Day 84 - Kaptein span die seile

 

 Lockdown Day 84 - Level 3 Day 18 - Now I am not a big Kurt Darren fan but when I went over to Cherie and Graham's home to drop off a package for their daughter Courtney, an Indian Myna flew up and hopped up to me. Cherie introduced Kaptein to me. She told me that Kaptein was rescued by her neighbour and hand reared.  Kaptein lives a dangerous life in a land full of cats yet he doesn't stray far from the area.

When I heard what his name was immediately the Kurt Darren song, Kaptein, sprang to mind. I bent over and stuck out my finger to which Kaptein jumped on. After introducing himself to me, he flew to Cherie's to check out her shinny earrings which caught his eye. Ahh my Kaptein, span die seile.

Day 83 - Watchful Eye

 

Lockdown Day 83 - Level 3 Day 17 - What else can I do? It is freezing outside, surely it is going to snow today. Nothing fell last night as the weatherman predicted but what do they know. Anyhoo what to do. I drag myself out of bed, jump into a steaming hot shower. Ahh I swear a hot shower was just what the doctor ordered. 

By 9am I found myself at my desk, joined by Paddy and his watchful green eyes. Now what can I do to move forward...

Day 82 - Even Baboons Wear Masks

 

Lockdown Day 82 - Level 3 Day 16 - With a cutoff low, the weather has turned nasty with sleet falling this morning and snow forecast later today or tomorrow. Lynda and I went in to the local hardware shop to purchase a gas regulator so that Dael can use the larger 9kg gas bottle on our small gas heater instead of the 4.5kg that we had with the small heater. The 9kg bottles are easier to swap out compared with the 4.5kg you had to refill.

On our way to the hardware shop through horrible weather, we saw this statue of a baboon wearing a facial mask. So even baboon's know that it is wise to wear a mask in these trying times of CoViD-19.

Day 81 - Call the Plumber

 

Lockdown Day 81 - Level 3 Day 15 - Last night our tenant called me and showed me the newly developed problem of a blocked drain. It has been nearly 2 years since the drain was blocked last. I replaced a section of sewerage line 3 tenants ago so this came as a surprise. This morning Trio Plumbers arrived to unblock the drain. It wasn't long and it was running smoothly again.

Day 80 - Crying into my Omelette

 

 Lockdown Day 80 - Level 3 Day 14 - I can cry if I want to as it is my birthday after all. Happy birthday to me. Thank you everyone for all the well wishes. It is good to know that we are not alone.

Matthew made me an awesome spinach, cheese, and ham omelette for breakfast which I enjoyed immensely in bed. Thank you Matt. And not to forget Lynda for my new jacket and tasty treats. Winter be join with you.

God has promised that "from now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today." so that I can't say it was my idea but give God all the glory. He went on to say "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go" Yes and out of this storm God will be glorified. Here is my heart Lord, speak what is true. Happy birthday.

Day 79 - Shaved Ewok

 

Lockdown Day 79 - Level 3 Day 13 - Winter is truly here, and Lynda has been digging in the laundry cupboard searching for Jade's clothing that is too small for her. Here is one outfit that now fits Seun so nicely that he looks like an Ewok. Okay it is a long stretch but maybe a shaved Ewok? Okay that nose is certainly not from the Ewok genes. 

Winter we are ready for you!

Day 78 - How Not to Carry a Bike

 

Lockdown Day 78 - Level 3 Day 12 - I had to take a drive west and it was getting too cold for the bike which means that I am getting soft during this lockdown, ahhh shame. Anyhoo so here I was in my cage and saw this atrocity before me, a scooter being carried in such an undignified manner in the back of a hatchback on it's side. I could actually cry seeing this but anger had to be controlled. 

Well my mamma did teach me that I can't say a thing until I walk in their shoes, so I don't know what the circumstances are that lead to this horrible sight but this is not how you carry a bike on another vehicle. NO!

Day 77 - Antibiotic Loading

 

 Lockdown Day 77 - Level 3 Day 11 - The fast food industry is opening up slowly since Level 3 started. Today I had to go in to the bank to get a form filled out and to do some queries. At the bank they took my temperature, it was 36.0°C and I had to fill out a register for CoViD-19. 

After I had finished up at the bank and was about to head back home to safety, I saw that Chicken Licken was open, so I thought it best to get my boost of antibiotics, as you should all know that chicken is good for when you sick because it is packed with antibiotics.

Before entering the fried chicken outlet, I had to beat the lady wearing a mask and armed with a thermometer and sanitiser spray bottle. Another 36.0°C, I had defeated the lady and now had to challenge the counter lady for my fiery chicken wings. It wasn't long before I was antibiotic Loading. Now to conquer the world.

Day 76 - Seun the Pomeranian

 

Lockdown Day 76 - Level 3 Day 10 On Sunday evening another rescue was brought home, this time it as a Pomeranian called Snoopy but the kids are calling him Seun which is boy in Afrikaans. Strange even our tenant calls his pig dog Seun whereas his name is Murdock.

Today Seun was taken to the doggy parlour to be de-fleaed, de-wormed, and have his haircut before he can be integrated with our other animals. So here is Seun or is that still Snoopy?

Day 75 - Trust and Obey

 

Lockdown Day 75 - Level 3 Day 9 - Well here I find myself at the Department of Labour as it opened to the public for the first time yesterday due to the Coronavirus and as expected my now ex-boss, owner of WebSense Internet Solutions and Therabreath South Africa, still has not sent in the correct documents needed. It is like he is purposely not doing right thing, well that is what it feels like to me. This time Nomvula, the lady from Labour helping me, phoned my ex-boss who said the she must email the request to his email address and he would forward it to his accountants. So Nomvula sent the email so now we wait and trust that he would do the right thing.

So now here I am, in the middle of the corona virus pandemic without a job and yet I find that God is my paddle. I will trust that He has my future close to His heart.

Day 74 - Another Monday

 

Lockdown Day 74 - Level 3 Day 8 - Another week, another Monday, good Lord, how long can I go on like this? And the Lord answered me to truly humble myself. I am foundering in this storm and in this storm God encouraged me with tenderness that I should have joy in all circumstances, including this perfect storm that we find ourselves in as we are blessed with health, food on the table, and a roof over our heads. So thank you Lord for another Monday.

Day 73 - Soft Kitty

 

Lockdown Day 73 - Level 3 Day 7 - Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur! Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr purr purr!

Sunday afternoon naps, purrfect for little soft kitties such as Minky, fast asleep on our bed while the warm afternoon sun streams through the window. Surely this would make Sheldon's mom very proud.

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur! Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr purr purr!

Day 72 - Road Gang Strikes Again

 

Lockdown Day 72 - Level 3 Day 6 - Since the National Coronavirus Lockdown started 72 days ago the Johannesburg Roads Department have been operating on skeleton staff even though the other Johannesburg Municipality departments such as Water and Sanitation have been fully operational. As for the roads well here we are, our roads are full of potholes that the general public have to repair the roads themselves.

Today the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch got volunteers together and started repair the really serious potholes, the ones that were damaging cars. Thank you RNW for doing what you doing and showing the local government how to do their work.

Day 71 - Varkhond

 

Lockdown  Day 71 - Level 3 Day 5 - Next month we will be getting new tenants in our garden cottage which means we will be seeing the last of Murdock the Bull Terrier or a Varkhond in Afrikaans. No we not that sorry to be seeing the last of him as not only has he chewed up the electrical cables feeding the outside lights in the front of the property but also the irrigation system's pipes and sprinkler heads. As in Afrikaans it is called a Varkhond or directly translated a Pig Dog because of its pig like appearance and its looks like only a mother would love. Although it gets on with other dogs it tends to be a one dog family dog as it can be obstinate as they are independent and very, very stubborn.

Day 70 - Matt Minks

 

Lockdown Day 70 - Level 3 Day 4 - So life goes on. Lynda is back at work. The Corona virus is sure getting closer to home. Our suburb had only 3 cases until the end of May but now since Level 3 has jumped up 10 new cases, eish. We have many retirement villages, and one of them went into strict lockdown as it has 1 case in their high care ward, no one going in or out in that village. Lynda's 85 year old dad is in hospital in Cape Town. He is very frail but test results have come back negative. 

Minky and Matt are sure becoming best of friends as can be seen in today's photo.

Day 69 - Bird of Paradise

 

Lockdown Day 69 - Level 3 Day 3 - I need to get this garden in the front all cleaned up. Here are some of the Strelitzia flowers in full bloom in our garden. The are better known as the Bird of Paradise flower as you can clearly see. One of the people who came to view our garden cottage has signed the lease and is moving in at the end of the month. They are a young couple getting their first home together away from there parents. 

This is a new start for everyone as I am out looking for new opportunities to move forward.

Day 68 - Not at Work

 

Lockdown Day 68 - Level 3 Day 2 - Sigh, I supposed to be at work, making a living but here I find myself at home still while many have gone back to work. All I know God is in control and I must have faith. I am good at what I do and I am starting to get responses to enquiries. Yesterday I helped a company set up their AdWords account. Today I went to the Labour Department only to be turned away because they are only opening up to new applications next week. Spoke to my lawyer about my CCMA application. Chatted with a potential client who was referred to me by a blues musician And by afternoon I found myself watching Dr John Campbell on the television. 

We enjoy John as he gives down to earth news and advice about what is happening in this sorry Corona virus world we live in. And no he is not frowning at my stinky feet as they are not stinky at all. Talking about the CoVid-19, it looks like that it is getting too close for comfort. Lynda's dad who is 85 and in a retirement village in Cape Town was taken to hospital today. He is very frail and is running a temperature. He has cancer as a comorbidity which makes his case a little worrying. Now we wait for the test results.

 

Day 67 - Monday Chaotic

 

Lockdown Day 67 - Oh dear must people start going back to work today as be enter Level 3, well most except hair dressers, hospitality staff, restaurants staff, and of course me, as I have become a victim of someone scuttling the boat to save himself.

Anyhoo! Today is chaotic as bottle stores open and I found that the queues for alcohol were way longer than the food queues. Go figure.

But for me and my family life goes on. Here is Matthew and Minky becoming best of friends. Minky has always been a peoples cat, always loving people but not other cats.

Day 66 - Goodbye Ravi

Lockdown Day 66 - On Friday in Georgia there was the Ravi Zacharias Memorial, we decided to watch it on Sunday afternoon. It was a moving tribute to Ravi, one of the best Apologetic Christians there ever was that walk the earth. 

One of the poems read at the Memorial was by Richard Baxter. It was very inspirational and I am now thinking that maybe I should have it at my memorial as they are awesome words...

Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.

If life be long, I will be glad,
That I may long obey;
If short, yet why should I be sad
To welcome endless day?

Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before;
He that unto God’s kingdom comes
Must enter by this door.

Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet
Thy blessèd face to see;
For if Thy work on earth be sweet
What will Thy glory be!

Then I shall end my sad complaints
And weary sinful days,
And join with the triumphant saints
That sing my Savior’s praise.

My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But ’tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with Him.

Day 65 - How to Drink Water?

Lockdown Day 65 - So how does your cat drink water? I remember a bible story a long time ago when God told this person to gather up his men and go attack this enemy, but the army was way to big for what God had in mind so after sending more than half home, God ordered that the army go to this stream and drink. Some men drank with their mouths to the water, and others scooped up the water with their hands. God selected the one group, which I think was the one that scooped up water. With this smallest group God had the victory. Now don't go ask me to go find book, chapter, and verse because I don't even remember the names which goes to show how well I listened in Sunday School. 

Anyways Paddy, our beautiful cat has this peculiar way of drinking water. Firstly he loves glasses of water over bowls of water although most of our cats also love drinking running water straight out of the tap, not that they can turn the taps on or off which can be a pain to turn off after them. 

Does anyone else's cat do the same?

Day 64 - Cyclamen Tunnel

Lockdown Day 64 - I had to go to President Hyper to buy groceries for one of the council women from our local area who has not been outside since the Coronavirus had been declared a pandemic. It has not been easy doing shopping for someone else who you hardly even know. 

Anyhoo, I had to go through that disinfectant tunnel again, this time my temperature was a nice cool 31.9°C. On the otherside of the tunnel was these lovely bright coloured flowers, according to the price lollipop stand they were called Cyclamen.

Day 63 - Cry Bosasa

Lockdown Day 63 - Oh cry Bosasa, cry for all the blessings that have been squandered away by greed and so much more. When I first arrived at Bosasa many moons away I was blown away on how well the property was maintained. Beautiful lawns with wild animals grazing in between the office blocks. I used to spend many hours enjoying the gardens here.

And today I found myself out the gates of African Global which were once known as the mighty Bosasa. A lonely South Africa flag is still flying, security is still looking strong, but gone are all the signage of that links to Bosasa or African Global, gone. I wonder what happened to all the animals?

Day 62 - Moonset

Lockdown Day 62 - Soon after sunset, the moon started to set too. It was the usual clear winter's evening. So many things have gone on in the last few months, I don't what to make of this world we live in anymore. 

Collin Khosa killed by our South African Army last month because they have the power with the Minister of Police making having alcohol illegal. To top it the Minister of Health banning cigarettes so that her Zuma family can benefit from illegal trade. not that I am a smoker but from my perspective their actions are seeming to make things worse. Then great Apologetic Ravi Zacharias' crossed over to his new life last week and now news of George Floyd being killed by police in the States 2 days ago. What is going on in this world? 

Day 61 - Shammy Cupcakes

Lockdown Day 60 - We had to say goodbye to one of our cats, Shammy. He had been suffering for sometime now with the cold and after yesterday's cold snap, he said goodbye and this morning we had to bury him.

Rebekah was back to today, making us some yummy cupcakes to help us get over Shammy. No we didn't let on that Shammy has crossed over, and she was just happy to make us all cupcakes.

Day 60 - Cold Snap

Lockdown Day 60 - Winter is here as the first cold front hits us. Brrrrrr it is sure cold as all the cats try pick the best warm spots to get warm, ask Tiger shown above sitting in the sun in our bedroom. As for me, I don't want to get out of bed, not until it warms up a wee bit more. Reports of snow is coming in from all over.

Day 59 - Normal Distractions

Lockdown Day 59 - I am starting to loathe the words "New Normal" as this simply can't be normal, never, not on my watch. Anyways it is Sunday which means online church while we still in bed, this time we have the grand children joining us but as you can see Koko is being distracted by the cat Minky, both who want to sit on Lynda's lap. Ahhh the new Sunday normal.

Day 58 - Skipper

Lockdown Day 58 - Early this morning there was a buzz in the air, not an excitement feeling type of buzz but a buzzing noise. It started from afar but eventually got closer and closer forcing us out of a lovely sleepin.

The buzzing noise was from Skipper and his team from City Parks busy cutting a fire break along the properties a joining the green belt. 

Okay I give you that it is not so green, more of a brown colour. Winter is coming and along with the cold comes fire season when velt fires are a constant threat. By cutting a firebreak you firstly make a barrier of sorts and at the same time reduce the fuel load next to the properties.

Day 57 - Stick it to the World

Lockdown Day 57 - I know that scripture says that we are to forgive those who do us harm but I am struggling in this regard. I say to myself I forgive him for being so selfish, thinking only of himself while throwing everyone overboard when the storm hit. He has shown that he is not a very nice person and has a very ugly heart. How Lord, how can I forgive when I feel so much hurt?

Princess here says that karma is a bitch while she pulls a tongue to this cruel world, but I don't believe in karma, I believe in the Lord Almighty, and He says I must forgive, turn the other cheek, I must forgive and move on. But help me, take me by the hand and lead me through this rocky road as I am struggling.

I am searching for answers, far and wide.

Day 56 - Trip to the Vet

 

Lockdown Day 56 - Yesterday Paddy came home and refused to eat, something was wrong with his mouth. He kept pawing his mouth and although he tried to eat, he just couldn't so off to the vet we went first thing this morning. As you can see he was not very impressed with a trip in the car.

 Well the prognoses is that he had lost a tooth, cut his tongue and had a greenstick fracture of the lower jaw which had to be repaired.  Oh dear Paddy have you been in the wars with a genet?

Day 55 - Warm Spot

 

Lockdown Day 55 - The warmest spot in the home in the morning is right here in the kitchen where of course you'll find the cats all lined up trying to get the best spot as you can see Shammy and Princess got there first.

Day 54 - Piglet in Water

 

Lockdown Day 54 -  Our tenant sometimes leaves his dog Murdock on our side so that he doesn't get bored being alone. Well on our side he has River Song to annoy and he is able to play in the water that sits on top of the pool cover which he simply loves, just like a pig in mud, or in this case a piglet in water.

Day 53 - Online Test

 

Lockdown Day 53 - With rock music blaring, I bring Matthew another cup of java as he writes an online test during these trying times. It is Matthew's 3rd year doing a Bachelors of Computers at the Belgium Campus in Pretoria where he is specialising in Software Development. Normally he would be writing tests at the university but now it is done online while sitting in his room.

Day 52 - Dog under Lockdown

Lockdown Day 52 - Nica did a Tik Tok video of River Song today. Yes aren't she a beauty even under lockdown conditions.

Day 51 - Paddy finds the Drugs

 

Lockdown Day 51 - It looks like Paddy cat has found where we put the cat nip out. Eish I am not sure what look he is giving us now but "it's all mine" type of look. Cat Nip the gateway drug for cats.

Day 50 - 366

 

Lockdown Day 50 - I had to go to the pharmacy today to collect my prescriptions and my pharmacist is at a doctor's rooms. As you all know along with hospitals, doctor's rooms are where sick people congregate and with this Coronavirus pandemic abound these places are the last place that you should go to but I had no choice, I needed to go.

So putting on my big boy pants on along with my mask, I set out to my local pharmacy. I had to fill in a form declaring if I had been in contact with anyone with CoVid-19 et cetera et cetra, them my temperature was checked, 36.6°C. Good normal.

Day 49 - Hello Darkness

 

Lockdown Day 49 - Hello darkness my old friend, it has being a long time and I find the darkness somehow comforting as I remember the words of Nietzsche, "whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." Yip those are my feet that you can barely see in the dark.

Day 48 - Nica

 

Lockdown Day 48 - Okay to those sharp readers of my blog, you must have seen a new face appearing on my Mother's Day post, well done. This is Nica, Dael's better half, she has been staying with us during lockdown and today is her birthday, so what better day to introduce her. So here is Nicalene or aka Nica and what better excuse is there to have another winter braai.

Day 47 - End of the Road

 

Lockdown Day 47 - I had to deliver a package to a really run down part of Randburg today. While waiting for the costumer to collect, I surveyed my surroundings that I found myself in. One side looked like a drug den with people coming and going through a locked gate. Next to that was these chickens (shown above) waiting and watching while their brothers and sisters get their heads cut off and plucked by a group of women sitting on buckets. Forget Covid-19, this is the end of the road for these chickens.

While deep in thought, a car pulled up next to me and asked if I needed help. I had to snap out of my thoughts and only then noticed a police van next to me with 2 masked police officers peering out of their window at me sitting on my Vespa sticking out like a sore thumb. 

Later as the officers drove further along, one of the drug dealers came and "pssst"me through the fence, and asked if I want anything. Sjoe I must really be in the wrong place.

Day 46 - Kissy Face

 

Lockdown Day 46 - Who's your daddy? Yip Princess loves her daddy even when he is plucking up his lips into a kissy face. Oh well love is in the eyes of the beholder, or something like that. I have know Princess since she was a tiny little kitten that we had rescued being dumped by those nasty people that we lived next door too a long time ago.  

Day 45 - Lockdown Mother

 

Lockdown Day 45 - It is Mother's Day and my mother is safely tucked away in Sabie away from the maddening crowds whereas Lynda is enjoying Mother's Day with 2 of your boys. I decided to do roast chicken and potatoes for a Sunday lunch. 

Happy Mother's Day Lynda.

From left to right is Nica, Dael, Lynda, Bradley, and Matthew, with me behind the camera.

Day 44 - I'll Raise You

 

Lockdown Day 44 - Okay I raise you, declares Minky as our pets vie for the top dog or cat of the castle. The winter's sun in Jozi is out but not that strong so all our pets at home seek the best positions to be the closest to the sun as possible. It is all about finding a warm safe spot.

Day 43 - Ingress First Saturday Hat

 

Lockdown Day 43 - I have been commissioned by the current holder of the Ingress First Saturday Hat, Araikus888. I won't let what it is out until it gets revealed at the next First Saturday. Araikus888 tells me that it is going to be a Stay at Home First Saturday, not sure how that is going to play out but lets wait and see.

Day 42 - Changed World

 

Lockdown Day 42 - I put my hand up to go shopping for some people who are very concerned for this Coronavirus pandemic. Wwe have good e-commerce shopping here in South Africa but the supermarkets have not caught up, yes quite a few now do online shopping but the delivery waiting period of nearly a week is uncalled for. I suppose it is the same all over the world. Anyways here I find myself in a safe distancing queue waiting my turn to go into a supermarket to do some grocery shopping for someone else.

It sure is a changed world we live in and it will be more weirder after lockdown, trust me, I'm the Doctor.

Day 41 - Crazy Fool

 

Lockdown Day 41 - I only heard in my head "Murdock - you crazy fool" in the voice of BA as I saw our tenant's dog Murdock on top of his owners car trying to get some of the winter's sun. I suppose after yesterday's post Murdock wanted to show who is actually the king of the castle.

Day 40 - King and Queen of the Castle

 

Lockdown Day 40 - Okay it has now been 40 days of lock down and although the cats are enjoying the company the humans well just lets say that they are on edge. Here is Paddy and Princess showing who is king and queen of the castle. Oh an Axel peering out of his heated box.

Day 39 - The Keyboard

 

 Lockdown Day 39 - The Cononavirus is affecting us in many ways, with some turning to crime. The police in all of their stupidity have banished the local community policing forums on patrolling their neighbourhoods, the reason is most likely that they don't want to be caught doing their illegal activities. Sorry that is just me being sarcastic, as crime has started to climb now that no one is patrolling our streets at night.

Anyways just before midnight our dog River Song starts barking towards the veld, something was sure on the move, then again in the early hours. Finally the police sector car arrives to investigate and it looks like they disturbed some criminals jumping the fence into the veld as the abandoned some of their spoils such as this keyboard. 

Don't get me wrong crime has not been a problem here but with the layered security being relaxed things are well you could say going down the drain.

Day 38 - Sleeping through Church

 

Lockdown Day 38 - Okay this is to prove that we are at church and in bed at the same time. Being in bed does not mean that I wasn't listening to Jon's passionate preach. Yes I was awake and not like Saul who was like Paddy our cat fast asleep while David and his men took the spear and vase of water instead of killing Saul. Nothing would have woken Paddy, not even Jon.

Oh and this Kyle has been bugging me to write about what I shared to the Connect family about last Sunday's service. So please check the update I did on my post of last Sunday to read my testimonial... Oh why is Paddy always asleep?

Day 37 - Cat and Mouse

 

Lockdown Day 37 - It is Saturday and not much happening. Okay I finally got round to mowing the lawn. I know, I know, I know I should have gotten to this ages ago but somehow I was hoping to get a goat or two to start making some cheese and goats need grass to eat hence the not mowing the grass. Yip who is going to believe that. Well not Paddy, he has being my constant companion when I am trying to do some work. Here is Paddy playing cat and mouse on my desk.

Day 36 - Baby Mama

 

Lockdown Day 36 - Day 1 of Level 4 of lock down and it is a beautiful winter's day. Clear skies and a beaming Rayne. Yes it was good to see you old friend and soon you are gonna be a mama to a beautiful boy. May he be a blessing to you and your family. Yes this little baby is going to change the world.