Shalom

2005-04-19T15:09:00.000+10:00

I have moved house!

I was heartily tired of BLOGGER's slow loading, time to update and its general temperamental outbursts.

I'm now to be found at

Shalom

Please update any bookmarks so you don't have to return here.

Still very basic, but am settling in.

2005-04-19T15:07:00.000+10:00

King Street in February
It was February. A typical February day in Sydney with the temperature in the early 30s and the humidity about 85 or 90%. The afternoon sea breeze had not yet arrived and possibly never would that day. The air was heavy and hung oppressively on everything. Those who could not escape to air conditioned bliss, or at least the comfort of a fan, were listless, overpowered by the heat and looking forward to March and the hope of some clear autumn days.

Jesus and his friends had spent the morning in the heat down near Tempe. Here the heat was aggravated by the noise of the planes landing and taking off at the nearby airport. The noise was deafening as the planes were often so low that some of them imagined they could see actual faces at the windows. Tired and cranky with the heat, they begged Jesus to let them go some place pleasant where they could relax indoors with a cool drink and some fresh seafood dish. Jesus had finally said yes, and they set off for North Sydney where there would be a variety of places to choose from. After walking along the noisy highway for a while breathing the diesel exhaust fumes from the many trucks, they decided to catch the next bus which came to take them right into the city. The bus was crowded but they piled on, heading to the Quay.

“Move down the back of the bus, pleeez!” yelled the driver. The group looked at Jesus and he nodded. They tried to obey the instructions but found themselves squashed between two students who would not move past the back door steps and the passengers who had just got on the bus. Judas turned, hoping for some more space, but the backpack swinging from his shoulder hit a seated passenger who scowled and then started muttering angrily under his breath. Jesus sighed and tried to look out the window over Peter’s shoulder. He could see some shops, so he pressed the button for the next stop. As the bus stopped, they almost fell out of it onto the footpath. At first, relieved to be out of its stifling atmosphere, they stretched. Then the complaints started. “I’m hungry,” “I’m tired.” “It’s been a long time since breakfast.” James and John started muttering angrily to each other and Jesus thought to himself that whoever had nicknamed them sons of thunder knew what he was talking about. A real thunderstorm would be welcome right now. It might cool things down in more ways than one.

They crossed the road, moving between the stationary bus and several cars. The highway had suddenly turned into King St., Newtown, where quicker progress could be made on foot than in a vehicle. Several eating places could be seen and again the bickering started. “There’s Gloria Jeans,” said one. “I really want Thai,” said another. “North Indian Diner’s up the road a bit,” was another suggestion. “How about African? Look over there!” Judas meanwhile was inspecting the menu pasted in the window of the closest shop. It was obvious they couldn’t afford to eat there. Iced coffee was $3.75 and the cheapest cake was $5.50, let alone a real meal. Multiply that by twelve and it was a tidy sum, more than was in the backpack. He’d forgotten Jesus again, make that thirteen. He muttered in Jesus’ ear.

Jesus called the group together and sent them, disgruntled, to find McDonalds. No one seemed to know that McDonalds had actually left Newtown several years before, unable to make a go of things in this area of greenies and health food freaks. He was tired and he sighed again. It was no easy job shepherding this bunch of guys who had such different backgrounds. Let alone trying to show them who he was.

He moved into the shade of the awning, not seeming to notice that he was outside a pub. Feeling the hint of cooled air coming through the door, he pushed it open, stepped inside, sat down at a table and looked around. It was then he discovered that this was probably not the usual run of the mill pub. At least, not for most of Sydney’s suburbs. Here in Newtown, pretty much anything goes as normal. Two women were kissing at one table and several of the guys at the bar were holding hands. He looked totally out of place in his top, once good quality but in need of a wash, and his dusty shorts which he had worn all week. On his feet were rubber thongs, not designer sandals. They were wearing thin, but Judas, as usual, was being careful with the money and wouldn’t let him buy another pair. Jesus sighed again. Perhaps he could find another pair in the Vinnies he had seen just up the street. It might be worthwhile looking in the bargain shop too. As he was, he was in need of a makeover from something like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

The young guy who had been wiping tables paused as he came past the table where Jesus was sitting. “Pretty hot out there, isn’t it? You look as if you could do with a beer. Want me to get you a nice cold one?”

Jesus contemplated his answer. “You know,” he said, “If you really knew who I am, you’d ask me for a drink for yourself, instead of offering to get me one.”

The young man stared at him. “Can’t see your esky or a bottle in a BYO bag. Having me on, are you, or do you think you’re better than me? I know your type. They cross the road to avoid people like me. Won’t have anything to do with us in case we contaminate them or give them AIDS or something else nasty..”

Jesus said, “Your beers won’t stop either of us from getting thirsty again. What I can give you to drink will be different. It will spring up from inside you, bringing life of eternal dimensions.” The young man was eager to receive this drink. “I’d rather be out of this place,” he said to Jesus, although he did not realise what Jesus actually meant.

“Go and get your partner,” he was told. “I don’t really have a partner,” said the young man. “You’re right,” said Jesus. “You’ve had five before this one, and this one is also only using you.”

“Who are you? A clairvoyant? A prophet? People like me have been around a long time, but you people always say that we have to do things your way, that you are the ones with true spiritual enlightenment.”

“We certainly have the way of enlightenment and fulfilment and I’m telling you that those who are enlightened will know both spirit and truth”

“I do know that all things will be revealed to us,” said the man.

Jesus said, “I am the one who will reveal all to you.”

Just then the rest of the group burst through the doors after their vain search for Maccas. They were surprised to find him in such a place, speaking to such a person, but no one said anything to him.

©2005

2005-03-31T14:37:00.000+10:00

2005-03-28T09:03:00.000+10:00

When a basketball hoop collapsed bringing down part of a heavy brick wall, a 10 year old boy lost both arms and a leg. However,doctors are confident that reattaching the limbs has been a success.

2005-03-27T20:16:00.000+10:00

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

2005-03-27T08:27:00.000+10:00

Journey through the field of life by Adrian Plass. Courtesy of Tractorgirl.

2005-03-25T06:34:00.000+11:00

Good Friday
His be the Victor's name,
Who fought the fight alone;
Triumphant saints no honour claim,
His conquest was their own.

Through weakness and defeat
He won the meed and crown;
Trod all our foes beneath His feet,
In being trodden down.

He Satan's power laid low;
Made sin, sin's reign o'erthew;
Bowed to the grave, destroyed it so,
And death by dying slew.

Bless, bless the Conqueror slain,
Slain in His victory;
Who lived, who died who lives again
In glorious majesty.

S.W.Gandy. (d.1851)

2005-03-17T21:24:00.000+11:00

Here's a handy right click add-on for an image zoom for Firefox. Right click gives zoom in/out, reset and customm zoomoptions. Images only, not text resizing.

2005-03-17T13:39:00.000+11:00

I went last night to an exhibition, cubanos, of photographs of Cuba by an friend, Chris Bray-Cotton. It is on for several days yet at the Tap Gallery,Palmer Street Sydney. Darlinghurst really. Last night was opening night and what a cross section of society. All types of people there. Chris is now a student at Armidale but was a valued member of the Arts Cell group I co-lead till her move north-west.

I would have loved to have bought several of the photographs, studies in light and character. However, even at $200-300, they were beyond my purse. I was glad a lot of peope turned up. She was nervous about the whole thing, but by the end of the evening, several of the works had little red stickers next to them and she felt happier.

2005-03-17T12:43:00.000+11:00

I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever,
by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
his baptism in Jordan river;
his death on cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spic-ed tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom:
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet "Well done" in judgment hour;
the service of the seraphim;
confessors' faith, apostles' word,
the patriarchs' prayers, the prophets' scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven
the glorious sun's life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea,
around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken, to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort
and restore me.
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of
all that love me,
Christ in mouth of
friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Attributed to St Patrick, 377-466

2005-03-14T20:28:00.000+11:00

Did you know that over 1000 Australians are diagnosed every week withAlzheimers disease? This startling statistic was published tonight on the ABC news tonight. Australia's population is aging and this is one aspect of this. Facilities to deal with those suffering from it are very stretched. Possible causes include diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking, although there is much research continuing into this. News coverage showed a room full of elderly people sitting in a circle around the edge of the room. They were playing a form of Follow the Leader and obediently stamped their feet or waved hands in the air at the leader's signal. Some were well groomed, right down to a tie and tweed sportscoat on one man. Others had the scruffy, vacant look of the advanced sufferer.

It is seven years in a couple of days since my father died of Alzheimer's at the age of 80 and I can testify to the cruelty of the disease. It is fatal and although medication can now help if it is diagnosed early enough, it cannot be stopped. My mother is now 85 and "as bright as a button" mentally. However, when he was about 70, Dad began to show signs of what would be Alzheimer's. He was an extremely intelligent man. In pre-computer days, he would regularly do the timetable for a large high school, integrating staff, subjects, rooms and pupils with almost no errors. He was always interested in horticulture and did the trade course recognised through Australia in his spare time, topping the year each time. He had no opportunity to attend Uni as he was an Intelligence Officer in the Army in World War II. He remedied this lack by gaining his degree through part time study after teaching all day.

When the disease first started, it bothered him. He would stare at his garden, willing himself to remember the name of some shrub or tree. He took to wandering at all hours of the day and night, often most inappropriately dressed. Doors had to be kept locked and the keys hidden. He would make coffee by putting the electric kettle on the stove. Obviously the brain still worked but came to the wrong conclusions. He saw friends in the flames of the wood stove and would sit and talk to these, unseen by all but himself.

Eventually my siblings and I were forced to put him in a nursing home to save my mother's health and sanity. I have seen such things as were on the TV tonight. The care was wonderful and the staff did all they could to preserve the dignity and qualityt of life of the patients but I have seen few things more pathetic than seeing Dad sitting in a room arranged much as those in tonight's newscast. Each person had some percussion instrument such as pre-schoolers would play. Maraccas, drums, cymbals. This intelligent man was keeping time to some march music by using a metal triangle with a wooden beater. I cried when I saw this.

As time went on,he was happy,even if we were not. He no longer knew us although he could speak of his childhood. Eventually he was in a wheel chair as Alzheimer's also shortens the tendons behind the knees and stops walking. This for a man who walked up to fifteen kilometres every day for years with his beloved dogs and then some more just for himself. It affects eye muscles so his eyes turned in different directions. In the last few months, he was bedridden. My most touching memeory perhaps, is of his being fed strawberry icecream by a nurse just hours before his death. She fed him with a teaspoon as I feed my baby grandchildren and carefully wiped up the dribbles. In three hours,he was dead.

And 1000 people are being diagnosed every week to a future like this.

2005-03-13T10:33:00.000+11:00

fire still burning
The blaze near me is still burning and the smell fromthe fire woke me several times last night. This is an update from the Sunday papers about it. There are still about 150 firefighters working shifts to contain the blaze in dangerous and difficult conditions. Damage has been estimated at well over $20 million.

Unfortunately, Parramatta Road is one of the main traffic arteries to and from the city and many other suburbs as well. Traffic around our suburb has increased enormously as the road is often closed. Drivers, not knowing the back routes as we do, have been shunted off the main road, and try to find a way around the blockage through some fairly narrow residential streets.

2005-03-12T08:09:00.000+11:00

big blaze

One of Sydney's biggest fires for many years occurred yesterday, although the fire brigade expects that the factory will continue burning all the weekend.

This fire happened barely ten minutes' walk from my home, and the slight valley at the back of my place was filled with appalling smoke for many hours. Brigades were called in from the central Coast, the Illawarra and also the blue Mountains, all of which are at least 80 km away. There were approximately 150 firemen working on the fire and many different appliances. The smoke was appalling and some close to the fire were treated for smoke inhalation of the toxic fumes.

Pictures can be seen here.

2005-03-11T09:27:00.000+11:00

big changes ahead

Read Sanctificarnos Robert speaks of "citizen journalism" and a Christian news agency. He envisions several different sections for this. Read more at Robert's blog,Santificarnos for advance news of some exciting developments ahead.

I was somewhat overwhelmed when I first received an email from Robert, quite a while ago now, inviting me to take part. I was even more overwhelmed when I had a look at the lineup of other contributors. I like the fact that the group represents views from around the world and that we also come from quite different Christian backgrounds. I have been reluctant to join some of the webrings and other groups which are available as they seem to me to represent purely one viewpoint. A holy huddle,if you like, safety in numbers. I've been around long enough to know that I am not threatened by views which may not be identical to mine. I've learnt that I'm not always correct. I've gained so much from reading widely, both academically and in Christian and other blogs.

I am looking forward to seeing how this new venture works out.

2005-03-04T08:54:00.000+11:00

Brag time this morning.

I found this test on spelling and word usage at Fred's this morning.

My score was 100% on each section as well it might be. I'm in the age group which scores well in that test. I was well drilled in both primary and high schools in grammar and loved studying languages. Did Latin, French and German at Uni. Have since learned NT Greek and done a smattering, mostly forgotten, of Hebrew.

What usually lets me down on my blog is my typing. Fingers don't always match my brain.

2005-02-28T20:29:00.000+11:00

I was catching up on some blogs when I found a reference to this test at the Upward Way. It is run by a group called the Worldview weekend.

It supposedly tests whether the one doing the test has a biblical worldview. Nowhere is that view actually defined, although on working through the test it is quite apparent what the correct expected answer should be. Mine did not meet their expectations in many cases. Randy notes that unless a seven day creationist view is held, then the person is labelled a socialist.

The blurb before the test suggests that young and old could benefit by doing the test, then reading some of their materials or attending some courses. The test is redone to see what "improvement" has been made.

Many of the questions are irrelevant to those who are not American citizens. A lot are asked in a "leading question" manner.

I apologise to the residents of Florida. Applicants' states are required so their scores are correlated against others from that state. I must have skewed the results for Florida.

In fact, my worldview has been somewhat dented by the fact that I had to lie to take the test. States are required,but there is no provision for those outside the USA to continue without identifying a state. Perhaps this is a case of situational ethics. I'm only joking of course before some one write me a flaming email about such things.

2005-02-28T15:11:00.000+11:00

Unfortunately, this is a horrible example of what I was talkng about in the post below. It began with the molesting of an underage girl and continued as an adulterous affair for 40 years! This was not something I had to dig up, but was on our national broadcaster today. Part of the story had been hinted at, but this is from the woman's side.

2005-02-25T15:11:00.000+11:00

It was reported in today's Sydney Morning Herald that Archbishop Jensen was prophesying a split in the Anglican communion over the ordination of homosexuals. (I could not find this on their web site.)

I leave aside my own thoughts on ordination. I realise I am in a minority here.

Who then can be ordained? When I look around I see wife beaters, child abusers, liars, adulterers, those who fiddle the books, the power hungry or foul tempered and those who like the rest of us are sinners in one way or another. I have seen reports that it is the ordination of those continuing to practise homosexuality that is wrong. All these other problems do not magically stop on ordination. There have been reports of child molesting clergy whose crimes go back many years and who have continued this disgusting path while carrying out a pastoral role.

I am not here making a judgment of any kind on homosexuality. I have given my views in the past and they are based on other points than the usual verses trotted out by both sides.

No one is perfect. That should rule out all. Why single out one in particular and in many cases sweep the rest under the carpet?

2005-02-22T13:59:00.000+11:00

a rose by any other name...
..would smell as sweet. Or so said the Bard.

This thought has obviously been adopted by our TV stations here. We've just moved out of the summer non-ratings period, so theoretically are in a time of new shows, or at least new episodes of old shows. However, there's a disturbing new trend which has been adopted by all channels, even our national broadcaster.

We no longer have "repeats." We now have "encore" performances. Not just performances, but "encore presentations." These presentations are of nothing fancy, just everyday television programmes. Does the new name reflect the hope that time in storage has somehow changed these from dandelions to roses?

Wouldn't life be better if when we stuff up yet again, we could glorify the mistake by a lovely new name, thus camouflaging that it was indeed a mistake?

Unfortunately, roses are still roses and real stinkers remain real stinkers.

2005-02-20T08:43:00.000+11:00

I know we all face struggles in relationships and in life. I find it difficult to believe that so many of them can coincide in life. I also find it difficult to realise just how much energy they take to deal with, not to mention time as well.

My little grandduaghter faced complications after her tonsillectomy and is just now starting to pick up slightly. This has caused anxiety and also more time spent in babysitting her siblings.

My nephew, whose mother died last year, has been having trouble coping with the transition to secondary school, even though he goes to a private school with a good pastoral care programme. As the one in the family with training and experience in educational matters, who had to offer help?

My sister is having a hard time with a divorce from an extremely abusive husband and the sale of her home as part of the settlement. This has obviously affected her and also my elderly mother who feels slighted by lack of attention from my sister. Relationships!

There's another baby on the way for my one of my sons and his wife. Much anticipated and a great, troublefree pregnancy. That is until last week when she was given a bolt from the blue that she has a precancerous condition. This cannot be dealt with until the baby is a couple of months old, probably around September. There is almost always a good outcome from the treatment, but it certainly was a most unpleasant surprise.

Mix in a week of entirely unexected full time work for me and life has been hectic.

2005-02-15T19:37:00.000+11:00

Perhaps I might be able to catch up with myself later this week. I've picked up some paid work supervising psych. tests for a government department and have more available later in the week. The rest of the next few days wilbe spent babysitting grandchildren. I can go weeks and weeks with alnost nothing on and then I have so much I hardly know what day it is.

2005-02-10T13:05:00.000+11:00

Saga of Cornelia RaU cont'd
There is to be a private enquiry into the holding of her in both prison and in the Baxter Detention Centre. This was announced by Senator Amanda Vanstone, the minister for Immigration, who controls detention centres. She announced it would be a private enquiry to protect the privacy of Cornelia Rau.

I had to listen twice to that bit. This from the minister whose detention centres use surveillance cameras constantly in rooms such as the one where Cornelia Rau was held so that absolutely everything she did was observed as the light is on at night as well as during the day.

I am feeling cynical today. I wonder if just perhaps there might be one or two other reasons Amanda Vanstone wants a private enquiry?

I rather liked Moir's cartoon of yesterday. He's portrayed the senator as a mother hen before and the likeness is amazing.

2005-02-08T15:14:00.000+11:00

The Tattoo's sub-title was "A salute to Australia." As such, there were several versions of Waltzing Mathilda, I still call Australia Home, We are Australian.

It was as the audience was singing the last song that I paid some attention to the words. We speak with one voice.." Not really so. It seems that the governemnt speaks with an entirely different voice to many of the rest of us.

A horrifying story broke this week of a mentally ill woman who was either imprisoned and also shut up in Baxter Detention centre. Her crime? She was mentally ill and spoke with a foreign accent. Therefore she was a danger to all. She had schizophrenia and was also bipolar. She had been reported missing by her family and little effort seems to have been made by the authorities to trace her background.There are conflicting stories about her but many state that her illness was obvious.

Amanda Vanstone, the Minister who has jurisdiction over such matters again demonstrates that she apparently has not one iota of compassion in her. She appears to think that such treatment for ten months is perfectly acceptable. It seems that we do not all speak with one voice. Many of us disagree with her.

Personally I find this a frightening tale. I do not really hold fears for my son, but can see how this could have happened to Cornelia Rau. My son has bipolar himself and sinks into some very deep holes at times. At the same time he is exceptionally intelligent with a far out sense of humour, a born mimic particularly of accents. Put all these things together and have some paranoid person hear him and what happens? As I said,I do not really have fears of the sme thing happening to him,but I can certainly understand what happened.

What is shameful is that it seems that when prison authorities had had enough, it was an easy matter to transfer her to the detention centre. Bad enough for so-called refugees who should never be there.

I am ashamed.

Some sites:
'It's torture, it's sheer torture' - Immigration - www.smh.com.au

Former police chief to head Rau inquiry. 08/02/2005. ABC News Online

Rau inquiry behind closed doors: Vanstone - National - www.smh.com.au (free registration required for this site)

2005-02-08T15:02:00.000+11:00

nostalgia
My son rang lateish yesterday afternon with the offer of a ticket to the
Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Would I like to go? What a silly question. I used to attend the Australian Military Tattoos with my grandmother many years ago, but this one was special. It is only the second time in its history that the Edinburgh Tattoo has left its home city. I'd wanted to go, but ruled it out because of the prices and here he ws with three free tickets, courtesy of his work.

I had a ball. The seats were wonderful. I couldn't quite place them on the box office plan, but they were good ones. View was good and sound was well done with a great mix. I would have liked more pipes and missed Flowers of Scotland but I enjoyed all the performances. I was brought up loving brass bands so thoroughly enjoyed the massed bands. Part way through the performance, I realised how incongruous and inconsistent I was being. Here I was lapping up the pipes which initially were to strike terror into the enemies' minds. I've been fairly vocal around here about my oppposition to the Iraq war and our participation in it. I'm not a pacifist so settled myself with that though.

A good night.

2005-02-05T20:08:00.000+11:00

I've been catching up on various blogs and see some controversies about both groups of blogs and links.

I'm listed at blogs4God but haven't joined other groupings except a group of Australian bloggers, not all Christian.

I have problems with some of the groups which seem to be aimed at raising the profiles of members. This may not be entirely true, just my observation and what I picked up from them. I don't go to these blogs often so won't comment on the motives of the members.

Other groups seem to be something of a closed circle, a retreat into familiarity. My blogroll, which definitely needs updating, covers a wide variety of opinion. I enjoy this and look forward to reading such a variety. It enriches my life and I often find myself challenged by a point of view I would not have even thought about if I had stayed in a small circle. I often disagree with what I read, but usually enjoy reading it. Some blogs I read once and don't go back. Others are bookmarked and become favourites. If I have time,I will pick two or three from the hundreds at blogs4God. Some get nomore than a glance, but I was willing to make that glance to find what they were like.

Besides, where would I go? I attend a particular church but am not an "official" member and would not want to be known as such. Other descriptions could be used and I suppose they are all partly true. I'm much more left of centre both politically and theologically than I have ever been before in my life, certainly more than many realise.

To those forming tight,often church based groups I would advise this. Look up and out. God does not limit truth to any one particular group.

2005-02-05T20:05:00.000+11:00

I've been out at little Tora's several days. She's making slow but steady progress after the operation. Pool little thing has lost quite a bit of weight and her arms ansd legs look like matchsticks.

Prior to operation, her snuffles and snores could be heard outside her room with the door closed. Now she sleeps so quietly that my son had to bend low over her to check she really was breathing.

2005-01-29T14:02:00.000+11:00

things are looking up
Thank you for your prayers. Tora is now making some progress and should be home by evening. Andrew her brother, is much happier now he can see her and can see she still has all her fingerts and toes etc.

2005-01-28T20:00:00.000+11:00

Update on little Tora
My granddaughter, Tora, is spending her second night in hospital after tonsillectomy. Please pray for her and the family. She is back on a drip because she can't keep anything down and is now refusing even liquids and iceblocks. Her mum was there overnight and has been there all day with the 4 month baby sister. Big brother is used to spending time at his cousin's but has picked up on the vibes around and is a very unhappy little boy tonight. His dad has picked him up but he's spent a lot of time crying over the last two days.

2005-01-26T18:27:00.000+11:00

In the wake of the ferry race,Australia Day on Sydney Harbour. Photo from Sydney Morning Herald. (possibly requires free registration)

2005-01-26T16:59:00.000+11:00

Please pray for little Victoria Claire, my granddaughter. She's 2 and is having her tonsils out tomorrow as their size threatens her breathing and eating. They are also causing bad sleep apnoea and she wakes very many times through the night. Prayers for her parents would also be appreciated. This is the first major thing they have had with the children.

2005-01-26T16:44:00.000+11:00

Australia Day,2005
Last year I was all philosophical about this day and made remarks about refugees and our scandalous treatment of them etc. Much more low key today.

Today has been lovely. Middle son,his wife and children came down and we all went down to St John's Anglican Church, Ashfield which ahd a Wine and Food festival in its grounds. A perfect day. Quite hot but a lovely breeze and the stalls were set out under some of the many large trees in the big churchyard.

We wandered around looking but didn't buy much. A tray of huge deep red peaches for $5 and three enormous bunches of celery for $2. Son got me some wine to taste and bought several bottles himself. We spent time debating about the heat of chilli jams etc for two of our sons who love extremely hot chilli flavours. Some rather nice Thai food for lunch.

We looked through the church. Little Andrew loved the stained glass window, totally different from the community church his family attends. DIL was a bit teary. Little Tora has her tonsils out tomorrow and Sam is a bit edgy. One of the graves in the old graveyard had three children from the same family, all under 5. There are many old graves there, old at least for Sydney. I've looked there before, but saw one today dated 1816.

We're heading out soon to have another picnic by the river and to watch the boats returning bedecked with flags from the harbour parade and great ferry race.

A day spent very much as many other Australians would have spent it. Informality, picnics, good company and food and wine, family. And gratitude to be an Australian.

2005-01-20T20:59:00.000+11:00

credit where credit's due II
Good service is not always available so I want to commend two places which gave me prompt and excellent service. I often knit as a means of relaxation. Ozeyarn had goods to me by post within three days of ordering.

Elann,in Vancouver, Canada,had an order picked, packed, posted and delivered to my door in just under five days. Everything present and correct, just as I had ordered.

2005-01-20T20:54:00.000+11:00

credit where credit's due I

I've had a particularly busy few days and next week doesn't look much of an improvement either. However, just a couple of quick posts.

If nothing else, PM John Howard is quick to read the mood of Australians who ahve opened their purse and given them a good shake for the tsunami appeal. Well done on all the various forms of relief set in motion for giving aid, particularly to Indonesia. One billion over five years could well be given with at least the glimmer of a thought of gaining goodwill from it. However, it is needed and at least it was given.

2005-01-12T09:15:00.000+11:00

Money still continues to pourin for tsunami aid. One man in the hot and wet Northern Territory pushed a wheelbarrow hundreds of kilometres and collected $28,000. Members of the Lion and Rotary clubs stood with buckets at a suburban train station in Sydney one morning and raised $13,000. They commented that the average donation given by commuters was $50.

I was thinking over this generous giving. Aussies are like that. Perhaps it's because we live in a harsh land subject to natural disaster. Flood,fire and drought are no strangers to us and there is always a good response to appeals. As if to prove my point, news came of terrible fires in South Australia, helped by temperatures of 40 + ° Celsius and strong, hot, dry winds. At least eight people,including several children , died in the fires yesterday.

2005-01-10T20:41:00.000+11:00

Darren asks for help in a blogathon to raise aid for the tsunami victims. Suggestions as to different ways you might be able to help can be found here. (Note: this second URL is not to Darren's site, but one offering ideas which could be used to help his blogathon)

Later...
Darren has just commented that the second site is where he will actually be conducting the blogathon. Sorry about that.

2005-01-10T17:29:00.000+11:00

cricket tragic
I often enjoy watching cricket, I was educated by a cricket mad grandmother who used to stay up all hours of the night to hear the shortwave broadcasts from England.

However, I have nothing on the nation's #1 cricket tragic, the Prime Minister John Howard. I turned the TV on late this afternoon to see the tsunami appeal game which I had forgotten about. Asia v Rest of World. Who was in the commentary box? John Howard. I suggest that the usual commentators need not fear for their jobs. Stick to your day job,Mr Howard, as much as I would prefer someone else.

There were over 80,000 spectators at the MCG. Tickets sold out in two days and the whole match was organised in not many more days. Sponsors for 4s and 6s and other special combinations were found. I saw $150,000 raised in one over with three sixes hit.

Australians have always responded well to disaster appeals. They have surpassed themselves this time. As I remarked before, our population is really quite small. The commercial channels banded together to put on a concert the other night. Again people responded generously and over $20 million was raised. This takes the total raised by the Australian people to about $200 million.

The government's response has, for once, been generous too. A billion dollars to Indonesia for rebuilding infrastructure and schools. Navy ships, military personnel, field hospitals and more, plus the initial responses are on top of this.

I have not so pleasant thoughts about the appeal finally raised by the headquarters of the denomination I attend. I was notified of it last Friday. Almost a fortnight after the actual event. Better late than never is one thought I had. However, I noticed that when the collection was made at church, few put anything in. Notice had been given and I hope that like us, most had already contributed through other agencies like World Vision, Care Australia, Oxfam and the Red Cross. Some of the congregation is still on holidays, so perhaps more will be given next week.

This collection is intended solely for the denomination's churches in Sri Lanka and India. I think this is fine if it will free up the money intended for thsoe people so others may receive. I'm not sure this is the case. I hope so because I do not particularly like the idea that aid is going to someone purely because they belong to a particular group. I hope I'm wrong in my assessment. Not enough information has been coming out about the fund, even though it was a late starter.
Tuesday The ABC reports that $14.6 million was raised by this charity match. That's a lot of money after all the other donations.

2005-01-07T08:25:00.000+11:00

For my northern Canadian friends!Very early January morning. Looking southeast. By mid-morning, the sky will be an intense blue,much deeper and clearer than the blue you can see through the gum tree.

2005-01-07T08:22:00.000+11:00

Looking north from my back deck where I practically live all summer. Early morning, inner west, Sydney, Australia.

2005-01-06T21:16:00.000+11:00

Now for a little light relief. (Bene, I saw your comment at connexions about my choosing words carefully. Perhaps I could have been a bit more careful in "light relief.")

Link from Phil Baker.

2005-01-06T20:38:00.000+11:00

One billion dollars in aid for Indonesia. That is $50 for every single person here. Our country is large, but in comparison with many others in the region, our population is very small. An initiative I can actually agree with from the federal government. Quite a change.

2005-01-03T14:36:00.000+11:00

There was a time of prayer yesterday at church for the tsunami victims. Some individual private prayer and then a prayer by the leader.

I was horrified as I listened to him. His prayer didn't once mention just aid, or getting aid to where it was needed, or comfort, or protection, or any of the many other things so desperately needed.

He prayed that the churches would seize this opportunity for evangelism while people were upset and wondering what would happen to them. He didn't quite say it aloud, but implied that it was a good time to strike because they were vulnerable.

Surely this is a part of the problem. While few buildings would have withstood the force of the water entirely, many of the areas affected were poverty stricken. Dwellings were for the most part flimsy. There is little or no infrastructure in the areas and few medical facilities. Where was the church and what was being done before the tsunami? Generalisations here, as I do know of some working, but nevertheless mostly true.

For heaven's sake, these are people in desperate need. They are not objects to be grabbed or buttonholed and told what vile sinners they are for God to do this to them. I wondered how this leader would have felt if placed in similar circumstances, if he was used purely as an object.

There has been a tremendous outpouring of gifts from ordinary peopple all over the world. Wonderful,keep it coming. Those affected are going to need much help for a long time to come. They are part of humanity in general, but seem to have become people in particular for many of us.

And I truly hope that if any go there purely to notch up conversions on their belts, that they are denied access.

2004-12-31T22:14:00.000+11:00

Here is an interesting seismic map. Link from BeneDiction.

2004-12-31T22:02:00.000+11:00

The efforts to get relief into devastated areas continues. Australia has contintued to give generously to the relief effort. $60 million has been given by the government and this could rise again. Naval ships, personnel, field hospitals etc in addition to the usual medical supplies, food,shelter, clothing.

Australians have as usual,been generous in their response to this event. It seems a characteristic that we open our wallets easily at such times. The Red Cross has reported that $24 million has been donated to them and other aid agencies also report generous donations. The organisers of the Sydney Festival which runs all January from tonight, are hoping to raise $5 million from those watching tonight's fireworks around the harbour. It was suggested that the fireworks be cancelled but the money has already been spent on organisations and preparations.

2004-12-29T08:07:00.000+11:00

...and still the number of those known to have been killed grows. Just on 60,000 this morning, with bodies still known to be in rubble and water.

Richard yesterday posted about his reactions and thpught. Is this an "act of God?" as such things are known in the insurance industry? How can he cope with the revulsion his mind feels? Read his thoughts.

I urge all those who are able, to consider making as large as possible a donation as they can to some reputable aid agency with a good track record in relief. I was told that the churches should be involved. Where are their funds for such things,I was asked. "What an opportunity for evangelism!" I'm not impressed by that thinking. There may be such spinoffs from aid, but these are fellow people in desperate need and grief. They need practical help. As James says, what is the point of telling someone to be warm and not giving him a warm coat?

When I saw Australia's initial gift of $10 million given several days ago, I was horrified. Nothing more than a drop in the bucket was my remark. It was stated that this was just a start and supplies and personnel and police trained from the Bali bombing in identification have already been sent. Then last night's news announced a gift from the USA. I certainly hope that this is just the start of much more. Only $20 million? A UN official said relief work would cost many billions of dollars. I haven't yet seen any estimate of the impact on the economy of the affcted countries.

Australians are known for their generosity to others in times of disaster. What can you do to help?

Later:Australia has pledged another $25 million and more after that while here the USA has reacted to claims of stinginess in its aid and has offered more. I stillthink it could offer more.

2004-12-28T16:49:00.000+11:00

This story, found on the ABC site, says that both Indonesia and Sri Lanka fear that the death toll in each of these countries could well rise to over 20,000. (Tuesday, January 28, 4:30 pm)

With such devastation I think that it could well be quite a while before a truly accurate account is possible. Whatever the number, it is obvious that an enormous number of people have been killed.

2004-12-28T08:59:00.000+11:00

Photos here of some of the devastation fromthe tsunami catastrophe. As of this Tuesday morning early, it is estimated by the Red Cross that at least 23,700 poeple have diedand over one million have been displaced. Medical goods, blankets, housing, cooking utensils, food, clean water, medical staff and so on are all desperately neded over a wide area.

2004-12-27T20:32:00.000+11:00

As I watched the evening coverage of the tsunami disaster, I found it almost impossible to comprehend the scale and international scope of the destruction. Early warnig systems were mentioned for the Pacific, but none exist for the Indian Ocean. One Uni seismologist said that if such a system saved one life, it would be worth it.

Lord have mercy on us.

2004-12-25T13:54:00.000+11:00

I hope all have a happy Christmas.

I'm looking forward to an easing of some family tensions and stresses in the next few weeks All sorts of things have been happening here, both in my immediate and extended family and I've found it hard to cope. Time of the year has added its own problems too.

2004-12-25T13:53:00.000+11:00

I posted the Longfellow poem after being reminded of it on the Carols from Kings programme the other night. Written in the American Civil War, it still seems appropriate today.

2004-12-24T07:02:00.000+11:00

I Heard The Bells On Christmas D

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

THE ORIGINAL POEM: CHRISTMAS BELLS

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Christmas 1863

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said:
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

2004-12-13T21:45:00.000+11:00

"a queer old bird is the pelican, his beak holds more than his belly can..."

2004-12-13T18:05:00.000+11:00

pandemonium
Sydney has been hit this afternoon with extreme storms, not uncommon at this time of the year.

I just heard an update on their progress across the city. "There has been an accident on the M5 and there is a futility. OOPS fatality. This has caused pandemonium for traffic."

Not a word about the person killed or any expression of even regret. Just pandemonium for traffic.

2004-12-13T15:51:00.000+11:00

My holiday was different to expectations. I can't remember when I last went to a beach resort and didn't go to the beach. I swam once in the salt pool at the villa complex where we stayed. However, almost the entire week had a very strong nor'easter blowing, the type of wind which blows sand to sting the legs. It was cool and often damp. I did come back feeling rested. Early nights, late mornings, a few walks. We went for a lunch cruise around Wallis Lake and saw dolphins in the lake this year.

We also went to Taree about half an hour inland from Forster and from there drove through mountains to Gloucester. A lovely green drive with many old farmhouses to be seen. On the way back, I intended to call in at the only Amish community (scroll down) in Australia at Nabiac, but we got caught up in roadworks and detours and missed the turnoff. A woman from the community told my mother last year that they are not as strict as some Amish communities. They use electricity with no qualms of conscience.

We returned to a very full on weekend for me, so I was glad I'd had a rest. I'm looking forward to next year, as my sister is buyng a house in Forster and accommodation will be easier. Cheaper too, even helping out with money and food.

2004-12-13T08:33:00.000+11:00

Going Jesus has been collecting different, to say the least, Nativity Scenes. Scroll up or down to see other beautiful examples of the genre.

2004-12-04T15:41:00.000+11:00

A week at the beach and I'm looking forward to it. See you all in a week.

2004-12-01T07:24:00.000+11:00

yet another scam
Somehow a Nigerian scam letter slipped under my guard this morning at teh end of a long list of legitimate mail. Think it must have fallen into my inbox as I deleted the last one before it.

All the usual rubbish about death, no next of kin, vast fortunes etc. However there was a another trick which was new to me. This actually gave a link to a list of passengers killed in a plane crash, so I could check for Mr Wooin Shim's decease. No, I didn't follow the link. It looked official with lots of slashes and ending in .html, although I very much doubt its veracity. It made me wonder how many people would actually follow. What was embedded there? A link back to say my addess was live? Or something worse? And how many would be taken in by the whole thing?

2004-11-28T20:13:00.000+11:00

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley, 1744

2004-11-28T19:47:00.000+11:00

bliss!
An old fashioned southerly buster has just ripped through here. Not a fiddly little southerly change, but a good Sydney southerly buster. The temperature has dropped from 35° to 25° in about fifteen minutes. Yesterday was around 34° here and 38° today. Tomorrow between 30°-35° and Tuesday 38°-42°+. Too hot for early summer. It's fairly wild outside still, but I've opened up downstairs to cool down. Windows were already open upstairs and I've opened the fanlights over our door to create some cross draughts too.

2004-11-28T08:30:00.000+11:00

First Sunday in Advent

Read how Steve was taught to walk by his two year old daughter.

2004-11-27T14:42:00.000+11:00

Last night I went to the graduation recital of a young student of Wesley Institute for Ministry and the Arts. Mel will graduate with a degree in Creative Arts(Dance). It's while since I've been to graduation recitals, although I went regularly when I was a theology student. Mel, a member of the Arts cell which I lead with another girl, was very creative in her approach. She not only danced but also choreographed several other pieces. Well done.

2004-11-27T14:35:00.000+11:00

A week I'd rather not repeat has hopefully ended. Final straw was discovering that water had got behind the tiles in the shower and a large patch needs replacing. However, that was more easily dealt with than some of the other stuff which I won't go into here.

2004-11-26T18:28:00.000+11:00

News from the Victorian Police Force:Police officer to wear Muslim headpiece

2004-11-19T07:24:00.000+11:00

I've always been a good speller. I can't really suggest why, except that I've also always been a voracious reader. My husband, on the other hand cannot spell his way out of a paper bag if his life depended on it. He has no idea of phonics.

I was interested in the old fashioned spelling bee, held by the public schools in New South Wales. Four hundred primary students from across the state took part, and any mistake meant elimination. Juniors, probably about nine years old, were asked to spell words such as rhinoceros, meringue, synonym. Seniors, aged eleven or twelve, had euphemism, isosceles, chameleon.

The junior division was won by Katrina Chau from Guildford West Public School and Ishraq Ahmed from Casula Public School won the senior division. I was interested to see that the junior girl who came second, also said that she was always reading.

These results interest me for two reasons. Both schools would come close to qualifying for funding and special programmes as "disadvantaged schools." They may already be classified as such. Have a look at the winners' names. These would suggest that perhaps they come from homes where English is not the only language spoken or even perhaps, not the main language in the home. Ishraq spoke with quite an accent.

Well done to you both!

2004-11-17T09:47:00.000+11:00

Sophie bag felted. Still damp. Pure NZ 8 ply wool, size 6 mm circular needle.

2004-11-17T09:23:00.000+11:00

this is for Karen

I've taken to knitting again this year after a gap of some years. I've done things for the grandchildren and am now into knitting socks which I find has almost a meditative effect. I found a link to this bag, called Sophie, on Karen's blog. She asked me to post a picture of it when finished. Felted now, still damp. Early morning when I took the photo.

2004-11-17T08:34:00.000+11:00

a new twist on money laundering
Beavers in Baton Rouge have woven money thrown into a creek from a casino robbery into their dam wall. The money was not damaged and the casino was pleased to have it returned.

(link to the Herald may require a free login.)

2004-11-17T08:28:00.000+11:00

Vince Graham, the head of RailCorp, believes that skipping stations is a valid way of getting trains to run on time. I can just see the returning commuter settling down for a return trip from work, happy that just for once his train is running on time. What's this? There goes his stop, flashing by as the train maintains its timetable by skipping stations.

2004-11-17T08:25:00.000+11:00

Another sign of the approach of Christmas: the owner of the grocery shop down the street has long retired but every year the shop reopens to sell Christmas trees. It's open now and the footpath past several shops is lined with a double row of potted trees of various types. As Christmas approaches, these will be joined by trees cut from Christmas tree farms. They must sell thousands every year.

2004-11-16T13:35:00.001+11:00

Rabbi Rudy Brasch, 1912-2004
Rabbi Brasch, well known in Sydney as the father of modern liberal Judaism in Australia, died a few days ago. He was well known not only to his congregation but to those of many faiths.

He was a prolific author, 37 books in as many years and was often regarded as an authority on the origin of many customs. However, with a Ph.D in both philosophy and divinity, he also wrote works on philosophy, theology and Jewish life and history.

Here's a quote which while he was applying it to Judaism, could well be something to think about for many of us, including myself:
Ritual only has meaning if it enriches, if it is the means to an end. There is a danger that ritual becomes an emd in itself, producing emphasis on the superficial.

2004-11-16T13:35:00.000+11:00

Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat...
I don't think too many geese are eaten for Christmas down here, more like enormous quantities of fresh seafood, but Christmas is certainly coming.

Signs of the times?

Santa Claus is arriving in stores across the city. Christmas decorations have been for sale for weeks. Don't forget the spray packed snow for our hot Christmas Day!

The local primary school children go past my house several times a day on tehir way to a swimming class at the nearby pool. Those are days I recall without any desire to return. Trying to keep teenagers interested in lessons after exams had finished and the beach was calling loudly was a hard job.

We bought our first box of mangos for this season a few days ago. A sure sign of summer.

2004-11-14T19:51:00.000+11:00

Two hundred years ago today, Matthew Flinders released a map of Australia, drawn in prison on Mauritius as a result of his circumnavigating Australia.

This map has two distinctives. It shows Bass Strait between Vicotria and Tasmania, ths establishing Tasmania as an island.

While it mentions the words by which the continent was generally known, terra australis, it also uses for the first time the name Australia which became the name of the great south land.

2004-11-11T15:44:00.000+11:00

We will remember them.

2004-11-11T15:37:00.000+11:00

remembrance day

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we will remember them.

2004-11-10T14:46:00.000+11:00

The suburban rail system in Sydney is in very bad shape. Rolling stock is fairly aged and replacement carriages have been prone to regular breakdowns. There has been fairly constant friction between the government and the rail unions who are annoyed that frustrated commuters are taking out that frustration on rail staff. They are threatening a rail strike. So what's new? It's nearly Christmas and the silly season has started. We've already had a plane strike threatened. Now there's postal deliveries, petrol and beer left, and that completes the usual Christmas shenanigans.

I really think that if the public knew more about the matter, we would find that both government and union have justifiable gripes and complaints.

However,it is the public who are suffering. One day last week, not one train in either peak hour period ran to time. Many were cancelled. Run to time? The latest Minister has introduced a 10 minute leeway period. If the train arrives within 10 minutes of scheduled time,it is counted as on time. Of course,that presupposes that it could also be up to 10 minutes early, but that's pushing things somewhat. The Government has accused the union of running a co-ordinated campaign of mass sick days for drivers to make things worse. In turn, the government has been accused of union bashing, something no Labor government wants to be accused of. Some months ago, one in every three weekend services was cancelled to free up more drivers for weekday driving. Even now, when I wait to change trains at Strathfield, there are constant announcements that "the train is cancelled for today only. CityRail regrets any inconvenience." Michael Costa, the Minister says there will be no improvement till new timetables are introduced next September. We have not long had a new time table which was supposed to fix all problems.

There was a huge outcry about this and Bob Carr, the Labor Premier, tried to smooth things over. He has offered the drivers a pay increase of 12% over the next three years and, get this...a one off payment of between $1200-1500 for each driver. They will receive this, only if they don't strike. Peer pressure at work? I heard him call it an incentive. An incentive? I don't think so. I would call it something stronger, something like "a bribe."

Unfortunately, it seems that the railways are only a symptom of fairly widespread neglect by the government which was boasting a large surplus last year and applauding itself for sound financial management. Sydney's major dam was built to withstand an eight year drought. That is still quoted, but the figures stem from a time when our population was much smaller. Average house blocks were about 1/4 acre. Now we have many more people crammedinto much the same area, with town houses and units. Single houses now sit on blocks little larger than the house itself and in some sub-divisions, it seems as if neighbouring houses almost have touching eaves.

Transport and roads have suffered under this increase, as have health services, education and utilities. Today's paper reports that some Labor MPs are worried they will lose their seats in the next election unless these matters are addressed. I think that is fairly minor. What is important is that the issues are addressed and by more than an "inquiry" into the matter.

2004-11-08T10:17:00.000+11:00

I haven't done a Sunday Brunch for a while but this one appealed.

1) What is your favorite vegetable and your favorite fruit?
We have such a vast range available down here that I find it difficult to answer this. How about tiny tomatoes picked straight from the bush on a warm sunny day, or beans or peas, freshly picked, or a ripe juicy mango after a day at the beach or..., or...?

2) How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat a day?
Recommended servings here are at least 5 (2 1/2 cups) of vegetables and two serves of fruit. I have at least that every day. Probably more like 8 serves of vegetables and 3-4 of fruit. I almost always have a salad at lunch with somedressing made from macadamia oil and balsamic vinegar and some form of protein and lots of veges with my dinner. It's quite easy to have that many serves. Curried vegetables and chickpeas and lentils..yumm! Asian stirfry so the vegetables are still very crisp, flavoured with tamari, ginger, garlic and drizzled with a tiny bit of fragrant sesame oil. Lots of baked vegetables with roast meat. Pumpkin soup. Parsnip bread. Pumpkin pizza with tomato and bacon salsa. Potato pizza with rosemary, garlic and olive oil. Or asparagus, steamed or perhaps baked with a little olive oil for 10-15 minutes. Vegetables are just so versatile.

3) Did your parents force you to eat vegetables when you were younger?
I was never forced to eat anything in particular as a child. There are a few things I really don't like, but I enjoy a large variety of food. I was the same as a parent. I liked my boys to taste new foods but didn't force them. They are all good, adventurous cooks now. I can remember one boy at the age of five astounding visitors by declaring that his favourite food "in the whole world" was broccoli from his grandfather's garden.

4) What vegetable can you absolutely just not get down, no matter what
you are bribed with?
Nothing. I'm not a vegetarian. I do eat meat but not a lot and certainly not every day, although I love seafood. There's definitely nothing available in the shops or the farmers' markets, (of which we have lots) that I don't eat.

5) What is your favorite way to eat fruit?
How about fresh fruit or tinned apricots in winter on my bircher muesli with a dollop of homemade yoghurt? Or fruit salad? Or wonderful, juicy muscatel grapes full of rich, sweet juice? And don't get me started on tropical fruit so readily available here in summer...stone fruit, mangos,pawpaw, rock melon, honeydews (cantelope), or watermelon. Or strawberries , plain or with some form of liqueur, or melted chocolate? Or juicy peaches? Perhaps peaches grilled on the BBQ? Fruit salad anyone?

I'll have to stop this. I've just had breakfast as it's Monday morning here. I'm not really hungry but am thinking of food. Perhaps another banana.

2004-11-06T21:20:00.000+11:00

I haven't had much trouble with BLOGGER for a while,but yesterday and today it has been most unco-operative.

2004-11-06T20:52:00.000+11:00

A Supreme Court judge, formerly an Attorney General, has decided to surrender a blood sample to police. This is the sample he chose from two taken after he had an accident three weeks ago outside his home. Such samples are mandatory here for drivers involved in accidents.

He did not have to hand the sample over, but there has been a huge public outcry about this incident. The sample taken at the hospital was placed, according to doctors, in the special receptacle which can be opened only by police. When the box was opened, all other samples were there, but Judge Shaw's was not. It seems to have vanished into thin air. An enquiry into this disappearance has been launched by the Police Integrity Commission. Strangely, the news of this was not made public until just a few minutes before the Melbourne Cup,the horse race which stops a nation. It was swallowed up in cup frenzy.

Judge Shaw is now on sick leave and under treatment for a "medical condition" which seems to strike mostly politicians and sportsmen.* He has announced he will face the music. I think there ws no other course really open to him to maintain the integrity of both himself and the court and any future judgments he may make. I'm more concerned in discovering how the police sample vanished, who took it and under whose authority and where it went to.

* By quoting what others have called this, I'm not trying to downplay anything, nor the fact that alcoholism is indeed a medical condition. However, there have been several cases lately where this term has been used as an excuse for drunkenness.

2004-11-05T10:19:00.000+11:00

I found this post from Riverbend at Baghdad Burning very moving.

2004-10-26T20:06:00.000+10:00

Ganns has announced the winners of his SuperBlessed Blog Awards 2004. Congratulations to all the winners!

2004-10-26T19:59:00.000+10:00

OOOOPS! Red faces all round

An expensive yacht on charter today lost its keel when it collided with the sea wall just outside the Sydney Opera House. Needless to say the yacht had the worst of the collision and many on board went overboard.

2004-10-24T15:37:00.001+10:00

Ganns has again announced his list of nominees for his Christian blog awards 2004. There are many fine blogs on his list and you'll have a good time exploring those he has mentioned.

Take some time to admire the delightful gentleman with the red tie in the sidebar photo,and I don't mean Ganns! He's gorgeous.

Thanks for the nomination.

2004-10-24T15:37:00.000+10:00

Voting patterns
Phil at signposts has been wondering why Christians vote as they do and has invited discussion on the topic. Not many have responded as yet, but they were interesting.

I have found my own political (and theological) opinions changing, particularly over the past few years. Phil wonders why "conservative" Christians basically vote for the Liberal party in Australian elections, much as many of the American Christian blogs push for a Republican vote. Don't be misled. The Liberal Party is the traditionally more conservative of our major parties here, despite the name.

I grew up in an upper middle-class environment where voting for the Liberals was a foregone conclusion. I don't think that religion of any form had much to do with it as I grew up and in my early times to vote. I married into an extremely conservative movement where some members would not vote, as they did not believe in taking part in "worldly" affairs. Neither would they belong to trade unions etc. Voting there was never discussed but was again basically an accepted vote for the Liberals.

When we moved out of there,I was amazed to find that some new Christian friends actually voted for the Labor Party and believed they were quite correct to do so. This began to rock the boat I had been travelling in. It had been fairly smooth sailing to that point. It was at this time that I began studying again and gained a Dip.Min.(Hons) and a B.Th(Hons) and while I am not actively enrolled in any further study, I still read widely and hope to start a doctorate. I discovered how much I enjoyed reading the scholarship of those who would have been called liberals (small "l") and heretics by the group I attended previously. I also enjoyed studying Greek again and began to delight in exegesis and finely tuned academic arguments and reasoning. My thinking and the reasons for my beliefs were being challenged.

I suppose all this began to have an impact on my outlook on life as well as my political thinking. Issues of social responsibilty and care for the environment loomed large. Phil has discussed in his post about lies told, the dreadful treatment of refugees, the slavish following of America into Iraq, the misleading of the Australian public by the parrotting of flawed intelligence reports. These matters and others over the years have led me to a point where I cannot vote Liberal.

I found myself in a difficult position. Labor and Liberal are in many matters here almost identical. However, to vote Labor would be going against a lifetime of voting otherwise. As Phil says, he didn't like Latham and neither do I. I would mre happile vote Labor if Beazley were still the leader. No way would I vote for either Fred Nile's Christian Democrats. They stand for all I have moved away from. I had no respect for the latest Christian Party, Family First, who seemed to call themselves Christian to christians and just conservatives to those outside the church group which supported them. Seems two-timimg to me.

In the end,I voted Labor,much to my husband's fury and disgust. This was not so much a vote for Labor as a vote against mealy-mouthed John Howard. I don'tknow how I'll vote in the future, but I will certainly be examining the performance of this present Liberal government closely. Much will need to change before I vote Liberal again.

2004-10-21T14:38:00.000+10:00

It's amazing how one thing triggers another. After reading about BeneDiction's gift of a book I found myself today in Dymock's bookshop in our local large shopping centre. I don't normally go there, as usually I can never find what I'm looking for. However, I had a lovely timein the childrens section. I spent a lot of money but have bought good books for the grandchildren's presents for Christmas. I was always pleased to get books and my sons were the same and feel the same about presents for their children too.

For Miss four, a bright little button, I bought Possum Magic by Mem Fox, a children's classic here. Mem Fox is very involved in teaching children to read and actively promotes reading to them from a very early age. Her Dad has done this. I rang him to see what other Australian classics she had. Finally I also bought a hardcover edition with original illustrations of The Wind in the Willows.

For her cousin Andrew, who is almost six, I found an omnibus edition of all three books of The Magic Faraway Tree series. I read this to myself when I was only a bit older than he is now. In fact it was the only Enid Blyton I read. I was given the run of the many bookcases in our home at an early age and told I could read anything except two particular books. I found in my late teens that Dad had been right. I didn't enjoy tales of Mau Mau uprisings. When my mates were reading Secret Seven books, I was enjoying much more advanced fare. My teacher in second class (7-8 years old) lent me the Anne series, one per week because I was bored to tears with the offerings the rest of the class had. I then went through the rest of her childhood books and from there went to Australian classics. However, I'm looking forward to sharing the adventures of Moonface with Andrew.

I also found a new book which I'm sure will touch his sense of humour. It's called Grannysaurus Rex by Tony Wilson, a broadcaster with the ABC. Andrew is crazy about dinosaurs, and I think a story about a grandma who turned into one will amuse him.

A couple of soft books,accompanied by toys for Andrew's sister, Tora, who is just two and a couple of rag books for little Morgan, three weeks old completed my purchases. I love buying things for the children, but they have so much these days that I usually save up and get something more for an occasion. Books are such a resource for them. Andrew loves to have me read to him and also likes reading to meas well.

2004-10-21T09:08:00.000+10:00

Benediction tells the story of the convoluted travels of a book, which was a gift from RealLivePreacher. The book was sent to Bene via Darryl at DashHouse.com.

Poor Darryll faced a dilemma, one I can understand easily. I'm a reader and devour most things which come my way. That's why I enjoyed my job as a bookshop manager. I had access to many books and was expected to know something about them so I could answer customer enquiries. I grew skilled at being able to read a new book and leave it looking still untouched. I regularly buy books as gifts for several people I know and always read them first. Perhaps they may not like them. How would I know if I didn't read it first? Sometimes I have kept the book for myself and bought more as the gift.

So I can understand the temptation Darryl felt as the package sat in his home before forwarding. There sat a book, just waiting to be read. He didn't succumb. Bene has solved the problem and in solving it, has returned RLP's grace in the original gift and a second person will benefit.

Later... BeneDiction comments that RLP has sent Darryl an autographed copy,allowing BeneDiction to keep the original gift. Still a gracious act. (see comments)

2004-10-14T13:59:00.000+10:00

In a post by Phil at signposts, about the electionresults, I commented on much the same lines as my post below on them. I remarked that the hip pocket overruled justice and compassion. I was picked up on this and asked whether the Labor Party would have acted with justice and compassion. Who knows? But certainly the Liberal Party government has shown on many occasions that these words are far from their understanding.

2004-10-12T15:05:00.000+10:00

I realise that I am probably coming from a totally different perspective to that of the writer of this blog, but I really wonder how the marriage of Tiger Woods fits into "current events that point to the Second coming."

2004-10-10T15:55:00.000+10:00

John Howard has been returned for a record fourth term as Prime Minister of Australia. I find this disappointing but understandable. Things are prospering for most people here. However I am saddened that it seems to me that the hip pocket has triumphed over truth and justice for all especially the disadvantaged, over compassion and the injunction to take care of the homeless.

2004-10-10T15:53:00.000+10:00

Have look at the cartoon over at Mike's Tasmanian journal.

2004-10-08T06:17:00.000+10:00

True but sad. Found at Richard's.

2004-10-07T13:39:00.000+10:00

While waiting for my coffee in the café mentioned in the post below, I picked up this mornngs copy of the Sydney Daily Telegraph. This is not a paper I would normally read but was all that was available. On the letters page are two articles, for and against some particular news item. This morning's was on the turning down by the Australian Anglican Synod of a proposal to have women bishops. The against side was written by Peter Jensen, Sydney's Anglican Archbishop,and said exactly what anyone who knows him would expect. Rev Dr Elizabeth Smith of Bentleigh Anglican church in Victoria, wrote an opposing piece.

Sometimes I feel that the proponents of women's ordination shoot themselves in the foot. I know this piece was written for a popular newspaper,not a scholarly journal, but it was very bland and basically said nothing. There is so much that could be said using a hermeneutic derived from some decent exegesis and research.

Here's the Curate's views of the matter.

2004-10-07T13:32:00.000+10:00

I was in Newtown this morning, having coffee in a café not far from Moore College. I was surprised to see that people at at least three of the tables were praying. One group was multicultural, a westerner, an African and a Korean, all older men praying together. The other two tables were groups of young men and I think they were probably Moore students. There's a generalisation if ever there was one! Praying in such places? that's a bit of a turnaround for Newtown which wouldliketo class itself as a haven for alternative cultures.

2004-10-06T14:10:00.000+10:00

Irene speaks of the Chinese custom of naming family with the same middle name and how this makes recognition of relatives easy when the name is known. I thought of the contrast here in Australia. when my sons were born, we decided against using family names. My own son, when talking about names just before this latest child was born a week ago said the same thing

This was not because we were trying to distance ourselves fromteh family. Not at all, I'm very much into "family." However, we and my son did not wish to saddle our children with names which are quite outdated today. The names were not something which had particular significance as a family name to either side of the family. How many little boys are there today in Australia who would willingly own up to Reginald or Albert or Ernest or several others of the same type?

2004-10-06T13:46:00.000+10:00

more on the Family First Party
Here's another post on the Family First Party which has arisen from withingn the AOG denomination. The author acknowledges that he has been a bit confrontational in the manner in which he has posted. Perhaps he could have worded thngs differently. However,I know from just listening around the place that many others feel much the same way about this party. What they are doing does not attract kind comments. It could be argued that these comments are just a typical reaction because the party is Christian based and any similar party would attract the same. I don't think this is the case. I think people see this party as doing deals to benefit them, yet at the same time trying to hide their origins. I've already mentioned them a few days ago.

Note: FBT, mentioned in the interview cited in the article is Fringe Benefits Tax. This is a tax on business lunches, air flights, cars and other lurks and perks available through business arrangements. Many churches had arrangements with the Tax Office about the payment of ministers' salaries and stipends and how tax ould be minimised to the church and minister. I amnot aware of the current regulations concerning these things.

2004-10-06T13:30:00.000+10:00

blogging hits the news here
DogfightatBankstown, an Aussie blog registered with blogs4God, gets a mention in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald. He makes a comment about another blog being boring and out of date. The article suggests that there is something of the internet's original spirit lurking in the half-hidden world of blogging. This spirit, according to Brigid Delaney, the author of the article emphasises the exchange of ideas, not credit card numbers on the net. The multiplication of blogs is compared to the division of cells, creating countless microcommunities based around political or cultural voices. Conflict is essential to healthy blogging and blogs are not a secret society.

The article points to such things as video blogging, narrowing the gap between blogging and braodcasting. One blogger suggests this will lead to do it yourself entertainment with people creating videos for their own niche community.

2004-10-05T14:45:00.000+10:00

the PM's blog
Our Prime Minister has a blog. I've been reading it for a long time. It says it's his blog, but just something about it makes me hesitate to give it full credibility.

Actually, if I believed it was his own personal blog, then I would be gullible enough to swallow any of the pork-barrelling promises of extra funding that are being thrown at the electorate in this last week of the election campaign. I might even believe that asylum seekers threw their children overboard or that detaining children in refugee camps with almost no opportunity for education or socialising with other children is the right thing to do? Who knows how dangerous such children could be if let loose?

Money is being tossed around by both major parties as if it just had to be plucked from trees. As one cartoon said, "How come all the disadvantaged live in marginal electorates?" Money for roads, new unis, hospitals, aged care or whatever you want. I've seen many question where this is coming from. The parties assure us all their promises are costed. This has led to queries as to why we haven't had all these goodies before the election.

Oh well,back to John's blog. At least it's funnier than his speeches.

2004-10-03T16:01:00.000+10:00

footy finals
It's been a lovely quiet weekend here. My husband has been at a conference since early Friday morning and won't be back till late tonight. I'll probably have to deal with the odd ideas from that next week, but I've enjoyed my time to myself.

Grand Final weekend and I might even watch the big game tonight. It's National Rugby League, NRL, and I don't usually watch much League,let alone the game they play down south, Aussie Rules. If I'm going to watch a bit of biff, I'd rather watch some BIFF and tune into Union. However nothing's on. Talking about biff...Last week in the final,one player stiffarmed another across the jaw,nearly knocking himout and dislocating a few teeth.

He was called before the judiciary and the papers were full of his chances of "getting off" the charge. I was pleased when the judiciary would have none of that. He was suspended for three matches and will now miss the grand final. He is loudly lamenting this and complaining that the rules should be changed. After all, everyone knows a grand final is worth ten other games. Not only that, but his skipper is retiring after a long,illustrious League career. He wants to be on the field for him. Perhaps he should have thought of these things last week. The player he hit was looking the other way and didn't even see it coming.

later...I turned the television on to find that the team my son supports had come from behind in the second half to win. The announcer was highly excited. I was just in time to hear him scream,"and the celebrations are just starting to begin!"

2004-10-02T11:40:00.000+10:00

a brave post

Some years ago I was in a large Assembly of God church when several people were asked to stand. They were candidates in the coming election for the Festival of light which has since evolved into the Christian Democrat party. They were commended for their actions, prayed for and the congregation was asked to support them both financially and on polling day at the booths. Of course all present would vote for them too. This assumption was never questioned. It certainly wasn't true of everyone there. I had no intention of acting that way. I was horrified. I'd read of such actions in churches in books such as the Don Camillo series, set in rural Italy in the mid twentieth century. I did not believe that a church service was the place for politics, nor should a pastor be basically dictating how his congregation should vote.

Another political party has risen from members of the same denomination. I have been suspicious of this group since I first heard of it.It claims no relationship with the church. However,many of the candidates are from that group.

I'm not the only one suspicious. Here's a well researched series of posts from a member of the church where this seems to have started. He puts forward a good case that there is a definite relationship.

I think he has acted bravely and I hope he does not suffer for what he has done. I have seen what can happen both openly and under cover when authority in such churches is questioned. (Link from signposts)

2004-10-02T08:00:00.000+10:00

Police in Australia are claiming that they have smashed a child pornography ring. About two hundred people have been arrested and police suggest that there may be hundreds more still to be arrested over the next few months. This morning it has been announced that four of those arrested have committed suicide.

It seems that buying and distribution of pornographic images of children from the net was a large part of the ring. However,there were also other criminal actions involved. The press has mentioned an Anglican priest and a Catholic priest from other states. Several teachers have apparently been involved. One man,arrested and held in custody, was accused of using a two way mirror and a camera to film girls changing at a Christian school. He was both a teacher and a pastor.

Police are concerned that some of the computers involved may have been sold to people who unknowingly now have hard drives with this material on them.

I have known two at least men who were involved in this sort of crime. The first was some years ago. This man used to regularly visit our house for lunch after church on Sunday. He never said anything about it, but his presence made me feel creepy and soiled in some way. He was a Christian who was also an alcoholic and was regularly drunk. He was prepared to weep volumes of what were really remorseful,not repentant tears. He was weeping becuae he had been exposed. He wasn't prepared to do anything about the alcoholism or paedophilia.

The second was a person whom I knew fairly well and liked. He too was often in my home and I did not suspect anything at all. He has just been released from a fairly lengthy gaol term and has to report regularly to police and to stay away fromschools etc. He also has to tell the leadership of any church he attends of his conviction. He considers this hard. To him, he was hard done by. This time at least he says, he did nothing physical. So what was the crime? He supplied money for procurement of both pictures and innocent victims. He can't see that this is the equivalent of the actual crime.

People I knew and were close to, heard rumours of this man's activities and leanings but did nothing because they wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. I find this shocking and can hardly believe it. As a teacher I was legally obliged to report even suspicions of abuse. This also applies to any work I do with students. Pastors and ministers are under the same obligation too. I'm not ordained but understand the need for this obligation.

I would like to think that the breaking of this ring will see the end of such things. That would be an idealistic view,but scarcely the true view. It will start again somewhere else. That's the nature of sin.

2004-10-02T07:58:00.000+10:00

The road was actually completely blocked ,but was cleared by the SES in the rain at 10:00 pm.

2004-10-02T07:57:00.000+10:00

Ouch! What a weight on my shoulders.