Greetings from Ireland

14 March ’10 Sunday

Good day to all far and near!
May the MOTHERS residing in Ireland have a blessed day; we do things differently in the Northern hemisphere and today is MOTHER’S DAY? England!
Before the confused mind forget, many good wishes to all those who will become a year older during this week!
Jaco Eloff in Roodepoort has his birthday today! Jaco I hope that your were well spoiled today but that you will be a very well behaved, hard working boy ,son and grandson in the year that lies ahead! Next is Georg on the 18th. We pray that you will experience an excellent year, filled with exciting surprises and daily blessings! On the 19th we have the member of the family that is just younger than me by some 7.5 years! Arnolda we hope and pray that your day will be filled with lovely spring sunshine and that the blessing from above will be more than you can count!
Happy Birthday to you all!
Today is beautiful with some cloud and bright sunshine, a southerly breeze without the sting from the north and reached
11 deg. It is dry, very dry for Ireland and there is no growth in the grass and the farmers still have to feed the cattle. The ground is still frozen and there is just not enough earth heat to promote growth. There is one daffodil that will be open on St Patrick’s Day which is a good 6 weeks later that last year. In spite of all the snow, the frost was so severe that our pine hedge is now orange in colour, all the ends burnt to death! The usual lush green Ireland is suffering!
I have had my 1st week back at work, one reason why my letter is at least 18 hours late, I am a creature of habit and write my weekly letter every Saturday afternoon between 12 and 1pm.
Presently 4pm Sunday! I had to pickle my laptop to the lounge in order to sit next to Barry and write as he has not seen much of me during the last 7 days, Since I started on Monday night I have already worked 4 night and will continue tomorrow night a night in the nursing home which will prove that either I am well or not! They have rolled in the nights as if they missed me, hahaha!
My whole body objected at the punishment it endured but I survived! Wonder above wonder!
Our geese keep us going between providing swimming facilities and counting the 2 hen’s eggs and keeping track of where we are now! Some of you will wonder what it is about these animals that fascinate us so much but like a married couple who has no children and dote on their dogs or cats, we fall straight into that category! Maybe it will change soon but in the mean time we will put all our energies into looking forward to the hatching of the geese eggs 16 from Madam and 5 from Ruthie!
Barry decided to move there swimming tank on Monday with disastrous consequences, they investigated the new placement had one swim and turned their backs on it. We were forced to move it back to the original place and restore their confidence. Ruthie was so upset that she laid her egg that night in Madams nest. We knew it as Madam’s eggs are smaller and the shells are somewhat brownish in colour where Ruthie lays large white eggs and was therefore immediately noticed, we moved the straw from the dog box where she laid the first 3 eggs inside the donkey house. There are now 2 nests established, the ganders sleep outside the nest areas. The mannerisms of these animals are fascinating!
I was ever so privilege to receive via cyber space quite a few of the most regular letters from the family and friends and wonder if all who read these letters does not get a pang of guilt that we do not hear much from you! On the other hand I have the hope of hearing from you soon! No news is good news!
We were appalled at the news we read on the computer about the awful murders that took place .Barry was very upset about the 17yr old girl whose hands were also cut off! In fact every murder or crime we read about it very disturbing and upsetting. We try to avoid reading these terrible news items but it is a reality and we daily pray for your safety in SA especially those of you on the farms!
On the political forefront we were again highlighted for the 58,000 X-rays that were never reported on in the 4-5 years and the cover up, no is ever responsible or will take the blame, the bug is pushed from one to another! 30,000 now diminished to +3000 letters from Gp’s to consultants were never opened and attended to, all in the same hospital setup and on top of that the minister of Health is on some St Patrick’s visit to New Zealand! She could not be bothered!
The last ½ hr were ever so inspiring- Songs of Praise, from Northern Ireland with the 3 Singing Priests. What a blessing that has been!
On that high note I send my sincere greetings to our tante Poppie and pray that she is keeping as well as is possible on her way to be 102years old in July!!(This is the only surviving member of my mom’s family and one of 7 sisters)
May it rain where it is dry, may the sun shine where it is wet, may the crops be good and that the love between the young people flourish.
Be careful; watch those behind you and those you cannot trust!
Take care with security, locking the doors and we pray for all of your safety! Teach you dog not to take food if not given from one of the family!
Greetings from a struggling brown looking Ireland and
The Dunnes in Cranleymore!