tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39624969836144595452012-02-02T13:56:57.115+02:00allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.comBlogger6161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-53351705389576849842012-02-01T14:45:00.006+02:002012-02-01T15:19:01.188+02:00

Fear and Insecurity "What if I can't hold on tight enough? What if I'm not strong enough?  The ground is so far away.  I'm so scared." The realisation that it is God who holds us; that He is the strong faithful One, is the piercing start of a trusting life. Cautious First Steps "Will He catch me? He says He will. Will He? I'm going to risk it!" Joyful Discovery Wo! Awesome!

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-50527947315278312132012-01-31T18:35:00.008+02:002012-01-31T18:38:35.875+02:00

I wonder whether finding the roots of our grown-up behaviours helps us overcome them? I've been challenged lately about two things that seem to be hard-wired into me: procrastination and inability to get down to doing the hard work involved with achieving. (Soul baring stuff this!) The fact that I hate being like this, and have tried for e-v-e-r to change, is a no-brainer. But recently I have

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-63362375805881475452012-01-30T18:50:00.000+02:002012-01-30T18:50:46.573+02:00

A Moment. Standing in line at the till, I looked across the store and that was when I saw them. I think it was their togetherness that first held my attention. As if somehow I could steady my own shaky relationship just by seeing theirs. She was bending over the stacked apples, painstakingly selecting perfect specimens with bent unsteady fingers. Each apple chosen was submitted to him for his

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-76962548608276968992012-01-28T13:16:00.001+02:002012-01-28T13:18:45.938+02:00

The Artist's Way is amazing! The authoress, Julia Cameron, just keeps teaching me things. The latest is that its possible to just keep dreaming about being creative. Imagining that 'one day' (nice and vague) I will "really get into" - writing, painting, whatever . . . Its quite shocking to see it in black and white like that But good.  Because it calls forth action. "Until one is committed,

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-50341075124478649692012-01-18T15:23:00.003+02:002012-01-18T15:24:51.402+02:00

I Love summer. But its too darn hot right now (+/- 34 degrees) to write anything intelligent.So, till later then.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-89758138882388433082012-01-16T18:14:00.000+02:002012-01-16T18:14:26.713+02:00

Like a dog with a bone, I cannot leave the Kalk Bay thing aloneNot just yet.I first want to show you this stairway: its mosaic-ed on every vertical surface.You'd think it would look kitch, but no.Its magical instead. Ok, moving on now. I have found a couple of great sites for wannabe writers lately. Lots and lots of tips - LOTS! I'm trying to get my head around some of them - for example, the

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-14897707580737569792012-01-15T21:21:00.004+02:002012-01-16T10:47:25.113+02:00

Today was "artist's date" day I didnt plan it but suddenly the opportunity opened up, and off I went. The Artist's Way asks it's readers to undertake these weekly - This is how author Julia Cameron describes them: "An artist's date is a block of time, perhaps 2 hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist. . . . . . .  (it) is an

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-50207573831395162002012-01-13T16:26:00.005+02:002012-01-13T21:36:58.358+02:00

Discovery! For all wannabe writers, bloggers (are they the same thing?) etc - I suggest you check out http://www.goinswriter.com/ He might be the answer to every aspiring writer's prayers. Have a look; see if you agree. Now - About some stuff I've gleaned Living has meant bumping my head on wrong choices, unknown facts, missed chances, and wisdom lacks. (Of course there's also the good stuff,

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-83057120228539124842012-01-08T18:03:00.001+02:002012-01-08T19:56:42.561+02:00

I mentioned some time back that I was going to work my way through The Artists Way by Julia Cameron this year. I'm actually doing it. (Faint!) One of the tasks I'm tackling is telling a story. I'm going to make up a random, off-the-cuff story right here, right now. Here I go: Life had stalled for her. There was no pulse-racing purpose ahead of her when she woke up Well, no purpose at all really

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-59156090704771076442012-01-01T03:27:00.002+02:002012-01-01T03:32:04.953+02:00

ITS 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Its 2.30 on New Year's morning and no, I haven't been carousing. We spent a quiet evening at home, actually. I thought we wouldn't stay awake till midnight but we did. Just. But I couldnt sleep! So here I am, typing away in the wee hours - I went for a solo walk to the beautiful, popular neighbouring town of Kalk Bay this afternoon. Perfect conditions: warm but not

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-70412641235046547752011-12-14T19:34:00.000+02:002011-12-14T19:34:12.575+02:00

It is the 14th December And I have finished shopping for Christmas gifts Not only that, but also have stuff like wrapping paper; serviettes; poppers; crackers; a plastic Christmas table cloth for the littlies table - All safely tucked away for the big event. Now you might ask "What's so great about that?" (Although if you know me IRL, that's unlikely) Answer: "Its the first time ever. After 60

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-67208979560756662132011-12-02T13:24:00.000+02:002011-12-02T13:24:12.954+02:00

We have recently become 'a retired couple'Good griefHow weird that looks to me.Inside I am just getting into my stride in this life!I am certainly not wanting to sit in my comfortable chair and watch the world go on by without me.I want to be part of the action - whatever that will look like. Having said all of that, I must say, there are plussesLike this: This is my chilling chair.It is, I must

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-29669876661936466882011-11-30T22:01:00.002+02:002011-12-01T13:18:18.467+02:00

Just a few scattered bits of blognesses:We were in Cape Town recently and strolled around the Waterfront while we were there.For Christmas, they have set up a beautiful miniature town, complete with cottagey houses, picket fences, Christmas lights and decorations, church steeple, the works.We saw it during the day but if you want to take your children, I bet it looks just that much more magical

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-58762187530967850302011-11-26T18:25:00.006+02:002011-11-30T15:03:54.284+02:00

I find this extract from "In His Image" by Philip Yancey and Paul Brand thought provoking: maybe you will too. Listen - "When three or four termites are collected together in a chamber they wander about aimlessly, but when more termites are added, they begin to build. It is the presence of other termites, in sufficient numbers, at close quarters, that produces the work: they pick up each

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-83743556567236736722011-11-25T12:01:00.002+02:002011-11-25T17:54:21.165+02:00

Introspection Alert. Feel free to fly right on past to other blog-pastures. I've just been introduced to a new blog: its hannahvivier's  (you'll find her on my sidebar) I think its great: what she has to say is certainly challenging. She talks about pursuing what you're passionate about. Passion equals purpose, she says. And this where fulfillment lies; where we'll live 'in the sweet spot' of

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-40080134945296892502011-11-24T18:52:00.000+02:002011-11-24T18:52:30.512+02:00

I really shouldn't be doing this. Its irresponsible, disorganised and generally a bad idea. But what the heck! This morning I dashed out of the house early to help celebrate DD2's birthday over coffee. Early in the sense that I didnt have time to do housewife stuff like bed-making, dish-doing, etc. DD1 was already at the lovely garden nursery venue with her sister - my two beautiful girls! I am

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-57950590499859216072011-11-20T22:06:00.001+02:002011-11-20T22:07:00.272+02:00

Unexpected fun when DD2 decided to come, together with her brood of three, to sleep over with us for two nights in a row.Here is the early morning scene. Then there was Grandparents Day at the school of the two girls (pictured above)This day has always been one of my favs. There are songs, (LOTS of rap this time!), skits, poems, etc being performed by the littlies.Lots about how much they love

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-37814440308285429122011-11-10T14:23:00.000+02:002011-11-10T14:23:43.146+02:00

Over the weekend we had our two smallest granddaughters come to visit usFor the very first time without either of their parents.One is 4 the other 2. Bright as buttons and super-cute. Here they are discovering the yummyness of Eetsumor biscuits.And, for some obscure reason, they wanted to eat them on the floor, behind the couchBut at Granny's house, why not? In conversation with them, I learnt

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-1681402921236874372011-11-05T16:05:00.000+02:002011-11-05T16:05:26.989+02:00

They say small things amuse small minds It seems also true that small things can thrill small minds. My small thing? I have always coveted long eye lashes. I think they give a wonderful soft, vulnerable look to their wearer, be they male or female. Sadly for me, I was apportioned short stubby eyelashes, thanks to my Dad's genes. When its in the genes, you are usually stuck with it. But not this,

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-73995415157997582292011-11-04T16:01:00.000+02:002011-11-04T16:01:29.173+02:00

Wow - crisis over amd all is well. What a marvel. I feel as though I should go blonde, get a tattoo, or enrol for flying lessons. Something major to mark this day.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-3754936957264968272011-11-03T20:36:00.003+02:002011-11-04T08:48:28.130+02:00

Tomorrow is D-Day. We will know what our change is going to look like. Probably. How strange that all the trepidation has vanished! We both (thats DH and I) find ourselves calm and in high spirits, feeling that whatever comes will be an adventure One way or another. Its a good feeling I'm not naive enough to think that this will necessarily always be the we feel -But for now, its great! So - to

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-83705070959673757812011-10-30T20:38:00.007+02:002011-10-30T20:52:30.501+02:00

I suppose we all know that life can change dramatically in a matter of moments But usually that knowledge is tucked away like a tendril of curly hair behind an ear. Life chugs along, and all seems settled and almost mundane. Enjoyable maybe, but predictable - When sudden change comes out of the blue, for me there seem to be two warring responses: One: Let me be honest, real trepidation. Two:

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-11013279147184568182011-10-27T12:49:00.000+02:002011-10-27T12:49:14.329+02:00

Today I am a surfer riding a wave Thats me, on the magical blue curve, with spray blowing in my face. The exhausting struggle to catch the wave; the exertion to stand up and balance, over for now - I'm still braced, still "in it" but now there's breathless expectation for the rest of the ride. Whatever it brings. Life is the ultimate adventure And an adventure, by definition, includes times

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-85609046713064252372011-10-26T04:57:00.000+02:002011-10-26T04:57:46.017+02:00

I'm posting this pic of my 2 youngest grandchildren today just because, sometimes, when the squeeze is on, its good to see something sweet, and simple, and heartwarming.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-53343769816800207282011-10-25T03:54:00.000+02:002011-10-25T03:54:03.496+02:00

Why is it that when you lie awake in the depth of the night, you are never filled with lovely, noble, true thoughts. Well, I'm not anyway. What happens to me in that state of half-awareness is that every concern I have creeps out of the crevices of my mind. Round and round they go, displaying themselves in a kind of circular dance. And I, not awake enough to take charge of them; and not asleep

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-29981167467425228852011-10-22T13:16:00.001+02:002011-10-22T13:17:21.341+02:00

Does God talk directly to people today in the way that He did in early New Testament days? Its an intriguing question and people have varying opinions - sometimes very strongly held. I am one of those who believe that He does, having experienced that "voice" a number of times over the years. Most often He will speak through the bible but every now and then, He will speak to me personally, in the

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-53809473765452983682011-10-21T13:04:00.001+02:002011-10-21T13:04:55.403+02:00

Imagine if Beethoven had never seen a piano Or Eric Clapton walked right past guitars without stopping to give them a try. Or if Rembrandt, Monet or Irma Stern had never picked up a paint brush Or the Wright brothers had decided that flying was impossible and never even started experimenting with it . . . There was something inside these, and others who have left their mark, waiting to be

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-32075251328972231192011-09-24T12:47:00.002+02:002011-09-24T14:40:07.855+02:00

A few weeks ago, I posted about an upcoming School Reunion and shared my very wobbly feelings about going. Well, it has come and gone and I'm alive to tell the tale And a very different tale it is from the one I expected. When I first walked into the venue it looked as though my worst fears were going to be realised Lots of totally unknown women standing in conversational circles. All I saw was

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-44151024814085382382011-09-15T20:34:00.000+02:002011-09-15T20:34:11.347+02:00

# IN the midst of much that is good - tragedy. A beautiful 30-something year old who was part of our bible study lost her battle with cancer this week. She left a husband and 3 small children and many breaking hearts. # DH is looking like a handsome gopher. He has had surgery to his jaw in preparation for 3 implants later. He is being remarkably brave - for a guy :-) # We are going to Ireland

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-88379487315666492392011-09-08T20:43:00.000+02:002011-09-08T20:43:00.041+02:00

Like an uphill battle  Like walking a tightrope So puzzling!                                    Not do-able without help                                                                                  Full of wonder                                           Devastating                               Like a big hand that flattens us  

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-20868750690269008462011-09-05T14:12:00.003+02:002011-09-05T17:58:13.235+02:00

I think the Prodigal Son has had a bad press. Here's why. I thought "prodigal" meant one who, black-sheepedly, wandered off the straight and narrow, did evil stuff, then came back. It turns out I was wrong. Prodigal means lavish, wasteful, extravagant . . . Not in an evil way necessarily. I know people who suddenly became wealthy. Some of them could definitely be called prodigal. They threw

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-55896963529587128612011-08-20T13:26:00.003+02:002011-08-20T13:30:48.653+02:00

Today's post will be unashamedly sentimental.Sunday 21st will mark DH's birthday and our 35th wedding anniversary  This is my only wedding picture. Long and sad story.And yes, that IS a chain around his wrist that I'm holding -all to do with his best man's speech.I'm sure you can just imagine what he was on about :-)But there we were: DH on his 24th birthday and me - 32, with three small

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-1609140663162334772011-08-18T14:10:00.008+02:002011-08-18T16:00:17.948+02:00

These days I'm not that into fairies. But my favourite childhood daydream was "hidden-to-grown-ups-eyes" miniature towns with teeny people going about their tiny lives secretly somewhere in the undergrowth in gardens. And that fairies, elves, pixies and all things tiny and magic were also there, mixing freely with the inhabitants of tiny-towns. I was a pure product of Enid Blyton, that wondrous

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-43272261964185437332011-08-12T16:32:00.000+02:002011-08-12T16:32:57.829+02:00

I used to lurve gardening at our previous house.It was one of the things I missed the most when we moved up here into eagle's nest position on the mountain where its rocky and sloping.It wasn't just the feel of my hands in the soil, or revelling in what it looked like when I was finished -There is a meditative quality about gardeningIt's full of symbolismAnd life parallels. Anyway.A couple of

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-10591047022717722162011-08-09T18:34:00.000+02:002011-08-09T18:34:03.436+02:00

The brood then:L to RSS, a blond windsurfing fanatic: JS, the feisty baby of the family; JD long legged and braving cruel braces, and SD, the already very grown up one.I'm guessing very early 80's. Today we had a "first of a kind" gathering here. We invited our children to breakfast with us.                                              Just them. No spouses. No grandchildren.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-32762791015639863422011-08-07T22:29:00.000+02:002011-08-07T22:29:27.181+02:00

The last few days have presented a feast of views from our lounge. I thought it would be fun and relaxing to share them with you after the intensity of the last post.            All this pics speak for themselves except this one (and one other which you'll see later).                     This one was taken at dawn with the earliest pink light on the petals.   This pic fascinates me - its

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-26052230913621760662011-08-05T18:36:00.000+02:002011-08-05T18:36:07.119+02:00

My Dad was a grouchy alcoholic when I was growing up. Of course I didnt know that - the alcoholic bit, I mean. But I sure knew the grouchy. He was always in a bad mood and spoke to me mainly when I did something wrong Or to instruct me to do something. He didn't seem to see me. Not really. Words of affirmation or approval were so rare that I clearly remember those he gave me. If this seems

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-43764669452217645182011-07-31T20:57:00.000+02:002011-07-31T20:57:06.945+02:00

Today I emailed to refuse the invite to my Matric class's reunion in Sept this year. Everything in me wanted not to go. Perhaps I should sketch in some background - My Mom's "great idea" - to send me to her alma mater - oh dear heaven! So, after Std 8 (Grade 10), leaving all my friends behind, sob sob - I was sent off to this new school - the one thats having the reunion now. To say I was an

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-36974563877595929982011-07-29T18:22:00.002+02:002011-07-31T12:55:37.152+02:00

I don't like getting embroiled in controversy about Christian matters but something came up a couple of months ago that bothered me - Now a similar thing has happened, and I'm bothered all over again. I'd be interested to hear your views on this - A while back, a guy who is a Christ follower, someone I'm very fond of, wrote an article in cyberspace about other Christians and churches and and

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-23281893101953218012011-07-27T20:03:00.001+02:002011-07-27T20:12:45.333+02:00

I'm feeling pretty cr***y today so just one thing and then I'm going to totter up to bedPull my duvet up to my ears and dozeOr watch TV.But just so I've posted something -This pic of some of our home groupies at a dinner at our place a while back.What a lekker (great) group of people they are. And if I've posted it before, just put it down to flu-brain, kay?Night night.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-32669615126348264292011-07-26T20:21:00.000+02:002011-07-26T20:21:34.303+02:00

I grew up in a small town in the 50's and 60's. I say that with pride - our generation grew up in best time. Seriously. I mean, just the music (think rock n roll, baby! Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and on and on); the explosion of teen energy (not all good looking back, I know - but sheesh, it was great to be in it then) and the dancing . . . I loved the clothes then tooSome of them

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-87733766711886665502011-07-25T21:16:00.001+02:002011-07-25T21:17:51.690+02:00

Spotted on an outing during this week - We wondered whether this guy was going to a bring and share lunch. . . . I dont know if you can make it out in the pic out but he had one of those black three-legged pots hanging over the handle bars of his tiny bike.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-33450230321311202462011-07-24T18:31:00.001+02:002011-07-24T19:09:23.630+02:00

Here comes a venting post! I look so forward to seeing my children - all of them. My girls live close by and I love that I get to see a lot of them. But my sons are hectically busy and also live quite far away (well plus/minus an hour's drive) so their visits are a lot fewer than my girls so, mom-like, when they get here, I want to chat with them and hear all their news. But this is what usually

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-52770344482529470732011-07-20T21:20:00.000+02:002011-07-20T21:20:01.525+02:00

Something Bruce Wilkinson said . . . (Remember him? He was a famous Christian teacher and writer of books about 10 years ago. He came to South Africa and soon thereafter just disappeared from the public arena. Not sure what happened)) . . . said stuck in my mind. Now it is reverberating again. It was about that scripture that tells us not to glory in things like our wealth or wisdom, but

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-13013147942833929802011-07-14T21:33:00.000+02:002011-07-14T21:33:23.518+02:00

Today's surprise:The arrival of three excited grandchildren with four baby bunnies, just 2 days old.(Well, technically the 2 girls were excited: Hooli, not so much. He was more interested in what I had to eat and what He could watch on kid's TV.)The bunny-babies had been rejected by their mom and were hungry and cold: an almost impossible challenge.Here they are, soooo tiny . . . Honey who is

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-66197358714646411482011-07-14T06:59:00.001+02:002011-07-14T06:59:36.587+02:00

Father, so I get to draw breath for another dayThank You!For beauty and truth; for hugs and smilesFor family and friends; for laughter and love;For discovering and uncoveringFor wonder and mysteryFor finding the blinding blaze of Your fingerprintsOn the ordinary grit of our every days.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-14053663742498057822011-07-12T20:10:00.001+02:002011-07-12T21:54:49.357+02:00

 Accidental jackpot!This is a rare pic that captures the essence of the DH I love so muchHe was watching the shenanigans of the 2 small ones in the back of the car with that dimpled, affectionate smile I know so well.So I thought I'd share it with you.(The shenanigans will come up in pic form later in this post)  This next one is just for funOur elongated huggy shadow on the

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-76995960400532908272011-07-11T21:02:00.001+02:002011-07-11T21:06:00.586+02:00

These are our two youngest on Fish Hoek beach on Sunday. When they find a stretch of beach, they run, and shout, and laugh, and do wild spins with sheer joy. I watch them, smiling . . . Inside I am remembering doing the same and wishing I could still do it. Its not the body that stops me Its the fear of looking ridiculous. How ridiculous is that?! This is what I do instead. It has its own

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-54968511384402037352011-07-10T00:52:00.001+02:002011-07-10T00:52:31.922+02:00

Its 12.31am Saturday night. And I'm up and blogging because its too hot to sleep - in mid-July. It feels all wrong but hey! I'm wide awake, it seems Blogger is ready to play so why not? DH brought this story back from a memorial service he attended last week. The pastor leading the service was a good friend of the deceased, and was clearly emotional about the loss of his friend. He told the

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-13335435550127463382011-07-09T20:38:00.001+02:002011-07-10T20:18:50.002+02:00

An amazing day in many ways First a crystalline sunny clear warm day in the middle of a stormy winter. Then the scary business of breaking to m,y in-laws that the time has come where they need to think about finding a retirement place. DH and I had been dreading broaching this subject since my dear MIL is very adament about things. And especially about leaving her home FULL of knick-knacks

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-9847466322603782052011-05-21T20:13:00.003+02:002011-05-22T05:06:04.296+02:00

So, it was not Judgement Day after all. But it was Lulu's 7th birthday - (and just by the way, also Allie Chilling's 3rd birthday!) Its been a great day saturated with the people I love most. The gathering to celebrate Lulu's special day happened here. So the aunts, uncles (except the one who is on his way to the UK) and small cousins hung out eating sensible early morning things like speckled

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-73217481109369288092011-05-20T22:34:00.000+02:002011-05-20T22:34:15.900+02:00

Well, I have not been disappointed - about the elections I mean. (See previous post) Although the ruling ANC still has a huge majority, there has been a real shift in some of the voting patterns: it seems that considerable numbers of their voters are going to try the oppostion party. An unthinkable thing till now. That alone makes me glad - maybe I'm very naive but I prefer to accentuate the 

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-57230714637093192402011-05-19T05:10:00.000+02:002011-05-19T05:10:16.443+02:00

These elections intrigue me - South Africa is an exciting place to live anyway but right now we are standing at an incredibly interesting point as an emerging nation. Emerging, I mean not in the normal sense (as in 'emerging markets') but finding out who we actually are as a post apartheid people. For the first time, there is a sense that some of the population may be really thinking about who

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-59506481420630323172011-05-18T17:58:00.000+02:002011-05-18T17:58:02.069+02:00

When I read my profile I wonder "who is that person"?! She sounds so energetic, so sparky - Not like me at all (but I guess thats how I was feeling when I wrote it.) Right now I feel as though I'm suspended in space, waiting for something. . . not sure what - Maybe: # The last bits and pieces of the alterations to be finished off #  Inspiration for decor/colour schemes for the new look lounge

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-29743211485216356542011-05-14T21:36:00.000+02:002011-05-14T21:36:04.189+02:00

Well that was scary! I thought I had lost Allie Chilling forever when Blogger had its wobble a couple of days ago. It wouldn't let me in no matter what I tried - I had just about had the funeral - But today I sailed into my space and Blogger never even tried to stop me. *Mops brow* Well, the alterations to our place are pretty much finished now - I am still suffering lingering symptoms of

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-14479438585306044252011-04-29T21:35:00.000+02:002011-04-29T21:35:03.506+02:00

My gals before their Kate/Will Wedding par-tay at the neighbour's place I love how typical these pics are of the two of them - DH1 entering into the event with gusto, complete with veil and flowers DH2 doing the Wedding Day thang her own way: Very trendy, very "her" You may be wondering whether I watched Katy and Will on TV Well, no. This is what I was watching And this is why.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-11345127758164199742011-04-27T14:26:00.001+02:002011-04-27T18:54:34.200+02:00

Imagine mistaking the risen Christ for the gardener! Have you ever thought what an extraordinary thing that was? Mary, devoted follower and close friend - if anyone should have recognised Jesus, she should. Of course, she came to the garden that Sunday morning expecting to find a corpse. Not A vacant tomb Not Conversations with angels. And certainly not what she found. She came in desperate

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-84791244752780551152011-04-22T12:24:00.000+02:002011-04-22T12:24:21.213+02:00

Taking shape Toasting the "restaurant feel" of our new space And oh! what an incredible place for me and my computer! Today I am grateful for many things. To the One who has made them all possible. 

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-6864052099762961822011-04-19T21:16:00.001+02:002011-04-19T21:17:21.676+02:00

If you haven't read the story about Manuel, our gardener, please go here first. Short and sad. We heard that Manuel lost his struggle against his illness and died in Malawi today. This man, with unmined treasures in him, is now another African statistic. But we remember the man. And are grateful for the few years his life touched ours. How much to learn from someone like him - I feel almost a

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-67498651385530297252011-04-17T19:32:00.000+02:002011-04-17T19:32:09.474+02:00

I don't know about you, but I am fuming about the murder of Andries Tetane. The almost unbelievable footage, shown on TV, of a group of police viciously beating the defenseless man left me stunned. He wasn't even doing anything at that point: he was just standing there, alone, unarmed, shirtless, surrounded by about eight cops, who beat him with batons without mercy. As if that were not enough,

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-75695934745543877512011-04-16T15:26:00.001+02:002011-04-16T21:33:45.852+02:00

I sure hope its not second childhood kicking in - But I am fascinated with the new addition to my sidebar - Did you notice the fish? (ok, you cyber-genii, you probably will tell me they are ancient news, but don't spoil my fun, kay?) If you move your cursor around, the little fish follow it. How do they know where the cursor is!? (No, I don't want the technical answer - sometimes not knowing,

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-53100241647933331422011-04-13T03:41:00.000+02:002011-04-13T03:41:42.613+02:00

Its 3.15am And hot hot hot. So I'm doing my middle of the night pottering around thing. Before I go on, I want to thank those of you who took time out to ponder on the question in my last post. Your comments make fascinating reading: grace seems to be the keynote, and rightly so. Just a couple of things before I move on: # Please dont think I was targetting the Catholic church in particular.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-91519584222358894942011-04-11T06:27:00.001+02:002011-04-11T06:29:48.010+02:00

Many years ago a friend of mine went through a traumatic divorce. They are all traumatic but his was a duzi: his wife went off with his closest friend, taking his two young sons with them. So he lost his wife, his children and his best friend in one shot. One can only imagine the pain and humiliation of that. . . As if that were not enough, his church, the Roman Catholic church, closed its doors

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-10828279895667900002011-04-09T20:56:00.000+02:002011-04-09T20:56:59.772+02:00

Just a quick update on our building project Its carnage here at the moment - Lounge with black plastic protecting the room from the working zone on the deck The other side of the story Nowhere to sit. Suppers happen upstairs in the bedroom now. Ugh! Not a pretty sight right now. Was darnn nearly late for my hair appointment - the steps were completely swallowed up by rubble

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-8442765351158867922011-04-09T15:45:00.000+02:002011-04-09T15:45:15.774+02:00

My mood does not match the lovely shiny day Its down, dark gray, and heavy. Sometimes life just plain sucks. Not often, but sometimes. So to cheer myself up, I am going to blog about my MIL Mostly in pics. Let's just say that my MIL is larger and louder than life. A typical "old school" Afrikaans tannie (auntie) she's interested in everyone's business and loves to talk about the ins and outs

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-75657784126394418532011-04-05T12:29:00.001+02:002011-04-05T16:20:39.865+02:00

Nuff said.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-85509365378345008842011-04-04T09:49:00.004+02:002011-04-04T13:01:24.957+02:00

We traipsed through a laminate floor shop on Saturday: soooo uninspiring So decided we'd wait till today and see whats under the (hated) carpets. This is what we found when we lifted our carpets . . . Beautiful, no? There is a possibility that this is yellow wood! And this part at least, is in good nick. Now we wait with bated breath to see if the rest is going to be as good. Then all that

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-31282866631722993632011-04-02T14:28:00.001+02:002011-04-02T14:33:02.882+02:00

About 3 years ago DH, against all family rules, took in a man from the street and gave him a job as a gardener. He said he 'just had a feeling about this guy' and with that I had to be satisfied. The feeling turned out to be right on the money And Manuel became a Saturday regular, arriving bang on time, rain or shine: beaming with bounding joy, skinny as a rake, but full of energy. A Malawian,

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-40173391912174529342011-03-31T12:27:00.002+02:002011-03-31T17:50:14.349+02:00

Don't swallow the story about old dogs/new tricks, ok? i have made an amazing discovery:Astonishing things can happen. In fact they are happening. i will risk writing about it because these things haven't come about through my will power or discipline. They bear the fingerprints of the Master Craftman - you know, where you suddenly realise that huge stuff has happened when you weren't looking?

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-13067547017826332722011-03-31T09:51:00.000+02:002011-03-31T09:51:11.396+02:00

Amazing discovery: If i begin to do what i thought i couldn't do If i face what i always tried to avoid facing If i believe i can change, even when the evidence of years seems to flatly deny it  . . . Astonishing things can happen. More later . . .

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-36660753577500001362011-03-28T19:43:00.000+02:002011-03-28T19:43:21.769+02:00

Robertson riverside for the long weekend. Hot hot hot but truly lovely. Definitely did NOT slum it there! Thanks to a friend of DH who owns this gorgeous place. Forget "4 eyes" - this is me being "6 eyed" on the deck! Looking upstream towards the camp site. Lots of water skiers enjoying the wonderful conditions It was the weekend of the "big moon" - remember? We had somefun with it

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-66822352824719096042011-03-17T10:30:00.000+02:002011-03-17T10:30:20.784+02:00

It all began to make sense -- the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids would walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-86118455767694369622011-03-16T10:35:00.001+02:002011-03-16T13:07:38.545+02:00

Remember those years when having a "best friend" was vital to your well being - to say nothing of your emotional survival at school? The times when we lived in each others pockets, sharing everything. When we endlessly agonising together over "the bad hair" days; the "does he like me, really?" days; the "my mom is a cow" days; the "will my skin EVER stop breaking out!" days? Remember those? And

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-25854308744222583192011-03-09T13:07:00.000+02:002011-03-09T13:07:06.434+02:00

My new bonsai - isn't it the sweetest thing!?

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-36415603175771075232011-02-26T22:15:00.001+02:002011-03-07T07:09:55.219+02:00

I had myself in hysterics this morning - Thats not a usual occurrance. I tend to take myself (and most other things) far too seriously. The reason for the hysterics? I decided: "Today I will paint." A clear Saturday: a golden opportunity. I breeze into the study - my desk is covered with other stuff which I cheerfully move on to another surface. Cause thats what I do when I tidy up. Now I'm

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-39015719009620397182011-02-25T11:00:00.001+02:002011-02-26T14:52:02.815+02:00

I was in the room when my mother died. She was only 67. It ws one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. It came vividly back to me because of this post "The You" Inside which I wrote a couple of days ago. Losing my Mom was always the dread of my life I remember, as a kid, the awful realisation that there would come a day when she wouldn't be there. It haunted me, for many years. And

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-17582339514417239402011-02-24T08:31:00.000+02:002011-02-24T08:31:20.419+02:00

Have you visited Just One Thing yet?Even if it were not the blog of DD1, I would still recommend itI love the concept of this blog: she finds one brand new thing to do every day. Those of you who know me, will realise I will admire that from afar:-) but what I AM going to shoot for is to use her idea for seeing just one thing really really seeing itwith new eyes.This will (luckily) not be about

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-34650423096109791262011-02-23T10:52:00.002+02:002011-02-23T11:58:13.886+02:00

I had a 75 year old neighbour some years ago. When we lived in my much-loved previous home - where I wasn't perched like an eagle on a rock Where neighbours knew each other and spontaneous gatherings in the street to discuss arb things would just spring up. This particular neighbour and I used often to chat over the low garden wall that divided our properties. You know those chats? The kind that

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-23683237007411597882011-02-22T19:53:00.000+02:002011-02-22T19:53:19.291+02:00

There is mayhem in the Middle East, misery in New Zealand and much of this world is in a mess. I should be concerned about it.I AM concerned about it Really. But its all too big for me; too global. It overpowers me with the sense of  'What can I possibly do about that?!" So I retreat into smaller issues Like this: I really really really want to write about the stuff that's going on in my life

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-86898171122955240832011-02-21T07:00:00.002+02:002011-02-21T07:09:22.371+02:00

Its one thing to know how beautiful God is, its quite another when that knowledge suddenly translates into a-lump-in-the-throat, blurry-eyed "I can't believe You would do even this, Lord!" I'm not sure I can convey this but I'll try - The God of the bible has many names, all showing something of His character. Precious revelatory names. But His covenant Name (YHWH) the Jewish people did (do)

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-2195810168769922212011-02-20T21:36:00.000+02:002011-02-20T21:36:17.557+02:00

There are a number of heavy things going on in my world right now: I don't want go go there so I am going for superficial instead. Cowardly but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do I have no doubt that at some point I will unload here But not tonight. So - Attempting to paint my header - which I love. Early days yet, but at least I have made a start.  Whe all else fails, write about shoes

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-18992324705912268012011-02-12T04:43:00.000+02:002011-02-12T04:43:38.323+02:00

When our four children were young we occasionally had to drive up to Johannesburg.Its plus minus a 12 hour trip.Its possible that I've been scarred for life by those experiences.Lets seeKey words perhaps?Heat, squash, whining, agueing, fighting, sweaty, thirsty, irritation, trapped, boredom, tension. In my head, the hours it took us to get there from Cape Town, was an unending percussion of "Move

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-87346328068688082442011-02-10T18:38:00.000+02:002011-02-10T18:38:35.479+02:00

Every now and then something happens that seems so random that its hard to believe - Like last nightFour of us gathered at a friend's new home for supper, chats and hilarity.We call our gatherings the "Not a Home Group" - It started after a study we all did together and when it was over, we were friends and decided to keep meeting every week at each other's homes just for the fun of it. Last

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-41863266413866982682011-02-06T22:15:00.000+02:002011-02-06T22:15:06.014+02:00

About two months ago I said that gym had "become fun" B-i-i-i-g mistake! I haven't been back since then Why is making a habit of going to gym so hard?! Especially since it quickly becomes exciting to see your improvement All the exercising of will power; good intentions, whatever - Nothing seems to work. This following looks like a digression but bear with me: When I was about 10, my grandpa

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-5217668689693898132011-02-05T21:34:00.000+02:002011-02-05T21:34:10.143+02:00

Saturday; lovely weather; not a day I would choose to spend finding a fridge to replace the "dead man walking" that is our mortally wounded one. But it had to be done so off we went. We found a few possibilites. But oh woe! we had left the measurements of our own fridge at home so had to content ourselves with taking measurements of those we liked to check when we got back. Decisions decisions

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-3944276132436859462011-02-03T18:33:00.000+02:002011-02-03T18:33:16.186+02:00

My mom, who died in 1988, has been on my mind a lot lately. Which might seem odd as 1988 is a very long time ago. But here's the reason why - she died 4 days after her 67th birthday. I had that birthday on 27th Jan this year. Which means that I have already lived 4 days longer than she did. And that is a very weird thought The thing that simmers in my thoughts is how young I feel now, at her

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-86081822374050110292011-02-02T23:02:00.000+02:002011-02-02T23:02:06.692+02:00

Catching up on the past few days: Our Plett friends were here for the Met - we met them at the Waterfront for dinner on Friday night. They were pretty tired after the long drive as you can see by the pic!The husband was an MC for the Metropolitan Handicap on Sat and The Man, with great understanding, took himself off to work to give us  "girl space"  -  so my friend and I were free to roam around

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-85956301595524761002011-02-02T07:41:00.001+02:002011-02-02T07:44:32.100+02:00

I'm posting a non-post today On the run Just to say, sorry about the long silence: when I rejoiced about getting "back into a normal routine" recently, I didn't bargain for so much activity so suddenly. Its all good stuff though Will tell you about it soon. In the meantime, happy February, and enjoy your Wednesday. PS: Oooh! Just noticed I hit 17000 visitors today!

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-80554884258322420572011-01-28T13:02:00.000+02:002011-01-28T13:02:05.678+02:00

Checkmate, mate. Thanks for playing. Have a great weekend.

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-73149577767305953322011-01-27T16:37:00.002+02:002011-01-27T18:13:00.661+02:00

Its THAT day again Flip, how fast does it come around! I am a low-key birthday girl - always have been. It started because: a) My family was not flush when I was growing up; my parents had to sweat bullets to make ends meet; parties were a rarity. I had one when I was about 5 and the next when I was 13. I remember both with embarrassment. Long story. b) The very date feeds into it: the end of

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-42203128740121154922011-01-25T06:00:00.000+02:002011-01-25T06:00:39.147+02:00

Oops - The unexpected has hit Just when I was like "Oooh, I get my house back, and can get back into the rhythms of normal life" - I get the phone call: "Bokkie, my car has packed up. They can't look at it till Monday." Monday? MONDAY!? What the heck! What sort of service is that!? The ramifications of this are obvious: it doesn't take a rocket science, after all My car is, for this duration

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-50815935446417518592011-01-24T13:20:00.001+02:002011-01-24T13:20:55.180+02:00

These ponderings from yesteryear turned up unexpectedly this morning. I still like them. Maybe you will too. "Do we all sense, at some level, that we are displaced people? Have a sense of "not fitting"; of being out of kilter with the world we live in? Does that explain, in part at least, why we are always pushing boundaries, seeking knowledge, trying to invent, to create, to understand?

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-609931461458140442011-01-22T10:45:00.001+02:002011-01-22T10:48:35.411+02:00

A friend forwarded me the following via email. I don't really like forwarded stuff. Often I'm tempted not to even open them - I only do it because people dear to me have sent them. This one's title alone nearly made it a casualty but now I'm glad I read it So glad that I'm reproducing it here Because sometimes, it is good to know things well in advance To factor them in Maybe they will

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-61857108647144896632011-01-21T18:08:00.001+02:002011-01-21T20:09:44.754+02:00

 Oupa and Hooli playing cards is never a quiet affair. They are both highly competitive.And both really get into it.I was glad to be able to sneak in and get some of their moments. And nowFor something completely different: Remember I was going to keep you in the loop about how this product worked on my shockingly weak and broken nails? Well here's the first update.  I think

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-30365858158370441212011-01-20T12:47:00.001+02:002011-01-20T12:57:59.536+02:00

I don't know about you, but me - I'm not so hot at memorizing stuff. I have tried, but the words often seem to slip through the weave of my brain, to a place where they are hard to retrieve.They jiggle around just out of reach, mocking and jeering: "Catch me if you can!" I was almost ready to say: "Ok then. I admit it. I 'm past the stage of life when memorizing is an option" Almost. Not

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-18549432501330367182011-01-18T11:01:00.000+02:002011-01-18T11:01:33.870+02:00

"In every situation, there is at least one thing you do not know." I remember hearing this statement years ago and thinking "Wow, how true that is!" But then, as one does, I forgot all about it. Until recently, when the tragedy happened, and even more when this started happening. It comes so naturally to us to build whole scenarios on very few facts, then make premature judgement calls. Very

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-16047129521125337282011-01-16T19:44:00.000+02:002011-01-16T19:44:46.416+02:00

"I take pictures because it helps me see" - this is a quote from Emily at http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2011/01/12/how-to-be-an-artist (Any of you who haven't yet visited her, please do yourselves a favour - her writing penetrates. And isn't that what we all hope for?) Anyway, her quoted comment about photography - It got my attention straight away - Because - isn't that true of all art in a

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-2135201966402820702011-01-15T18:11:00.002+02:002011-01-16T06:38:44.213+02:00

The Hat, Honey and I She is a little beauty even without the Hat. :-)  In mid-conversation  Captivated by my clever and gorgeous granddaughter And now, TWO gorgeous kids Deep in conversation It all needs a lot of thought and discussion Lulu - precious little person! Ok Granny, let's see how it looks with The Hat on the back of your head. You know, like I was wearing

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-37606578878825184182011-01-15T11:01:00.001+02:002011-01-15T11:07:32.614+02:00

My word for this season has *emerged* Isn't it amazing how it happens? And how we are able to recognise them when they appear? I was taken by surprise by mine - again. So unexpected, so odd seeming - again. But even at this early stage of thinking about it, so rich with meaning and promise - again. "Incline" What does that bring to your mind? I thought of a leaning towards; a deep

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3962496983614459545.post-43328549450827509862011-01-13T21:31:00.001+02:002011-01-13T21:51:59.462+02:00

If you are very wide awake, you might have noticed two additions to my sidebar. Both are quotes of Leonard Cohen. Leonard Cohen. I can't believe he has been singing, writing poetry and books most of my life and I have only just heard of him! Do you remember some time ago I mentioned going to a jazz evening a bunch of us had organized? See http://alliechilling.blogspot.com/2010/11/

allie.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05175208232493745932noreply@blogger.com6