Clock Tower on the Strand Beach

Sunrise, Sunset

Joined an e-mail swap. Sharing photos of sunrises/sunsets/both. I simply love both times of day. I got married at sunset (on a Friday) and walked down the aisle to song from Fiddler on Roof - Sunrise Sunset- click here for the lyrics or here for the You Tube video.

8 of the photos were taken by me. 1 of me by my husband and the last 3 I received in previous swap - Nature Swap.

Unconcious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Referral ::reference, moving
   
2. Indiana ::Jones (what else !)
   
3. Foil :: tin
   
4. Horizon ::Blue, beyond, future
   
5. Event ::dress up
   
6. Sailing ::boat
7. Footage ::films, movies
   
8. Sunday ::unconcious muttering, eggs for breakfast
   
9. Breathtaking ::beautiful
10. Dude! :: wheres my car?

South Africans unite against xenophobia

Got this article in an e-mail today.

South Africans unite against xenophobia (from the South Africa --Good News newsletter)

Reports of xenophobic violence and hatred have featured prominently in South Africa's - and the world's - daily press this week and rightly so. But what hasn't made the headlines is the overwhelming positive response to the violence from the South African public. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, says South Africans have shown their true hearts through the outpouring of goods, food, blankets and money for the victims of the xenophobic violence. "To me, the real spirit of South Africans has been shown. We are not a xenophobic nation," says Sooliman. Gift of the Givers has set up a base at Sandton's Village Walk where people have been invited to leave any donations they may wish to offer. In just a week, Gift of the Givers has moved over R1 million worth of goods from Village Walk to refugee centres in Alexandra, Cleveland, Primrose and various other parts of Ekurhuleni. "I've been in this industry for 15 years and I have never seen a response like this. People often show support for causes out of the country, but when it's in South Africa, they say it's the government's problem. "But now we are seeing massive support. Black, White, Indian, Coloured; they are all here. Clearly the large majority of South Africans are deeply unhappy with this situation," adds Sooliman. Corporate support South African corporates have also expressed their condemnation and shown support for victims. Since launching an appeal for assistance last week, the South African Red Cross Society has received donations from a number of corporates, including a R3 million cheque from Standard Bank. The Hilton Hotel Corporation has announced that they will erect a temporary soup kitchen in support of victims at the Bramley Police Station. The soup kitchen will be open today. Staff members from the hotel have volunteered to help provide stricken families with at least one hot meal in the day. The hotel will also distribute hot drinks, nappies, pillows, blankets and carpets. "We feel this responsibility deeply, and we are committed to doing as much as we can with the resources we have at our disposal to help the people of this country through this terrible time," says Axel Hauser, GM of Hilton Sandton. Students take a stand Students in campuses around the city have also taken a stand against xenophobia, primarily through protest marches and collection drives. This week, close to three hundred Wits University teachers and students gathered along Jan Smuts Avenue in Johannesburg, to voice their condemnation of the attacks. The academic protest helped to create public awareness of opposition to the travesties occurring in the country. The university is currently collecting goods for victims through their campus volunteer programme. All are welcome to contribute. Students from the University of Pretoria took to the streets today in a protest rally thatwill mark the launch of the Tukkies Drop-Off. Students and all Pretoria residents are urged to bring any goods to the Tukkiewerf Building on campus to be distributed to victims. In the Eastern Cape, Rhodes University staff and students will be signing pledges of African solidarity today. Each person who signs the pledge will be given an Africa symbol to be publicly displayed on doors, cars and windows. The symbol is intended to not only represent solidarity but will serve to identify allies and safe spaces, said a statement from Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela. "Should any member of the Rhodes community be the target of xenophobia, they will be able to identify allies and safe spaces by the prominently displayed Africa symbols and seek assistance," he stated. Africans gather in a show of unity Ironically, the wave of xenophobic violence that has been spreading through the country has occurred amid earnest preparations for Africa Day celebrations. Concerts, exhibitions and workshops are scheduled to take place throughout the weekend in Johannesburg, in commemoration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on the 25th of May 1963 (now known as the African Union). Addressing concerns that the Africa Day celebrations would be cancelled, Steven Sack from the City of Joburg's Department of Community Development said: "The easy thing would be to cancel or postpone the shows, but we believe that now, more than ever, it is critical that South Africans and our brothers and sisters from the rest of the continent gather together to celebrate and honour the ties that bind us." Other events taking place this weekend include a protest vigil in Cape Town and a march against xenophobia in Johannesburg. The protest vigil is hosted by the Cape Town Action Forum and will take place on Friday 23 May from 7pm to midnight at the Parliament building in Plein Street. All those who wish to express their condemnation of xenophobia are urged to attend. The Social Movements Indaba, a coalition of humanitarian organisations, will be hosting their march against xenophobia in Johannesburg on Saturday 24th May. All are welcome and urged to bring banners, placards and friends. The march will start at 9am at Pieter Roos Park on the corner of Empire and Queen Roads in Parktown. Since the wave of xenophobic violence broke out in Alexandra almost two weekends ago, South Africans, without hesitation, have shown their true spirit of humanity. On-the-ground volunteers have many personal stories to tell of the inspiring acts of compassion they have witnessed while working in the refugee camps around Gauteng and Ekurhuleni. South African residents of affected communities have come to the refugee camps to simply talk, counsel, sing and pray with victims of the violence. Perhaps, as David Stevens of the South African Red Cross says, "Ubuntu is not lost." By Lindy Mtongana ******************************************* Make a difference To find out how you can join the stand against xenophobia, contact the following organisations: South African Red Cross Society - (011) 873 6364 (Odney Matji) Gift of the Givers - (011) 832 1546 (Rabia) Join the For Good network - www.forgood.co.za Central Methodist Church - (011) 333 5926 / 082 600 8892 702.co.za for a organisations to contact if you want to support victims Wits Volunteers Programme - (011) 717 9732 University of Pretoria Student Representative Council - (012) 366 9800 Rhodes University - (044) 603 8111 South Africans on Facebook are rallying support. Groups to join include: Against Xenophobia in South Africa South Africans against Xenophobia Also, have a look at the suggestions posted on SARocks.co.za If you know of other organisations or ways to help - particularly in Cape Town and Durban and any other areas where these attacks are taking place - please let us know and we will add them to the list.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Something round, another animal - her best friend Elenora from Italy.
The last Jeandre's scavenger hunt is now complete.
We are posting her pictures to her two partners today.

Short Bread

Scavenger Hunt #3

Next on the Scavenger List was anything that has 3 colours. We baked shortbread Teddy Bears

Jeandre's Photo

Recipe:

Makes about 10 or biscuits depending on how thick you want them.

250g plain flour
85g golden castor sugar
175g butter, at room temperature, cubed
30g cocoa powder
Raisins
Baking Paper

Method:
Heat oven to 180C. Put 200g of flour, 70g of sugar and 150g buter into a bowl.
Rub together to make smooth dough. Sprinkle flour onto a work surface and roll out the dough so it's about 1cm thick. Use cutter to make 10 round shapes about 6cm across.
Make 10 small round shapes, about for a mouth and nose.

Put cocoa and the rest of ingridients togehter. rRoll it out and cut 20 small round shapes
Decorate with raisins the biscuits and then bake them for 10minutes or until they're golden.

We really enjoyed them!

Photo Scavenger Hunt # 2

Jeandres WW Edition # 2
Taken by my 7 years old daughter for Children's Swap

My Pet

Jeandre's WW Edition #1
Photographs taken by my 7 year old daughter for a
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Children's swap-bot swap.

Quotes for this week

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music - Angela Monet

Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from. - Jodi Foster

Colleen C. Barrett :
Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun.

Marriage

My sister Debbie and Baron Me and husband Weiers
Married 27 years now. Married 8 years going on to 9 this year.

I am in the process of completing my next 100 list swap - 100 Reasons why I want to stay married or Committed.

I was looking for something extra to close it off and found the following things:

A great post on the blog, The Art of Intimacy entitled - How to Stay Married? - I would change the title to Why I stay married.

QUOTES:

"People stay married because they want to, not because the doors are locked." -
-- Paul newman

“The heart of marriage is memories; and if the two of you happen to have the same ones and can savor your reruns, then your marriage is a gift from the gods.” Bill Cosby quotes

“Marriage is not just spiritual communion and passionate embraces; marriage is also three meals a day, sharing the workload and remembering to carry out the trash” Dr. Joyce Brothers quotes

Words for the weekend

I needed to some colour to sheer me up. I am feeling worn out, tired, headachy and i have so much more to do.

The plan. Go shopping, come back, priotise and stick to the list. Include breaks and "healthy" comfort food. Must not forget vitamins.

WW from the World of Birds

I wondered if it was worth the cost to visit and I was pleasantly surprised.
We spent a few hours walking around and eating at the coffee bar.


The World of Birds in Hout Bay is a bird and wildlife sanctuary with over 3000 birds in natural surroundings. The largest Bird Park in Africa.

Visitors are able to walk through the aviaries and experience close-up encounters with cranes and guineafowl, monkeys and meerkats, owls and eagles. The sanctuary also cares for injured birds and is a breeding centre for threatened species.

Tom, Dick and Harry

Tom, Dick, and Harry

A set of nobodies; persons of no note; persons unworthy notice. Jones, Brown, and Robinson are far other men: they are the vulgar rich, especially abroad, who give themselves airs, and look with scorn on all foreign ways which differ from their own.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

I did not know a such a dictionary existed. But I can only imagine how interesting it will be to read in years to come.

My Favourite Things

I was watching Sound of Music (AGAIN) with my daughter. It reminded me of the adapted song by Glenn Hascall. I have included the lyrics below.



The Busyness Thing
(To the tune - My Favorite Things)
By Glenn A. Hascall

Noses and diapers
And things that need wiping
PTA letters
And notes that need typing
Dishes are calling
And so are my friends
I move through the house like a hurricane wind

Sure there was Mary
But what about Martha
Scurry and hurry
Round her home and hearth, "Uh
Jesus tell Mary
To start helping out"
The Master's reply left little to doubt

Slow down and sit down
And stop all your rushing
Mary is quiet
Her spirit is hushing
Martha, dear Martha
You want what is best
Oh, come to the quiet and in My love rest.

Oh, so busy
In a tizzy
What am I to do?
Remember the story of Martha and Mare.
Then change your outlook too.

Read the script here.

Copyright Glenn A.Hascall, all rights reserved. This script may be used free of charge, provided no charge is made for entry. In return, the author would appreciate being notified of any performance. He may be contacted at glenn.hascallATgmail.com

My Favourite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
bright copper kettles and warm wollen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings,
these are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,
door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings.
these are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in a white dresses with blue satin sashes,
snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
silver white winters that melt into springs,
these are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings,
when I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don't feel so bad.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
bright copper kettles and warm wollen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings,
these are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,
door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings.
these are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
silver white winters that melt into springs,
these are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings,
when I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don't feel so bad.

Tribute to Mothers

Visa's for Ireland

YAY

We got our visa's for Northern Ireland today.

We still can't really believe that this is actually going to have.

We have more or less 6 weeks to book flight tickets, confirm accommodation etc. on that side.
Wrap up work and household here.

"Like the gold of the sun, like the light of the day, may the luck of the Irish shine bright on your way. Like the glow of a star, and the lilt of a song may these be your joys all your life long." An Irish Blessing

Sharing Your Photo's Swap

My MOM

Head or Tails

Introducing my mother, Elizabeth Mary Le Fleur. She has been my provider, protector, comforter, adviser, friend and so much more. She has been the one person I know has moved me unconditionally from the day I was born. She guided me through life and she still does.She has been a role model to me and many others. My prayer for her as she approaches retirement that life would get a little easier, be a little lighter and be full of laughter. I know at the moment it is not so and feel so helpless but I know my mother's strength and I know she will weather these difficulties she finds herself with the same grace as she always has. I will continue to watch carefully so I can recognize my opportunity to help share or lift her burdens.

Recent photo's with my mum.

Do Coloured People have a Culture?

I am really happy to have found a place that is doing something positive for coloureds in South Africa - giving us a space for discussion, expression - an outlet.

MIXED WORLD – your gateway to a world of colour

Well done Rory and Lester!

Lester and I were in the same class from std 5 (grade 7) to matric (grade 12).

Do Coloured People have a Culture?
Written by Rory Voller
Wednesday, 23 April 2008 07:27

The dictionary definition of culture is simply “the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another”.

Do we have certain mannerisms, behaviours that are common that we have inherited from generation to generation. Definitely. We may not have a long-standing and defined culture but we most certainly do have culture. In fact, our culture and heritage stands longer than that of the White Afrikaner. We may not have our own religion and rituals but this in no way implies that we have no culture and by spending more time on this site you will find out the extent and diversity of our culture.

Be the difference

I have just completed making my list for my swap - 100 Things I would like to do before I die. I decided to search on this topic. I see many people have done their own list. There are even generic ones where you can just tick off (i have done a lot of things on those list).

In the process I started thinking about what can I do for others. I found this free e-book: 101 Ways to Change the World from Together We Can Change the World Publishers. In the book there is a link to a movie called Be The Difference.

I thought this was really some great stuff - some things listed are elementary (you are probably doing it already) but its sometimes good to get affirmation that what we are doing does make a difference.

Without Internet for two days.

First I used up all my bandwith. Then my husband kindly shared his with me. Then something weird happened to our internet connection.

It forced me to stop procrastinating on certain task.

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.