Wednesday, March 02, 2016

SWEET DREAMS; PRECIOUS MEMORIES AND A LITTLE DECADENCE




Dappled Glass Windows

Lamberts Beach Circa 1950
2013 XF Jaguar
2016 XJ Jaguar
When do memories become memories of memories? Do memories become memories of memories? Is there a moment in time when a memory switches from being a memory into being a memory of a memory? Maybe some memories are mere memories of dreams. Have I confused you yet?  I know what I mean, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for others to understand.  I am a simple person.  Hold your horses!  Don’t gallop off and jump to conclusions! It doesn’t mean I’m simple-minded. There would be some, of course, who’d dispute this. Never mind – I’ve forgotten who those people are. To put it simply – I erased them from my memory – I can’t remember when. 

Eons ago, before the advent of rock ‘n roll, I was born in Rockhampton.

A memory I’ve retained from my fleeting sojourn in “Rocky”, as the city is affectionately called (or un-affectionately referred to in some cases, I guess), is of me, as a baby, lying in a cot in the sleep-out of the house, in Elphinstone Street, North Rockhampton.  

In case you are, at this moment, scoffing at my declaration - I assure you, I am not lying.

The sleep-out, although stationary, ran across the front of the house.  The sleep-out aka verandah was enclosed with dappled glass windows.  The four corners of each window were portioned into square panels of coloured dappled glass; of amber, green, blue and red. It was a home décor popular in days of yore...and in past days of mine. 

I have only the one memory of my transient Rockhampton period, but it has lingered in my memory as bright as the morning sun reflected through the coloured dappled glass windows. 

When I was a just a toddler, my family, with me in tow, or pushing me ahead in a stroller, left Rockhampton to live in Slade Point, a seaside suburb of Mackay.  Some memories remain with me from our rather brief hiatus at Slade Point. 

In the year 1948, I was a few months short of turning four years old when we packed up our possessions in readiness to move on. We jumped aboard a carriage among carriages led by a coal-fired steam train that pulled us south to Gympie where I spent the rest of my childhood and all of my teenage years.  

I left Gympie for Brisbane in 1965 to broaden my horizons and explore city life; and then later escaped further afield.  I returned to Gympie in April, 1998 where once again lived and worked for the ensuing four years.  In April  2002 I packed everything up once again,  and I moved here to Mount Tamborine.

I’ve memories of relating my story about Slade Point or one including similar details previously.  It was at Slade Point I was given my first pet; the first cat to share my life and heart.  I’ve never forgotten my beautiful, beloved Socksie.   

I wrote an article in my blog on 28th September, 2013 called “My First Love” about Socksie and what happened to him. 

http://kitconn.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-09-30T21:09:00-07:00&max-results=50&start=15&by-date=false

Both my older brother, Graham and I each learned to swim at an early age. We spent many happy hours building sandcastles, collecting shells and swimming in the waters of the Coral Sea that gently lapped on the beach a hop and a skip from our backyard.  One of our greatest pleasures was watching the fishermen empty the fish traps which still existed in the area in the late 1940s.

Often our Nana took us on hikes to Lamberts Beach on the southern side of the headland at Slade Point. The adventurous hikes entailed conquering a hazardous, narrow path. My memories of clinging on to the side of the cliff for dear life fearful of falling into the unforgiving waters below remained vivid for years. 

Often I’d relate my stories of the perilous, heart-in-mouth, cliff-hugging adventures to my Gympie school mates. In open-eyed wonder they were obviously in awe of my bravery; amazed I’d survived to tell the tale. No heroine in the movies at Saturday afternoon matinees could come within cooee of matching my courage in the face of certain tragedy if I’d lost my tentative footing and had fallen to the depths far below.

Years later, when in my 20s and so much taller, having reached the height of 5ft 9 inches/175cm, barefooted, I ventured forth to view the area of my intrepid derring-do of my younger and shorter-in-stature years, wondering if I still had the mettle to repeat what I had done at the tender age of three.

My bragging rights immediately collapsed and dissipated into the waters below, all of which were less than 0.61m/2 feet away!

It’s a memory I’ve purposely filed away and forgotten. Only once in a while, like now, do I drag it back to the surface.

Cliff-climbing has been taken off my Bucket List...been there; done that!

Now, I must remember what I did this morning.  Hmmmmm.....oh, yes...I had a fun conversation with an elderly couple when I was out shopping. - again, in the car park at IGA.  I seem to always have interesting chats and lots of laughter with people in the IGA car park!  The couple and I have never met before, and probably will never again, but I won't forget the few minutes of pleasure I gained by being in their company.  I feel sure they enjoyed our brief interlude, too.  They were a lovely couple who drive a very nice, well-maintained 2013 XF model Jaguar. They are presently waiting delivery of the 2016 XJ model. 

We said our goodbyes.  They went their way - and I went off to my little Toyoto Echo (which desperately needs a good wash), and I packed my purchases in the boot/trunk.  I must remember to wash my car!!

Baileys Rocky Road: Grease 8cmx20cm bar pan; line with paper, leaving some overhanging. Place 50ml Baileys Irish Cream, 200g quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped, 20g butter and 1/3c condensed milk in bowl over simmering water; don’t let bowl touch water. Melt, then stir gently until smooth; cool slightly; stir in 50g chopped, unsalted pistachios, 200g mini marshmallows and 100g roughly chopped white chocolate. Spread into pan; chill until firm; melt 40g white chocolate; drizzle over choc base; leave to set; then cut into squares.

Rocky Road Sundaes: Combine 1/2c cream, 200g dark chocolate, 2tbs brown sugar and 1-1/2tsp vanilla in saucepan; stir over low heat until melted. Transfer to jug; cool to room temp. Have 150g each blueberries and raspberries at hand. Cut 250g strawberries into slices; place a scoop of vanilla ice cream into base of 4 serving dishes; sprinkle with half the berries. Place another scoop of ice cream into the dishes; top with chocolate sauce, remaining berries, mini marshmallows, 1/4c chopped, unsalted peanuts and 1/4c toasted shredded coconut.

Rocky Road Pudding: Line 8-cup metal pudding steamer with plastic wrap; allow 2cm overhang. Break 10 chocolate biscuits into 2cm pieces. Combine 1.25lts vanilla ice cream, biscuit pieces, 1c vanilla custard, 1c mini marshmallows, 1/4c desiccated coconut, 1/4c granulated nuts and 1c frozen raspberries, roughly crushed; spoon into steamer; smooth top. Top with pieces of choc biscuits; freeze overnight. Turn onto plate; peel off wrap; drizzle with melted dark chocolate; top with sprinkles and chopped berries. Serve with custard. 

36 comments:

  1. So have you washed your car yet? Hmmm?
    Funny to think of you clinging to a cliff trail with water only 2ft away, but when you are three, I suppose any drop seems a long way down. It does all sound like an idyllic childhood; sun, sea and sandcastles.

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    1. Yep, River...at the ages of two and three years etc., all around you appears to be so massive; so deep; so tall or so far. I'd love to be living such an idyllic lifestyle beside a quiet, peaceful beach somewhere again now. Wishful thinking...but to dream is good for the soul.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

      And, to answer your question...no...I've not yet washed my car. By the time I got back home; unloaded and packed away my purchases; cooked some lunch for myself...I couldn't be bothered! Manana! :)

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  2. Memories are tricky beasts. Very tricky.
    Decadence on the other hand, is always welcome here...

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    1. Both are welcome here, EC! lol

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. Always good to have wonderful memories, if only we could remember them all!
    You have a place to go back to where you have lived for a fair while as a child and teenager, that's good for that's not me.

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    1. It's amazing what is hidden away in the deep, dark crevices of our mind, Margaret...volumes and volumes of memories.

      Gympie still holds a place in my heart and I guess, if the opportunity came, I'd seriously consider moving back there. I still have very good friends who live in Gympie...and all bar two, I've known since I was a child; once since I was four years old.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  4. I sometimes think our memories are recounts of other people's memories .. A collective memory perhaps. That is pretty incredible have such an early memory yourself Lee. I know exactly where Elphinstone St is being a Rocky girl for 10 years myself. I will send the boy your way to wash your little car, just after he has finished washing mine huh?

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    1. Hi Carol...I don't agree with your first statement. As I'm the sole survivor of my immediate family my memories are my own....and that early memory...no one else could possibly have told me that...I've always had that memory.

      Fancy you know Elphinstone St. I'd forgotten you'd mentioned that you'd lived in Rockhampton. I was born in the Tannachy Hospital on the banks of the Fitzroy River. Dr. Talbot was the doctor. He was highly respected in the area from all the stories I was told about him. http://www.achha.org.au/Norman-Charles-Talbot-web.php

      Talbot Estate - http://www.benevolent.com.a/about-us

      The sites shown might be of interest to you. Thanks for coming by. :)

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  5. Memories can be such tricky beasts; I remember quite clearly seeing my mother and brother crying in front of the television whilst watching President Kennedy's coffin being taken to Airforce One when I was slightly over two years old. Ask me what I made for supper and I'd be completely lost, lol.

    And ooooo decadent goodies!

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    1. Hi Cranky...imagine what our lives would be like without memories, though! We could hang up a "Vacancy" sign on our foreheads! There some, of course, who should already do that! lol

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  6. I am happy to drive away from very flashy cars in my little 2008 Chevy Colorado pickup truck. Every time I get in my zippy truck I remember the day Ron bought it for me at an auction:-) You have certainly tempted me with the Bailey's Rocky Road recipe. Yum!

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    1. Hi Annie...I'm happy with my little Echo (am I repeating myself)? :) I don't need a big car; there is only me who travels in it and I don't travel far. I don't envy people with expensive vehicles. Good on them I say...if they can afford them and it's what they like and want,my belief is "go for it". I admired the car, but even if I had the money, I'd have no need for one. My needs would remain pretty much as they are right now. I need neither a big home nor a big car.

      It doesn't stop me from admiring them, though. Thanks for popping in. :)

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  7. You remember a lot more from your past then I do mine! Born in Rocky huh? And you are 5'9" - boy I wish I was. Your desserts look out of this world.

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    1. Hi Sandie...I used to be 5ft 9...I've probably shrunk a bit over the years as we have a tendency to do as we get older! lol

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  8. I have found that good memories become better and bad memories aren't as bad. Time has a way of softening some things. Of course, the terrible memories stick around, but it is better not to think of them.

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    1. Hey Arleen...I don't know if I agree with that...I'll have to give it some thought. Some memories have a habit of sneaking into our minds when we least expect them, stirring up emotions...some good; some bad.

      Thanks for coming by. Take care. :)

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  9. Socksie is a great name for a cat! And I have a 2005 Toyota Camry - it sure has been a good car.

    I have clear memories of being 2-3 years old in a house we lived in a neighborhood called Penndale. When I'm back in my home town, I drive by that house all the time. It's an insurance company now. I stopped in on an impulse about 20 years ago and asked to look at the house, explaining that I lived there once. It was hard to believe four people lived in that tiny, tiny house. I remember my mom being so happy there. There were lots of neighbors and she had friends there. When we moved to a new neighborhood in the country, I think she felt isolated.

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    1. Hi Lynn...Socksie had four white paws...hence his name. He was a beautiful cat...a real big softy. We had a mutual, loving admiration society going on until our very sad parting as described in my earlier post of 2013.

      I can imagine your emotions, too, when you drive by the house you lived in as a young child. I'm glad I'm not alone in having memories from a very young age. :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  10. And I'm loving the recipes!
    hughugs

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    1. I'm glad you like the recipes, Donna...now take a breather and make some! Thanks for popping in. :)

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  11. Wonderful stories. Funny sometimes the things that stay with us.

    For now...MUST FIND CHOCOLATE.

    Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for visiting.

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Gail...just make sure you remain upright! :)

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  12. Thanks for coming by dear Lee----it's been a while since I have posted anything. My Health Issues have kind of worn me out and I just am not up to doing much of anything on the computer. I always love your posts, but, I must admit my eyesight is not as good as it was and so it is hard to read when the Fonts are small and thin....Getting old really sucks!!!! So forgive me for both not posting or visiting.

    I LOVE those fabulous Chocolate goodies you showed and if I could still get around the kitchen I would try to make those first two! YUMMMMM!!!

    Memories.....they are funny things. Sometimes I remember things perfectly and other times---it's all vague or not quite right. By the way.....That Jaguar is really not pretty anymore. The shape of the Jaguar back in the late '60's early '70's was a BEAUTIFUL Classic Car. That one you showed looks like every other car on the road today, which was not the case 'back in the day', as they say....'Tis a shame, to me.

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    1. Naomi...it's so good to hear from you. You've done nothing to be forgiven for; and you also do not have to apologise for anything. I click on your blog often to see if you've posted something; and I think of you often. I like to let you know now and again you are not forgotten. :)

      And I do agree with you...getting old does really suck.

      As a matter of interest and a wee bit of trivia - I went for a ride in 1963 in the supposedly first ever E-Type Jaguar in Queensland. It was a bronze-gold colour. A fellow name Lennie Robinson owned it and he went on to become quite wealthy (through his own trucking company) and he also became a collector of Jaguars. When I moved back to Gympie in 1998, by coincidence, I rented a house next door to his brother and sister-in-law. Very nice folk they were, too.

      You're correct...the styles of cars today lack the romance and style of years gone by.

      I hope you got to watch the Academy Awards' presentation the other night. I watched it...I always do.

      Take good care of yourself, Naomi...and just remember you remain in the thoughts and hearts of many. My best wishes go out to you. Hugs. Thank you so much for coming by. :)

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  13. I think I know what you mean about memories of memories. Sometimes what surfaces from the past has been filtered and examined so often that it has gradually changed so much so that it can seem like a fiction.

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    1. G'day Yorkie...I guess it's why I write about episodes in my life...I enjoy recording my memories of things I've done, people I've met and places I've been.

      Not all of it may be interesting to others; none of it might be of interest to anyone, but I enjoy putting it down on record...and, I guess, that's the main thing...where it all starts.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  14. Memory is indeed a funny thing. I notice that sometimes my sister and I will disagree on things from our childhoods. Of course, I am right! HA!
    And 5 feet nine inches, my word... I WAS 5' 4"" but heck, I am getting older so, not sure about even that now...HEY! Did you see that the astronaut that just came back from being in space for a year is now TWO inches taller? Sign me up, NASA!!! LOL.

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    1. Hi there Kay...I'll think I'll stick here with my feet (literally) on the ground! I've no desire to go off into space; although I do love my own space! :)

      I guess each of us has our own take on things...our own memories, individually stored...the same thing...just a different take from another who may have been a part of a particular experience.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  15. Memories is all we have in the end.
    Beautiful photos. :)

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    1. Hi Lux...sometimes that is the case; and for some, unfortunately, it is not.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  16. I TOO TRY TO PUT THE BAD ONES BACK BEHIND THE MAYO IN THE FRIG. HOWEVER, MY BROTHER LIKES TO REHASH MORE BAD THAN GOOD, I GUESS IT IS TO HELP HIS WELL EARNED BAD ATTITUDE. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE IN CERTAIN MEMORIES BRING TO LIGHT THINGS I CANNOT RECALL AND I OFTEN WONDER WAS I REALLY THERE. I CANNOT REMEMBER AS FAR BACK AS YOU DO BUT AFTER FIVE I REMEMBER LOTS OF HAPPY TIMES AND EXPERIENCES. PEACE

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    1. Hey there Lady Di...some of my friends have really bad memories...and it's not because we're all growing older by the day...they've always been that way and it never ceases to amaze me. My memory has always been active and alive...and I hope it remains that way.

      Thanks for popping in, Miss Kitty! :)

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  17. Those desserts look delicious! Thanks for sharing the memories. It would be wonderful to remember only the good, especially in the dark in the middle of the night.

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    1. Hi Sandra...unfortunately it doesn't work that way. But as it has been said many times over - "with the good comes the bad; with the happy, comes the sad" (I guess the latter part has been said. I might have made that bit up! I'll claim it if it's not been said before. :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  18. I often wonder if the ease with which we can now take photographs will alter the formation of memories.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. That's a thought upon which ponder, Stewart. Thanks for coming by. :)

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