The Patio Project 7th April

Quietly and day by day the Patio project continues.

Fitting the doors was a complex job.

Neville van Rooyen has been here on and off for days at a time

lending a hand and moral support.

Thanks Neville!

Story - Two Monks Crossing the River

 

Two monks were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current.  As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her.

 

The one monk carried this woman on his shoulder, forded the river and let her down on the other bank. The other monk was very upset, but said nothing.

 

They both were walking and the one monk noticed that the other was suddenly silent and enquired “Is something the matter, you seem very upset?”

The silent monk replied, “As monks, we are not permitted to touch a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?”

 

The other monk replied, “I left the woman a long time ago at the bank, however, you seem to be carrying her still.”

The Tomb is Empty...

 This is my visual aid for Easter...

Years ago I bought this little verdite box because I liked it.

Along the way I had a lesson about Jesus' resurrection to teach.

I used this to remind my students that "The tomb is empty... He is not here... He is risen."

I keep this on my dresser in my bedroom all year round.

Periodically I open the little box.

As I do so I say "The tomb is empty..."

I shared this with Vi, Daena and Cabryn on Thursday when the girls visited and we talked about Easter and our plans for this weekend.

Book - Mending the Broken Bond

I got this book in 2010.

I read a little and got distracted.

 

I picked it up a few months ago and read it thoroughly.

I recommend it - even if the bonds are not broken yet.

Prevention and maintenance is very important.

Some quotes I liked from the book:

"You do not have to be perfect.  You only have to give it your best effort."

"...our greatest hope for long-term survival as a species lies in cooperation between individuals."

"As a parent your job is not to vent; it is to teach your child how to respond to adversity in a positive manner."

"... encourage your child's creativity and individuality."

"...even the most talented and brilliant people need to work with others to get the most out of their labours."

"... adults reduce the symptoms of stress (in their children) by singing and humming."

"The best way to calm a child... the child should be instructed to focus on her body by slowing breathing patterns, stretching, and relaxing the legs, arms and hands.  Relax the body first, the mind will follow."

"... you must teach your child to manage both high and low energy levels in a constructive manner."

"... your self-control.  Parents teach mostly by example, whether they are aware of the process or not... learning self-control is a life-long process for most people..."

"... learn to pick up on not just what is said but also subtle cues including tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions."

"Confused emotions lead to confused behaviour."

"... resist all parental impulses to try and 'fix' the situation."

"... the important thing is that you are relating to your child instead of dictating."

"Children are mysteries, just as we all are."

"... what can be done to restore calm and security."

"It just doesn't dawn on many parents that they are playing with the minds and emotions of their children when they withhold approval."

""Too many parent-child relationships suffer from a lack of loving bonds.  Practicing forgiveness can build and heal those bonds.  It starts with the parent modelling benevolence and generosity of spirit."

"Forgiveness is the removal of fear and anger around the injury... It is not a lobotomy.  The memory remains."

"The teen years bring challenges and stresses that test the strongest, most loving family relationships."

"Parents need to understand that teens are often highly emotional, not because they are bad kids or hyperactive but because their hormones are in an uproar."

"... (in teens) there is the volatile blend of inflated levels of self-confidence and poor risk-assessment capability."

"Don't overreact, scream or moralize
  Don't excuse or condone...
  Don't blame yourself or let your child blame you
  Don't strike deals or bribe...
  Don't accept the excuse that 'they all do it'
  Don't make threats you don't intend to carry out"

"...create a relaxed environment..."

"...look your teen in the eye..."

"Your teen will make mistakes and misjudgements.  Count on it.  Know it is coming.  Guide them.  Love them.  Listen to them.  Support them.  Forgive them.  And encourage them."

"The human spirit has incredible self-healing powers.  I have seen people rally and recover..."


Thanks Frank Lawlis - I closed the book feeling  comforted, encouraged and determined to carry on my part of the work of mending my strained and broken bonds with added clarity and purposefulness.

Quiet Moments in the Botanic Garden

I haven't noticed these lovely little flowers before.

 

Do you see them?

I walked along and sat on a bench further on... and the

guinea fowl followed me... not really!

I enjoyed watching them. 

Quiet Moments in Our Own Garden

I love Autumn!

 

Pin-hole Leak Repair

Dukes Court pinhole leak developed

where the galvanised pipe meets the copper one.

 

Complex plumbing configuration before.

Why would they have chosen the u-shaped join...?

 

"My man maak a plan."

 

Doug was doing another job at Dukes Court so drove with us.

His idea was to hang the spanner on the hose emptying the geyser.

 

I wasn't strong enough to hold the one spanner, so the

unyielding wall was the resistance to Glenn's wrenching.

I held the blue handle as hard as I could away from the wall,
and the black handle in my other hand,

so there would be less pressing on the tile which I thought

might well break with the full pressure of Glenn's strength.

Some of the tools of Glenn's trade...

He wished he had an old toothbrush for this job.

He might put one in one of his two portable tool-cases for future possible use,

in the event that he might need it in the future... 

This time he used a paintbrush which is in the one.

 

Pin-hole leak sorted.

I'm sorry I didn't take an 'after' photo...

The complex junction was simplified.

 

And perhaps we have a buyer for the flat.

I will possibly know later today.