The Lion's binding oath

I am not the biggest fan of short stories but once in a while a bundle of them makes their way into my life and as a total reading addict I will give it a fair chance. “The Lion’s binding oath and other stories”  was a welcome change from my staple diet of crime fiction novels.

Written by Ahmed Ismail Yusuf raised as a nomad in Somalia that turned into a brilliant author.  The stories are written in the most beautiful almost poetic language – descriptive and almost musical. The smell, tastes and people of Somalia is vividly portrayed in all it’s colour and lively culture.

The horrid sounds of war are never too far in the background. The stories range from the almost ordinary life with soccer, family and social events to the harrowing reality of war at it’s worst. “The vulture has landed” has left me in tears – the story of the sisters will never leave my memory.  My favorite story however is the title story that has a touch of magic realism and a beautiful positive ending to this book that through the horrors of war leaves us with the wonder of the resilience of the people of Somalia in rebuilding their country.

I found  the very small typeface a bit uncomfortable but it takes only a story or two to adjust your eyes. Not always an easy read it is however extremely interesting and a beautiful piece of prose. For something different and culturally enriching I would certainly recommend this book.

Retoer - 'n lekker bundel rubrieke

Ek is nie ‘n liefhebber van die kortverhaal genre nie. Gee my eerder ‘n ordentlike lang genoeg roman. ‘n Kortverhaarl is vir my soos om ‘n hoofgereg te bestel – jy kry dan net kans om so 3 happe van jou duck-le –orange te eet voordat dit weggeneem word en vervang word met ‘n lekker fillet waarvan jy ook net 3 happe mag eet voordat dit vervang word met nog ‘n lekkerte vir net 3 happe. Nee dan eerder die vol lekker ete van ‘n roman.  Rubrieke is egter iets anders – dit is soos om aan te sit voor ‘n heerlike verskeidenheid tappas waaraan jy met elkeen net genoeg van een lekkerte kan proe. En moet nie van die geselligheid van tappas eet vergeet nie – tappas kan jy saam met vriende geniet. So ook rubrieke – kort genoeg om gou voor te lees en te deel met iemand.

“Retoer, Pretoria – Provence” of dan soos Marita van der Vyver dit self beskryf “ die ongeloolike avonture van ‘n skrywende ma” is soos ‘n heerlike tafel propvol van die lekkerste moontlike tappas , keurig uitgepak en pragtig op die oog en die tong.

Tipies van Marita se heerlike skryfstyf kuier sy so gesels gesels met jou deur haar storie – slim verdeel onder die titels van haar boeke wat dit selfs interessanter maak vir haar gereelde lesers. Van stories van haar kinderdae (“’n Fees op wiele “ is my gunsteling) tot haar begin skrywersdae en dan natuurlik die lewe in Provence op die platteland. “Platteland bly platteland” is so heerlike stukkie wat my groot laat glimlag het. Tipies Marita word die vrolike ook afgewissel met die harseerder in die lewe. Ouer word, groter word en die veranderende wêreld waarin ons ons bevind. As die ma van ‘n net-net tiener het ek die stories oor tieners grootmaak baie geniet en selfs soms bietjie anders begin dink.

Ek kan die heerlike reis van Marita deur haar lewe (tot nou – sy is veels te jonk vir ‘n outobiografie) sterk aanbeveel. Soos ons Marita ken is daar hope humor in die stories en hope deernis waar nodig is. Die allerdaagse gesien uit die oë van ‘n kunstenaar.  Lees gerus! Vir my was dit die lekkerste kuier ete saam met Marita.

Tyd vir boeke - Lam ter slagting

Ek het Madelein Rust ontdek met “Moordhuis” – seker een van die heel beste krimis wat ek nog ooit gelees het. My verwagtinge was dus baie groot vir haar nuutste boek “Lam ter slagting”. Die boek het nie een oomblik teleurgestel nie.
Weereens is die komplekse Renata Malan ons speurder wat ons deur die verhaal neem. Ek is nogals opgewonde oor die ontwikkeling wat in hierdie karakter gebeur deur die reeks boeke waarin sy die heldin is. Ek kan eintlik nie wag om te sien wat met haar gebeur nie.
Renata en haar span word ingeroep om die moord op 5 meisies te ondersoek wat gruwelik gemartel en geplant word met die duidelike verwysing na ‘n moontlike reeksmoordenaar. Die meisies is so geskend dat identifikasie moeilik is. Die hulp van ‘n outistiese beeldhouer word ingeroep maar toe hy gearisteer word vir die moorde besef Renata dat daar baie meer agter hierdie moorde skuil as bloot ‘n reeksmoordenaar.
Dit is ‘n komplekse verhaal wat korrupsie, regeringsamptenare op hoë vlakke, sada-masochiste, menselhandel, geldwassery, kultusse en selfs die Vrymesselaars betrek .
Soos ons gewoond is aan Madelein Rust se boeke is die spanningslyn uitstekend gehanteer . Die opbou, deurganse hou daarvan en ontknoping is meesterlik en hou mens op die punt van jou stoel, of dan nou wakker in die nag om net nog daai een hoofstuk te lees voor jy gaan slaap.
Wat egter vir my die sterkste punt van haar skryfwerk is is die uitstekende karakters wat in haar boeke leef. Elke een het ‘n volrond karakter en ek kan my dadelik indink hoe hulle lyk of praat al is dit soms ‘n randkarakter. Malan en Coetzee se nuwe rekruut, Nico of te wel Legend het solied ‘n plek in my hart oopgekrap. Die outistiese beeldhouer, veral sy ma en ook sy broer is regte volrond mense wat ek voel ek ken. En so kan ek aangaan oor omtrent elke karakter in die boek.
“Lam ter slagting” is nog ‘n wenner uit haar pen. Ek kan nie wag vir die volgende boek nie.

So there has been a call over the weekend to all our old Blog buddies to start again, share again and thanks to Mel we have a little meme to get going:

1. What time did you go to bed last night and were you alone? About 22:30 and with the hubby.

2. If you could be given ANY gift what would it be?  No anxiety - anxiety is killing me at the moment. This does actually imply a lot - also that the issues that cause me anxiety be resolved but also not to have anxiety about those that honestly do not have any foundation to be anxious about.

3. What was the last film that really moved/disturbed/thrilled you and why? The Little Prince - it came at a time when we were facing loss in our family.

4. What is your favourite TV show of all time ie. you've seen them all, can watch it over and over again and quote lines from it? Friends or a close second, Frazier

5. Whats your favourite way to wake up and whats the first thing you do?  Without an alarm clock, rested. I dont think this has happened in a long time.

6. What would you call yourself if you could choose your own name? Cat.

7. If you had to do a bushtucker challenge (you have to eat insects/grubs etc) what would be the worst thing you had to eat? Anything slimy - a can not stand the texture thing Oatmeal is a challenge

8. Whats the worst/most embarrassing CD/Album you've ever owned and do you still have it? I had a Steve Hofmeyer record once...and nope, not any more

9. What would be your dream vehicle (bikes, cars, boats, bat car and millenium falcon is allowed!)?  Anything that has 7 seats, is high and can drive anywhere and is not too big to maneuver

10. Whats your favourite way to spend a Friday night?  At home - with take aways and the family Friday is wind down night.

11. What characteristics do you dislike in yourself?   I am overly anxious and procrastinates.

12. Your favourite item of clothing and why? .Still my denim jacket

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be and who would it be with? A family island vacation - we need a huge rest.

14. If you could have any animal/creature, what would be your ultimate pet be? I really love our labrador .

15. What did you want to be when you were little and do you think you ever will be?  A doctor - and I have been milling my career choice over and over in my head the last yea and a half.

16. Whats the next planned event you're looking forward to in your life?  This weekend - in the bush for a great friend;'s 50th birthday

17. What were you doing before you started this? Working - this is the rarely found lunch break.

18. What was the last thing you ate that you really shouldn't have? I have had a tummy bug for the last two days - so I have to think far back.

19. If you were an ice cream what would you be? Vanilla soft serve.

20. Who was the last person you spoke to that you didn't want to talk to? The contractor on site - enough said.

21. What was your favourite toy as a child  . . .and now? I loved my Cindy dolls (Barbie type doll) and played with them wel into high school. I guess my phone - but stationary brings on the happy.

26. What are you really afraid of?  Losing a loved one, leaving my loved ones before they are grown up, being unsuccesfull.

So lets see who join the reunion.

'n Lekker boek - Uit die Bloute

Ek het regtig so lank laas beoke gesels en ek het soveel lekkertes om te deel. Ek spring dus sommer weg met hierdie een

Kyk daar is vlakke van lekkerlees - die diepste valk vir my is die een waar ek selfs ry met die boek en by elke verkeerslig so paar sinne lees tot die taxi agter my vir my toeter. Dit is daardie vlak van lees wat my sedert die naweek so vasgenael het aan "Uit die Bloute" van Chanette Paul.
Daar is 'n besondere lekkerte in reekse en karakters wat herhaal - 'n mens ontwikkel 'n verhouding met die karakters en opinies word redelik sterk gevorm. Jy voel sommer tuis tussen hulle. Daarom was dit heerlik om weereens Jojo te kan vergesel deur nog 'n avontuur waar Irene en Valk ook weer betrokke is.Oor die karkater van Jojo kan ek boeke skryf - die lekkertes in 'n speurder soos sy is vir my groot. 'n Vrou na my hart. Irene het vir my in hierdie boek meer na vore gekom en ek moet erken dat ek met heel ander oë na haar kyk. Die karkaterontwikkeling by haar is groot. Nog lekkerder was die toevallige "raakloop" van ander karakters uit Chanette se vorige boeke - veral Fortuintjie wat 'n groot gunsteling van my is en net so paar reëls in die boek het. Ek wens amper Gertjie en Gys het darem ook net oë gewys en was nie net genoem nie. Dit was ook vir my heerlik om Joachim weer te ontmoet.
Soos julle seker kan aflei uit my eerste paragraaf is die spanningslyn in die boek absoluut meesterlik. Daar is nie 'n oomblik waar dit genoegsaam verslap dat mens so effe ontspan nie. Die karkaters wat nog nie bekend aan ons is nie is geweldig interessant en mens moet kophou deur die boek. Daarom voorsien sy soos haar gewoonte is 'n lys van karakters voor in die boek.
Die boek speel af teen die agtergrond van oënskynlike waarnemings van verskyning van vreemde vlieënde voorwerpe en sogenaamde "UFO abductions" wel bekend in literatuur orals. Vrae word gevra oor die geldigheid van hierdie verskynings en laat mens selfs aan jou eie oortuigings twyfel. Dit gaan egter veel dieper en spreek weer die tendense van massa histerie en misleiding en die invloed van fanatiese sekteleiers soos reeds in "Meetsnoer" gedoen is. Die agtergrond is uiters interessant.
Dit als gesê is die kern van die boek 'n goeie "whodunnit" in die beste vorm moontlik met 'n skryfstyl wat heerlik lees - soos ons gewoond is aan Chanette se boeke.
"Uit die Bloute" is 'n heerlike lees en ek kan hom sterk aanbeveel.

Rewind - to joy!

Photo credit - Pieter Lombaard

Oh the joy! As a child of the 80's I could once again relive my high school years this weekend! I could re experience the gut wrenching loss of a boyfriend with "Total eclipse of the heart", relive the garage parties with "What a feeling" from Flashdance and bop my teased hair and be "Simply the best". "Girls just wanna have fun" had a meaning all of its own as our group of "girls" had heaps of shared fun.

This weekend has been an experience second to none. While this was not my first Capital singers (it was my fourth)- it was the first one I participated in that took place in the State theater. To look back and think that this mega professional production started 3 years ago , in a church as venue with just over a hundred voices is amazing. And while it  was without a doubt great to watch for those that attended I am quite sure that it was even more fun for us who was part of the show. The feeling of 3 standing ovations and two totally sold out shows is hard to put into words.  Take a listen below - the whole first act is on this you tube video.

To sing your heart out is a huge joy - the music of the 80's can not be beaten. But the experience is so much more. For a weekend (and two evenings) you almost forget about the day to day things that happen in your life. You forget about the bad work stuff,  the stress and the anxiety and you sing - with 649 other like minded people. The back stage fun was even more that usual this time with such a fun theme. There were make up sessions, hair do' s to die for and lots of jokes. Yes its a very busy and tough program and my feet are still killing me - but it's all worth it. It's a weekend of laughter, song and friendship. Of getting to know some school moms a little bit better and of making new friends.  Of being just a small part of something so huge and so incredible.

"Wind beneath my wings" was hard - for those of us who lost loved ones to cancer and for those who won the fight. But the beauty of Capital Singers is that hand that grabs yours and hold it while you try to wipe those tears so that no one in the audience notice. As we started out my favorite was the Johnny Clegg medley - which I sang with great joy but in the end, nothing beats Toto's "Africa" and as the songs are still turning in my head it is "Africa" that is my constant earworm.  As we sang the encore of "That's what friends are for" we remembered the friends we made the weekend and as we ended with "In the living years" we all knew that not only was the 80's our living years but indeed, we are living them right here, right now.

So this is why I am also returning to this little blog - the joy it sparks. We need to spark our joy in our lives constantly to counter the curve balls life throws at us. So I intend to chat here more often, but to also spark my inner joy in other ways. We as parents ( and specifically not just moms - some dads give their family their all as well) need to find ourselves or at least not totally loose ourselves as we plunge into the last frontier of raising children. Without my hubby this weekend would simply not have been possible and I do hope that I can return the gift of joy to him.

Wishing you all much joy!

Rejoice!

You know that little meme thingy going around on Facebook where someone asks you to add a word of encouragement starting with the first letter of your name? My IRL name starts with an R and I always give them "Rejoice" as a word. Such a  hugely positive word.

I have had a word of the year for the last few years. Some years have turned into quite the opposite and others have been very successful . My year of "Hope" turned out exactly that and in my year of "Brave" it was exactly what is needed. Somehow this year "Rejoice" came to me almost the moment I started thinking about a word. In fact, no other word came to me.

Most of you know that 2017 was my "Anus Horibilis" - it was hectic. This year has all the potential to be a difficult one too. But I choose to "Rejoice" and I will. As I was milling over this I found the confirmation that indeed it was the right word for the year.  I saw this blog post (Written in Afrikaans) about the drought in Cape Town. Please read it if you are able to understand Afrikaans . It is all about trusting God and rejoicing at the same time.

So I will live this year and rejoice:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights

My year in books 2017

Yes, I know I haven't blogged in forever and I will chat about that soon enough. But you all know that my enthusiasm for books and reading is endless and brings me much joy. I always do a review of the books I read every year and it's always a popular post. So herewith- my year in books 2017.

Book of the year (English):

 

1."The Satanic Mechanic- Tannie Maria Mystery #2" by Sally Andrew
Absolutely delightful like the first tannie Maria book it is a mix of a murder mystery and pure South African Karoo magic with a great touch of humour and compassion. It is the most charming book! For my review read here.

2. "My grandmother sends her regards and apologies" by Fredrik Backman
Backman's magic continues with this book written with a bit of magic realism added to his usual odd and charming characters. I enjoyed it even more than "A man called Ove"


3. "Big little lies" by Liane Moriarty. A very clever and well written book that investigates so many of our daily issues. I enjoyed the play between moms and how we see this unfold every day in our own lives.

Boek van die jaar (Afrikaans):

1. "Mentje Kind van Pas-opkamp" by Irma Joubert
Ek sukkel steeds om oor Mentje te praat - so diep het hierdie wonderlike historiese verhaal my geraak. Volg Mentje, alleen gelaat in die midde van die Tweede wêreld oorlog deur haar ontberinge. Wat veral opval is Mentje se besondere gees en wil vir oorlewing  ten spyte van die hartseer omstandighede wat haar omring. Die geskiedenis het my so gefasineer dat ek gaan oplees het oor dele daarvan. Die tweede in 'n trilogie (na "Immer Wes") is dit 'n sensitiewe verhaal wat boei tot die einde.

2. "Moordhuis" vanMadelein Rust
Moordhuis is 'n uiters slim , uiters spannende boek wat my vasgenael gehou het elke oomblik van die eerste tot die laaste bladsy. Ek lees baie krimies 'n jaar en as een van hulle my beste boeke lys maak moet jy weet dit is die beste van die beste.

3. "Ver in die wêreld Kittie" van Santie van der Merwe.
Dit was die eerste van Santie se boeke wat ek gelees het en tot dusver die een wat my die diepste raak. Hoe meer ek dink oor die boek , hoe meer wil ek hom weer lees. Lees my oorspronklike indrukke hier 

Young adult book of the year/ Jeugboek van die jaar.

"Vlerke vir almal" van Marion Erskine
I am going to write this in English because although this is an Afrikaans book I truly believe this book will be translated. It is an important book for any young adult and their parents to read - to realize the world of bullying - the kind we are all unfortunately used to , but also the newer form cyber bullying our kids are living in. If you are at all able to read in Afrikaans please do so. It is a wonderful sympathetic read that brings so much insight into the world of teens.

Non fiction book of the year/ nie fiksie boek van die jaar

 

"Elders" van Ernst Grundling
Ek het die reisverhaal en stap deur die Camino geweldig geniet miskien omdat dit vir my ook 'n bucket list item is. Dit was heerlik om saam met Ernst te reis nie net die fisiese nie maar ook geestelike moderne wêreld de -toks.

Book of the year translated from another language than English or Afrikaans:

"Fever at dawn" by Peter Gardos
The beautiful story of rebuilding your life as told through the eyes of 25 year old holocaust survivor Miklos. A love story of hope and survival it is a beautiful read that I strongly recommend.

I hope you enjoyed this - please let me know what your best reads were for 2017. May we all have a great reading year ahead.

 

Maybe this is a good time to get back here

Its the first of December - a time to start winding down and feel the festive end of year spirit. I am not feeling it - at all.

I am not lying when I say that this has been a year straight out of hell. It's been hard - very hard - and the end is not in sight.The much anticipated builders holiday will not happen for me and I will have to work through it - due to circumstances out of my control. At times I am angry, at times I am sad, but mostly I try very hard to be positive. I feel as if life has spun totally out of my control and none of it is my own doing. But there has been a lot of positives that carry me through. One thing I do know - I have missed blogging!

So today I want to focus on the positives for the last part this year.

It has been a fantastic academic year for all 3 kids and I am extremely proud of all 3. I really can not make an exception for one of them - they have all 3 been stars. My mommy heart is pouring with absolute joy and pride.

Student council inaguration decor.

Our Princess was chosen for the Student council - or in the old terms - to be a prefect next year. I really did not expect this as she is in one of THOSE years with extremely strong girls in the academic, sport and cultural fields. But she made it and we are so very proud of her. Of course it means hard work next year which she will embrace and do her very best to prove that she was the right choice.

The boys had a very sucesfull Judo year and C has decided that it is his sport he wants to focus on. They also both had a very fun cricket tournament to end the year off and played in teams with wonderful team and sportsman spirit .

A really did so well with her dancing and even did her first lyrical solo with a high silver medal at the SA Dance schools championship. She has also progressed so far with her ballet that she will be on pointe shoes next year! A wonderful goal every little ballerina works for.

I have reached my reading goal of 36 books in October! It is the first time since we had kids that I have reached this goal so early in the year.  In fact -most years I fall short with a book or 3. I have read so many wonderful books - expect book reviews to resume soon!

With that I hope you have a wonderful festive first weekend of December

So how are you?

Gosh I haven't been here in such a long time - neither have I read blogs. It's been hectic and busy and crazy in our lives. I have very seldom been so happy to see Friday - and it's a wonderful long weekend to boot.

We have just survived enjoyed 9 performances of our big  4yearly school concert. It was tiring but a huge amount of fun and the children really enjoyed it. It is such a spectacular show - we sat there in total amazement as every child in the school played their part and had a bit of stage light on them. C jived on "Hard knocked life" from the musical Annie , L sang and danced to "Hooray its a Holiday" and A and "Everybody was Kong Fu fighting". It was a great feast of music, lights, dancing, bright costumes and enthusiasm. But we are extremely relieved that it is all now done and dusted and that we can have a good rest over the weekend.

Work is still crazy - actually the crazy is increasing as year end approach. This too shall pass.

L played his last cricket game of the season and did so well. He is truly a cricketer by heart. C still has a game this afternoon. A's hockey season is done and dusted and she already had two galas. I was very proud of C who also participated in the school house sport gala. The first dance competition of the season rewarded A with a high silver and a good start.

I feel that I am at the moment just working and working and managing kids - and maybe reading a bit. After so many months of great reading I have slowed down a bit . I am simply so tired that I fall asleep before reading more that a few paragraphs.

My wonderful MIL has been visiting us for the concert period and I honestly am so grateful. It help so so much to have her with us. To help keep all on track while H and I fetch and deliver kids in the evenings and cooking a wonderful meal every evening. Our freezer is also already well stocked with frozen meals lovingly made by her.

I hope you have a wonderful heritage day weekend and rest up, like we fully intend on doing.