I cannot tell you too fully of the joys of Spring in the Great South West of Victoria

spoken to a number of others who also believe this is a fine season.

The piglets are doing marvellously, we have some new chicks, but I'm not sure how many, as Mama Chook has only just hatched them out, the geese are doing fine except for their suicidal instincts in crossing the road. All of them. Often in waves of goose and goose baby or goose teenager. Despite being told not to do so. (For "told", read: screamed, abused, tooted, chased, yelled at, flight assistance - which consists of my throwing large pieces of clumped soil in their general direction - getting other people to do the same.) There is some debate in our household as to the reason why they are errant. Brian says it is because there is water over in the paddocks, but there is plenty of water available here. Aaron maintains it is the neighbour's silage, but so far they have not done any damage to his carefully stored crop (we have promised him a goose for Christmas, sweet revenge as he sits at the table! He herded them back to us a couple of days ago!). I maintain it is sheer bloody-mindedness, but am open to thoughts on the matter. I don't know that geese have much in the way of thoughts, but they do make good eating.

Brian is going to get hold of some secondhand sheets of tin and nail them around the base of the fence to hold the little festers in. We can't keep on going like this. It's ridiculous. Only the Chinese geese stay at home.

Belle, our peahen, is laying. the eggs are white, rough shelled and slightly bigger than a normal size hen. I have sent Nita a couple of links to include with this Article, I hope you enjoy them. (Gamebird Gazette- but you must look down the page to see an issue with a picture of a peacock) They are a bit hard to find, but my alternative was to go to Asian links (since they are originally from India and Islands near Borneo and Sumatra), but I discounted this based on the twin factors of time and English language content. I may well be wrong on the latter, but if you have any links to share, I'd be delighted to know.

The link to the Gamebird Gazette is above. Below are a few sites with exceptional information and beautiful photographs:

Pavo Muticus Endangered Species-Aviary-Zoological Parks and Gardens Board of Victoria 2003 html version...

Peafowl Info Center, This is the General Information Page- see links at bottom of page to visit other pages on the site (Be wary, it is a tripod site and it is loaded with pop-ups)

United Peafowl Association- look to the middle right side and check out the Photo and Art Galleries

The Murry McMurry Hatchery- Catalog Peafowl Page -Don't look at the prices...

Bow's Peafowl Farm- This is a place in Waco, Texas but they have excellent photos

Minnesota Department of Agriculture- with links to University of Nebraska, Kansas State University & Western North Carolina Nature Center

I took the National IQ Test that was a feature of our television earlier in the week. I don't believe my intelligence has decreased markedly since first applying (and failing) for membership in Mensa when I was 17. I hate maths. Simple arithmetic is fine, but get me on algebraic formulae, and my brain seizes. And a good friend was over to share dinner with me, I am distractable, so it was interesting to find out that my IQ is 134. Some test conditions! I was writing my multiple choice answers sitting on a rocking chair!

We expect that the paddocks will be overflowing with sweet clover from the thunderstorm the other night. So many of our businesses were flooded, though, and nearby Portland had some hail. It amazes me that we didn't get snow as well, given the variety that occurred in meteorological phenomena. Alice and I watched it from outside until it came a little to close for comfort and then we dashed inside. THEN it started to rain. Brian was at work, and watched it from the safety of the work vehicle on top of a hill. He maintains that God's fireworks are the most spectacular of all. It made it a bit on the impossible to use the computer, though. Brian 'phoned (another no-no during a thunderstorm!) and said not to use it as, the mechanic arising here, I'm sure, it would "blow out the bag". I am trying to picture where in the hardware of the computer is this mysterious "bag". When he's a little more lucid and over night shift, I'll ask him. So this Article was a little later than usual.

A kid funny: I had sent Alice to her room to tidy it (both of us are Messies, as an adult I am trying to combat it), and a few minutes later heard her come in from outside, muttering something, obviously not realising I was there.

Shortly after that, Brian came in. I asked him what had gone on between Alice and him. He said that she had come out and asked if she could help him with anything. He told Alice to go and clean up her room, as I had told her.

I smiled. I said to Brian, "That's why she came in muttering: 'Darn! I knew it wouldn't work!' "

We both fell on each other laughing. Thankfully, Alice doesn't mind my telling this story.

We have our tax return cheques back, and have bought a decent digital camera, so hopefully you will get some more pictures of the Heavenly Hovel and surrounds, and perhaps even of Alice performing in the Gymnastics competition this Sunday (a ludicrous day for a competition!), and wonderful Hall's Gap where we will stay. I believe we need a weekend away, and the District Salvation Army is having the Spring Celebration there. Great fun!

If we can get a Health Care Card, which is from the Federal Government for low income earners, and entitles one to cheaper health care, and is often recognised by many other organisations, then we will get our cat desexed and keep her. She is a great farm cat, and rarely kills anything other than mice. The kittens will go. Alice, being a child, was obviously very sad about this, but having six cats is an unnecessary luxury. And then we will register the cat, which goes under the name of Kateshah (Kat-eh-shuh) or just "Cat", from the Gilbert and Sullivan character with the exquisite elbows!

Shhh!

From the child's perspective -

Hey! I have a secret

do you promise not to tell?

Well

My cat's had kittens

Mummy doesn't know yet

Otherwise she'd yell

There's Bobby, and Jenny

and little Sweet Sue

but I get 'em mixed up

over who is who

Francie and Cutie

and Prince Charming are there

don't fuss the hissing

they just do it to dare

But you musn't tell Mum

or she'll take them away

and we've run out of places

that'll keep a stray

So be really quiet

and we can keep 'em forever

it's our little secret

aren't we clever!

From Mum's perspective

Who are you kidding?

I know what's going on

those kittens are history

tomorrow they're gone!

You don't think

I didn't see

our pregnant cat

she is still a "she"!

The kittens are going

the cat's to the vet

we'll fix her up

a desexed pet

We can't keep

all those little cats

they're off to the shelter

we have to face facts

No, not even one

just our own old cat

spoil her, if you like

don't look at me like that

I will not waver

I've put my foot down

so no more sulking

and stop with that frown

If you can think of anyone

you know

who'll take a kitten

then it can go

but I've run out of options

and out of time, too

the kittens are going

be grateful I'm keeping you!

Dominus tecum.

Leonie