Day 35 - More Daddy for Paddy

 

Lockdown Day 35 - This is the last day of Level 5 of lockdown, and here is Paddy smiling because he knows that Level 4 still means that his daddy will be staying at home while others go back to work because he was unfairly dismissed from his job at WebSense Internet Solutions and Therabreath South Africa. Oh well that means more daddy for Paddy.

Day 34 - Pa Baker

 

Lockdown Day 34 - Baker, Baker, here I present the result of my mother's simple bread recipe. This bread baking skills has been one of our success stories from the lockdown. Every couple of days, 2 loaves get baked in our oven. Ahhh fresh hot bread, food for the soul.

Day 33 - The Raid

 

Lockdown Day 33 - There have been strange sounds at night every now and then coming from the gorge below our home. Sometimes there is sounds of a muffled explosion and sometimes sounds similar to a hammer banging on a rock. So fearing that the Zama Zamas had moved into our area, the South African Police, Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch, Kenmare Kloof Conservation Association, and the security company APCAN went and raided the gorge today.

The result was 6 illegal squatters were forcibly removed from the gorge but no mining equipment were found. The sad part was as soon as it got dark the illegals started moving back into the gorge.

Day 32 - Busted Dr Hahnz Treat

 

Lockdown Day 32 - So the month rolls into the next. The cats don't mind as there is lots of tasty treats for them to snack on, especially in the mornings when mommy feeds the dogs. Why do the dogs get the bestest of fuds. I mean Dr Hahnz can not be right for those pesky dogs. It must be for us, the cats.

Day 31 - Can't Make the Bed

 

Lockdown Day 31 - Wow 31 days into this lockdown and Paddy, our ginger, is really enjoying having us at home. So much so that I can't even make my bed anymore. Hopefully we won't have to endure this cabin fever much longer. 

UPDATE

Okay Kyle my Connect family has been pushing me to do this update. I told our Connect family about what happened today, this Sunday the 26 April that I didn't originally share it but Kyle thinks that I should so here is my testimony of today's church service.

So here goes. As those who want to know a little of the back story Jon is busy working through the story of David during our online church services now that we on lockdown and can't do our normally get together church. So here we are sitting in bed listening to Jon preach.

Preach it brother.

Today's live sermon was how David fled to the Philistines to escape Saul. Okay I am going paraphrase the story to get to my testimony quicker. The Philistine leader Achish allowed David and 600 men and their families to stay at the village of Ziklag. As expected war came between the Philistines and the Israelites. After some thought David and his men went to Achish to offer his services against David's own people but the generals were skeptical and convinced Achish to send David away. When David returned to Ziklag we found that the Amalekites had attacked and had taken their families away as plunder. David then went after the Amalekites to rescue their families.

It was then sitting on my bed that the Word of God suddenly became real to me. This story wasn't about David but about me, yes me Jerome.

There it was, God had a plan for me but things had gotten tough and instead of relying on God's provision, I had fled to the Philistines or in my case Websense to help me pay the bills, to give me a respite. Money was coming in to pay the bond, not enough but enough to give me a sense of control but I was not in control. I was not in the right place that God wanted me to be, I was in my Ziklag. There was times when offers came in to leave Ziklag but I was comfortable or I think that because I didn't like confrontation I sort of half heartily pursued leaving. Then war came in the form of the Corona Virus. Then came the attack by the Amalekites on Ziklag when I was surprised by been unfairly dismissed. David too must have been so surprised to find his family taken into captivity and all he could do was to turn back to God.

Just like that God spoke to me through the story of David. This was me, yes me trying to do it on my own and not trusting God so I fled and tried to do it on my own. Now I find myself at the ruins of Ziklag. 

What can I do now? Well all I can do is turn back to God. To trust and put all my hope in God.

Day 30 - Paw Patrol

 

Lockdown Day 30 - One of my duties during the lockdown is keeping an eye on our gorge. When the weather is good, I do a patrol to the edge, checking up that no illegals have decided to make this beautiful wild place their home. River Song enjoys her only opportunity to get out of her lockdown. Remember this is not a dog walk but an official paw patrol and as you can see River has spotted a pilgrim scurrying to get out of sight from her beady eyes. I then report back to the Ops Room about the numbers of illegal camps we found.

Day 29 - 35.8°C and still okay

 

Lockdown Day 29 - And there you have it, I am at a normal 35.8°C. Lockdown must be somehow flattening the curve here in South Africa but if you compare the numbers with say Australia, something just doesn't add up. The auzzies have more Corona cases but less deaths than us in South Africa. It is best I stay this temperature. 

So here I am back at President Hyper, the only place in town that measures your temperature before going into the store. Now I wonder what would happen if you have a fever. Would the guards bounce your arse out of the shop?

Day 28 - Staying Warm

 

Lockdown Day 28 - Winter is coming is on our lips as CoVid-19 cabin fever is starting to set in with tensions raising to the surface quite quickly now. Managing to get out with my Vespa does help but I think Minky has the right idea, Vitamin D. Yip one of the best medicine against the Coronavirus is the Vitamin D which plays an important role in respiratory health. And the natural source of Vitamin D is getting some sun exposure. So that is where you'll find me, along with Minky lying in the weakening sun.

Day 27 - Lockdown Birthday

 

Lockdown Day 27 - Having a birthday during a lockdown, what can one do, well we did I best and had a traditional South African braai (barbeque). This might be the last time for a braai before the winter sets in. I must say it was peaceful sitting on our patio enjoying the peace that came with the lockdown. Happy 30th Dael. May you have many more birthdays.

Day 26 - Masks on the Wall

 

Lockdown Day 26 - I still have not received my payslip for last month nor any UIF papers from my ex-boss of WebSense Internet Solutions and who also owns Therabreath South Africa, which means I can't claim unemployment. Does that mean I'm stuck between employed and unemployed while this lock down continues. The whole situation is now in the hands of the legal people while all I can do during this lockdown is admire this African mask on this wall while I talk to different people planning what to do for my future.

Day 25 - French Quarter

 

Lockdown Day 25 - I had to go into the bank again this morning. Nice to see social distancing and nearly everyone wearing face masks. In the bank they had perspex screens between me and the bank lady. I had to go in to see what the process is with my applications. Two hours later at least we had some progress.

In the queue waiting was this French fan, most likely from one of the Francophone countries of West Africa. Interesting, when I first starting making masks I wondered about going into a bank wearing a mask, now it seems like the norm.

Day 24 - The Visitor

Lockdown Day 24 - For the last few days this grey duiker has been visiting us every morning. With the peace and quietness from the lock down conditions it is awesome to see the animals coming back. Further along the ridge we are getting video reports of jackels in broad daylight reclaiming the veld and more sinister is that leopard spoor have been found.

Day 23 - Doorpass

 

Lockdown Day 23 - I wish both Pick 'n Pay and Checkers would take a leaf out of President Hyper's cap. They had their anti corona virus protection up and running whereas these 2 giants of the  supermarket industry are lagging behind.

Well at least they are limiting the amount of people in their stores with this door pass, which I had to make sure was disinfected.

Day 22 - Feeding the Sterling

 

Lockdown Day 22 - It was towards the end of another lock down day and I was busy in my office when Lynda brought to me a dove that had lost it's tail when Tiger pounced on it while the dove was busy stealing food out of the dog's bowl. 

The tailless dove needed help, so I put the call out on our community WhatsApp group RNW Conservation, and withing minutes Lisa responded that she could take this poor dove in. So we carefully placed this feisty dove into a shoebox and I rushed the dove over to Lisa who was waiting with her husband.

While I was handing over the poor dove, they were telling me of some of the birds that they rehabilitated and release back into the wild, for example a sterling which now hangs around the neighbourhood, returning back to then every now and then. And then as if on cue, the sterling decided to make an appearance, to welcome the dove to a safe place while its tail feathers regrow.

Day 21 - Sky Full of Stars

 

Lockdown Day 21 - Believe me this photo taken with my cellphone is full of stars. We have had an unplanned power outage, which was in a way awesome to just go outside and marvel at all the stars. With no air and light pollution, the night sky was starting to look like the Karoo night sky.

Day 20 - Supervisor Paddy

 

Lockdown Day 20 - Lynda has been doing her Fly Lady cleaning regime since lockdown and we well have stayed out of her way. Here is Supervisor Paddy Cat supervising the Fly Lady doing her cleaning in the guest toilet. 

Paddy is making sure he gets the most out of his mom and dad stuck with him all day, every day during this lockdown.

Day 19 - 35.2°C

 

Lockdown Day 19 - I went to buy more supplies and was very surprised ho jacked up the President Hyper in Krugersdorp. They were the first to take my temperature, a normal 35.2°C then I went through a sanitising tunnel, also a first. Well done President Hyper. Now why does a small supermarket chain in a backwater town be able to outshine the giants of Pick 'n Pay and Checkers. Why?

Oh this morning I prayed for a conformation sign and on this sanitising tunnel is the words "We Care".

Day 18 - Weather Changing

 

Lockdown Day 18 - The weather is so topsy turfy, not quite sure what to do. It is snowing on the Drakensberg which means the temperature has dropped. In between the clouds, I managed to get some vitamin D from the sun.

Day 17 - Bath Time

 

Lockdown Day 17 - The weather is so unpredictable with just about 4 seasons in a day. Our Easter Sunday started with online church service and breaking of bread. Yes we celebrate Easter Sunday, the holiest day in our Christian calendar, the Messiah was put to death on the Friday over 2000 years, and on the Sunday, the tomb was empty. He had risen, conquered death.

Later on, the day grew hotter so Matthew decided to bath all the dogs. The smaller ones were easy but River Song, well at least she sat still during her ordeal. Not long after all the dogs were sunning themselves outside, the clouds started building up. Oh well, at least the dogs are clean.

Day 16 - Take Risks

 

 Lockdown Day 16 - Take risks, well not with our lives, as the family is adhering to the strict lock down rules, I am the only one going out getting the essentials plus I have a permit which allows me out on essential business. 

At one of my stops was this sign, Take Risks - if you win you will be happy. If you lose you will be wise. While I was there, the legal representative of Websense, phoned me. While he was going on and on and on, I was looking at this sign on the wall. Oh well now it looks like I too have to get a lawyer to represent me, what have I got to lose.

Day 15 - Feed Me Daddy

 

Lockdown Day 15 - Last night our President announced that the lock down is going to be expended for another 2 weeks to the end of April. Oh well, I don't have a job to go back to even though the government has offered Websense relief for losses that have occurred during lockdown, which the owner decides to dismiss the staff.

So this morning we started the day with breaking of bread with our Connect family over Zoom. On our side we had our hot uncrossed buns and Fanta Grape. New times.

I made a traditional Indian chicken curry and while making it Minky, our cat who loves tit bits while I cook, came and sat in her usual place waiting for her daddy to feed her. Oh Minky our future is now in God's hands.

Day 14 - Hot Uncrossed Buns

Lockdown Day 14 - Moving on from homemade bread we tried our hand on hot crossed buns without the cross, so in other words hot uncrossed buns. Well I must say that it was a good first attempt on making these buns, they were tasty. Well the lock down has brought things out of many of us. For me is hope and trust in God on a scale that I never experienced before.

Tonight is the night of Passover dinner and here is our contribution to the breaking of bread breakfast tomorrow morning. Can't wait to taste.

Day 13 - We Care

 

Lockdown Day 13 - After a lot of research I wrote a response back to the owner of Websense Internet Solutions stating that my dismissal was unfair. He responded by changing the dismissal to a retrenchment process backdating it to the 31 March including notice period. Really this shows me what type of person he really is.

Went to the local shops today and found that the staff are wearing these flimsy transparency protective visors. Good idea which should help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

I have been in lots of consultation with God in prayer about what to do, my future, ect, ect, ect. One of the things that I asked him was for a sign on what to do. Yesterday Moses Fruit & Veg gave me an awesome order. Today on the wall of this supermarket is a sign "We Care" interesting as one of my options is "We Care Africa". So lets see what God has in plan for me with His writing on the wall.

Day 12 - Hair Day

 

Lockdown Day 12 - I am still recovering from the shock yesterday. I am now looking into my options going forward now that loyalty is out of the window with the dog eat dog world and everyone for himself that I find myself thrown into. I am not that type of horrible and despicable person.

Matthew showed me a photo that I posted in December 2018 that he was in "Need of a Haircut". He didn't listen to me and now look how long he's hair is. I really think it is time for him to cut his hair. Lucky for him it's lockdown.

Day 11 - Crash and Burn

 

 Lockdown Day 11 - My world has come crashing down with an email from my boss at WebSense who also owns Therabreath South Africa, terminating my employment due to the "very precarious financial position" he finds himself in due to the Corona Virus outbreak in South Africa and the lockdown that the government has put into place even after all our preparations of working from home. 

Oh well at least the rain has stopped and the sun is out drying up the tears.

Day 10 - Lockdown Birthday

 

Lockdown Day 10 - Happy birthday babes! This is introvert Lynda's dream birthday, squirreled away at home with her knitting and now a nice cake. All she wishes is the rest of her family that are locked down in other homes to be able to share her day with her but that is what video calls are for.

Day 9 - Dr John Campbell

Lockdown Day 9 - The weather is still miserable which helps staying indoors during lock down here in Johannesburg. Spent some time in the office with Paddy following me around being so happy that daddy's home all the time. He loves lock down. Here I am catching up what is happening in the new coronavirus world with Dr John Campbell.

Day 8 - Non Essential

 

Lockdown Day 8  - I another long run to the south of Johannesburg. I must say it is good to get about with my essential services documentation. I must say that there are many out and about breaking the lock down conditions such as this moving of a trampoline. I suppose by day 8 of lockdown has driven parents of kids insane and breaking the lock down laws has become essential before someone gets killed.

There was a large roadblock on the N1, with the mayor and press all in attendance. Thank goodness my paperwork is all in order.

Day 7 - First Checkpoint

 

Lockdown Day 7 - I did my furthest delivery run yet to Kempton Park, and went through 2 checkpoints, all on the East Rand. I must say that compared to the northern suburbs and West Rand where I only see a few police driving around, in the east they are serious. The first checkpoint was manned by SAPS, the second by Ekurhuleni Traffic. Thank goodness my paperwork is up to scratch and stood up to the police's scrutiny. 

As you can see there was minimal traffic on the freeways, and I did see that the Gauteng Highway Police pulling cars off randomly to check papers. I also heard on the radio that there were large army and police checkpoints at all provincial borders plus that the tollgates where also checking papers.

Day 6 - Social Distancing

 

Lockdown Day 6 -  More face mask deliveries today, and we found 2 ZCC pilgrims in the veld cutting down protea trees for fire wood. These 2 pilgrims said they came from Atteridgeville in Pretoria and where here for religious purposes. They believe that they are pious enough that the virus won't touch them. Oh dear, this CoVid-19 virus started in China, and spread through the middle east and Europe like wildfire. Now it is fast tracking through America and Africa. It knows no racial, social, and economic boundaries. 

Oh well, here I find myself at our local pharmacy, all masked up and practicing social distancing.It has started to rain.