tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68252081507006946502024-03-05T07:22:30.972-08:00Muse of South PrairieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-61679346505882764842014-08-03T13:27:00.000-07:002014-08-03T13:27:55.693-07:00THE POOP SCOOP<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">THE POOP SCOOP </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 200%;">(or a
cautionary tale in which I learn not to believe everything I read on the web.)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I often
use Dr. Google as a reference in health matters, instead of incurring the cost
of going to my doctor, only to discover that he also, in order to answer my
questions or address my symptoms, turns to his computer and googles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last week I became interested in why my poop was black. I
wondered what that meant, knowing that poop color can signal illness or merely
tell what a person has been eating; for example, red poop and pee means I’ve
been eating beets. I hadn’t eaten beets, and the poop was black. So, I googled
“black poop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pages of sites popped up on my Google list. More people than
I ever dreamed of had the same question. Perhaps black poop had become an outbreak
of epidemic proportions. That thought gave me pause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I clicked on the Mayo Clinic site and read. And froze. All
systems froze. Denial arose. Surely what I read could not apply to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I clicked on the next site, and the next site--webmd.com. healthgrades.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>medicinenet.com. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No, I hadn’t drunk any Pepto-Bismol or eaten licorice, which
could cause black poop. None of the possible non-horrible reasons suggested on
these websites applied. That left only the horrible reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As the saying goes, my
shortened life flashed before my eyes. I might be afflicted with kidney disease
or a perforated ulcer. Esophogeal, stomach or intestinal bleeding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh, my god, I was going to die! I was going to die! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
was I going to do? Would I want a service or not? I weighed the pros and cons. Right
then I decided I would not tell my husband of my findings just yet, because
there were fun events coming up in our lives. I didn’t want to miss any of them
in lieu of making preparations to die. I wouldn’t tell my friends, either, for
the same reasons. I had things to do, it was summer, and I just wanted to enjoy
my last moments on Earth.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I hoped
only to have enough energy to complete my amusements. In order to determine my level
of energy as a baseline, I took a quick assessment of my present condition. I
felt fine. My stomach didn’t hurt. I peed right on schedule. I was amazingly
healthy given what these sites told me I was dying of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Feeling so well, I realized I was unwilling to accept my
certain fate as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>promised by these
websites, I hoped for another opinion. I opened another site,
ibdcrohns.about.com, and read more. There, off to the side under a photo of a
bowl of blueberries, I read, “A bowl of blueberries is a healthy snack but they
can also turn your stool black, causing ‘false melena.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why the heck wasn’t this exception placed FIRST in all the
symptom explanations of ALL the sites? Why did I have to die at least four
deaths before I came to this sentence?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course. I’d picked blueberries two days before, and when
I pick blueberries, it’s four for me and one or two for the bowl. In this
manner, I’m certain I ate waaaay more than one cup of blueberries. Please
assure me I’m not the only one who picks blueberries this way. How can one
refrain when the blueberries are fat, fresh, tasty, healthy for us, and so
readily available?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I offer readers this cautionary tale in case some of you
pick blueberries the way I do and suffer the consequences, then in your search
for explanation regarding your symptom do not find the teensy relieving photo
and sentence. I also offer this cautionary tale if you have a dramatic bent and
only a small wisp of common sense and leap immediately to the worst conclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The lesson in my newfound wisdom is this: Many doctors hate
Dr. Google for a reason. Don’t believe everything you read on the web. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-85532410293936719492014-02-27T22:48:00.002-08:002014-03-01T15:59:08.758-08:00NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichpXYgV23FhovuBvyl5jXZ2G4hBbXKE6iafmWiFZ2QFeOmNjo5s9-RFrm6SvnmPDRozTeo_4yKHdCGJ4TXfL0gdlebeYF5C01IBVa-VDMdK18qEfvw2fvIaR08P02hsys6jbpgjMlrQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichpXYgV23FhovuBvyl5jXZ2G4hBbXKE6iafmWiFZ2QFeOmNjo5s9-RFrm6SvnmPDRozTeo_4yKHdCGJ4TXfL0gdlebeYF5C01IBVa-VDMdK18qEfvw2fvIaR08P02hsys6jbpgjMlrQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+005.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland with Sky Tower</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">January 12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Got in to Auckland, New Zealand, (pronounced “new
zehland,” or referred to as “n-zed.”) last night at six. Our driver was a
Punjab from India, who’d been here since 1998. Cosmopolitan city but in
appearance and clime like Pacific NW. Some palm trees and Monkey trees, though.
Went to pharmacy and ready to walk around a bunch more looking at sights. One
other couple has arrived early like us and we talked this morning. Met a nice
Swedish couple last night when I offered to take their picture in front of the
harbour.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYaUL0wPMjUcVtPbjFjGjFlg3LGlst0ma40hd-QKbcHrsuf7O42FewIYs7j8gYNm18pP_jOUnTUtJY5Xo1huozByn0W8_kJqrA8AptGuWQ3XXFfa7qVzvVqi1NSAB-nMHkqw32ICtAQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYaUL0wPMjUcVtPbjFjGjFlg3LGlst0ma40hd-QKbcHrsuf7O42FewIYs7j8gYNm18pP_jOUnTUtJY5Xo1huozByn0W8_kJqrA8AptGuWQ3XXFfa7qVzvVqi1NSAB-nMHkqw32ICtAQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+008.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert Park</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked up Queen St. and found some wi-fi, then
went up to Albert Park, a lovely spot of green on a hill smack dab in the
middle of the downtown. Had lunch at the Harbourside Bar and Grill, out on the
patio overlooking the harbor.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CgaEE04PEz5B2sxoUGsNYXZ4deC-VQ9c9rmJYTSQ_mF1pWxg3RenkVadjo_Zp_RPP6AWQX20mbAdWZQqXKs0d53wypvGo7InO4iDJ0hq1AlZc-FqQ5M_Md6u58wCMSLEOZfEWJRCTg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CgaEE04PEz5B2sxoUGsNYXZ4deC-VQ9c9rmJYTSQ_mF1pWxg3RenkVadjo_Zp_RPP6AWQX20mbAdWZQqXKs0d53wypvGo7InO4iDJ0hq1AlZc-FqQ5M_Md6u58wCMSLEOZfEWJRCTg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+016.jpg" height="125" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo32ZGVE_6it4mNHJjK-215tXKpfRixup5fV-zh6JKFS_5CBWgh0hUEKYYY2LVzwC5YD6Y45Euqg1YjwohJx7PJHSPiqtuW2fQ9t8zkUavm3utgydUHGmvXOYSlZ81nGj28F7WoxjKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo32ZGVE_6it4mNHJjK-215tXKpfRixup5fV-zh6JKFS_5CBWgh0hUEKYYY2LVzwC5YD6Y45Euqg1YjwohJx7PJHSPiqtuW2fQ9t8zkUavm3utgydUHGmvXOYSlZ81nGj28F7WoxjKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+017.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">January 13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We rode the Link bus which goes around the
periphery of Auckland and got off at the Auckland Museum. We spent most of the
time there with the Maori exhibits. Such beautiful carvings and faces that look
like people I've seen. The faces on gateways, bowls, and ship's prow are all so
different in appearance. Abalone rounds make the eyes and ceremonial faces have
a third eye. There was a longhouse constructed and the front of a storehouse. A
canoe so long 100 men could ride in it. Their main weapon consisted of a
"mere", what I'd call a whacking stick, a kind of flat, hand-held
paddle made of wood or jade. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W7OHRp7fO7_D1LxWvp0iU79JZENl_PqKyvCXJ_GMaMS21BXPNOO7uNofh8jTkBFjbe63xI1LPA9uwhK98HGhHKhU8WnFsqdaABERIRkfcapYshD4qXaWQ6RMxHSgVMmuQ075XqVaUw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W7OHRp7fO7_D1LxWvp0iU79JZENl_PqKyvCXJ_GMaMS21BXPNOO7uNofh8jTkBFjbe63xI1LPA9uwhK98HGhHKhU8WnFsqdaABERIRkfcapYshD4qXaWQ6RMxHSgVMmuQ075XqVaUw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+019.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This decorated the door to the longhouse.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A wall chart showed the similar language origins
and from that one could see why some Hawaiians look like Maoris. Same origins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the museum, we finished the circle so we'd
seen the areas of Parnell and Ponsonby by the time we got back to our hotel.
Weather both days has been windy and yesterday also rainy but always a spot of
sun as well. Looks a lot like Oregon here. Tomorrow a yacht ride and a visit to
Eden Gardens and then back to the museum. We've enjoyed this being a
"green" country and all the healthy food. Last night’s dinner was at
an outdoor cafe called the Britomart Country Club--a roof, a boxcar for
restrooms a boxcar for a bar and one for the kitchen, then a bunch of tables
and chairs and that's it. That’s a good concept for an outdoor restaurant in a
warm place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday, January 14--<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First we had a lecture of New Zealand history and
a bit about politics. Do you know no humans were here until about 800 years
ago? Only mammal was a bat. No predators so birds forgot how to fly, evolved to
wingless. The kiwi grew whiskers and has furry feathers. Heard a bit about
American soldiers being here in WWII which interested me since Mom just told me
Dad had been here for a period of time then. The Americans built a park for the
citizens of Auckland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Off we went for a sail around the bay on a
sailboat, pretending we were racing in the World Cup. Wind in our hair on the
harbour--ahh! Too short a ride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Up to Eden Garden, a lovely garden made from a
quarry. Walked and met all our friends, the trees and flowers same as at home
but blooming instead of frozen and dead. Had a fabulous lunch where we all
introduced ourselves. Lots of scientists, accountants, pharmacists, nurses.
Only one other teacher and writer. Speaking of writing, I sold a book
already!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then back to Auckland Museum for a guided tour,
seeing mostly different things from yesterday. Glad to have gone back this
second day. Neal said it was like being in a totally new museum. More history
and explanations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k0TA8Er6JOEyKBwFZBKbm0XrjlREq0wKdoAspgBgUurlav8ALKfUD0SWSyuVnoN_84fqEAP6b8etPcEn-aAUMzWIaecrYHRXOyohyj0eW-AkyLaSh0T56lRYwQtq6GwIFiLM0OwEpA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k0TA8Er6JOEyKBwFZBKbm0XrjlREq0wKdoAspgBgUurlav8ALKfUD0SWSyuVnoN_84fqEAP6b8etPcEn-aAUMzWIaecrYHRXOyohyj0eW-AkyLaSh0T56lRYwQtq6GwIFiLM0OwEpA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+026.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one segment of the longhouse wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFTuW6V2QqAZEqoxkg_-FNicQ7yPsjgTO0ovgFoWOiYgffGeOfowgdYZ_iTkU0jbQy3aZlH21ZxPE8BEXp6frH9-lYx_PfHrbszaeqbztZCIafjQtSRy7UpxbtWu1rGfg1XEvAzqOtQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFTuW6V2QqAZEqoxkg_-FNicQ7yPsjgTO0ovgFoWOiYgffGeOfowgdYZ_iTkU0jbQy3aZlH21ZxPE8BEXp6frH9-lYx_PfHrbszaeqbztZCIafjQtSRy7UpxbtWu1rGfg1XEvAzqOtQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+028.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A storage shed for food items.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We all wear these "whisperers" which are
devices that allow the guide to talk and us to hear even if we are way behind
or way ahead or in the next room. Cool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings as we
head to the beach and a volcanic dome. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFGOQUE4_GJWlQB111piJy1HQUIGOQVR_dqQNlTSH6Buq4nAns0cJnd7NWNHVBmz2ZwM2AcEOiuwce5XaOFMj9N5jdSwLwdc8JMzRxdfwqQ5RDcaHE7ey3w0APHaEsL12j3K9i8mq-Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFGOQUE4_GJWlQB111piJy1HQUIGOQVR_dqQNlTSH6Buq4nAns0cJnd7NWNHVBmz2ZwM2AcEOiuwce5XaOFMj9N5jdSwLwdc8JMzRxdfwqQ5RDcaHE7ey3w0APHaEsL12j3K9i8mq-Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+048.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long 100-man canoe--postcard photo</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No, I did not scream the first time any transport
started out on the “wrong” side of the road. Roundabouts are fun, though. John,
our guide, says that they used to say that THEY drove on the right side of the
road, but really, they were driving on the left side, not the right side, so
now they say they drive on the “correct” side of the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lots of other funny idiomatic expressions we noted
along the way, like “way out” for “exit,” (Don’t we all want to know the way
out at times?) and “Remember to indicate” for “Use your turn signal.” Many,
many more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">January 15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today we explored the North Coast of greater
Auckland, especially North Head, Lake Pupuke, Cheltenham Beach and
Devenport--old volcanoes and WWII batteries, previous Maori armaments.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfF1rKasikHKil9O8KhHuMOC5AEhFA5sflHmU195pKeOsJTeaNf7xTG-264yLYNvxxaeQj76oZe6OczXs1zq6kCJ1PWNYWUBaFbvqjXGg03DQD3ZOONsCUneHizwDQE5QaLmS1WqpfA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfF1rKasikHKil9O8KhHuMOC5AEhFA5sflHmU195pKeOsJTeaNf7xTG-264yLYNvxxaeQj76oZe6OczXs1zq6kCJ1PWNYWUBaFbvqjXGg03DQD3ZOONsCUneHizwDQE5QaLmS1WqpfA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+041.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across to Auckland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This morning's lecture was about the geology and
weather patterns of NZ--very interesting to see weather from this southern
perspective. Our speaker showed us a map with NZ in the center and there wasn't
much else there except ocean and the edges of Australia and Antarctica. Did you
know that Australia actually broke off from India? There was a huge land mass
called Gondwana and then some major shifting occurred. NZ didn’t even exist
back then and got here because of plate tectonics. It’s a very new landform. Part
of NZ is sliding over the top and part is sliding under and the middle of the
twist is where all the earthquakes are happening and volcanic action could
occur at any time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Auckland is very temperate and very windy with
immediate weather changes and now we know why, thanks to our lecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">John Walsby, the guide, reminded me of our friend
Clair Thomas, because he knew so much about everything and every subject in the
natural realm that he never stopped talking and my head got very, very full. I
wish I would have had science teachers like this in my former education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Neal took a bazillion photos so maybe he'll share
them when we get back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mostly I loved being outside in all the beauty.
Lunch was good, too. Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow we visit a glow worm cave and move on to
Rotorua.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday, January 17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I forgot yesterday to say that the addition to the
bridge in Auckland, engineered and built by a Japanese group, is called the
"Nippon Clip-on."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the road today, we stopped out in the country at
a nice place for lunch, called "Roseland," and then went on to the
Waitomo Glow Worm caves. What a spiritual experience! We could barely see in
front of us and could hear only the water droplets from the top of the cave in
the water. The boat guide propelled us by pulling on ropes. The glow worms
shine turquoisey in the dark. My sister Susie would have loved it and she would
have cried. On a boat, in the dark, no cameras, no talking, just being in a
state of awe. Once the butterfly (I just read it is called a "fly")
emerges, it lives four days in which time it has to find a mate and lay its 126
eggs. The first one out eats all the other125 for food enough to live and the
cycle starts again. Waitomo means water hole.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIMl7fHQKyGPuPoBO-4rvVdwAMmlXiV4CWxZkKO8dlo3tMou7w-itsWJfNLLLgryXw7BjYQzzAQTECeUvTEsw2VJfV_ynBAmQmPRKTbIkKuadaOBlr_DL7ndABheFUXYya2ZqybPV3A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIMl7fHQKyGPuPoBO-4rvVdwAMmlXiV4CWxZkKO8dlo3tMou7w-itsWJfNLLLgryXw7BjYQzzAQTECeUvTEsw2VJfV_ynBAmQmPRKTbIkKuadaOBlr_DL7ndABheFUXYya2ZqybPV3A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+047.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The glow worms--postcard photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I went swimming tonight in the lukewarm outside
pool, windy, but I needed to move all of me about after a long bus ride.
Tomorrow a morning hike, an afternoon lake cruise and then a Maori feast and
festivity. So much of the topography looks like Hawaii or Costa Rica. Many
cattle ranches, sheep ranches, and dairy farms today. People asked where the
dairy barns were because though we saw cows, we saw few barns. John said that
there are sheds but they are back away from the road and most are just open,
with a roof, because the weather is generally good. The lake down the road here
in Rotorua is the same size as Singapore. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">January 18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are now in Rotorua which rests in a giant
caldera. It smells of sulpher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today was incredible, just incredible. Susie would
have cried again! Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First we went to the Waimangu Valley Geothermal
site. We saw all the types of geothermal activity and the plants that grow in
such an area. We saw many geysers, which some people pronounce
"geezers." So us geezers were seeing geezers. However, someone
corrected the misprounouncements by assuring us we were seeing geysers. We saw
photos of before and after because the huge activity was quite recent. Now the
activity is closely monitored so everyone can evacuate safely in time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We cruised on Lake Rotomahana (not the big one we
saw coming in—another one) created by the last blast, and got up close to many
geysers. Then we hiked for a mile and a half and studied flora, heard birds,
and got very close but not too close to more geysers. Thighs got a good
workout, believe me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lunch was a total shift as we ate at the Princes
Gate Hotel in Rotorua. What a beautiful old Victorian hotel that was moved
twice, the second time so miners would have a place to drink after work, since
Prohibition went into effect in the old town, and a new town grew up around the
replacement site of the hotel. The new owners have upgraded the hotel to its
present splendor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we visited Te Puia, established to preserve
the traditional arts and crafts of the Maori. We saw the geyser Pohutu, which
goes for 40 minutes at a time, in action, and some boiling mud pools. We also
learned how to cut, prepare and weave the flax for use in making cloaks and
skirts and bags and such. Our Maori guide said it was very uncomfortable to
wear. I have to say that if I ever got a tattoo, it would be one of the amazing
Maori designs. I enjoyed looking at them all.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back home for a shower and a brief rest while Neal
shopped in town at the jade shop Back home for a shower and a brief rest, and
back to Te Puia for a dinner and entertainment, a hangi (cooking in the ground)
at a Marae--meeting place. The coolest thing about this was the opening
ceremony at which Neal was chosen to be chief of us visitors. There was a
ritual he had to learn that is taken very seriously and then there was music
and dance. As Mrs. chief, I got to sit up front with him and I also got to do
the women's dance with the white balls. I felt like a cheerleader! Hahahaha!
Then Neal got to do the Haka with the Maori men. OMG! What a spectacular event!
Dinner, much of which was cooked in the ground, was amazing as well. An evening
to never forget and a wonderful celebration of yet another culture that wasn't as
primitive as everyone assumed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Neal is floating in the clouds with his new title
as chief, and everyone is calling me “Miss Chief.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbbA8EA5Kq00lJxFkeKFRA1H_ajQ9tx6zjTyU_H9sR5AeOL1tuBMglghi4XRvVp4UTVB0LL-Sf3tfP1_paCh1XbDVvIULURvH-DECHIBmLvufWycXxrrL3zHGBHc7Rkgvto9FrrBFQA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbbA8EA5Kq00lJxFkeKFRA1H_ajQ9tx6zjTyU_H9sR5AeOL1tuBMglghi4XRvVp4UTVB0LL-Sf3tfP1_paCh1XbDVvIULURvH-DECHIBmLvufWycXxrrL3zHGBHc7Rkgvto9FrrBFQA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+081.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9AuPCQA_heJtIw_NOm52PvvIGt94ahcnL6M3cM3DaHODP3OGKW_lGwG_lhxYFfgDXHMIXMb_bAS87iD6oTttHAKR9V-rzoQVFRjACipccaxDc7cplMfgeMYhjaZsDePsxmPxQv7Sw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9AuPCQA_heJtIw_NOm52PvvIGt94ahcnL6M3cM3DaHODP3OGKW_lGwG_lhxYFfgDXHMIXMb_bAS87iD6oTttHAKR9V-rzoQVFRjACipccaxDc7cplMfgeMYhjaZsDePsxmPxQv7Sw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+079.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD0a62PKPWwMbLw54iL8CLNvIWJAXl5CrMvtb2ZAgB6hQ_hesKAnUTu7PZjrF5HIddmqHr4bT_H-cqUfbdGzjzG8RVvSrFf2LQtFT6uvwaXMthzOa9zR5APBWSaSObRJBEjM8NPO15w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD0a62PKPWwMbLw54iL8CLNvIWJAXl5CrMvtb2ZAgB6hQ_hesKAnUTu7PZjrF5HIddmqHr4bT_H-cqUfbdGzjzG8RVvSrFf2LQtFT6uvwaXMthzOa9zR5APBWSaSObRJBEjM8NPO15w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+083.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hangi food, cooked in ground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf0D-fS3sXvRPQgUf8Sv8T75rtwBDgfDIr7VWO_ASPibYrzplH1lD8vikQNzXZCvk-8Z2ET3NIaAKtyxgngNKatiYSAPzt61ZoUvYImQ0jkP-FMXwV8T46Danb562u7Im2anZyUb7Jw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf0D-fS3sXvRPQgUf8Sv8T75rtwBDgfDIr7VWO_ASPibYrzplH1lD8vikQNzXZCvk-8Z2ET3NIaAKtyxgngNKatiYSAPzt61ZoUvYImQ0jkP-FMXwV8T46Danb562u7Im2anZyUb7Jw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+101.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me doing the white ball dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlzakIpowl0qnxSRZlbOTS4X8iC7uDcSCQhntoQLXG1DmnQSr-RSY1OXXLXZZ3IIZk5h9fGkLMb7vXw3FQJTOS117X4tIvg9NmtfK4TXYiK39wATtzgp3VTUXAX8BG1x3406c6W4wLw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlzakIpowl0qnxSRZlbOTS4X8iC7uDcSCQhntoQLXG1DmnQSr-RSY1OXXLXZZ3IIZk5h9fGkLMb7vXw3FQJTOS117X4tIvg9NmtfK4TXYiK39wATtzgp3VTUXAX8BG1x3406c6W4wLw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+113.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neal doing the Haka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">En route, North Island to South Island to Te Anau,
Sunday January 19th<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tiring travel day. Two plane rides, nice
attendants, tea and biscuits the middle of each flight, but no tea second
flight because of turbulence. Landed in Invercargill and lunched at local
Salvation Army, whose ladies prepared a typical Southland meal. It seemed like a regular picnic meal to me,
corned beef sliced cold, potato salad, beet salad, bean salad. I don’t know
what dessert was because I didn’t have any. Cookies, I think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then a geography lecture about the places we are
going during which I did what I usually did during junior and senior high
school geography classes, especially after lunch--fall asleep. Hahahaha! I was
so comforted to learn almost all of my tour mates did the same thing. I hope we
didn't dishearten the speaker who addressed our continually nodding heads.
However, I have to credit him with some blame as he said he knew most people
didn't learn much by being talked at and then, by golly, that's what he went
and did!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Next came our looooong bus trip through dairy,
deer, and sheep farming country. Think Baker valley and Wallowa County and
Summerville area of Union County, Oregon for what the topography looks like.
The deer are the English red deer and they don't jump the fences. Plenty to eat
right where they are. Dairying is four times bigger than sheep farming here
now. Very windy here and more so tomorrow. Hope my eyeballs are big enough for
all we'll see tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At 7:15 tomorrow, off we go to Milford Sound, then
back up to Queensland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And by the way, Roget wrote the thesaurus in 12
years of his retirement, so no fair sitting around on your tuckus when there's
plenty to do! He also figured out how animation would work. Neither of which
has a darn thing to do with this trip, but it just shows how a person can learn
something new every day even when she's 67!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday, January 20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Te Anau to Milford Sound to Queenstown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Up early and out for good reason, to miss the
traffic and zillions of other tourists who wanted to do the same thing we did,
jump on the boat and cruise to the end of Milford Sound. More gorgeous scenery
on the way there, dairy, deer and sheep farms, giving way to more glacial
mountains and rocky land. We stopped to take photos of fog rising from the
fields and giant mountains reflected in clear rivers and ponds. In one place,
The Chasm, we stood on a bridge and looked at The Sculpture, a place where the
rock had been worn through by raging water so there were holes and boulders
that looked as though they were turned this way and that on a lathe. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvHE2hyMOgGUU6yOCjObv2bk2wp7kbW4_ovBOWf443sL_ylcB5EYXY-Mq4SlJUSUA2nD5IiGVk874xa-JM32q3xRZ8OP68_JjAPkELEmde4tAw9x7lCuf_c-SgWTgib_UIc1ZY_ZAkw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvHE2hyMOgGUU6yOCjObv2bk2wp7kbW4_ovBOWf443sL_ylcB5EYXY-Mq4SlJUSUA2nD5IiGVk874xa-JM32q3xRZ8OP68_JjAPkELEmde4tAw9x7lCuf_c-SgWTgib_UIc1ZY_ZAkw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+136.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking my breath away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeizlwphwsIsJx7P3Vy24g_0dQ53IvfQwoEqc1zdpsKv-jSc6kDuewxsDzPfeCJPCqiikkSayuYV2x_p2wnsMfXu-dQKAgfauPU8_PZN53v8wBKMOKyJ3KWB0o6h1BTVJqYvROIQiMA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeizlwphwsIsJx7P3Vy24g_0dQ53IvfQwoEqc1zdpsKv-jSc6kDuewxsDzPfeCJPCqiikkSayuYV2x_p2wnsMfXu-dQKAgfauPU8_PZN53v8wBKMOKyJ3KWB0o6h1BTVJqYvROIQiMA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+137.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0FAH2vJ5HpfeU5AMvXqLykCDBtc3bKcqMi-bvGFZecEjHrdtUDR9cvdtkBfoEi6a44QN8BpxrPO-nCv0HSQfdSPz2fASx5gI_Nni-ScW7H8G0JPrefWGuhntd5DhCv0BtImn-2I8Dg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0FAH2vJ5HpfeU5AMvXqLykCDBtc3bKcqMi-bvGFZecEjHrdtUDR9cvdtkBfoEi6a44QN8BpxrPO-nCv0HSQfdSPz2fASx5gI_Nni-ScW7H8G0JPrefWGuhntd5DhCv0BtImn-2I8Dg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+142.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite NZ photo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYGLwuReosjGazOmW7wF5wnepE1e48fnnzwwQmtY2iT8TcTOKuqUdEy5uYmZdnt4JRJYjHB5-VaJQiNaZKDMGHKWj-uLUuoy8C5_v-lx9wXgo22ESh-xz4fn3k9j2lfeQl2eP7A-Pig/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYGLwuReosjGazOmW7wF5wnepE1e48fnnzwwQmtY2iT8TcTOKuqUdEy5uYmZdnt4JRJYjHB5-VaJQiNaZKDMGHKWj-uLUuoy8C5_v-lx9wXgo22ESh-xz4fn3k9j2lfeQl2eP7A-Pig/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+143.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxuVpZYz431gEi4bFCgMGmqtsq13b35JcTJmR_MMoUcv4ObKqelGdyKJv4TL2hUF6T9q7nb1L1BcsE7XTavvoSqOYhp-ew0kNW913T1cwtuszflMYVk2NWydUDq8m0mCR8PyFZhhz0g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxuVpZYz431gEi4bFCgMGmqtsq13b35JcTJmR_MMoUcv4ObKqelGdyKJv4TL2hUF6T9q7nb1L1BcsE7XTavvoSqOYhp-ew0kNW913T1cwtuszflMYVk2NWydUDq8m0mCR8PyFZhhz0g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+146.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chasm rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once at the end of the sound, we boarded the
mini-cruiser and gave ourselves neck and eyeball exercises, looking almost
straight up on both sides, five to six thousand feet. I didn't look much down
in the water that Neal tells me is at least half a mile deep. Many waterfalls
bore the typical names of waterfalls, like "Rainbow" and "Bridal
Veil." Some waterfalls came from streams and some were just run-off from
rains. The boat got right up to them and people in front got soaked! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9qOduihnR73L1c4J_HAVZkMvKxib3geV3Mis3SykAOmatHcNmv-cfFGQtj4Twytv0IGw2bZu4KAhXajPlHJmzNerwLmkWeQ-tLkluwyat9ikklh_syw3vvEJuJwFJWpCGfQS0Ixqug/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9qOduihnR73L1c4J_HAVZkMvKxib3geV3Mis3SykAOmatHcNmv-cfFGQtj4Twytv0IGw2bZu4KAhXajPlHJmzNerwLmkWeQ-tLkluwyat9ikklh_syw3vvEJuJwFJWpCGfQS0Ixqug/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+152.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boat, and Bishop's Mitre in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ1mvfjWfcM3iRkORhPwrzNiU6oNAaf0gypq7R1R474uz-_rOffloJmEvXlmAB0dfXEQHe5bz9Jkns0ftbcXVejGOqXCrKwLK_vgG2Ksr_kPnqn0umanNKxrS3LiremIOm8c97oEC3A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ1mvfjWfcM3iRkORhPwrzNiU6oNAaf0gypq7R1R474uz-_rOffloJmEvXlmAB0dfXEQHe5bz9Jkns0ftbcXVejGOqXCrKwLK_vgG2Ksr_kPnqn0umanNKxrS3LiremIOm8c97oEC3A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+153.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just breathe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildFyufGQ_Rs84C9isPhXM3LUznBgc9Dwg4c2s8ewQCKf7gm8JrULd5dXQzs3zyuR6kVi_m7IRa0buqJsaSuTQhativeNnxISOBD1pL9DWxOBetKKZCgNIFlwtNGHmTuDHgK5MPDtISg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildFyufGQ_Rs84C9isPhXM3LUznBgc9Dwg4c2s8ewQCKf7gm8JrULd5dXQzs3zyuR6kVi_m7IRa0buqJsaSuTQhativeNnxISOBD1pL9DWxOBetKKZCgNIFlwtNGHmTuDHgK5MPDtISg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+167.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh! Awe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here I must stop to say how gloriously lucky we
were today to have SUN because it rains 360 days a year on the sound. I was
outside the whole time except when we were eating lunch and I'm mad about
having to be inside eating because I missed a lot of waterfalls. My eyeballs
actually DO hurt from looking! We saw New Zealand fur seals basking on a rock
but they weren't barking.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwcE4-J3kj5W7sKV9khpeDI0a9rBvb9ykHNf9-CJ8MjEC6t5mMeuZkp4IJYWzdw2umBKahL6WU76UkUq0ooSXRQjeFHUWwMnCcKqQdz1GBfp5V80N6XzaO00wcb_68fyMnsmltXFzzg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwcE4-J3kj5W7sKV9khpeDI0a9rBvb9ykHNf9-CJ8MjEC6t5mMeuZkp4IJYWzdw2umBKahL6WU76UkUq0ooSXRQjeFHUWwMnCcKqQdz1GBfp5V80N6XzaO00wcb_68fyMnsmltXFzzg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+165.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the way back through Homer tunnel, as we exited,
we pulled off to visit a couple of Kea birds alongside the road. Google them to
see how smart they are. They are about the size of a small turkey. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPa46_c40z60Bo_ra_kncFNqNUTlD6sOdvSbnKk79kcTpzTrp2aHZvMDUkr1Q4OwEuy1ts_TafYt-sjFOLg_g8WcIJz_PwQo8wVYY5EfGHytze8ttAAG_oCak7vmS6sTGpfTtcoLLVQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPa46_c40z60Bo_ra_kncFNqNUTlD6sOdvSbnKk79kcTpzTrp2aHZvMDUkr1Q4OwEuy1ts_TafYt-sjFOLg_g8WcIJz_PwQo8wVYY5EfGHytze8ttAAG_oCak7vmS6sTGpfTtcoLLVQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+168.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back through Te Anau and then up to
Queensland--again looked like a greener version of Eastern Oregon. The lake
here at Queensland is turquoise and so beautiful to regard, with the craggy
peaks across the way. Our room is like a condo, our bedrooms upstairs. We have
our own bathrooms as well. Can't wait until tomorrow to cross the lake to see a
sheep farm in action, come back to walk around town and the gardens, drink wine
on the deck, and then take a gondola ride up to the top of the mountain for
dinner. Woo-hoo, NZ!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywsQFKgngfWk6SBWTr_GfM28a8iG055QAcsm_P7EcDEFMbC_gR9MtIPiMsYuMlrmyvYSNBcrpT-RcwPw1521OlG9Mrx-2KI9CJp6TjQRGH8OhCB8U4fbfRDiHaR8TL_7IwK6DJUT3rw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywsQFKgngfWk6SBWTr_GfM28a8iG055QAcsm_P7EcDEFMbC_gR9MtIPiMsYuMlrmyvYSNBcrpT-RcwPw1521OlG9Mrx-2KI9CJp6TjQRGH8OhCB8U4fbfRDiHaR8TL_7IwK6DJUT3rw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+173.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queenstown waterfront</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_aT3fwKTyLuSR8NyoyTMZKoRLF7G1u-jIGJGPSbwJcFR8N-fx3HZWa_szSYJnTnwb2flU-ik6pYjRVUq2scCwPNdMRN2GqUMI2ns_Cy3Ndx8CRnyjU8HA1GTLEOryjYYdb84cEVucg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_aT3fwKTyLuSR8NyoyTMZKoRLF7G1u-jIGJGPSbwJcFR8N-fx3HZWa_szSYJnTnwb2flU-ik6pYjRVUq2scCwPNdMRN2GqUMI2ns_Cy3Ndx8CRnyjU8HA1GTLEOryjYYdb84cEVucg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+203.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queenstown from gondola window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday, January 21, Queenstown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Slept in a tad later today and then went on a
steamboat ride across the lake to Walter Park Homestead. We saw a demonstration
of sheep shearing, and yes, by golly, they still do it the way Pascal Arritola
did it for our 4-H sheep every year. And yes, the lanolin still stinks as much.
Then we were shown how sheep dogs round up the sheep. What a good dog, part
Border Collie and something else, very smart. He was about 12 years old, so an
old guy still good at his job. His name was Kenny. All the tourists got to feed
some sheep if they liked. The sheep seemed to know that was coming because they
all ran up to come through the gate out of the pasture and into the enclosure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgN4JvjQFd-v9Zogkmd6V42jmTtdiZcwue13XGFduIVhsulxo7U1mjZotgnrdIVJ_PouxUdyVuKfy9IZvC81msRdMPNpWFl8FqGP7wpw6f2ZIp6QwQKEBsv0x6Aq9g1yPhdod4VRdXw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgN4JvjQFd-v9Zogkmd6V42jmTtdiZcwue13XGFduIVhsulxo7U1mjZotgnrdIVJ_PouxUdyVuKfy9IZvC81msRdMPNpWFl8FqGP7wpw6f2ZIp6QwQKEBsv0x6Aq9g1yPhdod4VRdXw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+179.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAWvNU_cO5GjCcyWlo3P3pNJ9VK0kYy2t6FH3HVUYXMVBbSKW_KggArel-NyAWCH-llXl7oCmv2A9CkU9CL3o2f9U5jfO5PLSOjW84mX0UAjAl9tvpaWPRvH3iIPpuSRCQfkPy16L-A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAWvNU_cO5GjCcyWlo3P3pNJ9VK0kYy2t6FH3HVUYXMVBbSKW_KggArel-NyAWCH-llXl7oCmv2A9CkU9CL3o2f9U5jfO5PLSOjW84mX0UAjAl9tvpaWPRvH3iIPpuSRCQfkPy16L-A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+180.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The young man was such a comedic and personable
presenter, so I asked him what he studied at university and he said commerce
management and agriculture. He did not plan to be an all-time sheep shearer and
he explained that a person can't do that every day of the year and after awhile
any shearer gets all hunched over from that back-breaking job. The top shearer
in contest did 700 sheep in a day. Wow! He did mention how dumb sheep are. From
experience, I can agree with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszY513kECGPwD45dGNvttQVxHwa-AbiPb11h_9P2hMxf4C7jlb5yTesXECRd3KAx3WKxs4kS2gOFB6GfVYaHRGBAPYlU91azUPYMC4-h_cyPjbC9arg8o-S9uJfajVVIsnQ5XdbefMw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszY513kECGPwD45dGNvttQVxHwa-AbiPb11h_9P2hMxf4C7jlb5yTesXECRd3KAx3WKxs4kS2gOFB6GfVYaHRGBAPYlU91azUPYMC4-h_cyPjbC9arg8o-S9uJfajVVIsnQ5XdbefMw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+193.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamboat that brought us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We all ran off to a fabulous barbecue lunch at the
lovely farmhouse. If you ever wonder about Road Scholar trips, let me tell you,
you will be fed superbly, more food and more often than you really require. I
am going to have to work out so hard for awhile thanks to the holidays and now
this. Today one of the desserts was homemade ice cream, I could tell because it
tasted like Susie's, soooo delicious! Black Quinoa salad which was crunchy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep15URNOBCenTfySkPwTzFB38mVFAc_DjI75Tv37xJIofbZC3Fej4F-usAq2OwbItX55hkN5jXBFVQU9VgLcLDRbZ7UwrN42ciKIpGWfGQR9_RCO8S0fT7pRLPdcniPNJHKjDyB2vGg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep15URNOBCenTfySkPwTzFB38mVFAc_DjI75Tv37xJIofbZC3Fej4F-usAq2OwbItX55hkN5jXBFVQU9VgLcLDRbZ7UwrN42ciKIpGWfGQR9_RCO8S0fT7pRLPdcniPNJHKjDyB2vGg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+187.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Farmhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuyNQ8ZP_52jM9aclx5NQvY7Kr4sT0dPrZDrwan7_JBqU4ssaX5RwAtN9BnBMDOrg5PgdMCkpMfNfP6SB5oujl92mJmU_Kc3NGNcNCMl3oMrK4hRs6YcU4YzSJN4ZtMrus1xy7jkNVQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuyNQ8ZP_52jM9aclx5NQvY7Kr4sT0dPrZDrwan7_JBqU4ssaX5RwAtN9BnBMDOrg5PgdMCkpMfNfP6SB5oujl92mJmU_Kc3NGNcNCMl3oMrK4hRs6YcU4YzSJN4ZtMrus1xy7jkNVQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+191.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another favorite NZ photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dwwAIgO-1tvEVG-qxmU3kjKA7FoRcL2GvCH_1-xksv9k60YDVWpfWoW5HffaZeVUwFTSN4BCmcQPfCm01VFtNPCvtzl-skSR7hDJaCEbVtrlp7Kc2UPFQaFNjjZhrynBOR_hWf_zAw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dwwAIgO-1tvEVG-qxmU3kjKA7FoRcL2GvCH_1-xksv9k60YDVWpfWoW5HffaZeVUwFTSN4BCmcQPfCm01VFtNPCvtzl-skSR7hDJaCEbVtrlp7Kc2UPFQaFNjjZhrynBOR_hWf_zAw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+205.jpg" height="138" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queenstown, The Remarkables to the left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1JWa47jDVVUp3wFZ3ig5eh6AgvFoI43GES5QXr8YjaPbzoVcRUwMfCrXeLquEzMcs5xT6oYj-h0J1AETqyg_P4z5hiqcw1SZQO3DRiYfPRsF-nEvDnhT-Ymr6BudggubduZRJCf1bw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1JWa47jDVVUp3wFZ3ig5eh6AgvFoI43GES5QXr8YjaPbzoVcRUwMfCrXeLquEzMcs5xT6oYj-h0J1AETqyg_P4z5hiqcw1SZQO3DRiYfPRsF-nEvDnhT-Ymr6BudggubduZRJCf1bw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+210.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset, Queenstown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the way back, I eavesdropped on a conversation
between the steamboat's boiler tender and some other New Zealanders he'd met
while they all were on holiday in Alaska. His neck had been burned in a
flashback of the boiler due to big wind coming down the pipe and he'd been in
hospital for a month. Quite a handsome lad despite all that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Queenstown there is a plethora of activities to
partake in, something like Bend, Oregon. Jet boat rides, parasailing,
paragliding, hiking, kayaking, etc. and skiing in the winter. There are even
sporting games for kids along the beach. If you are an outdoors person, this is
the town for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back across the lake in Queenstown again, we
toured the town on our own, looking for whatever treasures we desired. I found
a tee-shirt and Neal got postcards and stamps. Then we trekked through the park
back home. We rode up the gondola for dinner tonight. Just got back from that.
Great view from above!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunset—stupendous!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow a visit to Arrowtown and then a plane
ride to Wellington where there was an earthquake two days ago. Wish us luck!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We've enjoyed our condo apartment here, believe
me!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday, January 22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another long day and plane ride. Now in
"Windy Wellington." As I stepped out of the plane, the wind blew off
my glasses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But to backtrack, this morning after leaving
Queenstown, we made a detour to the old mining town of Arrowtown--refurbished
sort of like Virginia City, Nevada or any other kind of ghost town. We walked
around and looked at the old, tiny houses and shops and visited some of the
Chinese settlement. We had the tourist coffee and treat and enjoyed the sun. I
bought a watch because mine broke from continually catching on seat
belt-latching and un-latchings.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlVUZd8Txa8yof-fL12mfTjoGB71ngpLvSBUQk7jsYZ-QrXEJyenpf_L_W19PZLu14zxq4qkBvPD8O38KtzUmdNqtsydBINgKwpDB5gd5MFX1m7ll4tfdojWwfWMUOIx02IYuDBg9-w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlVUZd8Txa8yof-fL12mfTjoGB71ngpLvSBUQk7jsYZ-QrXEJyenpf_L_W19PZLu14zxq4qkBvPD8O38KtzUmdNqtsydBINgKwpDB5gd5MFX1m7ll4tfdojWwfWMUOIx02IYuDBg9-w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+218.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Had lunch at the airport and rode the big bird in
the sky to Wellington. The airport in Wellington is named "the Middle of
Middle Earth." The bus driver gave us a quick tour of the city, took us to
the top of Victoria Hill to look at the entire almost 360-degree city, told us
where Antarctica was, and let us get off the bus for 10 minutes to visit the
botanical garden and begonia room. Then, the <i>pièce de resistance</i>: once at our hotel, we attended a discussion of
politics in New Zealand that would have been much more interesting had we not
been at the end of a big travel day. The main gist is that one party has the
majority gained from the political process so if something to help constituents
needs done and that party wants to do it, it gets done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One new thing I learned today is the term
"lifestyle blocks." If you buy a 2-10 acre parcel of land and build a
house on it, this is called a lifestyle block. In Queenstown, the homes built
are usually McMansions. I told Neal that our lifestyle block had only a
gatekeeper's cottage. Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEar9sh33L9q79YwqVPPEnGbhVKQF9OaRhNL-Li-m764P6tkHBsTcEMBiWyLdXRowk6lCSRNaW3zCAXJ3sO7KDw-xkUTFo04sRPGP_LmHxcuTDujnGYGYcGi2YtJ1H78sQZ14ZybIsFg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEar9sh33L9q79YwqVPPEnGbhVKQF9OaRhNL-Li-m764P6tkHBsTcEMBiWyLdXRowk6lCSRNaW3zCAXJ3sO7KDw-xkUTFo04sRPGP_LmHxcuTDujnGYGYcGi2YtJ1H78sQZ14ZybIsFg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+241.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA60vvavpXoCaExM760QEuOfv1xkKt6EMdjIYzzZ6Q7pe3kI1guiqC1NLja3Cjh-aSqr3w-79o21Kk3kcnuMBxxEgyXc7KRfECZIqumDEER067hN2cTJ8GADGVsF2JMQPiPNPuxUkM4Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA60vvavpXoCaExM760QEuOfv1xkKt6EMdjIYzzZ6Q7pe3kI1guiqC1NLja3Cjh-aSqr3w-79o21Kk3kcnuMBxxEgyXc7KRfECZIqumDEER067hN2cTJ8GADGVsF2JMQPiPNPuxUkM4Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+245.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Beets. As I was to discover, in both New Zealand
and Australia, people eat beets quite often. More often than in the states and
in many different recipes. Delicious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are exhausted and I'm starting to get a cold,
(too many buffets with a zillion germs hands on the food tongs). Oh, rain last
night turned back into sun! Hooray!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One last note--Wellington reminds me of Russia in
that many buildings are painted grey and styled utilitarian, flat stacks of
floors, no greenery. Homes squished together, no yards and mostly unkempt,
peeling paint and such. So different from where we've been. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wellington, January 23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Woke to bright sunlight and--WIND, our constant
companion. Still, we intrepid travelers persevered!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The entire city looked better in sunlight. Doesn't
it always?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We started with a cable car ride up to the top of
the botanical gardens. That was a fun ride, more like a funicular sit-down ride
but an enjoyable experience nonetheless. Since we were at the top of the
gardens, we had to walk down, right? Ahh, finally some real activity that
wasn't too much stop and go. We stopped almost down to look at a sculpture by a
famous American sculptor, Henry Moore, and the sports-playing fields the
Americans in WWII constructed in appreciation for the city of Wellington. Back
down to the rose gardens, but no stopping to smell, just on down to visit the
oldest church in town and then to our appointment with the Supreme Court. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVevJAxH-i941xMly-FNq6XdSDU_0lGTQ-Wo4UtJBCVcXugo0olvG9ZeuPUkZc6JntWsEndeLrnyee5R44HoITKR-aIKdBjGXL_iK2TGP65FUxzP6WqUkVrAJHRcen5vR0uLhQEjAUw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVevJAxH-i941xMly-FNq6XdSDU_0lGTQ-Wo4UtJBCVcXugo0olvG9ZeuPUkZc6JntWsEndeLrnyee5R44HoITKR-aIKdBjGXL_iK2TGP65FUxzP6WqUkVrAJHRcen5vR0uLhQEjAUw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+247.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry Moore sculpture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaXVl59tO1GrXXAiG_kstTtclHQwTNgti3MHlEwGnrMsw80LyC1MtXklfp9cdQSFtW8kclHSpCtYCK_f5MNw654v5vVPxjpKeshl0k1lPBsIcT45IejaG-ZNqNtgYjUzD0BbPiO2OrQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaXVl59tO1GrXXAiG_kstTtclHQwTNgti3MHlEwGnrMsw80LyC1MtXklfp9cdQSFtW8kclHSpCtYCK_f5MNw654v5vVPxjpKeshl0k1lPBsIcT45IejaG-ZNqNtgYjUzD0BbPiO2OrQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+249.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Paul Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course Neal was in 7th Heaven. First we saw the
present building, and then the older, restored one. The new courtroom inside the
new building is in a dome-like configuration. Like a Kaori cone. I hope I have
the right spelling, anyway. Copper on the outside and triangular pieces like
that cone on the inside. The ceiling has an oblong glass skylight ceiling in
sort of triangular, long shapes (leaves?) to deflect sound and that part can be
covered over when it's too warm, like in midday. There are five judges who are
the final deciding court. We were allowed to go up and look at their chairs and
touch the screens made to look like Maori Longhouse wall mats on either side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This building was made so that the public can see
the judges at work through the glass at the doors of the court. So people
standing across the street at a bus stop can look in and see that the court is
in session. The windows can be shaded if a case warrants, so of course the
guide demonstrated that for us, several off and ons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we saw the old, reconstructed courthouse and
it looks more like what we expect a courthouse to look like. Of course Neal got
up in the witness box and took the oath, etc. there ensued a big discussion on
which hand was supposed to be on the Bible and which in the air. The docket
with steps leading down to the prison was right in the middle of the courtroom.
Some people told Neal that was where he really should have been! Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHblA2GScbA0VgW4p4W8VCI4YknPshRM3vWqm3Lms1URqHP8vXyb_F6u2xxpu_AKCwTeCr7Pu9ozE6nJgCDoDDrRK2Uf6l-42a6QiWq7VKB2TFZixic4eTyrUULI7SIGdFuw_prtFRlQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHblA2GScbA0VgW4p4W8VCI4YknPshRM3vWqm3Lms1URqHP8vXyb_F6u2xxpu_AKCwTeCr7Pu9ozE6nJgCDoDDrRK2Uf6l-42a6QiWq7VKB2TFZixic4eTyrUULI7SIGdFuw_prtFRlQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+253.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Supreme Court</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsk4rQhY0wDWvKM9gfJgbtwU47vmk8Z0hluVDRlf7tBDvjhaBWC9uupuLK4Bl2JwB48T1_SszYIyKcVfq1aRe6mF72oX25rpEF5BROtgEGbtDUuex-GJbB9VNlyT_uhqlWLg4i5l1_g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsk4rQhY0wDWvKM9gfJgbtwU47vmk8Z0hluVDRlf7tBDvjhaBWC9uupuLK4Bl2JwB48T1_SszYIyKcVfq1aRe6mF72oX25rpEF5BROtgEGbtDUuex-GJbB9VNlyT_uhqlWLg4i5l1_g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+261.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supreme Court building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxYik8_EAbhNPiMyQgS9gFcrMAaRfa20zzWjzpMe4tFVXi_cBp8zJpTwDlzy-jrbQ7o-kUVTQfaeZV7YskFsCMzew_16m_HPynC7F1FVpyahnqZkPhhyphenhyphenO7B1r-72MhCPkRODjwnxbDw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxYik8_EAbhNPiMyQgS9gFcrMAaRfa20zzWjzpMe4tFVXi_cBp8zJpTwDlzy-jrbQ7o-kUVTQfaeZV7YskFsCMzew_16m_HPynC7F1FVpyahnqZkPhhyphenhyphenO7B1r-72MhCPkRODjwnxbDw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+260.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old courthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ICxubGmoYSHU_telyv4EMyQTjOoHQaGBEh9vbpiymv0zMj29bB0-_4XzCkHXVKLkOx5gXdMAUBYXW8LWp4vupFTyKq6NBjaG68dAZDt2UGxZivGdgCeQgrgmeyxw89rcffn-WrqEdg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ICxubGmoYSHU_telyv4EMyQTjOoHQaGBEh9vbpiymv0zMj29bB0-_4XzCkHXVKLkOx5gXdMAUBYXW8LWp4vupFTyKq6NBjaG68dAZDt2UGxZivGdgCeQgrgmeyxw89rcffn-WrqEdg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+262.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliament</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lunch was at the Backbenchers Gastropub. Good
salad. Funny political cartoons that fit our government officials to a “T” as
well as the ones being commented upon. Evidently, politics is the same
everywhere. The Parliament Building was being refurbished and a meeting of all
the countries in the Commonwealth was going on, so we didn’t see inside those
buildings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We spent the afternoon at the Te Papa Museum. We
heard lovely philosophy from our Maori guide. I hope to find a book that
includes it all. One particularly striking statement he made was that the Maori
believe that if people want a good society, then parents must parent well. If
they don't, the young people will turn against society. The museum was a place
where one could go at ten in the morning and maybe see what you most wanted to
see by 6 p.m. One highlight was the Pygmy Blue Whale skeleton which hung from
the ceiling and filled the room. After
the museum, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with some of our group on the
waterfront. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd1Vpef2SETfLfNsPfosPoBO2QieicBv2VkJgq9vuWP1mBu_myKMf4oK56WkufsowKQZ7kODKldm0iEXgtCwzqKVKpFEsOUw0HvfypWY87O00uZhD66AE-zsho-FyW-imQKy6LF31Pg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd1Vpef2SETfLfNsPfosPoBO2QieicBv2VkJgq9vuWP1mBu_myKMf4oK56WkufsowKQZ7kODKldm0iEXgtCwzqKVKpFEsOUw0HvfypWY87O00uZhD66AE-zsho-FyW-imQKy6LF31Pg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+270.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Papa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvmNEp6MVZ03d38pugkRdO3dWqYSfoNcTQytZS8w9whsCorWciFFj9H6ZoJdH1nTJ8S0bHjwtU-lnuQ-JUQnlwQbMqvScaU9q6lgPh3hyU7YixWeO5Ee81hBmDyf4DP2umgzbqh-Kcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvmNEp6MVZ03d38pugkRdO3dWqYSfoNcTQytZS8w9whsCorWciFFj9H6ZoJdH1nTJ8S0bHjwtU-lnuQ-JUQnlwQbMqvScaU9q6lgPh3hyU7YixWeO5Ee81hBmDyf4DP2umgzbqh-Kcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+268.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Papa Welcome Ceremony Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wellington, January 24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Zealandia, the place in the city that has been
fenced off with footings and mesh with holes less than quarter of an inch in
thickness so nothing can get in by foot (except some very small mice being
watched to see they don't become invasive). Zealandia, where anything not
native to NZ before humans arrived is being eradicated and where things that
were here before are being reintroduced, like certain species of trees. Our
guide said it will take about 700 years for that to happen, but you have to
start somewhere, right? We had a lovely, brisk morning walk through the
reclaimed land and although all the birds and creatures weren't out yet, since
some are nocturnal, some cormorants were out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By the way, if an ornithologist here asks you if
you want a shag, don't bop him one for his impudence--"shag" is what
cormorants are more commonly called. We saw the NZ version of geckos, several
varieties of birds I now forget the name of, and some ugly three-eyed lizard thing
that sleeps burrowed in a hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We heard the bell bird but we didn't see it, same
with the saddleback. I guess the ornithologist could say, "If you don't
want the shag, give me my saddleback." Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the outdoors walk, we went inside the
visitors center and watched a 7-minute film showing what NZ was like before
humans, then all the bad stuff Maoris and Englishmen did, unwittingly, when
they showed up and now how in this one space and in several NZ islands the
damage is being reversed. Quite an inspirational movie. We all could do a bit
more to live more sustainably. I saw a quotation yesterday that I liked--If you
live like there's no tomorrow, there definitely won't be."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluFFbuUi4-ovz9yWFciAdqsI1Pu7b742la8i2Ls1GMqHdFJNDDoc8NKpRaC942x3WQAv0EdtDgvCVWksdC6QCY5DOfWbzU8fHio_wejqnm5S7k8ERbxzTKxlYZSIWU3qsOjau4vBgow/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluFFbuUi4-ovz9yWFciAdqsI1Pu7b742la8i2Ls1GMqHdFJNDDoc8NKpRaC942x3WQAv0EdtDgvCVWksdC6QCY5DOfWbzU8fHio_wejqnm5S7k8ERbxzTKxlYZSIWU3qsOjau4vBgow/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+282.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugly, three-eyed lizard thing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyL5a-m0xB-MbAdeNL6y8ywmLkIBOcEjop3_3K7kOlfdPweWb-UEDDqEqv75AAA7ECDW0Dn5lFMdflJBFqQkNFwF35_LlqHCKlWbcdv49g20pn178LUPNbdGgT8tVGlug7rDeaHW-MQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyL5a-m0xB-MbAdeNL6y8ywmLkIBOcEjop3_3K7kOlfdPweWb-UEDDqEqv75AAA7ECDW0Dn5lFMdflJBFqQkNFwF35_LlqHCKlWbcdv49g20pn178LUPNbdGgT8tVGlug7rDeaHW-MQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+271.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf234oi-aC_3e-jxGzqS1d66cECbRob1ZpcCY7xuFpeBS6EzEoN8fGkMwUQRSA5QydY-ee2aBaNoNSIzYiiqbyj_sE9pQfq1i6OJOGX9FHgR9iVsNzf_p1Uq17GhYynf8oGyIhN13kpg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf234oi-aC_3e-jxGzqS1d66cECbRob1ZpcCY7xuFpeBS6EzEoN8fGkMwUQRSA5QydY-ee2aBaNoNSIzYiiqbyj_sE9pQfq1i6OJOGX9FHgR9iVsNzf_p1Uq17GhYynf8oGyIhN13kpg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+298.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a surprise, we were gifted a Quickie surprise
trip to Weta Studio gift store. People snapped photos of the giant trolls and
the Golom (sp) and the big fang-toothed monster. I did that, too, it's true,
and Neal bought himself and his mentoree Lucas a Hobbitown shirt.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrZhFtjfaDIf-ZdARddp7NN9wpJfb8vCgL2HjQb-xGTu1x-mWF0lO6FvnavXI7KPGdTA_VphjKivl83F6d8cj_wh0GyOehQS1I5YsuRT1xSHvhi1hRufcr3pxbUjHOQBQMq42DYDH_Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrZhFtjfaDIf-ZdARddp7NN9wpJfb8vCgL2HjQb-xGTu1x-mWF0lO6FvnavXI7KPGdTA_VphjKivl83F6d8cj_wh0GyOehQS1I5YsuRT1xSHvhi1hRufcr3pxbUjHOQBQMq42DYDH_Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+287.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnqf_D_gbsdHYI2aZ0zZNe18Txr98WmVKD4A2OWj-gOebv1MUpORC0Tb7bcLlzALd_iD-TU-LcIk3oeZ-1d8ih8e0163RQHuO5perL4TNRObSo-xNHj29Zrlplqd2yzwiaf6UkN4rNg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnqf_D_gbsdHYI2aZ0zZNe18Txr98WmVKD4A2OWj-gOebv1MUpORC0Tb7bcLlzALd_iD-TU-LcIk3oeZ-1d8ih8e0163RQHuO5perL4TNRObSo-xNHj29Zrlplqd2yzwiaf6UkN4rNg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+283.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This afternoon the gang drove around with a
geologist who explained the geology of the area. I, on the other hand, took a
nap. We have to arise at 4:00 in the morning to fly to Australia and I need to
catch up on sleep before then. We had a lovely farewell dinner for those who
were going back home without seeing Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you've ever wondered if you'd like NZ, I have
to say the answer is probably yes. I'll be sad to bid it farewell.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday, January 25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Travel day, wake up 3:45, flight to Sydney,
Australia, at 7:05.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upon arrival, as we drove in from the airport, we
stopped for a breather at the famous Bondi Beach, drove up to a park where we
could take in the all of Sydney, and then out to the south headland of the
harbor and a place where people used to leap to their deaths.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKz6iFSWwd_Zg1fcI-p9KR0fvJLU33mOdk5x5jTk2x8QiRwC2Zga0_dG3dBFsLQumyAZCcHlUlMcAEO14_UYnx0sHEzEW4mH-JAbNOBnCfnHui5WsD2iUkVv2tHlUqSRFqlxuApVtDg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKz6iFSWwd_Zg1fcI-p9KR0fvJLU33mOdk5x5jTk2x8QiRwC2Zga0_dG3dBFsLQumyAZCcHlUlMcAEO14_UYnx0sHEzEW4mH-JAbNOBnCfnHui5WsD2iUkVv2tHlUqSRFqlxuApVtDg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+301.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bondi Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP4H7FXp2Eq313cPxstu-3AWKHtkNQK3RUZeZk0IeefEypyoozvHf5aApBQTnkEdl9VLV8iDRrKY-uJJZ_cSKioHaBFBw5XZYa-aGEOU0BzOHHtDjjBXDksVLbgzl3stv7_z88WU_ng/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP4H7FXp2Eq313cPxstu-3AWKHtkNQK3RUZeZk0IeefEypyoozvHf5aApBQTnkEdl9VLV8iDRrKY-uJJZ_cSKioHaBFBw5XZYa-aGEOU0BzOHHtDjjBXDksVLbgzl3stv7_z88WU_ng/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+306.jpg" height="103" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the headlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQhGvj_hGTz2_15nCzbyPHfDcNYJa9IzNNDArXZpUVnDokwhC9jRkLYXpcPZ8txAsj5PI0lmcpQpo0cthp8s2TBuoUh57PUXbrejbc1NOYNRS7YEg6bWRziebJfWm-SLmnLTOmZwIxQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQhGvj_hGTz2_15nCzbyPHfDcNYJa9IzNNDArXZpUVnDokwhC9jRkLYXpcPZ8txAsj5PI0lmcpQpo0cthp8s2TBuoUh57PUXbrejbc1NOYNRS7YEg6bWRziebJfWm-SLmnLTOmZwIxQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+304.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney, bridge and opera house in distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once ensconced in our hotel, we walked around the central
city area in a circle and experienced George Street and Market Street, and the
Queen Victoria Building. Our hotel is right on Darling Harbour. Briefing for
rest of time in Sydney and then dinner. Pooped. We have cruises and a zoo trip on
our list and we’ll learn about opal mining. We also have a tour of Sydney Opera
House where we all plan to sing. Sydney is lovely and lively. More to come!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-BmbsYU0z3HDLdAbV-FArFj4o3abJGUUdiro2Rts9gkwUZLw1eby0hQzMHz8cgt7PNqndzesbRIKTflBKjfy50GWdIspo_bshG5GXepfVGuo37P4fqe_jVdeik201OEpuWe575B3UA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-BmbsYU0z3HDLdAbV-FArFj4o3abJGUUdiro2Rts9gkwUZLw1eby0hQzMHz8cgt7PNqndzesbRIKTflBKjfy50GWdIspo_bshG5GXepfVGuo37P4fqe_jVdeik201OEpuWe575B3UA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+307.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Victoria Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI36UB141-C_6aJkqiJcuEqiAYYJKXr4tLgOSw4Tw2U2HFp7P6WZhmCwh-Am6nm16e3gHgqH4unSnFCdkAlRWA-Dn2qB-02PkISra5eGFY0MEFZ9jD2UMBQJMDFovg-6RY6ENYIuRfA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI36UB141-C_6aJkqiJcuEqiAYYJKXr4tLgOSw4Tw2U2HFp7P6WZhmCwh-Am6nm16e3gHgqH4unSnFCdkAlRWA-Dn2qB-02PkISra5eGFY0MEFZ9jD2UMBQJMDFovg-6RY6ENYIuRfA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+323.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Opera House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Australia Day, January 26, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy Australia Day! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It started off cloudy and misty. We had two
lectures about Australia's history, but at tea time I left to go buy a pair of
shoes because mine just died. I traversed where we'd walked yesterday so I was
reasonably sure I wouldn't get lost. That way I got a photo shot of Queen
Victoria's Market which I had missed yesterday because my iPhone had died. My
new shoes felt great as we walked around alongside the harbour all afternoon at
"The Rocks." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just a little bit about what I did learn. The
median Australian taxpayer makes about $50,000, the range being from $37,000 to
$80,000. 1.5% of pre-tax income goes to medicare. 9% goes to superannuation for
retirement fund and employers have to contribute half of that. There are also widow’s pensions, disability
pensions and returned servicemen or their widows’ pensions. Healthcare is both
public and private and palliative care is available. I also have a great fact
sheet should anyone be interested in more comparisons between our two
countries.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Australia Day, January 26, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy Australia Day! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It started off cloudy and misty. We had two
lectures about Australia's history, but at tea time I left to go buy a pair of
shoes because mine just died. I traversed where we'd walked yesterday so I was
reasonably sure I wouldn't get lost. That way I got a photo shot of Queen
Victoria's Market which I had missed yesterday because my iPhone had died. My
new walking shoes felt great as we walked around alongside the harbour all
afternoon at "The Rocks." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just a little bit about what I did learn. The
median Australian taxpayer makes about $50,000, the range being from $37,000 to
$80,000. 1.5% of pre-tax income goes to medicare. 9% goes to superannuation for
retirement fund and employers have to contribute half of that. There are also widow’s pensions, disability
pensions and returned servicemen or their widows’ pensions. Healthcare is both
public and private and palliative care is available. I also have a great fact
sheet should anyone be interested in more comparisons between our two
countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We saw warehouses and bond shops turned into
restaurants. Many buildings are kept the same on the outside and re-purposed
inside. We saw the tall sailing ships race, ferries racing, a cruise ship and a
steam ship. A helicopter pulling an Australian flag, news helicopters, and
about 30,000 people milling about with us.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkM5d20WG-C6_qyeNP2walFBnJq0arHi2V5KO8SDLVLatuoC9Qesit7aIzNu-ulOhrelyAq5mCtCfdmyadRCQOsxmH36GD-_IEZppI9uUHbF24GhBKxVWvAigefPw2KD0kw4ECeYxbQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkM5d20WG-C6_qyeNP2walFBnJq0arHi2V5KO8SDLVLatuoC9Qesit7aIzNu-ulOhrelyAq5mCtCfdmyadRCQOsxmH36GD-_IEZppI9uUHbF24GhBKxVWvAigefPw2KD0kw4ECeYxbQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+332.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bond shops, now restaurants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzD0P7ViJQ1P-okPk7ZRqoElzTLPoZuFPxBedy7aHxXIJlLjhJRxIBg9iH7ivlcWqt-1KEiJsjBEYTFEfk4-xPFpl-sO312NAjLC4YnSGawdFDRhs2NyKw_TvEm7-uqHgmZmN1xHG1Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzD0P7ViJQ1P-okPk7ZRqoElzTLPoZuFPxBedy7aHxXIJlLjhJRxIBg9iH7ivlcWqt-1KEiJsjBEYTFEfk4-xPFpl-sO312NAjLC4YnSGawdFDRhs2NyKw_TvEm7-uqHgmZmN1xHG1Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+336.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sculpture depicting first settlers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_yc8lkfV_TxOYZlWi7VKmSBH9dcYvHiCUQFK_T_ezBzMXZzIBqPEVQgs1e-VLu2y1AtBTWzDppRLqdW3Wph9u-slDuyLAFv1lvMeXKmYAP0tB882TteDJ-3m9I_9FJbd0Ppkm3sjCQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_yc8lkfV_TxOYZlWi7VKmSBH9dcYvHiCUQFK_T_ezBzMXZzIBqPEVQgs1e-VLu2y1AtBTWzDppRLqdW3Wph9u-slDuyLAFv1lvMeXKmYAP0tB882TteDJ-3m9I_9FJbd0Ppkm3sjCQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+342.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oldest house in Sydney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTY_Z3tr3GcLDiKuLV8440NN-M5UZMUMsbeSJ8FViEWWM78sNzrN0eQrnS8TPayJbbLZjUZk3VYX6Pi2_xcnEuPOu4Jm-GLoWrG5hVXdZb4y8WbHOBs3WYL1RBAw2YDux88RPO-TZpKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTY_Z3tr3GcLDiKuLV8440NN-M5UZMUMsbeSJ8FViEWWM78sNzrN0eQrnS8TPayJbbLZjUZk3VYX6Pi2_xcnEuPOu4Jm-GLoWrG5hVXdZb4y8WbHOBs3WYL1RBAw2YDux88RPO-TZpKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+328.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall ships race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplNecGICnY8iwEqBF3PljJb0UfeiSCQMRAc4N1KYHbR6ZEbBlnkCEi8-SGnq-rMh7vQCg63qYTpeq6KG45ElVRkUa_8WX-wpe4Y45qI7gBTGiMNvWiI_lJSoxpwGi3vwyWg-rBGpnVw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplNecGICnY8iwEqBF3PljJb0UfeiSCQMRAc4N1KYHbR6ZEbBlnkCEi8-SGnq-rMh7vQCg63qYTpeq6KG45ElVRkUa_8WX-wpe4Y45qI7gBTGiMNvWiI_lJSoxpwGi3vwyWg-rBGpnVw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+348.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The coup de grace, though, was getting
to tour through all the various performance stages of the Sydney Opera House
and watch a couple of films about its design and structure. We weren’t allowed
to take many photos. We can also say that we sang at the Sydney Opera House. We
go back Tuesday to see a performance there.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m0a8F0tXozh85ItkamC6dVZvXA4dUQeJbH8vKYNmeMKum0ipEHLyGUlpir0ZB5Odb3_qo2GR529UVYYKGVIP0Lywrz-hdKbZGurvOv6gAblfHi1GkZ_ZjomG96zBhTqIXxUJzym6yw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m0a8F0tXozh85ItkamC6dVZvXA4dUQeJbH8vKYNmeMKum0ipEHLyGUlpir0ZB5Odb3_qo2GR529UVYYKGVIP0Lywrz-hdKbZGurvOv6gAblfHi1GkZ_ZjomG96zBhTqIXxUJzym6yw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+354.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beams inside Opera House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We went to dinner along the harbour and Neal and I
stayed to see the most fabulous fireworks show I've ever seen in my life, and
I'm OLD! It was synchronized with music and just when we thought it had come to
the finale, it would take off again. What was also cool was the way the
fireworks were reflected in the windows of the buildings across the harbour. Neal
said it was half an hour long. Everyone present was mesmerized by the show, all
180,000 (paper said next day) of our closest friends. Getting out of there
pushed our claustrophobia and agoraphobia limits to the max but I'm so glad we
stayed to experience it. Plus, 1.8 million people came into Sydney for the
Australia Day celebration. Tomorrow we go on a cruise and then we have the day
and night to ourselves. I wonder what we'll come up with?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfafieGqEtUOUQFRrb6hm8Kisgca8IAE6ge7sqq1bIc2mErZrLqiNmugRHwPPS_GH_QskfVsMcLo2zU_S2YDlfVqBlJNKyMJqiAu3Nif-k8wUY6WXnSFyORsFbDfCMEvUmcksQP2A5g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfafieGqEtUOUQFRrb6hm8Kisgca8IAE6ge7sqq1bIc2mErZrLqiNmugRHwPPS_GH_QskfVsMcLo2zU_S2YDlfVqBlJNKyMJqiAu3Nif-k8wUY6WXnSFyORsFbDfCMEvUmcksQP2A5g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+358.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtNKdsdP9P2L3lZsgwConTDJgI_T0-smd5bDIFai6tZYFreSR55BjGxLUNGe2g4er0N5dZwsmPbJgPHbheLnP0wIIqn4_NgZvzOic2lBMdTtumNW7OsQwd4Kujq425HN3GqNK-RY9Nw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtNKdsdP9P2L3lZsgwConTDJgI_T0-smd5bDIFai6tZYFreSR55BjGxLUNGe2g4er0N5dZwsmPbJgPHbheLnP0wIIqn4_NgZvzOic2lBMdTtumNW7OsQwd4Kujq425HN3GqNK-RY9Nw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+357.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">January 27, still Sydney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We cruised Sydney Harbour today, all the way out
to the north and south headlands, into all the little side harbours and back.
Sunny, light breeze, a perfect morning for a cruise. We had the "morning
tea" cruise and halfway through, we were served our tea and box of sweets.
Being in the harbour helped with understanding Sydney's layout so much better.
Gosh, that was fun!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY10EqMHayDc7RNq1p5RcfIBb-ojOQHL6a_2wcOjMpjPOJ8caadFI2lC6Qiik15Lq0fIXqN5c1qeYkqcVROAsWHIev-blfZM34YsqNV9tAaYoSM-iaooMktkGTrpW83FoB5sUp-qJGQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY10EqMHayDc7RNq1p5RcfIBb-ojOQHL6a_2wcOjMpjPOJ8caadFI2lC6Qiik15Lq0fIXqN5c1qeYkqcVROAsWHIev-blfZM34YsqNV9tAaYoSM-iaooMktkGTrpW83FoB5sUp-qJGQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+371.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darling Harbour amusement park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg687naSuhTp-m66RTJ5Cr7u7lL-H1d3DWrKSs_l3MUOgFvQYfRLF9FOfKsPBkcW5DJbA4joH2SSwooUs2tcLUsCF0DSKrg99pNTtPv7-KHhJGWN6v8yjH1m0YI3Yf__CPPJ3PYSV60Lg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg687naSuhTp-m66RTJ5Cr7u7lL-H1d3DWrKSs_l3MUOgFvQYfRLF9FOfKsPBkcW5DJbA4joH2SSwooUs2tcLUsCF0DSKrg99pNTtPv7-KHhJGWN6v8yjH1m0YI3Yf__CPPJ3PYSV60Lg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+381.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbour cruise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our lunch was in the very first hospital, at The
Rocks, built by convict labor and the stones were at least a foot thick. That
place is going nowhere for awhile!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqa64DrwF63JtqRcyQy2C7Ee7QTan30EM4eQKC0IaO05S8oDYW1Q78NNbj3HIKLoTBYBOERYv2VPaBFrEcC-wQydvS0SDk4c-rgXWxs_5anbirZpqJx9Z_Dyii7ZI-aRH7NPfDCAKTA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqa64DrwF63JtqRcyQy2C7Ee7QTan30EM4eQKC0IaO05S8oDYW1Q78NNbj3HIKLoTBYBOERYv2VPaBFrEcC-wQydvS0SDk4c-rgXWxs_5anbirZpqJx9Z_Dyii7ZI-aRH7NPfDCAKTA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+382.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the stones in the doorway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I will talk about ketchup here. The formula for it
is very different from in the states. The bottles and labels are the same, but
the texture and taste are different and it’s not called ketchup. It’s called
“tomato sauce.” I’m not sure what they call what we call “tomato sauce” but I
can imagine Aussies and NZeds are disappointed when they come here and buy
tomato sauce and find it to be thin, runny stuff not like their ketchup at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Did I talk about vegemite yet? If not, that’s
probably because I find it disgusting. I first encountered it in a bowl sitting
next to the croissants at breakfast buffet. I thought, “Oh, goodie, chocolate
sauce which will taste great on my croissant.” Imagine my surprise to taste a
black, tinny, salty spread made from yeast, rotten yeast, surely, in my
opinion. What a waste of a bite of an otherwise perfectly good croissant!
Others in our group made a similar mistake. We are told kids really like it on
their toast. I guess it’s what one grows up with, but if I’d tasted that as a
kid, I don’t think I’d have wanted to grow up! At least now I know what English
and Commonwealth writers mean when vegemite is referred to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love kiwi juice!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked back down George Street to our next
destinations, first the convenience store for Kleenex, batteries, cough
drops--those things you find yourself needing whilst traveling, then we headed
up Market Street, over the overpass, and down to the Aquarium, as Vallie (one
of my former students who works here sometimes) suggested for spare time fun.
Saw our first platypus, huge sting rays with giant tails, all types and sizes
of sharks, eels, giant water snakes, turtles with almost foot-long necks and a
turtle that was trying to mate with a fish. Persistently so. Adults couldn't
explain that to each other, let alone their kids. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked slowly back to our hotel, stopping for
libation along the waterfront.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Loving the free afternoon! Tonight we'll head back
to Darling Harbour for dinner. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfBWlIFdZYmjxT4OsF50MhkjpXE-nBXThsZLBzcyW2luBUC4rolG53UxkpCBKUzG0K26X0M49mtuQ-BwJNZfC5tICLq3pYFNauMRNEwUN53WQVnE_8Lkd8cBGIcizrc8l49TWY7Ms9Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfBWlIFdZYmjxT4OsF50MhkjpXE-nBXThsZLBzcyW2luBUC4rolG53UxkpCBKUzG0K26X0M49mtuQ-BwJNZfC5tICLq3pYFNauMRNEwUN53WQVnE_8Lkd8cBGIcizrc8l49TWY7Ms9Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+385.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neal at Darling Harbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4g0hkG94iojPgmLRCph3FC1an72O1TcglbOgeLE0GywmP5Q2t9Gwh9y83be2Tt02G-v1MUMA97LEXMX33QRYiR5SYdRglY2dRIAHFjWK8-gjxuzRamcltz1_CbQa20PQCI3LAIaDXw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4g0hkG94iojPgmLRCph3FC1an72O1TcglbOgeLE0GywmP5Q2t9Gwh9y83be2Tt02G-v1MUMA97LEXMX33QRYiR5SYdRglY2dRIAHFjWK8-gjxuzRamcltz1_CbQa20PQCI3LAIaDXw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+386.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful sculpture, Darling Harbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow, the zoo, free time, and then the Opera
House performance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday, zoo and Sydney Opera House Day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before anything, we stopped at an opal store to
learn about opal mining. We did not get
to see an actual mine, just a little video. Interesting, because opal is my
birthstone (Who decided stuff like that anyway?) and because I hadn't known
there were three kinds and all three are mined in Australia. I liked the bluish
ones the best but since I didn't have $14,000 for a necklace, I didn't buy one.
Some women on our trip did, though. One woman couldn't decide between the
$6,000 pair or the $18,000 pair. She's 80, though, so why not spend it while
she can enjoy it? Me, I'd rather have a new car. Hahahaha! I can't lose that as
fast as I seem to lose jewelry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of our guys stood in the hall wondering why
these tours didn't have fun stops for guys but when I asked them what they'd
suggest, they came up blank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Off to the zoo where we saw wombats, kangaroos,
echidnas, possums (not the same thing as what we call possums), a shingle back
lizard, a platypus, a pigeon that looked like a cousin to a peacock, a gorilla,
elephants and a Tasmanian Devil. And another great view of Sydney Harbour. Oh,
and the most dangerous spider in Australia, the funnel spider. Supposedly it's
not aggressive and there is now an antidote. Males' venom is worse than
females'. I did not like when the spider was being passed around, believe me!
However, the male platypus has stinger on his left foot with venom worse than
that spider! Learning all kinds of things. And today was the last day of Christmas/summer
break before kids have to be in school. We enjoyed our ferry ride back to town.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dwaUeri1CdYWV0iq34iSELXsCchsqjxtmqhgHHNvqVzfoDW0D0rzO9vs00BfxZYpwo6O3XnMr5pQ3LWzrsDDlfXIqFxT7tKW9ccxF4tdu2kJgNpJb3OAyfmu7ZUQCJyxs00VrWhENQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dwaUeri1CdYWV0iq34iSELXsCchsqjxtmqhgHHNvqVzfoDW0D0rzO9vs00BfxZYpwo6O3XnMr5pQ3LWzrsDDlfXIqFxT7tKW9ccxF4tdu2kJgNpJb3OAyfmu7ZUQCJyxs00VrWhENQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+391.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koala (not my photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz-hCjwO0slBelRHDmvQgEo-3jhb1bQ2T5Z7mfbtXTTVZrzVsM5l8LYztkvVZ60iEgFy-CAGsSNBTNJ15opu3MEnnpGC4GBpraSnk3fxma_PsJ8cGTFZrS3yGsa5EEx6PUL99JklXeg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz-hCjwO0slBelRHDmvQgEo-3jhb1bQ2T5Z7mfbtXTTVZrzVsM5l8LYztkvVZ60iEgFy-CAGsSNBTNJ15opu3MEnnpGC4GBpraSnk3fxma_PsJ8cGTFZrS3yGsa5EEx6PUL99JklXeg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+396.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallaby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQXFv0mUZjdjqkXi3wOq1TdSPgHdrKhVlCismAv1V_2a9Oo-vu9O-OvyVUXeRQ3PfBUhuui49JXAQr1bQe2TqdnEaYs-6CDAlz2K2k49TYeTfCir150sdqpAVgKxSZHS0AmTHJcFI0g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQXFv0mUZjdjqkXi3wOq1TdSPgHdrKhVlCismAv1V_2a9Oo-vu9O-OvyVUXeRQ3PfBUhuui49JXAQr1bQe2TqdnEaYs-6CDAlz2K2k49TYeTfCir150sdqpAVgKxSZHS0AmTHJcFI0g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+403.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAWrA0PrtbsIknBqVJUu_jp2XsT_YgVwIADXms2KaewLZRoZQjBPR40nYEPY_e7tjrptthBZdTUF1TWN01x6g7NVbDWotYvZyB5HTUNJFBUU7spKwuuCWyWbOgaP7vkuAA4ut5nBNww/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAWrA0PrtbsIknBqVJUu_jp2XsT_YgVwIADXms2KaewLZRoZQjBPR40nYEPY_e7tjrptthBZdTUF1TWN01x6g7NVbDWotYvZyB5HTUNJFBUU7spKwuuCWyWbOgaP7vkuAA4ut5nBNww/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+410.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasmanian Devil (so cute)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Came back
to the hotel for rest and re-packing for our flight to Melbourne. John<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWlkhyphenhyphen1hqk7JpWuYMC7E0WY9p6E9lnj9cGlVv7ZYKUa4WrWzSXHoK14_Pm6vp1ojGY-rFsTSp91Qq6aJFOswpIykMYFF4quxI3TIC2G-ocVAFuWsJzo_kU4STF-Da-CVvhjwLoIsewg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWlkhyphenhyphen1hqk7JpWuYMC7E0WY9p6E9lnj9cGlVv7ZYKUa4WrWzSXHoK14_Pm6vp1ojGY-rFsTSp91Qq6aJFOswpIykMYFF4quxI3TIC2G-ocVAFuWsJzo_kU4STF-Da-CVvhjwLoIsewg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+411.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Echidna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFF8fwU1oNjpikkbhLFLPeDJNzkeJOLTi_PaJ-7ZsSqja_AES5V-BXvMhzHk61VC1AstI_CT5SjyNqe3BXmA1WifR5ijsjeWqFi8TKx9MnNXA-J2rmIow_VEtsHWweO78f-IPR2Ey2Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFF8fwU1oNjpikkbhLFLPeDJNzkeJOLTi_PaJ-7ZsSqja_AES5V-BXvMhzHk61VC1AstI_CT5SjyNqe3BXmA1WifR5ijsjeWqFi8TKx9MnNXA-J2rmIow_VEtsHWweO78f-IPR2Ey2Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+412.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shingle-backed lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
said
tonight it was 27 and fine in Melbourne tomorrow, so not as hot as it's been.
“Fine” means “nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dinner and then off to see this evening's
performance of "La Soiree" at the opera house, a cabaret like a cross between Cirque de Soleil
and Darcelle's. The acrobatic acts were amazing feats of muscle control. There
were naughty bits, such as the strip teaser who kept finding a red cloth in her
clothing pieces so she had to remove them and when she got down to nothing, she
found one more red hanky in her hoo-haa. One woman was a sword and knife
swallower. Lots of trapeze and twirler acts. Another woman twirled hula hoops,
and finally one woman was a powerful songstress. All in all, a funny evening
laughing at all the naughties.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">January 29th, travel to Melbourne (pronounced “Melb’n)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After we arrived, we were taken to the Fitzroy
Gardens for lunch--tea sandwiches and fruit platter. Very lovely, prim gardens,
a darling miniature Tudor village--some of the guys thought it looked like the
buildings were constructed from Legos. Also, a fairy tree--when a tree was
damaged and had to be removed, an artist asked if she could carve the bottom
part into a fairyland for kids and the city agreed. Captain Cook’s parents’ home has been
re-constructed here as well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHnRRkhzoRtUI-4mhDIjj0jg_WB6PLZQXFclbnb4Z3VuLGOOd7hh6V-4VziyPC86026YegMGgWu8MVke_bQ_9FqelRK8cfziT-46mGoGbDF0WUY4HM1QzXU0HrtSMjb2PRGct2GFd7Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHnRRkhzoRtUI-4mhDIjj0jg_WB6PLZQXFclbnb4Z3VuLGOOd7hh6V-4VziyPC86026YegMGgWu8MVke_bQ_9FqelRK8cfziT-46mGoGbDF0WUY4HM1QzXU0HrtSMjb2PRGct2GFd7Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+415.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Tudor Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcal8xQxh03Bnp7FNWBY152jcNKYabT7z5CMcF7JxGoh0Ue9MZIOVYQPkXed5Ou0TiMsLsQn5ApBuzbq0Xfmc9qwYlmXgpC-Xbw4rgY0WcVWbgHELLZ0ELvjqPNTQ6WhGg7ZB0RtHDvg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcal8xQxh03Bnp7FNWBY152jcNKYabT7z5CMcF7JxGoh0Ue9MZIOVYQPkXed5Ou0TiMsLsQn5ApBuzbq0Xfmc9qwYlmXgpC-Xbw4rgY0WcVWbgHELLZ0ELvjqPNTQ6WhGg7ZB0RtHDvg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+416.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOMSzDvt-K7bldb6LzPJS-EqIU1S9CTFCfLVCS_5r_K5FXuMdlcvNfCcDR5DmKbkQlBCKQZmgR1EDf72tOeijpQkBHZxerOPl14N4YAmBMkdeHNV78XWpxK8tQxF4GqvIFY3BgXfg4w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOMSzDvt-K7bldb6LzPJS-EqIU1S9CTFCfLVCS_5r_K5FXuMdlcvNfCcDR5DmKbkQlBCKQZmgR1EDf72tOeijpQkBHZxerOPl14N4YAmBMkdeHNV78XWpxK8tQxF4GqvIFY3BgXfg4w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+417.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Cook's Parents Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Menus here in Australia often appear as sheets of
paper attached to a clipboard.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu_4gTWBmE6A0sofK7vULoJSPO6qahQPB6OtyTA-bFJCVkdx8RGeD6y0tNAn-LCHTNgeo1DILixj_DBWSq4CmI38Y5SdLe44DR5oS3ky1TOaL4yV150-fJJbTA7Bciyu6U6aCMhFxSQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu_4gTWBmE6A0sofK7vULoJSPO6qahQPB6OtyTA-bFJCVkdx8RGeD6y0tNAn-LCHTNgeo1DILixj_DBWSq4CmI38Y5SdLe44DR5oS3ky1TOaL4yV150-fJJbTA7Bciyu6U6aCMhFxSQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+414.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Next, we went to the top--of the Eureka SkyDeck
88--and looked out over the city. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LDcqU30HPmBNtmCUDhveRiDegOjNUsSLS3_5khD4J1uxYbdKmB5OxuSlyRmxLBC50ZJkN1sdBly7HV43nycAw3Ii_SDvejjjw8o54_O35ne82XDF5_g3-SscYwJwzmcbkHIjnVfKgQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LDcqU30HPmBNtmCUDhveRiDegOjNUsSLS3_5khD4J1uxYbdKmB5OxuSlyRmxLBC50ZJkN1sdBly7HV43nycAw3Ii_SDvejjjw8o54_O35ne82XDF5_g3-SscYwJwzmcbkHIjnVfKgQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+443.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No matter how high we build something, we
have to go to the top and look out, don't we? Supposedly, that is the highest
vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere, but I couldn't see Antarctica no
matter how much I squinted, so I'm just not sure about that! Hahahaha! One part
up there, called "The Edge," has a floor of plexiglass so if you pay to
go in it, you look down 88 floors to the street. And then you pee your pants.
Road Scholar didn't pay for us to do that and no one protested or paid to do it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yuJAOjDj5YPOQ9CUxFBnnj_AhZiYw8d6vDymyGAwqKzTXGPtOLfvQ6uMetfX2vKrCu30ev9-GP0jVuiZDkTtZVVhf_B7xovTAjskKtSsM4hcvrrOkDlGkTZRibnmxpCt4Tfee83MPA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yuJAOjDj5YPOQ9CUxFBnnj_AhZiYw8d6vDymyGAwqKzTXGPtOLfvQ6uMetfX2vKrCu30ev9-GP0jVuiZDkTtZVVhf_B7xovTAjskKtSsM4hcvrrOkDlGkTZRibnmxpCt4Tfee83MPA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+433.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne, our hotel to the left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAsbcjJt2wVUSdzSzBj2UMbAqRj0mMLissUAOpW704i8waQMQGeVXITXps2aWViWGTs-dW-THn34ELIUbtTEtlPjYDHsXvMGhK8l47xzTnFqI-_Gq3jF-HqhIp7sSwtaG-6DWOq-igg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAsbcjJt2wVUSdzSzBj2UMbAqRj0mMLissUAOpW704i8waQMQGeVXITXps2aWViWGTs-dW-THn34ELIUbtTEtlPjYDHsXvMGhK8l47xzTnFqI-_Gq3jF-HqhIp7sSwtaG-6DWOq-igg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+431.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5u1GwnynukG8qgnD7PEp8mYa11s0VDIjUp75zxHU8sGQOa5h8Dw49d6HL4iiOrLytoF2EnQ4M_nWolJ3QRNaMJTSc6K1Vd_t_ObXq4GUxXDkgxmulCnTvu7CJTyCWvHE7v5sGyXJCQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5u1GwnynukG8qgnD7PEp8mYa11s0VDIjUp75zxHU8sGQOa5h8Dw49d6HL4iiOrLytoF2EnQ4M_nWolJ3QRNaMJTSc6K1Vd_t_ObXq4GUxXDkgxmulCnTvu7CJTyCWvHE7v5sGyXJCQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+439.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne Harbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our last stop before checking into our hotel was
at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, honoring all the troops who went
halfway or more around the world to fight England's wars. So many men were lost
in WWI, mostly in Gallipoli, buried in common trenches where they fell, so that
their families had no place to take their grief and a whole generation of women
went without husbands. There are memorials to WWII, Korea, Vietnam Nam, and
Iraq as well. These places make me so sad, remembrances of senseless slaughter.
I can't see one good thing that killing others ever does. I'd like to see
memorials to peace and reconciliation once in awhile.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5CCNMFPT6jWE4hdb-v-30O-_c_FaO9d0WlHx1vLp8Jav7OYAx9-IfBBTg2EQL9-QrHEuLrvFWuhunwUIrbJ5RFmZ6ZZBj-r2KqqJggCWj1uvAeERmHjxXU98uoqe8Sd0x_vv-xh1gg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5CCNMFPT6jWE4hdb-v-30O-_c_FaO9d0WlHx1vLp8Jav7OYAx9-IfBBTg2EQL9-QrHEuLrvFWuhunwUIrbJ5RFmZ6ZZBj-r2KqqJggCWj1uvAeERmHjxXU98uoqe8Sd0x_vv-xh1gg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+442.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSsqlQStJrxpSqlyiykPyc0buyyeQ_cHXnsmxfx-KF4tmQIVJ8TgLMxQSzxEhu4AhOb-jHCb2HzrFLp0uGWXWkr95hv-VDIQqsluM5jeCu2VOAxJj8f5UxBhXHrfERttqlm2cjPxeQg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSsqlQStJrxpSqlyiykPyc0buyyeQ_cHXnsmxfx-KF4tmQIVJ8TgLMxQSzxEhu4AhOb-jHCb2HzrFLp0uGWXWkr95hv-VDIQqsluM5jeCu2VOAxJj8f5UxBhXHrfERttqlm2cjPxeQg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+441.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depiction of WWI hero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow we get to see penguins, so I'll have
something black and white to look forward to! We've been warned it's freezing
down there and we're to wear our warmest clothing. OK! My earmuffs are at the
ready!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday, 30 January<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Started the day with a lecture, "Introduction
to Australia's Economy and Health System." The two main things I retained
from this lecture were this: The Australian economy and employment are both so
much better than in the states and have stayed stable during the recession, and
most importantly to me, there is free health insurance for every single person.
Sometimes a person has to wait for an operation but that means nothing to me
since I had to wait six months for my knee replacement to get the person I knew
who did the best job. Aussies can purchase private health insurance and get
things done faster, but most are smarter, and make themselves a fund as they
start out life for their health insurance--whatever dividends come in go to
their fund and not to an insurance company. If they stay well, they have a nice
nest egg once they reach our age and to me that makes so much more sense than
paying an insurance company what you could be packing away yourself so much
more safely since you DO have health insurance as a backup anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here's my impression of Aussies overall--if they
want something to be done or built, by damn, it gets done and gets done now. If
it's not right, it gets torn down and replaced with something that actually
works. Needs do not get bogged down by partisan politics. If the people want
something, their elected officials do it. That's the way government is SUPPOSED
to work. They do have have lobbies, but the peoples' voice is so much stronger.
Hooray! So if they want a beautiful public arts center, for example, it gets
built. Roads, they get built. A certain law, it gets passed. I love it. AND,
their taxation doesn't work out to be any more than ours and EVERYONE'S salary
is taxed that certain percentage (I think it's about 30%) and that includes
people who are excluded by our tax laws because of the huge amounts of money
they make. I don't believe the wealthy should get a pass--noblesse oblige is a
concept I embrace. It's also a Christian concept, actually. We're only as good
as the poorest among us. Help out everyone (oh, those on welfare, those mothers
who had children, have to find a job when the kids are in school) Also the
basic minimum wage is something like $15 per hour! Another hooray!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi! (That is a
positive Australian cheer. After we learned it, we said it many times!)(Wikipedia
tells me this is now an official registered trademark chant—plus many more
facts. Go google it. Fascinating.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the lecture, and after tramping around in
alleyways to enter a couple of famous arcades (Royal Arcade, Block Arcade)(like
mini-malls), we all rode the tram over to Victoria Market, which is a larger
version of Pike Street Market in Seattle, about the same size as the outdoor
market in Cuernavaca, or similar to any number of European open-air markets, a
vast majority of stalls under a roof. Neal and I ate lunch in the food court
and then walked up and down each aisle and looked at "stuff." We saw
some of EVERYTHING--items from every nation, so many colors, smells like
leather, for example, or wool, and sounds, like the fishmonger and meat market
monger shouting about their wares. Some of the vendors shouted out at us
information about their products as we walked by. I got some pants that Neal
called my "lounging" pants, and a tee-shirt. He got some stuff but
mostly we just looked and enjoyed the sensory splendor. Our friend Sally got a
foot massage. Sorry I missed that one! Hahahaha! I almost had my fortune told,
but at my age that might be a very short reading and I don't want to know that!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsUnPJlbaYmfgMj9OLSHU5L_3DTjKdg898J6eqs01SEfggz322c7XPgRkQa2nEVTtymU6DX0h8Ujz9LJgnIZYEEpwMW-SYlU9iCM3Y9RsWG2RW0lX0EOISAOIfprse6m05ZxQfSfM4w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsUnPJlbaYmfgMj9OLSHU5L_3DTjKdg898J6eqs01SEfggz322c7XPgRkQa2nEVTtymU6DX0h8Ujz9LJgnIZYEEpwMW-SYlU9iCM3Y9RsWG2RW0lX0EOISAOIfprse6m05ZxQfSfM4w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+444.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Arcade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepHZGDFKozjG5gdtelUAVV83WZpaD5Fz3GLTWyEDjuO_tQTKG-TAHffra67wsXcz_lM6Del0VqtnM34NHh1-CMUsTZB8-fTMab6Xc8bjTImy3oiDOuUelRIO0nymYlYUJ23ErtN4caQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepHZGDFKozjG5gdtelUAVV83WZpaD5Fz3GLTWyEDjuO_tQTKG-TAHffra67wsXcz_lM6Del0VqtnM34NHh1-CMUsTZB8-fTMab6Xc8bjTImy3oiDOuUelRIO0nymYlYUJ23ErtN4caQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+446.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcade with Figures that strike the time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QaaP73FPMYk90Wq3aUEptHLOLArbZmC38abmnNd1N140rchRQK6BpMHPOOjbRjmrpaL4TOH5YU08YhqKQ6rSLxOiZYVeCVBtpRmVwsIqwwPedtYfsQBN9iU2FFeVUhplnQRkQQCoag/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QaaP73FPMYk90Wq3aUEptHLOLArbZmC38abmnNd1N140rchRQK6BpMHPOOjbRjmrpaL4TOH5YU08YhqKQ6rSLxOiZYVeCVBtpRmVwsIqwwPedtYfsQBN9iU2FFeVUhplnQRkQQCoag/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+447.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">foodcourt at Victoria Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST9XPQX-xhwuFH96o-4x16U8VDnmzKXWC2JhCxTCB5eqlvxFH_b9zZZutNIRzvnhzBJbyla3mUUTvP8xBiaoV8cIp20JDFt_oKI8GxLKltzWn9LJXuitgdsJJR-o_YUZammLEAKSytw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST9XPQX-xhwuFH96o-4x16U8VDnmzKXWC2JhCxTCB5eqlvxFH_b9zZZutNIRzvnhzBJbyla3mUUTvP8xBiaoV8cIp20JDFt_oKI8GxLKltzWn9LJXuitgdsJJR-o_YUZammLEAKSytw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+451.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsAjb-iIThe-zGaJC4SSMFJXf8tHYxor-2HfqKVyR5Bcz7C4zoR_VLfzDTbaMFlg2kRuvBw8GJFWraTVhft94KGIrby_3-bAUqog1BNZheon6lDBbj-AwCUCir_BAJwl78XdgWqt3dQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsAjb-iIThe-zGaJC4SSMFJXf8tHYxor-2HfqKVyR5Bcz7C4zoR_VLfzDTbaMFlg2kRuvBw8GJFWraTVhft94KGIrby_3-bAUqog1BNZheon6lDBbj-AwCUCir_BAJwl78XdgWqt3dQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+448.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for the perfect tomato!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyone loaded into the bus at three and we were
off to see the Phillip Island Penguins come in from the ocean where they've
been fishing and swallowing enough to feed their chicks when they return. They
get so full they have to walk at a 45 degree angle up the beach. Our meals have
been so plentiful during this trip that I empathize entirely. Now if I only had
some chicks to share with when I got home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More about that experience in a moment, because we
made two stops on the way there. First we stopped at a family viewing and
petting farm (mostly to pee, but then again, feeding wallabies and kangaroos,
seeing some more Tasmanian Devils (so cute!) and petting koalas was an
enjoyable by-product. Neal fed a wallaby and he said it was really soft. You
don't move your hand when they are eating the food or you get scratched. I just
watched. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKRzb6Zp-SkXJ5-_EGlyqSxWnmGTxwX0NBelYvCdrnbP4NHOvHiNQV7Q1MgfEThf5TPw4utWEtGTaWrivUS-3qmDBABXoojgrmK8s-Zc1SBD2mBQqTcyjzk76fGLDREGSKAtWqX0MKA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKRzb6Zp-SkXJ5-_EGlyqSxWnmGTxwX0NBelYvCdrnbP4NHOvHiNQV7Q1MgfEThf5TPw4utWEtGTaWrivUS-3qmDBABXoojgrmK8s-Zc1SBD2mBQqTcyjzk76fGLDREGSKAtWqX0MKA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+454.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanna be friends?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfH1xH2CIXNfOuHPp2YZxrbB5c0nzTD1k8Hl2h8pOd7naTD5HC2NeKpicRAxAJsZQ_5PWU6IaaaGLEMkB3W-5LR7Z4hBJvtEvrIREMEVuOHEXzMaY0D5lfS4ZTctdhfkpyXFYo2WN1w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfH1xH2CIXNfOuHPp2YZxrbB5c0nzTD1k8Hl2h8pOd7naTD5HC2NeKpicRAxAJsZQ_5PWU6IaaaGLEMkB3W-5LR7Z4hBJvtEvrIREMEVuOHEXzMaY0D5lfS4ZTctdhfkpyXFYo2WN1w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+458.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kangaroo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFyc0qcCd_9J-MFj_d9-6ZJbCFQx2fb3e1btoTJ3OL8AVLbu_doywCP0_iw8p0LHgKWsyV_yxMC8vR2NjtNAbKmSzENIpLQ0CEH2NeqPJNX1Zb1-Oj13tYJMpGK_ZnCAd9pu0I1VqpA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFyc0qcCd_9J-MFj_d9-6ZJbCFQx2fb3e1btoTJ3OL8AVLbu_doywCP0_iw8p0LHgKWsyV_yxMC8vR2NjtNAbKmSzENIpLQ0CEH2NeqPJNX1Zb1-Oj13tYJMpGK_ZnCAd9pu0I1VqpA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+462.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ULom27PwV8pmcMR-3INvf5Z-01AwoLVnWH7jbM9MloR843EkafTK4pCid74yPoxZ2gU71McvvrXxVtVvBET_qTg375Z2YRLkjzzo2qJ2tq34TChrMHgJsiVgLDVR4Zm1r1Jd6i-LEg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ULom27PwV8pmcMR-3INvf5Z-01AwoLVnWH7jbM9MloR843EkafTK4pCid74yPoxZ2gU71McvvrXxVtVvBET_qTg375Z2YRLkjzzo2qJ2tq34TChrMHgJsiVgLDVR4Zm1r1Jd6i-LEg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+466.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasmanian Devil (I'm cute, huh?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our next stop was San Remo Pub where we had dinner
and our friend Mike who is a motorcycle race enthusiast realized this is a pub
where one of his idols hangs out because a whole wall is dedicated to him.
There's a giant world cycling event held here apparently. Mike went to talk to
the owner and get the scoop, and he was gifted with a poster from the race held
in San Remo from 2013. He was thrilled and of course someone took a picture of
him and his poster so it can be emailed to him. That's how nice Aussies are. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXahlHBXYLFNxaYyNHa5XWPSEZ-ZNig_AqvyGg1kKyOXOG09wY6lrIMkBmjWsxvr9fG0Dm_fiOMNQKMUjfw85DTkoIgwa7SDHcl9HP49G3HzDF5gBA9G5d09lKkQYhzL4UqZNCcjwIKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXahlHBXYLFNxaYyNHa5XWPSEZ-ZNig_AqvyGg1kKyOXOG09wY6lrIMkBmjWsxvr9fG0Dm_fiOMNQKMUjfw85DTkoIgwa7SDHcl9HP49G3HzDF5gBA9G5d09lKkQYhzL4UqZNCcjwIKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+464.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neal on refreshment duty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we were at the beach at the site where the
penguins come up. Everyone has to be very quiet, seated, and without electronic
devices or cameras (so I have no photos of this event, but you can go online,
google it, and see it). (You can go to penguins.org.au online or you can
download a free app, Penguin Parade, Phillip Island at the App store.) Some
people from another culture group did not obey even though they were told how
the flash disorients the birds and then they don't know where their burrows are
and they go back into the ocean and their chicks die because they didn't get food.
Some members of our group pointed out any infractions they saw. Since
directions were given in every language, it's not like that other group didn't
understand the fragility of the situation. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHawaClafIK1OmWo6j0SipBvv__Z-l4dYyQsfmNbsDwuxejStX-sUuMQAVL-kNsy7TH7SCrBeNvenpl1LM1zFKldomv7pJtvsM6PJCsY32SKp0wxBdInP0YqygV41Gd84LvW1yS4NIg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHawaClafIK1OmWo6j0SipBvv__Z-l4dYyQsfmNbsDwuxejStX-sUuMQAVL-kNsy7TH7SCrBeNvenpl1LM1zFKldomv7pJtvsM6PJCsY32SKp0wxBdInP0YqygV41Gd84LvW1yS4NIg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+470.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at Phillip Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First three birds arrived, the lookouts, and then
once things looked safe to them, the others came in and began waddling up the
beach, swaying sided to side, bellies low to the ground. Every time we saw yet
another group emerge, it felt like magic. The audience is asked to wait an hour
after the first ones come in so that they have time to get to their burrows so
people don't scare them. by the time I walked back up the hill, I saw only
little butts coming from the burrows. They have worn dirt paths up the hill to
their burrows in their nightly march. I started counting but so many came in
last night I soon lost count. I'm sure at least 50 were there. Here's another
place my sister Susie would have cried! It's simply wonderful to see Nature in
action and to realize we humans are finally smart enough to protect another
species while enjoying their process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We got home at midnight. Our bus was very quiet
the two hours it took to get back to the hotel. What a wonderful day!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">January 31, Still Melbourne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our butts are dragging! We had to get up early to
be at the Ian Potter Centre NGV by 9:00. Somehow I don't think that's very
fair! We had a most informative lecture about the exhibitions there, one of
them Aboriginal art. We learned what some of the symbols used by the Aborigines
mean so we can now understand the paintings better.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteWvNQk5O9qE7r3uaApj0vdCammTC3NU2xZ1Bsy-Hx8fVoqPULWAHQPF7E8U_J0KdoVayz4gT40fnJp652-XTC6dmCMiWR2x7JpJgXuUqU2mdHtDPF8boVwhZioOZmbhcPTHlEqGGBw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteWvNQk5O9qE7r3uaApj0vdCammTC3NU2xZ1Bsy-Hx8fVoqPULWAHQPF7E8U_J0KdoVayz4gT40fnJp652-XTC6dmCMiWR2x7JpJgXuUqU2mdHtDPF8boVwhZioOZmbhcPTHlEqGGBw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+472.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian Potter Centre NGV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LRznotcp061pdwI_PT6FJJSWopczFJvaIwqlZAERNuEauNf8K8gcIzbiyjOqC8i9pBEKepWfRr0LI_VN_-NImKAyiGom53dvPw9i9Pit-PXP2LtqgxXMdG_lv1ev7MMfjQw7vYkXOg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LRznotcp061pdwI_PT6FJJSWopczFJvaIwqlZAERNuEauNf8K8gcIzbiyjOqC8i9pBEKepWfRr0LI_VN_-NImKAyiGom53dvPw9i9Pit-PXP2LtqgxXMdG_lv1ev7MMfjQw7vYkXOg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+474.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Exhibition Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_L_W-4UyiuNUQHL6zV3LqCHsj_GWj4XU9d_gPfAcC8eBneJELEcYhsuWjcVnrbhozC6OpVH2Y5ytnXnN6nsls3HjHy1z62qOJSQFRhcG28Hy1GZwce48yMNCGok59YX3W6sm7QmkI4A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_L_W-4UyiuNUQHL6zV3LqCHsj_GWj4XU9d_gPfAcC8eBneJELEcYhsuWjcVnrbhozC6OpVH2Y5ytnXnN6nsls3HjHy1z62qOJSQFRhcG28Hy1GZwce48yMNCGok59YX3W6sm7QmkI4A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+471.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this for my knitting friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhEedyAGs61P-bSZ0ro4RXiTRWn_ll4ufUF48f3mWT9CX1vgFls53ABNUQwWrSFK8jLsYz0A56Bh1eSgdr-e_RQlxkp9cmmKlq8IDav0cqrE31vjiJF3vs9FwCSyDNQAnEZ80cBXfoA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhEedyAGs61P-bSZ0ro4RXiTRWn_ll4ufUF48f3mWT9CX1vgFls53ABNUQwWrSFK8jLsYz0A56Bh1eSgdr-e_RQlxkp9cmmKlq8IDav0cqrE31vjiJF3vs9FwCSyDNQAnEZ80cBXfoA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+475.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For my old car buff friends, Dave and Gene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the presentation, Neal and I took the free
shuttle tram over to the Melbourne Museum at Carlton Gardens, next to the Royal
Exhibition Hall. More lovely architecture and gardens. I have to say we have
enjoyed the availability of public transportation and appreciate how we can get
from place to place without a car. That makes a city livable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the museum, we focused on the Aborigine
exhibit. There was one section where you could sit at a jukebox and press your
selection and hear the story of an Elder. There was a large structure that
featured several modern Aborigines speaking about their language and their own
clan. There used to be over 250 different languages that are largely lost now
because none of them were written and each clan had its own (three) languages,
each one for certain situations. But Aborigines sure as Hell know what dirt was
done them by the English and other white settlers who came here and reparations
have begun to be made. I read Bill Bryson's very funny book about Australia
before I came, and realize that even since that writing, things have improved for
the Aborigine culture. About time. The story is similar to that of our African
Americans and our First Nation peoples. Kids ripped away from their parents and
family and language in order to assimilate and "civilize" them. The
sad thing, for whites, is that they were too stupid to learn from those
cultures who had so much figured out that we are just now beginning to realize.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We took a lovely stroll back to the hotel after
our visit, passed a "bottle store" where Neal found an excellent
Aussie sparkling wine made from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, because, when
in Rome...Right? We figure while we're here we should sample the wares and
today's selection called "Izzie" was yummy. It goes well with Koko
Black 80% chocolate, by the way. The rest of our afternoon involved finding a
free wi-fi, a good dinner place, and then packing, because Alice Springs is on
the agenda for tomorrow. Uluru, here we come!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Something I keep forgetting is that in Sydney and
here in Melbourne, both, there are neighborhoods where it looks like New
Orleans with all the wrought-iron verandas. Wrought iron was used as ballast on
the way over in ships that would be taking back wheat and other agricultural
products.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">February 1, Alice Springs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet another plane trip and here we are at Alice
Springs enjoying heat and sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have had a most informative lecture on the
Aborigines who live in this area, their lifestyles, beliefs and art. Aborigines
are around 3% of Australia's population, and about a third of those are
full-blooded. Some recent DNA tests have shown similarities between people in
the area of Pakistan and the indigenous peoples here. How interesting! Other
animals have also migrated here from that area, dingos and a certain type of
tiger. There is way, way more information and more to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We went to The School of the Air which I've read
about and seen films about for a long time. Instead of the radio system they
used to use, there are now satellites, fax, phones, and internet. Although the
school is funded by the government, they are looking for funding for extras,
like books to add to their library. Kids over the years have made quilts,
murals and other artwork to symbolize how even though they live 1200 kms apart,
they are classmates. They get together three times a year for events such as
camping and sports and are sometimes surprised about what each other really
looks like.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qPfBy9Wqk6pKOMBm1C8oeU9aZ0f1nskurcSEzmM_cDjgFEUv4YybmzRnadceVzcSyJhN9YC5tkQ8mcDkIybCKCt9Vykj38A9kAQSduQu1GfvJ2CtJpYpwRpXIxKUZZ2DQL4s5Nwf-Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qPfBy9Wqk6pKOMBm1C8oeU9aZ0f1nskurcSEzmM_cDjgFEUv4YybmzRnadceVzcSyJhN9YC5tkQ8mcDkIybCKCt9Vykj38A9kAQSduQu1GfvJ2CtJpYpwRpXIxKUZZ2DQL4s5Nwf-Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+477.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NW Territory Flag and old radio set-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIAvzWFO3j3B4pV9WK3LFhEJas3dAkC4fUzZ04uSCyJxBcrIn-UD3vlOW-VezNBar_-Ih43wdJsU-6L4pu6gxqOdXWp2dizelAjPJUs3K-21tesN0meRyWCtYv87Wgp2XDxiBMgEBJA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIAvzWFO3j3B4pV9WK3LFhEJas3dAkC4fUzZ04uSCyJxBcrIn-UD3vlOW-VezNBar_-Ih43wdJsU-6L4pu6gxqOdXWp2dizelAjPJUs3K-21tesN0meRyWCtYv87Wgp2XDxiBMgEBJA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+476.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mural outside School of the Air</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdX8fiW72QOZwM8hCw_PKJf5OgS4VlQpfGVJCpAdJ0RNY40uMPPbbnx6LF4NXDzkAEj6cPjpu7xzSV8AVhHwM_kuh_O-LkzqXsANRz6T0WFkwpSAeHu8EhLyoc71QiCkDeXymH2BT3Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdX8fiW72QOZwM8hCw_PKJf5OgS4VlQpfGVJCpAdJ0RNY40uMPPbbnx6LF4NXDzkAEj6cPjpu7xzSV8AVhHwM_kuh_O-LkzqXsANRz6T0WFkwpSAeHu8EhLyoc71QiCkDeXymH2BT3Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+483.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking into a classroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_ZizUX-nZC6J6Fhknb9qjzoqf2tEXj5r3ianNXbnFo-zPk2DiMzfIs_fToSfvMjMNb6tOXGnxLq47JHgAvWOheZQA9kjppGhMghQsi-QJo8MdUwfoyAyKEoyEqLfq6IVJcXXoV6Z9w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_ZizUX-nZC6J6Fhknb9qjzoqf2tEXj5r3ianNXbnFo-zPk2DiMzfIs_fToSfvMjMNb6tOXGnxLq47JHgAvWOheZQA9kjppGhMghQsi-QJo8MdUwfoyAyKEoyEqLfq6IVJcXXoV6Z9w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+478.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quilt students made</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the lecture, I jumped in the pool for a bit
and that felt wonderful! Thank goodness for air conditioning!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens cafe, we were
entertained by an Australian folk singer who was really wonderful, all songs
new to us about old Australian life, except "Waltzing Matilda" which
we all joined in singing. Then we enjoyed a steak barbecue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Afterwards, an astronomer pointed out stars in the
southern sky as much as could be seen through intermittent cloud cover. He was
a talker and finally our Alice Springs leader, Martin, said in the midst of the
speaker’s spiel, "Thanks so much, Andrew, this has been so informative. On
the bus, everyone." Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another very full day!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_2Euq9XVyTffIITIVrup_stFAVM_2Gz9Zn2r_dWakPQp3NiuDRr52UvCNjA8BxuzpdrKfgDuI57xIsWtsNSSxwtLM94J7BuG_vlz1OCjsox__LWPNrk8zY-XpxogFyxHTAfGTkNz7A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_2Euq9XVyTffIITIVrup_stFAVM_2Gz9Zn2r_dWakPQp3NiuDRr52UvCNjA8BxuzpdrKfgDuI57xIsWtsNSSxwtLM94J7BuG_vlz1OCjsox__LWPNrk8zY-XpxogFyxHTAfGTkNz7A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+486.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">folk singer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIUHYWN-PPFG6X-F5wKwiAwmpsGd0evOsXcdhlwhM-jGnN3xJBE7QJ4EthklOLsTnSyjnnhYzZYtyO16JXv5w0oMVr4B7io8khKaLCylkeR3wArVuznPhKkHLKQMPkiYOoMKPIO6Rig/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIUHYWN-PPFG6X-F5wKwiAwmpsGd0evOsXcdhlwhM-jGnN3xJBE7QJ4EthklOLsTnSyjnnhYzZYtyO16JXv5w0oMVr4B7io8khKaLCylkeR3wArVuznPhKkHLKQMPkiYOoMKPIO6Rig/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+487.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide, Martin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday Feb 2, Alice Springs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We spent the morning in the very lovely Alice
Springs Desert Park, learning about the desert landscapes, flora and fauna of
Central Australia. Martin is so knowledgeable and his lecture was great. He
took us through the Desert Park, looking at the birdlife, very colorful birds
which I didn't write down the names of, but Neal probably did. Parrots,
budgies, a red-capped robin, a bustard and a big black bird with red undertail. It was
around 103 degrees today, so it was hard to concentrate. We went through the
marsupial house and saw the little kangaroo mice and Rock Wallabies, snakes,
lizards, and spiders. These are a few of my favorite things, not. Well, not the
snakes and spiders, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgKx15YHISHmEoU4p7UUZm4CYfpnxYpuLfqoVlIGrUFofKUHkeVw3gTjtOsU9L8rf2nPPRYm02acauVjRQTslFlzXjjMmcRgm2yQnjMYFHc5ZK64RNgYzXMo1ZToETyj2XMHj5SvLMw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgKx15YHISHmEoU4p7UUZm4CYfpnxYpuLfqoVlIGrUFofKUHkeVw3gTjtOsU9L8rf2nPPRYm02acauVjRQTslFlzXjjMmcRgm2yQnjMYFHc5ZK64RNgYzXMo1ZToETyj2XMHj5SvLMw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+488.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGKv-JfeNG4udusgpnEnh02OFyIi8F2oOczmUvucJnTgbR-yeJig_zfz8qdg0bjWMFz_rUSrNlzlkAPVqDvOKzcTwaH2texbzLr1pbLkSMXGnoutH2aEe3Ud8ub1n4SHAP4WMPnC-fg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGKv-JfeNG4udusgpnEnh02OFyIi8F2oOczmUvucJnTgbR-yeJig_zfz8qdg0bjWMFz_rUSrNlzlkAPVqDvOKzcTwaH2texbzLr1pbLkSMXGnoutH2aEe3Ud8ub1n4SHAP4WMPnC-fg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+507.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiiLmJ0BfCaXLyJzlgim5KtW-Vsmi1SAiMMiN7vNaNQ4xZAcMKQ_h2mHkNkgvOheOiGOE9HvOpiATsDlikO6gxsFY04H6IuqEKAC2E_a3GOYeoG2z6iydlJoomSPUBWF9_wVwLd9DZg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiiLmJ0BfCaXLyJzlgim5KtW-Vsmi1SAiMMiN7vNaNQ4xZAcMKQ_h2mHkNkgvOheOiGOE9HvOpiATsDlikO6gxsFY04H6IuqEKAC2E_a3GOYeoG2z6iydlJoomSPUBWF9_wVwLd9DZg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+508.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgO5dyypMTOE1_YPh0VVkAbOJeUbInd-2Oj-aGt68_ZNJx_UfGeR2IJg_5nwKXNjFI2UiKZaPYDqwNmCFbHxWXNFON2t9n77bNBP0vFkStwGqqUrp7US7a2FIZNyoaIjx7VHNK7evJg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgO5dyypMTOE1_YPh0VVkAbOJeUbInd-2Oj-aGt68_ZNJx_UfGeR2IJg_5nwKXNjFI2UiKZaPYDqwNmCFbHxWXNFON2t9n77bNBP0vFkStwGqqUrp7US7a2FIZNyoaIjx7VHNK7evJg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+513.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNP2jmImtw8wDefTtzFw08mgC-CgBqatGML-lTrzQniBDe5T31bkVvwPyybBs8CBRy1xhY1FqdAuG1vnQKqBPTgup0C_96lyrD9MFlO99G5CNATXA2ZfLptcUudQ1o2-ze5aSPDIm6Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNP2jmImtw8wDefTtzFw08mgC-CgBqatGML-lTrzQniBDe5T31bkVvwPyybBs8CBRy1xhY1FqdAuG1vnQKqBPTgup0C_96lyrD9MFlO99G5CNATXA2ZfLptcUudQ1o2-ze5aSPDIm6Q/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+511.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">horned lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We learned about several forms of acacia, one with
leaves like spikes and shaped like an upside down umbrella so rain goes down to
the roots when it rains, the Mulga. Big Moga snakes live under that tree. Then
there were the Witchetty bushes under which grubs live and are the first real
food, just lightly seared, for Aborigine infants. Oh, yum. We also saw the
Mulga Goanna lizard, and one lizard that was see-through and luminescent. Some
lizards look just like branches of a tree and blend in well with the
environment. I also saw the Spinafex grass mentioned in the novels about this
area that I read. We were given a many-paged informational packet with names
and information about this area which I will read in its entirety later because
this is the most interesting area in Australia and the one we seem to hear the
most about through songs, poetry, and novels, not to mention films.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn-Ld0Ve5VQV5j2EMngEpLmX_FwDIYXIrH_qSnMSapkZcsbpEuPPyd4s5ySbEmWRdICytGDD-_r1xybwBAzf5Ue909wqnuTQq3u7Kguxvb6KaKrLFQ4RbSuLbpQEuAybYq-S803RPtg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn-Ld0Ve5VQV5j2EMngEpLmX_FwDIYXIrH_qSnMSapkZcsbpEuPPyd4s5ySbEmWRdICytGDD-_r1xybwBAzf5Ue909wqnuTQq3u7Kguxvb6KaKrLFQ4RbSuLbpQEuAybYq-S803RPtg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+515.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moga snake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnXMtBtCaY-29NqKUxhD-S05gmWHoBCUD35lrGHHYQp6DWgbkH3_S25YuuCJv7qQoaht-hqvbP7aqkFoaKQWc92rZPe_7Dvw7O2fGxwpf9IOVgabTZR4e58efmZzWBD8QS6SD3Hv-_w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnXMtBtCaY-29NqKUxhD-S05gmWHoBCUD35lrGHHYQp6DWgbkH3_S25YuuCJv7qQoaht-hqvbP7aqkFoaKQWc92rZPe_7Dvw7O2fGxwpf9IOVgabTZR4e58efmZzWBD8QS6SD3Hv-_w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+504.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acacia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMiPszWYc5mb_-brDDcQoVAyT2NVG2KcX1gqOHVSoW5sbqG06O7w9LoPFUChqruN6r6tG93j059tzZsmfhYf7FyUgq0ApIHFHMrSghjA0JCb4FujfJWv5xJGAzDxF3GnLraKLvqPNSQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMiPszWYc5mb_-brDDcQoVAyT2NVG2KcX1gqOHVSoW5sbqG06O7w9LoPFUChqruN6r6tG93j059tzZsmfhYf7FyUgq0ApIHFHMrSghjA0JCb4FujfJWv5xJGAzDxF3GnLraKLvqPNSQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+493.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eucalyptus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57akfV_32rBXsxB_rX9YZWcjkwbvalL_MqFKkIT4kIGmgejcX4IBqOfb2UXgPLwS73Cjm0ybyuM0LI-iBhoHVJ2-cwDB9aORHec1mSogRAsSXXDsQ1r2XzNTq3QSjyh7xkttBEiGIgA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57akfV_32rBXsxB_rX9YZWcjkwbvalL_MqFKkIT4kIGmgejcX4IBqOfb2UXgPLwS73Cjm0ybyuM0LI-iBhoHVJ2-cwDB9aORHec1mSogRAsSXXDsQ1r2XzNTq3QSjyh7xkttBEiGIgA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+503.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinafex</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZHWgGNenp1HUcuKSIvWki6ZppmXk07eCFgPcPq6hGqJOT2sPDWOOAQo9_jYZOYT-lFXnGSVspTU98lb8u3W1QeOblLA9I3ja4bKIYyPrN8pF38Pas579H8UP2lvNQD0iIkyByAju1g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZHWgGNenp1HUcuKSIvWki6ZppmXk07eCFgPcPq6hGqJOT2sPDWOOAQo9_jYZOYT-lFXnGSVspTU98lb8u3W1QeOblLA9I3ja4bKIYyPrN8pF38Pas579H8UP2lvNQD0iIkyByAju1g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+505.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Termite mound</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULtBGzt_F23Z80fWuP2zYAjQ_-cYmhWlX4qZJOhyGXBxd6pMzaUPUPmJ0-FBtlqRR_21mjFjhIErwTzi9B66btaaeCaQDLCmw1gANUnja4Zo3m26IgjoNx67bF7Yu_6cg1acZHbRW0A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULtBGzt_F23Z80fWuP2zYAjQ_-cYmhWlX4qZJOhyGXBxd6pMzaUPUPmJ0-FBtlqRR_21mjFjhIErwTzi9B66btaaeCaQDLCmw1gANUnja4Zo3m26IgjoNx67bF7Yu_6cg1acZHbRW0A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+506.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">luminescent lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We went into the MacDonnell Ranges a bit, passing
by the memorial to Rev John Flynn who designed the Royal Flying Doctor Service,
the medical service for remote cattle stations and Aboriginal communities in
Central Australia. We ended up at Simpson's Gap, which is the home of a small
colony of black-footed wallabies but it was too hot for them so they stayed in
the shade, so much smarter than us. Flies, volumes of flies, made up for it
though. I have a little fan, so I got it out and blew that around my face and
they couldn't come near although some black flies bit me on the leg. Everyone
was doing the Australian Wave, which is the flapping of hands across the face
to keep the flies away. I'm wearing my head net tomorrow at Uluru.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where part of the stones between the north pushed
down and the south pushed up the MacDonnell Ranges, the middle part has been
worn away and that is called Simpson's Gap and there is a bit of water in
there. We could hear a frog croaking and Martin said when it finally rains a
lot, if you're down there or anywhere where the water level is close to the
surface, all of a sudden a frog could just pop up. Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c2sPjJiWsWU3B3VQlyd_FZtqd_qe8n18poKk1wc02ACsASdkUQdtR_Acb3x0EWn20pSEtJOyfo1mtM0U2gXrPMwJy6MlaRMtBh78VY3NDOM2Zpv0JibPY2oAaa20ScoDXJLievn0UA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c2sPjJiWsWU3B3VQlyd_FZtqd_qe8n18poKk1wc02ACsASdkUQdtR_Acb3x0EWn20pSEtJOyfo1mtM0U2gXrPMwJy6MlaRMtBh78VY3NDOM2Zpv0JibPY2oAaa20ScoDXJLievn0UA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+517.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The state flower depicted on the flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby1lHGklG7M-6hlA0FfR9TSOyhMbOJx8mDX_25kTsg7TwGqtF_B2LbR0s8DNzJBrDNIfALAypuJgzThTOm01-WQjMwnDMbx0Chlt1eT1EIjIFGjCra-9sCbCUhuYxVRCsw9euDJs_hw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby1lHGklG7M-6hlA0FfR9TSOyhMbOJx8mDX_25kTsg7TwGqtF_B2LbR0s8DNzJBrDNIfALAypuJgzThTOm01-WQjMwnDMbx0Chlt1eT1EIjIFGjCra-9sCbCUhuYxVRCsw9euDJs_hw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+524.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simpson's Gap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KZx-Wp-QIiJXksj7cjoFpThUoBF7rv-9aGlbTLBjTnVq6NGVsXC-Ros77wkGeWZrypkc95peIqsLyR_eYwXW3EZy0ZJuW8sjphPDiKWcwr7knxW3d2J6LoH84ElhTBf62v14euQ9ig/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KZx-Wp-QIiJXksj7cjoFpThUoBF7rv-9aGlbTLBjTnVq6NGVsXC-Ros77wkGeWZrypkc95peIqsLyR_eYwXW3EZy0ZJuW8sjphPDiKWcwr7knxW3d2J6LoH84ElhTBf62v14euQ9ig/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+526.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simpson's Gap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gz-S-25jiYN_wi_831ZzN9-c6MHSPFWzI0HIYTCEwE4ifBo2Sff_gsZ95DE2jIosIzfxS841Z3KYGLwvdd1_GfQ0MqPfLH881L4m0H3gb5aPIMETRkQBzSXnJsmf7HC7NXJA960AKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gz-S-25jiYN_wi_831ZzN9-c6MHSPFWzI0HIYTCEwE4ifBo2Sff_gsZ95DE2jIosIzfxS841Z3KYGLwvdd1_GfQ0MqPfLH881L4m0H3gb5aPIMETRkQBzSXnJsmf7HC7NXJA960AKQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+523.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simpson's Gap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Royal Flying Doctor Service center was our next
stop and we saw a film explaining its importance to the very rural areas of
Australia. The very first radio ran by someone pedaling a bike to make energy.
I think we need our TV's to be run like this. Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I came home, took a shower, re-arranged for the
bazillionth time my suitcase, washed out some clothes and hung them to dry, and
read e-mail. The heat is draining.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqcoMH0a7aswDfVxZJLGLhearVG4gZwDIR9s2VARbKWiE7NTKLg3TZFyfj-HMkpyG5M94F6iHaid-CXs7KAdMCyZk9T9gj2FSMFqwYL5MCFFtUqtAjfuVdmCErWqKYPw-pjtgzrgPUg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqcoMH0a7aswDfVxZJLGLhearVG4gZwDIR9s2VARbKWiE7NTKLg3TZFyfj-HMkpyG5M94F6iHaid-CXs7KAdMCyZk9T9gj2FSMFqwYL5MCFFtUqtAjfuVdmCErWqKYPw-pjtgzrgPUg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+529.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Flying Doctor Service</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For dinner we are going to Kungkas Can Cook to
learn of the importance of aboriginal traditional bush foods and their use in
modern cuisine. We will be sampling some but I truly don't want any grubs,
thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The food was fabulous. No grubs at all! Our
starter was a platter of tasting samples, camel meatballs' (yum), sliced kangaroo(which
tastes like venison or elk, yum!) and bread for dipping into some oil and then
dried herbs, including ground wattle. ( I'm bringing some of that concoction
home.) For the meat there was a chutney made from a berry which is related to
the tomato. Dried, it tastes like a burnt raisin and it's full of
anti-oxidants. As a chutney ingredient, it was fabulous. Also there was a pesto
of oil and chopped lemon myrtle. The main dish was chicken, with a sauce using
a berry shaped like a small grape but tasting lemony, with the consistency of a
melon. I tasted one of those berries on its own. Yum! We also had rice with a
desert herb, and then veggies of steamed sliced carrots and chopped bok choy.
Yum! Dessert was a caramel tart with a hard chocolate top and ice cream
containing wattle. The Aboriginal woman who runs the catering business says
that chefs from around the world have come to learn how to use bush food
ingredients from her and a group of women are staring a business providing
those ingredients worldwide. Hooray!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Homes here are much like home and more energy
efficient in that solar power is encouraged and supported by the government.
There is a big aquifer here so there's enough water for the 28,000 population
but they are planning to pipe from another aquifer farther away in order to let
the water rise in the one they are presently using. So there is energy and
water, air conditioning, and satellite service here, and more services than in
most cities this size anywhere, because of what all has to happen here to
service all the outback peoples in a huge area. (Australia is the same size as
the US, and Alice is in the middle, well, a little more to the eastern side,
but there’s a lot of nothing around it.) The railroad went through to Darwin in
2004 so that helped more goods to be shipped back and forth more cheaply than
by road, although there are still plenty of trucks pulling three trailers going
north to Darwin and south to Adelaide.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhjFYvKyi87FPCIGVeMkDT01jfpg5j_1mwbRzvT0ufNE_E2yGyGFJv-u-0jmbHHdpBQOI2x1nw-r_X6VX75riiDBQ-9TC5UbaR8w60nhavqOffAtEEcWqoqLuKrYVyl_B_Llwl_7u0w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhjFYvKyi87FPCIGVeMkDT01jfpg5j_1mwbRzvT0ufNE_E2yGyGFJv-u-0jmbHHdpBQOI2x1nw-r_X6VX75riiDBQ-9TC5UbaR8w60nhavqOffAtEEcWqoqLuKrYVyl_B_Llwl_7u0w/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+530.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cicada, about 2 and 1/2 inches long</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alice Springs reminds me in many ways of Burns but
red, like Sedona, and the desert park reminded me of Bend's High Desert Museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow we'll get up at 5 am and head for Uluru,
more heat and more history. It will take us 5 hours to drive there, but we're
having potty stops, thank god! The trip is like going from Portland to La
Grande. We'll stop for morning tea and then at some place where we can ride
camels if we want to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That reminds me to say that camels are now an
unwanted species in Australia and measures are being taken to reduce their
population drastically.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">February 3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alice Springs to Uluru? Well, the road curved
once. Hahahaha! Think the road from Bend to Burns, three times over. The most
unusual thing was that it rained! We stopped for camel rides at one roadhouse
and morning tea and scones with Devonshire cream at another roadhouse. We saw
Mt. Conner through the rain. The DVD we were meant to watch didn't work. We
stopped at pit toilets and I told the person after me to flush. Neal's constant
joke is wearing off on me. I saw a bunch of Desert Oaks, which I had read
about. They have little cones like pine trees and they look like short, droopy
pines. They got their name because the wood looks like oak when cut. I finally
got to see what a roadhouse looks like inside after reading about them in
novels. We hadn’t known our driver was a champion camel racer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsayqZTuzxwKxft1vqrTIQtj17r0_dknoykELkBkCYpZbN-VnkH6jH52ubAe4-WTx8U-C37Ae-wgbioUPe3ENeVmw7ukOuKTffAHwL8xbzc69fAItjWgdlefSdUoeDmtkVHV93xyJOw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsayqZTuzxwKxft1vqrTIQtj17r0_dknoykELkBkCYpZbN-VnkH6jH52ubAe4-WTx8U-C37Ae-wgbioUPe3ENeVmw7ukOuKTffAHwL8xbzc69fAItjWgdlefSdUoeDmtkVHV93xyJOw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+534.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the roadhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJo39GspC423jQIJiKdCEWDufuJ0cZJnUj1CkF-P7pttu9u5Z7Xpi_yB4n83uAuqP2LEsp3LW3LJQ6HsTqAS2whEN2LuU0gOWTbgkL_Xh8jbmpHrK7f1HwfNoC4n9SZdt31r_63PoeQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJo39GspC423jQIJiKdCEWDufuJ0cZJnUj1CkF-P7pttu9u5Z7Xpi_yB4n83uAuqP2LEsp3LW3LJQ6HsTqAS2whEN2LuU0gOWTbgkL_Xh8jbmpHrK7f1HwfNoC4n9SZdt31r_63PoeQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+535.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">outside the roadhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvpDHL7qB8fer3OlH42vMUraO-hwGgRvsGDegdE_zuMg9vpOf5-Hc5nMGWBFf8PmwAdghIMS22_xzkGFUtc2HbyAAawUpamNI0zNncS19PBXBwXiYPcn-i-C1VwgY6qZTUSs7WWjnRQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvpDHL7qB8fer3OlH42vMUraO-hwGgRvsGDegdE_zuMg9vpOf5-Hc5nMGWBFf8PmwAdghIMS22_xzkGFUtc2HbyAAawUpamNI0zNncS19PBXBwXiYPcn-i-C1VwgY6qZTUSs7WWjnRQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+532.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kay and John riding camels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZL034xZUYdj-Rcexr55QjNinVq4tsJlSej_x4FrTXpDrscjRkv-CELbyyVk18rLunsSUZzeqUHX3NcLDcYA_rPVRRzRyz3w0RlHI2mmG_U833SEHo0R7-XVVk56xlFwpBxiWkxq5_g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZL034xZUYdj-Rcexr55QjNinVq4tsJlSej_x4FrTXpDrscjRkv-CELbyyVk18rLunsSUZzeqUHX3NcLDcYA_rPVRRzRyz3w0RlHI2mmG_U833SEHo0R7-XVVk56xlFwpBxiWkxq5_g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+625.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtRwTUNiATxWflNcLcCTOr_Glvoej491eWT_Wfd6YBXY7jSyYWR0J4uPrRtXhs_2SHPrYXFlLs1sarrgAw8kErfzUKlG-po2DpCCVlC0lBfQOQeHuQzRG5VSb2_iq2Vdw3r02VVrTbA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtRwTUNiATxWflNcLcCTOr_Glvoej491eWT_Wfd6YBXY7jSyYWR0J4uPrRtXhs_2SHPrYXFlLs1sarrgAw8kErfzUKlG-po2DpCCVlC0lBfQOQeHuQzRG5VSb2_iq2Vdw3r02VVrTbA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+541.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bus driver and champion camel rider, Graeme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKkvH6JlQrOAjJyklwXiQlbd9E9PndgP27O9_1iBGmYWKoDiJZkx-WjNoot-1BF5hbkDzyxBjcP-yKhPo3dsvzDZT1CLfdD0oGknYqHSSc-P7o0yF9PZX6ApnENkt1NH61jyw_fz2KA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKkvH6JlQrOAjJyklwXiQlbd9E9PndgP27O9_1iBGmYWKoDiJZkx-WjNoot-1BF5hbkDzyxBjcP-yKhPo3dsvzDZT1CLfdD0oGknYqHSSc-P7o0yF9PZX6ApnENkt1NH61jyw_fz2KA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+542.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we arrived at Uluru, they had just survived a
major downpour and the place we were going to eat had flooded, so we had to eat
at the 5-star hotel instead and everyone thought that was the place we were
staying overnight. Alas, our hopes were dashed when Martin said that no, this
is a 5-star hotel, but we're staying in a 3-star hotel. Waaaah!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We went to the Uluru Culture Center and National Park
Service, went into two Aboriginal shops where Neal found the gifts he was
looking for, and looked at art in the gallery. Then we went on a couple of
walks up to the actual Uluru. This is not the time of year for walking around
it and besides, most people in our group could not do that anyway. I'm so glad my
former student Nancy told us to take our headnets because the flies are
persistent, shall I say. Martin says when the flies are bad, you must perform
fly chi, and when they're terrible, you must employ fly kwando. They go for the
ears, mouth, nose and eyes because they are seeking moisture. Neal says
yesterday's temp was 105 and the visitors' center thermometer said 95 in the
shade. Want to take a walk? Reminds me of when I used to bike around town and
out to the gravel pit with Sean on the back of my bike when I lived in Burns.
So I have my headnet, my hat, my sweatband, and my little battery-operated fan
to cool off with.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are no words for the beauty of Uluru, the
red, massive popped-up fat layer of sediment in the middle of flat land. We
visited caves and water pools on our walks and saw a falcon and two pie-eyed
butcher birds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT3zVvtAs5Ws2o0eEVm1d1eyMJlig-MRmLZ5BF9O8HVBfqB0v4JyFhvWNAcaSIXRGLXSLNrT_JnVvrSNZ2YDfAdetaKobYnQpAKtMNcAIvh3s53Tft4aZMody2lPZ6aujFWT5YuvEYw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT3zVvtAs5Ws2o0eEVm1d1eyMJlig-MRmLZ5BF9O8HVBfqB0v4JyFhvWNAcaSIXRGLXSLNrT_JnVvrSNZ2YDfAdetaKobYnQpAKtMNcAIvh3s53Tft4aZMody2lPZ6aujFWT5YuvEYw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+543.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oaks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YmluynypwEKPYv0cHJuyOBHXudwstrQYCYYGYZC0DlM1FeQMjhfMG-AMQgdePXBx5Fhc-MklGrXW8rbhuxGJgpqWtz8tVRjcg24TwiwKIYOkI4MRaXlbXcopya2S-1uHH5MXyPMSrg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YmluynypwEKPYv0cHJuyOBHXudwstrQYCYYGYZC0DlM1FeQMjhfMG-AMQgdePXBx5Fhc-MklGrXW8rbhuxGJgpqWtz8tVRjcg24TwiwKIYOkI4MRaXlbXcopya2S-1uHH5MXyPMSrg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+554.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite shot of Uluru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP85jCkiWuM1jBXu7eJeYM-XImt-6WwocVK67-ROSqtT8StztoXFlyEAg0-kaO1WADed0sjrOCpoIBL1uDWVxfFwytVECax3713Nm6r-bJiWmhbsXofIqy6ceSNDWPf3SaVeQzEnEcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP85jCkiWuM1jBXu7eJeYM-XImt-6WwocVK67-ROSqtT8StztoXFlyEAg0-kaO1WADed0sjrOCpoIBL1uDWVxfFwytVECax3713Nm6r-bJiWmhbsXofIqy6ceSNDWPf3SaVeQzEnEcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+545.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more Uluru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgQqtAKZuEybgky08NQCwtdlOxooo7mTxN0HZvjYKzylfp4Q8hL2Juxp_1BynKd5onrLWu8ajlPh7sIE3SB3cf3czs9OglU7N-xBbL2vwhwxHUBIH4hTG8aZ0To14YHp3dvB_GPvpkg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgQqtAKZuEybgky08NQCwtdlOxooo7mTxN0HZvjYKzylfp4Q8hL2Juxp_1BynKd5onrLWu8ajlPh7sIE3SB3cf3czs9OglU7N-xBbL2vwhwxHUBIH4hTG8aZ0To14YHp3dvB_GPvpkg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+559.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a falcon in this tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HUfaZMcYk1PAeonzBCywhxJ4e010ui-p4JU5LdPH5CxGPAHdQgwMYpq2drO4_SRHnjqSo4sEy4k4Ktf2ZhO4LLDIZh3qVfjp17Sb4WpMijf-hGOF_L1Kxc5E3mD5EPU7LvrXRqg2bQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HUfaZMcYk1PAeonzBCywhxJ4e010ui-p4JU5LdPH5CxGPAHdQgwMYpq2drO4_SRHnjqSo4sEy4k4Ktf2ZhO4LLDIZh3qVfjp17Sb4WpMijf-hGOF_L1Kxc5E3mD5EPU7LvrXRqg2bQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+548.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A myth goes with this section of Uluru. It involves a snake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tqp7nCGJ6-2StJk08S31phw9hkh7POdwvihS1GqJ9YsY6ETHRo5Vmyg0yZnLCd8t248BIFGTUiXQo1vbuZUD8ZEMh_9p6wqLTwhiBFvc9zYUZYwwRji0MjGfCKjvljp7C4t3sm0nIw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tqp7nCGJ6-2StJk08S31phw9hkh7POdwvihS1GqJ9YsY6ETHRo5Vmyg0yZnLCd8t248BIFGTUiXQo1vbuZUD8ZEMh_9p6wqLTwhiBFvc9zYUZYwwRji0MjGfCKjvljp7C4t3sm0nIw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+551.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aboriginal drawings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7082Gim3wMLwb2p9ktSSrR-8MJTW17mtAJpwDi9dIJQwNpsimpZQ2DviXAmlBHgUThwXJhFhwWaY1QyshGm99m3M5punQOYEup-BkoWY8h_OzRdRCyZX2V34nRjdm0c7HSqo2J7xSPQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7082Gim3wMLwb2p9ktSSrR-8MJTW17mtAJpwDi9dIJQwNpsimpZQ2DviXAmlBHgUThwXJhFhwWaY1QyshGm99m3M5punQOYEup-BkoWY8h_OzRdRCyZX2V34nRjdm0c7HSqo2J7xSPQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+568.jpg" height="93" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceremonial cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFOCZivFVqmyhGlE5zaEFRRyN4e706rk_CQuL2HozGKh-j8zc17Y6vf8I_RBYTCAhscjYk7B6tLTJeoGfBInV07LfR1nG6axoItooQQt_LMJxjtVKeOdYdlS4zI482rastKq5pxchPg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFOCZivFVqmyhGlE5zaEFRRyN4e706rk_CQuL2HozGKh-j8zc17Y6vf8I_RBYTCAhscjYk7B6tLTJeoGfBInV07LfR1nG6axoItooQQt_LMJxjtVKeOdYdlS4zI482rastKq5pxchPg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+569.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uluru from far away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhND9AGTkN1Wp8S907AMnPEvLyQbspmHbCCzmHPAP-jUiyHPfm6yi538Eu3hBcw-QQcX7UvUb7yJhp9Vv7NWgT1bttsnNloxKEdIB1EdKic6JOQQSnBYzi1-Hhy-gGp1ZxT9etaYjiVA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhND9AGTkN1Wp8S907AMnPEvLyQbspmHbCCzmHPAP-jUiyHPfm6yi538Eu3hBcw-QQcX7UvUb7yJhp9Vv7NWgT1bttsnNloxKEdIB1EdKic6JOQQSnBYzi1-Hhy-gGp1ZxT9etaYjiVA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+560.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite part of Uluru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We went back out tonight to see sunset and were
surprised with champagne, a nut mix, crackers and orange juice. We sat on
little chairs to see the changing colors at sunset. The sky was spectacular,
darkening and lightening in places. A magical time. We came back by dinner and
by the time we finished, rain was falling outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another adventure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjDOvmrg-GUqjuuu1LgPYS-I8O9sT2KaDBvoQfSK_ubLKBLoWBCEr44VL6R-F505suAXnMwef2ALuBJECmx54P9ytUNqebP44EpoAhGq7nz59_nBrISc_CJEssjCLFzcc55F3pWO2rw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjDOvmrg-GUqjuuu1LgPYS-I8O9sT2KaDBvoQfSK_ubLKBLoWBCEr44VL6R-F505suAXnMwef2ALuBJECmx54P9ytUNqebP44EpoAhGq7nz59_nBrISc_CJEssjCLFzcc55F3pWO2rw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+572.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our main guide, John, and site guide, Martin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELSTLPh4X8dS2yEw3otRqthugnOeD-XTX5UiA6dfalWm7q4zk3tw9eb1nMG213NK2ucapripubxPyPJzytwNTQ8FJgdeuvIhA1yZmfHUCKggFuh17XxfHEqjMIlX5qPvlO1WcmLnmew/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELSTLPh4X8dS2yEw3otRqthugnOeD-XTX5UiA6dfalWm7q4zk3tw9eb1nMG213NK2ucapripubxPyPJzytwNTQ8FJgdeuvIhA1yZmfHUCKggFuh17XxfHEqjMIlX5qPvlO1WcmLnmew/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+577.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louise and Bob</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfTmTFO7f1_cK-1U0lZht8_gh9H5f6aG-gBHaUZzrpqvFPoXAXS_QE-31a2hghzBbDI8g8YKsfp0gM3QrS0swjkC_c4lGN11X4KtAtlKD2I6N2eBrgJuQGWagVkqaRxgqbZPf0O0D-g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfTmTFO7f1_cK-1U0lZht8_gh9H5f6aG-gBHaUZzrpqvFPoXAXS_QE-31a2hghzBbDI8g8YKsfp0gM3QrS0swjkC_c4lGN11X4KtAtlKD2I6N2eBrgJuQGWagVkqaRxgqbZPf0O0D-g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+574.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, Sally, Cynthia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nd10wIt2pSkj0tslItDbC5Ky_mdR-9Z2wYtlRqLlpCLbH1xp8RsM16xMvEalFJEHFoDxquCNAGcSKAx_x3z24WI1KtkJ9KVizK90CaLu5Vgb76PA7eoCGmNzzgDCG_jK-hoGp5MluQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nd10wIt2pSkj0tslItDbC5Ky_mdR-9Z2wYtlRqLlpCLbH1xp8RsM16xMvEalFJEHFoDxquCNAGcSKAx_x3z24WI1KtkJ9KVizK90CaLu5Vgb76PA7eoCGmNzzgDCG_jK-hoGp5MluQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+581.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ra9puVmJSONwLmW_3XH9WFlRGGGaZwr-1a70p6y8Sz1fqy8DsCHcf91HUu5Fd5kzp08OmrE_HnpMRiIPG_lQzKDhImVg_0DG7qGRfEl8tE5WUz5e49UQaB24gN8hC3ifsySS_o1Paw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ra9puVmJSONwLmW_3XH9WFlRGGGaZwr-1a70p6y8Sz1fqy8DsCHcf91HUu5Fd5kzp08OmrE_HnpMRiIPG_lQzKDhImVg_0DG7qGRfEl8tE5WUz5e49UQaB24gN8hC3ifsySS_o1Paw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+579.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibphS1oIucX7M4o3Uv9hXCf32VtP6SUM9-aMSG-lhihSqexM8fS387qGgXWPPwWkCqprukHji4P2iEFIpGOOk3xjVsh7Zo3rsSo1YGg2VOvJh_-GpR3s0AdRp2lPep_IFqfUMSgF0LQA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibphS1oIucX7M4o3Uv9hXCf32VtP6SUM9-aMSG-lhihSqexM8fS387qGgXWPPwWkCqprukHji4P2iEFIpGOOk3xjVsh7Zo3rsSo1YGg2VOvJh_-GpR3s0AdRp2lPep_IFqfUMSgF0LQA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+580.jpg" height="74" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">February 4, Kata Tjuta (Kah-tah Tyou-tah)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we got up this morning, we saw kangaroos jumping all over the cliff out our back window, a dingo, and a hawk. Neal saw an eagle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We rode to Kata Tjuta and viewed the rock formation from afar at two
different spots, and then climbed one part close-up. We were walking on
550-million year-old track. Awesome, in the true meaning of the word, when you
think about it. There's no way to get an idea of the immensity or density of
this place. It's like trying to get all of Grand Canyon in one photo shot. Not
going to happen! It was cloudy today, probably another rainstorm, so we
couldn't see the Petermann Range in the distance that this is a part of, the
part of sedimentation that got pushed up out of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSJUWoKHTC9zkh965NXXmVxJKa7-_srETwLrojlgsNmoY3p02Ncgft91GoOjisudQPHZO5zZW29UYDmFcNCVic_pcql_vMG5Jab8uKtN2FUpAflg_O2Thu5ZQg3D0-KpVhPpI8K98iQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSJUWoKHTC9zkh965NXXmVxJKa7-_srETwLrojlgsNmoY3p02Ncgft91GoOjisudQPHZO5zZW29UYDmFcNCVic_pcql_vMG5Jab8uKtN2FUpAflg_O2Thu5ZQg3D0-KpVhPpI8K98iQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+583.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kata Tjuta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOC_VH0QswE9rJK40Xh1RLHfOufo0IwuPXCEj0S9qRMl_GqDpcgC_-6WQSw3KkcLx5p5mC_CP-_fYJO9RJOmwJFooMb9CxUfI4l7ZUycMaW3oHJqkIRIHoqG7mTmK7SuvJiecNqoXhg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOC_VH0QswE9rJK40Xh1RLHfOufo0IwuPXCEj0S9qRMl_GqDpcgC_-6WQSw3KkcLx5p5mC_CP-_fYJO9RJOmwJFooMb9CxUfI4l7ZUycMaW3oHJqkIRIHoqG7mTmK7SuvJiecNqoXhg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+584.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After lunch and one last visit to the shop for those
things we just couldn't live without, we caught the Uluru plane to Cairns. By
the time we got to the airport, the rain poured. For some reason this airport
allows carry-ons only up to 7 pounds, so many people had to re-pack in a
hurry--weigh and pack, re-weigh and re-pack etc. etc. etc. Than we sat and sat
and sat. Some mechanical problem with the plane. One kinda doesn't mind sitting
when you know something is going to be fixed on the plane you will be boarding.
Even the shop and the cafe closed while we sat there. Hahahaha! Cobwebs grew on
us. Even more rain poured--in the DESERT, mind you. We watched them load our
luggage, one suitcase at a time, by hand. No automation there. OMG! Whoever
lifted my bag probably got a hernia because I had to stuff many items from my
backpack to my suitcase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, we boarded and were only about a half an
hour late. The plane ride was bumpy and we were stinky from hiking around the
desert all morning so by the time we got to Cairns we were a bus full of
grumps. You can imagine how happy we were to find out we had to attend a
lecture half an hour after our arrival. The hors d'oeuvres made it nicer and
the speaker told us about what we'd be seeing on our fantastic trip to the
Great Barrier Reef, which was on the bucket list of most participants. Isn't
that on everyone's bucket list?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">February 5—Cairns (pronounced “Cans”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We got up an hour early this morning because we
didn't know that Cairns was an hour later than Sydney (and a half hour earlier
than Uluru--how odd!) So we get up, cranky, drink our coffee, take our showers
and go down for breakfast and no one is there. We ask the receptionist what
time it is and find out about our error. We could have used that extra hour,
dang it! We laughed, because what else could we do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After breakfast, we headed out to the docks and
boarded our catamaran bound for The Great Barrier Reef. Not sunny, cloudy, but
no rain. Still, we are sunblocked to the gills, our swimsuits, or what
Australians call their "cozzie" (for bathing costume) under our
clothes. It takes two hours to get to the reef from Cairns, so about halfway we
had morning tea. Then, upon our arrival, the fun began. The seas had been
rough, so everyone was a bit green around the gills, the sunblocked gills,
remember. Even though it’s cloudy, sunblock is necessary in NZ and Australia
because of the hole in the ozone layer right overhead. Tons of skin cancer in
both countries. We were in the first group to go on the semi-submersible and
see the coral and fish close up. However, because of the recent cyclonic
activity, the water was murky and it was difficult to see much other than what
was close up. Still, we saw jellyfish, cleaner fish, great big fish, little
tiny fish, blue fish, yellow fish, zebra fish and one turtle. I got really sick
to my stomach and thought I was going to have to use my puke bag. The staff
told us we had to read the instructions inside first. Hahahaha! And they told
us not to hand the full bag to them when we'd finished. I was happy to reach
the open hatch and full air again. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNowy3mjQ0A_TDQTc3SyMqqEO-fGb6HKUpUlwG5DXEQ9jwBSJYDwcZuHW_-bQrzMvllFfWBZWG6YCgkIWDGRNZWZDqEAGqmJS55VYHZvFOPCZ9t-y53MpzOiQ1DHf0azO8Zdy-OBZZLw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNowy3mjQ0A_TDQTc3SyMqqEO-fGb6HKUpUlwG5DXEQ9jwBSJYDwcZuHW_-bQrzMvllFfWBZWG6YCgkIWDGRNZWZDqEAGqmJS55VYHZvFOPCZ9t-y53MpzOiQ1DHf0azO8Zdy-OBZZLw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+589.jpg" height="143" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out the back of our boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHWAIJwWfT61mkv5K73T0adFv22Hm4WEG416n2L9ENNEh08Z_et5Ror6EV-3YMmmDnu_9yzoPC5Gx31d568hxzfsCtQSHnz2zeRTgGPtBqJJg4qXphd1qS7YuBX49wGKgpsrBVk3IZA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHWAIJwWfT61mkv5K73T0adFv22Hm4WEG416n2L9ENNEh08Z_et5Ror6EV-3YMmmDnu_9yzoPC5Gx31d568hxzfsCtQSHnz2zeRTgGPtBqJJg4qXphd1qS7YuBX49wGKgpsrBVk3IZA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+598.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I saw out the submersible window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6bUVjDAj9i_nYkU3QnE6dxA1l02U5iAxbDdOzsshr-xHI7mzC0FUcThK78b7H5WovPz-GBL3LXEBOTaiIOYCvxJA4LXQusSAgeyKH5Py943JbKL23vFr9iabT5K4pTj9LPGQTT_NMw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6bUVjDAj9i_nYkU3QnE6dxA1l02U5iAxbDdOzsshr-xHI7mzC0FUcThK78b7H5WovPz-GBL3LXEBOTaiIOYCvxJA4LXQusSAgeyKH5Py943JbKL23vFr9iabT5K4pTj9LPGQTT_NMw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+603.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neal coming back from snorkeling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A very nice lunch was served and then we got on
the boat to take us over to the beach so everyone could snorkel or if they are
terrified of putting their faces in the water like me, they could swim, which
is what I did. Some kind of fish was right up there once I stuck my feet in. I
got in up to my neck and swam around. That's my comfort level. Neal snorkeled
for a long, long time and saw a sea cucumber, and giant clam, parrot fish,
zebra fish, tiger fish, a Moorish angel fish, a manta ray, spaghetti coral,
brain coral, staghorn coral, needlenosed fish, groupers, etc. ( I just copied
his list--note the difference between my fish naming [big, little, etc.] and
his specifics. That's the way we roll.) We saw most of Neal's list from the
semi-submersible window, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lots of people in our group who'd never snorkeled
before learned how. Our guide, John, and the Cairns guide, Sue, were very
patient in teaching everyone so they had a great experience. Such happiness on
their faces when they got back on the big boat!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The weather turned god-awful, rain pouring in on
all sides of the boat and choppy water. We had seats on top and because there
were so many people on the boat, that's where we were stuck. Everyone held on
to the poles (from floor to roof) and I took pictures I'm going to post on the
Road Scholar website saying here's our guide and group pole dancing. Hahahaha!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbYfC0hGGm4lIFV5Am-vIXB0LZI-LXMvLjBNbmeWSYwNTuD117vQ_aeNJUA7j2BWxOA6MGYL1sI64LEft_ktF5bENr9YKWeflUP2jI0tYBeBuoxCUmtJqZ_yY4GlwsfLZdIIhZGuSQQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbYfC0hGGm4lIFV5Am-vIXB0LZI-LXMvLjBNbmeWSYwNTuD117vQ_aeNJUA7j2BWxOA6MGYL1sI64LEft_ktF5bENr9YKWeflUP2jI0tYBeBuoxCUmtJqZ_yY4GlwsfLZdIIhZGuSQQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+591.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pole dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvMHAXFuJ9Dl0YZ3hTtvj1WW1cUbKsnk9cUJedaYWRfWw2lvTDE9wuYRlsySuaSpygYYIyDUEPhVIwz34tXveK5_35EUQE-5Zm_Otvzjm9tvSZ9biyr4-1KPgZad4CFhEsj6SkpkNcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvMHAXFuJ9Dl0YZ3hTtvj1WW1cUbKsnk9cUJedaYWRfWw2lvTDE9wuYRlsySuaSpygYYIyDUEPhVIwz34tXveK5_35EUQE-5Zm_Otvzjm9tvSZ9biyr4-1KPgZad4CFhEsj6SkpkNcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+592.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pole dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of us gathered in a circle and we asked John
if he could please bring us some wood for making a fire. We all laughed at
that, and then one of the crew came out of the cabin and brought us a flare and
said, "Try this." We really laughed then. Next, he came out and took
a photo of us. What a sodden lot we were once we got back in port. Freezing on
the bus because the driver had to keep on the air conditioner so it wouldn't
fog up the windows. Good thing we only had to go ten blocks to the hotel.
Everyone headed for a hot shower. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have to say I'd thought the reef would be white,
and it's not. The sand is golden. Today there were a bazillion black birds on
our portion of the reef, shitting all over everything. Sally saw one mature
bird eat a baby bird of the same species. Normally they are not there on that
reef, we're told, but they are all disoriented because of the cyclone, and not
quite themselves. Poor things. We've all been there, haven't we?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dinner was on our own, so we decided on Greek
food, and our tour mate Sharon went with us because she loves it as much as we
do. We were in for a treat. The place is called "Fetta's" and I
highly recommend it should you ever be in Cairns, Australia. I ordered my
favorite things for starters and so did Neal--dolmades, calamari (pan-fried,
not deep-fried) and hummus. Then we had our main entrees. I chose spanikopita,
Neal had falafel, and Sharon had moussaka. I was in Greek Heaven. I shared mine
with everyone because there was no way I could eat ALL of that after ALL those
starters. I had three triangles so I gave one to Neal and one to Sharon and
they loved my spanakopita, too. We did NOT have dessert. But I did give the
owner a big, fat hug because that was the best Greek food I've ever had, even
in Greece. I said, "Are you the owner?" and he patted the top of his
head which was grey and balding. "Our meal was excellent, every part of
it, including the service!" I said. "Thank you, thank you, thank
you," he said, and then Neal hugged him, too. I was out of the main room
by then so I don't know if Sharon hugged him or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On our way back home, we were harassed by a drunk
Aboriginal woman who told us this was HER town, her ORIGINAL town and we were
tourists. We already knew all that, so we kept quiet. And said a prayer to send
her love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another wonderful adventure today, and I still
feel like I'm on the boat, rocking in uncontrolled motions. I may fall down,
right onto my bed. You know what's going to happen when I close my eyes. You
know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow is the rain forest. The dripping rain
forest. Of course.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">February 6, Kuranda and the rainforest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kuranda started as a place to grow coffee, was
used as a military base in WWII, and overtaken by hippies in the 70's. Now it's
a tourist haven with lots of outdoor market stalls. About 25 kilometers from
Cairns, it's a lovely place for those who work in Cairns to live. Kuranda is
surrounded by World Heritage rainforest. Very similar to parts of Costa Rica.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of taking the guided rainforest walk, Neal
and I felt the need for coffee and a bit of shopping. We had a short rainforest
walk anyway, later. The coffee was delicious, and the scones that appeared with
it--who ordered those, anyway? Mostly we just sat and talked about our day
before and our trip in general and tried to summon energy for one more day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After lunch, we took the Skyrail Rainforest
Cableway 7.5 km gliding just meters above the rainforest canopy in a gondola.
This is one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth. The
presence of certain species serves to prove the theory of the land mass,
Gondwana, as things similar to here are found all over the globe in areas no
way connected to here. On the other hand, many things exist here and nowhere
else. And that seems to prove the theory of evolution. That's why it's a
protected area and Australia works as hard as New Zealand to keep out any
foreign species. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvSFVAIXwS6f3feCP_Z0P8EvI82KTG7ZarF4sTE6pRnR1Q73wWTJ8q5AwQ_dXzEUvMOrXNJDWN8dGKGpsHb3dOfLzyfMB8XLt3bZNfw_-Z6FSYwrqOkv5Ea8oMwJfuk63HZpoHC8v5A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvSFVAIXwS6f3feCP_Z0P8EvI82KTG7ZarF4sTE6pRnR1Q73wWTJ8q5AwQ_dXzEUvMOrXNJDWN8dGKGpsHb3dOfLzyfMB8XLt3bZNfw_-Z6FSYwrqOkv5Ea8oMwJfuk63HZpoHC8v5A/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+611.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gondola cables disappearing into the mist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7eVa1niyxhPiGWzy29aFkcGI6PLyBs-NgLCjsfQWAZNwY4thBZ8ysq_LRWLGrrcy_MLj6dPE9lXPyJmNMMmPr2tFZISD8Y83i8TM41gP9Xlc6gnJKHUTwsotZFY-OGER-IEKQy5sdg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7eVa1niyxhPiGWzy29aFkcGI6PLyBs-NgLCjsfQWAZNwY4thBZ8ysq_LRWLGrrcy_MLj6dPE9lXPyJmNMMmPr2tFZISD8Y83i8TM41gP9Xlc6gnJKHUTwsotZFY-OGER-IEKQy5sdg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+608.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out the gondola window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAgk7xVbWx_V1H7lQxSDhC3GhCoS6BZnGfeCj8Zdc_v_wM-NjHf1hgCygo2nxvbuXNQ5NgDFKld9c2_NOirxCJwkLhvUTIkotk-z9R_f3rHUjdsRzocTWbkwRY-52CU6kfiLPxsozDA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAgk7xVbWx_V1H7lQxSDhC3GhCoS6BZnGfeCj8Zdc_v_wM-NjHf1hgCygo2nxvbuXNQ5NgDFKld9c2_NOirxCJwkLhvUTIkotk-z9R_f3rHUjdsRzocTWbkwRY-52CU6kfiLPxsozDA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+604.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neal in gondola car enjoying view of rain forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr60i_mX6z_bEfzKWaNoCWNdABVYNU_-1Nclg0ZdenZTTGojG-ceeibkrXELAnX3Oe6NMoRzB4qJ9Vl59wdhNRoFexOxe-8hVdAEzmhq8ihFezpWqycnKIk7e2CV4v_9-pZHmDXLu-RA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr60i_mX6z_bEfzKWaNoCWNdABVYNU_-1Nclg0ZdenZTTGojG-ceeibkrXELAnX3Oe6NMoRzB4qJ9Vl59wdhNRoFexOxe-8hVdAEzmhq8ihFezpWqycnKIk7e2CV4v_9-pZHmDXLu-RA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+612.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gondola station partway, forest walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the bottom of the Skyrail, we visited the
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Tjapukai means rainforest. First we were
presented with a show of Aboriginal song and dance and didjeridu playing. Then
we learned about the many kinds of boomerangs and what purpose each had, after
which we learned about the bush plants and how each was used for either food or
medicine or paint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We went on to throw spears (Neal was really good
and actually hit the straw bale with the kangaroo picture on the front.) While
I chose not to throw a spear, I did try my hand at boomerang throwing and that
was fun. I was successful, but Neal was very, very good, surprising people so
much they commented on it at our farewell proceedings last night.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHX-K73kMoXlid5QzPobhzudZBcWPq1OCOnT7NKJSILr7xts9ly7cmGNBlbAAXhSh6MlCBFjIs9hAmjkf_KgcL_E_Q8CTBhXeifyWgQHLEUi344xOyrd9JJ8SNZz3MEkrChQyJMQWhw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHX-K73kMoXlid5QzPobhzudZBcWPq1OCOnT7NKJSILr7xts9ly7cmGNBlbAAXhSh6MlCBFjIs9hAmjkf_KgcL_E_Q8CTBhXeifyWgQHLEUi344xOyrd9JJ8SNZz3MEkrChQyJMQWhw/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+613.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing didjeridu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Yo7ZFQpSgDF9PPzSEraQdwssgeKSATAs-kNDynWdZTrJwvCLFqCl2_LsCzIRrJZw6Lf6lIwiRHegEh_pbZKyjBJqIQ3tL4O5xdy9mMS3Rra0AIcK7Or8dd2nqAz4mdfOchurKv3mcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Yo7ZFQpSgDF9PPzSEraQdwssgeKSATAs-kNDynWdZTrJwvCLFqCl2_LsCzIRrJZw6Lf6lIwiRHegEh_pbZKyjBJqIQ3tL4O5xdy9mMS3Rra0AIcK7Or8dd2nqAz4mdfOchurKv3mcg/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+615.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WmdpacLGHbw2Y6f1F_u1JD4Jc-VKZHTyz5lDW15XqLiuZ5Rqp8kTSdESXQGixtBK5_hvnQRoB1NADbs29dy8kCFiaq-kdZxSFLwDufn_rCZJQaP3eLN4N38UtOEO6R8u2LydcfF-kA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WmdpacLGHbw2Y6f1F_u1JD4Jc-VKZHTyz5lDW15XqLiuZ5Rqp8kTSdESXQGixtBK5_hvnQRoB1NADbs29dy8kCFiaq-kdZxSFLwDufn_rCZJQaP3eLN4N38UtOEO6R8u2LydcfF-kA/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+617.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neal tossing boomerang</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl60sZTrnQiO41YCNqBfpr5V4B8ln_0DRQRtEbWbAlGFaJPRS4bW_b0k5bs-7TSLsE2FhtZbkfxGCUlz3T1tOhmGzeSakyoP76Fm3u4QrKb-sg0ZFjE93D4jXaieYuJK4YzF4pN2TWXQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl60sZTrnQiO41YCNqBfpr5V4B8ln_0DRQRtEbWbAlGFaJPRS4bW_b0k5bs-7TSLsE2FhtZbkfxGCUlz3T1tOhmGzeSakyoP76Fm3u4QrKb-sg0ZFjE93D4jXaieYuJK4YzF4pN2TWXQ/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+620.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing didjeridu which involves 5 things at once!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxH4DJ8C0iypzUofZK6YafwJObCkLXb3dvEtr2FZoiAosQckTQszaGwH0bbZjvyoaHhxCM8-ZG6lQfcG6SRPzPTainfjtF-97wJGqS5yg1uSDnJwtb4_gntS_wK6zTkIC9Qdx6Ijz_g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxH4DJ8C0iypzUofZK6YafwJObCkLXb3dvEtr2FZoiAosQckTQszaGwH0bbZjvyoaHhxCM8-ZG6lQfcG6SRPzPTainfjtF-97wJGqS5yg1uSDnJwtb4_gntS_wK6zTkIC9Qdx6Ijz_g/s1600/NewZealandAustralia+619.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back home, showered and re-dressed, we had our
final comments and a lovely dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feb 7--have not been able to access wi-fi for
several days until now. We walked around Cairns through pouring rain looking
for a wi-fi access and after so doing, passed by the welfare office and saw the
state of affairs Aboriginal people are really in. Much the same as people
waiting at welfare offices here in the states. Some of the men laughed at us
for being tourists. Did our jungle hats and zip-off-legged pants give us away?
Two policemen strolled up behind us and told us there was really nothing for us
in this area and we’d do better in the first or second street back from the
waterfront. Subtle suggestion. Strong meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Waiting for our bus to take us to the airport now.
We fly to Sydney this afternoon and then on to home tomorrow. Hope we dry out
before our flight! Another adventure! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What a fabulous trip! If you have always wanted to
see Australia or New Zealand, do it. The
people and the land itself are remarkable, memorable and unforgettable. I laughed every day at some idiomatic
expression or another, some of which I’ve relayed to you previously, and I
found them all charming. Our guide John’s asides had me in stitches. For
example, of the barely trickling showers in our first hotel, he said, “You have
to turn around several times to get wet in there.” Hahahaha! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When you say to yourself about a place you’ve just
visited, “I could live there!” that means it’s a very good place, indeed. This
has been a journey good for the brain (new things to learn every day—how the
shower works, how the room key works, how the light switch works, how the
elevator works, how the money works, where the tram goes, besides all the
information at each place we visited), good for the soul (primitive peoples
knew a lot more than we do in the spiritual aspect and in living sustainably),
good for the physical well-being (lots of good food and plentiful exercise) and
good for the eyes in the beauty we saw all around us every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Speaking of which, Neal has just shared some of
his photos with me, and he captured the beauty with his telephoto lens in ways
I couldn’t, so I hope he shares them on Facebook or in his own blog. They are
very much worth looking at.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feb 8—For two days, in fact. Qantas International
is a marvelous flight to take if you choose premium economy because it’s just
like first class on any other airline. I’m telling you this because I know that
after reading my journal, you are already planning <i>your</i> trip to New Zealand and Australia.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-70629694447404590422013-10-24T16:52:00.000-07:002013-10-27T21:23:12.698-07:00Our Mother's Gifts<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
mother tells her daughters she wishes she would have, could have been more like
us. What she means is she wishes she had been an independent woman, a woman who
goes ahead without fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her
daughters are women who have followed our passions. We are women who have
worked in “men’s” fields. We are women who are perfectly fine going to eat on
our own, going to see a film on our own, or traveling on our own. We can repair
our toilets or our cars, even though we don’t always want to. We make
life-altering decisions and follow them through, even though we don’t always
want to. We chop wood, hoe giant gardens, put by food. We can fish and come
home with something for dinner. Well, one of us has trouble with that, I admit.
Among us, we have raised families, taught school, managed a cemetery, run
non-profits, remodeled houses. In other words, we are today’s typical,
marvelously ordinary women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
our mother tells us she wishes she could be more like us, we laugh. Why? Where
the hell does she think we learned to be that way? Helloooo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our
mother did the typical mom things of the 50’s, cooking, cleaning, sewing,
preserving foods, etc. She also taught 4-H classes in cooking and sewing (in
which I was her least-gifted student), and she was president of the PTA and my
father’s union auxiliary. I still have a newspaper clipping of her and her
friend Lorraine wearing red-lipped smiles, in their nice dresses, heels, hats, with
purses hanging from their arms, surrounded by swarthy, unsmiling union
officials. She was somebody important and didn’t even know it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
we moved to the farm—“the place”-- between La Grande and Island City. My father
began working nights at the mill because that paid more. That way he would have
more money to make the yearly “place” mortgage
payment and he could work around the farm during the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
that meant my mother’s job expanded from basic housewife, to unpaid laborer and
overseer of everything that needed doing NOW and manager of we three sources of
even cheaper labor. Who really ran the farm and made things happen? Mostly, my
mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
raised chickens, turkeys (for a year—they were too stupid for more), and pigs. She
sold eggs and fryers for banquets. We had rabbits and later, sheep, for 4-H
projects. Dad milked the cows, (and later, we three girls milked), but Mom sold the
milk and made the butter and cottage cheese. When buyers came for the milk and
eggs, she gave them a cup of coffee and entertained them. If there was a
customer my dad didn’t care for, he lit out for the bottom pasture. We hid in
the background and listened, especially to the one guy who swore continually. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dad
slaughtered every large animal we grew to eat or those game animals he shot, and
Mom was right alongside him through every bloody step right to the end with the
packaging. Except killing the chickens. Then Mom ran the show. Dead animal
parts in white, waxed butcher paper litter my young adult life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dad
planted the garden, but Mom, and we girls, hoed the weeds and preserved the
food. What we didn’t grow on the farm, such as apricots, peaches, and plums, she
gleaned or purchased and preserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s
amazing to me is that she did all this and still had a hot, well-rounded meal
on the table every night for Dad before he went to work. I’ve tried doing that
the last twelve years since retirement—work outside in the garden and yard all
day and then come in and have energy left to prepare a substantial, healthy
meal—It’s too much for me, and I don’t see how she did it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Among
her other amazing accomplishments, my mother was always lovely every time she
went out in public, dressed as she said, “to the ‘T’.” “Like stepping out of a
bandbox.” (I’m still not sure what those phrases mean, but I assume they mean
that a person looks good.) When we asked her why she took such care, just to go
buy toilet paper and paper towel at the store, for example, she said, “I never
want to embarrass you kids by how I look.” I think there might be another story
behind her comment, but I have never asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
sewed our clothing until I was in high school and then we were expected to buy
our own with the money we made selling our lambs at the fair. I don’t know when
she would have had time to sew, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
remember most of the dresses she made for us, especially the ones for the
Easter season. When my sister Anita and I were little girls going to church, we
had new shoes, hats, coats, dresses, gloves, and little purses every Easter.
One year the dresses were lavender organdy, another year, turquoise chiffon.
One coat was lemon yellow seersucker with a white collar trim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
had school clothes, too—the yellow and black plaid dresses that my sisters and
I wore, along with our aunts who were my age. In their separate towns, my
grandmother had sewn the dresses of my aunts, and our mother, ours. Then we all
came together at our home for picture taking. The five of us girls lined up in
front of the red house look like smiling bumble bees. My baby sister looks like
she’s thinking, “Where am I? Who am I?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another
favorite was my fourth grade dress with the red top and red and white
vertically-striped skirt sporting a big tie in back. I was forever stepping on
the untied tie and ripping it from my waistband. My sister’s dress was always
pristine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
year I was asked to a college formal, my mother sewed me a turquoise satin and
lace, A-framed, below-the-knee dress with wide, swinging sleeves in the style
of the late 60’s. My little brother had arrived in the family by then, so she
was even busier and yet, on the night of the formal, there was the dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
those years, there were things about being a woman we girls saw and didn’t
like. We saw Mom didn’t have her own money; that she had to buy gifts for Dad
with the money he earned. She was so proud each time she had a project and made
her own money and could buy a gift on her own. We learned from her situation
that we should be able to take care of ourselves by having a skill we could
market, that if we could take care of ourselves financially, we’d be beholden
to no one. We also learned from our entire childhood how to save and how to
live cheaply, yet well. How to cook with a few, healthy ingredients and make
something from whatever was in the cupboard or freezer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mom
was Martha Stewart before her time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
often wonder what she would choose to do or be if she found herself a teenager
right now, in this time. She studied to be a nurse. Would that be her choice?
Would she be the CEO of a company? Would she be a scientist? Would she work for
Intel or Micron? After all, she was a highly organized multi-tasker in her
early days. She loved the sciences. Would she have been in a band? She could
play the piano and read music without the benefit of lessons. If she could live
for just herself, what would she choose to be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Growing
up in a different time, she didn’t have that luxury. As her daughters, we were
told things like “a woman’s duty is to her husband” and “you make your bed, you
lie in it” beliefs from her parents’ time that kept on coming through her
lifetime and maybe through ours as well, statements meant to keep women second
class citizens. But we never believed, growing up her children, that women
could not accomplish what they intended to accomplish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s
not what we saw. Yes, we saw fear—Mom didn’t drive until she was 29, but then I
didn’t learn to swim until that age, either. We saw fear of change every time
she was given the gift of a new appliance and had to learn how to work it. We
all have fears like that. But we never saw fear in not being able to accomplish
what she set out to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Watching
our mother is how we daughters learned that a woman has the ability to do
whatever she wants to do. Why do you suppose we refused to believe anyone who
told us we couldn’t do a particular job? Why do you suppose one of us laughed
in the face of a “superior” at work who said “you don’t know your place? Or at a business owner who told one of us she
should just go home and take care of her children instead of applying for a job?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our
mother showed us women aren’t less, just female.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
sure she has no idea she taught us that. She would say she was just doing what
needed done at the time. But isn’t that the reason any of us accomplishes what
we do? It needs doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
often wonder what she would choose to do or be if she found herself a teenager
right now, in this time. She studied to be a nurse. Would that be her choice?
Would she be the CEO of a company? Would she be a scientist? Would she work for
Intel or Micron? After all, she was a highly organized multi-tasker in her
early days. She loved the sciences. Would she have been in a band? She could
play the piano and read music without the benefit of many lessons. If she could
live for just herself, what would she choose to be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
we know from her example is not to judge people by male or female but by skills
and gifts and to appreciate what each of us brings to the world. Things get
done by doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
we learned from was not so much what our mother said, but what she did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Truth
in action.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uZ_yNLEIzipy7jo7zW6SetUG7VN3rsqpcnwM95v_KeHNVqxDG-xWBrwWLMo45IwX4DDJEGzX3HeaAF0DQ2KohdRJhB1hka2DRyYoj5m6HcHTgLLABv4x8I40bibSg64xnU-eaUc58w/s1600/dresses+for+blog+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uZ_yNLEIzipy7jo7zW6SetUG7VN3rsqpcnwM95v_KeHNVqxDG-xWBrwWLMo45IwX4DDJEGzX3HeaAF0DQ2KohdRJhB1hka2DRyYoj5m6HcHTgLLABv4x8I40bibSg64xnU-eaUc58w/s320/dresses+for+blog+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The yellow and white bumblebee dresses. I'm second from left. Love my purse and the Ionic porch columns.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFfxRcc7k6XBHryauCB2WCwHCTHVrvqQ39sHRuYd9tCGCrZbleAGVMHCTBt7b3MTaFZqtHktNET76vBWLhqrxGizFVzXt_h9YupEvp3qr3aAywSDui-24o5CoqZXHObOchx2uRv6Ghw/s1600/dresses+for+blog+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFfxRcc7k6XBHryauCB2WCwHCTHVrvqQ39sHRuYd9tCGCrZbleAGVMHCTBt7b3MTaFZqtHktNET76vBWLhqrxGizFVzXt_h9YupEvp3qr3aAywSDui-24o5CoqZXHObOchx2uRv6Ghw/s320/dresses+for+blog+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The turquoise chiffon dresses, accessorized with hat, purse, gloves, shoes. I'm second from right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxC4LGOjEzJXNolEYVYLBu3S-ZddDJf6_idf4pu2kzy7tV-LeIeCNq6yJXae88PoDMpoB0G8jiR1ow-Qnw-EWhN8nQkHUGJKgg0u-dvp50872yXFKWQySxNPxsaQR1mE6g7jvXVXbnA/s1600/dresses+for+blog+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxC4LGOjEzJXNolEYVYLBu3S-ZddDJf6_idf4pu2kzy7tV-LeIeCNq6yJXae88PoDMpoB0G8jiR1ow-Qnw-EWhN8nQkHUGJKgg0u-dvp50872yXFKWQySxNPxsaQR1mE6g7jvXVXbnA/s320/dresses+for+blog+004.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm on the right. The red and red and white striped dresses. Anita, Susie, and me. My first permanent.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-58383422509945310192013-06-10T07:48:00.000-07:002013-06-10T07:48:30.053-07:00My short story, "No Second Chances" which appeared in Huff/Post 50. Here's my short story which appeared in Huffington Post 50 June 10, 2013. I hope you enjoy it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karen-keltz/featured-fifty-fiction-no-second-chances_b_3399265.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karen-keltz/featured-fifty-fiction-no-second-chances_b_3399265.html</a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-76969942738851915332013-05-13T20:31:00.000-07:002013-05-13T20:36:23.283-07:00MESSAGES FROM HIS HOLINESS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> After
spending both a morning and an afternoon session in the presence of His
Holiness, The 14<sup>th</sup> Dalai Lama, my mind was reeling with what I
wanted to remember. I told my husband
that at our age, it wasn’t so much that what he said was new to me because I
try to live a well-examined life (even though I sometimes fail) but that it helped to hear and be reminded of
the right ways to live, along with 10,000 other people. Because His Holiness spoke to two groups of
people in Portland each of the three days he was here, certainly there should
be soon an upsurge in better behaviors and right action in our communities,
right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What
I enjoy most about His Holiness is that he giggles. I would like to be there
when he sits and chats with his friend, Bishop Desmond Tutu, because he giggles, too.
I imagine that giggles are joy burbling from souls focused on unconditional
love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Also,
he didn’t try to pretend to know something, to have an answer, when he didn’t. He said, “I don’t know. That I will have to
leave to the experts. I can answer only
as far as I know. They have studied
more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> He
wasn’t about blind acceptance, however.
He said that we should analyze and study before coming to a
conclusion. In other words, the
scientific method is very important to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Most
of what The Dalai Lama is about is common sense. If you are living from your
soul, from the part of you that is the part of me, you will be full of joy and
helping others. Nothing worthwhile is about acquisition of objects and money;
everything worthwhile is about compassion for others. We need to show affection and receive
affection. Those deprived of early
affection grow to be insecure adults who lack self-confidence. Those assured of
affection, no matter how poor, grow to be happy, confident adults.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All people, religious or
not, should be compassionate. All the
major religions have compassion as their basis, but that gets lost in the
delivery. Instead of focusing on a
specific religion and saying it’s the only one, we should focus on the message
instead and make it secular. Everyone
should practice compassion because it’s the right thing to do, not because the
religion says it is. Our soul knows the
right thing is to practice compassion for others. Making the choice to show compassion,
affection for others, is what makes you happy.
Affection is necessary for survival.
The mother child bond of nursing, for example, makes for a happy person.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the morning session,
the topic was our environment. Our own personal environment, our community
environment, and the global environment.
The Dalai Lama was joined by Andrea Durbin, Executive Director of Oregon
Environmental Council, Oregon Governor Kitzhaber, David Suzuki, all of whom
were introduced by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All agreed that the focus
on consumption as a measurement of economic growth was ruining our environment,
personally, in our country, and globally. They suggested that we determine a
system whereby our focus isn’t on money but what really makes us rich. That we re-use, re-cycle. That we do not
export natural resources that will pollute another country. That we ban toxic
chemicals and products. That we find other ways to obtain the energy and food
we need. That we learn ways to shrink our carbon footprint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I always enjoy hearing a
discussion on re-purposing and recycling.
I grew up in a household where our carbon footprint was no bigger than
the piggy who went wee, wee, wee all the way home. We were poor and being poor necessitates
knowing how to grow your own food, how to wear hand-me-downs, how to make your
own…anything. How to can, freeze, and
dry food products. How to make what you
do buy last, how to think before you toss.
I remember my mother telling me that after my father’s mother cleaned up
vegetables for the table, she took the scraps and boiled them to make
broth. The same with chicken bones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My father could fix
almost everything and invent almost everything he needed on our farm. I’m hopeless at that, but my sister can do
it. My brother does that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of what I learned
from my parents and grandparents growing up, I do myself, not because I have
to, but because it’s fun. I preserve the
food we grow so I know what’s in it. No Roundup-infused
or GMO food on my plate. I make my own laundry soap, cleaning products, and
some beauty products. I grow my own herbs and make my own teas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I noticed my friend
Linda washed her Ziploc bags and used them over and over, I realized this made
sense and I’ve done the same ever since. My mother washes and saves plastic
wrap. She washes and saves plastic silverware.
I don’t do those things. I don’t save the dishwater and throw it over
the flower beds like my grandmother did, but I think it makes sense. I wish our
house had a retrieval system for gray water so it could be re-used. Why aren’t houses built that way to begin
with?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For that matter why aren’t
houses built with solar panel roofing materials? Why aren’t little windmills in
our backyards? Why don’t our exercise
bicycles hook up to the electric grid so we can generate our own electricity
while we pedal? Other countries do this.
Why don’t we? My friend Rosemary and her husband tried to do some of
these things when they built their new home but they found the costs involved
were prohibitive. Why is that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love that in my little
town the young mothers get together once a year and bring all their outgrown
baby and children items to swap and trade.
I love it when grown-ups do the same thing with their clothing. That’s what my parents, their relatives, and
friends did when I was growing up and it just makes sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love that in Portland
young people are embracing this lifestyle rather than one of full-out
consumption without regard for finite resources. They’re finding out that this
way to live is meaningful, productive, creative, and fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the afternoon session,
His Holiness was introduced by Representative Earl Blumenauer.
The Dalai Lama was presented a Trailblazer cap and jersey with the number 14 on
it. He said he couldn’t use the jersey,
but the cap came in very handy, and then he put it on so the light wouldn’t be
in his eyes. He spoke of the need for
compassion and understanding we all are interconnected, so what we do to one,
we do to all. Therefore, we are all better served if we treat others as we
would like to be treated. Treating others with compassion means that compassion
will come round to you. My husband has found his joy in mentoring neglected and
tortured youth. Teaching was my career, which also often requires mentoring
neglected and tortured youth, being compassionate even though the ego feels
something else entirely. I know lots of people who love unconditionally day
after day and so do you. Those are the people you love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When asked what to do
when confronted with the overwhelming negative news stories we see daily, he
said that if you can make a change for good regarding a negative matter, then
work to make the change happen. If it’s not possible for you to make a change
for good to happen in some matter, then work on something else where you can
make a difference. That will bring you joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When asked what we can do
to help make Tibet its own country again, he said that 400,000,000 people in
China are practicing Tibetan Buddhists even though they are Communists. In other words, China is becoming Tibet
instead of Tibet becoming Chinese. Hee-hee-hee. (giggle) China now needs, with
all its pollution and climate problems, the Buddhist solutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When asked what to do when things
change, like climate change for example, he said that if change happens and
there is no way to reverse that change, then you need to change yourself in
order to deal with the new. It’s that
simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Here’s the thing. If we are interconnected and your soul and my
soul are from the same place and if nature is also like that and connected to
us, then why would we want to hurt ourselves?
Why would we disregard ourselves?
I think compassion and taking care of ourselves, others, and the Earth
are the things we are here to learn. They are also the things I forget from time to time when I'm ensconced in my ego.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I’m
so glad, then, to be reminded of them in the books I read, the music I listen to, the
films I watch, the relationships I have—which are all, by the way, my choice, the way yours can be your choice—and I am honored to have been reminded of essential
truths once again by a representative of unconditional love and right living,
His Holiness, The Dalai Lama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-75732063561179178252013-04-12T17:11:00.000-07:002013-04-12T17:11:21.130-07:00SAVING THE PLANET ONE CATALOG AT A TIME<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Last
Sunday I did something good for the planet, something I’d been planning to do
when recovering from my knee replacement. Pain pill effects got in the way, so
sooner became later, but determination and the two-foot tall pile of catalogs
we kept having to walk around and move from place to place on the couch finally
sealed the deal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
the last two months my husband and I have received 105 unrequested, unwelcome
catalogs in the mail. I had noticed the pile burgeoning during those two
months, but until I actually counted them, I had no idea there were so many. I
knew they arrived in our post office box every day, giant wads of them that we
then were obliged to carry to our car and home and then our garbage can and
that alone irritated me. Now that I know how many avalanched into our mailbox,
no wonder I felt aggravation mounting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
past holiday season, when the baskets I lugged were full, not with gifts, but with
catalogs, I decided I needed to give Catalog Choice another chance to ease the
barrage of unsolicited marketing in our mail. Have you heard of Catalog Choice?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Back
in 2007, wondering what to do with my proliferating pile of waste junk mail, I
came across the website <a href="http://www.catalogchoice.org/">www.catalogchoice.org</a>
and voilà, there was my answer. I typed in the proper box the name of the
company sending me the catalog, any numbers and codes associated with my name,
hit the “submit” box, and my problems would be solved, or so I hoped. The amount of catalogs force-fed into my
mailbox dwindled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some
companies, however, did not comply with my wishes to terminate the one-sided
relationship. Their spokespeople told
Catalog Choice that they made more money by sending out catalogs willy-nilly
than by any other form of advertising, so they refused to stop. Those catalogs
I kept receiving. Even though I refused
to buy even one product ever again from those companies, mailing lists containing
our address were sold to other catalogs, and again we’d arrive at the post
office to find a box crammed with mailings we hadn’t asked for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While
that was inconvenient, what really bothered me was the thought of so much waste
of resources, all that timber being cut, all that hauling on our already
overtaxed highways, and all the flying using so much gasoline, a non-renewable
and shrinking resource. The accumulation of printing by-products so toxic to
our environment upset me. I thought of
the metals in the ink used and wondered how that broke down in the landfills,
and here on the coast where it rains most of the time, the watersheds. (In my dad’s time when outhouses were common,
at least the catalog pages could be used for another purpose, but we don’t have
an outhouse, and I wouldn’t want to use the toxic ink and tough, slick paper for
such a delicate task anyway.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">According
to Wikipedia, three main environmental issues with ink are volatile organic
compounds (VOC’s), heavy metals and non-renewable oils. I don’t know that the ancient Tibetan
techniques of making ink from soot, earth, puffballs, dung, fruit and a yellow
fungus were any better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Working
as a printer can be hazardous to one’s health, a fact I wasn’t happy reading
since my son spent several years in that occupation. VOC’s are emitted as the ink dries; the
metallic pigments can result in environmental and worker health hazards; and
the main oils in non-vegetable based inks are petroleum-based, non-renewable
resources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
felt gratified to read that in recent years more companies in the UK and USA are
reverting to vegetable-based inks again which have lower VOC’s, use renewable
resources, and utilize non-metallic inks which come off when the paper is
recycled. Also, the process doesn’t use water in the print process where it had
been before, thereby rendering it another toxic by-product. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m
thrilled to see that our post office now has a row of recycling bins lined up
to take the catalog offal away where I assume it’s being re-used in a
beneficial way. But still, what a waste
of resources and time to produce something undesirable and rejected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Worries
about sustainability aside, I also thought about all the human labor in
writing, photographing, printing, and assembling a catalog. The postage.
What must be a huge cost for a company, all totaled, so a catalog could
be sent to someone who didn’t even want one.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Because
by 2007, and even more so now six years later, most of our shopping in our
little rural town is done online. We google
the product we want and go from there.
Yes, we use electricity and a computer /keyboard made from toxic materials,
but we’re not tossing them out every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s
why last Sunday I sat down for a couple of hours and typed 105 names of
companies into my Catalog Choice account. Two companies have already received
my message and one has responded with an assurance I will not see another
catalog from that source. The planet and I are awaiting some relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-182259072858545492013-01-27T20:42:00.001-08:002013-01-27T20:49:59.182-08:00INFERIOR WORKSHOP, SESSION OR TRAINING? LEAVE.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That
was the best advice I ever learned, the most empowering message I ever received as a teacher, and
it came from one of my teaching colleagues, Bryan Marvis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
the midst of a day-long misery of classes in a workshop designed to teach us
yet another new method of writing performance goals and student objectives (which
came along every ten years, torturous state mandates designed to waste time
better spent in the actual act of teaching), Bryan burst from a classroom into
the hallway where I was chatting with another colleague.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
are you doing?” I asked, because he was a dedicated and excellent teacher and I
was surprised to see him not involved in every second of what the district had
planned for us that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
told my superintendent that my time is valuable and if any session I attend is
not valuable or well-presented, I’ll be walking out to do something more useful
with my time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wow! Up until that time, while I’d felt the same
way, I’d never actually got up and left.
Wouldn’t I be considered impolite?
Wouldn’t I get in trouble should my principal hear about my actions? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bryan
taught me that the action goes both ways.
A teacher owes it to his or her class to be prepared, informative, and
structured. Every step of a new learning needs to be presented and measured
before the next step is taken. And while every teacher had to take a methods
class so we’d know how to teach to a variety of learning styles, the “experts”
brought in to instruct us adults rarely used any method other than the “read
the overhead transparency while I say it aloud” method. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since that day, I have left workshops, sessions and classes if they did not deliver
what their advertising said they would. I’ve left if the teacher did not employ
several learning-style methods. If the instructor was not structured, telling
me where we were going and where we’d end up. If the educator clearly did not
know his subject matter or blew off questions asked by students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
hold the firm belief that if a person is going to teach a class of any subject
matter, he or she needs to know how to employ all methods of learning styles
and multiple intelligences. At the very
least, he or she needs to tell the students what they will accomplish during
the class, what the final outcome will be, and the steps it will take to get
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At
first, I felt I needed to make up a reason for leaving a session, such as
simulating an uncontrollable cough or intense need for the restroom. Often I said, “Excuse me,” as I went. Later, I felt such untruth was not fair. The
person in charge needed to know he or she was lacking in some way, otherwise
how would subsequent change occur? Now,
I just go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
that’s what my husband and I did last Saturday after enduring 2 and ½ hours of
a workshop we hoped would improve as it went along. Who was it who said hope is
nectar in a sieve?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Winging
it” is not an acceptable teaching method.
Neither is rambling. Neither is rampant self-promotion or story after
story about oneself. If the announcement of your class promised learning the
specifics you need to know in your chosen career, let’s say, how to set up a
blog, how to use Facebook and Linked In to market yourself as a writer and how to tweet,
then those are the exact things your attendees are there to learn. Each person
should know how to do that at the end of the workshop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
had arrived at the hour the workshop was to begin only to find it in session
and the section we’d signed up for set an hour ahead. We left to explore a section of town about
which we knew nothing except that I’d lived there until the age of three and
where my house had been was now an industrial warehouse. We drove about and got turned around in our
discoveries. We made it back to the
appointed spot five minutes late but it didn’t seem to matter. The part we’d come for had already started at
some point earlier. People got up to make tea or have coffee or use the
restroom when we came in and a few minutes later we all settled in for the rest
of the workshop where we would be taught what we'd come for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Only teaching never occurred. We were shown (the only teaching device of the entire workshop) on a computer screen a curve
that was supposed to show us that if we weren’t famous, our blogs would never
be read by very many people anyway. That
was mighty inspiring. Then the entire
class was not shown how to develop a blog.
But if we really wanted to write one, we were given the name of two blog hosts and it took other class members
to mention several more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
an hour I used the restroom again. I
couldn’t sit there surrounded by emptiness of fact any longer. I came back and it was as if I had not
left. Nothing was still happening. Then I checked my e-mail accounts and
Facebook, not so surreptitiously.
Nothing was still happening. The
woman at the end of the table sitting between my husband and I was furiously
typing through all of this, probably creating two or three chapters on her next
novel. Once she instructed the
instructor on some point the instructor misconstrued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
attendees asked specific questions as outlined in the advertising matter, the
instructor either blew them off saying an e-mail with that information would be
sent, or telling them they really didn’t need to know that aspect of social
media to be successful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
moved on to the topic of Facebook, and attendees were not shown how to set up a
Facebook account or use it for marketing. My husband left to use the restroom. Because a student asked a specific question
about privacy, another student showed her the settings cog so some did learn
about that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Someone
asked about Linked In and we were all told it really wouldn’t help us at all
since that was for business. Even though, for some of the people in attendance, writing IS their business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another
asked about Twitter and was told that tweeting wasn’t important in spreading
the word about our books. In other words, according to the instructor, everything
every person came to learn how to do in order to market their books, as
advertised, was not necessary and was not taught.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
looked at my husband. He looked at me.
We both nodded, gathered our empty notepads, rose from our chairs, and
departed. We gave it the old Bryan Marvis play. We agreed the best part of the
whole afternoon was the town tour we'd given ourselves and the lovely building in which the workshop was housed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bless
those other attendees who, like us, paid their $70 to learn not much of anything. I want to tell them not to give up and to
keep their ear out for someone who really CAN teach them what they want and
need to know. But if they choose another session where nothing is being taught
by someone with negligible teaching skills, I hope they get up, gather up their
belongings, and leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
for Bryan, he was a great teacher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-68439281255937728262013-01-14T19:50:00.000-08:002013-01-14T19:50:56.728-08:00SPREAD TO THE EDGE OF THE BREAD<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
learned from Mrs. Dietrich in my 9<sup>th</sup> grade Home Ec class that one
should spread the butter or mayonnaise or mustard or peanut butter—whatever is
on your sandwich—clear over to the edge of the bread. Of course.
That makes sense. Who wants to
eat bites of just two pieces of bread, unadorned? I might not want to eat the crusts of my
bread but I want the good stuff going all the way up to the edge. Why hadn’t I thought of that on my own? Spreading the filling to the edge of the
bread was one of the best things public education taught me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
feel sorry for people who haven’t learned the proper technique. Why haven’t they figured it out yet? Wouldn’t the results have told them? Some of
those people work in the restaurant business. Don’t you just hate that
teaspoon-sized plop of spread right in the middle of your sandwich, bordered by
dry bread? I make the server bring me extra spread. I don’t buy that sandwich a second time. I’m not a fan of shoddy output, especially if
it takes my time and energy to make it right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
I learned is truly a life lesson, a metaphor for making your life the best it
can be. If you do things half-assed, you
are going to end up without the richness and fullness of doing something the
right way. Why bother to do whatever it
is in the first place if you aren’t going to go all the way with your
endeavor? If you are doing something for
someone else, you are going to receive a lot more approbation for your best
effort than for a sloppy, halfway attempt.
You save yourself a lot of work, too, and maybe money, if you do the job
right the first time. You feel better
about yourself because the inner you knows the difference between halfway and
the right way. You can taste it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Everyone
notices the difference when you spread the filling to the edge of the bread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-91738637698966939952013-01-09T20:43:00.000-08:002013-01-09T20:51:43.737-08:00CLOTHING RANT<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">HERE'S MY FIRST RANTALICIOUS TOPIC:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">CLOTHING
STYLES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clothing
styles today make me growl like a caveman in despair. Reasons aplenty abound
for my angst. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
fabrics are all thin now, even in jackets and sweaters. That means instead of
one garment, one must layer, and layer and layer in order to stay warm. Great
for the profit margin of clothing manufacturers, but not so great for my budget
bottom line or closet space. Those
fabrics are all stretchy, too, so a person has to pull and pull to get something
off. Getting naked takes a long time. One does have those occasions when speed is
of the romantic essence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
enjoy modesty. I do not enjoy necklines
revealing what very few of us should be seeing.
I’d like to pick and choose who gets to see my cleavage, thank you very
much. And yet, I find it difficult to
find dresses and blouses without necklines plunging deep into body
crevasses. There are times, and places
and I want to be the one deciding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wool
and some synthetic fabrics and I do not get along anymore. I don’t want to be pricked or slimed. What’s
worse, that slimy fabric reveals every ounce of me and I don’t like it. Again,
there are times and places and I want to be the one deciding. I like soothing
fabric, the kind that hugs or drapes and billows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
sleeves on blouses, tops, tunics (whatever you call them), dresses and even
some jackets are short, short, short, about the size of those colonial-style, polished
silver drawer pulls you can fit all four fingers under. They are little afterthoughts, flaps of
material that don’t deserve to be called “sleeves.” If a person happens to have fat, fat arms
like I do, they look ridiculous. If a
person has medium-sized or even normal arms, they still look ridiculous. They look fine on the arms of 10 year-olds,
but that’s where I draw the line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
sadist thought of putting two buttons above the zipper on a pair of pants? When I have to go, I have to GO and I don’t
have time to unbutton two buttons and THEN unzip my pants. I understand the buttons on the waistband,
which now is really a hip-band in most pants, can keep the crack-baring
slippage to a minimum. And really, I
like the hip-band kind of pants, the “mid-rise” I believe is the term, because
that’s how my body is shaped and normal pants set the waistband close to my bra
band in order that the crotch not be at my knees, but that two-button thing has
got to go. In the meantime, I button
only one, and hope for the best. I
confess, this method is for going out in public pants, only. At home, I have reverted to the elastic
waistband stretch pants. I can do yoga at a moment’s notice, for one
thing. But the most important reason for
this fashion decision is that with one tug down and over, you are ready to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every
color of fabric is not available every year.
And anyone can tell what year you bought a particular piece of apparel
by its color. Remember the pink (gack!)
and purple years? The brown and turquoise years? The peach and turquoise years? The orangy-reddy-peach
with brown years? This past year was the darker hue of turquoise tending toward
teal but lighter (turqteal?)with several colors year. I’ve enjoyed this year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I like red.
Red hasn’t been the color of choice since when, the late 60’s-early
70’s? That makes it difficult to find something new in a color I like. For that reason, I wear a lot of black. Black goes with everything even though people
think you’ve been in mourning the last 20 years. It goes with my coloring and makes the wearer
look thinner, so I’ve been told. Black is my go-to color. Just not on my bathroom tile grout.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I love fashion and I love style. I know how to mix and match and use single pieces for years so they still look fashionable. I wore a collarless blazer for 20 years that my mother had worn in high school and then passed on to me after she'd worn it 20 years. I passed it on to my niece who wore it forever. It was red and warm. Clothing used to be like that. Please, could we have that again?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-35180697241830809852013-01-09T20:28:00.000-08:002013-01-09T20:28:37.704-08:00THE LITTLE THINGS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today
I was telling my water aerobics friend about another of my students who had
just sold the movie option rights to her book.
My friend said, “You must be very proud of her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
said, “I am. I’m proud of so many of my
students, the choices they’ve made and the lives they lead.” I feel like a big sister, a good friend, an
auntie, a mother or a grandmother to so many of them. If you teach, you can’t help loving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
friend sighed, and said, “You did BIG things with your life. All I did was little things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’d
never looked at it that way because I’d always thought I’d done little things,
gauged by the BIG things other people had accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then
I thought back to when I had to turn my gut feeling and an ugly truth into
action. That is the most difficult thing
for me to do in my life because I want my actions to be the right thing to do
according to the situation. It’s always been hard for me to make a decision and
act on it. To act, you have to believe in yourself. You can talk to friends
until they are sick of seeing you coming, but nothing changes unless you take
the action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
needed to divorce my husband and I needed custody of my son because too much
damage had been done already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
father-in-law’s attorney, the only one I knew, said he couldn’t help me but he
knew an attorney who could, and he took me to the other’s office. The attorney listened to my story, so
difficult for me to tell, and he believed me.
What’s more, he believed IN me.
That “little” thing was the one thing I needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
life unfolded before I left that town, friends and other professionals came to
me and told me how glad they were I had taken the action I had. My friends said they hadn’t felt they could
say what they knew because what I did had to be my choice, although one of my
friends did spur an investigation I learned later. The professionals kept quiet because my
father-in-law was an important, powerful man in that little town, but they all
knew of the depravity in which my step-children, child, and I lived. Once I acted, these townspeople felt free
then to comment how glad they were I had escaped. I felt free and my son and I fled to another
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
we are in a world of hurt, sometimes all we need is one “little” thing to
escape, just one person to affirm and validate us. I tried to be that person for my students. I try to be that person for the people in my
life today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
told my friend that she may see the things she does as little things, like daily
checking on a 90-year old neighbor, or taking care of a friend’s dog, or
mediating in a dispute. But to the people
she helps, that little action is a BIG thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Little
things add up to something huge. Usually they cost nothing but time and love. They cause a tide of goodness and kindness. It’s
the little things that facilitate the big things. If you do the little things
right, you change the world into a better place to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-6788484081692804222013-01-08T21:23:00.000-08:002013-01-09T20:30:32.466-08:00RANTALICIOUS!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">RANT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(My
nomination for newest literary genre)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
spiritual teachers have advised us that we cannot achieve inner peace if we
complain. I understand that we should
instead feel gratitude and seek out ways to feel grateful. We do feel better and our world does better with
our change in perception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">However,
I believe that in order for gratitude to find its place within, take seed and
grow, we must empty out whatever is taking its place, and the best method for
doing that is a literary genre unto its own, the rant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dylan
Thomas urged his father to “Rage, rage against the dying of the light!” What more proof than that do you need?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Once
you get things off your chest, then you have space to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
friend and I, who both had careers in education, employed this technique for
ranting: We packed an overnight bag,
headed for the nearest big city for some shopping and some theatre, and then we
jumped in either her car or mine. We
called whichever car it was the “Ventmobile.”
Each one of us got at least five minutes, maybe ten if the story was
complicated, to rant at our heart’s content.
We listened intently to the ranter, either quiet or cheering like call
and response, “Amen! You said it, Sister!”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
we finished, we were detoxified. We’d
accomplished an energy shift and we felt incredibly better than when we’d
boarded the Ventmobile. We had space to
be happy and giggle and breathe and wonder and be inspired. We filled that
empty space with fun and happy memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">One
of my writer friends is an expert at the rant.
I love listening to her whether I share her peeve or not because her energy
crackles and sparks in the telling of her story. Even if she’s writing the rant, I can feel
how involved she is right then in her life.
She’s not sitting comatose in front of her TV. She’s engaged and alive. And usually funny. Speaking her truth and
getting over herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Holding
anger in destroys the liver. If we don’t
rant, we fall ill. Rants are like taking
a spiritual poop. They help us get
centered, make a change, feel grateful.
Often I find connections with others as well, because they share the
same pea in the shoe, thorn in the side, bur in the butt gripe that I do. Conversation ensues. A good rant leads you at its end to the
question, “So now what are you going to do about it?” The answer will help you
form a plan of action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Messages
from recent meditations have told me in various ways that now is the time for
me to work on the throat chakra, the speaking the truth chakra, that turquoise
Adam’s apple. If I’m receiving the
message, I feel honor-bound to heed its intent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Universe is ready for me to rant. I’m
going to have me some fun. Stay tuned for rant number one, soon to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-10423931679098193872013-01-03T17:17:00.001-08:002013-01-09T20:31:22.061-08:00PERIHELION<br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sunlight
gone viral<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">eats
the frost hour by hour,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">shrinking
roof lines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">shadowed
on the lawn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Consider
my tilt, the ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mark,
too, your searing flare,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">the
void between.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
bodies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">so
close<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">yet
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">so
far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">01/02/13</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-21902352910825824872013-01-02T20:32:00.002-08:002013-01-09T20:33:11.837-08:00ENDINGS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Endings,
the ones you know are coming, are never what you had supposed they would
be. Sometimes, another day passes and
what you were, you aren’t. Sometimes
there is fanfare and a big to-do, but when the door closes, life on the other
side keeps going without you. It’s up to you to figure out what to do with this
side. And sometimes what you thought would be ending, doesn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
I’ve enjoyed the most about my husband’s retirement from the Justice Court
bench is that there will be no more middle of the night phone calls asking for
a search warrant. That’s an ending I can sleep right through, night after
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today
I accompanied my husband on the last day of his monthly stint as Cannon Beach
Municipal Judge. However, what was
supposed to be his last court day, wasn’t. Instead, he was asked to come again
next month because his replacement has not yet been chosen. We didn’t know that, though, before court, so
I sat through court and watched him preside for what we both thought was his
last time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He
asked a young man to take off his hat in respect for the court. The kid had gotten a ticket for taking his
parents’ car without their permission, and driving. He wasn’t apologetic for that at all. Will I sound like an old geezer if I say that
no one teaches manners anymore? Even
geezier if I say no one teaches the difference between right and wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I remember (yep, here it comes) back
in 1968 when I began teaching in Burns, Oregon.
The judge, who was also the judge for the neighboring county, came once
a month and the first thing I learned in that town was that the judge was loved
and feared. Everyone wanted to behave
just to not have to appear before him.
The courtroom had to be absolutely silent during all the proceedings
(not even whispering) and men had to remove their hats. If either rule was disobeyed, he shouted at
them and sent them from the courtroom. A
standard for proper behavior was set and expected. If parents didn’t teach that, or teachers, or
Sunday school teachers, someone did.
People still made poor choices regarding right and wrong as they have
since Adam and Eve, otherwise why would there be need for a court of law? But everyone with a lick of sense in Harney
County took off his hat and shut his mouth in that courtroom. And they wore
decent clothing as well. No tank tops
with rather indelicate language and logos splashed across the front. My judge has had to ask young men to turn
their offensive shirts inside out and leave their manure-laden barn boots in
the hallway. But, I digress.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another
young man appearing before my husband today had not done any of the work he was
supposed to do in order for his MIP to be dropped, not a lick of it in seven
months. He asked for another month in
which to complete his assignments. He
said he’d been moving to another city, and settling in, looking for a job. The
judge was not pleased with the young man’s laissez-faire attitude but gave him
another month, along with a reminder of the six-month jail sentence he would
receive should he not comply. The judge did not comment on the young man’s
earring holes the size of 50-cent pieces.
Self-torture is not against the law in Cannon Beach, I guess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I remember (yep, once again) when one
of my students returning from traffic court told me she believed no judge
should never let off first-time speeding or MIP offenders because then all they
learn is that they can do something at least twice and get away with it. Out of
the mouths of…teens. And SHE had just gotten away with speeding for the second
time. I think she was wise beyond her
years. A terrible driver, yes, but wise.
This is what I learned from my parents: NO! means NO! The truth is, difficult as it is to stick to
what you say as a parent, teacher or official, those receiving the NO!
appreciate, sooner or later, that big STOP sign at the end of their noses. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, I digressed again. After all, I didn’t get in trouble for it the
first time.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
docket contained more miscreants and scalawags who either expected to be
forgiven for driving 68 mph in a 55 mph zone “because it’s impossible to see my
dashboard when it’s dark” or who just admitted their guilt and paid their fine.
The court room finally emptied of all save the judge, the city attorney, the
clerk and me. Just when the judge
prepared to adjourn the court, the city attorney worried that the woman in the
red coat way in the back had not been heard.
The judge said, “That’s my wife.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That
has happened every time I’ve gone to watch my husband perform his duties. Apparently to every attorney and official of
the court, I look like a rogue, a scofflaw, a knavette. An antique delinquent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
last day that wasn’t a last day yet ended with a laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-25058009747317043702013-01-01T16:37:00.002-08:002013-01-01T16:37:46.631-08:00New Year Treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMHURs4fC4APVNhhjZLA9LEuBqXLp_YwJ_XB-4qmW0-j6PO78sSP3vjeOLMyJvhzabgz-A2tZwCqQWTZKTXe9PpsdufBe64B2PJLy2CYck3LK3yPkHP0zRN2E5NvOJcO6Crjgolx5bg/s1600/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMHURs4fC4APVNhhjZLA9LEuBqXLp_YwJ_XB-4qmW0-j6PO78sSP3vjeOLMyJvhzabgz-A2tZwCqQWTZKTXe9PpsdufBe64B2PJLy2CYck3LK3yPkHP0zRN2E5NvOJcO6Crjgolx5bg/s320/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Every New Year's Day since my husband and I have known each other, 34 years, we've enjoyed a celebratory walk. And on every walk we take, at the turn-around point, we kiss. Here we are in Oceanside, Oregon, on the beach. It's a small thing, our ritual and who knows why we started doing it, but we like it. Our society sorely needs positive, loving rituals. My friend, writer Martha Goudey, says to celebrate the small things. It's the small things that lead to bigger things in the long run. At least 34 years so far.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it's important to change our perspective. Look down instead of up. Find something of beauty, something to love where you've never looked before. We take our cameras everywhere we go as a matter of course because we never know what we'll find. We take the normal "isn't that cool!" photos, and then, we find the extra-normal, the super-normal, the "Wow!" photos. Here's what we saw when we looked down:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBHbhVJvxwKpJG1yIhwUCcbxyrWPlyaNnUxsILF39R5EpvIPPwrq0X_i_aCUJUsJFF88dOGcdEMIfTNXaVadLDXe_pq7AXmL5igfzdINEYUID3_WIWwFvzwI57yS7rnUVbq16zfwItg/s1600/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBHbhVJvxwKpJG1yIhwUCcbxyrWPlyaNnUxsILF39R5EpvIPPwrq0X_i_aCUJUsJFF88dOGcdEMIfTNXaVadLDXe_pq7AXmL5igfzdINEYUID3_WIWwFvzwI57yS7rnUVbq16zfwItg/s320/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+061.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicycle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjassAQTNYr4pVVRIOlLxYUJMm-FkzgF4UY9veReLgoM6AJXlNETnJ4_J9sI2ncmeKOh0lAM2wiJySl-o5KJiUVIg3sg-3DIVMWt2-vdB3uGUS0BzFzHty6fNH9uRAdgOWh44dNmflkrA/s1600/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjassAQTNYr4pVVRIOlLxYUJMm-FkzgF4UY9veReLgoM6AJXlNETnJ4_J9sI2ncmeKOh0lAM2wiJySl-o5KJiUVIg3sg-3DIVMWt2-vdB3uGUS0BzFzHty6fNH9uRAdgOWh44dNmflkrA/s320/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5972jWW2aA6wUH7cLx6GPz8ZsV6WfD2lFNVJM8fA3JAV9pm9Ab1lVFvQ_a4urCt4NeOj3FZ_YSKefEtuywpCEhyphenhyphenXAMCPHh5q1EU2VqvNc55YZi9ua0LSQsh3YfxG1OD4UZ6-D4L73A/s1600/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5972jWW2aA6wUH7cLx6GPz8ZsV6WfD2lFNVJM8fA3JAV9pm9Ab1lVFvQ_a4urCt4NeOj3FZ_YSKefEtuywpCEhyphenhyphenXAMCPHh5q1EU2VqvNc55YZi9ua0LSQsh3YfxG1OD4UZ6-D4L73A/s320/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty Salon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Change your perception and amazing things will occur! And you'll still see the everyday beautiful like this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja65lwSiuYoEThNXGXK0Lmq73gORrkR2IEgJskv-khoJ17muDbzLt5HUJ-MJSjGT6_UartKezLjigknT-L6xfhwb1dxbfowShXp0jdQakxoj5CljIfm854XyKezRiKPwLbMmbkai0wdA/s1600/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja65lwSiuYoEThNXGXK0Lmq73gORrkR2IEgJskv-khoJ17muDbzLt5HUJ-MJSjGT6_UartKezLjigknT-L6xfhwb1dxbfowShXp0jdQakxoj5CljIfm854XyKezRiKPwLbMmbkai0wdA/s320/December+2012+to+NYD+2013+050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our first day of 2013 was glorious. I hope that every day of this year will be, for all of us. If we remember to celebrate the small things, change our perception, and be full of gratitude, they will be glorious days, indeed.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-8493803384918472042012-10-04T20:07:00.000-07:002012-10-04T20:07:44.273-07:00AFT GANG AWRY<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">AFT GANG AWRY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ever have a day where everything goes awry, one damn thing after another?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where if you were smart, you’d go back to bed, but you’re washing the bedding because the cat puked in it, so you can’t?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Today is one of those days for me. I woke up at 7:00 which isn’t so bad since I’ve been lately sleep deprived, but it’s not so good, either, since our Y moved the time of my water aerobics class up by half an hour to 8:30. At the time I should be taking a shower, 8:00, I haven’t even eaten breakfast which I must do because I took my prescribed medication an hour ago. The medication requires eating an hour later. Because I was late arising, I am late breakfasting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">So, I place my coffee, banana, and zucchini bread on the—WHAT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Well, what did YOU have for breakfast, Mr. Ding-Dong and Tootsie Pop?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least MY breakfast had a vegetable in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Anyway, I place my coffee and zucchini bread on the side table and reach for my iPad, multi-tasker that I am. Oops. I also lack depth perception and hand-eye coordination. The iPad collides with the very full, giant-sized coffee cup which tumbles as fast as it takes me to shout my favorite curse word, the one containing “sh” and “t,” and the cup shatters the cat food treat dish on the floor. All across the living room floor in a five-foot radius, arranged like a modern art installation, lie splattered coffee and cat dish shards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coffee cup, resilient to droppage like all of Wal-Mart’s finest china, remains intact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The zucchini bread sits untouched and inviting. I contemplate leaving the entire mess right where it is and dealing with it when I return home after my workout, if I ever do, knowing what I have to clean up. I could stop to clean up the mess and be late to my class or not clean up and be less late. The shower I need is moot by now. Ain’t gonna happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I think of my cat, who is now hiding under the couch, hissing, and how even though she’s been unpleasant this morning, I don’t want her hurt by walking on glass fragments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Guilt sends me to the laundry room where I tug on several towels from the rag shelf in the cupboard, and they all fall on the floor. Those I leave where they lie for later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No cat’s ever been killed by a pile of towels, I reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I sop and mop. Transporting towels dripping cold coffee all the way into the kitchen, I open the garbage can lid and shake the shards into it and throw the towels into the laundry basket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I am only ten minutes late to class. Without a shower. My hair sticks out at odd angles all over my head. My head resembles a porcupine’s do had it lain on only one side all night long. No one says a word about my rebellious hair during class. That’s how you know people love you. Or have no words for what they see, one or the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">After getting the mail, I race home to pick kale in my garden, enough for a friend and for the new recipe I plan to try, a Mexican vegetable strata which incorporates both kale and zucchini of which our garden has an overabundance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I change clothes first because I don’t have a good track record keeping my clothes clean when I garden or cook. Or eat breakfast in my living room chair, apparently. I think people who do are abnormal and suspect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Wearing one of my previously stained tee shirts, the nicest one in my vast collection, I begin the recipe assemblage, like a shorter Julia Child with a lower humming voice, cutting, chopping, and sautéing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whipping the naughty eggs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I slice a couple of potatoes and zucchinis I grew this summer, and some sweet potatoes I didn’t. I chop kale and onion from our garden. Fry up the chicken sausage. Layer after layer I arrange, and then I discover—no enchilada sauce. The dish wouldn’t be right without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mexican</i></b> Vegetable Strata, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I change my clothes, again, and head for the store for green enchilada sauce. Three cans of green enchilada sauce and four bags of tomato sauce, paste, and puree later, (I like my larder stocked!)I arrive back home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I forgot to take my personal grocery bags into the store, so the cans are heaped in bags made of that flimsy grocery sack plastic that can be slashed by anything sharp, like an orange, for example. Of course, the clerk had not double-bagged to compensate for the can weight, and one of the bags splits and cans tumble out when I open the car door. I joyfully chase rolling cans all over the driveway and under the car, exhausting the catalog of my cursing repertoire, employing those soothing fricatives and plosives that serve us so well in the midst of frustration. See, multi-tasking, once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tin can roundup complete, once inside the house, I change into my cooking and slopping clothes yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Now it is 2:30 and way past lunch. Time to stop to have my second meal of the day, zucchini bread. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">WHAT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, what did YOU have for lunch, Ms. half-a-wienie and three M&M’s you found in your sweater pocket? Did I mention my meal has a veggie in it, and raisins, nuts, grain and eggs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That makes five food groups!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In a wise act of self-preservation, I eat without electronic devices anywhere near me, a most uneventful lunch, then finish assembling the strata. I turn on the oven to preheat as I sprinkle on the Tillamook Mexican cheese. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I carry the pans to the stove, but I feel no heat. Oops, forgot to push the start button. Ovens these days are so picky, so touchy, so demanding. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ten minutes later, the Strata is in the oven. Whew! This quick and easy recipe has taken four hours and an entire retinue of curse words to assemble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">While the Strata bakes, I take a break to gird my loins in anticipation of what else this day might have to offer. I shudder to think of possible events, so I won’t. If all goes well, I’ll reach dinner time unscathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can go wrong lying on a couch?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Don’t tell me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After my day, I don’t want to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Some days <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aft gang awry</i>. But that gives us pause to be grateful for the days when all flows smoothly, doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">And for the succor of zucchini bread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-91369759799786274162012-05-01T20:37:00.000-07:002012-05-01T20:37:35.423-07:00POOP ON A PLANE<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We are never too old to learn, I’m told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m also told that life is an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say that both maxims are true, based on my flight back from Phoenix last Sunday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, there was no terrifying turbulence, no horrendous hijacking, no aisle full of snakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope, just me and one after-dinner treat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, and the seat mate who had to get up and pee six times during a two-hour, 44-minute flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that there are people who have to pee more than I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also learned how irritating getting up and down to let such a seat mate pass by can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He apologized and said he had tried for an aisle seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was outwardly compassionate, assuming he had a horrifying health issue that he could not even whisper in my ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I had the lucky opportunity, thanks to his kidneys, to exercise my quads by bobbing up and down every 20 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like zumba!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You know what I felt like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Locks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(Wasn’t that a great analogy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the water image and all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Woo-hoo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a roll now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A waterslide!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a waterslide now!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are anything like my cats, by now you are asking, “Treat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’s the treat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the treat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You mentioned a treat?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, you are probably presenting me with your behind and your tail standing straight up right now, looking back over your shoulder, longing written all over your whiskers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">OK, then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the treat part of the flight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dinner was a surprisingly tasty chicken curry and arugula-laced salad, accompanied by the treat, (ready for it?) a chocolate truffle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that I would save my treat for later if I got tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we landed and I got my luggage and vehicle, I had to drive home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chocolate would<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keep me awake during the two-hour drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I don’t live anywhere near anywhere.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">An hour later I got bored and hungry after all those squats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of how that chocolate truffle might spice things up a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, besides keeping me awake, chocolate also makes me squirm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to weigh the consequence of side effects against desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back and forth the arguments flew in my mind, for what seemed, oh, three seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind made itself up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chocolate it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Did you doubt which argument would win?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I reached in my pocket for the truffle which I’d dropped there the hour before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt the metal wrapper and tugged on it, but when my hand rose out of my pocket, there was no truffle, just a smushed orange foil wrapper and fingers full of what looked like poop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gazed stupefied at my hand, as if it belonged not to me but to the Poop-Hand Monster someone had stuck in my pocket for a practical joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I wasn’t alone in my shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My aisle mates and seat mate stared at the offending hand as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I stuck it back in my pocket where it nearly drowned in melted chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my other hand I reached into my purse, pulled out a handkerchief, and thrust my cocoa-hand into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wiped and wiped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon the hankie was full of brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hand was still covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I have another hankie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I unzipped my computer bag with my clean hand and saw something white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great! Another hankie, in the nick of time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I whipped it out, and shook it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And realized it wasn’t a hankie, but my spare pair of underpants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fluttering in the open space of the aisle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How long does a moment of mortification last? A second? An hour? A lifetime?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Before anyone could see was in the open space imitating Old Glory in a stiff breeze, I wadded up those panties and stuffed them back into my computer bag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(Don’t you carry a spare pair of panties in case your luggage doesn’t make it to your destination the same time you do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve done it for years, you and I, and it’s a good practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now suggest that you recall where you stow them, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And buy something to get out the chocolate stains.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hand was still ganached and my pocket still full of melted goodie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Licking my fingers was not an option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine what that would have looked like to my already shocked section of the plane?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Euwww!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gross!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thankfully I remembered the sani-wipes in my purse and maneuvered one out of its plastic wrapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two or three, actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wiped out my pocket to the best of my ability and then my fingers and palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked clean, so I raised my fingers to my nose and smelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I heard a gasp and then I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crap!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine what sniffing my formerly brown fingers looked like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Euwww!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gross!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Did I sink into my seat in humiliation?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I got up and locked myself in the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I peed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my turn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I washed my hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked back to my seat, head held high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe my seat mate and aisle mates wondered what I did in there since I’d obviously already done some duty in my pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what did I care?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of reading the in-flight magazine or finishing the crossword or sleeping, I had made use of my time in-flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had learned something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do not put a wrapped chocolate into your pocket for later, no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delayed gratification is not a good thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this should be a movie, don’t you?</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-18082642469370343782011-12-20T21:42:00.000-08:002011-12-20T21:42:15.156-08:00Remembrance of My Dad<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">My father, Ernest George Keltz, died December 15, 2011, at the age of 90. This is what I read at his funeral:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Philosophers have long tried to determine what qualities make the measure of a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think all they need do is gather at a celebration of his life, like this one, to know the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have received his gifts, who have learned from him, and who have been loved by him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This room is full of family who are connected by this one strand of humanity, a thread now sewn by the most tender of loving hands, binding us one to another, each one holding his or her memories fast to the heart—and posted on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such wonderful posts by grandchildren JC, Courtney, Kathy, Sean and more to come, I’m sure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As my daughter Kathy wrote, Dad was a quiet man who taught by demonstration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so shy as a teenager that he fainted the first time he tried to give a speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet with persistence he went on to achieve honors in FFA speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted a farm of his own and with Mom’s help, he achieved that goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of us connected to Dad have watched and learned that quality and use it in our own attainments, whether it is to further our educations, or combat our demons, or follow our dreams.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Another quality our father demonstrated was that of sharing the gifts and talents you have with those who have a need, that sense of community that says we share with those we love and those who are unloved, in order to make this world a better place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember sacks of garden produce for those who had no garden and Christmas boxes for those who had no extended family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I note that is a legacy he has left to us who follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of us work in careers that focus on service to others—teachers, nurses, community managers, mentors—or we serve our communities in our retirement, and many more of us are presently studying to hold positions of service to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Our father loved a good joke, whether he was playing it on someone or recounting a particularly naughty one he heard from a friend or family member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once, when I told him I was studying French, he said, “Voulez-vous couchez avec moi?” which was something he had learned to say during the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought I’d forget it but I didn’t and when I learned what that meant, I told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face turned the shade of a ripe tomato.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was famous for passing the butter and then pushing it just enough so your thumb got covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many of you when you were younger got asked to pull his finger?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You tried to NOT make that mistake twice! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">If we can laugh, we can handle anything, and we Keltz people love to laugh and laugh to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When last I saw Dad, he told me I was looking good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he could barely see, just out the upper corner of his left eye, I asked him if he could even see me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parts, he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I hope they are the good parts, I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughed and I laughed and it was the best thing to do just then.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Dad was full of stories and I could hardly wait to hear him tell and re-tell my favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How he would hide under the washing bench outside their cabin when the Indians came to visit; how the horse he and Virginia were riding on to school got spooked and took off running and she threw her arm around his neck and nearly choked him to death before he could get the horse stopped; how he and his dad laughed when their friend Jack Starr said he could handle bees and he took off running when the swarm came after him, losing his black hat with the silver spangles; how his dad sneaked whiskey into the pumpkin pie sauce Grandma was making and she thought it was the best pumpkin pie sauce she’d ever made!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How as a young boy he got lost in the woods in a snowstorm overnight and used his brains to figure out how to find his way back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I know you all are thinking of your favorite Dad and Grandpa stories and wanting to tell them again to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be there to hear them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s one other thing we Keltz people have in common, the love of story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many writers—poets, storytellers, songwriters—among us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric and Susie have begun to compile some of those stories being recalled so far.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Dad loved music and we all share that connection as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved to hear him play the harmonica and asked to hear that for as long as he could play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite was “Red River Valley.” We loved to hear him yodel, even though sometimes we pretended we didn’t, and we asked to hear that for as long as he could yodel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was little, he sang songs where he combined naughty jokes with music—She has freckles on her butt, she’s nice—or She talks with a giggle and she walks with a wiggle and she sure can roll her…eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d start in on Barnacle Bill the Sailor but he never got too far before Mom would say, “ERNIE!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When I was small, he sang me “Duke John was a mighty fine man, he had 10,000 men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He marched them all up a hill and he marched them down again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Want to hear the second verse?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duke John was a mighty fine man…etc.” He also sang, “The Bear Went Over the Mountain.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">One of the greatest gifts I received from my father was a surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was happy to hear that I was marrying and I teased him that now he could sing at my wedding, never imagining that my shy father would go before a group of people and sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is exactly what he did, with my sister’s help, overcome his fears because he wanted to give a gift of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sang at my sister Anita’s wedding as well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Most of his descendents have gone on to share their musical gifts in one way or another with their communities because we’ve learned from Dad what a gift that is, both for the giver and the receiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Keltz gathering is a musical gathering.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Several years ago when our father almost died, he went down the tunnel, saw the white light and he heard the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t describe the music, he said, because it was beyond description, too lovely for our words and nothing like he’d ever heard before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the thing he remembered most from his experience and I believe he looked forward to hearing that heavenly music again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does my heart good to believe that he is surrounded by that loving sound again and he is a part of the choir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does my heart good to know he is at peace, the story of his earthly existence all told and complete, with the sequels that are our lives still unfolding with him as a central character guiding us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Donne wrote, “When one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man who sang at my wedding will sing no more on this earthly plane; neither will he cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is at peace, a part of the universal music, his story complete. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he remains with us, connected by that thread that binds, forever, in our memories and our hearts. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-84420693633614807162011-11-11T15:39:00.000-08:002011-11-12T12:24:54.536-08:00Responses to Weird Phenomena<div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Readers:</span></span></span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am sharing with you the responses I received to the prior blog. I thought all of you who shared would be interested in hearing from each other. I removed names in order to protect privacy. Some responses were logical and scientific in nature and others, well...not.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div></div><div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">B Michael (optometrist) had to tell me that as we age parts of our bodies begin to sag (no kidding!) and that goes for the vitreous humor lining of the inside of the eyeball. As the shreds sag and eventually land in a pile in the bottom of our eyes they set off electrical signals which the brain sees as fireflies until all has peeled off and settled. Not really a pretty picture, but no worse than the flap under my upper arm that wiggles when I shake my hands. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">I honestly don't have much help for you in the remembering too much department. I am in constant fear of not remembering enough: names, dates, words, directions, calculations.</span></span></div><div>************</div><div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;">YES, YES, YES!! I do have scary similar experiences, especially the snippets of memories that I can't quite grasp once the experiences are over. When these "spells" first occurred, I would have to run for the bed and stay until the spell passed. They seem now to be less forceful, and I usually just freeze (as in a fugue? heart attack?) and let it happen. I have asked three doctors about these experiences, and they all looked at me as though I had three heads. I have been told by doctors, by the way, that if there are flashes, a doctor needs to look into the problem.</span></div>************* </div><div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Yep, happens to me all the time and not just recently. The oddest memories randomly come along having nothing to do with what I am doing in the moment. I have not experienced your peripheral vision thing though....</span></div><div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*******************</span></span></span></div><div><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">OH YA!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will write details later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was nutz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floaty things to the side . . . I was thinking it was Mike's wife still here so I started talking to . . .ummm . . . her?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not talking back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm serious,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>girl scouts' honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, going to a different “level” or “awareness”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">********************</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Well, yes, I have these things as well. I suppose the flashes out of the corner of one's eyes might have an ophthalmological explanation, but let me tell you when I experience them most. Just after the loss of someone important to me. I'm thinking, at least in my case, that it is that person making contact for a last goodbye. And not just people, but pets as well. Gene and I both do this. <br />
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I think perhaps the older we get, the more we pause to reflect on past memories which seems to unlock the door for more memories to flash. I also find myself humming or singing a certain song unintentionally and then realize that the song is pertinent to thoughts or actions happening at that time. For instance, after visiting with the folks who ran Joel's Grocery, a neighborhood store a block from my home in La Grande, I found myself humming Jim Croche's <em>I've Got A Name</em>.<br />
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I'm wondering if the closer we come to our end, the more our past friends and relatives draw close - the flashes just out of our sight.</span></span></span></span></div><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></span><br />
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I have also been "seeing things" usually off to the right, more like shadows or dark shapes. I hope they're my guardians and not some sinister soul or voyeuristic being...AND having occasional memory flashes. These are interesting cuz so much of my past lives has been blocked for some reason that I welcome a brief reminder of something or someone I had forgotten all about. I usually try to expand on the memory which doesn't always work. Maybe both of these events is a sort of awakening, a growing, tho not of a tumor...more like evolving in bursts. <br />
*********************</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: orange;">Good for you- this sounds like a conscious mind expanding. There’s so much we’ll never know. The only thing close that I have experienced is when I’m falling asleep, I have these revelations that explain very deep concepts, but they’re just a flash and it’s impossible to hold onto them. I feel so wise when it happens, but it’s also frustrating. This hasn’t happened to me for a couple of years. Send your blog to Dana Anderson if you know her. She would have some enlightened comments!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: orange;">***************</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">I've noticed both of these things. That fleeting thought thing is so weird. Happens to me at least once a day and I just think to myself, what the hell and consider it a brain leakage of some kind. The eye thing I have a different take on because of my eye surgery 3 years ago. I always worry something has gone wrong with the surgery, but then it goes away and I breathe a sign of relief. What funny things age is doing, although now you've heard that the brain thing also happens to younger people. <span class="e">Tooooooo</span> much.</span></span></div><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">***************</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;"> I would like to share with you an experience I had years ago and still have on occasion, when I am especially in tune with myself.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">It must be over 20+ years ago that I went to New Mexico and did a week long program with Chris Griscom at The Light Center. (</span><a href="http://lightinstitute.com/site/"><span style="color: purple;">http://lightinstitute.com/site/</span></a><span style="color: purple;"> ) It was a multi-incarnational week…. </span></span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">J</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="color: purple;"> She took us back into a “past lives” and at the end of the session she would ask “when did this happen?” On the final session I went to a rather magical life and was a child playing with my son (who was in this life my brother). It was in a place I had never seen before, either in this life, pictures or history books. When she came to the questions “when did this happen?” … my answer was quick “NOW.” There was not a shred of</span> <span style="color: purple;">doubt that it was happening right that moment simultaneously with the life I was currently experiencing. (fun, huh!) I won’t go into describing the other life, but what I think is pertinent to your discussion is that after the sessions, that life would unexpectedly come into my peripheral vision. It would disappear if I turned to look at it, but if I just continued to allow it in my peripheral vision, it would continue and I could experience it. (Kind of the same as when you first experience deep meditation, if you allow any kind of a “wow” you lose the meditation … but if you just allow and stay in that moment you go deeper and</span> <span style="color: purple;">deeper) Now this other life would pop up at the oddest times, like even at a stop light when I would be driving or when I was waiting for something else to happen. Those moments in life that you pause --- </span></span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">When I consider that it happens less to me now, I realize, sadly, I am taking less time to “pause….” Thank you for making me think about this. I will make some changes to allow for pauses more often.</span><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;">J</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">As an addendum – As I said, I had never seen the place/location of this other life. It was kind of tropical, but way more magical than any tropical paradise I had seen before. About a year after the sessions I was in an art gallery in a California beach town and I saw a painting of “my place.” The artists was there that day and although there was a large crowd and we did not have an opportunity to go into a long conversation, I was so excited about it I ran to him and said I’ve never seen this place in this life before, I live here in another life. He smiled and said “I know.” I went back the next day and he was gone, and I have not seen him since. (I know, that part kind of sucks, doesn’t it? I think if I write a story about it, I will change that ending for sure!) </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">So maybe the peripheral visions are a simultaneous life/alternate reality bleeding through? It was for me. </span></span></div><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple; font-size: medium;"></span>******************</div><br />
<div><span style="color: #4c1130;">I am seeing so much out of the corners of my eyes that I am getting bored with every day reality. </span></div><div><br />
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<div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Good reading because it is good writing. You're dangerous to an old order that's time has come. It's time to return to the ferment of the past.<br />
Dangerous your pen is.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">*******************</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="EmailStyle17"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Some of you haven't been having the experiences I wrote about, but you have been recipients of vivid dreams. One such response is on the blog itself and this is the other:</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">As for the dreams…I saw as clear as day, but in the dead of the night last night, five concurrent bombs explode here in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">LV.</city></place> I was at a school filled with small children and celebrating somebody’s birthday party when the explosions deafened us and created the thickest, blackest, and oiliest-appearing clouds I’d ever seen forming in the sky. The school we were in was located on top of a hill, allowing us a panoramic view of the bomb sites scattered across the valley. Muslim terrorists claimed responsibility. </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">The night before, I was traveling through CA and found myself in an enormous stadium with a yellow, orange and glittering red stage and a marquis with Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford’s names scrawling across the top of the whole thing. We attendees were all wearing huge helmets of the same colors and moving our heads in unison to some stupid rap tune. </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">WTF???</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"></span></span></b><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">P.S.</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">I must confess that I had consumed my boyfriend’s killer chili with a generous sprinkling of tobasco sauce on each of those nights. Could these be brain farts, or something more?</span></span></b></div><div><span style="color: black;">***********</span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I found all the responses interesting and hope this discussion continues. Already, more examples of weird phenomena similar to ours have been winging themselves my way and to some of you. </span></div><div></div><div><br />
</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-52265833253426255162011-11-06T10:47:00.000-08:002011-11-06T10:53:38.939-08:00Weird phenomenaAt lunch yesterday with a friend, I was relieved to learn that certain brain events I've been experiencing the last year are not particular only to me. She's been having the same experiences and she says many people of all ages are similarly affected. Whew! I thought I had a brain tumor. Maybe these phenomena have visited you as well.<br />
<br />
Quick flashes of moments from out of my past burst into my consciousness--not long events, but images that have occurred just seconds in real time. These images are not significant in any way nor are they relevant to where I am in the present or to what I am doing. They just flash, like there's been a rent in time and they have squirted back out to me in the now. For example, one that flashed the other day was what I saw out our rental car window in 2000 when we went to San Diego. Houses in a housing development as we drove by on the freeway. That's it. All my flashes are like that. No meaning, no connection, just things I saw for an instant some time in my past. I can't attach any meaning to them whatsoever other than to realize they are things I have seen.<br />
<br />
Another mind event has been the past-at-a-glance moment. My lunch friend calls it "The Big Picture." My life comes back to me in total, as if I'm reading a map of myself. Everything is compressed into a smaller portion and I take it I'm supposed to glean something from being presented this outline. Sometimes I get an "aha!" but as I'm always trying to pay attention and make meaning from daily events, I've covered a lot of ground already and there's not much of anything new to come up for me. So why is this mind feedback occurring? <br />
<br />
Again, I thought this was happening because I'm at the over-65 stage of life. I assumed this was something that happens in brains our age because of our age. The total-life phenomenen is quite opposite from memoir thinking, where I am going through events moment by moment in order to make story from them.<br />
<br />
My friend tells me, however, that this and other similar events are happening to people of all ages. She says there is a shift in consciousness going on and quotes a four year-old who said, "Things are going to change. The crystals inside us are turning on, and they'll be telling us what to do." My friend in her career persona is privvy to what goes on in the mind of people of all ages, and this shifting is happening in one way or another to all of them.<br />
<br />
One more experiential oddity--I have been seeing movement out the corner of my eye and sometimes above me, birdlike, but not birds. When I look straight on, nothing is there. Yesterday while I worked at the stove canning beets, I noticed there was a multitude of movement at the window end of my kitchen--swift, black cloudiness zipping back and forth. I see a lot of this movement when I work in the garden as well. But when I focus straight on, nothing. I know I don't have cataracts or macular degeneration or any other eye malfunctions. I do have migraines from time to time due to air pressure changes, but the events I'm describing do not accompany the headaches. So naturally, I worried brain tumor.<br />
<br />
Until this morning. As I recounted the weird phenomena lunch discussion to my husband, he said he has been experiencing the movements as well. He's a left-brain, logical thinker not prone to whimsy, so if he experiences the same events, then what the heck is going on?<br />
<br />
Another friend just told me she thought the mind flashes were her brain being so full of memories that it had to dispose of a few.<br />
<br />
Have you been experiencing any or all of these same phenomena? Do you have an explanation? Is your consciousness shifting? I really want to know. I find it all very interesting and am glad to learn I'm not alone in all of this strange territory. I don't mind the wondering--we don't really get a lot of answers about mystical events, do we?--but as with everything else in life, inside our brains, or the ethereal, I'd like an explanation, too.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-59468394972927027642011-10-07T22:03:00.000-07:002011-10-07T22:03:10.479-07:00Spouting<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not far from where I live on the Oregon Coast where rocks meet the sea is a structure called Spouting Horn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sea rushes in, hits the rocks and then spouts upward in a geyser, the sea water pushed by force upward through a small opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a mighty WHOOSH! and tourists appreciate watching all that water being released into the air.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That whoosh is how I’m going to feel today when I finish telling you about some things that are making me angry, so angry I have to find some relief by spouting off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The state of health care in this country makes me angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people who most need it can’t get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are dying from ailments that could be cured but they can’t afford the high monthly insurance rates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People don’t go to the doctor anymore but wait until they face life-threatening situations, and then they use the emergency room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because people don’t go to the doctors, health clinics, even the county health department clinics, are failing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not enough people who can pay are going to the doctor to offset the cost of non-paying patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hospitals are failing without paying patients, so more nurses and support staff lose their jobs, which means that they can’t pay for health insurance either.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My friend Peggy owns her own business but as a small business owner, she can’t afford insurance for herself or her workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three months ago she had a series of painful attacks that seemed to suggest heart problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went to the ER in another city where she was working at the time, and was seen, but told she’d need to have some tests to determine what exactly her heart problem was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came back to our hospital for care as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, she could not afford the necessary tests and wouldn’t be given them until she had paid her bill in both hospitals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She offered to pay $25 a month to the first hospital and submitted paperwork to our hospital for special financing so she could finally get her tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The finance office of the first hospital called her almost daily to pay her bill, even though she made it clear she didn’t have any extra money lying around and had offered to pay what she could pay until the bill was paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day after day, she received a dunning call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, while still suffering heart pain and working because she now has even more bills to pay, she waited to hear about the financing at our hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four weeks she waited until the paperwork went through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s waited another three weeks now for the hospital to schedule her tests so she can find out exactly what’s wrong with her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The special financing is only good for a short period of time and even though she got the go ahead, her time may run out before the hospital schedules her in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Her time may run out in more ways than one.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That she could die before learning the details of her affliction is possible, because she can’t afford to pay the steep insurance premiums for the insurance that would enable a diagnosis that could keep her alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s living day to day, and not in comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know life is not always fair, but something like this is not based on the vagaries of life as much as the insanity of human greed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This goes beyond unfair.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another example of the cold shoulder of our health care system is the woman I saw yesterday at the grocery store who had exactly one tooth in her mouth, smack in the middle of her upper gums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one should have to go out in public with only one tooth, no matter how unfortunate that person’s life has been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone said she probably did Meth which is why she had no teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which came first, thedental problem or the drug use?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ask because what would you do to escape the shame of having a smile that needed dental care but access to that was denied to you because of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your income generating ability?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forget the cosmetic problem, if you think that’s too silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realize this woman cannot really eat, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Turn from the greed of the health care corporations for now, to the greed of the bankers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t belabor what you already know of how their unscrupulous practices put our country in danger economically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will tell you instead of the brochure I received from Bank of America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you for choosing Bank of America.” the front page reads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A complimentary reward for you”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> I opened the brochure to receive my complimentary reward as the middle page dictated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Enjoy a complimentary $5 gift card*” the next page read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I am one of their best customers (I believe this means simply that I pay my bill every month.), I am asked to “…please accept a $5 gift card of your choice for Target, Best Buy or Starbucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s our way of saying “thanks”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Which is also their way of saying, “Spend some more money with your credit card at 10.24% interest!” because $5 covers barely anything at these three places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I finish reading the brochure, mouth agape.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What kind of financial management is this? I had an hour earlier finished reading an article about how Bank of America just laid off 300,000 employees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You lay off 300,000 employees because you can’t pay them and at the same time you offer money to your “good” customers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I the only person for whom this makes no sense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would I keep my money with a bank engaging in unsound financial practices?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A week or so later I read that Bank of America is now charging its customers $5 for debit card use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Keep your money with us so that we can charge you to get any of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it back.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re failing, so we have to do that,” is the rationale given for the new charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, no wonder you’re failing when you give away money even though you don’t have enough to pay your employees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same employees who now are not going to be able to pay their health care premiums or their grocery bills.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No, I’m not following BOA’s simple steps to receive my reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My complimentary $5 might be the final straw that broke the camel’s back and I wouldn’t want to be the one responsible for bringing down a huge corporate giant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No siree.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So far, we can’t get health care and we have to pay for our own money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least we can eat a good dinner, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Except those of us with only one tooth.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not so fast.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The number of hungry is rising rapidly and the amount of food in food banks is dwindling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there is food if you know where to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s outdated and sometimes overcooked, but it’s available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just look in the dumpsters behind grocery stores and restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I first was made privy to food waste when one of my students who worked at a fast food restaurant disclosed he had to throw away already cooked food every night at closing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around midnight all those chicken pieces and biscuits went into the garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He suggested that someone start gleaning food from the dumpsters to serve the hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be against the law but the law wasn’t there at midnight to see what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The law is not behind grocery stores when food over its pull date is tossed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I liked his idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s a crime if anyone goes hungry in this country that produces more food than there are people to eat it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since his idea erupted, more than ten years have passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more people are hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some groups have formed in large cities to take the food that used to be thrown away and distribute it to the hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not enough of these groups exist, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, an enterprising young film maker and his wife have produced the documentary, “Dive: Living Off America’s Waste.” They, and their friends, lived off the food they dove into dumpsters to retrieve for over a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gleaned so much food they had to buy more freezers and ways to store it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They dived and gleaned to prove how much food goes to waste and into landfills in our country when people here and in other countries die of hunger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grandmother, who saved even the peelings from the vegetables she grew to cook for soup stock and who made lunchmeat from pig's heads so nothing would be wasted, would be turning in her grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very least, she’d be spouting off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you feel like it yet?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If not, let me tell you one other thing I learned last night from the director of our Women’s Resource Center, which helps women and children escape from domestic violence and begin their lives anew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The center also teaches men how to deal with their anger and make more peaceful choices.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The director received a letter from a member of the community accusing the director and the staff of the center of fabricating the percentage of domestic violence in our community and county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This community member was sure that domestic violence did not really exist and that the center was only trying garner sympathy with the numbers in order to fund jobs for themselves and live comfortably off the public dole.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here I am, spouting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I always used to tell my writing students that anyone can complain but if anything is to ever change, then a solution must be offered as well. If you complain, then the next step is action.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So what am I going to do?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In some cases, when I thought I could do something to help, I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I start at the local level where I can see immediate results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am on the board of the county health department council and do what I can to promote the medical services the clinic provides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep myself healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pay off my credit card bill every month and don’t buy what I can’t afford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d throw away my Bank of America card but I use the airline miles my purchases accrue to visit family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grow extra food for one of my community’s foodbanks and help them purchase food as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I donate time and items to the Women’s Resource Center and other rehabilitative groups in our county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use whatever resources I have to get people the help they need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people who care about others in the place they live do these things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve done something else by writing about what angers me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ranted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When pressure builds, when insanity and ignorance, when greed and inhumanity drive you to the limits of your endurance, ranting helps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spouting helps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Be that ocean whooshing through the small hole in the rocks. </span>Then you can take a deep breath, say a prayer, and go on taking care of the people around you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-88328393767153105182011-08-28T15:21:00.000-07:002011-08-28T15:25:56.025-07:00ANALYZE THIS! (My Crazy Dream) My friend Judy and I were discussing how we both hate having to think of something to cook day after day after day. For some reason, during our conversation, Judy, who is a wonderful cook of some reknown, convinced me that the bottom part of my left leg would make a tasty meal. I wasn't sure I wanted to do it, but she assured me it was possible. I assented and she pulled out an electric carving knife. Buzzing it into action, she began sawing at my leg. I noted that the cutting didn't hurt much more than my leg, especially at the knee, already did six months after surgery. My husband wandered into the room and stood by quietly watching.<br />
I kept wondering when Judy would finally get to the bone and if it would hurt more when she did. Something else required her attention and left us alone for the moment. I focused on my knee and saw blood pooling in my lap. I filled with misgiving. I thought about how I'd never be able to dance again. The top part of my leg above the cut began to swell. <br />
"Do you suppose I could stop this whole process and save my leg?" I asked my husband.<br />
"I think so," he said.<br />
"Why didn't you advise me against cutting off my leg and eating it?" I asked him.<br />
"I felt it was your decision to make," he said. "I didn't want to get involved.<br />
We waited for Judy to return so we could get to the ER. I elevated my partially sawed leg. She never returned, so my husband and I went to the ER where a birthday party was going on and the doctors were fully involved in celebration. I voiced my concern over losing too much blood or risking infection, but the doctor said he needed to finish his partying. <br />
"You can wait for me in there," he said, motioning to another room. <br />
When I entered and found a chair, I saw it was situated in the midst of a game show all about dancing. If a contestant answered the question correctly, then he or she got to dance. <br />
The host came to me and I demurred, saying my leg wouldn't allow me to dance.<br />
My husband said, "Oh, go for it. You'll be fine."<br />
"Will my leg be OK?" I asked the host.<br />
"No problem," he said.<br />
I don't remember the question which had something to do with music, but I do remember the correct answer, which I gave, was "contemplative."<br />
Bells gonged and as the winner, I got up, dragging my leg behind me. I looked down and the swelling had disappeared. All that remained was a thin line of the bloody cut encircling my leg. I began dancing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-28189178946959513002011-07-22T21:36:00.000-07:002011-07-22T21:36:43.598-07:00Giggling Gophers and Gutt<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve been plagued with gophers this summer, like every other summer here at Happy House Farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually I employ a gopher getter who traps for me $10 a gopher or mole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s a great deal, but at the start of summer he had carpal tunnel surgery, so I was left to fend for myself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the beauty salon when I was bemoaning my gopher hole-decorated lawn and garden, another patron, getting her marroon hair spiked, tipped me off to a device called a Molecat that whacks the little buggers in the head so they die of a concussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had dispatched 26 moles with it the summer before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me where to buy one and I bought one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set it up and waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing seemed to have happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, when I was done waiting, I removed the Molecat from the hole and a horrid stench somewhat like dead skunk followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess something happened down there in that hole after all.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the meantime, I wrote to my sister of my Molecatting experience, once again griping of my lawn and garden full of holes and hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received a card in the mail from Gopher Contracting Services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the front were six dancing gophers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I opened it, they giggled and sang, “Have a dee-da-dee-da-doe-doe day!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wrote, “Have a carrot crunching, beet munching, radish slurping, plant burping, happy-dappy, eating your garden day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The address they used was my sister’s, so I wrote back to warn her that the gophers had stolen her identity.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If there’s one thing I won’t tolerate, it’s gopher fraud.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Dear Sister:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is to inform you that your home address has been hacked. "Gopher Contract Services" just sent me a musical card using your address. If you hear knocking, do not open your door, especially if you see no one when you look out the glass at the top of the door. The little shits will probably bite your toes off before you know what hit you.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m told my gopher hit man is back in business and their day is coming. I am looking up gopher stew recipes this very moment on the internet. This former Brownie/Girl Scout is going to be prepared.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not too much later, I received her response via e-mail:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Dear Sister: ~</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have neither been a Brownie or a Girl Scout ~ so I had a very sleepless night wondering what I was going to do should I hear that fateful knock on my door. I do so love my toes, even though they are gnarly and crooked.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then suddenly, as luck would have it, I had an epiphany in the middle of the night and took action first thing this morning.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knowing Elmer specializes in only in pesky rabbits, I researched on the internet and found that his cousin, Gutt Fudd, focuses mainly on giggly gophers. I gave this "well preserved" gopher grabber a call. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thankfully, he was literally at my door waiting for me when I got home from work. He assures me he will be ever vigilant, right outside my door, until "Gopher Contract Services" has been extinguished for good.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you so much for the warning! I have enclosed two pictures of Gutt, so you too can be assured that I am safe.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love as always!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have attached one of the photos so you can see Elmer Fudd’s brother, Gutt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m reassured that my sister is well-protected, at least from the gophers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know who will protect her from Gutt.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjzmJ6owd-k-ocGzlk4ZlKgBSow3e5d6s3UUxBysC1x6OP_QMASOHY6xLmvIXmN_mIlgPj1WKo5PAe8AQsAViDwI7CKGYmdJizgJIDiQaMs_3A23jwFNSjBbtFwTa8Vtau-RGgBslcQ/s1600/Gutt+Fudd3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjzmJ6owd-k-ocGzlk4ZlKgBSow3e5d6s3UUxBysC1x6OP_QMASOHY6xLmvIXmN_mIlgPj1WKo5PAe8AQsAViDwI7CKGYmdJizgJIDiQaMs_3A23jwFNSjBbtFwTa8Vtau-RGgBslcQ/s320/Gutt+Fudd3.JPG" t$="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I have re-set the Molecat and stuck it in the middle of a line of holes that runs up my front sidewalk every summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing seems to have happened but I’m almost done waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Just in case the Molecat's whack of death has worked, I have a clothespin for my nose. </span>Just in case it hasn’t worked, I have my gopher getter on speed dial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow, I’m giving him a call.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-63335372557439794922011-07-03T21:37:00.000-07:002011-07-03T21:37:42.147-07:00Pretty Miss Emma<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss Emma pads after me from room to room on her soft white feet, regarding everything I do, each aspect of daily routine—dishes, laundry, meal preparation—sometimes napping while I write or pay bills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She scampers after invisible mice up over the top of the sofa and back down while I cook dinner, yelling her throat yippee.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you say females are the same in every species?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would explain why she is most attentive when I arrange my hair and apply makeup, intent on memorizing each wrist action, arm motion and selection of appliance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I include my little girlfriend by combing the top of her head as a finish to my ablutions, proclaiming, “Pretty girl!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She likes me to say this, I think, hunching her back, pleased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look at pretty Emma,” I invite, picking her up, holding her face toward the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She adopts an attitude of insouciance as only cats can do, gazing everywhere but the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, when I am busy making the bed, I notice her seated on the bathroom counter, facing the mirror, assuring herself, “Pretty Emma!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty Emma Kitty!”</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-64576778182355594952011-05-22T11:17:00.000-07:002011-05-25T17:42:06.308-07:00The White Rabbit<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sun, a luxurious rarity, appeared in our coastal valley and I took advantage to plant some perennials under the new trellis arbor in our back hedge, hoping they would wind and grow over the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I crouched over and planted, I concentrated on the task of digging and composting and setting each plant just so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked up and to my left I saw from the corner of my eye something white. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing to better see, I realized a white rabbit was in the hedge, nibbling the leaves of a forsythia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First I checked to make sure I was still in this earthly realm and not in the stage play of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Harvey</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I hadn’t ingested anything more than a fruit smoothie for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had added a tablespoon full of dried greens but was quite sure no hallucinogens were along for the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching for a moment, I determined there actually was a white rabbit in my hedge, even though I was not raising any white rabbits.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How it came to be there in our back yard that is sometimes home to coyotes, hawks, turkey vultures, dogs, horses, deer, nutria, skunks and our own cats—a whole assortment of domestic and wild creatures that would find a white rabbit pesky or tasty, indeed—was a mystery to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since it was white, I reasoned that it also was domestic and probably someone’s pet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I tested my theory by talking to the rabbit about this and that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rabbit’s ears perked up and he looked at me, nose twitching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t run away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had abandoned the forsythia for some of my annuals in his quest for breakfast.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hoping he would hop away into someone else’s yard, I returned my focus to my work at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking up later and glancing around, I saw the rabbit had come closer and was now taking a siesta in the rugosa rose patch alongside our deck.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, he was cute, but I envisioned a gigantic-toothed creature a few months from now gorging himself on everything planted in my vegetable garden so nothing would be left for my freezer, and I wanted him gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a micro-second I thought about whacking him with my shovel and thereby ending his voracious foraging of my plant matter but at the same moment I knew I was a pacifist at heart and had to find some other way of getting him to where he belonged, alive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Plucking the soil-encrusted cell phone from my pocket, I called my neighbor Sara to ask if it was her white rabbit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, I have one in my back yard, so I was calling to check. Do you want a white rabbit?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I just had surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last thing I want right now is a rabbit to take care of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if it was horses in your yard you were calling about, those would be ours, but not rabbits.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Or a dog</i>, I thought, because Sara’s dog is always over here, too, as part of her daily rounds.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After wishing her a speedy recovery, I continued pondering the ownership of my Leporidae friend, who contrary to the title of John Updike’s first Rabbit novel, was not running anywhere, but instead munching where I stood, on my newly-planted blue-flowered veronica.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That made me consider the shovel solution again, and it was so handy, even, but I remembered that my buddy Ben at the head of the lane raised rabbits for a 4-H project, so I called his number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in school, but his mom, Katy, answered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do you have a white rabbit?” I asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a big, long sigh.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been trying to catch him for two weeks.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He’s here, eating all my plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been here for several days, pulling up everything I’ve newly planted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had thought it was deer, but now I know.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have to go to work in 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you catch him?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To myself I allowed as his retrieval was not really my problem.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have to be leaving soon myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have time either.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Katy began a diatribe of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how she hated all the animals her children have for their various projects, how they all get out of their confines, how she or her husband have to take care of them most of the time—all the things any mother of kids with 4-H animals says at one time or another.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My brain started thinking about catching that rabbit instead of listening to Katy, since I’d heard or said all that before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, having no flowers or food for winter was my problem and I needed to solve it now rather than later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I’d have to be slow, graceful and cagey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began speaking to the rabbit again, conversationally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My conversational skills often appear to lull others into waking coma and maybe that would work on this rabbit, too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I tossed my cell down on the lawn behind me, the neighbor still lamenting, and in the same move swayed over and down, grabbing the rabbit by its ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first he didn’t move at all, and then he tried, but I hung on tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he realized he was captured, he squealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Piercingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a tortured cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sara’s dog, who was on the other side of the hedge instead of home in her yard, began barking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rabbit squealed all the louder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Go home!” I yelled at the dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For once it worked and she trotted off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I caught the rabbit!” I hollered into the phone which was still transmitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the neighbor didn’t know that, she had to be deaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rabbit shrieked again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bring the cage!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m waiting.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“On my way,” Katy said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All the blood rushed to my head as I stood, one hand around the ears and one on the back of the rabbit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hoped I wouldn’t faint before Katy arrived and just in the nick of time I heard her tires spin on our driveway gravel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where are you, where are you?” she shouted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Over here, over here!” I rejoined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman in a red sweatshirt hunched over, in the midst of a head rush, holding onto the ears of a squealing white rabbit, alongside a hedge just beginning to leaf out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly invisible.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just then Katy holding a cage appeared around the corner of the arbor, and we wrangled the rabbit into its cage and latched the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I retrieved my phone, turned it off, and stood up, gulping air.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More conversational lamentations about children and unwanted animal husbandry ensued on Katy’s part to which I didn’t listen and more delineation of damages accrued by unwanted munching mandibles ensued on my part to which Katy didn’t listen, until, realizing she had to get to work, Katy said another thank-you and I said good-bye.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The day seemed so quiet after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worried about the trauma that poor white rabbit must have suffered and I hoped his memory was short-lived and waking up from his next sleep he would remember nothing but grass, lettuce, and pellets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worried about my momentary lapse in pacifism and the proposed assault against one of God’s creatures, if only in my mind.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wrote my sister Susie about the day’s events.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The next day, I received three e-mails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will replicate them here for you:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear Bunny Whisperer ~</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've heard of your excellent talent at rangling bunnies and was inquiring about your fees. It seems I'm having a hard time capturing enough bunnies to keep me satisfied these days. Old age, sagging parts, etc. are making my "wants" difficult, thereby making my reputation as the "master bunny keeper" falter. So I'm turning to you, as a shrewd bunny rangler, to hop to my aid.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Awaiting your response ~ Hugh Hefner</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Console"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear Rabbit Rangler:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Console"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tales of your successfuly rabbit rangling have been a floatin' through the air. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Console"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I'm in need of your services. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Console"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've been trying for years to catch that rascally rabbit, Bugs Bunny, without success.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Console"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He's made a fool of me for the last time! </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Console"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please meet me in the woods as soon as possible.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Console"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elmer Fudd</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear Garden Lady:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wanted to let you know that I'm mad at you.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here I was, minding my own business yesterday, when you engaged me into a conversation.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, I'm not one to be tricked easily, but you appeared to be a nice lady and I just couldn't resist your charms.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ha! Some schmuck I am, huh? Not only did you pull my ears, but you intentionally ratted me out to the guards ~ who as you know came and locked me up again!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, here's a warning, Miss not so nice garden lady ~ I will escape again (cause that's how I roll) AND I will be back!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh yeah, I almost forgot ~ Just a clue ~ if you don't want company ~ quit puttin' out the appetizers!!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your friend no more ~ Peter Cottontail</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I think I will keep my shovel handy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe I should go ask Alice. I think she'll know.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;">ADDENDUM:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;">This arrived from my friend Linda Nygaard who is an excellent cook.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;">Should he reappear: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Lapin A La Cocotte</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Servings: 2-3 </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">1 (2 1/2 lb) <a href="http://www.food.com/library/rabbit-249">rabbit</a>, quartered </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">3 slices <a href="http://www.food.com/library/bacon-352">bacon</a>, cut in thirds </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">1 1/2 cups sliced <a href="http://www.food.com/library/onion-148">onions</a> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">2 <a href="http://www.food.com/library/garlic-165">garlic cloves</a>, minced </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">3 tablespoons <a href="http://www.food.com/library/flour-64">flour</a> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">1 cup <a href="http://www.food.com/library/broth-154">beef broth</a> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">1/4 cup <a href="http://www.food.com/library/wine-184">red wine</a> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">1 teaspoon <a href="http://www.food.com/library/thyme-348">dried thyme</a> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">2 teaspoons <a href="http://www.food.com/library/parsley-171">dried parsley</a> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">2 <a href="http://www.food.com/library/bay-leaf-163">bay leaves</a> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">salt and pepper</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Directions:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b>Prep Time: </b>20 mins</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b>Total Time:</b> 1 1/2 hrs</div><ol type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i>1</i> In a large skillet or medium-sized Dutch oven, cook bacon until done; remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve for another use (for a salad, etc). </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i>2</i> In the bacon drippings, cook the onion and garlic until transparent. A. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i>3</i> dd the rabbit pieces and saute over medium heat until rabbit is golden. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i>4</i> Sprinkle on the flour and continue to brown rabbit for another 5 minutes or so, then add the beef broth, red wine, thyme, parsley and bay leaves. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i>5</i> Cover and simmer over low heat for about an hour, adding more broth if necessary. Salt and pepper to taste (with the bacon drippings, not much salt is needed). Serve with mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">ANOTHER ADDENDUM from Sally Hendry:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Dear Ms. Close,<br />
Please send undercover investigators straight away to Tillamook, Oregon, USA. Apprehension of "muse of south prairie" should be easy (see her blog of May 22, 2011 for ID & MO info) & mind assimilation into our order a snap as you recount loudly per manual at close range screaming with the usual spit spray her recent indecencies on our latest refugee (Case #5261, white domestic male, identifying characteristic of unusually long, deformed ears). After submission, have her write the usual brief explanation to her kin; we will expect investigators/apprehenders (employ the local Navy Seals if needed) with this muse back at the sanctuary in good time. She will serve her sentence of life without parole in our Gracious-Green -Alfalfa Pellet Compound grooming & otherwise being supplicants to our more elderly inhabitants, eventually engaging in one-on-one Forgiveness Therapy with Case 5261 as her trauma decreases.<br />
Again my congratulations & heartfelt appreciation for your recent series Damages wherein you cleverly & powerfully manipulate your fellow humans by mentally & physically prevailing over the weak. However, no stew pot is too small nor fire too puny to deliver the ultimate coup de grace.<br />
Harvey III<br />
Sanctum Hareum<br />
Brisbane, Austrailia</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825208150700694650.post-61402698058743120472011-05-08T10:15:00.001-07:002011-05-08T10:22:38.088-07:00The Tie That Binds, A Mother's Day Offering<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thirty years ago, I wrote an essay about how just because a child is a step-child, your attachment to each other is not less than if she was a birth child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that much in my first ten years with my step-daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something not having to do with blood ties bound us together from the start.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Six months after my first marriage, lying in my back yard against the vinyl siding of our tiny house, I was pondering the deplorable state of our union and sobbing, when my six year-old step-daughter found me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No words were exchanged but somehow she knew what was taking place in my mind and heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can’t leave us,” she told me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You made a vow for better or for worse.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Who knew those six year-old ears were listening and understanding the wedding ceremony? </span>Even though it was “for worse” the next ten years, and life was not kind to either of us, it would have been worse for her had I gone, and so I stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That decision was the knot at the beginning of our umbilical cord.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Twenty years after that, an odd incident stunned me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in L.A., visiting my friend Jerry, who set up a reading for me with a fortune teller, a friend of his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She read her Tarot cards and did her magic, all of which I can either accept or not, usually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She intoned her spiel and I sat there, dumbfounded.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing she said pertained to me one whit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, every single thing she saw related to the events taking place in my step-daughter’s life, down to the most minute detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could that be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like a character in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Revenge of the Bodysnatchers</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as if her energies had taken up residence in the spiritual home of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my mind, I saw a painting of a hollowed-out body—a pod—with my step-daughter ensconced inside, a symbiosis of the highest order.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When I explained what had happened to the fortune teller, she was as amazed as I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she had heard of these things happening before but never witnessed it in her own work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your step-daughter is really attached to you,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two have a strong connection.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What seems odd is that while my birth son has not usurped the “me” in me—yet—a child not of me had at that moment, at least, overcome me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That kind of transformation I can only explain, if I must, as Divine interference.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This year my step-daughter took charge of her own life and made changes the fortune teller said needed making and predicted would happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My step-daughter’s life is now on a different and self-determined course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I applaud her courage in altering her path which will include service to others, which has always been her main strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t help thinking that if I saw the fortune teller again, my reading would show a totally different result, devoid of my step-daughter’s spirit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Or maybe not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a mother fills up with the energies of her children and they are there to stay, sometimes larger, sometimes smaller, depending on their need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Experiences in my life have taught me there is a tie that binds with knots that cannot be undone, linking us to those whom we love, those who go for a time with us and then after us.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08233072904077238858noreply@blogger.com2