By Sankey
I was told many years ago by our neighbour how impressed she was that my Mum and Dad were affectionate with each other.
I was so pleased to hear this and still am. The reason is, I am an affectionate person myself. I was looking for a life partner (wife if you don't mind) that was also affectionate.
God gave me the desire of my heart in my precious wife Louise. I do believe there is some kind of Energy in Affection. I know she and I experience that energy ourselves regularly. It helps us get through many of the sorrows and stresses of the day that surround us.
Sad thing is; she had to wait 25 years to get that real affection. Not talking about things that happen between husbands and wives privately. Talking about real affection in HUGS and so on, that should be acceptable in public.
Some people have come from an era where "children should be seen and not heard". I do believe this is probably the same era that taught it was not proper to show real affection even for your own children. For example, I remember recently when Louise's Niece, about 10 years old at the time, tried to give her Grandmother a hug.
You should have seen Louise's Mum's resistance to the affection offered from HER VERY OWN GRANDDAUGHTER. We are lucky when Louise's parents come visiting to get a "kiss Hullo" and when a hug has been attempted in the past it has been strongly resisted.
Is this resistance due to some inappropriate affection or behaviour foisted on the particular person in days gone by? Maybe in the odd case, yes but mostly I believe it is this old school thing of not being proper to show affection even in the privacy of your home!
I guess going along with this is another subject...being allowed to cry.
I believe if more people cried some times there would be less nervous breakdowns.
Perhaps the same applies to a good hug every now and then.
I do love Christian Hugs between Bros and Sisters in the Lord. Nothing pleases me more than seeing young girls at church giving each other a hug.
I guess we don't know just how much a hug does for some people.
As I close out here, DADS DON'T FORGET TO BE AFFECTIONATE WITH YOUR SONS!
I love it when I see a dad giving his son/s a kiss.
I believe that if we don't give our kids affection at home...and I mean boys and girls, Dads ok....they will go looking some place else..Maybe to their peril..in a wrong place.
| Author Notes | I possibly included some of this in my autobiography but I felt like it wouldn't hurt to put it out there as a stand alone Essay. |
By Sankey
I love my honeybun,
She's always lots of fun,
And she's the only one
For me.
We drive each other nuts,
There are no ifs or buts,
And she's the only one
For me.
I miss her when she's gone,
It's her I depend on,
'Cos she's the only one
For me.
| Author Notes |
An old poem I wrote ages ago. Brand new verse added seeing my sweetheart was in hospital from early May till July 2017. Music now fixed (with a little delay after verse 2)for it. Finally getting them in print. Tune is now on in MP3; click on the link at top of page and wait a sec or two for it to start.
The photo is of us in Old Fashioned get up at Australiana Village in Wilberforce NSW, taken a year after we married. |
By Sankey
My Bug loves a Hug,
From her great big Lug,
Yes she does, she surely does.
We always help each other
With kisses, hugs we smother
For us there is no other,
Than we two.
| Author Notes |
Might have to wait a few secs for music to start. Bug refers to my wife, Lug refers to myself. Hug needs no explanation, I reckon.
Photo is a Smiley Longarm hug, that sadly does not work properly on here as a 'gif' file should. |
By Sankey
1.Be a little bit diff'rent
And no one talks to you.
Be handicapped no kids -
you've really got a problem
Don't try to be friendly
Just wait till you're told
to shake hands
Then when no one comes near you
Just understand.
2.Be a little bit diff'rent
Don't try to get in first
Just wait till someone's chatting
Then go and interrupt them
You're much too important
You just can't wait your turn
Coz someone'll get in 'fore' you
One day you'll learn.
3.Be a little bit diff'rent
And get to church on time
Don't worry if the only ones there
are the organist and preacher
There may be another who's
really counting on you.
So be a good disciple
In all you do.
| Author Notes | This was written quite a few years ago and set to an old Toyota Lexcen (Australia in the 90's) jingle. I have actually pinched the first 3 words of the song for each verse. I did check with Toyota but they were unable to locate any record of the 'jingle.' Wait for the Intro at the beginning. I have recently updated this to an MP3 file with the three verses in music. Click on the second link. |
By Sankey
Here comes the crutches
Clicking down the hall
Here comes the Missuss,
I didn't hear her call.
The power wheelchair has
Come sneaking down the hall
It's all so very quiet, as
She never calls at all!
| Author Notes | For years and years in my wife's more independent days, she got around the house on her crutches. Now with some deterioration in mobility, she gets around in her Power Wheelchair instead. The picture was taken in 2006 while we were having renovations done to convert the third bedroom into an Ensuite bathroom off the Main, for Louise. Hence the open door header above her. This is no longer part of a Contest and a lot more has happened since this time Read the last five chapters of my Little Dog Book.. |
By Sankey
Do you seek to bring
Some joy to a childless heart?
Or are you just too clingy
To for some minutes part.
From your precious bundle
Are you afraid that they
Might take your precious bundle
And swiftly run away?
There are so many loving arms
Waiting for that such short bliss
A cuddle of your precious bundle
And maybe a short kiss.
�©G.C.Moore 2014
| Author Notes | I wrote this for my wife. She did not want me to post it on here but then, here goes. Photo is a doting Uncle (me) with his recently born Niece back in 1973. I have made several attempts at removing the FS "A" off my Copyright notice. Grrr. |
By Sankey
Been having a bit of a struggle over last few months.
1. I boobed on a change of insurer. Due to the fact of crook hearing I could not cancel the old insurer but I had already signed up with the new one for our car.
My memory being what it is at times, I forgot I still had the old insurance going on the car. Then the payments started (we pay by the month) with the new insurer. So you can guess what happened. We ended up with double insurance on our vehicle.
It was just as well we did not have to claim on our car insurance for the first few months. So I rang the new insurer and explained what I had done and could we possibly cancel with them. (We had already paid for four months with them!)
They realized having insurance on one car with 2 insurers was technically illegal. Therefore they were most cooperative in organizing the cancellation of the policy we had with them and EVENTUALLY!! We got the payments we had made refunded...more than $AUD200. Now Number 2 problem.
2. Our old E-tag died (E-tags in Australia are for payment of Toll road fees automatically, electronically as your vehicle passed the detectors.) This was maybe due to the battery dying seeing it was 13 years old.
We got this funny Notice for an unpaid Toll charge. I clicked on the e-mail link that came with the message and it looked really funny! A weird name for the sender of the e-mail. We think it was some sort of scammer.
As a result we thought the E-tag account got hacked even before we updated to the new tag on our car. Subsequently we kept getting notices from RMS* (formerly RTA+) about an inability for the E-tag usage to be funded from our account.
Well I made an initial trip to RMS about the matter and cutting a long story short the staffer seemed to think she had fixed the problem. NOT SO! We then got 2 more RMS Notices about inability to access our bank account.
As I said above we think the E-tag account got hacked somehow. I have now put the matter in the hands of our local State member. She wrote to us the other day and told us she had passed on our info to The Honourable Duncan Gay State Minister for Roads or Transport and Marine I think.
The Local Member put a note in hand writing on her official letter to us ..."Boy, what an ordeal you both have been through." I forgot to say we did make a second trip to the Office in Penrith over the matter and being unsuccessful I decided to get the Local member to handle it.
In all fairness we have not received any outstanding penalty notices for unpaid Tolls as yet. I imagine once it gets sorted out there might be a heap of charges on the account or may hap they will just give us a clean slate! We can hope!.
| Author Notes | I did all this on Facebook decided it was a good story for in here. The photo is Louise in our car way back near the time we bought it in 2001. Sadly, she can no longer get in and out of this car anymore. As a postscript: We did get exempted from all the charges and penalties by the Roads Minister at a later time. RTA is Roads and Transport Authority now superseded by RMS Roads and Maritime Services |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
We were really disappointed in the family's offerings for Christmas this particular year. It made us think about doing something on our own the next Christmas.
As a follow up, we did do Christmas on our own in 2014, we then braved the family again in 2015...with some improvement. This Christmas we are doing it on our own, apart from all the other reasons we are finding it far too difficult to travel the long distance to the inlaws anymore. This poem was inspired by a phone call from Mother-in-Law the day after Christmas...Boxing Day as we Aussies and "Old Dart" folks know it. I was prompted to put this up again from a comment from one of my favourite FS members in a recent post of hers about Fresh Fish! Yuck! I had a good picture on this, from FanArt but it has now gone for some reason. NOTE: The Contest this was entered for has long gone. |
By Sankey
The Creepy Neighbours
moved here from Greystanes
And all they have done
Is give us great pains.
The Mum of the mob,
Never had a real job,
Her main occupation
to just lie and sob.
And, now for the third time
we can get no sense
They just won't collude
In fixing the fence.
"Men loved the darkness
Rather than light"
As far as these go
The Scripture is right.
There's no conversation
And no 'howdy do?'
Neighbourly manners
are lesser than few.
There's many a story
Of these could be told
Preserving decorum
I'll not be so bold
Of these creepy neighbours,
I long for the day,
they tire of surroundings
and soon move away.
Why are these so creepy?
Everything's done when we're sleepy,
It all started when they arrived
The youngest but one, most alive.
He wanted to be a friend,
his Mum talked 'abuse'
That was the end.
Daughter ran out in the night
Something not right.
They had a chance.
Now we dis-tance,
Ourselves from this Creepy crew.
Wouldn't you?
Hey! Good News!
The Creepies have 'come around!'
They're finally ready
To do something sound.
Shock! Horror! At last;
We're seeing some sense
Now they are ready
To'a-ssist with the fence.
The not so 'creepy'
Have now made my day,
Removed the old bricks,
And are willing to pay
Their own fair share
Of the new fence cost,
So in one month's time
A new picture I'll post.
This was really becoming a tale
Of how our great hopes might have failed
We thought "There's No Payment
For their legal part"
We thought they'd intended this,
Right from the start.
Now God's answered our prayers
The 'Creepy Rares'
have finally paid our due.
Old Slew foot's rebuked,
his hold has been nuked,
Our faith has prevailed over cares.
©2015 G.C.Moore
| Author Notes |
The picture is of the new Colorbond Fence now erected.*Greystanes is an outer Western suburb of Sydney.
~John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Change of meter for the addition to the poem. Finally looking like there won't be anymore verses to post. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
My piano has been sold and is being moved out to it's new owner today. After almost 60 years of playing piano and organ my ears have gone queers on me. Back in the work days when I could hear better I had a sign on my work station as follows:
"Stay on the right and be right, Coz Geoff Is Deoff On the Leoff." This was back in the old days when I had no hearing aids and the right side was the best side for hearing anything or anyone. Encore is the music programme I have used for years for all my compositions of music. As a more recent update, seeing this is still unpublished - I have now been diagnosed "Profoundly Deaf" in both ears. Funny thing is the left ear, considered dead for years, now does all the work, using the right's middle ear to convert vibrations the Left Aid picks up to a modicum of sound which is just a little help. |
By Sankey
In Australia and I think in a lot of other places, too, there has been a tradition of putting silver coins in the Christmas or Plum Pudding for the guests to find at Christmas Dinner.
When I was about 3 years old, I did find a threepenny bit in the Christmas pudding. Or rather I didn't find it - I SWALLOWED IT!
When it was recovered, it got nailed to the headboard over the kitchen entrance...and it stayed there for years.
We can't put the "dismal currency" as my brother called it when it came in here in Australia in 1966 (when we changed from sterling - pounds shillings and pence - to decimal currency- dollars and cents)in Plum Puddings as the make-up (metals and so on) of the new currency coins would poison someone.
So every year my sister would collect the sterling coins from the winners out of the Christmas pudding they had partaken of, replacing them with the new currency. She would then wash the old coins and save them for the next Christmas Pudding the following year.
| Author Notes |
Someone was posting on Facebook a while ago, about a little girl putting stuff in her nappy (diaper for Uncle Sam's folks). I decided to share something that happened when I was a kid as well.
Here is a YouTube show on the change from Sterling to Decimal Currency in 1966 in Australia Currency Change Video |
By Sankey
Horror of horrors Halloween again
Everyone wants to spend money again.
Like sheep that are bleating
More tricking and treating
Why can't people have more sense?
It's a marketing ploy
For each girl and boy
Some candy or toy
Their temporary joy.
Before we all know it
Thanksgiving will show it
Then Christmas will snow it
All up in the North Sphere
While here in the South Sphere
There'll be no more great cheer
Just a whole lot of beer
When Christmas gets here.
Life has no more meaning
We're constantly leaning
Towards lots more "Joy"
The whole hoy polloy
Just wants to forget
Why we're here.
©G.C.Moore2015
| Author Notes | Hoy polloy is a slang term meaning whatever you want it to mean. Looks as though StRyCh9's Hubble and bubble Toil and trouble at FanArtReview.com has gone, sorry. |
By Sankey
THE FOLLOWING WAS GIVEN TO ME BY A FELLOW STAFF MEMBER AT MY WORK IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, HERE IN AUSTRALIA.
I GUESS YOU FIGURED OUT I WAS THOUGHT OF AS A BIT OF A WHINGER(*American..Whiners ok).
Label on bottle: WHINGERS(American..Whiners ok*)TABLETS:
- SPECIALLY FORMULATED TO SUPPRESS *WHINGES REGARDING:
THE WEATHER,
THE BOSS,
BEING OVERWORKED AND UNDERPAID
INTEREST RATES,
THE COST OF(SYDNEY) HOUSING,
THE GOVERNMENT, or
SPOUSES AND INLAWS.
DOSAGE: AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A WHINGE*
TAKE TWO TABLETS-
REPEATING EVERY FEW MINUTES
TILL SMILING RE-COMMENCES.
(contents of whinging* tablet bottle can be Jaffas, Smarties, M&M's or Jelly beans or as pictured above fruit Mentos...pretty big; only one at a time please!)
Geoff Moore (Sankey)The Whinger. (Whiner in Uncle Sam Land.)
| Author Notes | I got a real laugh out of this needed to share here for you all. I decided this needed another 'airing' as in more recent days, I have found it more necessary to do more 'whinging.' There is a saying and I like it as I guess I qualify...."The squeaky wheel gets the oil!" I am not sure what the custom is in America. However, in Australia, even though we have far less competition and options to choose whom we patronise - the tendency is, if not satisfied with service at an establishment - rather than 'whinge*' - to take our business elsewhere. I guess I am a bit out of the ordinary. In recent days with the new 'ALDI' company in Australia, I have found myself whinging* more. The good thing about ALDI, unlike some traders, is they are quite happy to refund on return, or replace an unsatisfactory item. Turns out also they are giving our two major Supermarkets a bit of a hiding, as are more of the newer American and even English traders setting up branches in Australia. |
By Sankey
B. C. C. is an abbreviation of 'Blind Carbon Copy.'
It is really essential as Forwarders in Cyber world, we learn to use this option available on most E-mail servers and programmes.
They stand for BLIND CARBON COPY.
This means that when we send to addresses we have placed in this area of our Mail server or Address panel on letters or jokes or whatever we intend to Forward; No one else apart from the person receiving the forward or whatever, sees names of other receivers of the e-mails.
As a matter of fact when you receive an e-mail forwarded in this way it most probably says "To: 'none' " at the top, if it has been done correctly...
HOW DO WE DO IT PROPERLY?
1.A. If you are forwarding something to a group of people, you have received, firstly; click on 'Forward'. B. Then look at your "header"of your e-mail addresser. You will see:
(a) 'To:' (b)'CC' (c) *BCC as options to place addresses of receivers.
2.(a) & (b) addresses will appear on all e-mails and everyone who is receiving the e-mail will see all the other addresses in either "To" or "CC." (c) All addresses in BCC section will not appear on the received e-mails at the other end.
3.*On some mail servers (for example Yahoo) on the end of the "CC" line you will see "ADD BCC". You have to click on that option if you are sending bulk e-mails that you don't want to share all addresses with everyone to whom it is addressed.
4.Once you have the "BCC" lines you can load all the addresses in there. I personally run 3 address lists of all the people I know wish to receive my Jokes and News. Then I have another 3 lists for the Web Site updates and other things I send around to a group who are interested in our Church Web Site. I must say that since I have been using Yahoo's Australian Mail service I have been pretty happy as they offer a lot of extra features. These ARE FREE!
5.Now; once you have all the addresses in the BCC section of your mail service programme; BEFORE YOU CLICK ON SEND make sure you remove all the e-mail addresses that came in on the person's e-mail you received.
This protects all your friends and associates from any possible spamming form anyone that was in the incoming e-mail addresses.
REMEMBER WHILE YOU MAY KNOW EVERYONE ON YOUR MAILING LIST, YOU MAY NOT KNOW EVERYONE ON THE LISTS COMING IN. WHILE WE ARE PRETTY SURE OF THE PEOPLE WE CALL FRIENDS AND SO ON; IT ONLY TAKES ONE WRONG MOVE THAT WILL ALLOW ANYONE ELSE YOUR FRIENDS MIGHT SEND TO; -- TO ALSO SEND THE E_MAIL ON WITH OTHER ADDRESSES IN THEM TO SOMEONE EVEN INADVERTEDLY, WHO CAN DO SOME REAL DAMAGE TO EVERYONE ON THOSE LISTS THEY CAN SEE!
Not that anyone would want to cause any trouble but it can happen if we don't use the Blind Carbon Copy option properly.
6.I decided, as someone requested how to do Blind Carbon Copy...from me today; to send around this warning to help anyone else who does not understand *BCC.
| Author Notes | I wrote this ages ago for the reason stated at the end. Hope you find this helpful |
By Sankey
Robin Williams
Oh what a lark
With quirks and impressions
He made such a mark.
We surely will miss
His notorious wit,
We hope there is someone
His big shoes to fit.
| Author Notes | Tribute to Robin Williams one of my favourite actors. Apparently committed suicide earlier today, after suffering depression for some time. |
By Sankey
Government Grief
To the tune of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”
(Click on the Link at the top of the page.)
1. The Office is in the pooh again oh me oh my.
The Office is in the pooh again and I know why.
The poor old gov't has run out of funds,
while the pollies are having their coffee and buns
'N we'll all be better off when the Bureaucrats get the boot.
2.The Office has never got out of the muck, oh me oh my.
They're getting into a whole lot of 'truck' Do you know why?
The poor old ship has lost its rudder,
The system is bursting like old Bessie's udder
'N we'll all be better off when the Bureaucrats get the boot.
| Author Notes |
I wrote this song for a "Business Plan Meeting" we were to have at the Tax Office in the mid-nineties. Now added to my book -"The Little Dog That Wouldn't Let Go"- subtitle "GOD NEVER LETS GO!" The meetings were sometimes more like "Um 'n ars" than Seminars. Groan! As stated the original tune is well known, this is my own arrangement.
Here's a link to the relevant chapter in my book. Here is a Link to a very good explanation of the origin of the original tune I used. Thanks to Bertodi for the great painting/drawing. To play the MP3 again click on the arrow in at the top of the page. |
By Sankey
On the first morning of the May School Holidays, in 1966, I
was so excited that I awoke at four o'clock.
Finally arising at 5.30, I found Mother making a final check
that all was ready for my holiday. This would be my very first time away from home. Or at least so far away and alone from anyone I knew.
My sister, who had offered to take me to Sydney Airport at Mascot, arrived
at eight o'clock; and soon after nine we left home
for the airport, which we reached at ten.
I walked across the tarmac and boarded the plane which,
in a few minutes, taxied to the end of the runway.
We sped along it until, suddenly, the ground
fell away from us as we climbed to 25,000 feet.
After about half an hour the tall chimneys of
Port Kembla Steelworks could be seen through
the window and some 40 minutes after this we were jolted
about as we passed through clouds on our descent
to touch down at Essendon Airport in Melbourne.
Another aircraft was alongside us when we
landed, so all we had to do was board it and we
were on our way to Launceston.
We flew across Bass Strait, and touched down at Launceston at
two o'clock. There I was met by the people with
whom I was to stay for the next 9 nights.
During my visit I went to inspect the Hydro-
Electric Commission's underground power station
at Poatina.
Further up the mountains we visited
the Great Lakes where it was freezing cold. Water
from the lake runs down the mountain through
a large pipeline to the turbines at the power station
and empties itself into a river at the foot of the
mountain.
This supplies the water for Launceston
as well as electricity for Launceston and the surrounding districts.
On another afternoon we were taken for a 'Mystery Tour' to one of the great attractions in the area "The Cataract Gorge".
As an aside:
This was May in Tasmania, where each morning we got up to see a quarter of an inch of ice on the host's car windows!
All this to add the afternoon tea that day was NOT cocoa and buns, ie WARM!
They gave us a soft drink (soda) and ice-cream! Brrrr!
I also toured to Hobart, where
I had hoped to go to the pinnacle of Mount Wellington, but bad weather prevented this.
On Sunday, May 22nd, I flew back to Melbourne,
then came on to Sydney in a fan jet travelling at
41,000 feet.
Although I didn't actually see where
apples were growing, I really enjoyed my visit to
Tasmania.
| Author Notes | I believe the "fan jet" mentioned was probably either a Boeing 727 or maybe an earlier model. I was 15 when I wrote this originally. First time away from home all alone. |
By Sankey
Just a bit of help. I am not a professional photographer and I still goof off some times...
But it is real important when taking a photo to have any light behind the photographer and shining ON the subject NOT behind them. The effect of light BEHIND the subject is to wash all over the subject.
I have on some occasions been able to fiddle with photos of friends I have seen where the light factor has messed them up but nothing better than doing it right first time ok! Off my soap box now!
| Author Notes | Posted this on Face book re a photo I worked on from a friend today Thought it might help someone over here. This is a very old black and white photo of one of my favourite cats. See how the light coming through the window has washed the photo out. |
By Sankey
Only recently, we learned from the local Hearing Centre about another thing we need to do to keep our Hearing aids working. (The following only applies to the "over the ear" - type hearing aids.)
We know that from time to time fluid builds up in the tube from the ear to the aid. So we can either use the “puffer” supplied, and blow out the fluid, after disconnecting the tube from the aid. Or we can just put the tube to our lips and blow! Hard! To clear it.
Fluid gets worse in the humid Summer months.
One more thing we need to do for the fluid is, occasionally, place the Hearing Aid in a container with a special ”De-Humidifyling” circular piece of special material, and leave it, overnight.
Another "fix" we found out about, just this week, is; every two weeks or so, we should open the battery compartment of the aid and, with a small brush supplied just brush out any dust or ‘foreign bodies', in the battery compartment where the contacts for the amplification mechanism of the aid are located.
Apart from all this, just change your batteries as soon as you get the relevant signal from your aids that tell you it is time to change them.
In one of the chapters of my book in here, I told the story of leaving my hearing aid on the train on return from Broken Hill, in the North West of our state. . Having left the aid in my Sleeping berth, I got into a bit of a panic about it. You can read more of this in my book, but I was glad the railway people helped me get that hearing aid back with not much trouble at all.
On the funny er ah, side??!
We know a lady that wears them IN THE HYDROTHERAPY POOL!! Good night!
Years ago I had an "All in the ear" Aid, and it fell on the floor, under the desk in my study, unbeknowns to me. Next morning when I came in, to get on the computer, I TROD on it! Fortunately the amplifier was still intact only cost me $AU30 to get it re made.
| Author Notes |
Just some help for hearing aid users.
Not relevant for "All In the Ear" aids. Some funny stories added as per a reviewer's recommendation. Picture is one of my hearing aids 'on board!' |
By Sankey
In travelling our country
We mostly do well,
Some Motels are comfy
But some out of hell.
In our disposition
We don't have the ease
Of driving till dropping;
To stop where we please.
A holiday* for us
involves the big task
pre-choosing the places
We'll stay - questions asked.
But even when that's done
To our satisfaction
We sometimes can find
Opposing reactions.
The live situation
can be quite reverse
With either facilities,
Or Hosts! Even worse!
Over the years we
Occasionally have found
Some old men's hospitality
Most certainly unsound.
In all this, most assuredly
We have to confide
The time surely comes
When some Hosts step aside.
| Author Notes |
We have so far had some bad experiences especially from some old men who really should NOT be in Hospitality. I should point out as we are disabled, there is the additional burden of attempting to make sure the place will be suitable prior to the actual trips.
I have touched on our trips in my autobiography here on Fanstory. Look for "The Little Dog That Wouldn't Let Go." However, I originally held back as my wife also wrote "Our Trips" book that was on here in days gone by. She did not want me too "steal her thunder" back then. We may "Ghost Write" her book again in here at a later date. We did have two accounts on here at one time. By the way exchange "Vacation" in America, for "Holiday." I am Australian so some expressions are very "Down Under" orientated. I did have a nice picture on this from Fanart, but for some reason, a lot of my Fanart choices have disappeared. |
By Sankey
My Mum was a Missionary for a number of years.
First in Eritrea then later in Zaire.
That is a story in itself.
Mum had commented in one of her letters to me as follows....
"Was thinking of Miss C yesterday. I am sure the dear soul must be lonely without her sister." (They were twins)
"Remember me to her, also to Miss S and all the other dears in the Aged Care Facility."
Mum's comment about these ladies reminded me of some things I wanted to share.
First of all though, I need to explain that my Mum was a bit of a taxi driver for our church folks.
This next story describes one of those occasions.
This is a another remembrance of Miss C.
We were driving up the main road one day the two old sisters were in the back.
As we waited for the lights at the corner to change all of a sudden from the back seat came "Green!" from one of the old ladies.
I guess we should have given her a 'back seat driver's license!' Hm.
Another old dear, of whom my Mother spoke in her letter used to get my older brother to do her gardening and mow her lawn for her.
We often thought that Miss S spent most of her day sitting at her window and watching with a microscope or binoculars for a blade of grass to re-appear on the horizon so she could call my brother to come over again.
I am guessing my brother probably enjoyed his time over there with a cup of tea, and cake, I am sure after his hard work, and enlightening conversation with Miss "Sulliphani" as she was known.
| Author Notes | I have not indicated the names of the ladies concerned or the names of the Aged Care places where they lived, but the stories are true. |
By Sankey
I've met a young lady named Erin,
As a farm girl she's certainly rearin'
She's got quite a name
Puts others to shame
Cos she cares how the farmers are farin'
| Author Notes | I had a link to a Facebook Page about this young lady's campaign but that has now long past. |
By Sankey
I was really looking forward to the special trip we were to make into our big city, to sing on the "Sunday School Of The Air" Programme. I got up really early that day to get ready so we would not be late getting away. There were a few of us youngsters going along with our parents. I had been a regular listener to the programme, so it was a real big honour to be asked to participate.
After about a half hour drive we arrived at the "AWA" Building. We were all waiting for the lift doors to open. Then we all boarded the lifts or as some call them, 'elevators'. We were to travel to the 8th floor.
First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, then we arrived on our floor. Everyone started to disembark...for some reason, I was right at the back. As I started towards the doors, all of a sudden, they closed in front of me! In later years as I understood how the lifts worked I would not have been phased at all, and had some great fun. But, on this occasion, I was scared to death and I cried out and really got worked up.
Finally the lift stopped on one of the floors, and someone got in and saw how upset I was. They eventually got out of me that I was to appear on the "Sunday School Of The Air" programme and managed to get me to the eighth floor safely again. I was so glad to be re-united with all the other visitors and we had a great time after that.
Some years later I got to visit the Concord Hospital, our War Veterans' establishment, which had lots of lovely lifts to play with. You guessed it! I had a great time, now I knew what sort of antics I could get up to, while the folks visited an old family friend who was a patient there.
| Author Notes |
This is my story of when we went into town to be guests on the Sunday School Of The Air in the AWA Building in Sydney, on Radio Station 2CH.
I was 8 years old. Picture is an aerial view of the radio tower on top of the AWA Building. A long time ago, the tallest building in the city area. |
By Sankey
It was a bright sunny Sunday morning when the Prime Minister arose from his bed to take a look out of his harbour facing window.
The Honourable George Higginbottom as PM of Australia in 2065, had long awaited the final completion of our wonderful Sydney Opera House on Bennelong Point, the former location of the Tram Depot up till the early 60's, when trams ceased in Sydney.
He was so enamoured with this "Wonder of the world" to be; he decided to have a special residence set up on the opposite side of the Harbour to the official PM Sydney residence at "Kirribilli House."
He wanted to be there and check on it every day.
So back to the gazing from the window to where the Opera House SHOULD HAVE BEEN!
It had gone!
Then he lifted his gaze a little and shock! Horror! There was his precious Opera House with it's well known sails gleaming in the morning sun, sailing under the Harbour Bridge!
Unknown to him and most of the people of New South Wales and the world too I guess, the Opera House had been mounted on a large pontoon structure, and connected to the shore by big chains.
After a storm the previous night, the rough sea had caused the pontoon to dislodge itself from it's moorings.
So there was the lovely Opera House, gently drifting under the Harbour Bridge.
Prime Minister Higginbottom was most distressed.
He had waited all this time to attend his first concert at the new Opera House, and it seemed he would have to row out to it.
| Author Notes |
This was written originally as a composition for English Class in my Second Year of High School in 1965, when we were definitely waiting for the Opera House to Open.
I have done another edit thanks to some pretty good points from one of the reviewers, whose suggestions I have mostly 'taken on board' for changes hehe. |
By Sankey
I do my ablutions in company
I rarely take showers alone
I enjoy creepy families
And usually there's more than
Just one.
My wife often wonders about me
Says, "Who are you talking to, dear?"
I say, "Just my many legged family,
they're always waiting in here."
I try not to drown them while washing
They seem to be having no fear
They just move elsewhere for safety
They know I am not long in there.
| Author Notes |
Thanks to Steve ANH for "Not a Spider"
Not sure if the 'Daddy Long Legs' is peculiar to Australia. I am guessing not. The Aussie variety are not dangerous to humans. They are lethal to other insects etc, though. |
By Sankey
For any of you young 'uns out there I want to warn you about another side affect of smoking that can come upon you as much as 40 years after you may even already have ceased.
I recently posted in another place about a dear friend of mine in the USA who is dealing with Bladder Cancer. He has had much treatment and even now is going for more. All because he smoked for many years. Even though he stopped smoking in 1969, it has still become a problem more than 40 years afterwards.
Apart from the fact that pretty young women who continue to smoke end up looking like 80 at about 30, this is just another thing to be aware of. And from what my dear Bro in the Lord has told me the treatment is painful. STOP NOW!
| Author Notes | It seems annie the angel from Fanartreview's "I hearded ya the first time" has vanished. |
By Sankey
Was thinking of the Beatles today.
One of their songs I loved to play,
Who'd ever thought it would be my Day?
Now I'm 64.
Older and older as I go on my way,
more aches and pains from day to day.
Arthritis and sundry come out to play,
Now I'm 64.
Can't find a comfortable position today,
no matter the place, pain won't let me stay.
"Have a Happy Birthday,
My Face book friends say,
Now I'm 64.
| Author Notes |
Self-praise is no recommendation. 27th March down under, and my Birthday.
Thanks to Bertodi for "Trapped - where to now?" |
By Sankey
Just a ramble today.
Been thinking I should write something of our everyday, or periodical duties we do either on our own or together, here at home.
Today it was time for the six-weekly task (for us anyway) of tyre inflation. A lot of folks go to the local gas or petrol station, to get car tyres pumped up. In our case, we have a wheelchair, plus the car and occasionally, our trolley's pneumatic tyres need pumping as well.
We gave up, a long time ago trying to get to the local petrol station for air pressure adjustments.
1. The young troublemakers often vandalize the air pump at the garages.
2. They sometimes don't work.
3. We have so much stuff that needs air pressure, it is a bother waiting in line to use the air pump. Alternatively, one senses the impatience of others waiting to use the air pump, as well.
So every six weeks or so, out comes our little air compressor. It is not one of those great big monster machines, used for jackhammers and the like at work sites. It is a compact little machine that runs off the 12volt power of our car.
It originally had a couple of clips to attach to the battery of the car. However, we decided it was much more convenient exchanging the clips for a cigarette lighter plug. I am guessing with the clips on the battery there would be no need to run the motor of the car during tyre inflation.
However, to keep the power up from the lighter plug, we have to have the car motor running for the charge to remain constant. Just making sure we don't have the air conditioning running while the car is stationary.
One of our, now deceased, friends thought we could pump up the tyres without running the car. As it turned out, it either took a lot longer or the fuse of the cigarette lighter would blow. Reason being; too much pressure on the car's power system, unaided by the generation from the motor running.
Next, I pump up the manual wheelchair tyres. Then, while I am pumping the car tyres, Louise gets to the screws on the brakes to tighten them up.
Louise used to manoeuver the power chair, so I could pump up its tyres with her in it. We later got the tyres changed to full rubber, so now pumping of her tyres is no longer necessary. So ends another tyre pumping session for another six weeks.
| Author Notes | Photo is of our little mini air compressor. Cost around $AUD 70.00. |
By Sankey
We all loved Anne of Green Gables,
L.M. Montgomery's great write,
But Kevin Sullivan's production
Kept us waiting for more, each night.
Jonathan brought much to his character,
As Gilbert Blythe, he was cast 'just right.'
They say he lived, in real life,
Much of what he played, each night.
We'll miss you, Jonathan Crombie,
And we hope your passing was quick,
We're thankful for all the great memories,
Hope our re-runs of your triumphs does the trick.
| Author Notes |
I know a lot of us were really saddened by the news we heard here in Australia, of Jonathan's passing, today.
Photo was taken from the following news clip. Jonathan Crombie Dead at 48 |
By Sankey
I used to enjoy
Some nice hot baths,
But now they are, sadly,
Just a dream and a laugh.
It seems I had
Too many falls
Now they're a dream
And That is all.
| Author Notes |
I think it was early Vertigo causing me to lose my balance getting into the bath. Ended up with some really bad bruising on both arms, over time. Now, unfortunately I am stuck, just having showers. I wouldn't mind if the water pressure was better and I had one of those old fashioned, large rose fittings on the outlet.
Will always remember with a smile, our great big bath we had in my childhood home. Picture is my bath, that is no more. |
By Sankey
STAY ON THE RIGHT
AND BE RIGHT!
COZ GEOFF
IS DEOFF
ON THE LEOFF!
| Author Notes | I was born deaf on one side. For years the right ear had excellent hearing. In later times that has deteriorated, so that recently I have now been diagnosed as severely to profoundly deaf. My new improved hearing aids now make it possible for the old deaf left ear to do all the work, seeing the old "good" right ear has almost completely died. |
By Sankey
You have heard of 'bad hair days.'
How about a bad tiler day?
He comes to get started, but what a let down.
The original measurements made, prior to
the water-proofer's work, were wrong!
A compensation in the amount of preparation
before tiling, is needed.
The adjustment is made, and off he goes for it to dry.
This has put the job back an extra day or two for completion.
To top it all off, he gets to his next job -
only to find exactly the same error, as on our work.
The thing about a tiler is, he must be an even tempered kind of guy.
He is the one coming to a job that is nearing its end.
Not knowing all the hassles that have gone before, he has to
bear the brunt of the client's frustrations.
Inconvenience has been his client's lot,
unable to use the tiled area, for particular functions.
Especially when it is so important for bathing and
other unmentionable purposes.
Thankyou God for our patient tiler, and our patience, too.
| Author Notes | A story about our recent bathroom renovation for my wife, who is disabled and sadly had a really bad time while waiting for all these things to get completed so she could go back to as normal a life as possible. |
By Sankey
We're so thrilled about Maddy and Ben.
They've been going together since 'when'
They both met at school,
She surmised he's no fool -
We look forward to their wedding and then!
| Author Notes |
We had a belated celebration of Maddy's 21st birthday, last night. Her Dad, Louise's brother graciously feasted us a continuation of his eldest daughter's 21st birthday. We could not attend the main celebration due to some very unsympathetic weather, and our inability due to our health disposition to navigate the restaurant in the rain.
Picture is Maddy sporting her engagement ring from Ben. |
By Sankey
Got up early this morn
With a 'bee in my bonnet'
Now sleep is gorn.
I hope I get back
To make up the lack
I dowanna stay up till dawn
A friend said "sleep's overrated!"
Perhaps we could say even "dated"
How long has it been
Since a dream was your scene?
And your sheep counting effort was sated.
| Author Notes |
Now before all you yanks and rebels and politically correct, or phonetics graduates get into me, please remember I am in Australia and while something in the offering may not rhyme in 'Up North" or "Darn Saouth" Uncle Sam land, believe me "Down Under" it does. So where I come from 'morn' and 'dawn' do rhyme, ok! Thanks to all my Aussie supporters out there who DO understand.
Explanation: In some parts of the world to have a 'bee in your bonnet' means something is bothering you, or as I said above bugging you. Picture is from a mug a dear friend gave me for my 40th birthday. (More than half as much again, ago, now, sigh!) It also had on it 'Life begins at Forty' I just happened to snap this gem or another version of same before we chucked it as it had broken. |
By Sankey
SPLASH was a group run for rehabilitation of accident injured folks, or permanently disabled folk to help them with exercises and getting back use of damaged muscles and so on. As well as this, it was a social group. I became involved in the group, for a short time, after I met the woman I was to later marry.
SPLASH's purpose was to assist folks with coping either following strokes or other accidents and so on. Their main function was to help folks with hydrotherapy in a local Rehabilitation Institution.. Participants included former patients of the rehabilitation facility as well as folks from outside with various physical limitatations and permanent disability.
Some were hemiplegic* being paralysed on one side of their bodies. Others were more severely handicapped either through Cerebral Palsy or some other disease or birth deformity.
The group would be divided and meet in either of two separate sessions, once a week.
They would do exercises in the Hydrotherapy pool. This occurred under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist, and with the assistance of able bodied volunteers. The volunteers were also on hand to assist with undressing and dressing after the swimming sessions.
I did some volunteering, on occasion to assist some of the men in dressing and so on. One of these was also blind. M. was in his 20's and enjoyed the sessions with the swimming group. He was also hemiplegic.
It was good for me to meet these friends of the girl I would marry later on. I came to learn some of the funny ways of parents of the handicapped members of the group. Geoff's father, John, was quite hard on Geoff with his hemiplegic condition resulting from a car accident. John always seemed to be putting more pressure on Geoff to achieve more and more in his training.
I know Louise (the one I was to marry much later) was always under a lot of pressure, even before I came along, to achieve more and more. At home they had a small exercise bike that was modified for Louise to ride on. Her father would assist her on and off the bike. I think as she got older she hated it more and more. Louise has Cerebral Palsy.
I often wondered if the parents' aim in driving their children to achieve more and more was for the sufferer's benefit or for their own satisfaction in ultimately (perhaps??) overriding the person's, realistically, permanent disability. Maybe they thought they could get them over it completely?
On the other side of all this, SPLASH was a social group. A night out and even at times some fun, a dinner and the annual General Meeting and concert night.
Once a year they had the Christmas Party, where particularly now late Joyce Jacobs would be in her element. Joyce liked to dress up in her old Scout uniform. Or there was also recently passed on Kath Evans, almost as much of a character as Joyce Jacobs. These two with a gentleman Andy Murray(not his real name). were the three top characters. All volunteers, and helpers - loved dearly by all the swimmers. They were often heard to be (jokingly) asserting themselves to be "in charge" on a particular night.
One year we had a Fancy Dress Christmas party, held in some one's back yard. Louise had the idea of us dressing up as Laurel and Hardy.
Sadly, we moved on especially after we were married, and we later learned that the SPLASH Group had ceased to exist. We will always have some fond memories of years gone by, things achieved, and fun had in our time with SPLASH.
| Author Notes |
*Swimming with Perseverance, Lessons and Self Help. SPLASH.
Definition of Hemiplegia*: total or partial paralysis of one side of the body that results from disease of or injury to the motor centres of the brain. The pictures included are from an album Louise's Mother made up for her some years ago. Top Left:(l to r) Louise and Pat the instructor in the pool Top Right: Louise elected President in the early 80's. Second Left: Louise had the idea for us to dress up as Laurel and Hardy for a Christmas party one year. Second Right: Another of Louise as President of the group. Third Left: Dress up time Louise in yellow seated and Kath Evans holding the Soccer ball on right.Third Right:Geoff and Louise in dress up. All suggestions welcome. This is a very first run of this story. |
By Sankey
There is so much we could say about our postmen and the comings and goings of same, as well as the wanderings of our mail. I wish we had in Australia, the same as in US where we could put mail to go out, in the box and indicate the presence of same with the flag, as on most US residential mailboxes. Alas, we can't. However, there is so much we can say about the goings on in our area, in regards to mail.
We recently had a change in our mailman. We all used to wonder about our previous guy, and why he would come so far down our street, then disappear up a side street - not all that long - and be gone for, as it seemed, hours! Eventually, he would re-commence his run, up towards our house.
It was discovered the reason for the change to 'postie' was some shenanigans of the former mailman. It seems he had a 'dalliance' on his way, with one of the residents. One wonders if he upset her, and she finally dobbed him in, to his bosses.
Now we have our new mailman that does not spend hours and hours getting to us once he hits our street.
A funny peculiar, rather than haha thing happens from time to time. A neighbour up the road from us, actually just ahead of the "T" of our street with theirs, often gets our mail, as we do also, his at times, too! Reason being; we are both the same number but of course in two different streets. It would seem the mail sorters get a bit confused when sorting for our area so the number 48 leaps out at them and they miss the two different street names after the number!
We have a wonderful arrangement with each other, in that we both re-deliver each other's wrongly delivered mail. Fortunately, it does not happen that often.
However, a past friend on Fanstory, a place where I do a lot of my writing, recently asked for my help. Being a fellow Aussie from a northern state, she wanted to buy one of our fellow writer's books from America. She is like a lot of older folks and does not like having too many accounts. For that reason she needed help in arranging exchange from Aussie dollars to Greenback money, to purchase the book.
I have never, ever recommended folks sending CASH through the mail. Invariably it would get stolen or some other malicious things happen to it. This lady obviously trusted me to do such a thing as to be the intermediary in her purchase of this book from the USA. So she placed the cash in a card and mailed it to me.
Wouldn't you believe it?! When the posted item arrived, the envelope was OPENED! I immediately had a case of the horrors and complete shock. Without even looking I am saying to myself...
"The money will be gone!" Amazingly as it might seem, the money was still nicely enclosed within the card!
The only way I can explain it is, the opener was an extremely honest person. Otherwise, it was probably wrongly delivered to my neighbour with whom we both share mis-delivered letters. He has subsequently kindly dropped the letter in my box. What a relief! I felt like, had the money been taken I would still feel obligated to the lady in Queensland to make good her contract to buy the book from the USA, albeit at my own cost.
Please be assured that I will never, ever do this again for anyone! Besides all this, International postage has now become so iniquitously expensive it is almost not worth all the trouble to buy internationally anymore.
As I end this story about posties and dramas associated with mail and so on, one more last little suggestion.
When ordering online or through the mail, if you are sick and tired of having to go to your local Post Office to pick up your orders, should they have come when you were not at home, a small suggestion. As long as the goods are not extremely valuable, and you feel confident enough to do it- note on your order for the postie to leave the parcel at your doorstep, or around the back of your place of residence, should you be away when it arrives. I love this great way of receiving stuff more conveniently in my absence. Particularly if you are more likely to be at home, and you are usually not out and about.
As already stated, I guess the value of the item would condition whether you were happy for it to be left in your absence or not.
| Author Notes | Postie is a nickname for the postman or the mailman. Green back is of course the American currency. Thanks to the Australian Post Office for the photo of the posties back in the 90's I think. |
By Sankey
A bit of a rant.
Some time ago in one of our major shopping centres, we had a person come up to us whom we had not seen for probably a year. She originally attended our church. She wanted to confide in us about a matter and cautioned us not to tell anyone else. I even forget what the nature of the shared thing was now .... but we have often wondered since ... just how many people this individual shared that 'confidence' with and if it came back to them from somewhere ... whether they remembered with whom they shared it, originally!
With thanks to many good friends, it is, after all, plain old Gossip!
I was reminded of a ladies bible study we had in our home for a while where the pastor's wife would share "Prayer Requests" after the study. I often, as did my wife, thought these were Gossip in a way, too.
| Author Notes |
Just a real short story for a change. Something that got brought back as a memory on Facebook from a year or so ago.
Thanks to Renate - Bertodi for Stolen Lives and work. |
By Sankey
This is a very short play.
Lights go up on the scene- a waiting room of a doctor's office.
Receptionist: Next Please!
Rita: I guess you mean me?
Receptionist: Yes, go through, please.
Doctor: Good morning Rita, what seems to be the problem?
Rita: Doctor, I don't know what's wrong, I hurt all over!
Doctor: Tell me some more so I can figure out what we need to do about the problem.
Rita: Well, Doctor, when I touch my nose it hurts...When I touch my ear it hurts....
When I touch my arm it hurts... when I touch my shoulder it hurts.
Doctor: You really are a blonde, aren't you?
Rita: How do you know, doctor?
Doctor: Your finger is broken.
Lights go down.
End
| Author Notes |
Cast: Rita- the mad redhead
Doctor - The Doctor Receptionist - herself This is a play based on a really ancient joke. Thanks to Renate-Bertodi for Split personalities 2 |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
"911" Pictures courtesy Wikipedia
I wrote this some years ago for a Contest in here. I thought as we approach that time of the year again (we are just a day ahead Down Under) it would be good to share once more. Thanks to Sally Law for reminding me. At the time of the horror of 911, then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, was at a speaking engagement in a hotel near the Pentagon. Ian Thorpe, an Olympic swimmer from Australia, in New York at the time is the guy that changed his mind about entering the World Trade Center. A movie we saw, and still have on DVD, 'Executive Decision" starring Kurt Russell along much the same lines as 911 to my knowledge has never been run again or even seen on TV. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
Louise took a photo today of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma it turned out being.
The *Neoplastic lesion on my head was originally a wart that was burned off twice using Nitrogen. Now it has become this full blown horrible, painful Tumour. As a later edit it is now long gone. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
Been working really hard to get some kilos off. Recently discovered the old cylinder-type scales I was using told lies. Sadly I had not lost as much as it was telling. We have now replaced it with a Digital Scale.
Sadly, we now know the weight loss, as good as it all was, could not be put down to good exercise. It seems my new diagnosis of Coeliac Disease means the loss of weight was due to lack of nutrition. We talk about this in other places. I miss the Fanart picture I had on here. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | Been spending far too long in Muse fog. |
By Sankey
Having been left-handed all my life, some things have continually amazed me about some of the awful practices of people. Some clandestine, draconian actions various have carried out, thankfully unbeknownst to me until much later in life..
I am grateful for having been spared many of these underhand tactics employed to attempt to convert left-handed to writing right-handed.
Some of these practices have caused intolerable injury to even the highest in society. I refer especially to the Late King George VI, our reigning Queen's (Queen Elizabeth II) late father.
I have really appreciated the insight gained into King George VIth's life in regards to this subject from the recently released movie, "King's Speech", starring Colin Firth, and Australian actor, Geoffrey Rush. As many know, the movie deals more with King George's dreadful stammer. However, in consultation with Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, it would appear the late King's stammer was also, in some way, related to not only abuse by his carer, but also the forced conversion to writing right-handed from the left.
A late Uncle of mine in the 1930's, also left-handed was bullied in the classroom by his teacher. His fingers were rapped over to the point of bleeding by a ruler with a steel rim in it. The teacher was attempting to get him writing right-handed. I am really pleased to report that when the actions of the teacher were discovered, she was fined and sacked. I have never found out if my late Uncle did indeed eventually write right or left-handed.
More recently, a friend of ours, it would appear, now writes right-handed, because of' 're-training' in the Marist Brothers College in Sydney, to do so. Interestingly, our friend still writes in a back-handed kind of way, as though he was still writing left handed as some left-handed folks do.
Another friend of mine came up with the suggestion that we left-handed folks use the opposite side of our brain. He also expressed the idea that left- handed folk tend to be involved in music. In my case, that has proved correct.
He came up with the suggestion that when I was advertising for more students, I should place the ad in such a way:
"Use the other side of your brain! Come and have some music lessons!"
Guess what! - I got NO RESPONSE! Hee hee!
I know that some left-handed can actually be ambidextrous, in that they can actually write with either right or left hand. I have tried it, but, sadly, all I can achieve is writing my name backwards, in longhand, with my left hand while writing it, normally with my right hand. A totally useless piece of information, I know.
| Author Notes |
Just making a start regarding our choices, and results of others forcing us to do the opposite.
I appreciated viewing, again, recently "King's Speech" starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. Thanks to Chuck Waxman for "Release" |
By Sankey
Our old Sunbeam toaster died the other day. A break in one of it's elements rendered it kaput. I was glad it didn't throw the circuits on the power board as well!
Sooo..... I went to the supermarket today, to get a new toaster.
A 4-slice ENORMOUS 'Rolls Royce' Monster! WAY TOO BIG to fit in the cupboard where we normally store the toaster after use! We have now returned it and got a more suitable one. In the interim, it was "grilled" toast! Sigh!
| Author Notes | Picture is the "4-lane highway" toaster that was too big for the cupboard! |
By Sankey
What can we say of writer's block?
How does one handle such an awful shock?
As we sit here brainstorming,
Round the Clock;
To maybe find the key
To release the Lock.
| Author Notes | It looks like the original Fanart Review picture is gone, sorry. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | Pictures are of a pack of our famous Tip Top Big Ben Pies. Still a great taste and usually a good portion of MEAT in them. The other one is of the ingredients in the pies, in case you think they might be Fruit Mince pies, sigh. |
By Sankey
Howard (nicknamed Junior) and his buddies had had a good day fishing. It was time for dinner. Time to eat some of the prize catch.
One of the men got the fire going and had the oil sizzling, ready to fry the fish for a good "chow down." There was plenty of good stuff to eat, and they got into it and had some beer and chat to go with it.
As the night progressed, Howard began to get a real sense of burning, not from the sizzling fish, but in his extremities. It got worse and worse. The eating was finished and the fat in the frying pan was cold. Howard reached into the pan and grabbed a handful of fat and took off into the bush! He quickly applied some of the fat to his behind, to soothe the fire!
Next thing, the other men were shocked to hear this howling noise coming from the bushes. Suddenly, out came Howard in a rush, heading for the lake!
Seems he forgot about the chili pepper in the fat!
| Author Notes |
Seems Howard* (play on words...How would*) had a severe case of Haemorrhoids. I deleted a word 'stuck' referring to the men enjoying the meal. Seeing I had 'chow down' I felt the mixture of Aussie and Uncle Sam dialect could be a tad confusing.
Thanks to Howard's wife for sharing about her dear hubby's dilemma. Thanks for all the helpers. So sorry the picture "A Man and His Pole" has disappeared I believe the owner may have left Fanart. |
By Sankey
Be happy for the Birthday Star,
It's their day, not yours
Whoever you are.
Someday soon
You'll be over the moon.
Then everyone else's features will gloom.
So rejoice with the star,
As they light up the room!
| Author Notes | I got the inspiration for this poem, recently. It was a young lady's birthday. The lovely thing was, she shared it with her best friend, also turning 16, as she was. But looking at all the other faces around them, all doom and gloom. So here we go. Picture is of the girl and her friend.. Can't see all the other faces in this one sorry. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
My Aunty Lorna passed away today. She was 95 so she had a 'good innings' as some might say.
Thanks AVMurray for The Willow Tree photo. |
By Sankey
I have written, in a different fashion, about this elsewhere as part of my life story. However, seeing some have decided to do this, I thought, why not?
1.December 1967.Stanbrown's Menswear First week in December. Aged 16 and almost 10months. Got to serve a few customers, mostly cleaning the floor. Sacked afterwards as they decided they wanted a Senior instead of a Junior. The longest week of my life, since leaving school the month before.
2. December 1967. A half day on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, just prior to Christmas at Franklins Supermarket. Mainly car service with customer's shopping trolleys (the tips were good)...and moving boxes in the store.
3. January 1968-July 1969. Nearly 17 - 18 and a half. First full-time position at a Music store in the city. Shop assistant and Organ Demonstrator. It looked like the old fellow that owned the store was going to quit, so thought better to move before being put off.
4. July 1969 - February. 1970...18 and a half till 19yrs 2 months. York Air Conditioning. Office boy general messenger and all round lunch collector and mail and banking. Had started a Commerce Certificate course at night to improve my chances of a better job. Redunded out in February 1970.
5. February 1970- March 1974...Nearly 19 thru to just on my 23rd birthday. Became a shop assistant in a Stationery Store. I had advanced to a position entailing checking the registers starting early and finishing early every day, as well as general shop assisting. I wanted work nearer home so I applied for a position at a local University closer to home.
6.April 1974 - February 1977. 23 - 25. Employment with a department of the Macquarie University, handling distribution of audiovisual equipment and running movies for lectures all over the University. I left this job to go to Bible College. I think my most favourite time there was doing the lighting settings for their Dramac review just prior to the commencement of the University Year in 1977.
7.February 1977 - November 1977. 25 - 26. Attended Bible College. I was not to continue due to health problems.
8.February 1977 - September 1977. 26. Part time work at a music studio in Hornsby on the North Shore of Sydney. Teaching organ in the studio and working in the associated music store.
9. September 1977 - 8th August 1983. 26 -32 Self- employed Music Teacher, teaching piano and electronic organ in people's homes.
10. August 1980 - October 1980 Part-time employment in a Music store in St Marys then Seven Hills, Sydney. Put off.
11. February 1981 - August 1983 "Spruiker" promotions in a supermarket in Grace Brothers Department Store, Parramatta. INvolving Public Adress systems on the floor of the supermarket and store P.A. work.
12. August 1983 - November 1984 Australian Government in the Sydney Tax Office. Clerical Assistant.
13. November 1984 - September 1986 Promotion to Clerical Assistant Grade 2, still in Australian Government at Concord War Veteran's Hospital.
14 September 1986 - November 1989 New Clerical Grade promotion to Branch Office of Veteran's Affairs in the City. Working in treatment section dealing with War Vets' various treatment needs.
15. November 1989 - Transfer to Parramatta Sales Tax. Eventually amalgamation of Sales and Business Taxes and transferred to Penrith Tax Office in 1994.
16. 1994 -1997 Penrith Withholding Taxes area promotion to Client Service Officer Grade 2. Dealing with late payment penalties, registration of businesses for Group Employer's taxes Towards the end of my time there working with Debt Collection. In 1997 I resigned, ending almost 30 years of either full-time, part-time or self employmernt. I qualified for a Disability Pension, having been informed by our doctors I could have been on Disability all my life. Glad, though, I had been a taxpayer for nearly 30 years.
| Author Notes | I have tried not to reveal too much of the intricacies of Government employment due to privacy regulations. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | Can't put this on Facebook or all the friends will think I am taking revenge haha. For all our birthdays and Anniversaries in years gone by we used to be out of town. So everyone got used to that and now we are back...we got forgotten for the remembrance at Church and so on. |
By Sankey
Some of you are aware, from other places that my wife recently hurt her Right Rotator Cuff. Being disabled with Cerebral Palsy, Louise depends on her arms a lot to get around.
Those of you who pray are encouraged to remember Louise in your prayers. We are going through more changes and I am going to learn more about that, again today, as I visit her.
After 30 years of marriage, I think you know I am missing having her here with me. I am thankful for the nursing staff, and especially Doctor Jeff, the caring Rehab doctor who has been going every step along the way of her treatment.
Please understand if I am not writing so much, or being able to do so many reviews in here for the time being.
| Author Notes | The picture is of my sweety in her Power Chair on our back landing some time ago. |
By Sankey
Had another good lesson this morning.
The need to clean out the washing machine every three months was notified by the "Drum Clean" flashing message on our Fisher and Paykel Front loader today. The machine would not let me do the cycle no matter what I tried!
I emptied the machine of a load of clothes I had been wanting to get washed and waited for either my wife to be "up and about" with our carer's help, or some other clever option.
Praise God for Louise's carer who pointed out the need to do a "Drum Clean" every three months by placing 2 tablespoons of Bi-carb Soda in the receptacle for detergent and run a full cycle. Then place a cup of White Vinegar in the Drum and run the cycle again. Thanks Michaela for your wonderful assistance.
| Author Notes |
Always good to learn a new lesson. Cheaper than getting the repairman out, as well.
Thanks to Dick Lee Shia for "Laundrython" |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
It all started when Louise's carer chucked a special top of a plastic bottle used for either shampoo or shower Gel as it was, originally. Then she even wanted to chuck the actual bottle. I decided a notice was needed as in the picture.
I wonder if this is a kind of Quatrain? HEHE! |
By Sankey
Stay on the right
And be RIGHT.
Coz Geoff
Is Deoff
On the Leoff.
| Author Notes |
For many years, even though I was completely deaf on my left side and technically deaf on both sides, I got by with pretty good hearing in my right ear. I made a sign to go on my workstation so that when people wanted to speak to me they would know the best side to approach me on. These days the right ear is almost completely deaf and a new hearing aid on the left lets it do all the work, now. My real name is Geoffrey.
Thanks to Renate-Bertodi for "I Hear Nothing." |
By Sankey
For quite some time I had a problem
Drove me up the wall.
No matter how much thought I gave it,
I could not solve it at all!
I'd recently watched a little child
Being pulled along by Mum
It came to me and even more
The little one's feet
Would be getting sore
And making them feel glum.
This might seem funny
As you read
That I worried for so long
After sixty years it came to me
That for every single step Mum made
For me was "two feet" long!
©G.C.Moore 2017
| Author Notes |
I was doing a clean up in my study a while ago and found this bit of inspiration or perspiration I must have written a long time ago. Some of my reviewers felt like I needed to embellish the original short one verse poem more, so here you go! Can't decide what form this is. Maybe some of you smarties out there can help. Maybe I should have started my own contest, hehe.
Seems another FanArtreview choice of pics has gone. |
By Sankey
This is a story
About a short dream
It brings things to light
More real than they seem
I was enjoying a break
On a holiday isle
When a girl tapped my shoulder
And gave me a smile
She said "Could you take my father
for a ride in his chair?"
I said "I'm taking some time
Resting from my wife's care."
Then suddenly her tapping
Seemed more pronounced
And out of my dream
I, all at once, bounced.
My wife, it appeared,
Needed immediate action
Her taps brought me out
Of the far-off distraction
And so ends the dream
That was more than it seemed
I came back to life
To care for my wife.
| Author Notes | This really happened this very morning. Many of you know I have been my wife's primary carer for some years. More recently since she had her Right Rotator Cuff injury, back in May last year. We have written about this elsewhere. Thanks to tekayep for "Dreamy Days" |
By Sankey
The dear old car is out front, today.
Hope someone will come and take it away.
| Author Notes |
I posted the above on Facebook this morning then realized I could see a poem in there somewhere! We ceased driving...Louise in May last year, myself in February this year. We should have had the car out front a lot sooner while it had heaps of Rego left. Sadly now unregistered and I don't want to pay that again. We had a nut ring up the other day who wanted to buy the car at the now greatly reduced price of $AUD999.00 but he wants to only pay that price and me pay registration for another year. Sigh! (The rego cost would eat up more than half of the above price.)
|
By Sankey
We waved a teary "cheerio"
As the "old girl" drove away.
With lots and lots of memories
Of how she served us in her day.
For both of us, no more driving,
We can't do it either way.
My sweety's legs won't let her
Get in or out, no way.
My license has been cancelled,
I'm not fit the powers say.
We'd done trips right down to Adelaide
In South "Australi'ay"
And a couple up to Queensland,
One right out to Winton way.
As I wrote all this that morning,
I had thought I was "ok!?"
But emotions got the better
And more tears have come my way.
'Tween taxis, 'teers and transport
We'll be getting 'round 'til "aye."
Ever since I've given up driving,
A choice I know will stay.
Crazy fuel costs and more "road rage"
Keeps all future drives at bay.
| Author Notes |
Many of my readers understand the difference between British and American English. Then you have that other blight on the world known as "Strine" or Australian treatment of English. Bear this in mind as you read or judge this brand new offering.
Pictures:Top Left: Last photo of Louise with car. Top Right:Last photo of Geoff with car. Second Row Left: Map of NSW and Queensland showing trip locations Second Row Middle:Louise and Silvester the cat at Warner Bros Movie World in QLD...his foot is under her wheel actually!! Second Row Right:Swagman Statue at Banjo Patterson Theatre.Incidentally, BJP Theatre was burned down some time after we were there. Third Row Left:Louise in Car at one of our stops. Third Row Right Aussie travels map showing Hat pins of places we visited all over the country. Fourth Row Left: "'Waltzing Matilda" Bush Pantomime and Special Effects Lake in Winton, QLD. Fourth Row Centre Another Aussie trips map. Fourth Row Right: Stockman Statue at the "Stockman's Hall of Fame" in Longreach,QLD. |
By Sankey
Now here's a thing that's really insane
A former First Lady
Played by "Hanoi Jane."
I bet the Reagans would
Turn in their graves
Considering how HJ has behaved.
She belittled a Veteran
And extolled the VC.
Her mind was so warped
And for all, plain to see.
You can take it "real hefty",
Jane's decidedly "Lefty"
Whereas Reagans were "Right"
With that, there's no fight.
You can tell that their view
Would leave hers for review
Couldn't you?
| Author Notes | I think it is a well-known fact that Jane Fonda "affectionately??" known as "Hanoi Jane" has been selected to play First Lady the late Nancy Reagan. Shock horror. The picture is a "Mug Shot" play up of Hanoi Jane. I got it from Bing. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
For those of you not familiar with my original lament over people's harsh treatment of my bathroom taps (or faucets "Up Over") there is an inclusion of the old poem in the picture of the new "Mix" facility. I guess you can tell what eventually happened to the old taps.
We had a discussion about getting a new set of more updated taps but seeing we had successfully replaced the taps in the kitchen with similar...after, I might add the stupid idea of going for tap upgrades, when the old spout was heading "down the gurgler" and would also need replacing...which we did, eventually at double the cost. You might say "once bitten, twice shy." My only concern was the space I had under my shelf over the basin. Fortunately, a smaller "mix" tap than the kitchen set was available that fit beautifully. |
By Sankey
The poor old keyboard with my fingers got swiped.
For some silly reason many key names were sniped.
It was something to do with my meds regime,
Their resulting wash off just made me scream
An initial solution, sort of "cover-up" job
Some light rubber gloves only cost me "a bob"
I just had to remember to put them on.
Otherwise, the letters would keep being 'gone.'
I now think I've laid out
My last "fifty dollar"
With a final solution
That makes me just holler
No more disappearing keys
For me to bemoan
No more gloves, no more tears,
No more letters being gone.
My "puter" tech came up
With a brilliant idea
Involving just nail polish
But only in "clear"
All the keys are now painted
With delicate care
I'm grateful to know, now,
Letters won't become rare.
It's taken so long
For this cure to unfold
I now know this keyboard
With me will grow old.
..........
An addendum - Five years on...
Several keyboards along,
It's still the same song.
With my brand new keyboard
It didn't take long.
The "most used" of the key names
Have started to faint.
After only two weeks
Real happy, I ain't!
I'm back wearing gloves,
Not a really firm love
But if I don't get them donned,
Soon the letters are gone!
| Author Notes |
I really had a great rhyme for this, originally. Then I entered the contest as shown, but I was not within the rules of that. So now that is passed we have re-done this with new rhymes and some more verses for you all to absorb. The expression 'a bob' refers to a shilling from the old Sterling money in Australia. Equal (in name only hehe) to 10c or a Dime in USA I think. "Gone" after bemoan needs some poetic license in pronunciation, for rhyme, ok. Each set of wireless keyboard and Mouse (they only came together) cost $AUD50.00 a time and I can't tell you how many sets I have been through. No more, thank goodness.
Now we are back with an Addendum to this sad story. "Donned" is past tense of the verb "don" or to "put on." |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | I guess we all know about the FIght Fright or Flight normal adrenaline provides. I have been on Hormone treatment for years for the low acting Pituitary Gland I carry. Aging has brought on this new thing with the Adrenaline Insufficiency which has also necessitated the permanent wearing of the "Medic Alert" Medallion the back of is pictured. I have taken some poetic license for rhyming purposes of the word "own" for "on" may be correct in some parts of America if you will indulge me. Numbers is referring to levels of Blood Sugar particular to DIabetics. As indicated on the Medallion I am Type 2 as well as other problems listed. They recently thought my Sleep Apnoea had deteriorated but later decided I can still manage on my current machine. "Educator" refers to the Diabetic Educator I am seeing. She is a lovely lady and as she says not the "Blood Sugar Level Police!" |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
I had been contemplating moving on from Fanstory for some time. One of my reasons was the wicked exchange rate between the Australian and American Dollars. We have struggled to get over nearly 75% matching between our two currencies. This meant the FS fees were so much higher, more difficult for those of us in Australia on a limited income.
My intention in all my writing has never been for eventual profit. I only want to recover costs whenever I finally get published. So you can appreciate how grateful I am to my anonymous benefactor. Again I say to whoever you are, thank you so much. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
Most would have seen all the problems we have had on the East Coast of Australia with all our bush fires for quite some months now. Some of the fires are causes of nature. However, it has been proved a number of the fires are either deliberately lit or resulting from breaches of total fire bans by folks lighting campfires or bar b q's in dangerous weather conditions. I suffer severe respiratory problems as well so another reason to keep out of the smoke. I realize particularly in California the USA has had its problems with fires not all that long ago as well. Some will have read of my recent Skin Cancer operation that necessitated a graft from my leg to fill some of the hole in my head after the attempted cancer removal. That story is not over yet, either.
Thanks to cleo85 for the "Tortured Face Of Nature" painting. |
By Sankey
Every time I go under the Granville railway overpass on my now, more recently, frequent train travels, I am caused to think of what a change could have been brought in my life if my sweetheart of more than 34 years (32 plus of those, married) had not at the time been on school holidays on this particular day of New South Wales history.
Louise has suffered Cerebral Palsy from birth. Due to her disability, she was transported to school for many years by taxi. While she lived in West Ryde and later Eastwood, northwestern suburbs of Sydney, she attended Canleyvale High School outside the local area in which she was living. The reason she had to travel so far to school was the provision of a special "Opportunity Deaf" class at that school. Our hearing impairment would be the reason we would meet eight years after the train crash.
Every school day, at precisely the same time as the train crash occurred, Louise, in her taxi, crossed over the Granville railway bridge. I will always be thankful, as she was, too, the accident happened on a school break.
At that time Neville Wran was Premier of New South Wales. He was known as "gravel voice" a moniker he acquired from his propensity of shouting in the Parliament. Maybe even in the law courts before as a lawyer. He may have had some permanent malady with his larynx. Some years before he was a visiting speaker at the Macquarie University where I worked at the time. I saw him that day in the W5A building theatre, just around the corner from my office.
The Granville train crash occurred on the 18th January 1977, fortunately during school holidays. Schools are out for six weeks in Australia from just before Christmas.
Later in the same year as the crash, I was to become a part of a church in the outer Western suburbs of Sydney. I learned that a couple of the men from that church had been passengers on the train, going to work, that morning. They were survivors and actually took part in assisting the injured in the crash. Ivan and John were both awarded medals by the Government for their assistance that day.
There had been criticism of the Granville bridge's condition, for some time prior to this dreadful crash.
| Author Notes |
Photos of the Granville train crash from some books of the time. Another photo (coloured one) of the skeleton of the electric locomotive involved in the crash. Neville Wran was the state Premier from 1976 to 1986.
Links below to articles on the Premier and about the train crash. For those of you new to my writings you can read more about Louise and me in my autobiography "The Little Dog That Wouldn't Let Go." -subtitled "God Never Lets Go." Here is a Link to the start. |
By Sankey
No one understands
a would-be Mother's heart.
Her desire to be a part
of that tenderness and the
softness of a little baby's 'feel'
The presence of a little life,
in whom to place her zeal.
Skipping Mother's Days and Father's Days
'tis sorrow to attend.
Because to be a part of these,
our sadness would not end.
There are the "Baby Show'rs" we miss
or feel left out, no bliss,
the yearning, longing emptiness,
without a baby's kiss.
| Author Notes |
This was formerly a Competition Entry for Free Verse Poetry. Now no longer.
There was a lovely photo I had from Fan Art but my wife brought this little cardigan in to show me today and I felt it should be used. She knitted this cardigan as a teenager to give to her own baby some day. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
We have taken liberty with some cockney accents in places especially around the "barfs" meaning BATHS (not throwing up - that I could not even find in our Macquarie Dictionary or the American Websters)...which Downunder is more "long 'a' " or "ar" pronunciation. The same for "larfs," with a silent "r". I know the Pommies and Aussies will get it. For those not familiar with the term a "bird bath" is where you fill your basin in the bathroom with warm water and washing by hand in all the important places, preventing bandages and dressings from getting wet as they would in the shower. As in the poem we had a couple of goes at showers with covering over the dressings. Very difficult.
Photos are of my head skin cancer wound and the graft area on my right leg, where they took some skin to replace stuff taken from my head. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
This was an entry in the Hope contest now closed. I had no phoney money to promote it so it did not get a look in apart from one vote. I replaced a former picture of milk cartons with this one of the bare supermarket shelves. The other picture of a Long Life milk carton next to an Almond "Milk" carton was not clear enough. We were coming through the checkout and seeing I had 2 Almond "Milks" our current restrictions due to the Coronavirus on purchasing more than 2 milks or two packs of toilet tissues or many other items in great demand, forbade me taking both the "Long Life Milk" and the Almond milk. That is until a kind lady behind us in the queue very graciously paid for our Long Life milk. This allowed us to take all four "Milk." Fact is, and there is a lot of discussion on this all over the place as to Almond milk being incorrectly named as cows do not produce it.
Even prior to the current crisis we have been blessed by neighbourliness in our area especially towards us not seen for 30 years. However, we are hearing on the news of many acts of kindness taking place in amidst this awful time for us all. I tried to change the background colour but I was unsuccessful sorry. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | "Gently to your feet" meaning if you accidentally kicked her there was no brick in her butt! The picture is Molly from all angles. The givers of "Molly" went to New Zealand years ago and I have been unsuccessful in contacting them. Gail was our bridesmaid at our wedding. She has also been our long time friend and a clever embroidered. "beaut" is an abbreviation of "beautiful." Hope you enjoyed coming back for the solution to saving our favourite mouse. |
By Sankey
Molly's now sporting
Her brand new suit.
Just the eyes, ears and feet
From her old
"Bag of fruit!"
We missed Molly's presence
Her standing "on guard"
Gail's needle and cotton
have worked very hard.
We look forward to Molly,
For many more years,
Greeting our visitors
And no more tears.
| Author Notes |
Picture is a "then and now" Molly's old suit on left and new suit on right. "Bag of fruit" is one of those rhyming anachronisms from British "lore." Gail is a long time friend of Louise's from their High School days. She was also our bridesmaid at our wedding. A very clever seamstress and embroiderer. She had some left-over material she was wanting to dispose of so Molly scored her new outfit.
Link below is to the old poem on Molly. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | Picture is an oldie I don't remember where I got but thought it would go well in here. It has got that way, with the Lockdowns and so on I almost feel uncomfortable having to go out for appointments and stuff now. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | Once again, most grateful to an anonymous sponsor who has made it possible for me to stay another year on FS. I know a lot don't understand but our currency differences (between USA and Australia) always makes the yearly fee very hard. Thanks to Supergold for "La Salute at Sunset." I felt this was a good picture to go with my poem. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes |
As we have mentioned elsewhere, we believe the loss of the key-names off my MANY keyboards may have possibly been due to one or more of the barrow of medication I am on. Some sort of side-effect causing something from my fingers to gradually clean off the most used letters.
Not being a professional typist, I need the letters to show me where I am going. Pictures: Top the original picture for the first Disappearing Keys Poem with the gloves and the Clear nail polish with an old keyboard. Next, the ad for the keyboard covers/ Then lastly the new keyboard cover in place. I bought a few more since for back up.Click on the link for my earlier disappearing keys lament. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | Due to special meds for my various "Auto-Immune" diseases, my weight has increased. I was finding walking a lot more difficult even as much as I was enjoying it for so long. I have written elsewhere about my new acquisition, the "Walker." I have been looking all over the place for a suitable bag for extra things I like to carry when I am "out and about!" Both Louise and myself have been scouring the online sales places and when I saw this bag, I loved it straight away. It came from the UK and cost around $40 Aussie money. I love it! Designed for all kinds of walkers there are extra straps on it I will never use. Picture is the new bag on the walker. |
By Sankey
For three or more years
We had a great group
Of cool taxi drivers
These guys were a troop.
The first one was Ahmad
His first name Barkaat.
In gentleman's driving
He sure had the art.
But then came along covid
To kill it all dead
The men's taxi businesses
Got knocked on the head.
Vehicles everywhere
With nothing to do.
Close of businesses and schools
Shot things through.
Post covid a new system
Has come on the block.
It's giving the "Old Guard"
A bit of a shock!
One of the regulars
Had turned up to get us
Not booked through the old system
Wondering what had upset us?
It seems all the drivers
Whether "system" or free
As they all know each other
We're making them see
They've taken us for granted,
Not treating us right,
They must "pull their socks up"
Or we might just "take flight!"
| Author Notes |
I had another version of this but sadly have lost it. Probably turn up after this goes public. The picture is Louise either boarding or having just alighted from one of the 8 or 9 wheelchair taxis we eventually had access to, in the good old days. Barkaat. pronounced "Bar-cart."
Most Fanstorians know my wife is in a power chair, moreso in the last few years. We need wheelchair taxis to get around. The new system is called "Book and Ride" and is set up by the Government. We will still sometimes get drivers we have known, but just making the old crowd wake up to the fact we do have other options besides them. You can read more about meeting Ahmad and crew, in my "Little Dog Book" near the end in the following link. |
By Sankey
Apologies to all my fans and favourite readers and writers. With COVID interruptions and so on, I have been a bit down and tired and more recently, dealing with illness, once again!
I do have a couple of rambles, still incomplete, in the wings. So stick around.
Stay safe everyone, we have now also had the first "jab" of the Astra Zenka COVID vaccination. Each of us with our different reactions but only sore arms still around.
| Author Notes | Thanks to Paul Bonas for the lovely Koala picture. |
By Sankey
1.Wally 2
I welcome you
As Wally 1's
Retired.
2. I've learned so much
About your touch
Especially how
You're wired.
3. The brakes and screws
Are the "One and Two"
Of careful consideration.
4. I'll regularly tighten up
Your screws 'n
Release your brakes
In motion.
5. I look forward to
The many hours
Of faithful operation
6. Providing me
The needed support
As I get out
In this part of
Our nation.
| Author Notes | Wally 1 had to be replaced as he had a problem, I believe, from the start of the brakes not working properly. It was also, possibly my fault, leaving the brakes on when moving, too many times. Wally 2 has been great, so far. Looking forward to getting out more on my "Out and abouts" more frequently. These days, I go everywhere with a carer due toi an accident I had in October, last year. |
By Sankey
| Author Notes | Today, in Australia, is our 36th Wedding Anniversary. Picture is our favourite Wedding photo and a map of all the trips we had done around our country in better days. |
|
You've read it - now go back to FanStory.com to comment on each chapter and show your thanks to the author! |
| © Copyright 2015 Sankey All rights reserved. Sankey has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |
© 2015 FanStory.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Privacy Statement