Small pleasures

Some things made me grin from ear to ear the last couple of days! Thought I would share a few of them with you.
My neighbour's husband gave her the most magnificent bouquet of flowers for their anniversary - they went on holiday shortly after and I was the neighbour she thought it suitable to so kindly give it to!
Then I found a beautiful new silk scarf with roses on it for next to nothing at Oasis Recycling's little shop.
The Pomegranate tree which my husband planted a few years ago is finally showing some signs of small fruit just as I was beginning to lose all hope!







I promised my daughter that I would create a few items for her to sell at her stall for a market day and so I created some greeting cards. I was inspired by another blogger who makes felt birds and am pleased to say everyone seems to find mine quite delightful as well.

My favourite charity

ST LUKE'S HOSPICE

On Saturday morning I attended a yearly Thank you spring tea at St Luke's Hospice for the fifth time. As usual I came home feeling enriched by the speakers, delightful music and the wonderful company. Death is not always an easy subject and actually a topic most people try to avoid. I learnt how Hospices, remarkably can be happy places for the dying. It was brought to my attention once again that one matters because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life. Hospice care includes not only being cared for, being cleared of pain but can help to prepare the mind for death and spiritually as well (if they so desire). The family too can be councelled to come to terms with the situation. All of this is given, irrespective of the patient's ability to pay for these services!

I never want life to only start for me when I die. I realised once again that one should not wait until your life is dangling by a thread to live but to live every day as if it was your last - And I am left wondering yet again about what really is important in life and whether I have all my priorities right.


The picture above is that of a large tree in the beautiful St Luke's garden. It is lit every December with a small ceremony. One can purchase a light to be added if you would like to bring a small tribute to a loved one who passed away.

Apple for the teacher

I always wanted to be a teacher but somehow it just never worked out that way. I think the reason that two of our children are school teachers might stem from this longing that they picked up from their mother! Well two years ago, at fifty something, I bravely decided to do the TEFL course (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). I loved every minute of it and started teaching at a school for English soon after the practical. After a bad fall and dislocating my arm I stopped for a while. This year I thought to myself that if I have the tools to teach English as a foreign language, then surely I can teach Afrikaans (my home language) as a second language? I have since started teaching a little boy who is struggling with Afrikaans. I am pleased to say that he is doing really well and becoming far more confident with speaking and writing Afrikaans! I have been looking forward to these afternoon lessons with James and I am keen to take on more students.
Who would have thought that after all these years my dream would have come true?