tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36502458656433186732024-03-13T14:39:43.680-07:00Stirring Memory and Desire...Glenniah's musings on lifeglenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-32794781842879456812014-01-24T03:36:00.002-08:002014-02-10T04:21:55.503-08:00A Perfect Day<br />
One Perfect Day<br />
<br />
I have taken my time deciding the final resting place for my husband Jamie's ashes. Twelve months is as long as they should reside in my Walk in Robe where they have been since I brought them home. There were times over the past year when I felt Jamie gently chiding me for keeping him cooped up when his naturally gregarious nature made it essential that his final destination should be in a place where people gather and enjoy themselves.<br />
Over summer the Australian cricketers have been playing against England for the Ashes. My Jamie was always an avid cricket follower; and in all the 34 years that I knew him he never missed watching a game. He was always fair and wanted the best team to win, although I'm sure that he secretly wanted the West Indies to win when they were playing. As I followed the cricket this summer it evoked memories for me of times gone by and I began to wonder if perhaps we could steal into the WACA (Western Australian Cricket Association), grounds and surreptitiously spread Jamie' ashes on the cricket pitch. Obviously this was not one of my best plans and I dismissed it.<br />
<br />
Then a friend of ours from Guyana, Jamie's home country suggested I write to the WACA and as permission to spread the ashes on their grounds. To my great surprise and delight I received a reply from the Acting Turf Manager saying, yes, they would be more than happy for me to spread Jamie's ashes in one of their rose gardens.<br />
<br />
Finally the day arrived Tuesday 14th January. Helen who is the wife of the man who suggested I contact the WACA and I started off early in the morning for our trip to Perth and the cricket grounds. The whole day was filled with so many miracle moments it took our breath away. It was as if God was saying 'I have planned this day for the two of you'.<br />
We didn't plan our journey, however as it turned out it could not have worked out better. Helen drove us to the Train Station where we found plenty of parking space and were able to walk straight on to a waiting train.<br />
On arrival in Perth we had time to enjoy a sumptuous meal at the David Jones Food Hall. Not called food court because it's meant to be a little more upmarket. It truly was upmarket with delightful food and a variety of choices.<br />
<br />
When we arrived at the WACA we received a warm welcome from Ros, the Admin person extraordinaire. Initially her plan had been to show us the Rose gardens and then leave us there as she had a Meeting to attend. However, Ros willingly spent a longer time with us, showing us around the WACA grounds and then to the Rose Gardens so we could choose the place we thought would best suit. Ros even took photographs for us and then before she left she held up the Urn and said, 'we welcome James to the Rose Garden at the WACA' This was so moving and totally unexpected. We also met completely by accident, Matt the person who had initially responded to my email. If we had been five minutes earlier or later we would have missed him.<br />
<br />
The Rose Gardens are situated along the Player's Walking Path, which is used by the players to when they walk from their rooms to the cricket pitch for practice. There was a gentle breeze and it seemed to carry with it the whispering of bygone days and yet a whisper of the future and hope. On T.V. they often show this part of the Gardens when the Commentators are doing interviews and in the background can be seen the cricketers at play.<br />
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Helen and I found a lovely red rose bush, knowing that Jamie loved his red roses. Then I noticed a yellow rose bush in full bloom. I remembered that Jamie loved the song 'Eighteen Yellow Roses' and had his Carer's play it often. So Helen and I decided that it should be the red and yellow rose bush where we finally laid the ashes and Jamie to rest.<br />
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I dug a hole with a spoon I had brought from home and placed the ashes there. As I dug I thought I could perhaps have been dressed more appropriately for digging holes and pouring in ashes with a soup spoon. Still, I felt a sense of peace and felt that somehow Jamie knew what we were doing and was happy. He was in a place where people gathered and enjoyed themselves and where cricketers would be walking past every time they had a game on.<br />
When we left the Grounds we walked toward a bus stop and found the Bus Driver was waiting for us having seen us walking toward him.<br />
<br />
Once we arrived in Perth we found we were unable to go the normal way to reach our train station. It had been blocked off because they are making changes to the Underground, so we had to turn into WILLIAM STREET and passed JAMIE OLIVER'S Restaurant, this wouldn't have happened had we been able to go the usual way to the station. Was this serendipity, to be reminded of our Jamie Oliver WILIAMS we are not sure, but both Helen and I felt that Jamie was approving our venture and we were both so filled with wonder and delight with what this perfect day have presented to us.<br />
Helen reminded me that today was the birthday of another Jamie she knows so she will never forget this date. She is also a great Mahjong player and I don't think she ever missed her weekly game and yet she willingly gave that up to come with me to the WACA.<br />
<br />
Today was a day of reminiscing peppered with plenty of laughter and enjoying true friendship. I will remember it as a time when we finally placed Jamie's ashes in a place he loved. With so many incidents that happened during the day we could almost imagine him with his cheeky grin saying, 'Well done girls, I'm proud of you.'<br />
Tonight I received an online magazine and the title of one of the issues was WHO WILL SCATTER YOUR ASHES. I can only hope that whoever that will be feels some of what this glorious day has been for us.<br />
<br />
<br />glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-3563812805270126722014-01-24T02:39:00.000-08:002014-01-24T02:39:39.780-08:00Day Two<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xL8LItq1AFs/UX4FHEB-JgI/AAAAAAAAAKA/FmeRwYhZ8Nk/s1600/Margaret+River+weekend+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xL8LItq1AFs/UX4FHEB-JgI/AAAAAAAAAKA/FmeRwYhZ8Nk/s320/Margaret+River+weekend+018.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margaret River Surfing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">DAY TWO </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I arose
to birds singing and a couple of sheep baaing. Have a quick stroll around
the property, and admire the tall Karri trees surrounding the grounds.Not
to photograph at the moment so I left Rentia to make breakfast. She makes us a lovely meal of bacon and eggs and coffee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">We
sit outside on the verandah for awhile, feeling the warmth of the sun on
our backs, hearing the Kookaburra laughing watching the Jacki Winter flying and
trilling from his branch, we make several attempts to take a photo
but he flies away speedily as soon as we approach.. Rentia looks through her
bird book so we areable to
look up what the bird with the black bill and black eye liner is
called. In the distance cars are travelling or turning in from
Caves Road. For a
moment there is silence then the cacophony of sounds start up again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">After
breakfast we find we have locked ourselves out of the house and I ask the
land lady to come and let us back in to the house. She doesn't want to
leave us a spare key so she walks over to the cottage with me. I go inside and
Rentia is met with a barrage of questions from our hostess. Finally we escape
to set off on our holiday adventure exploring the wineries and the beaches which
this region is famous for.<br />
First stop is Xanadu, a pleasant winery with restaurant. After a
brief stop we move on to Redgate where we find we are the only visitors. Only
one woman is serving and she is constantly being </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> called on to answer the phone, welcome other
visitors and assist with the wine tasting. We decide we probably wont go back
there.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lu2K3PkCNgw/UX4GJjSaZZI/AAAAAAAAAKY/ZUAWVW4H3NY/s1600/Margaret+River+weekend+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lu2K3PkCNgw/UX4GJjSaZZI/AAAAAAAAAKY/ZUAWVW4H3NY/s200/Margaret+River+weekend+021.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Following
the Winery visits stop and being fortified we drive to Prevelly Park and follow the
coast line as far as we can. We watch and photograph a group of surfers
catching the breaks far out in the ocean, and discover the family beach
with its own special allure. Glennys considers a dip in the ocean but finds she
has a whoos of a companion with her on the day.<br />
We drive past a gracious little old church at Prevelly and then we are on our way to Gracetown We walk under a canopy of trees and visit the memorial for the
collapsed cliff victims, at the same time talking and eating our fast melting
ice creams.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Then off
to the last and the most impressive winery at Laurance Estate.<br />
We meet lovely and friendly staff as well as the Owner.We gaze at the Chandeliers made of made of many wine glasses. After a quick but memorable visits to the toilets we walk outside and visit the lovely
rose gardens, olive trees, and water fountain with cascading flowers.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">After a
simply gorgeous day with Rentia doing all the hard work driving again we set
off for Smith's Beach.<br />
As we drive past the entrance I note the unit Jamie and I had stayed in, it
was a surprise birthday present for him when he turned 60.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0y9HXD8jVA/UX4FkONlhVI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ZdXXIUjGKvA/s1600/Margaret+River+weekend+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0y9HXD8jVA/UX4FkONlhVI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ZdXXIUjGKvA/s320/Margaret+River+weekend+032.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Smith's Beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Smith's
beach is wide and long. The sand as on all our beaches is soft and white.
The day has been hot and it is still warm even though it is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>late in the afternoon so there is a second top up
of sun cream for both of us.<br />
A family arrived with a dog which obviously knew its way around and
wasn't going to be kept back waiting for it's owners. It rushes hastily
past us and runs a kilometre along the beach, swimming and enjoying the crowd.<br />
We see a lovely young couple on the beach and discover she is from France and
he is from Sydney. They had a towel wrapped around themselves and were
holding each other in a soft warm embrace. It is a moment suspended in time, a
moment that wont be repeated so Rentia takes a lovely shot of
them. They were happy for her to send them a copy as a memory of a
perfect day.</span><br />
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Back home to relax over a Wild Turkey then Rentia cooks another tasty
meal. Squash with fresh thyme and lemon drizzled over it, onion cheese
tomato and cous cous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After dinner</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> Rentia
finds an enormous huntsman spider on the ceiling. Guess who stood on a
chair and caught it and took it outside to the sound of Rentia calling 'you
will fall be careful' and 'it might be dangerous, don't get bitten.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Later on
in the evening, we find a cockroach which wasn't so easy to catch, mainly
because I can't stand the sight of them and don't ever want to go near them. This time it is Rentia's turn to remove it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /> I am happy to report Rentia moves from her bed on the floor and we both spend a comfortable last night. Early in the morning we pack up the car and head for home. With happy memories and many photographs.</span></div>
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glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-21589365222901642712013-04-23T07:07:00.000-07:002014-01-24T18:36:55.569-08:00Margaret River Venture<div>
DAY ONE<br />
<div>
On the first day of our trip I wake up to perfect weather which is to last for our whole 3 day venture.</div>
<div>
I drive to Rentia and we pack her car full of luggage and food, everything we will need for our 3 day holiday.</div>
<div>
After a pleasant two hour drive we
stop for lunch in a shady spot on the edge of Cowaramup and eat a
hearty meal of shredded chicken, and pre made sandwiches of tomato and
cheese.</div>
After lunch we continue our drive and arrive in Cowaramup and stop to do some
shopping. We meet one of Jamie's nurses at the
condiments shop which is packed full of spices, cheeses and such. We
cross the road and try a bit of wine tasting both red and white in very
generous sizes in our glass. Amazingly we find the Art Gallery cafe is
closed for business on a Public Holiday weekend.</div>
<div>
<br clear="none" /></div>
<div>
Arriving
at our cottage, we announce our arrival to the Owners with some
trepidation as a result of one bad review that had been posted in Trip
Advisor. Apparently the reviewer had not enjoyed his time in
the bush land of Margaret River. Amongst his complaints were, he found
ear wigs in the bed sheets and heard rats running about the house. Apparently on
complaining to the owners he was told he could leave anytime and shown
the door.<br />
<div>
Rentia and I do some detective work and question the very friendly
owners in case they were new and had not been involved in this
situation. We are advised they have been running the cottages for the
past 30 years, so they are indeed the culprits.</div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Immediately we are in the house we examine the bed in minute detail for ear wigs and anything else which shouldn't be living in the mattress. Thankfully we find we no sign of ear wigs or rats. The place is clean and tidy.</div>
<div>
Went into Bob's
Shoe shop at Margaret River and admire some lovely boots and shoes. Suddenly I realize
the song playing on the radio is the Michael Franti song we played when
they were showing Jamie's photos at his funeral. I had never heard that
song before that day and this was the first time I heard it since. I
find a lovely leather purse marked down from $100 to $50, it was just big
enough to hold my keys and mobile phone, something I had been looking
for for ages. Rentia and I both thought Jamie was there telling me I
should buy the bag which I promptly do.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygdbyurhjwA/UX4L44ID2vI/AAAAAAAAAKo/8ooO_OxFQ90/s1600/Margaret+River+weekend+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygdbyurhjwA/UX4L44ID2vI/AAAAAAAAAKo/8ooO_OxFQ90/s200/Margaret+River+weekend+006.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>As it was late in the
afternoon we decide to drive down to Prevelly Beach and wait for
sunset. We arrive and park the car and walk over the sand dunes on
to the beach. We sit for awhile watching lovely scenes fisherman and people kite
flying; a boy throwing a stick to his dog,
people swimming.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agdVD2bTua0/UWfxkkiR2mI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/zJ3IeDJNW68/s1600/2008-01-01+00.00.00-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agdVD2bTua0/UWfxkkiR2mI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/zJ3IeDJNW68/s200/2008-01-01+00.00.00-5.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
Then Rentia suggests we walk along the beach, making
sure to count the pathway openings leading from the path to the beach so
we can find our way back. (One of us proves to better at counting and
the other proves to be better at being a human Google map) Walking in
the sand is hard because it is so soft and my aching legs tell me how
unfit I am. We walk along the path for the rest of the way which is a
lot less strain on my legs. As we stroll along we see four people
standing with their backs to the water, texting on their phones. It
seemed rather incongruous. It is strange now to notice that when something as lovely as a sunset is presented to us we would rather capture the moment on our phones and cameras rather than sit in the moment and enjoy the scene spread before us.<br />
We watch a wedding on the beach
and wonder for an instant if perhaps we could gatecrash and
pretend to be professional photographers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gvxlvfI-hk/UX4MKWrrMvI/AAAAAAAAAKw/TrS-x7VsLEE/s1600/Margaret+River+weekend+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gvxlvfI-hk/UX4MKWrrMvI/AAAAAAAAAKw/TrS-x7VsLEE/s200/Margaret+River+weekend+008.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely setting to hold a wedding.</td></tr>
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<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilr4GAGcmdI/UXaRmB7XGYI/AAAAAAAAAJw/qIAshllYoP4/s1600/2008-01-01+00.00.00-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilr4GAGcmdI/UXaRmB7XGYI/AAAAAAAAAJw/qIAshllYoP4/s320/2008-01-01+00.00.00-10.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Finally we sit on
Prevelly Beach, watching a glorious sunset and observing the change in the colours of the sky and ocean as the sun turns both from red to crimson and finally pink as it sets slowly over the horizon.<br />
<br />
<br />
'Never waste any amount of time
doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should
be sitting under'. C. Joybell. C.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now the time has come to leave this delightful
scenario. On the way back we see a young girl sitting on the beach
playing her guitar, a lovely natural scene, she is oblivious of anybody else,and is just enjoying this magical evening and her guitar.<br />
As we walk along the sky
begins to grow darker as it does as soon as the sun has set. As we walk we remember we have been so busy chatting and watching the scenery
that we may have overshot the turn off that takes us back to the car.
We walk along a different path to the one we had walked down earlier and find there are no familiar landmarks. However, after a short search we find the car right where we left it. Although we are two women walking alone we feel safe and thankful for this country we live in. Even so it was still a relief to find the car
and be on or way home.<br />
<br />
<br />
When we arrive back at
the cottage there is just enough time for a short stroll in the surrounding bush, where we watch the
kangaroos jumping across the bush track possibly looking for tonight's dinner. </div>
<div>
Although barbecues
had been advertised we found this was not quite the case when we read the sign on the barbecues stating they can't be lit as no fires were allowed in summer.So back home we go to enjoy a Clayton's barbecue. (actually
it was the second day of autumn but still warm enough to feel as if it was summer) The best thing in my opinion about autumn is that we
have a whole new summer ahead. Another summer begins after autumn and
winter leave us. Next morning we find a that there are gas barbecues by this time it is too late. <br />
<br /></div>
<div>
After our bush walk we meander home and where
Wild Turkey eases our thirst and we soothe our beached up legs with chatting while we sit on the verandah contemplating our
meal and sharing nibbles of a cheese platter (from the condiments store) in Cowaramup
and crackers.</div>
<div>
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Cous cous
salad with special ingredients by Rentia and boerewors. is our dinner.<br />
We only had one bed to share so Rentia took some cushions and
parked on the lounge room floor. Whether it was the drive down, the long beach walk and sea air or the scintillating conversation we weren't sure but we both enjoy an excellent night's sleep.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-25884859947243018462012-01-20T05:18:00.000-08:002012-01-22T06:01:44.117-08:00Diesel and the Storm<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7CbbN0dfm9M/Txl6EAG_y9I/AAAAAAAAAGw/o6jFWDx5M3A/s1600/369.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7CbbN0dfm9M/Txl6EAG_y9I/AAAAAAAAAGw/o6jFWDx5M3A/s320/369.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699721012581485522" /></a><br />Early Friday morning I was awoken by a scratching at our bedroom window. I opened the window before thinking about whether or not I had a crazed psycho burglar at the window. Fortunately for us it was Diesel our (fairly large) dog asking to be let in because there were loud thunder bolts crashing across the sky giving him a fright. I kindly brought his bed inside and then went back to my room and fell asleep. Soon I was awakened by amazing bolts of lightning and thunder flashing through the house. Deez had moved and was sleeping in the passage outside our bedroom door which he had pushed open with his nose so he could feel safer I suppose. This was the worst place he could be in because he caught the lightning and thunder from the front and back of the house. Every time there was a loud explosion Deez tried to force himself into our room,and when I closed the door on him he ran up and down the passage looking for an escape from this violent display of nature. Finally I felt sorry for this poor demented animal and went and laid down on the couch in the lounge room so he felt as if he had a protector. Every time the lightning lit up the room I could see a tableau of a dog very close, just gazing at me as if to say 'Can you please wake up and stop this noise'. Even I jumped when the thunder bolts were too loud. Finally, I drifted off to sleep only to wake up again when a particularly loud thunder bolt exploded in the lounge room and lightning turned night into day. Suddenly I felt something heavy on my legs. Deez had such a fright from the noise and light that he had jumped on top of me and there was no way he was going to be moved. All night long the power went on and off, and when it came on again the phone started up and kept reminding me to set it properly. Then an alarm belonging to the people across the road kept buzzing on and off, at first I thought it was a police car, then an ambulance or fire alarm, eventually I couldn't care less and Deez and I went back to sleep. The most amazing thing to me was that Jamie slept through the whole night and when I woke him up in the morning he could hardly believe he had slept through the most fierce storm we had had in many years.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-49509684799922514582011-09-10T06:24:00.000-07:002011-09-10T06:28:09.979-07:00THE TICKET MACHINE<br /><br />Today I paid a quick visit to a large Food store to buy a lunch of chicken and Caesar salad. Choosing the salad was easy, there were several containers with Caesar salad written on them and all I had to do was make my choice.<br />Then I went to buy the hot chicken. Generally, this is a simple task , you just open the server and take out the chicken of your choice, go through the check out, pay for your purchase and away you go. In my case it was away back home to watch the last half of an AFL (Australian Football League) game. Lo and behold when I arrived at the Server I discovered it was locked and barred and yet contained many chickens.I found out later that these chickens had all been ordered for a party. Who does that? Probably people who were watching the same AFL game that we were.<br />There was nobody waiting at the Deli so I hurriedly went to the ticket machine, tugged on the roll and pulled out a number. Unfortunately I must have tugged too hard and I pulled out five other numbers apart from mine. By this time other customers had begun arriving at the deli counter. The staff were beginning to call out numbers, (numbers which I greedily held in my hand). 'What should I do'? I asked myself. 'Do I quickly dispose of these numbers discreetly?' Then I envisaged the person ahead with number 90 having to wait in line because the five people with numbers in front of her were not presenting at the counter. So I decided not to upset the military procession of the staff as they called out numbers 84 to 89. As calmly as possible I walked along the line and said 'here you are' as I gave out the numbers. A couple thought I was just being generous, the rest thought I was a bit weird and greedy.<br />Finally, in the fullness of time my number came up and it was my turn. I moved to the counter with my ticket held tightly in my hand. Proof I was not pushing in, I had a legal right to be there. Only to be informed that yes there was indeed an oven full of chickens, however none would ever be mine. They had all been pre-arranged for a party.<br />Downcast, I left the Store and hurried out to the Car Park and headed home, just me and my Salad.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-57066207336848536902011-09-10T05:57:00.000-07:002012-01-03T17:03:23.775-08:00Nature and Animals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4noSp8lONs/TwOlQu2oSUI/AAAAAAAAAGU/IyAbwOltjXM/s1600/2011-08-19%2B09.55.18.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4noSp8lONs/TwOlQu2oSUI/AAAAAAAAAGU/IyAbwOltjXM/s320/2011-08-19%2B09.55.18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693576060800092482" /></a><br />Nath and I and Deez our dog have been walking daily to Black Swan lake in Lakelands where we live. For thousands of years the indigenous Australians travelled and camped in Lakelands which is named after the many swamps and lakes that were in this area. Black Swan Lake Mowyn Kuljak and Paganoni Lake Berong, provided an abundance of food and bush medicine.<br />The lakes have spiritual significance to aboriginal people. They were believed to be an integral part of the Wagyl dreaming which comprises a track along a chain of lakes extending from Yanchep to Australind. The lakes were formed several thousand years ago as the sea level began to recede.<br />Two weeks ago we were walking on our usual route. The day was a perfect spring morning, although officially spring didn’t arrive until last week. The azure blue sky was cloudless, and the soft warm breeze brought the pleasant smell of new growth, (unless you are allergic and susceptible to hay fever, then it may not be so welcome). Birds were flying and chirping merrily as if to welcome early spring. We ambled across the bridge and in the distance we could see the traffic heading for the new freeway. It’s a great feeling of freedom to know that every Thursday and Friday you are not part of the human race rushing to work. As we walked along a track which runs parallel with the train that runs from Mandurah to Perth we could hear the mooing of cattle long before we could see them. As we turned the bend in the road by the huge green trees that have been there for hundreds of years we could see a white cow standing by the railway line, next to the wire fence that cuts us off from the railway lines. He saw us coming and gave a long mournful moo, as if to say I’ve been waiting here all night for a train. On the left side of the track there was a farm with cows and their calves. We stopped for a few moments to enjoy this peaceful country scene. The animals looked at us and gave a couple of moos and nods of heads. Others kept on feeding their young and looked contentedly at us, wondering who were these people staring at them. Overhead crows, magpies and other birds were flying close by. We even encountered some dragon flies and the first bees of spring.<br />Several cows came up close to the fence where we were standing and allowed us to take photos seeming to be preening and smiling for the camera. The cow waiting for the train simply stood and watched our antics. We were thoroughly enjoying our commune with the animals and with nature when we finally decided it was time to continue our morning exercise.<br />Then Diesel made his move. He is the kind of dog who loves to make new friends, no matter where he is he always thinks he it’s a social situation that he needs to be involved in. When a dog growls him or wants to fight, Diesel looks bemused as if he can’t believe that somehow this dog doesn’t want to be friends with him. As we turned to leave, Diesel who had been watching the animals suddenly noticed the hole in the fence and tried to get under it. Instantly we were almost in the middle of an affray. The cow closest to the fence mooed loudly as the white cow outside the fence started to amble down toward us. In just a few moments all the cows began to moo angrily in response and started coming over to help their mate. One of the cows noticed the hole in the fence and began to lean down as if to come outside and charge Diesel. Poor dog he had no idea what was happening all he wanted to do was play.<br />We moved rather quickly just in case and were soon far from the lovely quiet country scene which had suddenly turned into something similar to animal farm, when those bad dudes wanted to take it over.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-61339128053355016682011-01-29T07:24:00.000-08:002011-01-29T07:28:51.067-08:00A laser Party is like no otherJamie and I seem to have a penchant for meeting new people and making them our best friends. Before his stroke, when he could walk Jamie was always able to be seen out and about in the community talking with someone.<br />We have been going up to Perth to an Eye Specialist who has been giving Jamie laser treatment for Glaucoma and pressure behind the eye. I think of it as a small TIA. As this was our third visit we knew the drill. Patients wait patiently in the patient waiting room for at least two hours or more. There are eye drops to be administered, photos of an eye or two to be snapped and then the business of the laser treatment begins. I have to admit it kind of concerned me that I could sit in the room with Jamie during his laser treatment yet had to wear a mask cover my eyes. <br />We set off early for our one hour drive to the city, when we arrived I was able to find ‘my’ disability parking spot which always seems to be waiting for us. The surgery was really full and I noticed that people looked up from whatever occupation had been taking their attention and contrived to look without any eye contact at the latest person to enter the door. That was us. A man kindly jumped up and opened the door for Jamie to wheel himself through. I’m trying to help him become more independent and do stuff for himself. However, I think I’m like my mother, if you do it yourself it saves time and is easier. Also, I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings when they offer to help us.<br />It seemed kind of silly to spend the next 3 or 4 hours trying to pretend we weren’t there, so when we walked in and spotted a group of people, I thought, ‘These will be my audience they can’t get away’. So we sat down. As Jamie said quite loudly, ‘Hello’ people slowly looked up from their magazines, mobile phones, IPads or just from trying to sleep. They all responded in their own ways to his greeting. Jane had been waiting for 2 hours and 35 minutes and was sure it was going to be her turn next. David was there with his Dad who was reading a paper with yesterday’s date on it, had he really been there that long? Another lady I called Eloise was hiding behind her magazine. Sure enough Jane was called up, she was so excited she gave us all a little bow as we clapped. Then there were four. Carlo had been many times and was trying to reassure the lady next to him that when the Doctor lasered your eye it hurt like mad, but felt good when it was over. I’m not sure he helped her fears really.<br />Finally, it was our turn, 3 and a half hours after entering the surgery and hearing other people’s stories of horror operations that went wrong, ( I guess that is why they were horror operations.) The Nurse came and wheeled Jamie into the surgery. When it was all over and we were on our way out of the surgery, all the people we had been speaking to called out good bye and waved us through the door. <br />I think they liked us.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-41330387996748794762010-12-10T04:00:00.000-08:002010-12-10T04:18:21.629-08:00'A life Worth Living' . A One Act Play<span style="font-weight:bold;">Scene One</span><br />Actor dressed as a woman at retirement age is packing pieces from her dresser into a large trunk. As she rummages through a small box she picks up an old fashioned round mirror and gazes into it at her reflection.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The light dims and when it comes back on the Actor appears dressed as a child, with pig tails or a band in her hair. Stands where the old lady stood a moment ago.<br />As she gazes into the mirror it brings back memories of her childhood. As she smiles and reminisces she begins a conversation with her Mother, whilst looking into the mirror.</span><br />' Do you remember when you gave me this mirror, Mum? I was only 10 years old and my best friend Robin was leaving Perth and going to Sydney with her family. I was inconsolable but you held me and hugged me and wiped my tears away. It was all so easy when I was a child, you could wipe away my tears when I was hurt. Just by looking at my face as I’m doing now you knew how to help me even when you could no longer hold me in your arms and kiss away the hurt. Just your simple act of combing my hair gave me a sense of warmth and love and security'.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Twirls her hair with her fingers in child like gesture. Laughs.</span><br />'Sometimes I would bounce Matilda my favourite doll on my lap. Until too many baths in the outside loo destroyed her pretty face and hair.<br /><br />'Do you remember how disappointed I was when I discovered I had grown too big to sit on Daddy’s knee? Just like Diesel our old German Shepherd; he was huge but still thought he could jump up on laps. <br />As I grew up, even this mirror became too big for me to see your hands and face together. Sometimes I could only see your hands which held the same warmth and security as your face'. <span style="font-style:italic;">Giggles at the pleasant memories.</span> <br />'But you and I could see each other’s reflection if we held our faces very close to this mirror, couldn’t we?'<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Slowly she packs away the mirror as the Light fades</span><br /><br />S<span style="font-weight:bold;">cene Two (Who am I?)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Actor is now dressed as an adolescent. She sits at a stage mirror flanked with lights at the top. The mirror shows how one changes from one person to another in front of the mirror simply by applying make up. The young woman is afraid to show her real self. If people knew who she really was underneath it could spoil things. She may not be accepted for who she really is. <br /></span><br /> Oh this mirror was great for masking me. It was really scary out there, meeting guys, being afraid to show the real me. Love seemed very dangerous. <span style="font-style:italic;">Pause</span><br /><br />What if I showed the real me and it spoiled things? I might lose Jason the most popular guy in College if I was honest.<br /><br />I didn’t like the ‘me’ that was revealed in the mirror. Funny how, as I put on my makeup in this mirror, the outside changed from one person to another, just the way I wanted to be on the inside.<br /><br />I always saw myself as someone else, someone prettier, more intelligent, and nicer. More popular and vivacious. Perks up her boobs and tosses hair back. So I denied you because I didn’t like the image you presented.<br />Looks deeply into the mirror.<br />I lost myself somewhere along the way but when I came to you, I could make myself the way I wanted to be.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Pauses. Takes a piece of paper from the dresser. It is a poem. <br /></span><br />Oh I remember writing this.<br /><br />AN UNPOEM<br />I'm wearing a mask and I play to the crowds<br />in their adulation I bask.<br />The more they laugh, the more I'm inspired<br />to be who they want me to be.<br />Would the crowd still love me, if they could see inside my head<br />see the fear, the lonely child within<br />who was once so dear.<br />On the outside the light shines brighter<br />while inside it grows darker<br />until in the midst of the crowd’s sighs<br />the real me<br />dies.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Turns mirror or switches off the lights. Walks away, shaking her head as light fades,</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Scene Three</span><br /><br />This time when the Spotlight is turned on the actor is dressed a little older, she is now a Mum. She rummages through her handbag which is sitting on the Dresser. She comes across the lipstick mirror she has used since she was a wife and mother.<br /> She remembers smacking her lipstick on. Sometimes the smack was a determined one, sometimes fearful, angry, sad or concerned.<br />She holds up the lipstick mirror and peers in to it smiling. She talks at times to the mirror and at other times looks out at the audience.<br /><br />Oh hello you. You were such a little lifesaver! All I could see in you were my lips as I smacked them together. You didn’t show me the lines marching across my forehead and taking up residency, or the grey hairs that were infiltrating and taking over my blonde locks, not to mention my chin.<br />All you did was show me whether the lipstick I had applied was smudged or not.<br /><br />Pauses, touches up her lips with lipstick and smacks her lips together, wiping the corners of her lips and checking her teeth.<br /><br />You were such a handy little mirror. I remember the day I desperately needed to look beautiful. Peter my husband had asked me to come to his office and bring him a file he had left behind. As usual I left in a rush after depositing the kids at school. I was determined I was going to look good. Sally his secretary was just so damned gorgeous with all that hair and a beauty spot- false of course- She adds disdainfully.<br />Not that a mere man would notice, all they see is that gorgeous young face and that red lipstick. Oh, and not to mention those two pert boobs she had. I applied a new bright red lipstick that day and smacked my lips in a sultry, ‘look out Sally’ kinda way. Peter is MINE. Looking at my lips in this mirror, I felt so confident.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Turns the mirror around and back again.</span><br /><br />I loved being a mother. Well most of the time anyway. I remember the day I was called to the Principal’s Office because one of the kids was in trouble. Should I side with my child who I knew could do no wrong or agree with the principal, ‘yes he needed a bit more discipline from his father’. I was so nervous, wonder why it is that even as adults Teachers and Principals can put the fear of God in us. Then I remembered my mother’s words, ‘always put you’re lippy on, then you are prepared to face the world’. I put it on with a determined ‘smack’ and yep I felt as if I could take on the entire Education Department.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Pauses, then looks embarrassed. Looks out at the audience as she remembers. <br /></span><br />Then there was that time I looked in the mirror with a sultry pouty smack as I pasted on that violet lipstick. Throws head back then gives a sultry pout in the mirror.<br />I knew exactly how to do it. After all, I practiced and practiced the smack in this very mirror. I planned a romantic, sexy evening with Peter. I’d packed the kids off to their grandparents and filled the fridge with tasty nibbles and lots of wine. When he came to the front door from work, there I stood in my sexy suspenders and my hired French maid’s costume mouthing the words Hi sexy are you up for a good time tonight?<br />Oh the look on his face! He went bright red, then a kinda ‘whiter shade of pale’. AND standing right behind him was his boss. What an embarrassment, I thought I’d never live that little disaster down.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Pause</span><br />One day I put on my brightest ever lipstick and smacked my lips together twice for good luck. I was going to the Doc for one of those horrible female checkups. Of course he wasn’t looking anywhere near my face at the time. But I felt dressed. I was wearing my bright ‘smart looking faced woman’ lipstick.’<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Pause,</span> looks sad. Looks deeply into the mirror and begins speaking in to it.<br /><br />Do you remember the day I put on my lipstick and smudged it? I was going to Dad’s funeral and I couldn’t hold back the tears. Not even the old familiar act of putting on lippy helped me that day.<br /><br />Has a final loving memory and looks at the audience.<br />Most days I had to have that lippy just right. But not with my children and grandchildren. When they gave me their sticky kisses it could be as smudged as it liked. I returned them wholeheartedly, or I blew bubbles on their tummies.<br />(Woman is smiling and gazing into the mirror, caught up in her memories as the light fades).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Scene 4</span><br /><br />The actor is an older woman and is dressed as she was at the beginning of the play. She has almost finished packing.<br />When the spot light is turned on her she is standing in front of a full length mirror. She looks into the mirror and starts to speak to herself.<br /><br />Well old girl, we have come full circle. What have we learned in this journey called life?<br />Its winter now and the winter of your life. Just as the snow buries everything its time to bury your past and all the baggage you’ve carried. The only baggage you need now is your suitcase and a few precious old friends for your new home at the SUNSHINE AND SMILES Retirement Village. Leans over and touches the Trunk.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Smiles into the mirror</span><br />This is the last time I will stand in this house and see myself this way. Peers closer into the mirror. Hmm, and is that my mother I see looking back at me?<br /><br />Looks closer into the full length mirror and smiles. Has a sip of champagne.<br />Look at how your body has changed. Hmm, I remember the fantastic feeling of having a cleavage during my pregnancies which was never there when I wasn’t pregnant. Shame I had the bump though, just when I could take advantage and show off this sexy cleavage.<br /><br />Oh and then later those hot flushes, they were the pits. I felt as if I had an inbuilt furnace. Laughs out loud. I was babysitting when I had the first one. I thought the weather was changing and getting hot and cold. The poor baby, I kept taking off her blanket and covering her up again. (Rolls eyes, shakes head.)<br />Takes another sip of champagne.<br /><br />Examines her body in the Mirror.<br />Touches her tummy. Hmm, when did you appear? Raises her arms to adjust her hair with hands. Then sees the loose flesh under her arms.<br />This jelly on my arms wasn’t invited, but there isn’t much I can do about it now. Still you don’t have to keep wobbling every time I lift my arms, do you?<br />And when exactly was it my boobs started wandering down toward my stomach.<br />Never mind at least I can’t see my sagging behind.<br />Adjusts her bra straps, pushes boobs up with her cupped hands<br />Ah well, this is just me on the outside.<br /><br />Finishes off the glass of champagne and toasts herself<br />Here is to my ‘best me’ and a new chapter with different experiences. From here on in we are going to free fall and not waste a moment of this gift called Life.<br />Puts on her hat, picks up her handbag, and straightens up. Has one last look in the mirror.<br />All masks are off, I love you my friend, you know everything, don’t you? All my little secrets and foibles. You know about all my little catastrophes, but along the way there was love and laughter. And you know we have made it in a most glorious way.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">End. Curtain Falls</span><br />.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-45706741175266917002010-05-14T22:41:00.000-07:002010-05-14T22:52:06.681-07:00The PassportInstructions to apply for a Passport appear quite simple and straightforward. To renew an Australian Passport appears even more simple and straightforward. One can download the forms, fill them in and take them to the Post Office. Following this a photo is taken which generally makes the passport owner look like a convicted criminal. It is attached to the form then all that is needed is a signature. Easy enough really in the grand scheme of things.<br /><br />Today was a special day for Jamie, he spruced himself up, had a shave, cleaned and polished his wheelchair (well that part isn’t entirely correct). Then off we drove to the post office for ‘The Passport’. Since his stroke Jamie has had problems using his dominant hand, it tends to shake and fly about now and again which makes it hard to write. So he has been practicing writing with his right hand and not doing too badly.<br /><br />We planned our visit to the post office carefully so we didn’t have to be in a long queue with the wheel chair. It was mid morning 30 minutes before lunch so the workers would still be working.<br />We drove in and found a perfect disabled car space close by. I was even offered help t by people watching me struggle with getting the chair out of the car. When we arrived at the post office, sure enough, we had timed it perfectly, there was only a small queue of five people.<br /><br />When it was our turn, Jamie wheeled himself up to the counter and said proudly and (loudly) ‘I want to renew my passport please’. The girl at the counter took his photograph, the first one didn’t turn out so well so she took another. When she realized we had a stack of crates in front of us and could barely move the wheelchair she came around to the front of the counter to help us. By this time there was a small crowd. Have you ever noticed when you are in a public place people like to look without appearing to do so. Heaven forbid there anybody should be seen to make eye contact. Finally the photographs were approved of and Jamie had to sign in a very small space on his passport document. He leaned forward and slowly, slowly started to write. ‘You must write inside this square,’ he had been warned. As he wrote the crowd leaned forward as if to give him moral support. Finally it was over and he had made his signature. Alas the last letter of his surname was poking out of the square as if to say ‘let me out of here I want to go and explore. ‘Sorry’, said the post office clerk, you will have to try again. So as Jamie drew in a deep breath the ever growing crowd did the same and ever so slowly leaned forward as Jamie proceeded to write. Triumphantly he called out I think I did it this time. I had said try to leave only small spaces but he thought I meant make small letters and they all looked a bit like spindly ants as they crept along the page. Remembering my idea of pretending I was in a movie when things got hard. I stood up and clapped loudly, the crowd followed suit.<br />Our excitement didn’t last long. ‘Alas, you will have to go home and try again’. The helpful post office lady advised us. By this time I was thinking we should have just asked if we could mark the space with an X. It was rather disconcerting to see the crowd was now so large the queue was moving out of the door. <br />Now as we were preparing to leave we found that in front of us was a sea of people who were crowding wheel chair space with parcels, trolleys and prams. A kind Irishman urged us forward, ‘you can do it dearie’ he said. So, lifting my head high I strode forth through the melee presenting the crowds with a small enigmatic smile as the cameras rolled on the next scene. “That has to be a take, I thought to myself, 'I’m sure that was my best role ever.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-47501753909773379622009-07-19T03:48:00.000-07:002009-07-19T04:14:51.800-07:00D'Zell has an outingLast week I had reason to take my son's dog D'Zell to the Vet. We haven't had a great deal to do with each other, so before we left home I set down the rules of good dog behaviour, explaining we were going to the Vet and if he was well behaved he would have a reward when he arrived home. D'Zell is a large dog, lovely nature but suffers from 'hyperactivity'. He bounced happily into my car and after sniffing all about decided to sit with his nose out of the window. This is going to be easy I thought. Finally we arrived at our destination.<br /><br />Imagining he might be rather frightened in his new surroundings I soothed him and patted him and told him everything would be alright, just follow me. Not so, this dog had no fear, he couldn't wait to fly out of the car and begin his adventure. He raced past me and ran straight through the door to the Vet. He must have thought he was at a party, as he ran about sniffing people, dogs, guinea pigs, cats, introducing himself and looking about him as if to say, 'where is the food'.<br />I felt as if I wanted to explain this isn't my dog and he hasn't been introduced to dog pre school or Cesar Milan as yet. On the whole people were very patient with D'Zell's meanderings, I guess they had to be, after all they are pet owners aren't they?<br />Finally, he was called to the Vet's examining room. The poor vet could only watch in amazement as D'Zell charged about her room, knocking over anything in his path. She thought to slow him down by giving him a little snack. No chance, he just gulped it down on his way to demolishing the contents of the rubbish bin in the corner.<br />The vet gave D'Zell a quick look over and pronounced him ok, and we were allowed to leave.<br />As we headed for the door, someone came in and opened it for us, at the same time D'Zell's lead slipped off and away he raced out into the car park. Fortunately a very kind young man was out side, he slowed Deez down and slipped the lead over his head, after the dog had banged his head several times on the poor man's bumper.<br /><br />D'Zell and I have been out several times since this event and as long as I let him believe he is taking me for a walk and I follow along behind him it is working out reasonably well.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-62375354446573081392008-09-28T05:38:00.000-07:002008-09-28T06:01:16.755-07:00Snatches of ConversationSnatches of conversation can be found everywhere, floating out of bar room doors, drifting on the breeze where people sit in outside areas, talking sharing. Of course these snatches are shifty characters, incomplete and slippery, open to all kinds of interpretations. If you try to listen too deeply the snatches simply clam up and become silent.<br /><br />Recently I have overheard two incomplete conversations. One was whilst waiting outside a public toilet. Two women aged approximately seventy years were holding a discussion, oblivious to the women surrounding them in the queue.<br />One bent forward, the lines between her eyebrows deepening. I thought this to be significant. Then she spoke. 'I have made up my mind, I'm going to the house tonight'.<br />'Oh! said the other, 'How do you feel about that?'<br />'I'm very worried and uneasy. 'I'm going in and will need backup' Was the response. <br /> From these snatches I wondered, where the old ladies two police officers? Was espionage involved? After all, don't they always say 'I'm going in, cover my back' on television. Or was she<br />a burglar, going home to get dressed in black with a mask and then covered in grease off to her next 'mark?' Was it all innocent? Perhaps it was a friend's birthday and she wanted to surprise her. Somehow this didn't sound very festive.<br />Then it was my turn to use the vacant toilet so I did not hear the end of the conversation.<br /><br />The second snatch of conversation I heard was while searching through a second hand book store. The woman next to me had a mobile phone which began ringing insistently. I'm sure the tune came from Star Wars. Her conversation with the caller went something like this.<br />'I'm in a book store at the moment so I can't say much. I phoned you about my daughter. She seriously needs help and I think she should come and see you'. There was a pause, then,<br />'Well she is seeing a man and I think he is a drug addict and may even be a dealer', said loudly and in a firm tone. Again silence, 'Then, well I', very busy and can't really make an appointment until the end of the month. Do you have a time then?<br />At that moment I had to pay my book and no reason to stay in the store. Still, I couldn't help be curious, who had the woman phoned? Was it the police? A counsellor? Did her daughter know she was making contact to talk about her? Even if her daughter was unaware there where 16 customers in a second hand book shop that now knew.<br /><br />Eavesdropping is the best way to find out what these 'snatches of conversation are up to. But be prepared for disappointment, as I have discovered meeting with snatches is rarely a fulfilling experience.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-5808975245542143402008-01-17T01:52:00.000-08:002008-01-17T02:09:46.985-08:00Ridin the newest train route in the southern hemisphereThe Mandurah to Perth Railway line opened a few days before Christmas 2007 so Im pretty sure its the newest so far. There was great excitement everywhere, the long awaited train had finally arrived. It was a bit like the Berlin Wall, there was lots of discussion, then one day'poof'' it was gone. The new railway line has been discussed over and over, there were so many delays we wondered would it ever happen at all. Then just as we had begun to believe it was all a myth, suddenly 'poof' the line was opened.<br />Early one morning Jamie and I drove to the Mandurah station and caught the train, There were a few little hiccups, for example we were unable to pay for car parking as the machine was broken. Neither could we purchase a railway ticket, the ticket machine was down.<br /><br />At last the moment arrived when we stepped aboard <strong><em>the </em></strong>train. I was amazed to notice that our new trains had already been targeted with graffiti. Still, it was an exciting time, sitting on the train and admiring the view. There was only one serious mishap when an elderly couple had to alight at their designated station. The doors opened and the wife alighted, however they shut instantly and the husband was left on the train. He was distraught but I hope buoyed by the assitance he received from the other passengers. One person offered their mobile phone, except he was unable to use it. A passenger produced a map to show him how far it was to the next station where he could alight and go back and join his wife.<br /><br />When the time came for him to get off the train, half the passengers in his carriage jumped up ready to assist him and make sure he left the train. Finally the drama was over and hopefully the man was able to find his wife again.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-16191591012424856482007-11-23T03:16:00.000-08:002007-11-23T03:55:38.090-08:00A Place to MeetMy latest addiction is the online site Facebook. This is a great way of social networking and keeping up with friends. It seems everyone is on Facebook these days, even the Leader of the Opposition, (who by the 24th November may become the new Prime Minister of Australia). He has 90,000 friends on Facebook. As I don't aspire to having the highest post in the land, I'm happy with my 16 or so friends. Facebook is a fun way of catching up with people you may not see very often. If you are pressed for time you can invite people to write on your Wall. This is a space on your profile that allows friends to post mesages for you and your other friends to see. Or you can keep in touch by uploading photos and letting people know what you have been up to.<br />There is provision to put down all the books you have read and movies you have seen. Or you might prefer to just send a 'poke' to someone, sort of similar to a physical nudge for attention.<br />For $1 you can send a gift, or choose to send something free, like a tree or a snowman. <br /><br />There are a plethora of activities on Facebook for you to choose from. Apart from social networking Facebook can also be used to spread the news about a new business venture you have started. One softdrink brand (can't say which) launched a competition online with slideshows, video interviews and wallpapers and attracted a community of over 7000 friends. (The Sunday Times 30/09/2007).<br /><br />People worry about lack of face to face content, yet conversations online are often much deeper and more meaningful than a conversation started at the 'pub'. Besides, most Facebook users seem to have face to face contact as well as meeting online.<br /><br />Facebook also has a safety system where users are provided with the means to report any inappropriate comments. You can also choose what details you want to be made public.<br /><br />Don't be scared of Facebook. Come on and try it. You can even add me as your first friend if you want.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-3748319931026098932007-11-22T02:56:00.000-08:002007-11-22T03:41:11.610-08:00Help! They are Murdering EnglishRecently I read a comment in an overseas paper, stating that foreign students studying in Britain will be educated in the etiquette of queuing. The Brits do the queuing thing exceedingly well, however the foreign students are not so well versed in this habit. Some cultures even hold a scrum every time a bus turns up, apparently.<br />As I didn't plan to write about this subject I shall segue to my main topic, the English language as spoken in Australia. <br />The letter L appears to have been replaced from the the word Australia by the letter Y. Australia has now become Austraya. I think this is unfair to the letter L and also it makes Australia sound even more like Austria. Is this a conspiracy? Are the Austrians now taking over Austraya?<br />Then there is the (wonderful) State of Western Australia (WA) now often referred to as Dubba u A. Oooh wait, doesn't that sound like Dubai?<br />I formally declare myself proud of the L, see how it stands up tall and straight. I personally think it is more upstanding than the Y. If this makes me a revolutionary and non conformist, so be it.<br />One more thing I find particularly annoying is using 'u' in place of the curly little 'e' as in uleven for eleven. There is a place for the Y and the U but not in Australia, WA and eleven.<br />I'm off to make and sell cheap placards stating 'down with Y, up with L and E.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-52495539476383974342007-11-20T03:07:00.000-08:002007-11-20T03:43:43.139-08:00June is the cruellest month.......heralding winter downunderI have never been fond of the cold dark times of winter. I would like to imagine winter as a time to rest and pull my energy in just as the bulbs do, a season where new life is beginning deep underground where it wont be seen until the spring. But alas all I feel is gloomy and cold during this dark depressing time. Then I discovered my feeling sad has a clinical name, Seasonally Affective Disorder (SAD). This hasn't changed my feelings toward winter but at least I have a legitimate excuse for the way I am affected. Thanks to the wonderful world of the web I have found many suggestions on how to overcome this disorder. I can go and stare into special lighting fixtures until my head aches and I begin to see stars, somehow this isn't appealing. There are other high intensity discharge sources that buzz loudly, (affecting the ears) and are extremely bright. I'm already suffering emotional pain with SAD, I really don't want to cause myself further physical pain so I'm not going to confer with anyone who is a sales person for a lighting company.<br />Now that I know my condition is possibly caused by lack of sun and Vitamin D and a coldness that chills me to the bone, I am going to take action my way.<br />My Plan: Wear bright colours; catch up on those tasks that were screaming at me to complete all through summer; Enjoy the company of good friends over dinner and a nice warm fire;<br />Throw a Murder Mystery Night, murders are surely more enjoyable in winter! Catch up on reading and writing;<br />I can head North for winter or alternatively just do lots of sleeping.<br />Perhaps I could imagine I am Persephone the Greek goddess who was pulled down into the undeground by Pluto the king of darkness. When she was away from the earth, the cold north winds began to blow and snow covered the places where the colourful flowers had bloomed. The earth became dark and cold. Later Pluto allowed Persephone to return to earth and dwell in the realms of light for six months of the year, then the earth began to bloom, trees bore fruit and crops flourished.<br />If this flight of fancy doesn't help, I will have to observe parts of nature in winter that I haven't noticed. For example the odd shaped leafless branches of trees set against a wintry sunset. Or a watefall fresh and sparkling from the first winter rains. I can do it, I know I can,<br />If you have any suggestions, please let me know, I will try anything.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-53290288255576440422007-11-13T01:27:00.000-08:002007-11-13T01:51:37.985-08:00A summer's day in MandurahLast Sunday was the perfect day for an outing. It was 90 degrees or so, the sun shine brightly, (obviously or it wouldn't have been 90 degrees). We decided on a short trip of around 30 minutes to visit Nath. When we drove up to the freeway we realized everybody else had the same idea. Where I live the locals either stay indoors or go travelling away from Mandurah to avoid the holiday crush. So bravely, we joined the holiday makers and drove slowly along the freeway. When we reached a set of lights ten minutes from home we had to wait, as you generally do at traffic lights. We sat patiently, waiting, waiting, waiting. After being at the lights for 40 minutes and being the clever detectives we are we realized there was a problem ahead. Then we had a bright idea, let's go along the coast road and come out further down the free way.<br />So at the nearest corner we turned and 50 other cars followed us. I felt a bit like Forrest Gump must have done when he was running and half the world followed him, thinking he knew something important.<br />Off we travelled in convoy, in and out of streets and laneways, once we even went on a dirt track, much to the disgust of my new car. Finally, we reached our destination, and surprise, surprise, the entrance to the main road was closed. Apparently there were road works happening and this was the reason for the hold up. Can you believe it? On a Sunday when every one is out on the one road to anywhere. I thought about going on the road less travelled but got lost once so I remained where I was. Eventually I turned around and headed back where we had come from. Cars were still following me and I felt as if I had made new friends that afternoon. Perhaps we should have stopped and had a picnic lunch with them all. That would really have been blogworthy.<br />After spending over an hour driving around we decided to stop at our favourite spot at the Marina for lunch and enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach. I'm not quite sure what happened to all my followers but only a few of them turned into the Marina with us.<br /><br />Later that day we had a surprise visit from Nath. He had decided as we couldn't come to him he would pay us a visit, which was lovely. However, he came on his motor bike and as a mother I had to worry until I knew he had made it home safely. He messaged me the instant he turned into his street, before he went inside his house as per my instructions. Funny isn't it? our kids are always our kids even when they are 27 years old. I love that line from a movie which says, 'a mother holds her child's hand for a short time, but holds their hearts forever.' It was something like that anyway.<br />Well its summer downunder so I'm happy and can put up with all these small worries.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-34167478375374997412007-10-27T06:48:00.000-07:002007-10-27T07:22:11.403-07:00People watchingI love summer evenings, when, after enjoying a meal we can stroll along the boardwalk, walking away the calories and savouring the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood. In some parts, life has spilled on to the pavements, music coming from cafes and restaurants, people sit outside drinking coffee, whiling away the hours, watching passers by. There are different types of passers by to be observed. Some who work the streets all night. (That is, garbage collectors and the like). Cars zoom by with the stereo volume turned up high, bearing number plates like, 'free spirit', 'fast cars rock' 'one night stand'.<br />Because Australians tend to live by the Coast or rivers, there is always the sound of the surf or a river view. Even the sound of the mobile phone is becoming the norm. People aren't usually phoning share holders and such, its generally friendly chit chat. For example, hello, I'm out to dinner just checking the kids are ok, or did we turn the gas off before we left? Ah! the wonders of modern technology, how did we survive without it?Someday I will write a book based only on these public mobile phone calls.<br />Sometimes there are family arguments which are hard to ignore as they waft across on the breeze from the river. I like too imagine that one day I will hear a conversation that is really worth eavesdropping for. For example, where are you now? were you seen? what did you do with the evidence? This is when I watch and try to remember faces, just in case I have to give testify in Court someday. Who know when my moment will arrive and I get to identify the chief suspect?<br />Usually, I just get to go home and sleep off the meal I have partake and the extra exercise Just being a part of the cosmopolitan crowd on a warm summer evening has been enough for me.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-70009083209596198632007-10-27T06:33:00.000-07:002007-10-27T06:48:03.241-07:00Wish to make it happenThe new order of the day appears to be cosmic wishing. Apparently the way it works is thus. <br />One decides on what it is you want out of life and then ask the Universe to provide it for you.<br /><br /> It seems fairly straighforward, with not much effort or even the overuse of brain cells. Once you have determined what it is you wish for, you visualise it and it happens. At the moment it works for your own secret dreams, for example, a promotion or a nice new car.<br /><br />Hopefully, when it is fine tuned, we can work on World Peace or eradicating poverty. Still, lets face it, most of the Miss World's hoped for world peace and weren't able to achieve it, so it may take a while longer.<br />It appears that celebritiies have been attracted by this cosmic ordering, so it has to be okay, right? I wonder what I'm doing wrong for it not to be working. I had thought to write it down but Im not sure who to address it to. "Dear Cosmic Ordering, or Miss Universe,' just doesnt seem to work.<br />I shall keep trying and just as soon as my wishes are granted I will be sure to let you all know.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-24661240531828263572007-10-27T06:00:00.000-07:002007-10-27T06:31:40.670-07:00Sleep my lovely, sleepIt appears that sleep walking has become so prevalent in the UK that staff in hotels are being trained in how to deal with the problem.<br />It follows an increase in the number of guests found wandering around in the night with no clothes on. A study by Travelodge found there had been more than 400 cases in the past year, almost all involving men.<br />Sleep experts blame stress, alcohol abuse and lack of sleep for the disorder.<br />The research, conducted in 310 Travelodge hotels, found sleepwalkers wandered all over the building.<br />A number had walked into the reception area asking for a newspaper or saying they wanted to check out.<br />Travelodge said it was sending notes to its staff on how to deal with the problem.<br />The advice includes keeping a supply of towels in reception to help preserve a guest's dignity.<br /><br />Given the fact that the hotel door generally slams shut when you leave it, there is no way back inside without the key which I expect a sleep walker wouldn't have taken with him. So the best solution is probably to go to Reception and get help.<br /><br />I wonder, do sleep walkers really walk with their hands outstretched in front of them? If not, how do you know they are sleep walkers?glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-27683872317509465072007-10-03T03:10:00.000-07:002007-10-03T03:58:48.229-07:00Grim Predictions of DoomIt appears that when there is a new invention there are also prophets of doom who want to demonise anything new, as if they have an innate fear that it will be the ruin of civilized society. For example when Movies first began there was extremely strict censorship. If a man kissed a woman and they were near a bed, he had to keep one foot on the floor at all times so there was 'no funny business'.<br /><br />The advent of Television was of a great concern, 'it will surely give people square eyes', they said. I see no squared eyed people yet.<br /><br />Along came rock and roll. Elvis Presley was believed to have the power to corrupt a whole generation of young people as he gyrated on the stage. Even the Beatles were said to be harming the ears of the young, because they 'screamed loudly'. So did the fans I might add.<br /><br />Even the advent of the motor car was of some concern. Apparently they were considered to be so dangerous that a man would run in front of the car waving a flag warning passers by.<br />As for the railway trains. There was a fear that the human body wouldn't be able to cope with moving at more that 30 miles per hour. Another railway warning stated that if the train travelled too fast the air would leave the carriages and people would suffocate.<br /><br />Then there is the mini dress that Jean Shrimpton was dressed in when she appeared at the Races in Sydney. Apparently some fathers clapped their hands over their son's eyes so they would not become instantly corrupted. There is something there about responsibility for our own actions which I shall not go in to at the moment.<br /><br />Computers once took up two or three rooms now they sit on the palms of our hands. Remember the Y2K bug in 2000, when it was thought the world as we know it might end?<br />Then came the Mobile Phone. I heard one man say that he often talked to himself and now felt quite 'normal' when he passed a mobile phone user as they looked to be doing the same thing.<br /><br />Is society going down the drain through the use of the clothes dryer? No longer do we see neighbours hanging out their clothes on the Hills Hoist and stopping by for a chat.<br />The Ipod is now part of every day life, its easy to use and just slips in your pocket. The fear now is that Ipod users are becoming like Zombies, so intent on what they are listening to on their Ipods they are unaware of what is happening around them. Mabye all those old horror zombie movies are becoming true.<br /><br />I love being in the 21st century and want to enjoy it for as long as I possibly can.<br /><br />Glenniahglenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-82997075279964550782007-09-30T03:49:00.000-07:002007-09-30T04:06:34.703-07:00That which does not kill you, will make you strongerMy son has a propensity toward surprises. A good surprise would be the one where he hired a limousine and took us out to a revolving restuarant in Perth for Jamie's birthday. Today was a surprise of different proportions. A few months back he 'shocked' his mother when he announced he had bought himself a motor bike. 'not too big Mum, only 250cc.' (I think that's what he said, my brain was rather muddled at the time). Anyhow I came to terms with this fact and said just don't tell me when you are out riding it.<br />Today we went over to his house for a visit. He asked me to try on the helmet and the jacket and gloves I would wear if I were ever to venture on to his bike. 'you look great Mum, how about a ride now you are all dressed up and ready.' He looked so excited I just couldn't make an excuse not to, although a couple of reasons did spring to mind.<br />I have to say both he and I were very impressed by the way I was able to hop straight on to the bike and seat myself.<br />Sami and Jamie waved us goodbye and off we sped. Actually the ride was great, we rode along the beach front and I was even able to open my eyes and enjoy the view. There is something about riding free with the wind in your hair, or is it the people you pass by and you imagine how they must envy you. Anyhow it was a fun trip. When we arrived back home Jamie thought he should have a turn also. 'Che Guevara rode a motor bike' he declared. I wasn't sure what that had to do with anything but off they went and he too enjoyed his ride with Nath.<br />Afterwards Jamie and I discussed the trips we would like to take when I retire from work. We chose buses, trains and a car, strangely enough motor bikes didnt enter our thoughts.<br />Still I will ride again with Nath, I think he was proud of us and I'm certainly proud of me.<br />Glenglenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-21752141539502853842007-09-16T03:26:00.000-07:002007-09-16T03:56:05.745-07:00Neighbourhood HeroToday was a lovely warm Spring day and Jamie and I went to visit Nath and Sami. We sat out on their front porch, soaking up the sun and chatting. Have you ever observed an incident occurring and not taken in the full consequences? For the past half an hour or so there was a lady on the corner house who kept walking up to the huge iron gate at the side of her house and walking away again. We didn't notice where she went as were weren't really paying her a lot of attention. Suddenly we realized she was at her front door and whenever she left and walked back to the fence a small child began wailing plaintively from inside the house. On further observation we realized she was walking to the front door and trying to open it, then walking back to her gate and attempting the same thing. This was connected to the distraught crying of the child.<br />'I think she is locked out of the house' one of us decided. We watched her make two more attempts and then all agreed, this was the case. We held a small discussion about what we should do in this instance, then Jamie said he would walk over and break the ice as it were, find out what was happening and go from there.<br />He walked across the road and was greeted excitedly by the neighbour who explained her plight. She had gone through the front door and her 18 month old granddaughter had inadvertently locked it behind her.<br />Jamie and the neighbour walked to the iron fence and realized that neither of them could climb over it as it was over 6 feet high. Plus there was an alsatian barking madly in the yard, so certainly strangers wouldn't be welcome, in fact they may have even be eaten. Then Nath decided he was the youngest male and the fittest so off he raced to the rescue. Sami and I watched another discussion between the three, then Nath returned home and went out to his shed. Armed with a screwdriver and other tools he headed back to the neighbour. In no time at all he had unscrewed the huge gate so the neighbour had access to the back door. She was delighted and raced into the house, coming out the front door with the child in her arms and waving to the two heroes.<br />All in all another eventful Sunday.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-69964420608259296252007-08-29T04:16:00.000-07:002007-08-29T04:18:15.334-07:00Music as TherapyWIKIPEDIA, the online encylopedia, informs us that the history of music predates the written word. The development of music among humans occurred against the backdrop of natural sounds such as birdsong and the sounds other animals use to communicate.<br /><br />Music has a profound effect on the listener in a variety of ways. It is a vehicle by which we can express many emotions ranging from sorrow to joy and happiness. It can be used as entertainment or for Spiritual worship and meditation.<br />Imagine standing in a huge Cathedral and being enthralled by the sound of a Symphony Orchestra. One cannot help but be moved by the experience.<br /><br />Music Therapy is a growing health care profession, based on the belief that all people have the potential to respond to music and that music promotes emotional and mental health and well being. Music therapists use music creatively to bring about change and growth in people with the aim of empowering them to achieve their full potential.<br />The use of music in therapy has been found to benefit cancer patients, people with depression and children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). <br />Music is also a great stress management tool and can be used to help us become more calm and relaxed. <br /><br />Perhaps the fact that music predates language is the reason that people like those with Alzheimer’s can relate to it. People with Alzheimer’s may regress in their cognitive processes, however, even when they are cut off and isolated mentally and emotionally from their families and loved ones and the world they once knew, music can be a vehicle to reduce their isolation by stimulating them through their senses.<br /><br />People who are profoundly deaf can experience music by feeling the vibrations in their body. They may have never heard the spoken word, yet can appreciate music.<br /><br />A BBC Report states, Researchers from Hong Kong found that children who were given musical training had better verbal memories than those who had not had music lessons. The researchers believe their findings could also help people recovering from a brain injury as well as benefiting healthy children.<br /><br />Children relate well to music and movement. Babies become settled when they hear the sounds of their mothers’ voice singing lullabies. As they grow older music can help them connect and recognize the types of feelings they are experiencing.<br /><br />Music is God’s gift to us, some people are blessed with musical talents, and others are blessed by listening and appreciating the sound of music.<br /><br /><br />Glenniahglenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-22249935326884169082007-08-24T04:54:00.000-07:002007-08-24T05:08:18.404-07:00finding my fatherThe new grey granite Headstone marking the grave of my Father’s parents in the Fremantle cemetery stands upright. Twelve months before my father died he paid to have his parent’s grave tidied up and the head stone refurbished. He didn’t realize how soon he would be ready to go to his last resting place. However, things didn’t work out exactly as he had planned. When my father succumbed to a stroke in 1999 my brother was in charge of all the funeral arrangements and his burial site. I trusted him. After all how difficult can it be to ensure a person’s ashes are placed where they are intended? For some time afterwards I imagined my father resting peacefully with his ancestors in the recently restored family grave.<br /><br />I am not one for visiting cemeteries unless I have to attend a funeral or am doing some genealogy research. This however, happens infrequently. Although, in the last twelve months, I have been to more funerals than in the last ten years.<br />One day, my husband Jamie and I decided to go and visit father’s grave with my cousin. We found the gravesite with the name of my father’s parents and long gone brothers and sisters. Imagine our consternation when we saw no mention of my father. He was not where he should have been.<br /><br />We decided the best option was to split up and search for him; well…. his resting place anyway. Fremantle cemetery was established in 1896, so there were many graves to peruse. Jamie and my cousin began searching all the headstones in the Baptist section. I walked across to the Methodist section where my mother’s ashes had been interred with her parents. No, there was no father there. <br />Slowly I continued my quest, enjoying the peace and quiet as I strolled through this last resting place of so many people. I wondered about those who had once lived and loved, worked, now gone, living on only in the memories of families and friends left behind. <br /><br />Some graves had been left bare and desolate for years. Others were covered in plastic flowers, (dust collectors are what my mother called them). Some were tended often with tender loving care, as evidenced by the vases of fresh flowers and lack of weeds.<br />Yet others were worn with the passing of time, their named almost erased. No longer were there any loved ones left alive to tend their graves.<br />The inscriptions reminded me that death has no respect for age. The graves of little children and babies were identified by the statues of angels. Some born in the early days of settlement when the dry harsh land had been too hard and they had succumbed to illnesses that are unheard of these days.<br /><br />I looked up at the sky washed in a multitude of hues; dusk was approaching. In the distance, a glimpse of the Indian Ocean reflecting the sun’s rays could be seen.<br />Suddenly I was brought back into the present when my mobile phone rang.<br />‘Come back,’ said Jamie. ‘We have found your father.’ Of course he meant the place where his ashes had been buried. I hurried back and as I ran I noticed some people looking at me as though running is out of place in a cemetery. Which I dare say might be. I hurried through the grounds, past the large trees, their leaves dappled by the fading sunlight. Branches spread out, protecting, covering those who lay beneath. Finally I reached the pair. They were quite close to the family gravesite but at a different grave. <br /><br />Instead of being buried with his parents my father’s ashes had been placed with another part of our family, a part that we had long ago lost contact with. Standing and gazing at the spot we were very impressed. <br />Hi Dad’, I whispered, I thought of all the words we’d never said, now left unspoken.<br />‘Perhaps you can get to know these long lost relations,’ was all I could say.<br />‘This is a lovely spot’, murmured my cousin. ‘I wouldn’t mind being buried here.’<br />‘Neither would I’ was my husband’s response.<br />The grave was under a huge tree with shade for protection during our hot summers. It was only a few metres away from my father’s family and my mother’s grave was close by. I could imagine him peacefully at rest during the long nights, close to his family. Perhaps even closer than in life.<br /><br />We decided not to have his ashes moved. We would leave my father where he was.<br />I don’t suppose the current occupant is really bothered, although I do wonder what the owners of the grave think when they visit and see a person with the same name as theirs, yet a stranger, buried in their family plot.glenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3650245865643318673.post-80655820550006313692007-08-09T04:52:00.000-07:002007-08-10T03:31:53.470-07:00Meeting my life partnerIt was a warm balmy English Summer's day. I stood at Victoria Railway Station in London looking rather perplexedly for a sign to point me in the right direction. Suddenly a young (not unattracive man) spoke to me. Now I had seen him pass me and then come back again. Oh he likes me I thought, I know his kind, I will give him short shrift. However he did point out that I was meant to be at Victoria Bus station and not the railway station. This was helpful to me as I was awaiting the arrival of friends from the bus station. I felt I owed him, so when he asked me to have a coffee with him while I waited, I deigned to accept.We whiled away a pleasant hour or two until my friends finally found us.The conversation then turned to where we were going to go next. I chose the movies and my new friend said, Oh I have always wanted to see that film ( nod nod wink wink thought I). The others chose to go elsewhere and I felt that as it was early afternoon I would probably be safe enough to go with this gentleman to the movies.At the end of the film we went out to dinner and then he took me home. Outside the house he asked me, 'May I kiss you goodnight or should we shake hands." Wow! I was won over but didnt want to appear to be too anxious so I held out my hand for him to shake.<br /><br />I was staying at the time with my girl friend's parents and when they discoved I had a male friend they were most concerned that this little Australian girl had met a man in big bad London. Immeadiately they invited him home so they could check him out, lol.They loved him because he cried at sad movies and knew all the really old hymns. LOL He could have been an axe murderer but he won the Mother's heart so he was IN.Well that was 25 years ago and we are still dancing to the same tune,a little bit slower now tho.<br /><br />glenniglenniahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589004242170681114noreply@blogger.com1