stones from sea shore

Happy Equinox to all in the southern & northern hemisphere. Another tilting. Does order emerge from chaos? I like to think so … it’s how the pendulum swings. Spring looked as if she had sprung but all of a sudden the weather in South Africa is wild. Freezing temperatures, snow all over, many trapped on the N3 highway, linking Johannesburg to Durban. Many are/were travelling because it’s a public holiday on Tuesday so a long weekend was planned. Extraordinary how ‘the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry’. (Robert Burns)

All is well in this neck of the woods. The wind is howling, it’s chilly. Yesterday, my husband & I went to the Robberg Nature Reserve and climbed some of it. Madness, it’s not a walk in the park. I always forget that my balance is NOT GOOD, so it was an achievement to do it. And in that beauty. The photo below was on a boardwalk, otherwise it was rock hopping and climbing. Old hiking boots served me well. As did my husband’s walking stick.

We watched a whale and her calf from various points on the Robberg. So many tourists, lovely to see, ooh-ing and aah-ing. Afterwards, we had a late lunch on the verandah of a fish restaurant. Saw a woman put on jersey after jersey, sweater after sweater, then her husband’s fleece jacket.

For quite a long while, we’ve had our home on the market. It’s a large home on a large-ish property. I’ve never been keen to sell. But I suppose it’s ‘sensible’ to consider a smaller home, looking long-term, with less stairs to climb. I’m very happy that we’ve decided to take our home OFF the market. The other day, my husband said to me, do you REALLY want to take our home off the market. Yes, I said, I really do. He came back from golf that day and said he’s phoned the agent. I think he must have had a particularly good game of golf in spite of the weather. I feel a weight lifted. My study with all my books and precious artefacts and the view of the lagoon, sea and mountains has no price. I feel more balanced now that this decision has finally been taken.

Day lilies in the garden that display so beautifully when the sun is out. A little droopy from the rain. And a vyjtjie from the outside pavement. Afrikaans word … pronounced faykey. Indigenous.

A sunrise the other morning over the mountains. These days the sun rises over the sea. Or, I suppose to be more accurate and scientific, the earth’s axis has changed.

I gave a talk on ‘Aging’ to a small group of women a few weeks ago. I will be giving another next month to a different group. This aging story never grows old.

May this moment of the equinox of equal day and night give cause for pause as we re-calibrate. All is so uncertain in the world.

I love this song from thekiffness – ‘Three Little Birds’, a Bob Marley cover https://fb.watch/uKDq_WAYvs/ – every time it’s watched and viewed, royalties go to Ryland’s gofundme for his hospital care.

Thank you for reading. I hope this finds you well and in good spirits.

36 Comments on Equinox ~ A Balancing Act

  1. Hi Susan, A little delayed response since we have been away camping. Comforting words…order from chaos. We always bring hiking poles with us also since many hills, roots to trip over – speaking from experience. The view behind you and your hiking pole is over the top, gorgeous! Fish restaurant – our favourite type of food.

    My husband and I have also had the ‘house’ conversation – we have 4 flights of stairs – long story short: one of the reasons we are doing okay is because of up keep and stairs…and a great deal of luck!

    I enjoy seeing the Indigenous plants you share here. Fascinating.

    If you have notes on your ‘Aging’ talk, Susan, I would love to read them. Even in a personal email, if you are up to sharing. I am a huge believer of women supporting each other and I always learn something new.

    I made a point of bookmarking your post for when I could read it. I am glad I did!

    You may see a few updates of photos on my Instagram page in the next while. We just returned home from a wonderful retreat – just my husband and I.

    Thank you for sharing, you, as always, Susan.❤️ (Just listened to 3 little birds and shared on my facebook – warms my heart❤️)

    • So pleased to see you here Erica, thanks for coming by. (I’ve just lost a response to you that I was in process of doing …) Great that your retreat was wonderful – re-treat; retreat into something deeper, treat/s for the soul …
      In Feb 2014 I posted on my blog that Susan & I were going to be participating in the April A to Z Blog Challenge. IF you can access that, you may have a peek I guess. The topic was Aging & Becoming – from A to Z. This would be for the month of April. 2014. The February post was just a teaser ..
      Isn’t Rylan’s three little birds just toooooo dear. Good for passing it on – every view goes towards his gofundme that David set up.
      I agree re stairs – good for health (so far!) Up and down, down and up – …
      I can’t do an emoji on my computer but I am sending love your way! 🙂

  2. The weather took a nosedive here and we’re suddenly into the cold and rainy part of autumn. Also, this aging story never grows old. Truer words were never spoken. I think you know more than you need to know about my struggles with hearing and balance.

    I just spent months working with someone to redesign my website and give it a much uplift and trim. I empathize with your struggles with the house, but my two sons and I decided this past winter that the house will be inherited by the son who lives nearby (that decision took a lawyer and lots of sorting out). My sons are both attached to the land where they grew up, so we needed to make sure everyone felt good about this and the agreement was equitable. Now I can stay here and not concern myself about where I need to go next. I take a long walk every day with my dog and my trusted trekking pole. With greetings from the part of the earth where the days grow shorter and colder. Bffff…

    • So happy you came by Elaine thank you 🙂 Too true, this aging story never grows old.

      That’s wonderful that you’ve reached an agreeable resolution about the land and your house, loved so much by you, Vic and your sons. Home means so much in so many ways. The land it was built on, with love and attention. So much put into it. Care for the land, the trees, Vic’s cairn, the history including the dogs who delight in it. Willow’s history too. The changing seasons and seeing nature show herself. As we do too as we age, perhaps with a keener eye, more appreciation and gratitude in spite of the difficulties we experience on many levels. Witnessing Monarchs emerge from their chrysalis, alighting for a moment or so before they begin their extraordinary journey south. It’s a wonderful analogy of our own lives. Having a trekking pole assists with balance.

      The weather here in my neck of the woods is capricious to say the least. It’s taking it’s time about warming up ..

      From south to north, warm greetings to you Elaine.

      • Two trekking poles came with my cross country skies and I’ve mostly used them with snowshoes, but times change and now I’m using them for walking the trails. It’s naive to be surprised by this when I have Meniere’s Disease. Sending love to you in South Africa with balance and strength.

  4. Hello sis..I loved reading your post, I always do! Well done on the Robberg walk! I wonder whether I’ll ever do it again…the experience and views are remarkable. As always, your garden shows up very colourfully. Sending love..💕

    • Thanks for coming by sweet sis. Remember when we aced the WHOLE of Robberg, just you and me. I still want to do that before I leave my mortal coil. Keen? 🙂 xx

  6. Dear Susan from the south,

    Ostara (Mabon) Blessings! As always, much like Marian, it’s wonderful to hear your news Susan, no matter the day or date! I’m so pleased the decision to stay in your beautiful home has finally been made and you ‘stuck to your guns’, so to speak, and didn’t as many do, give in to the desires of others. As you say, you ab-soul-utely love it there! Indeed, such views are priceless, but more than that, there’s a deeper knowing isn’t there, within, when your soul knows it’s home. The Welsh word I’m looking for is ‘Hireath’.

    As I step on the Crone’s path, I too am realising the importance of sharing my experiences, through insights, words and wisdom with others. So it’s wonderful to hear that you’ve been doing so in small circles of like-minded souls. It’s true, the story of aging never gets old!

    Sending you much love and light across the ocean between us, Deborah from the north.

    • Happy Equinox Day Deborah! To you and Lin. Ostara, Mabon blessings. Yes, I do feel more centred now that this decision has been taken. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve vacillated, although I was not in favour! Thanks for articulating for me dear poet ‘… when the soul knows its home’. What a lovely Welsh word .. Hiraeth. It’s soft and whispery and gentle, like a quiet breath, inhaling, holding, exhaling –
      Yes, I sense I’m more comfortable with sharing – as in the story of aging that never grows old.
      Happy breezes of light air from the south to you in the north Deborah … with breaths of love alighting …

  7. Hi, Susan – Thank you for another thoughtful and thought-provoking post. Thank you also for sharing Ryland and your son’s song here. David is exceptionally talented both musically and in making a true difference.
    Wishing you all a wonderful new season ahead.

    • Thanks for coming by Donna! I love that Ryland song … everything’s gonna be alright.
      Happy Equinox Day – you’ll be experiencing the beautiful fall colours in upcoming months ..

  8. Hi Susan,

    I always enjoy reading your descriptions of life in your part of the world. I am glad you decided to keep your home.

    Did you know that your son (Kiffness) has been creating a pretty good sensation over the world, with his new song, “Eating the Cats ft. Donald Trump (Debate Remix)”? It is a good song, and really funny as well.

    This week, we had a good view of the “Harvest Moon”, as we call it. Big, pale orange and beautiful.

    • Hi Marilyn thanks for coming by! Do I know of the cats and dogs and pets? I know! It’s an earworm. And totally viral. My husband’s cousin who lives in New Zealand sent a video clip of it on NZ TV this very morning. It IS funny… incidentally, when there’s a ‘whiff’ of anything political as in mention or allusion to a political party or person, thekiffness takes no royalties and monies go directly to stated recipient.
      We also had a wonderful view of the harvest moon. That glowing orange …

  9. As always, Susan I enjoy your stories of your adventures and the flowers and the seashore. I used to like to hike often when I lived in SoCal, along the beach or up in the High Sierra, even when I lived in Florida I hiked sometimes, but don’t get much chance to do that here in Delaware. I miss it. But I love my home of 22 years with all its staircases (great exercise) and the room I’ve dedicated as library. I have no desire to sell it. I’m glad you decided not to sell yours — and that view, so spectacular. One of my mother’s first healthcare aides paid me a surprise visit this morning, up from where she lives in Fla. now. She has a good energy, so started my day off in harmony and balance. Thanks for this. Happy equinox.

    • Hi Carol, those stairs keep us agile, maybe out of necessity! I walked down to see a very unwell friend of mine the other day. Only as I go through her driveway gate do I remember that I have to walk up 49 steps to get to her house. In my car, I drive up, and up … on foot, up up and up one step at a time. Walking down is a pleasure! On this equinox day, we’re going to Nature’s Valley a half hour away from us. The tide will be low at 12.30. And then lunch at the farm stall. With wallet in hand – such a dinky place, amazing deli and delicious food. What a lovely visit from your mother’s aide … good energy which no doubt you passed back and forth. Thank you for coming by and Happy Equinox to you.xx

  10. You may have been a tad early, but it gives us time to think of our tilting world. I’m so happy your house is off the market, since that is important to you. We sold only one house, the one we lived in for 50 years. I’m not planning on selling this one. My children will do that when I’m gone.

    • I know your home has provided MANY years of warmth and comfort and friendly neighbours Anne, as well as visitors and walks. May this continue for many more years to come. Thank you for coming by 🙂

  11. Hi Susan, it is very cold here in Johannesburg too. I’m glad we weren’t traveling anywhere this weekend. It was quite cold the weekend we were away at the beginning of September. Your pictures are lovely. You can always get a stairlift.

    • I’ve heard that it is freezing up on the highveld. I remember one year there was snow in Johannesburg in October! Keep warm Robbie and thanks for coming by. Yes, a stairlift is a possibility –

  12. Hi My Dear,
    I relate very heavily to your post. Yes, I agree, the Equinox is a balancing act. I, too, thought about putting my house on sale. It is a big house for one person, and I do have problems sometime walking up and down the stairs, especially in my knees. But these stairs keep me fit and going especially in the winter, when it is difficult to go outside because of the rain, the freezing cold which wraps us here in snow and ice. So, I have decided not to sell my house but to stay here where I feel safe and protected by my God. I love my home. Making that decision has taken a burden off my shoulders and I have found my peace once again.
    Thank you for sharing this beautiful and honest article that I feel came from your heart
    All the best.
    Shalom shalom

    • Thanks Patricia – this makes me feel more confident about our long in coming decision. I’m glad that you made your decision based on love for your home and the protection you feel from your G.d and that the burden has been lifted. I wondered whether to note our decision in this blog post – I’m glad I did.
      Shalom to you.

  14. It’s good to hear from you, no matter the day, Susan.
    We’ve had scorching days and then more than two weeks of downpours, so I’m glad autumn is arriving for us in the northern hemisphere with more pleasant temperatures.

    I’m glad you and your husband both agree about whether or not to sell your property. For us, it was good to sell our house with a tri-level floor plan and exchange it for one with no stairs. 😀

    • Thanks Marian for coming by! I wish I could comment on your lovely engaging posts, but it is a song and dance with passwords. (Not a song and dance, more like unsuccessful cartwheels). I really must get this sorted.
      I keep track of US news and weather. Capricious, to put it kindly.
      Your photos of your lovely home and the river and ducks gliding by is always a feast for the eyes.

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