Frozen greetings

Sunday 25 November’12 Good day to all, family and friends, You had a breather there for a while , I was in 2 minds if I should write or not but it came clear to me in the last half hour that I should, after listening to Songs of Praise and the wonderful music coming out of the mouths of young boys and men. It is just after ½ 5, 1° outside and winter has arrived in all good measures. The last 2 mornings I had to pour my water bottle on the glass surfaces of my car to be able to just get a peep outside with the engine running and every possible method switch on to clear the lookout field, but not only that, I first had to open the car door which was frozen solid yesterday morning, most of my water was poured over the door frame and door handle to get in! The evergreens in my garden are just about making it; the Lupines in flower have astounded us –frozen stiff in the morning but after thawing – looking fresh as ever. Nothing else of colour in the garden at the moment. The bulbs have pushed their first points above the ground early and we hope the winter cold does not bring disaster. The trees are bare, the colours now all on the ground in heaps of fallen leaves. We do have a problem here with black ice- it looks like wetness on the roads but in fact it is ice and 3 nurses were in car accidents this week because of this dreaded ice –one was admitted to hospital but fortunately not seriously injured – but an accident can happen so quickly. All, early morning accidents, on their way to work. At work things were not always pleasant as the CEO realized that the Nursing Home operating at a loss and that the surgical side of the hospital is at present carrying the whole enterprise. Notice was given to the residents and staff were given the option to stay on at reduced pay and working where needed or to leave. In the interim the surgical ward runs in overdrive - every-one trying to do as much before the New Year as possible. Being one of the oldest staff members I was approached to work Christmas Eve and new Year’s eve- I do not mind as Finbarr and family will arrive on the 26th and we will have Christmas all over again. In general and on the political front- disaster upon disaster. The Indian women who died after a determination of her pregnancy was denied when she was in the process of aborting at 17 weeks, has caused an uproar all over the country and has reach the headlines worldwide. The report on the issue has been made public this weekend with the most ridiculous suggestions ever. This is now in order to avoid something like that happening again. In the mean time her husband demands a public investigation into the death of his wife. The heads of European countries cannot come to an agreement in the EU re the finances of the member states and all the time and money spend on talking to no avail. Where is it going to end? Yesterday’s rugby, now history- brought a smile to the Irish and some relief to the supporters of the Boks. Wales suffered badly! The Thursday before I went back to work we visited a South African Couple who left SA 17 years ago and lives in a lovely small town, Lainsborough, next to the Shannon. He collects ‘smalls’ and his house is filled with every possible article in ceramics and pottery. He also has a fig tree and I had 2 figs- it was like tasting nectar as well as Cape gooseberries. I also had a saucer of his home made biltong-very good. Since I have been back to work there has been no rest- last week was not too busy but this last week work increased and next week I will be working 4 nights. Today as always, the best day of my week and we are ever so thankful for the return of our minister and his wonderful gift of scripture explanation. Joy was playing the organ and I was singing. Birthdays gone by and those to come: Hannelie 19th, Bianca , Paul & Mendel 21st, Jeanne 22nd. Renate (Paul & Hannelie’s daughter) 23rd – tomorrow Jeanette, 29th Nine –Arnold’s daughter Johann Reinecke 30th, Izack 1st and Elmarie 2nd. Happy Birthday to you all! It was wonderful to hear from Arnolda and Paul her brother! Thank you to all the other who always manage to comment on my letters- most appreciated. Apart from Blackie, that is now dictating Barry’s life – and as fat and shining as a cat can be – the birds are the joy of our lives! Exams nearly over and now the waiting for the results! Hope it will go well. Congratulations to MariJanke with her successful job hunting. There will be a good 2 weeks between letters as I am working next weekend! Our prayers are still with Nine and Stephan and hope they are coping! Be alert, diligent and careful at home and on the roads! Greetings from Barry and Christina out of a frozen Cranleymo