it into the middle of the lounge carpet where I found the two of them fuzzy with excitement.  Their excitement did not match mine, let alone Mike’s. We shoo’d them away and Mike picked it up using paper towel. it was delivered to Courage who made sure it was laid to rest. Of course, I don’t have a photo of the grizzly remains, but I did take a photo of the cats confused by its absence and hoping for more.

The rest of the cat’s day passed uneventfully.

Today was another warmish day. It was very calm at the start, so Mike and I went to the beach again and I had another 25 minute swim. Definitely works for aching shoulders. The wind has now picked up and it’s expected to be much cooler tomorrow. No swim expected.

Work was quiet today, so Mike and I did a shop. Usually our main shop would happen over the weekend, but I’ve now realised this is altogether impractical. As we got close to home, I messaged Courage and asked him to come down and help with the shopping. Mike dropped me at the gate and went off to Builder’s Warehouse to do building shopping. Courage and Brian came up and galloped back up the stairs with the 4 shopping bags, while I sauntered behind.  So much easier with extra sets of hands.

We are looking forward to the weekend!

Psalm 139:17-18
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with 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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Today We Swam!

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that we went to the beach and swam for the first time in months! We had woken up to a sparkling day.

When we went outside, it was warm! There was a berg wind blowing. David had coffee and breakfast and then as he headed back upstairs, we left with all our regular beach kit and walked to the beach. It was wonderful being back in the sea. Was it 12 or 13C? Who knows, but it was wonderfully refreshing and I hung about for about 20 minutes. I did a gentle swim to the barrel, did a little bit of crawl and lolled around just enjoying myself and the perfect morning. Mike came in – found it super cold (but then he didn’t have a spring suit nor a swimming cap and that makes it feel extremely cold). He got out after about 5 minutes. I stayed in for a little longer and then got out. What a treat. Maybe this is the start of our beach trips again. I reacquainted myself with the barrel.

The tide was super low, so I didn’t have to swim far.

Home for pawpaw and coffee and then work which has been very quiet, so I’ve only done 4 hours.

As the cats have been with us for 3 weeks, I sent the previous owner an update.

I think we may end the day going for a walk when it’s a little cooler. We are gearing up for the weekend.

Psalm 139:16

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

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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