The Rainbow

By Christina Rossetti More Christina Rossetti

Boats sail on the rivers,
  And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
  Are prettier far than these.

There are bridges on the rivers,
  As pretty as you please;
But the bow that bridges heaven,
  And overtops the trees,
And builds a road from earth to sky,
  Is prettier far than these.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-rainbow-by-christina-rossetti

Here we are at Tuesday again with part three of the Dog on the Tuckerbox series,

On the 14^th February 1976 as a result of representations made by the Gundagai Tourist Advisory Committee, a referendum of voters in the Gundagai Shire was held to determine whether the Dog on the Tuckerbox should remain at the Five Mile, or be moved to Gundagai.

It was overwhelmingly decided that the Dog should remain in its traditional place. The controversy over the “”shift the dog” movement attracted nation-wide attention. The referendum result confirms the Dog will stay where it is.

The Dog on the Tuckerbox story became part. of folk lore of the Australian Bush. At the turn of the century an exhibit at a Gundagai Pastoral and Agricultural Show depicted a dog on a box. It was there that ad poet, wine salesman and traveller, the late Jack Moses first saw the “Tucker Box” and was greatly impressed.

Jack Moses produced “Nine Miles From Gundagai” which became world famous. The poem I will share next week,……..

Good morning world, or good evening or maybe good night is in order, whichever it is…………it is also Monday meaning it is also fact day. So here are today’s facts.

The best place to see a rainbow is Honolulu in Hawaii. In the morning or at sunset, the sky becomes orange and the rainbows, instead of being multicoloured are bright red.

The abbreviation e.g. stands for “exempli gratia” or “for example”.

Of all the big cats only three of them an roar, lions, tigers & leopards.

In Nairobi, Kenya leopards were known to steal food from peoples rubbish bins.

French President Charles de Gaulle’s final words were “It hurts”

Up at 5.40 again, some people can get up and pee then go back to bed, not me it is a struggle to get out of bed, so much so that once up I stay up.

Kathy came and showered me then she drove Dad and me out to see the progress on the new house.

After that Tim & I went out for lunch at the Eastern Tiger the all you can eat place he likes.

I think I spent too much time on my feet as my knees and lower back are very sore.

Awake and out of bed at 5.30 again.

Saw Kelli and Freya when she dropped off Blain.

Been really restless this afternoon, can’t sit for more then a minute without feeling needing to move.

A public holiday so no school but of course I was awake and out of bed at 6am.

The temp is only 5 degrees but I found myself dripping in sweat.

The day warmed up.

By 3pm I am unable to keep my eyes open. In fact I don’t think I will listen to my book because of how tired I am.

Had a so so night due to waking every 2hrs for what felt like ages but was more likely minutes.

Yesterday I had no letters to answer today Tasha checked the

P O Box and now I have 9 to answer.

Got the results of my mammogram all normal.

A new day had a better nights sleep only woke up twice, had a lovely hot shower this morning. Not as cold today.

For the first time in a bloody long time my phone died, good thing I noticed and put it on to charge.

Decided to dig out photo albums and add to then, including the postcards. Only to discover I am missing the one for Natasha, turns out she has it.

At around 2pm Tasha rang to tell me she is sick, vomiting & diarrhoea. So Jess is putting me to bed.

Another cold start to the day, Leo didn’t have his phone on so I had to go up and yell for him.

Tim found out that his cousin Christine passed away her funeral is tomorrow, in Coffs Harbour. We will be going.

I am so very tired this afternoon, Tim wants to leave at 5.30am. Tasha said she will be here at 4.30am to shower me.

Awake at 4.40am when Tasha came in and woke me up. I had a shower and got dressed.

We left at 5.30am and stopped once so Tim could get a sausage and egg muffin, I had banana bread & a banana before we left.

The funeral was small compared to Mum & Dad’s funerals.

Tim had a good day he liked seeing his cousins.

I coped on the drive there and back just, I had a lot of pain.

We arrived home at around 7pm and I feel exhausted so straight to bed.

Slept in till 8.20am just before Kathy arrived with the girls. When I told her that I didn’t need a shower she said “then why am I here” you can imagine how this made me feel. She did the ironing for me.

Tim went and picked up the compressor that was Dad’s and that Dave g ave him.

This afternoon I received a message from Michelle she was going on about Dawson needing money and that he shouldn’t be giving stuff away. The stuff she is referring to is Mum & Dad’s stuff and he has given some of the items he bought for his Nan to his aunts not his mother.

Dawson is a giver he likes giving stuff to those he knows will appreciate it.

Up at 5.40 again, some people can get up and pee then go back to bed, not me it is a struggle to get out of bed, so much so that once up I stay up.

Kathy came and showered me then she drove Dad and me out to see the progress on the new house.

After that Tim & I went out for lunch at the Eastern Tiger the all you can eat place he likes.

I think I spent too much time on my feet as my knees and lower back are very sore.

Awake and out of bed at 5.30 again.

Saw Kelli and Freya when she dropped off Blain.

Been really restless this afternoon, can’t sit for more then a minute without feeling needing to move.

A public holiday so no school but of course I was awake and out of bed at 6am.

The temp is only 5 degrees but I found myself dripping in sweat.

The day warmed up.

By 3pm I am unable to keep my eyes open. In fact I don’t think I will listen to my book because of how tired I am.

Had a so so night due to waking every 2hrs for what felt like ages but was more likely minutes.

Yesterday I had no letters to answer today Tasha checked the

P O Box and now I have 9 to answer.

Got the results of my mammogram all normal.

A new day had a better nights sleep only woke up twice, had a lovely hot shower this morning. Not as cold today.

For the first time in a bloody long time my phone died, good thing I noticed and put it on to charge.

Decided to dig out photo albums and add to then, including the postcards. Only to discover I am missing the one for Natasha, turns out she has it.

At around 2pm Tasha rang to tell me she is sick, vomiting & diarrhoea. So Jess is putting me to bed.

Another cold start to the day, Leo didn’t have his phone on so I had to go up and yell for him.

Tim found out that his cousin Christine passed away her funeral is tomorrow, in Coffs Harbour. We will be going.

I am so very tired this afternoon, Tim wants to leave at 5.30am. Tasha said she will be here at 4.30am to shower me.

Awake at 4.40am when Tasha came in and woke me up. I had a shower and got dressed.

We left at 5.30am and stopped once so Tim could get a sausage and egg muffin, I had banana bread & a banana before we left.

The funeral was small compared to Mum & Dad’s funerals.

Tim had a good day he liked seeing his cousins.

I coped on the drive there and back just, I had a lot of pain.

We arrived home at around 7pm and I feel exhausted so straight to bed.

Slept in till 8.20am just before Kathy arrived with the girls. When I told her that I didn’t need a shower she said “then why am I here” you can imagine how this made me feel. She did the ironing for me.

Tim went and picked up the compressor that was Dad’s and that Dave g ave him.

This afternoon I received a message from Michelle she was going on about Dawson needing money and that he shouldn’t be giving stuff away. The stuff she is referring to is Mum & Dad’s stuff and he has given some of the items he bought for his Nan to his aunts not his mother.

Dawson is a giver he likes giving stuff to those he knows will appreciate it.

Memories Of My Dad

© Rebecca D. Cook More By Rebecca D. Cook

Published: February 2006

He wasn’t a hero
Known by the world,
But a hero he was
To his little girl.

My daddy was a god
Who knew all things.
And better than Santa,
With the gifts he’d bring.

I knew his voice
Before I could speak
And loved it when
He would sing me to sleep.

He changed my diapers
And sat up all night
When my body was weak
And I’d put up a fight.

He’d come home late
With not much to say
And made us all kneel
As he taught me to pray.

He taught me life’s lessons
Of right from wrong
And instilled in me values
That I might be strong.

And so through the years,
Like a hero he stood.
Working to give
All that he could.

His presence was important,
And we loved to see him smile,
For no one in the world
Could emulate his style.

And so, dear Dad,
My best memory to recall
Is the gift of your presence,
The greatest gift of all.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/memories-of-my-dad

Hello Tuesday, time for a bit more about the dog on the tuckerbox.

A nation-wide competition was conducted to obtain the most suitable inscription for the monument, and the committee held that the lines written by the late Brian Fitzpatrick, of Sydney were the most appropriate. The verse reads………..

Earth’s self unfolds this monument

To conquerers who won her when

Wooing was dangerous and now

Are gathered unto her again.

Today as the dog, a silent reminder of the pioneer days sits sentinel-like at the Five Mile, Gundagai people acknowledge the huge debt it owes to the men who gave the district its great and invaluable publicity medium, and realise that had it not been for the vulgar doggerel concocted by a bush bard over 100 years ago. Who was inspired by a dog’s misbehaviour, there would have been no Pioneers’ Memorial and Gundagai would be minus the greatest publicity medium that has been given to any town in the Commonwealth.

After World War 11 a decision was made to erect a kiosk at Five Mile and to beautify the area by planting Australian trees and shrubs. The Gundagai Shire Council, Hospital Board and the Rotary Club combined in the big effort to raise the funds and on the 24^th April 1956 the then Premier of New South Wales, the late Hon J.J Cahill M.L.A unveiled a plaque on the kiosk. The inscription was:

This Pioneer Memorial and Park were officially opened by the Hon J.J. Cahill M.L.A, Premier and Colonial Treasurer of NSW on 24^th April 1956.

More next week…………

Good morning all, another bloody cold start to the day, it is a public holiday here for the Queens birthday. So here are 5 facts about Her Majesty.

Queen Elizabeth II was born on the 21st of April 1926. She’ll turn 94 this year. The Queen’s April birthday is a private affair which she spends with her family. The occasion is marked with 21 gun salutes in Windsor Great Park, 62 gun salutes at the Tower of London and 41 gun salutes in Hyde Park.

This tradition dates back to King George II (1683-1760) whose actual birthday was in November. As the weather wasn’t reliable enough for large public celebrations of his birthday, his official birthday was moved to coincide with the Trooping of the Colour in summer.

She’s the longest-reigning British monarch,

She speaks fluent French.

A new day that saw me roll out of bed (literally)at 5.30am. I washed and made breakfast and sent Kathy a text about my shower. Since she will be here tomorrow for Jess birthday lunch I suggested she shower me then.

Sandra took me to the cemetery to see Mum & Dad, she took Mum’s wheelchair but we couldn’t open it. It is now here and still we can’t get it to open.

Up at 6.30 checked the casserole it was good although some of the thickly cut carrot wasn’t cooked so put it on for a bit longer.

Everyone I expected turned up which was good, however, Kathy had a problem because I had invited Kelli. She said she felt out of place.

Kelli & Jess are more like sisters then cousins. So inviting her was for me the natural thing to do.

It was a good day but by the end I feel exhausted.

Monday again I woke at 5.27 and 10 mins later I was up and having a wash.

Sandra & Ed’s wedding anniversary

Leo’s early day, home at 2pm.

Trying out the Cpap mask without the extra cotton wool padding, as they told me at the hospital that with the new setting I shouldn’t need it.

Awake and up just before 6am, rang Tasha to make sure she was showering me before I got dressed. I am now showered and dressed for the day.

Jess drove Leo to school after they took Laylah(bunny) to the vet as there is a problem with her eye. The vet said they will have to sedate her and that may cause more problems. Leo is worried.

Jessica heard from the vet around 1ish and Laylah is fine.

Heard from the specialist in Sydney and I have an appointment on the 2^nd August at 12.20pm.

Slept through till alarm went off, a bloody cold morning even for me.

A bloody cold day

38yrs ago today Tim & I met, our first date saw us going to Pizza Hut then to a local club “Fannys”

he didn’t kiss me that night and I was worried he didn’t like me.

Had a rough night, at around 6ish last night I needed to pee and getting out of bed was very hard. I in fact fell out of bed and it took me 5 minutes to get off the floor.

This morning I had to get Tim to help me get out of bed.

Another bloody cold day.

Been raining lightly all day, so I wasn’t able to go with Leo this morning, nor meet him this afternoon.

Had a good night sleep, it is another bloody cold day. Tim up just after me, he started work at 7.50am.

Sandra came over to get copies of Mum & Dad’s death certificates so she could send them off to the credit card company.

Had a 2hr nap as I am not feeling great.

A late day as Jess didn’t get home till 5pm.

Life Without You

© Nikki Wilfong

Published: February 2008

Me without you
is like a leafless fall,
a snowless winter,
and a flowerless spring.

Me without you
is like a colorless rainbow,
a sunless day,
and a starless night.

Me without you
is like the ocean without a wave,
the beach without sand,
and a flameless fire.

Me without you
is like a book without words,
a man without a face,
and a child with no name.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/life-without-you