Honours for me that I show off proudly!

    Princess Award

 Gratitude with Attitude

Butterfly Mom Award

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All of these awards put a huge smile on my face. They are from Jingle, who just received the book I sent her from my contest. I am truly blown away by her constant chipper attitude and the support that she lauds on everyone she meets. I am truly thrilled and honoured to receive these special awards just for me and also take the awards below that are offered to all. Thank you, thank you Jingle for making everyone feel so special and loved. I needed those mental hugs you offered today. Bless you.

Fly away

Cape Town faded into the distance behind us. Mossel Bay was the destination point for us to lay our heads for the night. It seemed dream-like to be sitting in the little baby blue kombi travelling in South Africa. I had not imagined anything as perfect as this when I dreamed up a trip to my Father’s homeland so many months ago. Now I was part-owner of this precious van that we had made ours by going so far as to stitch our own curtains. The van even got a name, as was befitting such a quaint vehicle as this. “Arnie” became ours on January 8^th. He was named after the man we bought it from. He was a right proper Afrikaaner by the name of Arnold. He had taken good care of the kombi and now it was ours to explore in. The country lay in wait for our meandering ways.

We spent our last days in Cape Town amassing implements to aid us on our journey. The local market provided us with such things as a stove, tent, pots and pans, plates, bowls, cutlery and of course food. I had left my uncle’s home shortly after Christmas to house-sit for a friend of my cousin’s. I relaxed into solitude, but not for long. That was followed by a move into a hostel in Cape Town to make the night life more accessible. This I took advantage of. It was there that I met Miki’s friend Brett, who flew in from Australia. We went to a rave New Year’s Eve and became instant inseparable friends. Over many a drink, we concocted the plan of taking South Africa by storm behind the wheel of our own vehicle. It all fell into place perfectly and now the waves of the Atlantic Ocean gave way to the Indian Ocean. Whatever excess baggage I had was left behind at my uncle’s. I was free. Free to be me and go wherever the wind blew me. I had new friends by my side who fuelled my excitement at life’s turn. Sunshine warmed my cheek, as I bent my head to write tales of my voyage thus far in my trusty journal. I had stepped onto a new path and my old history was no more than a whisper in the back of my mind. “Fly away” was all I heard in the cavernous echo of my head, as ripe tomorrows peeked through the windshield in front of us. Brett, Miki, her brother and I were on a date with destiny. In all its corniness, it was infinitely true. The tomorrows to come would hold experiences to fill a jealous bird’s lifetime. Yesterday disappeared in a little puff of smoke out the back of a brilliantly blue kombi. We were set on an unknown path down the N2 highway of South Africa.

 

Circle of Friends

Just going to share a video today. Listened to the song on the way home in the car and it resonated with me. I like Edie. Happy Mothering Day

In preparation for celebration

   Road tripping weekend AGAIN this week! We are off to my sister's house today to celebrate Mother's day with my more-or-less brother-in-law's family. Twill be a gala affair, to be sure, especially as we bring treats for Grandma Gracie. We will also be bringing treats for the other mommies that we will see over the weekend (Grandma, Grammy and Auntie). The girls and I were busy being crafty all day Friday, so that we could have loverly gifts to present to all the bestest Mommies in our world! I crafted a new poem (seem to be on a bit of a role) and the girls had paint and stickers flying everywhere.

    I will share one stanza from the poem, but you don't get the whole thing this time I am afraid;

                                                     What images doth render here?

                                                     Bandaids and kisses to take away fear.

                                                     Laughter aplenty to brighten love’s heart.

                                                     Veggies and vitamins to make us smart.

                                                     The many rules for security

                                                     To keep us safe, both you and me.

                                                     ~Mothers.

    I even got my hand into the crafty side of creative as well. I finally got my soap made (with the essence of lily of the valley from the garden), so shall take some along with the other gifts. With the help of the girls, we poured through photos of family to print out. We slathered glue on them and now they decorate a special present for Grandma. As if that was not enough, we even made new signs for the girl's doors sporting their names and whatever else would stick to them. Surprisingly the house did not get too absolutely covered in mac tack, paint, glue, stickers and sequins. Better luck next time, I guess. But for now we sail off to cousins to play with, aunts to giggle with and Grandmas to snuggle with. May all the Mothers in your world feel the love owed them. I am going to deliver mine in person. Happy Saturday.

Gray Day in May

The start of May;

a rainy day.

No outdoor play.

sigh, I want to stay

in bed till the gray

just goes away.

My thoughts belay

a sombre bray

upon which none can say

they would join the fray

in haste or with delay

of a mind tortured by storm's spray.

So, I will just go away

and hope for the sun's ray

to come out tomorrow. Okay?!