This year started like a high speed train leaving its station. In years gone by my favourites were the TGV and ICE in Europe. I travelled there a lot. They are a bit quicker than South Africa’s own Gautrain. I’ve not been on that or any of those in the Far East or Japan, which are a lot quicker.
I remember my first trip on one of these trains. I was anticipating a feeling more synonymous with an aircraft taking off. When the train started pulling out of the station, I held on just a little tighter. In anticipation. As I settled down to some reading and pulled out my laptop, which was a regular companion, I kept glancing at the digital screen to see what the actual speed was. By the time I realized that the acceleration was a lot gentler than expected, we were travelling along at 300-400km/h while I was sipping coffee, thinking to myself how much less stressful than airtravel this was.
And here we are in August of this year! Its like we’ve arrived here unexpectedly like when travelling on a high speed train.
I’ve wanted to share some news for a while. So finally, here is an update from Rhodi-Anne and I. A small glimpse of what we’ve been up to. As always there has been much more.
OUR SIMPLE LIFE
I’ve recently realized that making a choice to live a simple life, has brough me much happiness. Letting go of all that is unnecessary and doing the simple things as well as I can, has made a big difference. Especially the simple things that are right in front of me. I’m happy and even more grateful to be healthy.
And more than that, I’m even happier to let you know that Rhodi-Anne and I got engaged recently. We’ll be getting married in the spring of 2023. I could not be happier and know she is too.
With that important news out the way, here is what else has been going on.
LITTLE ROCK AND THE ART OF COUNTRY LIVING
Nearly exactly one year ago, we took custodianship of this place we now call Little Rock. A lot has happened here since. Our main project for 2022 was to complete the perimeter fencing and secure the property. That task was completed well ahead of schedule and we’re slowly making progress down a long wishlist of other things we’d like to do in our life times.
We’ve had our first glimpse of the changing seasons. Planning for the capture and distribution of water, a scarce resource, across the vast area of four hectares is an important task. The first stages are being implemented.
Arbor Week at Little Rock, during the first week of spring, is only 4 weeks away. That will be our time for planting the next batch of 50 olive trees and 50 white stinkwoods.
We are tucked in between working farms and homes, next to the main train line heading up north to Jhb. We have a collection of old buildings too. All carrying stories of the hard working environment this has always been. We are slowly transforming those into workshops and art studios, mostly for ourselves. Maybe to share with others one day.
Our menagerie of animals is growing and happy to be captured in a number of videos we’ve been sharing regularly. Three cats and a dog, four alpacas, one owl, two peafowl, one tortoise we know of, and thousands of birds and other landbased critters.
Rhodi-Anne did not spend a lifetime in the camera department for nothing. Her vast experience on all formats of equipment, including IMAX, means she is well equipped to shoot stunning footage that matches both our high standards of critique. And that is part of the fun we have.
We’ve created a channel to share these stories with friends and family. The link can be found in the comments.
Check out our website too or get in touch if you would like to know more.
THE MAGIC OF THE FLUTE
My study of Indian Classical music with the bansuri is a passion and ongoing. I recently completed a an online course endorsed by my school in Mumbai, Vrindaban Gurukul. It is presented by iSM Circle. I recommend this for anybody who is interested in exploring Indian Classical music with the bansuri, tabla or with vocals.
I am committed each day to my practice which relates to an hour or sometimes more, of breath meditation. My recent release, “Yaman”, is a musical prayer of love and the moon, an evening raga.
I’ve not been able to let go of the full composition of Yaman from my head. It may be with me for a while as it is still work in progress and I’ve not mastered it completely yet. So I go about my day, whistling the tune. Getting to know and learning the spaces in between the notes.
Talking about whistling, I’m going ahead with plans to release an album early next year. The album title is simply – “Fluit”. It is music of a South African and more personal flavour. I’m challenging myself to complete the recordings and layer in the soundscapes for release in January 2023. So if you see hashtags for #fluit or #fluit2023 thats what its all about.
ASTROLOGY READINGS
Rhodi-Anne and I have continued with our study of astrology. We are very grateful for how much we are continuing to learn via the readings we’ve done this past couple of years. Readings are mostly done via Zoom and are available to anybody anywhere in the world.
If you are interested in a reading of your natal chart, get in touch and I’ll send more information including cost and our availability. A reading typically takes at least 90 minutes, sometimes much longer.
SOMA
For the past number of years, we’ve consistently continued our work with Soma and sacred mushrooms. Sharing information with the general public is a large part of what we do.
Here are some links to some recent podcast interviews and the next information meeting we’ll be hosting. Or contact me if you want to know more.
Wilhelm van der Walt’s Afrikaans podcast on this topic can be found here – https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oB2pOFDL6hs55CEk4oTnk
The Psychedelic Society South Africa Podcast interview with Anton & Rhodi-Anne – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4NNZAItv49ByjSxWV8uGGU…
Soma Information Meeting – https://somaland.org/soma-information-meeting-wednesday…/
FAMILY
Its time I shared an update. Twelve years is a long time to have been dealing with the emotional challenges that come with being alienated from your children. There is no anger. I’ve mostly healed and only carry a deep sadness of time gone by. I’ve not made successful contact with my two boys for nearly three years now. It has been a continuous process and I still try like clockwork.
I’ve done all I can through the processes that are available, legal, and personal. I’m still present and watch from a distance. I hope for relationships to happen when they are older. The comprehensive evaluations that have been done have been put away as a record. I’m grateful for the way I am kept up to date by their school. They are doing well and are healthy.
My own parents are happy and healthy. I’m glad that we stay close and are on hand in case there is a need. My sister and her wonderful family are close too and always there to support. My mom turns 80 later this year (am I allowed to say that?). Oups is not far behind. They are both amazing.
FEATHERS AND FLUTES – Home | Food | Art
Our online store (www.feathersandflutes.com) has been running for nearly four years now. Its time for a clearing out. Especially of feather earrings. With nearly two hundred odd or unpaired singles, its time for them all to get wings. Keep an eye on the site for when they go up at R10 each. I’ll post that link in the comments once they are ready.
That’s a wrap of todays news. I’d like to hear from you too. I hope you are less stressed this year. Or if things have been difficult, I hope you have the tools to work through it. Either way, I would love to know how you are. Send a message, a smile or a wave.
Attacked as an owlet by another bird of prey about 2 years ago in early 2020 , Bubu lost a part of her left wing. She was part of a pair of Spotted Eagle Owlets that were born on Little Rock.
She now lives in and around our home garden at Little Rock, where we have created a safe space for her.
Initially kept captive in a large aviary during her recovery, she has progressively rehabilitated herself to be able to roam a large protected area. Where we can keep an eye, ensure she is fed regularly and is safely away from any dangers she would not otherwise be able to get away from. She lives as close to a normal natural “owl” life as possible.
