GOOD MORNING, MONDAY.......................

6am is dark and cold
with shapeless foreign shadows lurking
Faint noises resembling ocean breakers rolling 
of unknown people 
driving on invisible roads 
to unknown dreary jobs.



 
Fiery Orange Red ball rising on the eastern horizon 
and a thousand orchestra strong of twittering singing
twirping birds start, 






while in the west the pale moon
wains with a skew smile waving bye bye -

Wakey Wakey, everyone........................
another day has begun as dogs starts growling,
cats start scratching carpets, looking for food and attention

Good Morning Monday

FALLACY: THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ..........................................

"Mormor", my mother's late mother, used to tell us grandchildren how "we will never be given more than we can handle and that there is always someone worse off than you?" 

She emphasised the point by saying that if a whole town full of people packed up all their worries, each put them in to a bag; then went to the town square to put them down and were given the opportunity to pick up someone else's bag before leaving, then every single person would land up picking up their own bag again and quietly going home. 

I was reminded of this after the bombing of the Boston Marathon last week and then the explosion at the fertiliser plant in Texas just days later.

In contrast I'll quite happily deal with our crime rate, the rising costs of living, the bus strike, Pikitup go-slow, constant petrol increases and looming E-toll.

It's so easy to get bogged down in our daily dramas. So I'm personally making a renewed effort to be a little less pessimistic  rather than worrying if the glass is half full or half empty. I am going to consider that if it's half empty it just means there more room for me to top it up with a good Shiraz. 

Cheers everyone, may you all have an incredible week. Stay safe

I am away for a couple of days on a girlie road trip, so do not fret if you don't see me around. 

Lots of Love

Marianne

THE MEXICAN FISHERMAN - INSPIRATIONAL

The Mexican Fisherman

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist
complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and
asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the
American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his
needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta
with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my
friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I
have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help
you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell
the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger
boat."

And after that?" asked the Mexican.

With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second
one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of
trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then
negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your
own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico
City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct
your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my Friend, That's when it gets really interesting,"
answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big,
you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the
coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a
siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying
your friends."

And the moral is:

 Know where you're going in life...you may already be there.

TIME FOR A BLOG, TIME FOR A BLOG ............... WELL VERY OVERDUE, FOR SURE..........

I cannot believe how long ago it is that I tried to string more than 2 words together, never mind try to write a blog. When I think how often I used to sit and pour my heart out to you all, with probably mundane things that had happened or I thought some of you might find interesting.

somehow, the need, the absolute necessity to share every minute of my day and every thought I have with people who I have never met and might never meet in person, seems to have eluded me totally. 

What used to be the highlight of my day, to peep in and see what all had been up to, no longer seems necessary. You are all still in my thoughts, though and I miss you all dearly. 

My friends here say I have become a recluse, I don't go anywhere, see anyone, I hardly leave the house, except for when Russell absolutely refuse to go out to the shops again or he personally drags me of somewhere. If I have to go out, I rush and am back in safety within an hour.

I decline invitations, was invited out last week, found an excuse, Russell was fishing, too far, could not drive alone after dark etc. Yesterday was Paul's memorial. I had all the intentions of going, but got so busy in the office with orders and quotes that the time passed.I doubt I have stopped crying since last week. It is all so senseless.

On a happier  note we did collect over R2600.00 to the feed the giraffe fund, so that was nice news, I have also received pledges from local businesses. 

Today we are invited for lunch at The Danish Society, the Danish Boys Choir is visiting  SA and we have all been invited to go. After lunch will be Bingo. Only R 150.00 for the lunch , the small concert and R30.00 per bingo plate. I am sure it would be a fun event and see all the fellow Danes and catch up. I simply cannot face it. Monday Nite the Choir is singing in the Nazarene Hall at Pretoria and Jensen Safaris, Holger Krogsgaard has sent us an email inviting us to the performance and a buffet at his guest house afterwards. It is too late at night, a week night, too far .............

You get the picture? I sit at the pc all day, combing through Facebook, posting pictures, taking part in debates on the groups I am a member of eg Save the Rhino and The Rhino Fund etc

I am behind with my filing yet again and have to get the creditors up to date, have to do vat return next week. Also have to go back to SARS need to change my surname as they don't seem to be able to understand that Mrs Taylor is the same person as Ms Klint and merge the two. For heavens sake, give them the tax  number and the id number , can they not merge it, no, have to take certified copies of marriage certificate and id and proof of residence and more, hope that will now solve problem. 

It is raining and cold, matching my mood, though I did smile this morning as little Vinkie flitted over my head at 7am shouting for his feed to be put in the bowl by the aviary  Cannot believe it is nearly 4 years now. July 2009 we found the little weaver fledgling and hand raised him. He stayed in a cage in the office for 4 months, then into the aviary, then got ringed and documented and set free. Every morning he meets me at aviary for his feed and then go back to the big tree on the border of the neighbour where he has his wives and nests. He is our biggest success story. 

In the middle of writing this blog, we had an emergency


LOST IN FAIRLANDS, CROSS-BRED FLUFFY PERSIAN FEMALE, SPAYED, 3 ½ YEARS, HAS MICRO-CHIP
WEARS COLLAR WITH BELL
REWARD OFFERED
PHONE MARIANNE 0825527170
RUSSELL 0823358457

All of Saturday afternoon and night and Sunday morning spent searching, then made posters and handed them out all over. I had given up hope and started sobbing uncontrollable as a little child, sure I would never ever see or hold my darling again. 

I had given a flyer to our local Beagle Watch Security and that paid off, about 20 minutes later he marched up to the gate with 3 young men who had spotted Mouse in the bushes and after being shown the picture remembered and went and found her. She was hot, dirty and smelly, I think she drank a whole litre of water out the tap, as she prefers, when safely inside the bathroom. Never have I felt such a hot little body before. I was concerned she might have a fever, but after cooling her with wet towels and getting her fed, she felt better. Her and I slept on the bed all afternoon, curled up together. What a fright. Poor hubby is now bankrupt as there was big claims on the reward money. 

Now before I get fired as assistant admin and friend, I better move my butt over to Picture This and do my rounds and post my entry for the week. 

Maybe should try out Daily Prompt to keep in contact more. Big apologies. Much Love to all. 

Time to say Goodbye ..................

and yesterday we said goodbye , auf widersehen,bis spater,  totsiens, farvel, til vi ses igen, adeus,  Hamba Kahle to Paul Schulte from Heia Safari Ranch







via David's blog
Farewell to Paul Schulte

A TRIBUTE TO THE "GIRAFFE" MAN - HE BROUGHT JOY TO SO MANY OF US..............

On Wednesday a dear man, was murdered. I would have been honoured to be able to call him a friend, but to Paul I was probably just one of many people who loved his giraffes and got in his way. I doubt if he even knew my name, though he knew my face and knew here comes trouble when I arrive with tourists, friends or family in tow.

 He was always kind to me, but being a busy man on the run constantly with his giraffe, zebra, impala, springbok, wildebeest and running the farm and making sure the lawns were watered, the pumps at the dam working and a million other things. 

The only time I ever saw Paul sitting still was one morning I popped out with Michelle and he was having breakfast in the office. He looked at me, smiled and just told me to take the feed in the back of his bakkie and watch out for those people in for the convention "and don't get trampled" and he winked. I am totally convinced that the minute Paul stopped breathing he was at Heaven's door where all the animals and old friends and family was waiting for him with open arms and Our Lord, said " a bit early, but do come in" Rest in peace Paul, you will be sorely missed. 

We are all still in shock, but in the meantime, I am sharing his friend David's  tribute.

 I have organised a fund raiser in  leu of flowers , see bottom of page, this page is linked to my Facebook page and to Heia Safari's page as overseas visitors have expressed a wish to donate via PayPal, that I am trying to set up as a Donation Button. 

A tribute to Paul Schulte.

By David Batzofin

http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/04/an-invitation-to-celebrate-life-of-paul.html

RIP
Paul Schulte

1956-2013
Another senseless Muldersdrift murder victim!

Wednesday, 03/04/13
This morning the sunrise at Heia will seem less bright...


The current Highveld storm that is raging seems to be a fitting way
to commemorate the life of Paul who died last night (02/04/13)


The animals on the property seemed to know that all was not well
The giraffe were Paul's favourites.


A family gathering at the fire-pit on the shores of Lake Heritage a few months ago.
This group included his children and grandchild.
Paul is in the background with the giraffe.


Although Franz Richter built this dam, it was Paul's dedication and hard work that turned this into a second legacy.
Perhaps we can name the bridge in his honour?


This was another of Paul's "projects"
This bar and sun-downer spot sits on top of what was just a wall a few years ago.
His passion for the property led to many changes that made a great venue even more special.


Paul should have been known as the 'Giraffe Whisperer'
This baby was only 24 hours old, but Paul was able to interact with it in mom's presence


This was the relationship that he enjoyed...
Although the constant attention of such a large animal could be a problem occasionally.

"The Ship"
Bishop Brent
(1862-1926)

What is dying?
I am standing on the seashore
a ship sails on the morning breeze
And starts for the ocean.
She is an object of beauty
And I stand watching her
Till at last she fades
On the horizon
And someone at my side says:
"She is gone".
Gone! Where?
Gone from my sight-that is all.
She is just as large in the mast, hull and spars
As she was when I saw her
And just as able to bear her load of living freight to its destination.
The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me
Not in her,
And just at the moment when someone at my side says,
"She is gone",
There are others, who are watching her coming,
And other voices take up a glad shout
" There she comes!"
-And that is dying.


The Impala rams would follow Paul's vehicle waiting for food.
And if none was forthcoming, they could become insistent...


Paul particularly liked this image.
In the beginning he was critical of my Blog pictures.
As a result, it made me strive to make each posting better than before.
His input was something I came to value.


He and I often laughed about this herd.
Paul was able to get up close,
while they chased me on more than one occasion.


The sky over Heia will never be the same...


Even the zebra seem to be looking for him...


This fountain is in the graveyard that Paul recently upgraded.
The graves here are those of his ex in-laws...


This was the last image that Paul and I laughed about.
It was taken on Monday, 1/04/13.
I was not to know that this would be the last time I would see Paul alive.


Sunset over Lake Heritage...
my favourite spot...


The threatening sky over Heia
waiting to release yet another shower.

Like the Zebra, this is one of the iconic Heia images...
Paul's bakkie(pickup truck) and at least one of the giraffes


This is one of my favourite images of Paul...
The moment he heard the shutter click he turned to me and said...
"I know that this will end up on a Blog"
And it did...
Paul, you played a bigger road in my life than you knew.
Thanks for all the feedback and the friendship.
You and your bakkie will be sadly missed.
To the family members, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Let us hope that this will be the catalyst that puts an end to some of the senseless killings
This is an area that is known as "The Cradle of Humankind"...
let it not become "The Grave of Humankind'.


Next week there will be a celebration of  Paul's life:
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/04/an-invitation-to-celebrate-life-of-paul.html

With the permission of Heia Safari Ranch, the help of Equi-Feeds Randjiesfontein Branch, Genevieve Meyer and Isabel Smuts, I am hereby sending out an appeal for funds, in leu of flowers, in the memory of Paul Schulte, for feeds to Heia Safari Ranch for his beloved animals.

as per Genevieve, Equi-Feeds are kick-starting off the project with a large round bale of Erasgostis, value of R 340.00 and 3 bags of Game Cubes @ R 165.60 per bag.

Any amount, big or small will be welcome, please do your donations with reference: Heia Safari - Paul to

Standard Bank
Paarl Branch
Afresh Vention
Acc No: 278 226 779

Equi-Feed will deliver the feeds direct to Heia Safari Ranch.

Please share on your Facebook page and with all the friends , you know who also love Heia Safari Ranch and as a tribute to Paul, who did so much for the animals there and brought pleasure and joy to so many people by sharing his love and dedication with the visitors to the ranch.

If anyone has any questions or concerns you can contact me on 011 678 7161 or contact Genevieve at Equi-Feed on 011 238 7976

Let us send hundreds of trucks for a huge Giraffe Party in Paul's honour.

 — at Heia Safari Ranch

Love and Kind Regards to all - Marianne Klint Taylor