Day 317: School corridors

“Life is no straight and easy corridor along which we travel free and unhampered, but a maze of passages, through which we must seek our way, lost and confused, now and again checked in a blind alley.
But always, if we have faith, a door will open for us, not perhaps one that we ourselves would ever have thought of, but one that will ultimately prove good for us”-A.J. Cronin

Project 365: #317

There have been a few functions at school this week requiring food drop-offs/help, so I took the opportunity of a quick photo of an empty corridor. This looks like a nice straight corridor, but to get around the school without getting lost is a challenge (especially for me who is already orientationally challenged!!) As we have also discovered, it is rare to have a straight and easy corridor like this without anyone in sight...we have certainly traveled through many mazes in absolute confusion, and often ended up in blind alleys on the adventure of this year. It has certainly been trying at times, and we have often been overwhelmed and completely desperate....but we have always had hope and faith that the door would open, and actually, many doors have opened. Not always the one we had hoped for, but usually the one with the best fit! For that we are very grateful, and have learned many valuable lessons...not always easy to reflect on immediately, but still appreciated!

Day 316: River crossing

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Project 365: #316

Patriot's Path, which is essentially a semi-urban nature trail, runs at the bottom of our garden, and follows meandering streams in places, with occasional causeways. I did wonder how these river crossings would work without getting wet, as Riley is becoming a little heavy and big to carry across the bollards without fear of tumbling into the water. So, I have been encouraging him to hop across. He was a little hesitant at first, but with a little encouragement bounded across. He did wait for me to take a photo first though! His curiosity and excitement keeps him leaping forward, excited to try new things and run down new paths. His curiosity is infectious, making me excited to see what is around the next corner, or along a new path! I think that everyone should have a dog to teach them the joy of living!

Day 315: Upcycling

 "We achieved our mission to the moon. Let's look home from that lofty perch and reimagine our mission on Earth - that is what we need to do here. Together, we can upcycle everything. The world will be better for our positive visions and actions." - William McDonough

We achieved our mission to the moon. Let's look home from that lofty perch and reimagine our mission on Earth - that is what we need to do here. Together, we can upcycle everything. The world will be better for our positive visions and actions. William McDonough
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williammcd563049.html

 Project 365: #315

Monday morning is the bulk trash collection in the neighbourhood, so anything that is deemed trash, or more likely unwanted, is placed on the verge for garbage collection. I was completely horrified at this, as a pick-up (bakkie) does not drive along and collect the unwanted goods, it all ends up in the back of a garbage truck, smashed to smithereens. So, I have begun a little habit of driving around the area after I drop the girls at school to see what may be useful, seeing we left half our lives behind when we moved here. I usually scour the goods for mostly garden things....so, besides my brandnew office chair,  I have a perfect hosepipe on a winder, that was a little dirty, so I plunged it into a bucket of dissolved chlorine that was destined for the swimming pool...it is as good as new! A metal rooster, which we have repainted for my veggie-patch, and a cute garden chair, which I have upcycled as a planter/feature. The chair was on a friend's verge, so I thought I had better warn her that I did not steal it (although I possibly have the makings of a resourceful porch-pirate!) I believe that it is our duty to reuse and recycle as much as possible, for the sustainable use of resources. One step at a time I will reform this consumer society so our children's children's children's children's children, etc. will still have a beautiful planet to call home!

Day 314: Twisted vines

"I am not bound for any public place, but for ground of my own where I have planted vines and orchard trees, and in the heat of the day climbed up into the healing shadow of the woods." - Wendell Berry

Project 365: #314

I have been trying to train Riley to run with me, and been venturing on little runs/walks in different areas. When no one was around, I let him off lead to see how he would behave. I was a little anxious, as he is just over four months, with an attention space of the equivalent! Anyway, he was so good, did not venture far, and had such fun! What is did do was lead me to this beautiful tree, covered in a vine. I did not look too closely, but the chances are is that this is possibly a parasitic vine, as it had pretty much covered the tree. It did again make me think of the intricate relationships that exist in nature, with different organisms living off others, or sometimes coexisting symbiotically. It also made me think of our mortality, starting from ashes, and ending in ashes...or compost, feeding the neverending cycle!

Day 313: First swim of the season

"This life is like a swimming pool. You dive into the water, but you can't see how deep it is." -Dennis Rodman

Project 365: #313

We always used to have a traditional first swim of the season to mark spring in South Africa on September 1....so why not do the same here...The weather did not really play along though, and nor did the family. It was cold and rainy, and the pool was absolutely freezing, considering that we still had snow about three weeks ago! I did have a loyal supporter in Riley who was keen to make off with my towel. I am very proud of my attempt at a first swim....after acclimating my toes for several long minutes I eventually took the plunge, only to jump right out again! It can only get warmer...and hopefully we will fix our heat exchanger, and can start warming the water, making a longer swimming season. The next consideration will be whether the additional energy use is worth it...or whether our tough African breed will survive the cooler temps. When I first jumped into the pool when we arrived last year, it was much deeper than I anticipated...indicative of the year that has passed, we had no idea of what we were getting into, and life has mostly been deeper than we were expecting...luckily we can all swim, and we now know the depth of water, so hopefully life will be a breeze from now on!!

Day 312: Blooms everywhere

"Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man." - Orison Swett Marden

Project 365: #312

I know that I go on an on about spring, but I can't help it! Everywhere you look there are beautiful flowers blossoming, bringing a little brightness to the landscape. I am amazed at how fast this process takes, weekly I see obvious changes. There is no way that you can just walk past without being impressed by the beauty of nature. This appreciation marks your soul, awakening an absolute awe of the detail created in both animate and inanimate objects by our great Creator!

Day 311: Jamming in the basement

 "I think the best riffs and the best songs come when you're jamming and having a good time." - Scott Ian

Project 365: #311

Thank goodness for our basement, and what an awesome extra space! Although our house is not completely soundproof, it gives Nicole some of her own space to just jam and have fun! She is amazingly teaching herself the electric guitar, and has persistently learnt some riffs and composed a couple of songs! We all get a little annoyed at the repetition and noise, but I am pleased that she has been persistent in her efforts....who knows, maybe she will star in a band! Watch this space...