Sunday Afternoon - February 24th - Amazing!

I’m amazed…

I made an N.O.T. kinesiology appointment for Wednesday.

I’m amazed at how much more peaceful my body feels!

Beyond words I know to describe my sense of well-being.

I think there are “more things in heaven and earth… than are dreamt of in our philosophy…”   (Shakespeare) (No – actually, I know that.)

I was amazed at the breathtaking beauty of the full moon earlier this week.

I am amazed every day on the site to realize all that goes into any building we use.

I’m amazed at how many people of all talents and capacities add their ‘little bit’ to the whole.

I’m amazed at how important each of these individuals is…

I’m amazed to realize we’ve been here as long as we have, and it feels like home…

I’ve come to realize that “Home for me is wherever I am…”

And it’s good to know I have a home in Discovery, and I will be going back there sometime this year.

I’m amazed at how trees and plants grow!

When we get home I will need to organize some SERIOUS pruning after three,

maybe four, Augusts of it not being done…

I’m amazed at how frail Vi looks.  Is.

I’m amazed at how our children’s and grandchildren’s lives are unfolding!

I’m amazed seeing Kieran and Cheryn’s little ones – how they grow!

When I look back at my Durban Temple Construction Week 1 and the other early reports I wrote…

I’m amazed at how my writing, photography and technology skills have been honed –

one week at a time.  I’m grateful my writing needs less editing than it used to need!

I’m amazed at how comforted I am that professionals, who do their work every day,

also ‘miss’ this or that.  Being on the site has been an education!  In many ways!

What amazes you?  Thanks for being your amazing you!

I love you!  And I’m grateful for you!

Happy Birthday Les!  For the 23^rd…

Love

Mom/Judy

 Reflection of the early morning full moon seen from our spare room balcony sliding doors.

You can see one of my sixteen toy snakes reflected too – 

they deter the birds and monkeys from making a nuisance of themselves on our two balconies - 

and from coming in our flat to snatch fruit or food.  

They are canny, and bold!  So far, I’ve (or the snakes've) outwitted them…

Some of our front balcony snakes.  I'm quite fond of them I must say...

Sunday Afternoon - 17th February - Books I am Reading

For the Record...

Vincent (on mission in Spain) sends a letter each week with a photo of himself.

I like receiving his letters.  I will try it too.  Perhaps I will like doing it.

Actually, I only do things I like to do – as much as possible.

“Happiness is loving what you have to do.”  As well as loving what you LOVE to do!

Monday to Thursday this week - scheduled load-shedding stages two three or four, meaning –

two, three or four two-hour periods of no electricity in 24 hours, one while we are asleep.  With consulting the schedule on our door and some pre-planning, no big deal for me…  What I did enjoy was the q-u-i-e-t… and the enforced change of pace.

This week I want to share what I am reading at present -  I read a bit each day from all of these -  

(All that I read is interesting and useful to me – If it isn’t, I stop.   I love and need to read each day to be happy and to keep learning – which is essential to me.)

The Bible - Old Testament at the moment (Jeremiah)

and Book of Mormon (3^rd Nephi)

Ensign, New Era, Friend - February 2019.

These 4 books from the La Lucia library -  

I finished today the 1970’s book

“The Helper” by Catherine Marshall.  On the library sale table for R10.  Her thoughts and understanding of the Holy Ghost.  Her sharing useful for me to consider as I ponder and pray about my own experiences.

“Happiness by Design - finding pleasure and purpose in everyday life.”  By behavioral science Professor Paul Dolan.  I love it!  I am learning lots about balancing pleasure and purpose every day, and being happy (happier – I am content and happy most days.)   I used to listen as much at home as I could to 12 minutes each weekday to Joyce Meyer on Radio Pulpit (AM-657) “Enjoying Everyday Life.”  I learnt a lot!  This book by Paul Dolan adds to that solid foundation.  (Radio Pulpit is not available here on radio, but I have found it on my tablet on Tune-In Radio!  I listen when I remember – about quarter past eight Monday to Friday.)

“The Suitcase Stories” is a beautifully designed and illustrated book by Glynis Clatcherty about refugee children from various African countries in the grip of war and horror.  Heart-wrenching.  It’s about children, some children as young as 7, who find their way to Hillbrow, Johannesburg.   Some social workers created the “Suitcase Project” to perhaps help them remember through paint and drawing their stories on and in their chosen and decorated suitcases - an effort to help them along in their healing and reclaiming their identities.  Very sobering to think about those young ones who might look ‘together’ who have experienced what children ought not to have to.

My fourth (library) book is “Ethical Ambition” by Derrick Bell – civil rights activist and law professor.  Sometimes I get tired of black (or any other impassioned) activism argument. I hear so much on the radio (SAFM.)  My heart sank when I realized his initial acts of opposition and what I might be in for.  As I read more and more of the book, he broadens his material to where it might be useful to me too.  Lots to think about anyway. 

(I once heard a quote many years ago on Radio South Africa or its predecessor “Women who believe they are equal demand equal treatment.  Women who know they are, don’t.” I haven’t been able to find the quote on the internet – I have it in one of my notebooks at home.  When I go home I might remember to look for it.  (I would recognize her voice if I heard it again…  She was a regular presenter.)  I remember straightening my resolve then to not protest and demand, but to proceed with confidence that I am equal to any and all other God’s children.  It has stood me in good stead. 

I remind myself – When we all get out of bed in the morning, our sheets are crumpled. We all need to go to the toilet.  We all get sick on occasion.  We all have access to the beautiful skies, the sun, moon and stars, the clouds, rain, and storms…, gorgeous colours! Light, dusk, dawn and darkness.

So – that’s my reading for now, and some thoughts from me.  Nice to spend some time with you!  What are you doing?  Reading?  Thinking about?  I love you!  I love hearing from you!

Enjoy your week!   Judy

(Wearing mascara again!  Hooray!)

Pink hard hat – I chose it – I like it.

Soft hat – sun and glare protection.  I like my hat.

Scarf – gold for ‘virtue’ reminder,

and quick nose and mouth protection in dusty, and fumy, areas.

The black alice-bandy thing on top of my scarf –

quick ear protection in noisy areas.

I always wear black T shirt and trousers – I like black.

I don’t have to think about “What am I going to wear today…”

I decided once – for work.  (I still decide at other times…)

Black T shirt is sensible when editing photos –

no patterned reflection on my glossy laptop screen.

Too Much? Too Little?

Some days I just cry.

On those days I have learnt to gently ask myself questions...

What is too much?
What is too little?

Who is too much?
Who is too little?

Where is too much?
Where is too little?

Am I trying too hard?
Am I not trying enough?

Too much work?
Too much play?

Deep breathing helps.
Giving myself time and space to consider the questions helps.
Crying helps.

"The first tears since your cataract operation..." Glenn said this morning.
Indeed.
New vision to adjust to.
Drops to remember four times a day - I decided on 6am 11am 4pm 9pm.
How to remember?
I shifted Mom's wedding ring I wear on my right hand ring finger to the middle finger on my right hand.  That's what often, not always, helps me remember I need to remember something.  The what I need to remember is sometimes a challenge!
How to remember which drops are for which eye?
Mark them - 1 2 3 4
One and two for the left eye, first operated, three and four for the right eye.
How to manage these four little bottles?
Glenn has so many little boxes of medication...
Perhaps one of them will do.

I found a Syndol box, I cut it to suit my purposes.
Seeing Syndol gives me the creeps.
How to get rid of what gives me the heebie jeebies (for what reason?!  I don't know... it just does.)
I go to my meager wrapping paper sore in my cupboard - choose some paper cut and stick it on.

Me, I like to follow instructions to the letter - it may be critical.
One drop of each in each eye, wait five minutes or so, and another drop of the other bottle in each eye.
So now I have four bottles... twenty minutes, well fifteen... that feels like just too much!
I realised I could put in one and three at the same time, wait five minutes and then put in two and four.  Sigh...

How do I remember if I have put in two and four?
Take them out of the box, put in one and three and return them to the box.
If they are out of the box, put them in.
So far, so good...

Now... how to remember to take the box with me when I go to work, or to church, or out?
At least, at last, I've got the 6 11 4 and 9 in my head...
What if... what seems like a drop is actually a bubble?
Sometimes I'm not sure I've put in a drop.
That's just too much for me to be worried about - I hope it is not crucial.
My eyes are very important to me. Sigh...

My old spectacles don't work as they used to.
I need to wait another four weeks to get new ones.
"Just get +2 readers." said the opthalmologist.
I got some.
They mildly freak me out - I'm not used to them.
Now to read, I need reading glasses.
I used to be able to sort of see for casual reading.

I had two pairs of prescription readers.
One at home, and one in our office container.
They work better than the +2 ones I got, although the +2 ones give a blacker, clearer, larger text.
I have +2 readers in my bag which I take to Church.
I want another pair in my car - in case I forget others at home.
Reading is VERY important to me!
Tiring...

(I feel better already for typing this all out...)

I'll go down, and just sit by the sea...
That always helps me calm right down.
But - if the wind is blowing, I need to beware in dusty environments for now...
Sigh...

I'll make my way through this day.
I'll come home, wash my hair, and feel better...

Oh yes... When I look in the mirror I see a drab, old lady...
I can't wear mascara for four to six week...
Sigh...

I need some COLOUR!
I wear black trousers and a black T shirt every day to work.
I love wearing black.
Strangely, it makes me feel happy.
Not having to decide what I am going to wear makes my life easier.
So... I go to my 4 belt racks of about 30 scarves.
I will choose a bright one for today...
BUT - I am tired, bored, with the ones I have here.
I have about as many at home as I have here - gathered over many years.
Sigh...

"Just choose the one here that makes you feel the happiest today Judy!"
says the wise and kind part of me to the fretful and tired part of me.
(You see? I am getting good at being my own best friend.)
I will do that...

Today I am tired of making decisions.
I'm glad it is a Tuesday - Monday is all the report finishing, editing, and sending.
Stressful...
It's Tuesday...  Just three more lots to send out from yesterday.
Easier and pleasanter than all the ones to remember yesterday...
I can do that.
Sigh...

Oh... and my back is aching.
It has been since Saturday.
"You are dealing with it Judy... and the ice packs are helping."
Yes, indeed they are.
It is easier each day.
Perhaps my body requires me to do what my mind and spirit need me to do?
I frequently marvel at the wonder and wisdom of our bodies, minds and spirits.
Sigh...

And on... into the day.
I love new days.
I thank God every morning for the new day.

Mexican Tamale Pie

Saute together:

1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped green peppers

Add:

1 small teaspoon chilli powder or 1 tablespoon curry powder

Add and brown:
750 grams minced beef or chicken

Mix together and add to above - simmer 20 minutes:
1 can tomato puree or tomato and onion mix
1 can whole corn or fresh corn cut off the cob
1 sachet tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Fold in:
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Pour into baking dish
Top with mashed potato and grill until golden brown
Serve with Cornbread and a green salad

And/or sweet pumpkin

(The original recipe had a mielie-pap topping rather than mashed potato.)

Variation:
If I have some left-over mixed vegetables I use them on their own instead of corn only.

Instead of the tomato puree I use a tin of braai relish 

or a bottle of Roast Veg Pasta sauce.

To my mashed potatoes I add 1 or 2 pureed carrots (Thank you Virgin Atlantic Airlines) and/or ½ or 1 cooked and de-pipped gem squash.

Since some do not like mashed potatoes - 
I serve them separately so those who want them can take.
For those who do not like cheese - 
serve in a dish and those who want cheese can sprinkle it on top.

I buy a bag of gem squash, pierce them ( they can explode - not pretty!) and cook them.
I let them cool, cut, depip, scrape out flesh and put in 1 gem squash portions in the freezer.

When they are frozen I pop them out of the bowls and put them in a plastic bag.
I take out what I need when I want it.
I always add a gem squash to my mashed potatoes - 
The mashed potatoes are a lovely golden colour - and it adds a vegetable!

Thanks Joyce Levy and the first Sheila Bibb for the original Recipe!

Short and Sweet Visit

In this very busy week on the site Doug, Nadia, Jarom, Ethan, Daena and Cabryn came to visit for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  They enjoyed time down here, and we enjoyed a meal on Wednesday evening on our front verandah - Mexican Tomale pie and salads.  What a treat!

On Thursday evening we all drove through to Amanzimtoti and had supper with John, Brenda, Vi, Craig, Roxane, Madi and Kirsty.  Good to be able to be all together again for a couple of hours.