yellowtail | Diary of an Adventurous Retiree

NABLOPOMO

It has been such a happy day today and it got me thinking about how lucky I have been in my life. Even though there have been hard times and struggles and days where I’ve thought I can’t do this anymore. But looking back nothing seems bad at all. Everything seems so worthwhile. Some things I used to stress over make me laugh now and I wonder why was I so fussed about it all! I am talking about raising kids of course. All that nagging and training and insisting on good manners and responsible attitudes – I took it all so seriously. That’s the great thing about being a grandparent – you’ve done it all and the kids turn out fine – well most of them do. I do know the most amazing parents who did everything right who’ve had little demons that turned bad and I am not one to blame the parents – there comes a point where the child has to take responsibility for the path he chooses! But when one’s child does make wrong choices in his adult life it is heart-breaking for the parent. How does one cope with that! Tough Love – that’s how. I strongly believe that you allow so much and no more. Let that adult child know – I’m here for you – but there are the rules. Allowing them to abuse you is not love. Giving in to their demands is destructive to you both. It is hard but there comes a time when you have to let them go their own way and then to move on with your own life because usually you’re not the only one affected and you are needed by other people in your life too.

But I am so lucky – my daughters and granddaughter are perfect and my grandboys are getting there – hey – boys take a little longer.

I had a good giggle when I saw this on Facebook this morning – this could have been written by me!

This has been the story of my life! But lucky for me my hubby catches the fish, cleans it and I don’t even have to cook it – he does that perfectly too. So he takes his rod and goes fishing and I take the gold card and go shopping!

Today was such a day – look at the happy faces of these two guys out on the boat.

My hubby on the boat with his mate, Tommy

While this fishing excursion was on the go, I took Baby Daughter and Second Grandson out for a bonding breakfast. I had not seen them in some time and had some catching up to do. I wanted First Grandson to come too but he was gamed out and sleeping it off so we left him at home. Hubby phoned to say he’d hooked enough food to feed half of African and that I should be sure to invite two couples over for dinner. Baby Daughter had plans for lunch so bade us farewell and off she went while Second Grandson and I finished the shopping – what a pleasure to have him as my assistant – he put all sorts of things in the basket that I might have forgotten – cupcakes being an example! But seriously – having a 17 year old push the trolley, pack the car then unpack it is such a privilege and saves an old lady’s back. And it’s all done with a smile. Then as I was setting the table I knocked one of the candles of the chandelier with the tablecloth and it broke. He rushed to my assistance and informed me that actually they were all dead and needed replacing – I wouldn’t have found this out till the evening – remember I’ve been away for 4 months! And hooray we had enough replacement candles which he changed for me and helped give the dusty chandelier a clean!

First Grandson was gaming – again. “I don’t need to study, Gran, I know my Physics.” No arguments – I just switched off the internet and said, “Then get an A, boytjie – Study some more” And he did! When Grandpa got home he asked him all kinds of questions about his work which he ‘knew’ and now ‘knows’ better! Yes I am a lucky gran!

Our guests arrived at 6:30 and what a great evening we had. It’s so good to get together with wonderful friends who have always been around in good times and bad. These are the kind of friends you hang onto forever. Some people come into your lives for a season and a reason and sometimes you’ll see them again and sometimes not. If you do it’s great if you don’t you’ve valued the time you did have and no regrets – but then there are those with whom you have a real bond and that is what I appreciate about the friends we had this evening. Always a pleasure to be together.

Enjoying the Braaied Yellowtail caught by Hubby

Oh yes – Life is Good – Very Good indeed.

And I’ve done this Blog 8 with two minutes to go before the end of this day!

Today was a fishing day for Earl so once again he was up at the proverbial Sparrow’s F&*t. I lingered on in bed until 7 then went for a run on the road as the tide forbade a beach jog and running later would be too hot.. Well …. If I thought soft sand was difficult, I’d forgotten about uphill in new takkies! I started from the front door and jogged toward L’Agulhas feeling great as it was overcast and cool. There wasn’t much traffic on the road but when a car came toward me I had to hop onto the gravel side path and take care not to stumble over pebbles. After 15 minutes I turned around and then had the cool breeze in my face – lovely – but hey now it was the up run! The backs of my legs were aching slightly from the soft sand jog and this incline was not helping! But I soldiered on – I am at the stage of one foot in front of the other – just keep going – you can do it and not at the wow I could go on for ever, runner’s high stage – My body was not exactly yelling – hey stop this is enough now but there was a whisper of “what the hell are you doing, the legs are hating this”. Not until 10 minutes before reaching home, that it – when suddenly I became aware of a strange burning on the side of my right foot. Oh no – not a blister. Yes a blister – it’s ages since I’ve worn takkies. I always train bare foot at the gym and only use my takkies to go on gentle bird walks. These particular takkies are quite new too. I stopped and walked for a minute then thought no way – I’m just going to run through the burn. I’d started at 7:10 and got back home at 7:40 – exactly half an hour. Now I was huffing, puffing and sweating – so into my cossie and off to the beach I went – enjoyed a 15 minutes frolic in the waves then came back for a leisurely shower and breakfast – what a stunning way to start the day!

There were a few visitors to my garden this morning – some birds and this tortoise

A wild visitor to my garden

And this juvenile Cape Robin-chat

Where’s your mom, Rob?

On Earl’s boat, Kiora, this morning were Clive, Pierre, Bernard and young Kyron (14). They returned at about 11:30 with a lovely catch of yellowtail. Kyron got the biggest, about 4kg, on his spinning rod.

Cleaning Kiora

Kyron de Stadler with his 4kg Yellow-tail

The Heroes with their catch

I had an enjoyable afternoon shopping, reading and doing mind Fair Lady mind puzzles while Earl had an afternoon nap – after such an early start to the day it was necessary. He was not in the mood for a swim when he woke up so we just went for a walk before supper and watched how all the holiday makers were having fun. The weather today cleared into a bright sunny day with pleasantly warm temperatures. Struisbaai was a perfect picture of summer activities.