Time, it was, and what a Time it was...

When images of those things that are created
whether of Santa or god or bunnies that give chocolate
When images arose through stories and culture
of the old man down the road or the woman who had too many children
It was a time of influence, a time of consequences.

There it was, swirling slowly, seductively salaciously
through the imaginings of youth and innocence
Forming, reforming creating itself from wild thoughts
of young men up the road and women whose mysteries were beyond your ken.
It was a time of influence, a time of consequences.

To think it all up, in long lonely hours brooding
whether on a bus, at school, at home or walking along a beach
Images arose and secreted their roots into your longings
of dashing young men and their quiet whisperings meant only for you
It was a time of influence, a time of consequences.

Then the time arrived and it was not as you thought, imagined
formed, dreamed, seemed, deemed for yourself.
You took it by the throat and ran as hard as you could
to the furtherest part of yourself and squeezed out your children
through your love, longing, determination and desire
Now you had the influence and you bore the consequences.

And they leave. They leave to follow your thoughts of longing and desire
But they think they have invented it for themselves
of young men and laughter, young women with shiny tossed hair
Moving through and around their lives and it has come
It is for them to influence and have the consequences.

Still it moves you to know that no life can be 'picked up and started again'.
It was your consequence of your dreams, of your passions
that brought you to where the dreams can be viewed from far away and smiled at
of young men and hot desire, of women of dubious morals who fascinate and draw you to
the influences and consequences of Time.

("When a woman makes the choice to marry, to have children; in one way her life begins but in another way it stops. You build a life of details. You become a mother, a wife and you stop and stay steady so that your children can move. And when they leave they take your life of details with them. And then you're expected move again only you don't remember what moves you because no-one has asked in so long. Not even yourself." Bridges of Madison County.)

"In God We Trust"

This is the first One hundred American dollar bill I have ever seen or handled. It was a gift to my daughter before her sojourn overseas...and to actually see and hold a 'green back' with the mighty words "In God We Trust" encrusted on the filthy lucre made a mockery of the great United States Constitution. Money- God, God - Money...nup...does not compute...

"Render unto Caesar...etc".

I remember some Yankee friends I once knew back in the 1970's saying that our Australian money looked like 'Monopoly' play money...well, sirs, now I have see yours, yours has a bigger reputation and yet, it is just a piece of paper, sadly, that could be used by a great many people from where it comes, to give health, food, equality, education and a future. Seems like too many over there are too anxious to hang onto this 'green' piece of paper and too mean to pay higher taxes to help the poor.


Here are some comments on the US elections from some OZ writers to a paper:

Personally, though, I think it’s time for a black President. The great inequalities in American society are characterised far more by race than gender. I also think it’s time for generational change in America, as happened here recently. Both these needs would be better symbolised and embodied in the election of Barack Obama. However, it’s unlikely to happen. Even if the vote turns out for him (will the young bother?), they’ll probably shoot him first, America being what it is, righteous and psychopathic.

and this:


Clinton made some decisions I just could not support - most notable her vote for the Iraq war and refusal to speak out about that and the general abuse of power of the current administration. So despite my years of support for Clinton, Obama is the better candidate and if I was a US citizen he would get my vote and I’d be prepared to volunteer for his campaign. His message of unity, hope and individual empowerment is not only inspirational, but is what the US (and all of us) need. His track record and positions he holds on various issues are all clearly outlined on his website and although Clinton would no doubt make a good President and accomplish some good things for the US and for the world, Obama will be able to truly change ‘politics as usual’. He is offering some clever ideas on a range of policies and issues and also will really open up the process of government to be transparent and honest and involve citizens as much as possible (again, all outlined on his website if any reader doubts what I’ve said).

Obama is simply the better candidate.

It is interesting that we so far away take such an interest in other nations politics. Why? Because they affect the world, whether it be Britains, Frances, Russian or USA.

Guess where I ( fearfully) stand?

Teddy the Cat.

Here is the dry cat.

Calm, blending in, kinda cat.
He is independent and smart, demanding, and hates closed doors.

I think a pattern is emerging here why some people prefer cats to dogs.
Cats are of no consequence.
They don't care about you, as long as you feed them.
They don't need to be walked, talked to, played with or interacted with...only on their terms and in their time frame.
They are not like dogs, who need attention, love, reassurance, who know when you are sick, angry, lonely or fed up.
Dogs need to be cared for, groomed, walked, fed, toiletted, entertained and washed.

Cats are for people who believe in "Claytons" pets...a pet you have when you are not having a pet.
No trouble, no interest, no bother, no nothing...
they don't want you very much...you can be a bore to them and they will trip you up if they set their minds to it...

Thus goes the first observation of being a cat-carer.

No trouble...no investment..no empathy, no compassion...and they wouldn't save your life...oh unless theirs depended upon it...
Unlike a dog....

Goldfish..well they are another story....

Pud -2007

Well I am guessing I have it down pat now.
This is the Christmas 2007 pudding...quite nice really.
We made turkey this year...well, I made turkey this year...easier than I thought..was terrified having a Canadian in the house whose mother makes it every year...she sent some hints..but I was fine..quite tasty but very expensive...

Still it fed 7 people happily.

I think dad would have been pleased and mum proud.

All over, including the shouting. All spread around the world now...Australia, South Korea, Vietnam...an interesting family I have..I miss them...

Cheers to all.

The Link Shocking/ The Quote inspiring.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/why-10-is-too-young-for-your-first-brazilian/2008/01/07/1199554567704.html
The above link is so disturbing I can't reproduce it here...if you can link you can..but I find it abhorrent.

As John Tarrant in his book "The Light inside the Dark", says:
In the great silence, integrity listens for the true course …
Integrity helps us find our place in the world. This is its durability;
its irreducibility, its affinity with the stones that make up the earth’s mantle.
Integrity stands on the primal matter that we found through suffering.
And because of its affinity with the stuff of the earth, it links us to our grandparents, the ones who are in the earth, and our grandchildren yet to come, whom the earth will produce like flowers.

Maybe that is what I am seeing in Obama right now.
We need more of this stuff called "Integrity" ..it is gone..we need it back in the world.

Clean Cat!!

Proof that cats can and should be washed.
Not only a clean cat, but a good cat.
He has been washed since he was first picked up at a few weeks of age.
He is used to it.

Good Teddy, good boy.

Now.
How do we get the owners of other cats to wash their pets? Especially if they are going to live inside with them.

See?
Even a dog person can appreciate a good, clean, cat.

He will be mine for one month.
I will keep you posted how we fare with each other.

Happy, clean, acceptable cat!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Softly comes the future, in all her inane glory.
Relief is seeping throughout the countryside
and we know the storm is gathering.

Tight times will be upon us, due to things beyond our control
Beyond our country's shores, beyond her far horizons
stemming from a filial land, hurting in her poor.

But yet we bide awhile, stepping back into moments of trust
To recognise our own truths, through Hicks and Rudd and such.
To once again believe in the little things, our strengths.

So here is to a new year, we hope it is fair and meaningful
For all who bide with love and caring, to lift her head again
So once again we can sing, "Advance Australia, Fair".

Happy New Year to all out in blogger land...you have steeled me when I have felt like falling.
You are my silent, yet loud, soft yet strong support.
Thank you for the past two years, when you were there when I needed you the most.

May the universe hold you in her hands, stroke you with love and rock you in her bosom.