Thread: Pacifica plays... Australia, NZ and the like! Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Welcome the new year in... At least back home.

Here, vacationing in the US, I still am in 2013, but my fellow Aussies and others are well into 2014... I was watching some of the news reports. Fireworks, celebrations, fire, cyclone, heat - you folk have it all.

Life continues to be fun. I do enjoy long service leave... Very relaxed and happy. And cold. And surrounded by loving extended family...

Happy New Year to those back home.
Happy new thread!
 

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Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Happy New Year all in the Antipodes.

If you haven't seen it, can I recommend Gardening with Soul, a lovely film that follows Sister Loyola of the Sisters of Mercy in Island Bay through her 90th year. Went to see it with a friend and my mum last week, and we all loved it.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Goodbye 2013 and hello 2014.
Bound to be both bouncy and bumpy in Banner land, but somehow we'll cope. Having New Year's Day lunch with an 84 yr old and a 95 yr old, today, Neither of whom hold back their opinions, so I guess I'm bound to learn a lot.

HNY shippies, and be kind to yourselves.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Happy New Year to all, including Rowen living in the past.

Great night last night. The new production is interesting and makes the transition well. But we still have fond memories of the 1980s production. Slowly getting ourselves together, but have an 11 o'clock checkout.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Happy New Year to all.

If you took a couple of double shots of coffee to get moving this morning, then you might enjoy this, Coffeedoxy and heterodoxy
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy New Year to all my chums Down Under!
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thanks Piglet - is it yet 1 Jan right across Canada? I get lost with the daylight saving changes and so forth.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Not quite - it's 2:45 a.m. here in Newfoundland, so it'll still be yesterday in Alberta and British Columbia, if you see what I mean.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
We have just heard that M, my 9 year old granddaughter was admitted to hospital this morning. She has not been well for several weeks. Tests are being done and hopefully we will know something soon.
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Loth, feel free to have an easier year this year.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Loved the link, Loth.

(I seem to have begun 2014 all alliteratively around All Saints. )
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
We have just heard that M, my 9 year old granddaughter was admitted to hospital this morning. She has not been well for several weeks. Tests are being done and hopefully we will know something soon.

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Bad news. Hospital is 99% sure it's leukaemia. She will have spinal tap, brain fluid drain, lumbar puncture, bone marrow puncture tomorrow under general anaesthetic to see which type of leukaemia it is.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
((M, Loth & family))
 

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Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
We have just heard that M, my 9 year old granddaughter was admitted to hospital this morning. She has not been well for several weeks. Tests are being done and hopefully we will know something soon.

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Bad news. Hospital is 99% sure it's leukaemia. She will have spinal tap, brain fluid drain, lumbar puncture, bone marrow puncture tomorrow under general anaesthetic to see which type of leukaemia it is.

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Lothlorien
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
(((Loth))) for Grand-daughter
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Oh Lothlorien -
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
My prayers
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

Loth – you and yours could have done without more grief.
Prayers for whatever can be positive in the outcome.

GG
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Lothlorien and family

Huia
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for you and your grand-daughter, Lothlorien.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
That is very sad news Lothlorien. Our prayers for you, your grand-daughter and those treating her.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
An article by a psychologist struck a chord.

His take on 'S*** happens; misery is optional' continues: '[events] can cause pressure, but such factors don't cause stress unless you let them... Stress is how you react to the event, not the event itself.'

I don't presume to offer this as a panacea to shipmates who may have problems that I couldn't handle, but it made sense to me; in fact, I think it illustrates how I have been trying to cope in our situation. Even the Grandad, when things get on top of him, tries to make the best of it with our quote 'It's an adventure'.

GG
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Loth, I am so sorry
 

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Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Lothlorien, I don't know what to say. Childhood cancer is horrendous. I do pray for M, her family and you as you deal with yet another horrible life event.

[ 01. January 2014, 22:15: Message edited by: Athrawes ]
 

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Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
Loth, prayers for you and your granddaughter an the whole family are banging the gates of heaven!

If you are willing to give me her name, either on main screen or in a message, I will add her name to the community prayer list.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank You. PM sent.

She is having platelets transfused this morning as blood clotting ability is far too low. We don 't yet know when the general anaesthetic will be for the other procedures, just that she is on the emergency list.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 

 

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Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Loth, prayers for you, M and the whole family.
 

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Posted by Alban (# 9047) on :
 

 

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Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Praying for you and your family Lothlorien.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
oh, Loth, my dear friend! Many prayers for you.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
It's Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, the one the doctors say is easier to treat and the one with a higher rate of remission. A week in hospital on steroids, then chemo and more tests. No hair in three weeks. Some treatment out of hospital and continuing testing and treatment for a couple of years.

So a new way of life starts for her and family.

[ 02. January 2014, 06:38: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
The nude head look is so in these days. But if not,then perhaps a nice curly bubblegum wig will do wonders for morale. Or not. Grandma should consult with the person most affected.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Constant prayers, Loth, for you and for M and her family.


GG
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
My prayers join those of others. Loth, could you PM me a name, too, please, so I can add her to the prayers of my cathedral?
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you, Zappa. We all appreciate the prayers and concern for her. PM sent.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

 

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Posted by jugular (# 4174) on :
 
Happy New Year to youse all. I spent it making pizzas, baking pizzas and eating pizzas. Start as you intend to continue, I say.

Loth, Leukaemia sucks balls and I hope your little one is OK. I have asked the Blessed Virgin to intercede on her behalf because I am no good at praying for people myself.

I'll be in Sydney next week at NCYC if anyone will be there too, or is around Parramatta way.
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
Hiya all.
for Loth and the kiddlywink. Awful stuff.
Trashed my poor little heart in 2013. Learned a lot, too. Here's to better days. And much better decisions.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Loth and family
DK

Day at the cricket today with Biggest, enjoying a corp box at invitation of Biggest's rep team coach. It's quite amusing when 8 fifteen year old boys start sprouting about the game.
Rest day tomorrow then cricket next 4 out of 5 days. And loving it!

mr curly
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Results were hardly in from all the tests and granddaughter was receiving first dose of steroids. Doctors are quietly optimistic about final outcome, but that will be a couple of years down the track, even if all goes very well indeed. More chemo every Friday and other medications at other various times.

She is good friends with another little girl at school who is emerging out the other end of this journey so that's good. Westmead sends nurses and educators to the school to explain to students and staff what is going on, why the baldness etc.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Loth & family, Very sorry to hear about it, I can't imagine what a bastard of a thing it must be to go through. My understanding though is that rates of cure are excellent for childhood leukaemia so there is cause for optimism.
 

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Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Lothlorien and family, I've put you on my list above the computer, next to my cousin and a good friend who both have leukaemia. Your little one is in wonderful company (my cousin has added her to her prayer list as well), and I hope all goes well.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Evangeline:
Loth & family, Very sorry to hear about it, I can't imagine what a bastard of a thing it must be to go through. My understanding though is that rates of cure are excellent for childhood leukaemia so there is cause for optimism.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Huia:
Hi Loth, I lit an candle for your grand-daugjter and family during our church service today (we do it as part of our prayers for the world) so there will probably be other prayers floating up from other people in the congregation.

Huia

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All prayers appreciated. Thanks. She ate 8 corn chips today, the most food she's had in a day for quite a while. She is now on a drip but has not been eating much at all before that. Drip should ensure she loses no more.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
We lit one also at an icon of Our Lady, the most blessed of mothers, presenting the Infant to us; a prayer for your grand-daughter.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I have just had one of the best days in years I went swimming in a river which I haven't done since I was a child. It was magic, one of those experiences you store up to recall when difficult times come and, to quote Shaun Tan, Life is a deaf machine. (The Red Tree).

Huia - blissed out
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Well done. Sad to say I've never got the notion of swimming in NZ, as the water never even approximates tolerable temperatures. Fortunately my local pool is heated.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Years ago we took a friend from Auckland to Palm Beach in mid-July. He swam for almost half an hour and commented it was warmer in the water than it ever was in Auckland.

We watched from the car as we sheltered from the wind.

Miss M has her first dose of chemo on Friday. Depending on the reaction to this, she could be allowed home late on Friday or perhaps Saturday.

She is the third little girl at her school to have developed leukaemia. The others are almost finished treatment.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Prayers continuing for you and M, Lothlorien.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Ah Loth, the pain goes on and on, doesn't it. My prayers are with you and you family as well as your little one.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

Ditto.
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Prayers continuing.


-21 c in Athens, Ohio today. Windchill -25.
Just a tad chilly, what!

My travel diary... Travelling adventures

Oh, but I am having a lovely holiday!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:
Ah Loth, the pain goes on and on, doesn't it. My prayers are with you and you family as well as your little one.

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Thanks to all for the prayers. We feel as if we have been catapulted in less than a week into a totally different world.

First chemo session is on Friday, regardless of other things.

Yesterday she developed pancreatitis, no obvious cause, and has morphine through her central line for that.

Scan of heart muscle to be used as a marker in the future showed up a hole in the heart. She's always been very active so it hasn't caused a problem in the past. It will be treated by keyhole surgery if need be, but they are leaving it for the moment.

Pages and pages of info on all the drugs, our heads are swimming.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Firmly ensconced on the cathedral prayer list
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you. It's a long windy road ahead.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
On my prayer list here as well.


 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
And here - poor wee lass.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Poor little M. Prayers for her and all her family, especially Gran.
 

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Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
poor baby! on our list as well.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
For the second night in a row, we've lit the fire. At the beach! In January!

Back to Sydney tomorrow, then out early on Friday morning to the real cold in Vienna. We shall pack for that, whereas neither of us put in woollen jumpers for this break.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Continuing prayers for your little one Loth. Chemo can be a hard road but it is not without its success. Among all the bad news I hear in my oncology ward I also hear much that is good.

Work is ongoing. Ten years ago 45% of cancer patients survived, now it is up to 65% in only ten years and research is continuing apace.

On another note, I'm in love! After 21 years of being single again I have met the woman of my dreams and it all came about through the grace of God.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
What lovely news to share James all the very best, God is indeed good.

BTW, rates of survival in childhood leukemia are PTL, much higher than 65%, it really is an area of medicine that has progressed at an amazing rate over the last 20 years. for all undergoing treatment for cancer, particularly Loth's grandaughter.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Evangeline:
What lovely news to share James all the very best, God is indeed good.

BTW, rates of survival in childhood leukemia are PTL, much higher than 65%, it really is an area of medicine that has progressed at an amazing rate over the last 20 years. for all undergoing treatment for cancer, particularly Loth's grandaughter.

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Doctors are optimistic of a very good outcome for her. I am keeping the tiny rate of those who don't survive firmly out of my mind.

Little Miss M will be in hospital till Friday at least. More medication through the week and chemo every Friday afternoon. She tolerated the first dose quite well. Another blood transfusion yesterday and more platelets. She looks wonderful after the transfusion but the effect wears off fairly rapidly. She played Monopoly with her dad yesterday and was beating him till she suddenly fell asleep in the middle of her turn.

Have her siblings this week here. It's been a tough time on them too. Have forgotten the tricks for dealing with a just fifteen year old boy, but I suppose they may return if needed.

James, what lovely news!


 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good on you, JTC - just keep those positive vibes heading in the direction of Lothlorien and her grand-daughter!


 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Little Miss M came through the first chemo session quite well. However doctors are still concerned about the pancreatitis developing so strongly so soon. Her blood sugar levels are also elevated, almost to the point of needing insulin. This is possibly a side effect of her other treatment but is being watched closely.

We certainly don't want to have diabetes in the mix as well and hope they can pinpoint the cause quickly.

Hopefully she will be released in a few days, although she will need to return regularly for chemo and testing along with other treatments as needed.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Is she on steroids? Steroid induced diabetes is quite common but I believe is easily treated.

Thanks for the good wishes. I feel like an 18 year old, I am MUCH older than that.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
James – blessings on your new-found love.

Loth – we had prayer candles this morning so I lit one for your granddaughter. May all those procedures do their work well.

GG
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you , yes she is on steroids but they are surprised at the levels.

We all appreciate the prayers, whatever form they come in.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Preaching in one hour forty.

Well thought out, just not on paper yet.

Typing fast.

mr curly
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:

On another note, I'm in love! After 21 years of being single again I have met the woman of my dreams and it all came about through the grace of God.

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Believe me - returns to love can be most wondrously redemptive.


 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Best wishes JtC and thanks of sharing this with us. Prayers continuing for your grand-daughter Lothlorien. We shall light candles for her this morning both in St Stephen and Christ Church.
 

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Posted by ecumaniac (# 376) on :
 
Hi everyone, I'm still in England (haven't been deported Yet!)

Hope to be a bit more active on the ship this year.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:
... I feel like an 18 year old ...

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Well, you can't have one.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:
... I feel like an 18 year old ...

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Well, you can't have one.

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What's that old joke about you're only as old as the woman you feel?


 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

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Originally posted by James the Confident:
... I feel like an 18 year old ...

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Well, you can't have one.

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Congratulations, anyway, James.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
As of today, I have 21 books for sale on amazon. (Link below)

Now to sell some!

mr curly
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Someone dropped in unexpectedly for dinner.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
What have I learned so far this January? Hmmm...I now know how to make ghast, enderman and creeper decorations - Thanks to B1.2's 8th birthday party at Chez Banner. Minecraft themed for those wondering.

I have created a pattern for a knitted ball, despite being a non-knitter and being told this was not possible. (Long story).

I have begun collecting family stories to write a "fictorical" account of our often hilarious history. Learning much as I go - including what my dad really did during the war.



Designwork on various things continues, including a workspace for me, and I am about to head off to a Lay Ministry Conference for the next few days where I hope to learn what the future might hold for BL for the rest of the year. I'll let you know how that goes next week.
 

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Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
...and I am about to head off to a Lay Ministry Conference for the next few days where I hope to learn what the future might hold for BL for the rest of the year. I'll let you know how that goes next week.

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Is that the "Bringing Sydney to Canberra-Goulburn" party up at the Big House?
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Vulpior, you may very well think that, but I couldn't possibly comment...
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Vulpior, you may very well think that, but I couldn't possibly comment...

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I've had one of those speakers in my house many years ago when he was lead singer for In the Silence. Definitely not silent. Eldest son retrieved a pile of data for them from a dead computer when he was still at school.

Not as straight down the party line all the time as Vulpior may think.
 

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Posted by Silver Swan (# 17957) on :
 
Hello! I'm from Australia, so I thought I'd check in. I've been looking in here for years, from time to time, ever since my father in law passed away and someone pointed out comments here. His name was Geoffrey Bingham; some may remember him.
I'm not much of an anyone and I agonise over every comment and comma, so I'm not likely to be a prolific poster.
God bless you all
Peace.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Welcome Silver Swan, enjoy the voyage. I have sent you a private message.
 

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Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 
Welcome Swan,
At least one shipmate attended the funeral for your FIL.
Enjoy your time on board.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Welcome Silver Swan - good to have another poster from New Zealand's largest off-shore island I hope you enjoy your voyage.

Huia
 

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Posted by Silver Swan (# 17957) on :
 
Thanks for the welcome. I hope not too many move away from me on the bench at mention of my FIL. Is it better that I don't also mention that I ran away to Nimbin and was a full blown hippy for 25 years until my conversion in 1997? Shrug. By the grace of God, I am what I am. Poor, wretched, blind, but safe in God's hand.
I don't get to church often, so I hope for some fellowship on the ship.
 

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Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Vulpior, you may very well think that, but I couldn't possibly comment...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Not as straight down the party line all the time as Vulpior may think.

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quote:

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Don't mind me, I'm just a simple ex-evangelical with a massive chip on my shoulder...

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I could probably join you in that quote. Said person or Dr is associated with Ancient History Department at Macquarie Uni, a department top heavy with Christians with impressive academic qualifications. The influence there and of associated Society for Study of Early Christianity tones down other things.

You probably have seen ex-head of the department, Alana Nobbs at SJKS where her husband was a reader, I think. I think they have moved on from there on her retirement. I'm out of reliable touch these days.

[ 17. January 2014, 00:47: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Welcome aboard, Silver Swan. I was a student of Geoff Bingham at ABI in 1973. He changed my life! I flew to Adelaide for his funeral, because he had made such a lasting impact on me. Wonderful man.
Enjoy the Ship :-)
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Welcome Aboard Silver Swan.

Nice to see nother Strine around.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Welcome Silver Swan. I hope you find the voyage lives up to your expectations.
 

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Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
Welcome to the Ship, Silver Swan - don't worry yourself about posting, most of us don't bite (well, not too hard, and definitely not on first greeting!
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Silver Swan:
I hope not too many move away from me on the bench at mention of my FIL.

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Ooh - an Arlo Guthrie allusion? Oh ... and some of us share in your experience of fathers-in-law with whom we don't necessary want to be identified - however much we respected, loved or not them personally, we ain't them. I had a reasonably well known one, too. And I met yours. And mine knew yours. And so on.

At any rate, welcome. Enjoy the cruise.

[ 18. January 2014, 08:14: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

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Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Welcome to Silver Swan.... Life is good on the Ship.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Little Miss M came home from hospital late yesterday afternoon after more chemo to make up for a missed dose when she was having other tests done.

Home from hospital is a bit of a euphemism. At least she had her own bed. Four visits to oncology clinic in next six day at her home away from home.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'd imagine that being home, even for a little while, will be good for her. Hope next week's clinic visits go well.


 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Good Loth. I hope she is coping well.

Romance via the internet is hard work--but worth it!
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Continuing prayers for the young lass.



GG
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
I enjoyed the shindig up at the big house despite 3 days of 39 degree heat. I renewed lots of acquaintances and got to see the new Metropolitan in action. Interesting to be able to see some of the backstage stuff happening too. How come I have never heard of the Centre for Public Christianity before? Is it entirely Sydney-centric?
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Little Miss M came home from hospital late yesterday afternoon after more chemo to make up for a missed dose when she was having other tests done.

Home from hospital is a bit of a euphemism. At least she had her own bed. Four visits to oncology clinic in next six day at her home away from home.

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Well, that didn't last long. She spiked a very high temperature in middle of the night and has been re-admitted. I'll have her elder sister here all week.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Little Miss M and family
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
indeed.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

 

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Posted by Alban (# 9047) on :
 
Any kiwis feel that little shake this afternoon? Glad it wasn't overnight, I'd popped a heavy sculpture on a shelf above my bed as a bookend, 'twas resting on my pillow afterwards - it survived, but would've hurt had my head been there. Nothing broken, but I think some cracks in the house have grown. Not a patch on what Huia's been through, but unnerving nonetheless.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
A reasonable wobble although neither I nor the kuruzapplets felt it.

Kuruman felt a bit of a wobble. One friend in Palmerston North, slightly further from the epicentre than we are, described it as the biggest shake she'd ever felt in forty years in NZ. That's the serendipity of earthquakes.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Revise my previous: sounds like the epicentre was Ekatahuna, not Pongaroa or Castlepoint as originally reported. Therefore Palmerston North, which reports nasty shaking, was much closer than we are.

At any rate, quite deep, so far less damaging than Huia's wobbles.
 

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Posted by Alban (# 9047) on :
 
In Palmerston North, hence my noting its wobbliness.
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Others in Wellington appear to have felt much more than we did: a long rumble and then a slight tremor which didn't even send the lights swinging. Maybe because the house is on a 10-inch slab of reinforced concrete.

GG
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I didn't catch up with the news until this morning. Thinking of all of you up there with the wobbles. I think any size quake is probably scarier than it would have been in the past because we are more aware of how much worse it could be.

Alban the bed that I used to sleep in has a built in bookcase, which is now empty.

It's a reminder to me to top up my emergency supplies, especially water, which I had allowed to run down. I strongly suggest any tall bookcases or cupboards be braced in some way, mine are now attached to the wall.

Sorry to get all bossy like a public service announcement, but things could have been much worse for me if I had been in another room or had less caring neighbours.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
We were just thankful that our drive through Ekatahuna was 60 minutes in the past when the earthquake hit.

We'd been up visiting my mum and sweltering in the sunshine while putting in an irrigation system with a timer for her.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alban:
In Palmerston North, hence my noting its wobbliness.

---

Understood, then. Not much fun. I hope my old (now earth-quake closed anyway) church didn't suffer any further indignities. As Huia said, we all think much more realistically about the rusks* than we did pre- 2nd Christchurch.

I am awaiting the engineers' report on my new pad. Though it was built in the 1950s after the old one was reduced to rubble in '31, I fear there may be serious issues.

[*Edit: Kuruman thinks about rusks. That was risks. My accent must be Tasman shifting again]

[ 20. January 2014, 18:39: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
What next can happen? With Miss M back in hospital, her older sister was to come to me for the last week of holidays. She went with her dad to friends for dinner in western Sydney.

On the way home he realised he needed a pump for airbed for her so called in at a KMart they were passing. Back to car which would not start. Rang a friend for a jumpstart. Nothing worked. Suspect a dead starter motor.

Rang NRMA who when told his address asked if he felt safe where he was. A far from salubrious part of Sydney with brawls and shootings regularly. He said his young daughter was with him and a service man arrived pronto. Dead starter motor and they had to push start car. In reverse.

Not a good thing. Big bang and either exhaust pipe has disconnected from manifold or has blown a hole. Very noisy. He left it parked up a hill so he could roll down this morning.

I think this Renault is at the end of its life. Rego due soon and other things wrong. However, he will speak to his mechanic and see what he suggest. He loves his renaults, as do I but the time has probably come... There's a diesel Golf in a car yard up the road which he likes.

They finally arrived well after midnight and we are all a bit sensitive this morning.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Oh dear,

Diesel is good
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Don't remember whether it was on TV or in conversation – someone pointed out that we've had so many reminders (on the media, leaflets etc) to secure furniture and take other quake-safe measures that if say an unsecured bookcase fell and caused damage, insurance could refuse a claim as one hadn't taken steps to prevent the damage. Looking around the room, I don't see much that we could secure: TV's on a trolley, books will fall off bookcase... I remember how in the 1942 Wairarapa quake, all my childhood library fell off their narrow built-in shelves, the cistern in the roof above tipped over and water dripped on them but not in huge quantities. Dad got up on the roof next day and pushed over the damaged chimney before it could fall on anyone. And the main school building was condemned, so after a few days of no school (we went to school only to get our apple and bottle of milk) we were taught in various church halls.

GG – brought up among earthquakes from early days in Murchison.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Loth, my eldest brother's first car was a Renault. Later on he had a diesel Golf which I really liked.

GG apparently Christchurch only gets a watered down version of those tv advertisements in case it stirs uncomfortable memories. I note that the mother of a baby killed by a falling wide screen tv is fronting one of them.

When I visited the family home (now sold ) it was the chimney that worried me. A friend and I demolished one of mine on the day of Sept 4, and a gang of retired blokes demolished the other after a strong aftershock. I may have jumped the queue because I was told it was teetering on the brink and would be demolished in 10 days, whereupon I totally lost it and sobbed, so the receptionist put me onto the boss who said, "We'll be round this arvo." Those blokes remain in my memory as some of the unsung quake heroes for responding to my terror.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
B1 loves her diesel Golf, although her children are a bit sniffy about it. (Not cool enough, apparently ).

TP is disappearing our rickety old shed, bit by bit. For the last 20 years it has LOOKED like an earthquake must have damaged it, so I am seriously glad it is going. Need specialists to do the fibro asbestos, however, so not a cheap exercise. Sigh.

Meanwhile, the LandFillharmonic seems like an inspirational way to repurpose rubbish.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
A lot of the young people around there drive Golfs; not many diesels, mostly the faster models and usually black. They try to look like GTIs, which they can't drive on P plates. A Toyota is probably less likely to cause grief.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
We love our Continental cars around here and the family overall has had quite a variety.

Son had a diesel Golf some years ago but is now considering a diesel Renault Megane. Not very old and in good condition. A couple of guys at Hornsby service his Renaults. Genuine parts but cheaper labour and over many years have proved themselves trustworthy and hardworking. One will help him check out anything he is seriously considering.

Of course a Citroen DS would be nice but they are a bit long in the tooth now. I remember Dad's with nostalgia. It was one of the most comfortable cars I have been in.

I agree a Toyota would be cheaper and easier to service but son is extremely reluctant to even consider such a thing. He was told they drive well. His reply was they drive well in a straight line. I can understand. I do like accelerating into corners with a continental car and am totally accustomed to Renault body roll.

Miss M's blood tests come back today and then she has to have seven incident free days in hospital before they will consider another release. If there is an incident, the cycle starts again.

[ 21. January 2014, 21:34: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Prayers continuing for the little girl.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Yea and amen.

On the subject of continental cars, Newfoundland is notable for the almost total absence of French cars; the only ones I've seen here have Saint-Pierre & Miquelon plates (there are lots of them there). I've never seen a single Renault or Puegeot anywhere else here, or even a comedy Citroen Dyane.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Of course a Citroen DS would be nice but they are a bit long in the tooth now. I remember Dad's with nostalgia. It was one of the most comfortable cars I have been in.

---

Reminds me of travelling in France in 1989 or a few years later, when we were fascinated to see the DS automatically levelling itself as the passengers got out.

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
They were fantastic for changing a tyre. Put it to highest level, slip jack underneath, lower gently and change tyre.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
And now, 58 years or so after they were first shown, they are still extremely elegant cars - the later ones with the extra smooth noses in particular. Somewhere I have a photo of a Robin Boyd house in the Victorian bush, with a DS parked in the carport (if a Boyd house had anything as prosaic as that). IIRC, Boyd himself also had one at some stage, between the US cars that he liked so much.

Soon leaving wonderful Wien. It's been cold, but not as much as we had expected. In fact, not much colder than Canberra often is. A bit of snow fell and we sat in our warm flat looking out at it gently settle on the knobbly bits and pieces of St Stephens. Shopping for some basic food items such as breakfast doings, tea and so forth had the usual effect of making us feel more part of the city than simply staying in an hotel. And having wild game of a quality and flavour lacking in the farmed ingredients on sale at home was as satisfying as always.

A sister says that we have missed some unpleasant heat and that there's actually been some rain over the last couple of days; she also says that Dog has shown no sign of missing us. Work calls though.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Diesel owner here - but it sure as hell ain't a little one.

Now we've unpacked all our goods (well "we" in an "I" sort of way, actually, as I sent Kuru and the kuruzapplets away to preserve all sanities!) I'll have to start securing. Not sure how to secure glassware in a display cabinet yet ...

But of course this town doesn't get earthquakes
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
But of course this town doesn't get earthquakes

---

Yeah right! Native of that town, who grew up with monthly earthquake drills, attended a big scientific conference on earthquakes in the 1970s (I think I was about 12, but my dad insisted), and still wonders when the next one will hit. I once went to a rehearsal in the old Cathedral hall (now gone to make way for parking), which was a red sticker building if ever there was. During the rehearsal there was an earthquake, and you have never seen people move so fast to protect themselves and their instruments.

Must pay you a visit when I'm next up.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Do!

My predecessor suffered hugely for the eradication of that hall - it was a good call.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Another diesel driver here. I have a Citroen C4 turbo diesel and it is very good. It can go as fast as the petrol models but takes a little longer to get there. The upside is the fuel economy. I went to Mount Magnet in WA in November, a round trip of 3,830km in three weeks, average fuel economy 5.4 l/100km. When overtaking a road train I would sit well back where the driver could see me and wait for the signal. I then floored it in 6th gear (manual) and by the time I was level with the cab of the truck I was doing 150. Lovely.

Loth, continued prayers for the little one.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Madame and I both have diesels now and are very pleased with the performance and economy, along with the feeling we are doing various things to help the environment. Even in the usual run of suburban driving, I'm getting around 7.25 l/100 km and Madame does even better with the small motor. They're a little bit noisier than the petrol equivalents at low speeds, but once you get over about 10 kph you would not know the difference.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I went diesel about 20 years ago and have never regretted it.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
of course there's diesels and diesels ... not likely to do 150 but enough grunt to shift the Titanic.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
of course there's diesels and diesels ... not likely to do 150 but enough grunt to shift the Titanic.

---

That one looks just the thing for Mum to drop the child off at the school down the road and join her friend for a latte at the shopping centre.

GG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
I thought that one was Zappa off to have a latte at a trendy new café - no 4 wheel driver would go anywhere that had been open more than a month.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Son is buying a diesel Renault Megane which he will collect on Tuesday evening. He en joyed the diesel Golf he had some years ago.

His Renault mechanic friend went with him and took his diagnostic equipment to check the car out. A couple of minor repairs are needed but otherwise in very good condition.

Son checked insurance on it and will be paying more than now. Not surprising as his near dead car is a very old Renault. However, he found agreed value on the newer car means he would make a tidy profit on a write off. He was quite surprised.
 

---

Posted by Left at the Altar (# 5077) on :
 
So sorry to read about your grand daughter, Loth. I hope the treatment settles into a more bearable thing for her very soon. It must be awful for you all.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Ah, but the cafés are just down the steps from our new abode, and the diesel is becoming a true Toorak Tractor, parked in glorious splendour on our concrete driveway.

The week after it arrived I went to visit a parishioner - actually a retired bishop (what is it about retired bishops? I had one at the Church Without Walls, too. And both are fine specimens of faith-with-integrity). The roads are so narrow, steep and winding I had to do about a 24 point turn to get out of his cul de sac ... reversing was even less possible due to the start angle and 200 metres of cliff side descent.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
PS ... but I love it!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Good to see you LATA. Thanks for the thoughts for Miss M. I am very encouraged by all the support, not just her but in many other places. As is her dad whose birthday today runs the risk of being overshadowed by other things.

Miss M woke with a sore stomach yesterday. In a different spot to the pancreatitis pain. Her bowel is not twisted but has rolled back on itself forming a double tube. Cause unknown. Surgical team is considering options and is looking for the least invasive.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Are they white around Toorak? The local ones are usually black, and mostly Lexuses or Volvos. The Volvos are normally well driven, but watch out for the Lexuses and even more so those giant Mazdas.

As for retired bishops: Marie Robinson died recently, and the funeral was at St Swithuns Pymble, where they had been parishioners for years. The sons dressed ++ Donald up in his purple stock and all, and drove him there. His only comment was that it was a nice building and where was he. Very sad.

[ 24. January 2014, 21:23: Message edited by: Gee D ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

The Volvos are normally well driven, but watch out for the Lexuses and even more so those giant Mazdas.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:

---

The Volvos are normally well driven, but watch out for the Lexuses and even more so those giant Mazdas.

---

Unless they are being driven by old men wearing bowls hats! I speak as once the driver of a large Volvo.

---

Over 20 years ago I was the owner/driver of TWO Volvos. Can admit it here as no one knows who I am!!
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
The week from hell has abated.
What can only be described as 'the perfect storm' engulfed us emotionally and we teetered along a family rift that threatened to estrange several generations. Damage control does not come near describing the roller coaster we've been on, and I have seriously wondered how I could have produced such emotionally immature young women.




Anyway, apart from hysteria (B2), tears (B2 & me), a broken relationship (B1 AGAIN), a broken toe (mine), a few angry men (especially TP) and the loss of a few back teeth (me - from grinding them), we have come through it all. I think.

Lord have mercy. I need it!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I have just started a new Spoken English student and he is strongly attracted to the Eremitic Life, perhaps you might fancy it as well, BL. Living on your own in a cave somewhere I presume there cannot be too many family dramas.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Prayers, BL. Absolutely exhausting stuff.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
WW, A cave sounds positively wonderful to me. But then, homicide and suicide have looked quite attractive at times this week too! It's okay - we are in calmer waters now. Although I did crack up when I turned over my spiritual discipline card yesterday and it read "Find Solitude".

Given that our household has just expanded by 3, I may well have to run away to achieve that....it's really just a question of timing...


 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
My little apartment expanded by one just before Christmas when son arrived.

I've had Miss 11 here for weeks because her mum has been with Miss M in hospital. I have a suspicion her 15 year old brother will be here this week too. Lots of teenage angst and hormones. School starts back and they attend near where son works but we will be crowded.

It's the noise which gets me. DIL has always had TV and radio on all day if she is home. They find nothing unusual about it. Life's hard for all of them right now, so I try not to nag but boy, it really bothers me. At least with school back I will be quiet.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
Merry Australia Day from the frozen windswept wastes of the Ottawa valley.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you. It's cool in Sydney but you would find it hot. It's about 18°C where I am with a breeze. Certainly not the usual for Australia day which is blue skies, sun and heat.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... It's about 18°C where I am with a breeze ...

---

That sounds just on the warm side of "very nice".
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thank you Piglet and Augustine. Not a summer day here, and the temp's not got over 18 all day. A good night for a bbq leg and some good old Hunter Shiraz.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dennis the Menace:
Over 20 years ago I was the owner/driver of TWO Volvos. Can admit it here as no one knows who I am!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dennis the Menace:
Over 20 years ago I was the owner/driver of TWO Volvos. Can admit it here as no one knows who I am!!

---

I still am, technically. Though neither is working. One is in a wankydilla shearing shed, the other on a Volvo enthusiast's property on the Sides of the North.

I loved them both but preferred the turbo manual NZ one.

I smoked a pipe too, but that was years earlier. I gave it up for kuruman.

---

 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

I smoked a pipe too, but that was years earlier. I gave it up for kuruman.

---

I gave mine up because of pneumonia. Mrs R was not unhappy either way.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
How to celebrate Australia Day without really trying:

Vegemite toast for breakfast. Check.
Cuppa of Australian grown tea mid morning. Check.
Beetroot in the salad wrap for lunch. Check.
Backyard cricket with the grandkids in the avo. Check.
Beer on the back deck while watching the nearby fireworks. Check.

What did we do to celebrate Australia Day? Strewth mate, every day's Australia Day for us.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
I spent Australia Day with my niece and her partner, in a resort, high above NYC... Up in the mountains.
I am having a a fabulous time on long service leave.
Friends in Williamsburg, Virginia last week.
NYC now.
Back to my sister's farm in Ohio later in the week. However, this is te coldest winter she has ever experienced. We aren't sure how close I will be able to get. So family and friends across the country are what got help out. So much snow and ice everywhere.
But we faithfully celebrated Australia Day!
 

---

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
My dear ShipMates - your prayers would be most gratefully appreciated for my family, friends and myself for the morrow. Last Friday my 87-year old mother passed into eternal the rest of the Lord, in whom she had believed and trusted all of her life.

Her Requiem Eucharist is being held at St. Alban's, Epping at 1pm. I know masses and prayers are being offered for the repose of her soul both near and far, but can one have too many prayers at this time? Knowing that people are praying for us is helping us cope with the numbness.

As somewhere else on the Ship has been noted, one is never too old to realise that you have become an orphan!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Mrs Liturgia
... may she rest in peace and rise in the glory of Christ
and may you be surrounded by God's love at this time ...

[ 29. January 2014, 07:48: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Alban (# 9047) on :
 
Prayers for you and yours, Emendator. I know myself that however ready you may feel for the departure of a loved one, you're never ready.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
For Emli. Prayers for your mother and for those left, who mourn. May she rest in peace and rise again in the glory of Christ.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Prayers for you and your family from me too. I have been much encouraged and comforted lately by the support and prayers here for my family and Miss M. May you also feel comforted by our prayers.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Prayers and upholding from here, too.


 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 


Losing your mum always hurts. May you be enveloped by kindness when you most need it.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Emli and all who were close to your mum
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Prayers....
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Emli.
Rest eternal, light perpetual.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for the soul of Mrs. Liturgia, and for all who mourn her.

Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Oh dear, my prayers are with you Emendator Liturgia
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
The death of a parent is always hard.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
On another note ... I suspect the honeymoon is over.

Sigh.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
On another note ... I suspect the honeymoon is over.

Sigh.

---

Sadly, they never seem to last long.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
EL

Please pray for Biggest. Will be operated on for testicular torsion overnight. Caught early, should be fine.

It's been a bit of a week. Mums cousin passed away today aged 72, 30 years after first breast cancer diagnosis. Brave lady! Mother in law was first diagnosed with lymphoma 15 years ago. Her test results are all bad this week.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Ouch! Prayers for him. At least he won't be showing off this operation scar.

Also for those who mourn the loss of yet another. May she rest in peace and rise to the glory of Christ.

[ 31. January 2014, 19:49: Message edited by: Gee D ]
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Urologist arrived and decided it wasn't a torsion. Sent home. We'll see how he is this morning.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Hope you get it sorted and prayers for him and you. Youngest son possibly had this but it was a hernia. Surgeon said unusual, usually in adult men or babies, not boys.
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
EL
Biggest

Last year's marches in support of compassionate policies toward refugees and asylum seekers drew a couple of hundred. But thousands down at Cottesloe today protesting the fate of sharks. Seems incongruous to me. People are idiots. Maybe fish are a better cause after all.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:

Last year's marches in support of compassionate policies toward refugees and asylum seekers drew a couple of hundred. But thousands down at Cottesloe today protesting the fate of sharks. Seems incongruous to me. People are idiots. Maybe fish are a better cause after all.

---

They're generally better eating!
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
They certainly have more bite to them.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
It's the anima thing. It sux.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Start of Term today with the Red Mass at St Mary's Catheral underway now, and the service at St James King St at 10.30. I'll be going to that, while the Riverview contingent is over the park now. They get to have morning tea with the Cardinal while our service is underway. Then the hard work starts.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
If I were home now.....
Large parts of my parish are burning.
Towns evacuated.
Chaplains all over the place.
Prayers would be welcomed.

My own town is safe.
I am still in tne US, for two more weeks.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Miss M has managed to spend the whole weekend at home and is thrilled to be there. She is still very lethargic and has lost practically all her hair, but is home. Clinic visits twice this week and another general anaesthetic on Thursday for the fourth bone marrow biopsy in a month.

But home. So far.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Good to hear!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for Miss M., and for the people of Rowen's home parish.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
And from us as well.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Woke this morning after a week of 39 degree heat to the smell of rain mixed with smoke.

Cooler today, which is a blessing. The birds outside are singing for the first time in a week. I had never realized before that one of the harbingers of stressful heat was the ominous silence of the bush birds.

It's probably a while since we've had such a long hot dry spell, but even a smattering of rain is welcome. Cyclones in the north. Baking point here in the south.

Somewhere in between would be very pleasant.
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
A very pleasant easterly breeze is even reaching us up in the valley, so doors and windows are thrown open, and the coolness is flushing through the house. So much nicer than being sealed up in the air-conditioning.

Was a very sticky afternoon for the installation of Bishop Greg in Newcastle on Sunday, but a joyous celebration, with parishioners in great numbers from all corners of the diocese, and many from other parts of the province. A great start to what we hope will be a transforming ministry.
 

---

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
I fear that +Greg has a lot of mopping up to do after some of the actions of his predecessor - and wounds to heal!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Yup ...
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
It's taken over a month, but I finally have official results back from the hospital for the last lot of scans and day surgery - and every thing is normal*, it's just a bugger that the same symptom can mean cancer or "things are going along just fine". (I wish this had been made clearer to me at the time).

My body has cried "wolf" a couple of times now, but it beats the real thing hands down.

*That's my body - my head is a whole different thing

Good to hear about Miss M Loth.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
That cool easterly from earlier has brought gentle soaking rain for the first time in weeks. Much rejoicing in our little town, but praying that it blows further inland.
 

---

Posted by DangerousDeacon (# 10582) on :
 
A good service at Newcastle as we pushed +Greg through the west door and handed him over to the Novocastrians. Zappa, you and Mrs Zappa will be pleased to know that Yulki gave a fine speech at the formal dinner after the service.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by DangerousDeacon:
A good service at Newcastle as we pushed +Greg through the west door and handed him over to the Novocastrians. Zappa, you and Mrs Zappa will be pleased to know that Yulki gave a fine speech at the formal dinner after the service.

---

No surprises there! Send her our love.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
My first big gig and a sad one. I have built a liturgy of closure around compline.

Nervous: two archbishops, myriad bishops, all the diocesan clergy and key laity ...
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Done.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

but I finally have official results back from the hospital for the last lot of scans and day surgery - and every thing is normal*,

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Done.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evensong:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Done.

---

Howd it go?

That's a very young looking Bishop!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evensong:
... That's a very young looking Bishop!

---

We installed a new Bishop a couple of weeks ago and he's the first one I've come across who's younger than me.

elderly piglet
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
For various reasons I've gone through about five bishops in the last seven years. ++Brisbane is younger than me (only by a few months), my second + Auckland is younger than me, and this out going plus is younger than me. Sigh. Whoever the incoming Plus in this diocese is will be likely to be younger than me.

I suppose I could swim the Tiber - I doubt there's too many young 'uns?
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Nah, don't swim the Tiber, it's probably colder than the pool and you want to avoid cramps.

McChicken - now there's a shippie I'd like to see posting again - I wonder if he's been involved in The Hobbit?

Loth - thinking of Miss M. I know children are said to be resilient, but that's a lot for a child to go through. Here young children are given a "bead of courage" for each procedure they have, and it's not uncommon to see photos of of kids with huge necklaces. One child in the paper had over 300 beads on hers.

Waitangi Day here - our national day and although it's p..teeming* up in thr North where the official celebrations are taking place, it's clear and sunny here I'm going to the local marae which is hosting a series of events today.

* one of my brother's terms, butsomeone used it on here ages ago (McChicken?) which made me think it wasn't original to him.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Loth - thinking of Miss M. I know children are said to be resilient, but that's a lot for a child to go through. Here young children are given a "bead of courage" for each procedure they have, and it's not uncommon to see photos of of kids with huge necklaces. One child in the paper had over 300 beads on hers.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
For various reasons I've gone through about five bishops in the last seven years. ++Brisbane is younger than me (only by a few months), my second + Auckland is younger than me, and this out going plus is younger than me. Sigh. Whoever the incoming Plus in this diocese is will be likely to be younger than me.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
One former shippie was there but I can't yet recall her nomme de ship ... I first met her at a Wellington Shipmeet in about 2005 with Arabella and Cod.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Miss M stated a new round of chemo this week which goes for 4-5 weeks. They were at clinic yesterday morning at 7:30. Mainly oral this time, several days at clinic and also something at home every evening.

One of the side effects of this lot is that it can cause a rise in temperature. If this goes over 38°, they have to go back to hospital to check whether it's an infection or a side effect. Infection means at least a week in hospital. So we are hoping that she does not have this side effect.

Fortunately, they live quite close to Westmead Children's Hospital, but nevertheless they would rather not have to make unscheduled trips.

---

How are her spirits?

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
She's bright and chirpy and was very emphatic about what she wanted to a nurse at the clinic yesterday who wanted to put her pillow just so. It was uncomfortable and she let nurse know in no uncertain terms.

Fortunately the intramuscular injections have stopped for the moment and she is very happy about that, although she endured them without complaint or movement.

I belong to a particular knitting group on Ravelry (like FB for crafters). Most of the members of the group are in Britain or USA. They send her little things via my address. She loves these and the variety has been amazing. One member is going to Iceland soon and will send her postcards from there. The kindness is almost overwhelming and my son has trouble taking it all in.

She loves all these things which arrive specially spaced so not all at once.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Prayers still ascending, Lothlorien - what a brave wee girl.


 

---

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
Loth, prayers continuing for her in our communities - she and all her family are being prayed for in Granville, North Rocks, Rose Bay and Putty: one simply can't have enough banging on the gates of heaven!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Wearing helmets whilst cycling is compulsory here.

This morning I leapt on my bike and raced off (at granny speed) to donate some books to the local Playcentre. On the way I saw kids from the school in my street practising their cycle skills. I was very careful to ride safely and indicate my changes in direction to set a good example On the way home I met them coming in the other direction and one of the adults accompanying them tapped his head, as did all the children following. I reached up to my head - no helmet. In my hurry I had overlooked it

I wheeled my bike home then sat down and wrote a letter to the children explaining that I had forgotten to put my helmet on, but that I knew this wasn't an excuse. I pointed out that had the police stopped me I would have had to pay a $50 fine. As they had caught me I enclosed $50 for their school.

I think the Principal thought I was a bit nuts when I delivered the letter and explained the circumstances, but he was going to read it out to them this afternoon.

I just hope they don't try to collect from all the bareheaded cyclists they see around.

Honestly though meeting those 5 pairs of disapproving eyes was worse than being stopped by the cops.

Huia - law breaker
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
Loth, prayers continuing for her in our communities - she and all her family are being prayed for in Granville, North Rocks, Rose Bay and Putty: one simply can't have enough banging on the gates of heaven!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
Loth, prayers continuing for her in our communities - she and all her family are being prayed for in Granville, North Rocks, Rose Bay and Putty: one simply can't have enough banging on the gates of heaven!

---

Thank you Emli. I told my son this when he returned last night. The prayers of people from SoF are very much welcomed by him and he is grateful and extremely touched by the number. As you say, there can never be too many.

Miss M was readmitted last night with a high temperature. It will be 48 hours before tests show if this is another infection or a result of new lot of chemo.

This sort of thing is common with patients like her but it is very wearing on all. He keeps a bag in the car with spare clean clothes and toiletries. He has gone off this morning with pillow and more stuff in case he has to spend weekend at hospital.

[ 13. February 2014, 20:11: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Prayers for the little Miss from me here.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Praying this too will pass for little Miss M.

Huia, you are priceless. What a great response from you - most adults I know would have said something extremely rude to any kids who dared to indicate they were breaking the road rules.

Rejoice with me, shippies: the studio slab is down. Walls and roof to be up within a fortnight if the weather permits. I have several commissions awaiting, so I am very keen to inhabit it. TP & I sorted out access and landscaping this morning. I am beginning to believe it will really happen. Woohoo!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That sounds wonderful for you, BL. Hope everything falls into place well.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Miss M

Middle has been off school with a nasty virus all week. When a 14 year old is off his food, you know something is wrong. His birthday party tomorrow is postponed, and he has had to pull out of a rep cricket game on Sunday. Not happy.

Biggest makes his senior debut for North Sydney Cricket Club tomorrow. Weather permitting. I suspect a drive to Liverpool followed by a drive back with no play. We'll see.

M-in-Law is heading into full-on chemo shortly.

I'm still not selling enough books! If anyone likes cricket and wants a review copy, PM me.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for Miss M, Middle and Mr. C's mother-in-law.

BL, health to enjoy your new studio.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Well, Mr C, from the weather here, there'll be no cricket at Liverpool today. And it probably will be an unpleasant drive. But well done Biggest - who knows what the future holds? The elder son of a couple near here (now 22 or 23) has played for an English county side since leaving school.

Not good news about your MIL, and prayers for her. Middle will be back at school on Monday no doubt.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Well, Mr C, from the weather here, there'll be no cricket at Liverpool today. And it probably will be an unpleasant drive.

---

Yes. Got there to a dry outfield and a covered pitch that revealed itself as unprepared. Came home.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Much welcome rain and coolness here in the South - I hope it is the same where Rowen works. I hear things were a bit crispy in those parts recently.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Miss M was very ill last night. Lots of doctors visiting through the night and a senior doctor who was relieved to see this morning that there was a slight improvement. "Crackling " in left lung brought a chest x-ray. Note advanced medical terms as used by staff.

She's had nothing but a couple of glasses of strawberry milk all day and as son says, "lights are on but no one is home." Different antibiotics to yesterday.

All this is par for the course as we are assured, but it's very wearing on us all.

[ 15. February 2014, 08:01: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Prayers continue for your grand-daughter, Lothlorien.

Madame's rather poorly this evening, so we cancelled our arrangements and stayed home. I did a quick and simple dinner of bbq steak and a salad. Then cheese and fruit. Nothing more needed.

It's very restful here, with the kooks now silent and just a bit of a breeze in the high trees. Both of us are thinking about winding back at the end of this year. Neither will if the other doesn't.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks Gee D. Hope Madame feels better soon. We had kookaburras down here at 5:00 pm the other day. The sulphur crested cockies usually allow no opposition from other birds, so the kookaburras were welcome.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thank you Lothlorien, it's probably one of those things that will be better in a few days. But retirement is looking more tempting.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
I fly home this week... To a parish well and truly burnt. Farms gone. Townships mightily affected. Exhausted chaplains. Stressed people.... I will come in, fresh as a daisy, and BLAM. Work wil. Begin with a bang.

I have had the best of times OS. And now, Thursday on.... Maybe not so good. God be with me.
And with those who are sick.

[ 15. February 2014, 12:30: Message edited by: Rowen ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
...retirement is looking more tempting.

---

It is to be heartily recommended - there is still a lot of living to be done outside w*rk...

...and lots of siestas to be taken!

* * * * *

Holding you in the Light, Rowen, as you reconnect with work.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
The emails... The photos.... The FB statuses.... So sad.
So, my thanks
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for Rowen and the people of your parish, and for Miss M and Madame D.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thank you all for your thoughts. Madame was well enough for both of us to go to church this morning but is having a nap now. One of her sisters will call in tomorrow and see how she is.

WW - I'm self-employed and should I decide to retire, my clerk will simply tell enquirers that I'm not available after the chosen date. Madame has her business and how that's dealt with is not easy. We each have shares in it as does Dlet now, and the manager has some as well. Then there are tax implications to take into account, the desirability of keeping a stream of income from it, and so forth. Dealing with all of this will not be arranged overnight.

Madame does a lot of work from home and has done for many years. I would not want to be at home retired, while she's at home working. And she was the one who made the major rearrangements when we decided to have children. It's only fair that she has the greater say in it.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
for Miss M

for Rowen, may God give you the strength for what will be very difficult & tiring work. also for your Parishioners and all those affected by the fires.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Never forgetting little M.



GG
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
40 years ago today, Mrs R and I were married in Geelong. Happy days :-)
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Congratulations to you both We have 37 years coming up in just a few months and would not have changed it for quids.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Another fever for Middle and something Mrs C observed has led her to go "Oh, he's got Such and Such!" (auto-immune something) She has promptly taken him off to hospital for intravenous something or other that is required in the circumstances. Hopefully that will set him on the road to recovery - he's been very sick.

But, of course, not as sick as thise who are really sick. Miss M

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Mr Curly, any child who is sick needs our prayers. Thanks for those for Miss M and I'll pray for your son. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

DIL, Miss M's mother is being absolutely, utterly ridiculous and the other two children are being used as pawns. I can say no more but the situation is just horrible.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Miss M
Master Curly

A very pleasant few days have been spent with Clarence and FD. I think I might need to put my liver through the wash, though ...

Biggest week of the year at St Lego's on the Edge ... the Octave of St ArtDeco is bigger the the Second Coming.

I'm only slightly terrified. Slightly.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
... I might need to put my liver through the wash ...

---

What a wonderful way of putting it! A friend of D's, after spending a couple of evenings in my parents' company, later described them as "Piglet's dangerously hospitable parents".
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Biggest week of the year at St Lego's on the Edge ... the Octave of St ArtDeco is bigger the the Second Coming.

I'm only slightly terrified. Slightly.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Biggest week of the year at St Lego's on the Edge ... the Octave of St ArtDeco is bigger the the Second Coming.

I'm only slightly terrified. Slightly.

---

What, are they making you frock up in period costume? Until you mentioned it, I had forgotten, and I was planning to visit Mum, but maybe...

I do like your name for the building - particularly as it applies to the shape, and the colour scheme inside (Mrs Archbishop Lesser's gift to the diocese, according to my mother).

Miss M
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Sorry, Haven't called in for a while and I do so looking for something for myself.

I will be in Adelaide on the 4-7 May this year to attend the Spiritual Care Australia conference and am wondering if there any Adelaide shippies who would care to meet up.

---

Ooh, I'm going to the SCA conference too, perhaps we could have a joint meet!
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Thanks all for prayers. Middle remains in hospital, likely out tomorrow lunchtime, He's much brighter tonight.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That's good news Mr Curly at the top of page again! Hope all is well with him.

Miss M has made a wonderful recovery after our very worrying few days at the weekend and may also be released tomorrow. She had lots of cuddles tonight from Big Sister, 11, and enjoyed that as they are close.

She will be back at clinic for another general anaesthetic on Thursday for bone marrow biopsy and associated spinal taps etc. These will be a check on progress with second round of chemo.

Such a rollercoaster ride here.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear about Middle Curly and that Miss M's still bouncing back.

Long may it continue.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Miss M may get home today depending on results of a rest from yesterday. No infection has shown up in any testing, so it is assumed the severe heart arrhythmia and the temperature of 41°C were a side effect of the second round of chemo.

They treat the symptoms but the chemo goes on regardless. Another general anaesthetic tomorrow, another bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap etc.

Son asked me to say thanks for prayers and good wishes. All much appreciated.
 

---

Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Sorry, Haven't called in for a while and I do so looking for something for myself.

I will be in Adelaide on the 4-7 May this year to attend the Spiritual Care Australia conference and am wondering if there any Adelaide shippies who would care to meet up.

---

Ooh, I'm going to the SCA conference too, perhaps we could have a joint meet!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Sorry, Haven't called in for a while and I do so looking for something for myself.

I will be in Adelaide on the 4-7 May this year to attend the Spiritual Care Australia conference and am wondering if there any Adelaide shippies who would care to meet up.

---

Ooh, I'm going to the SCA conference too, perhaps we could have a joint meet!

---

Great. Let's do that.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Son asked me to say thanks for prayers and good wishes.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Do you need to attend it all?

---

Yes. Still terrified. Plans not coming together. Takes me back to broadcasting days.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

It was lovely this morning at the lego cathedral because now my priestly colleagues are beginning to pray for her as if they know her personally - I dunno how to explain it but it's beginning to feel as if we all have a personal stake in her well-being

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... Extra aunties and grandmas etc.

---

One can never really have too many aunties and grandmas.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... Extra aunties and grandmas etc.

---

One can never really have too many aunties and grandmas.

---

Especially ones who buy Miss M more bears. Cousins to her own which I bought when the donor had first operation for breast cancer. She's returning the gift.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
One can also never have too many bears.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
One can also never have too many bears.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
One can also never have too many bears.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Huia, special prayers from all of us for you and all your fellow citizens, on this, the 3rd anniversary.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Autumn is in the air here, and with it the first head cold I've had for ages. Snifff.

---

I hope you were able to appreciate your birthday yesterday (yes, missed it) pre-cold.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear you got back safely, Rowen, and belated happy birthday, BL.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Thanks for the prayers for Christchurch Gee D and Zappa. Three years on I would have hoped people's claims would have been settled, at least so that the uncertainty would be lessened. It is for most of us, but some of the really complicated ones are still in limbo. In addition the price of rental accommodation has skyrocketed due to fewer places being available, people moving out while their houses are fixed and accommodation being required for all the extra workers.

The approach of winter is an additional factor.

I'm lucky as there's just the driveway and front (brick) fence to be fixed, and that should happen in the next couple of months (fingers and toes crossed). Actually I wish it were possible to say -"leave the driveway and fix someone's house instead" but of course it doesn't work that way. IF I ruled the world it would.

Huia - wannabe dictator (mostly benevolent)
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rowen:
Hmmm, that Adelaide SCA conference in May looks tempting.

Home now, and tired.
Took church today, and was given a warm welcome. Nice.
And extremely conscious of my burning parish, and how much there is to do, noting that some of it s still cut off by blazes.

I had sent emails ahead, asking for donations of biscuits and slices. I figured that would be a kind gesture... Wherever I go in the burning areas, I will bring arvo tea... People are more inclined to relax over a yummy bite of something.
My dear congregation has given me boxes of food. Some we have frozen. They tell me they will go on cooking as long as I ask. After all, they said, they were evacuated, and then the scare ended, and the town was safe, so the least they can do is help others. They were a bit worried about the church and the manse, but felt they wouldn't tell me at the time, as I was having fun in the USA somewhere. Probably for the best!

The members of my main church are dears.

---

There'll be at least two shippies there, time for a meet!
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I'm feeling very relieved. I just had a new heat pump installed and I could not get it to work. I thought that I was doing something wrong and felt very stupid, so the nice man came around to talk me through how the remote control works. Much to his astonishment the problem is with the unit, not me. The installer is coming back to sort things out

I'm having a run of it. Yesterday a plumber broke the handbasin while trying to take off the old taps. It was actually lucky that he did as I didn't realise how fragile it was and it probably would have broken anyway, but at a much more awkward time. So now I'm getting a new vanity unit as well as taps

When the dust clears from all this I'm getting the house re-wired too - fingers crossed.

The joys of having a house that is only 4 years younger than me, but at least this should make it warm and safe.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
Good news for Sydney? Cardinal Pell is to be transferred to the Vatican.

Not sure if this will be a move Upwards? Sideways? Downwards?
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
As I saw this tonight I was wishing Multipara still was here. I was wondering what she would say.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Dunno, but it looks like a tough job ahead of him
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Multipara used to say that Pell and his colleague from St Andrews Cathedral were twins separated at birth.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Perhaps this is a deliberately chosen picture of one of the contenders for the position of ++Sydney. In today's SMH, here.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
George Pell is in his 70's. That's an interesting superannuation plan...

And in other geriatric news...

TP took our grandsons to the aged care facility to visit their great grandmother. He sat them on the couch inside the entry, opposite the reception desk while he ducked into the visitor's loo nearby. When he came out there was a bit of a crowd gathered around the boys. Some of the residents and all of the admin staff were listening in awe as Master 8 (B1.2 is the geeky one) explained to Master 12 (B1.1 is the sporty one) why time stopped inside Black Holes, the relationship between black holes and white holes, and the space/time continuum....


 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Perhaps this is a deliberately chosen picture of one of the contenders for the position of ++Sydney. In today's SMH, here.

---

A Dominican surrounded by enough food to feed a homeless shelter! A glutton is not my choice, but since I am not the Holy Father, I will shut up now.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Perhaps this is a deliberately chosen picture of one of the contenders for the position of ++Sydney. In today's SMH, here.

---

A Dominican surrounded by enough food to feed a homeless shelter! A glutton is not my choice, but since I am not the Holy Father, I will shut up now.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:
Here's the ke
eneally article:

---

Hmmmm, one disgraced Roman Catholic commenting on another. **shudder**. Gives Catholicism a bad name.

Loth, no doubt you've heard the old joke when Abp Jensen was the Anglican incumbent "What's the only thing that separates Peter Jensen and George Pell?"

"Hyde Park"
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Evangeline, that's very similar to Multipara's "twins separated at birth." Very true.
 

---

Posted by Silver Swan (# 17957) on :
 
Rev Dr Sarah Macneil becomes Bishop of Grafton today. http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/rev-sarah-prepared-to-step-into-history/2184720/
Good news!
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Mr Curly, is Middle OK? I might have missed the update but last I saw he was still in hospital
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
I popped a request for +Sarah on the Prayers thread. Aust's first woman diocesan, even if the ABC saw fit to give an incorrect explanation for +Keith's resignation.

There seems to me a world of difference between a resignation because of a failure to report abuse to the police and a very honourable resignation because you consider that you did not approach compensation claims with proper pastoral concern for the claimants.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
I popped a request for +Sarah on the Prayers thread. Aust's first woman diocesan,

---

What took you so long?

Well done that woman!

Seriously though my prayers are with her - it's not easy being the first woman in any role and I think that much of the flak the Bishop of Christchurch cops is because she is a woman.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
I am in Grafton. I was there. Well, not in the cathedral because I didn't pull my finger out to try to get a ticket, but in the hall where they had a small screen but a good quality video and audio feed. We sang, prayed and wept as if we were there. It was a privilege to join the people of Grafton. I counted 19 bishops going in (so 20 going out!). Bishop Sarah was vested in cope and mitre by the other four female bishops.

I didn't particularly note whether Bishop Trevor Edwards was there, but at least three of the four candidates at the last Canberra-Goulbourn episcopal election were: preacher, chief consecrator and new bishop!
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
A lot of bishops seem to emerge from our diocese. Perhaps it is thought that if they can navigate their way through the currents of Canberra/Goulburn they can manage just about anything! Good luck to Bp Sarah - I suspect she will need it.

I have a new ecumenical role now, with more travel ahead. My days at the big house have lessened. Much to do, and am still crook. The roof goes on my studio next week, and I am itching to have it finished as we are all living on top of each other.

Glad to hear of improvements in Middle and Miss M. And thanks for the birthday wishes Piglet. TP surprised me with a lovely gift - a genuine 1920's swivel library chair. I am happily sitting in it as I type. Wheeee!
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
Mr Curly, is Middle OK? I might have missed the update but last I saw he was still in hospital

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
I popped a request for +Sarah on the Prayers thread. Aust's first woman diocesan,

---

What took you so long?

Well done that woman!

Seriously though my prayers are with her - it's not easy being the first woman in any role and I think that much of the flak the Bishop of Christchurch cops is because she is a woman.

Huia

---

Our first was +Penny Jamieson in Dunedin and I think she had some really hurtful experiences that we outside the church didn't hear much about.

GG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
+Kay may have become the first diocesan as I gather she balloted well in the first electoral synod for Newcastle.

Grafton will be a hard job for anyone. +Sarah's background says that she has the necessary skills, but that does not mean that she will be allowed to show them. Nor does it mean that there won't be any of the nasty criticisms that she has not succeeded in a particular task because "she's just a woman, what would you expect".
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
If Newcastle had a nomination system like Grafton +Kay may have had a better chance, but the opposition from both ends of the clergy spectrum meant she was unable to gain a majority in that house of Synod.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
It feels like we have gone straight from summer to winter. There are howling, 130 km winds and large swathes of Christchurch are without power tonight. This is hard because a lot of homes lost their chimneys in the quakes and a reliant on electricity for heating.

I took a bus to the other side of town to have lunch with a friend and was very glad that my shoes are waterproof and that I stayed warm with two knitted hats and a yellow knitted collar, (from a world class knitter ) as well as 4 layers of clothing. I am also grateful that my bus goes right across town so I didn't have to get off at the Exchange.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be similar, although a couple of degrees warmer. I'm going to the library, which unfortunately isn't on any bus route and a long-suffering librarian is going to help me sort out whether my Sony e-reader is slow or whether it's the library wifi ( which has been known to make my dial up connection look fast).

In your charity remember him in your prayers, he is both patient and kind.

Huia - trying hard
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Insanely busy 5 days approaching, including a business trip to the Gold Coast from tomorrow arvo until Friday night. Quick preso at Presbytery on Sat am, then playing at a wedding in Auburn then Middle's delayed birthday party at Chez Curly. Sunday is Biggest playing cricket, me playing in the 25th anniversary game of the team I helped start, then the crew from that back at Chez Curly for a BBQ.

mr curly
On top and exhausted
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Good news from the hospital.

The steroid induced diabetes and pancreatitis are fading and overall doctors are very happy with Miss M's progress. Two months now of a different drug known to induce severe nausea, then several months more treatment.

More intermittent treatment after that provided progress continues and checkups for several years. Research has shown that the chemo must be continued even after all numbers are good to prevent relapses.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Good news about Ms M.

Huia, its bad here too. I'm completely dressed in winter woollies. I had to go to Masterton yesterday - left here wearing a t-shirt, came back shivering cos it was only 7 degrees from about Carterton onwards. Fortunately, I had looked at the forecast and taken my raincoat, but I don't think I've ever driven wearing it just to stay warm.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
No, I'm not gloating, but it's warm and mostly sunny at Matarangi except for today – it was going to be a trip in to town until one h*** of a downpour, just as I was about to pop over to kind neighbour's to check emails. Almost got soaked getting into the car instead, and discovered a major leak coming from the interior light fixture. Rest of the week looks great.

GG
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
You're allowed to gloat a bit, GG!

I'm heading off to one of the two International Festival events I've booked for tonight: the Bach Collegium Japan performing the Bach St John Passion. It is hard to imagine a better evening - my favourite piece of music played by my favourite interpreters of Bach. And tomorrow night, the same group performing Bach's Lutheran Masses.

Heaven on earth.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
It feels like we have gone straight from summer to winter. There are howling, 130 km winds and large swathes of Christchurch are without power tonight. This is hard because a lot of homes lost their chimneys in the quakes and a reliant on electricity for heating.

I took a bus to the other side of town to have lunch with a friend and was very glad that my shoes are waterproof and that I stayed warm with two knitted hats and a yellow knitted collar, (from a world class knitter ) as well as 4 layers of clothing. I am also grateful that my bus goes right across town so I didn't have to get off at the Exchange.

---

Not so good ... sometimes I think someone ought to mention to God that Cantabrians have had enough
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Prayers from us for Mss M continue. What a hard way to spend your childhood.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Today the weather here is sunny and still.

GG, be careful or you will have an unexpected guest - complete with cat.

There is a collection day for childhood cancer here later this month. I am going to organise myself to give some time. I never realised how horrendous it is for the children and their families.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Today the weather here is sunny and still.

GG, be careful or you will have an unexpected guest - complete with cat.

There is a collection day for childhood cancer here later this month. I am going to organise myself to give some time. I never realised how horrendous it is for the children and their families.

Huia

---

No cats around here but we do have bunnies. I actually saw them eating some burnt toast I'd thrown out for the birds.

Fortunately the road kill, apart from them danged possums, seems to include stoats, nasty little beasts.

GG
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
You have wild stoats in NZ?
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
You have wild stoats in NZ?

---

quote:

---

There is a collection day for childhood cancer here later this month. I am going to organise myself to give some time. I never realised how horrendous it is for the children and their families.

---

Thank you, Huia.

I did not realise the impact the family till all this started. I could see in my own life what it did to my brain and concentration and we all felt as if run over by a bus. Totally blindsided and no one had any idea.

My sons have many times done the greatest shave for leukaemia and grown moustaches etc, supported Canteen and other cancer charities. My sister raised a very large sum in her touristy coastal town for breast cancer research. She was diagnosed in 1997.

But the childhood cancer really hits everybody hard. Miss M is currently at home, religiously checking her own temperature every hour and doing blood sugar finger tests too by herself. However, life at home consists of visits by home nurses and visits to the clinic. Something every day. Her mother had to give up her job because there is no way to handle all this otherwise.

If she has to be re-admitted for side effects or nasty infections because of suppressed immune system, then everything changes. Mum or dad is with her all the time. There are two other siblings and they have to have care too.

Every aspect of family life seems to have been affected and there are lots of flow on effects all twisted in.

That is without the seriousness of the disease. She is making progress but won't be considered cured for some years yet.

Support has been amazing and some of son's work clients are now doing the biggest shave. Interstate, they organised this themselves as a gesture of support.

Much more to say, but this is an introduction.

[ 05. March 2014, 21:28: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Prayers continuing for Miss M., Lothlorien and family.


 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Banner Lady the stoats, like the possums, bunnies and the rats are introduced. All of them cause problems.

We have a hare (also introduced)that has made its home at the back of the church.

Huia

[ 06. March 2014, 05:30: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
A hare? Get your slow cooker out the Huia.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Aha, hare today and gone tomorrow!
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
I spent yesterday up in the burnt and burning areas of my parish, with social workers. Next week, the Victorian Council of Churches and the state gov are sending 4 of us clergy up for four days... cars and motels provided.
I know we only go where it is safe, but it is weird to look across a valley and see fire...
There is a huge base camp in town... hundreds of tents. Great for the economy.
Sigh. My poor wounded mountains. Thousands of hectares of farmland and national park gone. People's lives a mess.
I keep telling myself that my small steps to help are ok. Otherwise it is rather overwhelming.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
{{Rowen}} for you and all your parishioners - there's not really much else I can say except that you're in my thoughts and prayers.

And do keep telling yourself that what you're doing is OK, because it is.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:

I did not realise the impact the family till all this started ...

Much more to say, but this is an introduction.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:

I did not realise the impact the family till all this started ...

Much more to say, but this is an introduction.

---

May I pass this on to my co prayer-makers at the cathedral?

---

Certainly.

A bit of a late reply, but I have been out all day from early.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Again, for Mr. and Mrs. Curly, Middle, Loth and Miss M. and Rowen and the congregation.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 


What Piglet said.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Certainly.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
... Terry Waite was in the congregation this morning. The second time I've met him - I was his and Runcie's driver for four days in 1987 - a few months before he was captured ...

---

He was due to speak in Belfast Cathedral just before he was captured (it was the year before we moved there). He came to the cathedral shortly after he was released, and my chief memory was of his (literally) huge presence - he's a seriously big bloke!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
One of my most difficult working weeks for a long time, starting with catching the 6 am train every day Monday and being flat out all week until I was on the 8.30 from Wynyard last night. A bit of a sleep-in today but both Madame and Dog wanted their walk. Thoughts of retirement again crossing my mind.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
A walk might help blow cobwebs away. Then perhaps a pleasant coffee for morning tea. A good book for the afternoon?
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Well, we did walk this morning, and later morning coffee - saw your brother for a quick chat. He looks well but tired. But no good book this afternoon - nor the Good Book either. Dlet cut the grass while I did the edges, then we all swam. A quiet sit now then out to dinner.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Glad to have Middle home, he was discharged yesterday after 8 days in hospital on IV antibiotics for osteomyelitis. Probably just concurrent and unrelated to the mycoplasma that showed up first. He's still hobbling but in good spirits and feeling well.

I gardened today, and have annoying sore muscles as a result. Biggest was supposed to have his last cricket game of the season (10 am start at Blacktown) but mercifully they had to forfeit.

I'm playing in church tomorrow morning, then it is the parade of the sick at family lunch at Chez Curly.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thanks for the update Mr Curly - I opened the thread to ask about him. Pity about the forfeit, but maybe next week will see a good victory.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
B1.2 (the sporty one) was one of 14 kids chosen from his school to do a tryout at the Brumbies home ground this week. He had never played rugby before, and played in his sneakers. When I asked how he went in the 7 a side game, he replied he managed 3 tries and one good tackle, and was ticked off by those watching as one of the top three on field.

His mother is now seriously freaked out because she has never wanted him to play body contact footy. As the grandparents in the middle we are watching with interest as to how this develops...oh dear!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Three tries sounds like a very good start - well done him!

Glad to hear Middle C. is doing well, Mr. C. - long may that continue.



[ 16. March 2014, 01:31: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Banner Lady: When my housekeeper/friend's son was younger (having shown no interest whatsoever in sport before) suddenly informed his mother he was going to play rugby, she fought a rearguard action for the same reasons as your grandson's parent. She lost.

Strangely enough, he survived and thrived for three years of league play, with nothing more than a strained ankle. And she went to every game, even if she sometimes closed her eyes.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
I am happy (read ecstatic) to announce that I am engaged to be married.

FD will marry us, I have yet to think of a pseudonym for my intended.

A very, very happy (read ecstatic!) JtC.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Congratulations!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
What lovely news, James. Congratulations!
 

---

Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Congratulations, JtC and intended!
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
How lovely! Yay!


We led a great ecumenical service today. We had a green theme, Irish and all, with appropriate food and clothes, and prizes. All three churches take a couple of ecumenical events a year, and it kicks off with St Patricks Day. Somehow, we got it a few years ago... And had it ever since. Some express surprise, that we do the saints so well. Me too. It's just one of those things!but we had fun.
60 people came. We sang our hearts out, and enthusiastically greeted everyone. Fun!
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Thank you.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Congratulations James!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
And congratulations from us as well (coming late to the thread).
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
And congratulations from all the way over here, too.



[edited to make some semblance of sense!]

[ 16. March 2014, 10:08: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Thanks for the update Mr Curly - I opened the thread to ask about him. Pity about the forfeit, but maybe next week will see a good victory.

---

Unfortunately, the season has ended with a whimper - no more games.

JtC.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Congratulations, JtC! Wonderful news
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
James, that is fabulous. Congratulations to James the Confident and Confidently James's. There will, no doubt, be shipwide celebrations on the happy day, and I look forward to running up some bunting.

Rowen: I spoke at an ecumenical gathering this weekend too - held in a Baptist Church down your way. Some of the locals were very surprised when this Anglican explained why it's perfectly okay to thank God for St.Pat.

Two daughters feeling a bit green today thanks to a big night out on the town. No doubt the green beer will be flowing freely today, and the road will be rising to meet a few folk by the end of it.

Happy St.Patrick's Day!
 

---

Posted by Alban (# 9047) on :
 
Congrats James!!!
 

---

Posted by Athrawes (# 9594) on :
 
Coming out of lurkerdom to say how happy I am for you, James! Congratulations!
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
James – congratulations, prayers, and all good wishes to you both for a long and happy life together.

GG
 

---

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
Hearty congratulations, James - every reason to be even more confident now with regards to life!
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Congratulations James. Lovely news for a Monday morning.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
... the locals were very surprised when this Anglican explained why it's perfectly okay to thank God for St.Pat ...

---

Because he sort of was an Anglican - the church that he founded grew to become the Church of Ireland, before the Roman missionaries* went to Ireland. Also, most of his mission was in what is now Northern Ireland; when we lived there we liked to think that he was the Secretary of the Select Vestry at Saul, near Downpatrick ...

Also, huge congratulations to James and the future Mrs. Confident!

* The Roman Catholic church in Ireland is sometimes playfully referred to as "the Italian Mission".
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Congratulations James How exciting!
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Congratulations James
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
WoW James

Sorry it's so late - I was shipless yesterday.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
This is just incredible and has to stop.

Miss M's older sister fell at school a week ago. Result was a greenstick fracture of left wrist. Full cast was put on only yesterday after swelling subsided.

She was leap frogging another girl at Girls' Brigade last night. Don't ask, I don't know whether this was approved and supervised or just something they were doing.

Right arm now has back cast from hand to above elbow, waiting for swelling to subside for full cast to go on. She's normally intelligent and sensible. Someone suggested her sub conscious was devising ways of receiving attention now Miss M has been getting lots.

Picture here.

Accidentally posted this in Depression thread. My apologies.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
For Miss M, miss M's sister and all involved
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Prayers for both girls Lothlorien!

I once had three brothers in my Scout troop. Their mother had to rush to the childrens hospital Emergency with one boy each on 3 consecutive nights. I forget now what the first two had done but I remember that the third had placed his hand on a table and dared his brothers to try to hit it with rocks. He lost.

The last time she barely got out of the hospital without child abuse charges but the boys were credible and as she told the nurse The three of them share the brain of a flea!
 

---

Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
Congratulations to James and MsConfidential.
I'll buy you a drink at the SCA conference if you are still going.

Prayers for the girls, Lothlorien.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Lothlorien and the girls.

My younger niece had no fear when she was little and was always falling off things and breaking bones; I think at one stage she had an arm and a leg in plaster at the same time, and yes - my sister was beginning to worry that the staff at A & E were thinking the unthinkable.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Cyclone Lusi obviously blew the pigeons off course: congratulations, James!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Grrrr! I have just tried to contact the pastor of the church where Miss T was when she broke her arm at Girls' Brigade. I'm not angry but am very upset. The family has enough to deal with.

The arm is too swollen for a definitive diagnosis. There could be a break ten centimetres above elbow. Possibly one the same distance below elbow and possibly both shadows are breaks.

I have poked around in a dozen different ways and can find no email for the church. The phone number on each of those sites rings out.

Miss T had permanent plaster for break done at school last Monday. She went to Girls' Brigade that night. She and her sister have gone for years and love it.

According to her dad, they were using a small trampoline to be a springboard to leapfrog over another girl. The leader at this activity was assured by Miss T that she would be fine , so she allowed her to do it.

I am trying to find some way to communicate and to say that leadership does not always mean allowing the underlings to do what they want. Sometimes tough decisions have to be enforced. This leader was lacking in various ways as far as I can see. His leadership selection may need tightening and it appears that more training is definitely needed for those chose,.

The kid is in a lot of pain still. Has two knuckles visible on left hand and none on right with a cast almost to her shoulder Everyday activity is virtually impossible for her right now, including very basic activities like feeding and cleaning herself.

As I said, not angry but very upset.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Poor Miss T. When I saw the picture you posted, the first thing I thought was "how on earth is she going to go to the loo?"

While no-one would blame you for wanting to blame the GB leader, they've probably been doing the trampolining thing for years with no consequences whatsoever, and what happened to Miss T. was a (very) unlucky accident. When my niece went back to gym class after one of her breaks (I think she was about five at the time), the teacher told my sister that she made a bee-line for the wall-bars - the thing she fell off in the first place - completely devoid of fear.

Prayers continuing for all of you.
 

---

Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
Lothlorien. I would be angry.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Lothlorien. I would be angry.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Congratulations to James and MsConfidential.
I'll buy you a drink at the SCA conference if you are still going.

Prayers for the girls, Lothlorien.

---

I'm still going. I'll hold you to the drink!

Thank you all for your congratulations, I am over the moon. As I said FD is coming to Melbourne to marry us. What a lovely man he is.

Loth., I think it is time your troubles stopped too. You seem to have a huge burden to bear, thoughts and prayers ascending.
 

---

Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
Will be delighted to meet you and buy you that drink. I'll see if I can get LKKspouse along.

Clarence also is lovely.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:
As I said FD is coming to Melbourne to marry us.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:
As I said FD is coming to Melbourne to marry us.

---

That's so greedy. Besides, I thought he was already married.

---

 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'd heard that some parts of the Australian church were rather different from the rest of us, but I didn't realise they were quite that different ...
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
You're right Piglet, they're a weird mob over there

The Christchurch City Council is having to hold back on some spending due to a smaller budget because of fewer ratepayers. So far the scheme to clean up the Heathcote - the river at the end of my street - has had a funding cut and the safer cycleways have been put off for 3 years

If they do anything to hold back on the new central library I will chain myself to some railings (if I can find some).

Cycle accidents have already increased since the quakes and the Heathcote is the most polluted river in NZ Cancel the covered sports stadium I say! (but not too loudly or I'd probably be lynched).

Huia

[ 26. March 2014, 09:10: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
You're in good company, Huia - St. John's city council laid off two-thirds of their snow-plough operators the week before we got 8 inches of snow ...


 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
The Good Ship Curly seems to be sailing with a favourable breeze.

I have this week secured the services of two fabulous young men to play the leads in the Good Friday procession I'm directing for Wesley Mission. It will be tight, but we'll make it.

Middle is improving, and is applying himself to his school work and the catching up process with all due diligence.

Through nothing other than asking, I have secured for myself a one hour interview on one of the preeminent podcasts in the indie publishing world. It's some time away, but will be a huge boost to my profile etc.

Then, yesterday I took a call from a certain august boys school not far from home ( Gee D I think you know the one) offering Biggest a full scholarship for Year 11 and 12. We are somewhat taken aback, he's rather pleased with himself.

Feeling quite overwhelmed with blessings.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
That is excellent news all around Mr Curly. Shall Biggest by playing rugby as well as cricket?
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
That is excellent news all around Mr Curly. Shall Biggest by playing rugby as well as cricket?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
Wow awesome news Mr C. Without delving into the finer details too much was there a process like the year 7 scholarship system or is this more akin to the headhunting process?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Why not play rugby, the game they play in heaven.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
why not play rugby, the game they play in heaven.

---

I'm not going there then!

Just had a plumber in to look at renovating the shower and putting one of those lights that also provide warmth into the bathroom as it's really cold since the heater there gave up the ghost. We haven't had a frost yet this year, but yesterday morning was uncomfortably close.

Huia
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear things are working out better, Mr. Curly.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thanks for sorting that out Mr Curly. I knew there was a euphonium there somewhere, but have never heard of a music scholarship for it. Piano is much better. You could try and raise some money to buy a Stuart and Sons piano, and be loved by the music department forever.

Garasu, it's very simple. The Father is patron of both teams. His Throne moves up and down the sidelines to keep abreast of the play, the cherubim having been specially trained to move sideways at the ground, not every one straight forward. Of the archangels. Michael is the referee, wielding his mighty sword if needed to keep play moving. Gabriel looks after the PA system and does all the announcements of course. Raphael and Uriel look after the sidelines. Lucifer was sin-binned so long ago that no-one remembers - in fact so long ago that there was no so long ago. Each game ends in a draw.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
The way I heard it was that the fields are so smooth that when you slide you never get a rash and the Welsh always beat the English.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Are there English in heaven? None of them Lions, I'd warrant. As for the X school - there's an extra priest on duty winter Saturdays to hear the 1sts' confessions.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Are there English in heaven?

---

I sincerely hope so - if I'm going to end up there I want my Better Half to be there too.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Are there English in heaven?

---

I sincerely hope so - if I'm going to end up there I want my Better Half to be there too.

---

I reckon a couple of them may get in--just.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Thanks for sorting that out Mr Curly. I knew there was a euphonium there somewhere, but have never heard of a music scholarship for it. Piano is much better. You could try and raise some money to buy a Stuart and Sons piano, and be loved by the music department forever.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Travelling is possibly more interesting at 16 than 10.

---

We were never allowed to talk on the train to the boys from that school or the one up the road a bit, unless the boy was related. Lots of cousins were found.

I think that rule may have fallen by the wayside, judging by other behaviour I see from those girls on the trains. Sitting on the floor near the door! Not to mention no gloves or hats and lots of them wear jewellery.

[ 30. March 2014, 21:08: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
When I went to school at Canterbury in the sixties, the formidable Miss Gordon, fondly known as the Gorgon, was the principal of the girls' school. It was of course the era of the miniskirt, and the girls used to blouse their tunics over their belts to achieve the requisite fashionable length above the knee. If Miss Gordon spotted any of her girls in this state while she was driving to work, the culprit was summoned to her office and the belt of the tunic confiscated for 24 hours, so the girl had to go home that afternoon and return the following morning in something resembling a box-pleated potato sack.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
We had uniform inspections at gates for jewellery, berets worn wrongly etc. As lines banked up, the later arrivals could be seen polishing the tops of their shoes by rubbing foot across backs of legs so stockings polished the shoes. Berets were to be worn at a certain angle and school badges in a particular spot on beret. Hair had to be tied back with proper coloured ribbons.
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Ah, uniform inspections! The equally formidable Mr J O Kimble was the responsible staff member at the boys' school, and you could hear his basso profundo as he proceeded through the lines on morning assembly. "You! Out!" was the obbligato to the daily announcements. The miscreants were then lined up before the whole school while their names were recorded for detention.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Did any of you lucky women have to wear the scourge of my adolescence, rompers? I was blessed with both gym frock and rompers - neither of which do much for the teen figure.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Haha Arabella, ours were called bloomers, voluminous things worn under our delightful PE uniform-a short red tunic with a white "girdle" -a thin white tie around the waist and long white socks with black sandshoes. We also had regulation navy blue underpants as part of the regular uniform, the "Mistress -in-charge" of the Junior school (yr 3-6) was positively obsessed by ensuring navy blue bonds maxis were worn by everyone.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
A young woman has been murdered and her body was left in the boot of her car in the Supermarket carpark just down the road from me. She was a Community worker.

her family

the supermarket workers, who are a very helpful and friendly bunch.

The police believe she knew the perpetrator.

Apparently an increase in violent crime 3 years after a disaster is not unnexpected.

Christchurch

Huia
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Christchurch, the young woman
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
Haha Arabella, ours were called bloomers, voluminous things worn under our delightful PE uniform-a short red tunic with a white "girdle" -a thin white tie around the waist and long white socks with black sandshoes. We also had regulation navy blue underpants as part of the regular uniform, the "Mistress -in-charge" of the Junior school (yr 3-6) was positively obsessed by ensuring navy blue bonds maxis were worn by everyone.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
Was it Hornsby where u went to school Loth or did I imagine that?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... We had to turn backwards to PE mistress and bend over to have proper colour bloomers inspected ...

---

If she tried to make you do that these days, she'd be locked up and the key thrown away.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
That's weird, wonder why my post has repeated itself?

We had the same inspection routine. My era was that of witches britches (if anyone remembers them) and there were usually 3 or 4 girls wearing them at a surprise inspection.

Now I think about it, the concern lavished over girls' underwear was a bit peculiar.

I have noticed that where it was a point of honour never to have your socks pulled up in my generation, the current generation are inveterate puller upperers. Very tidy.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
We had something that we thought was worse than rompers. An all-in-one garment that had a romper shaped bottom, and then straight up so it buttoned over the shoulder. Sort of like a larger size of baby romper suit without the lower opening. We called them 'frog-suits' and they were an unbecomming shade of green. The idea was that you wouldn't have that unseemly display of flesh when the blouse became untucked from the rompers. A year or so later a short wrap-around skirt was added.

My least-favourite everyday piece of the winter uniform was the tie. One name tag inspection day I disgraced myself by totally forgetting to put it on and had to report to the Senior Mistress who was quite strict. I was a bit worried about it, but she just looked at me and sighed, in a sort of 'what are we going to do with you?' kind of way.

Loth, we wore the beret with a badge too, but it was discontinued for the rest of the school when I was in the 6th form (uniforms were optional for 6th and 7th formers).

I remember witches britches. About 10 years ago my mothers' cousin, then about 90 asked me if they were still being made as they were really good for keeping warm in Christchurch winters. She was definitely a fan.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
FWIW, those in the pipe band are supposed to go commando when dressed in kilts. What's wrong is that senior band officers check that the rule's being observed.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
We had something that we thought was worse than rompers. An all-in-one garment that had a romper shaped bottom, and then straight up so it buttoned over the shoulder. Sort of like a larger size of baby romper suit without the lower opening. We called them 'frog-suits' and they were an unbecomming shade of green. The idea was that you wouldn't have that unseemly display of flesh when the blouse became untucked from the rompers. A year or so later a short wrap-around skirt was added.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom:
That's weird, wonder why my post has repeated itself?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
FWIW, those in the pipe band are supposed to go commando when dressed in kilts. What's wrong is that senior band officers check that the rule's being observed.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
FWIW, those in the pipe band are supposed to go commando when dressed in kilts. What's wrong is that senior band officers check that the rule's being observed.

---

I would have thought that in these cautious times, such practices would have been left behind.

As for the joy of train travel, the current Person of Interest travels to Ravenswood by car, I happen to know.

mr curly

---

Pun intended?
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
You would hope that that practice had stopped a decade or more ago, but it continued until at least 3 years ago, with at least 1 of the team checking on observance of the rule being an otherwise very pleasant young man.

Perhaps you meant the present Person of Interest. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, let alone months down the track (and that one was intended).
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Great news. Miss M went to school today for the first time this year apart from a class photo. Just for time after lunch, but school and friends. She couldn't wear normal uniform as easy access to central line is required. She wore sports uniform with a T-shirt top.

School sends work home and twice a week if she'd in hospital, specially trained teachers with a few tricks up their sleeves visit her. But it's not school.

She's back in hospital for 3-4 days from Sunday night for the start of eight weeks of chemo which will see her hospitalised for several days every fortnight.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Great news. Miss M went to school today for the first time this year ...

---

That is great news, Loth - prayers continuing for the success of her next lot of treatment.


 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Wow! Well done Miss M!
 

---

Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
The Marama and I are now more or less settled back in Canberra after many years in Fiji.

Housewarming party this weekend, timed to co-incide with our 40th wedding anniversary.

Perhaps a shipmeet later?
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Congratulations, Tukai, and health to enjoy life back in Oz!


 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Congrats.
I would drive over to Canberra and go to a meet, and errr... Shop.
Not that I am into shopping of course. I just need to ummmm SEE some, and know that big cities still exist.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:
nor did she consider that the pleated skirts were wind traps and provided much entertainment for the ogling boys in the August westerlys.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Come and visit us Piglet to enjoy the weather ...

---

I'd love to, Gee D - like all Brits, I've got Australian Relations™. Two of my great-aunts emigrated in the early years of the 20th century (not sure if it was before or after the Great War), and their descendants are still scattered over Australia.

I'll keep buying the lottery tickets ...
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
You might prefer Christchurch in NZ though, heading to a max of only 14 today.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Hmmm ... New Zealand in 14° sounds heavenly - from all the pictures I've seen of it it's probably the prettiest country on earth.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
South Island is gorgeous! North Island is lovely but for sheer stunning beauty South Island can't be beat for Temperate Zone loveliness.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Maybe wait til it stops raining. I'm blaming the visiting royals.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
You might prefer Christchurch in NZ though, heading to a max of only 14 today.

---

Christchurch is the best city in the world (apart from the blocked roads which are a total nightmare, even for taxi drivers, who are usually good at finding the quickest routes). The weather is damp, but still within double digits (celcius), at least during the day.

Aso there are some slightly weird people here (besides me) which makes life interesting.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
I'd like to see the Cardboard Cathedral.

GG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Not just pretty, but clean and fresh - air, water, skies all clean. Queenstown is even better than Christchurch and rather cooler.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
I'd like to see the Cardboard Cathedral.

GG

---

I really liked it. I was down briefly last week and I asked my colleague to take me there in between work sessions. Its simple and memorable.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Queenstown is an ugly little town in an abdolutely stunning setting, in my totally biassed opinion.

One of the drawbacks in Christchurch is that it contains NZ's most polluted river, the Heathcote which flows at the end of my street. What's worse is that it's slipped down the list in terms of the priority for a clean-up At times of heavy rain sewerage has been detected in the water.

I love my city, but I'm not always proud of it.

Huia
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Tomorrow evening I depart for Perth to see my betrothed.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
James, enjoy your visit.

Arabella I haven't been in the transitional cathedral yet, but one of the teachers at the Catholic school where I volunteer was very enthusiastic about it.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Congratulations to Tukai & Marama on surviving 40 years together. Every decade has its challenges.

Can I just say that while I am absolutely fine about living with my grandchildren, living with one's adult children is not necessarily the healthiest thing for relationships. *sigh*

Fortunately the "nan-cave" as my studio is now being called, passed inspection by the authorities this week, and we can commence work on the interior. It is still a couple of months away from being inhabitable, so I am busy landscaping around it to get some semblance of sanity back in my days.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
One week until Good Friday. Which means one week until my musical version of the Easter story is unleashed on the streets of Sydney.

Gather at Martin Place Amphitheatre from 1.30 for 2 pm atart. About a 20 min drama, then procession up Pitt St with a conclusion on Pitt St outside Wesley Mission.

It's a bit out there. I hope it all goes ok.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Can I just say that while I am absolutely fine about living with my grandchildren, living with one's adult children is not necessarily the healthiest thing for relationships. *sigh*

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
Urologist arrived and decided it wasn't a torsion. Sent home. We'll see how he is this morning.

mr curly

---

10 weeks later and on return from church camp yesterday, Biggest was again in pain and taken off to hospital. Operated on last night. Turns out it was a cyst rather than a torsion. All fine.

Now I'm short a guitarist for Good Friday!

mr curly

[ 14. April 2014, 20:38: Message edited by: Mr Curly ]
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Well, at least you're only short a guitarist for one night. Biggest could have been short forever.

Prayers for his rapid recovery.

[ 14. April 2014, 21:24: Message edited by: Gee D ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Prayers for his quick recovery, Mr Curly, and thanks for the discovery of the real problem.

Prayers also for Good Friday . Having been involved in that for some years in the past, I understand something of the tensions etc, even though things have changed.

It used to be the procession and then an afternoon and evening performance at Pitt St for the choir. Sometimes something on Saturday. Then Sunday was service at Opera hOuse which involved leaving home at 4:00 for travel, changing and rehearsals. At least another two performances on the same day. I was always glad Monday was also a holiday.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Prayers for Biggest - glad to hear they found out what was the matter and were able to put it right.

Easter Monday isn't a holiday for me, which is unfortunate as we have a service at 6:00 a.m. on Easter Day, and a bit of sleep catch-up wouldn't go amiss ...
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Mr Curly: many thanks for the good outcome for your son, even though the situation was probably very squicky for him. Benign cysts are a bugger (says me, who has had several of those in various sensitive places) because of their ability to mimic cancerous tumours. My last two (post cancer) terrified the shit out of me and I was so relieved to hear of the biopsy results that I didn't mind the disruption in my life, anymore.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Biggest

The big supermarket down the road re=opened late last week. It was a casualty of the quakes so having it back is another step iin the recovery of Christchurch It was kind of weird going there today though because I kept expecting to see my mother's cousin, who died some time ago We often met up there as she lived fairly close.

It was announced at Church that T one of the blokes has fallen quite badly and today I discovered he had broken his neck. He is elderly so it will take some time to heal .

Huia
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Thanks all. Home from hospital, he's a little sore but all OK.
Chaos does reign, though, with Middle's twice postponed birthday party on tonight. They've gone to the movies.
There is a Coopers Sparkling Ale in the fridge with my name on it.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:

There is a Coopers Sparkling Ale in the fridge with my name on it.

mr curly

---

Jealous. Though I've just had one.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Thought you swore off the evil drink for the duration of Lent?
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
Thought you swore off the evil drink for the duration of Lent?

---

Sprung!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Sprung indeed! I reneged for Passion week ... (under a whole heap of pressure from a myriad directions: though that is an explanation, far from an excuse).
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
Thought you swore off the evil drink for the duration of Lent?

---

By the time Zappa reads this, in New Zealand it'll be 16th April, the feast day of St. Magnus, which IMHO is enough excuse to have some beer.


 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
a little early in the morning though
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
My grandfather used to insist to me, "be sure your sins will find you out." Good advice which the NSW premier should have remembered.

His memory was very faulty yesterday when fronting the Independent Commission Against Corruption down here. No, he had no memory at all of the $300 bottle of Grange Hermitage given him as a gift. One paper this morning described his evidence as unconvincing and dishonest.

He has just resigned after ICAC produced a hand-written letter of thanks from him.

Now for all the others who "can't recall" various matters and their reactions to such matters.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Minor correction, but more memorable, Loth - It was $2978 worth of Grange, not $300.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Pity Mr Abbott won't do the same.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:
Minor correction, but more memorable, Loth - It was $2978 worth of Grange, not $300.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... he had no memory at all of the $300 bottle of Grange Hermitage given him as a gift ...

---

Maybe he'd drunk it the previous night and his memory wasn't working very well ...
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
I had thought that despite his massive incompetency at least he wasn't corrupt like the pervious government had been in huge proportions NSW aaaaggggghhhhh.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
I had thought that despite his massive incompetency at least he wasn't corrupt like the pervious government had been in huge proportions NSW aaaaggggghhhhh.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
I had thought that despite his massive incompetency at least he wasn't corrupt like the pervious government had been in huge proportions NSW aaaaggggghhhhh.

---

I think "corruption" is way too strong a word for this incident. I note that the ICAC is not following through to charge Mr O'Farrell with any misconduct.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:
I had thought that despite his massive incompetency at least he wasn't corrupt like the pervious government had been in huge proportions NSW aaaaggggghhhhh.

---

I think "corruption" is way too strong a word for this incident. I note that the ICAC is not following through to charge Mr O'Farrell with any misconduct.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Hope you're still standing, Mr C.

---

quote:

---

Off to Wollombi tomorrow to rest for a few days.

---

Lucky you. we had 40 acres there for some years and built a place. Turned off at Laguna and went up past Hunter Lodge.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Up and at it, Easter morn

Happy Easter, y'all
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Christ is risen, Alleluia! He is risen and glorified indeed, Alleluia! (Going to 8 am, not 5.30,)
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Halleluja, Halleluja...my last service at the big house today; thereafter will be returning from the wondrously remote to most thankfully worshiping closer to home.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Have a lovely Easter!
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Awake in Sydney after seeing the Swans win yesterday. Being in the same situation as last year, I'll be going down to the Railway Mission.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
As it's now already Sunday for you Down Under, I'll wish you all a happy Easter.

Go easy on the chocolate ...
 

---

Posted by cosmic dance (# 14025) on :
 
A joyful Easter service this morning - yesterday the church children had painted a sunrise banner in red, orange and yellow with heaps of gold glitter making the sun's rays. Today we used it for our frontal and the sun shining in the high windows at just the right angle made it sparkle.
Simple and lovely and home-made by the kids - perfect.
Easter blessings to all.
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Happy Easter to all!

The triduum has come to its conclusion with a lovely service at our country church, as all emerged from worship into the bright sunshine. Our clergy and serving teams have taken us on the Easter journey in faith and with style across our three centres, and we give thanks for their ministry to us.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
The standard of editing at the Sydney Morning Herals has slipped woefully lately, on iPad,website and on paper. Sometimes the slips online are fixed quickly, sometimes not. However, I just had a good laugh. Not exactly a typo or grammatical or spelling error, but proper editing should have picked this up. The Sydney Diocese will not be happy.

quote:

---

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR - DAY 5
Prince William and Prince Kate leaving St Andrews after Easter Sunday Mass, Sydney. Photo: Sasha Woolley

---

[ 20. April 2014, 05:53: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
The creed used to speak of the "quick and the dead." I decided to get a screen shot of the quote above, but I wasn't quick enough and it had gone, moved on to Taronga Zoo.
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
I got the screenshot Loth, and have it saved as a pdf.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Well done!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Three eucharists this morning and they buzzed ... happy boy because I think this was the last performance anxiety week of my first year, and the eye-rollers who consider the new dean to be incompetent are beginning to shut up ...
 

---

Posted by AdamPater (# 4431) on :
 
Happy Easter one and all. He is risen!

I served at two masses this morning but they both seemed a tad lack-lustre. I have the impression all the oomphff must have been poured into yesterday's vigil mass. I'm puzzling over whether this is a new thing: I'm sure I haven't noticed it before.

Wha'eva. He lives!
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Happy Easter, He is risen!

Lovely Easter Day, a full house of happy children at Sunday school, great Dim Sum at Mr Wongs afterwards followed by painting eggs with my niece and God Daughter followed by sitting in the sun. A quiet glass of wine in front of Compass's look at Mary Magdalen.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
We are three adjoining suburban congregations, all affected by earthquake assessments and falling income, and facing the prospect of becoming parts of a hub. Already we've shared summer holiday services, and Lenten study groups have shared members.
So for Easter Day we filled the largest church and it was great. Enough children to make the kids' contribution quite a feature, and a good mingling of old and new friends over 'munch' (too late for morning tea and too early for lunch). The Grandad insisted on coming and meeting the people who always enquire after him. And the organist let rip as we ended with 'Thine be the glory'.

GG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Yes, on the ground ecumenism can work and work well, with goodwill, faith, and a lot of hard work. When it all comes together - like our Lenten and Advent services and the Palm Sunday procession through part of the local shops, it is an uplifting experience. An essential requirement is an acceptance of and respect for the particular traditions and approach of the partners.

Back to the SMH - it describes the device that the Cambridges went to yesterday as a thoroughly Australian Easter Sunday Service. I think that the one Barnabas Aus attended would better fill that description.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Back to the SMH - it describes the device that the Cambridges went to yesterday as a thoroughly Australian Easter Sunday Service. I think that the one Barnabas Aus attended would better fill that description.

---

Well, it was bright and sunny with an autumnal crunch to the air.

Good to see the choir getting some publicity too.

I will say I had a good chuckle at their title of Easter Sunday Mass at St Andrews. Quickly amended.

[ 20. April 2014, 22:44: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
... the organist let rip as we ended with 'Thine be the glory' ...

---

That's one thing that I miss here - we use a rather old hymn-book (published in 1938), which is fine in that it doesn't Mess About With The Words, but it was written before the words and tune to Thine be the glory had been put together, so we don't get it.

We had a white Easter - it was still snowing when I got up at 4:30 and there was about 2" on the ground. However, by lunchtime the sun was splitting the rocks and the way the snow had frozen on the trees every branch and twig was sparkling in the sunshine - absolutely stunning.

[ 21. April 2014, 01:44: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
It does sound magical, Piglet.

At least the Cambridges would have got a good sermon from ++ Glenn. He is an excellent preacher.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Not ecumenical this time, Gee D: we're two Presy and one Uniting (Presy/Metho) congregations. But yes, the summer holiday services include the Anglicans.
The first time I saw the lifelong Presys going up for communion at St Luke's I was really moved. We're used to doing the same at our own place now, alternating with wee cuppies in our seats or passing the elements in a circle. Last time we were guests at St Luke's they did just that – passing in a circle. So we move on.

GG
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I missed doing any churchy things here in Wellington as the Anglican church in this suburb has disappeared and I don't know where or at what times any other Church operates, apart from the Catholics, who would not appreciate me turning up at Mass. Instead I went bush for some hours on Good Friday after visiting my parents graves. I heard tui, bellbirds and kereru.

Easter Day was spent rescuing the soup from the crockpot which had gone feral and tripped the circuts in the villa my oldest brother occupies, while my nephew and youngest brother put together a kitset TV cabinet complete with 2 drawers. It was not aday of celebration here amongst the heathen.

Home tomorrow.
Huia
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Given the different Eucharist theologies amongst our covenant partners, communion would be difficult. One of the ecumenical activities is that each priest/minister/pastor gives a sermon at each of the others in the group. Our Sunday morning services are all Eucharists. Some of those coming to us take communion, as we observe an open table position, but obviously that cannot happen with the Catholic priest or when visiting that church, for example.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Our own suburb has only Anglican and Presbyterian churches. The Catholic one closed partly from a shortage of priests – it was a small but very active congregation.
So we've always done what we can together with St Luke's; in the past it's always seemed that we'd have a good system going and then a new Vicar would come and we'd start from scratch again.
Some of the Catholics moved a couple of kilometres to the church of St Thomas More, where we and the Anglicans joined them on the World Day of Prayer, always a good time for ecumenical mingling.

GG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Yes, a relationship like these needs constant hard work, especially when the personnel change. But it is worth it in the long run, just hard work. Perhaps Rowen (if she's listening) can explain here last parish.
 

---

Posted by cosmic dance (# 14025) on :
 
Huia, next time you are in the capital and need a church please contact me and I will be only too happy to help with recommendations or whatever you need,
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I am home No dogs, just Georgie-Porgy going outside, getting wet and coming back in again. (and repeat).

My wonderful family did manage to dig up and save my favourite yellow minature rose before the family home was sold, for which I am grateful.

it's not that they're really noisy, but when you live by yourself suddenly having 3 other adults, 2 dogs and a very vocal cat in a house can be challenging.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Good news about Miss M. Doctors are happy with progress so far. She is currently spending 5/14 days in hospital with chemo and associated monitoring for this medicine. A few other clinic times are squashed into the fortnight, but they think she should be able to manage two or three half days at school in the off week of the fortnight.

Sure beats daytime TV and will be good for her to see her friends. Chemo has upset her brain and concentration and daytime TV is no help.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Excellent, Lothlorien - prayers continuing for your brave wee girl.


 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Yes, that really is good news Lothlorien, and our prayers continue also.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
yup, prayers continue, Loth
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I find it difficult to express my thanks and those of my son, coherently, let alone adequately, for all the prayers and support here. He is amazed when I tell him who prays for his little daughter. I have also had support of a different kind from another online craft forum to which some on SoF belong. Support, messages, PMs and more have poured in from many different countries and we appreciate them all.

Thank you all. I am adjusting to it, I felt at first as if I had been run over by a bus, but prayers from here have helped tremendously.

She has a way to go yet. We take things one day at a time.

I have just come from the prayer thread with the news of the death of little A, WW's friend. This hit home rather hard and I am praying for his family and friends and for little A.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 


For peace, joy and healing for little M.

GG
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... He is amazed when I tell him who prays for his little daughter ...

---

And probably a bit bemused that his mum has friends called Galloping Granny, Zappa and Piglet ...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Possibly, Piglet. I do know he belongs to the froggy forum down here. No idea of his screen name. That's devoted to French cars.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
We wandered up to the ceremony at the local memorial this morning, Dlet as usual wearing the medals from both his grandfathers, and all of us, Dog included, wearing our rosemary. No rain while we were out fortunately, but it felt that it would pour down at any moment. About 300 to 350 people there, which is good considering the weather. Barry O'Farrell was mentioned, and lay a wreath, but did not talk. Saw lots of friends, including Lothlorien's brother - he also wearing rosemary and medals. Then coffee and a second breakfast for all.

A good morning's uninterrupted work followed with a peaceful and domestic afternoon ahead.
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Dawn Service in Bungendore must have had 500 people there. Then back home for the coverage of Canberra and Anzac Cove, and now enjoying Essendon's early lead in the big game.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
That's a good roll-up indeed. We're wondering how many will be there next year.

What big game?
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
We've just spent a couple of days in Taumarunui looking for traces of my great grandparents on my dad's side (there are few other reasons to visit Taumarunui, although the scenery is glorious). Other people go to Fiji, we visit rural NZ! The most exciting part of the trip was driving the back road to Ongarue - dirt all the way, very muddy from the torrential rain - to find what is essentially a ghost of a town. Lots of ghosts in the area: we also went to Matiere and Okahukura, where my (separate sets of)great grandparents lived, and all three towns are barely there.

We had dinner last night at the Taumarunui RSA, which was full of elderly gents and their families, a seriously cultural experience for two lesbians from Wellington. Couldn't beat it for friendliness though.

We were awakened at dawn this morning by bagpipes playing for the dawn service (I met one of the pipers yesterday visiting the Anglican church where my grandmother was employed as the organist in the 1920s). As we drove back to Welly, we went past ANZAC ceremonies in every small town, plus a big one at the Army Museum in Waiouru, complete with a regiment and a big band.
 

---

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Apparently our dawn service had a much larger crowd than usual. I was rostered to attend the later morning service and the lunch, where I was one of the speakers. Many of the men who went from our town were miners and engineers who formed the tunnelling corps, so that was my theme, as today is also the anniversary of the disaster at Hill 60 when many officers and men lost their lives when a German trench mortar detonated a mine under preparation in the Allied dugout.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Arabella, I have a vague memory of reading that Taumarunui had the first public toilets in NZ, which would make it noteworthy at least. (Since the quakes Christchurch has a dearth of them which makes life challenging for thos of us on diuretics so I appreciate the need for them even more than I did before.)

I was going to have a quiet ANZAC Day reading Vanity Fair on my e-reader and generally not socialising at all so I could recover from Easter, but at 1pm I had a call from Christchurch Police Station asking me if I had lost my wallet. I said I didn't really know, but if someone had handed it in I probably had, and that I was talented at that kind of thing. So I toddled off to recover it and check whether my glasses had been handed in at the same time (they hadn't ).

Huia

Huia
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
That's interesting! I'm amazed the lady at the isite didnt mention toilets - she mentioned everything else. It doesn't surprise me, as even today there are lots of trains passing through. In its heyday Taumarunui was the major stop on the Wellington-Auckland trip.

My other ghost towns all started with the building of the railways and the associated logging, although they were associated with the Okahukura-Stratford line, sadly no longer in use. Four tunnels through the hills, all done by manual labour and horses!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Saw lots of friends, including Lothlorien's brother - he also wearing rosemary and medals. Then coffee and a second breakfast for all.

---

My brother says he stands near back so he can hotfoot it over line to coffee where he met several others.

Quite a good crowd there. To my surprise there was nothing local down here and I did not feel like waiting at secluded bus stop to get into city service.

#2 son is currently in Melbourne but he usually takes his children to a large service west of Parramatta where 800-1000 people gather for dawn service and a huge free breakfast provided by local RSL.

[ 25. April 2014, 08:38: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
As your antipodes wake up 24 hours late to the party...

Our family ANZAC is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery in Adelaide. Are there any Adelaide based shipmates who might have reason to go there (I say this because I believe that the cemetery is vast and the park humungous!) who would be willing to take some photos? I can unearth (pun intended) the details of the plot.

Many thanks,

AG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
The service and parade at school draw about 3,750 plus each year. Of course, there are parents and siblings of boys in the unit, but many others attend. We shall again - 3 or 4 weeks down the track.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've just googled ANZAC and discovered that the Royal Newfoundland Regiment has a parade here in St. John's today.

What's the significance of the rosemary? Is it "for remembrance" as in Hamlet?
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
And not just Hamlet - it goes back to the ancient Greeks, if not before. In effect, rosemary sprigs serve the function here that red poppies do in the UK. Rosemary water was supposed to be good for the eyes also - it gave distant sight.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
I have to share my astonishment and hope to find a receptive audience of literate and literary people here...

Deakin University signage in case you can't see the sign as it's a twitter photo it proclaims "Deakin University: Worldly".

To me and the OED, "worldly" implies temporal and to do with material things espec. money and has connotations of mundane as well as sophisticated with overtones of cynicism. Deakin seems to think it means "world class" from what I understand. I think they've got it wrong and it's a bad look for a uni, or has worldly changed it's meaning completely whilst I wasn't looking.

What think you?
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It strikes me as one of those ghastly sound-bite mottos that modern universities seem to give themselves, as if their original (possibly Latin) ones weren't good enough.

Outside the residences of our local university there's a sign that reads:

Memorial University
Where people and ideas become ...

As D. is fond of pointing out, become what? Three wee black dots?



eta: I reckon your Deakin University one was thought up by someone whose grasp of English was shaky, at best.

[ 26. April 2014, 03:58: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
As your antipodes wake up 24 hours late to the party...

Our family ANZAC is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery in Adelaide. Are there any Adelaide based shipmates who might have reason to go there (I say this because I believe that the cemetery is vast and the park humungous!) who would be willing to take some photos? I can unearth (pun intended) the details of the plot.

Many thanks,

AG

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
As your antipodes wake up 24 hours late to the party...

Our family ANZAC is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery in Adelaide. Are there any Adelaide based shipmates who might have reason to go there (I say this because I believe that the cemetery is vast and the park humungous!) who would be willing to take some photos? I can unearth (pun intended) the details of the plot.

Many thanks,

AG

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... Improving physically has meant an improvement in mind too ...

---

and a bit of too. Great to hear she's well enough to want to go to school!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks Piglet. As I wrote a few days ago, we are very thankful for the prayer for her. Every bit of it.

Some talk of pregnancy brain. Chemo brain definitely exists and the main symptom is an inability to concentrate for more than about 5-10 minutes. So wanting to go to school is a big thing for her.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
M! Keep everyone on their toes. Don't worry if at first it seems like one step forward, and two steps back. That'll stop. Love and prayers for you! You rock!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
M! Keep everyone on their toes. Don't worry if at first it seems like one step forward, and two steps back. That'll stop. Love and prayers for you! You rock!

---

Thank you Pete. She definitely has opinions of her own. We suggested several half days may be the better option but she is determined to go a full day even though she is exhausted. Is going again today, but as it's a sports carnival, she will just be a spectator.

Prayers for you too Pete.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
We have two lads still off sport, with Middle not starting the soccer season until mid July. But they are well, and we are thankful.

One of their mates (aged 14) was the victim of a vicious attack on the rugby field on Sunday - a kid ran in from 20 metres and kicked him in the head while he was on the ground. He was out for nearly 2 minutes, attacker has been suspended for 3 years. Their family was already dealing with his mum having a minor heart attack at Easter, age 44.

On a lighter note, I've just put out another of book of Nanna's tips, with a third close as well. It's fun!

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Prayers for the 14 year old victim, his attacker and their families.


 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Yes indeed, Mr Curly - I hope that the opposing club is being called on to explain why its teams should not be suspended for many weeks.

And any news about Miss M please, now that school has resumed for the second quarter.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

And any news about Miss M please, now that school has resumed for the second quarter.

---

Thanks for the enquiry. Today is Thursday. She went to school on Monday for the whole day and enjoyed it very much. Could not manage the next two days as she was exhausted. However, today was sports carnival and while she could not enter anything, she went. She is determined to go for the whole day when she goes. Sunday afternoon sees more hospital till next Thursday so no school next week. This will be the pattern for quite a while yet.

Doctors are still happy with test results.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks for the enquiry.

Today is Thursday. She went to school on Monday for the whole day and enjoyed it very much. Could not manage the next two days as she was exhausted. However, today was sports carnival and while she could not enter anything, she went. She won junior sports award last December.

She is determined to go for the whole day when she goes. Sunday afternoon sees more hospital till next Thursday so no school next week. This will be the pattern for quite a while yet.

Doctors are still happy with test results.

School is good for her psychologically as a sign of a more normal life to her.

My brother was speaking to one of his coffee mates whom you probably know. He was happy she was back. He missed a whole year due to polio and still regrets that year gone. It hasn't affected his career apparently, but he regrets not being at school for that time.

Edit for sloppy code.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thank you for the update about Miss M; our prayers for her continue. Can't place anyone along the lines you mention though.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I think his initials are BB. Certainly surname starts with B.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
?
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Boett----. Don't want to post full name here and you don't have PMs enabled.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
? again.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Off to Adelaide tomorrow for the SCA conference.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
It's reported in this morning's paper that Joe Hockey finds the wind turbines down Vulpior's was "utterly offensive."

I know what I would rather look at and it isn't him.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
I agree with Hockey - they are ugly and spoil what was a marvellous landscape. Then, even their operator admits that they are not economically viable, save for an enormous government subsidy. I wonder just how environmentally viable they are also. The wind may be free and non-polluting, but what about the materials and manufacturing?
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
I find wind turbines rather elegant. But it depends where they're put, I suppose. My late friend who was a senior engineer with the then government electricity generating department thought the pylons marching across the wide uplands of the central plateau were quite beautiful.

GG
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I love them. Nature at work within the demands of modernity.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Though my own photo is prettier

[ 05. May 2014, 07:03: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I like the photo Zappa. I like wind turbines too, but I think some have been thoughtlessly place near houses. The noise would drive me batty.

As for pylons I have a vague memory that someone like Dennis Glover, A.R.D Fairburn or someone of that vintage wrote about them striding across the land. (Fairly sure it wasn't Baxter).

Huia
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
My father used to have a thing about photographing pylons: whenever we had the dreaded Annual Holiday Slide Show™ he'd be pointing out pylons in every photograph.

I can't make up my mind about wind turbines: sometimes I think they look quite elegant, at other times I'm not so sure, and I'm not really convinced of their efficacy.
 

---

Posted by Patdys (# 9397) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
As your antipodes wake up 24 hours late to the party...

Our family ANZAC is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery in Adelaide. Are there any Adelaide based shipmates who might have reason to go there (I say this because I believe that the cemetery is vast and the park humungous!) who would be willing to take some photos? I can unearth (pun intended) the details of the plot.

Many thanks,

AG

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
It's reported in this morning's paper that Joe Hockey finds the wind turbines down Vulpior's was "utterly offensive."

I know what I would rather look at and it isn't him.

---

quote:

---

I'm with you, Loth - and besides their looks, they produce something that is useful, whereas out of the Treasurer's mouth ....

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
[QUOTE]At other times they remind me of something out of Dr Who, advancing across the landscape. Still more attractive than Hockey, especially lately.

---

When I was driving down to Canberra the other week, I saw the windmills and did not like them any more than on any previous occasion. So far, I've not seen Joe Hockey standing out in a paddock waving his arms, so I can't comment.

Sad for anyone to have to deal with issues like that let alone someone as young as Miss M.
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
We can see the windmills from where we are. I'm a proponent of new forms of energy so am going to be in favour.

There is a proposal for another wind farm in the other direction, east of us. There's lots of neighbours up in arms against it. We could be surrounded by "industrial" activity: the Woodlawn bioreactor, wind and solar farms, and sand mining. Mum says in that case we should be like the industrial suburbs of the ACT and open a brothel!
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
I thought our government was pretty slack, but yours appoints a climate change skeptic (an endangered species, I thought, but with a very loud cry) to review the Renewable Energy Target.

A poster on my facebook page reads 'Plot idea: 97% of the world's scientists contrive an environmental crisis, but are exposed by a plucky band of billionaires and oil companies'.

GG
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Some of you may remember my whinging about the ongoing work on relining the sewers after the quakes, and how long it was taking. The workers have now moved into the main road that my street runs into and have been working there since March to the accompanyment of whiffs of raw sewerage. Today I asked one of the workers if he had any idea of when this stretch of infrastructure whoud be complete and he said "Months, rather than weeks."

So not only will the pong (which started in November) continue, but also those of us who rely on the bus service to go and get out groceries will have further to carry them as our bus stop has been put out of commission

I am thinking of running away to sea.

I feel like a reak sook. There are people living in cars because of insurance disagreements and rents have skyrocketed due to the shortage of housing and profiteering. Some landlords had the value of their properties increased due to the repairs (funded by their insurance) have now increased their rents enormously and are renting room by room to workers who have come for the rebuilding of the city, rather than families, some of whom have been priced out of the market.

And winter is starting to bite.

Bloody earthquakes.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Huia, I sometimes think some governments would have chipped in and got all the rebuilding sorted long ago, houses and all – but if a disaster the size of Christchurch's happened in a country with a population of not 4 1/2 million but 400 million or even 40 million it would be a relative drop in the bucket, so to speak.
Meanwhile tonight's news was of the Chch rebuild costing half a billion more than originally estimated, and I don't know if that includes the flood problem where the land has sunk. I was impressed by Leanne D when I heard her speak a couple of years ago but she'd need to be superwoman to sort out this situation.

GG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
While doctors are happy with Miss M's progress, this childhood cancer is a terrible thing. I have just posted in the prayer thread about C, a 15 year old boy who shared a hospital room with her recently.

He died a few days ago, and all now left of his family are his mum and a sister. Mum's first husband suicided and the second died of cancer two years ago. Just horrible.

He was in Year 9, the third year of high school at the local school which bussed all students from that year to the funeral.

It has hit my son quite hard.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Goodness, Loth - there really are no words for how that poor lady and her daughter must be feeling.


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
What piglet said -
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Amidst all the crap (some of it literal) of the city recovering from the quakes I am grateful to the creative and eccentric people who brighten our lives.

The neighbour who used chicken-wire to sculpt a woman in a bathtub and put it on his front lawn.

The woman on the front of the paper today who crochetted a road cone and attached it over her bike helmet

The person who saw the water in the semi-demolished swimming baths and added a couple of decoy ducks (it's duckshhoting seasn here).

And my old favourite, the people who used an old upright fridge with a glass door to make a library of paperback books that is still being used two and a half years later.

These are only a few examples, but there is some joy among the ruins.

I only wish some of the insurance delays could be settled to enable the re=building to go ahead more quickly,

Huia
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Re-build, but keep these eccentricities as well. How a bout growing ivy over teh chicken wire, and then keeping it trimmed?
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Our choir is doing a concert tonight commemorating the Pike River mining deaths - also a wonderful piece about the Chilean miners who survived, and another wonderful piece commemorating the Waihi Miners Strike in 1912 in which an innocent man was killed by police. Some of you may have seen Dave Dobbyn with members of the Pike River families. I suspect it will be quite emotional... All the pieces are NZ premieres, and the two NZ ones have never been performed before.

Huia, I love eccentrics. We have a gent about 3 houses along who has filled his front yard (one can't call it a garden) with sculptures he has made. Every now and then the display changes, usually in response to some news story or other. It isn't high art, but it is very entertaining. At the moment it seems to be all about dogs, without a single dog sculpture in sight.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
I still miss the lounge room setting complete with lamp on lamp table that was nailed to the roof of a house opposite our local shops. The authorities made the guy living there remove it.

Anyway it has been an interesting week. My sister and I became grandmothers again within the space of two days. Ryan Daniel (I think that's right) born in the Top End, and today, on my father's birthday, Evie Magnolja arrived here (Croation spelling).

Much celebrating amongst the Territorians in the family.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Congratulations on the additions to your family Banner Lady

Arabella the May 10 -16 NZ Listener which I picked up just after I posted, has an article on ChCh artists including a painting of a ballerina that I saw for the first time when I was wandering, and some beautiful arches made of laminated wood which I hope will become a more permanent feature of the rebuilt city.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Congratulations on the additions to your family Banner Lady

Arabella the May 10 -16 NZ Listener which I picked up just after I posted, has an article on ChCh artists including a painting of a ballerina that I saw for the first time when I was wandering, and some beautiful arches made of laminated wood which I hope will become a more permanent feature of the rebuilt city.

Huia

---

I took some photos of the arches when I was down for work. They're lovely, particularly the way they echo a church structure.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
for miss M and her friends.

I'm back from the SCA conference in Adelaide.It was preceded by the Christening of my three month old great nephew--who slept through the whole proceeding!

I met with LKK who did indeed buy me a drink, thank you.

I will be in Sydney from Sunday the 6th to Friday the 11th of July, I'd love to meet. Friday is out, it is the last day I have with my fiancée so want to spend it with her.

She's at a conference so I'll be free most days, no programme as yet, I'll clarify later.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
... born in the Top End ...

---

That must have been interesting for the midwife ...

Huge congratulations to you, your sister and the rest of the Clan Banner.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
I hope that the following day she is no longer fiancée but becomes wife if it's to be the last day you spend with her.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
I hope that the following day she is no longer fiancée but becomes wife if it's to be the last day you spend with her.

---

No, it will be the last day before we see each other the next month! This long distance relationship...
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
That's better.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
A question, is there anyone who can suggest some cheap (or free ) parking around Wynyard? That is where we are staying and the parking fee is astronomical!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
None that I know of. The best near-by is an early-birder at Australia Square, but make sure you tell them when you go in that you want to take advantage of it, not just assume that if you keep the hours it will work. The cheapest is to park in the commuter car-park near us and catch the train in and out.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Cheap or free parking near Wynyard

Some years ago there used to be good rates (by Sydney CBD standards) at Quay West which is a short walk from Wynyard. Might be worth checking out, I have no idea if their rates remain competitive. Good luck!

[ 12. May 2014, 11:52: Message edited by: Evangeline ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
James, again as Evangeline said

The parking firm Wilsons does have different rates but you have to ask for them. Some early bird rates are quite cheap, but the hours are enforced. There is a Wilsons under Wesley Mission in Pit Street, entrance from Castlereagh Street. Relatively close to Wynyard to walk. Do some googling on earlybird and Wilsons and see what you can find.

Good luck. You could buy a small suburban home for the same price as permanent parking in Sydney.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
So I've discovered! Ouch. I think I'll pay the hotel prices.
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Where we stay on the border of Darlinghurst and Surry Hills charges $20 per night for parking. Apart from being conveniently located near places we want to be, and relatively easy to drive to, that's a major factor in sticking with them. We'll be disappointed when they close for a major rebuild.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Parking in central Sydney = ouch.

Autumn in Canberra also = ouch, especially if it has rained overnight and there are wet leaves all over your sloping driveway.

BL is now somewhat slower, thanks to a fractured ankle. It happened at 8am on Mother's Day as I was dashing off to church. Only got around to having it seen to today, having hobbled along for 3 days.

The doc asked me how come I hadn't been in to deal with it sooner - didn't it hurt?

My answer was "Compared to what? Childbirth? Nah."

 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Headlines yesterday about Aussie 'Coal Bonanza risks climate change' – ouch. Greg Hunt and now Clive Palmer – where do you find these people? And I thought our lot were a bit slack.

GG
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
BL, remember the saying that there's nothing quite as satisfying as seeing a friend skid on his own bathwater - in a climate where the water frozen in the pipes would crack them. You've done the Canberra equivalent. But get bette soon, with plenty of rest and some good physio as well.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Being forced to slow down, Banner Lady? Whatever it takes, I guess. Hope it heals quickly and please be careful as you hobble around.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Hope you heal quickly, BL - take it easy and look after yourself.


 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
Ouch, BL, hope it recovers quickly.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
B 1.2 was most impressed with my moonboot. I told him I was practising for the zombie apacolypse.

BL (bloody lurching)
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Can you still drive BL? And given that it's an ankle, I hope you'r still getting the tarting wood broken and then the rest split. If needed, we can send Dlet to do that - he's pretty good at it now, one of my successes in parenting. But best wishes to you, and heal well and quickly.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
And I thought our lot were a bit slack.

GG

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Parking in central Sydney = ouch.

Autumn in Canberra also = ouch, especially if it has rained overnight and there are wet leaves all over your sloping driveway.

BL is now somewhat slower, thanks to a fractured ankle. It happened at 8am on Mother's Day as I was dashing off to church. Only got around to having it seen to today, having hobbled along for 3 days.

The doc asked me how come I hadn't been in to deal with it sooner - didn't it hurt?

My answer was "Compared to what? Childbirth? Nah."

---

quote:

---

I hope you'r still getting the tarting wood broken and then the rest split. If needed, we can send Dlet to do that - he's pretty good at it now, one of my successes in parenting. But best wishes to you, and heal well and quickly.

---

One of my successes too, although eldest son is debarred from any activity like that now, thanks to two major back operations.

I've split my share over my lifetime. I find it enjoyable. Then there's the usual stuff like "being warmed twice." Am even skilled in splitting a large log metres long with wedges, as well as splitting blocks. Aargh! nostalgia kicks in.

I managed an entry in SMH Column 8 yesterday, the first for a long time. This morning there was a reply and also an entry from someone I know in the Mountains. Hit the jackpot.

Link to yesterday's column.

[ 15. May 2014, 23:23: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Loth, I'm in awe and envy at your physical stamina. Having enjoyed my first class of the season (eight 12/13-year-olds; Middle English segueing into Dutch, next week 1066 and the French incursion and Proto-Indo-European) I feel I can go on for years yet as long as my legs last. The kids might be confused if I eventually arrived with a Zimmer frame.
And I have just made another nine jars of lime marmalade.

GG
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Gee D, it's my left lat mal, so I can still drive an automatic. Two docs conferred over it, one wanting me in plaster the other thinking I could get away with a boot. I plumped for the boot so I can take it off to shower and to sleep - it's also very light, which is a blessing.

Extra time to heal is not an issue for me. It surely can't be worse than when I did the achilles tendon on the same foot 5 years ago. That took four months.

Funny how my left arm is much stronger than my right, but my left foot is prone to giving out.

But I'm beginning to think the trees round here have it in for me. The first time I fell off a gumnut, and this time I fell off a leaf.

That's talent!

 

---

Posted by Macrina (# 8807) on :
 
I took my first trip to the Cardboard Cathedral today, very nice. Think I'll be popping along for evensong now I live much closer. Huia, I echo your thoughts about the rebuild, our street has bern taken over by the waste water people.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Yes, the workers are great but the smells are awful. I really wasn't aware that smells could be so depressing, but then other scents are uplifting like the poppy and hemp bathsalts I bought today. I told the woman at the chemist they were so good it's a wonder they're not illegal. Maybe I'll carry around a posy of flowers, like people did during the plague.

There are some really good people at the cathedral too Macrina. Before the quakes I had some dealings with the current Dean, whom I find an interesting speaker. I used to vounteer in the old cathedral years ago.

Brilliant day today. I went over to the port to pick up a raincoat a woman had finished making for me. It's purple (of course) and she's one of those clever people who can tinker with the pattern so the wearer doesn't have to be 7ft tall and built like a beanpole. I don't think I've been as excited about a piece of clothing sine my mum made me a lovely pink dress that ties up on the shoulders when I was nine.

Huia
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Galloping Granny, splitting wood is a therapeutic exercise. In one way it's mindless. In another way, it is so satisfying to seek the pile of split wood get larger and larger. Figuring out the sweet spot to get the greatest effect for the least effort is fun. Even better when it actually works and the block falls apart with one blow.

Your teaching sounds like fun. Currently I am working on grandchildren's grammar. It's difficult for them to understand it's "really well." not "real good."
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Banner Lady, I told my St J friend of your mishap. He sends good wishes and had a good laugh at the zombie apocalypse. It reminded him of his mother many years ago, possibly even in the 50s. She had had bone cancer and had one leg amputated.

At the Post Office one day, a small boy asked her what had happened to her other leg. "The rats ate it, " she told him and he hurried back to his mother.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
... poppy and hemp bathsalts ... were so good it's a wonder they're not illegal ...

---

Are you sure? They sound deeply iffy to me.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... therapeutic exercise ...

---

Now that's an oxymoron if ever I heard one.

I've discovered something truly therapeutic recently - baking French sticks. The dough is kneaded in the bread-making machine, but you roll and shape it yourself and it really does have the most satisfying feel.

And a pretty damn satisfying taste too, though I say it what shouldn't ...
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Galloping Granny, splitting wood is a therapeutic exercise. In one way it's mindless. In another way, it is so satisfying to seek the pile of split wood get larger and larger. Figuring out the sweet spot to get the greatest effect for the least effort is fun. Even better when it actually works and the block falls apart with one blow.

---

quote:

---

I've discovered something truly therapeutic recently - baking French sticks. The dough is kneaded in the bread-making machine, but you roll and shape it yourself and it really does have the most satisfying feel.

---

And if you don't have a breadmaker the whole kneading and thumping process is very satisfying.
I once had a not-quite-special-needs class who pounded out their frustrations making bread and 'hot initial buns'. I began with the old demonstration where you put yeast/sugar/warm water in a bottle, cork it and wait for the cork to blow off; but when we mixed the dough they were worried that I hadn't used any baking powder.
Then there was the Sunday when we had two bread-makers in church, making a wonderful smell before we took the bread out for communion. I asked a small boy afterwards if his family made bread at home, and he replied wistfully that they didn't have a breadmaker.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I don't think it would ever have occurred to me to try making my own bread, but D. took a fancy for it a couple of years ago and when somebody had bread-machines at half-price we bought one.

Up until now we'd only made the sort that bake in the machine, and they were fine, but it turns out that the ones you bake yourself are almost easier (fewer ingredients and hence fewer potential cock-ups).
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Piglet, do you have one of the clay baker thingees for the french loaf? There are a variety of types and they make a very nice crust. Mine is simply a long half-cylinder of clay and it works great.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I have a recipe for bread made with beer. The beer is waiting in the fridge, as it has been for a month or so, but I haven't got round to making it yet.

I tend to vent my frustrations in chopping vegetables for bacon hock soup. I have a 6 litre crockpot simmering away at the moment, most of which is going to be used to bribe a friend to climb up into my ceiling to see how damp the (now fixed ) leak in the roof has left the fibreglass insulation. I live in fear of black mould.

Huia
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
Piglet, do you have one of the clay baker thingees for the french loaf?

---

No - the recipe makes three 14" loaves, and we baked them side-by-side on an ordinary baking-sheet lined with parchment and sprinkled with whole-wheat flour (it was supposed to be cornmeal, but we didn't have any and decided that the flour would do, and it worked just fine).

Huia, I think your ham-hock soup would go very nicely with the bread - can you send a virtual bowlful over this way?


 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Life here this year has been mostly of the new normal for us. However, the old normal broke through for a while at the weekend.

Miss M and her sister attended a vampire themed birthday sleepover and she slept over. Complete with some horrifying vampire makeup. I guess her mum must have been at the party too for a while. New normal requires evenings to be a tightly maintained schedule of food, drink and medication. If the cycle gets out of time, it has to be started over to ensure efficacy of medication. Once she's asleep, she's so tired she sleeps just fine.

New normal kicked in again on Sunday evening. She's back in hospital for several days for what we hope is the last session of the rather nasty chemo in this cycle. Then something else starts again.

Still, we are very grateful that doctors are happy with her progress. There have now been three children known to the family from hospital lost in the last five or so weeks. The last was the death of the not three year old daughter of an Olympic athlete. She was diagnosed at three months old with the same aggressive leukaemia as Miss M, but all treatments failed.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Continued prayers for Miss M, and also for all the other leukemic patients thriving and lost.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
Continued prayers for Miss M, and also for all the other leukemic patients thriving and lost.

---

Thanks Pete. We value those prayers and pray for you too.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
from here, too.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
What Pete and WW said.
 

---

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
Indeed, same from here as well!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
And from us.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
It's such a cruel disease. So good to hear about Miss M having some of her old normal life in spite of it.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Prayers and loving good wishes for Miss M

GG
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Miss M
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
(Gidgee ... mulga ... macrocarpa ... lest I be told off for speaking in tongues)

---

Z, I don't think you'll ever be in danger of that.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
The joys of ALL! Miss M and her big sister are here for the weekend. Last night there were eyelashes in the hand basin.

She has now finished the fourth round of chemo and results so far are good. This was the worst round yet in many ways. There is a breathing space of three weeks to the next lot.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Oh Loth! Enjoy the weekend.

Prayers continue.

Despite being winter it hasn't rained here for over a week. I'm noticing particularly because I want to check that the leak in the roof has been fixed properly. also I have had a purple raincoat made for me and haven't had a chance to try it out.

On the other hand there are trees coming into blossom in town.

Huia
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
What Huia said, Loth - have a great weekend!

If it's winter, why are your trees coming into blossom?


 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

If it's winter, why are your trees coming into blossom?

---

Sydney at least has a record breaking spell of warm weather, a few days out from winter. I had fan on last night in bedroom and was still hot. Birds are nesting, trees are blooming and we are hot! Mid twenties today.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Crikey - if it's the mid-20s when it's nearly winter I shudder to think what it must be like in the summer!



eta: I expect A Certain Fellow-Host Who Lives Somewhere Hot will be along in a minute to make fun of me ...

[ 24. May 2014, 02:01: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Mid-20s is not hot for here at all, but is far too hot for time of year.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Possibly giggle quietly to myself but never make fun of you!

Well, maybe just a little bit...
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Fortunately, we put water tanks in a few years ago. After the rains earlier, they've been full, but we've had to start watering again. Very mild here today. Too pleasant to work, but I'll have to.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I was told today that the tree that's blossoming is an almond, I didn't think they grew this far south, but it is fairly sheltered by a buildingwhich is the "gentleman's Club, so there may be extra hot air coming from it

Around 20c here today with a warm nor'wester but next week it's forecast to go down to 8c one day, with -4c overnight. Fortunately by then the bloke will have come and renewed all the catches on the aluminium window frames. My 1950s house doesn't have double glazing but I may bubble wrap some of the windows for extra warmth.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Crikey - if it's the mid-20s when it's nearly winter I shudder to think what it must be like in the summer!



eta: I expect A Certain Fellow-Host Who Lives Somewhere Hot will be along in a minute to make fun of me ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clarence:
Z, I don't think you'll ever be in danger of that.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Hey Zappa, are you going to the Dylan concert in Hamilton? I'd like to go to the one here, but there will be too many people.

---

quote:

---

We currently do not have any tickets on-sale for Bob Dylan.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Hey Zappa, are you going to the Dylan concert in Hamilton? I'd like to go to the one here, but there will be too many people.

It's hailing off and on here today with a cold wind and the people are still working down the end of the road. For all the comments your hear about roadworkers just leaning on their shovels you couldn't pay me enough to do that job.

Huia

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

We currently do not have any tickets on-sale for Bob Dylan.

---

Sigh.

---

On Sale from Wednesday (today) I think.

Happy Birthday Adam Pater and Happy Birthday me.

The forecast -5c frost didn't hapen today, for which many thanks to the wind, but it was so cold at bedtime I got the extra duvets down from storage and wore two hats to bed.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
A Happy Birthday to you Huia! May there be many more.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Happy Birthday, Adam Pater and Huia.

quote:

---

The forecast -5c frost didn't hapen today, for which many thanks to the wind, but it was so cold at bedtime I got the extra duvets down from storage and wore two hats to bed.

---

I'm jealous, Huia. Well perhaps I don't want -5°, but it's hot here. Forecast of 27° for Sydney today. That's ridiculous for the time of the year. The only thing which seems to recognise it's just on winter is the sunrise and set. They are at winter times, but the days are hot. I'd love a colder night.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Happy birthday to AP & H, may the day enfold you gently, and lay you down with peace.

Studio storage floor is now finished, complete with stairs. And me unable to carry anything up to it.

 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
How about some of the grandsons?

Hope all is healing well. Have some experience here with son and ankles. Reconstruction of one some years ago by one surgeon. Then he had a nasty fall down fire stairs at work and did the other one in. A new surgeon who did a really good job, but while that was healing, the first one could not take the strain and went again. Redone by second surgeon.

When all that was over, we discovered major back problems hidden during little movement after ankle surgery. Two operations later, one by top neurosurgeon in Australia, and that is very, very slowly healing.

So please take care, even if lack of movement and length of time frustrates you.

[ 28. May 2014, 02:43: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Yesterday after I had posted I decided that the day was too good to waste so I took myself off to Willowbank which is a place that has various native and endangered animals. It is now on a bus route which means it is fairly easily accessible to me (3 buses each way, but all run reasonably frequently). Last time I went the Asian otters were hiding and I was really disappointed, but this time they were visible for a short time. I also saw the takahe, I suspect because it was close to feeding time. The Arapawa Island goats I smelled way before I saw, while the kiwi had gone into hiding because their area was being fixed.

I bought a small packet of bird fool, which meant I was stalked by a pukeko (swamp hen) and a greedy bantam. It was a lovely day.

Today I went to school and there were a pair of mallards accompanied by 10 or so chicks on the playing field - they even stayed until inteval when the children fed them. Definitely out of season.
 

---

Posted by Arabella Purity Winterbottom (# 3434) on :
 
I'm back on the Wellington-Wairarapa beat for work. The weather has been indescribable: today in Welly, overcast and gloomy; as I top the Rimutakas, the Wairarapa is sunny and glorious, if a bit cold at 9.30am, but up to 16C by lunchtime. The wind on the Rimutakas was horrendous, however, rocking the car around something terrible.

I'm still hoping the hospital will spring for a transporter device, a la Star Trek.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
After a sunny and mild few days, today is looking more like the bleak end of autumn. We have had B1.2 at home sick for the last few days, and B1, B3 & B4 have all been struggling with viruses. My 95 year old Mum, however, is hale and hearty.

I have just returned from a visit, where I discovered she has begun knitting coats for penguins in recovery after oil spills. She was very cross, as the peripheral neuropathy means her fingers won't always do what she wants them to do. She had unpicked the hot pink acrylic wool several times because it "wasn't quite right".

I did assure her that the penguins wouldn't notice a few mistakes...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
It is lovely to have some good news to report. Son with ankle and back problems as detailed in my reply to Banner Lady has just come from neurosurgeon. No more visits till November.

The surgeon has been concerned about the pace and amount of healing of artificial joint in back. It did not seem to have attached properly. Son was allowed 10 minutes in pool twice a week and a short easy walk each morning.

Surgeon now thinks it has attached and has given the go ahead for light rehab to actually start. A bit of physio too. He has to be careful not to overdo things, but he follows such instructions meticulously.

This is very good news.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Rejoicing quietly with you re good news, Loth.
May there be more of it.

TP's brother, who also has leukemia, and had a bone marrow transplant several years ago, has been back to the gym recently. His first social outing for many many months. We thought we might lose him several times along the way, so this is good news for us.
 

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Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 
Am about to set off for my last working day,(at this stage) a day of cleaning and tossing out out the last of the rubbish. The hardware shop I was at has closed due to the end of the lease, the owners ill health and NOT because of B......s. I have mixed feelings about the impending retrenchment.

I will be 63 next month and have been applying for positions for the last three months with no luck so have no alternate but to take my superannuation.

Thanks be to God that I have a reasonable investment which will keep us fairly comfortable for the next ten years or so. Plus it looks like I could be elligable for some 'new start' as well.

The next few weeks will be life changing to say the least.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Good luck Dennis. for life transitions.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

We currently do not have any tickets on-sale for Bob Dylan.

---

Sigh.

---

On Sale from Wednesday (today) I think.

---

quote:

---

TICKETS FOR BOTH NEW ZEALAND SHOWS ON SALE WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE, 9AM NZ TIME

---

nail biting ( ) smiley and provisional
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Put a reminder in your phone or calendar to pop up the day before.
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
for all, especially miss M.

I have come down with the dreaded lurgy which would not ordinarily have stopped me. I do, however, work in an oncology unit. I arrived back from Perth on Wednesday morning courtesy of the "red eye", went to the doctor who seemed a bit unimpressed when i told him I had a cold. I then said I have not come for medication but for a certificate as I work in an oncology unit. Change of demeanour, "how long would you like?" If all goes well I will return to work on Monday.

I will be in Sydney for a week in July, I will start a meet thread.

I have been a bit quiet for the last little while but do read often.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Pink coats for penguins

What's black and white and pink all over?

A penguin that got caught in an oil slick.

More seriously though - good on her. I had never really thought of that aspect of penguin recovery.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Call this a weekend? Mrs Curly is away with 30 junior guides, leaving me to deal with an unusually complicated weekend routine for the Little Curlies AND Mr and Mrs Curly Senior staying over.

I feel like the ringmaster of a circus where half the animals are on speed and the other half want the show to run for 17 hours, while receiving a detailed commentary on every single move.

Feeling thirsty for "medicine time" already.

Mr Curly
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Mr Curly Senior's contribution to one of the busiest Saturday's of the year was to announce that he let the guinea pigs out to feed, yesterday at lunch time.

WTF?

Rodents recaptured having not been eaten by predators and before Little Miss had a chance for an "I want my mummy" meltdown.

Oh, but that hour I needed to set up the garage for Biggest's recording session this afternoon? Gone.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Mr Curly, luck was on your side with the guinea pigs,

Hope the rest of the day works well for you.

When I used to walk down Marian St at Killara around 6:00 am to station, I often saw one very plump small rabbit, possibly an escapee from a hutch. Lots of leafy gardens to sustain it there and it wandered along the footpath and squeezed under fences. Even crossed the road. I saw it for months and it was still around when we moved. A charmed life.

[ 31. May 2014, 03:01: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Don't worry Mr Curly, you've still got time to fatten it up for next Saturday's dinner. The thread for difficult relatives (I think they mean relations, but don't worry about that) is in Hell. Perhaps you could post there also.
 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
All who do, please pray for 4-week-old Esther on life-support in our Children's Hospital. She had heart surgery the day after she was born, but took a turn for the worse on Thursday. Her grandmother, from Queensland,has been coming to my church for several weeks, and my people have taken her and little Esther very much to heart.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
We certainly shall Rexory. That's every bit as sad as Lothlorien's granddaughter. Poor tiny one.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Yes, indeed, Rexory. We have been so appreciative of the prayer and concern for Miss M who is on a three week break before what sounds like another horrendous round of chemo.

It is good to hear of the support she is getting from your church. Things like this and Miss M are very hard on the family. I have been very glad of amazing support from many areas. Poor little mite.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Put a reminder in your phone or calendar to pop up the day before.

---

Aarrrrgh ... it may be the weekend I'm supposed to be in Suva for the deans' conference.

I would just have to miss the Suva conference. I missed his 1978 gig because I was at a conference and I ain't gonna miss him again. Though I have been nine times since.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for Esther and continuing for Miss M.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
For sick girls - tiny and big.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
for Esther and Miss M. May God's love surround them.

GG
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Esher and Miss M
(I will / will continue to incorporate them into our daily office prayers at the cathedral)
 

---

Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
Esther and Miss M

Our younger son had open heart surgery on his second day and at 8 months. He is now 25. Pray that Esther will recover similarly.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Just had a call from Esther's grandmother. The little one has been taken off life-support and is so far holding her own. Doctors are not particularly optimistic, but let's keep praying.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Will keep praying, Rexory. Just heard of another little boy, a month old who has just had operation to close three holes in heart.

Thanks Latchkey kid . I did know about your son but had forgotten.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
4 Corners on now about Pope Francis... I do hope he manages to have an impact on the Catholic and catholic church.
 

---

Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
He is a beacon of hope. May he be as subtle as serpents and innocent as doves.
 

---

Posted by St Deird (# 7631) on :
 
Have now been out of Australia for 3 months - 9 more to go. Germany is fun, but homesickness is still a thing.

I miss magpie song, meat pies, outdoor washing lines, sunshine that requires sunscreen, dimsims, gum leaves, and many more things besides. I also miss my cat.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Ah, but how many different kinds of sausage do you have to chuck on the barbie?
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Ah, but how many different kinds of sausage do you have to chuck on the barbie?

---

Most of the chain type butchers here have an enormous range, with all sorts of rich and strange combinations. At least one of them is said to have won a prize in an otherwise unknown competition.

Huia, our local weather site also shows temperatures in the neighbourhood. It's supposed to be only 1 in Christchurch at the moment. Even allowing for the time difference, that's really cold. Hope you have your winter doona keeping you comfortable.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Oh St Deird homesickness is such a thing isn't it? Often it's things you don't think about much that you miss, like birdsong or the colour of the sky.

Australia will be here waiting for you in 9 months time and you'll be amazed that you will be changed but it isn't.

Do you have some Aussie mates over there?
 

---

Posted by St Deird (# 7631) on :
 
Only my husband. So at least I get to hear the accent a couple of times a day.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Deird:
... I miss magpie song, meat pies, ... and many more things besides ...

---

Did you bring your own supply of Vegemite* then?

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Deird:
... at least I get to hear the accent a couple of times a day ...

---

I know exactly what you mean - the first time we hear an Orkney accent on the boat going home always makes us go a bit fuzzy round the edges.

* Sorry - as a Brit I assume you feel about Vegemite the way my Better Half feels about Marmite.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:

Huia, our local weather site also shows temperatures in the neighbourhood. It's supposed to be only 1 in Christchurch at the moment. Even allowing for the time difference, that's really cold. Hope you have your winter doona keeping you comfortable.

---

I go in for layers of bedding and at least one possum and merino hat. Now that I've had someone out to fix all the window catches the room is warmer too. One morning I awoke with aches all down my back and I thought I had the flu, but it was only the result of sleeping in a draught and a warm bath cured it

I'm sure Canada is a lovely country, but in winter I am always glad my ancestors chose NZ. Maybe I would be hardier if they had chosen Canada, on the other hand I have been told houses are better insulated there, and with that in mind have someone coming to quote for underfloor insulation.

Huia
 

---

Posted by St Deird (# 7631) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
* Sorry - as a Brit I assume you feel about Vegemite the way my Better Half feels about Marmite.

---

I do indeed. And yes, I brought my own.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
... I'm sure Canada is a lovely country, but in winter I am always glad my ancestors chose NZ. Maybe I would be hardier if they had chosen Canada, on the other hand I have been told houses are better insulated there ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
... a friend who went [to Orkney] in what was laughingly called high summer said that she's never been so cold in all her (considerable) life ...

---

In Orkney it's not the cold, it's the wind, which can make it feel a heck of a lot colder than it actually is. As D. is fond of saying, "Orkney has a wonderful atmosphere, if only it would stay still ..."

For myself, I think the coldest I've ever felt was January in St. Pierre, a tiny French-owned island off the south coast of Newfoundland; when we went out to explore the town, despite being well wrapped up, we had to give up after half an hour or so because it was so cold you could hardly move.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Is that the Saint Pierre which goes with Miquelon? Never been there, but I've heard from someone else who visited in August that it was far from tropical.

Yes, it is the wind that makes Katoomba so cold. The shopping area is on the southern side of the ridge, and the main street is very steep. The wind comes up from Antarctica, hits the plateau and swirls up the main street. Bitter, so the best course is to rug up well for the street but get into a café or coffee shop as quickly as you can.

I thought that the smog would have kept Lithgow warmer, working as a blanket. Never stopped there long in winter, and the last time was probably 40 years or more ago.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Lithgow had a heated swimming pool during the Depression. Well, not really. Dad and other boys were friends of the son of the brewer. There was a pool which had warm water in it from some part of the brewing process. They would swim there and the son would ring and ask for more hot water to be sent down.

The other, bleaker side of side of life was the use of the old blast furnaces as dwelling by the unemployed. Each had several families living in horrid conditions in it.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
We have qualified for state-supported insulation. We had several phone calls, and when we were asked for the third time what access we had to the under-floor space I had to laugh as I explained yet again that we sit on a ten inch reinforced concrete slab.
Meanwhile, our huge attic contains a 44-year accumulation of Stuff, which the man who came said could be taken down for $250 (and put where?). We can't do much – the Grandad hasn't been up for decades – so we've asked at church for help, and have had a couple of sessions with a friend passing stuff down while we stack it in bedroom #1, for me to sort and arrange in bedroom #2 – rubbish (outside), recycling, Sallies, Books for the Downtown Ministry's annual book sale, Mother-in-Law's linen for refugees, old uniforms for the Drama Soc....
The aim is to have the insulation in before the end of the winter.
Incidentally, our heat pump is set to 18°C and anything more is too hot for us.

GG
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Orange was pretty damned cold when I lived there for a few years, too
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
It was the ice on the inside of the windows that got to me in London.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Is that the Saint Pierre which goes with Miquelon? ...

---

Yes - it's a wonderful place! We've been there three times - the other times were in May (so foggy you couldn't see the end of your nose) and August (beautiful, sun splitting the rocks).

Two of our visits were for immigration/visa purposes when we had to leave the country: St. Pierre is actually part of France, a fact which becomes obvious as soon as you arrive. AFAIK there are no French cars in Newfoundland, not even a comedy Citroën, but SPM is full of them.

And the food. Ah, the food ... Even in the most ordinary of B&Bs or hotel restaurants, the food is absolutely to die for.

**sigh**
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Yes, the islands are an overseas department, but very difficult to get to from here. Even Newfoundland is out of the way, given the need to change planes at Vancouver and then Toronto or Ottowa. Even with good connections it's probably about 40 hours from here. But a good flight to Paris can be under 24.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Please whisper a prayer for one of my favourite church leaders
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Please whisper a prayer for one of my favourite church leaders

---

And now for his family and diocese. Rest in peace and rise in glory, Bishop Mac,
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Yes indeed. May he rise in the glory of our resurrected and ascended Lord.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Sad news.

I see his page on Wikipedia has already been updated.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Tomorrow, I begin, after church, a week's vacation. I will drive to Canberra, and see Banner Lady. She will graciously foster my car for the week.
I will fly to Brisbane, and conduct my god-daughter's wedding, which is tremendously exciting.
Today, in Brissie, my best friend's father died. Amongst many tear-ridden phone calls, I have been asked to conduct his funeral.
Weirdly enough, I was asked to do two baptisms, but upon reflection, we had decided to postpone them until September.
Life is weird, and happy and sad at times.

Bishop John worked with the UCA in my previous parish. He was a gracious and holy man.

Sigh.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Please whisper a prayer for one of my favourite church leaders

---

And now for his family and diocese. Rest in peace and rise in glory, Bishop Mac,

---

Amen
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 
Just talking to little Esther's grandma. The little one one is off life-support and stable. Prayer continuing.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rexory:
Just talking to little Esther's grandma. The little one one is off life-support and stable. Prayer continuing.

---

Thanks for the update. Have been praying and wondering how things were.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Yes, me too

Well, fingers and toes firmly crossed. I talked to one of the workers on the sewerage pumping station being buried in the road at the end of the street. He estimates that they will be finished in 2 weeks time Hopefully that will mean the road is sealed and the nearest bus stop should be fully functional.

The other good news is that the company hired by my insurers rang and my driveway and fence are going to be fixed in the near future. It's difficult to get really excited about this when other people are still waiting to have their sub-standard houses fixed . I know there are often legal and engineering isssues involved, but it doesn't feel right.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Happy Pentecost, everyone! I've just been to a most splendid Eucharist with baptisms at St John's Cathedral, Brisbane. If I were mystery worshipping, then thing thing I would remember in seven days is the font overflowing with water, and the Dean making a big splash as he inducted Lucy into the Body of Christ.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That sounds like good news about little Esther, Rexory - prayers continuing from over here too.


 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Ro is now on her way to the bosom of family and shippies at the sunny end of Oz, and her very impressive Frontier Services Patrol vehicle is gathering much local comment on our front lawn.

Chez Banner - ministry advertising for free!
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
A party for the birthday of the church this morning, with lots of bright 'flames' as well as balloons and general joy. The bible reading was read simultaneously in English, Mandarin, Greek, Hindi, Maori, French, German and Latin, an awesome babel of tongues.

GG
 

---

Posted by DangerousDeacon (# 10582) on :
 
A joyous celebration of Pentecost up here. I preached in part on the chaos of the Spirit, and the kids (fortunately?!) in their own way turned on the chaos more than ever.

But tempered by the sad news about +John. May his wife Jan and family be comforted by the Spirit.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Just a note to say a huge THANK YOU! to patdys who has both emailed and posted to me on a USB stick photos of granny's cousin's grave in Adelaide's Centennial Park.

The Floating Fund will get a boost in just a few minutes, plus I will do my best to commit a random act of genealogical kindness as soon as the opportunity presents.

Thank you so much, patdys, he was AWOL from 1919 until 2003, so it's fantastic to see where his final resting spot.

AG
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
...and entirely forgot to say "Cute wallaby!"

AG
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
No fun and games here. My brother developed flashing in his right eye on Monday evening. He went to GP yesterday who was concerned about the possibility of a detaching retina. From there straight to an emergency appointment with eye surgeon. After about five hours there, he was told to come back if symptoms returned but all seemed well.

Late last night the flashing returned, so my nephew drove him to ER at Sydney Eye Hospital. After a while, they also said there was no sign of detaching.

As hours pass the likelihood of this passes, but it's worrying.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thanks for the news Lothlorien - we'll look out for him over the weekend.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
My diocese heads into episcopal electoral mode on Saturday ... not significant enough to play "Predicting the Ocker Kiwi Purple", but spare a prayer for us, not least that we survive hours of hot air and repeated speeches. We will have a bishop at the end of it - NZ goes for first past the post 50% in both houses, as against the OZ 66% in both houses model.

I have my preferred candidate ... but I'm not saying who until after the result is out. These pixels have ears.

Candidate profiles are on the diocesan website if anyone wants a look.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good luck, Zappa - for wisdom and discernment.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Lothlorien, We saw your brother this morning. He said his eye does not feel as it should, but after all the tests last Tuesday, the doctor made a further appointment for Thursday next week. In an emergency, he's to get straight back.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Had email, thanks Gee D. He's not supposed to do heavy lifting or gardening either.

I can imagine the eye feels assaulted after all the drops and poking and testing. We'll be glad when all has been cleared up.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Looked at your possibilities Zappa, I know one of them by name only and him because I think he was one of my mother's cousin's Sunday School boys.

Ah, degrees of separation in NZ!

Huia.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
one of my mother's cousin's Sunday School boys.

Ah, degrees of separation in NZ!

Huia.

---

Too close for comfort! I shall remain schtum until results can be made known. I can say though that I admired the spirit in which the debate and selection was conducted.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
I shall be limping off to the airport tomorrow to collect Rowen, who will be in a wheelchair.

Talk about the lame leading the lame...
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
I shall be limping off to the airport tomorrow to collect Rowen, who will be in a wheelchair.

Talk about the lame leading the lame...

---

I hope someone gets a photo! Will she be able to drive home?
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
I slipped in a wet bathroom...sprained a hip muscle. I can walk, but slowly. Airports are pretty big, so a chair will be handy.

A wedding of a family member in Brisbane... I limped my way through it, but had great fun.
A Buddhist originally from Sri Lanka, and she is from an Anglo UCA family. Glorious ethnic and religious wedding.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Take care, Rowen and prayer for quick healing.

Probably cold down your way. SMH reports snow all night at Perisher and still snowing.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I should avoid the snow if I were you, Rowen - we don't want you taking another tumble.

Take care and get better soon!
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Prayers for you both Rowen and Lothlorien - just saw your post on the JtC thread.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Rowen has successfully arrived and departed the National Capitol - thanks to wheelchairs and painkillers - perhaps the hardest part of the journey was the climb up into her patrol vehicle.

May the journey get easier as she goes home.
And so may it be for all of us.

 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Actually, climbing up into the big car is easy. My body knows the motions well. And painkillers help! I am supposed to rest when I get home... Typical sprain treatment, only it is around my hip, so rather odd.
I am in Cooma tonight. Bit chilly, what! Winter has certainly struck.
BL was very kind, as she limped away beside me. Two limpers... She even went into a computer shop and bought the right part for me, all computer illiterate and all. And then made me yummy sandwiches for the twilight journey.
May those who are cold, sore, and worried tonight, find warm rest somewhere.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
After a cold night in Cooma, a visiting friend contacted me in a panic. The usual Sydney to Orbost bus route is severely curtailed in winter, which we didn't know, and she, from OS, was in Sydney, and faced with great difficulty in getting into East Gippsland.
So, I turned around, directing myself and her into Canberra.
I am now in BL's house again, hanging round until my friend's bus arrives after lunch.
BL is as gracious as ever! Her house is warm and cosy, and the tea is plentiful.
Two tiny weeny ship meets in as many days!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Behave yourselves in that city of circles
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Biggest is now a learner driver.

Lord, have mercy.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
Biggest is now a learner driver.

Lord, have mercy.

mr curly

---

I think I must have missed seeing some years whizz past.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Drive safely Biggest.

I haven't driven for over 20 years, but keep my license renewed as it is the only form of ID I have that is acceptable in most places.

Countdown to the shortest day I can put on extra clothes if I'm cold, but nothing really compensates for getting up in the dark. Matariki (Maori New Year) festival of light at the Port this weekend.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
He has grown, hasn't he. Please post warnings if he'll be driving around here.

But it's a bugger having to do all the hours. Madame did the daytime ones, and then I took the 20 night-time hours. A long journey on well lit roads, with you having control of the music is the trick. That way, you can get 90 minutes to 2 hours in a night. Be careful of RBTs. Not only is the driver tested but also the supervising drive.

A good hint. That place out near St Ive's Showground (no advertising there) does a great job both at the beginning and just before the test. Book a half day course after the test has been booked, tell the instructor, and Biggest will be trained on the usual test routes and all the tricks pointed out.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Thanks for the tips Gee D. Once he has the same amount of enthusiasm for practicing for his 8th grade piano exam as getting behind the wheel, we'll be right. The word "leverage" comes to mind.

Mrs C took him to Warrawee last night for Yr 11 subject selection night. It all went well, but he was "tired" so they came home without going to a session on the subject he's not sure if he wants to do. ie the most important thing to go to.

Off course, having not woken them up until 6 to watch recording of Aus V Holland, I'm in trouble. The logical link between these events is denied.

Rant over.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Lots of inconsistencies at that age, Mr Curly.. Priorities vary from day to day. At least that was my experience with each of three boys.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
They should have dropped in for a chat. Mrs C should ring and have a chat with the subject head, then all discuss with Biggest. And perhaps ask for a one-to-one talk at school. Heads like to grab students, popularity boosts their status and so forth.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Lots of inconsistencies at that age, Mr Curly.. Priorities vary from day to day. At least that was my experience with each of three boys.

---

One of the benefits of not having had children is that there is no one to put me through what I put my parents through as a teenager. (Of course it has its downsides too.)


A beautiful day today, but -2c is expected overnight - good thing I found my hottie. I may even have to wear a woolly hat to bed tonight. Thank heavens there is only the cat to laugh at me.

Huia

[ 19. June 2014, 05:58: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 
Pictures please
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
They should have dropped in for a chat. Mrs C should ring and have a chat with the subject head, then all discuss with Biggest. And perhaps ask for a one-to-one talk at school. Heads like to grab students, popularity boosts their status and so forth.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by James the Confident:
Pictures please

---

And I always though you were a nice young man. My illusions have been shattered

I have neither the technological ability nor the technology, however the warmest single hat I own is a black knitted helmet lined with polar fleece. It has two buttons sewn on as eyes, whiskers stitched and black pointy ears lined with pink. I have only worn it once in public when all the other hats were wet. Small children were amused, while their parents looked at me sideways.

Georgie-Porgy does not think that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Huia
 

---

Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
A foggy day this week where the temperature was 1 degree Celsius at midday saw TP out in the garden with the warmest hat on that he owns. It was made by my sister and looks remarkably like one worn in medieval portraits. A short cylinder made out of black velveteen with the reverse side padded purple fleecy, it has a back flap that covers both ears as well.

It makes him look very severe; the magpies that usually follow him around looking for worms gave him a wide berth that day.


 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thoughts from Julia Baird in today's SMH on Bishop John McIntyre.
 

---

Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Thoughts from Julia Baird in today's SMH on Bishop John McIntyre.

---

Amen.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
and amen
 

---

Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
and amen

---

I had not heard of John McIntyre until his passing, but I sure do wish I had meet him.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
He threatened to "sort me out outside" in a Synod once ... holding me by the collar. We laughed about it a few times in the years to come.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
PS

Our new purple will be announced today.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Did anyone else have the church life survey today? Is it still the go that it happens one Sunday of the year? I am amazed at whatever sorcery happened at my church today, almost every single once in a blue moon Sunday School attender was there today, instead of usual 6-8 kids we had 17
 

---

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
The death of Bishop John is a huge loss to both the Church Catholic, the Anglican Church, and to the nation. John stood up for what he saw as imperatives without counting the cost to himself.

Bishop John had accepted the invitation of our Communities to celebrate and preach at our Feast of Title in August, before which we were going to have discussions with him regarding becoming our 'Episcopal Visitor' or the like - his untimely and way-too-early death has been deeply felt. We continue to commend his soul to the protection of a loving and caring God.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
A New Boss
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Prayers, Zappa, for all that a new boss means (good + scary).
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
he'll be fine
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Prayers for a good episcopate from here. (I don't think I will ever be used to bishops who look that young!)
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Yeah, I know, it's a bugger isn't it! He's 42. His brother in law was about the same age when he became Bishop of Auckland. But I thinks it's a good appointment given the degrees of separation and the choice pool in the EnZed ecclesia.
 

---

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
Prayers for a good episcopate from here. (I don't think I will ever be used to bishops who look that young!)

---

First the doctors, the dentists, the policemen got younger and younger. Now the bishops. And my physio could be my grandson. Power to youth!
I know you can't tell a book by its cover, but my first impression was that I liked his face and manner of speaking.



GG
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I must be getting old - my first thought was how young he looked too.

huia
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
... He's 42 ...

---

Blimey - he's 10 years younger than me! I was quite taken aback when I found out that our new Bishop is a couple of years younger than me.

for you, Zappa, and your new boss.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Is not cradle-snatching a criminal offence in NZ?
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Miss M's new round of chemo is fairly savage. Done in clinic several times a week rather than admission. Probability of drug induced diabetes again, so she takes her levels, pricking finger and doing reading several times a day. A parent has to get up at 3:00 am for another test. Lots of joint pain which comes from both the illness and the new chemo. Big black circles around enormous eyes and mor e lethargy than for a long time.

Despite appearances, doctors are pleased with her progress.

If all goes well with this lot in a couple of months she will be on a maintenance dose. Already takes various medicines at different times through the day.
 

---

Posted by mertide (# 4500) on :
 
Rowen: I saw your sister at A's mother's funeral this week, haven't seen her for years! Quite odd all of us suddenly looking 50!
Hope you stay safe with the storms heading through your area, my daughter in Sale says it's very black now.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Ongoing prayers for Miss M and her family.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
meritide, my sister was surprised to learn go our connection! Such is the power of the Internet....
I have decamped to a course just out of Sydney. A few days of interesting study in disaster ministries. So, it can huff and puff in Victoria as much as it wants too!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Strong winds forecast here for Sydney, Rowen, and blizzards for Southern Tablelands and grazier alert for various areas. Perhaps you brought it with you.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Is not cradle-snatching a criminal offence in NZ?

---

Despite the nappies he has a good track record. He'll do goodly.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Prayers of course for him now, on his consecration, his episcopate - and for the whole diocese as well.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Prayers for Miss M. Keep up the fight, girl!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Horrified (but not surprised) at the news of the appointment of the new Northern Territory bishop. Basically the diocese has fallen to Sydney. Worse, I fear much of the work kuruman was doing will be undone.

Miss M

[ 23. June 2014, 17:31: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by jugular (# 4174) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Horrified

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jugular:
... apparently he's a terribly decent chap who ... farts fairy floss.

---

That'll be nice for his chaplain*.

* or "fart-catcher" as D. calls them.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
A quick trip to Sydney to do a course... And escape tne Victorian cold.
The UCA Assembly runs a disaster chaplaincy course, and then, at least in NSW, looks after the state's disaster ministry response, on behalf of most of the denominations.
Interesting range of folk... UCA with several Frontier Services, clergy from any denominations, nuns, Anglicare staff, a few lay folk from various places....
Technically, I don't need this course, as I got to do the Victorian one. However, we decided that it would be a plus if I became one of tne first chaplains recognised by both states. Fires this year have taught us that disasters don't respect state borders.
Much of the material I know, but it is good to cover it again. Our presenter is excellent. Fellowship is good, and it has been great to spend time with FS ministers.
Wonderful to be out of the great southeast cold, although folk here think it is very cold for Sydney.
Home by Friday. Cold then.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Rowen, is fellow from NSW with initials SR there? I guess he probably is with position he holds with UC. Friends with my St John chaplain friend who used to attend the church he pastored before this appointment.
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Yes, SR is the presenter. And very good at it.
Course complete. Out to dinner with fellow Frontier Services clergy tonight.
Homewards in the morning.
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Travel well Rowen. Just how do you get back to your parish from Sydney, apart from a long drive down the coast?
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
Well, the quickest way....
Drive to Southern Highlands. FS says the total drive is too far for one day, so they are paying for me to spend tne night therein. I intend to explore Berrima and so forth.
Then Canberra for lunch Friday, where I will meet with Presbytery leaders to talk about border ministry and possible options.
Then Cooma, Bombala, Cann River, Orbost. Considerably quicker than tne coast, thankfully. If I don't make Orbost by dark, and I won't, maybe a very mediocre motel in Cann...depends how long lunch is, and how brave I feel.
Leaving the warmer north behind, and going south into COLD.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Packing up today for our Northern Territory adventure - fly to Darwin tomorrow, drive to Uluru over 2 weeks and fly home 13th July. Mrs C and I have done the trip before but have not taken the young un's into the wide open spaces before.

Will be online occasionally to keep you posted and catch up on the things we're all praying for.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jugular:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Horrified

---

That was my response, but apparently he's a terribly decent chap who respects diversity and the ordination of women and loves puppies and makes everyone cupcakes and farts fairy floss.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
Packing up today for our Northern Territory adventure - fly to Darwin tomorrow, drive to Uluru over 2

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by DangerousDeacon:
... daytime a truly frigid 28 degrees ....

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Is that Fahrenheit or Centigrade?

According to Environment Canada it's 16°C here at the moment, and due to go up to the low-mid-20s this afternoon and more of the same.

Frigid? I don't think so!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
All relative, Piglet! Another cold morning here, even where I am in Sydney.

However, the sun is streaming onto my back as I sit here with second (and last) espresso for the day. It's the equivalent of comfort food for my back.
 

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Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
All relative, Piglet! Another cold morning here, even where I am in Sydney.

However, the sun is streaming onto my back as I sit here with second (and last) espresso for the day. It's the equivalent of comfort food for my back.

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It was 6.8 here but a brisk 35 in walk soon fixed that!! Now for the household chores etc
 

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Posted by DangerousDeacon (# 10582) on :
 
Evangeline, would not come tonight. It is like World War 2 outside - to celebrate Territory Day, people are encouraged to buy as many fireworks as possible. It is like a re-enactment of the Battle of El Alamein at the top end of the Stuart Highway.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We'll be expecting fireworks tonight too, for Canada Day. Here in Newfoundland, until 12 noon it's called "Memorial Day" (to commemorate the many Newfoundlanders who were killed in the First World War, especially at Beaumont Hamel), and Canada Day is celebrated thereafter.

It's apparently already 23°C, and getting warmer ...
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by DangerousDeacon:
Evangeline, would not come tonight. It is like World War 2 outside - to celebrate Territory Day, people are encouraged to buy as many fireworks as possible. It is like a re-enactment of the Battle of El Alamein at the top end of the Stuart Highway.

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quote:

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Originally posted by DangerousDeacon:
Evangeline, would not come tonight. It is like World War 2 outside - to celebrate Territory Day, people are encouraged to buy as many fireworks as possible. It is like a re-enactment of the Battle of El Alamein at the top end of the Stuart Highway.

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There was only a minor skirmish out in kakadu, obviously tourists not as into it as locals in Darwin.

We're doing the Yellow Waters cruise at dusk tonight after a day of walks etc, then off to Katherine tomorrow. Top temps of 28deg c in mid winter does make for good touring!

mr curly
 

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Posted by mertide (# 4500) on :
 
At Parap, it was on for a couple of weeks either side for the calendar challenged.
 

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Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
Canberra in winter is a shock after years in Fiji! And Mrs T and I have caught most the local viruses (medical kind) , which have left us coughing and spluttering for weeks.

Looking forward to a "holiday' on the Sunshine Coast (Qld) in a couple of weeks time. The more so, as our son and my mother both live there, and a niece (also there) is about to deliver her second child.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Tonight the Leading Edge is heading for 4°C with a big wind chill taking it down to a "feels like" of -2°C. I'll be standing in that wearing nothing but a pair of togs in the morning. I think I'll be diving in real fast (and be reluctant to get out) ...
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
That's polar bear stuff Zappa.

I'm glad I joined a gym with a lovely warm shower - first visit and the wonderful shower gel I bought to reward myself wouldn't open

-3 overnight here and tomorrow's high is about 7c. Snow is forecast for the Peninsula, but not the city. Unfortunately I have 3 appointments spread over the day- thank goodness for a good bus service, a windproof coat and waterproof shoes, along with a couple of beanies.

for those in substandard and yet to be fixed homes in Christchurch.

Huia
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
... I'll be diving in real fast (and be reluctant to get out) ...

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That sounds like my philosophy when we went to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland - it was winter, and the outside temperature was hovering around the 0°C mark. Hot shower, quick dash, dive into hot spring and let the hailstones fall on your head.

Heaven on earth.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Yup. It was nippy but good (and hard to get out).
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
NO no no no. I do not want to think about ice. Or cold. Or viruses. Or wind. Or winter. I shall sing the Smurf song in my head and pretend it is just a temporary sojourn in hell. Perhaps it will all go away. Eventually.

La, la lalalala......
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
SMH has suburb just over road in front of me as four degrees feeling like one degree. That's barely ten minutes walk from river and not far as crow flies from harbour.

So I guess it's so what colder in Canberra.

I think my family has been taking drama lessons. Had Master Eight here last night unexpectedly last night and will be taking him home on train this afternoon. Minding him and his sister tomorrow, then more probable drama with another son and family at weekend.
 

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Posted by James the Confident (# 9678) on :
 

 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Grandson now here till Saturday. Will have to take him shopping as he arrived with only the clothes he was wearing yesterday.

Miss M is struggling with this lot of chemo. It's knocking her around and has put her back in a wheelchair. At least another four weeks, possibly five of it left.

[ 03. July 2014, 06:50: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :