12-12-03

We have had the usual Western Districts Summer weather - hot one day, pouring and windy-cold the next.  Sometimes it doesn't even wait for the next day, and we go from 30C to 18C, with a desperate need for a jumper.  And an umbrella.

 

Many people have come down with the dreaded lurgii.  I blame it on the weather on the basis that the body can't adapt fast enough, and gets into a bit of a tizz trying to, lowering the immune system and leaving it prey to anything that is prowling around.  As I write this, we have had a morning of sunshine, cloud cover, furious winds, gentle winds and showers of rain.

 

There have been threatenings of thunderstorms, and 'most everyone has been complaining of headaches.

 

I finally took pity on the poor turtles in their vivarium and gave them heaps more water, although there was still enough in there to keep them well and truly wet.  Now they are swimming.  I also collected a heap of slaters and pill bugs and they have been pigging out royally.

 

All of the animals are fine, with the exception of one gosling that was trampled by the other geese.  I found its body this morning, and it went to Porgy.  No point in wasting it, but I still feel a little anguish for it.

 

I've just been out in the calf paddock, and was pushed by Tiny (named by Alice, bit like calling a peacock plain).  The Friesians will have to go and soon.  They are getting far too boisterous, and as they greet with their horns, this could be a problem.

 

We have had a chook sitting on dead eggs for some time.  Today, I finally, with the aid of a stick ( NO WAY am I getting my digits near her beak!) managed to get the last three eggs away from her.  One I broke accidentally in situ, another she broke and the third I grabbed and threw into the big paddock.  Phew!  Hopefully now she will concentrate on other matters.

 

Brian has done all of the mowing, including a second lot of mowing in the big paddock.  We don't have a rake, and borrowed Russell's, which was exceedingly kind of him.  He is getting one of the piglets as a thankyou.

 

I drove the truck as Brian picked up the square bales and hoisted them up to Aaron, who did the stacking on top of the truck.  I quite enjoyed my driving, and it didn't take long, which meant that when it was time for Alice to be up, I was back.  I'm glad we did it so early, and that there wasn't much to do, for the day was very hot and uncomfortable.  I think we'll be having more barbecues from now on.  We go to the Botanic Gardens with Aaron and the dogs and have a great time.

 

I like eating our geese, but the time and trouble over plucking is huge.  Brian has found out about using a hessian sack, dipping the carcass in boiling water, and rubbing over the body with the sack, which must provide enough friction to do the job.  I certainly hope so.

 

Nita was telling me of the joys of the US Health System.  We consider ourselves blessed here in Australia, as so much is free.  All emergency services at Public Hospitals, immunisation of children for MMR and other childhood illnesses, most major operations, and even home nursing if getting over an operation or house bound.

 

Well, when I say "free", obviously our taxes go towards the cost of such things.  I pay a one-off fee of $20/per annum and I can access dental as well.  This is, admittedly, for basic dental, but it is serviceable.  We do not, in Victoria, get free ambulance cover even if on a Government benefit, but some of the other states have this in place.

 

I've just been reading an article in The Standard of December the 6th.  In it, Harry Dunn shares how he has an easy way of growing tomatoes (are you starting to salivate, you Northern Hemispherians?): he used to grow commercially, but now only grows for his family, who have a marked preference for Grosse Lisse.

 

"His secret is to sow seed into raw horse manure.  When the seedlings are strong enough, he plants them out.  Four stakes about 45 centimetres apart form a square and two plants go to every stake, with the laterals pinched out and the central leader tied to a stake as it grows.

 

"After about four weeks, half a bucket of pure poultry manure goes into the centre of the square, undug, and fertilises the plants every time Harry waters.

 

"That's the only bother he takes, except for protection against fruit fly...  Fruit is left on the vine until it is completely coloured."

 

Alice pulled out a baby tooth just before going to bed (it had been a "hanger" for some days), and is still hopeful that the Tooth Fairy will be visiting tonight.  Having had a serious talk with the Tooth Fairy just a few minutes ago, $6 in $2 coins seems OK for a nine-year-old that doesn't usually get pocket money, and has very little need to spend in any case.  Isn't it wonderful that Alice is still excited by the prospect of a late night visitor?  She is such a sweet little girl.  Disillusionment is a hard thing in anyone's life, and we all have hopes and dreams, so I believe we should believe for our child's sake.

 

The caterpillars have hatched!  They are eating gum leaves, as expected, so I must remember to renew their food daily.  Pictures, as soon as they are large enough to be photographed recognisably, will follow.

 

The geese are very restless tonight, and I have just gone out to see if Mr Fox is around.  On the way back, having discovered nothing enlightening in the way of fox visits, my foot twisted in a depression in the ground and is now quite painful, so I will be soon to bed (it's now 10:50PM) and will be bunging on some arnica.  Ouch.

 

I had said to Nita that I would put in some quotes from John O'Grady's 1965 book, Aussie English: An Explanation of the Australian

Idiom. 

 

These terms are "suss", so that if you are of a mind to be censorious, you may avoid that which might offend.

 

ACID

 

This word has the usual international chemical meaning.  But to 'put the acid on' a female does not mean that you dab a little sulphuric or hydrochloric behind her ears.  It implies a question, and whichever way you phrase it, the answer will most likely be an astonished look, followed by a well-swung arm or handbag.

The answer'yes' should not be expected.

 

ACRE

 

Four thousand eight hundred and forty square yards of earth; or any number of square inches, feet, or yeards or backside.

Therefore, a 'kick in the acre' does not mean a kick in four thousand eight hundred and forty square yards of earth.

Female 'acres' are generally referred to as 'rears'.

Girls of good family upbringing - i.e., nicely reared girls - are fairly plentiful.  But the occasional one who is 'six axe handles across the acre' should either give up wearing shorts and slack, or go on a diet.

 

Summer

 

I can believe we are closer to our sun

in these Antipodes.

 

The blast furnace door is opened regularly now

and if I could swim in a bottle of cold drink, I would

 

Small clouds of hope race past me,

like some movie image of sped up film

 

But there is no rain.  No relief.  Just hot

 

I love Summer.