Easter holidays over:

safety instructions

These holidays coincided with our grandson’s 8th birthday. Jack and Mackenzie really enjoyed the water park, and on Jack’s birthday we went to Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula. Here they have lots of child friendly activities. It was the first time we’d been. Tree surfing for nippers included being suspended in the trees with a harness with many challenging obstacle courses ending with a wonderful zip, or flying fox after each course. There were three courses for the young nippers and it took about an hour. The adult course looks very hairy and that takes two hours, though that wasn’t for us.

After a picnic lunch we then discovered the many mazes and some slides that were in constant use. Carrying the blowup tubes to the top of the hill was part of the experience. Exhausting grandparents who just gazed and children who climbed again and again.

The gardens were beautifully maintained and my favourite part was the Japanese garden. My photos don’t do it justice. Having our grandchildren over to stay makes us realize why people have children when they are young.

Remaining steadfast:

180 Degrees: Tell us about a time you did 180—changed your views on something, reversed a decision, or acted in a way you ordinarily don’t.

Doesn’t 180 degrees mean I’ve ended up where I started? If so, this is a topic that has moved me to write before, even though I am not a Roman Catholic; but I am very concerned that children deserve to be protected from predatory, powerful people. It is satisfying to read that finally justice is being attended to.

A News worthy topic today mentions Cardinal Pell. As some of you know I wrote to the Pope and suggested Cardinal Pell should be removed from his office as head of the Roman Catholic Church in Australia due to his neglect of children; allowing paedophilia to continue during his watch.

Although I didn’t hear from the Pope directly, his action in removing the Cardinal to Rome was greatly appreciated.

Since then the Royal Commission looking into Paedophilia has recommended Pell’s return to Ballarat to answer more questions, I was delighted today to hear that Peter Saunders, hand picked by the Pope, spoke out against Pell, saying this:

‘I think it is critical that George Pell is moved aside, that he is sent back to Australia, and that the Pope takes the strongest action against him.’

Indeed, I hope he will be de-frocked, have his Companion of the Order of Australia and his Centenary Medal removed, and sent back to Australia to face the Royal Commission. According to Wikipedia those awards were removed on May 24^th 2015. I do hope this is correct.

Hopefully tomorrow, I shall write about happier events.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/180-degrees/

 

 

 

 

 

Mysterious Enigma:

Most people, who don’t read my blog, wouldn’t know that I love playing with words. Here is today’s effort. A rather hasty one, as I have dug up the raspberries, and need to fertilize the soil and replant them. Putting up stakes and wires to try to bring a semblance of order, so that one can walk between the rows. Here is what came to me this morning, early:

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon.

The pigs squeal with delight as they fly off in flight. Geese soar up above, screaming their love,

Flapping and honking, squealing and oinking, whelping and mewing, circling and hallooing.

 

The dog and the cat chase till red in the face. Puffed and defeated with a final expletive,

They curl up to dream of peaches and cream, staying warm till the dawn, no longer forlorn,

Content to snuggle, a warm furry cuddle, as the cow settles down for her milking.

 

A Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma: Daily Prompt by Michelle W.

Tell us something most people probably don’t know about you.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/a-mystery-wrapped-in-an-enigma/

 

What love means to 4-8 year old children:

Friends send e-mails and I feel it’s good to share them, if they are worthy. You may have seen this before, but if you haven’t, slow down for three minutes to read this, it is worth it.        Touching words from the mouths of babes..

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds ,

‘What does love mean?’
The answers they got were broader, deeper,
and more profound than anyone could have ever imagined!                                                        See what you think:
‘When my grandmother got arthritis , she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore.. So my grandfather does it for her all the time , even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’

Rebecca- age 8

‘When someone loves you , the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’

Billy – age 4

‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne
and they go out and smell each other.’

Karl – age 5

‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries
without making them give you any of theirs.’

Chrissy – age 6

‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’

Terri –
age 4

‘Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him , to make sure the taste is OK.’

Danny – age 7

‘Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing , you
still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that.
They look gross when they kiss.’

Emily – age 8

‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents
and just listen.’

Bobby – age 7
(Wow!)

‘If you want to learn to love better , you should start with a friend who you hate. ‘

Nikka – age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka’s on
this planet)

‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.’

Noelle
– age 7

‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well.’

Tommy – age 6

‘During my piano recital , I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the
people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’

Cindy – age 8

‘My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.’

Clare – age 6

‘Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’

Elaine-age 5

‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and
still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’

Chris – age 7

‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him
alone all day.’

Mary Ann – age 4

‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes
and has to go out and buy new ones.’

Lauren – age 4
‘When you love somebody , your eyelashes go up and down and little
stars come out of you.’ (what an image)

Karen – age 7

‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think
it’s gross..’

Mark – age 6

‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it.
But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.’

Jessica – age 8

And the final one:

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an
elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry , the
little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard , climbed onto his
lap , and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour , the little boy said ,                      ‘Nothing , I just helped him cry’
************************

Inspiration:

An original photo of Christopher Robin and Pooh Bear sent to me on the Internet. It is not a surprise that this boy inspired the Pooh Bear books. He looks totally absorbed in his bear.

These are two of my inspirations: Millie and Jack.

Blessings:

Looking back over the holiday period makes me very grateful for what we have and the family we share.

The Sunday before Christmas we had Christopher’s boys and their families. Will and Rachael are now foster parents. They brought their son and a foster boy with them to share our special day. At present this child is only having respite time with them as his mother is waiting for a placement in a drug rehabilitation centre. Ice is a particularly nasty drug, which is far more addictive than other drugs, and is rampant in Victoria, as it is probably everywhere else. It is hard to imagine what it is like for an only child to live in this environment.

L. appeared happy to be with us and joined in the conversation. Since joining his foster parents he’s experienced many things for the first time. Going to the beach, to the cinema and many family activities that we take for granted.

Conversation at the lunch table was interesting. L is obsessed with the army and army activities. Someone at school had convinced him that ISIS has nothing to do with terrorism. He asked each of us what we thought, but our thoughts didn’t deter him, even though he couldn’t remember the reasoning behind his friend’s comment. Rachael calmly suggested that since he couldn’t remember the reason, perhaps he needed to reconsider this information.

I thought how easily a child can be led astray. Hopefully listening to a group of adults with different views from his own, will give him pause to reconsider his way out views.

 

Daughters in law with naughty Grandpa and youngest grandchild.

The meal was a great success, always a relief for me when it all comes together. Many of the vegetables were new to L. and so it was rewarding to see him tasting and liking them. Roast pork turned out to be a favourite.

Playing cricket in the street was fun, apart from my beloved tearing a tendon when he was trying to bowl a googly. He was surprised that his body didn’t respond as it did forty years ago. He ended up fielding with Millie by his side, who delighted in catching the balls that came their way.

We were thrilled at the end of the day when L. announced he’d never had such a wonderful Christmas, it made it all so worthwhile. It also made me sad to think of how many children there must be out there who would be not celebrating, as we were able to do. Christmas isn’t always a happy time for people, so it makes me more appreciative than ever, that we’re able to share with a family we love.

Some good news announced today, 2-1-15: Collingwood, the largest Australian Rules Football Club announced that it has donated 30 homes to the Salvation Army to house those less fortunate. This means 80 people are now benefitting from this generous gift. Collingwood Football Club propose to donate another 70 homes this year. What a wonderful, generous way to start the year. Congratulations to all of those involved.

 

 

Another picture book to be:

Millie, Molly and Mary Barbara Pyett © 2014

( At present, I’ve not kept the rhythm ordered. This text is before a visit to an editor, shall see how it evolves after the visit.)

3/4

Millie, Molly and Mary, are three chooks who live at a dairy.

They cluck for some corn, as cows moo with a yawn.

Cats meow in the sun, as dogs bark for fun.

 

5/6

One night, they roost, sound asleep on the Ute,

expecting to be there ‘till morning.

That night Farmer Brown drives into the town.

To his great surprise, his mates soon advise

And point to the chooks on his fender.

No time for a bender, a change of agenda.

Amender, he drives home to Brenda.

 

7/8

When the cock gives a crow, they belatedly know,

Their night ride can’t hide,

their feathers askew, it had to accrue

to dementia, or their own misadventure.

 

They hop off the Ute; Farmer Brown gives a hoot,

and concedes the chooks need a feed,

before milking his cows that are waiting by now.

 

9/10

Next night as they sleep, a slinky fox creeps.

The dog makes a growl; the cat gives a yowl.

Farmer Brown wakes from sleep leaves his bed with a leap.

Scares the fox from the barn that runs far from the farm.

 

11/12

Again next night, they huddle in fright.

Thunder and light make them want to take flight.

Drumming hail sees them pale as they shake on the bale.

Eggs scarce for a while, warrants no smile.

 

13/14

The cows moo outside with no- where to hide.

Cats yowl in the house and hide with the mouse.

Dogs growl in the shed, wait to be fed.

 

15/16

Peace reins on the farm, hens cluck in the barn,

Lay eggs, one, two and three for farmer Brown’s tea.

They cluck for some corn, as cows moo with a yawn.

Cats meow in the sun as dogs bark for fun.

 

No longer wary, they visit the dairy.

They’re no longer flappy, now they are happy.

Farmer Brown may appear with a smile ear to ear,

his grin doesn’t vary when he sees Millie, Molly and Mary.

 

‘Millie, Molly and Mary’ is a children’s farmyard story picture book for the young at heart. The play with language will both increase a child’s vocabulary as well as entertain the adult reading the story.

Sharing Cynthia McKinney’s piece, found on Facebook:

 

Cynthia McKinney’s photo

Cynthia McKinney
An anthropologist thought he would test these African children. He placed a bowl of fruit underneath a tree and told them that the first one to reach the tree could have the fruit. When he told the children to run, they all took each others’ hands and ran together. They all enjoyed the fruit together. This is the African concept of Ubuntu. In my opinion, it is also why Africa is preyed upon by the vultures untamed and let loose by other cultures.

When asked why they didn’t run the course alone, they answered, UBUNTU! How can we be happy when others are sad?

UBUNTU in Xhosa is roughly translated, “I am because we are.”

I found this on an African website and wanted to share it with you.

Now, if we could just get rid of those vultures.

 

This piece speaks for itself. If only our politicians would look from a more sharing perspective.

 

Unexpected, but welcome guests: daily post

“You walk into your home to find a couple you don’t know sitting in your living room eating a slice of cake. Tell what happens next.”

‘Maureen, is it you? How? I’m lost for words. It’s so wonderful to see you. I thought we’d lost touch completely.’

Maureen’s daughter says, ‘Who is this Mummy?’

‘This is Barbara, don’t you remember me telling you; we have been trying to find her?’

‘Barbara this is Adele, I’ve named her after that lovely girl who used to live with us.’

‘Adele, you are wisely named, I’m delighted to meet you! How old are you?’

‘I’m four’ putting up four fingers.

‘Maureen, I have so many questions. It must be over thirty years since we lived together at the family group home. Please tell me about your life, are you married? Where do you live now?

‘Hey, wait on, one question at a time!’

‘I’ve missed you so much, and always have wondered where you might be.’

‘Well, I’m here now! We are looking for somewhere to live. My abusive marriage broke up and we managed to escape. I decided to try to track you down.’

‘Let me make a cup of tea and you can tell me all about it.’

‘Anyway, you are no longer with Ian. Looks like you have a story to tell too.’

‘True, I have given up my wandering ways and am now settled with Chris. I’ll take you out to the studio so you can meet him.’

‘How did you find me with a new name?’

‘Well, I contacted Ian. He hasn’t changed his name. He said you’d love to see me, so that gave me the courage to come.’

‘Christopher, this is Maureen and Adele. Do you remember me telling you of my first child that arrived at the family group home when I was in Queensland? I’ve shown you the photos of that time. We’ll have to get the photos out to show Adele what Mummy looked like when she was young.’

‘Come and have a cup of tea everyone. Would you like juice, Adele?’

‘Yes, please.’

‘Would it be alright if we stayed with you for a bit?’ Maureen asks.

‘Of course, that will give us time to catch up properly. Have you kept in touch with your brothers? Are they still in Queensland, or did they go back to New Guinea?’

‘They all stayed in Queensland. Yes, we have lots to catch up on. Remember when nits went through the home and you had to wash all the linen from eleven children’s beds?’

‘Yes, I do, but at least the weather was hot and it didn’t take long for the sheets to dry. Ivy was there to help and she was a marvel!’

‘It was Jamie’s sister who came with the nits that time we invited her to come out with us. I remember those nits were jumping everywhere before you managed to wash her hair and comb it before we went out.’

‘I’m scratching at the very thought of it!’

If you are out there in the biosphere Maureen, I would really love it if you could make contact.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/unexpected-guests/