Compliments which misfire, and more family fun photos.

Hi again, everyone. It rained here again all night long; sea and sky merged into one grey angry mass, with the wind howling like a banshee. Not my favourite kind of weather, but it always seems worse when you’re at the seaside. If I were on holiday here, I’d definitely want my money back.

The clouds have been leaking badly for almost three days, and last night I heard an ominous “drip,drip” just outside our bedroom door. Nothing that a strategically placed cloth and bucket couldn’t deal with temporarily, but as soon as the sun comes out again, I’ll coax hubby up onto the roof to investigate.

I played piano at the mall yesterday. The broken caster on the back leg is still not fixed, in spite of numerous e-mails and promises. It’s quite off-putting to have the piano swaying around whilst I’m playing my little heart out. I had lots of nice comments and friendly smiles, and a request from the security guard to play Kenny Gee’s “Forever in Love.” Some people are really not gifted in successfully giving a compliment, and I had to smile to myself when a man, waiting for his wife to browse through the clothes in the store opposite, said how much he loved my music, and would I play “Misty” for him. I obliged, and when I’d done, he thanked me profusely, saying, “That was absolutely great, but it’s a pity that some of the notes sound a bit off-key. Perhaps you should ask them to get it tuned.” 🙂 If he was wanting to inspire confidence in me, he didn’t have a clue how to go about it. Anyway, I wasn’t phased by his comment, as there’s nothing wrong with the piano tuning, and I actually think that he just couldn’t get his ear around some of Erroll Garner’s wonderful jazz chords. 🙂

A short while later, another guy timidly ventured within my space, and said, “It’s so lovely to listen to your music, but I was just wondering what it must be like to sit there playing away, with nobody listening to you, and no feedback at all.”  Hmm…….well what could I say to that back-handed compliment? I told him that on the contrary, lots of people just like himself, stop and speak to me, and that sometimes they even pat me on the head, or stoop to kiss my cheek and give me a hug. He looked quite shocked, and didn’t try it. 😆

Anyway, enough about all that. I still have a few more photos to show you from our visit to my daughter and family in Jo’burg.

Sienna and her two cousins were so happy to spend time together, and we had a wonderful family time. My daughter is an excellent cook, and made us delicious and memorable meals.

Justin showed Sienna a few Karate moves.

We’re very proud of him, as at only thirteen he’s recently upgraded to his Jr. Black Belt. Don’t mess with him. 🙂

My granddaughter, showed us some gymnastic poses, which you’re all welcome to try out at home, after first consulting your doctor of course. (Black socks are not compulsory.) 😉

“Come on granny. You try it.”  Right! 😆

At my favourite shopping mall, Sienna befriended this sweet cow sitting reading “The Daily Mooews”.

At Monte Casino, we found a car which seemed to belong to her, except that someone had misspelt her name.

My grandson much preferred this AC Cobra replica which was in the car show there.

On the Saturday, one of Jeff’s friends had an open house party and loads of his friends came along with their young families. Sienna had a great time playing with all the small children, and this trampoline was the favourite out of the many toys there. There was also a tree house, which she managed to climb up into, but then couldn’t get down again without some assistance from her dad.

All too soon, it was time to say our goodbyes, and for them to get the plane back to New York. We all had a last lunch together, and then they were off to the airport. What a great trip they had, with family and friend reunions aplenty.

Today we spoke on Skype, and it was so great to see them both again, and blow kisses across the ocean.