Stolen Magnificence

I used to be magnificenttly Tall
Moving but still, thriving, breathing
I used to live and feel the seasons
Come and Go
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
I knew it all, felt it all
Through the passage of time
I used to feel the rain, sunshine
Wind and the unbearable cold
I knew it all,
Felt it all

I was once magnificent, graceful and beautiful
I was once a tree,
Until someone chopped me down to make pulp

Now I have become paper to be used and thrown away
I land in trash cans to be carted away
I have lost my grace and my beauty

My magnificence was stolen

Bags

Thought I would be able to post photos by now but my camera decided not to have any battery power plus the universe decided to conspire againstme because I took the pictures in the afternoon and they look eerie.....yes, you heard me.

So far only I can can tell you is that the bag has been upcyled and it has beaded embelishment.
For now, you can adore my beautiful roses.

Bags

Its Spring and I am loving it!
Watch the space for my new bag.....
I will be posting some photos maybe tomorrow

Jozi Book Fair

I attended the Jozi Book Fair held at the Africa Museum in Newtown today.

I had an opportunity to meet some of the established writers and poets like Zukiswa Wanner, Phillipa de Villiers at the Roundtable discussion chaired by Pumla from Wits.

I must state that I was dissappointed at the turn out of people that attended but all in all it was quite an enlightening and eye opener for me as a new writer trying to find my feet.

It gave me an understanding of the reality that most black women writers in South Africa are faced with today.

It really got me thinking on the decision why I chose to be a writer and I realise that my reasons for being a writer stem from the overwhelming need to fulfill my purpose in live.

The purpose of living and not just existing.

Making a difference, touching lives through books and reading.

I do not have any illusions of what I am faced with, the tough process of finding a publisher and the tedious process of having one's work published.

Attending the Roundtable discussion at the Book Fair definitely removed any such illusions. anyway.

New release - Lara and the Ghost

Do you believe in ghosts?




Well, if you don't, you are not alone. Lara did not believe in ghosts either...........
That is, until she saw one.........
In her room.............!

I am going to give you a sneak preview of the book. The title is 'Lara and the Ghost'.

Lara is an extraordinary little girl who is trying to tell her mother that their home is haunted. Her mother finds this hard to believe until she witnesses a ghostly appearance one evening in Lara's room. To the shock of Lara's mum, their neighbour, Aunt Marj is the one who unravels the mystery behind the ghost.

If you find it difficult to get your parents to believe you about your scary moments or if you hear things that go bump in the night. Then you will relate very well to the Lara.

Boys and Girls, this book is a must-have for a sleep over party!

Online orders coming soon.

Poetry

One of the genres that I had to study whilst going through one of Unisa's modules in Literature is poetry, it is offered by the Faculty of Arts and the module is called An introduction to Literary Genres.

This exercise led me into writing a poem......
I wrote this poem during my most distressed and darkest moments and I want to share it with you, it goes like this:

Prayer for my Soul

I pray for my spirit
I pray for my soul,
To get out of this black hole

That threatens to overwhelm me
Lord I might not see,
Beyond my despair
All I see is my pain

I pray for my spirit
I pray for my soul,
To keep my sanity whole

Look out spirit the devil chases you
Listen and be still,
Don’t consume those pills

Lest you perish and die
Without knowing where your passions lie
Lord I pray that and day,
My soul will be redeemed
And my spirit released

This poem culminated into a healing process for me and each time I read it, I get reminded that life cannot always be sunshine.....
Every sunshine is followed by dusk, then darkness.
But every dusk has its dawn followed by another sunshine

Keep on blogging.

Publishing

Hello you wonderful bloggers out there! This amazing photo was taken by one of my colleagues in Germany during one of our face-2-face meetings.

I am still in the process of editing my new book for publishing. I am so sorry for not updating it earlier to say that the publication date has been moved. The plan is to have a book launch in Johannesburg around November 2009.

Being a first time book writer, I undermined the logistics involved in publishing a book. I did not anticipate that when you consider editing, illustration, typesetting, book cover and final editing it can take you up to a year!

But unlike most first time publishers, it wasn't as harrowing as I have heard. Thanks to Mousehand and their amazing POD (publish on demand) service!

Patterns

I just had to share this very interesting pattern made out of paper tissue cores......

Lake Makawansbank

This is one of the pictures taken from a moving car of Makawansbank, I found it very therapeutic and peaceful........

I have irrevocably named it Lake Makawansbank, hope I won't get into trouble with the owners for that.

Free State

We spent the Easter Weekend at my inlaws in the Free State.

Whilst we were there we decided to visit a place called Makawansbank, a farm where my husband was born.
The new owners are not cultivating the land but I was amazed at the unspoilt beauty of it.
A beautiful place for rushed Gautengers like ourselves to go to and reconnect with Mother Nature and get in touch with God. I will post a couple of pictures later, when my internet access is not moving at a snail's paces like it is right now.

Green fashion in South Africa

I have been so busy at work and have not given myself any time for blogging.....

I have recently noticed articles in the press about "Going Green" and the effects of Global Warming and I started searching for suppliers of organic fabric and was amazed to find out that in South Africa we have very limited suppliers of organic fabric other than linen.
I guess South Africa hasn't caught up with the rest of the world on "Green Products"?
I am in the process of making ecologically friendly fashion accessories, I am a big supporter of the "Proudly South african" initiative but am quite dismayed that we actually end up importing almost everything due to lack of local suppliers.
I found out about Fundudzi and it was quite inspiring that the fashion industry is slowly realising the need to look after our planet.
His designs are stunning.
Now if anyone can tell me where in South Africa can I find an organic fabric supplier I will be thrilled!

Hello 2009!

New Year with New Beginnings,

I cannot believe that we have now reached the end of the first month of 2009 already. Time really flies at such an alarming rate.

I have started my own vegetable garden and planted gem squash, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. I am just just as amazed at teh rate that they are growing too......!

You might be wondering where does anyone get the time to plant veggies especially if you live in the Johannesburg rush. Well, it is fairly easy, all you have to do on a Saturday afternoon is find space in your garden as big as your door, dig it up and gooi all your kitchen scraps (except meat and bones) in there.
Things like your cabbage peels, tomato peels, seeds etc. etc.
Then cover the ground with soil, add some compost, fertilizer and voila!, you have your garden.

Just remember to water it as often as possible, I water my garden twice a week to ensure that the roots do not get dry and die, always loosen the soil around the small pants using a cultivator (you can buy this from any Pick 'n Pay supermarket) to allow the roots to breathe. Take time to 'talk' to your plants by frequently inspecting their leaves for any insect infestation.

You don't have to study agriculture to do this - just simple steps and in you are on your way towards saving yourself R45 for a back of 10 kg potatoes!