WISH YOU WERE HERE

I'm exhausted, and I really aught to get to bed, but I know if I don't take the time to write, these moments will rush by and I'll have forgotten so much of the little details I wished to retain. As it is, I'm starting to lose track of days, let alone small details, from one day to the next.

So no, I don't want to write, I need to write, in order not to forget.

Yesterday morning, after it had rained all night long, I awoke to 'home' - the misty, cool Midlands had come to embrace me up here in this dry, hot Gauteng landscape.

Sure, later the day turned unbearably hot, and so too today, but as I sit and write this I feel the cool night breeze blowing in, and when I close my eyes, I'm right where I belong.

Then while picking lemons for cooking, I had a moment right there and then.

I need this, I need more of this in my life.

No, I'm not saying I want to become a farmer, I'm just saying that it's amazing to be able to walk into the garden and simply pick the fruit and vegetables I need.

I'd much rather be doing this, than walking at the green grocer or hypermarket, searching through racks for my food and ingredients.

Speaking of shops, what a strange incident I had today! As I was walking out the door, a random man greeted me and said,

"Jy is baie mooi. Ruth, jou naam is Ruth?"

It may seem just odd, especially considering that he could have no idea, since I've never seen him before in my life. Yet it was more significant than anyone can fully understand - just in a too intimate and private nature for me to even bother to explain.

And then this afternoon, a lady took me one side and said sincerely, 

"We all know what you have been doing... from all of us as a family, we just want to say, thank you."

Also, I've been invited to spend my Christmas Day in Boksburg this year. 

Not with family, since that's happening the night before, but with a lifelong friend and her family and friends instead.

I've seen pictures of the tree and it's something magical, I can just imagine the feast she'll no doubt serve, too.

Oh, and I had a special delivery this afternoon - my second Consol order.

In the spirit of growth the other day, I decided to buy some more items I needed.

Nothing special, but all with future projects in mind.

Firstly I got more preservation jars - they are insanely handy and I'm constantly running out of them in the kitchen, now that I'm lacto-fermenting.

Secondly, four little 200ml dip jars - I'm itching to make liver pate as well as basil pesto, and I think these will work splendidly for the job. 

And last but not least, two flip top bottles.

I tried ginger beer, twice, and both times were a flop. 

Then I learned that in order for it to ferment, it needs pressure, and that's why it MUST be made in these bottles with the flip tops and seal in the lid - because regular bottles and jars just won't do.

Was not sure which I would prefer, the hobnail or the blocked one, so I got one of each, and depending on my experience, I'll look into getting more of the one I prefer, later on.

Alright, I'm probably missing a lot of other little things that fell by the wayside, but at least I have these six significant moments captured now. 

Goodnight, sleep tight... I hope we meet up very soon, even if, only in my dreams.

WORDS: rhodenel©10DEC2024 

PHOTOGRAPHY: rhoderuth©2024; sonjaswanepoel©DEC2024