Sunday Afternoon - 31st March 2019 - Afternoon Walk in Illala Ridge Estate

On Friday afternoon I walked from our office container at one end of the parking lot to my car parked near the entrance of the site.  I walked along the palm lined entrance road.  I loved hearing the palm fronds rustling in the light wind.  I thought “I just love such soothing sounds!”

On Saturday we visited John and Brenda and Glenn’s Mom.  Vi’s wounded arm is recovering slowly. 

We drove to a “Millionaire’s Mile” two-houses converted into a Bed and Breakfast, Coffee Shop and wellness spa.  “305 Guest House” is what it is called.  We sat out on the veranda overlooking the bush and the sea way below.  There was a baby-shower party of about twenty women at the table next to ours.  As you can imagine… cheery… and noisy…  As they finished and left in ones and twos the veranda area got quieter.  I loved hearing the quiet sound of the sea below us.  I took a walk to where there was a wedding being set up on the lawn.  I loved the view of the sea beneath the steep bushy slope under us.  We were like four or five stories of bush above the beach level.  I paused and breathed in the fresh air and soaked in the sounds of the waves gently breaking on the golden beach way down below us.  I love the sound of the sea!  I always feel better when I have spent time pausing, and listening, and BEing.

Our apartment is on a housing estate with over 300 different types of units.  You’d think it is noisy… It has times of hustle and bustle.  We look down on the swimming pool.  The sounds of children romping there is familiar – we have a pool at home.  At night when we settle down to go to bed, I love the sound of… silence…  Most nights, very little noise.  I feel very blessed to be here for while we are at the Durban Temple construction site.

I love the music that I love – different music for different days and  times in my life…  I love complex orchestral sounds.  I also love simple melodies in minor keys.

This afternoon I paused for twenty minutes or so and listened to a TED (Technology, Education, Design) talk – about an analysis of the words we use, and how we use them.  “The Science of Analyzing Conversations” by Elizabeth Stockoe.  How important our words are, how we use them, and how they sound to those who hear them…  I love words and the sound of them well used. 

I love listening to TED talks.  I have learnt so much – about so much.  Thank you Shawn (Powrie) for introducing me to them.

What do you love hearing and listening to…?

Glenn says:  water… yes!  And some birds… yes!

I said “Let’s go for a walk to the park…”

“Why don’t we?” said Glenn.

We walked to the park.

Some teenagers/young-adults on the estate were there before us and enjoying their time together.  

We decided to walk up the hill to “the house with the magnificent chandelier.”

It is the last of the mansions on the left hand side up the hill.

At the end of the road is Chantry Point where Alan Rudolph (our ‘boss’) lives.

We enjoyed the beautiful chandelier, and turned around to walk downhill again.

On the left hand side as we walked downhill are the three storied two a story buildings.

In deeper cul-de-sacs on the left are yet other flat units – All with height restrictions.

We met and chatted a while to our resident estate agent walking his dog.

The estate is about 15 years old, built in stages – ours the last stage.

There is one last mansion to complete.

I love the safety of the estate – and the quiet, clean!  Tidy!  respectful living.

We all sign ‘rules’ of the estate before we can come and live here.

This is a view of the complex hiding ours as we look back walking up the hill.  

The park is on the right of the picture where the trees are.

Walking up the hill – mansions on the left, housing units on the right.

One of the six?, seven? mansions.

 The house with the beautiful chandelier.

It did not photograph well…

Chantry Point at the top of the hill – probably with twenty or more double story houses joined one to another in three, four or five a unit.

Sunday Afternoon - 24th March 2019 - I Never Thought I Would

I Never Thought I Would…

Some things I am very particular about –

I like ‘smart pegs’ – sort of opaque plastic pegs.

When we moved here – I couldn’t find them.

So I got what I thought would suit me best –

I never thought I would become so fond of them.

I have.

I like my bowls and measuring spoons at home – white.

I inherited colourful nesting sets from the Durban Mission

donation of not-needed furniture and household goods.

I never thought they would gladden my heart so much.

They do.

I never thought I would pack a bag every morning.

With the work being done on the parking area near our

container office and parking being scarce…

I decided to make my life easier, less stressful,

and park near the entrance and walk to our office.

It’s a fair distance.

I used to have my handbag, and my computer bag, and my lunch.

I’d walk a short distance to the container.

That just didn’t work with my new decision.

I found a light backpack at Pick ‘n Pay that I like very much.

– my 72 hour kit one at home got stolen since we have been away,

so this would do for when we got home too.

Now I put my computer and mouse in the backpack,

only my purse from my handbag, and my lunch in the backpack.

Hands free as I walk to the office.

The heart I put on it reminds me to "Be the love you want to see."

I used to put on my socks and shoes, hat and hard-hat and

safety vest on when I got to the office.

Now I do that at my car.

I can take photos, pause to chat, or watch as I make the journey

to the office, and back to my car when I leave.

I can do this while I am here…

Or – for as long as necessary.

It works for me…  For now.

I never thought I could live so far from my children,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren and be happy.

And here we are!  Far from all of you!

And I enjoy a special and very deep contentment.

Anxiously engaged in this good cause.

My deep peace and delight is a peculiar joy to me.

I hope it lasts longer than our Mission here.

I am very grateful for countless Tender Mercies – every day!

However long these roll out.

Into every life some rain must fall…

It may be my turn again sometime in the future…

Photo:  from the first floor passage across to the sea.

I love to go there and enjoy the view. 

Sunrises are gorgeous from this viewpoint.

Sunday Afternoon - 16th March 2019 - New Tyres, New Sight

I enjoy travelling on the 100km per hour speed limit M4 coastal road to Durban.  BUT I needed four new tyres for my car.  I have been putting off getting new tyres… and putting it off since November last year.   My story is… “I don’t travel much… and I want to wait until the roadworks at the Temple site are done – I’ve had three punctures since I have been here.”

My spectacles that I loved went ‘missing’ about two years ago.  I have been using my three spare pairs since then.  I look forward to new spectacles after my eyes settle post-cataract-operations… 

I made a deal with myself a few weeks ago – I would not travel on the M4 (for safety reasons) and I would not let myself get new spectacles until I got new tyres for my car.

I let myself down the first week.  I let myself down the second week. 

Why would I do that?!  That’s just not like me! 

I realized it’s because I don’t know enough about tyres to know wat would be a good enough deal. 

I asked Glenn if he would do it for me.  He agreed to do it “on Monday.”  On Monday I had not cleared out the inside of my car (to remove temptation…)… I tried to stall to Tuesday.  Glenn was insistent that it be done “today” when I got to the site.  Fortunately, I had shopping bags in the car.  I sheepishly cleared the inside of the car into the bags.  We put them in the boot.  He took my car.  I am so glad to have four new tyres!   I am very grateful to Glenn.  He helps me do some things that are hard for me, and sometimes things that are very hard for me.

And I enjoy flying along the M4 now!  And I will get my new spectacles soon – when I am finished my prescription eye drops – probably a week to go – it’s eight and seven weeks since my cataract operations.   I’m grateful to see distance clearly…

The first day after the first operation I saw brilliantly.  The second day I woke up with like pitch black salt sprinkled in my eye.  Swirling like a flock of swallows…  Most distressing.  I went back to the specialist.  He said “Just keep using the eye drops.”  I wondered if my op was one of the few cataract ops that go wrong…  I wondered whether I should have the second eye done… I decided to risk it.  No problem with the second eye.  The black ‘like salt sprinkles’ transformed into ‘like fruit flies’ in my eye.  Most unnerving.  But, I could still see brilliantly beyond them.  I decided if it never cleared, at least I could see sparklingly.  The ‘miggies’ faded after about five weeks.  I am very grateful!

So – now I am ready for my new glasses.  I look forward to getting them! I will get multi-focals again – so that I can read easily wherever I am when I am out and about.  I can see well distantly – but still better with my existing specs, because I have astigmatism, I think.  I use +2 readers now, and my previous two pairs of reading specs – one at home, one at the site, one beside my bed and one other pair.  So I am sorted for reading only specs – which are much more comfortable than multi-focals when I am reading only, especially for extended periods of time.

I feel very fortunate every day of my life.  I am here.  I am me.  I can see.   And now – I have four new tyres, I will soon have new spectacles, the ‘miggies’ are gone…  Each new day is a blessing, filled with fresh opportunities for loving,  serving, discovery and delight.

Sunday Afternoon - 9th March 2019 - Forgetting and Remembering

 I’ve done some forgetting this week…

I forgot Samuel’s birthday… on Friday…  Thank you Angela for reminding me…

I forgot to pay our accommodation costs on the first of the month…I paid today…

I forgot my familiar code to open my computer!... I’m glad I’m not locked out…

And I remembered a whole lot of things too!

I remembered to print photos of some of the workers on the site.

I remembered to visit Maureen, Glenn’s cousin

(Glenn’s Dad’s brother’s daughter) in Umhlanga Private hospital still,

after by-pass surgery on Wednesday, I think – the days blur.

I remembered to keep sane!  I remembered to do some Tai Chi on the beach…

I remembered to keep both my ability to listen to all sorts and to

not lose my sense of humour.

Vi walked out of John and Brenda’s garage towards Brenda’s car Friday 1^st March. 

Her walking stick went through the drain grate and she toppled backwards.

Her right arm, inside her unaffected blouse sort of split open!

John and Brenda quickly got her to the ER at Amanzimtoti’s Kingsway Hospital.

They referred her to a plastic surgeon who usually functions from

Chatsworth private hospital.

She transferred there and had plastic surgery on Friday afternoon.

She has spent Friday to Thursday this week in Chatsworth hospital.

Chatsworth is a virtually all Indian area.

She was excellently cared for.

She was wished-well like a celebrity when she left.

She is back home now with John and Brenda.

We were able to visit every day except yesterday (Friday.)

We are on our way to visit now…

I am typing whilst I am in the car.

I was glad to get my weekly collage done Thursday and Friday. 

I am usually finished by Wednesday.

I have the report still to do… I will get to it when I can today.

As I glance up – I love the green and lushness all around!

What a wonderful place KZN is in that regard…

Sunday Afternoon: 

Vi is still frail, and looking a whole lot better than when we saw her on Thursday.

John and Glenn fetched pizza, fish, chips and salad. 

We ate at home with them.

Glenn cut her toe nails after a foot-spa soak, and then her finger nails.

We came home grateful… and tired!

This photo of us was taken for Jarom –

he was off to the Johannesburg MTC on Friday.

He is off to the Cape Town Mission soon.

Samuel’s birthday was Friday.

Today (Sunday) is Cabryn’s 14^th birthday…

It’s been an EVENTFUL week! 

Have a GOOD and loving, serving week ahead!

We love you…  I hope you always remember that.

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.