Musings: August 2008 Archives

On our mantlepiece two framed photographs stand, the first one of my mother and Aussie Lass and Pink Ukulele. The other includes my mother, and my aunt, D, my Dad's oldest sister. The occasion: my grandmother's 100th birthday, held in Geelong in 1993.

In this snapshot of a moment in time, D's radiant smile lights up her whole face, amd my mum smiled too, as usual, happy to be in the company of her favourite sister-in-law.

This morning, we received a phone call: at 11 yesterday evening, D's brave and loving heart stopped beating at the age of 86. She is mourned by her loving family: 7 children, and many grandchildren and great grand children.

Shared memories of a kindred spirit: love of family, passion for Australian Rules Football, in her case, the Geelong Cats,  a love of reading and chatting and a welcoming home.

Memories of an afternoon on the farm in the Wimmera, when the Cats were playing the Saints, and the game was so close that neither of us could bear to be in the room where the radio was, so to relieve the tension, we walked down to the creek, and talked, sheer enjoyment for both of us. Later on, having mastered the technology of the video recorder, she would record the Cats games, and only watch the close games after she found out the result.

Before the age of the Internet, to read one of her letters to my parents was like hearing her talk, a rapidly written stream of thoughts, which made you feel she was in the room with you. She will be sadly missed by her wide circle of family and friends.

Be still my soul, the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgotten, love's pure joy restored

Be still my soul, when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Catharina AD von Schiegel

Looking for an activity to fill in some time on Saturday, we headed off to Yarraville to the Sun Theatre, to see Persepolis, an animated film, mainly because of the timing of the showing.

I knew virtually nothing of the story, other than it was the story of a young girl in revolutionary and war torn Iran, and the horror of the story told was not diminished in any way by the fact that it was animated. Instead the starkness of the black and white drawings, the humanity of the characterisation shocked me into tears for the terrible waste of lives.

And, then, the realisation that even in what we think of these enlightened times, people can do terrible things to their own compatriots, while we live our lives in ingnorance.

If you get a chance to see it, go...the time is definitely worth it.

Chance remarks can lead to interesting conversations... A phrase in French, referred to in this Blog, leads to new readers. And then I had to explain myself. Two smallish French/ NZ visitors  taught me this new phrase, so the next question? What was it?

Rather than offend you my dear readers, let me just say: in English "Shut up" was once considered a very rude way of telling someone to be quiet. There is a much ruder phrase in French, which I hope never to have a reason to use in "real" life. But, I now could, if I had to.

Reading other people's blogs where they are enjoying holidays in Northern Hemisphere summer weather is making me itchy to go somewhere, even if it is not hot.

I might have to have a weekend in Queensland, that might help, but saving up leave for a holiday in colder climates at Christmas still gets me just a wee bit excited, even four months out...

Well, let me tell you what I am thinking about, as a little does of anticipation just makes the whole experience a better one:

• Buying a crêpe with lemon and sugar from one of the tiny crepe vendors in Paris. (Yes alright, I can buy one that tastes almost exactly the same here, but it's just not Paris)
• Ambling around village streets and markets of France
• Enjoying sharing meals with the family
• Tasting boutique cheeses
• Preparing and eating a fresh baguette with goose or duck rillettes, mâche and tomato
• Practising my improving French language skills
• Catching up with old friends and new

Aaah....roll on December..

A weekend of sporting events, in the main viewed from the comfort of our living room, after a week fighting off a cold virus which was generously passed on to me, with some very satisfying results in tipping- a rare 8/8. An afternoon nap yesterday, then a disappointing showing by the Wallabies in Auckland means that any thought of sending clever SMSs is largely to be avoided..., this weekend, anyway, for the Wallabies only looked good in the first couple of minutes.

Today, the inconsistent Saints have kept their finals hopes alive with a stirring come from behind victory over Port Adelaide.

And finally, making for dinner tonight: an old favourite of mine, smoked cod with a cheese sauce, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. I can just hear Aussie Lass and Pink Ukulele groaning, a throw back to years gone by when smoked cod was a traditional dish on Good Friday. But I also know that Muffin Man and Yaya will sit down to any meal that their mother-in-law cooks in a very appreciative manner...oh, sweet revenge...