Chit-Chat
I've had more than enough out he spat
of this brainless nonsensical chit-chat
who was I to offer him any back-chat
hurrying to the door he put on his hat
and I guess that was that...
My once happy mood did then fall flat
of course I felt he was acting like a brat
in a flood of tears on the cozy sofa I sat
at my feet was a thick red woolen mat
upon which sat my cat
drawing and verse by Lee
Finally....
Let's hope that finally the mystery of the horrific murder of JonBenet Ramsey is solved. Reports this earlier this morning that a suspect was arrested in Thailand come only a couple of months after the death of Patsy Ramsey from cancer. Hopefully, all questions will now be answered after the never-ending speculation, with the help of the media and books, pointing fingers of guilt at John and Patsy Ramsey. The focus of suspicion fell upon them similar to our own Lindy Chamberlain case. 'Trial by Media' has become a thing of the twentieth and twenty-first century and something the public suck up greedly...which is very unfortunate.
Re-Worked!
Here's a poem I originally wrote back in the late eighties that I dug up today, reworking/tweaking it a little.
Once
We were one you and I once a long long time ago
But life got in the way it was right for you to go
If thoughts had been expressed feelings shared
The rift when started may have been repaired
Now pondering over past troubles a harsh word
I wonder if our lives would have been different
If only you had heard......
Impossible to relive what we never shared in the past
How innocent we were to believe it would last
Cherished moments forever lost memories a haze
Faded images of happiness hopes for future days
Again truth reappears harshly reminding me why
With our love torn asunder he became indifferent
I have no reason to cry..........
Like 'Earl' Karma Will Win In The End!
A story from Britain captured my interest the other day. A swimmer lost his wallet during a late night swim in the sea, believing, of course, that was the last time he'd see it.
However, a diver caught a lobster with the wallet clasped tightly in its claws! The diver traced the owner of the wallet after finding his business card in the rather damp wallet. So there was a happy ending for the swimmer who had his intact, but slightly lobster-worn wallet returned to him.
No such happy ending to the poor old lobster, though! Apparently, the diver cooked and ate him! Sorry, folks, but I feel sorry for the lobster. He did a good job finding the wallet and what does he get for his responsible efforts? A hot cooking pot! Not very fair, to my way of thinking. 'What goes 'round...comes' round'!
I'm Confused!
I can't understand why the new migration laws were scrapped yesterday. Why in these times of much-needed extra vigilance, Fielding, Troeth and Joyce were against tougher border protection, causing Howard to make the decision he did? Will this mindless opposition to the proposed new bill re-open the floodgates for so-called asylum seekers?
Correct me if I'm wrong...but I don't understand their opposition...I can see nothing wrong with processing these 'boat people' in offshore centres such as Nauru.
Australia has a wide, open coastline making it impossible to be controlled. We just don't have the man-power. In the mid-eighties, when I was managing an island resort off the coast of north Queensland, the coast guard folk often visited me asking for my support in keeping my eyes open for any strange off-shore activity! They, the coast guard admitted they were fighting an uphill battle, had their hands full and didn't have enough people to do what was required. Almost three years later, I was out west managing a hotel in Normanton, in the Gulf Country and I ran into the same guy from the coast guard. The Gulf, Cape York and surrounding land (thousands and thousands of acres) and sea were all part of his patrol area. He had one other assistant with him! I'm sure the situation has changed little since that time. One afternoon while I was in Normanton, I travelled to Karumba, on the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Up the river amongst the densely mangrove-covered, sandfly-infested shores illegal Vietnamese 'squatters' lived. One such 'squatter' gave me a mud crab from his catch that he had brought into town to sell. Nobody knew how many were squatting up there and nobody did anything about it.
This sort of thing must not be allowed to happen in this country. We have no idea who is landing on our shores or what they bring with them...and I'm not only talking about diseases!
We must not be apathetic about protecting our borders. We are living in a violent world, inhabited by many who hate us, our lifestyle and beliefs but very much would like to set foot on our soil.
It's Not a Case of 'Loving Thy Neighbour'!
It's now a case of 'not trusting thy neighbour'! Concern must be raised in this country after the recent pre-emptive strikes in Britain and Pakistan against terror cells. A potent number of second generation Muslims are determined to dictate their want of destruction and murder on the rest of us. Radical Islam, hiding behind its religious shroud is bitterly racist. They've made it potently obvious that not only Israel and the US are in their line of fire.
The fight against this human evil must never slacken. We cannot afford to be negligent in our awareness of the threat against our freedoms...our independence and individuality.
Raging Libido!
It's wonderful to know that the researchers are keeping busy in wisely using up their research budgets! The latest research comes out of a Hamburg university in Germany. The researchers have found that the female sex drive starts spluttering to half once a woman has got her man! Well, my sex drive must be in over-drive! Help!!!!!!
Excuses! Excuses! And I'm Sticking To Them!
I'm a bit late in posting today because I've not long arrived home from sharing a long, leisurely lunch with four friends of mine. I'm always the 'odd' one out as there is only me and myself and I go everywhere alone, it seems. Not that it bothers me in the least, but I guess it would be nice sometimes to be part of a pair...if I could find someone decent to pair up with, that is! Alas! Such a person is not to be found anywhere around here. He must be well hidden. Never mind...I'll not settle for second best so alone I must remain, happy in my own company. Enough of all that...it's Saturday...so I'd better share a recipe or two with you or you'll starve over the weekend! Food is the furtherest thing from my mind right now, to be honest, as I ate far too much this afternoon...but it was all so delicious! I don't think I need to eat for another couple of days! So, pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of wine, grab a pen and a piece of paper...here we go!
Grilled Skewered Prawns: Process 2 tablespoons each of Italian parsley, fresh coriander (cilantro) and 2 crushed garlic cloves until finely chopped. Add grated rind of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder (chili for those who've lost the extra 'l' over the years!) and season to taste. Process quickly to combine. Add 1/3 cup of lemon juice and 1/3 cup virgin olive oil. Process until well combined. Peel 20 green prawns leaving heads and tails intact. Pour the mixture over the prawns, cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Thread prawns onto skewers, which have been soaked in cold water. Grill or char-grill for around 2 minutes each side or until just cooked. Don't overcook!
Pork & Prosciutto: Thinly slice a couple of potatoes, 1 onion and 1 green apple. (Into thin rounds). Place a layer of potato in the base of 4 well-buttered, 1 cup capacity ramekin dishes. Brush potato with melted butter and layer with onion, apple and prosciutoo, brushing with butter betwen each layer and pressing down firmly. Repeat layering once more and finish with a layer of potato. Brush with butter and season to taste. If you like you can add a little crushed garlic in between the layers. Place on an oven tray and bake at 200C for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden. Stand in the ramekins (the potatoes, not you!) for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a little olive oil in non-stick frying pan and cook 4-8 pork cutlets for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden, then transfer to an oven tray and cook at 200C for 5-6 minutes. Rest the pork in a warm place for 5 minutes. De-glaze the pan with 1/3 cup apple juice and 2/3 cup chicken stock. Boil until reduced and slightly thickened. Place cutlets on a bed of wilted spinach and pour over some of the sauce. Using a large spoon, lift the potato timbales out of the ramekins and place beside the cutlet/s.
Those should see you through until Monday! Have a great weekend.
Love Is In The Air!
The latest uncovered terrorism plot puts a chill through everyone's veins. Allah must be a most cherished God to command such obedience and love!
The international in scope of this latest threat is a diabolical example of the hate these despicable Muslim Fundementalists have towards the Western World. Also, they have no respect for their own Islamic brothers/sisters. The lives of thousands and thousands of innocent people were in their destructive flight paths.
This plot which focussed on US aircraft shows the terrorists have little imagination because it's similar to one planned back in 1995 to blow up eleven planes with nitroglycerine mixed with contact lens solution.
No quarter must be given to these would-be mass murderers! It's an unfortunate world we live in at present but vigilant we must continue to be. One can only dream of a peaceful world...as that is all it is, a dream, as long as these people exist.
If they expect my respect then they had better think again!
Love is all around? Wouldn't it be lovely if this was so?
Who Could Be Bothered?
Poor old Prince Charlie has had his phone tampered with again! After his 'tampon' impersonation episode a few years back, who, I wonder, could be bothered listening into his phone conversations? Now he has his Camilla as watch-dog by his side there seems little point in it, in my humble opinion!
Sunrise Through the Boabs
Where do I begin to tell of its wondrous beauty
Miles of azure haze drifting across sleeping valleys
Variations of colours not unlike changes in moods
When the sun is making its first tremulous gesture
Of welcome to the dawning day awakening birds
A moment of silence stilling the surging waves
Paying homage to the arrival of the golden orb
Conducting a symphony of powerful energies
Whilst bidding farewell to the serene mistress
Of the night her silver sphere wafting silently
Over the gentle stirrings of the day being born
And peace once more being abruptly disturbed
As the day dawns bringing with it new promises
Painting and poem by Lee
The Gift
Time spent pondering the future and now
Past is rapidly fading and I know not how
Today I am learning about me as a whole
Calmness gradually envelops my soul
Once I was torn into a maze of small pieces
But now I am together the pain decreases
By Lee
Where Is It?
What is our education system about these days? Does anyone know? Correct spelling and grammar have been tossed out the window, that we know. (This makes me bristle and seeth!) Today I read that geography doesn't officially exist as a subject for most school students! New South Wales is the only state in Australia that has geography as a compulsory subject until Year 10! I can't believe it! What are our governments thinking of or doing...both state and federally? A few years ago, when I was working up north, cheffing, one of my young kitchen-hands had no idea of the whereabouts of Sydney, let alone that Canberra is the capital of Australia (she had no idea where Canberra was located, either!). I guess the 'new' formula of not teaching geography in schools is the answer for her ignorance on such matters! How long has this been going on?
Particularly in times of world turmoil (the war on terrorism, climate change, water and energy issues et al) such as what we are presently experiencing, (and will continue experiencing indefinitely) one would think the teaching of geography to our young folk would be of utmost importance!
I've been many times stunned when chatting in Chat Rooms by the lack of knowledge displayed by US residents, in particular. Generally, they seem to have little knowledge about other countries. The only things many of them seem to know about Australia are Paul Hogan, Steve Irwin, crocodiles, kangaroos and koalas!
Someone should point out to the education departments the error of their ways.
There Is An Easy Solution!
An article in today's 'The Australian' caught my eye. In the US, recent brides suffering from PWD...(post-wedding depression!!! My! God! What next!) are, in increasing numbers, visiting psychologists seeking therapy! And the bigger the wedding, the harder the poor little dears suffer after their 'big day'! 'Tsk! Tsk! I do feel so sorry for them...not!
I have the solution to all their problems and it's much cheaper for them than going to a psychologist. Elope (then throw a small party) or have a small gathering of close friends and immediate family. Do away with all the fuss, penquin suits, over-blown, expensive dresses that will never be worn again, expensive venues and menus, (and don't forget that costly cake, that ends up being sat on or squashed under someone's pillow!)...and tell Great Aunt Myrtle, you'll call by for a cup of tea or glass of wine next week!
As the majority of couples live together these days before marriage, why they feel the need to spend so much money on all this 'outside show' garbage beats me! It is money that could be well spent elsewhere leaving nerves and wallets intact!
As Promised....
Last weekend I gave you seafood and promised I would give the non-seafood lovers a steak dish to mull over or masticate over this weekend. Being one who likes to fulfill her promises, I thought I'd share with you a meal I intend cooking for myself on Sunday. I was going to do it today, but I had unexpected visitors so I laid out some cheese, smoked sprats, salamis, dill cucumbers, tomatoes, a chilli/macardamia spread and olives with a crunchy French loaf and crackers with a bottle or two of wine on the side. We grazed through the spread of tasty tucker as we enjoyed spirited conversation and lots of laughter. Now my visitors have departed and my appetite is sated.
Fillet of Beef with Garlic, Chilli & Coriander: Seal 500g beef fillet on all sides in oil in a heavy-based pan. Cook fillet in same pan in a preheated 190C oven for about 20 minutes for medium rare...more if you like it medium etc. Remove pan from oven and rest the fillet in a warm place. Drain oil from pan and pour in half a cup of good red wine. Deglaze the pan. Add a little butter and 3-4 tablespoons butter. Reduce to sauce consistency. Add half a cup of finely chopped shallots or spring onions, 1tablespoon finely sliced garlic, finely chopped chilli (to taste), ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander. Cook for a further few minutes. Add any juices from the beef fillet to the sauce. Slice the still-warm beef. Lay out decoratively on a serving platte (the beef slices, not you!) Pour the sauce over the beef and serve with perhaps, a potato bake and a tossed garden fresh salad or other vegetables to your liking.
I'll be opening a bottle of Shiraz to enjoy with my meal. I hope you do similar.
Fruitless!
I've searched the daily newspapers for happy stories but found only three! The headlines are of endless slaughter, murders, the accidental drowning of a two-year old, price rises, interest rate rises, personal hardship and pain.
The good news stories were....
The safe return of three children kidnapped by their father yesterday.
Hugh Jackman's grand opening night in Sydney of 'The Boy from Oz'...(the sad news is I'll not be able to afford to go to see it!)
And finally...Glory Hallelujah! There's a massive glut on the market of wine. Liquor chain store 'Dan Murphy's' have begun a national promotion, selling 'cleanskins' at $2.00 a bottle!!!!!
With everything else around us increasing in price making day to day existence just that, an 'existence', at least we'll be able to afford to drown our sorrows!
Whooohoooo! They've Done It Again!
I do try not to get angry over things but sometimes it's just impossible not to get angry. Lately, there seems to be a lot that makes me very angry! Our 'wonderful' law court system is at it again!
About fifteen to eighteen months ago, a young man who was sleeping off his night out clubbing, on a bus seat in Brisbane city was killed (murdered!). Another young so-called 'man' kicked him and stole his watch. The assailant walked away but then returned to his victim and beat on the sleeping fellow, killing him. While he was at it, he stole the victim's shoes just because he could!
In the Brisbane court today the accused, who was found guilty, received an eight-year sentence! And there's more..he could be out after three years incarceration! Life certainly is very cheap these days, isn't? And there's still more...to top that off, the judge said to the parents of the dead young man...."time heals all wounds"!
Now, correct me, if you wish...I could be wrong...but the sentence handed down to the killer and those thoughtless, ignorant comments by a person paid by us, the taxpayers, really make me irate!
Outback Track....continued
Impatient sun rises o'er the far horizon as a new day dawns
The lone swagman stokes his campfire stretches and yawns
His destination lies at the end of a meandering track ahead
What's awaiting there fills him with pain sorrow and dread
Painting and poem by Lee
Good Advice...
Ernest Hemingway once said:
'Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'
It's a pity Mel Gibson didn't heed Hemingway's advice!
What a Cock Up!
Somewhere out near 'Bullamakanka', north-west from the back of Bourke, some miles north of Gundagai (I'm sure there's a black stump there somewhere!) three escapees from a New South Wales Correctional Centre...after being on the run and covering more than 200km, were re-arrested. They waved down a car...it just happened to be an unmarked police car.
And all their chickens came home to roost!
