Strelitzias and Strawberries

 It was a beautiful spring morning, when I stepped out of my garage while preparing to mount my Vespa and slice through the rush hour traffic towards work. Then it caught my eye, a brightly coloured strelitzia, in my garden. Not just one but a number of them all flowering orange and purple.

And now this, Monique arrived at Connect group still eating her lunch of fresh fruit. And she pulled this super large strawberry out of her supper box of fruit.

Life full of Colour

As this horrible long weekend draws to a close, I spot a dash of pinkish red in my garden. Why haven't I seen the roses before? The yellows and pinkish red roses are in full bloom. And there I was head down, depressed, and grey, whereas my garden was full of life. Full of colour.

Kaya Orchids

It is already the middle of the week, and the sun is struggling to break through the clouds. The citizens of Jozi where starting to see the wild animals gathering in pairs which was a worry.

On Friday, Carl, was presented a lovely daughter, Kaya, thanks to his wife. At least now we know that he is a real man, even though he carries those arty bags around to many a raised eyebrow. Anyway here are the lovely orchids on his desk.

Focus on Life

My pickup is still in for repairs as the alternator has packed up. I found when vehicles start giving endless problems, it is time to replace. So now I find myself in the market looking for a suitable replacement but I'll have to wait a little longer.

So to it is still pouring with rain and I set out on my Vespa. By the time I got to work, I was soaked right trough even though I was wearing my rain suit. Next time I think I should wear my wet suit, fins, mask and snorkel when riding in this kind of weather.

Arriving at work I discovered to my dismay that I had left all my dry clothes at home. I couldn't stay in these wet clothes as I was already not feeling very well. So after getting my team going, I headed back home for a lovely soak in the hot tub. Overdosed on flu medicine and then crashed under the duvet.

I woke up about 3ish to the dogs barking and playing outside. There was a break in the rain and it was time to get some fresh air. Although still not fully awake, I tried to take a photo of these tiny white flowers outside. With coffee in hand, I sat in the weak sun, trying to focus on life.

Single Awareness Day

Happy Single Awareness Day is a much better way of calling this highly commercial Valentine's Day. It has become an aberration of what it is meant to be, trampling on those poor souls who don’t have someone to adore. Valentine's Day has become a day where many are reminded of their deep soul destroying loneliness. Skipping along comes Single Awareness Day.

A day where single people don't feel left out, a day where couples appreciate that they have someone and are aware of those who don't. Single Awareness Day won't be Valentine's Day where couples rub the noses of those who are single into red rose petals.

Happy Single Awareness Day to all the couples and singles out there.

Wild Flowers

Friday has come around, not soon enough but here it is dragging along with it the weekend. Arriving home after work on a hot summer's day riding the Vespa, perfect start to the weekend except for not seeing Skye all excited from seeing me at the gate.

Walking down to where Skye is, I noticed all the wild flowers growing around where he is laying. Oranges and purples among the greens surrounding the brown dirt of Skye. I've seen the flowers before, but in the setting sun, the colours were all pulsating and vibrant. It is the end of the day, and my thoughts go to that wonderful Whippet, Skye.

Dodging the Butterflies

The annual migration of the Belenois Aurota aka Brown Veined Caper white butterflies have started with the first swarms of the season descending on Johannesburg. Driving around in the heat of the day became dodging the hundreds of white butterflies fluttering across the roads.

Trying to find one to photograph was not easy as they didn't stop for long. Here is one stopping briefly for sustenance on our lavender before fluttering off into the wind.

A Red, Red Rose

Finding this solitary red rose in my wild flower garden was an interesting find. Like a red drop of blood among the wild flowers. A single red rose with its sweat fragrance stood out among all the rest, standing tall. Next year is going to be a good year.

This Void

There is a song that cuts deep with these words "But you say that's exactly how this grace thing works, it's not the long walk home that will change this heart, but the welcome I receive with the restart." Yes to get up and restart this life's journey as I have paused to smell the flowers. And here I am, wondering where this road might be leading and the number of my days. Maybe I am dwelling too long in that place between the promise of my future and the brokenness of my past. I think I must hold my head up high and take the first step on restarting this long journey home.

African Iris

It is like butterflies fluttering in my garden, the African Iris is starting to bloom and as the myth states before the rain. This means that the summer African rains are on its way which means the end of this dusty Johannesburg.

Flowers for Spring

It was an overcast month end weekend morning and I had to head for the mall even in my man flu state. I had barely the strength to take this photo while in the bank. How considerate of them to put out fresh cut flowers for me. If the lack of cellphone or flu doesn't kill me the pollen will. Ahhh spring is nearly upon us here in Joziland. Okay you can survive Day Six was all that kept me going through the morning until I managed to get back to bed and sleep all afternoon. Who cares about no cellphone communication when all you want is to sleep. Sorry dogs I will walk you tomorrow.

Cold Women's Day

Well what is a guy got to do on Women's Day with a cold front passing through? My first option on this freezing morning was roll over and go back to sleep. And that is what I did for most of the morning. I eventually crawled out of bed about lunch time as sun started peeping through the clouds. Let the day begin. I hope all women out there had a wonderful day today.

Alyssum and Verbena

It has been dry and dusty lately as if the August winds sommer net decided to arrive early. Ja nee, well the garden around my cottage is dry and struggling to survive except the Alyssum and Vertena that Lynda thoughtfully planted in my pots outside the entrance of the Stoned Cottage. Ahh colour breaking the dry.

Flaming Strelitza

Monday is back to work after a restful weekend and although I am tired the flaming flowering Strelitzias are pleasing to the eye. Let the week begin.

Flowers

I got quite a bit accomplished today. I started at one end and steadily worked through my work which was piling up. I was tired at the end and it was still home cell but the best part was supper at Sandy and Andy's home which I always look forward to. I was tired and still had to take a photo for the day so after looking around, I took this photo of some fresh roses in front of a painting of proteas in the entrance hall.

The Sunflower and the Bee

As I was leaving for work this morning, I noticed a small swarm of bees near the patch of sunflowers that are growing in my vegetable garden. The busy bees are most likely from my neighbour's bee hive not far from the sunflowers. I bees were intoxicated with sunflower nectar to notice the camera lens a few millimetres away from them. Ahhh summer is truly upon us.

My Dragon Orchid

The rain fell steadily throughout the day while I rushed around doing some shopping therapy. First thing this morning was off to the Samsung shop in Vodaworld to get a new battery for my now ancient Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700. Well over three years old is ancient in the cellular industry. It was Samsung’s second Android based smartphone after the Galaxy i7500. It has served me well but it is time for a replacement but replacements are rather expensive so I will stick to replacing the battery for now, that is if they can find a battery for it in South Africa.

After all the running around this morning, I could not wait to get home and put my feet up. And waiting for me at home is the lovely deep red orchid that I have grown from small and is now flowering. Oooh I love the deep red dragon look of the flowers.

Baby Strelitzia

Hey before I continue, I need to let you know, tomorrow, yes tomorrow is Friday. Just in case you were like me, losing track of all these days in this long week. Anyway I wasn't sure what photograph to take today and I was taking photos of reflections of myself, Noma's hand and even nearly started a foot fetish with a few photographs of Delia's naked feet. I am opening bids for anyone wishing to add to their collection of naked feet.

Luckily Delia saved the day, by bringing me the subject you see above in the photo, a baby strelitzia. What? Yes seeds from the beautiful flowering Strelitzias, even their seeds are awesome.

Summer Flowers

Spring is about over with the heat starting to climb towards the summer heights. The rains haven't come yet and the flowers are starting to bloom in expectation.

It is Friday and I am about ready to start the weekend but the hours at work are dragging. I changed a few minutes outside the air-conditioned offices to work on the grass bare feet admiring the beautiful Strelitzias. The grass was damp because the garden mist sprinklers were on keeping the flowers moist. It was kind of therapeutical to feel the grass between my toes but it was Friday and the day couldn't end fast enough.

Bird of Paradise

The strelitza has a striking flower with its orangey yellows and bluely purples which in a way resembles a crane or even a bird of paradise. Now why am I taking photos of flowers during the day instead of working?

Well somehow this afternoon a malicious worm managed to find its way onto our cloud which had my computer screaming out warnings as it tried to sync with the cloud. So while damage control was in progress not much work could be done. It was then that I found a vase full of proteas and strelitzas in the foyer. My sweet bird of paradise.