It’s been a while as the six and seventh months of 2024 were hectic and July became intense but hopefully ‘normal blogging service’ will resume as soon as possible.
The winter solstice on 20 June 2024 is always a welcome day for me as I take comfort from the fact that, however minutely, the days will start getting longer from this point forward even though it does take a while. It just has a positive impact on my thoughts, a true case of “mind over matter” and after we had been through the winter solstice, on Saturday, 22 June 2024 was Morgan’s debut, on the fitness and physique stage.
After 6 weeks of preparation, the intensity of which was ramped up as the weeks went by, Morgan strutted his ultra-fit and lean physique, covered in fake tan and donning a pair of bikini bottoms, at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria. An issue with the electricity (no surprises there we do live in the land of load and water shedding), meant the auditorium was very dark but the stage could be lit up (and the food and coffee carts outside had electricity) thanks to a generator. It was a bit unnerving for me stumbling into the pitch black darkness of the auditorium after the bright daylight of the Saturday afternoon and I clutched Johan's hand as he led me to our seats alongside Tristan and Trish. Morgan's army of supporters totalled 15, all of whom had travelled from Jo'burg to Pretoria to cheer him on and I am eternally grateful to Alyssa for coping with the constant ebb and flow of Morgan's training and the toll it took on him; Chase, his trainer, and all of his friends and clients wo supported him throughout the process. My heart swelled with pride at the sight of my first born son on stage as he had achieved a goal he had set himself, an accomplishment which had tested his strength, his endurance, stamina, resilience, tolerance, patience and so much more; all while continuing to work and run his business, maintain a relationship with Alyssa and there he was, clearly having a great time on stage, displaying incredible showmanship and sportsmanship with his fellow competitors. He was placed first in both of the 2 categories he entered and if he had entered another one, we were all of the opinion that he would have achieved gold medal status in that one too.
1st Division, 1st place
Tristan shouted the loudest and hardest for his big brother; and for me, that encouragement and pride of Tristan's added to what was for me, quite an emotional afternoon. The incredible support and love between my sons was so evident and that is all I have ever desired for my sons. Having missed out on so many of Morgan's sporting events when he was at school because of having to work, not having transport in Grahamstown so being unable to travel to his rugby match in Port Elizabeth or Graaff-Reinet, for example, all that "Mom guilt" came to the surface that Saturday afternoon in the dark auditorium as we all cheered and clapped so loudly for Morgan. I was also emotional because of how far Morgan has come; the incredible person he is, how he puts his heart, soul, mind and everything into every aspect of his life and it was another proud moment for me when, at the end of the afternoon's competition, he was singled out by the head judge and organiser who in his closing speech made special mention of Morgan. Such a very proud and heartwarming moment.
As the competition edged towards finality with only the "Best Overall" section, the generator died plunging the stage into inky blackness. The head judge and organiser rapidly made his way to the back of the auditorium to investigate and as he passed where we were sitting, I heard him say "Fok dit" (F*ck it in english) - I had to laugh. No sooner had I said to Johan that the organisers should get us all to go and stand as close to the stage as possible and light up the stage with the torches on our cellphones, that is exactly what happened - it was truly a very "South African moment" bringing truth to the Afrikaans adage, "'n Boer maak a plan" (direct translation "A farmer makes a plan"). It worked and while Morgan did not win "Best Overall", he was a double-winner that afternoon in the competition, and for me, he is, as is his younger brother, always a winner in my eyes. The nuclear family, Chase, and a group of Morgan's friends, and clients, proceeded to BGR Florence Ribeiro in Pretoria, a short distance from the arena, where we were able to relax, celebrate and toast to Morgan's success and devour delicious hamburgers and fries. And if you are ever in Pretoria and pay this particular BGR a visit, make a point of popping into the garage shop next door which is a Thrupps/The Pantry combined (and was that way long before The Pantry was opened). Homemade double chocolate chip cookies, a brand of flavoured sparking water I have et to find in Jo'burg and a real feast for every sense in my being.
Morgan's wins guaranteed him entrance into the South African Championships in Cape Town in September, but Morgan declared he was not going to participate choosing rather to enjoy life again. Amazing achievements Morgan and we are so enormously proud of you - congratulations once again!!!!
July started off with me accepting a 2 week assignment for my former employer assisting my former boss and his team with month end billing, invoicing etc etc and I have just finished the first week of my new monthly assignment. I am paid by the hour and on the temp payroll which means that all the tax headaches is taken out of my control; and I submit a timesheet after each week – working for 2 weeks and having 2 weeks of “not working is awesome. Something else is in the pipeline - details to be revealed as soon as I have received the offer. I am so enormously grateful at suddenly the surge in interest in my work and services.
The fortnight of being unemployed not only went by super-quickly but was super-busy. I will not bore you to tears, resulting in your ending your subscription to this blog, suffice it to say that time really does fly when you are catching up with friends, shopping for the Queen Mother (aka my Mom), working on planning for our upcoming trip to France and Italy, getting organised for our visa appointments, leading two Co-Anon meetings, spending time with my family and various potential meetings for work. I am also, when relaxing and watching tv, knitting and have, so far, finished 4 little jerseys for little people - I will donate them to a children's home.
As a family we have recently been left reeling by a huge betrayal from someone who we had lovingly welcomed into our home and lives. It was a horrible reminder of how jealousy can consume a person resulting in absolute vindictiveness and vile behaviour. I always told Morgan and Tristan throughout their lives, “What does not kill you makes your stronger” and that is so true, but the hurt still packs a punch and that sense of betrayal cuts very deep especially from someone who was so welcome, without question, into our home and every family event and celebration. Clearly the universe is reminding us that therein lies a lesson - I have been "burnt" repeatedly because I always think people are inherently good and their intentions are healthy, positive and constructive forgetting that envy and jealousy are capable of bringing out a person's inner demon revealing their need for vengeance, viciousness, their malice and spite. Lessons learnt again and remembered; never to be forgotten.
July has ended and we close the door on the month and the hurt and harm; dusting ourselves down, holding our heads up high and remembering :
Tristan was invited to be interviewed for a podcast (which was also filmed for You Tube) - he did exceptionally well and, as always, are very proud of him. The full interview can be found here:
A Sunday playing bingo with Johan at our closest Del Forno was fun; Christmas in July market at The Wanderers Club with Zen was entertaining and educational, as well as creating a dent in the bank balance and Christmas in July market became a Christmas in July lunch at my Mom's retirement village. I had to attend along with her two carers, Thembi and Saziso (who is also our housekeeper); a concerted team effort from the three of us got Mom to participate in an activity at the retirement village. I was pleasantly surprised at the event, in particularly the food which was very good and we ended our Christmas in July festivities with a Christmas in July dinner at Izzie's Coffee Shop on Friday, 26 July 2024.
Christmas in July, The Village
Saziso and Thembi
The Queen Mother
We were having way too much of a great time with excellent conversation and laughter to remember to take photos! It was a standing joke between Donald (no not Trump *vomit* but my former/current temp boss) when I left NRFSA that we would get together at Izzie's (as I was always talking about) and so when they decided to open in the evening for Christmas in July, we decided to invite Donald and Carol to join us along with Lindy and Zen - a thoroughly great time was had by all!
Did you know?
Today in 1861, flogging is abolished in the US.
Hugh Laurie filmed his House audition tape from a bathroom in Namibia.
Daily Maverick newsletter, 5 August 2024
Where I have been:
Mugg & Bean, Ferndale on Republic
Mugg & Bean, Sandton City
Woolworths Cafe, Rivonia
VFS Global - Italy
Col' Cacchio, Northcliff - https://www.colcacchio.co.za/
Izzie's Coffee Shop
Big F Car Wash - https://visita.co.za/directory/big-f-car-wash/
Silver Birch - https://www.thesilverbirch.co.za/
Not Bread Alone Bakery - https://www.facebook.com/NotBreadAlone/
Streateatery - https://www.streatery.co.za/
What have I been listening to?
Podcasts:
America's Girls
Betrayal Season 3
Dark Down East
Dead Man Running
Doctor Miracle (a horrifying insight into people being conned into an alkaline diet brainwashed into believing only eating green vegetables and avocado pudding would cure cancer, with tragic results)
Hysterical
In the Dark (The New Yorker)
Rachel Maddow presents Ultra
"As a new authoritarian movement rises in American politics, stoked by one of the country’s most outrageous demagogues, there is an all-out international manhunt for an American traitor. The U.S. Army’s Nazi war crimes trials in Germany have been infiltrated by a spy -- a mole for the other side. A gruesome foreign influence operation unfolds in Washington. A blackmail plot turns deadly in the U.S. Senate. A Hail Mary scheme to stop the counting of the Electoral College votes rattles democracy’s cage. With the line between the violent ultra-right and mainstream American politics fraying beyond recognition, with the FBI always one step behind their quarry, Americans of all stripes step up to confront a seemingly unstoppable, ascendant, anti-democratic force" - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rachel-maddow-presents-ultra/id1647910854
Ransom - Position of Trust
Slow News : The Allegations against Neil Gaiman Scamfluencers
Something was Wrong
The Conspiracy Tapes
The Daily
The Damage Report
The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke
There & Gone : south Street
To Die For
Trouble Waters
Where's Dia?
White Devil
Witnessed 19 Days
Audible:
Guts by Kristen Johnson
What have I been reading? What am I reading?
"The Bullet that Missed" by Richard Ossman
"The Paper Palace" by Miranda Cowley Helller
What have I been watching?
My usual bubblegum shows so I can decompress and not think; and just be entertained
Betrayal Season 2 (horrific documentary about a stepfather taking inappropriate photos of his teenager stepdaughter; it is revealed in the documentary that in 1 year, 45 million cases of possession of "CSam", the acronym for child sexual abuse material, were made in the USA - what is wrong with people???)
Dress Tour
Fugitive : The Mystery of the Crypto Queen
The Twelve
A Good Girls Guide to Murder
Netflix
Homicide : Los Angeles Worst Roommate Ever
The Bear season 3
The Greatest Night in Pop
The Man with 1000 kids
The Pembrokeshire Murders
A reminder that if you have not already please consider subscribing to my blog and to like the page on Facebook for my blog, "Stuff my Mom Never taught me" (Facebook didn't like "Sh*t") and if you are subscribed, please check your spam/junk mail folder in your e-mail:
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With love, light and blessings
Barbara
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