Sorry for the late start, no internet at home this morning :bigcry: and a very busy day at work so far :mad:

Let's jump right in with this weeks first question.

What animal has the world's heaviest brain?

It is Monday and the start of another week. Hope your day is lovely and your week too :thumbs: :leaf:

(Drink maar gerus 'n koppie saam met hierdie een!)

“Come have a cup of my English tea,” lui die e-pos boodskap van Liz. Dadelik maak ek ‘n afspraak want haar English tea kom in ‘n klein teepotjie vir twee, met gemakstoele voor die kaggel en die telefoon, uitgetrek. Ons kuier dan maklik vir ‘n uur of wat oor kinders, die lewe en ruil beloftes van hoop uit.

Ek soek noudie dag ‘n mooi handgemaakte teemus by al wat kerkbasaar en tuisnywerheid op die dorp. Niks! Op langelaas gee iemand vir my haar geskenk-een in die hoop dat haar vriendin weer vir haar een sal maak. Mense maak nie meer tee in ‘n pot nie want ‘n sakkie per koppie is vinniger, sê hulle. Baie dankbaar is ek met teemus Europa toe. Maar híér sien ek, is die mooigeit van tee die verskeidenheid vrugte en kruietees in ‘n houer met vakkies. Tee word nie in ‘n pot gemaak nie. Dit word ook sommer net uit ‘n beker gedrink met die lepel so staan-staan vasgedruk met die duim. Vriendin Louise moet liewer nie hier kom kuier nie want tee wil sy nie uit ‘n beker drink nie. Maar ‘n spesiale beker tee, onthou ek, was wanneer Anlerie so met die groot, wit beker van die boonste woonstel af kom inloer het om gou te hoor hoe dit gaan en wat ek doen. Sy hou van tee met genoeg vars, volroommelk uit ‘n bottel, nie ‘n boks nie.

Ek en Doll gaan stap noudie Sondag. Soos gewoonlik stap sy nie verby mense nie - begin van ver af al groet en gesels en al die gepluk en gepor laat haar net meer vasbeslote vassteek. Oplaas word ons toe sommer by die wildvreemde Franse dame se huis ingenooi. By die voordeur in en deur die stikkende rookkolom, verby die swaarbelaaide rakke met boeke, tydskrifte en koerante, skuif-skuif verby die twee katte en mik verby die groot, steekhaar hond wat vriendelik sy stert waai, tot by die kombuistafel wat oor die agterplaas uitkyk. Eende en ganse raas agter die groot, gordynlose vensters met dowwe snoet-en pootkolle. Die vriendelike mevrou draai om Doll en bied vir my tee aan uit Ouma se beker wat nog warm is, word sommer so onder die kraan uitgespoel en ek kry soet-soet tee – een of ander Marrokaanse tee wat ek sweer ek nóóit weer sal drink nie, nie eers vir skok nie! En so hoor ons van die verlange na ‘n eie kindjie en die hartseer dat dit nooit kan wees nie. ‘n Paar minute later stap ons weer huistoe met ‘n belofte dat ons weer sal kom.

Dis so anders as tannie Joey se tee. Die eg Engelse dame, sonder kind of kraai, wat kamers aan studente verhuur het, en Jasper kon vriende nooi vir tee op ‘n Sondagmiddag. So is ek toe genooi vir tee in die ruim ou huis met sy roostuin aan die voorstoep kant. Pienk en wit rose het oral in die huis hul soet geur versprei – rose wat sy self soggens gepluk het. Tee is bedien op ‘n trollie met koppies en pierings, fyn koekvurkies en varsgebakte koek. Glo nie aan oukoek nie – bak elke dag vars. (Het menigmaal gewonder wat sy dan met al die koek gedoen het wat oorbly – Jasper het ook nie geweet nie.)

Man, die Ingelse het darem net ‘n flair vir teemaak. Koos van Zimbabwe kon altyd die lekkerste sterk tee maak in ‘n pot. Het ook net Five Roses gebruik en die melk moet eerste ingegooi word. By Guy het ek Earl Grey tee leer ken en maak nou nog vir myself ‘n lekker koppie tee by kerslig wanneer ek alleen is.

Ilse se tee maak ‘n kreatiewe draai uit die outydse mooi want elkeen se tee word in ‘n mooi koppie en piering geskink wat sy iewers raakgeloop het. Sy koop nie stelle nie, maar een van elk wat bydrae tot ‘n interessante kuier rondom die tee en daarmee saam, klein plaatkoekies met soet konfyt. Ek onthou nog toe Noritake teestelle gesprekke om die teepot gedomineer het en dan natuurlik, die blommige sjarme van Royal Albert wat nog steeds my hart steel. Cecilia het teelepeltjies bymekaar gemaak met hul reise na verskillende lande en dit was altyd groot pret om “tee te drink uit Holland” met ‘n klein blou, delft klompie op die teelepel.

Rooibostee.
Ons vlieg altyd ‘n voorraad saam uit Suid-Afrika en gaste vind die bossietee heerlik of hou gewoon nie daarvan nie. Saam met tuisgebakte beskuit en tee uit ‘n blikbeker, het ons interresante gesprekke oor ‘n spesiale land met ‘n unieke geskiedenis van versoening.

Die tradisie van teedrink strek van die Ooste tot die Weste, Noorde tot die Suide – elkeen met sy eie spesialiteite en kunstradisie. Die klein Turkste glasiekoppies met soet, warm appeltee; die teetradisie van die Noord-Afrikane waar die manne in ‘n luidrugtige hurkkringetjie sit met ‘n klein-klein gasstofie waarop die tee gekook word. Dan word dit vanuit ‘n hoogte in ‘n dun straaltjie geskink in elke koppie (sonder om te mors) en natuurlik, baie suiker. So kuier hulle dan laggend en vrolik die teepouse om in Frans.

So is die kunstradisie van tee gesellig, kalmerend, verwelkomend, genesend. ‘n Tradisie wat sê, jy is belangrik genoeg sodat ek tyd neem om na jou storie te luister.
“Come along inside … We’ll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.” – The Wind in the Willow
In ons vinnige wêreld van tegnologie en vooruitgang het ons die kuns van teedrink verdrink met ‘n beker langs die rekenaar, kommunikeer per e-pos of sms met ‘n vreemde rukkerige beeld van ‘n stom persoon wat bekend lyk, maar wat ek nie kan aanraak met woord of hand nie. Snaaks dat onpersoonlikheid persoonlike kontak oorgeneem het – seker maar veiliger so. Ons het tog so baie om te verloor.

Dan is daar tee vir Jesaja Â…
die jong Ovambo wat by ons in die tuin gewerk het elke Saterdag. Het hom altyd sterk koffie met melk en twee opgehoopte teelepels suiker gegee – hulle hou mos van soet koffie – saam met sy brood. Tot eendag, toe ‘n duidelike stem met my praat oor hoe ek gaste hanteer…
Toe drink Jesaja nooit koffie nie want hy het ‘n maagprobleem. Altyd swart tee met geen suiker nie, asseblief!

Congratulations and enjoy your day..... :hooray:

I AM THANKFUL:


FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.


FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.


FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.



FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.



FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.



FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE



FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.


FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..


FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.



FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.


FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.



FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.



FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.



FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.


AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.


Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart! :lovef:

ps.....wasn't shouting! :cheeky:

Only a short while to go, so it's time to let everyone what you'd really really like...

This is the top of my list We've got the space for it but I probably wouldn't know what to do with it :haha:

Ow K,

Own up.... Who of you forgot to set your clocks back ? :haha:

South Africa captain Graeme Smith hailed the Proteas' fighting spirit after they surged back from 42-5 to beat Pakistan by 124 runs in Mohali.
Smith's decision to bat seemed to have backfired but 131 from Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp took them to 213-8.

"We took a risk and it payed off. The boys showed a lot of character in the middle," said Smith.

"It was a great partnership to get us to a total and then the boys proved it right with the ball again."

South Africa skittled Pakistan for 89 in 25 overs, with paceman Makhaya Ntini taking 5-21 off six overs.

Makhaya led the way superbly - he bowled with a lot of pace

Graeme Smith

And Smith, who was out with the second ball of the match, added: "We knew if we could get one partnership going at some stage during the innings they'd have to bowl their spinners, and four runs an over would get us to 190-200.

"Bouchy [Boucher] and Kempy [Kemp] showed a lot of heart and it was great to see.

"Makhaya led the way superbly. He bowled with a lot of pace, the wicket was nice and juicy and all the boys cranked it up."

South Africa's victory ensured a semi-final place in Jaipur against the winners of Sunday's match between Australia and India.

It was like a South African pitch rather than an Indian pitch

Pakistan captain Younis Kahn

And Smith insisted his side's adaptability to the grassy, bouncy Mohali pitch could prove crucial as the tournament progresses.

"We've been preparing for tracks like Jaipur - this one came as a bit of a surprise," said Smith.

"Our top order got caught out a little bit, the ball moved a lot and it wasn't easy to bat up front.

"But we've got to adapt to the conditions we face, and as we go to Jaipur that's what we've got to do.

"The boys really want to do well. It's a big year, there's a lot of opportunity ahead for us and we're just enjoying our cricket at the moment. Hopefully, our success may continue."

Pakistan, who were among the favourites before drug-taking allegations deprived them of Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar, crashed out of the tournament and will return home to prepare for their forthcoming tour of South Africa.

"It was like a South African pitch rather than an Indian pitch," said captain Younis Khan, who was leading the side in the absence of the banned Inzamam-ul-Haq.

"I was happy with the way we started but not the way we finished. We had a good chance when we got them at 42 for five, but Boucher and Kemp played very well."

I have put up several references to this in the past, but in my experience, it isn't apathy that keeps people from going back into the state pension, it is a lack of faith in the Govts ability to administer their pension. They would rather have a potentially smaller pot and be in control themselves.

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking

iced tea and
visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life,

about marriage,
about
the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the
mother
clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and

turned a clear,
sober
glance upon her daughter.

"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling

the tea leaves to
the
bottom of her glass, "they'll be more important as

you get older.
" No matter how much you love your husband, no matter

how much you
love
the
children you may have, you are still going to need

Sisters.

Remember to go places with them now and then; do

things

with them.
"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL women...

your girlfriends, your
daughters and all your other women relatives too.

You'll need other
women.
Women always do."

"What a funny piece of advice", the young woman

thought. "Haven't I
just
gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world?

I'm now a
married
woman, for goodness sake! A grown-up! Surely my

husband and the
family
we
may start will be all I need to make life

worthwhile."

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact

with her sisters
and
made
more women friends each year. As the years tumbled

by, one after
another,
she gradually came to understand that her Mom

really knew what she
was
talking about. As time and nature work their changes

and their
mysteries
upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world,

here is what I've
learned:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favours.

Careers end.

BUT------Sisters are there, no matter how much time

and how many
miles
are
between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than

needing her can
reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you

have to walk it
by
yourself, the women in your life will be on the

valley's rim,
cheering
you
on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on

your behalf,
and
waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes,

they will
even
break
the rules and walk beside you or come in and carry

you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,

daughters-in-law, sisters,
sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties,

nieces, cousins, and
extended family, all bless our life! When we began

this adventure
called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or

sorrows that lay
ahead.
Nor did we know how much we would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still. :hug: