Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Not Quite According to Plan!



Well, I have to say that I'm glad the holiday is over this year! It didn't go at all as I planned it unfortunately. My daughter-in-law was taken into hospital on Christmas Eve with pre-eclampsia and is still there, though she is hoping to go home later this evening. Consequently both she and Neil spent the whole of Christmas in the hospital. Kaitlyn has been ill with a virus infection, Stephen, plus Hannah's brothers and dad have all had a sickness bug over Christmas and Bilbo Baggins tore his dew claw and had to have it removed on the 22nd,so has spent Christmas wearing the 'lampshade' to stop him licking the wound. So there has been a considerable amount of worry and fed-upness all round I'm afraid.
Still, there is a general improvement now and hopefully we can have a family get together on New Year's Eve instead.
On the present front I did really well, got lots of books,Cds and DVDs along with a new printer, as my old one went caput a couple of weeks ago.

I shall leave on a cheerful note with a photo of Bourke's Luck Potholes taken when I was in South Africa in December 2005 - Steve and Hannah were living in South Africa at the time and I had a couple of fantastic trips out there. The pot holes are in Blyde River Canyon in the Drakensberg Mountains - it's a really stunning area to visit.

And this is me and my friend in a wildlife rehabilitation centre, unfortunately this particular vulture was too badly injured to be released back into the wild again so he lives there permanently now. It was really fantastic to have this bird perched on my arm - they have a bad reputation but are actually a vital part of the scheme of things as by scavenging corpses to the bone they prevent the spread of disease. There are many different kinds too, who all take their turn in a particular order as they are designed to deal with different parts of the dead body. The man who runs this cente gave us a fascinating talk about them which completely altered my view of them.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope your DIL is better and able to come home. It's a shame so many people were ill over your Christmas holiday. And poor Bilbo Baggins! He just looks so sad. My cat had to wear one of those things and he didn't like it one little bit!

The photo fo the Potholes is fantastic! As is the one of you with a vulture!!

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Oh dear, Rowan! I hope your daughter recovers well, and you are all fit and well for the New Year.

Anonymous said...

My goodness Rowan, certainly not the kind of excitement you would have wanted for Christmas.
I hope everyone is on the mend and that your DIL is okay?
I'm sending you Best wishes for 2007 and hope it starts on a more positive note for all of you.
Including poor old Bilbo..!.

rel said...

Rowan,
I wouldn't wish that scenario on anyone. I'm glad the situation is righting itself and do hope you can salvaage a family celebration for the New Year. For us New Years has always been our least celebrated holiday.
You photos are delicious and the vulture agrees with me I think! ;-)
rel

Anonymous said...

Hope everyone is much better now Rowan. No wonder you`re glad it`s all over. Poor Bilbo Baggins. He doesn`t look too happy! Amazing pictures of when you were in Africa!
May the New Year bring you wonderful things and many blessings.

tea
xo

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Sorry Rowan, I said 'daughter' and should have said DIL. (I was very tired last night!). Hope all is well. My DIL is almost ready to give birth to her second. ETA is 7.1.07 and we will be looking after Daniel when she goes in.

Anonymous said...

Hi I came via plainandsimple's blog. Sorry to hear you've had some sickness this Christmas. Hugs to your poor doggy too. I hope your DIL is better soon too, that must have been worrying. We've had some family sickness too, it's a bad time to be sick. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Yes, sometime things don't go as plan.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much Rown for that tea pot info! It`s nice to have an idea where it came from :)
All the very very best to you in the new year!

tea
xo

Naturegirl said...

OHHH.. that dreaded {{lampshade!}} I do remember when my furry friends had to wear it!
The canyon photo is amazing!
Wishing good health and much happiness to you and all your loved ones!
hugs NG

Anonymous said...

Hoping you and Bilbo have a better 2007!
That bird must have been heavy!!!!
Take care and Happy New Year to you all.
xo

I need orange said...

Oh dear! Hardly a relaxing time!

When I was pregnant, they kept threatening me with pre-eclampsia (threatening that I would get it if I wasn't good....). Sigh!

I spent two hours Thanksgiving morning at the vet with a dog with a UTI.... We came home with no lampshade, but sheesh!

Hoping that your new year starts on a much calmer note!

ps -- I love your wreaths!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, what a trying Christmas you have had after all your lovely preparations, I do hope that New Year is better for you. Still enjoy your books and dvds.