Late Start

It's thunderstorm season again, if you haven't picked up on that. I remember, when we first arrived in South Africa, in 1982, that December we stayed at a work colleague of my dad's house until we could find our own place - they were away on holiday in Cape Town for the month. December is, of course, the hottest month in South Africa, and having newly arrived from Germany - we really had a hard time. But I also remember that, every evening there would be a thunderstorm! Almost punctually at five. I drew that on a scrap paper, too - just the scenery with lightning. 

Last time I stayed in Pretoria, I took a lot of photos of the sky before, during and after each thunderstorm. I managed to take a few photo's of lightning striking! Okay, I also took some 300+ photo's where I just missed the lightning ... all black photos.

So, thunderstorms have always been normal during December / January in, what is now, Gauteng = Pretoria & Johannesburg. What's new, of course, is that now every thunderstorm tends to cause a power outage! Which is really frustrating. Last night, the power went out and only came back around nine. Fortunately, I had showered before it went out, and the bread dough was almost finished - just rising for the last time. Still, since it is normal weather for this season - why can't Eishkom be prepared?

Yeah, that was a rhetorical question. A bit like asking 'why can't politicians tell the truth'. Not so much rhetorical, than it is a futile question.

Anyway, you'd think that at least with thunderstorms every night, temperatures would cool down somewhat. They don't. As soon as the storm is over, it's as hot as ever - just with added humidity!

Just imagine how hot it would be WITHOUT the daily thunderstorms? Yikes! I'd rather not!

In December 1982, I remember that we'd often take a dip in the swimming pool AFTER the storm had cleared. Well, a home swimming pool was such luxury to us Germans! Nobody has their own pool in Germany - only the very, very rich! Well, I don't know what it's like there now, but that's how it was 40 years ago.

Reminiscing ... strange way to start the day.

I woke up around midnight, and could not go back to sleep. I tried everything ... by three I gave in and switched on the PC to put my audiobook on. That seems to have been the missing link, because that's when I finally went back to sleep. At three in the morning!

Then woke up again after seven! Sigh. I got up, got dressed, packed my lunch - which only finished baking just before I had gone to bed the first time, set the cheese I had prepared into it's bag to drip-dry during today, had some coffee ... and here I am. An hour and a bit late.

Last night was fun, too, though. I had started the dough, then showered before going to sit outside - Mini was under my feet the whole time! She wouldn't go outside, she wouldn't run or play, just stayed by my side. I took a walk around the garden and Ziva came running and mipping to get her roly poly lovies! Then I started pulling out some grass ... when the first drops started to fall, I put everything away and called my mippies.

Mewthos was already mewling under my feet, Mini was still by my side and Ziva already hid under the sleeper couch. Janey? She was still on her daily walkabout and had no interest in coming home, yet! When she finally arrived, it had been raining for some time and she was soaking, dripping wet! I dried her off somewhat, but she doesn't like that - not sure why, because she doesn't like being wet, either!

I treated them, then went to the kitchen, then sat at the open door for a smoke. With the rain still coming down, I didn't worry about any mip running off. Janey and Mewthos sat outside, under my chair and Mini in the door. Ziva went back under the sleeper couch.

Without power, I could still ready some cheese and bake my bread rolls, at least. While they were in the oven, I continued working on my belt, which I'm quite enjoying! I fried myself some sausages for dinner - none of the mippies wanted a piece; I did spoil them with chicken hearts, though.

Can you tell that I'm a little bored at work? Ha Ha! Yeah, I've got stuff to do, but not really all that much. Mostly, at the moment, I'm researching for the project we're going to kick off soon. First meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.

Back at home, first I carried the heavy cat food bags inside. I've changed the order to larger bags, which work out cheaper per kg. Then I filled the one dispenser from one bag and took a handful for the bowl from the other bag.

I took a break, and decided to first wash the dishes. After a shower, though! Sigh. But the cheese turned out extra delightful! Very creamy! Now I wish  I had some bread ready to try it on - but I've just baked sausage rolls. It'll have to wait until Friday.

After I finished the dishes, I went outside to pull out some more grass. While I was busy, the alarms went off a few times - which leads me to believe we may have had power failure(2) while I was in the garden? Sigh.

I had forgotten to take meat out for tonight's dinner, so I made myself some pasta. Added a few anchovies, capers and a bit of feta and fried them with one egg. Dinner was good! Oh, and I did take something out for tomorrow night, he he.

Now, I'll work on my belt for a bit and then go to bed ...