There's another grandchild on the way and only a few weeks to go before we meet him. It is a boy so we are told but it is a given that we don't care the sex just the health of this new addition to our clan. What will he look like and whose nature will he closely resemble? He will have his own little identity right from the start. He may be very quiet and introspective resembling some in the family, or quite the social animal as are others of our particular brand.
Whatever, I just yearn to hold him close and smell that particular baby smell and whisper sweet nothings in his ear. To gently rock and sing to him, and let him know his Grandmother loves him.
To protect him from all manner of things (because yes, I am a worry wart).
He will be much loved by his parents, his big brother and aunts and uncles. There will be a special love from his grandparents because they of all realise just how much they rely on their grandchildren to carry on the flag of their existence through to the next age.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Delicious
My generation grew up eating meals that were traditionally cooked in the English way. Meat, potatoes and a couple of vegetables were the norm, followed by the ubiquitous pudding. Woe betide my siblings and I if we refused to eat what was on our plate. It just wasn't done. Therefore I think we grew up with cast iron stomachs. We could eat "anything" that was put in front of us - tripe, brains, kidneys, you name it.
My own children however, were more defiant, and so I found ways to make sure they had their wholesome vegetables. The addition of pineapple to some dishes (my children will have it, that it went in every dish), helped with the bland taste of most vegetables.
As I sit and write, and sip my glass of wine, my daughter races around the kitchen checking pots and pans with exotic contents. She is not afraid to venture into realms unknown by my generation. She adapts recipes from all parts of the globe and as we sit impatiently at the dining table, she magically presents the most marvellous concoctions from her gourmet encyclopedia.
My own children however, were more defiant, and so I found ways to make sure they had their wholesome vegetables. The addition of pineapple to some dishes (my children will have it, that it went in every dish), helped with the bland taste of most vegetables.
As I sit and write, and sip my glass of wine, my daughter races around the kitchen checking pots and pans with exotic contents. She is not afraid to venture into realms unknown by my generation. She adapts recipes from all parts of the globe and as we sit impatiently at the dining table, she magically presents the most marvellous concoctions from her gourmet encyclopedia.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Life as we know it
Living in the twenty first century can be daunting on a number of fronts. The more senior amongst us are coming to terms with a new technology in our working and personal lives. My husband has embraced the I Phone. He downloads books which he reads while patiently waiting my return to the car from a shopping expedition or if alone, sits and reads quietly in a coffee shop. Of course some of his peers might look at him strangely wondering why he is staring at his "mobile phone".
I am quite happy to have a mobile phone simply for incoming or outgoing calls of a useful nature. Certainly not for long conversations which I prefer to do on the old faithful land line at home. I do like the "net" for access of all sorts of information. I'm a politics freak so you will find me most days accessing the papers for various opinions in my endeavour to be well informed on this front. Perhaps I should leave well enough alone, because it can be quite frustrating to realise that most politicians do not have the national interest at heart or some do, until their political self interest takes over.
The new technology seems to have brought many unfavourable aspects with it. The ability of our young and naive to access that which is distasteful and obscene and one questions whether anyone should be accessing it. Somehow it seemed less accessible when in book or magazine form, but was it really? To be a parent in this age of abundant technology is to know fear of how to control this virulent pornography of the mind.
It is exciting to think though of the medical breakthroughs such as transplants and other worthy discoveries brought about by new technologies. We can only stand in awe and wonder at their limitless powers.
Hopefully the good out weighs the bad in the scheme of things, and the future looms promisingly for us all.
I am quite happy to have a mobile phone simply for incoming or outgoing calls of a useful nature. Certainly not for long conversations which I prefer to do on the old faithful land line at home. I do like the "net" for access of all sorts of information. I'm a politics freak so you will find me most days accessing the papers for various opinions in my endeavour to be well informed on this front. Perhaps I should leave well enough alone, because it can be quite frustrating to realise that most politicians do not have the national interest at heart or some do, until their political self interest takes over.
The new technology seems to have brought many unfavourable aspects with it. The ability of our young and naive to access that which is distasteful and obscene and one questions whether anyone should be accessing it. Somehow it seemed less accessible when in book or magazine form, but was it really? To be a parent in this age of abundant technology is to know fear of how to control this virulent pornography of the mind.
It is exciting to think though of the medical breakthroughs such as transplants and other worthy discoveries brought about by new technologies. We can only stand in awe and wonder at their limitless powers.
Hopefully the good out weighs the bad in the scheme of things, and the future looms promisingly for us all.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Angst
It's my sister's birthday today and as I mentally send her a happy birthday greeting, I also realise that I may never again get to wish her that in person. She has made the decision to wipe me out of her life permanently. It's a bizarre feeling to not get a say in something so momentous. I could force my way into her consciousness by appearing at her doorstep or phoning her directly but those alternatives seem obnoxious as she appears so resolute in never wanting to see me again.
Although I feel hard done by and hurt by her denial of me, I can only act through my own perspective. I don't know how hard done by she feels although I may think she is being totally absurd. I cannot think of a time when I would feel the need to completely and utterly consign my sibling relationship to the equivalent of the rubbish tip. That doesn't mean I haven't been furious about some imagined slight but to me a familial relationship has always been one to nurture.
The wider world gives us many an example of rifts and strains in social relationships. "The ties that bind us are the ones that divide us" to quote some well known words. Most of us can't even agree on the way to govern ourselves. When I was growing up it was always a mantra that what happened in the family stayed in the family. I loved the round the table discussions that often took place amongst the family. Perhaps they should have been more honest and our disputes instead of being hidden could see the light of day, and lose their authenticity by straight talking.
Happy birthday sister - I wish you well.
Although I feel hard done by and hurt by her denial of me, I can only act through my own perspective. I don't know how hard done by she feels although I may think she is being totally absurd. I cannot think of a time when I would feel the need to completely and utterly consign my sibling relationship to the equivalent of the rubbish tip. That doesn't mean I haven't been furious about some imagined slight but to me a familial relationship has always been one to nurture.
The wider world gives us many an example of rifts and strains in social relationships. "The ties that bind us are the ones that divide us" to quote some well known words. Most of us can't even agree on the way to govern ourselves. When I was growing up it was always a mantra that what happened in the family stayed in the family. I loved the round the table discussions that often took place amongst the family. Perhaps they should have been more honest and our disputes instead of being hidden could see the light of day, and lose their authenticity by straight talking.
Happy birthday sister - I wish you well.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Difference
I like to travel as do many people and most travellers like to embrace the "difference" in each culture. Let's face it - how boring it would be to visit another country and find it the exact copy of our own. As the plane touches down at my destination I love to absorb the faces around me and the clothing worn, the sights and sounds of the city which surrounds the airport. To walk outside and find oneself different to the majority of the populace, is an amazing feeling. It can be a little intimidating as well, but I usually find a big smile often brings a positive response.
Imagine for a moment how fearful it would be not to get that positive response. To feel as if your "difference" was something to be ashamed of, or unacceptable. In this current social climate that experiences wars, and ultimately people fleeing from wars, the differences between races are being externalised and in some areas, causing friction. Suburbs of large cities are being turned into cultural melting pots and naturally, migrating cultures aim to gravitate together. This is a normal social thing to do, and most of us would want to do likewise. After all, we think there is safety in numbers and to take that further, safety in numbers who look and sound like me.
If we can avoid the trap that differences in culture equate to divisions in society, and embrace the multiculturism that can make a country great, I believe we can empower ourselves. We belittle ourselves as part of the human tribe, if we do not attempt to rise above the fear and loathing of another's culture or religion and aim for a bridging of the cultural gap.
Imagine for a moment how fearful it would be not to get that positive response. To feel as if your "difference" was something to be ashamed of, or unacceptable. In this current social climate that experiences wars, and ultimately people fleeing from wars, the differences between races are being externalised and in some areas, causing friction. Suburbs of large cities are being turned into cultural melting pots and naturally, migrating cultures aim to gravitate together. This is a normal social thing to do, and most of us would want to do likewise. After all, we think there is safety in numbers and to take that further, safety in numbers who look and sound like me.
If we can avoid the trap that differences in culture equate to divisions in society, and embrace the multiculturism that can make a country great, I believe we can empower ourselves. We belittle ourselves as part of the human tribe, if we do not attempt to rise above the fear and loathing of another's culture or religion and aim for a bridging of the cultural gap.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Catastrophic Times
This part of the world in which I live has come through some disastrous events over the past few weeks. There has been flooding rain where once had been drought, and cyclones have borne down on our north where they are commonplace, but the last one was a whopper. It has almost seemed as if a vengeful God has looked down and decided to teach us a lesson - decided to teach us that we are not as in control of our lives as we would like to think. We humans who think we can plan everything in our lives to an infinite degree were shown that our plans are for naught when faced with nature in all its fury.
Our family were fortunate in that we live in the hills, and although it rained day after day after day, we kept safe and dry. Others were not so lucky. Particularly when the dam protecting our city was full and the surge of water knew no boundaries. It headed for the open sea with us in its path. The river which snakes through the city and its suburbs, broke its banks and slowly but surely the homes in the low lying areas flooded. The river once so quiet, once so clean, surged past old landmarks with debris hurled through its rushing water, and even loosening pontoons and walk ways that had once formed part of the landscape. We listened avidly to news reports or left our safe homes and stood close to the river trying to get a sense of the drama unfolding over such a short time.
There were scenes of devastation to the north and west of us that overshadowed the quiet flooding our city had endured. One whole town at the foot of the range to the west, was swept away with lives lost and we could only listen to the tragic stories that were told by survivors with amazement and sorrow that such events could happen so quickly. We heard of cars lifted up by the floodwaters and swept away with some occupants failing to reach safety. How could this happen? Bewildering, we ask the question of each other. There are no clear cut explanations although people try to scientifically explain the unexplainable. They look for someone or something to blame for nature's wrath.
As people try to restore lives and property wrecked, we can only reflect on the good that has come out of it. The number of volunteers who gave of their time and effort over many days to help their fellow man gives the lie to the belief that humanity is a dying art form. There may be a dose of selfishness in most of us, but it can be quickly submerged when the call to help is heard and we know we cannot ignore it.
Our family were fortunate in that we live in the hills, and although it rained day after day after day, we kept safe and dry. Others were not so lucky. Particularly when the dam protecting our city was full and the surge of water knew no boundaries. It headed for the open sea with us in its path. The river which snakes through the city and its suburbs, broke its banks and slowly but surely the homes in the low lying areas flooded. The river once so quiet, once so clean, surged past old landmarks with debris hurled through its rushing water, and even loosening pontoons and walk ways that had once formed part of the landscape. We listened avidly to news reports or left our safe homes and stood close to the river trying to get a sense of the drama unfolding over such a short time.
There were scenes of devastation to the north and west of us that overshadowed the quiet flooding our city had endured. One whole town at the foot of the range to the west, was swept away with lives lost and we could only listen to the tragic stories that were told by survivors with amazement and sorrow that such events could happen so quickly. We heard of cars lifted up by the floodwaters and swept away with some occupants failing to reach safety. How could this happen? Bewildering, we ask the question of each other. There are no clear cut explanations although people try to scientifically explain the unexplainable. They look for someone or something to blame for nature's wrath.
As people try to restore lives and property wrecked, we can only reflect on the good that has come out of it. The number of volunteers who gave of their time and effort over many days to help their fellow man gives the lie to the belief that humanity is a dying art form. There may be a dose of selfishness in most of us, but it can be quickly submerged when the call to help is heard and we know we cannot ignore it.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Writing a Novel
Most of us have entertained the thought that we might at one time get serious and write a novel. Usually that thought remains on the back burner of our consciousness. Amazingly, during the month of November I grabbed my lap top and every day wrote at least 1600 words totaling by the end of the month, 50,000 words.
The novel did not have to be edited but the point was to just write and write and write. The editing could come later. It was an amazing experience and I surprised myself not just by my commitment but also the ability to bring characters and plot together and not once feeling writer's block. Now admittedly I am no Agatha Christie (my novel being a mystery), but I enjoyed the experience and more importantly it has left me with a desire to continue writing.
Also, I have the feeling that the impossible for me has been achieved and I can take more steps out into the unknown. A novel today - a marathon tomorrow, who knows. It's exciting to think about and realise I am only limited by my narrow thinking.
The novel did not have to be edited but the point was to just write and write and write. The editing could come later. It was an amazing experience and I surprised myself not just by my commitment but also the ability to bring characters and plot together and not once feeling writer's block. Now admittedly I am no Agatha Christie (my novel being a mystery), but I enjoyed the experience and more importantly it has left me with a desire to continue writing.
Also, I have the feeling that the impossible for me has been achieved and I can take more steps out into the unknown. A novel today - a marathon tomorrow, who knows. It's exciting to think about and realise I am only limited by my narrow thinking.
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