Lockdown 43

Lockdown Day 43 - 8 May 2020

Today my morning walk took me along a winding nature trail close to home. And except for two other people coming from the other direction I pretty much had the 'veld' to myself. The sky was filled with cloud feathers and all the colours just seemed to pop. I felt a 

familiar connection with something deeper, but couldn't put my finger on exactly where it came from. 

I also picked up a snow white feather on the path. It was really as if nature was tugging at my heart, telling me God is not going to stop showing us every day that He’s in control. We paused at the places where the path was overhung by trees. I sat Roxy down and took a few pretty pictures to remind me of that moment. The sun was playing through the branches, scattering the green path underneath with shiny dots of sunlight 

as we headed for home. 

In the Free State fleece clouds announce cold temperatures are imminent, together with a significant shift of the sun's winter trajectory. 

Before long the first walking hour will feel like the "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" (this is actually a title of a film from 1962), because it will only be the die hard walkers and runners out there. Apart from loving the cold, that is the second reason I love walking in cold temperatures; less people and traffic makes it easier to start the day more focused. 

Later, as the sun said its goodbyes and our braai fire was crackling, I tried my hand at computicket's online shows and quickly learned that a blonde should not try new technology on a Friday evening when she has a gin in one hand and the remote in the other. I am however pleased to say that I actually got it right in the end after first buying a ticket to the wrong online "stay-in" show before finding the right one!

Tapping my feet to all the familiar tunes I grew up with, triggered a childhood memory of the times we played in the bottom part of our garden where a stream ran through the Eucalyptus trees on its banks. 

I had forgotten about how it felt. The sounds of nature and the feeling of quiet while my feet sloshed through the cold water has always been something that inspired me to write a poem, sing a song or just talk to God. Then I realised this was the familiar feeling this morning I couldn't pinpoint. Looking anew at each day in a free, uncomplicated and fresh way. Leaving behind the debris of the previous day and choosing to embrace a new chance to try again. Looking forward to the next thing God will use to show us that He's got this.