It was blisteringly cold and there was mist that moved in just after sunrise, I was hoping for it to burn off and even though it took a few hours, it turned into a beautifully warm and sunny day.
Having woken up hours before we normally do, the activities of the day were all moved up and when it felt like it should have been lunch time, it was only 10:30. Needless to say it was a bit odd.
I needed to get some sunlight today as vitamin D wards off negative stuff and tends to re-energize me if I have a sunlit break between sessions of work stuff.
The breaks that I take aren't wasted and while out there I'll water plants if they need it, generally tidy up, run the car to charge the battery if it hasn't been driven a few days and rake up the autumn leaves while LL has a run around or swings in her hammock.
After checking on the veggies in the planter box, I turned around and saw this striking butterfly soaking up some sun on the lawn. I had never seen this species before and later found out that it is called a Blue Pansy.
It was so relaxed and let me take many photos, I even went and got my SLR to take a few with the zoom lens. It may only be a small thing, but I derived so much joy from talking to this pretty lady. Yes, I greet butterflies, bees, wasps, spiders and ladybugs because I'm a weirdo and perfectly comfortable with my nutcasery.
While pottering around, our neighbour arrived home and we had a brief chat over the fence. She only moved in 3 months ago but we've been chatting here and there and getting to know each other. She's a very strong personality and has had a hard life, but is a pleasure to joke with and I've enjoyed watching her renovating her house and sprucing it up.
Later in the afternoon we saw each other in our back yards and I told her that we were making waffles as a treat. I'm not good at socializing and I tend to keep to myself. Needless to say, she's been trying to invite herself over to this side of the fence but it's never actually transpired until today. I invited her to come have waffles with us and she accepted.
It was so pleasant to have some adult company for a change. A little bit of conversation and some waffles and coffee later and it felt like it added a new facet to our "over the fence friendship". She has offered to take us up to some of the special spots in Knysna that I don't know and we're planning a picnic on an upcoming weekend.
She lent us her hammock for LL to swing on, brought us some cake a few days back, I swept her yard of fallen leaves last week and gave her some candles to use while it's load-shedding. Little tokens and acts of kindness are awesome to give and receive.
The time that we've stayed here, we've had two sets of really good, solid neighbours in that house and I have come to realize through the years how lucky you are to have good neighbours. It doesn't always happen and having shitty neighbours can be really painful, so I'm grateful to have her there. A rough around the edges, curses like a sailor type - but a real and authentic non-pretentious chick that is always willing to say hi and have a quick chat.
I think that's pretty special and worth sharing waffles over on a more social than usual Saturday.
How do you show your appreciation for your good neighbours?
I'd like to write a really nice comment but all I want to say is, I love butterflies.
Hmm, I'm only joking, I'll say more. 🙃
This sounds like one of those days that just feel good, deep down and I think it's good to have some adult company and conversation although I'm like you, a little reluctant to share much of myself with others very often. I am a very private person.
Knowing your neighbour, getting to know her over time, will be a nice journey I think and finding some hidden spots around your location you don't already know? What's not to like.
Becca 💗
Hi Becca
Thanks so much for your comment. Here's one just for you...
That's called a Jitterbug Daisy Copper. Such a freaking cute name! It's a special one, was the first time that it had been documented where I used to work so was totally unknown for that area, I'm so proud of having found it.
I totally get it, I let very few people into my confidence as I put a lot of effort and love into my friendships, so they are few and far between, but the ones that I do have are quality as a result. I'd rather have 3 solid friends than having 2000 aquaintances that I barely know.
It's worthwhile knowing your neighbours when you're single females, you can look out for each other, that's how you build community.
Have a lovely day Becca, hope you like the butterfly 🦋
Less is more when it comes to friends and good ones are difficult to come by. True ones, I should probably say. Those are worth keeping, the acquaintances, not really.
Cute butterfly, a rare little thing seemingly too.
Becca 🦋
That all sounds like a rather good Saturday and that there's more to come.
I'm not one to get too involved with my neighbours, it's not that I don't like them, I just don't run into them much and see no need to seek them out. Having said that, it's good to know who they are.
I'm glad you had a good day and that you managed to get some adult conversation. I'm sure you'll enjoy finding those new places too.
Hi Galen.
I suppose if you are very well established and self sufficient it isn't as crucial. As I said in one of the previous comments, Melanie next door and I are both single females and in a time of emergency may need each other, so it's good to have some foundation before hand. We've come to each other's aid a few times since she moved in already. This morning she called me to tell me that my dumbass cat that refused to come inside earlier was trying to get out of the rain lol.
It was a nice chilled evening with her. She's just given up drinking so she's probably going to lose a few of her previous friends and seeing as I don't drink, I think we'll be spending more time together.
Have a great evening, racing is on isn't it? Enjoy it.
Single girl in one house. Singe girl in other house. Seem like good sense to pool resources indeed.
F1 will be on soon, the pre-race show, and I'll be on it. I'm just eating a roc bun with coffee right now whilst answering a few comments and proof reading a post. So good. The rock bun and coffee I mean.
What a nice day, how noble that butterfly that allowed itself to be photographed.
Neighbors are a lottery, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, glad you started good relations with your neighbor.
I have good neighbors, friendly, helpful, polite and there is a high degree of trust.
And on the other hand there are some neighbors who stand out from the rest for their bad actions and it is stressful, but I have learned not to pay attention to them.
Hi Lis
Thanks for your message. Yes, you never really know what they are going to be like and I must admit I was a bit worried when the previous people moved out. I struck it lucky.
It fantastic that you have a good relationship with your neighbours. Having resect and trust goes a long way because you sometimes need to count on them in a bad situation. Nurture the good ones and like you say, ignore the rest.
Hope your weekend was pleasant. 🌼
It's great that you ended up with another good neighbor :) The people close by make a lot of difference in the quality of life. This is why it's important to both be a good neighbor, and be receptive to those who try - congratulations to both of you 🙌
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Thanks for your comment, I agree it is so important to nurture the relationships with good people - they say good fences make good neighbours but I think there's a lot more to it than that. Being able to look out for each other even in little ways and enjoy each other's company can be the foundation to a long friendship.
Have a great week @wrestlingdesires
At home we have practically no neighbors to share. There are only three houses apart from ours and they are practically not at home. They share their days between their house and in the house of other relatives far from here. So it is a blessing that you can have a neighbor that even though she is new, little by little you will get to know her and you are already starting to share moments together and delicious things like those delicious Waffles.
May the friendship continue to grow and may you enjoy the pleasant company of your neighbor for a long time.
Best regards
That's a bit unfortunate, having solid neighbours is such a blessing like you say. The waffles were good, you would have enjoyed them I think.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, hopefully you'll be able to get to know your neighbours if they spend more time at home, it's a good feeling to have community spirit.
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Whooaaah I love butterflies @andrastia
There's an adage that good fences make good neighbours, but it's great that you're getting to know and enjoy your neighbour's company. I also have a really hard time with small talk and meeting people - it's like pulling teeth, and sometimes I want to hurry home just to pet my cat when all is said and done! So, good for you for doing it, and I like that you're getting outside for breaks.
I've told my own neighbours that I show my appreciation for them by not spreading catnip or marijuana seeds in their front yards. Luckily for me they have a good sense of humour.