AS: Life downunder

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  • RowenRowen Shipmate Posts: 15
    Good morning all.
    Chilly in the Alps this morning but yesterday was warm.
    So was Saturday, but friends and I popped up to Mt Hotham for lunch, and that wasn’t.
    Mt H and Dinner Plain are in my parish. No churches there but interesting pastoral work, and great restaurants.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Stay safe, FD.
  • VulpiorVulpior Shipmate Posts: 5
    Well, last year we had a reasonably major fire go 2km to the north of us. Last week (while we were away on holiday) a burning ute took out 120 hectares including the fences at the west of our property. A close one.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Vulpior wrote: »
    Well, last year we had a reasonably major fire go 2km to the north of us. Last week (while we were away on holiday) a burning ute took out 120 hectares including the fences at the west of our property. A close one.

    A burning ute?
  • VulpiorVulpior Shipmate Posts: 5
    Not very well explained. Apparently someone pulled up on the side of the main(ish) road and got out of the vehicle just before it burst into flames. With the wind, the fire quickly jumped the road and managed to make it down to the railway line.
  • At least it was accidental. We've had several around here, including a declared disaster, as a result of the torching of stolen cars.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    edited March 2018
    Thanks for the explanation. That's really a bit close for comfort. You'd certainly get strong westerlies, nothing to stop them.
  • ZappaZappa Ecclesiantics Host
    MaryLouise wrote: »
    Clocking in from the sun-blasted southern hemisphere, enjoying all the new avatars. Very taken with my Mary Ward.

    Zappa, um, who is your avatar? I feel I should know.

    Probably not. She is apparently according to my family archives a maiden great aunt who dies in the 1930s-ish
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Well, she reminded me of Edith Cavell or a contemporary of Florence Nightingale.

    Nationwide outcry here in South Africa over the listeriosis epidemic traced to processed meat-packing factories. Everyone throwing out polony, ham, salami, vienna sausages accompanied by food-shaming of those who eat cheap cold meats.
  • MaryLouise wrote: »
    Well, she reminded me of Edith Cavell or a contemporary of Florence Nightingale.

    Nationwide outcry here in South Africa over the listeriosis epidemic traced to processed meat-packing factories. Everyone throwing out polony, ham, salami, vienna sausages accompanied by food-shaming of those who eat cheap cold meats.

    Down here it is rockmelons. Only from one supplier but all melons seem to have been tainted in public opinion across the board. Skin only, fruit is OK. I rarely buy but most rockmelons have disappeared from shelves. Three people have died and others are hospitalised.

  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Loth, food safety is becoming more and more of an issue globally. South Africa (like Nigeria and Kenya) imports large quantities of mechanically deboned chicken paste from Brazil, Thailand and the US, and this is thought to be the source of contamination. In 2016, South Africa imported tariff-free American chicken rejected by the FDA for arsenic contamination, and that caused outrage because most of the cheap meat imports are sold in poorer communities where health and safety regulations are lax.

    So far there are 180 dead from listeriosis and more than 900 people hospitalised. Yesterday, upmarket food delis and luxury outlets like Woolworths (very different from UK Woolworths) began pulling products from shelves and now there is a media panic. Of course, rockmelons (like lettuce or salad ingredients) might sound more innocuous compared to extruded meat pastes, but the threat is as dangerous.
  • ZappaZappa Ecclesiantics Host
    MaryLouise wrote: »
    Well, she reminded me of Edith Cavell or a contemporary of Florence Nightingale.

    Apparently the uniform was issued to those providing assistance to returning WW 1 servicemen. I believe she wasn't even a nurse. I only discovered her existence a few weeks ago (though I have faint childhood memories of the occasional whisper about "maiden aunts," apparently designating her and her sister.

    The listeriosis story is horrifying.
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    Indeed. 180 dead! Oh my. :heartbreak: :cry:

    I sit here at work pondering if my contract will be extended past March 31. No word. I'm not as worried as I could (should?) be...mildly concerned is how I'd put it.

    Second-last at trivia last night. Oh well. We consoled ourselves that we were 4 persons and the winning team 15 persons. A fun night though.
  • I have everything I need to get the parish quarterly newsletter/magazine to the secretary for printing next Monday. I've put the first five reports (mostly about pre-Christmas stuff) in; my long-time custom is to drop the photos into the text, at which point the text will slide down, and I rearrange it logically. I've been producing the thing for 12? 15? years, on MacBooks, and the newest one has wonderfully upgraded software. So when I dropped the first photo on to page 2, all the text disappeared, and when I managed to get text and photo both on the page, they wanted to occupy the same space.
    I do not cry; I scream silently. I shall start over after lunch, and if the worst comes to the worst, I'll put all the pictures together on the last four pages.
    This serves me right for insisting on using Mac software; the nearest person who might help uses Windows.
    It does not help that when I am thoroughly rattled my Essential Tremor goes wild, which makes it difficult to edit at the right spot.
    There, I feel better already. I'll finish my lunch, and when the problem's been solved I shall let it be known.
    GG

    GG
  • LothlorienLothlorien Glory
    edited March 2018
    What a lovely, encouraging news item. A NSW parks ranger who describes himself as more of a buddhist than anything has bought a tiny church in Central West diocese of Bathurst. He will keep a patch of native forest in perpetuity and has returned the church to the parishioners who had fought its closure, no rent, no conditions. The diocese sold it to help fund compensation to victims of sexual abuse, although the diocese has been skating on thin ice for a while financially because of some ill thought out actions.

    Black Springs church saved.

    Another article, this from the Herald with some extra takes on the story.
  • What a lovely piece of news, Lothlorien!
  • Yes, I found it very encouraging.
  • Another infrequently posting shipmate successfully transferred.
  • And also welcomed. Hope all is well with you.
  • PatdysPatdys Shipmate
    Just a quick Hello. I read a lot more than I post and I do read this thread regularly. And it is truly delightful to see old and new and new old come aboard.
  • A quick Hello back to you, Patdys. All Shipmates are very welcome, whether they post much or little.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Good to see you both Worm in the Grass and Patdys.

    I outed myself to a packed church today. The church where I worship is Presbyterian (on the liberal end ). After the Minister's reflection (sermon) we have prayers of intercession and thanksgiving for the world, family, ourselves etc and if anyone feels so moved they can come up front and light a candle - I did this today. I hadn't planned to, but it felt like the right time

    I told them that I had lit the candle for thanksgiving. Yesterday was the anniversary of my being raped, and that in the past I had avoided town, spending the day somewhere else (often going to Akaroa the see the dolphins :heart: ) but yesterday I decided to wander through town, visiting The Arts Centre and other favourite, rebuilt or restored places, claiming my city back, and claiming my self back. Some of them I had told in the past, but today felt like the right time to stand up there and speak my truth to everyone.

    It was a powerful thing to do and I am glad I did it.

    Huia - Me Too
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Well done, Huia - you're a brave lady! :heart:
  • Very brave, Huia. It has probably helped you and who knows who wlse has been helped by that. Perhaps not the same experience, but something they have kept quiet for years, perhaps. I hope this brings you a sense of freedom.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    That was an excellent and brave step to take Huia. It may be a real start in your healing.
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    Brave indeed. As Gee D wrote, may it help in the healing.

    :notworthy:
  • God bless you and use you, Huia. And yo patdys, good to see you! (And good to be here to see you - ‘nuff said :wink: )
  • Huia, I wrote a comment and I can't have succeeded in posting it. I wonder where it's gone – it kept saying it was being saved.
    Brave woman; I hope you feel released after bringing out what you had been carrying around.

    I hadn't been outside to check on the houhere/lacebark, but when I was brought home from church this morning (not supposed to drive yet) I saw it – it was covered in snow white blossom, being visited by monarch butterflies, and – extra special – a soft unfamiliar twittering from a family of the tiniest birds, grey warblers/riroriro. I felt specially blessed.

    And may you too feel blessed, Huia.

    GG
  • sabinesabine Shipmate
    Popped in here to see how folks are doing as cyclone Hola approaches and saw Huia's post. Well done, Huia.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Thank you all for the support,

    GG, I do feel blessed, especially by the congregation who take things in their stride and don't make a fuss. Some commented quietly to me, or just caught my eye and smiled afterwards.

    The last song was One More Step Along The Road I Go, which seemed totally appropriate.

    Sabine, there is a severe weather watch for the North and North east coast if the North Island. I have my fingers firmly crossed it will not affect some of the areas that were damaged a few weeks ago. NZ seems to have become the place where tropical cyclones come to die, after wreaking their own havoc.

    Huia
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    A brave move, Huia, and congratulations! And well done too on reclaiming your city back.
  • Finally made it to the new 'ship'. Has taken most of the afternoon to get it sorted.
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    Hurrah!

    I went to my first ever rodeo last night. Gosh it was fun. And showed such skill. Awe inspiring to watch. And I enjoyed a CFA roast beef and gravy roll: yum!
  • Good to support CFA, RFS, SES etc. They put their lives on the line for others.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Those who follow what I've been saying in The Styx will have seen that I am going to take a holiday from the Ship. I may not return. I wish all well. In particular I say that to 4 islanders - Huia, GG and Zappa from across the Tasman and to Bib from Tasmania. All of you have been through a hard time over the last few years but have come through. I've valued your virtual companionship.
  • The door is always open, GeeD for return after a short break or a long holiday.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    GeeD, Thanks for your support.

    I haven't followed The Styx thread, but sometimes a break can be a good idea.

    Remember what Loth said.

    Go Well,

    Huia
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    GeeD: not sure what is going on (I cherry-pick threads) - enjoy your time on shore leave. I do hope you return -- you bring a lot to the Ship, here and on another boards. But understand if it is time to go.


    We had a wellness expo today for staff and students. I got talking to a sexual health expert who delighted in telling me of all the possible diseases she could check for. I didn't tell her my sex life is as dry as a desert.
  • Climacus wrote: »
    my sex life is as dry as a desert

    Would you like this to go in Prayers of the People? :sunglasses:

  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    Haha. :smile:
  • ClarenceClarence Shipmate Posts: 46
    Huia - I am awed by your courage. God bless you.
  • Huia :heart:

    Gee D: I'm very sorry to hear that you won't be here for a while. I hope its a short while. Who will fix my mistaken recollections about Australian law? :)
  • Climacus wrote: »
    my sex life is as dry as a desert

    Would you like this to go in Prayers of the People? :sunglasses:

    I can relate to that!!!!
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Clarence wrote: »
    Huia - I am awed by your courage. God bless you.

    Thanks Clarence - and Simon Toad (haven't yet mastered multiple quotes). I love the congregation of my church.

    Sometime ago we had the reading of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers and I left the church and burst into tears because it had reminded me of a friend who, as a child, was sold to paedophiles by his brother.

    The following week I told his story (with the prior knowledge of the then Minister) and lit a candle for him and all of the other people sold into slavery whose stories don't end as positively as Joseph's. :cry: :votive:

    Huia
  • I have been asked to play for a funeral on Friday at the church I left earlier this year. Could be a bit tense as my partner told the minister a few home truths when we left!
  • Sounds as if he may have offended other musicians too if he has to ask you to play. My good piano player son found himself playing quite a few funerals when he was still at school. He was very good at sight reading and lots of hymns were not usual ones.
  • Lothlorien wrote: »
    Sounds as if he may have offended other musicians too if he has to ask you to play. My good piano player son found himself playing quite a few funerals when he was still at school. He was very good at sight reading and lots of hymns were not usual ones.

    Most of the congregation can't/won't'/don't see or want to know that this fellow is having a lend of them big time!
    It was a Hobson's choice as two of the musicians are away and the other is needed to run the kitchen for 'knees up' afterwards in the absence of the 'kitchen queen' who is also away. I would have attended in any case as the widow is a good friend.
  • Huia, brave woman – I hope this releases you from what you have been carrying with you.
    My day – coming home from church (still not driving myself) I was faced with my lovely autumn flowering Houhere/Lacebark, covered with white blossom, visited by monarch butterflies. And somewhere behind it I could hear the tiniest twittering, and it was a family of teeny-weeny grey warblers, riroriro. What a blessing!
    My church newsletter has gone to be printed: 14 pages of articles, followed by two of Christian World Service news, three of photos that should have been with the stories, and the directory on the back page. I have a couple of months to sort out the problem.
    GG

    Did I never actually post this successfully? About a week ago???
  • aliehsaliehs Shipmate
    Good to be here at last, in the land of the BIG everything. Aren't some of those things hideous? Greetings from Geelong, the should have been capital of Victoria, poised between the sea and the forest, and rapidly becoming a dormitory for the octopus to the northeast.
  • welcome aliehs! I was going to have a crack at Geelong, but I can't think of anything witty. I used to hate going to the Cattery, that's for sure, but haven't been there since my team was abolished in 1996. :cry:
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