A Nation's Shame

Shame, despair, fear, hate ....

My camera futzed out ...

... and I can't upload any pictures at all. As soon as I get it fixed, this blog will be back on track.

In the meantime, I'll just say that this week, I've been so grateful to have a home which is still standing and kids who are alive and healthy....

Burma cyclone, May 2008

China Earthquake, May 2005

Storm clouds lifting

The First Storm of Winter ...

... and it was baaaaad! Winds at over 65km/hr (about 40 mph) rattled our windows, shook the roof and howled like a banshee all night long. At work this morning, we saw some of the damage:

Fallen metal awnings ...

... and fallen pot plants (and those are heavy ceramic pots!)

The wind is still blowing but without the scary ferocity of last night!

Cute Car

I've seen this cute little car around town before, but today was the first day I had my camera with me! I have no idea what make it is ...

Signs of The Times ...

My camera isn't good at these close up shots, but this is today's Sunday Times, which costs about R10.00. But if you were in Zimbabwe and wanted to buy it, it would cost you Zim$ 75 mill. It's true .... says so right there on the masthead.

Home for the weekend ...

... and back on the computer. My darling boy hasn't changed a bit!!

Stunning!

Overlooking the driveway into our flats, this bougainvilla is always a stunning mass of colour.

The Local Shopping Mall

I think I just liked the way these poles lined up or something ... apart from that, it's a pretty pointless picture ...

Hibiscus behind bars

Moon rising

Another stunning moonrise tonight ...

Khayelitsha

If you take the Strandfontein road, you'll find yourself travelling past Khayelitsha eventually. At first, the view is kinda pretty, what with the distant mountains and blue skies and all ...

Then you look a little closer:

And then you start seeing what's really there:

Khayalitsha means 'new home' in Xhosa. This township houses between 500 000 and 1 million people and although all you see from the N2 are shacks, it's actually a thriving community - read more HERE.

Red cappuccino ...

... is delicious!!!

Sunny Saturday afternoons spent chatting ...

Sunrise

At around 7.30 am today, from my front door ...

Mom's birthday today

My mom and her granddaughters ..

Jodie and Reese and me ...

This evening, I needed to work in a quiet spot - proofreading 300 pages. The sun room offered quiet, but with no blinds or curtains and a lot of bright light, I felt kind of exposed up there on the third floor. So, I found a couple of my son's rolled-up movie posters and hey presto! Instant, beautiful blinds!

... and they put in a pool, too!

Makeover

My brother and his family have just moved back home. They spent five months in rented accommodation while their house was gutted and completely made over, inside and out. The results are SO worth it! :-) You rock, guys!