Sunday, December 28, 2008

Pet foods







The lady of the house,
note the distinguished pose.
















Friends?

Every morning at about this time, in other words after my first cup of coffee, I feed the motley crew of two animals. One a long nose and distinguished looking ten year old, young lady dog named Shooter - the apple of her mother's eye. The other a new breed of cat known as Magaliesburg big foot going by the name of Kiger, a loud and unruly animal to say the least, who is visiting his Granny and Grandpa until he flies to Dubai to join his parents there.
As I got the tins out the fridge to inform them of what was for breakfast I thought is there really a pet food company that cares so much about an out of control cat that it specially prepares pilchards in prawn jelly for a palate which prefers lizard and pigeon. I was not brave enough to taste the pinkish mish mash that came out of the tin but obviously Kiger did not believe a word of what was written on the label. He had a few small mouthfuls and toddled off outside to do a bit of personal hunting for what to his acquired taste is good food.
Then when I politely called "Shooter P........... (not a rude word, I am simply protecting her surname) breakfast" and she came jogging in from her morning romp in the garden to a bowl full of beef and boerewors flavour whatever. The look in her eyes was very easy to read, "Mom all this tastes the same and needs garlic. How about a nice homemade stew for a change with dumplings?" Alas, I could not indulge her this morning but then perhaps tomorrow I will go shopping just for the two of them, then come home and feed them good old fashioned Mom/Grandma type food, then and only then will I sit down on the kitchen floor with them and share the meal.
Provided they invite me.

Comment from Shooter "Does that darn cat have to have a bath in my bed?"

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Making friends with the neighbour




He hasn't yet invited us over for tea or anything like that, but he does seem quite friendly and he does like children!

Dancing with the fairies




It's late, I am so hot, and the air is like a heavy blanket over me. Sleep is hard to come by and so I lie there awake listening to the sounds of the night. All is still and then slowly in the distance a rumble starts and gathers momentum as it moves closer to where I am.
Don't you love the drums of thunder as with a crash of giant symbols the drum roll starts? The air is suddenly electrified and all things come to life. The Heavenly orchestra plays out it's symphony in a meticulous fashion. Very slowly the string instruments come forward and the gentle pitter, patter of rain drops play the harp of the spiders web hidden in the garden.
The wind joins in and whistles and sings her way through branches and trees. Nature is awake.
I lie there with eyes closed tight, something in my mind tells me there is more in my garden tonight than I have ever seen. There is a soft scent in the air, and little scratchings on the windows, gentle whispers from unknown voices. I dare not open my eyes, lest the magic around me be broken, and so I lie, still and hardly breathing as the little people come out to play in the thunder and rain.
I drift off into the world of sleep and dreams, all the sounds and sensations still with me. In my dreams I am dancing with the fairies, my steps as light as their's. The whole garden is alive and plant and animal alike are moving together to the mystical notes of unknown instruments.
It is dawn, and as I wake and open my eyes I remember the dance of my dreams, it feels so real, not at all like a dream. Did my dance really happen?
I walk out into the garden, the flowers all look tired as their heads hang down in a state of exhaustion. The branches on the trees also hang low as if asking mother nature to refresh them, they all seem as physically tired as I.



Just look at the fairy diamonds the fairies left for me on the rose bush.
Perhaps I did dance with the fairies!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

African sunrise


One chilly January morning at Elandshoek, Rayton.