Monday, February 09, 2009

Black Saturday in Victoria.

Post 571 ~ ~ Monday, 9th February, 2009.

Hello my friends ~~ I hope all is well at your place. I am OK and thank you so much for those showing concern, both for myself and the rest of the people who are affected by the terrible fires we have had, and are still having. The smoke is all over the sky, and tonight the sun was a bright red. There have been 131 lives lost and many, many homes destroyed. I should be safe here in the city of Shepparton as it is an hour or so's drive to
most fires, at Beechworth and Bendigo. And Seymour where the first fire started.
Fortunately my family are not near fires in Princetown and Sunbury.

They expect more deaths when they can get into the areas, and there are over 5000 people homeless and in tent cities and recreational places. The public are being very helpful, which is wonderful and they usually are when there is a disaster. This is the very worst we have had and I guess the heatwave made everything tinder dry and then there was no stopping the huge flames that people had no chance to escape. I have spent most of the two days since
Sunday and today watching the TV reports and reading the papers and have shed many tears, I am not ashamed to say. This will not be my usual bright post, I'm afraid.

We have a Birthday Girl among us.The 9th of February is Hootin' Anni's birthday. I truly hope that you have a wonderful day Anni and many Happy returns.

My friend, Warren from Wazzas Place sent me an e mail asking if I was safe and sent me a couple of jokes. Thank you Warren, very much. It is lucky you and Peter visited Victoria in November, because it has changed a lot. No fires down near Kathy's place so that is still OK. It is always cooler there and greener. Thanks for the jokes, and your concern.

Putting Your Affairs in Order.

The doctor, after an examination, sighed and said, "I've some bad news. You have cancer,
and you'd best put your affairs in order." The woman was shocked, but managed to compose herself and walk into the waiting room where her daughter was waiting.

"Well, daughter, we women celebrate when things are good, and we celebrate when things don't go so well. In this case, things aren't well. I have cancer. Let's head to the club and have a martini."

After 3 or 4 martinis, the two were feeling a little less sombre. There were some laughs
and more martinis. They were eventually approached by some of the woman's old friends.
who were curious as to what the two were celebrating. The woman told her friends they were drinking to her impending end. "I've been diagnosed with AIDS.: The friends were
aghast, gave the woman their condolences and beat a hasty retreat.

After the friends left, the woman's daughter leaned over and whispered, "Momma, I thought you said you were dying of cancer, and you just told your friends you were dying of AIDS. Why did you do that?"

"Because I don't want any of those bitches sleeping with your father after I'm gone."

And THAT, my friends, is what is called, Putting your Affairs in Order.
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A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him.
The waitress asks them for their orders. The man said, "A hamburger, fries and a coke, and turns to the ostrich, "What's yours?" "I'll have the same," says the ostrich.

A short time later the waitress with the order. "That will be $9.40 please." and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change for payment.

The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, "A hamburger, fries and a coke please." The ostrich says, "I'll have the same. Again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change. This became routine until the two enter again, "The usual?" asks the waitress.

"No, this is Friday night, so I will have a steak, baked potato and a salad," says the man.
"Same, " says the ostrich. Shortly the waitress brings the order and says "That will be $32.62. Once again the man pulls out the exact change out of his pocket and places it on the table. The witress cannot hold back her curiosity any longer. "Excuse me sir. How do you manage to always come up with the exact change in your pocket every time?"

"Well,: said the man, "several years ago I was cleaning the attic and found an old lamp. When I rubbed it, a Genie appeared and offered my two wishes. My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be there.

"That's brilliant," says the waitress. "Most people would ask for a million dollars or something, but you will always be as rich as you want for as long as you live."
"That's right. Whether it is a gallon of milk or a Rolls Royce, the money is always there."

"What's with the ostrich?" the waitress asks.

The man sighs, pauses and answers, "My second wish was for a tall chcik with a big butt and long legs who agrees with everything I say."
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One more from my good friend, Nancy. Thank you Nancy. Lipstick in School.

According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with
a unique problem. A number of 12 year old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.

Every night, the maintenance man would remove them, and the next day the girls would put them back.

Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. He called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man.

He explained that all those lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who has to clean the mirrors every night. (You can just imagine the yawns of the little
princesses?)

To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required.

He took a long handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet and cleaned the mirror.
Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

There are teachers . . . and there are educators.
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That is all for tonight. I hope to do better next time. Take good care of youurselves and each other. My love and best wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 571 ~ ~ ~ Monday, 9th February, 2009.
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34 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Thanks again for the birthday wishes. I visited with Peter earlier today and he had posted so many photos of the wildfires...oh my gosh!!! In America here, they're not showing all this much...I pray for all, and all the families lost.

Marian Dean said...

So sorry to hear of the distress over there in Australia. My Friend near Adelaide has been emailing up-dates of the situation.
God keep you safe and help all those affected. The statistics of the deaths so far are dreadful.
Thank you for your blogs, I have spent most of the morning reading backwards and distracting myself.
With love in the Lord
Granny

Dave said...

*ROTFL* I love that last joke... I'd seen it many times before, but it always makes me laugh!

I'm glad you're well Merle... stay safe.

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merfle,

I just came through a terrible ice storm with no power for ten days, but that was nothing compared to what is happening in your area. Please, please stay safe. Many prayers coming your way. I hope the fires will be under control very soon, and no more lives are lost. It just sounds horrible. Please, please stay safe, dear friend.

Love and lots of prayers,

Renie

Gledwood said...

It sounds absolutely dreadful... our news is full of the fires in Victoria... I hope your police do catch some of these people (are there really people who set deliberate wildfires? how on earth would you catch them??)

As I think I told you we had a massive drought here when I was 4 in 1976 and I STILL remember really clearly the burnt smell, the black ground and the HEAT coming from those logs...

... also I remember a long coach journey being sponged down with cold water by my mum because it was 90F ~ and that felt hot enough then let alone 115 chez vous!

I'm glad the weather has finally changed,

take care

xx

Gledwood said...

Merle I don't understand: if you're building in a fire-zone surely it ought to be law that every house has a deep fireproof cellar, then at least if the house goes up and you can't get out you've somewhere to hide?

Margaret Cloud said...

We are hearing on our news about your fires, that is terrible, I am glad you and your family are okay. Do they have any idea about the fires that were started, who may have done it? Very nice post, I think I guess the Genie did his best, not knowing who he was describing, I would be very happy to stick my hand in my pocket and pay for things.

Gattina said...

I am glad that your town is not affected because when I heard Victoria I thought of you ! We see it here on TV every day in Belgium, it is just terrible ! I have never seen such flames. I think hell must look like that !

Alice said...

I'm so sorry for the terrible times in your country. So much loss, it is almost impossible to comprehend. We see only a minute or two on the news here in the US. I don't believe I could handle watching more than that. I certainly understand your tears.

Susie said...

Dear Merle,
So glad to hear that you are safe my friend. I can well understand your tears in such a tragic time. I saw Lee-Ann's post and it nearly broke my heart.
My prayers are with you and yours.
Much love,
xoxo

Joy Des Jardins said...

Oh Merle, I've been watching and reading about these fires....they are just horrible. So many deaths. It's heartbreaking to see the destruction and the pain. I saw the pictures on Peter's post. I'm at least relieved to know you and he are safe; but I will pray that this comes to an end and they get these fires under control quickly. Thinking of you Merle and your beautiful Australia with a tear in my eye.... Love, Joy

Mountain Mama said...

Merle I just had to come by and be sure you are still ok. I am so sad about the fires and loss of life. Dear Lord comfort all those who mourn their loss.
Please!!!! if there is even the slightest threat that the fire may get too close to you, just leave.

Love the jokes. Especially 'Putting Your Affairs in Order!" LOL
God bless and be with you dear Merle.
Love, Hugs and Prayers.

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Merle, I'm just stopping by to check on you and make sure you're ok, what with the heat and the fires... I'm so glad you are, my heart goes out to all those affected by the fires. May God keep you safe.

Kerri said...

Hello dear Merle, You've been in my thoughts as we've read the news of the horrific events happening in Victoria, as well as the terrible floods in QLD. My heart goes out to all those affected by the dreadful fires there in Victoria. I'm so glad to know you're safe. Those cooler temps must've been such a blessing after the blistering heat. Now if you could just get some good rain!
My prayers are with you dear friend.

Beth E. said...

I'm glad to know that you are safe, my friend!

Thanks for the jokes...they always make me smile. :o)

Gigi Ann said...

Dear Merle,

Every time I listen to the news and hear about the awful fires in Australia, I think about you and hope you are safe and far from the damage. I was so glad to read that you and your family are safe and out of danger for now. You are thought of often and I hope the fires will soon be under control and no more lives will be lost.

With all the heartache going on around you, you still managed to put a smile on my face. Sometimes I think humor is a comfort in getting us through hard times.

I hope you have a safe and happy week.

Ann

Jack K. said...

Glad to know all is well with you and yours.

Loved the jokes, particularly putting your affairs in order.

Jim said...

Hi Merle, I have been thinking of you a lot lately. Thank you for this report of the terrible fires in that you and your families are okay.
Our news is saying that arsonists (more than one) have set those fires. Just awful.
Warren knows how to cheer things up a little doesn't he. Both move your mind from the fire for a moment.
Cheers, I'm heading to wish Anni H.B.
..

Winifred said...

So glad you and your family are safe Merle. Hard to watch the news now, heartbreaking stories and those fire officers are amazing.

Take care of yourself.

Lady Di Tn said...

LOL about the tall chick. I am so sorry to hear the news about the fires. It is always sad about the lost but things can be rebuilt with time but the live lost means 131 families will never be the same. Peace

megz_mum said...

Hi Merle
I am glad you and your family are safe. Very scary times for so many people. Hopefully the change in the weather will help fire fighters with their jobs

Patty said...

Dear Merle, It's horrible all those fires. I hope where ever your son is traveling to it won't be near any of that. You make sure you stay safe. Will be thinking of you and praying all goes well for you and your friends over there. Love, Patty

Puss-in-Boots said...

Hi Merle. I so glad you have no family in the fire area. One person I know had the fire come to within 150 m of her place. She and her husband didn't sleep that night, just stayed on the patio and kept an eye on it, ready to pack the kids up and go if they had to. Fortunately for them there was a wind change.

I, too, watch the news and shed tears...how can you not when you hear about the tragedy and heartbreak. I believe the death toll has risen to 170 with 700 homes gone and 5,000 people homeless. One of the little towns that is now more is actually a crime scene and no one can return until the police have done their search there.

Anyway, I believe the temperature has dropped so at least you're not getting those awful temperatures. Now we just pray for rain.

Take care, dear Merle. Hugs

Jeanette said...

Hi Dear Merle.
Im in tears everynight as I watch the news and see all the devastation.I shed a tear tonight when Channel 9 re united a husband and wife who had lost everything and thought they had lost each other... nice jokes to end the post but i think the last one got my vote...Take care enjoy this cool weather more heat on the way.. Love Janxxx

Unknown said...

All of Australia remains in my prayers, Merle.

Tracie said...

Glad to hear that your ok Merle.
from Tracie xx

Big Dave T said...

I don't know why you say you'll do better next time. I always think your posts are great and your jokes hilarious. That is too sad about the wildfires. There were huge headlines about it in the tabloids in London where I was this past weekend. It's hard to imagine who could set fires like that (they suspect arson, the articles said). I'm glad you're fine and hopefully some of the heat comes our way and we'll trade you some of the cold temperatures we've been having here in Michigan (London too).

Rob said...

Hi Merle, I'm glad to hear that you and your family are going to be safe from the fires, it must be a scary place to be just now. Bob

Christina said...

I read about the fires on Peter's blog. I hope you remain safe from them!

LOL @ the squeegee in the toilet.

Karen said...

I'm so glad that you and your family are safe! The first thing I thought of when I saw the news you and Peter. My heart breaks for all the victims went through and their families continue to go through. Such a senseless tragedy.

Love & hugs!

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Merle,

I glad you are safe but sad that you are afraid. I hope the fires end soon, and you feel safe once again. My heart and prayers go out to the many are homeless and the families that have lost a love one.

Last summer for us there were a lot of fires in the Los Angels area and in the mountains near where I live. Many homes were lost but thank goodness not many lives. The air smelled of smoke for days, and I was so glad when the rains came and it finally ended.

Take care, be safe,
Janice~

Deborah Wilson said...

Merle,

We're not hearing very much about the wildfires in US, I read about them on Google news today. Stay safe - if they get any closer to you, please leave the area. I will be thinking of you.

audrey` said...

Dearest Merle

The fires and floods in your continent are so alarming. Please stay safe and take very good care of yourself (((HUGS))) Lots of love and prayers to you, my dearest friend =)

auntpearl said...

Oh Merle I am so sad about the tragedy happening in Australia. I am grateful you and your family are safe.
You are in my prayers.
Sending you big hugs,