Our K9 children

Janine, the oldest, intelligent and sensitive, a ChowXGerman Shepperd, leader of the pack.








Duka, the biggest and most placid of the lot, a XRottweiler.







Emma, doing what she does best, sleeping, a BoerbulXBulmastif.








Plasie, our spoilt and arrogant local bred prince.







Tasha, a hyperactive, restless, energetic freak, but a beautiful spotted unknown breed, supposed to have been a Dalmation?.

On the roof of Nobel Hall! - 2003

The Swedes call this beautifull place "Stadshuset" it is situated in Stockholm, the City Hall, and is also the venue where the Nobel Prize is given. (The prize shared by Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk after the 1994 elections in South Africa.)

The tower structure is about 6 to 7 storeys high and provides magnificent views of Stockholm. In 2003 Marlene and I were privileged to visit this place and see the views from the tower top, only catch was that I had at the time severe infection and respiratory failure. So there I was snailing up the tower slowly, very slowly, with swollen ankles and heart racing, blue, and gasping for air while Marlene raced up and had her look. Being slightly afraid of heights she did not want to stay too long and decided to descend just as I appeared at the top. I heard nothing of it and had her stay a while longer so we could enjoy the views together. Neither of us appreciated at the time how seriously ill I was!

Me taking a rest on the way down the spiral. There are no stairs, just a brick spiral. The top of the structure holding the bells and golden "crown" is made of timber and covered with copper sheeting. A brilliant piece of structural engineering! Our stay was short lived as my health was rapidly deteriorating. We had a short 1 night stay in another town and then headed back to Goteborg where I was hospitalised at Salgrenska University Hospital and put into ICU to stabilize. By that time I could climb only about three steps before having to sit down. It was also the first time a doctor suggested I consider lung transplant. Needless to say I was scared out my wits and was not sure if I would see our beautiful country, South Africa, again. But by the grace of God I had visited a country where Cystic Fibrosis is well known and the team treating me were excellent, they saved my life in 2003. Thank you to Dr Anders Thylen, Sister Ulla, nurse Frieda and many others!

Twee week oase

Na ‘n twee week bederf besoek moes ek Marlene vanoggend lughawe toe neem, en dit met ‘n swaar hart. Om nog tyd te koop ry ek toe ‘n ander pad as voorheen sodat ons in die verkeer kan sit en gesels… Ek speel, ek het ‘n slegte roete keuse gemaak, 2 km verder gery en omtrent ½ uur langer. Ek kry tenminste die lughawe sonder ‘n kaart op my skoot en ons was darem betyds genoeg om koffie saam te geniet voor haar vlug.

Ons hou mekaar...
...Besig

Die afgelope twee weke was drip en waterpokkie tyd. Dieselfde middag wat Marlene hierheen gekom het het die dokter my voorsorg drip begin. My mobiliteid was dus effens minder en ons het net as ons regtig moes iewers heen gegaan. Ons het kwali-tyd en kwanti-tyd saam deur gebring, ek dink ons het redelik goed geraak hiermee in die laaste paar jaar. Dis ironies dat siekwees tye dikwels kosbare tye tot gevolg het.

Hier waar ek woon is ‘n Rotweiler (Nita) en ‘n kat (Kattie), twee wyfies met ‘n besonderse onderlinge verhouding. Die twee kuier dikwels op die gras voor my huis in die son en ek wys graag die foto. Hulle hou mekaar warm!

Life goes on

When sickness or trauma enters our life we often wonder about the purpose of it all. An overwhelming sense of weakness is realised as it dawns on us that we are mortal beings. A year or so ago I found renewed peace and the following words came to me.

Mortality vs. Life

One cannot acknowledge the fact of your mortality,
before first accepting the fact that you are alive.

Expressing it more strongly:
You cannot acknowledge the fact of your own mortality,
before fist accepting the overpowering fact that you are alive.

I say it more simply:
Mortality is dependant on life

In essence:
Mortality is life!
Personally
Life eternally

Now I am smiling with Jesus
Gustav 24 August 2007