I'd bought my first astrology book book in the early 80's. A book, albeit a small one, dedicated to my star sign. It was full of useful information about gardening by the moon, and how to track your menstrual cycle using the stars.
But what I read, over and over again, was the chapters on compatibility.
The hours I'd spend reading, plotting and mostly day dreaming because of those predictions. Boys in my class suddenly became interesting, because I now new that we would be perfect together. We were destined to be a perfect match.
The hours I'd spend planning our lives together. Looking back they were such vague notions of what sharing your life with someone actually is, such pale, blurry outlines. Much like how playing with dolls in a dolls house compares to real life.
This harmless addiction continued throughout my 20's and 30's, although with less dedication. At one stage, newly single, I limited my matches on an online dating site to a single star sign, in the hope of finding a passionate and sexy match. I succeeded in finding one, and this worked sensationally until we actually had a conversation and I realised he was so dull and arrogant that I wanted to scratch my eyes out.
So my relentless pursuit of those all knowing, life affirming forecasts started to wane, along with my relentless pursuit of an all loving, single and available man.
I finally decided to go cold turkey at the beginning of 2011. It wasn't, at the time, a momentous decision or a light bulb moment. But I felt that I would focus more on the present if I wasn't reading and analysing any of this fortune telling.
No more daydreaming about my prospects of finding that special someone.*
No more reading the daily predictions in the newspapers.
No more assessing monthly forecasts in the womens' magazines.
No more watching just one more music video on pay TV, waiting for that one sentence that will sum up my day.
No more sifting through websites for advice on what career I should be moving into.
It wasn't hard to give all this up. I don't really have any withdrawal symptoms. Although when I come to that part of the newspaper each day I still have to turn the page very quickly and determinedly. That tiny kernel of temptation is still there, lying dormant.
It hasn't changed my life in any remarkable way, but I do feel less weighed down by the future. And if I do feel the need for that one single sentence that will sum up my day, then I make it up myself, and post it on Facebook.
*OK, OK, I admit to still daydreaming about blokes, but only a healthy few hours each day.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Saturday, 18 February 2012
The Shade House
Well it was more like a bush house. Lot's of plants, most of them really pot bound, or growing into the soil and bark chips underneath. But there were some great survivors, just in need of a repotting and some regular watering.
Lots of these Billbergia Nutans, great flowers in September. I've divided them up and now have them in hanging baskets and other pots.
With lots of new growth. I'm hoping they flower just as well with all this extra attention.
One main reason for cleaning up the shade house is that I had run out of pots. But there were so many with dead plants or just dirt in them, so I put the gloves on and got amongst it. Only one red back was discovered, I'm sure there were heaps more that I didn't see.
So after a wash, then a soak in a very diluted bleach solution I had 18 new pots! I also threw out another 10 or so that were broken. And found a large polystyrene box, very handy for growing cherry tomatoes in.
It's still looking a little shabby, but I'm happy with my efforts, especially some cuttings that have taken nicely. When the weather cools down a bit I will put them in larger pots on there own, ready to go into the front or back garden.
I've also been able to pot a few Hoya cuttings. The climber is quite overgrown, and when it's been on the ground for ages new roots form along the runners. So I can just snip either side of them and pot them up. I love the flowers of Hoyas, very wax like, they don't look real at all. Must add a photo when they flower!
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Some garden updates
I've been gradually doing things in the front and back gardens over the past 12 months.
There's a lot to do, and with time and health constraints, I'm pacing myself.
This is the overgrown coastal rosemary.
It's still out of control!
There's a lot to do, and with time and health constraints, I'm pacing myself.
One of the most satisfying jobs has been cleaning up the outdoor area, which had been a bit of a junk area.
It's now a lot cleaner, and has an outdoor setting and a BBQ. We used it for my birthday this year, and for a family christmas lunch.
This is the overgrown coastal rosemary.
It's still out of control!
This is what the planned vege patch looked like in June 2011.
Unfortunately this is what it looks like in Feb 2012. You can't rush these things.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Chery Tomato Passata in the Slow Cooker
2 friends had given my lots of beautiful ripe cherry tomatoes.
I searched a few recipe sites, but none were exactly right, so I blundered on accordingly.
There was no way I was skinning all these, but I did want to remove most of the seeds. This was surprisingly easy.
Firstly I washed them.
Then I cut the tops of each one and squeezed the seeds out.
I had enough to fill a large slow cooker.
I then set it on auto, added a few peeled garlic bulbs and left it for 4 1/2 hours, stirring a couple of times.
Then I used a stick blender to blend it into a smooth passata.
I did have plans to bottle it, but there wasn't really enough, so I added some mince and herbs and we had bolognese for dinner!
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Baking time - Banana Cake
One thing I'd like to do more of this year is bake.
Cakes, biscuits, slices etc.
So am now sitting down to a cup of tea and a slice of banana cake, still warm from the oven. Is there anything more comforting?
This is my second attempt this week, the first was a little heavy, and I used a loaf tin when the recipe asked for a ring tin. I've also learnt that Mum always turned her cakes around half way through baking, because the oven seems to be hotter at the front than the back. And Dad has found the correct tin.
It's a lot lighter than the first one, and cooked much more evenly as I turned it after 15mins. I think the recipe is from an old CWA cookbook, the cover has gone, so it's hard to tell, but it's in metric, so not ancient :)
So that's 2 very old bananas put to a good use.
Yum!
Cakes, biscuits, slices etc.
So am now sitting down to a cup of tea and a slice of banana cake, still warm from the oven. Is there anything more comforting?
This is my second attempt this week, the first was a little heavy, and I used a loaf tin when the recipe asked for a ring tin. I've also learnt that Mum always turned her cakes around half way through baking, because the oven seems to be hotter at the front than the back. And Dad has found the correct tin.
So that's 2 very old bananas put to a good use.
Yum!
Do cats like moving house?
Moving house is a pain. All those boxes in strange places.
Although the empty ones are quite interesting.
And empty cupboards are fascinating.
And it all goes much more smoothly with good supervision.
All settled in and ready to blog
Finally!
We have the internet organised and my wireless network up and running.
I'm loving my new Asus laptop so stay tuned for some blog updates over the next few days.
We have the internet organised and my wireless network up and running.
I'm loving my new Asus laptop so stay tuned for some blog updates over the next few days.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Adventures on the Sunraysia Hwy
The Sunraysia Hwy, between Ballarat and Ouyen is not my favourite road at the best of times. It's narrow and in bad conditon compared to the Calder Hwy.
But this weekend I had no choice but to use it. The flooding of the Avoca, Loddon and Campaspe Rivers meant that the Calder was closed for 100's of km's.
I delayed my trip for 24hrs, hoping this would make it easier, but it didn't.
I got to St Arnard about 11.30am to find all roads heading north were closed. A car was nearly submerged at Cope Cope, and although I watched a Commodore drive through the floodwaters, there was no way I was going that way!
I went back to the BP Service Station and a lovely old bloke gave me directions to Donald, his daughter had just got through, in a small car like mine. So I took a risk and off I went.
The roads he had recommended weren't on my Vicroads map, but the iPhone came to the rescue! Brilliant, it had all of them, even the dirt ones.
Google Maps - St Arnard to Donald.
It was very scary, it's been ages since I've had to drive on a wet, slippery, dirt road, llet alone one with water across it. There were 2 other cars behind me, so if something did happen, then at least I wasn't out in the middle of nowhere on my own. And everyone was looking out for each other, lot's of stopping and checking each other, asking about what was coming up.
I made it to Donald. And was shocked by what I saw there, they were pulling out a submerged car just near the bridges over the Richardson River. A motel was taking all it's beds out and loading them into trailers.
The river was running so fast, you don't think of these rivers as powerful and destructive, but they are right now.
The problems continued all the way to Speed, which had a few businesses sandbagged.
And just out of Speed there was still water over the road. My rule had become - if I could still see the white lines then I drove through it.
I made it to Ouyen 7 1/2 hours later. Just in time to say hello to all the ladies at Mum's afternoon tea.
But this weekend I had no choice but to use it. The flooding of the Avoca, Loddon and Campaspe Rivers meant that the Calder was closed for 100's of km's.
I delayed my trip for 24hrs, hoping this would make it easier, but it didn't.
I got to St Arnard about 11.30am to find all roads heading north were closed. A car was nearly submerged at Cope Cope, and although I watched a Commodore drive through the floodwaters, there was no way I was going that way!
I went back to the BP Service Station and a lovely old bloke gave me directions to Donald, his daughter had just got through, in a small car like mine. So I took a risk and off I went.
The roads he had recommended weren't on my Vicroads map, but the iPhone came to the rescue! Brilliant, it had all of them, even the dirt ones.
Google Maps - St Arnard to Donald.
It was very scary, it's been ages since I've had to drive on a wet, slippery, dirt road, llet alone one with water across it. There were 2 other cars behind me, so if something did happen, then at least I wasn't out in the middle of nowhere on my own. And everyone was looking out for each other, lot's of stopping and checking each other, asking about what was coming up.
I made it to Donald. And was shocked by what I saw there, they were pulling out a submerged car just near the bridges over the Richardson River. A motel was taking all it's beds out and loading them into trailers.
The river was running so fast, you don't think of these rivers as powerful and destructive, but they are right now.
The problems continued all the way to Speed, which had a few businesses sandbagged.
And just out of Speed there was still water over the road. My rule had become - if I could still see the white lines then I drove through it.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
UFO's
One good thing about packing up has been finding some UFO's!
I wonder how many more UFO's are lurking in these boxes?
So the my UFO list will have a few additions including:
A hexagon quilt. I vaguely remember starting this about 6 years ago. All the hexagons are paper pieced and are pinned onto a sheet, with safety pins I think. No wonder I've hardly any safety pins, it's about a single bed size! I can't remember if it's a charm quilt like one of the first quilts I ever made, which I still use all the time at the end of my bed. I didn't unwrap the sheet, just put it in a box with other sewing room things.
I wonder how many more UFO's are lurking in these boxes?I also plan to help Mum finish some UFO's. I'm really not sure how many are lurking in her sewing room, but it will be a good thing to find them, and then take them up to her to receive "instructions" for their completion. And there's always people in need of a quilt.
Getting ready for the big move.
Well I've only 7 more days of living in Melbourne, and for 3 of them I'll be back in Ouyen!
One thing I'd like to get back into in 2011 is my blog.
So stay tuned for some news, some reflections, some UFO's (and hopefully some FO's!), lots of gardening and photos of my newer, simpler life.
I'm trying to make some changes with my blog layout, to make it have a simpler, cleaner look.
It's organised caos here right now, boxes in most rooms, lots of things half done. I've listed a few things on Freecycle and have people coming to collect them today. An old CRT TV and a cabinet I got for my 19th Birthday, plus lots of kitchen stuff that I just don't need. It's been a great, cleansing feeling to give stuff away.
One thing I'd like to get back into in 2011 is my blog.
So stay tuned for some news, some reflections, some UFO's (and hopefully some FO's!), lots of gardening and photos of my newer, simpler life.
I'm trying to make some changes with my blog layout, to make it have a simpler, cleaner look.
It's organised caos here right now, boxes in most rooms, lots of things half done. I've listed a few things on Freecycle and have people coming to collect them today. An old CRT TV and a cabinet I got for my 19th Birthday, plus lots of kitchen stuff that I just don't need. It's been a great, cleansing feeling to give stuff away.
Saturday, 15 November 2008
stash busting with Esther's BOM
Gorgeous Esther Aliu has a BOM, Block of the Month!
And it's called Red Delicious.
I hope to be inspired, and use up some of these reds that i have collected over thelast few years, and perhaps find a way of using all the red ric-rac too!
my city
I want to take my photos. There are so many great opportunities to get great images, and i need to capture them. Walking, driving, whatever. The digital is always in the handbag, so it's time to get snapping!
I took these on a walk back from the Speigeltent a few Fridays ago.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Happy New Year!
Well Hello,
I'm back at work this week, had a lovely break over Christmas and New Year, swimming, eating out, gardening, and some sewing.
Not much quilting, in fact none!!!!! But a bit of mending and alterations that had been lurking since April last year.
Had a great NYE at Albert Park lake in Melb, great fireworks and bands, but boy was it warm, still 30degC at midnight!
I'm hoping to have the internet on at home in a week or so, so will be able to blog more, i miss it.
I'm back at work this week, had a lovely break over Christmas and New Year, swimming, eating out, gardening, and some sewing.
Not much quilting, in fact none!!!!! But a bit of mending and alterations that had been lurking since April last year.
Had a great NYE at Albert Park lake in Melb, great fireworks and bands, but boy was it warm, still 30degC at midnight!
I'm hoping to have the internet on at home in a week or so, so will be able to blog more, i miss it.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Sunny Ouyen!!!!
Hey it's raining in the Mallee, yippee!!!!!!
Spent yesterday in Kerang, and now in Ouyen at Mum and Dad's place.
It has been raining steadily all day, and Kerang got a good soaking yesterday.
I hope it keeps up until Tuesday, then i won't feel like rugging up.
I have been taking things a little slower lately. I have glandular fever, and it's knocked me round a bit.
Staying home is really not my favourite activity, so i've been a little stir crazy. Hopefully it will have cleared up in a few weeks, but then the silly season will be upon us, so i must be a 'good' girl.
I feel a bit ripped off actually, it's supposed to be a kissing disease, and haven't been smooching anyone. Now it wouldn't be so bad if i'd had a night of passion recently, it may have been worth it :)
I'm off to Mildura tmr, what a great town, i miss it still. And you can get good coffee :)
Spent yesterday in Kerang, and now in Ouyen at Mum and Dad's place.
It has been raining steadily all day, and Kerang got a good soaking yesterday.
I hope it keeps up until Tuesday, then i won't feel like rugging up.
I have been taking things a little slower lately. I have glandular fever, and it's knocked me round a bit.
Staying home is really not my favourite activity, so i've been a little stir crazy. Hopefully it will have cleared up in a few weeks, but then the silly season will be upon us, so i must be a 'good' girl.
I feel a bit ripped off actually, it's supposed to be a kissing disease, and haven't been smooching anyone. Now it wouldn't be so bad if i'd had a night of passion recently, it may have been worth it :)
I'm off to Mildura tmr, what a great town, i miss it still. And you can get good coffee :)
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
back in blogger land!
Well it's good to be back.
I last posted on 10th March, Wow, heaps has happened since then.
Tim moved out finally 1st week april.
I had a whirlwind romance about then, lasted 3 weeks, but when we actually had a few
conversations i realised he wasn't very smart!!!!
I've enjoyed the peace of living by myself, just me and the cat. Mind you, haven't
been home a lot, the social life has been very busy. Lots of dancing, eating out, couple
of dates that went nowhere, heaps of time with friends.
Now it's time to resurface, I am getting back into sewing, quilting, and want to
blog again, i missed it!!!!!
I have a few social things planned for my place, time for some new memories.
Have travelled around the state a bit lately too, will post some photos soon.
I last posted on 10th March, Wow, heaps has happened since then.
Tim moved out finally 1st week april.
I had a whirlwind romance about then, lasted 3 weeks, but when we actually had a few
conversations i realised he wasn't very smart!!!!
I've enjoyed the peace of living by myself, just me and the cat. Mind you, haven't
been home a lot, the social life has been very busy. Lots of dancing, eating out, couple
of dates that went nowhere, heaps of time with friends.
Now it's time to resurface, I am getting back into sewing, quilting, and want to
blog again, i missed it!!!!!
I have a few social things planned for my place, time for some new memories.
Have travelled around the state a bit lately too, will post some photos soon.
Saturday, 10 March 2007
Dramas in my life
Go grap a cuppa, and then I've got my gossip for you.............................................................................
It's been five weeks now, seems longer.
I was at a Patchwork meeting, first weekend in Feb when I got an sms from Tim saying he had had a low blood sugar, fallen over and hurt his ankle, he'd called an ambulance and was in Box Hill hospital.
It was a full on day for me, had mumsie visting and then a quilters dinner straight after the P&Q's meeting.
So he continued to sms me, letting me know they were going to operate and put pins in, then the surgery got delayed until the sunday.
Sunday i had a VQ committee meeting all day, but planned to go in the morning, present my reports, then go the the hospital to see the patient.
But i got a phone call from the hospital about 10am, saying something had gone wrong in the operating room.
Tim had vomited while under general anaesthetic, which apparently is very very bad.
These days doctors tell you the worst possibilites first, they said that he could die! or that he may only be a bit groggy!
I freaked out, excused myself from the meeting and went to the Freemasons, where they had to send him as Box Hill ICU was full.
Got to the Freemasons, and Tim was lying in an induced coma with a tube in every possible orifice, machines beeping and wheezing.
Now I hate hospitals, can't use domestos at home b/c the smell reminds me of hospitals. And when you date a diabetic, you get to see every emergency ward in Melbourne!
Wasn't much I could do, told the doctors about his general health etc. rang his mum to tell her what was going on. He was going to be in an induced coma for a few days so his lungs could heal.
AND THEN THEY GAVE ME HIS STUFF INC HIS MOBILE PHONE! to take back home.
Here beginth the lesson
-Always empty your deleted folder when you are cheating on your girlfriend!
Here endth the lesson.
Simple really.
I got home, mum was still there, cooking dinner for my 2 hungry sisters, who were there also.
Charged Tim's phone, needed to ring his boss in the morning to tell him what was happening.
I noticed all these missed calls from a Maria, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Looked a bit further, as you do.Lots of sms's in the deleted folder.
Tim has a fancy phone/palm pilot in one.
Lot's of sms's from Maria, some of a very intimate nature, mentioning Nurses uniforms and the empty bed next to his!
The sms's to me were much more sedate and perfunctory!
I was shaking, and felt like I was going to throw-up.
But i decided to send an sms to this Maria...............
"Hi this is Megan, Tim's girlfriend here, Tim is in Freemasons Hosp CCU, complications with surgery."
Seconds later his phone rang..........it was Maria...........
Do I answer it?
Oh yes I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My hands were shaking so much, it was actually a struggle to answer it.
She was shocked, and angry.
They had met at a singles ball, and had been dating for a few weeks.
We had a good talk, I assured her she could have him if she could forgive him.
So then I took a deep breath and proceeded to have dinner with my mum and sisters as if nothing had happened. I wasn't ready to talk about it, and hadn't decided on a stratedgy to deal with it. And I was probably in shock!
I played the dutiful girlfriend until he came out of the coma, had a good talk to his sister Linda, who doesn't see him with rose-coloured glasses like the rest of his family.
I confronted him in hospital on the Thursday, he was surprised when I said I knew about Maria, and even more surprised when I said I had spoken to her!
All I got was a lousy "I'm sorry I've been a real shit". Pathetic response.
He came back to the house for a day or so after getting out of hospital, but soon realised that it's very hard to be on crutches and share a house with someone who has no intentions of nursing you.
So he sooked to his parents and went up to Beechworth for a few weeks.
He's actually back in the house this weekend, but has been mostly out looking at places to rent.
I'm being exceedingly civil, but it's very awkward and inside i feel like a screaming banshee on acid!!!!!!!
Oh and Maria is still on the scene, silly cow.
So since then I have:
Got my hair cut shorter.
Didn't eat for a week, then started the CSIRO diet and serious exercise regime. Clothes already feel looser.
Have been on a few dates with a cute electrician. (I'm hoping he'll test and tag me!!!!!)
Got back on an internet dating site.
Bought a magnificent fridge, and a new microwave.
Gone out for dinner with girlfriends, and spent a lot more time preening myself.
Went feral at a mates 40th birthday
So I am determined to have a great 2007, i'll be broke, have less fabric, finish less quilts, go to less committee meetings, but i'll be doing things that a single and available 35 year old should be!
So there WOSY (waste of six years)!
My best revenge is to look freaking fabulous.
And to drink some of his uber-expensive red before he moves all his stuff out.
And if you've got to the end of this post, i thank you, for it's been my friends, esp. my quilting ones that have really got me through this, and will continue to get me through this!
Megan.xxxx
It's been five weeks now, seems longer.
I was at a Patchwork meeting, first weekend in Feb when I got an sms from Tim saying he had had a low blood sugar, fallen over and hurt his ankle, he'd called an ambulance and was in Box Hill hospital.
It was a full on day for me, had mumsie visting and then a quilters dinner straight after the P&Q's meeting.
So he continued to sms me, letting me know they were going to operate and put pins in, then the surgery got delayed until the sunday.
Sunday i had a VQ committee meeting all day, but planned to go in the morning, present my reports, then go the the hospital to see the patient.
But i got a phone call from the hospital about 10am, saying something had gone wrong in the operating room.
Tim had vomited while under general anaesthetic, which apparently is very very bad.
These days doctors tell you the worst possibilites first, they said that he could die! or that he may only be a bit groggy!
I freaked out, excused myself from the meeting and went to the Freemasons, where they had to send him as Box Hill ICU was full.
Got to the Freemasons, and Tim was lying in an induced coma with a tube in every possible orifice, machines beeping and wheezing.
Now I hate hospitals, can't use domestos at home b/c the smell reminds me of hospitals. And when you date a diabetic, you get to see every emergency ward in Melbourne!
Wasn't much I could do, told the doctors about his general health etc. rang his mum to tell her what was going on. He was going to be in an induced coma for a few days so his lungs could heal.
AND THEN THEY GAVE ME HIS STUFF INC HIS MOBILE PHONE! to take back home.
Here beginth the lesson
-Always empty your deleted folder when you are cheating on your girlfriend!
Here endth the lesson.
Simple really.
I got home, mum was still there, cooking dinner for my 2 hungry sisters, who were there also.
Charged Tim's phone, needed to ring his boss in the morning to tell him what was happening.
I noticed all these missed calls from a Maria, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Looked a bit further, as you do.Lots of sms's in the deleted folder.
Tim has a fancy phone/palm pilot in one.
Lot's of sms's from Maria, some of a very intimate nature, mentioning Nurses uniforms and the empty bed next to his!
The sms's to me were much more sedate and perfunctory!
I was shaking, and felt like I was going to throw-up.
But i decided to send an sms to this Maria...............
"Hi this is Megan, Tim's girlfriend here, Tim is in Freemasons Hosp CCU, complications with surgery."
Seconds later his phone rang..........it was Maria...........
Do I answer it?
Oh yes I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My hands were shaking so much, it was actually a struggle to answer it.
She was shocked, and angry.
They had met at a singles ball, and had been dating for a few weeks.
We had a good talk, I assured her she could have him if she could forgive him.
So then I took a deep breath and proceeded to have dinner with my mum and sisters as if nothing had happened. I wasn't ready to talk about it, and hadn't decided on a stratedgy to deal with it. And I was probably in shock!
I played the dutiful girlfriend until he came out of the coma, had a good talk to his sister Linda, who doesn't see him with rose-coloured glasses like the rest of his family.
I confronted him in hospital on the Thursday, he was surprised when I said I knew about Maria, and even more surprised when I said I had spoken to her!
All I got was a lousy "I'm sorry I've been a real shit". Pathetic response.
He came back to the house for a day or so after getting out of hospital, but soon realised that it's very hard to be on crutches and share a house with someone who has no intentions of nursing you.
So he sooked to his parents and went up to Beechworth for a few weeks.
He's actually back in the house this weekend, but has been mostly out looking at places to rent.
I'm being exceedingly civil, but it's very awkward and inside i feel like a screaming banshee on acid!!!!!!!
Oh and Maria is still on the scene, silly cow.
So since then I have:
Got my hair cut shorter.
Didn't eat for a week, then started the CSIRO diet and serious exercise regime. Clothes already feel looser.
Have been on a few dates with a cute electrician. (I'm hoping he'll test and tag me!!!!!)
Got back on an internet dating site.
Bought a magnificent fridge, and a new microwave.
Gone out for dinner with girlfriends, and spent a lot more time preening myself.
Went feral at a mates 40th birthday
So I am determined to have a great 2007, i'll be broke, have less fabric, finish less quilts, go to less committee meetings, but i'll be doing things that a single and available 35 year old should be!
So there WOSY (waste of six years)!
My best revenge is to look freaking fabulous.
And to drink some of his uber-expensive red before he moves all his stuff out.
And if you've got to the end of this post, i thank you, for it's been my friends, esp. my quilting ones that have really got me through this, and will continue to get me through this!
Megan.xxxx
Saturday, 27 January 2007
Australia Day
Well 26th Jan is quite an important day for me.
It's the day my ancestors arrived in Australia, 219 years ago.
They were Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne and both were convicts.
Nathaniel, a carpenter, was 20 when he was convicted at the Old Bailey of stealing some clothes from his neighbour ( six muslin aprons, some towels and handkerchiefs, and muslin shawls and caps).
Olivia, a servant, was said to be 24 when she was convicted of stealing money "by force of arms" . Such a conviction would normally have meant the death sentence, but the sentencing Judge was retiring that day, and he commuted many sentences. So Olivia, like Nathaniel was given transportation for 7 years to Botany Bay.
We have transcripts of the trials, fascinating reading. And there is a letter in the Mitchell Library in Sydney that Nathaniel wrote home to his father in 1796 whilst living on Norfolk Island. It's a beautiful letter, from a proud husband and father. Its tells of his grief when his twin girls were killed by a falling pine tree. Of his amazement in the fertile island and all the crops and livestock it supports. And of his good relationship with Gov. King.
I wonder if I will leave such a well written history behind?
Nathaniel was appointed a superintendent of carpenters in Sydney in 1804. He built the first Mill in Sydney, and many other buildings in Sydney, Parramatta and Liverpool, none of them are still standing unfortunately.
I have read that Lucas Heights, where Australia's only Nuclear Reactor is housed, has a Nathaniel Lucas connection.
Nathaniel died in 1818, his body found in the Georges River near Liverpool, he was said to be "mentally de-ranged" at the time.
Soon after, Olivia moved to Port Dalrymple in Van Diemens Land. She farmed there with some of her children, until her death in 1830, and is buried in the Cypress Cemetery, Launceston.
There are 4 other convicts in my family, all on Mum's Lucas side!
Having convict ancestors was frowned upon until probably the 1980's, and interest was spurred on by the Bicentennial in 1988.
Luckily for us, the Lucas' were quite good at getting their names in the local papers, wherever they lived. The exploits of Richard Lucas fill pages, mostly petty criminal stuff, but I guess it takes a few generations before you can chuckle about it!
I should read more about my history, Mum has some more books, huge ones filled with lists of names, transcripts, obituaries and inquests, births, deaths, and marriages. Rather stark documents, but a framework to imagine what they were really like, and wonder if i'm anything like them?
It's the day my ancestors arrived in Australia, 219 years ago.
They were Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne and both were convicts.
Nathaniel, a carpenter, was 20 when he was convicted at the Old Bailey of stealing some clothes from his neighbour ( six muslin aprons, some towels and handkerchiefs, and muslin shawls and caps).
Olivia, a servant, was said to be 24 when she was convicted of stealing money "by force of arms" . Such a conviction would normally have meant the death sentence, but the sentencing Judge was retiring that day, and he commuted many sentences. So Olivia, like Nathaniel was given transportation for 7 years to Botany Bay.
We have transcripts of the trials, fascinating reading. And there is a letter in the Mitchell Library in Sydney that Nathaniel wrote home to his father in 1796 whilst living on Norfolk Island. It's a beautiful letter, from a proud husband and father. Its tells of his grief when his twin girls were killed by a falling pine tree. Of his amazement in the fertile island and all the crops and livestock it supports. And of his good relationship with Gov. King.
I wonder if I will leave such a well written history behind?
Nathaniel was appointed a superintendent of carpenters in Sydney in 1804. He built the first Mill in Sydney, and many other buildings in Sydney, Parramatta and Liverpool, none of them are still standing unfortunately.
I have read that Lucas Heights, where Australia's only Nuclear Reactor is housed, has a Nathaniel Lucas connection.
Nathaniel died in 1818, his body found in the Georges River near Liverpool, he was said to be "mentally de-ranged" at the time.
Soon after, Olivia moved to Port Dalrymple in Van Diemens Land. She farmed there with some of her children, until her death in 1830, and is buried in the Cypress Cemetery, Launceston.
There are 4 other convicts in my family, all on Mum's Lucas side!
Having convict ancestors was frowned upon until probably the 1980's, and interest was spurred on by the Bicentennial in 1988.
Luckily for us, the Lucas' were quite good at getting their names in the local papers, wherever they lived. The exploits of Richard Lucas fill pages, mostly petty criminal stuff, but I guess it takes a few generations before you can chuckle about it!
I should read more about my history, Mum has some more books, huge ones filled with lists of names, transcripts, obituaries and inquests, births, deaths, and marriages. Rather stark documents, but a framework to imagine what they were really like, and wonder if i'm anything like them?
Friday, 26 January 2007
naughty cindercat!
Boy, been a while, you can tell i'm back at work!
I like indoor plants a lot, i like the way the make a room cheerful, trouble is i'm not real good at keeping them alive, too much water i suspect.
But someone is not helping with the lifespan of one of my newer plants.
What a bad girl, poor poor pot plant!!!!!!!!!!!
So it has now been swapped with a less delicious one, hopefully that will stop her.
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