Location: Shopping centre car park Protagonist: A Mother Curlew Supporting cast: Miniature Schnauzer Dog and Owners Action: Curlew repeatedly confronts the Mini Schnauzer, screaming and batting its fully-spread wings. The Dog owners think this is mildly amusing. The Schnauzer is one minute brave, the next hesitant. The Bird follows the Schnauzer in a threatening manner,… Continue reading Only in Australia – Mini Schnauzer Dog versus Curlew Bird
Remember the self-sufficiency movement of the '80s? That was my teenage dream, one that sadly never materialised, so the chance to meet a modern-day guru of sustainability got me super-excited. You may have heard or even watched River Cottage UK, with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, but did you know there was a highly successful Australian version of… Continue reading Meeting a TV Hero and Simple Sustainability in the Garden
It is lovely that we can help others, as long as it doesn't disadvantage ourselves to our detriment. Conversely, it is good to remember to help ourselves as long as doing so does not disadvantage others. With many economies struggling, workers are asked to do more and more tasks in a normal working day. Many… Continue reading How to Respectfully Say No to Senior Colleagues Requests to Work Longer
Sometimes I despair for the younger generation. Am I just like generations previous, who lament the ineptitude and inabilities of youth? I guess it is just another sign of getting older and crankier. Whinging about the youth of today? Who can blame the kids? The goal of our evolving human race appears to be to… Continue reading Sometimes I Despair
People also ask if magpies recognize humans? A key reason why friendships with magpies are possible is that we now know that magpies are able to recognize and remember individual human faces for many years. They can learn which nearby humans do not constitute a risk. They will remember someone who was good to them;… Continue reading Magpies – Fact or Fiction?
When was that? I can’t recall the first time at all. Is that a sign of early dementia? Early Memories of Lollies and School in Australia I do recall buying a lolly, at four years. I was given a meagre amount of pocket money to buy lollies and firecrackers at the small old-style convenience shop… Continue reading The First time I Ate a Lolly
Something to Ponder About 