I was really looking forward to my 4th Hive birthday last week, but things suddenly changed and it would have passed me by if it wasn't for @hivebuzz wishing me a Happy 4th Birthday here on Hive so this is a belated 4th Hive Birthday post!
Horrific things started happening in our beautiful province of Kwazulu Natal with destruction, looting and thuggery in the name of protests when our ex-president was jailed for contempt of court!
Our beautiful green valley with a dark smoke plume going up; a petrol station that was torched by so-called protestors!
We are a broken nation; angry, sad and shocked that people can act so barbaric with many beautiful shopping malls vandalized and stripped of everything; even shop fittings were ripped out!
My brother had some of their personal belongings in storage as they've moved into a smaller house on an estate while he's working in Khazakstan; they were planning on building a new home but last year's lockdown put a halt to that! The warehouse where some of his furniture and other goods were stored was also vandalized!
Thus far our neighbourhood have been spared, thanks to our local Community Police Forum (CPF) being proactive in conjunction with our local police force and security companies.
Many other suburbs have lax policing and were not as fortunate.
Civilians banded together to help by standing vigil day and night to guard our local shopping malls as well as strategic points where vandalizers could gain entry.
I am a proud mother to say my son is part of that action and I am so thankful to be part of a caring community; the menfolk and some women were patrolling and guarding while others supplied muffins, nourishment and hot drinks for our volunteers.
Sadly I could not do the latter as I buy fresh supplies weekly so only have enough eggs to feed my 2 bnb guests who ordered breakfast and dinners!
Quite a dilemma I must add, but their training has been postponed so they left this afternoon and the other 2 guests cannot work on the project they came down for as it is not safe so they've also departed!
They were unable to buy lunch yesterday, so I quickly rustled up some pancakes and filled some with tuna mayonnaise and the others sugar Cinnamon pancakes.
It took them around 4 hours to get petrol supplies as many of the petrol stations run out early in the day as they're getting limited supplies so long queues start forming very early morning; same with food supplies; we can only get the bare minimum with bread, fresh produce, meat and dairy products being virtually unobtainable.
We had a hearty homemade soup and bran scones for supper tonight, which everyone enjoyed as it is a real chilly evening here in Durban!
What has also become apparent with the vandalism is that in many instances, it is not the poor that are vandalizing and looting (stealing!); many are people who make off in luxury vehicles and dressed in designer clothing!
Awfully sad to think that the poor will now become even poorer as the repercussions of these despicable acts will be felt for years to come; our unemployment rate already is at an all-time high and this vandalism will certainly result in more job losses, while those connected to get all the tenders but do not always deliver the service they're paid to do; a sad sad and awful state of affairs!
Thankfully, here on Hive I have always been able to express myself and connect with kindred spirits, way more valuable and a great escape, as I've not only met foodies from all over the world and learned a ton from them; lessons from my vegan friends which will now stand me in good stead as I cannot get hold of dairy and meat products, and I think particularly here of @carolynstahl, @lensaveganliving, @plantstoplanks, @sreypov, @blackberryskunk, and the list goes on; but those are vegan chefs who have astounded me over the years! I've also learned a ton about Natural Medicine from @riverflows and the other folk in that community which I have put to good use over the years and that knowledge gained will become invaluable now as our pharmacies are all closed with some of them also looted!
I'd love to mention all of my special friends here on Hive, but there are way too many of you.
Two I have to mention though, and that is @ericvancewalton who has encouraged me tremendously over the years, and of late my friend and compatriat @fionasfavourites; you are a gem, a Silver gem I must add!
I quickly have to tell you something funny; can you believe that I did not realise I had reached Dolphin status until I looked at hivebuzz recently and saw this:)
Talk about the Silver hairs causing confusion, BUT...I have had a lot on my plate this year as those who know me, are aware of!
Thank you one and all with whom I have had the fortune of crossing paths with here on Hive!
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I am so sorry to hear of what is happening in your country. Just an awful way to live. Congratulations on 4 years of blogging. You are quite a star here on the blockchain and I have truly enjoyed getting to know you, as you share such wonderful ideas and write such lovely posts. Some make my drool over your food or laugh at your stories. You inspired me to buy Eric's books and I have found the meditation I am now practicing, as well as writing things down in the book to be very helpful.
THANK YOU!
I will pray for your safety and good health. Sending all the good vibes I can muster.
I am so glad you're enjoying @ericvancewalton's books, they are super inspirational and so helpful. I have been so distracted by what's been happening plus having to worry about getting food supplies as well as fuel, but that started normalizing this afternoon!
Your prayers are very much appreciated, our entire country needs all the prayers to help everyone heal from the horrors.
Thank you my friend!
I can't imagine how stressful all that turmoil must be. The idea of food shortages alone would make me want to cry. I am happy to hear things may be easing a bit.
You can count on my prayers always.
Firstly, Lizelle, congratulations on dolphin status: not to be sneezed at and well deserved!
Good to see you putting one of your lockdown bargains to good use! Seriously, though, sitting where we are, and watching everything unfold had been surreal. I am glad to hear that things are beginning to settle although there are still some not-so-good things going down in KZN. That said, after the shock of what happened, it seems that many in our country - like you and yours - are stepping up and out. I sense a sea change. I do know, however, that the recovery is going to be long and hard. In the meantime, and not entirely flippantly...
PS. I found myself wondering if one could order groceries via Takealot and them remembered I got an email from them saying they couldn't deliver....
Stay safe and I am so glad (from our DMs), you're recovering your sense of humour!
Thank you Fiona, you have no idea how much your support has meant to me this week; it's been harrowing to put it mildly! But, we've learned many lessons and what has come to the fore is how us South Africans know how to band together in times of trouble xxx
Happy 4th cakeday @lizelle!
Thank you so much @acidyo, it really means a lot to me especially knowing just how busy you are. I must add that I've always admired the way you're constantly working on new strategies and ways to make Hive an even better place especially for the newbies; Hive became my go-to-place especially during our hard lockdown last year, but this has been the placewhere I could write and share my passions and meet kindred spirits, just an amazing place!
The horrors of the past week seems to be coming to an end, as we managed to get fuel and decent food supplies today.
Glad to hear that! Be safe!
Aha the big 4 now to aim at the 5 LOL, yes most of us have not touched base being busy helping around town.
Sharing of food and essentials, men/women manning the barricades have been amazing.
If it were not for community, private security and police we would have been burned out already. Toti still holding onto shopping malls from Illovo to Prospecton, what a harrowing experience!
Stay safe!
And how right that is Joan; all the messaging as well about where there's suspicious activities in our area plus trying to find out where to get food essentials and fuel has just been harrowing!
But how amazing have our men and women been in barricading entrance points! Thankfully the tide seem to be turning as we got fuel this afternoon as well as some decent food supplies.
Thank you for the birthday wishes;)
Still have not ventured to larger shops, shared information and food around as we found places doing drop off/collection.
Everyone is making up food parcels of whatever they are able to afford, soup kitchens, firewood for barricades at night, literally walk to the corner and drop off at the moment let the organized community move when they collect.
This is not over, hot spots still flaring up, stay safe in more ways than one @lizelle meer dae, meer dinge!
I've tried a half dozen times to put into words how I feel about what you & other SAs are going through, and it escapes me. Sending positive thoughts and fervent wishes that things get better for everyone soon.
As for the celebratory bits...
...and...
Thank you @traciyork, all those positive thoughts and prayers that everyone's been sending our way seems to be working as we managed to get fuel and some decent food supplies today! It's just been the most horrific thing our beautiful province and now other parts of our country, have ever experienced!
Keep those thoughts and good vibes coming our way; although the whole world needs healing in more ways than one right now, not so!
PS Love the gifs:)
I am gut wrenched at these horrible and despicable acts. There is no cause whatsoever that can justify violence and vandalism. I am so honored to be mentioned by you, who is one of the most creative and strong people I know. You deserve all the greatness that life can give. I will pray for the light to shine your way!
Ah my friend, your wishes mean sooo much to me! I'm sorry to only respond now but it's been awfully disturbing seeing this happen in areas friends and family live. Thankfully our suburb has been untouched as the community stood guard at places, but the carnage has been shocking and despicable, words cannot describe the horror
Happy belated anniversary and I’m so sorry all of that upheaval is happening there. We had to deal with something similar last spring and it’s no fun. Please keep yourself safe. Hive is a better place because you’re here!
Thank you my friend, I remember when you had those riots! Things seem to be returning to some sort of normality as we managed to get fuel today and the food stores are slowly opening up, although stock is low! The carnage was just unbelievable, I have never seen anything like this.
And thank you too for your encouragement for one and all here on Hive, I say snap! to your last comment ;)
Oh what a mess that all is. I wish I could send lots of dates, beans, lentils and all the other vegan goodies your way to share with those in need. Fiona had shared the "gentleman" stuffing a large screen television in his car during some of the looting. Just unbelievable. Though the destruction and looting of blood banks and other health services is one of the worst to imagine people stooping that low as to interfere with life and death.
I'm glad you've had this outlet for the last four years. I think I'm coming up on mine in a month, as well. Definitely helps make the world seem a bit brighter when you can connect with such wonderful people all around. Stay safe over there and here's hoping for better days ahead!
It was unbelievably horrific seeing the looting and destruction and having friends and family who live in those suburbs! Fortunately the communities started banding together and our suburb was spared, but we're still on guard as we hear of home invasions in some areas.
Things seem to be calming down here in Durban at least, so let's hope it stops alltogether; our country is facing some difficult times still.
Ah so sweet of you Katie, how I would love to have those ingredients right now; dried beans and pulses and those divine dates was something I had run out of and was on my online shopping list, but then of course they had to close all deliveries; I put myorder in too late that Sunday!
Hive has been the most wonderful escape from Covid lockdown and other personal issues, but these awful barbaric acts kept me away from my favourite place as we had to try and get supplies!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Yikes that sucks. No wonder you never noticed the big 4.
Congrats on joining the Silver dolphins!
Thank you so much @meesterboom, it's been absolutely horrific watching this on videos taken by friends and family; the carnage is unbelievable!
Things are hopefully calming down now.
I felt like such a clot not having noticed I'd reached Dolphin status and then being late for my 4th birthday, LOL wish I was a 4 year old again;) but life really kept me preoccupied this year.
Hive has been the best escape of them all;)
Good thing for the (cpf) Wish we had one in my community. Talk about more lock downs with imaginary covid fear around the world.. World better wake up to the grand conspiracy our own governments are doing to us.. So sorry, stay strong..
We really are fortunate to have an active cpf, you could start your own but need the support of your local police force.
Thank you for your good wishes @manorvillemike, I really appreciate it!
And I, too, join in the Hive Birthday Congratulations!
And sad about what’s happening in South Africa!
God bless you, Lisa!
Ah thank you dear @bartolomee, I appreciate your kind words and good wishes. God bless you and your family too!
Lisa, I want to support you with this optimistic song!
The post is written in a different community...
But it’s a song for you!
https://peakd.com/hive-190931/@bartolomee/a-song-that-brings-joy
I saw it on the BBC news today Lizzie. It's just madness. From my limited knowledge of South Africa, and I hope you don't mind me saying this, it seems everything government is just the same in your country. Take care of yourself.
why you do downvoted in my every post
Thank you so much @livinguktaiwan, the carnage has been beyond crazy and I really don't mind what you're saying about our government as I don't have faith in them nor the opposition party; they're all talk and no action, only there for self-enrichment.
Looks like things are normalizing, hubby just now managed to get fuel, and one of our bigger supermarkets is open, so halleluja to that! Both our car and our son's car have been on reserve tanks!
I must thank you also for your awesome encouragement throughout the years and for your friendship; I really treasure it :) Just can't wait to go on holiday so I can do a haveyoubeenhere blog, we have not been anywhere much since 2020, but then the whole world is in the same boat not so!
What would have happened to me if I did not have this escape here on Hive!
Lizelle I am so saddened by all this news. However, I want to wish you a happy 4th birthday with Hive. You have been such a valuable member of this community and you have a heart of gold. Congratulations on reaching dolphin status too. God bless you and protect you and your family
Thank you Christine, your kind words mean the world to me! Aren't you thankful you're not here any longer and have all your children safely with you! Thankfully things are calmer now with the SANDF deployed.
Blessings to you and your family as well xxx
Thank you Lizelle. Very grateful to be away from it - but Eden still wants to go to SA next month as she is launching a collaboration with an SA artist and a few others for an EP called Back Home. I must say it worries me a lot. She is planning around 9th August - so hope it is even more calm by then
I'm sure things will be 100% safe by then🙏🏻
I really hope so
Happy 4th Hive Birthday, @Lizelle, I wish you all the best and many years more 💐
It's so sad what's going on in your country at the moment. I hope it will not get worse and end good soon. Good luck and take care of yourself and of the ones you love.
!BEER and !WINE - both make a nice dinner with !PIZZA :)
!invest_vote
Ah thank you so much for your good wishes @johannpiber! It is absolutely tragic what happened and quite unbelievable, I honestly never imagined that I would ever see this kind of carnage!
Thankfully things seem to be calming down as we managed to get fuel and food supplies, although the shelves are quite empty still but hopefully will look better by Monday!
I do hope that it's calming down and there will be a happy ending soon - "unbelievable" is the word that suits the situation. It reminds me on the movie "The Purge", apart from the fact that the responsible persons will hopefully get caught and punished.
!LUV
!PIZZA and !BEER - sounds like a nice dinner :)
!invest_vote
@lizelle, you've been given LUV from @johannpiber.
Check the LUV in your H-E wallet. Daily limits change soon, check @LUVshares (1/5)
@lizelle! I sent you a slice of $PIZZA on behalf of @johannpiber.
Learn more about $PIZZA Token at hive.pizza (10/20)
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@johannpiber denkt du hast ein Vote durch @investinthefutur verdient!
@johannpiber thinks you have earned a vote of @investinthefutur !
@lizelle! I sent you a slice of $PIZZA on behalf of @johannpiber.
Learn more about $PIZZA Token at hive.pizza (4/20)
Oh, @lizelle!
It saddens me...
I pray for your safety!
Happy Hive Birthday!
It's just been too horrific, thank you for your good wishes and for thinking of us @silversaver888
Happy Hive Birthday @lizelle
🎉🎈🎂🎉🎈
Thank you so very much @arcange, really appreciate your support, it's been a wonderful 4 years!
Congratulations to your 4th Hive birthday, dear @lizelle! I celebrated my 1st one yesterday.
It is awful what is happening in your country! Please take care and be in safety!
Awe and I missed it, happy 1st Hive birthday dear @olgavita!
Things seem to be calming down so it looks like we'll be returning to normality but the memories of these horrific acts have left a scar in our province that's going to take along time to heal!
Thank you for the good wishes.
Thank you for the greetings, dear @lizelle!
I really hope you will return to normal life soon!
!LUV
@lizelle, you've been given LUV from @olgavita.
Check the LUV in your H-E wallet. Daily limits change soon, check @LUVshares (1/3)
Congrats 4th Hive birthday I wish you all the best my friend 😊❤️
Thank you so much @sreypov, I need some of your amazing dishes now, but things are slowly returning to normal!
Appreciate your good wishes my friend.
Heard about all that. Sorry it hittin home but you got some good peeps around you from the sound. Happy 4th!
Posted using Dapplr
Thank you so very much @enginewitty, we do have an amazing community and this has shown once again how our people come together during difficult times!
Appreciate your support!
Have a happy Hive birthday. Thank you for forming the Silver Bloggers community.
Thank you @positivesteem, and I am so glad that we have you here as part of our special #silverbloggers!
@johannpiber denkt du hast ein Vote durch @investinthefutur verdient!
@johannpiber thinks you have earned a vote of @investinthefutur !
View or trade
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Welcome to the Dolphin and the 4 year club Lady Lizzie.
Yes, it was hard work to get here, but so worth it. My 4 years was a month ago on 16 June and I can't remember when I received Dolphin status. (Not age, but a busy mind 🤣)
Thus far this attack in our country costs us ZAR 600 million. Imagine what so much wasted money could do for the poor. A sad day indeed.
Just glad that the attack failed, but there will be more to come, just like our new cold front with snow that will land here on Tuesday.
Congratulations to you my dear friend and continue to take care.
!PIZZA and !BEER for your party ❤️
@lizelle! I sent you a slice of $PIZZA on behalf of @papilloncharity.
Learn more about $PIZZA Token at hive.pizza (3/10)
Sorry, out of BEER, please retry later...
Friend @lizelle, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I love birthdays, it's been 4 years swimming and you've grown up, you're already a dolphin, I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.
Happy Birthday!
It's hard to imagine what you and other law-abiding citizens are going through. As i read through the comments, at least things seem to be settling down a little and I pray they stay that way.
The conditions you speak of have got to be almost impossible to navigate when trying to carry on a business. First the covid thing which still seems to be wreaking havoc in certain parts of the world and now this.
Stay safe my friend, you're one heck of a tough cookie and I admire your resolve.
Congratulations on achieving Dolphin status and on being on #hive for four years now.
You've hit the nail on the head; we were and still are going through this 3rd Covid wave when all of this happened; too horrifying to think this was done by people. We were totally at a loss; the emotional toll was too awful and the poorest of the poor were the ones who suffered the most. The community spirit of togetherness touched all our hearts and the tears just well up when we hear of the kind deeds done by so many, we all came together and helped each other out. There were lessons learned once again. We suffered loss of business as all the guests ran back to their provinces last week and others canceled this week's bookings, so we have to claim from insurance, fortunately we have that cover, but it's been absolutely disturbing; one cannot settle and concentrate on anything!
Thank you for the congrats and your kind words @thebigsweed, we need all the prayers for this beautiful country of ours!