Skimming Stones | Sula's Blog | Sula1968 A South African poet, potter and mother

I have lived in Jo’burg for 13 years now, and have never really gelled with the place, my impression will always be of cold, hard, sharp edges, a half-starved model who shuns embrace.  I am a Natal girl at heart and always will be, sweet Natal ever soft and warm.  Still a day like today softens my perceptions and leaves …

With Jacob Zuma signing the e-toll bill last week, many are now under the impression that it is now law to get an e-tag for the Gauteng roads affected by the tolls. Added to this comment from both SANRAL and government has recently been along the lines that citizens will buy into the toll road project because South Africans are …

The romance of mist swirls around the memory of our stay at Misty Mountain.  Beauty is most often clearly visible but the mystery of the unseen stirs imagination.  When the view from our room, the lovely meals and the fun of the swimming pool are forgotten the mist will be my enduring memory of our stay. Our first day at …

This is going to sound a bit like an ad, but it isn’t, I’m yet to be paid anything for my idlings here.  I do however really like to share when I find a product particularly good or useful.  After our last weekend away, I have decided to put together a first-aid box and Dettol wipes will be the 1st …

Many years ago, Leonard Downing asked me to write lyrics for a Valentine Song for him to play at a Valentines gig.  I wrote the lyrics and he wrote the music.  He also did a studio recording with a female vocalist, the song was played on East Coast Radio on Valentines day.  It was a rather rushed job done in …

Another old poem being typed up POTENTIAL Be still Hold the paintbrush withhold the last stroke Don’t chain beauty With finality’s yolk Don’t freeze in a frame What is lovely unseen Don’t rob this picture Of what may be Each sense can’t be captured Each truth can’t be told Light, water and dreams Are things you can’t hold If spirit …

I had to respond to the Daily Prompt on WordPress today ‘Are you being served?’, it is so relevant to my week.  I am a whinger, I am irritated on almost a daily basis by shoddy quality and non existant customer care.  I dream wistfully of the days when not everything was made in China and companies at least pretended …

This poem was written after going to a Lloyd Cole concert in Jo’burg. I first heard the music of Lloyd Cole in the 80’s when living in a commune called ‘Fools Court’.  Memories of that time are happy ones edged with sadness since we drifted apart.  I wish that I could find those old friends.  Sadly one member of our …

This morning I was singing “Weeping” by Bright Blue while working in the kitchen, I then found it on our SA compilation CD and played it. As I listened, tears pricked my eyes. The protest song ‘Weeping’ was written by Dan Heymann during the mid ’80’s while South Africa was still under apartheid government. The song includes haunting strains of …

  I first made New Look Pattern 6879 when Acacia was 2.  I used a lovely white fabric and French Dormeil lace which came from my Granny’s clothing factory in Harare to make view B.  A year later I tried to make view A in green fabric using View A but without a transparent overlay, I don’t know what went …

Most days slip by with little highs and little lows and then come the moments which we live for, moments of pure beauty.  I opened up my e-mail this afternoon and read an e-mail from a poet named Phomolo Flex Sekamotho, he sent me links to his artist profile and his digital compilation of poetry.  He asked if I would …

  There is one place in Boksburg where the adjectives charming and tasteful fit like Cinderella’s slipper.  That place is Arum Symphony in Plantation.  The surrounding area is a contrasting blend of rejuvination and decay standing in juxtoposition.  Arum Symphony is a converted old house.  A house born in a time when buildings reflected quality and pride in workmanship.  There …

This afternoon I watched my son fly a kite, pure joy soared observing a flutter of colour held aloft by a taut string.  Last night I stayed up late to finish reading “Five Quarters Of the Orange” by Joanne Harris.  Reading this book was a lot like watching that kite dancing in the blue.  Thoughts, metaphors and beauty soar above …

Disclaimer, This is my Dad and brother’s work but they really are the best! You can check out my post about my Dad on http://sula1968.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/my-cool-dad-from-paul-changuion-photographer-to-printwild-sas-finest-canvas-acrylic-printer/

I really should know not to leap out of bed, I sometimes have low blood pressure and have fainted before.  Last time I keeled over backwards and cut my head open on the tiled floor resulting in 24 hours in hospital for observation.  Yesterday morning I did it again, I jumped out of bed too fast at 6 am, passed …