You promised that you were back, Sjarlene, I hear you say. And then you no sooner started back, or you skipped a week again. Oh, my. Guys. I have had challenges. Very big ones. The past came knocking and would not go away, so I had to open the door and deal with issues I had hoped were behind me. The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. So, I did. Maybe things can get better again. But you know the thing about dealing with stuff. It attracts other stuff. And so, this past week had extreme highs, and desperate lows. I am only left with the elephants\u2019 left rump and his tail. One bite at a time.<\/p>\n
Funny thing is, just when you think your problems are bigger that anyone else\u2019s something comes along to remind you that actually it is not all bad. Three years ago, Domino had his cheese moved in a big way. He was uprooted from his home in Pretoria, stuffed in a box, and driven across country. Only to arrive at his first temporary home in Botrivier \u2013 you know the one he returned to on foot five times, once we had moved to that most beautiful farm. The September floods then washed us all the way to Onrus, and Domino had to go to Somerset West to live with his Human Brother and Truffle. But a promise is a promise, and we promised Domino that he will one day be a \u201cSee Katjie,\u201d which directly translates into a \u201cSea Cat,\u201d with the actual translation being an Octopus. Now, Domino is five legs short of being an octopus, but he is completely enjoying being a Sea Cat.<\/p>\n
Having learnt our lesson with Domino, we kept him home bound for a full month. Which, it turns out was not difficult. Domino does not like strangers, and with so many work men around, he was happy to crawl into a corner and only peak out at mealtimes. Finally, the day came where Domino could taste freedom. At first, he was a little hesitant to move beyond the front door. It did not last long. We now open his special Baboon proof window and off he goes. You just see a little black and white thing bopping up the mountain, chasing after heaven alone knows what. He also met up with his latest nemesis, which is black with white paws and answers to the name: Socks. Socks was so happy to have real cat company, that he would wait for Domino to come out to play. Domino is determined not to get mixed up with the locals. I was asked by a friend a few weekends ago: have you met any of the Betty\u2019s Bay ladies yet? Apparently, they can be quite interferesome (Yes! I know it is not a real word, but it works for me.) Well, I have not met any of the Fearsome Interferesomes yet, but, remember we have ample experience of the By-the-Bys. (That is some organization that takes Betty\u2019s Bay conservation very seriously and would remind us right in the beginning when we started building that by-the-by the by-law of 1653, paragraph 234.9.) B) states that whatever may not happen. Fortunately, they have moved on from us. They now have bigger fish to fry a few blocks down the road where someone else is now transgressing the by-the-by-laws on 1658.<\/p>\n
While Domino was finding his three feet, Colin and I had to get our minds around the roof, and whether it would blow away or not. We have had some serious wind here. One morning, somewhere between 02H00 and the rest of the night \u2013 you know those hours where all your problems are amplified and keep you awake, I lay in bed listening to the wind. It was hectic. I know you are not sleeping either, Colin, I said. Let us walk through the house and see if the roof is holding. So, we get up, and we start our inspection. The house is as quiet as can be inside. Not a hint of wind. Then! I hear a creak. Colin, the roof just creaked. It is supposed to, Colin says. How do you know. Colin was wise at this point. He could have said seven years of study and 40 years of experience have taught me that. But Colin is a wise man and knows not to give me answers like that. We finally went to bed. Colin. There is something at the window, I say. Maybe it is a bit of roof that has blown off. So, out the bed we get again. A short argument over where we left the torch ensued before we finally got to the window to see what was outside. The object was black, wet, and windswept, with white paws. Still patiently waiting for his new friend to come out and play.<\/p>\n
As I am sitting here typing this, I am listening to the hooting of \u201cour\u201d owl on \u201cour\u201d mountain. We can hear him, but have not seen him, so have no idea what colour he may be. I do not mind. Hearing him is enough. Owls are supposed to be wise. Perhaps he is reminding me that the past does not go away simply because you ignore it. Sometimes one must deal with it. Even if they are unwelcome interferesome neighbours with white paws.<\/p>\n
And now, I have to get back to my elephant. One bite at a time.<\/p>\n
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