Can’t Say No.

2017-07-15 | puppy1952

Today I’m taking up the Stream of Consciousness Saturday challenge. This is the prompt:- Take the title of the book you’re currently reading or the one sitting closest to you when you’re ready to write your SoCS post and base your post on the title only. I’m not asking for a book review or a synopsis, just whatever the title itself brings to mind. For example, Gone Girl makes me remember the first time I left home to live by myself. Or Lord of the Rings makes me think of all the rings I’ve owned in my life. Enjoy!”

I glanced across at my bookshelf and the first book that I saw was “The Girl Who Couldn’t Say No”

You should learn to say ‘No’ I’ve been told often enough by well-meaning friends. But I say – Why? I like saying yes. I like being available to my friends and family. If I can be of help to them, then why not? Of course I’m not going to let anybody walk over me – well maybe sometimes but those people who use and abuse me don’t last long in my life.

yes no.jpg

I believe that where there’s a need somebody has to meet it. And if one can – then why say no. My kids in the past often complained about people not reciprocating – I’d tell them – In this world you get givers and takers – we’re the givers and we’re the happier for it. Be self-sufficient so you won’t have to rely on others reciprocating.

I do not regret very much about my life. There have been tough times – but I say those were learning curves – what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Think about it – if you say no – you lose out on so much. Saying yes gives pleasure. If you give grudgingly you dip out on that pleasure. So I say whatever you do for others do it without expecting anything in return. The reward is the pleasure you get from doing something for a person in need. Most times it is appreciated but when it isn’t don’t become bitter about it – move on.

Now in my retirement years I’m indulging more of my own needs – and it’s wonderful – but I still like to say YES to friends and family – because I love them and they bring me joy. I like being the girl who can’t say NO.

Keep Calm no

Black and White Challenge 13 July 2017

2017-07-14 | puppy1952

The theme for Cee’s black and white challenge this week is Things made from wood

A beautiful wine box given to me by Ann and Dean, and Caitlyn, James and Sarah. I just love it.

Our local coffee shop – The Shipwreck Cafe – provided me with some lovely subject matter for this challenge. I found most looked best in Sepia

Cute wood carving

Model of a Sailing Ship

Model sailing ship display

A pirate’s treasure chest?

Carved toothpick holder

Weekly Photo Challenge 12 July 2017

2017-07-13 | puppy1952

This week’s challenge is Collage Here is my contribution.

Christmas Collage – 2011

Greater Striped Swallow Collage

Ski-boat Collage

Cheetah Collage

Ibis collage – including Glossy, Bald, Hadeda and Sacred

One Word Photo Challenge 9 July

2017-07-12 | puppy1952

I am participating in this week’s One Word Photo Challenge by Jennifer. Today’s the word is Heron.

Green-backed Heron – Kruger National Park

Heron-Black-crowned-night-Strandfontein (6)

Black Crowned Night Heron – False Bay Ecology Park

Goliath Heron – Kruger National Park

Grey Heron scratching an itch – Rondevlei

Squacco Heron – Ndumo – Kwazulu-Natal

Cee’s Share Your World 10 July 2017

2017-07-11 | puppy1952

Great questions from Cee’s Share Your World this week. Here are my answers.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Where I live we have a Mediterranean Climate which means warm dry summers and cool, wet winters. So when it rains – it’s usually cold. That’s when I love to cosy up in front of a fire, drink hot chocolate and read. Right now I’m grateful for the rain that has fallen this season but we really need a lot more! I feel guilty when I enjoy the sunny days that pop up too frequently – like today.

In most parts of the rest of the country the rain comes in summer and is accompanied by thunder and lightening. These storms usually occur in the afternoon, cool everything down and then out comes the sun again. If you’re out having a picnic, you simply shelter in your car for half an hour or so then carry on with the fun when it clears.

009 Stormy Sky 2015-03-24 05-58-17 PM 4608x3456

Storm brewing in the Kgalagadi Sky

003 Full Rainbow at Nossob 2015-03-18 06-39-57 PM 4608x3456

After the storm at Nossob Camp

List at least five favorite treats. (They do not have to be sugary).

Lindt Dark chocolate with mint
Greek Yogurt flavoured with chocolate chips in it
Chocolate Cheesecake
Croissant al Cioccolato – the type I ate almost every day when I was in Italy!
Hot chocolate

Did I mention that I love chocolate? I follow a Banting/Paleo type diet. Chocolate is very restricted!

Where’s your favorite place to take out-of-town guests?

I love taking out of town guests around. If I had to choose a career other than teaching I’d choose Tour Guiding.

The Western Cape is a stunningly beautiful place and I can list many places that I could take you to see. Everyone wants to take the cable car up table mountain and I’ve been up countless times with guests but usually let them do that on their own as it does not require a guide. I choose where to take my guests depending on their interests. My favourite place to take Nature lovers is False Bay Ecology Park. Dirt roads wind around a wagon wheel of the old sewage works’ settling ponds. The birdlife is amazing especially the flamingos.

One of the old settling ponds

Purple Swamphen

Greater Flamingos taking off

Where we live now at the southern most point of Africa it is compulsory to go to said southern most point and climbing to the top of the Cape Agulhas lighthouse is another must do.

Grandson and friends at the southern most point of Africa

At the top of the lighthouse

You are trapped in an elevator, who would you want to be trapped with?

Before I read Cee’s answer the first thing that came to mind was – Macgyver or someone with similar skills. My husband comes a close second as he is pretty much like Macgyver himself.

But if it weren’t a good practical man along with me in that feted lift (elevator) then I would be happy to have someone who was interesting – like Sir David Attenborough. He would at least keep me entertained for hours – and I just love his voice.

This is a my favourite David Attenborough quote: I like animals. I like natural history. The travel bit is not the important bit. The travel bit is what you have to do in order to go and look at animals.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful for technology. It was just not possible for my siblings and me to go to Australia for my aunt’s funeral. On Friday we were able to be part of her Celebration of Life service because my cousins live streamed it to a closed Facebook Page. It was so worth rising at the rude hour of 3:00 am to be part of this final farewell to a very much loved aunt. It was the most beautiful mass celebrated by a priest who knew her well. How amazing it was to be able to see and hear my cousin, Wayne, give his heart-felt eulogy . I wrote an email to my aunt just before she died and my cousins asked me if it could be read at her service. Of course I was honoured and her grandson, Jack, read it gently and beautifully to the congregation. At one point during the service the priest asked everyone to turn to the camera, to wave and say Hello South Africa! It was almost as good as being there in the flesh. Just Awesome. RIP My Darling Aunt

Cee’s Black and White Challenge – 6 July 2017

2017-07-07 | puppy1952

The topic for this week’s Black and White Photo challenge from Cee, is Signs

When visiting any of the South African National Parks it is important to take note of all the warning signs – so many things to beware of!

It’s no joke if one falls on your head!

No – he is not cooking for the four legged creatures

2010-04-20 Kgalagadi 005 Helen Picnic Spot

The roads in the Kgalagadi are hectic – so please let down your tyres

You’d think slipping on a wet floor would be the least of your worries in the bush – not so!

Be sure not to get eaten when alighting from your vehicle – you’ve been warned.

Share Your World 3 July 2017

2017-07-04 | puppy1952

Happy Independence Day to all Americans reading this blog today – 2017/07/04.

Here are my answers to Cee’s Share Your World 3 July 2017

For your main meal do you prefer sweet and sour, hot and spicy, spicy and sweet, bitter, salty, bland or other?

I love food and as long as my meal is High Fat Low Carbohydrate, I tuck in with relish. I enjoy most cuisines. For our main meal we are pretty basic – meat, fish or poultry, sweet potato, vegetables and/or salad. The South African braai features at least three times a week. We also cook in a kettle braai. I enjoy Greek and Italian food, curries and sushi. When I’m in a foreign country I eat what the locals eat while still trying to avoid too many carbohydrates.

The coals are ready – the fish goes onto the grid

The end result

My friend Willie even ate the eye – we’re funny that way in South Africa – well some of us!

Where do you hide junk when people come over?

A great deal of junk was disposed of during THE GREAT MOVE. Still some was brought to Struisbaai with us. Some is stored in the garden shed. The photographs, Video Tapes and CDs are in the spare room cupboards waiting patiently to be sorted. One day …….

Otherwise the entertaining area is okay – not perfect but the guests just have to turn a blind eye.

What daily habit would you like to introduce to your life?

I’ve stuck to good daily habits my whole life. I’m giving them up now! I do like to take a daily walk but when it’s cold I think – what the heck!

No seriously – I need to sort out the stored junk – so perhaps half an hour a day?

If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

I would only work in a circus that excluded animal acts. Animals belong in The Wild. I enjoy watching trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and acrobats. The trapeze is probably what I’d like to do but it’s a bit late to start that now!

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

The last two weeks have been tough. After two months in hospital my beloved aunt was finally diagnosed to have inoperable cancer and two weeks later, on Sunday, she died. I am grateful for the care she received from family, friends and hospital staff and that her suffering did not drag on. I am also grateful for the happy times we had spent together. May she Rest in Peace.

Leonie and Me on the last holiday we shared – Tasmania 2013

Black and White Challenge 29 June 2017

2017-07-01 | puppy1952

Here are my contributions to This week’s black and white challenge from Cee

Feet

Gemsbok (Oryx)

Wide Spread toes of the African Jacana

A Warthog tucks his feet away to get closer to the new grass shoots

Hands

Clasped in Prayer

Fingers were made before forks

Grasping a fork

Paws/Legs

Mighty Lion Paws

It’s not easy taking a drink with such long legs and an extended neck to deal with

Enormous

Fun Photo Challenge 27 June 2017

2017-06-28 | puppy1952

This week’s fun photo challenge calls for all kinds of furniture. Here is my take on it – Shabby Chic at Diesel and Creme, Barrydale, Western Cape, South Africa

I love the cushions.

Relaxing in the winter sun, waiting for coffee

Fabulous outdoor decor!

Share your World 26 June 2017

2017-06-27 | puppy1952

Here are my answers to this week’s share your world questions

What goal are you working on now? Your goal can be something fun or extremely serious. Have fun with this question.

Ah goals! Since I can remember I’ve always had goals – or dreams – or lists of things to do before I die. And I’m proud to say that I have achieved most of them. It started with:- get an education, find a career, get married, raise a family. Then the goals changed to – get fit, lose weight, give yourself me-time, be more organised, get promoted, spend more time with kids, pay attention to your husband, get kids through school, sort out the junk in house, see the world etc. etc.

I worked hard to achieve and do what I should have done to reach those goals. I’m happy with the old person I have become. I’m neither too fat or too thin, I’m reasonably fit and I enjoy good health. So now I spend time with my nearest and dearest and go on wonderful vacations. Life is good.

What is one thing you’re glad you tried but would never do again?

The thing I tried only once and would have loved to do again but didn’t and never will was snow skiing. That’s because we have a shortage of ski slopes in South Africa and getting to Switzerland is a bit tricky! I can get to ski slopes now but I’m too old for skiing.

Did you choose your profession or did it choose you?

Well according to an aptitude test I did in high school, Teaching was what I was born to. So I chose it and it chose me too. I can’t imagine entering any other profession. They say it’s a calling and I usually heard the call through a telephone line when a principal phoned to see if I could fill a position. If after we die we are reincarnated I’m pretty sure I’ll find myself back in the teaching profession!

Have you ever gotten lost?

Oh please! Plenty of times. I have absolutely no sense of direction whatsoever. I have to set the GPS to Home after driving to the local supermarket!

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

At the moment I am going through a sad time. My Australian aunt is dying and I am so grateful for the many beautiful times we’ve had together, for the love she’s poured into our family and the fabulous memories we will always have of her. I am grateful to her sons for the wonderful care they are giving her in her last days and for them keeping my siblings and me informed. I am just so sad that it’s been impossible for us to go over to say goodbye but grateful for modern technology that enables us to send daily messages.