Good Shepherd 2

Vanessa & Shelley used to go to Good Shepherd 
It is a Lutheran Primary School in the Barossa Valley
Kathleen Oliver was the school's principal back then
It was so wonderful to have the girls go to a religious school
Learning hymns, having Bible lessons as well as doing normal stuff
They had a beautiful school musical play for their end of year concert
I still remember the sounds of the whole school: singing their songs
What a wonderful memory from back in 1997!

Angaston Fish & chip shop

Many years ago when the girls were young
They had horse riding lessons just out of Angaston
Every time we finished we'd go along to
The wonderful Angaston Fish & Chip shop
Paul & Lisa owned & ran the place
Knew we'd be in in there after the lessons
Knew we'd have some fish & chips each time
The girls loved to go & say hello, Michael too
He was just a little boy of maybe two years then &
He liked those hot chips too! 
We'd sit up along those window seats
Looking outside at everything that went by
Enjoying that lovely hot food they'd provide
Going back there every week to have some more!

Memories of Torrens Road

I've driven up Torrens Road hundreds of times
Looking around to see if I could find that place
Where my Auntie's friends lived years ago
Jolie Neni was a hairdresser: permed my hair
When I was just in my first year of high school
I still remember going there with mum & dad: Alec too
Climbing up those stairs to their rumpus room
It used to be so magical to me: imagining
That I was a princess: living up there in a tower
Maybe being Rapunzel or some other princess
In another fantastic fairy tale: yes my imagination
Used to run so wild: just like that of any child!
I remember playing with Mickey their young son
Many years later they had another child: a little girl
Rebecca I think her name was: so long ago to me
Just the other day I thought I saw that house
It looked so familiar to me: in my memories I see it
Banana palm outside at the front: beautiful stones
A part of the front brick wall: hairdresser shop there
Underneath it all: as I recall that's where I got 
My very first perm: after auntie Roza cut my hair! 
Another thing that just came back to me: a visit
To Jolie Neni's parents place for a couple of days
During the school holidays: Gyulai's place was close by
Just up the road on the right: after a petrol station
Just after the next traffic lights: had a few days holiday
We had lots of home made noodles with different stuff
They cooked it with eggs: with jam (my favourite)
With potatoes too! Just like my mum used to do!
Wow those wonderful memories come back to me
I am right there beside that house: it's like a dream!

Angel numbers

If you see these numbers you will see
Those messages for you and yes for me!

111 An energetic gateway has opened up
222 Have faith for all is well
333 You have merged with ascended masters 
444 Thousands of angels are around you
555 Major changes coming along
666 Focus on spirit; ask for material help
777 Congratulations: reaping rewards
888 Universal abundance: prosperity
999 Get to work Light worker

So who decides what each set of numbers mean? 
How do we know about all this amazing world of the unseen?
People profess to know it all but really it all depends on you!
You are the one who asks for help from God up above
You are the one who can reap these rewards: just ask
God's angels are waiting for you to open up your heart
Let your dear Lord in and it will start: just ask in faith!
Remember to ask Jesus into your very heart 
Let Him: our dearest Lord show you His true art: love!
Yes! Love is the greatest of all of these gifts He gives
Just open up your heart and mind and soul; 
Let our dear Lord: Jesus take control!

The slap

He chased me around the corner of the old school house
We were playing just like every one else: I was running
Hid behind the rain water tank: squeezed right in
He saw me hiding there: followed me into that space
kissed me on the cheek: I wasn't afraid of him but
He had me in a corner: no escape: so I slapped him
It left a red mark upon his cheek: bright upon his face
I didn't know what to do: could think of nothing else!
As a last resort: cornered as I was: yes! I slapped him!
We were only 6 years old: way back then in 1963
He said he was in love with me: my feelings
Never came into the picture: he had a crush on me
He thought that's what you did when you loved someone
But I just needed to escape: yes escape & run!

We discussed the kiss a few years ago
We were so much older then: had children of my own
We met up in my old home town: Kingston-on-Murray
Right there: in front of the little shop: my cousin owned
We talked of old school days & childhood games
Then it was he confessed to me: of his childish love
How he thought that's what you did: kissed the one you loved!
But I couldn't really tell the honest truth: as I see it now
You see: my older cousin molested me: touched me
Those memories were the ones that came to mind
For the very reasons behind my flight: that's right!
I thought that maybe he might: want to touch me too!
That just wouldn't do! So as you know: I slapped him!

All I need

Sometimes all I need is a listening ear
Let me make this really clear my dear
We all just need to vent a bit: just a little bit
To let it out: to clear the air: pull up a chair
Hear me out! Yes! Please just hear me out!

Sometimes all I need is a simple prayer
Yes just a few short words whispered there
Then I know that my Lord is near: yes He is
I feel His presence in the air: in my heart & soul
Bear me up! Yes! Please just bear me up!

Sometimes all I need is some loving grace
The precious feel of your embrace: your face
Pressed close to mine: I feel your breath upon me
What a blessing to feel your love: my love
Hold me close! Yes! Please just hold me close!

Sometimes all I need is to sit so quietly
Allow God's peace to just enter me
We all just need a quiet place: to contemplate
To absorb His love from up above: yes:His love
Let Him in! Yes! Please just let Him in!

Whipping boy

I read somewhere about the rich: many long years ago
Having a whipping boy to take the stripes for the rich son
So if the rich man's son was bad: guess who took the blame?
The whipping boy was whipped to the other's shame!
This sounds so terrible I know: sounds so very unfair but
What about all of us? Haven't we done exactly the same?
Isn't Jesus our whipping boy? Didn't he take all our sins?
Upon His poor aching back? Didn't Jesus carry them for us?
Didn't our dear one take the blame for all our sins?
Didn't He: our dearest saviour take our stripes: our pain?
So that we could be excused the blame? Yes!
Poor Jesus was our whipping boy! For us he paid the price!
For us he took upon His soul our very darkest sins!
That we should be saved of all that terrible pain!

Think about poor Jesus; He takes our place still! 
For every sin we commit today: He takes our punishment still!
Yes! Every little sin we do: He cops the whip for us
Just like He did all those many years ago!
Yes! Just like He did on Calvary: just like He did back then!

I bought a Miele

After my washing machine broke down
I was looking to buy another: what a bother!
Kleenmaid had just gone through the hoop!
So I was in a bit of a bother: what brand to choose?
Some friends from church came for a lovely visit
Told me all about Germany after the second World War
The government were in a quandary: no money to spare
Told those companies: make your products fit to last!
So when Miele made their washers: they tested them
Over & over again & again:determined to make them strong!
Made them really well: they had to last for many years!
This was just what I needed to hear as I was pondering
So off I went to buy my washing machine: knowingly
Determined to buy only the best: the one that would
Out-last every other machine in every test: yes!
I bought a Miele! I bought the very best!
You know how you have to send in your papers to get your warranty? 
I didn't have to do it because Miele sent me a welcome letter, 
Saying "Thank you for buying Miele: welcome to the family!"

Colour blind cousins

My whole family used to work at our apricot cutting shed
My uncle & cousins sometimes helped out when they could
The guys did the fruit picking: the women did the fruit cutting
Sometimes we had too many green fruit in our buckets &
My dad had to find out why it was so: he had to go & check &
Ask the guys: "What the heck are you doing picking them green?"
We finally found the problem: two of my cousins were colour blind!
They couldn't tell which fruit was ripe? Couldn't tell which were green!
So they just had to feel around to find the ripe ones: squashing them!
What a mess but then at least we knew & dad had to hire a new crew!

Brittle bones

No more massages for my mum
She just called me up to say that's it
Can't have anyone try to ease her pain
Her bones could snap & take her life
Her pain is being handled by patches
The doctor just upped her dose to cope
For he warned it was too dangerous
To manipulate or massage that part
So no more chiropractors: no masseuse
We just can't take that chance: it's past
Yes way past that time: maybe he'll
Give her stronger medication: then again
Her blood sugar levels have hit the roof
It's that Chemo causing it: there's the proof
But at least she's responding to treatment!
Only prayers will keep her going: I have proof!
Our dear Lord listens in: hears our prayers
So every day without fail! 
I will upon my Lord prevail!

Almost caught up

Yay! I've almost caught up with my work
That book of poetry is getting so huge

It's like I'm under a massive avalanche
So many words keep refilling up my head
(Actually I have three 'day to a page' diaries)
Filled up to the very brim: upon my whim
Now I am able to write & save & print it out
All at once: thanks to modern technology
I have my new Brother printer: just in black
No need for any colours: not missing the lack
All I want to do is print it all out: save a copy
Keep it safe: then get on with more writing
Doing my Lord's work is so exciting!

Dragon balm

Been using Dragon Balm to ease my pain
It's got camphor, wintergreen & other cool stuff
Rub it in & feel the pain just ebb away: in time!
Feel that cooling relief as it is sinking in to my skin
Thank you for providing some relief: dear Lord
Sometimes it is so difficult to just carry on
The pain keeps probing into my addled brain
Relentlessly creeping up my spine: underlined
By spasms & other sharp jagged hurts!
It's good to know that relief is there at hand
Just there upon the shelf: in that little bottle!

Drunk and disorderly

He was drunk & disorderly that awful night
Couldn't remember how he'd gotten so lost
Ended up driving along the wrong street
Caught up in that night policeman's beat
Pulled over: breathalysed: way too high
Had to be taken in to the Police station
Held there against his will: silly man he was
Called me up in the middle of the night
Must have been about 2 am: pitch black: freezing cold
Middle of winter: truth to be told!
(Vanessa was a tiny little babe in arms!)
Told me to get a taxi cab: come save him!
Didn't want to be left in that prison cell all night!
The policeman came on afterwards
Said: "Please don't bother yourself & the baby
Let him wallow in his own problem till the morn!
He'll be fine right here in the cells: & maybe 
He'll think about ever doing it all over again!"
So I left him there to face the news: he got himself in
Let him think upon his silly mistake: let him stay
Hoping & praying he'd learnt his lesson that night!

Twin sisters

My mother's sister was one of twins
Two little girls born a bit too soon
One survived: one died that very day
My poor grandma was so distressed 
Couldn't understand how she'd been so blessed
Then it was taken away: all in one short day!
She always tried to make up for it
Tried to compensate for that loss
Trying to do what ever she really could
For that poor little girl: her poor daughter
But she was never appreciated: never thanked
That girl didn't care to be reminded of her loss
The other children suffered: complained
"She never does that for me you know!"
You have to look at it from my grandma's point of view
She lost one baby: couldn't bear it if it was two
The other two were fine: didn't need the extra care
She was still lost in her own despair: lost at sea
Never ever would she feel good about that loss!
It would always be there in her mother's heart!
Nothing would ever fill that empty void: nothing!

Burnt eyes

The welder flashed out its warning
"Welder beware: take cover!"  
Though he used the mask's protection
For just one moment he didn't bother
That was the beginning of the pain
By that evening he was so distressed
Nothing would ease the pain with
Which he was then blessed: nothing!
The doctor at the hospital helped him
Gave him a little bit of blessed relief but
Many more trips to the specialist to come
As we stumbled our way through 
Those pain-filled days were a drain
The eye specialist had to scrape off
Those little growths upon his poor eyes
Yes those poor eyes so red & sore
Never felt like that before: learnt the lesson
But suffered through those gruelling weeks
Had local anaesthetic drops instilled
Told to be careful for they were strong
Mustn't take them incorrectly: mustn't deviate
For another doctor had used them ill
That poor doctor is blinded still!

Dover St gardens

When Nana Lindy first moved in
There was no garden: just a plot of dirt
She took over that little place & created 
A little bit of paradise right here 
In the side streets of Adelaide
In Dover Street, Maylands to be exact
Right next door to Aunty Imelda
Her darling baby sister: close at hand
They would venture out for their walks
Around those quiet suburban streets
Bringing home all sorts of plants
Purloined along their little walks
Saving plants from their slow deaths
As they were stuck in dry footpaths!
They gathered many interesting little cuttings
That hung over someone's garden fence
Took them home & lovingly cared for them
Yes they were placed into a little paradise
In that magical little back yard in Dover Street!

Just one more bus stop

Nana Lindy walked everywhere
Lived her life without a car
Poor Tim recalls many days
When they had to catch buses 
(There weren't that many buses in reality)
Walked Adelaide's streets for miles
Nana saying: "Just to one more bus stop! 
You can do it: just a little bit more!
Then we'll get a taxi!" But they never did!
Couldn't afford it to tell the truth!
They had to walk everywhere simply because
There was no money to catch a cab
No money to spare for anything extra
A widow's pension just wasn't enough!

Ode to Nick Vujicic

What a blessing to be so close to God
Born without the advantage of arms & legs
This wonderful man has walked the talk
Of his truly amazing life with the Lord
He is truly inspirational: what a great man
Imagine doing everything that anyone can
He talks & everybody listens: what can we do
We are shown -up right royally by this guy
Limbless: he is better than me: oh yes he
Is an inspiration to anyone doing it tough
He is most certainly the diamond in the rough!
What determination! What amazing grace!
What a blessing to this human race!
He's overcome so much: conquered as he goes
How would you look at him as he stands up 
As he gets up & there he goes!
I thank the dear Lord for all the things he does
For though I was not born limbless
Though I struggle to get from A to B
Dear Lord I would love to be as faithful
Yes I'd love to be as blessed & humble
Yes just as close to my dear Lord: as he!

Too hot to tango

It's too hot to tango
Too hot to trot too
No we couldn't do it
Never make it through
Circuit gym's been cancelled
Aqua aerobics too
Nobody wants to drive this far
In this crazy heat: 40 degrees C
Yes it's too hot to tango
Yes it's too hot to trot: 
We don't want to faint
So we'll have to make it to the pool
In the afternoon: when the heat's abated
Yes we'll be compensated
Yes we'll be inundated
In the afternoon!
In that beautiful, cool
Lovely swimming pool!

25 years

My dear old grandpa once confessed to me
He'd given up those evil cigarettes you see
25 years had passed on by but still occasionally
He felt that craving: felt that terrible urge to smoke
Yes even after all of those 25 years he still felt
Like he wanted to light up one of those fags
Yes he really felt like he could take a drag
Of that disgusting cigarette: gone for years & yet
That terrible yearning still remained: still regained
Took hold: made him feel cold & addicted still
To that evil drug: yes he felt that impossible tug
To light up even though he'd resisted: it persisted
Filling him with such shame to admit it: he regretted it
But it: that nasty cigarette: still loomed large in his mind
Ready to make its unholy return: to burn in his lungs
Just like it used to do: all those many long years ago!

Diesel submarine

I remember checking out a diesel submarine
At Port Adelaide: many long years ago
Tim & I went to the Port to check it out
We got to go down inside the old hulk
It smelled terrible: full of diesel fumes
I would never have been able to live in there
Felt so sorry for all those poor sailors
Imagine having to live in there underwater
In such close quarters with all your mates
What an awful place to die in: like sardines
In a tin can: imagine having depth charges
Dropped all around your craft: that'd be daft!
What a terrible way to wage a war: pitiful
No man should have to live & die that way
Such a terrible crying shame to lose young men
So many dying during our terrible world wars
We human beings have so much to answer for!

Messages from up above

I'd promised to set aside time to do some work
Was feeling lazy: felt like a jerk: just needed a push
As I sat down to vegetate for a while: knowing it was wrong
Turned the computer on: it wouldn't work: angels told me
"Get to work! Keep your word! Haven't you heard?
A man/woman is only as good as his/her word!"
I understood the message given to me: get a move on
Can't you see: time is wasting: move along: do your work
Keep going strong! No time for laziness: keep it up!
Just get started and you will see: how easy it is to be
Honest and up-standing: righteous and strong
Don't let Satan lead you along: work hard and be zealous
Make that evil sod jealous of your faith and love
Jesus gives all this to you from heaven up above
Feel the achievement of each thing that you do and
You will feel so much more happy: we promise you!

Time of day

There are 86,400 seconds in a day
I beg you: please use these wisely I pray
They only appear once each day: are gone
Disappear then as day proceeds: forever more
Make the most of what you are given: live in
Each moment: appreciate the facts of life
Make every second count before it dies
Remember to use time well: if you're wise
Make memories to hold dear as you age
Time passes quickly right before your eyes
Moment by moment time does de-materialise
In the blink of an eye it's all gone as it came
If you don't use these wisely: no-one to blame
But yourself: you'll have nothing left: so live it well
Love your family too: each & every moment 
Is so precious: keep them hidden within your heart
Keep those precious memories for ever inside
For time waits for no-one: not even the saints!

Sword play

Picked up the package from the post office
It looked a bit battered and bruised
Who knew what was inside of it?
Michael ordered it a few weeks ago
It was quite heavy as I picked it up
Pretending to drop it as I went around
The car was so hot in the midday sun
Finally got it in ready to open it
There was a bit of foam packaging
Not really enough to keep it safe
The wooden holder was broken
Cracked through on both sides too
The sword was undamaged though
Black& silver: shining in the sun
A piece of magic to behold it truly was
Imagine using such a weapon in war
Just as they did centuries ago:dangerous
Deadly with its weight and width
Deadly in the little car too
Hardly enough room to swing it
Hardly enough room to maneuver
Almost caused a couple of rips
As we tried to take a look around!

School days

Remember when we were young and off to school
So much fun to play together in the playground
Every morning was a new adventure for us all
Learning new things: loved it didn't you?
The sound of children laughing and screaming
The footfalls all over the old school yard
Running, climbing, jumping, everywhere!
Yes I remember those wonderful days
Yes those glorious days in the old school yard!

Found it

Found her ear-ring lobe stretcher
At the bottom of the pool
It looked so tiny on the bottom
Almost missed it as I swam around
It was grey and hollow you know
She was upset to lose it
Wouldn't choose it if it was me
But there it was just waiting
Yes it was just waiting to be found

The Cherokee trail of tears

I see the ghosts of spirits past
I see the ghosts of all those killed
Killed for anger: killed for greed
Yes I see the ghosts of all the little ones
Starving to death along the Trail of tears
While their mothers watched alone
No-one to ease their broken hearts
Tiana of the Cherokee: your story 
It resounds within my heart & soul
The pain of loss forever held inside
My heart is crying by your side
Please dear Lord: how can they hide
These atrocities & call it history?

O Son of God 4

Oh Son of God my dearest Lord

I hear your voice, your every word

Your precious love so pure divine

Within this heart I make it mine

Oh Son of God my dearest Lord

I dwell upon your every word

I hear your voice I feel your power

You bless me so I am empowered

Oh Son of God my dearest Lord

I treasure our every exchange

Each moment of each wondrous hour

I know you hold me in your power

Oh Son of God my dearest Lord

Your perfect love I make it mine

However could I be so blessed?

Love glows within this heaving breast

Oh Son of God my dearest Lord

Your love surrounds me where ‘ere I go

I pray you Lord in every way

Your love to shower upon my soul

Oh Son of God my dearest Lord

Your perfect love is like a sword

Sears like lava of its own accord

I live for your next precious word

27/1/2014

Cul-de-sac teacher; dead end!

I still remember it just like it was yesterday
Had an English test way back all those years ago
Yes that's right back in high school! I did really well!
Should have been given full marks: 60 out of 60
But no! He couldn't do that! Couldn't give me a prefect score!
He had to make it so that I only got 59 & a half: miserable teacher!
He was from Canada: can't recall his name: but I remember that day!
I wrote too much for the definition of cul-de-sac: too much?
So instead of getting the perfect score I had to be happy with that!
That miserable man couldn't possibly make me be happy!
Had to spoil my day: well here is what I have to say! 
I still reckon I got 60 out of 60: just because you couldn't give it
I take it as given! Then I will just have to go on living!
Forget about the fact that you were a spoil sport: you pain!
Oh well I've had my little rant: now it's on with my life again!

A matter of forgivness

This matter of forgiveness: it is such a simple thing
Though you may not be able to forget the sin: still to forgive
Is divine: so it says in the Holy Bible!
Now the person who was sinned against
Has the right to forgive & forget but
So many just cannot seem to disconnect
There is a major problem in their minds
They just cannot seen to understand it
But if you forgive another for their sin
Then the dear Lord will forgive you for yours!
In forgiving: the benefit you gain: is inside
Your heart will feel lighter your life brighter
Simply because you have lightened your load
That other one: who did the sinning
Really they are winning when you cannot forgive
For they go along their merry way: not even thinking
Yes! They may not even care about what they have done
They just continue on as if nothing has happened
Well: all is well in their sorry little world
They are not bothered simply because 
They were not the ones who were hurt by their actions!
So to ease your own burden I implore you
Forgive & try to forget: get on with your little life
Do not worry about the strife for the dear Lord
Has promised: to one & all: He will do it all
"Vengeance is mine!" says the Lord
Do not worry: He will take care of it all!

Bloody Printers

I'm sick of printers going mad
Ripping up each & every sheet 
Of pure white paper to be had
It's driving me to distraction
It's making me so mad: I've had it!
I just want to get this printing finished
Just want to get it over & done but
This bloody stupid printer will not work
I think it has developed a quirk
A sort of disease just to test me
Yes: some sort of innate rebellion
Some sort of nastiness, meanness
Just to get me riled: I've tried!
Every thing I can think of
Yes I've done everything: even prayed but
Still this bloody printer will not co-operate
It just sits there: inanimate object that it is
Daring me to swear at it: daring me to curse
So here we are stupid bloody printer; do your worst!

I went out searching for a replacement
It never even moved: just sat there
Not even wanting to improve: bloody printer!
Paper muncher: paper destroyer: paper hater
What do I do now? What will you do?
I'm replacing your with your Brother
Well: how do you like that? What you gonna do?

Maybe I am cursed with printers
For I've just set up the new one
I did everything by the book but
Now this new printer has joined its brother
It just will not even work: stupid machine
It just keeps on spitting out the paper
Yes: every single sheet I put in it
Just keeps on coming out again
Just as white as it went in!

Dear Lord please tell me: what is happening?
If you don't want me to continue
Couldn't you just say so: I hear your voice!
By choice I follow you but please help me
I am truly starting to go insane: yes I am!
Please dearest Lord allow me to continue 
This blessed work you have given me to do
So remove these evil minions from under my roof
Please dear Lord I ask you to cast out
These nasty demons who continue to addle me
For my dearest Lord I would be patient & happy
As I go about this work for Thee!

Trip to Kangaroo Island

We took a trip to Kangaroo Island
It was quite a few years ago now
Our two girls were still quite young
Our son was not even born then
We boarded a double-decker bus
It took us all down to land's end and 
We sang a lot of Abba songs: favourites
Everyone sang along & had lots of fun
There we met the Lonnie Claire
She was a dual hulled catamaran
She was a beauty that's for sure
Our first time ever in a sailing boat!
It was a magnificent trip to the island
There we boarded a big tour bus
It took us all around our beautiful island
We saw the sea-lions sunning themselves
We saw the wonderful sand dunes & sights
What a wonderful trip we had to Kangaroo Island!

Split asunder

Satan is doing a great job of it
Spreading hatred all around 
He loves to make us argue
He loves to make us hurt: yes!
He is the evil one incarnate!
Tossed out upon his ear he was
Exiled from heaven up above
Lord God had had enough of him
Threw him down to our sorry earth
Now he rules here just like a king
Has his nasty fingers in everything
His joy it is to make us hate
His joy it is to make us fight
Separation is his way of life
Causing all our problems: all our strife
He it is who meddles in our lives
Enjoys the bringing of hatred, anguish too
Desolation he brings to me and to you
Allows evil thoughts into our troubled minds
Brings destruction to our very hearths
Yes he lives right here under our noses
Ready and willing to taunt and tease us
Does exactly as he pleases: has control
Enters into our very thoughts and minds
Uses poor souls to do his dirty work
He is truly the biggest soul destroying jerk!

Please open up your hearts, minds and souls to God
He alone can protect us: He is our loving God
Prayer and pleading through Jesus Christ
Is the only way to stop this evil path
Please believe me I: about this I would not lie
Please hear my words I dearly pray!
Our dear heavenly Father wants us all to live
He is full of love for us and willing to give
He alone will save us: take us home with Him
Only He begs us listen to His words and come
His mighty heart is beating like a loving drum
"Come unto me all ye who labour and I will give you rest!"

Idle words

Please be sure to speak your words: softly
As idle words become as swords: so lofty
Remember that every word that you have said
Will be noted by your Lord: you will give account of it!
On judgement day all will be revealed: never doubt it!
When Jesus opens up the book of life: He will recount it!
So be careful for your life: understand the terms
For every idle word: uttered from your lips
Will be heard again: shared again in heaven!

Cambrai Swimming pool

Built in the 1960's by a group of farmers
To ensure their kids could swim: it evolved
A 25 metre long pool: 3.53 metres deep
Only 0.95 at the shallow end: still it is a part
Of  this little community: so far from everything
Down here on the flats: in between Sedan & Mannum
What a blessing for future generations
Helping us all keep our sanity in this heat
Well the pool lies empty now: just for a while
Necessity came to drain her during the bush fires!
Thank you little swimming pool for giving up your heart
Those fire engines were so thirsty: so parched!

Take away food shop

Susie & Steve's parents had a take away food shop
Half way down Helen Terrace many years ago
When we visited their place during the holidays
That's where we all ate: yummy fish & chips
Hamburgers & pineapple fritters dipped in sugar
They were kept busy on hot summer days
Selling their delicious take-aways: salads too
Coleslaw, pasta salad& potato salad: home made
I reckon we all put on a little bit of weight then
Simply because it was right there in front of us
Ready to eat: any time of of the day or night!

Serendipity Coincidence

What is serendipity? What is coincidence?
What is chance but an accident of fate?
I was driving home from Adelaide last night
Left Glenelg heading to St Clair to see Shelley
Then when I left there I decided to go home 
Via the Northern Expressway but got lost! 
Now this in itself is weird because I know Adelaide!
Somehow I ended up on Regency Road but
Went the wrong way to reach the express way
So there I was heading up Grand Junction Road!
The thought occurred to me call in on Kevin
Just to see how he was faring after the heat wave
He seemed a bit flustered at my call but said
"Come on over for a cuppa!" 
Now the weird thing is I don't even like coffee but
That's what I asked for when I called him up!
There I was having a cup of coffee with Kevin;
It all just happened "out of the blue" so to speak
We were having our chat & he said 
"Gloria's computer died and I'd just finished 
Fixing up her new little package about an hour ago
I was thinking that I would have to drive up to Sedan
But I really didn't want to drive all that way!
Isn't it amazing how serendipity works?
Because here you are: going home to Sedan!"


I just said God is amazing how he works it all out
Coincidence is just a word but God designs & it is done!

After I left Kevin I decided to go home via Chain of Ponds
Much quicker after going all the way up Grand Junction Road!
As I approached Main North East Road I was reminiscing
About all those times as a child that we visited our friends
Right there up the street in Valley View: what memories!
I drove down Nelson Road to Helen Terrace and found
The house we used to stay at so many times all those years ago
I decided to see if Szoszi Neni still lived there
I walked up to the door & knocked: a stranger answered
He said "yes she still lives here half the time but who is asking?"
"Suzie!" I replied then he opened up the door & asked me in
There in front of me was Steve: no longer a young lad
We were amazed and started chatting just like old times
All about the family visits: the summer holidays spent at Barmera
It was like time had stood still & we were young again!

The Lazy Lamb

Another memory from those good old days
Susie used to like to go driving with her dad
I went along one summer day with my friend
As her dad took us down MacIntyre Road
Along Main North Road just up a little while
To find his favourite butcher shop: The Lazy Lamb!
We'd sit & wait in the car while he shopped
Playing what ever little games we had to keep us sweet!

Short cut to Valley View

Isn't it amazing how memories return
I still recall the short cut Steve used to use
When driving back to Valley View from the city
Down North East Road to Wandana Ave
Then up Nelson Road until we reached Helen Tce
Then up that road until we got to their home
That's the way I went last night retracing my steps
From all the way back to the late 1960's & 1970's!

RIP Monica

I remember feeling jealous of Susie's friend Monica
I remember wishing that I was her: living close to Susie
Being her best friends: having so much fun together
Now I remember that Susie's best friend Monica died
In a car accident at the age of 18 years: poor baby
I feel so sorry for all those parents who have lost children
No matter the age they died: it must be so sad
To see them go before you: to lose them in their prime
Dear Lord please send a comforter to all those 
Who have lost loved ones: no matter how or when they went
They will need Thy comfort still!

Tiger dog

When I was just a silly child we went to Adelaide
Susie's friend Monica had a brother called Wolf
He had a huge dog: a Great Dane: taller than me
I was then & still am around 5 feet tall: maybe I've shrunk!
We walked around to Monica's home fro a visit
I nearly pissed myself when the Tiger dog greeted us
He was bigger than I was: I'd never seen a Great Dane before!
I was so terrified of that giant Tiger: striped brown & black
I 'd never seen anything like it before or since!
What a massively huge monstrosity of a dog!
Imagine having to pay his food bills; no way!
I still remember that very first meeting: to this day!

Unfair treatment

Just as I was bullied for not having any boobs
Susie was treated unfairly because she had too much
At 12 when she would catch the bus to school
The bus driver accused her of lying about her age
Simply because she was big-busted: at 12 
She was already a 38DD & was treated like an adult
I remember her always wearing big baggy T-shirts
Hiding her tiny frame beneath those big baggy T's
She couldn't walk down the street without comments
She couldn't go swimming in a pair of bathers 
Everywhere she went she was stared at: poor girl
I f only we could have shared the booty: so to speak
We could both have been just average girls!
Happy within ourselves instead of feeling less than human!

Jealous child

I was a lonely child: a jealous child
Wanted & needed a friend: at any cost
Felt so lonely growing up: alone & lost
Paid the penalty: suffered at my cost
So dearly wanted to be accepted: yes I did
So dearly wanted to be included in the group
So clearly yearned to be a part of that soup
I had a friend in Susie in Adelaide but of course
She had lots of friends in her neighbourhood
Why should she be mine exclusively when I came to stay
She was living there: so far away: had her own life but 
Still I was jealous of her closest friends: who to blame?
I was just a little child: maybe ten years old
Restless, searching for something I cannot even tell
Well Susie had Monica from just up the road
They went to school together: visited each other
Went everywhere together; best friends of course
I was just an interloper trying to fit in: no recourse
The country mouse so lacking in everything
No idea of city life: no idea about dance lessons
So untutored in anything they understood: I was lost
So of course I felt left out: at a loss: my jealousy raged
I wanted Susie for myself when I was there
Didn't want Monica to come around but that's too bad
I just had to lump it or leave it & fit in as I could!
  

Driven to distraction

We used to visit our friends in Valley View
During the school holidays: stayed a few days
Had some fun together either in Adelaide
Or at our home in Kingston-on-Murray during summer
Going swimming at Lake Bonney: what a lark!
Hiring paddle boards & swimming around
Fantastic summer fun: brown as berries!
Yes those were the days of summer: we enjoyed
I remember staying at Susie's place for a few days
Then we drove back to the Riverland with her family
I wanted to go with them because I thought it would be fun!
Boy was I distressed: Susie's dad would only drive
At 80 kpm all the way from the city to the Riverland
Stopping regularly to rest his car on the way!
He had one of those huge Yank-tanks: a Parisienne
It took about 5 hours for the trip that my dad drove in three
I only went with them that once: never again!
That was the one & only time I was "driven to distraction!"

Down memory lane

Took a stroll down memory lane
Along a road well known to me
When I was both a child & teen
Wow! What an amazing journey!
Memories came back as if in a dream!
I drove along Helen Terrace, Valley View
Just like all those years ago: recalling
All those times we visited our friends
Seems like half a lifetime ago: I guess it was!
Still recall the time I insisted on packing
All of my own clothes for our trip
Decided I was grown up enough to do it
For myself: but I forgot to grab my case
As we left our home: what a mess I'd made!
I had to borrow one of Susie's leotards
Just so I could have a swim at the local pool
I felt like such a silly dill: felt even more uncomfortable still
As I swam around in those black leotards (a bit too big for me!)
I was so much happier in my two piece suit!

As I walked up those steps to knock upon the door
I remembered all those times I'd entered there
All those visits that we had made as a family
My brother there with me visiting our friends
Susie & Steve were of an age with us
Best friends we became for many long years
Until we grew up & married & went our separate ways
I remembered their beautiful dog Prince
Such a gorgeous Samoyed he was: a true prince!
Their visits to our home too: in Kingston-on-Murray
The water skiing at Lake Bonney in Barmera
Their boat the fishing trips just up the road 
Ah...so many wonderful memories came flooding back to me!