Revival

A message from Brigid ....

I have been a blogger since 2005. At the height of my blogging busy-ness, I had "a small stable" of blogs on different topics: social and political commentary; desert spirituality; food; waste and ....

A few years ago I called time and ceased blogging altogether - although there was an occasional post. I had called it quits. I am an aged woman these days with a couple of serious illnesses. I am not allowed to drive. I am no longer active in organisations. I think it fair to say that I am housebound. I am active on Facebook, although I am not there as often as once I was. I have decided to embark on a re-entry into the blogging world ... beginning with The Trad Pad and, possibly, a return to my food blog, Oz Tucker. I have always used a lot of photographs on my blogs ... and I miss not being out and about with my camera.

The Trad Pad has been my blog for the lovely things of life. The controversial or political has seldom intruded. Occasionally, the spiritual has found its way in, but I kept spirituality for the blog, Desert. I don't yet know if I will revive that. I will stick pretty much to food and the lovely things of life. If I have some regularity with those two categories, I feel that I will be doing well. I hope that, with this blog new friendships can be formed and old friendships renewed; new lovelies discovered; new reflections can enter into the meaning of modern life. I would love to hear from you - particularly if you have suggestions for new topics to enter into the conversation. So, it is a new year. Let's see what it has in store, what it can bring to us. And I hope that those who share the spirit of The Trad Pad can spread the message of a world of beauty, the creativity of humanity, and the joys of simplicity and tradition. ~~~ February, 2017

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Portfolio optimization

The domestic porfolio is being optimized. There has been some downsizing since Herself and Miss Eagle took up housekeeping together two and a half years ago but there is still far too much so further divestment is to take place next Saturday, April 28, at a garage sale. Don't wish to publish address details but if you are to be in the vicinity of Ferntree Gully next Saturday between 9am and 1pm email Miss E ahead of time for the details at miss.eagle@yahoodotcomdotau.

Portfolio contents include:
  • Leadlight kitchen cabinet
  • Art - original art including Aboriginal Art - and Pictures
  • Couches
  • China
  • Furniture
  • Children's stuff including a lovel set of four old nursery rhyme pictures - just dreamy in the shabby chic nursery and wooden toys
  • Leaf blower/vaccuum
  • Garden pots and planters
  • Matchbox (and other brands) cars

This list is open-ended and there will be all sorts of interesting stuff.

Friday, April 27, 2007

The new spatula is put to use...


Come in. Pull up a chair. Let's have a cup of tea. Coffee if you like. To celebrate having a spatula once more (see here), Miss Eagle made this traditional sponge cake. Would you like a piece? If you would like the recipe, click over to Food from Oz.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Anzac Day 2007

To-day is Anzac Day.
This is a significant day in Australian life.

All around Australia from the Australian War Memorial (below) to every tiny country community, Australian and New Zealand war dead will be remembered.

All around the world, Australians and New Zealanders will gather.

They gather for the Dawn Service in Gallipoli in Turkey.
They gather in Flanders Fields.

The troops in Iraq and every place on earth where there are Australian and New Zealand military personnel, there will be solemnity and memorial.
After the solemnity, there will be the traditional two-up game
"Two up" game in progress troops returning from service H.M.A.T. MAHIA
Museum Victoria Collection
When Australians remember those who died in the service of their nation, on Anzac Day, at the going down of the sun in RSL Clubs across Australia, the verse below is said as a sort of prayer, a testimony of sacred intent:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

A flippin' good time ahead

Miss Eagle has been thrilled and much cheered, dear Reader, to receive a wonderful parcel from Lee-ann at Pear Tree Cottage!

The story of the parcel began with perfidy of Herself who surreptitiously chucked out this wonderful implement which had been in use for forty years flipping pikelets and pancakes and folding air and flour in lovely light sponge cakes.
Miss E was unable to locate a replacement spatula. They are not in kitchen shops or the kitchen section of supermarkets. Searches of opp shops in eastern Melbourne had not turned one up. Lee-ann, the opp shop aficionado, to the rescue all the way from country Victoria.
Not only was there a spatula there was a set complete with long blade spatula, a masher, and an egg lifter. All in Miss E's old school tie colours! And don't they go well with Miss E's collection of
T.G. Green's Cornish Blue.

Now Lee-ann does not stint. Along with the spatula set came a beautiful card (standing), and - to help in the restoration of Miss E's health (she has been a sick old bird for quite a while) - the March 2007 edition of Romantic Homes, a favourite at The Trad Pad. The magazine came with its own tea-dipped tag. Lee-Ann is clearly a romantic herself.

Thank you Lee-Ann you - and your blog - are a blessing.
Miss Eagle wishes you and your Dearly Beloved well since you have had poor health experiences lately yourselves.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Into the Everlasting Arms

Each morning, I look across from my sunroom to the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Sadness has come to my heart since news broke yesterday afteroon that two young women (unknown to me) named Jodie Gater and Stephanie Gestier were found dead high up in the park.

Reports indicate that Jodie and Stephanie, who had been missing for a week, had taken their own lives.

The tragedy of young lives cut short and the overwhelming sadness that must have engulfed their families haunts me.

What a society, what a world have we built for our young that they cannot feel secure, creative, and hopeful within its bounds?

Ten years ago, this very month, a young woman came to my home who I had never met before. I only met her for an hour or so.

One month later she was dead by her own hand.

The poem below was written then.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of Jodie and Stephanie.

These young girls/women are now in The Everlasting Arms.

PERCEPTION

How did I not see
the troubled heart and spirit?
Did I only look at you
to see myself
reflected back?

And if I
thought you carefree
was that only the perception
of my own comfort?

Why could I not see
through your body frame
to the pain
of old time’s torment
in your soul?

Eyes to see
a heart to understand
are what I need
to see the wounded Christ
in your life

For help or information visit beyond blue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251 or Lifeline on 131 114.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Sunday: a prelude

Went a-walkin' this morning - to the patisserie. Yesterday afternoon brought rain to Upper Gully. Miss Eagle was in bed early but presumes that it rained through the night too. This morning was fresh, there were dripping trees and bushes and the sun was trying hard to shine through the cloud. It did succeed.

At the moment, some eucalypts are in full flower - those with a red/pink flower.

This delights the birdlife who are noisy and partying.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Like this fellow

The patisserie is Arena Boys Bakehouse at 4/79 Glenfern Road, Upper Ferntree Gully.

It is open every day - except Good Friday and Christmas, methinks.

Above are some of their wide range of goodies.

Below are the goodies Miss Eagle purchased: one each for Miss E and Herself.


Home again.

Here is the creek in front of our place. Ferny Creek.

And this beautiful red parrot was feeding quietly in a neighbour's bush

while his partner fed in a tree above.
A lovely prelude to Sunday.

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