The Handmade Help Recipe Book...

I placed an order for this book back in mid-July. I'll let you know what I think of it when it arrives.
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Joolz

The Day Australia Cried...

Please visit Tania's site http://www.outbacktania.blogspot.com for a heart rending poem about the Victorian Bushfire tragedy. Who ever wrote this poem (no author listed) had captured the emotion of the nation as it mourns the lives lost in Australia's worst natural disaster. A worthy tribute.

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- Joolz

National Day of Mourning...

In memory of the victims of the Victorian Bushfires who's lives were taken 2 weeks ago on Saturday 7th February, 2009 and in the days that followed.

We remember them, mourn for them and those who loved them.

My deepest admiration goes to the CFA members and volunteer fire fighters, ambulance officers and paramedics, police and army personnel and the many wonderful volunteers that have played a part in the relief effort. We live in a lucky country.

I have just watched the National Day of Mourning Service at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Mr Bruce Woodley, author of the song 'I am Australian' penned two new verses to the song and they were performed by his daughter Claire and two survivors of the fires from Kinglake, Victoria. The lyrics, as best as I could get them on paper, are as follows...

( the song is the first on my playlist today)

I am Australian

There are no words of comfort

that can hope to ease the pain

of losing homes and loved ones

the memories will remain.

We weep our silent tears and find

the strength to carry on, you're not alone

We are with you,

We are Australian.

There are so many heroes

whose stories must be told.

They fought the raging fires of hell

and saved so many souls.

From the ashes of despair

our towns will rise again.

We mourn your loss,

We will rebuild

We are Australian.

We are one, but we are many

and from all the lands on earth we come.

We share a dream and sing with one voice

I am, you are

We are Australian.

(Now edited from transcript in The Advertiser, Mon 23/2/09)

- Joolz

Bushfire tragedy....

The updated death toll from the wild fires in Victoria is now 173 and this will rise.

In hard economic times, it is amazing that Australians have now pledged A$13 million dollars to the bushfire victim appeals. Everyone is digging deep.

Late yesterday afternoon I received a blanket text message (not sure who from) asking for locals to go through their belongings and donate clothing, bedding and homewares. They are to be taken to our Community Club this morning from 11.30am and will then be freighted over to Victoria for distribution.

B15 and I went through her clothing - she had many T-shirts that had been kept from last summer that she hadn't worn this year - all in perfect, clean condition. She thought some things weren't appropriate (still in fashion) but I said, "if it's clean and doesn't smell of smoke, someone will be happy to wear it". We filled a black garbage bag full. She also went through her 'teddy' box and I think we got about 12 small teds - a little something for kids to hang onto and cuddle.

I went through my linen cupboard and found doona covers, sets of single bed sheets (we have king singles in the spare room now), large bath towels, never used, beach towels from 4 summers back, still in good nick. Into a bag they went.

K18 had cleaned out her clothes a while back so she only had a few pyjama bottoms and wind-cheaters to donate.

'A' got home from work and I made him go through his shirts and polo tops and he filled a bag with things he had barely worn.

We won't miss any of these items, they were just hidden away doing nothing but clutter our drawers.

All this made me realise just how much we have and how

very little these poor people have

These people have nothing!

As the death toll rises and I see the distraught faces of these poor people, wandering lost and aimlessly, hoping for news of missing loved ones, good news that won't come, I feel very helpless and so very sad for them. It is a cruel, dark time for country Victoria.

May the souls of the deceased rest in peace. And may they catch the arsonists responsible for this holocaust.

Joolz

Relief and full scale tragedy....

(Agapanthus - Black Magic)

We are enjoying a lovely cooler day here in the Lower SE of South Australia. There is a sea

breeze blowing and it's overcast and coolish.

The news is not good for Victoria - as many as 65 lives lost in the bushfires so far. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are battling the fires and the loss of loved ones.

If you are able, please support the Emergency Services and their volunteers - make a cake, cut some sandwiches, fill a thermos, pack an esky with ice and bottled water and deliver it to the depot and most of all, pat these men and women on the back for a hard job well done.

Joolz