Dankbare groete

29 Desember 2012 Goeie dag aan allemaal, familie en vriende, 2012 Is besig om in die verlede te verdwyn met heugelike herinneringe, baie smart en ellende, dankbaarheid, en jammer oor dinge wat liefs nie gesê of gedoen moes wees nie, dinge wat jy moes vas gegryp het maar tog laat gaan het. Ons laaste week het ‘n afdruk op ons gelaat van dinge wat verkeerd kan gaan sonder dat jy daarvoor gevra het. Die aand is rustig en ons besef dat die dae langer word en die nagte korter, die maan hang laag in die hemel ,almal is gevoed, kat, ons en die jakkalsies. Ons kyk na ‘n pragtige dokumentêre program toe die ligte skielik dip -die TV ‘n moment afskakel en weer aan gaan. Dit gebeur soms hier en word ‘power surges’ genoem maar hierdie keer ruik ons skielik iets brand, dadelik word daar ondersoek ingestel ,die reuk kom vanuit die elektriese houtkas teen die muur, Barry kan egter niks sien nie en alles werk. Saterdagnag kom die wind op en waai vir ‘n vale –‘n kragonderbreking van omtrent 2 ure in die vroeë oggend ure laat ons wonder- die krag kom weer terug en ons is net klaar gestort en geskeer toe die krag weer afgaan. Doods benoud dat die krag by die kerk ook af sal wees bel ek vind uit alles is reg en in werkende orde. Hier by ons is die krag af- ons besluit om te wag tot na kerk voor ons bel. Kom laat terug want dit was ‘n groot en belangrike dag op ons kerk kalender en tuis is die krag nog steeds af. Ons skakel die nood nommer en volgens hulle lê die fout by ons. Barry terug kas toe en ruil die versekering- ons elektrisiteits fasiliteit kom nog uit die vorige eeu met sommige veranderinge toe ons die huis verbou is- het vandaar die sekering. Siedaar die krag is terug. Alles verloop goed tot Maandagaand toe die krag weer afgaan maar hierdie keer is die kerse reg en vuurhoudjies byderhand. Dit duur nie baie lank nie en alles is weer goed. Gisteroggend terwyl ek stort gaan die krag weer af- ons stort werk met ‘n pomp werking en ‘n elektriese apparaat wat dan onmiddelik warm water gee en wanneer die stort afgeskakel word is alles af. Maar daar staan ek toe heerlik ingeseep van kop tot tone met geen druppel water. Gelukkig was daar warm water in die warmwater kraan van die stoof wat die water verwarm en kon ek buite die stort van die seep ontslae raak en my hare afspoel in die wasbak! Nou wat nou! Alles is nie af net net die stoof en die stort- gelukkig het ons ‘n baie betroubare elektrisien wat binne 1 ½ uur hier is om ondersoek intestel. Die kragstelsel is teen die plafon geinstalleer en moielik om alles bytekom maar met behulp van ‘n paar flitsligte word ons ingelig dat ons baie gelukkig is want ‘n hele paar drade het uitgebrand in die kas!!! John repareer die krag tydelik en ons het weer krag. Ek wil net noem, dat om in die winter sonder krag te sit kan tog wel ‘n probleem veroorsaak- laat gisteraand lui John op en sê dat hy deur middel van ‘n vriend wat ‘n groothandelaar in elektriese ware het alles kon kry om ‘n nuwe stelsel te installeer. Dit is nou net na 3nm en ons het ‘n splinternuwe elektriese stelsels inwerking- sonder sekeringe!!! Gelukkig kan ons nou weer stort! Intussen doen ek die was goed elke 3 de dag en Saterdag was ‘n goeie dag en ek doen groot was, alles gaan goed en teen die aand is alles droog en weggepak. Maandag wil ek die handdoeke was en skakel die masjien aan draai die knop van spin na was siklus 5 en ek voel die knop kliek nie deur die programme nie en toe ek die masjien aanskakel spin die masjien en niks wat ek doen kan die masjien se doel verander nie. Die masjien het op spin gestop en daar bly dit ‘5 mnde oue Indesit wasmasjien. Die winkel waar ons die masjien gekoop het is reeds toe vir Kers en ons moet rustig wag vir Vrydag. Kliente diens kan my nie help nie en Engeland antwoord nie die foon nie en na 10 minute blaas ek die aftog. Uiteindelik maak die winkel oop en laat ons deur ‘n paar dinge gaan om seker te maak ons het nie die probleem veroorsaak nie, maar volgens Barry is ons nie skuldig nie, geen wasmasjien nie maar ek kan wel spin dus word die wasgoed metdie hand gewas , gespoel en in die masjien geplaas vir spin en dan die droeër. So kom ons dan aan die einde van die jaar! Verder is ons gesond en beleef ‘n wonderlike gematigde winter en Desember temperature tussen 3-12°, gister het dit by 13 gedraai – in die somer dra ons t hempies en kort broeke as dit 13 grade is maar in die winter met 13 grade het ons nog steeds ‘n trui en dik baadjie aan want dit is die wind wat koud is. Die eienaardige weerpatroon voorspel ellende later want al die plante is besig uitteloop en die robin sing vir ‘n vale- al die bolplante is op met reen en warm weer dink hulle dit is lente! Finbarr en familie, Amanda en byderhand Lukas was hier Woensdag en ons het hul besoek baie geniet-heerlik ge-eet en het die oulike seuntjie baie geniet- hy is lank en baie groot vir 2jr 8mnde praat soos ‘n kind van 6 jr oud. Glad nie vet nie eintlik so maer soos ‘n kraai want hy stop nooit een oomblik nie en eet goed, alles word in energie omgesit! Gelukkig is die politisi met vakansie alles verloop sonder voorval. Die ellendes in Amerika met geweer aankope sonder beheer is baie tragies. Die dood op die paaie van S A is net so erg -die oorlog in Sirië onbegryplik, die vrouens in Indië wat veg vir hul regte onverstaanbaar. Môre is die beste dag van my week en ons het ‘n besoekende prediker want ons eie predikant moet elke 2de maand ‘n Sondag af wees en hy is reeds 2 mnde terug in die tuig! Ek speel die orgel en sien daarna uit aangesien ek die afgelope weke elke naweek gewerk het en Joy gespeel het. Verjaardae: Veels geluk Anke met jou verjaardag Ma?Di Jou naam verskyn op albei datums!! Ons dink ook baie spesiaal aan Sandra wie se moeder oorlede is na ‘n lang siekbed en bly dat sy nog by haar kon wees in die laaste ure! Ook aan almal wat hul eksamens geslaag het –veels geluk, Aan die wat begin werk, mag dit ‘n goeie ervaring wees! Ek is jammer as my nuus vervelig en onbelangrik is – die keuse is joune – druk die ‘delete’ koppie en dan hinder dit jou nie- ek aan die anderkant geniet elke stukkie nuus, elke dag se dinge en ervaringe – dit is vir my soos ‘n verbinding met die wat vér weg is en ek waardeer elke bietjie nuus en ervaringe! Baie dankie ook aan almal wat gereeld skryf dit word hoog op prys gestel. Mag die jaar 2013 ‘n volbringing wees van jul drome en verwagtinge- leef naby aan God en al sou dinge moeilik en onverstaanbaar verkeerd gaan, is Hy naas jou om jou hand te hou en jou te vertroos. Bring lof en verheerliking aan God vir al jou seëninge elke dag! Dankbare groete van ons in Ierland vir gesondheid en die wete dat ons Verlosser leef! Barry en Christina

Cosy Irish greetings

18 December’12 Tuesday Good day to all family and friends! Everyday something happens- just something small and I think- I would like to let the family and friends know about this but...time catches up with me and the moment is gone and I did not get an opportunity to write it down, From there this letter on Tuesday- Barry called me to the window and when he calls I usually have to make speed in getting there to see what he sees. And there on the power lines in the field behind us sitting on the line are hundreds of birds, the entire line full – why? They are waiting for the fairly thick fog to lift it is an amazing sight- the light is so poor and my camera not able to cope with such weather conditions means that the moment passes and it is then only in your memory. We have had several such experiences during the last week of which this one was surely the best. The hedge facing north and west consist of pine trees fairly high at present, as we did not have an opportunity to have them cut in the last couple of years and it has become the haven of hundreds of birds big and small. Both the kitchen windows give us wonderful views of the back area,( I cannot call it a yard as it is much bigger than a yard and that sounds so city like and we are very much country), while having breakfast, which is now not early, as I only arrive from work after 9.20am and most times even later- we look out on to the area where the bird feeders are- wild bird seed and peanuts. Suddenly Barry pulled his breath in and he touches my arm in urgency – I first thought he is having a heart attack – but no! It was the pheasant, majestically walking in on the feeding ground from no-where- all the smaller bird made way for this king of birds so that he could fill himself with the wheat on the ground! He was abit careful in the beginning and very weary of a truck passing by and would run into the shelter of the pine trees but came back every time until such time that he had his fill and eventually wondered off into Jimmy’s field. Since that morning he has been back every day- even running up to the feeding area it has brought us great joy and excitement to have him visiting now for a full week. The light has been bad during the last week at that time of the morning and as mentioned before, my camera is a ‘cheapy’ and no light meter or slow shutter facility causes the flash to go off every time I want to take a photo from the kitchen window and then he is on the run! My phone camera is better but still not ideal- I will include the best of the pictures so that you can share in our joy! Nine just to let you know that the foxes are well fed and are not interested in this beautiful bird and live in the forest about 250 meters to the south of us! The cat is as fat as a pig and waddles down the pathway – keeping Barry on his toes! The garden is bleak and uninteresting- the evergreens are the only things that brighten up the dullness of winter. The bulbs have made an appearance and we will have daffodils and tulips very early next year. To be very honest- the winter has been very mild so far and we fear for the true cold and horrible weather to arrive- temperature for today predicted to reach 10° which is ominous at this time of the year! The few cold days we did have are long forgotten! The budget is over and every- one is in despair. I do not understand the thinking of the government- it is as if they live in a land far removed from here! There are members of parliament which have been previously ministers and prime ministers and now receive pensions from those post they occupied and still earn now the salary of their present post – double payment and it is us the stupid people who has a job that is paying for that- The Social Welfare department has over the years- to get votes made promises, which has now caught up with them and they cannot afford it anymore-3,500 new Irish citizens got their papers last week of which 75% are from Nigeria living off the state may be a few of them legally working but most of them on Social Welfare and demanding what they regard, as their rightful payment. The working couple with 3-5 children that is just about making ends meet were hit with House tax- which was abolished in the nineties to get votes, Septic tank charges, water charges-which has never been paid for by any-one in this country before, car tax and fuel prices out of this world. Years back, also to get votes the children’s allowances were increased and now it has been cut- these people have been used to receive and extra amount of money every month to pay for the car and mortgage and now they are losing that privilege. The worst of all is- it is not means tested and every-one –even the member of parliament who earns 2 salaries received this children’s allowance- to them is does not matter that it is cut as they never ever needed it but the family that does need is – has been severely and unjustly punished! People are truly in trouble losing their houses and going hungry. That is the budgets effect on people and then the Indian woman who died, after the law prevented the obstetrician to save her life by allowing a termination of her pregnancy, has caused the X Case to surface again and today is the day that it will be discussed in parliament. Every possible pro life supporter is outside Leinster house to object to what possible outcome there is going to be! Anyone can just get into a car and drive over the border to a Mary Stopes clinic and have an abortion on demand but they forget that, as long as you do not interfere with the life of an unborn foetus on this side of the border- no matter how dangerous it is for the mother to continue with the pregnancy or the possibility that the child might be born dead or to be a liability to the state- because every child born with a problem is the states problem- also part of the enormous amount of monies paid to parents that demand carers payment because they have to look after these children with disabilities. It is just too much to comprehend! I really am sorry that I have been moaning so much – I suppose what the heart is full of the mouth run over with I have private health insurance and Barry is on HSE – thankfully he is not a burden on the state yet! The possibility that he might lose his medical card is 99%- that is all he receives from this government – no pension or any other benefits because I work! We are ever so thankful that I have a job and are still healthy enough to work! The whole world is upside down , suicides, youngsters 2 girls,13 & 15 in one family, the murders in America- where are we on our way to? Thank you to all who so regularly made the effort of writing a letter or just a note – for me it means a lot! The weather forecast of reaching 10° got lost somewhere- the fog never lifted all day and the temperature never moved higher than 5° with us! It is just after 4.30pm and it is dark -but not for long – on the 22nd the promise is there that the days will become longer! The hospital is closing 2pm on 22nd and I will be on leave until the 4th Jan’13- wonderful to be home over the festive season- I am on call in case some-one needs to be looked after though! Finbarr and family will join us on the 26th and therefore our Christmas meal will take place on Wednesday! Our Carol service is taking place on Sunday 22nd and with our own minister back it promises to be a very festive occasion! I scandalously forget to mention the birthdays in my last letter but rather late than never: Marie Reinecke 14th, Helene (Zam) 17th, we sincerely hope that your days were perfect! Karin du Toit will be older on the 21st. Paul and Jacob(Br Mendel) will be older on the 24th Nine (Haya) we very specially remember you! On the 26th! To those who are visiting SA from afar- hope you enjoy the fellowship with the family, drive safely when you are on the roads. Those staying at home like we are- stay alert and be watchful! Barry and my -self take then this opportunity to wish each and every-one a very special Christ-like time over Christmas and just the very best for the New Year. Cosy greetings from a cottage in the fog, with a small tree in the window with friendly lights for passers- by and a stove-fire in the living room, warming us up! Take care till next time Barry & Christina

Miserable cold greetings

Saterdag 8 Desember’12 Goeie dag allemaal, familie en vriende! Dis offisieël winter by ons en ervaar alles wat daarmee gepaard gaan! Ys, nat gladde paaie met blits ys op, koue winde en soms sonskyn en ander kere bewolk met sagte reen! Dit word soms erg koud maar soos altyd warmer wanneer dit reen. Klink baie na Haas Das se weer! Totsien Haas Das! Die gaan werklik net ‘n ‘dag sê wees – dis reeds 2 weke wat ek nie geksryf het nie want ‘sucker’ wat ek is - sê ‘ja’ elke keer wat die hospitaal in nood sit! Ek werk dus 4 naweke in ‘n ry- Hopelik sal ek die 23ste gespaar wees want die laaste sjirurgiese lys is op Vrydag 21ste – Ons is nog nie seker of die Ongevalle departement gaan oop wees nie- maar hopelik nie! Ons sien uit na ‘n vol jaar want die CEO het 1200 pasiente in die Noorde van Ierland bymekaar gemaak wat jare al wag op operasies en hy het vir alle moontlike sjirurgie ‘n prys uitgewerk en hoop om almal in Noord Ierland hier in sy Hopsitaal te help! Was nou net by die slagter om die vleis voorraad in die vrieskas weer aantevul en het ‘n heerlike maer skaap, opgesny soos ek dit wil hê nou weer in die huis . Ons het op ‘scraps’ begin leef want ons kry nie kans om by slagter uittekom nie! Ek sou dink dat ons na byna 8 jaar aandele in die slagter moet hê. Heerlik aan Sam se brief gelees en wat my betref is die radioloog een van die mees belangrikste dele in die legkaart wanneer dit by diagnose kom! Sam Jy Is besig met ‘n edel beroep! So is elke dokter! Op die politieke front gaan dit slegter as sleg want na die begroting verlede Dinsdag is mense in diep diep ellende! Die rykes word ryker en die arme idiote wat werk moet die land aan die gang hou en word al armer want hulle melk ons leeg! Hulle het geen benul van wat op die grond aan gaan nie- hulle weet nie honger wees nie, koud kry nie en elke dag van jou lewe bekommernisse hê van waar gaan die geld vandaan kom nie! Dit is ‘n duistere saak vol gate en modderpoele en dryfsand,baie mense leef netnet- kinders kry 1 maaltyd ‘n dag en die ouers miskien 2x ‘n week! Wat die dier kinders betref- hulle gee ons daaglikse plesier –Blackie het nou net sy middagete van koue hoender en ham geniet en is weer terug donkie huis toe waar hy ‘n heerlike warm bed in die strooi het. Die voëltjies eet en eet en ons moet byna elke 2 de dag die voerder vol maak! Met die kinders gaan dit goed- hulle het almal verkoue gehad maar is darem nou aan die beter word, Lukas draai sy ouers om sy pinkie en in hierdie land mag daar net met sielkunde opvoeding plaas vind- dus hoop ons die uitkoms van die taak sal goed wees. Dit is resultaat tyd en ons geluk wensinge aan die klein kinders wat so goed gedoen het, Devlin in Pietermaritzburg, Jaco en sussie Leané in Roodepoort. Dankie ook aan Paul vir sy brief en die fotos van die kinders! Dit is altyd vir my heerlik om van die kinders te hoor! Nou ja my tydjie is verby-ek speel môre die orrel en almal weet dat ek vroeg môre by die werk moet weg – die enigste ellende is dat my oë nie wil fokus as ek moeg is nie –gelukkig ken ek die Psalme en Gesange goed en al sou ek nie kan sien nie hou ons wel die wysie! Ons Kersliedere diens is die 23ste en ons sien baie daarna uit! Baie dankie aan almal wat wel die afgelope weke van hulle laat hoor het- dit word hoog op prys gestel! Wees tog altyd versigtig tuis en op die pad! Liefde groete Vanuit ‘n bedremelde Cranleymore Barry en Christina