Sunday
Today was the day…
The tortoise came into his own. In 2007, we went as a family to Durban and on the last day or two before coming home we went to a market. While there I bought a soap stone tortoise. He looked pretty authentic and was quite heavy.
For the next 13 years he has sat inside our home, hanging out in a couple of the rooms, but completely housebound with no exposure to the outside or sunshine. While he did serve a bit of time as a door stop, this use was soon abandoned and he stood motionless, bored and unemployed in the corner of Mike’s office.
UNTIL NOW!
Ta da! Yesterday when I was at the old house, I spotted him and immediately knew that his life was about to find purpose. He came home and took his station on the balcony. When not in use, he sits enjoying the fresh air and view from the entrance to the sliding door…
When only one frame of the door is open, he takes his stand as an effective doorkeeper, effortlessly preventing the door from moving, let alone slamming shut. Tortoise on door duty…
He’s so helpful. Sometimes it takes time for something (or someone) to come into their own. To find their place in the world and find the use for which they are created. But given time and circumstance, the scene can quickly change from boring and unemployed to bright and useful. And that’s the tale of the tortoise.
While it has been windy today, not quite as bad as yesterday it seems as we have managed to have the doors wide open. There has been plenty to see from the balcony. Little planes flew over False Bay, someone’s bunch of balloons escaped, a large flock of birds skimmed the surface of the sea and the usual enthusiastic kite surfers and paddlers manipulated their watercraft through choppy waves.
Jess and Gerrie returned to Johannesburg. They come back in time for Christmas and New Year. The tiler came and tiled David’s unit’s bathroom and did a great job. Now the plumber can come and install the toilet and taps for the basin and shower. We are hoping David will be in in about a week.
A lovely Sunday at home. This evening, I take my final antibiotic for my toe. It’s much, much better, but I think I’ll make an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow so I can find out if it’s better enough.
Covid numbers in the Western Cape –249 new cases over the last 24 hours.
Covid 19 stats – South Africa
- Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases (maximum we had in a day)– 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
- Sun 25 Oct – 1622 new cases – 24 deaths (646170 recoveries/50730 active)
- Mon 26 Oct – 891 new cases – 40 deaths (646721 recoveries/51030 active)
- Tues 27 Oct – 1092 new cases – 45 deaths (647833 recoveries/50965 active)
- Wed 28 Oct – 1863 new cases – 58 deaths (648654 recoveries/51949 active)
- Thur 29 Oct – 2056 new cases – 53 deaths (649935 recoveries/ 52671 active)
- Fri 30 Oct – 1912 new cases – 66 deaths (653052 recoveries/51400 active)
- Sat 31 Oct – 1770 new cases – 46 deaths (654182 recoveries/51994 active)
Total cases: 725452 Total deaths: 19276
All November Bible verses follow a theme of strength to keep going. So appropriate as we end 2020.
Nehemiah 8:10
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
The best is yet to come.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Braces:
1 year and 354 days