Mitre 10 - Sandpit

Prompted by Ruth's water heater story (it's well worth reading) I post the genetic basis for DIY. You need need to understand the New Zealand-Australian rivalry is deeply entrenched!

Advent longings

A wonderfilled seasonal Friday Five from Sally this week:

"Imagine a complex, multi-cultural society that annually holds an elaborate winter festival, one that lasts not simply a few days, but several weeks. This great festival celebrates the birth of the Lord and Saviour of the world, the prince of peace, a man who is divine. People mark the festival with great abundance- feasting, drinking and gift giving....." (Richard Horsley- The Liberation of Christmas)

The passage goes on, recounting the decorations that are hung, and the songs and dances that accompany the festival, how the economy booms and philanthropic acts abound....

But this is not Christmas- this is a Roman festival in celebration of the Emperor....This is the world that Jesus was born into! The world where the early Christians would ask "Who is your Saviour the Emperor or Christ?"

And yet our shops and stores and often our lives are caught up in a world that looks very much like the one of ancient Rome, where we worship at the shrine of consumerism....

Advent on the other hand calls us into the darkness, a time of quiet preparation, a time of waiting, and re-discovering the wonder of the knowledge that God is with us. Advent's call is to simplicity and not abundance, a time when we wait for glorious light of God to come again...

Christ is with us at this time of advent, in the darkness, and Christ is coming with his light- not the light of the shopping centre, but the light of love and truth and beauty.

What do you long for this advent? What are your hopes and dreams for the future? What is your prayer today?

In the vein of simplicity I ask you to list five advent longings....

In this time of waiting
for the coming of the Saviour
For what do I long?

• For a world where justice and peace are rampant
• For every child to be born in a context of love and concern
• For meaningful connections with family and friends across seas and continents
• To be in touch with nature; to feel the sand between my toes and the wind on my face
• To eat well and share abundantly; and know this experience is universal
  

In honour of Uncle Tom

Another wonderful poetry invitation from Christine at Abbey of the Arts who posted this picture, taken during a trip to trace maternal ancestors. to inspire us to celebrate our ancestors, either as a group, or dedicated to a particular person (human or animal in nature).

The photograph is from Christine's invitation,

My great-uncle Thomas remained in Inverness when his parents and 12 siblings emigrated to New Zealand. Within a few years he was killed at Gallipoli. My grandparents named their first son after him, and that little one died in infancy. On a visit to Inverness I was stopped in my tracks and strangely moved when I saw his name on a wall plaque commemorating the men of Inverness, so many of them young men, who died in the first world war. I don't have a photograph.

I never met you
and I was moved to tears
when I saw your name

Lal remembered
her older brother always
and we heard stories

Thomas Gillanders
You were loved
You are remembered
You have family throughout this world
Rest in Peace

Location Location Location

Friday Five from Singing Owl who says:

My daughter, her husband, and their toddler, Trinity Ann, are moving from Minneapolis, Minnesota to our place. It's a long story, but the short version is that they will be loading a Ryder truck on Saturday, and on Sunday afternoon we will unload it into a storage unit in our town. They will move themselves, their two cats and their BIG dog into our place. Yes, there will be issues, but this Friday Five isn't really about that. (Prayers for jobs for them and patience for all of us are most welcome, however.) This post is about locations. My husband has lived at 64 addresses in his life so far (16 with me) and he suggested the topic since we have moving trucks on our minds.

Therefore, tell us about the five favorite places you have lived in your lifetime. What did you like? What kind of place was it? Anything special happen there?

If you have lived in less than five places, you can tell us a about fantasy location.
I'm up to 16 dwelling places as well. Each has memories and a special place in my heart. So the selection is somewhat random but here goes.

1. Te Pahu. This was my first home. I left before I turned four so I don't really remember much about it. My parents were farmers and there are heaps of pictures showing that I spent time out with Dad in teh paddocks and Mum in the garden. I do remember having a babysitter one afternoon. We were out in the garden and she accidentally cut a worm in half. I got very upset and angry with her for harming one of God's creatures. And she patiently explained to me that the worm would be able to grow a new tail and live happily in the soil. It worked as a calming technique.

2. Dunedin. University city. It's hard to believe I moved so far from home at the same age as my youngest now. Lived in a hostel for a year, then boarding with a woman from the church I attended, then flatting with four other 'girls'. Lots happened there. Good and bad. Growing up!
3. My first home purchase. In a provincial city. I've had a mortgage of one kind or another ever since. I just loved this little Hardyplank house. Decorated in pink and blue. With a garden full of indigenous trees and exotic flowers. Scene of many a pot luck tea with the 'sisterhood' and of a surprise party for my parents' 30th wedding anniversary. And I was completely smitten by a lovely guest who mowed my lawns. I've lived with him ever since as well.
no pic sorry - it was before the digital age :-)

4. Wanganui. Manse. Scene of 'courtship' and the first home we shared in our marriage. Bushwalks and drives up the River Road. The place where our children were born and brought home. A city of big-hearted and generous people. I was delighted when a work commitment took me back to speak on children's rights many years later. Those people are worth knowing.

5. Sydney. I started with the first and will end with the most recent. This involved an international move. We brought our cat! The climate is generally very pleasant. We're back in a church house with the frustration of maintenance by committee. But they also paid for the landscaping which has provided an amazing back yard retreat. Last year was one of the most challenging I have had. Now settling into new workplace and routine it is beginning to feel like home.

Day out

A pleasant drive yesterday to the Penrith Regional Gallery. I now know where the community of Emu Plains is (just below Emu Heights). The Emu Plains train leaves from the same platform as mine but I was never sure exactly where it was. But a highlight of the afternoon was the Strictly Samoan exhibitions. Followed by takeaway lunch on the banks of the Nepean river. Aussie Aiga consisted of multiple family portraits in all sorts of settings from very formal to very informal. Another collection of people all tattooed by the same traditional artist (with a video of the tattooing process playing in the gallery). Just the day before I had commented that I was rather homesick for Pacific culture, which is much more evident in NZ than here across the Tasman. So a delight to see an article in Saturday's newspaper about the excellent showcase of Samoan art that Penrith is hosting. Well worth a visit: actual or virtual :-)

Zero to two in under three

Talk about amazing. After six months with no paid employment I followed a lead from a friend which led to me accepting a part-time position in Palliative Medicine. The NEXT DAY I had an interesting phone call testing out my interest in a Public Health role in a new medical school. Today I had an interview which led to an offer and I will start that academic position part-time in two weeks. Still to be officially confirmed of course but all is in train to complete the paperwork. So from no job to two jobs in less than three weeks! I am a happy lassie. And even more so when I found the Uni is across the road from an art supplies shop. I love beautiful papers and this shop is full of those. As well as every kind of paint you can imagine. It was a great place to look around after the successful interview.

I'm not sure what to make of all this. Should I just have been more patient and trusted that the right position would eventuate? Was my 'bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' mentality about the first offer an example of that lovers' impetuous nature that leaps at the present and doesn't plan for the future? Was I just giving in to the pressure from within and without to find a job? At some level I know I was wondering what is wrong with me that I was perpetually shortlisted but never appointed. Others around me were asking the same question.

Then again - if there is any branch of clinical medicine that I would consider Pall Med is in there - alongside rehab/ psych/ addiction med/ gerontology. It was not a rash decision but something I had been thinking about for some time. Attending PallMed journal club I find synergies between the issues my new colleagues discuss and my experience in Public Health. Both these positions came as a result of invitation to consider. Both 'seemed right at the time'. One extends me in new directions and the other is a consolidation and affirmation of experience to date. In time I think I will find that the diversion into PallMed will have significant impact on my professional development. The Public Health questions around end of life care need to be addressed. I have a new perspective already.

So I am glad. Not too interpreting. Glad and grateful. For opportunities abounding and knowledge to gain and to share. However I got here.

Back to School

A very timely Friday Five from Mother Laura this week. Here are the graduates of my primary class going back to school many years later.

1. Is anyone going back to school, as a student or teacher, at your house? How's it going so far?
How could you know? This very afternoon I submitted an application for a Head of Department position at a local University. I met with some of the staff last week and was really impressed at the integration of personal and professional development within the curriculum. For those who follow my ramblings - yes this is a surprise. I had just started 2 days a week in Palliative Medicine when I was approached to consider the Uni position. In the short term I can continue both part time. But come the start of the new academic year in February I'll need to make some changes.
2. Were you glad or sad when back-to-school time came as a kid?
I was generally pretty happy to be going back to school.
3. Did your family of origin have any rituals to mark this time of year? How about now?
I don't remember any from my childhood. Getting the uniforms drycleaned is almost a ritual in our home now. YES the students do wear uniforms to school in Australia and New Zealand!
4. Favorite memories of back-to-school outfits, lunchboxes, etc?
Well that would be the uniform :-) I loved the lunches my Mum packed for me but I don't remember the boxes particularly.
5. What was your best year of school?
I loved my first year at school with Miss Hull who wore amazing large flowery dresses (it was the 60s !) And when I started post-grad studies in Public Health I had a huge sense of being where I belonged. Both were excellent years. But for attachment to place it would have to be that little country school (below) where I learned to love to learn.

Poised with passion

Another Poetry Party (the 23rd) hosted by Christine at Abbey of the Arts features this photograph of sweet Tune waiting at the bathroom door (with her human inside) in eager anticipation of her evening walk. Christine writes:

Luckily my camera was close at hand, but seeing her sit there so patiently, yet full of expectation, touched something in me. I have been pondering doors a lot lately with some of that to appear here on this blog. Often we wait at a threshold and the door has yet to be opened. That space of waiting can be one of the most difficult, and yet often the most necessary of times.

For what are you waiting with eager anticipation? You might speak from your own voice in the poem or that of a dog full of hope.

Feel free to take your poem in any direction and then post the image and invitation on your blog and encourage others to come join the party!

Sweet Tune
Patience born of knowing
pattern and person
Poised with passion
Ready to burst forth
at the first opening of the door

When past routine
no longer maps
direction or desire
Object of anticipation
uncertain and unclear
Restlessness pervades

Sweet Tune
Your poised passion
Eager anticipation
Secure knowing
Remind of greater
being and purpose

Uncertainty and change
open opportunity to wait
wonder, anticipate
familiar passion
pattern and person
in new landscape

Cultural complexities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up a high proportion of the Northern Territory population and are very visible in the community. On my morning walk along the esplanade on Sunday I met the artist above, who invited me to see her work at the Mindil Beach Sunset market that evening. Later in the week we met artists selling their work directly to the public at Wangi Falls. They spoke with significant feeling about the way they are treated by galleries, who pay the artist $100 for a work then marketed to tourists for several thousand dollars. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are allegedly signed up to a gallery and are unable to sell their work independently. At the Sunset market the music was playing and some members of the audience dancing in a display of culture of a different kind.

Our outing on Tuesday of last week started with a drive almost to the edge of Litchfield National Park, and a visit to the tin mine. Fully operational for only a few years, and wreaking serious health damage to those who spent their days breathing in silicon in while mining the underground seams of tin, this mine also seemed to operate as a multi-cultural workplace with both colonists and traditional owners of the land working in collegial, and in several cases conjugal, partnerships. The mine site was well laid out, with a short walking track and well-written interpretive signs giving a good impression of the lifestyle of those early miners and their families.

Our luxurious historic retreat in Batchelor was just along the road from the Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education . The hospitable library staff allowed me to use their internet connection to liaise with colleagues back in Sydney regarding public health education matters. Graduates from the Institute are working in many places in Australia, including many in their communities of origin. Exciting to see such a worthwhile enterprise doing well. In a further twist of history and culture, the guest house was the home of the manager for the uranium mine in the 1950s. The material mainly sold to the US of course.

On Wednesday we visited Adelaide River and learnt more about the relentless bombing experienced in the whole top end of Australia during World War 2. The War Commission Cemetery was sobering, as such sites always are. We walked to dinner that evening at the Butterfly Farm - literally capturing something of the beautiful fauna of the region and run by an Englishman.

WE concluded our trip to the top end with further exploration in Darwin on the Thursday. We concluded our trip with a visit to the excellent Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory where we saw not only the current exhibition, but the outstanding collections of Aboriginal Art with excellent explanatory captions. Such art was originally very sacred and could only be viewed by specific people or groups of people. Much thought and effort has gone into adapting styles of work to make them available to a wider audience. For this I am glad, as the art is awe-inspiring.

All in all an eclectic interwoven set of experiences of history and culture within a relatively limited geographical area. And now I see there is a job advertised in Katherine - further south and allegedly with the lowest petrol prices in the Territory (according to my bus driver cousin who should know!) I am tempted by the climate and the opportunity to make a real difference in addressing the health disparities of the traditional owners and occupiers of this country. But a 5 hour plane commute from Sydney is not really very friendly to the planet. I do have some other opportunities closer to home that I will explore first.

And to conclude: a random trivial fact. Left-handed people are over-represented among USA Presidents, and both the current contenders are left handed. Trivial? YES. Useful? NO. Interesting? MAYBE

Top End Flora

More about the Northern Territory sojourn last week. Flights into Darwin seem to be most frequent in the middle of the night and mine was no exception. After a delayed departure from Sydney I finally arrived in Darwin about 12.45 a.m. Driving the rental car into the city about 1.30 a.m. I was struck by the abundantly flowering frangipani trees repetitively and rhythmically caught in the headlights along the roadway. Remember of course that for me this is winter - and our frangipani tree is a bare branched thing with just a few surviving leaves. I just did not expect to see flowers blooming - especially not at 1.30 a.m. Then again the temperature in the middle of the night was hotter than in the noontime sun in Sydney! Of course I didn't stop and take a snap of the blooms at that time, but did find this tree in Batchelor later in the week.









Then over the following few days I was delighted by the range of vegetation we observed, including these pretty wildflowers and the brownish fruit (I have no idea what it is!).

Banksia is one of my favourite Australian natives and the orange flowers were also abundant on our walks each day. There was something quite energising about experiencing such different weather and such different plant life. It reminded me of an April in London (autumn in NZ of course and spring in the UK) and my delight in daffodils which were such a surprise at that time of year. It is amazing to be living in this vast and multifaceted country and to have the opportunity to explore its riches.

Litchfield National Park

A week ago we arrived in the town of Batchelor and settled into our luxurious accommodation at the Historic Retreat. Our host Rob was wonderful. We shared the common areas with a couple from Melbourne, helping out with a new grandchild in the town and enjoying their own space from time to time, and four intrepid US sailors on a three-day vacation from their catamarans.

We drove down from Darwin, stopping on the way for a Spectacular Jumping Crocodile cruise. I got to hold a python and see some pretty big crocs up close and personal. They did jump but sadly I didn't capture any on the camera (lots of shots of bits of croc out of frame. Check out their website for more. On the return trip delighted to see the sky filled with kites, relatives of course of the American bald eagle.

Once unpacked we headed into the park and visited the giant termite mounds. These are described as the equivalent of cows? In an environment where there are no natural herbivores, the termites carry out the processes needed to dispose of grass etc and return it to the soil. These are magnetic termite mounds. Very apt in a region named for the biologist Charles Darwin. It seems the termites are genetically programmed to build the mounds on specific axes. Those for whom this is thermally advantageous survive - those who freeze or bake don't survive. Leading to a whole community who build in the same direction. Or something like that!
And then further along the road to the very popular Buley Waterhole and a one hour trek to the ever-so-beautiful Florence falls. We swam in that pool at the foot of the falls and could get right in underneath the waterfalls. It was so lovely. Then up the 160 steps to the carpark and back to the open air restaurant at the motor camp for a delicious dinner of local Barramundi and fresh steamed veges.

Was this an idyllic day? YES. Did I engage in any deep biological, public health or spiritual reflection? NO not really. Did I live the moments as fully as possible? YES. Did I share them with someone I love? YES. And I didn't really set out to blog like this - reviewing the past week day-by-day. However it is an interesting process that I might just keep on with.

Top End sunset market

Back in wintery Sydney it is hard to believe that just a week ago I was in Darwin at the top end of Australia, where there are only two seasons - 'the wet' starting about October and 'the dry' - now. Temperatures were about 30 Celsius dropping to the 20s at night. Sunday evening I wandered down to the Mindil beach market where I got myself some 'dinkum Aussie tucker' and ate it on the beach. Darwin is renowned for its sunsets (which occur in different directions at different times of year - I'm sure the astronomers will understand) and last Sunday was no exception. About this time I headed to the airport to meet my beloved coming back from a President's (of the UCA) conference in Bali. But time for bed for me now. Will post more tomorrow.

Fireworks!

Sally posted the Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals this week. I can't resist a quick play even as I have conference presentation to prepare for next week, bag to pack, and early morning flight to Brisbane in the morning. This is prob my last blog in a while - so thanks Sally. It's a good one!

Sally writes:
I have to admit that I am chuckling to myself a little; how strange it seems for me a Brit to be posting the Friday Five on 4th July! I realise that most of our revgals will be celebrating in some way today, but I hope that you can make a little room for Friday Five! From my short stay in Texas my memories of the celebrations are of fireworks and picnics, one year we went in to central Houston to watch the fireworks and hear the Symphony Orchestra play, we were welcomed and included, and that meant a lot!

So lets have a bit of fun: 1. Barbeque's or picnics ( or are they essentially the same thing?)
In 1962 our family (Mum, Dad, me and two sisters) was living in a rural area Maihiihi. In a birthday speech to our Mum in April 2006 we said, " Many of you will have visited us at the store in Maihiihi. For us those were the picnic years. I think our parents knew every creek in the ... districts and we frequently enjoyed lunchtime outings accompanied by a rather cold swim" So 'picnic' conjures up a very warm memory of family outings, often in the company of grandparents and friends. This one at the beach some summertime. AND I also love a 'barbie' at home or at the park with a crispy salad and lots of tomato sauce.

2. The park/ the lake/ the beach or staying at home simply being?
Yes to all of the above

3. Fireworks- love 'em or hate 'em?
Love
4. Parades- have you ever taken part- share a memory...
Now this is a USA 4th of July memory. 1996. We were in California for only six weeks and invited to join the Sleepy Hollow Church parade. It was a wonderful day and our children rode in style!

For those of us on this side of the world ANZAC parades are always moving as a participant or observer. I never go away without a tear. And while I said on this side of the world - it is amazing to know that there is a bagpipe composition to honour NZ (and others) who lost their lives 'upover' (if that is the opposite of downunder). This photo from NZ Society Scotland of the 2006 parade in Arbroath.

5. Time for a musical interlude- if you could sum up holidays in a piece of music what would it be?
Any Dave Dobbyn really. Here's 'Slice of Heaven' live from London

Motivational Friday Five

Motivational you ask? Well as soon as I saw the first word I knew the photograph I wanted, taken in Italy in the year 2000, would be in one of those boxes in the top of my wardrobe or even more challenging, in the garage. And I have sorted junk until I found it (at the bottom of the final box. Then (re)mastered scanning to disk to turn a hard copy photo into something that can whizz through cyberspace. Thanks Singing Owl over at RevGalBlogPals.

From a beautiful sunny day at her place - and mine - here's the five based on words from the Lovin' Spoonful song, "Summer in the City."

Below you will find five words or phrases. Tell us the first thing you think of on reading each one. Your response might be simply another word, or it might be a sentence, a poem, a memory, a recipe, or a story. You get the idea:

1. rooftop 2. gritty
Sand in my togs (bathers, swimsuit, whatever y'all refer to them as it still feels the same)

3. hot town (yeah, I know, it's two words)
Two towns then for two words. Arbroath (Scottish east coast) - where hearing about the warmth shown immediately after WW2 by Scottish women who tended the graves of NZ airmen killed nearby warmed my heart - and the whisky afterwards warmed everything else on ANZAC Day 2005. And Dublin's fair city (below) ...

4. night lights

5. dance
A memory of cafe worship after Easter where people took off their shoes and stood in paint then danced on the calico. Those more timid contributed hand prints. The finished result was fantastic. Music was BLERTA's Dance all around the world

Call to prayer for Zimbabwe

Our congregation started on Monday with a nightly prayer vigil for the people of Zimbabwe in the lead up to the run-off election on June 27.

Yesterday we received this call from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches

Dear friends,

Many of us have been saddened by the events unfolding in Zimbabwe. In the presidential elections that took place on March 29, the people of Zimbabwe expressed themselves. Then they had to wait for several weeks before “official” results were announced. In accordance with those “official results” a run-off election was called for Friday, June 27.

Credible reports reaching us indicate a blatant intimidation of voters and people being tortured. Some have died. Already Zimbabweans have been suffering under the burden of high inflation and lack of essential commodities. The current spate of violence and intimidation seems to be targeted at those who did not vote for the ruling party, especially in some specific rural areas. This creates a very intimidating atmosphere for the run-off elections. We are committed to the rights and welfare of all Zimbabweans, not just to one party or the other. Our main concern now is to ensure that Zimbabweans feel free to express their democratic rights.

The World Council of Churches has this week called on all Christians to set aside this Sunday, June 22 to pray for Zimbabwe. We echo this call, and ask all our member churches to keep the people of Zimbabwe and the elections on Friday, June 27 in their thoughts. Please join Christians all over the world in praying for Zimbabwe this Sunday, and every day of next week.

Thank you very much.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi
General Secretary

I was a student doctor spending three months in Raxaul, India when the nation of Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. It was a time of such hope for a new nation. One of my colleagues was toying with the idea of naming her baby Zimbabwe, she was so struck by the image of the bird of freedom. I remember her saying "They even have a bird on their flag. Imagine a country having a bird on their flag."

The reality now is so vastly different and recorded in so many places including UNICEF and the UN. The Times leading article today calls for international action (photo of Robert Mugabe above is from The Times)

Last night I really didn't know how to pray. The horrendous reality is there before me. What can I do or say from my comfortable vantage point to make any difference? The Psalms of lament help. And the amazing testimony of the Zimbabwean people who, covered in bruises from continual beatings over many hours, were still able to say that they knew they stood for something much bigger and more important than the violent agenda of their oppressors.

I can in some small way stand beside these courageous people. I can unite with people around the globe at this crucial time in holding this country and all its people in our hearts. I recognise the value of the relationships within the Church, and partnerships between churches in different countries, that bring a personal dimension to the situation. I can pray for peace and justice to prevail.

This morning as I was pondering on my response I read Eternal Echoes. I found Sally's paraphrase of Gerard Kelly's poem provides words that I can say in the face of unspeakable pain and suffering:

Because he lives,

a fire burns in my bones,

and my eyes see possibilities

and my heart hears hope

like a whisper on the wind

and the song that rises in me

will not be silenced

as life disrupts

this shadowed place of death

like a butterfly under the skin

and death itself

runs terrified to hide.

Because he lives!

The whole poem is here


Again to quote Gerard Kelly via Sally
How can I stand before someone who has faced untold suffering and not offering weak platitudes still be able to say and believe that there is a day coming when this will be no more, that Jesus will indeed wipe away every tear from our eyes? God's plan is for restoration. THIS IS OUR HOPE!

I find it hard to be hopeful in the face of all that is happening around us. And yet I cling to hope. Sometimes I worry that hope stops me from taking action (because God or the UN will set it right). At a deeper level hope propels me to action, because I can do no less. Letter to Kevin Rudd on the way. And I will be there in the evenings listening, and learning, reading and praying, lighting a candle, threading prayer beads, making and planting a cross in the sand tray, alongside others.

Where should I be?

I first saw this savage chickens original on Hudson's notebook. Val has it too. And the Savage himself gave permission to post it here. Thanks Doug! I love it.

There have been so many cutesy variations on this theme over time. Bloom where you are planted. Wherever you go, there you are! But this beats all aphorisms.

This little cartoon is very helpful to me as I live and continue the process of finding work in a new place.

Not so useful in addressing my spatially challenged reality. But for that I have a street directory.
So all is sweet :-)

Taking in the view

Sally offers this week's Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals and says:

This week I took some time out to stop and walk and take in the view; my son Chris is studying in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, too often we simply drive up there, turn around and come home! This time Tim and I took time out to take in the view. It occurs to me that we need to do that more in life....

Here's my play

1. How important is the "big picture" to you, do you need a glimpse of the possibilities or are you a details person?

A crazy mixture really. I do need the big picture and thrive in dreaming and brainstorming and visioning situations. Yet much of my work involves the detail. I can hardly believe that I recently cited matching cryptosporidiosis (a gastro bug) disease notification data with drinking water supply quality data as an example of innovative work I have done. For many years I have been passionate about the needless loss of lives in house fires, where poverty is a key determinant. I have always admired Ian Roberts and his brilliant work in this area. I attended to the detail to statistically demonstrate what was patently obvious - that poor living standards are associated with a six-fold increase in risk of dying in a fire. At last Fire Safety campaigns were empowered to move from an individual responsibility focus only, to a community development approach.

2. If the big picture is important to you how do you hold onto it in the nitty gritty details of life?

Oh yes. This is an important question. With difficulty is the short answer. I am getting better at recognising the signs that I'm not holding on to it and making space. A couple of weeks ago I stayed at home and went for a walk along the river. I'm creating a few cards at the moment. Tonight I attended a meeting of the Tongan Congress within the Uniting Church and was blown away by the amazing LOUD praise of their young people. Solitude, creativity, and collective worship are some of the ways I hold on to the big picture.

3. Name a book, poem, psalm, piece of music that transports to to another dimension ( one....what am I thinking....)

There is a balm in Gilead ... (PCUSA Hymnal)

Psalm 121 - probably a genetic link there as it was a favourite Psalm of my great-grandfather and has been part of most family occasions in the succeeding generations. I like any version but the Scottish Psalter sends special tingles down my spine.

Chris Mason-Battley's Karanga and Karakia

AND I do love old books. From the Family stash I have my Great-Uncle's dictionary, several special Bibles (see previous post) and some devotional books that belonged to my Great-grandfather.

4.Thinking of physical views, is there somewhere that inspires you, somewhere that you breathe more easily?

In this immediate time and place I love coming down Marsden Rd and looking out over the city of Sydney, then taking a back route so that I drive briefly along beside the Parramatta River. I do breathe in deeply and have a sense of being where I'm meant to be when I see that view from the top of the hill, especially at night with lights bright into the distance.

5. A picture opportunity... post one if you can ( or a link to one!)
The hot air balloon ride which began my second half-century ...

Welcome Home - Dave Dobbyn

A student assignment on one of my favourite songs that I discovered on YouTube. In a radio interview Dave Dobbyn said something along the lines of this song being written in response to the case of Ahmed Zaoui who was detained under 'anti terrorist' laws in NZ and given sanctuary with a Franciscan order in Auckland.

Summer vacation

Thanks Sally for this Friday Five. It is a delightful paradox to be sitting in front of my computer on a Saturday in my warm and snuggly merino jersey with a warm chai in my hands (intermittently when I break from typing) and a pot of soup bubbling on the stove AND in responding to a FRIDAY five to be thinking of summer instead of the falling temperature outside.

1. Getting ready for summer, do you use the gradual tanning moisturisers ( yes gentlemen you too can answer this!!!), or are you happy to show your winter skin to the world?
No I don't. One experimental effort produced poor results - but I guess on top of that melanoma is such a public health issue that I want to be part of normalising our skin tone expectations. I've learnt so much from one of my daughters who is 'confidently pale'.

2.Beach, mountains or chilling by the pool, what/ where is your favourite getaway?


Beach or mountains, lake or river. I prefer natural water to the pool. No favourite place really - I love exploring new areas. Some great memories though from Te Araroa , Mangawhai Heads, Spiddal , Fort William, Coolum, San Anselmo, Yosemite and more ... These pics from Queensland's Sunshine Coast Easter 2007 - Four Sisters and the Everglades.

3.Are you a summer lover or does the long break become wearing?
I love holidays in any season, but I do love the long evenings in Summer. The Summer break is never too long! I do like airconditioning when temperature gets above 30 though.

4.Active holidays; hiking swimming sailing, or lazy days?
Hiking (called tramping in New Zealand but nowhere else in the world it seems) swimming, walking and experiencing local culture (art, museums, wonders of nature) make a holiday for me. So long as there is time to read or stitch in between times I am very happy.

5.Now to the important subject of food, if you are abroad do you try the local cuisine, or do you prefer to play it safe?
Local wherever possible. I figure if it is 'piping hot' there's not too much to worry about and in fact that is probably the 'safe' choice (minimal transport, local ingredients, familiar recipes etc).

Grand Tour Friday Five

My first time playing this game from Songbird. My five places:

1) Favorite Destination -- Right now would have to be Snell's Beach in North Auckland, New Zealand where we stayed recently with my Aunt and Uncle. The hospitality was warm and generous. The bedroom looked out over a literally 'picture perfect' bay. Just up the street was a walking track around the coast. And a short boat trip away was Kawau Island where we were the only people on the beach and the two of us swam in perfect contentment.

2) Unfavorite Destination -- Well the diner in Dannevirke would fit this bill. Only the diner was open on the evening of Easter Day (NB over 20 years ago). I ordered 'mexican chicken'. Was presented with a small (side) plate, with one crumbed chicken drumstick on a folded paper serviette. That was the meal!

3) Fantasy Destination -- I saw in Gourmet Traveller a resort in UAE where you have a mansion for two people, plus a yacht to sail in during the day and of course fantastic meals and service always at hand. Then again Prague is said to be the most romantic city in the world and I am a true romantic. And my patriotic side would like to participate in a commemoration of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. My great uncle died there in World War One and it is a site where so many mothers and fathers, Turkish and Allied, lost their sons. So it seems a world tour is my fantasy destination.

4) Fictional Destination -- I so want to see Aslan singing the world into being - as in The Magician's Nephew. Narnia would be my choice.

5) Funny Destination -- the Ginger Factory on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia has cutesy carnival type rides, giant gingerbread men statues everywhere, a miniature train ride, and LOTS of ginger. I loved it.