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A Rite Or A Right?

Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with my Readers.  I have to admit that I’ve had a busy month with mosaicing, a short trip away from home, a medical procedure (all good, by the way).  so I haven’t really had time to think about a song for this Friday.  The deciding factor for me is that while I’ve been able to get on with my life, so many of my fellow Australians have not had the same luxury.

You may have heard about the fires burning across large parts of Australia.  Many people have lost their homes, their livelihoods and their dreams.  Others have lost their lives.  My heart goes out to all those affected.  I have chosen a piece of music to mark the end of spring in the southern hemisphere; a season often associated with hope and renewal, not sacrifice.  Many people want to talk about the factors contributing to this tragedy, but have been told to be quiet.  History is littered with examples of where those seeking to question dogma have been overwhelmed by ignorance and soundbites or crushed by tyranny.  Let’s not go down that path again.

All the best.
Tracy.

Ragtag Daily Prompt — Ash.

 

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Stir The Mountain Pygmy Possum

In Australia, the expression ‘to stir the possum’ means to stir up trouble, controversy, or interest in an issue.  So I thought I would use that expression to generate awareness of the critically endangered mountain pygmy possum.  There are less than 2000 pygmy possums left in the wild and their survival is on a knife’s edge.  What a tragedy it would be if they were lost to us forever.  I have just completed my mountain pygmy possum mosaic and am excited to share it with you.  Then, one thing led to another, and I had to write a poem for them too.  There is always hope and as usual, good people are working hard to try to save them.  Find out more about these incredible little marsupials and how you can help them here.  Now for the poem. Read more

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Things That Go Bump In the Night

I know I’m a little late to the party, but that’s the story of my life.  The party I mean is World Diabetes Day 2019 on 14 November.  The theme this year is Diabetes and Family.  I haven’t written anything to celebrate but I thought I would share this old post.  It is kind of horrifying, and I confess that I most worry about criticism from my fellow Type 1 diabetic peers because they seem to have their diabetes s..t together so much better than I do.  But that is just an assumption on my part.  Anyway, this is not about me.  My family deserve a medal for putting up with me.  They are the unsung heroes.  The second theme of this post is about not jumping to conclusions.  I’ve tried to make it funny as well.  It is okay to laugh.  So, here goes (again). Read more

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Is This Jazzy Enough For You, Mum?

Thank goodness it is Friday, ladies and gentlemen. at least in my part of the world.  However if you are still cruising through Thursday, you might need a song/tune to help you get through the day.  Unfortunately, I am devoid of ideas which is a shame, because it is my Friday song day.  But don’t worry, my family had some suggestions.

It may surprise you to learn that I am not a great fan of post-1960s jazz music.  It is too intellectual for me.  Someone once told me it is an acquired taste.  I don’t know about that.  I think it is a good cure for insomnia.  So I was a bit nervous when my youngest son suggested a big jazz number.  I loved it.  I think you are going to love it too.  It is Tank! from Cowboy Bebop.  That’s an animé series for those of you who, like me, are so last century.  I hope you enjoy it.

Have a good weekend.  I’ll be having a shitty one.  But that’s another story involving first dibs on the bathroom, and possibly some very bad poetry to follow up.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

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The times, bridges and the way of inanimate objects….

David Cox from Our Off The Grid Home, is all cynicism and wit. He often sums up the Western zeitgeist in offbeat and entertaining ways. And because I am too lazy to write my own post, David has succumbed to my charms and has agreed to let me share his thoughts on engines, the times (political and economics), and other fun stuff.
Thanks Dave. Check him out.

Our Off the Grid Home

Let us start with the inanimate objects – like engines.  Damn them!

I mean; I LIKE engines, I really do.  Power.  Work made easy and all that but…the damn things ‘act up’.  In and of itself an engine that acts up is to be expected but lately every engine in our lives is getting out of sorts.

My trusty little Honda 2000eu has crapped out after almost ten years of very dependable and hardy work.  And that little sucker ran perfectly even after being run over by a road grader!

My ‘pretty new’ Yamaha 50 is beeping when the key turns on…diagnosis to follow.  Sal’s little Suzuki had carburetor problems until I stripped it down, cleaned it in a sonic cleaner and reduced the problem down to the idle jet that I THEN over-reamed and made too big.  Gotta replace that mistake.  Someday.

I gave a small truck (1992  Chevy…

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How Deep?

It is time for my Friday song post.  Where did the week go?  I’m relaxed and comfortable (in-joke, a little Aussie humour) at the seaside.  However, at the back of my mind, there is still this ominous foreboding that we are in too deep.  It’s a feeling that Australian singer-songwriter, Richard Clapton, writes so well about in his song, Deep Water.  So I thought it should be my Friday pick. Read more

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The Changing Seasons – October 2019

October, all my bags are packed ….

The time has arrived.  It is the time of year when, out walking, I look anxiously over my shoulder or scan the trees ahead for danger.  It is the time of year for which I have been training these last six months.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is magpie swooping (ie. breeding) season. Read more

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Almost Friday Singalong

Just in case anyone is wondering, I’m fine.  I have been busy mosaicing.  Nothing to show yet because I’ve been busy ripping up newly laid tiles left, right and centre for no good reason.  Well, for the reason that my blood glucose was low at the time, and that’s what I do then.  I’ve got new tech — a continuous blood glucose monitor (CGM), but it seems not to know when I’m hypo and when I’m ‘in the [mosaicing] zone’ which I am so rarely, I tend not to notice either.  Except for the tile-ripping-up.  That’s a good sign.  Anyway, that’s life.

I’ve just read a couple of blogs while my phone, with CGM, charges.  One blog in particular, brought to mind a song.  It is one I learnt with my most favourite choir (RIP).  So I thought I would share it with you.  Sing along if you know it.

Anyway, back to it.  But first, coffee.

Kind Regards.
Tracy

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Kate’s Song

I think I’ve said enough recently so I should let someone else do the talking.  And singing, of course.  Because it is Friday and that is my song day.

I am also joining in with Thursday’s Ragtag Daily Prompt — A Flower Cried.  How confusing is that — a Friday song on Thursday?  Anyhoo, the subject of the prompt probably gives you a clue that you may want to skip this one or at least have a couple of handkerchiefs nearby.  Here is Eric Bogle singing Kate Wolf’s song, Cornflower Blue.

Take care everyone and have a good weekend.

Kind Regards.
Tracy