Michael

A few weeks ago in a post about the Employee of the Month, I mentioned a position becoming available on Thys' pit operators' team. The vacancy was for an off-sider: the man who marked out the area to be drilled. The applicant needed to be literate.   I suggested to Grant that my Askari Edward (who fit this bill perfectly)  be considered for the job. Grant and Thys discussed this and asked me to find out from Edward if he'd like to work with Mr Thys. Edward told me "kabisa sana"/ of course, absolutely! Within a day he was working on the mine. 

I also asked Grant that the replacement askari in my garden be Michael who had periodically worked in Edward's place when the latter was off. I've known Michael for as long as I've been here and once he arrived, I asked if he'd mind being my gardener for extra remuneration. Being an askari/gate guard, is mindless and boring and Michael jumped at the chance of being paid over and above his company wages and having a stimilating job such as creating a garden.  

Michael arrives at 6.30am to relieve the night askari, Mr Mayunga. Once he's let the chickens out into the garden he comes into our enclosed garden.  He cleans the patio, waters my herbs and vegetables in potsand rakes up the many sticks and leaves which fall from the overhanging trees, Michael also cleans and refills the cats' sandboxes. (At the moment we have five with the extra kitties in the house) Michael also has a genuine interest in,  and an affinity for,  gardening. Michael makes things want to grow!  In the five weeks that Michael has been with us, I have shrubs and perennials which are thriving and blooming better than in the year that I've had this garden. 

Of course, within days,  the three cats got to know Michael and he loves animals. He often watches them while I fetch bring the laundry from the washing machine, hang it on the line and perform the other tasks which I do before Regina and Pendo arrive. 

 Michael watching Ginger, Ambrose and Shadow in the garden

 My garden is thriving under Michael's loving touch! 

 Michael tends to the garden while the cats enjoy the outdoors 

Welcome to House No 2 and Kittyland, Hedgesville, Michael! 

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Aftermath frazzled

Although all's well in Kittyland, Hedgesville, I don't mind admitting that I'm absolutely worn out after the ordeal of almost losing Shadow on Saturday evening. He was very traumatized and although he had a drink of water and used his sandbox, he spent the whole night and entire Sunday in the lining of the lounge sofa.  I kept on getting up in the night to check on him, using the large torch which we take on our night birding outings. I'd hold my breath as I knelt down on the carpet, and be so relieved when I 'd see his bright but terrified eyes staring back at me from the depths of the furniture. Back in bed, although I'd try to relax and fall asleep, as I'd doze off, I'd think about "what if" (What if the dog had hurt Shadow before she dropped him? What if Shadow had injured himself when he hit the ground after we'd sawn down the tree? What if he'd run up the street  instead of into the open gate, never to be seen again? And I'd find myself being jerked awake. I was absolutely frazzled in the morning. 

Last evening we took Ginger and Ambrose out onto the patio, and although Shadow peered out of the kitchen door, he ventured no further than the back step before belting it back indoors again. Fortunately he spent the night on his favorite armchair and seems to [almost] be  back to normal. This morning he woke us at 4.45am (as he always has!) and told us he was hungry!

 Last night Shadow finally came out from under the sofa

Relaxing on his chair

Poor Ginger and Ambrose also bore the brunt of the upheaval on Saturday night. They were very sensitive to Shadow's trauma once he was safely indoors. Ginger lay on the carpet near the sofa and Ambrose kept peering underneath to see his Unca Shadow!

 Ginger slept on the carpet near the sofa and Shadow

 In between Ambrose has also helped me to kitty-sit Topsy and Tipsy as usual! 

Exhausted by a traumatic weekend and kitty-sitting duties 

The two kittens who're growing bigger by the minute! 

Here's wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Sunday shadows and weekend reflections

Lovey-dovey doves and our house roof,  catch shadows in the last of the afternoon sun

The setting sun filters through the trees surrounding our house

 Trees reflected in the bird bath and throwing shadows on the garden 

My, what long legs you have...

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