Back Paddock

Crafternoon

2012-01-21T22:44:00.000+10:00

I loved today's crafternoon! Underneath J's house ten women all making stuff - tassles, resin bracelets and rings (incuding fern from the garden but no, not a goer yet, according to C), mosaics, incredibly attention to detail intricate embroidery, random wild knitting.

And then we're off to H's house. Well underneath the house to be more exact. An enormous hessian sack on a pallet filled to bursting with material and memories. There's a mother's dress, a handpainted scarf, a remnant from the old Chinese shop in Walgett, slips, frocks, skirts, vivid orange from the 70's, silk, satin: a treasure trove. They smell damp and musty but a wash and some sunlight and they'll be as good as gold.

You know those times you decide it's time for a change, to make space for new life? H had decided to throw out all this fabric, put it in the bin but now the crafternooners will reinvent the pieces and embellish and continue their stories. Thank you H!

Right in front of me!

2012-01-19T21:48:00.001+10:00


Bearded Dragon

On our last ride through the bush I nearly ran over this lizard soaking in some warmth after a few cool days. He (or she?) was pretty focused on that warmth and only moved the slightest bit when I got this close. When we rode off he just stayed there. Ten minutes further on Daryll saw a red bellied black snake. I didn't get to see it because it was so fast, disappearing into a hole at the base of a big river red gum. Daryll said its belly was bright red. We've only ever seen a goanna before in the bush so good to see these other reptiles.

Back Home

2012-01-19T19:02:00.000+10:00

HOME. It's a long way from my family home to my present home, but we did it, again! Safe and sound. Two days on the road.

Darling!

2011-07-10T22:51:00.000+10:00

Rice Pudding

2011-01-31T15:31:00.001+10:00

In Australia in the 50's, especially in the country, rice was for rice pudding. And every night we ate potato. Potato with rissoles, potato with lamb chops, potato with fish fingers.

Now, although being an almost everyday rice eater, I rarely think of rice pud. That is, till I ate Marie's rice pudding. Delicious.

Today I got the recipe. I scribbled it on the back of an envelope while Marie talked.

2 heaped tablespoons of rice
2 dessertspoons of white sugar
1 litre of full cream milk

Place rice in a pyrex dish (no lid needed). Add sugar and milk. Place in the oven and stir fairly often till it simmers.

You can add some nutmeg at the end of cooking. If you're in a hurry you can heat the milk in a jug in the microwave and then add it to the rice. You can also stand your pyrex dish on a tray to prevent spills when you're stirring.

Mmm! Delicious in summer with poached white nectarines.

School Concert Dress Up

2011-01-24T11:17:00.000+10:00

Talking to Dad on the phone. Chat about the garden (cherry tomatoes too small and close), plentiful cucumbers, flooding down south and a memory of a school concert. Dad was a cowboy. His cowboy pants and the chaps were made from an old coat of Nannie's. And the feathers for the Indians' headresses? Well if you lived in the country in the 1930's - the backyard chooks, of course.

Nadejda - Youtube

2010-05-05T00:01:00.001+10:00

Nadejda Lazarenko was born in Russia. While she was still a child, her family moved to Harbin in China, where her father worked as an engineer. She talks about the hardships faced in Harbin before and during World War II and her impressions on coming to Australia in 1952.

This is a Storylines Q150 digital story. This digital story was made by the State Library of Queensland with funding from the Queensland Government. It is a legacy of the Q150 celebrations in 2009.

Anzac Day

2010-04-25T21:06:00.000+10:00

So Many Stories

2010-04-22T23:41:00.000+10:00

I needed a break. Well, thought I did. Quick trip to the shop.

He was sitting in the sun, "Good spot you've got", I said. "Where are you going?' he asked. I told him about needing a break.

And then while the traffic slowed, roared, slowed on that busy road near the traffic lights I listened for the next forty minutes and didn't go anywhere.

He told me about putting his age up so he could go off to war, follow his brother. About telling his mother. About being captured and imprisoned for four years. Coming home weighing just over six stone. About Anzac Day. This Sunday. Yes, he's going.

You never know sometimes. Never know till you say g'day.

Riverina Easter

2010-04-17T17:09:00.006+10:00

Snow peas sown,
Cupboard cleared,
Cake baked,
Family dinner shared,
I leave my home to return home,
Five inches of rain after twelve years,
The grey sky blurs to a soft blue green horizon.

Biota Street Bop

2008-07-03T23:38:00.002+10:00

Last Take Away

2008-01-24T14:30:00.001+10:00

20-01-08_1744.jpg
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

Travelling up to Tamworth we go via Quirindi and Werris Creek. Werris Creek has a wonderful old railway station, an assortment of old and sometimes unoccupied shops and a Chinese 'restaurant' - most of its business being take away as the owner tells me.

20-01-08_1748.jpg
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

The take away is a funny brick building isolated from the other shops by houses which face the railway line. Outside the shop are some small bright green conifers covered in fresh seeds. The galahs flock to these conifers which are not native to Australia and feast on them. Sometimes there are so many galahs on a tree that the tree bends with their weight.

We get a braised vegetables and fried rice to share and sit down the road from the Chinese take away. We decide that while the take away has an interesting location and the owner is friendly and enjoys a chat that the food is not really up to it. This will be our last meal at the Werris Creek take away. The galahs however are more than content with their dinner and will undoubtedly be returning for many more meals.

Tomato shades

2008-01-24T14:21:00.001+10:00

Tomato shades
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

The 10th of January was so hot Dad rigged up these handy covers to protect his young tomato plants. The next day there was a small storm. We were swimming in the river at the time and it was wonderful to see the rain falling on the river and to smell it. But with a brief show of lightning it was all over.

Hot

2008-01-10T22:59:00.001+10:00

Hot
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

It's so dry the ground is cracking in Dad's back yard. The constant noise of air conditioners as the temperature hits 40 degrees. At night I am startled by the brightness of the stars and lucky enough to see a slow falling meteorite. People say: 'Tomorrow is going to be a shocker.' On TV they say it will be a scorcher. There should be a word for longing for rain.

Perchance to dream?

2008-01-07T20:20:00.001+10:00

Perchance to dream?
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

Seventies motel in Coonabarrabran replete with (slightly) peeling wallpaper, red carpet climbing up the wall, ornate bedhead, two lamps, dripping tap and teabags with little relationship to tea.

Rain!

2008-01-06T16:50:00.001+10:00

Rain!
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

Just north of Uralla we pass through a small but heavy rain shower. Great to see all the creeks full and nearly overflowing.

Emu Gate

2008-01-04T23:36:00.001+10:00

Emu Gate
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

We are heading south to visit my family. This old gate is one of the landmarks on our journey. It is near Uralla in the New England area of New South Wales. One side of the gate features the emus while the other is decorated by kangaroos. Daryll normally points it out as we travel along.

Kiss protocol goodbye

2007-12-21T00:10:00.000+10:00

The FAQ is 'How do I address a member of parliament?' Here's the answer for Ms McKew. That's Ms McKew of Bennelong.

Position - Parliamentary Secretary
Envelope - The Hon. Maxine McKew, MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Childcare
Salutation - Dear Ms McKew
Conclusion - Yours faithfully
How to address orally - Ms McKew

Well oblivious of all the above and swept away by a chance meeting in the street I gave Ms McKew a kiss on the cheek! I'm not given to kissing politicians and in fact I did ask Ms McKew before I gently pecked her - I think it was the ABC factor, this was someone who I'd watched in my lounge room, someone who I felt that I 'knew'. Well Maxine and I are now a little more acquainted - me? I'm the enthusiastic woman in the hot pink shirt.

The Hon. Maxine was in Brisbane to speak about and sign copies of the book 'The Battle for Bennelong - The Adventures of Maxine McKew aged fifty something' and we were a partisan and very joyful audience, eager to hear the story of how Maxine took on the PM who had held Bennelong for thirty three years and won.

The Backpaddock Advent Calendar

2007-12-09T10:46:00.000+10:00

You can visit my Advent Calendar here. Broadband recommended.

How many sleeps?

2007-12-08T00:20:00.001+10:00

Only sixteen sleeps till Santa comes. Somehow tonight I realised how soon it will be Christmas. When I was a kid I loved Advent calendars, opening each little window, it seemed to take ages before it was Christmas.

Not quite the same but there are some Advent calendars online. Some have been designed so you can't jump ahead and peek. There is the BBC Calendar. Another one I will explore some more and here is another one, St Margaret Mary.

Sleep well! Santa will be here way too soon!

Going South

2007-12-07T22:36:00.001+10:00

It's a year since Dad had his heart operation and I headed south to be with him. What a fantastic job they did - the heart surgeon, the intensive care staff, the nurses - the nurses who looked after him when he was in 9/11, yes that is room 9 on the 11th floor. Funny that, it just came back to me as I was sitting here writing. I never mentioned 9/11 while Dad was there and nor did he but later we did joke about it. I did think that a good old fashioned 'room 9' would suffice.

Anyway I was saying what a great job they did. And I did say that I began to know Dad was feeling better when he started talking about politics. Well, there's been a fair bit of that over the last few months and some relief down south that Mr Rudd is the man and that the former PM has a little more time for his morning walk - yes it's a good habit and a great thing for his heart. I wonder sometimes though if a dwardle might not do him good.

And then there was the fantastic place I stayed (Vizard House, in Clarendon St), just a short walk across the Fitzroy Gardens. It was so good to be in a place where you could talk with other people - we all had someone in hospital and Elaine, who managed the place, was great. I remember the other thing was how much I enjoyed the Gardens and the wonderful trees. I walked a lot myself last year, back and forward across the park to the hospital and in to the city from St Vincents and to Carlton. Probably good for my heart - certainly good for my spirit and my pocket.

Living Library and more

2007-12-03T09:30:00.000+10:00

It's been a very full few weeks.

A highlight was the Living Library day at Chermside Library on 25th November. We had some wonderful 'books' who generously gave their time and energy sharing their stories with members of the public. The 'books' came from many places and walks of life including two Sudanese men, a young athlete confronting mental health issues, two Aboriginal women who grew up in Cherbourg (Qld) and a woman who has come to Brisbane as a refugee from Liberia. For more about Living Library check 'Enough Rope', the Andrew Denton show.

Also for your info - an interesting new streetscape and soundscape project and accompanying blog is happening in Newcastle.

No water

2007-11-18T23:23:00.000+10:00

It's hot and dry down in the Riverina. I hear that it rained last night but the water just disappeared. There's not much water in the river, you can walk from one side to the other. No canoeing this year. And no floating down the river for the kids. Not much there for the kids when it's dry. Only river reveries. And today another report about global warming.

Made me think about the Murray and about the possum skin cloaks that the Yorta Yorta women have been making. And the poor old big trees in the forest.

I can hear the frogs croaking here in the pond and the old tin tub. We've been lucky to have some rain in Brisbane and it's still cool.

Reminds me of how Dad tells me that there used to be little green frogs clustered on the back door down there at night, catching insects. They'd come up from the back paddock where there was a bit of a watercourse. Anyway no more frogs - Dad thinks it's to do with the spraying and DDT.

"Only when the last tree has withered, the last fish has been caught, and the last river has been poisoned, will you realize you cannot eat money." Cree - Native American. Makes you think ...

And a bit of fine singing!

2007-11-15T23:04:00.000+10:00

Some men in fine voice - just when you were going to quickly check your email before you go to bed. Men wot sing! Yes!

All hail the great leader

2007-11-10T23:24:00.000+10:00

I haven't laughed so much for ages.

Thanks to the ABC and this entrant in their Sledge competition.

Bill Leak's Cartoons

2007-11-08T23:06:00.000+10:00

Speaking of laughing - I've been buying The Australian to read Bill Leak's great cartoons but now I've found that you can see them online. I love his drawings of Peter Costello. Scroll back away and you'll find Peter Garrett and 'friends' in bed a la 'How can you sleep when your bed's burning'.

And then of course there's the best tv of the whole week, 4 minutes approximately, John Clarke and Brian Dawe. Essential. Thursday night, ABC tv, 7.30 report.

Skippity Do Dah - Skippity Hey!

2007-07-20T23:23:00.000+10:00

Do you notice young children skipping in the street? I do. Or, have started to.

I don't mean kids with skipping ropes but rather kids who one minute are walking with adults and the next are in that moment of lightness, uplifted by their spirits and skipping - like a little dance. I wonder what happens in that moment? Some happiness that makes the feet skip?

Don't see many adults doing it. Skip, skipping off to work or the shops.

How do we get our skip back? Can you get your skip back?

In the meantime I'm watching the kids and enjoying those sudden skipping moments.

The City has its texture

2007-07-14T19:58:00.000+10:00

In the 1970's and early 80's I used to sometimes go to a left wing bookshop down the bottom of Parramatta Rd in Leichhardt. It was probably more than 'left wing', perhaps Communist - or then again maybe Anarchist. Was it called Bob Gould's? It was! Mostly I just went there to wander around and look, to be immersed in a messy booky world, surrounded on every side. I used to like to go to Gleebooks (also in Sydney) when it was in its former more messy incarnation.

There is something I definitely miss in the current minimalist bright white world - it is the sense of hidden possibilities, of mysteries, of layers. Too much of Brisbane is modern and bright, not enough old buildings covered in moss and grime and little bits of fern, with weird and wonderous gargoyles.

Today on my way to buy a last ball of wool (you always do need that last ball) I saw in Adelaide St. the stairs to a shop I had never been to: the Record Exchange, ' Brisbane's most interesting shop' (or similar). Great music playing, loads of records, cheap cds, and not a clear, clean white surface in sight. It seemed the kind of place where you might happily spend two or more hours just poking around and talking with people, where you might find a gem that you hadn't heard for years, it seemed so old that somehow it was again 'cool'. It reminded me of the wonderful zine shop in Melbourne near Flinders St station. Ah the smell of spirits, of 'roneod' pages, of something just off the Remington.

It was in this warm nostalgia that i walked to the wool shop. In the wool shop was a beautiful woman. A woman in her 70's wearing a black velvet coat. This was no ordinary coat but a textured work of art. I lusted after that coat with its wittty little edges, it's puckled tiny triangular hills - it was so beautiful. With the coat she wore a creation completed just this morning. Originally intended to be a beret it was now a sort of scarf which she pulled over her head like a jumper. The scarf was attached to the coat by a lovely green brooch. This decoration was completed by a woollen hat. The bus driver had told her she looked beautiful. I told her she looked beautiful and the young shop assistant said that she would like a scarf like that. Heather (the beautiful lady) told me that her daughter in Sydney had given her the coat.

Back to the car parked under the Turbot St. overpass. Bags of clothes, a jacket, a woollen striped rug lie just beside the parked cars. Homeless people are sleeping here.

Homeless in Brisbane

2007-07-14T18:57:00.002+10:00

Homeless in Brisbane
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

The yelllow of Autumn is beautiful

2007-06-01T10:36:00.000+10:00

Searching for the orange cake recipe (one of the cakes my mother used to make and the only one I make) I suddenly found a letter from her. It was written at this time of year - ' our tree dahlia is in flower too - it is so high. The roses are wonderful especially the yellow ones. Mon AM. Raining - the yellow of Autumn is beautiful - the silver birch mostly. Bye for now - love to you, Mum' As I read Mum's words the whole garden comes to me, the soft pink flowers of the tree dahlia which Dad only just mentioned when he last phoned, the pink cream yellow of the roses and the silver birch tree decorated with Mum's crystals and wind chimes.

And just my mother's writing, so familiar - the shape of the letters that form the words 'Dear Karen' - her handwriting which was so much a part of her, formed by her hand and not by a computer. On the back of her letter is a recipe for Lemon Delicious, a good Autumn or Winter desert. Below the recipe Mum has written some changes - half a cup of SR flour, not a quarter cup, half a cup of lemon juice not grated rind and juice of 3 lemons (instead 4 teaspoons rind.) These changes will have been based on experience - 'it's more lemony.'

I will include the recipe for Lemon Delicious on my Fragrant Cloud blog. So now to check if I have the orange cake ingredients and begin preparations for the 'Mitchelton Turns 150 - Digital Celebration Project Launch'. What a mouthful! I hope it turns out to be as delicious, warming and welcoming as Lemon Delicious!

More May Day

2007-05-09T01:23:00.000+10:00

The BLF (Builders Labourers Federation) always look fantastic.

May Day - a hard rain's goin' to fall

2007-05-09T00:06:00.000+10:00

Put my t shirt on ('Working to live' - your rights at work - worth fighting for) and headed off for the May Day March. My union, the Australian Services Union, led the march. It was a good turn out.

Some people obviously hoped for rain (it's so dry here we're only allowed to water our gardens with buckets on set days). Our Prime Minister, John Howard, maintained for quite some time that there was no global warming but an upcoming election seems to be changing his mind. Anyway, click on the image below for an enlargement and you will see that an umbrella has many uses!

Just Enough

2007-02-03T00:20:00.000+10:00

What a great morning ride through cool Brisbane air into the Botanic Gardens! It rained good and steady for most of last night and the frogs are happy.

And then to West End. In Vulture Street near St Vinnies I enjoyed talking with Darcy who was busking with his saxaphone. He tells me that he makes just whatever money he needs for that day whenever he busks.

Junket Demise .... missed moments in time

2007-02-01T13:59:00.000+10:00

Junket, or rather, absence of junket. In the midst of persistent indigestion I decided that I would reacquaint myself with foods like port wine jelly, rice pudding and junket. Off to the supermarket most frequented by older people in town only to be told: ' We don't have any - the company doesn't make junket tablets anymore'. Doesn't make junket tablets anymore? Is this possible? Has a link in the passage of time slipped me by? Are all the people who once made junket tablets now employed in ipod or plasma screen production? Unlikely, as surely these necessities of modern life are all made in China.

Unconvinced that junket tablets are no longer being made I head off to another supermarket. But dear reader I am sorry to tell you it is true, completely true.

Who would have thought that junket was an endangered species? Well me, actually. Still makes you wonder why some some foods near the brink of extinction are miracously revived by some wunderkind chef. Bread and butter pudding, corned meat with white sauce, rice pudding once again grace our tables as we saute in a little 50's nostalgia. So what would it take to make junket the flavour of the moment? Or indeed to make tapioca terrific? Or sago superb. Your thoughts welcome. In the meantime I'm off to hunt for a jelly mould.

For more junket joy head this way.

Movable Feast

2006-12-13T22:20:00.001+10:00

Movable Feast
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

The Restaurant Tram, full of diners, heads down Victoria St, past St Vincent's Hospital and into Collins St. I catch the tram going the other way, buy chocolate and return to conversation about family members, operations and progress.

Smoky the next

2006-12-13T21:57:00.001+10:00

Smoky the next
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Smith St, Fitzroy. Last night as I walked along it was cold, clear and windy. Today the city is suffocating in grey smoke. I look at people smoking and think: 'Why bother?'

St Vincent's Hospital

2006-12-12T15:09:00.003+10:00

While Dad is in hospital in between my visits I explore Melbourne. I love it that there are still old buildings - particularly ones decorated with gargoyles and lions and other such things.

I love the fresh air, it's so cool after the smoke and heat. I am even wearing a cardigan. I love the park near where I am staying. It has a wonderful assortment of big trees. I am exploring their shade.

And it's good to be writing again, even if it's only a bit. Our lives are really the many moments, the texture of minutes.

Going South

2006-12-12T15:02:00.003+10:00

Going South
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy

Heading south. It's Saturday 2nd. Why do I love the sound of trains so much?

On Sunday evening I arrived in Deniliquin and on Monday morning I drove Dad to Melbourne. To Melbourne for his heart operation at St Vincent's Hospital.

And now it's nearly a week later and I'm sitting in the East Melbourne library just around the corner from where I'm staying. This week's journey has been a long one too but today Dad began to talk about politics again ... a very good sign!

Tek at the Markets

2006-08-05T22:09:00.000+10:00

We know that Tek just can't stay away from a good market so we had to take him down to our beautiful West End markets under the trees. It was great to sit down and chat with people over a cup of coffee and some French toast.
Beside us a new Dad was nursing his three month old son. The baby was obviously destined to great soccer feats as he was wrapped up in a little blanket covered in soccer balls. So all of you beautiful people overseas in countries like Fiji - 'Don't worry, Tek's happy and missing you all.'

Hunza Pie across time

2006-04-11T22:35:00.000+10:00

it's been great to hear from Norma whose parents owned the Natural Food Centre back in the 7O's. Blogging connects people across time and space! I'm currently travelling and so using my mobile to blog. Norma, if you would like to email me the address is kt@mcmedia.com.au - it would be nice to have a copy of the photo and I can let you know a bit more about blogging.

Food and Song

2006-02-09T21:20:00.000+10:00

Just back from 'First Person: International Digital Storytelling Conference' held at ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) in Melbourne. It was a great conference, well organised and good speakers. More of this later.

Two stories my father told me
Story 1 - Food
The old railway house in Trangie was near the Cowal. The Cowal only used to run when the Macquarie River was really flooding. To get water for the steam trains they dug two 'monster holes'.
Dad used to go yabbying in the Cowal with other boys. He remembers their names: Bob Tindall, Jackie Lamb and Jack Riley. Some of these boys were Aboriginal. The Aboriginal boys would fill a kerosene tin with water, cook the yabbies and eat them. Dad never ate the yabbies: they were bush tucker. He ate at home. Both his father and grandfather had vegie patches (with juicy red tomatoes) and fruit trees.

Once Dad's Uncle Greg came to visit. Everyone was enjoying the meal. Uncle Greg said that there was one kind of meat he never would eat: goat. The five kids kept quiet and kept eating the goat.

Story 2 - Ernie
Bob Tindall's sister, Edie, married Ernie the Greek. Ernie Andropoulos who became Ernie Andrews. Ernie Ritos Andrews, born 24th Nov 1924 Greece, died 26 Nov 1999 Trangie, New South Wales.

Ernie used to play football and travel in the back of the truck with the other blokes to neighbouring towns for matches. Out there, in the bush, as they travelled along Ernie would stand up in the truck sing 'La Paloma'.

Ernie's uncle, Sam, owned the Trocadero cafe. Sam went to Greece, got married there and on his return to Australia moved to the brighter lights of Dubbo, where he opened another cafe, which was, of course, called the Trocadero.

Dad remembers Ernie scurrying around and getting into trouble. He remembers coming in from the football in the winter, 'cold as buggery' heading for the woodstove in the kitchen in the Trocadero, 'a nice warm place' and trying to bludge a cup of coffee or talk Ernie into making a steak sandwich.

'And that was life.'

Strange ..

2006-01-20T14:40:00.000+10:00

Strange ..
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

In a Warwick cafe - a new take on the traditional Anzac biscuit.The icing sugar fad is surely silly enough without the adornment of orchids!

Sounds of Summer

2006-01-11T10:44:00.000+10:00

Sounds of Summer
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Porpunkah by the Ovens and the Buckland Rivers. Caravan Park sounds: dull drone of air conditioners (Melbournians having a hard time in the heatwave?), kookaburras having the first and last laughs of the day, black cockatoos with their distinctive eerie cry, tiny fluffy dogs barking at passing cyclists, the beep beep of the morning bakery van, constant crunch of gravel as people walk to the 'Amenties Block', the Ovens River gurgling under a sky filled with stars.

Puffing to the top!

2006-01-08T09:29:00.000+10:00

Puffing to the top!
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

After a long absence from my blog I'm back! Yesterday rode along an old railway line, now a rail trail, from Everton to Beechworth (Victoria). Sixteen kms uphill in heat of day through bush - eucalypts smelt wonderful and we saw a small mob of wallabies. Hard going and thirsty work but really worth it - great bookshop in Beechworth and fantastic ride downhill!

Don't ma'm me, mate!

2005-08-19T20:24:00.000+10:00

Welcome to my first blog rant. I've been wanting to do a

'Don't Ma'm Me!'

badge or t-shirt or poster or whatever for a couple of years now. I absolutely hate being called 'ma'm'! 'Ma'm' does not indicate respect as some claim - rather I see it as thinly disguised ageism, pretension and another indication of the creeping Americanisation of our culture and language.

Twenty years ago we didn't do this 'ma'm' stuff. As a twenty or even thirty year old I never 'ma'md' anyone and nor did my friends. Why does the young woman or man in the sandwich shop or whatever suddenly feel compelled to 'ma'm' and 'sir'? Yes, we live in a class society but let's get real - just because I'm buying a sandwich and someone else is making it I am not suddenly elevated to the ranks of the owning class. And just because someone has more money and or power there is no reason to bow and scrape (or pretend to!) Sometimes I am told by young people that their employers tell them to 'ma'm' and 'sir' - all I can say then is to tell your employers that not everyone enjoys being addressed in this way or equates it with respect.

Today there's been a whole lot of hooha about 'mate' and the media have had a fun time with it. Some bureaucrat in Federal Government decided to issue a notice to the security guards at Parliament saying that they were no longer to address members of the public as 'mate'. Well there was a great outcry and now we're all back to being mates. It's a funny place Australia and mateship is one of our big legends. As I see it, mateship is both a great truth and a big con. The Prime Minister is not my mate and strangely enough nor are a whole lot of other people in his government. Have a look at my 'Your Rights at Work' post for some clues. As economic rationalism grows and pervades our lives, as Australian farmers find cheap fruit and vegetable imports flooding in we have to figure out who our mates really are. When I was a young woman I used to march along the streets joining in the chant: 'The people united can never be defeated!' That's a chant about mateship - and until we can build a society where it's people who really count, a society more about mates than ma'ms and sirs we have to know who our mates are. And hey mate, don't ma'm me!

Inner and Outer Landscapes

2005-08-19T19:35:00.000+10:00

I had to go back this afternoon and have another look at Thomas Spence's exhibition 'Inner and Outer Landscapes' at the Stanthorpe Gallery. I found out that he has won the Blake Prize for Religious Art and the Dobell Drawing Prize and that his drawings are done with graphite.

I started thinking more deeply about his drawings and how they evoke a strong sense of place like the work of some Aboriginal artists. Then I suddenly realised the great difference: Thomas Spence's drawings are of cultivated country, farmed country - of the patterns of monoculture whereas Aboriginal artists most often paint or draw bush or country.

Even with this great difference I feel that what underpins the work might be understandings or experiences shared with Aboriginal artists: a sense of space and a quality of attention in and to a place. Writing about Thomas Spence Kath Penticost says: ' ... he believes that the Australian landscape is a place of special significance; that the subtle life - forces of nature here truly nurture the human soul'.

Love of Country

2005-08-18T22:56:00.000+10:00

Strawberry jam, cream and warm pikelets with a good cup of tea.
That was what I had for morning tea at the CWA (Country Womens Association) Hall and shop in Stanthorpe, two and a half hours from Brisbane. Very peaceful, friendly and reasonable at only three dollars.

The Stanthorpe CWA has been active for over eighty years and is open to all women regardless of age and background (these days you can even be a city slicker!) The CWA claims to be the largest women's organisation in Australia with 44,000 members.

'Honour to God,
Loyalty to the Throne,
Service to the Country,
Through Country Women,
For Country Women
By Country Women'
CWA Motto

I'm certainly not a monarchist and though I've lived most of my life in the city I am a country girl so I loved my visit to the CWA with its jams and pickles and plants and warm welcome.

After the CWA I decided to drop into the art gallery. I thought it'd be the usual thing - few interesting paintings, maybe some craft but instead I found a wonderful exhibition of witty, meditative and beautiful work. I loved Cheryl Baker's bold and at the same time gentle fabric artwork 'Fabulous women and Fish'. I wanted to be one of Cheryl's women sailing in a small boat wearing a weird hat, riding the waves on a fish, daydreaming or escaping the confines and 'everydayness' of domesticity'.

Then I saw Thomas Spence's work! Wow! Has anybody got a spare few thousand for me to buy some great artwork? Big, strong images of land built through a meditative attention to detail. Not suprising to find out that he grew up on a 50,000 acre property near Longreach (a very big paddock!) The images reminded me of Aboriginal art with their connection to the land and yet they stood completely on their own. I think that the longer non Indigenous people live in this country the more we grow to love, and hopefully, understand it. It's almost as though the land then paints itself through us. I know that non Indigenous people have been here for only several generations and that we do not have sacred Dreamtime stories and rituals and that we colonised and continue to colonise the land but somehow the land continues to find its voice in all sorts of ways through activists, advocates and artists. Long may they and the land they love rein!

Celebrating an unhealthy son

2005-08-11T18:22:00.000+10:00

On the 7th of October 1971 I wrote yet another of my enormously detailed letters to my mother. News of the weather ('the kind of day you can almost believe in God'), chat about my university assignments, events and a paragraph about drinking champagne.

'I was around at Elinor's place in Rosedale Rd drinking champagne. Her brother Sandy had just failed his medical and it was Mr and Mrs B's wedding anniversary. Sandy's wife was so happy and Mrs B kept saying no-one could have given her a better present than a lovely unhealthy son.'

Just a quick paragraph ... young women weren't included in the National Service Scheme (for the war in Vietnam) which was based around a birthday ballot of 20 year old men. (I would have turned 20 just a few days after I wrote this letter.)

Late night thought

2005-08-10T00:02:00.000+10:00

Hm, time to take next door's dog home. Sinister is his name. We babysit him every night when G heads off to work.

Anyway the late night thought before it goes. Where is the texture of my words as I write this blog? Looking back at my post about the old letters I notice how I describe the scrawly purple writing, the postmark. Letters are written on all kinds of paper, even on urgent telegram forms. My handwriting is a part of the letter itself. And now I hardly ever write a letter, just emails.

Come on Sin, wake up, time to go home.

Where do the children play?

2005-08-09T22:37:00.000+10:00

Another letter to my brother, this time October 1972. (Written in scrawly purple biro - my hand was in a plaster cast.)

Hi again, thought you'd like to know that I am sitting here with your peace symbol bracelet on. It's really nice. Have to do my tax tonight - what a bore. Beautiful day here - blue and sunny. Have been to Cheryl's sunbaking and reading.

They had a party last night - met this guy called Doug. He's supposed to be ringing me up this week - I hope he does because I think I liked him. He is a Fauvist - do you know anything about the Fauves? They were a school of French Impressionists originally and then drifted from there to Fauvism. They paint in really bright strange colours I think and attempt to make everything as simple as possible.

And now for the important bit - He's got blue eyes and looks like Cat Stevens.

Well I don't where my friend Doug is but Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) has been speaking out about the London bombings. You can listen to one of his best known songs 'Father and Son' as he sang it in 1971 in New York City (slow on dial up connections) or perhaps just enjoy the lyrics of 'Where do the children play?'

Well I think it's fine, building jumbo planes.
Or taking a ride on a cosmic train.
Switch on summer from a slot machine.
Yes, get what you want to if you want, 'cause you can get anything
I know we've come a long way
We're changing day to day,
But tell me, where do the children play?

TM and the Tardis

2005-08-08T22:03:00.000+10:00

I'm back! Back to writing, back in my back paddock. So to celebrate I'm also going back, back, back in time. Yes, jump in the Tardis with me and off we'll go.

It's (according to the envelope) 4.15pm 1st October 1972. A profile of a young Queen Elizabeth adorns the 7 cents postmarked envelope. I am sharing my story of TM - Transcendental Meditation with my young brother.

We went to this big house in Woollahra ... it is an old house, all painted white, flowers everywhere. Firstly a ceremony is performed - we took along 2 pieces of sweet fruit, one clean white handkerchief and 6 fresh flowers. In our case these were daisies ('stolen' from next door), bananas and, as someone cynically commented, 'rotten' apples.

These things constitute an offering to the past masters of the discipline - a token of thanks. Each person goes through the ceremony individually with his teacher. The ceremony is performed in Sanskrit. Our teacher is Peter, a guy of about 25 - quiet, gentle. In the ceremony you are given your mantra which is your life sound or vibration chosen by your teacher. These mantras have been handed down through the ages and there are apparently thousands of them. The object of transcendental meditation is to attain a peaceful existence and to reach the centre of thought - it feels something like just before you fall asleep. There is not supposed to be any strain experienced - hence the idea is not to strive for concentration rather to involve outside thoughts in your mantra, to let them slide in and gradually return to the mantra. The mantra is like a nonsense word but it is more than that as is is your vibration and assists in imparting serenity. (Is this directly from the pamphlet? 'Imparting'!)

If it's good enough for the Beatles it's good enough for my little brother. ...

When using the mantra and in a state of deep thought the feeling is like being in the waves of a calm sea (my brother and I grew up far from the sea, the main 'waves' we knew were those of a passing speedboat when we swam in the river), swinging back and forward. Apparently you can also experience visual effects, which is also very interesting. The idea is to release accumulated deep strain. How about that eh?

I continue regaling him with the exotic delights of the Natural Food Centre in Liverpool Street. Had Hunza Pie - vegies and spinach and tasty cheese. Really good and very cheap. Also banana drink, apricot whip, sesame seed drinks - strange but very nice. Wish you'd been able to do these things - you'd enjoy it so much.

My fellow TM students are Cheryl, Ian and Debbie. Ian works with PMG driving a truck and is 21 or 2, Deb is at Sydney Uni in 1st year. Ian and Debbie are going to set up a farm on the North Coast and are at the moment learning how to spin (essential survival skill!). They make their own yoghurt, bread etc. Ian is always laughing - he has been meditating for five months now. Deb has only been going with him for a month so I hope it all works out.

Ah yes, we were all going to leave the city, get away, head north. It was, after all, the Age of Agrarius! Peace brother! (How come you're turning 50 next week?)

'I'm going up the country, babe don't you wanna go
I'm going up the country, babe don't you wanna go
I'm going to some place where I've never been before
I'm going, I'm going where the water tastes like wine
Well I'm going where the water tastes like wine
We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time
I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away
I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away!'
....Canned Heat....

An apple a day

2005-07-24T16:47:00.000+10:00

An apple a day
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

As granny smith apples cook for the crumble, I feast on this.

ABC on my mobile

2005-07-24T00:54:00.000+10:00

When I bought my Motorola several months back I was told - 'Oh, no - not MAC compatible' so other than getting a memory card so I could move photos back and forth I haven't really bothered investigating. I wasn't too worried about having my email contacts synced etc however there's been all this podcasting talk and I know the mobile can play mp3s so curiousity won out!

How amazing - my phone takes photos, small videos, sends emails and now plays mp3s. Oh, then there's talking ie actual phone calls.

Anyway thanks to- MAC, Motorala, Memory and Me - I can now listen to the very gorgeous Julie McCrossin (Life Matters, ABC Radio National) and a whole discussion about community, street parties and Port Phillip. Mm, it did take nearly an hour to download 10mg so it's not something I'll do too often. Also have some Gregorian chanting to listen to - and a lot less space on my memory card for taking photos. I remember going to a conference about 1997 and they were talking about 'digital convergence' I guess this is it (some of it at least).

Now I just want to explore the podcasting thing a bit more.

Dog

2005-07-23T09:42:00.000+10:00

Here's some fun and a bit of an experiment that probably won't last because it's too slooooww in Internet Explorer

Syren
Originally uploaded by dogecentral.

A dog enjoying life!

Today

2005-07-22T23:18:00.000+10:00

Now here's a beautiful thing! Tonight I went looking for some interesting websites I thought I'd bookmarked but couldn't find them and then found this beautiful little tool 'Spell with flickr' created by kastner. Basically you type a word in and then images are drawn from the flickr site to spell the word and then hey presto! You can then click on the letters and then change individually or you can go back and type the word again to get a whole fresh image. You can copy and paste the code into your blog or webpage or whatever. Mmm - think I'll check on 'tonight'!

Humans are amazing! It's good to be reminded that we can be creative, witty and cooperative.

If you'd like to try it out head here
And then for some more fun try here

Fountain Pen Writing

2005-07-13T23:52:00.000+10:00

I'm missing writing.

Not that I'm not writing, just not 'back paddock' writing. I hardly ever write with a delicious flowing fountain pen any longer but there is still that kind of fluid writing you can do when you wander around a back paddock, staring at the sky, looking at things, just ambling. I like being in that part of my mind. Thinking of new things, making connections, dreaming.

Part of my dreaming at the moment is endlessly seeing new blogging opportunities. This week I've set up a blog at work and I am about to convince a friend that a blog is exactly what she needs - I've already started the posts in my head .....

Yes, I'm missing writing. Writing funding applications is not really much like Back Paddock writing.

We take the cake!

2005-07-06T22:02:00.000+10:00

We take the cake!
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

As New South Wales soars to a 32 to 0 lead the commentatary turns to rock cakes! 50,000 Queenslanders are plunged into deep despair. Maybe pumpkin scones would have redeemed them! (Yes, my state of origin is NSW.)

Smile and the world smiles with you

2005-07-04T22:31:00.000+10:00

Yesterday hair, today - teeth. Yes, teeth. I know you've come to this blog looking for cutting edge, incisive text about world events but somehow or other it's teeth ...

Over the last month or so I have, occasionally chastised myself for not having developed a long term plan for my blog or a particular focus but then I realise how much I love finding the seemingly ordinary special, beautiful or strange and writing about it. In my mind I start writing my next blog and my hand reaches for my camera. It's as if I'm being nudged - 'hey, notice this'.

So today I was off to the dentist. Brian is very thoughtful. He likes his patients to relax. One of the ways he helps us do this is by providing a poster of some beautiful Australian scenery on the ceiling that we can contemplate while the drill bores away. The particular poster featured on Brian's ceiling right now is one of The Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are situated near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and are frequently visited by tourists.

So there I am staring aimlessly at the ceiling, appreciating the benefits of a little anaesthetic as Brian removes the old leaky amalgam filling when suddenly it hits me! We're in the midst of decay! It's a very exciting idea .. The Twelve Apostles out in the freezing water and winds of the Great Southern Ocean and me, sitting here at the dentists' on a Monday night in Brisbane. The Twelve Apostles : crumbling giant molars in a vast sea of wild saliva.

"Geologists say it is impossible to predict when the remaining Apostles on Victoria's west coast will fall into the sea.

One of the rock stacks collapsed yesterday morning and a pile of rubble is all that remains. Eight Apostles are now left, though tourists still take to the Great Ocean Road in droves to visit the 'Twelve Apostles'." ABC News Online

Brian tells me that I'm not alone in having a deeper appreciation of his poster. Three other patients also felt the surging undertow of decay as they contemplated the Apostles.

Good Hair Day

2005-07-03T23:50:00.000+10:00

Back in the 70's one of the things I used to do was to henna my and other people's hair. After boiling the mixture up on the stove I would put the paste on and sit in the sun drinking a cup of tea and dodging the bits of the 'mud' that fell as the henna dried out. 'Hennaring' takes time and was always a good opportunity to slow down and talk with friends.

Today a friend who has never dyed her hair before asked me to help her henna her hair. First off the mix was too runny so we had to abandon it and start all over again, shaving the block of henna and cooking it up. I took a photo of her before and after but not one of her with the henna actually on her hair. If I had taken one I would have, (with her permission of course) posted it to the blog. Anyway she looked pretty interesting sitting there in the kitchen waiting for her hair to turn black. Which it did. There are always those moments when you wonder how you'll cope if it actually ends up green. I joked that as she's a 'greenie' it'd be just right.

So somehow after my morning focusing on hair I found this afternoon that when I went into the city to buy pyjamas I ended up talking with people about hair and came home 'pyjamaless'. One of the places I looked for pyjamas was at Myers (newly renovated, spacious, white and shiny) and the other was David Jones (brand new, very white, very shiny - in fact way too white and shiny - though I do love being able to test all those gorgeous hand creams, lotions, perfumes etc etc).(I don't know what it is with the white shiny thing - it's like the MAC IBooks - I much prefer the old black Powerbooks - true style.)

Anyway back to hair. On the way into the white shininess of Myers I saw a bloke sitting on the floor enjoying a hamburger. Well, to tell the truth, I didn't really see him: I saw his hair. I guess I was meant to because, as I found out, his hair, and he, were part of a competition. And so was his barber. Joel, and his barber, Rory (from the Barber's Den at Kippa Ring) were hoping to take out a prize at a hairdressing expo at a big hotel not far from Myers. I thought if I was the betting kind I'd have to put my money on Joel (I am the betting kind but only in November when the Melbourne Cup is on - I've won, or rather, my horses have, three years out of four.)

So, having mentally placed a bet, I wandered off from Shiny Myers in the direction of even more Shiny DJs (still searching for pyjamas - preferably soft, cosy and not at all shiny.)

Now, if this was a story, it might go something like this: 'And then at that moment, suddenly before me, I saw a princess!' And she was: a princess with a beautiful smile and a wonderful hairdo! Yes, Calia's mother (Crystal) does her hair and it takes about 45 minutes once a week and while Crystal is plaiting and twisting Calia reads, draws and watch TV. Her grandmother sends the little 'ornaments' - barrettes - that decorate the ends of each plait from the States.

It was a good hair day (or should that read 'do'?). Sure, I'd gone to buy pyjamas and hadn't found them but I visited two shiny white palaces, saw beautiful clouds streaked across the sky, talked to some new people (this blogging stuff is good!) and was, once more, reminded that 'being hair now' is really important (we knew a thing or two in the 70's!)

Flower Power

2005-07-02T23:35:00.000+10:00

It's a good place to be, Brisbane.

In Melbourne I realised that I enjoy the cold in some ways: rugging up, fogs, really fresh air, the contrast with summer. It was a buzz to be in a bigger city again, to catch the trams, to walk through arcades. When I visit Sydney I enjoy seeing old friends, I love the harbour and the sandstone country and the city and inner suburbs are full of memories. And here I am, in Brisbane.

It was a beautiful Brisbane midwinter day: gently warm, sunny. At the market, down by the river in West End we sat on straw bales and talked. Easy talking, remembering the 70's, talking about 'Poor Fellow My Country', the Max Gillies show and a new movie set in the beautiful Hawkesbury country.

I've posted up a whole lot of new links to my site tonight following on last night's great surfing. Some are to other blogs that look like they will be interesting to read on an ongoing basis.

Rights at Work - Worth Fighting For

2005-06-30T21:55:00.000+10:00

"God's a unionist," one of my workmates declared. And maybe she is! Anyway after two days where the rain has simply bucketed down suddenly the sun shone on all of us gathered there in King George Square, Brisbane.

We had rallied to mark the beginning of a campaign against the Howard Government's proposed changes to workplace laws. The Government now has control of both houses of Parliament and they intend to use that power.

Proposed changes include: keeping unions out of workplaces, abolishing protection from unfair dismissal for the 4 million workers employed in companies with less than 100 staff, changing the way in which minimum wages are set and therefore lowering them, workers losing shift, weekend and public holiday rates.

There were several speakers including Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie however the speaker who I enjoyed the most is Max Gillies, a wonderful comic and impersonator. He does a fantastic John Howard!

Max talked about how these changes would obliterate the institutions and principles that have been so important to working people. He said the result would be a failed affluent society, much like the U.S. where some people work two jobs just to survive and poor people die of curable and preventable diseases. He said that most Australians believe that a living wage is a right and we should ensure that the market pays it and that health and education should be available to everyone. He then went on to say that he believes that this is a fight we can win drawing on the best of what it is to be an Australian. Rather than believing the enemy to be outside us and to be focusing on terrorism we need to recognise that the enemy is within.

If you're keen to know more about this check the ABC website and the rights at work site.

Orange Dessert Cake

2005-06-29T22:27:00.000+10:00

Last night I got inspired by orange calendulas and was then reminded about orange cake. So continuing the orange theme ..... grab your most gorgeous apron, turn up the music, pour a glass of wine - it's time for Orange Dessert Cake! If, like me, you only 'bake' once or twice a year then this is your cake.

The Flourless Whole Orange Dessert Cake
2 medium oranges
185 g butter
I cup castor sugar (220g)
3 eggs
1/2 cup semolina (80g)
1 cup almond meal (125g)
1 teaspoon baking powder

Sift semolina, almond meal and baking powder together. Grease a 22cm round cake tin. Cover the base with baking paper.
Chop oranges including skin. Remove the seeds. Place the oranges in a microwave safe container. Add enough boiling water to cover the oranges. Cook in a microwave uncovered on high for 10 minutes. Let cool.

Drain the oranges. Blend till smooth. Beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined between additions. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Stir in dry ingredients and orange puree. Pour into prepared pan. Bake in a moderately slow oven (160 degrees centigrade) for about one hour.

Orange Syrup
You must have orange syrup to pour over your cake. Essential! And easy.
3/4 cup sugar
juice of one lemon and one orange and the rind from both
Allow to boil for 3 minutes. Add liquer or orange essence if you so desire.

If you are in Australia make this in winter using Austalian naval oranges - they are fresh, juicy and full of flavour.

Now play some wild, warm, wonderful orange music, maybe the Gypsy Kings (Volare would be good), top up your glass, call your family and friends and have A Mid Winter Party! I might even do it!

Orange

2005-06-28T23:46:00.000+10:00

Orange
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

These are the calendulas I bought on Saturday at the Vic Markets. I took this photo because people think they're ordinary but they are such a beautiful orange and they look great in a jug.

I Love Blogger Pictures!

2005-06-27T23:28:00.000+10:00

Have just loaded a picture with the new Blogger image service - beautiful!

This is a shot of one of a rainy night in Melbourne on our recent visit. It was great to sit, snug and warm, drinking hot chocolate as the rain drizzled down.

I'm looking forward to doing a much longer post in the next few days. It's great fun being able to post from the phone but texting does take a while. I'm doing this post on my computer but it's late (where did the night go?!), I'm back at work and so - to bed.

Hello Blogger!

2005-06-26T08:55:00.000+10:00

Hello Blogger!
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Walking down the street, near Flinders St Station I see three guys - one of them wearing a Blogger t shirt. I did, at least, stop him and say hello, but now I can't believe it that I didn't get his blog address or take his photo. I reckon blogging's going to encourage me to be more curious, assertive and just generally interested in people. And to seize the moment!

For better ...

2005-06-25T23:42:00.000+10:00

For better ...
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

It must be the fashion to celebrate your wedding and have photos taken in Melbourne arcades. Everyone makes way for the bridal party, the bride and groom find a seat at a cafe table.

More Baths

2005-06-25T23:28:00.000+10:00

More Baths
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Melbourne City Baths. The Baths first opened in 1860. They consisted of male and female, first and second class slipper bathrooms, a public wash house and a swimming pool.

Baths Rule!

2005-06-25T23:10:00.000+10:00

Baths Rule!
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

I've been to the Baths, the Melbourne City Baths that is. Yes, there is a swimming pool, in fact, there's two and both are heated. There's also these fantastic baths. You can luxuriate in them as long as you wish for $2 if you're unemployed or on a pension or $4 otherwise. What a great thing to do on a gloomy grey winter day! More info at www.melbournecitybaths.com.au

On the road

2005-06-25T22:28:00.000+10:00

On the road
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Truly,when I was a kid there was a paddock right behind our house. Now the house is surrounded by other houses - but there is still a paddock beyond them. I used to wander in the back paddock, sometimes with my dog, sometimes singing, sometimes picking wildflowers such as the bright yellow paper daises. Now I still like to go 'home' to visit my family, to see the 'sunlit plains extended' (or 'rainwet' as they were this time.) But it's time to hit the road - back to Melbourne for a day or so and then to Brisbane.

Op Shop Treasure

2005-06-25T11:37:00.000+10:00

Op Shop Treasure
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

I love op shops. Think it must be about randomness. I hardly ever go looking for something in particular rather see what treasure might turn up. Here is some treasure that I finally decided to leave behind at St Vinnies, Deniliquin - a black astrakhan jacket, very warm and in great condition with lovely pockets for just ten dollars. I confess I already own one astrakhan jacket (a little small maybe) and hardly need another in Brisbane's warmth but I was tempted - and those pockets were perfect! Interesting - maybe in blogging it I get to somehow 'have' it (if only digitally!) and simultaneously, let it go. Or, maybe I should've bought it and sold it for a fortune on Ebay! Next time.

Beautiful Puddles

2005-06-25T10:45:00.000+10:00

Beautiful Puddles
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Down here in the Riverina there's been four years of drought so everyone is really happy when there's several days of rain. It's great to see big puddles - the galahs seem to think so too as I see them drinking.

Sanctuary

2005-06-24T09:12:00.000+10:00

Sanctuary
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Late afternoon in one of my favorite places by the Edward River. A small mob of kangaroos are grazing in the winter sunshine, a kookaburra lands not far away, corellas and galahs call out as they fly to their roosting spots. The big old gums are home or resting places for many birds. There is talk of building a miniature railway down here in the forest for children and to attract tourists. Good idea, but not here, not in this peaceful, special sanctuary.

Backpaddock Rain!

2005-06-23T00:00:00.000+10:00

Backpaddock Rain!
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

'Swanning'

2005-06-22T23:51:00.000+10:00

'Swanning'
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

I know, I know. It looks like I just swan around. Arcades in Melbourne, cake shops in Sydney, swims on Stradbroke Island, explorations of interesting Brisbane architecture - well dear Backpaddock reader there is a little swanning but in between there are moments like those of today. You can guess how exciting it was trying to decide which grade sandpaper to choose - fine, medium, coarse? For a while I was 'in the zone' smoothing the plaster to perfection. Still there's some pleasure to be had focusing carefully on one thing and completing it. It wasn't a 'swanning' day. Cottage Pie for tea, however, was excellent!

Cycling and recycling at the Victoria Markets

2005-06-18T22:18:00.000+10:00

One of the pleasures of blogging is meeting new people. At the Vic Markets Daryll and I met Fred, cyclist, gardener and great talker. Fred keeps chooks and was taking home some organic leaves from the market for them. Fred was keen to talk with us and find out about if people keep roosters in Brisbane as he would like to do so in Melbourne but is currently prevented by council laws.

Fred mentioned a web site about human rights, statute laws and healing in the community called upmart.org. It was refreshing to meet such a lively person - I could have talked with Fred for ages but we had places to go and people to meet. I hope I'm lucky enough to bump into him at the markets again some time in the future.

Vic Market Treats

2005-06-17T20:05:00.000+10:00

Vic Market Treats
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

A kangaroo presides over a water fountain in West Melbourne. From West Melbourne it's an easy walk to the wonderful Victoria Markets. This morning we had breakfast there and then I went wandering through the many little delicatessans buying hot salami, a wedge of romano cheese, 2 loaves of bread (rye and walnut), 3 bottles of wine from Swords (merlot and shiraz and a dessert wine) and the final treat - 2 figs filled with marscapone cheese! Then on to the fruit and veg stalls.

Melbourne has many faces

2005-06-16T23:23:00.001+10:00

Melbourne has many faces
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

Melbourne has many faces

2005-06-16T23:23:00.000+10:00

Melbourne has many faces
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

That 'Yeehah!' feeling.

2005-06-16T22:49:00.000+10:00

That 'Yeehah!' feeling.
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

'Yeehah!' calls out a young bloke passing by. The station tunnel is buzzing with Mark and Derek's music - it bounces off the tiles and up the stairs. Mark and Derek have been playing regularly each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening for the last month. Yep, yeehah! Melbourne is a fun place to be. Thanks for the music.

Warm in a cold city

2005-06-16T21:24:00.000+10:00

Warm in a cold city
Originally uploaded by paperdaisy.

How do you transform a cold, grey mid winter city? What magic can be used to bring it warm and alive? To give it heart? Here, in Melbourne, candles burn casting gentle light in arcade cafes and musicians play. On the streets and in railway tunnels they busk as people head home.

Melbourne - fresh, flowering and fashionable

2005-06-15T22:31:00.000+10:00

In Melbourne. Cold. Proper Melbourne cold. Not Brisbane 'cold' - 20 degrees and sunny! Fresh. We're here for a few days and plan to visit ACMI, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image where, among other things, they run courses in digital storytelling.

Sometimes when I was a kid we used to visit Melbourne. I had a few favourite places: bookshops (paperbacks were just coming out), the magic shop and the Mee Wah cafe. The Mee Wah was the essence of 1960's cool with its pink and black exterior. Growing up in a small town we hardly ever ate out and here we were in the city eating exotic Asian food. Wow!

So tonight Daryll and I caught a tram to China Town. The Mee Wah has long since gone (or been reincarnated) but I still loved the walk down Little Bourke Street.

Melbourne is also a city of fashion and flowers. My favourite flower stand is quite close to the Victoria Hotel and the Town Hall in the centre of the city. You can get all kinds of flowers here - poppies, orchids, violets, wallflowers, runuculas, jonquils, daffodils - until quite late at night and then slip down to one of the small cafes in an arcade or side street and enjoy a hot chocolate before heading home.

Make MABO DAY - 3 June - an Australian Public Holiday

2005-06-13T23:54:00.000+10:00

Make MABO DAY - 3 June - an Australian Public Holiday

Mass on Monday

2005-06-13T23:26:00.000+10:00

It's the Queen's Birthday weekend. There's fog everywhere at seven o'clock in the morning. I climb back under the doona. My friend, Aunty V, says we ought to celebrate Mabo Day rather than the Queen's Birthday - she says 'I've got nothing against her, but she doesn't even live here.' I think she's right. I'm a republican but I do enjoy a birthday and particularly a birthday holiday.

About nine thirty the sun appears and suddenly it's the most gorgeous golden day. Perfect for photos. Unbrushed, unwashed I grab the camera and head over to take a photo of another of the churches. I'm standing in front of the church when suddenly the small congregation, maybe six people, walk outside. That's when I find out that the Ukranian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Protection not only celebrates mass on Sunday at 9.30 but every other day at 9.00. Still everyone is delighted that I find the church so beautiful. No, they don't speak Ukranian. When there are mostly English speakers the priest delivers mass in some English. The church is more modern than some of the others pictured in my blog having been consecrated in 1969.

Eyes Skyward

2005-06-12T18:41:00.000+10:00

Today I've been continuing my exploration of the many churches in my neighbourhood. I was suprised to discover some I haven't even seen before and how many there were, particularly Orthodox churches. In the 1920s quite a few Russians came to live in the Woollongabba and South Brisbane area.

Touching the Sky

2005-06-12T16:26:00.000+10:00

Lately I've been spending a lot of time looking at the sky. I'm fascinated by the details, the decoration that completes a building. Some of these buildings are churches, but not all. Around West End, South Brisbane and Wolloongabba there are some really interesting examples. I'm thinking about taking more photos of them.

It's been a good day, catching up with friends, talking about some of the programs we've enjoyed on Radio National particularly a Life Matters discussion about class in Australia. Consensus that class is alive and well.

Went out to Stylin' Up at Inala to hear the Elders sing. It was really sunny and everyone was there to have a good day. I've never been before because I thought it was really only for younger people but when I heard the Elders were singing I thought 'fine, I'll go and check it out.' Stylin' Up is an Indigenous Hip Hop and R'n'B music and dance event which has been going for five years now - it's about 'Pride in self, Pride in suburb, Pride in culture.' Anyway it was a pretty deadly day with some great singing and dancing.

Catching a Straddie Wave

2005-05-25T20:20:00.000+10:00

This morning, early I went swimming at Cylinder Beach. The tide was going out and the waves small but the water was so clear and the light bright. In the paperbarks willy wagtails and other birds sing. In my wetsuit I am warm, watching surfers ride the waves.

Stradbroke Island

2005-05-25T20:17:00.000+10:00

Heading to Straddie for work. Big fat full moon shines across the water. I stand outside and let the wind pour over me. We arrive to a great roast dinner and sit and swap stories. W says "I brought vegemite over." We can relax, safe in this knowledge.

Turtles!

2005-05-25T18:42:00.000+10:00

Down in the gorge I see two turtles swimming.

Straddie sunset

2005-05-25T18:28:00.000+10:00

Late afternoon Straddie - sea eagle gliding the air currents, wet suited surfers watching for waves, strangers on the Gorge walk saying warm hellos to each other.

Secataur Security ... another thorny problem

2005-05-17T15:16:00.000+10:00

It's Wednesday night. I toss my bag into the security check at the airport. Come on! I'm in a hurry! Why's the guy holding my bag? He doesn't hand it over to me. And then the look .... suspicious, accusing. What is his problem? Come on, the plane's probably landed and I'm running late.

"Do you normally carry secataurs in your handbag?"

Do I what... Carry ... secataurs?

Secataurs - good sturdy secataurs, perfect for pruning roses. Secataurs that my mother gave me. Secataurs that I'd shoved in my bag on Saturday for the working bee. Still there. Oh, oh.

Secataurs - could I just leave them there perhaps while I dash on upstairs? Pick them up on my way out?

No. No, no, no. I'm out on a limb, branched out, a thorny, wild, weird, secataur carrying woman. Undeniably dangerous. Perverse. (You know the kind - there's a phone number somewhere on a fridge magnet generously provided by our government - ring the number now and report.) No laugh. No smiles here. You don't even think of smiling at a secataur carrying woman.

Hand over those secataurs. Leave them and lose them. Or, run back in the rain, put them in the car and do the dance again.

And so I do. A wild, wet, weird woman wondering about the world. Wishing for more roses, less thorns.

Vesak

2005-05-16T23:16:00.000+10:00

On Saturday I went to the Sri Lankan communities' celebration of Vesak at BEMAC, the Brisbane Multicultural Resource Centre, at Yungaba. The celebration is for the Buddha's birthday, enlightenment and passing into Nirvana. The actual date is linked with the full moon on the 23rd of May.

It was a beautiful evening, clear and bright. Many lanterns, large and small, decorated the grounds. The lantern in the photo is based on a stupa design.

Wave, wave, wave

2005-05-06T21:49:00.000+10:00

If I were a wave I would break on Sydney Sandstone on a hot summer morning, I would bubble there, float into the grooves, spill into small holes, trace the ancient shapes with seaweed.

If I were a wave I'd saunter into Parsley Bay listening to the three and four year olds kicking balls, swinging, swinging, swinging, high ("you're going really high!"), I would listen to the chat of strangers and regulars ("what's it like in? oh, I swim till June - that's when they take the net down - don't swim then, I'd be spending all my time looking behind me").

I'd scoop up the woman in the pink frilly bathing cap, tickle her feet and slide her to the other side ("swim here? oh, four or five times a week"), into the sparkle of sunlight I would go with little fish dashing and darting. Sneak up on the snorkeller so intent - suprise! suprise! ("An octopus,truly!")

If I were a wave I'd go right up, right up, nearly to the park and then I'd go right out, right, right out, where it's deep and green - out, into the harbour. Back and forward. Back and forward. And round and round and round - dreaming of all the places and the people and the sounds.

In the zipzip, roarcrashrush, carcarcarcarcity, sandstone and wave, sandstone and wave. Wave... wave... wave... sandstoned .... waved ...

Strudel Surfing

2005-05-05T23:31:00.000+10:00

Choosing is good. Eating is better. Cherry strudel, apple strudel, poppyseed strudel, hazelnut strudel. And that's only the strudel! Look, it's nearly midnight and my mouth is watering just thinking of it.

This shop has been in Bondi for years. Bondi - yes, that Bondi! Surf, sea, sand - all true. And strudel. Before surfing, after surfing, watching surfing, cappuchino surfing - you've got to catch that strudel wave! Yummmmmm.

Windows

2005-05-02T22:18:00.000+10:00

The station windows are as beautiful as those in a church.

Slow Time

2005-05-02T09:35:00.000+10:00

"Catching a train?" "You can catch a plane and be there in an hour!" True - and I can have McDonalds for breakfast. In Italy they have the 'slow food' movement advocating the value of food cooked and savoured with thought, intention and care. I favour a 'slow transport' movement - noticing and savouring the country we travel through - breathing in a river, autumn morning mist, trees by the track. Synching into the sounds, time becomes only a track across land and we become slow.

Waiting

2005-05-02T08:42:00.000+10:00

At Central Jason waits for his friend to arrive.

Sydney Slideshow

2005-05-01T10:57:00.000+10:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Arrivals

2005-04-30T13:16:00.000+10:00

Central Station Sydney - too early to get our hire car we sit and drink coffee, remembering the old destination and arrivals board now housed in the Powerhouse Museum. I enjoy the architectural details of the station.

Mobile Art

2005-04-30T08:54:00.000+10:00

Just out of Redfern

Strathfield Stop

2005-04-30T08:15:00.000+10:00

Good morning - we're in Strathfield. Travelled through the beautiful Hawkesbury in early morning misty light. On to Central!