This morning up bright and early (for us anyway) and off to our exercise group which was enjoyable as usual....I still have problems with my right side and right knee but manage most of the exercises and the weights OK. I often wish I could afford to go more often but I could and should do most of the things at home. I wonder why it is exercising alone is so boring which tends to put me off bothering to do it. MOH exercises with the group but trying to encourage him to exercise with me at home....no go.
Later I saw my podiatrist who has been off seeing the world with his family. We'd missed him since last year as he is also doing some study and so I had been seeing a locum (a really lovely Vietnamese lass) this year but it was nice to see John again. He does look after my feet so well and when one is diabetic that is just so very important. I used to go to the podiatrist about avery 4-5 weeks but my toenails grow so slowly these days I've extended the time between visits to 8 weeks. My fingernails grow very quickly so why not my toenails? Circulation problems..I do hope not.
Came home and did a few (little) necessary chores, had lunch and then onto Facebook and my farms that I have on there (all so much fun).
I then decided to get onto Centrelink to register and had to answer questions which I thought I'd done quite well but it seems I hadn't 'cos I got the response that I had failed and couldn't register! What? One question under my spouse's details was 'Maiden Name' and as my spouse is a man I thought that a little odd so put in my maiden name but perhaps that was wrong. Goodness how I hate government departments and their red tape. Why is it that nothing is stated in plain straight forward English? I consider myself a well educated and intelligent adult person but....I ask you. Perhaps I'll get on the 'phone tomorrow and ask them what answers they would like me to give.
One interesting and confusing statement was this: You will be asked certain questions so make sure you have the necessary information available before you start. How on earth was I supposed to know what information I should need to have with me before I knew what they were going to ask???
One question was: bank account details payments made to: Did they want to know which bank..my bank account details (number etc)..or who the payments were made to? There was only room for about 9 characters so wasn't sure what to put in that little window so perhaps put the wrong answer there.
Apart from this little glitch the day is going quite well...the weather is cooler and we had rain yesterday .. 12mm in our rain gauge at home (nearly half an inch) and we are keeping fingers crossed for more rain later in the week. With the beginning of winter only two weeks away we certainly should have had a lot more rain by now and think though our garden thoroughly enoyed the rain that fell yesterday.
Tomorrow is another day and I am hoping it will be even better..now the weather is cooler I am beginning to feel I am alive again so on to bigger and better things..well perhaps anyway.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
MY SUPPORT FOR STAY AT HOME MUMS
I have recently heard many people say (including our government) that young mothers should be able to return to the workforce while their child is quite young. On a discussion forum I was watching tonight I actually heard a single childless career woman say she resented any of her taxes being used to support families in any way and that mothers that chose to stay home made no contributiion to the economy or anything else.
Do all new mums want to go back to work and leave their little one to be cared for by others? Surely not. If it is possible for them to be fulltime stay at home mums then I don't think they should be made to feel they are not making any contribution to our country.
A mother is many things: a wife, housekeeper, nurse, accountant, teacher, etc. etc. You cannot tell me that doing all these things and being there to teach her child right from wrong (which is very necessary these days) is not making any contribution. She must teach her youngsters to be caring and understanding of others and everything else that turns a child into a worthwhile adult and Australian citizen.
Men and women are different...women are physically able to bear children - men are not. If a woman and her husband/partner decide it is time to have a child then hopefully they will also decide if they can afford for the new mum to at least spend the first few years home with the new arrival, should she wish to do so.
Many people in this modern world appear to want to have everything that is available in the way of big houses, swimming pools, spas, home theatres...you name it and they want it. On top of that they decide they want a family so what happens. A baby arrives and after only a few months he/she is left each day at a child care centre and mum goes back to work. If that is the mother's choice then so be it.
I know I am old-fashioned but I cannot come to terms with wanting it all. It is of course once again the way of the modern world and has been accepted as the norm but are we teaching our children to be unselfish or are they going to be even more selfish than many of the modern generation. They will be brought up in homes where everything is laid on and wll expect the same for themselves when they grow up. What has happened to the anticipation of being able to buy something one wants after saving hard for it? Not to expect all to be laid on and unhappy if it is not?
I would support any young mother who felt she needed to be there for her young child until at least that child was going to kindergarten when the mother could begin to think of finding a part-time job and still be there for her child out of school hours.
Financial circumstances forced me to return to the workforce when my two children were 10 and 12 years of age and yet I still felt guilty that I was away from our home during each weekday in case they should be ill or need me for some reason. Fortunately it did work out well and I think those two children were sufficiently shown right from wrong that neither got into any trouble. I may be wrong here but do feel that my being home with them during their formative years helped in some small way for that to happen.
Do all new mums want to go back to work and leave their little one to be cared for by others? Surely not. If it is possible for them to be fulltime stay at home mums then I don't think they should be made to feel they are not making any contribution to our country.
A mother is many things: a wife, housekeeper, nurse, accountant, teacher, etc. etc. You cannot tell me that doing all these things and being there to teach her child right from wrong (which is very necessary these days) is not making any contribution. She must teach her youngsters to be caring and understanding of others and everything else that turns a child into a worthwhile adult and Australian citizen.
Men and women are different...women are physically able to bear children - men are not. If a woman and her husband/partner decide it is time to have a child then hopefully they will also decide if they can afford for the new mum to at least spend the first few years home with the new arrival, should she wish to do so.
Many people in this modern world appear to want to have everything that is available in the way of big houses, swimming pools, spas, home theatres...you name it and they want it. On top of that they decide they want a family so what happens. A baby arrives and after only a few months he/she is left each day at a child care centre and mum goes back to work. If that is the mother's choice then so be it.
I know I am old-fashioned but I cannot come to terms with wanting it all. It is of course once again the way of the modern world and has been accepted as the norm but are we teaching our children to be unselfish or are they going to be even more selfish than many of the modern generation. They will be brought up in homes where everything is laid on and wll expect the same for themselves when they grow up. What has happened to the anticipation of being able to buy something one wants after saving hard for it? Not to expect all to be laid on and unhappy if it is not?
I would support any young mother who felt she needed to be there for her young child until at least that child was going to kindergarten when the mother could begin to think of finding a part-time job and still be there for her child out of school hours.
Financial circumstances forced me to return to the workforce when my two children were 10 and 12 years of age and yet I still felt guilty that I was away from our home during each weekday in case they should be ill or need me for some reason. Fortunately it did work out well and I think those two children were sufficiently shown right from wrong that neither got into any trouble. I may be wrong here but do feel that my being home with them during their formative years helped in some small way for that to happen.
ENJOYING THE COOLER WEATHER
After months of high temperatures above 30C (86F) we are now enjoying cooler weather in the mid 20Cs.. I don't know if it is that we are just recovering after the heat but MOH and I don't seem to have any energy....all our get up and go has got up and gone.
You keep promising you will do certain jobs when the weather cools down and then when it does those same jobs are still there staring you in the face so why can't we get on with them?
We will have to make an effort because before we know it (time seems to fly by so quickly these days) it will be spring (our winter is only about 3 weeks away) and it will begin to get hot again.
Oh boy! Sound like the voice of doom don't I? I guess all this is really part of getting old and we have to allow for it. It is so easy when sitting back in a comfy chair or even here at my computer...you think of something you are going to do but when you get up to do it? Ouch!! The poor old back tells you you'd be better off sitting down again. What a wimp I am!!
They say never put off till tomorrow what you can do today but my motto seems to be 'never do today what you can put off until tomorrow".
Okay my girl you've put it all into words.....now stop feeling sorry for yourself and tomorrow you ARE going to begin to sort through those clothes that have been sitting waiting for so long. Hopefully I can put summer dresses away and begin to take out some warmer clothes to wear.
That is not the only job waiting to be done but at least it will be a start.
You keep promising you will do certain jobs when the weather cools down and then when it does those same jobs are still there staring you in the face so why can't we get on with them?
We will have to make an effort because before we know it (time seems to fly by so quickly these days) it will be spring (our winter is only about 3 weeks away) and it will begin to get hot again.
Oh boy! Sound like the voice of doom don't I? I guess all this is really part of getting old and we have to allow for it. It is so easy when sitting back in a comfy chair or even here at my computer...you think of something you are going to do but when you get up to do it? Ouch!! The poor old back tells you you'd be better off sitting down again. What a wimp I am!!
They say never put off till tomorrow what you can do today but my motto seems to be 'never do today what you can put off until tomorrow".
Okay my girl you've put it all into words.....now stop feeling sorry for yourself and tomorrow you ARE going to begin to sort through those clothes that have been sitting waiting for so long. Hopefully I can put summer dresses away and begin to take out some warmer clothes to wear.
That is not the only job waiting to be done but at least it will be a start.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
FAMILY MEMBERS...#2 MY MUM
I didn't purposely put Dad first but gave him precedence as he was the older of the two.
My adoptive mum (the one who chose me to be her daughter) was born in London, England in 1897, towards the end of the Victorian era. Her father was a lawyer and from what I can make out (and after re-reading some of his letters from years back) I feel he was somewhat of a snob. He was for many years involved in Freemasonry and was a Grand Master and mixed with very high ranking people throughout his life. I googled Percy Rockliff and up came pages and pages of history of the Masons that involved Percy throughout those many pages.
Mum had a sister 7 years older than herself and a very gentle, quiet mother who eventually, with her two daughters, was forced to leave the family home because it would seem that she was nor suitable as a wife for her husband Percy. I think he kept them for many years and educated his daughters but had his wife sign an agreement that she would never sue for divorce as the Masons did not believe in divorce. I doubt that piece of paper was legal but he went on with his wonderful life whereas his wife lead a very quiet life on her own. Those were the good old days (for men anyway).
Mum had a good education and found employment in the Sugar Commission where she was secretary to one of the head of the commission. This is of course where she met dad not knowing at first that he was a widower or had a small son. From what she told me she fell in love with this much older man (she was 19 and he 31 when they first met. They married in December 1917 in South Tottenham and as England was still involved in WW1 there were many restrictions...no photographs could be taken (not sure why) and they were able to get only a few days for a honeymoon.
Family members came down with the Spanish 'flu which swept through the world after the cessation of hostilities and dad was very sick as was mum's sister Amy. It was only procuring oxygen that saved Amy's life. She had worked for an oxygen company and mum appealed to the boss of that company who made the oxygen available.
To cut a long story short dad was told that his health was failing and it was suggested he emigrate to a warmer climate. The decisiion was made to come to Western Australia and so mum and dad sold their home and possession and along with dad's young son sailed on the "Euripides" and disembarked in Albany in May, 1920.
Their object was to take up farming and you must remember these two people had come from good homes and good jobs and had absolutely no experience of farming. Obviously they considered it would a healthy lifestyle but they had many trials and tribulations through the ensuing years which included the Great Depression, being burnt out and flooded out to name a few.
When I was 4 mum had a major operation and developed thrombosis in both legs so was bedridden for some time and she and I spent some time in Albany while she convalesced. Eventually the doctor told dad that he couldn't guarantee mum's survival if they didn't leave the farm. I am not sure anyone in the Western world today could imagine how hard the work was back then and the long hours they worked. They grew potatoes which is a backbreaking job when you sow the seed potatoes by hand and only have a a horse and plough to dig the furrows.
The hard decision was made for us to move up to Perth...I don't know the financial details but I feel that medical bills and mum not being able to work on the farm had meant perhaps borrowing from the bank. All I know is that they walked off the farm with very little but their clothing and aboud five pounds in their pockets.
All this after 17 years of really hard yakka must have been devastating but they seem to have taken it in their stride regardless of what they had to go without. I know mum only had one good dress and very little else in the way of clothing but somehow I was always well dressed (mum made my clothes...possibly borrowing a sewing machine) and I have a photograph taken when I was 7 of a very smart little outfit she had made me.
As told in dad's story he eventually found a very good job but I have never managed to work out how they managed to send me to college from the age of nearly 6 until I was 15. At no time was I ever made to feel we were poor...they were two very proud people who would never allow their poverty to be evident. I don't think I ever thanked mum for all she did for me and perhaps haven't realised this fact until after her death when I've had time to really consider it all.
In 1952 we moved to a new home dad had subconstracted to be built and very comfy it was too. It was while living there that I had celebrated my 21st birthday, my engagement to H#1 and my marriage. I later learned that mum had to borrow a little money from my half-brother to help pay for the wedding. Even then she was still battling 'cos dad had just not wanted to work after he sold the shop in 1947 so I think building the house may have incurred a mortgage.
I have to go back a few years now as I have somewhat jumped the gun here. When dad sold the shop in 1947 the rate of inflation in Australia hit an all time high so they were left with insufficient money to live on. Dad said he had retired and didn't intend to return to work so mum set about trying to find herself some type of work. She was still a skilled shorthand typist so looked around for something entailing secretarial work. The Women's Service Guild was seeking a part-time secretary which paid an honorarium of three pounds a week and she accepted the position and from there her life changed quite remarkably. The President of the Guild was a Mrs Bessie Rischbieth a wealthy woman from Peppermint Grove who worked untiringly for women's rights and those of the downtrodden in the world. They became fast friends and I am sure it was Bessie that got mum's mind on social work.
I had just begun work as a secretary when dad sold the shop and I was paying a small amount of board each week out of my two pound eight shilling weekly wage which I have always hoped helped mum a wee bit with the housekeeping.
Mum was still involved in a lot of social work when we moved to Joondanna (in the house they built there) and I somehow felt she needed to branch out on her own to pursue her interests and this may have been the foundation of her decision to tell dad it was time they separated.
Mum of course then had to find fulltime employment and this she did without any trouble. She was a very well spoken Englishwoman and impressed people when she first met them as being very competent, which she indeed was. He first job was as private secretary to the manager of Bouchers Industries in Osborne Park and when that firm I think was taken over by a larger firm (don't quote me on that) she then found a secretarial position with APT Shipping in Perth.
This is becoming a very long story but Mum's life had so many components which needs to be told. I will continue this in the next few days while I gather my thoughts about what happened in later years in this fantastic woman's life.
My adoptive mum (the one who chose me to be her daughter) was born in London, England in 1897, towards the end of the Victorian era. Her father was a lawyer and from what I can make out (and after re-reading some of his letters from years back) I feel he was somewhat of a snob. He was for many years involved in Freemasonry and was a Grand Master and mixed with very high ranking people throughout his life. I googled Percy Rockliff and up came pages and pages of history of the Masons that involved Percy throughout those many pages.
Mum had a sister 7 years older than herself and a very gentle, quiet mother who eventually, with her two daughters, was forced to leave the family home because it would seem that she was nor suitable as a wife for her husband Percy. I think he kept them for many years and educated his daughters but had his wife sign an agreement that she would never sue for divorce as the Masons did not believe in divorce. I doubt that piece of paper was legal but he went on with his wonderful life whereas his wife lead a very quiet life on her own. Those were the good old days (for men anyway).
Mum had a good education and found employment in the Sugar Commission where she was secretary to one of the head of the commission. This is of course where she met dad not knowing at first that he was a widower or had a small son. From what she told me she fell in love with this much older man (she was 19 and he 31 when they first met. They married in December 1917 in South Tottenham and as England was still involved in WW1 there were many restrictions...no photographs could be taken (not sure why) and they were able to get only a few days for a honeymoon.
Family members came down with the Spanish 'flu which swept through the world after the cessation of hostilities and dad was very sick as was mum's sister Amy. It was only procuring oxygen that saved Amy's life. She had worked for an oxygen company and mum appealed to the boss of that company who made the oxygen available.
To cut a long story short dad was told that his health was failing and it was suggested he emigrate to a warmer climate. The decisiion was made to come to Western Australia and so mum and dad sold their home and possession and along with dad's young son sailed on the "Euripides" and disembarked in Albany in May, 1920.
Their object was to take up farming and you must remember these two people had come from good homes and good jobs and had absolutely no experience of farming. Obviously they considered it would a healthy lifestyle but they had many trials and tribulations through the ensuing years which included the Great Depression, being burnt out and flooded out to name a few.
When I was 4 mum had a major operation and developed thrombosis in both legs so was bedridden for some time and she and I spent some time in Albany while she convalesced. Eventually the doctor told dad that he couldn't guarantee mum's survival if they didn't leave the farm. I am not sure anyone in the Western world today could imagine how hard the work was back then and the long hours they worked. They grew potatoes which is a backbreaking job when you sow the seed potatoes by hand and only have a a horse and plough to dig the furrows.
The hard decision was made for us to move up to Perth...I don't know the financial details but I feel that medical bills and mum not being able to work on the farm had meant perhaps borrowing from the bank. All I know is that they walked off the farm with very little but their clothing and aboud five pounds in their pockets.
All this after 17 years of really hard yakka must have been devastating but they seem to have taken it in their stride regardless of what they had to go without. I know mum only had one good dress and very little else in the way of clothing but somehow I was always well dressed (mum made my clothes...possibly borrowing a sewing machine) and I have a photograph taken when I was 7 of a very smart little outfit she had made me.
As told in dad's story he eventually found a very good job but I have never managed to work out how they managed to send me to college from the age of nearly 6 until I was 15. At no time was I ever made to feel we were poor...they were two very proud people who would never allow their poverty to be evident. I don't think I ever thanked mum for all she did for me and perhaps haven't realised this fact until after her death when I've had time to really consider it all.
In 1952 we moved to a new home dad had subconstracted to be built and very comfy it was too. It was while living there that I had celebrated my 21st birthday, my engagement to H#1 and my marriage. I later learned that mum had to borrow a little money from my half-brother to help pay for the wedding. Even then she was still battling 'cos dad had just not wanted to work after he sold the shop in 1947 so I think building the house may have incurred a mortgage.
I have to go back a few years now as I have somewhat jumped the gun here. When dad sold the shop in 1947 the rate of inflation in Australia hit an all time high so they were left with insufficient money to live on. Dad said he had retired and didn't intend to return to work so mum set about trying to find herself some type of work. She was still a skilled shorthand typist so looked around for something entailing secretarial work. The Women's Service Guild was seeking a part-time secretary which paid an honorarium of three pounds a week and she accepted the position and from there her life changed quite remarkably. The President of the Guild was a Mrs Bessie Rischbieth a wealthy woman from Peppermint Grove who worked untiringly for women's rights and those of the downtrodden in the world. They became fast friends and I am sure it was Bessie that got mum's mind on social work.
I had just begun work as a secretary when dad sold the shop and I was paying a small amount of board each week out of my two pound eight shilling weekly wage which I have always hoped helped mum a wee bit with the housekeeping.
Mum was still involved in a lot of social work when we moved to Joondanna (in the house they built there) and I somehow felt she needed to branch out on her own to pursue her interests and this may have been the foundation of her decision to tell dad it was time they separated.
Mum of course then had to find fulltime employment and this she did without any trouble. She was a very well spoken Englishwoman and impressed people when she first met them as being very competent, which she indeed was. He first job was as private secretary to the manager of Bouchers Industries in Osborne Park and when that firm I think was taken over by a larger firm (don't quote me on that) she then found a secretarial position with APT Shipping in Perth.
This is becoming a very long story but Mum's life had so many components which needs to be told. I will continue this in the next few days while I gather my thoughts about what happened in later years in this fantastic woman's life.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
FAMILY MEMBERS #1..MY DAD
I have decided for my own sake I am going to write a series of blogs as I remember members of my family I have known and perhaps eventually those I've never known but only learnt about.
My dad (the one that adopted me) was born in London in 1885 during the reign of Queen Victoria. He was one of 7 children one of whom died when she was less than one year old.
Dad was about 5'11" and had red hair although I only really ever remember his hair being grey and eventually white when he was much older. He was 46 when I arrived in his life so by the time I was concerned with hair colour and the like I'd probably missed the red hair stage. I do know he had to be careful when out in the sun and he did freckle very easily.
He was very upright and one may have thought he had been in the armed services. He did try and enlist during WW! but had hearing problems and was also employed in what was termed a 'reserved occupation' and therefore needed in the civilian workforce.
His father had his own business and was by trade a coach maker/wheelwright who employed several men so obviously was doing quite well. I knew nothing of his mother.
Dad never spoke of his family and I never unfortunately found out why this was. Mum said that when they married none of his family came to the wedding so whether he was the black sheep of the family or not I have no idea. He held an excellent position as Chief Clerk with the Sugar Commission in London.
He attended Buckingham Palace where he was presented with the MBE by King George VI (I have never known exactly what for but obviously for work done during WW1). I don't have his medal as it would have been given to his son who was a child of a previous marriage. Dad's first wife had died when only 32 years of age.
I know that Dad played soccer and was a goalie for Tottenham Hotspurs at a time when the players were all amateurs. He once told me that being amateurs they couldn't be paid but when they returned to their change rooms after a match they would find a one pound note tucked into one of their shoes. This would have been early in the 20th century.
I believe he also played for the England team but as all his medals, newspaper cuttings etc were burnt when their house was destroyed by fire prior to my birth I was never able to see or read anything relating to his football career. I do know he broke an ankle while playing for Spurs and many years later he broke a little finger.
We lived opposite a park in North Perth where the local soccer team used to practice and one day Dad wandered across to give them some tips on keeping goal. He apparently put his hand up to stop a ball and crack went a bone in a little finger. I guess when in his 60s his bones were perhaps a little too brittle for that type of treatment.
He was a great salesman and for a number of years was a Rawleighs dealer (went door to door selling their products and had quite a huge clientele). Mum helped him by making up pretty packages of cosmetics and the like and I believe she kept his books for him as well. He was awarded salesman of the year several times.
When I was about 12 he bought a corner shop in Swanbourne which they ran for a couple of years (this during the later years of WW2 with coupons and everything to deal with) and then in 1947 he suddenly decided it was time to retire so he sold the shop and we moved to a rental house in North Perth.
Dad enjoyed playing lawn bowls and belonged to the North Perth Bowling Club for a number of years. He smoked, but only a few cigarettes a day, and was never a drinker athough would occasionally have a shandy at the bowling club. He said he had seen too many problems caused by drink when he was younger and so there was never any alcohol in our house unil I was 20 and then only for my birthday party. I had to almost beg to have half a dozen bottles of beer for the young men coming to that party but finally mum and dad agreed. I don't think any of my female friends drank anything alcoholic back then. I certainly didn't.
Unfortunately in 1953 Mum took it into her head that she and Dad should separate and they both went their own ways. Dad eventually lived in a nursing home in East Fremantle where he died following a stroke in 1971 at the age of 85.
I remember him so well...he was a kindly man, loved by children 'cos he could make them laugh and his pet name for me when I was little was Tiddlywinks. One must remember he was born during the Victorian era and some of his ideas were perhaps just that....a trifle Victorian but all in all he was a father to be very proud of. I still love you Dad.
My dad (the one that adopted me) was born in London in 1885 during the reign of Queen Victoria. He was one of 7 children one of whom died when she was less than one year old.
Dad was about 5'11" and had red hair although I only really ever remember his hair being grey and eventually white when he was much older. He was 46 when I arrived in his life so by the time I was concerned with hair colour and the like I'd probably missed the red hair stage. I do know he had to be careful when out in the sun and he did freckle very easily.
He was very upright and one may have thought he had been in the armed services. He did try and enlist during WW! but had hearing problems and was also employed in what was termed a 'reserved occupation' and therefore needed in the civilian workforce.
His father had his own business and was by trade a coach maker/wheelwright who employed several men so obviously was doing quite well. I knew nothing of his mother.
Dad never spoke of his family and I never unfortunately found out why this was. Mum said that when they married none of his family came to the wedding so whether he was the black sheep of the family or not I have no idea. He held an excellent position as Chief Clerk with the Sugar Commission in London.
He attended Buckingham Palace where he was presented with the MBE by King George VI (I have never known exactly what for but obviously for work done during WW1). I don't have his medal as it would have been given to his son who was a child of a previous marriage. Dad's first wife had died when only 32 years of age.
I know that Dad played soccer and was a goalie for Tottenham Hotspurs at a time when the players were all amateurs. He once told me that being amateurs they couldn't be paid but when they returned to their change rooms after a match they would find a one pound note tucked into one of their shoes. This would have been early in the 20th century.
I believe he also played for the England team but as all his medals, newspaper cuttings etc were burnt when their house was destroyed by fire prior to my birth I was never able to see or read anything relating to his football career. I do know he broke an ankle while playing for Spurs and many years later he broke a little finger.
We lived opposite a park in North Perth where the local soccer team used to practice and one day Dad wandered across to give them some tips on keeping goal. He apparently put his hand up to stop a ball and crack went a bone in a little finger. I guess when in his 60s his bones were perhaps a little too brittle for that type of treatment.
He was a great salesman and for a number of years was a Rawleighs dealer (went door to door selling their products and had quite a huge clientele). Mum helped him by making up pretty packages of cosmetics and the like and I believe she kept his books for him as well. He was awarded salesman of the year several times.
When I was about 12 he bought a corner shop in Swanbourne which they ran for a couple of years (this during the later years of WW2 with coupons and everything to deal with) and then in 1947 he suddenly decided it was time to retire so he sold the shop and we moved to a rental house in North Perth.
Dad enjoyed playing lawn bowls and belonged to the North Perth Bowling Club for a number of years. He smoked, but only a few cigarettes a day, and was never a drinker athough would occasionally have a shandy at the bowling club. He said he had seen too many problems caused by drink when he was younger and so there was never any alcohol in our house unil I was 20 and then only for my birthday party. I had to almost beg to have half a dozen bottles of beer for the young men coming to that party but finally mum and dad agreed. I don't think any of my female friends drank anything alcoholic back then. I certainly didn't.
Unfortunately in 1953 Mum took it into her head that she and Dad should separate and they both went their own ways. Dad eventually lived in a nursing home in East Fremantle where he died following a stroke in 1971 at the age of 85.
I remember him so well...he was a kindly man, loved by children 'cos he could make them laugh and his pet name for me when I was little was Tiddlywinks. One must remember he was born during the Victorian era and some of his ideas were perhaps just that....a trifle Victorian but all in all he was a father to be very proud of. I still love you Dad.
ANOTHER POEM WITH LOTS OF MEANING FOR ME
This poem by Udiah is beautiful and although it was originally written as being from a man I dedicate it to my wonderful husband who cares for me so well each day of my life.
WHY I LOVE YOU
You give me hope and help me to cope
When life pulls me down you bring me around.
You teach me to care and help me to share.
You make me honest with kindness the best.
From you I learned love with grace from above
It's for you I live and want to give.
You are the reason that fills each season.
When I hear love I think of you
You are my world and best friend too.
I love you because you are so kind, thoughtful and caring
I love you because you are so pleasant, peaceful and sharing.
THANK YOU
In my case this definitely proves that second time around has been good for me. I couldn't manage without MOH. He does so many tasks I am now unable to do without one word of complaint. He just has to stay around 'cos I'd be lost without him.
WHY I LOVE YOU
You give me hope and help me to cope
When life pulls me down you bring me around.
You teach me to care and help me to share.
You make me honest with kindness the best.
From you I learned love with grace from above
It's for you I live and want to give.
You are the reason that fills each season.
When I hear love I think of you
You are my world and best friend too.
I love you because you are so kind, thoughtful and caring
I love you because you are so pleasant, peaceful and sharing.
THANK YOU
In my case this definitely proves that second time around has been good for me. I couldn't manage without MOH. He does so many tasks I am now unable to do without one word of complaint. He just has to stay around 'cos I'd be lost without him.
A CUTE LITTLE POEM THAT MADE ME LAUGH
This is a fun poem by Juan Olivarez which really took my fancy. I hope you will enjoy it too.
I once found heaven,
But couldn't stay.
My wandering feet
Led me away.
I once found an angel
That loved only me
But I left her in heaven
Because it couldn't be.
I once found true love
So true and sweet.
But I couldn't stop
My wandering feet.
So I took off my shoes
And threw them away
And found her again
And she let me stay.
I just hope they were both very happy.
I once found heaven,
But couldn't stay.
My wandering feet
Led me away.
I once found an angel
That loved only me
But I left her in heaven
Because it couldn't be.
I once found true love
So true and sweet.
But I couldn't stop
My wandering feet.
So I took off my shoes
And threw them away
And found her again
And she let me stay.
I just hope they were both very happy.
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