I have lived my life, and that which I have done....

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON

IDYLLS OF THE KING.

The old order changeth, yielding place to new

And God fulfils himself in many ways.

Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.

Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me?

I have lived my life, and that which I have done, May He within himself make pure! but Thou, if thou shoulds't never see my face again, pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.

Wherefore, let thy voice rise like a fountain for me night and day.

For what are men better than sheep and goats, That nourish a blind life within a brain.

If knowing God they lift not hands of prayers, both for themselves and those who call them friend?

The only baby picture of myself, that I have ever seen. Thanks to my cousin, Vilma for giving it to me recently.

My father holding our youngest brother Graham (late)
with my sister Joy and mother in the backrow.
My eldest brother Buddy and myself infront.
We were such cute little kids!
I must have been six years old.

This picture was taken at "Tokai Road, Retreat, Cape Town." at the home of my Aunt Ella, Uncle Dan, cousins: Danny, Ruthy and Vilma. We spent many wonderful Christmas holidays with them.

Mrs. Wolhuter, Ursula and Roy - seem to come to mind? I think that they were from Kimberley too?

I was born in Beaconsfield, near Kimberley (The diamond capital.)
My parents moved to a little place called "Fraserburg Road" when I was a baby.
This is one of the little places in the Karroo (semi-desert)- where you miss it, if you blink!
I remember "Kruidfontein" (Bitter water) being the next little village.
The memory of the smell of that water left an indelible memory!
I have not smelled anything as foul since.

Fraserberg Road, is between "Beaufort West" and "Prince Albert" They are towns, that actually appear on road maps. The name of Fraserberg Road, was later changed to "Leeu-Gamka" since there was another village called Fraserberg (without the Road)

We lived on a farm, called "Bakoond" (baking oven) for the first few years. There was no electricity, running water, sewage system or any of the modern conveniences. We were dependant on a windmill for our water supply. When the wind did not blow for days, my parents had to go down to the river. Pour the water through a sieve to keep the tadpoles and frogs out. Then carry the buckets home and boil the water on a fire stove.

There were no televisions, videos, game-boys, play-stations or fancy toys. We read a lot, played cards and board games, and made our own toys with whatever scrap, wood, wire, rope, wheels, tins etc., we could find. Since it hardly ever rained, we were allowed to play outside - and run wild, run free for 12 months. The only danger around being snakes and scorpions. We had to throw stones against the zinc "out-house" to scare the lizards away, before going inside. Penicillin had not been discovered yet. We had a radio that was connected to a car battery and it was used very sparingly. Usually only to listen to the News. These were the years during the Second World War. 1939 - 1944

Because of the war, many normal things (luxuries) like sugar, candies, chocolates,white flour, cookies, cakes, icecream, pop, ??????.............. were unknown to us. We were lucky, since we were living in farming country - so we had lots of fresh milk, butter, cheese and delicious fruit and vegetables. Others were not as lucky. Shop bread was not available yet so every family had to knee and bake their own bread. It was a lot of hard work for the women, but a very delicious custom for the families. We all loved the crust (first slice) of the bread, as soon as it came out of the oven. Few delights can compare with the memory of the smell and taste of home-made bread!

We attended a little school, where my father was the Principal and my mother one of the other 4 teachers on the staff.

We moved to Diep River,a suburb of Cape Town, when I was 9 years old. For the first time we lived in a big house with electricity and all the modern conveniences. It was thrilling! It was like living in a palace.

There were lots of children living in the neighbourhood. My best friends were the April's who lived across the street and the Eybers family around the corner. They became like my own family over the years. I still love them all very much and was so lucky to spend time with them all when I was on vacation. (2000 and 2004)

Lekker dik! (Puppy fat)

This is the charming man "James William Davis" (late) whom I married at nineteen. We have 4 beautiful grownup children. 8 grand-children and 2 great-grand-children (to date - 2004)

The Bike riding Granny!

Check the figure!! This was taken in Florida.

I married a second time. (For the family records) - We were just not right for each other.

We are both very happy now. We have made some wonderful new friends and we are enjoying life.

Links to other sites on the Web

Ethne

God has blessed us abundantly!
We give you thanks almighty God.