I was travelling this week and heard this mother screaming and shouting at her child – and that in front of other people. My heart cringed for this child…He was a child no more--  in his teens.  No matter could have been so terrible and evil that the child had to endure this humiliation and belittling in front of others…….and she just carried on an on….bringing up matters totally unrelated to the matter on hand…she was revenging all her cropped anger at this poor human being-and the child had nowhere to run. I could only sit and watch…it made me so sad and my tic tok brain wandered to the lyrics of  Sugarman ….Won’t ya hurry coz I’m tired of these scenes…an urgency to escape the pains and conflict….

Tonight I feel so very humble but at the same time happy. As any normal human being, we all need reassurance that we  belong  somewhere.  For me this was a very big adjustment when we moved country and continent ….Everything was new and on top of that I moved to be with my husband who was working in Northern Ireland at that stage….I can speak English, but never understood  when someone addressed me in the little village where we stayed….they were all so friendly and welcoming, but alas the language barrier was a problem for me.

My mother use to do a lot of sewing for us children, the neighbours and the church ladies. She was a master with a needle and thread. Her old Singer was huge and had a treadle at the bottom which use to go backwards and forwards and then in the early 60’s my dad bought her an electric Singer, which became part of our household.

As I mentioned before, I love all colours, but today these browns/maroon/yellow patterns were again just so amazing…reminded me that I am entering my personal autumn years.

 By being devoted raking these leaves each morning, no matter what the weather, I feel liberated and feel some self-respect for myself for being so devoted.

1.      The decking stays clean

2.       The grass gets the full sun it needs

3.       I get some exercise and fresh air

4.      It keeps the yard ‘tidy’– see there, 4 birds with one stone.

We need to smile to bring comfort and pleasure to those around us. Smiles are contagious they can make your outlook change. This is the complete picture of the x-stitch - done my my arty sister CLARISSA RUDD from Jeffreys bay.

So according to all these cards, I should be a very rich lady, not paying for many things with all the rewards so graciously bestowed on me.

The same principle above applies to crafters. What a soul fulfilment and enjoyment to lie in a bed – all home made, under covers made by your own hands, pillows crafted with love and attention, decorations on the walls made to detail and –again with passion. The love of creating. The love of creating something out of nothing and then to sit back and give praise for hands that are able to make these things and a mind to be so creative to put the ideas into practise!