Stay Soft Queen

What would I not give to be a home maker for a month!  I know it sounds all but glamorous, but as a working woman, you never get to experience the joys and perils of running your own house. In fact, you are lucky if you get to spend time at all in your own house!

My sister, who lives in Canada, is a home maker and boy, has she perfected it! She runs that operation better than some countries are run! I call her the Sta-soft Queen. This name she acquired over skype. Everytime we talk, she has to excuse herself to go put in some Sta-soft in the washing machine.

City Lights or Roaring Lions?

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page."  St. Augustine

Our whole family enjoys to travel the world. It broadens your horizons and stirs something inside of you. Of course, if you refuse to try their food, ignore the customs or avoid the people, you might just as well stay home. New adventures give perspective to our ordinary lives.  It is more than just seeing the sights, it is a change that happens, deep and lasting in our daily living.

A Duchess of Note...

Don't get me wrong, I am NO Kate Middleton fan. I have NEVER come across anybody as boring as her, from her personality to her looks and wardrobe. Her make up makes her look ten years older - especially those raccoon eyes -  and her wedding looked like a boring middle class affair with no imagination, compared to the Monaco wedding shortly after, which - by the way - was the grandest most regal wedding I witnessed since Diana's.

Having said that, it struck me today that she possesses a quality that I can only admire and hope that I get there one day: Regardless of her personal goals and beliefs, she transformed herself to be an ambassador for her country

Lost Luggage Lunar System

A while ago I read a joke in a magazine, where they discovered that the ring around Saturn was really all the world's lost airline luggage! It might not be very scientific, but I am quite certain it is true!

As an avid traveller, I spend a lot of time in airports. It may be that I am bored or sleep deprived, but while waiting for my luggage to arrive on the conveyor belt, I ask myself a lot of questions, like: Who are the people whose suitcases come out firsts? In 30 years that has never happened to me. Statistically it should have, but it hasn't.

A Friendship forged by Food...

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” CS Lewis

My wasband and I were very different people. He loved being the life of the party, pleasing people, meeting new people, in short: he is a people's person. Me on the other hand, not quite so much. In fact, I have on many occasions considered buying an island off the coast of Italy, with only me and an Internet connection of course.

There's Just Some Things That Time Cannot Erase...

"Still Haunting me"
Annemie Odendaal - Charcoal

Once while visiting in Washington, I saw a park with statues for unknown fallen soldiers. It stirred something inside of me, not specifically because it was for soldiers, just because of the intense pain I felt when I saw it. It somehow echoed my own pain and loss. I came back home and immediately drew this sketch, to remind me of how moved I was by this incident.

Do you know how much pain you carry inside of you? Can you name it, or does it just drift around in a muddy sea of confusion and grief?

Botox or Detox?

That is the question. 

After years of denial, I am now also a heavily armed warrior, fighting the anti-ageing war. Just because your spirit stays young, doesn't mean that your body kept up. 

What I do know, is that the face in the mirror doesn't exactly resemble how I remember myself. Your body changes, but you don't change, and that, of course, causes great confusion.

A Woman of Great Importance

"Mourning" - 
Charcoal sketch, 
Annemie Odendaal

The most remarkable woman I ever knew, was my grandmother Anna. She was very wise and always gentle and kind. She never judged or spoke ill of anyone. I don't remember her talking much, but when she spoke, we listened.

Despite being a highly intelligent woman, she was content to be an exemplary, supportive wife and mother. 

Travel Spot: Makalai Game Lodge

Freezing! Unfortunately this is what I remember most about the weekend. Not the wonderful animal sightings, which we had, or the annoying guests, which there were, or the wonderful, spacious, romantic room with a fireplace and sightseeing deck. Just the cold...

Other than that, it was an enjoyable, unique adventure for us city-light creatures. No phones, no television, no radio (unless you count the incessant two-way radio chats between the rangers, which I suggested they syndicate out and sell as a full-time radio station), and no civilisation for miles!