Saturday, April 21, 2007

Rain From Nowhere.

Post 190 - - - - - - Saturday, 21st April, 2007.


Hi Everyone ~~ I hope all is well in your world tonight as all is
good here. I was busy getting my Broad Bean seeds in, and
planting
2 pelegoniums, 4 geraniums and 2 hollyhocks, when
I had to go inside because it had started to RAIN. I stayed out
for a while expecting it to stop. I hope it rains all night and
continues tomorrow and beyond that. I was pleased to get as
much done as I did, before knocking up. I have a few more
hollyhocks to put in and 2 more small geraniums.

Tonight I have a poem written by Murray Hartin about our
drought. This was in the Shepparton paper and was also sent
to me by Robyn a while back.

His credit had run out, no chance to pay what's owed,
Bad thoughts ran through his head as he drove down Gully Rd.,
"Geez, great grandad bought the place back in 1898,
Now I'm such a useless bastard, I'll ave to shut the gate.

Can't support my wife and kids, not like Dad and those before,
Crikey, Grandma kept it going while Pop fought in the war."
With depression now his master, he abandned what was right,
There's no place in life for failures, he'd end it all tonight.

There were still some things to do, he'd have to shoot the cattle first,
Of all the jobs he'd ever done, that would be the worst.
He'd have a shower, watch the news,then they'd all sit down for tea.
Read his kids a bedtime story, watch some more TV.

Kiss his wife goodnight, say he was off to shoot some roos,
Then in a paddock far away, he'd blow away the blues.
But he drove in the gate and stopped--as he always had.
To check the roadside mailbox -- and found a letter from
his Dad.

Now his Dad was not a writer, Mum did all the cards and mail,
But he knew the writing from the notebooks that he used at
cattle sales.
He sensed te nature of it's comments, felt moisture in his eyes.
Just the fact his Dad had written was enough to make cry.

"Son, I know it's bloody tough, it's a cruel and twisted game,
This life upon the land when you're screaming out for rain,
There's no candle in the darkness, not a single speck of light,
But don't let the demon get you, you have to do what's right.

I don't know what's in your head, but push the bad thoughts
well away,
Son, you'll always have your family at the back end of the day,
You have to talk to someone, and yes I know I rarely did,
But you have to think about Fiona and think about the kids.

I'm worried about you son, you haven't rung for quite a while,
I know the road you're on, I've walked every bloody mile,
The date? December 7 back in 1983
Behind the shed I had the shotgun rested in the brigalow tree.

See, I'd borrowed way too much to buy the Johnson place,
Then it didn't rain for years and we got bombed by interest rates
The bank was at the door, I didn't think I had a choice,
I began to squeeze the trigger--that's when I heard your voice.

You said, "Where are you Daddy? It's time to play our game,
I've got Squatter all set up, we might get General Rain."
It really was that close, you're the onewho stopped me son,
And you're the one who taught me tere's no answer in a gun.

Just remember people love you, good friends won't let you down.
Look, you might have to swallow pride and take that job in town.
Just 'til things come good son, you've always got a choice.
And when you get this letter ring me, 'cause I'd love to hear your voice."

Well he cried and laughed and shook his head then put the truck in gear
Shut his eyes and hugged his Dad in a vision that was clear,
Dropped the cattle at the yards, put the truck away.
Filled the trougs the best he could and fed out his last 10 bales of hay.

Ten he strode towards the homestead, shoulders back and head held
high,
He still knew the road was tough but there was purpose n his eye.
He called is wife and children, who'd lived through all his pain.
Hugs said more than words . . . he'd come back to them again.

They talked of silver linings, how good times always follow bad.
Then he walked towards the phone, picked it up and rang his Dad.
And while the kids set up Squatter, he hugged his wife again.
Then they heard the sound of thunder and they smelt the smell of rain.
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I had to type that through my tears. Let us hope and pray that the
last line comes true, before we lose more farmers. I apologise as
I see I posted this a month ago, but the drought continues and I
found it a great poem, that brought tears to my eyes AGAIN.


First of the jokes comes from my son, John. Thanks John.


Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new
lyrics to accommodate aging Baby Boomers.

Ok ... everybody sing along .

Herman's Hermits --- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker.

Ringo Starr --- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.

The Bee Gees --- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.

Bobby Darin --- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.

Roberta Flack --- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.

Johnny Nash --- I Can't See Clearly Now.

Paul Simon --- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver.

The Commodores --- Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.

Procol Harum --- A Whiter Shade of Hair.

Leo Sayer --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping.

The Temptations --- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.

Abba --- Denture Queen.

Tony Orlando --- Knock 3 Times (On The Ceiling I Can't Hear You)

Helen Reddy --- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.

Leslie Gore --- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To.

Willie Nelson --- On the Commode Again

James Brown ---- (post operation) Papa's Got a Brand New Bag

Herman's Hermits --- No Teeth Today (My Love Has Gone Away)

The Who --- I Used To See For Miles and Miles ..

Ian Drury --- Hit Me With Your Walking Stick

Gerry & The Pacemakers --- How Did I Do What I Used To Do?

Nancy Sinatra --- These Sensible Shoes Are Made For Walkin'

Manfred Mann --- (My Name Is Jack And I Live In the Back Of The)

Greta Garbo Nursing Home For Wayward Boys & Girls..
<><><>

Question and Answer about an accident for Insurance form.

Q. Could either driver have done anything to avoid the accident?
A. I could have traveled by bus.
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A man who collided with a cow sent the form back as follows - -

Q. What warning did you give the other party before the crash?
A. Horn.

Q. What warning did the other party give?
A. Moo.
<><><>
A lawyer cross-examined the adversary's main witness, "You claim
to have stopped by Mrs. Edwards' house just after breakfast. Will
you tell the jury what she said?"

"Objection, your honor," shouted the other lawyer.Then followed a
long argument between the lawyers as to whether the question was
proper. Finally after 45 minutes, the Judge allowed it.

"So," the first lawyer continued, "Please answer the question :
What did Mrs. Edwards say when you went to her house after
breakfast on December 3rd ?"

"Nothing," said the witness. "No one was home."
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Noticing they were having engine trouble, the pilot instructed the
crew to have the passengers take their seats and prepare for an
emergency landing. A few moments later, the pilot asked the
attendants if everyone was buckled in and ready.

"We're all set back here, Captain," an attendant replied. Exceptfor
one lawyer who is still going around passing out his business cards."
<><><>

Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother
after a particularly trying week at kindergarten. She decided
to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been
snowing all night and everything was beautiful.


The grandmother remarked, doesn't it look like an artist painted
this scenery ?" Did you know that God painted this just for you?"

Bobby said, "Yes, God painted it and he did it left handed."

This confused his grandmother a bit and she asked him, "What
makes you think God did this with his left hand?"

:Well," Bobby said, "we learned at Sunday School last week
that Jesus sits on God's right hand !"

<><><>

Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant
it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem
than the person at the bottom.- -Sandra Day O'Connor.


Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all
without words. - - - - - Marcel Marceau.


If the English language made any sense, "lackadasical" would
have something to do with a shortage of flowers.- - -Doug Larson.


You can't lose weight by talking about it. You have to keep your
mouth shut. - - - -The Old Farmer's Almanac.


Time to call it a day Folks. Have a wonderful weekend, or what's
left of it. Love and Best Wishes to all. Cheers, Merle.


Post 190 - - - - - Saturday, 21st April, 2007.
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6 comments:

Val said...

Those jokes for baby boomers...LOL!!!

Puss-in-Boots said...

You had RAIN??? Where's ours, then? I feel discriminated against.

Seriously though, Merle, I hope it did rain all night for you. We have had storms for the last couple of afternoons. The trouble is, our place missed out. Our tanks need more water so hopefully this afternoon's storm will hit the spot.

The Baby Boomers' Hit Parade...good one...lol.

Hope you can get your plants out today (have you been to Bunnings again?).

Love and hugs xoxo

Jim said...

Hi Merle -- Yes, I hope too that it rains all night. We have been hearing how awful it is there for the farmers.
Your blog was good tonight, I always like your lawyer things.
And too, I'm happy that no one is stitting on your right hand.
..

Margaret said...

Dear Merle,
Bunnings is a great place to go for plants and seedlings I think.
I can't wait to be able to plant more in my bigger garden. About four weeks off now. Loved the poem and the Jokes.
Love margaret

HORIZON said...

You did well to get out what you did Merle. l just love pelegoniums- always a good show with them. This is just a quick stop by as hubby needs on the pc too-lol. l wanted to wave hello and tell you that l will be back to catch up. It's pouring with rain here today but l don't mind as it gives me an excuse to chill out ;)
Hugs and bests dear friend. xx

audrey` said...

Hi Merle

I like gardening too =)
It's so refreshing.

Take care.