tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55282384792874060322024-03-06T08:30:44.891+10:00Diary of a House Sitter and TravellerI have been a house sitter - looking after folks' homes while they travel. After driving around Australia on my own I settled at Beachmere, but have now moved back to Wynnum West. Now it's time to write.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-29140725027596060962024-01-14T18:35:00.003+10:002024-01-14T18:35:53.109+10:00The Control Cat<p style="text-align: center;"> <b>One Night House Sit</b></p><p>New Year's Eve and I had no plans to celebrate - so I was available to mind a cat while all family members were out and about. Easy. Well, it was.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLguW_UoPOI_yOgavaviqgjirQXnk-jNY6HPWcpMF4gbbr6tI4eOUV8CZa7qy5tczDsEvLEfz5Ps0ECYfja5SxlZbDz8go6_jUvzhPvYzf8QqfhGYyjMnZwRpw3Cm_yfM-RCFajI8ipahDXx9AFkkHGHzn8BHQVw802h3arznG-VZsV4d46c1bQUJ4KF7/s4608/P1010100.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLguW_UoPOI_yOgavaviqgjirQXnk-jNY6HPWcpMF4gbbr6tI4eOUV8CZa7qy5tczDsEvLEfz5Ps0ECYfja5SxlZbDz8go6_jUvzhPvYzf8QqfhGYyjMnZwRpw3Cm_yfM-RCFajI8ipahDXx9AFkkHGHzn8BHQVw802h3arznG-VZsV4d46c1bQUJ4KF7/w458-h344/P1010100.JPG" title="It is all about the Cat....................." width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I suppose anyone who owns a cat realises that they can't control the cat - life is all about the cat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So when I wanted to do some work on my laptop, the cat made sure I could not do anything other than play with her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuB_zWDRYwrgLOIKvtXS309SJ63D0DqUato8iuhGEQz7wC1JqD52BX52GSRacaKmMr4wTVeESuDv8zPh79dDwdMz-I_QTlxCtwOM7toQAI1amVyoHvHosn3opGABjNXYry8TotEfkOeyigBEKG4LfWrz6P8ezhLyttkn0O3KWZlCTdJUdBqDmJM-JTWKo/s4608/PC310094.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuB_zWDRYwrgLOIKvtXS309SJ63D0DqUato8iuhGEQz7wC1JqD52BX52GSRacaKmMr4wTVeESuDv8zPh79dDwdMz-I_QTlxCtwOM7toQAI1amVyoHvHosn3opGABjNXYry8TotEfkOeyigBEKG4LfWrz6P8ezhLyttkn0O3KWZlCTdJUdBqDmJM-JTWKo/w640-h480/PC310094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Come and play with me. Pat me. You are supposed to be looking after me. " she pleads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Play a board game? Not a hope - Actually this was <a href="http://Bananagram.">Bananagram.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCXqp6o9yTl-eoueSd7MDbWfkjH5iqzt3AsF-rwAmz6n3V1E0v03Nr-3inocuCg_MFiiq3ZJHx_qzNmjthYCyLWBx9fA8ilNkObD6zoUFRXwOeT4MScClb42rXGn-XyRuNhrY_rWfawvSSgeBpE5k6RPWqtoFjjV9DUzvhD344YFLqyGsI-iGOF6mnk8m/s4000/20240114_102354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCXqp6o9yTl-eoueSd7MDbWfkjH5iqzt3AsF-rwAmz6n3V1E0v03Nr-3inocuCg_MFiiq3ZJHx_qzNmjthYCyLWBx9fA8ilNkObD6zoUFRXwOeT4MScClb42rXGn-XyRuNhrY_rWfawvSSgeBpE5k6RPWqtoFjjV9DUzvhD344YFLqyGsI-iGOF6mnk8m/w630-h283/20240114_102354.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did get to sleep in the "guest" bed, and I shut the door for I know she would have pestered me all night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we did play and I'd pat her on my lap - but she warned me a couple of times to stop, but biting and scratching me. She does this, but the wounds were minor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am glad I don't do regular house sits - and I don't intent returning to what I did all those years ago.</div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-88344589596347789772023-12-22T10:34:00.005+10:002023-12-22T14:16:32.043+10:00House-Sitting Again?<p><b> Out of "Retirement"?</b></p><p>As 2024 approaches, there are two possibilities of house sitting again. It has been quite a few years since I was an enthusiastic house sitter - with great gigs around the <a href="https://wp.me/p89yyf-2IY">northern Brisbane</a> areas - including Bribie Island and Wamuran.</p><p>When I moved back to Brisbane, it was no longer on my radar to do. I had a few health issues, a stable home, and took time to rest up and do other things.</p><p>However, I did have a few short stints at my son's place - no pets, no children, just to stay and water plants really, on the Gold Coast.</p><p><b><u>Two Days and Nights?</u></b></p><p>It has yet to be confirmed but I may be taking care of my daughter and son-in-law's place for two or 3 days - not far from where I live.</p><p>There's a cat - which I like, but it is a moody creature and it can cuddle up to me, and without warning attack with bites and claws. But it is the chickens. they have a (sometimes) secure pen, but somehow foxes and snakes find a way in. Recently a fox (or two) took two chickens - smallish, a few months old.</p><p>And when the family were seeking information on the missing chickens they came face to face with a large python!! Now if this happens to me, I might pass out in the chicken pen and the snake might try to eat me!!</p><p>The snake was taken away by the local snake catcher, but what if it comes back.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On an Island</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Moreton Bay has a lot of <a href="https://www.macleayisland.net/">islands,</a> and I did house-sit on one quite a few years ago. My son has moved to a nearby island, and may be going overseas later in 2024. Does he want me to house-sit? It has been discussed but not sure if it will be something I do. I will be consulted nearer to the time. Will I agree to do so? Maybe.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacM9J0GlIdNE5-uMgJnIXbb3vJUR6_Ax95OgWrbgnBF4xEvZbI2XvV1Uc1UfjR8t_U-EABMzp9D-rHoMStQbrGhcoIYUO5HD3Cjy3FtpAjL-sPdMNHESlz-ptFVRSE2DWThUkAUFjYwaKvvRby7FCYLfqA5PhA31LYmv3icBuuuMm6qV7d_-wIOvlVEGM/s4608/P6210091.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacM9J0GlIdNE5-uMgJnIXbb3vJUR6_Ax95OgWrbgnBF4xEvZbI2XvV1Uc1UfjR8t_U-EABMzp9D-rHoMStQbrGhcoIYUO5HD3Cjy3FtpAjL-sPdMNHESlz-ptFVRSE2DWThUkAUFjYwaKvvRby7FCYLfqA5PhA31LYmv3icBuuuMm6qV7d_-wIOvlVEGM/w421-h316/P6210091.JPG" width="421" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are a lot of birds on the islands - and probably one or more of these. I will have my camera next time.<br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-3741445215522279562020-03-09T08:04:00.000+10:002020-03-09T08:04:06.146+10:00A New Direction<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What Next?</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">International Women's Day 2020 will <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="be imprinted" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-20153577F0A4EBAC3E3FBA6F6D37AC95" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">be imprinted</pwa> on my brain forever<pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word=", I think," data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-AB64933736300D82C110C69878326497" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1236" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">, I think,</pwa> as I decided that this date is day one of a new <a href="http://dihill.com.au/celebrating-iwd-day-2020/">beginning</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I completed the GAB training program just the day before, and now I have the onerous task of starting a new business where I will work with people to record stories of their life. GAB, for those who don't know, is the acronym for <b>G</b>uided <b><pwa class="" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-id="pwa-68750350F1700BB8BC3DFD71F947FE36" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Autobiography"><pwa class="" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-id="pwa-E7B33C13F7EFB925B846D03C40D47603" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Autobiography">A</pwa></pwa></b><pwa class="" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-id="pwa-68750350F1700BB8BC3DFD71F947FE36" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Autobiography"><pwa class="" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Autobiograpfhy" data-pwa-id="pwa-E7B33C13F7EFB925B846D03C40D47603" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Autobiography">uto<b>B</b>iography</pwa></pwa>, created by Dr. James Birren, back in the <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="1970's" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Apostrophes aren't needed for decades: '1970s'." data-pwa-id="pwa-316BB4ABF17E7172A71DBC4021D6E669" data-pwa-rule-id="APOSTROPHE_IN_DATES" data-pwa-suggestions="1970s">1970's</pwa>. While technically it is not about "autobiography", but more about life stories or memoir, the name continues as is, <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="in respect of" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: regarding" data-pwa-id="pwa-A479216B6412D96CAE6449772D7A9B91" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_727" data-pwa-suggestions="regarding">in respect of</pwa> Dr. Birren, who passed away a few years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is quite a lot to do to set up the new business, and get some action so <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="that " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-7E0994214884493316ED85B829BAD629" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1514" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">that </pwa>I can <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="start to " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-3B9CCFD8044A52BFDE8A8D9345CE741C" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_931" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">start to </pwa>earn money, but I am very clear in my mind of how it <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="is going to" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: will" data-pwa-id="pwa-A30C7A156F741DBE7AC5D2711B374094" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1482" data-pwa-suggestions="will">is going to</pwa> work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">CoronaVirus</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are in <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="unknown" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Missing determiner" data-pwa-id="pwa-AE335AB41891EB62643EA2B7C07648FB" data-pwa-rule-id="DET_PREP" data-pwa-suggestions="an unknown">unknown</pwa> territory with the <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Coronavirus" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Possible spelling error: Coronavirus" data-pwa-id="pwa-2A1D9CD9A70C573825B4E2B6A0C3A2F6" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="coronavirus~granivorous~granophyres~Coronavirus">Coronavirus</pwa> increasing its impact on all facets of life in Australia. <pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Fortunately" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma after an initial adverb" data-pwa-id="pwa-B8E9018D0C287C36DE8ACF40DC7393D9" data-pwa-rule-id="INITADV_MISSING-COMMA_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="Fortunately,">Fortunately,</pwa> I can run the GAB course online. It is better Face to Face, but I did the course from Canada via Zoom, so I have no issue with <pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="doing" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing end punctuation" data-pwa-id="pwa-47A899AD7066AD41BC4F921063B5384C" data-pwa-rule-id="MISSING_END_PUNCT_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="doing.">doing</pwa> my courses via <a href="http://zoom./">Zoom.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I will <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="be setting" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: set" data-pwa-id="pwa-1DCD759491929092FF594925BAA81E33" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1507" data-pwa-suggestions="set">be setting</pwa> up my <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Lesson Plans" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible unnecessary capitalization" data-pwa-id="pwa-27A42DF0D2BB2F01A3011EC9111E2FE7" data-pwa-rule-id="UNNECESSARY_CAPITALIZATION_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="lesson plans">Lesson Plans</pwa>, PowerPoint <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Presentations" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Better phrase is possible" data-pwa-id="pwa-88055FF99C69F92BDAA34ACEEA185A88" data-pwa-rule-id="BETTER_PHRASING_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="presentations,">Presentations</pwa> and more. <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Plus" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma after introductory phrase" data-pwa-id="pwa-B501830CEADB6842CC9B71DBE542FC58" data-pwa-rule-id="INTRO_32BA78FE43257D3E7F88E3935A8EA0D4" data-pwa-suggestions="Plus,">Plus</pwa> I will <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="be connecting" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: connect" data-pwa-id="pwa-860CA5F3B49F650D350C268D257AA1B7" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1507" data-pwa-suggestions="connect">be connecting</pwa> with organisations who may <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="be interested" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-B9B1515412F0A98114FEB1F6B0C95ABD" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">be interested</pwa> in supporting a GAB <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="program" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing comma" data-pwa-id="pwa-0C21202340F6A917A582458D08A5BD9F" data-pwa-rule-id="MISSING-COMMA_PWCE" data-pwa-suggestions="program,">program</pwa> e.g. libraries, community <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="groups" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing comma" data-pwa-id="pwa-F3202B1CB0717A3203FA961B6A60C270" data-pwa-rule-id="MISSING-COMMA_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="groups,">groups</pwa><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word=" etc" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Consider adding a comma before 'etc'" data-pwa-id="pwa-E3FB7034CF452ED0B8C9F2903DE25FFA" data-pwa-rule-id="ADVERB_COMMA" data-pwa-suggestions=", etc"> etc</pwa>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still have to find a business name. Not sure what, at this <pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="point" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma before coordinating conjunction when dependent clause follows an independent clause" data-pwa-id="pwa-05A72522B81A230362093B92C6E5633C" data-pwa-rule-id="COORDCONJDC_MISSING-COMMA_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="point,"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="point" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing comma" data-pwa-id="pwa-3228BC06CF3B2541BA4B22CD1CFB7129" data-pwa-rule-id="MISSING-COMMA_PWCE" data-pwa-suggestions="point,">point</pwa></pwa> so will brainstorm with some friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Penzu" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing comma" data-pwa-id="pwa-3E4B8F64DB4070F62A04862A81EB3A7C" data-pwa-rule-id="MISSING-COMMA_PWCE" data-pwa-suggestions="Penzu,">Penzu</pwa> Too</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been using Penzu - rather <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done pwa-mark-ignored" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="spasmodically - to" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Don't hyphenate after an adverb ending in ly" data-pwa-id="pwa-1D83BC4D76072FFA1AD923DFB56FC203" data-pwa-rule-id="HYPHEN_ADVERB" data-pwa-suggestions="spasmodically to">spasmodically - to</pwa> create a personal journal. But I have found with GAB that I often am reminded about stories <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="that " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-A409EEB3F668BAF3F646335C2AE5BA23" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1513" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">that </pwa>I have not recorded elsewhere, so I have now a collection of memories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Surprisingly, many" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: Many" data-pwa-id="pwa-0CE06ED0F072417442CC88DF47A947B1" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_446" data-pwa-suggestions="Many">Surprisingly, many</pwa> things pop into my head - and I find it easy to write it in Penzu. It may never see the light of day, but I know I can <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="go and " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-00FC2FB66FD17DBCCFB5FD243E505797" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1448" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">go and </pwa>read the stories and may just use them in something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you wish to <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="make contact with" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: contact" data-pwa-id="pwa-418833699DF9D0BFC6947E510E729790" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1739" data-pwa-suggestions="contact">make contact with</pwa> me re GAB, go to this <a href="http://www.dihill.com.au/blog">website</a> and send a note via the contact form.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-40561252422278434292019-12-29T15:15:00.001+10:002019-12-29T15:15:59.652+10:00Goodbye Toyota Coaster<h2 style="text-align: center;">
My Toyota Coaster</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought my old bus several years ago and had a few adventures in it. I lived in it for a while, but eventually decided I did not want to use it any more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's looking <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="a bit " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-6B12F87D20F88FC76649F6966D950D48" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_449" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="a bit " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-B061ED69FEAF2D6B6933503B72542338" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_449" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">a bit </pwa></pwa>worse for wear, but it appears I have a buyer for it. It is with mixed feelings though. But I will have the funds to visit China next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My plan is to do a farewell trip to China next year - <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="maybe" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Possible confused word" data-pwa-id="pwa-79459DF8AC2677009016F217AEE2D9C9" data-pwa-rule-id="CRFSR_MAY BE_12" data-pwa-suggestions="may be"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="maybe" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Possible confused word" data-pwa-id="pwa-D4B2700CCFDBB2EEB4EAC4051A420FA7" data-pwa-rule-id="CRFSR_MAY BE_12" data-pwa-suggestions="may be">maybe</pwa></pwa> two weeks, perhaps a few days in Shanghai, then a week in Shaoxing, so <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="that " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-33C12846B068981C1FA717855242EA2A" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1514" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="that " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-37323A8A6972E33E5D06D09274672288" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1514" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">that </pwa></pwa>I can spend a few hours at the Museum of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qiu_Jin">Qui Jin</a> - for I have lost the photos I took <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="last" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing determiner" data-pwa-id="pwa-DB3066DED17679B6B05E5BC42E7A4244" data-pwa-rule-id="DET_CG_2" data-pwa-suggestions="a last~the last"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="last" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing determiner" data-pwa-id="pwa-5D7251CDF2A8B41974F68705F6189E22" data-pwa-rule-id="DET_CG_2" data-pwa-suggestions="a last~the last">last</pwa></pwa> time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure when I can <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="made" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="The verb 'made' after the modal verb 'can' does not appear to be in the correct form. Consider changing the verb form." data-pwa-id="pwa-4C6E648D184ED84FF7ABB534F8F4B579" data-pwa-rule-id="SHOULD_VERB" data-pwa-suggestions="make"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="made" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="The verb 'made' after the modal verb 'can' does not appear to be in the correct form. Consider changing the verb form." data-pwa-id="pwa-3EA99F1590A8C677475DE3FC0C374971" data-pwa-rule-id="SHOULD_VERB" data-pwa-suggestions="make">made</pwa></pwa> the trip - but looking at May. A lot of things to do first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, Murtle the Turtle will go to a new home and I hope take folk on some great adventures. Farewell Murtle.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-54868871762052767162019-12-27T15:58:00.004+10:002019-12-27T15:58:37.796+10:00I Found a USB Stick<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What I discovered when I found <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="a USB" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Should you be using 'an' instead? Use 'an' before a word that starts with a vowel sound. Some words may start with a vowel that isn't sounded as a vowel." data-pwa-id="pwa-3C8403D743755235F01C721263C77A07" data-pwa-rule-id="INDEFINITE_ARTICLE" data-pwa-suggestions="an USB">a</pwa><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="a USB" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Should you be using 'an' instead? Use 'an' before a word that starts with a vowel sound. Some words may start with a vowel that isn't sounded as a vowel." data-pwa-id="pwa-3C8403D743755235F01C721263C77A07" data-pwa-rule-id="INDEFINITE_ARTICLE" data-pwa-suggestions="an USB"> USB</pwa> Stick.</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="a USB" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Should you be using 'an' instead? Use 'an' before a word that starts with a vowel sound. Some words may start with a vowel that isn't sounded as a vowel." data-pwa-id="pwa-F1AC7AED9D480F3DA2093092FC6454FE" data-pwa-rule-id="INDEFINITE_ARTICLE" data-pwa-suggestions="an USB">a USB</pwa> Stick. One challenge when one moves around (house sitting and different semi-permanent addresses) is that things get lost or mislaid. I am often hunting for something. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few days ago I found one - and was most surprised to find out what was on it. Clearly, I had only used it once - and I have yet to check if I took the photos, or if I took some and someone else took the photos, as I am in some of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="The photos were taken" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-861CCE5968773D155ADF2F0B2D8D72AA" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="I took the photos~It took the photos~They took the photos">The photos were taken</pwa> in 2010 - when I was on my third secondment to the university in<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaoxing"> Shaoxing,</a> China. The photos were all taken on March 8th. How do I know? Well, the details on the photo would tell me, but so far I haven't looked.</span></div>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZx9BYBqr2iUozpJptT37kqASLcJWhRHYtJYc9g9L61E19cqXrzDcUySAsaJelyoX4ahyIYTYmvfMOFn6o0H0Zv6-UViRa9aHe5FTLMm-SzdC0Y3-kgzqtcrhFkObAn6nF8CMT9pwJjyV/s1600/096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZx9BYBqr2iUozpJptT37kqASLcJWhRHYtJYc9g9L61E19cqXrzDcUySAsaJelyoX4ahyIYTYmvfMOFn6o0H0Zv6-UViRa9aHe5FTLMm-SzdC0Y3-kgzqtcrhFkObAn6nF8CMT9pwJjyV/s320/096.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foreign Teachers - I'm in the middle of the back line</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was International Women's Day - which <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="is very well celebrated" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-8F7A1693BD30A66323FF491A9AAB7534" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">is very well celebrated</pwa> in China, and we were at a major hotel in the city. There were speeches, entertainment and food. It was the second <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/women-day.htm">IWD</a> event I had been to - the first one was in 2008.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At both IWD events that I attended, I had been on stage, although this one was the only one that was "programmed". Jo and I <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="did know" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: knew" data-pwa-id="pwa-51239565CE528860BF1BF7F29B6E7384" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_626" data-pwa-suggestions="knew">did know</pwa> what we <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="were going to" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: would" data-pwa-id="pwa-C08204AF07249AAC3514F9B2087C3584" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1482" data-pwa-suggestions="would">were going to</pwa> be doing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOcUISsTqBzp_vcsNvb74nhdMqwslx0DElW1TIYynOfYzpB4ppVWbMyZBSX5GOLkSPql6-k2twupZALM8b5raDqZb1PEqUmAAwanr6BXV5eAvvkiZyQLZiaH1jr8tQsRcrEeNMX8ze57d/s1600/Di+and+Jo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOcUISsTqBzp_vcsNvb74nhdMqwslx0DElW1TIYynOfYzpB4ppVWbMyZBSX5GOLkSPql6-k2twupZALM8b5raDqZb1PEqUmAAwanr6BXV5eAvvkiZyQLZiaH1jr8tQsRcrEeNMX8ze57d/s400/Di+and+Jo+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="very funny" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Try using a stronger adjective" data-pwa-id="pwa-801AB53C793EC270B7F9784B2815B73D" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2818" data-pwa-suggestions="hilarious">very funny</pwa>. Neither of us are "performers" but we <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="managed to do" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: did" data-pwa-id="pwa-2051375E02C0118A664A3BC1BF47407F" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1805" data-pwa-suggestions="did">managed to do</pwa> it to loud applause. So polite are the Chinese!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LdCua_aAhg1ixqvamMBcwMdfcxLF3-PhV_zlVT4vS5RrMchCPwh1FuH_VS34Xcyu93rzmWkDzwAPDNzRdbPI3l4uCoTq9t7Cfa1dHmYgI1NKc99OJsDMbJ3V0l_AqudwthkuY0ymqg2d/s1600/Choir+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LdCua_aAhg1ixqvamMBcwMdfcxLF3-PhV_zlVT4vS5RrMchCPwh1FuH_VS34Xcyu93rzmWkDzwAPDNzRdbPI3l4uCoTq9t7Cfa1dHmYgI1NKc99OJsDMbJ3V0l_AqudwthkuY0ymqg2d/s400/Choir+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choir Performance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbZqfq8FeuzucmvHIpXDgvrl7FqU_CyV_Hj8wFyJRcemvOFrd6brADcurrzOh-SQO6nyZOeMaTSVfpeZYUyrXzKClpklxlUAzdBR8crL3K4gapgIp6V7bTMtJsfrj7T7sOK7z183FKsIM/s1600/Charlie+and+friend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbZqfq8FeuzucmvHIpXDgvrl7FqU_CyV_Hj8wFyJRcemvOFrd6brADcurrzOh-SQO6nyZOeMaTSVfpeZYUyrXzKClpklxlUAzdBR8crL3K4gapgIp6V7bTMtJsfrj7T7sOK7z183FKsIM/s400/Charlie+and+friend.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entertainers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Anyway" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma after introductory phrase" data-pwa-id="pwa-BDD08C5808A0A6B9594C0F4F017A60B1" data-pwa-rule-id="INTRO_7C87C3439FB79B3E2926215F07C4F173" data-pwa-suggestions="Anyway,">Anyway</pwa> I have loaded all the photos onto <pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Dropbox" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing end punctuation" data-pwa-id="pwa-1D4AF9D02DD569A485713F50E87086B4" data-pwa-rule-id="MISSING_END_PUNCT_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="Dropbox."><pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Dropbox," data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible unnecessary comma" data-pwa-id="pwa-8D888AC670D9836FEBBE97D3441D113E" data-pwa-rule-id="UNNECESSARY_COMMA_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="Dropbox"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Dropbox," data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible comma splice" data-pwa-id="pwa-5AE15CC41CAD27B4DB50339FD26AE473" data-pwa-rule-id="COMMA-SPLICE_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="Dropbox.">Dropbox</pwa></pwa></pwa><pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Dropbox," data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible unnecessary comma" data-pwa-id="pwa-8D888AC670D9836FEBBE97D3441D113E" data-pwa-rule-id="UNNECESSARY_COMMA_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="Dropbox"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Dropbox," data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible comma splice" data-pwa-id="pwa-5AE15CC41CAD27B4DB50339FD26AE473" data-pwa-rule-id="COMMA-SPLICE_CE" data-pwa-suggestions="Dropbox.">,</pwa></pwa> and will put the USB to good use now.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-89780769656987364242019-12-22T18:45:00.000+10:002019-12-22T18:45:06.967+10:00The Paedophile and the Knife from the Vatican<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Priest</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He was a friend of my then-husband. They worked together on a major committee and he visited us at home on a regular basis. He was a funny man and our two children a girl and boy, always found him very funny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In those days I was quite religious and was a regular attendee and volunteer at a church. The priest was a Catholic, but we were not. Still, the<a href="http://dihill.com.au/the-worst-christmas/"> friendship</a> continued. We had no idea what was to eventuate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My son went to a private school, where the music teacher <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done pwa-unused" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was found" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-A6BB9254B9215AA8079735C887E1F35F" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">was found</pwa> to be a paedophile. I was the angry mother who alerted the church hierarchy, which dismissed my concerns. (Later I <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done pwa-unused" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was proven" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-BD466D884BB82F356796619524DECC42" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">was proven</pwa> correct and ultimately the teacher <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done pwa-unused" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was found" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-015972B4087580C0262A0FDCBF742018" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">was found</pwa> guilty and gaoled!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Priest visited the Vatican and when he returned he gave me a tiny knife, that could be used with party food - spreading cheese and other items on biscuits. He told some story about how he came by it at the Vatican, a story that I doubt was true, but it was rather funny.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometime later, he attended a family event and was rather grumpy. Our friends made a comment about it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the following Monday, <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done pwa-unused" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="he was arrested" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-03AEEDDB3626DDEFD3A0CD70C2D625C0" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="they arrested him~I arrested him~it arrested him~we arrested him">he was arrested</pwa> for paedophilia. I don't intend telling all the story here. We were shocked and immediately talked with our son, wondering if he had seen anything untoward. He didn't. We found it very hard to believe, however, the priest eventually appeared in court and <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done pwa-unused" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was found" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-9D6FE8CA2613935944B57A3DB260BA19" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">was found</pwa> guilty of abusing two boys. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="He was sent" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-78AF2F8DB64F62CCDA42E6E7855AEC89" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="I sent him~They sent him">He was sent</pwa> to gaol for several years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Strangely, unexpectedly, I met him again. He was living in a nursing home. I saw him once more, but that is all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still have the little knife, and on the rare occasions, I use it, the story of our former friend is remembered.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-55953173323877853682019-12-21T10:14:00.001+10:002019-12-21T18:23:16.822+10:00Fires and Heat in Australia<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Summer Dry Heat</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Summer in Australia is usually <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="very hot" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Try using a stronger adjective" data-pwa-id="pwa-2AAA2F6647394F641040AA0792170F8F" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2819" data-pwa-suggestions="boiling"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="very hot" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Try using a stronger adjective" data-pwa-id="pwa-B5CF2D5E79F637B8CD959D79A7ADF639" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2819" data-pwa-suggestions="boiling">very hot</pwa></pwa>.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> However, this year, 2019, in the first month of summer, records are being broken in all states. There are </span><a href="http://dihill.com.au/australia-is-burning/" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">bushfires</a><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> everywhere. <a href="https://wp.me/p89yyf-1pD">Many bushfires</a>. Some of which have been lit by humans, who have a warped sense and enjoy the sight of flames.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arsonists and pyromaniacs have caused so much damage in Australia. One fire caused by one of these criminals destroyed over 20 homes in Queensland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The poor people who have lost everything have to start again but <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="of course " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-8E40B4B447EE3B2E00A534A0F2C1600A" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_242" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="of course " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-9D42985849CE1F81EBCBCAB0FA21589C" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_242" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">of course </pwa></pwa>will never, despite good insurance, will never get to replace everything that has gone. Some folk will probably not have adequate insurance to replace their homes, cars, boats, and livestock. No amount of funds can every replace the photos, memorabilia and other items that <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="are lost" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-7E210B1CE5EF9DBC54F74B609E373590" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions=""><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="are lost" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-03AD64E43B3D65C9790F6396E4C1B18B" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">are lost</pwa></pwa>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Currently" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma after introductory phrase" data-pwa-id="pwa-6526B2AAA75FFFB3FC2E67DFFCD6587A" data-pwa-rule-id="INTRO_39ED26F336AE538DF4D2DC8A75A01282" data-pwa-suggestions="Currently,">Currently</pwa> there are over 100 fires raging in one state!</span></div>
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<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;"><img height="212" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1574105760686-1399492ce94b?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1000&q=80" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Meritt Thomas - <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Unsplash" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Unsplash" data-pwa-id="pwa-00A8DBDACB4D3D97C25A2D4F82C6630A" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Uns plash~Un splash">Unsplash</pwa>.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Summer Holidays" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: Summer Holidays" data-pwa-id="pwa-0C904C202D24ABFB9D654024A09A2A07" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Summer Holiday"><span style="font-size: large;">
Summer Holidays</span></pwa></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">I was born in Adelaide, <a href="https://wp.me/p89yyf-1lw">South Australia</a>, one of the hot dry states and in summer we (my sister and I) would spend time with an aunt and uncle in Gladstone, north of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide">Adelaide</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">The country home had no cooling apparatus - it was in the <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="1950's" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Apostrophes aren't needed for decades: '1950s'." data-pwa-id="pwa-D4B43B458F34E81697C59538E2B39E04" data-pwa-rule-id="APOSTROPHE_IN_DATES" data-pwa-suggestions="1950s">1950's</pwa> and <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="60's" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Apostrophes aren't needed for decades: '60s'." data-pwa-id="pwa-5655F412DD2A5317AE93B1DEBE18DE3C" data-pwa-rule-id="APOSTROPHE_IN_DATES" data-pwa-suggestions="60s">60's</pwa>. My sister and I spoke about it (by phone) yesterday. We would spend the afternoon, the hottest part of the day, in the bedrooms - lying on our bed. We'd have a face washer which <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was dipped" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-A938D54F303E4CA8C25E9B913AFE2992" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">was dipped</pwa> in water, wrung out and we'd wide our face and arms with it, to <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="try to " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-D3E649A601B9F7D11EE14DE8FD26F8F7" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1079" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">try to </pwa>keep cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Now, everyone feels deprived if they don't have air conditioners!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">How long the fires will continue we don't know. What we can do about preventing such events <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="in the future " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-DA7C092CE5F15DAF169B6E63230F671F" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_295" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">in the future </pwa>is unknown too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Let's hope 2020 will be a better year for us all.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-4157277907543841292018-12-14T09:09:00.001+10:002018-12-14T09:12:48.001+10:00Dull Weather Writing<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rain, Rain, Go Away - Come Again Another Day</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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To me, it's a bad day when I want to write and the clouds appear overhead and it rains. Today it is so dark and gloomy that I have to have the light on, above my keyboard. It's hard to see anything without some artificial light.</div>
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I have a few issues when I set out to write. I like it to be a bright and sunny day. Today's weather is the worst for me. It does remind me of the nursery rhyme - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_Rain_Go_Away">Rain, Rain, Go Away.</a> I like to see out of the windows. I always dislike being in a house where it is difficult to see outside, though strangely I happy write when I am in the library and am in an enclosed space. The house I am in at the moment has double layers of white (sometimes lacey) curtains and I feel as if I am in a white bubble. Not my best writing venue.</div>
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It's raining. The forecast is for heavy rain for a few days as Cyclone Owen makes its way across the north of Queensland. It is not unusual at this time of year to have days of miserable rain, storms, floods and even dramatic smashing of properties with a cyclone. So far, it is only rain and flooding. Though all of the east coast of Australia is getting a drenching. Strange, as in recent months all the chatter has been about the drought. At least the rains have fallen in parts of western Queensland, so it is helping those properties that have an urgent need for more water!</div>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqEw0b-kHo37ZC-Gan4KszJkwdFPTAfqiWHYoGEF9iL481l78KCKYsoDo_aRDuohPjwKMwp3JUYgSbfaLa64nBwcB0ncTXFOCF_3-maI8fy0NPi5YwN8xtYeMbAeNE_Vm8fPpJqSGppLB/s1600/SAM_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqEw0b-kHo37ZC-Gan4KszJkwdFPTAfqiWHYoGEF9iL481l78KCKYsoDo_aRDuohPjwKMwp3JUYgSbfaLa64nBwcB0ncTXFOCF_3-maI8fy0NPi5YwN8xtYeMbAeNE_Vm8fPpJqSGppLB/s400/SAM_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet and miserable rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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(The photo doesn't do it justice).</div>
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The rain though has slowed, and the sky behind the trees does not look as dark in the pic as it does as I stand outside.</div>
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As it turns out I am meeting with a friend for lunch, and have an event later in the day, so it is not a good writing day in any case.</div>
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Still, I have put a few words together. I'm not inspired to write great things today. I'll wait for a sunshiny day.<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FXSdOyh1HaM" width="560"></iframe>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-78532825044629099822018-11-25T18:39:00.000+10:002018-11-25T18:39:28.743+10:00The End of House Sitting?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is this the end of my house sitting? By the end of the year, I will have spent almost three months in this lovely unit at Beachmere. But I am "over" it. Moving from house to house - packing up, unpacking, learning the new house routines etc. is taking its toll on me. I feel it is time to settle down.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am currently looking at a rental to move into at the end of the year. No guarantees that I will be accepted yet, but will do my best to get there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKOk0BekORBvLPUuU0oF4K0w_Xld-k8dzL5mnkgPBb9GvOWdgz_ehmnPGYZ9mLqtNUk2PZ3j-2KNTRo51Qw3IzIr2aNTasAokOr8mmSXpgHVMygyf64TYBSRMa8gZRUdTKLM8OTYJ4xPm/s1600/1-P1000591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKOk0BekORBvLPUuU0oF4K0w_Xld-k8dzL5mnkgPBb9GvOWdgz_ehmnPGYZ9mLqtNUk2PZ3j-2KNTRo51Qw3IzIr2aNTasAokOr8mmSXpgHVMygyf64TYBSRMa8gZRUdTKLM8OTYJ4xPm/s640/1-P1000591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I enjoy being near the waterfront - and one day last week I was awake around 4 am, so I quickly got dressed, grabbed the camera and walked to the fence which overlooks the beach. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Previously I had been up, not quite so early, and driven to the waterfront as each dawn produces another photo opportunity. I love being able to walk to the end of the property to take a photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">If all goes well I will be moving closer to Brisbane, but still near the waterfront - in fact quite close to a lovely place which has plenty of bike paths. My e-bike is being serviced at the moment, so all should be ready when I move.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">There will be no lawns to mow (or pay to be mowed) and it will be a quiet place to write. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Just hoping it all works.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- dh2 -->
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Beachmere QLD 4510, Australia-27.13 153.05200000000002-27.243067 152.89063850000002 -27.016932999999998 153.21336150000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-71975865054774070802018-11-10T07:51:00.000+10:002018-11-10T07:51:15.067+10:00More Bamboo<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Bamboo Fan</h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It says it on my business card, that I am a "Bamboo Fan" - though some folk are not sure of the meaning. I just love bamboo products and I am a great fan of the plant, its beauty as it grows, its sustainability and versatility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the wonderful bamboo gardens - there are some great ones in Australia, but in China they are just so much better.</span></div>
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<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;"><img alt="pathway with bamboo trees beside" height="640" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1527974361724-67fd5ebfd6d2?ixlib=rb-0.3.5&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&s=c3065dd52ed3a1c8291f62421bf8a020&dpr=1&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1000&q=80&cs=tinysrgb" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Jeremy Goldberg - Unsplash.com<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(The above photo was taken in Kyoto, Japan)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found some new bamboo products in a chemist recently - and am enjoying using them, There are boxes of tissues (facial tissues), but I use them for anything and everything.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW5SqynxfFv1W3hv-mcd_Yr1XHfJcP3xGYBwLKORzG8UDBb9_ufYYAyxowSLCtOjmbkeZblVJataPwpNIx4jgI_o-60o0eQpf5ufsREbOETl81Kw_a296UJfD26_BTf8_VztkW_6CxPCr/s1600/1-P1000526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW5SqynxfFv1W3hv-mcd_Yr1XHfJcP3xGYBwLKORzG8UDBb9_ufYYAyxowSLCtOjmbkeZblVJataPwpNIx4jgI_o-60o0eQpf5ufsREbOETl81Kw_a296UJfD26_BTf8_VztkW_6CxPCr/s400/1-P1000526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below are little packets of tissues for travelling. I have not used them at this point - as I have had no need, but one day I will. I have others in use at the moment.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf2YISC2slTjA8iDAd1ke-QL_P18UEPotuerCrYb-D2wvRBEFCozTzctMfQ9WbqV65SXUw4I6-KV9mOBP37ebBMfH6c1ZgvcgLBXVLnYhxOjWDTjmW9On3TT00BtI1QDgTzidHakx39hK/s1600/1-P1000527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf2YISC2slTjA8iDAd1ke-QL_P18UEPotuerCrYb-D2wvRBEFCozTzctMfQ9WbqV65SXUw4I6-KV9mOBP37ebBMfH6c1ZgvcgLBXVLnYhxOjWDTjmW9On3TT00BtI1QDgTzidHakx39hK/s400/1-P1000527.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I have added more bamboo to my "stable" of products of this great plant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I see more and more products in stores - but the undies have disappeared from the shelves where I used to be able to get them. Now have to buy on the internet.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-52608175827814743822018-11-07T15:31:00.001+10:002018-11-07T15:34:38.204+10:00The Housing Shortage and Me<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Why I'm "homeless".</h3>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's around 18 months since I left the unit in Beachmere, bought the Toyota Coaster, lived in it for a while and then found house sitting opportunities. I'd left my husband after 43 years of marriage - he'd spent our money, was in denial, and I couldn't cope with it all. I packed a suitcase, took my computer and went to a friend's place to look after her house. He's sold my car too - so I was without wheels, though my friend let me use her car.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I was shattered. Messed up. Alone. As it turns out I manage to go back to university, and I was house sitting for over two years. During that time my father passed away, and I inherited his old car and some funds. Not enough to buy a house and retire on though.</span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Travelling</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After graduation, I drove my new car (had traded Dad's old one in), all around Australia. From Brisbane down to Adelaide via Broken Hill, then across the Eyre Peninsular, the Nullabor and up the WA Coast, and across the top end to Darwin, and eventually home to Brisbane. At least I kicked that off my bucket list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2013 I rented a unit in <a href="https://www.queensland.com/en-au/destination-information/beachmere">Beachmere </a>- and watched the rent increase every time I sneezed or so it felt, and a combination of a health problem (which made it difficult for me to mow lawns), and difficult neighbours I left.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Coaster</span><br />
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<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;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_LKq5_XwFVv0cryuvZ8I4TS8ld7IW63C8x469ApBpHyxElERd5w7eNCqv2BA89NPzYvaceb5Hae2gmhglob0_M36tFWK0ILINQIbaVWbugMJ7H5Jxp4FB-MCkH76N75p0nDWxpX-WgJ1/s1600/P3190947-001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Coaster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I bought a 1983 Toyota Coaster, and as a member of a group called Rolling Solo, drove from Brisbane up to Mt Isa and Camoweal, and then across to the NT, down to Alice Springs for a great camp with 499 other women (solo travellers). Something else I kicked off my bucket list was visiting Uluru - I did that too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Living <a href="https://housesitdiary.blogspot.com/2017/07/living-in-van.html">in the Coaster</a> had its challenges. I really was too tall for it, and I'd keep hitting my head, and the bed was too short for my tall frame. Checking the oil and water was not easy - and emptying the loo was a problem too.</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Back to House Sitting</h3>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Then I was offered house sitting again, which I have been doing for over a year now - neglecting the Coaster. Things are changing again. I'm "over" house sitting and would like to settle. But where? </span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
What do I want?</h3>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I'd like an affordable house (rent no more than $275 pw), all on one level (I can't do stairs at the moment), space for my furniture, which is very basic. I'd love to have room for my ebike and my exercise bike too! Maybe a little space to grow some plants. I'm happy to share - but would need two bedrooms at least and definitely two bathrooms. I like living near the sea - but a few kms away is ok, and I'd like to live within 40 kms of one or both of my children, though I'd rather not live on the Gold Coast. (In any case they are too expensive.)</span></div>
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Where to next?</h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I've explored many options and just can't find one that looks like it will work for me. I sound like I am "picky" but I don't want to live in a shoe box.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Watch this space - I have 6 weeks to find a new home.</span></div>
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-81154727034728615532018-11-04T14:10:00.001+10:002018-11-04T14:10:32.963+10:00Paper Cutting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Paper Cutting in China</h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a photo of one of the paper cutting pieces I purchased while in China. I was fascinated by this folk art and I have managed to create some interesting, but far less clever, paper cutting of my own.</span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gAGjlGsZkx8" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The information with the above video states that when women do paper cutting, it is an indication that they are clever. I find this somewhat amusing, as I saw mostly guys in China doing it. In museums, places of historical interest and some shopping places, there will be a stall, where you can purchase completed pieces. Or just stand and watch in awe as the talented artist does his/her thing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Ziii5xrjJ5tbW2wVH6e3yWhWSBodY6FCwkHj6XpPqawYqJp5r2rqk6jylyq9LXeQCG3H2KzcYN7PW5sYN6vVc0gjrW2WPUQaHXc4U-yNTbBOqGDkq3T55SZbd75TK6KUiCN-lJCuHiT/s1600/1-P1000541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="480" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Ziii5xrjJ5tbW2wVH6e3yWhWSBodY6FCwkHj6XpPqawYqJp5r2rqk6jylyq9LXeQCG3H2KzcYN7PW5sYN6vVc0gjrW2WPUQaHXc4U-yNTbBOqGDkq3T55SZbd75TK6KUiCN-lJCuHiT/s320/1-P1000541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Paper Cutting History</div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">This article <a href="https://gbtimes.com/chinese-folk-art-papercutting">here </a>will give you information on the art of paper cutting and its history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Red paper is used for this craft, as red is a very significant colour in China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">If you would like to learn how to do it - this YouTube video should help.</span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UkTV6enoXUY" width="560"></iframe>
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-52703759804520702002018-10-30T15:48:00.000+10:002018-10-30T15:48:58.755+10:00Thirteen Lights and How Many Pelicans<h3 style="text-align: center;">
How Many Pelicans Today?</h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The bridge from the mainland to Bribie Island is over 50 years old - and nothing much has changed in that time! It has thirteen lights on the bridge, and during the day they are nesting spots for pelicans.</span></div>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmXHrEMB9IV9W4zBh1ux2hZpUbIHOuYKYMGoqnF_u08oKu9zo4YMmWolwPO3AO0yP1lGzSZdQwV0qM_Xg35fXefZaDW3wWk8xb9GTxJhgdCt12UeLlzOctqzFcu_I9E9RwwDsYoEIbW29/s1600/1-P1000478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmXHrEMB9IV9W4zBh1ux2hZpUbIHOuYKYMGoqnF_u08oKu9zo4YMmWolwPO3AO0yP1lGzSZdQwV0qM_Xg35fXefZaDW3wWk8xb9GTxJhgdCt12UeLlzOctqzFcu_I9E9RwwDsYoEIbW29/s640/1-P1000478.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light - no pelican</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba400GuYwFgEcZB23JMy0bmQIcdBdDs5NGLwC1SySjz1o0zX246cN6sSGq1mdZ_bUDjSNbZuFdUzzYF98kZAHCUl0HmbgI3JHXLHRM-LcDqp2nFhq06lJjqcqlGBh4sunj3D-bT-XBpF7/s1600/1-P1000477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba400GuYwFgEcZB23JMy0bmQIcdBdDs5NGLwC1SySjz1o0zX246cN6sSGq1mdZ_bUDjSNbZuFdUzzYF98kZAHCUl0HmbgI3JHXLHRM-LcDqp2nFhq06lJjqcqlGBh4sunj3D-bT-XBpF7/s640/1-P1000477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Pelicans this end today</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today there were a couple, but not at the end where I took the photo. When I have grandchildren with me, it is a game to count the pelicans. And I find myself doing it when I am on my own too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Normally they sit quietly on the light - as if just casting their eyes over their territory. But sometimes, their bowels move and a spray of bird poo lands on a passing car. It is not a big problem - unless you are the one with the messy duco.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes there are two pelicans on the light. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are always pelicans on the waterfront if you want to get a good look at them. They are usually at the boat ramp or near the fish and chip shop - always hoping to get a feed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD4TTcdrXuok59zocfIwhrKTkt6ERTwdbrbSKq3clgGVnfXrvItahyphenhyphenaQls3GCPOTIC_fYSTD19-8qXkR_2Ra35wVCsg9-CT07meOaNBLhSY9_kL3ZuXtaTKJknKyBpZryaNiY-n_X8hoe/s1600/1-P1000232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD4TTcdrXuok59zocfIwhrKTkt6ERTwdbrbSKq3clgGVnfXrvItahyphenhyphenaQls3GCPOTIC_fYSTD19-8qXkR_2Ra35wVCsg9-CT07meOaNBLhSY9_kL3ZuXtaTKJknKyBpZryaNiY-n_X8hoe/s640/1-P1000232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">They are lovely looking birds.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Bribie Island, Queensland 4507, Australia-26.9861003 153.1325243-27.4390043 152.4870773 -26.5331963 153.7779713tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-14435697326677241352018-10-28T19:02:00.002+10:002018-10-28T19:02:51.746+10:00Memories of a Car Event Crash<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Motor Event Crash</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning while staying at the George Williams Hotel in Brisbane, I turned the television on briefly. A news item shocked me. Last night (October 27th) a car at a </span><span style="font-size: large;">motor</span><span style="font-size: large;"> event, lost control and crashed into the crowd.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Within seconds I was in tears. It brought back a memory of an event way back in 1963. </span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Motor Racing</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can remember some aspects of it well. I had never been to a race track, but a friend and I went with two guys. It was the first and last time for me. I'm not one that enjoys such events, and with what happened, it made me decide never to go again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Luckily, I was never asked to attend such an event again. I don't like noisy/potentially dangerous events.</span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Crowd</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had been at the racetrack for around an hour - when one of the vehicles lost control and veered into the crowd. It was some distance from where we were - but it was a horrific event and we were all rather shocked. There were soon ambulance officers and police on the scene, and I think the event was stopped. We went back to the nurses home. I was a student nurse in my first year, and I knew I had to be up early the following morning for my shift.</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">On the Ward</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the first duties in the morning was to ensure everyone had a shower or was bathed in bed. I was assigned to a lady in a four bed ward - the victim of the accident at the race track the night before. She had minor injuries - cuts and bruises mainly, and these minor injuries were bandaged and she was under observation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I carefully washed her - face, then hands and arm, then the front of her body, before I had to turn her over. She and I were both shocked as she vomited a huge volume as I moved her. The awful smelly mess of liquid and undigested food was sprayed all over me. My white apron was covered from my neck to the hem with liquid and carrots, meat, and peas. The fluid seeped through and I could feel its wetness on my skin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After calling for assistance, another nurse came and I left the room in order to return to the nurses home building, to change into clean and dry clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sister H, who was the sister in charge, refused to let me leave the ward until I had listed the volume and contents that was on me! I can recall trying not to vomit myself, as I endeavoured to estimate the total fluid and made notes on the lady's chart of the food items I could identify. When done, I was allowed to leave to walk from the hospital to the home to clean myself up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was probably 30 minutes before I returned. I was angry with Sister H - who was quite a difficult woman to work with - much disliked by the trainee nurses. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The lady who had been injured in the accident at the car racing track recovered quickly, and I have rarely remembered the incident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Until today. I did tear up for a while as I watched the scene on television. Just so glad I was not in the audience!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLUMhpxgyw2PL0824GNjexTtfD7P4g8xUMYfmZzoXFXc6iHRLQyAUURdcYT1phWaTmc-sTf2FHcreSfG1eWcUeWHvGONlzrJEWIKPneXcnARTq3dXRorX-dk3_6rb1LzUpVH6Yg8q5YOh/s1600/Car+racing..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLUMhpxgyw2PL0824GNjexTtfD7P4g8xUMYfmZzoXFXc6iHRLQyAUURdcYT1phWaTmc-sTf2FHcreSfG1eWcUeWHvGONlzrJEWIKPneXcnARTq3dXRorX-dk3_6rb1LzUpVH6Yg8q5YOh/s400/Car+racing..jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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PhotoPum RanaRoja</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The photo does not look anything like the car I witnessed, nor the one last night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you like car racing?</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-84191439211690527632018-10-22T09:32:00.001+10:002018-10-22T09:44:26.307+10:00Book Review - Alice's daughter<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<u>Sandcliffe</u></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In August, I attended a Writers Festival in Sandgate, a seaside suburb of Brisbane. One of the guests was Rhonda Collard-Spratt, who came along with her co-writer Jacki Ferro, to talk about her book, <b><i>Alice's daughter.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rhonda's story is a heart-wrenching read. It is how she was taken from her mother, at age 3 years, and placed in a Mission at Carnarvon in Western Australia. This happened in 1954 when one might have thought that this behaviour by governments, was well in the past. She was the daughter of an aboriginal mother and white father - apparently the reason for this behaviour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She and her younger sister, who was taken from their parents at the same time spent some horrible years in the Mission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a story that everyone should read - especially "white" folk - as there are many stories like Rhonda's and we know little of the life they endured as a result of the archaic government laws.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rhonda has clearly made a great success of her life, and now lives in Ipswich Queensland, where she sings, dances, writes and sets a great example for her people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The book is available through most libraries and bookshops. <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/alice-s-daughter-jacki-ferro/prod9781925302936.html">Booktopia</a> has it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nnmDktbe5YSs8OaU_GGKBUHEndj7yptnTvjwyrzupa9pyM0zLiIgnQy_PBJCnLRGKA_F9S59xpXHpbJpNvv_hvmqz39fSmHzXV0kK5cfYKtG9r_JvDUflN2SQD37qw1h-yhPS1eFiGYn/s1600/alice-s-daughter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nnmDktbe5YSs8OaU_GGKBUHEndj7yptnTvjwyrzupa9pyM0zLiIgnQy_PBJCnLRGKA_F9S59xpXHpbJpNvv_hvmqz39fSmHzXV0kK5cfYKtG9r_JvDUflN2SQD37qw1h-yhPS1eFiGYn/s400/alice-s-daughter.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(I do wish that the book's title had a capital 'd' - references on the back of the book us a capital, and I believe it would have looked better on the front cover too.)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-56051459785652549462018-10-20T14:39:00.001+10:002018-10-20T14:39:39.831+10:00Celebrate the Sydney Opera House<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Sydney Opera House Opens</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This morning, while listening to the ABC, I heard that it was 45 years since the opening of the Sydney Opera House. We were living in Sydney at the time. There were, of course, great festivities for the opening, and Queen Elizabeth II performed the official opening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the night of October 20th, 1973, there was a huge fireworks display, and our family were on a hill on the north side of Sydney with amazing views. Hundreds of people were also there, and though it was some distance away, we saw the skies light up! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCmPWgwWcm3eiCyA1X7s72_dCFSR3MNXj8oCDFaP-xNwEpkhdraq33D_uJ9TvO824HpW3RY856lTV1ZhdELnPtuI7DVVnwZvYovbzKfldo8cDYXP-rrRE5Zdv0LKTu4y5rnz9FtjXvxCd/s1600/Sydney+Opera+House+by.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="500" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCmPWgwWcm3eiCyA1X7s72_dCFSR3MNXj8oCDFaP-xNwEpkhdraq33D_uJ9TvO824HpW3RY856lTV1ZhdELnPtuI7DVVnwZvYovbzKfldo8cDYXP-rrRE5Zdv0LKTu4y5rnz9FtjXvxCd/s400/Sydney+Opera+House+by.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Opera House - photo by Johnny Bhalla</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Shaoxing Opera</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China, I learned that there was an opera house there, which was supposedly a copy of the Sydney one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the first semester I was in China I ventured alone to find out about it, and even went into the ticket sales area, but no one spoke English, and there was no English information either. I did ask some students to take me but didn't find anyone enthusiastic to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think it was the second or third semester that I was in Shaoxing, that I found out that there was to be a performance there, and I arranged for a group of English teachers to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">About 10 of us sat through an interesting performance - but of course, we could not comprehend the whole story. We could tell who the lovers were, and the good characters and the bad ones. I recall at the interval, we went into the foyer and groups of locals stood staring at us in awe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the show, some came and spoke to us, wondering if we understood it. We had a few laughs as we explained our understanding of the story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaoxing_opera">Shaoxing opera</a> is quite famous in China.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shaoxing Opera House</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBk2FsiH0PcLHJJhMRAQOsn0uJv39UgFjD9ZGmPLJP0P0NHA61e7vVwScw2STbTRuaBAHZIOpQF8ogYoD03_hx-34gikk-daayQSayR71OjhS1SfJq1K9O182-Th_zkmtwmIu0Oz6IokV/s1600/Shaoxing+Opera+House.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBk2FsiH0PcLHJJhMRAQOsn0uJv39UgFjD9ZGmPLJP0P0NHA61e7vVwScw2STbTRuaBAHZIOpQF8ogYoD03_hx-34gikk-daayQSayR71OjhS1SfJq1K9O182-Th_zkmtwmIu0Oz6IokV/s400/Shaoxing+Opera+House.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Shaoxing Opera House is "modelled" on the one in Sydney, so I was told. It has three 'sails', but doesn't look much like the one in Sydney. I took this photo. You can see the 'sails', but that is about the only similarity. There is no harbour around it - in fact, it is somewhat "hidden" in the central park.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-20073745727260276832018-10-18T16:14:00.001+10:002018-10-18T16:14:41.834+10:00Moving to Beachmere<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Where's Beachmere?</u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't remember how I found out about this tiny township, just north of Brisbane. I first went to Beachmere in 2012, when I was about to embark on my solo drive around Australia. I was investigating where I might return - a friend and I came for a drive, and visited a couple of properties. I recall at one the Real Estate guy was a former policeman, and when my friend told him I was going to do a solo trip he got angry. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Peter_Falconio">"Remember Peter Falconio?"</a> he said. As it turns out I had a safe trip, and a few years later even stayed at Barrow Creek!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, in 2013, around June I moved into Beachmere, and have been answering the question ever since. The little township between the Caboolture River and Moreton Bay is a peaceful (usually) community. I have spent much of the past five years here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I am back house sitting - in a unit on the beachfront. This is the view from the property. The weather is not the best. I have seen better views from this site - but this is today (October 18th)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeL-qark8Qw_ShRq8DvU9XscWeASLlqIkAPJo30n4tHS_Xd-6R6jTmHOcENcv7-koo8avp0hblqEWMZ9iFpr6IXWAP7-FAB6zLTJUiliB0MxBCzvPI5iZs-PoltGpF16Cj5rfx-lMtsNE/s1600/1-P1000444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="200" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeL-qark8Qw_ShRq8DvU9XscWeASLlqIkAPJo30n4tHS_Xd-6R6jTmHOcENcv7-koo8avp0hblqEWMZ9iFpr6IXWAP7-FAB6zLTJUiliB0MxBCzvPI5iZs-PoltGpF16Cj5rfx-lMtsNE/s400/1-P1000444.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Sausage Dogs - Dachshunds</u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Now, I really don't have any live animals to care for, but these two sausage dogs may just keep me busy here. I love the breed - and had miniature longhaired dachshunds for over 20 years. I miss them. So these will be my </span><span style="font-size: large;">companions</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> for the time being.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNWByYaBb32IDJuTilo1dved_V3nU1de9x5Eci5v-gRbpAbyEktnlJmh493SIpJH0ZgUFAHX4G4TFczMp-K0O2-X9ms9U4O3x6gmo_QIXEbGY3g5zmG8g8t2n7mMVq1Uds-lwZK3590th/s1600/1-P1000445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="200" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNWByYaBb32IDJuTilo1dved_V3nU1de9x5Eci5v-gRbpAbyEktnlJmh493SIpJH0ZgUFAHX4G4TFczMp-K0O2-X9ms9U4O3x6gmo_QIXEbGY3g5zmG8g8t2n7mMVq1Uds-lwZK3590th/s400/1-P1000445.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Beachmere QLD 4510, Australia-27.13 153.05200000000002-27.243067 152.89063850000002 -27.016932999999998 153.21336150000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-70643868681451441432018-10-15T09:44:00.000+10:002018-10-15T09:44:39.703+10:00Happy Writing on Bribie<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Writing</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every year, in October, members of the Society of Women Writers Queensland, stay at Bribie Island, just north of Brisbane. We stay at a historic home called Coungeau House where we endeavour to write, relax and have fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">This year we have had a large group and some of us have written plenty of great words.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJwn4m8Yv06UfaNqmZH5upmMk6-_IkRyvPn70MP_8WMRPlJnmqCjm1-LzdFhK7BT_OJfPHLIR3TRODIg6FP7UOEMqrJsNx5ORTfWwL1EYxJJTXT92GZvbKqA00N6OKv0lQBCRKRhmrQCx/s1600/Bribie+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJwn4m8Yv06UfaNqmZH5upmMk6-_IkRyvPn70MP_8WMRPlJnmqCjm1-LzdFhK7BT_OJfPHLIR3TRODIg6FP7UOEMqrJsNx5ORTfWwL1EYxJJTXT92GZvbKqA00N6OKv0lQBCRKRhmrQCx/s400/Bribie+2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the team at Bribie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of our members go a few days early, but I suspect it is as much to visit the local op shops as it is to write!! Still, it doesn't matter - there are no rules, and some members did remain in the house and write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story of Coungeau House is well documented at the nearby <a href="https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/seaside-museum/">Seaside Museum</a>, but surprisingly for all the years we have been going there (over 20 years) we did not know that <a href="http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/coungeau-emily-12863">Emily Coungeau</a> was a writer and poet. I learned that at the Museum a few months ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sally Eberhardt visited us on Saturday morning to tell us all about her new/first publication <b>Pain-Free Networking for Introverts, </b>and her journey to publishing. There were various other workshops - blogging, poetry as well as readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plus there was good food and wine, including meals at the house and at The Jetty restaurant, near the Bribie Island Jetty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is an annual event for the Society of Women Writers Queensland - so why not join and be part of the action. Visit the website <a href="http://www.womenwritersqld.org.au/">here.</a></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Bribie Island, Queensland 4507, Australia-26.9861003 153.1325243-27.4390043 152.4870773 -26.5331963 153.7779713tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-64062642208358986102018-10-05T08:15:00.003+10:002018-10-12T17:01:13.842+10:00Writing - Plenty to Do<span style="font-size: large;">Two weeks ago, I was a speaker at a function for women in small business in the Bayside. I was asked to speak about some of my adventures. I have been fortunate in that I have travelled and worked overseas, and have experienced some really funny times. Especially in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China">China</a> and South Korea. Afterwards, someone said I should write a book about my experiences.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">When I returned to Bribie Island, where I am house sitting, I started to make notes and before long, I had started writing. I am amazed that in less than two weeks I have written nearly 17,000 words. I am not sure how many I will aim for, but the way things are headed I should have about 60,000 within a couple of months.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Clearly, it is just a first run, and I will have a lot of editing to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">In November, I am planning to participate in <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo.</a> It is a massive task but I have a story in my head that I want to write, so I am going to do my best to finish 50,000 words in November. I was going to title it "The Unknown Sister", but there is a popular book already with this title. I changed it to "The Foreign Sister". I will do my best to complete it this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if any of my writing friends will participate in NaNoWriMo this year? If you are, let me know.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- dh2 -->
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-888568398137620002018-10-04T20:54:00.001+10:002018-10-05T07:23:50.894+10:00House Sitting on Bribie Island<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My last house sit was on Bribie Island - in a house behind the shopping centre. I don't think I have ever lived so close to shops. I did have a bit of fun visiting the centre more often than I normally would have done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After nearly three months there, I moved to another house, this time on Osprey Island. Yes, an island on an island. Unusual. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge to Bribie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://visitbribieisland.com.au/">Bribie Island</a> is very popular for a day out or a holiday - it's a drive of an hour or so from Brisbane and there is so much to see and do. To get to the island one has to drive over the bridge. I recall a time when there was a toll to go on the bridge - the little hut remains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is very relaxing on the island - a bit more of "holiday mode" most of the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are many seniors living on Bribie, a great place to retire to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The current house overlooks a canal and I am enjoying watching the boats go back and forth along the canal. At weekends there are more, but there'd be about 10 per day on other days, especially if the weather is good.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections on the canal - view from the house</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On a rather windy day I went on a boat further up the Pumicestone Passage, the waterway between Bribie and the mainland. Great views, but I will try and go on a better day, some time in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This good house sit will come to an end in two weeks time. I will relocate to Beachmere. Still with a water view.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Would you like to spend time on Bribie Island?</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Bribie Island, Queensland 4507, Australia-26.9861003 153.1325243-27.4390043 152.4870773 -26.5331963 153.7779713tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-72957343123319753582018-06-10T06:50:00.000+10:002018-06-10T06:50:48.772+10:00Am I a Good Samaritan?<span style="font-size: large;">In the past two weeks, I have helped out in two rather dramatic events. One, a domestic violence issue where an aggressive man was abusing a woman who had a baby and a perhaps 3-year-old little girl, and the other when a utility rolled over in front of me on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Highway">Bruce Highway.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was on my way to catch a train to the city - an hour's journey at best. I heard voices - one person on the walkway and a man in the car park - yelling at one another. I took no notice and had no awareness that there was abuse in the conversation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is an elevator up to a walkway, which takes one across the railway tracks and two other elevators, to the tracks. As I exited the first one, I saw the young lady with the pram, baby and small child. Again I heard her yell to the man below but didn't take any notice. I walked along to the next elevator to go down to my platform, and the woman with her littlies followed me in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I heard the yelling - coming closer. Then this tall brute of a man come in the lift, yelling and pushing. He wanted to take the baby. It is a small area, and I quickly exited but stayed just beyond the doorway. I shouted at the man to leave the woman and child alone, and to go away. He turned to me, only a few feet from me, and yelled abuse at me. I called for people to call the Police. It was a very dramatic few minutes. Soon other people and railway staff appeared and I shakily left the scene. I went down the stairs - my whole body shaking. I heard police sirens an when I looked back the woman and children were being cared for by the railway staff. I had seen the man run off just minutes earlier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It really shook me up. I realised how close I had come to being a victim too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Less then two weeks later, I was on the motorway, heading home from a meeting. There was a lot of traffic on the road and it had been raining so the road was wet. Much to my horror, a utility just in front of me rolled over and off the road into a ditch. There was a truck between my car and the vehicle that rolled. I stopped quickly, and rushed to help, calling the police as I did so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a former nurse, I usually stop to help anyone in such an incident, if there are no others there. The driver was on his own, with no passengers and was very lucky. He didn't have a scratch on him. Of course, he was shaken by the experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of other vehicles stopped, but didn't stay and drove away when they saw he was not injured. However, I chose to stay. He was on his own, was a guy who was in his 50's or early 60's and I thought it prudent to stay until someone else did. It was a long wait before police and tow truck appeared. I then left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I posted about both events on my FB page, and many people said nice things about me, for being kind enough to try and help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Someone also suggested things like this happen in threes. What will be my next event? I am scared thinking about it. I hope it is just two!</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Caboolture QLD 4510, Australia-27.066667 152.96666700000003-27.179785 152.80530550000003 -26.953549 153.12802850000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-32742658819023435662018-05-30T18:38:00.000+10:002018-05-30T18:38:00.306+10:00Cemeteries - the Dead Centre of Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's a cemetery just near my daughter's place at Hemmant. I drive past it often but suddenly decided to call in and take some photos the other day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had been before, as I researched a family member of a friend. It is quite an old cemetery by Australian standards and has been operating since 1875.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do have a habit of visiting cemeteries, especially those that have war graves. I like to walk along the rows reading what is written on the gravestones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These days, when the dead are often cremated and ashes either kept by a family member or loved one or scattered somewhere, there are fewer people getting grave sites and fewer still are getting the wonderful stone headstones of days gone by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once upon a time, there was always evidence of someone's life and death recorded on the headstone. I think of my own parents who weren't buried in the family plot. Their choice. The cost of maintaining headstones/cemeteries is causing a lot of challenges. Even the cemetery at Hemmant is rather sad in places as some of the headstones are deteriorating and some of them so much that it is hard to read about the deceased.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So maybe there is more value in the written story of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obituary">deceased</a>. Life stories are my passion and also obituaries. I have to laugh when I mention the latter, but I think that we should be doing more of these. That way, there can be a lasting story about people. So, no gravestones, but a life story (biography) complete with some photos can be stored electronically. Helpful for future historians too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am happy to talk with groups and individuals about preparing their own - it doesn't have to be very long. Maybe 1500 words are enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my goals is to promote this idea. Newspapers do like to publish them too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">War cemeteries are very interesting. They tend to be better cared for and managed and reading the headstones is very moving.</span></div>
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</script><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-38589636415729438912018-05-19T16:16:00.000+10:002018-05-19T16:16:06.128+10:00How We Live.<span style="font-size: large;">House sitting comes with challenges. Let me explain that I am not criticising here. I am just stating that every home is different. As a house sitter one often lives in a place that would not be your own ideal place to live</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Animals</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It might be the animals - one house sit I had, came with a large number of animals including a rabbit (no, it wasn't in Queensland where they are banned), chickens, dogs and cats and a lizard. Another I had 12 pigeons to care for - quite spoiled birds too! One had a dog which was a delight, but take it for a walk and watch out - it was crazy on its daily walk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some houses are clean when I move in and some I have been lucky enough to have a housekeeper and gardener. In some, I have had to make some changes in the way I live. An example of this is one house that a couple resides, never use a toaster. I am not a toast every morning person but do like occasionally to have a slice of toast and marmalade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am good at gardening and often do extra work weeding, trimming dead flowers or branches and so forth. Every house sit is different.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq-ehN3JKXO2RLeLp26yoc4I19fTylnPatmO-Hfz2XgzSWVBrq41jTAPo24CQh57qJtnw7Emb29N_NjnY_ydTBgSjhi7LFhgQTjLaKydklO9Aftj4fegoI5pHheAqcaCeSKHaBWTWjngv/s1600/P3201313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq-ehN3JKXO2RLeLp26yoc4I19fTylnPatmO-Hfz2XgzSWVBrq41jTAPo24CQh57qJtnw7Emb29N_NjnY_ydTBgSjhi7LFhgQTjLaKydklO9Aftj4fegoI5pHheAqcaCeSKHaBWTWjngv/s320/P3201313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, not at a house sit. But lovely water lily.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Occasionally I wish I could change things. For example, I get annoyed about keys. Why don't people have one key that opens the front door instead of having to use two? Why don't people do regular maintenance? Some of the issues are builder issues too. Something that "is" and no one has thought about changing things. Like steps. I've written about some issues with <a href="https://housesitdiary.blogspot.com.au/2018/05/who-builds-our-houses.html">house plans before.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But as someone who has no home of my own, I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to live rent-free and look after a house while the owners travel.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-33269015437524343992018-05-17T16:03:00.000+10:002018-05-17T16:03:08.152+10:00A Sexual Assualt Problem?Today there is "shock" that there is so much sexual assault in Australia. I don't think it is just Australia - I think it is something that is far more widespread than just this country. Still, I am more familiar with this country.<br />
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It has been an issue for Australian women for many years. I remember many incidents from my teen years. I was a trainee nurse - and we were high on the "hit list". The nurses home where trainee nurses had to live, was called "the bulk store". It was and probably still is an expectation that if a boy and girl went out together, just the two of them, there was an expectation of some sort of sexual activity. If the girl didn't want it, it was too bad. It was what was expected. "Boys will be boys" - a term that always makes me angry.<br />
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The girls always got into trouble - especially if they became pregnant. How often did the bloke get off scot free? No consequences for most of the blokes involved in an "unplanned pregnancy". The girl had to endure a termination or go ahead with the pregnancy and the consequences.<br />
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If the girl (and/or her parents) decided that the unwanted baby be adopted out, the girl had to bear the guilt. The boy? Probably forgot about it very quickly.<br />
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Sexual assault in the workplace? Many girls and women can tell tales about these sort of experiences. I certainly can. I don't intend to relate the tales of the times I have been abused/attacked. I will say that a very senior person in a hospital I was working as a senior nurse tried to have his way with many of the staff. I refused to have anything to do with him and was bullied terribly. I left not long after and was not keen to return to nursing again.<br />
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Now today the media is full of <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-01/australia-has-a-sexual-assault-problem-we-cant-ignore/8764220">shock and horror</a> about the sexual abuse in universities. <br />
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Really? It is pretty much everywhere. <br />
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I think of the many women in other countries, e.g. Afghanistan, Middle East, African and South American countries - in fact it is probably an issue all around the world. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528238479287406032.post-15108539236902020352018-05-17T16:02:00.001+10:002018-05-17T16:02:29.532+10:00Who Builds our Houses?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am back house sitting again. It wasn't in the plan, but I am thankful that the opportunities came to me. It has enabled me to live "rent-free" for almost a year now. I am indifferent about it at times. I would love to live in my own home, but that isn't going to happen for a while. Unless I win the lottery or my book becomes a really, really best seller.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These days I spend longer in a house than I did before and for reasons I can explain perhaps, I find I am looking more at the way the houses are built.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Yes, I know, most building is done by men. Tradesmen. Many of whom are very talented in their skilled - be it cementers, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, painters and more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year I moved out of an apartment in which I had lived for nearly 5 years. I had many issues with the builders - not the standard of their work, but the way they placed rooms and facilities in the unit. I had the impression that the build was done as quickly as possible as cheaply as possible, with little thought about the practicalities of living in it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For example, the laundry. I actually have no problem with the washing machine/dryer etc being in the garage, but I note that there appeared to be no consideration about getting the washing to the clothesline. In the unit, I had no choice but to lug a heavy washing basket of wet clothes into the passageway from the garage and take a long trek.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Down the passage, past the kitchen and dining area, out onto the patio, and then down the side of the house to the clothesline. The trek alongside the house had rocks and cement stepping stones that were so far apart one had to be very fit to get from one to the other. Oh, and the rocks and stones made it impossible to use a wheeled laundry trolley. No trolley could be walked through the house and over the steps at the doorway, and from the patio to the path. The lady of the house had to carry the heavy/wet washing all this way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.build.com.au/home-design-guides/bathroom">Bathrooms </a>and toilets are rooms where there often appears to be no thought about the placement of things. I hate having to lean over the bathroom handbasin to see properly to put makeup on. Many of us need our faces to be inches from the mirror to see the fine details for applying eye make up etc.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2KLLiOASwFRyqvxHgPmBhjmoCNuox6h1BcGi43QBlEcfI4jNA_Akymg7GX5IndhCYZk5CogKH45oO73bfDNPDmEkfXmhseMQdbpHWCOfZ3LPXQacbn9aTne8f4xEIDTPuxAn9vNAq_T6/s1600/P3011304_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2KLLiOASwFRyqvxHgPmBhjmoCNuox6h1BcGi43QBlEcfI4jNA_Akymg7GX5IndhCYZk5CogKH45oO73bfDNPDmEkfXmhseMQdbpHWCOfZ3LPXQacbn9aTne8f4xEIDTPuxAn9vNAq_T6/s400/P3011304_1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See Below</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How many toilets have the toilet roll holder almost behind the sitter? Having to twist around to reach the darned thing is annoying, especially for women who use that facility more often on a daily basis than men.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.plumbingplanet.com/proper-toilet-paper-holder-placement/">This site</a> suggests that the toilet roll holder should be 12 inches forward from the toilet bowl. The one in this house is right beside the bowl. Is it laziness or do the tradesmen not know?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If a family wishes to remain in their home right into their senior years, other things need to be considered. Steps. Even at the entrance - the builder and owner need to consider access if someone has an accident or as they age or have mobility issues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I get the impression that builders generally don't consider many of the issues that would be helpful to the people living in the house, and I guess some of the issues are gender issues. Men would not relate to even the issues I mentioned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Re the image above. This bathroom entity was supposed to be just a shower. No bath. However, the builders decided that a bath with 3 shower roses would be best. True story. It is a very high step to get into it and is so long it requires 2 bath mats. The tangle of hoses and confusing taps adds to the silliness of it all. </i> <span style="color: red;">It is very dangerous for seniors.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Women need to have input into a build, especially if they are going to live in the home.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0