Sloppy dressers

When did we become so sloppy in our dress?

When I was young, boys and men's trousers were tailor made to fit.

While I was waiting for someone outside a busy shopping center, I noticed how ugly the foot and leg wear of most Tableviewers are.
People's ankles have a wrinkly-neck appearance with the ugliest footwear to round it off.
Did this sloppiness happen because women are working and no longer have the time to shorten trouser legs?
Are the shops selling only clothes modeled on tall people? (Which means all normal size and short people looks untidy)?
Are people no longer fashion conscious?
Do people have an untidy consciousness?
Do we consider appearance to be unimportant?
Is untidiness sexy?

I don't know what the answer is, but next time you find yourself waiting for someone at a shopping center, just do an ankle study and you will see what I mean.
People no longer dress their ankles up.
It is as if we are not interested in anything below the knees.

My Christmas tree a Tumbleweed

2008

My Christmas tree is Tumbleweed.

When we were very little, back in the 50's and 60's, my father used to go to the bush and saw a branch from a pine tree for our Christmas tree.

Later he bought a tree (branch) from someone selling it at the road-side.

Later still whole baby trees were sold for Christmas.

I cannot remember when I saw the first plastic tree, but fake ones were never a consideration in our home - not until I went to England in the seventies.

It took some time to get used to white plastic trees also. Green ones looked more natural.

Since I was in control of choosing and decorating my own tree, after I got married, I never wanted a "dead" tree for Christmas.

"Killing a tree for Christmas was just not my thing.

I would buy a tree growing in a pot. It did not necessary have to be a pine tree. If I did not buy one specially, I would choose one from my collection of pot plants.

My hobby is to bonsai trees grown from seeds or baby trees found growing wild.

Sooner or later I allow them to grow up and they get planted out into my garden. If they are lucky they become my Christmas tree before being planted out.

This year I was pondering on which pot plant to use for a Christmas tree, when a tumbleweed came rolling down the road and landed at my feet.

It was as if it was begging me: "Choose me, please, please." "Let me be pretty before I go to the garbage can."

So this year my Christmas tree is tumbleweed.

"My Christmas tree a tumble weed" sounds like a good title for book.

Ladies turn

Today I do not have one political opinion in my head.
Ziltz!

• COPE IS COPING

• THE "ANC" IS "LOOK & SEE" what their next blocking move is going to be.

• The lady politicians are sitting on the sideline and waiting for the boys to kill themselves OR each other.

So everything is hunky dory in "The Days of Our Lives" in the live South African political soapy.

We are starting to get more Google hits than Mugabe.

Perhaps the girls should group together and form one strong united party with a strong name. They should have a good chance of winning the election as one team. A name like TOP should do it "The One Party"

Of wat praat ek alles.

Are we eating Africa?

It is a scorcher today, here in Cape Town.

When I suggested to my husband that the least the conservationists in the area could do was to put monitors on duty to keep people and dogs away from the Oystercatchers, that are in their breeding season, here on our beaches. His reply was: "Wat jy waar gaan kry? "(*1) He said that the conservationists are spread too thinly and the other workers would not work over the weekends.

Perhaps we should be grateful that this is Blaauwberg and not Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe those little Oystercatcher eggies and chicks would have looked very inviting on the breakfast frying pan, especially if the Oystercatcher was lying next to it. People would kill for such a feast. When one's own life is endangered by starvation; Who cares about the life of a bird?

Could you imaging what would happen if the resource mismanagement strategies from Zimbabwe has a domino effect in other African nations?

If the Armageddon and a global meltdown is not upon us, could you imagine a "heaven on earth" in first world countries with the balancing factor of "hell on earth" in Africa?

Could "Die geween en die kners van tande(*2)" that the Bible predicts, run concurrently with the "Heaven on earth" which is also mentioned in the same scripture?

If we eat, tread on, and build on everything that makes Africa unique, is it possible that Africa will in the, not so distant, future, become a cesspool of disease, crime and dust with no clean water or food?

Already the symbol of the "African lion" and "the wildlife paradise in Africa" is being replaced by the image of dying babies suckling from empty breasts with flies looking for a bit of moisture in their eyes and on their dry, cracking lips.

All African leaders should study what is happening in Zimbabwe and what was the turning point for this prosperous country, and then make sure it does not happen on their own turf.

One cannot blame the first world and past inhumanities any more. We need to look at recent history and blame ourselves. The first world countries poured multi-billions into Africa and created quite a number of billionaires, but how much of that money filtered down to the people it was intended for?

The African leaders have never been so rich and the people never so poor.

Even during the days of slavery, most people had food on the table and many more ate very well.

Translation: Afrikaans to English.

*¹(Wat jy waar kry? - where would they come from?)

*²(Geween en kners van tande - Weeping and grinding of the teeth)

Most people in South Africa are bilingual and mix expressions from two or three languages in one sentence. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new South African language. A rainbow nation lingo.

Father's Love Letter

I received this letter in a Christmas card.

Father's Love Letter

My Child...

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.-.. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.-.. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.-.. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.-.. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.. - Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. .-.Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.- ..Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.-..Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation..-. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.-.. Psalm 139:15-16

I deteimmed the exact time of your birth and where you would live.-..Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.-.. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.-.. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.-.. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me..-. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love..-. I John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you..-. I John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father...- I John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could..-. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father..-. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.-. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.-. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope..-.Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.-.. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.-.. Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.-.. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you..-. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession... Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul..-. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.- ..Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me..-. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. -..Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.-.. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine..-. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager... 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.-.. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.-.. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. .-.Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes..-. Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.-.. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus..-. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. .-.John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being... Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.-. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.-.. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.-.. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.-. I John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love..-. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.-.. I John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.. - Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen..-. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father..-. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is... Will you be my child?.-.. John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.-.. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad. Almighty God

Permission To Copy:

Please feel free to copy this text and share it with your friends as long as you do so free of charge

and you include the following copyright information.

Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999 www.FalhersLoveLetter.com

November Webcam watch November 2008

Live webcams of Table Mountain and Cape Town

Many of the Cape Town webcams are down this month.

This month’s best Table Mountain view

FROM MAC CLUB

http://www.milnertonaquaticclub.co.za/pages/knots.asp.

OTHER GOOD WEBCAMS

Greenpoint Stadium

http://6000.co.za/green-point-stadium-live-webcam-feeds/

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This website gives different views of Cape Town and Table Mountain, as well as the cable stations.

(http://www.kapstadt.de/livecam.htm)

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Previous White_Granny Posts:

• June 2008 (http://www.white_granny.iblog.co.za/2008/07/13/156607/)

• May 2008 (http://www.white_granny.iblog.co.za/2008/05/11/webcam-update-cape-town-rietvlei-table-mountain/)

• February 2008 (http://www.white_granny.iblog.co.za/2008/02/02/table-mountain-links/)

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Nature Webcams

• http://www.sanparks.org/webcams/

• http://www.tembe.co.za/webcam.htm

• http://www.taugamelodge.co.za/WebCams.asp

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Knysna, Victoria Bay

• http://www.tembe.co.za/webcam.htm

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Durbanville

• http://www.grapevine-cottage.co.za/webcam.php

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Live Webcams from the Net

• http://www.opentopia.com/hiddencam.php

Happy to keep our bokkie emblem

Shame! Die ou Springbokkie kyk so na sy maat vanaf die een skouer en die Protea van die ander.

The split of the Springbok emblem away from the Protea symbolizes what is happening in South Africa on all levels.
However splits can heal.
A different approach from government can heal that divide and unite South Africa (And the Springbok emblem) again.

This can even form part of an election speech. We are used to empty promises. It can win a few hopeful votes. (Or loose them) I mean, there are some South Africans who like to vomit on wildlife.

If we were under Zimbabwean rule, the Springbokkie would have been "poer" in his "happy glory".

read about the Bokke have Flower power

Why can things not stay the same?

29 October 2008

Why can things not stay the same for as long as we need it to be?

Here at the tip of Africa life changes far too quickly. Nothing is secure. Nothing is guaranteed for life. Not even our own lives. Chances are great that even our diamonds only last until it is stolen.

Life contracts and guarantees often run out before we do.

My Internet provider decided to focus on something else so this year I have to change our e-mail addresses. What a bother.

Our life long family membership at the gym was very short lived when "Health and Racket" stuffed up big time.

My Old Mutual pension turned out to be not even enough to cover my monthly birdseed expenses.

People adopt animals, just to dump them onto someone else when they emigrate or change residence. Companies go bankrupt daily and people become unemployed. Governments are unstable and that can change everything. Our computer and recording equipment become outdated before we do.

Why can't things remain the same so we can get on with living instead of replacing perfectly viable things or situations.

How can anyone plan for the future if global-warming experts and Bible-bashers keep on telling us that the end is near?

It seems that the only time we can expect any sense of permanence is when we are dead; or can we?

Nowadays our organs are transplanted after death. Even our cells may be cloned.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, it is probably St Peter showing us to our next temp job in the heavenly worlds.

Who is the fastest - A flower or a Springbok?

21-October 2008

The question is not whether the Springboks play under an emblem of an animal or a flower; it is the recognition that it was patriotism that kept the Springbok alive this long, and racism that is changing it to that of a flower.

Is it wise to change an emblem that brought fame to both the new and old South African governments?

It was unity that incorporated "Die Stem" into the national anthem. It will be cold racism that may seek to remove it.

If a few vomiting rugby players want to play under the banner of the flower, the proud Springbok emblem must be up for grabs.

Who wants a famous emblem for their team?

Daar kom die bokke, Daar kom die bokke ........

Daar groei die blomme. daar groei die blomme.

Bokke! Bokke! Bokke! Blomme! Blomme! Blomme!

Which team sounds the most impressive:

The Lions,

The All Blacks,

The Wallabies or

the Flowers?

Then again, we used to call the Hippies "flower children" and they were forever using the peace slogan.

Perhaps the South African rugby players can use the flower (peace emblem) as long as they do not play like a bunch of hippies.

What an morale destroyer!!!

Rotten apples no food for a nation Sunday

2008 October 19

My eyes caught the television screen. The sound was off so I noticed the imagery rather than listen to the words behind the film.

I watch the wedding preparations of a wealthy African couple. The glamour and glitz is something like from a fairy tail. It must have cost millions.

I do not know who got married, on this day, and I do not want to know.

A message came clear to me. Here is an African couple that can spend the amount of money, in a few hours, which could have been housing and feeding a whole township of homeless for more than a month. There must be rot in the apple of African society if the gap between rich and poor is so great.

Does the money that is being poured into Africa, to make poverty history, reaching the poor, or making them even poorer.

Does BEE empower the unemployed, or just creating a different, even bigger group of unemployed?

If I were that couple, whoever they are, I would not be proud of spending that much money, even for the biggest day of my life. One can go overboard if one considers the suffering of other.

Then again, if I turned the sound of the television set on, I may have felt different. However - the argument stands.

Experience stands aside for technology

We live in an age where the young and inexperienced is seen as the wise ones and those who have a lifetime of experience to draw from are written off as geriatric has-beens.

The ever-changing dependence of society on new technology, and a failure to make free technological training and education equally available to the old, as it is available to the young, may be to blame for this situation.

There is no supervision and guidance from elders in this world where young adolescents and children make decisions that change the fate of nations.

An example of this is the age of company directors, where people, with as little as one or two years of field experience, influence the decision-making processes. The youth controls the moral code behind the information technology, either on the Internet or television.

This happens especially when racial laws force a company to choose its employees by the grade of their color rather than their experience.

Many wars in developing countries are being are initiated by the youth.

Many older people, in countries where free computer training is not available, simply lag behind when old ways of communication falls away. In the absence of experience, financial reward becomes the only measure-stick for implementation of decisions and policies.

Recent examples are:

Poisonous substances added to baby foods and milk products to indirectly increase sales.

Decisions are made regarding the destruction of our natural heritage for a short-term financial reward. People cannot know what they are giving up if they do not have the experience, or wisdom to know what once was.

Violence influencing the youth can be directly linked to violent video games and television programs.

Popular soap operas are based on immorality, dishonesty and violence. People grow up to regard the sick fanatics of immature minds as the norm.

Perhaps it is time to recognize the need to empower mature citizens alongside the youth. The youth can teach old people how to use new technology so that they have a database of experience to tap into.

A fishing vessel may have all the weather reports and radar equipment on board to know when, how and where to bring in the biggest catch.

An experienced fisherman relies firstly on his five senses and uses electronics as a backup.

National eat a dead animal day

24-Sept 2008

With the changes happening in South Africa, there is a suggestion that “National Heritage day” be changed to “National Braai day” which is “Eat an animal day”.

We are celebrating the burning of animals that have previously been killed and chopped up prior to eating them.

It is a great day for celebrations because 99.85% of all Africans have evolved beyond cannibalism.

A staggering 20% of South Africans have evolved even further because they have by choice given up the barbaric practice of eating animal flesh.

Another 30% had to evolve to that stage due to the price of meat.

While killing of animals for pleasure, is still a widespread human indulgence here at the southern point of Africa; We no longer kill people with weapons of war and leaving them on the streets to rot.

I must go now, Hubby just called, my ^* “choppy” and “wors” is on the braai.

· ^* Choppy and wors = lamb chop and beef sausage (also called “boerewors”)

· ^* Braai = BBQ = a method of cooking meat outside on hot coals or on a portable gas cooker

Geriatric dilemma 23-09-2008

Geriatric dilemma 23-09-2008

One does not swap an old diamond for a new pearl.

At my age life is so short. It changes so quickly. One does not get an opportunity to appreciate the tools of modern comfort that passes one by, like the various electronic equipments, that goes out of fashion before we can figure out how to use all it's functions.

The diamond I refer to is my old computer.

Things like, flash drives (What is that?), blue tooth and I think there is a red eye somewhere on this electronic monster too baffles me. I read about it in the computer magazines, but I have not used them yet. This blue-toothed red-eyed monster is now also using an ipod, which, in my mind, is like a commode used by a sick person.

It is all too complicated for my geriatric mind to grasp. Unfortunately, upgrading is imminent. To utilize the latest features in both Google and Yahoo, I have to upgrade. Previously I remained contented with the older versions of the new applications, but now that my husband was forced to buy a new camera after his old one got stolen, I have to upgrade. His camera pulls it nose up to my geriatric electronic conglomerate.

Old people like to use things that work and provide the service they require. Young people like bigger and better.

I had this little windows 98 computer setup for since 1999. Together we anxiously watched the Y2 crash turning into a tjookie. Midnight 2000 came and gone and my computer, and everyone else’s, never blinked a screen.

When the memory got full, I added another 40g memory. When I needed to create web pages, I added windows 2000 professional to run concurrently with my Lotus. Every time when I updated my cameras, I gained more editing software.

I transferred and copied all my work from my 1997 computer, which had on it much older work. Work that was downloaded to a tape drive from my first Amstrad 64 (1985).

Since 1999 I fed this computer daily.

It is my photo album.

Will I get the same value for money in one package – Windows Vista on the cheapest laptop on the market?

My Old Faithful runs Office 2000 Professional, Lotus, Imaging and scanning software, a scanner, old cheap dot matrix printer, and the host of other uploads that makes my computer input enjoyable.

I love the ease of data manipulation in Lotus, which is the word processor I use for my drafts. I then transfer the data to office prior to posting it.

The two packages work together on my computer like twins.

I am like an old person clinging onto the old VCR instead of using the new home theater system.

I guess the reason why I do not have the much needed computer equipment is not so much because I do not have the money to get one, it is because I dread the change. I dread giving up my good old friend, my little small screen 98 slow computer.

I am used to surfing the net and knitting cardigans at the same time.

I am used to pop into the kitchen and make a cup of coffee while my photos download to Photobucket.

Should I swap this old diamond for a new pearl?

Can a new pearl shine like an old diamond?

Introduction and WEBCAMS of Cape Town

"Praat nie twak nie" (Afrikaans for "not talking nonsense") is intended to be a blog about things that other people did that I either like or admire. There are so my wonderful people and things to admire around the world

From where I sit here on the southern point of Africa, one can get the impression that Cape Town is the center of the world. Like the Sydney Opera-house, or the London Bridge, just our monument is real and not manmade.

Table Mountain is real, nature is real, but around us swirl so many people chasing after illusions.

Looking at Table Mountain gives me a sense of permanence.

Table Mountain is no longer the safe haven where one can go for a hike and feel safe and rejuvenated.

Criminals lurk behind the bushes here too.

Some people no longer risk going on a nature hike in Cape Town but from a distance, the mountain is beautiful and majestic.

One can sit in the comfort of some of one of our Milnerton to Big Bay beachfront restaurants and enjoy a nice meal, with a free view of Table Mountain, in comfort and safety.

Most of the time. Occasionally an armed hold-up may spoil your appetite, but that is so occasional, and only two friends of my friends died that way.

To kick the praatnie twak nie blog into action, here are a few links to webcams of Table Mountain.

The best Cape Town Webcams. You can not beat this site.


The foot of Table Mountain and other webcams


Rietvlei webcam (from The Milnerton Aquatic Club)


Webcam Compilation by White Granny