Take a slow dance

Rather than making a new year's resolution take a slow dance.
Russell Brand posted this poem on Facebook and I thought it very beautiful so I copied it for you. Enjoy.

SLOW DANCE: David L. Weatherford

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,
or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly,
when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
'cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
it's like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn't a race, so take it slower,
hear the music before your song is over.

2017!

Wishing you all a year filled with love, happiness and adventure.
The map is from the book: The Atlas of Experience. Map 18.

As seen on Instagram this month

Strawberry ice-cream. As soon as it's summer I make ice-cream. Although I try out all sorts of variations the strawberry remains the firm favourite with everyone.

After a storm, the next morning our table appears to carry the remnants of a great party.

Pretty. Every morning, on the way to work I pass this tree that has dropped its flowers, like a juggler learning his skill, more on the floor than on the tree it seems.

Still more rain. It been wonderful, all this rain, after they predicted the drought would last until April 2017.

Out before dark. In the afternoon the moon is already high in the sky. It is trying to blend in with some clouds, as thin and whispy as them but cannot hide its round shape.

More of the same. Rain. And how beautiful the drops look on my new frangipani.

Flying out to have breakfast

For the past six years I have been assisting a group of aviators with their annual awards dinner. A group of men and women who are passionate about vintage aircraft. I design the menu, certificates etc. As a extravagant gesture of thanks they arranged a Saturday morning excursion to Mongena for me. We flew from Fly-Inn to Mongena, where we had breakfast. We flew over Cullinan on the way there. Wow. The mining area looks like the scorced earth, beyond it a clearing with the geometrically  constructed town and then it returns to wilderness, although the roads cuts an infinite scar through it. Saw zebra, eland, wildebeest, giraffe, hartebeest and all sorts of game. Soon after we flew out from Mongena we saw golden wildebeest. I have never seen them before and to be honest, I didn't even know they existed. It was exciting, it felt as though I had discovered a new species. I know, I am being dramatic. We stopped of at Kitty Hawk on and errand, about 10 minutes, then back to Fly-Inn. Ah no, over already. On the drive home Karl continued to tell me the most amazing stories. All-in-all a delightful experience.

The last time I had flown in a small aircraft was in Namibia, in the late 1970s, it was still South West Africa then. This flight brought back so many memories of the adventures and shenanigans we had there. Good and wicked times.

Plate of stars

I am making stars as part of my Christmas table decorations. Looking at them now I think the 5-point star would look neater. If I get time I think I will recut them all.

So much rain

There has been so much rain since October. The garden is loving it but my ground cover is now the same height as my lavender bush. Can you still see it?

Wine spill

I tie-dyed a sheet of calico with this gorgeous burgundy. I couldn't wait to share it. I haven't hemmed the edging/border yet, it is just pinned into place. For the border I used a remnant of linen I bought on sale at Biggie Best that I was going to use to make PrettyUglys. It is the perfect fabric. In the flowers there is a speck of the burgundy and the cream balances the centre strip of calico that was not dyed. To keep it or to gift it, that is the question.