Friday 5 December 2008

Illustration Friday - Similar


But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859


Ntombi and Rosie have similar opinions on almost everything - including men - but they disagree fervently about which spices best enhance a fish curry.


I just couldn't write about good friends without mentioning my best one. The Countess and I are the same, but different. She can drive over corrugations without veering off into the bush like I do. She can fix tired old Landies and I can't. The list goes on. It really doesn't matter. Not one jot. Not even which spice goes where. We love each other to bits and pieces. Unequivocally.

The Countess, Mafuta and the Serengeti


23 comments:

Unknown said...

Love your colours and the way your write about friendship too, have a good weekend(These colors are comforting in this weather at the moment in Paris arrg)

Lori ann said...

Tessa! I love everything about this post, such a beautiful bit of words by Dinah Craik, thank you for sharing this with us. I was thinking of who my best friends are as i read about yours, and aren't we luckyluckylucky.I love Ntombi and Rosie, and what a great picture!
xx lori

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Dinah's words are beautiful!
As I read, my husband filled every space within the words. He truly is my best friend, I know of no other that those words could apply to. Truly.
I love your painting of Ntombi and Rosie…and the moments they treasure, their bond in their friendship flows through those brilliant colors!
You are blessed to have Countess and I bet you have shared so many wonderful experiences together … along with countless laughter!
Have a wonderful weekend Tessa!
Barb

Danielle Barlow said...

What wonderful words about friendship. It makes me realise how much I miss my dearest friends. All 3 of them are living on different continents - thank goodness for the internet!

karen said...

thanks for the vibrancy of Ntombi and Rosie! and the beautiful words about friendship...

Elizabeth said...

I've only ever been to North Africa.
I would love to see more of it!

Roberta said...

This is lovely... and a wonderful tribute to friendship!
My dearest friend is from South Africa.

Eliza Deacon said...

Tessa, your wonderful words on my photoblog prompted me to find you :) What an amazing artist you are. I loved that quote about friendship, so so true...the sisterhood of our nearest and dearest. i love that picture of the serengeti, so familiar. and tonight am sending you the sunset over kilimanjaro, clear skies and the fresh smell of a wonderful african evening.

Anna Lefler said...

What a gorgeous tribute to those rare creatures: true friends.

Hope you're having a swell weekend so far. I'm still in my bathrobe, gorging on cream cheese. [snort]

XO

Anna

ArtSparker said...

Lovely post and picture of life in Africa.

Cathy said...

Lovely post, and I'm still smiling at the thought of heated rows over fish curry! (Though I'm sure theirs doesn't taste of old socks!)

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Oh I just love this. This looks like my grandma and her sister just sitting there chewing the fat about their husbands. This is so rich and truly tells a wonderful story. All of your pictures do. I would to see all of your pictures together in a book or on display. Great work!

tam said...

oh yeah what rare and wonderful beings they are. Yr Countessa reminds me of my sister and i. She also speaks landrover. While i, well. You know how it is, i think. Gorgeous post again. Thanks.

Edrian said...

This is a fantastic piece! I really love it! The colors are so rich and your use of line and space are so particular. I love everything about it!

soulbrush said...

my hubby was in the serengeti in th eeraly 70's and still raves about it. btw i am coing to south africa to see my brother for 2 weeks, this tuesday, can't wait, haven't been back in 7 years...ooooooooooohhhhhhhh2 more sleeps!!

Renee said...

I am interested in every post you do. Beautiful painting of the friends and I love the spices in the fish curry.

xoxoxo

Renee

Sarah Laurence said...

Tessa, how nice to reconnect! This is a lovely tribute in your painting, quotation, words and photo. The only thing that is missing is a good curry recipe! Even if the spices vary, you captured the key ingredients of true friendship. I'm looking forward to your book recommendations.

Debra Keirce said...

Lovely Tessa!

Calico Kate said...

Thank you for your comment on my Blog, Husb home although not well yet.....

I read this and thought how right it is and how I feel about a particular friend who has seen me through some pretty rough times. A good friend, a true friend, is worth eyond their weight in gold. And it doesn't matter where they are does it you don't have to live next door to them.
Thank you Tessa for the painting, & for the tribute to friendships.

lucy said...

You write so eloquently about your relationship with your friend...I am so fortunate to have one such friend as well. I too wrote about her...she is my 'angel'.

Gai said...

beautiful, beautiful. I love your words, quotes, images. thank you for sharing. The sandals photograph is unique. Your painting a wonderful visual of friendship.

adrienne trafford said...

sigh...your life Tessa...it's so beautiful and magical...i'm so glad to know you!

Michael G. O’Connell said...

sounds like you are living life! good for you… and another great work…