Warm greetings from a windy Cranleymore

8 March’14 Saturday Good day to all, family and friends, Miserable out there, we wanted to bring all pots full of daffodils and tulips that has been left next to the shed in a protective area and where the sun, when it does shines and catch them all through the day, B U T the wind is blowing so hard that if you do not hold on to your car door the wind might just take it off and deposit it somewhere else- Temperature about 10℃ overcast and in spite of the fact that it is spring, it is not conducive to outdoor activities. Before I forget, we have the following birds visiting the feeders and peanuts, two beautiful ring necked doves, they are so graceful and proud in stature, green finches, gold finches, and a pair of siskens, Our usual hedge sparrows, red robins, blue tits, big tits, and do not forget the big black crows! They know so well they are not welcome, they watch to see when we leave or when we are not in the kitchen and help themselves to what is on the ground but their eyesight must be excellent because the moment we enter the kitchen they scatter! Patches and Spottie are spoiled rotten, they are the most beautiful cats in Cranleymore. In the morning when I leave they walk with me to the car and when I return late afternoon they are waiting for me on the small wall in front of my parking place. They assist Barry in all his daily tasks and if you do not scratch their heads they will keep on begging until you cannot stand the noise anymore and give in to them, a hand for each head! At present steam and is coming out my ears , who-ever is responsible for putting the coal in this brain engine sometimes lack energy, as the speed that it has to function is continually in over-drive, it has to absorb and produce which is very demanding. My 2nd week in this new environment of motivating, educating, and keeping the locomotive and carriages on track has taught me more that I have learnt in many a year. If I remember correctly I promised myself that there will not be a time for brain and grey cell activation going to take place after the last Advanced Cardiac Life Support course, which nearly cost me a severe brain breakdown- I allowed to happen again- but this time it is not just for a couple of weeks this is day and night week in week out and for the next 7 months! I completed the 1st set of Lectures to the entire staff on Quality Assurance and Accreditation on Friday afternoon at 2pm many more to come. Health & safety as well as Risk Assessment Yesterday morning the New CEO sat in on the lecture – nerve wrecking but as I knew the lecture by heart, it went well and I was complimented on my work which was a tremendous boost! Barry is getting used to the new arrangements of not having me around during the day and start the cooking well in time so that our time for supper is not out of sinque -we are quite regimental in our daily roster, may be, because both of us had to be so disciplined all through our lives. The best of it all is that I really enjoy what I am doing in spite of resistance from certain quarters- but suddenly I have developed duck like qualities and it just runs off me like water. The garden is starting to give a wonderful colour to the dull winter that is past, The tulips in every possible colour and the daffodils with long stems stand so proud around every corner. We did put in about 200 bulbs in October last year and we are truly enjoying the effort. Enough of us- thank you so much for all the congratulations and lovely letters and photos, it was heart warming and much appreciated! I endevour not to disappoint those who have put their trust in me with the help of our Lovingly Heavenly Father. We remember those who are not well, those who have lost loved ones, and other who are the deep end of despair, Philippians 4:13 keep it in your heart throughout every day! Tomorrow as you know by now is the best day of my week and I am privileged to play the organ for the 2nd week in succession. We are still studying Ps 23. What a blessed experience! Birthdays! Nicola Joshling, tomorrow 11th; Paul (Hanlie & Paul’s son) I hope I have that correct! Jaco in Roodepoort 14th, May it the best day for you in every aspect of surprises! On the political front, only those who are involved will understand what they are doing. They can never give a straight answer, they are always blaming some-one else just as in SA everything is blamed on Apartheid- it just does not have a name here! Financially they are boasting that we have turned the corner –they just not specify which corner it was and how many corners are still ahead! They tell us there so many jobs that are going to become available and in the mean time 25% more people are losing their jobs on a monthly basis. The mud slinging in the whistle blowers case is unreal- responsibility is moved from pillar to post – but they are never quilty! I do know that that it is part of the political setup and it is the same everywhere. I am frozen and I am starving! Lunch time is long gone. I have lost 8kg and fit beautifully into my small pants and I am absolutely chuffed. I have to admit that I been exercising regularly by walking 4-6 km daily or cycling 20 km on my Fly Wheel! The extra cheeks I carried around have disappeared and you can recognise me now again even my nose is sharper –more like those of my mother & brothers, since! Small regular meals, no sugar, no bread, lots of vegetables and fruit but low in sugar! We are taking far too much sugar in- the world health authorities are warning us that we are responsible for our own illnesses and early deaths! We do not need more that 12 teaspoons of sugar a day and 1(one) fizzy drink itself contains 12 spoons of sugar! A study in Cork under school children showed that 75% of children under 16 are suffering from high blood pressure because of the high salt intake – crisps and all the salty snacks! So parents with young children do take note! Congratulations to all who have lost weight, trying to lose more, those who are studying, who are writing exams and those who performed with excellence! Enough from me! Enjoy your week be careful, remember safety at home, at work, on the roads and where the children are playing! Warm greeting from a windy Cranleymore Barry & Christina