Sardine are running

Just as we had mentioned the legend of the Aloes and the sardine run, we get news that the sardine are on their way up the South Coast.

According to news reports, the sardines have arrived in their thousands on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and were spotted at Maphumulo on Monday.

On Sunday the shoals made an appearance at Glenmore, Port Edward and Margate and the sea was very, very busy with what appears to be the head of the main shoal. Mike Anderson-Reade from the Sharks Board said lots of sardine activity was expected in the next few weeks and warned that bathing in those areas was not recommended.

The frenzy caused when thousands of the slippery silver fish were washed onto the beach and scooped up in buckets and skirts by excited onlookers, was when the fishermen pull sardines into the nets and they pull those nets onto the beach, often a lot of fish wash out all around the place.

The last time the sardines ended up close to the coastline and on the beach naturally was about three years ago but then they were probably forced by predators.

Last week sharks, dolphins and gannets were seen in the Port St Johns area and were expected to be travelling with the sardines along the South Coast.

What great fun, wish I was there to experience it all again, grabbing linen baskets, buckets or whatever receptacle is on hand, jumping into your car and driving down to the nearest beach that they were last seen. Traffic chaos everywhere. Old, young and even men in their business suits all caught up in the sardine mania and dashing into the waves to get a sardine or plenty.

“I must down to the sea again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied.”
John Masefield

Wetlands recovering

Our Wetland area is showing signs of renewal. We have been having good rains in the past few weeks and our Flamingo Vlei is once again nearly full. No signs of the large stretches of sandbank where the water had receded and the vlei could be seen to shrink on a daily basis.

Our Pelican, Flamingo and large variety of duck and water bird colonies can now look forward to their new families in the Spring, knowing that there will be sufficient food for them to survive. We can look forward to keeping our little part of Paradise, and enjoying the wonder of seeing these magnificent birds, in our area.

We are hoping that our drought is now over and that we will have sufficient rain this winter to fill our dams.

Winter also sees time to plant all our spring bulbs, to enjoy the beautiful days (when it isn’t raining), to prune our roses, to plant vegetables, to feed the soil and wait for Spring. Winter is also the time that all our magnificent aloes are blooming, those glorious red and orange spikes, like huge, royal caldelabra reaching into the sky. What a spectacle! Local Quiver trees, Aloe Vera, Bitter Aloe, Veltheimia, a huge variety of Euphorbia, Vygies and our spectacular Impala Lily with long branches of red and white flowers. It was a local legend in Kwa Zulu Natal that the Aloes would only bloom when the Sardine run was about to occur. I can’t remember if this was true or not, but I can remember these amazing times, where we could wade waist high into the sea, and catch the sardine with whatever receptacle was on hand. Where the sea was black and boiling for as far as the eye could see. The seagulls and other birds diving continually into the midst of this mass and eventually, fully sated they would just sit on the water, so full that they couldn’t fly any more. It was possibly the only time that we would not have to worry about shark attacks as they were too busy feeding on the bigger game fish that were feeding off the sardine.

Winter also sees our Magnificent Table Mountain shrouded with mist and at times completely hidden with clouds. It is also the time where we have extreme weather, mountainous waves, high winds and more rain. Dangerous elements for the men and their ships out at sea. The Cape Coast possibly has more shipwrecks than any other place in the world, we are not called “The Cape of Storms” for nothing, however we are the most beautiful Cape in the world.

Never cut a tree down in the wintertime.
Never make a negative decision in the low time.
Never make your most important decisions
when you are in your worst moods.
Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass.
The spring will come.

Author Unknown

Love Honour Respect

The other day I overheard a conversation among a couple of young people, they were asking each other whether they would be committed to their partners if they got married. This was and is very strange to me as I feel that commitment is all about you, the person and not a situation like the marriage.

Commitment is surely what a person feels about everything that they do in their lives and has more to do with self respect and love. If you respect yourself then you will commit to doing your best at school, commit to gaining the trust of others, commit to giving of your best in your job, commit to serving your clients to the best of your ability, commit to being a good friend, commit to helping someone a little less fortunate than yourself, commit to standing by your family and loved ones in their times of need and sharing in their good fortunes, honouring your word when you give it. All these things require commitment and so then commitment should naturally migrate to your feelings on marriage it should never have to be a discussion or even a second thought.

All commitment requires WORK and a genuine love in order to be successfull, it is not a thought process but rather a natural act of respect for oneself. Commitment is about personal honesty and the willingness to share in the marriage, to make it the best marriage in the world, to put in every ounce of energy to make it happy, to make it fun, to make it genuine, to never stop thinking of new ideas that would expand this loving relationship, to go out of your way to do a little thing to surprise your partner, these are the elements of commitment.

“People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains,
at the huge waves of the seas,
at the long course of the rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars,
and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.”

St. Augustine, 354 430

Sacred Stones

I have always had an affinity to stones, for as long as I can remember. Always seeing an unusual shape here or a beguiling colour there, a smooth one picked up by the river or one with a ripple design on it, whatever the magic I just had to have it and take it home with me. As a child I always had a stone in my pocket and not much has changed since, I always have a stone somewhere around me or on me. A trip to the beach or the mountains always culminates in a new souvenir, it is not a conscious thing, it is more like a magnet, as if someone is calling “look at me, look at me”, once the stone has caught my eye, thats it, instant possession. Once it is home it must be cleaned and inspected for any other unusual qualities and then it is lovingly placed in the special space that just feels exactly right for that particular stone.

Later still, I discovered the precious and semi-precious stones, it was like being in Fairyland, all those colours and textures, some names unpronouncable, stones of sparkling, twinkling pure joy. There is an age old saying “As above, so Below”, well that is true, as many colours that can be found in flowers, birds, fish, sky, can be found in gemstones and minerals. From the palest most delicate colours to the brightest, gaudiest ones. Each one has a special meaning for me and fulfills a certain purpose at given times. All I can say is that my life has definitely benefitted from my affinity to stones.

I had an ensuite bathroom built on to my bedroom and in the floor of the shower I have imbedded some tumbled gemstones, my sacred stones. I put in some red Jasper, Orange Carnelian, Green Moss Agate, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, and Clear Quartz Crystal. Each time I shower, I rub my feet over the stones and speak. Firstly I say Thank you for this wonderful day, Thank you for all the Joy in my life, Thank you for giving me the wonderful Family that I have, Thank you for the great, supportive friends that I have. Then I rub my feet over the Red Jasper and ask that I be able to keep my feet firmly on the ground and not be influenced by the things that seem too good to be true. On the Carnelian I ask that I not be led into hasty decisions or anger but instead be granted patience. On the Rose Quartz I ask that I may give and receive love among family, friends, loved ones and all humanity. On the Green Agate I ask that I be able to voice and show my love in everything I say and do. On the Amethyst I ask that I attain a higher level of understanding for the world and everything that exists within it. On the Crystal I ask that I will have the wisdom to recognise my mistakes and to have the courage and strength to put things right. Lastly I go back to the red Jasper and ask that I come back down to earth and face all the challenges and excitement of this new day.

This little ritual has made an amazing difference to my life, it has brought me patience, peace, understanding of myself and others, but mostly has made me see that nothing is insurmountable. Perhaps it is the repetition that reinforces what I say or perhaps it is the magis of the sacred stones. Who knows!

I was born to catch dragons in their dens
And pick flowers
To tell tales and laugh away the morning
To drift and dream like a lazy stream
And walk barefoot across sunshine days.

James Kavanaugh

Walking a Sacred Path

Maze’s have been around for over 4000 years, and symbolize the twisted path of life and fate? Mazes are intricate geometric designs purposely meant to create a sense of bewilderment and confusion. Mazes can often cause sensitive people to suffer terrifying claustrophobia and they further refuse to have anything further to do with them. Mazes are also referred to as a Sacred Path or The True Path.

To walk a sacred path is to discover our inner sacred space and our true place within the universe, it is a puzzle that we would put ourselves into, in order to solve the mystery. The Maze has a strong physical experience for the person walking the path, it generally has a goal to be reached via many dead ends and barriers, purposely meant to lead one astray, these dead ends and barriers force one to go back and start another loop or offshoot of our journey in order to reach the end. There being only one correct solution to a Maze.

Walking the Sacred Path is said to be both therapeutic and life-changing, bringing an absolute sense of meditation and peace to the walker. It is regarded as being a healer of past sadness whilst at the same time giving that sense of release.

The Maze is so reflective of our personal lives where we start out on this great journey of life, on the way encountering all manner of challenges. Being buffeted hither and thither by the vagaries of outside influences. Being tricked into believing things that are not true. Being beguiled by what seems to be the best or easiest solution, only to find that this is not true. Having wonderful prizes dangled in front of us, only to find that they are not made of gold or that the price is too high. Having to re-trace our steps and once again forge on toward truth and our own personal goals.

We may fall sometimes but the really important issue is that we do carry on, that we try for that perfection, that we strive to reach that goal.

To those who see with loving eyes, life is beautiful.
To those who speak with tender voices, life is peaceful.
To those who help with gentle hands, life is full.
And to those who care with compassionate hearts, life is good beyond all measure.

Author Unknown

Zoned or Zonked

Somehow my life seems to consist of zones, compartments and seperatism. Almost as though I can’t multitask, (which I really can, read, watch televison, listen to the radio, hear the conversation in the next room and cook supper) on other levels.

Zones consist of work area, hobby area, love area, playtime area, children area, animal area, garden area and somehow, somewhere these zones seem to slide, merge, take on levels of urgency and importance, become distractions at certain times. Love however, for me, is always the common thread throughout all the zones, making certain decisions even more difficult at times.

Problem is juggling and being truly creative across the zones. For instance, a child needs a friend, someone to love them no matter how bad they have been, someone to play with them, even more so when they’re bored, someone to work with them and teach them, someone to feed them those tummy warming meals they love the best, tend to them and sympathise with them when they are sick, pick them up, dust them off, when they fall, listen to all their problems, no matter how trivial, give help where and when necessary. Problem is everyone wants the same attention, my boss, my friend, my neighbour, my garden, my animals… same routine in multiples of zones.

This is where the slippy-slidey focus occurs between the zones, all of a sudden one zone slides into up and another zone goes sideways, downwards, backwards and….I’m zonked! Which way is really up? How much time for family, children, friends, hobbies - does this suddenly become a lottery for my attention, or does the highest bidder win? Does this become management by crisis? Who or what comes first, how much time to allocate to each one, am I being selfish… too much time for me perhaps?

Some people seem to manage all these functions automatically, why do I always feel guilty when I spend so much time deciding which is most important for that particular moment, for that exact reason? I seem torn between love and duty sometimes and it is so hard to know what is right. I don’t ever want to compromise between these two factors but instead I seem to follow my gut instinct at the time, the one that feels exactly right. This for me does not seem less important to any of the loves in my life, rather for the benefit of the loves in my life. I believe that each and everyone that is important in my life will understand the importance of the other. Could I be wrong?

Please let me know what you think or feel!

Storm

Well we have been praying and asking for rain and boy did we get some! What a fantastic show - thunder, lightning, hail, mudslides, gale force winds and floods. We have had more rain in one night and day, than our entire monthly rainfall, for April, in past years. The rain was very welcome but spare a thought for the many people who are homeless, or have had their homes badly damaged, due to the ferocity of the storm, which hit certain areas of the Western Cape.

This storm is so similar to a tempestuous relationship, where there is intense passion, where anger is bottled up, where there is little or no communication about problems or hurts or suspicions, all resulting in a build up of negativity and anger. The more we internalise our feelings, whilst going over them again and again in our minds, the more volatile the situation tends to become. Then one day like a bolt of lightning out of the blue, all the hurt, suspicion, anger boils up and explodes like a vile rush of venom, and people are forever hurt or affected by this outburst.

All the hurt, heartache and thunderbolts could be avoided if we can only just share. Share our fears, disappointments, hurts, talk about them, get them out in the open where they no longer look so bad. Appreciate what we have, have compassion for each other, believe in each other, respect each other, celebrate each other, for none of us know just how precious our relationship is until we no longer have it.

There’s only now…
There’s only here…
Give in to love…
Or live in fear…
No other path…
No other way…
No day but today…
No day but today.

Jonathan Larson, American Playwright

Solar Eclipse

Today will be the first Solar Eclipse of 2005. It will be a rare hybrid eclipse which will be seen partially in the USA and Northern hemisphere with the full eclipse being seen in New Zealand and the South Pacific, for less than a minute in total.

For the Pope, perhaps it is a galactical farewell with a total universal blackout of one minutes silence for his final voyage on to a celestial space? May he continue to shine brightly on this earth that he has so influenced with his peacemaking efforts.

For Charles and Camilla, perhaps a second chance at happiness for them both. Today was to be their official wedding day so who knows what their future will hold, given the new circumstances.

In looking around the astrology pages it seems, that in general, this eclipse signifies new beginnings and negotiations for the future. It seems there are to be major interruptions as far as communications, the media and IT are concerned. Major interruptions in electricity resulting in blackouts. Still others predict that secrecy and deception will be the order of the day. Others are predicting earth tremors with Italy being put on alert for eruptions by Mt. Etna and Vesuvius. Apparently documents should not be signed during this period either.

But it should not be all doom and gloom as Spring is a new beginning too and brings with it all sorts of wonderful connotations. New born spring lambs so cute and cuddly. Daffodils and bluebells, new growth both in the soil as well as in the soul of our understanding. Learning new things which brings with it excitement at the challenge, excitement at the achievement and excitement at self for the accomplishment. Learning negotiation with family friends and in the world at large at the same time learning how to keep that dreaded ego at bay. So many possibilities still exist to look forward to in the future, with the maturing of all these new things.

Therefore it should be a time of looking forward, getting rid of unwanted clutter, and living for the glorious moment we are in.

Light a Virtual Candle

Wow!! I just came across the most amazing site. It has a remembrance page for the Pope where you can light a virtual candle.

You can inscribe your name on it, insert a message, your country and place of origin. This site is available in so many translated languages even Zulu!

Once you have lit your candle and left your message, your candle will stay burning for 48 hours and you can go back and check for your candle. This site has been crafted so beautifully and with such care, it is really cool.

Go here to light your virtual candle: http://www.beliefnet.com/features/pope/candle.html

Autumn Days

We are entering our autumn now and the Western Cape has a far different habitat to the rest of the country. We look forward to seeing the squirrels scurrying about at their busiest, gathering the acorns for winter. We have some wonderful huge old Oak trees in the Gardens near the centre of the city, where people usually buy some nuts from the vendors and feed these cute little creatures. We see some of the birds preparing to fly north to the warmer climates. Our days are starting to cool with most of the scorching heat now over. The sun is appearing that little later and disappearing a tad earlier. Long summer evenings now moving on to shorter more comfortable ones.

Of course, this is the busiest time for the gardener, planning and preparing for your Spring and Summer garden. Colour of course plays a big part in the entire creation and it is mostly your time and effort now that will make your garden spectacular.

Pansies and Violas with their pretty little smiling faces.
Poppies, Primulas and Petunias from single to double in any assortment of colours.
Bulbs of all kinds from Daffodils, Ranunculus, Freesias, Dutch Iris, Watsonias and Sparaxis all so intriguing from when the first spears appear above the ground until you see the full show of flowers.
Lobelia, Calendula, Cineraria and Stocks, from little fairy like sprays of flowers to the hot and showy.
Cabbage, Onions, Peas, Carrots, Turnips and Swiss Chard, the perfect collection for your steamy winter soups.
Rosemary, Thyme, Origanum, Fennel, perfect for a bouquet-garni in your soul warming stews.

All that is needed is some digging, fertilising, mulching and planting for that wonderful Spring and Winter wonderland.

Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘Grow, grow.’

The Talmud

Sad, Sad Times

Attempting to write something for the past few days has been impossible with all the saddest of events taking place worldwide. To have written anything would have seemed so trivial and unseemly.

Firstly the sad death of Terri Schiavo which has raised such strong feelings and powerful moral issues, which in turn, have resulted in tearing apart and dividing, families, friends, legal and medical counsel, government, a country and even the world. The moral issues are ones that we have to question deep within ourselves, we have to find the answer to what we would want to do in the same circumstance. If we were the parents, the husband or the person themselves. There are no easy answers and you can find yourself swaying on the side of each party if you were in their shoes, severally and jointly. A really difficult decision on the part of every player participating in this particular drama. Thankfully, I do not have to make any such decisions…yet! I also hope never to be in a position where I would be forced to make such a decision. Terri I hope you are safe and free from suffering. May God bless you.

Secondly the illness of Prince Rainier, the ruler of the smallest principality in the world and Europes longest reigning monarch. Once married to Grace Kelly the movie star legend and mother of his children. How sad to have to say goodbye to someone who has turned this tiny little place into the most renowned playground of the rich and famous. He has worked tirelessly to attract big business thus ensuring the legacy for the Monaco monarchy to come. I pray for you and your family and hope that all will be well for you and your loved ones.

Lastly, the end of a dynasty, Pope John Paul ll a legend of a man who made a difference to millions of people in all walks of life. A man of such stature that it will be hard for anyone to live up to such high standards. He was a man of the people, for the people, spoke so many languages, did not set himself above the normal man in the street and transformed the Roman Catholic Church. He propagated peace and understanding in the world as well as social justice. He is well loved and revered both within the Catholic religion and dispersed among the many other religions. He has shown his human side by allowing the public to see he him in his weakness and illness over the past few years, clearly illustrating the human frailty. Most of all I guess we will remember him for his sense of holiness and his love of all people.

May the Lord Bless You
May the LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)

Paint by Number

Did you ever do one of those paint by number paintings? I loved them! As I had absolutely no artistic skills whatsover (nada, nothing, less than zero, zip), it made me feel as if I was the greatest, the last of the famous artists!

It was so fascinating, first choosing a colour then filling in all the numbers for that colour, and yet there was no clear picture yet. Choosing the next colour and once again applying it to all the spaces for that colour. As each colour was applied, the picture gradually became recognisable. Once the last colour had been applied the picture was now complete and you could see the full impact of your glorious masterpiece. What a sense of achievement, how proud you felt, you immediately wanted to show it to everyone you knew, so that they could see your hidden talent.

Well isn’t life a bit like that? As we experience and learn new things, we get to see the bigger picture. We enter into new phases of our life each and every day, from first day at school, with all the fears we had, to graduating, to our first love, to marriage, first child, first job and all through life we are entering into new areas of our lives of which we have no idea of what the outcome will be.

It is only when we look back and see all our different colours we have painted on to our life canvas, that we can see the magic that we have created or where we had mistakenly painted in the wrong colour. We will either have a masterpiece or we have a less than perfect picture. It’s all about choices. It’s all about what we want from life - what’s acceptable to us. We can always paint over our mistakes to try and achieve that perfect masterpiece, or perchance we may be happy with a skewed picture. It is also so sad to see how sometimes we paint in the spaces that we think other people want to see, only to find that they clash horribly with the background colours we originally chose.

So as we can see, life is like a paint by number painting, as long as we strive to have that perfect picture, and as long as we keep trying to fix the mistakes, we will always have that talent we yearned for and that Masterpiece we are so proud of.

Rain, Glorious Rain

The Western Cape is in a second year of drought and according to the experts, the worst in a hundred years. Our area the West Coast has been declared a Disaster Area, with really strict water restrictions in place.

Yesterday it started raining, a bit early for our normal Winter rains and hopefully a good sign for a break in the drought and replenishment of our empty dams. It rained steadily all afternoon and into the night. What a relief! We do take water so much for granted, we abuse our rivers by polluting them and waste water daily.

We have a Wetland in our area full of Flamingo, pelican and numerous wild duck and other birds, including other creatures and wildlife. This year we have seen how much of the water has dried up, the size is almost half of what it normally should be. This area is a gift to the community, more so as it is in the middle of built up suburbs. It would be an absolute tragedy if we were to lose it through human mismanagement of our resources and heritage. The sight of a flock of pink flamingos in sight is awesome, a sight that not many have access to, yet here we see it on a daily basis whilst driving into the city or on our way home.

I do hope that we will have good rains this winter as our part of the country is rich in fruit, wheat and barley. These are quite important commodities for our country as a whole, apart from feeding our nation these commodities bring in huge overseas revenue from exports.

Personally and quite selfishly I wish to see my garden flourish and the plants survive and revive, so I look forward to every precious drop of liquid falling upon it.

Scented Delights

Isn’t it wonderful how many diverse scents and aromas we get naturally from plants? There is nothing more stimulating or magical than being in the garden in the evening.

The scent of Yesterday Today and Tomorrow, with it’s blue white and purple flowers, quite heady at times but a scent you will always remember and look forward to.
The perfume of the Jasmine Creeper can be so overpowering if close to the house, but wafting on the breeze it has a scent like no other, sweet and intoxicating.
The fresh scent of mint as you brush past it, so green and fresh. It has a zing that reminds you of purity, cleanliness and upliftment of the spirits. A gotta have in any garden.
The haunting, deep, clear and oh so sweet smell of my deepest red Rose “Papa Meillon”, you almost feel as though you are falling into the scent. Absolutely delightful! How criminal that most hybrid roses have no scent? They have deigned to have a perfect bloom rather than the magnificent scent!
The really gorgeous scent of blue/purple, lavender, clear, clean, makes you feel safe, invokes feelings of peace and tranquility. Can’t do without this one.
Then of course the unmistakeable scent of Rosemary, fantastic, astringent, inviting, moreish. Reminding one of big days outdoors with friends, family, lamb on the spit - spiked with Rosemary. This is the bringer togetherer - great.
Nasturtiums, such pretty, bright faces, sharp scent of pure honey, Makes you want to eat them, which of course you can. Plan a space for them they bring you joy.
Honeysuckle, so sweet and restful. Rambling up into trees, over walls and into your olfactory sensors, bringing dreams of repose and happy memories.
Carnations, so elegant and sweet. Their aroma is of a sweetness that can make the darkest depression disappear in an instant.

There are too many to list here, but they are all of such delight that they cannot be ignored when planning your garden space.

Sir Francis Bacon voices this so aptly:
And because The Breath of Flowers is far Sweeter in the air(where it comes and goes, like the warbling of Musick), than in the hand, therefore nothingis more fit for that delight, than to know what be the Flowers and Plants, that do best perfume the air.

Artificial Life

There has been so much in the media lately about the bad effects of fast foods and obesity. This is such a sad fact of life and we actually need to make responsible choices about our lifestyles. Making responsible choices means having full knowledge of products or paying full attention to the details on labels.

None of us really want to be ill in our older years, or depend on someone else to help us, bathe us, feed us. Surely this is not the reason why we have been put on this earth? Surely it is about quality of life and longevity rather than quantity of life as a dependant? Life should be full, happy, joyful, and definitely not artificial, like the substances we are being exposed to.

Our Government ensures that cigarettes carry a warning that tobacco can harm you, medication has to carry full details of harmful side effects and there is even talk about Alcohol carrying warnings. Even more recently we have had foodstuffs withdrawn out of our shops because of the deadly effects of the colouring “Sudan Red”, a carcinogen, so awfully deadly to humans. The question is - “If we have to have details on packages of harmful agents or side effects” then how were these colourants able to enter our country?

Even worse is the fact that most average people do not have access to the internet to do their own research, those that do, don’t have the time to look things up because of time constraints or other better things to do, or just not being aware of what destructive additives we have in our foods and drinks, because it is not stated on the labels.

This brings us to a sweetener, now being labelled as “Sweet Poison”, more commonly known as “Aspartame”, being put into so many foods as a replacement for sugar. This especially so in the case of “Diet” food, yoghurt, drinks, in fact so many items labelled as “low fat”, “fat free” or “diet”. Minister of Health, please look at this artificial sweetener and protect the people, this is your responsibility after all!

Imagine how horrific it must be like to find that you are really ill, every day for three weeks and then to find that the reason is, you have been affected by this substance!

To find out more for yourself and to allow you to make a responsible, personal choice, please go and find out. Do not spend another day feeling bad.

Go see the facts for yourself!

Easter Greetings

Easter is a time for remembering our past, celebrating freedom and looking toward to the awakening of renewal. A time to share with family. A time to re-establish your faith and who you are.

For some it will be breaking the fast of Lent and celebrating the resurrection, for others it will be celebrating Passover and the end to slavery, others still will celebrate the holy day with observance and going to Church, for some it is really an excuse for another long weekend, for others again the Easter Egg will be all that they look forward to.

It doesn’t really matter what religion you are, it is the symbolism and worship surrounding this weekend that is sacred and all important. The issues such as Freedom from Slavery, The Promised Land where all people would be equal with all their rights intact, the Resurrection showing us that even from the darkest hour can come renewal and perhaps miracles, the end of the Fast of Lent - the forty days of fasting relative to soul searching and repentance, for reflection and taking stock and in preparation for Easter. Perhaps humans need to have these holidays to remind us of what we should be practising naturally every day of our lives.

WISHING YOU A VERY SPECIAL EASTER
Easter is a time of love, of family, and of peace.
It is a time when we say a quiet thanks for all that we have
and for all that the future holds.
Easter is a feeling in our hearts of hope and faith and trust.
It is a day of miracles; a day when our dreams seem a little closer;
a time of retrospection for what has been,
and anticipation of all that will be.
And it is a time for remembering
with love and appreciation
the people in our lives
who make a difference…
people like you.
~~By Anna Marie Edwards.~~

Healing Space

We live with so much stress these days. Technology has brought wonderful changes to our world but with it comes the dreaded instant gratification. Everyone wants an answer NOW, because it is possible with email, cellphones etc. It also means we have no escape, we are now always in demand, therefore always under stress. No time for ourselves, no rest, no relaxation, no time to think and ponder and dream.

My answer is to spend time in my garden and - you guessed it - I do not take my Cellphone with me. I spend quality time, planning future beds, colours, secret little hideaways, colour for healing, pebbles, rocks, plants for the river, plants to invite the butterflies and birds. Whilst I am doing good old physical work like digging, mulching, weeding, fertilising, I am also able to think, dream, see into future times, wonder, take in all the beauty and restore my body and soul with the healing that automatically happens.

There are also my herbs which bring natural healing.
Sage for Bronchitis, bacterial infections and rheumatism.
Mint for Indigestion Nausea and Cramps.
Thyme for a stimulant and tonic, to raise immunity and for lethargy.
Bay Leaf for colds, flu and insomnia.
Basil for loss of concentration, migraine, aches and pains.
Rosemary for Obesity, dandruff and liver decongestant.
Parsley for Nervous conditions, kidney problems and a diuretic
Oregano for Muscular pain and digestive problems.
Lemongrass for Fevers, Sore Throats and insect repellant.

Apart from the herbal healing, just sitting in your garden quietly meditating, thinking or dreaming for a few minutes each day can heal and replenish your stretched and jangled nerves.

Then there is the healing qualities of colour and aroma that still needs investigation, but that is for another day. Today I am healing.

Human Rights

Well what a busy weekend! At the same time most invigorating, especially with having the extra day to enable me to fit in so many things.

Yesterday’s holiday was to commemorate “Human Rights”. The basic unalienable rights of each and every human being.
What is Human Rights Day? Human Rights Day (21 March) is the day set aside to celebrate human rights and to remind all South Africans of their human rights.

What are human rights? Human rights are the rights that everyone has, simply because they are human beings. They are the rights we all have from the moment we are born. We do not have to earn them and they cannot easily be taken away from us.

The list of human rights protected in South Africa is the Bill of Rights, which is Chapter 2 of the Constitution. The Constitution is the highest law of South Africa. Everyone in South Africa, including the government, must follow it. The rules set out in a Constitution are very hard to change, and so the rights in the Bill of Rights are also very hard to change. This means that it is difficult for anyone to change your rights or to try and take them away from you.

Rights and responsibilities Because everyone has these rights regardless of their race, age or gender, we all have to respect other people’s rights as well. It is no good saying that you have these rights if you are doing things at the same time, which go against other people’s rights. And, we must all respect and follow the laws of the country as well.

Many of these rights are now included in our Bill of Rights, and include the rights to:

Equality (Section 9)
Human dignity (Section 10)
Freedom of expression (Section 16)
Assembly, demonstration, picket and petition (Section 17)
Freedom of association (Section 18) and
Freedom of movement and residence (Section 21).

We have come a long way in our country toward protecting Human Rights and hopefully we will strive even harder to defend and uphold these rights.

“Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.”

“Storm Jameson”

Long Weekend

Hmmmm, a long weekend, a chance to do a million things that I have promised myself.

A chance to use my Digital Camera, a chance to do two things at the same time, to go out and to take some great photos. Where shall I go?
A chance to read a book, must have at least ten books to read, the ones at the top of my list are:
The Terracotta Warriors by Maurice Cotterell, the secret codes of the Emperor’s Army. It decodes the long-lost secrets of China’s terracotta army.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, how little things can make a big difference. The book describes that magic moment when ideas, trends and social behaviours, cross a threshold and spread like wildfire.
Reading People by Jo-Ellan Dimitrius and Mark Mazzarella. Secret Tips that reveal the truth behind body language.
This does not include Aromatherapy, Crystals, mysteries and religions of the world.
Perhaps a chance to do some Flower Pressing.
Maybe some gardening.
Listening to some favourite music.
Watching some movies.
Doing some gardening.
Washing the dogs.
Mowing the lawn.
Going for a swim.
Having a Braai.
Relaxing with family and friends.

Not enough days in the long weekend for everything so will have to do a bit of each.

“Guard well your spare moments.
They are like uncut diamonds.
Discard them and their value will never be known.
Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dreamtime

All my life I have had a recurring dream. In this dream I see my life (as I know it) playing out before me. I re-live all the trials, tribulations, joys, accomplishments, achievements, losses and gains. Re-live all the happy times and all the sad times. Re-look at all my fears both old and new. All of this so vivid as though I am living them in the moment.

Then I wake up only to find that I am not even of this earth but from very strange surroundings, not even human yet unlike anything I have encountered before, but from a far away time and Galaxy, exactly where I do not know, and that my whole life that I have just re-lived has only been a dream!

Which is the actual Dream and which is the illusion? If it is a dream then is it still a dream when I wake up? Has my whole life been a dream? Is this a figment of my own imagination? Is it a portent, does it carry a message? Is this dream of a distant time in the past or a time to come in the future? Is it of “the Dreamtime” perhaps? Too many questions and not enough answers.

The really interesting thing is that in the Dream I stay the same age and of the same looks from my childhood until present time! Is it a mask I am wearing, is the Dream hiding something from me, is there a lesson in this Dream for me or is it mean’t to make me question?

Some day I hope to find the meaning behind this dream, if it is a Dream that is.

Spirituality

Love the animals, love the plants, love everything.
If you love everything you will perceive the divine mystery in things.
Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day.
And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky

What is spirituality all about? Long discussions from all points of different religions see it differently. New Age sees it in another view, and Africans, Maoris and American Indians see it another way.

I still have too many questions of my own about so many things, that I hardly think I could say what Spirituality is. I do know though that people with Spirit, think, act and talk differently. They seem to see all the important little subleties in everything, that we seem to miss. They are different!

For me Spirituality is being a part of the Universe, seeking more than just explanations, knowing I am a part of something bigger, seeing more than what is here, trying to attain the highest level of understanding, promoting universal peace and love of all people and all things, trying to serve and alleviate suffering, searching for light when all seems dark, the joy of being and the little spark within me that says welcome new day-what can you show me that I am not seeing!

Easter is on it’s way, autumn here in the Cape, it will be the end of Lent and fasting for some, Pentecost for others, with new beginnings of faith and purpose. A shrugging off of the old of the past and looking to a renewal in the future, just like a beautiful be-jewelled butterfly emerging from it’s deep sleep as a pupa.

Media Space

Isn’t it amazing how we are all influenced by the happenings that are flighted on Television and in the newspapers and magazines?

Very few of them are ever happy stories, instead they are all about the cruelty of the human species. Murder, rape, theft, and all manners of unspeakable acts. Yet we rush out and avidly purchase and peruse the misfortune of others. Why do we do this? Have good deeds and happy stories become boring? Are our own lives so mediocre that we actually get a buzz out of other peoples heartbreak?

It is no wonder that there is so much depression, so many people turning to drugs or drink, just trying to hide from all this daily bombardment of human misery. It seems that there is no end to it and without any uplifting stories or news, people are just sinking deeper into a no-hope situation.

There are so many happy and amazing stories out there, but you need to look for it among the tiny little articles somewhere in the middle pages, never on page one. The stories of people who have very little themselves yet still find money to feed a few more hungry mouths. The NGO’s and their neverending efforts to uplift communities. The one man bands fighting for the rights of people with HIV/AIDS, or the blind, or mentally unstable or many other equally important issues.

The youth of today desperately need a hero or hero’s, someone that can uplift them, show them hope, teach them to laugh, to protect them and cherish them. To give them something to build dreams on, something to make themselves feel proud, something to make them walk tall, something to make them look forward to tomorrow, something to make them build a better future.

The media is not talking to our youth!

Fairy Space

I share my Garden Space with many varied creatures, animals, insects, reptiles, humans and the wee fey folk, more commonly known as Fairies.

Green Fairies that bring peace, love and abundance. Usually found among the ferns and foliage.
Yellow Sunshine Fairies that bring warmth, space and fertility. Their shining faces can be found among the Marigolds, Roses and Daisies.
Purple Fairies, the bringers of spirituality, higher understanding and serenity. Favourite hideaways are in the Lavender, Pansies and Violas.
Pink, delicate Fairies, the rulers of the heart, sending special messages about how important this factor is in reality. They love snuggling in among the highly scented Rose Blossoms, peeping out occasionally to whisper …. don’t forget to tell someone that you love them!
Blood Red Fairies, the grounding Fairies, Their message to us is to keep our feet firmly on the ground and our minds on the reality in our lives. Their hiding places are among the Bouganvillea, Pointsettias and Berries on the various trees and shrubs.
The Blue Fairies (my favourite, all though I love them all), misty, wispy little creatures weaving their magic on us all. Their message is serenity, belief and love for yourself, cherishing all the aspects of what you have in your life, reaching out to others in need. They can be found all around, now on the Plumbago, then in the air, later around the water, sometimes just by the front gate as I’m going out, just to sprinkle some magic dust on me for protection.

All the Fairies have sent out invitations to others telling them of my Garden Space. I hope to share more about them later on.

Flighty Creatures

Every day brings something new and interesting to my garden space. It has been visited by so many varied flying creatures, some only vistors passing through and some that have become resident.

Around our water feature, which is a river, we have giant dragonflies with wings that seem bejewelled, by all the beautiful metallic colours.
In the late afternoon we have a pair of resident Wagtails that come for their daily, noisy bathing antics.
Dancing all and about the garden space we have butterflies. Tiny miniature blue ones, larger white and yellow ones, big handsome Swallowtails of black and yellow, orange and brown beauties and brown butterflies with partly see through wings. A stunning spectacle.
A resident pair of red-eye Doves that nested in our patio and hatched two chicks, a stamp of approval on this new addition to the home, methinks.
An occasional visitor, a gorgeous Collared Sunbird, strutting iridescent colours of green, red and blue.
Clouds of tiny White Eyes, green and cute that come for the whiteflies that would eat my Roses.
The usual cooing doves and chatty sparrows.
Some cheeky Starlings that divebomb the cats and warn the other birds to get out of the way.
A daily flight overhead of a flock of Pelicans that live in a nearby wetland, enormous and majestic as they sail across the sky.
A new sighting yesterday in our neighbours garden of a Sugarbird with it’s long sweeping tail.
A resident Locust and some Praying Mantis.

How privileged to have these creatures share my Garden Space.
They give me something to look forward to each and every day.

Fuzzy Space

I have some special warm, furry, fuzzy friends who share my home space with me.

Three dogs and three cats. In order of age and respectability (if you please) we have Kitty - a black and white Moggie rescued from behind a garage as a kitten 18 years young and still showing her superiority. Fergie - an outrageous Yorkie with a temperament like a true Prima Donna. Cinders - A huge Black cat, left behind for us when we bought our house, he is only learning how to be affectionate two years later…don’t know how old he is? Torti - a tortoiseshell cat that is absolutely crazy and too, too lovable. She came from a shelter and she chose me. Roxie - A beige cross Toypom type, she was rescued from vagrants. She gives out love like chocolates and despite being small is a fierce watchdog. Last but not least is Shiva - a black Labrador, swimmer of note and companion extraordinaire.

They bring sunshine into everyday life, always with a smile, a wag or just a nudge. It is truly amazing that we should be so lucky as to have these friends. Friends who don’t care if you are big, small, thin, fat, pretty or not, or even what colour you are. They truly give unconditionally.

Wouldn’t our space in this world be so much better if we could all give so unconditionally, every day all day?

Herbal Space

This is a space for all my Herbal musings.

A large space within my garden is taken up with herbs. They are scattered all among the roses and shrubs. Some complementing the adjacent plants and some preventing the insects from eating the partner plants.

There are so many herbs ranging from spicy, warm, sweet or acidic. All with so many uses, from rubs, cooking, washes, healing, aromas, to de-toxing.

My first favourites are the Aroma herbs - Lavender, Rose Geranium, Lemon Verbena, Mint, Lemongrass & Marigold. I can think of nothing more soothing than to have the clean smell of Lavender on my sheets and pillowcase when I go to bed at night. It ensures that I will have a good, deep sleep with lots of dreams. Alternatively to burn some Lavender oil in the room before going to bed, Mmmmmm.

Lavender must also be the most versatile essential oil, it is a natural antibiotic,antiseptic, sedative, detoxer,antidepressant with further qualities which prevent scarring and promote healing. This essential oil is a must in any Firstaid box. Used on light burns it soothes and heals quickly without any scarring occurring. This oil has the ability of balancing mind and body.

International Womens Day

Today this space is being dedicated to all the wonderful women out there.

International Women’s Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

International Women’s Day is all about the celebration of being a woman.
On this occasion, reach out to all the women you admire… be it your wife, sweetheart, mother, sister, grandmother, friend, in-law or your loved one. Take this opportunity to acknowledge them and make them feel special by sending some flowers or even one flower

Send flowers!

What is a Sacred Space

There are many opinions on what a Sacred Space is. A Church/Synagogue/Mosque/Hall or where many people pray and ask for blessings. A specific place where many people have died innocently as in the 911 site or Auschwitz or Rwanda. A simple altar in a room with icons and candles. Sites of peace and power such as Glastonbury, Machu Picchu, The Pyramids, The Mount of Olives and many more. Places where miracles have been known to have happened like Lourdes.

To my mind there are many more sacred spaces of equal importance.

The space in your mind where the most precious memories are kept.
The space in your heart where all the love for your most precious family, friends, partners are kept
The space within others that you reside in.
That secret little space where all your new ideas, wishes and aspirations are born.
The space in a forest when all is silent and you feel peace surround you.
The special space you go to for solitude and to let your mind soar.
The space beside a river where you can reflect and de-stress.
Your mother’s home where you feel enveloped in love, security and warmth.
Your friends home where you feel genuinely welcome and where you can safely share your secrets.

The list is endless but I just think that the word “space” is too large to define and that the word “sacred” is only so if we make it so.

Lazy Sunday

Cape Town has been having a severe drought, with very strict water restrictions in place. We can only water our gardens on a Monday (if you have an even street number) or Tuesday (uneven street number) for an hour with a bucket or watering can and another half an hour on a Friday. We have all become Masters in the art of saving water.

Sadly many of the plants that like water have since passed on but on the whole it is surprising how many have survived, and how great the garden is still looking.

This morning , looking out through a forest of lavender flowers, we have woken up to an overcast sky with the lightest of rains falling - Yipppeeee!! After the extreme heat of the past week this is so welcome.

The exact, perfect weather to curl up in your favourite space, perhaps to indulge in some reading, catching up on some of the things you have been meaning to do, cooking up a storm, or just do nothing.

A lazy, hazy, rainy Sunday.