Thursday, April 30, 2009

Tagged, again...

QUESTIONS:
~Your Favorite:~
Color? I have many favorites
Candy? Minties.
Main dish? Lamb Roast with roasted potatoes and all the other yummy stuff that my Mum puts in roasts.
Dessert? Home made Apple pie with cream.
Drink? Unpasteurised, un-homogenised full cream milk
Veggie? Potatoes
~Do you?~
Go to Starbucks Coffee Shop? No, they don't have them in Corryong.
Go to the mall a lot? About once a month
Talk on the phone everyday to someone who is not family? yes
Read your Bible everyday? I try to
Do lots of reading period? Not lately
See your grandparents everyday? Not everyday but around once or twice a month.
Bake a lot? About once a month
Clean your room everyday? Yes, not that it stays clean.
Have to say your sorry to someone everyday? Yes. Try having two older sisters, a younger brother and two parents
~A Certain Thing You Dislike Of Each Category~
Veggie? Dried beans
Color? none really, I think all colours look good in something or other
Drink? Pasteurised and homogenised non-fat milk
Animal? Wart hogs and snakes
~Do You Have A~
Pet? Yup, two dogs, 9 cats, over a hundred poddie calves, oh and the two daddy-long-leg-spiders that made a home above my bed, lol!
Gift card at the moment? No
Sewing machine? Yup, my parents got me one for my last birthday
Big mess under your bed? Yes, I have a bunk bed and my sister doesn't make hers.
Pack of gum in your bag or purse? nope
Computer in your room? yes
~Have you ever~
Been on a plane? twice
Been out of state? Yup.
Out of the country? nope
Been in a eight-teen wheeler? No
Been in a car accident? Do tire blow outs count?
Read about a hundred and fifty page book in about and hour? probably
~Your Favorite Place to?~
Go shopping? Word book store, and the local Op-shop
Eat out? Faulty Towers
Go visit? The Cudgewa Bluff Falls
Read a good book at? Somewhere I can curl up and relax
~Random~
What color is your room? Dirty White
Do you share a room with anyone? Yes, Sarah
Have you ever went swimming in a pond? does a dam count?
How old are you? 14
What year were you born? 1994
Are you related to anyone important or famous? Not that I know of, unless you call being in the Border Mail famous, lol
Have you ever met a vice president? No, but my sisters met the Deputy Prime Minister
Are you getting bored yet? No :)
What are you thinking? That Julia Gillard is the Deputy Prime Minister
Who will you tag next? Sarah, Earwen and Tia

My grandpa came up today, well down actually, he lives in Cairns. He brought his wife down for a visit. I haven't seen him in about 2 years I think.
Till next time!

Just a quick note to say...

I got 74 on my writing assignment!!! Ok its not 84 and its a credit not a distinction but its not a fail!!! I am so relieved... My tutor even liked some of the ideas I came up with. All I have to do is write the next one better, which wont be hard at all :). If my worst is only a 74 then what is my best?
Like I said this is a quick note so bye, bye!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A few weird things, some big, some small and some in between :)

This morning my Dad came in to ask me to make him and mum and cuppa (people who don't know, this is short for 'cup of') so I did, as I was walking down to the dairy with the two 'cuppas' I noticed what a beautiful morning it was. There was sunshine everywhere, but the clouds were also everywhere but they were the dark grey blue kind that makes me want to touch them to see if they are real, in the paddock that is supposed to be the vegetable garden (which is not quite that with the best grass on the property, lol) the dew was heavy and it looked like hundreds of diamonds on a bed of green velvet. Forgive my moments of weird romantic thoughts, I get like that sometimes :). Have you ever noticed that cockatoos (people who don't know, cockatoos are actually a very pesky white bird with a very loud screech for a voice) actually look like huge white roses from a long way away, imagine that... paddocks of huge white flying roses, hehe. Ok now I am sounding weird!
Next subject... What else other than writing :). I just sent my second assignment in, I have this horrible feeling that it was ten times worse than the first one. I had to think of between three and six book ideas, not subject area, book ideas... That is all fine and good... for some one who entered the whole course with the idea of writing a book!! But for me... I haven't yet got a single clue to what I am going to write about in the future. And then after I had thought about what book ideas I was going to go with, I had to choose one and answer a bunch of questions about how I was going to turn it into a book and why I think readers would be interested in it and what slants I am going to take on the silly thing!
Do you ever get the feeling you have gone for your dream and over shot by a hundred thousand miles?! then you would probably have felt like I do right now. I started this course with the feeling this was going to be the easiest thing I have ever done, and I was probably right if I didn't worry about failing. I know most people are going 'just do your best and leave the rest up to God' yeah that's probably the best thing to do, I agree... except when I know I haven't done my best. I wrote this last assignment off the top of my head and seeing as though I knew I had spent too long on it, I gave it to my tutor before I changed my mind about something and spent another month trying to fix it.
I have to go, after missing a few days of doing washing I have the starting of Mt Wash-more again.
God Bless and I hope everyone had a better day than I am having right now :)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Our Weekend

Phew! we are home :). This weekend we went to Myrtleford for my great grandpa's 90th birthday. Of course all our extended family were there also. Poor Grandpa, before the party had even started he had to go to hospital because he had a really bad ear infection.
My family and I are ordinary people, farmers (on my Dad's side) for unkown amount of generations... But, my extended family on my Mum's side... are not. They are rich (as are my Dad's side, but they got money for working hard all their lives) and act like it, which after a while can get a bit grating after a while of listening to them talk about their freinds who are going off to their uncle's oil rig for the summer (!), or about going to Europe for the yatch races, OH and dont forget my cousin is going to law school, and another one is a world champion yatch racer!!! After this weekend was over I was sick of stuffy good clothes, make-up, jewlery, and perfume, I couldnt wait to get back home and get into a pair of comfy jeans and T-shirt!
Other than that it was Ok, I guess (except for almost choking the night before)... We stayed with my Aunt and Uncle, and we were given the job of blowing up 100 balloons, so we all sat round the breakfast table blowing up these balloons, I think we got to seventy and gave up because every one was out of breath and thourghly sick of balloons! Half way through cutting the cake one of the balloons popped and gave everyone a fright, lol!
We went to another fellowship meeting today, it was really a welcome releif talking to people I knew well and who could talk about more subjects than money.
Well I gotta go, because of the fellowship meeting today I didnt do any schoolwork so I had better go do some.
P.S I did write a post Saturday morning but because my Internet wasnt at its best it didnt publish and I lost the lot :P.
P.P.S I am entering the Elaine Mitchell Rural Womens Writing Award, so more writing to do, lol!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

A fun but long day...

Today... My mum and I fixed sprinklers this morning, it was a bit of a rotten job because my brother had plowed over a few outlets so we had to dig where we thought they were and if we were wrong we had to keep digging till we found it. The first one took ages to find, and you can probably imagine how we felt after digging a hole approx. three feet long and 1 1/2 feet wide, to find the outlet about half a foot from where we started :P.

This afternoon Dan and I had to go burn a paddock, that was fun till our neighbor turned up (this woman is a little weird)and went on about how we shouldn't be burning down her fence (which we weren't, we were trying our hardest not to), that put a bit of a damper on things. But seeing as we still have to finish the job it looks as if we will be doing it again tomorrow.

These last couple of weeks have been a little hard on all of my family. My sister is turning 18 in a month, and my grandparents (who aren't Christians) want us to go and have the big party and let Ayala do what she wants. My parents don't see this in the same light, so we are trying to sort something out that we can all agree on, but I have this feeling someone isn't going to be happy (most probably my grandparents). On top of this I am going to be 15 a month after that, and that means I am old enough to get a job, so my Dad and brother have to take on my part of the work load on the farm (which, might I add, isn't very small), and my Mum has been trying to get me finishing projects and doing school and getting a portfolio going (to show my future boss that I am not a dill), so in other words everything has been a little hectic, lol!
I have to go, till next time I write!

Monday, April 20, 2009

In an Email..

My grandma sent me this, she isn't a Christian and the prayer is exactly Christian either but I liked it so I thought I would post it here instead of emailing it to people :)

Dear Lord,
Every single evening
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head
God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm and safe from harm
For they're so close to me.
And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Please bless my computer, too.
Now I know that it's unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.
You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.
I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.
By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.
Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That's filled with so much love.
Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits 'send'.
Amen

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Untitled

Another big day :P, there was a fellowship meeting today. After last time, where all the big kids helped the little ones (and chaos reigned!) my older sister told us to scat so she could have a real Sunday school lesson, lol! So we played games and watched a movie.
I really cant think of much else to say... Probably shouldn't have posted at all except that my tutor for my writing course told me to write at least something every day, and I haven't written anything for a couple of days and I was feeling a bit bad about it.
*Yawns* Well something interesting might happen tomorrow... Bye.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Photos (if I can! lol!)

Photos!! Yes I have finally found a way to get photos to my blog :)
I wont write much now, I will let the photos do most of the talking.


I am grinning because someone is hiding behind me, though you can not see them!

Me, Sarah and Zech Paul, and Rachel Paul's foot, lol!


Zech, Dan (my brother), and Sam Reynolds


I am not grumpy! I was in deep conversation, lol!

My beautiful sister Sarah, and her silly paper hat!


My wonderful mother
snap shot of a sunset
an amazing storm that came through the other day


another shot of the storm


Spot the UFO's
Hope you like my photos!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Just thoughts

I really dont have anything to write but I am going to write what ever comes to mind, lol!
Today was really windy, Dan got his kyte out (after he found out that I can fly it better than he can he asked me to help him with it), and for the first time got it out to the full 100 meters of the twine.
Not long after we came inside, the wind blew in a dust storm. It wasnt a dust storm, it was just the dust from the storm (if that makes any sense), it is going to be good for the paddocks because the dust came from out west, the dirt out there is high in minerals.
(Random thoughts) Another thing I have been thinking about is how come I am good at maths, and I dont like English, and not good at spelling, but I want to write stuff?
Ok, for those of you who read Neuschwannstein (the link is on the side bar of my blog), Cassie and I have decided that we no longer have writers block, so expect to see some new stuff there! And for those of you who are interested, tell me what you think of it! And if anybody has any bright ideas on a title please inform either Cassie or I in comments :).
I think I might have run out of random thoughts!
Bye

Monday, April 13, 2009

He Is Risen

Ok, Easter... it is the date Jesus was crucified and then rose again on the third day, right? Well why are we handing around little chocolate eggs and telling each other 'Happy Easter!'? Yes I think we should be glad we are redeemed, but how many people out in the world know that? And why isn't Thursday, or Friday (depends on what you believe) a day of mourning and repentance, for the sins we have committed? Why isn't Jesus the center of all of this instead of that huge ugly Easter Rabbit, that is really only a person dressed up in a costume, why? Why do we as Christians, go along with the chocolate eggs and the Easter Rabbit? Shouldn't it be a day of remembrance and worship to our God, who might I add died to save you and I from dieing, (how many of you could/would give your life for someone else?)? I already know the answer (to those of you who are already writing long comments to tell me), we are all (not all but most) going along with the majority of worldly people who don't know any better than the traditions they have had all their lives. I am sorry if I have offended some people but I am kinda sick of people saying 'Happy Easter!' and not realising what they are saying (also I figure, this is my space to write what I want, so I guess I just will)......

Saturday, April 11, 2009

20 posts!

Ok, ok! I know I said I didnt have anymore time but I thought everyone should know I have reached 20 posts! lol!

We have lift off... No, Wait! its only fog

Yes we have one of our first fogs of the year, brrr! Its kinda like first snow but a lot less exciting. It means that not only will it be cold when you go outside, it will also be wet. Tintaldra seems to be the second biggest fog factory (Fog factories are just places where the fog seems to gather, then when they get full all the fog creeps up the other valleys as well. Very romantic to look at, not so to be in!) in the area :P.
I think I am going to have to try really hard to find a way of putting photos on here, it'll be really complicated but there are some photos I really want to post. I'll try get them on here in the next couple of days.
Today... hmmm... we are having a visitor, Rachel Paul, she is about 12 (I think) and she has only got one sister (who is about 5) so my sisters and I are going to be acting older sisters to her for a day. We should have lots of fun, if all goes to plan! Did I mention that we don't have a plan? Oh well I am sure we will think of something :)
I have to get started on my next writing assignment, probably today. I have to finish a sewing project I am doing for a friend of ours, it would be good to get that done today (:P). And not to mention all the normal cooking, cleaning and farm work that goes on in a normal day (I think I may be very tired after this day).
Well I really need to go. Hope every one else is having a fantastic day too :D!!!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Tagged, Again!

I was tagged again by Cassie! Thank you Cassie :)
Starting Time: 7:05 AM 9 April 2009
Name: Katherine Alice Mcfarland
Sisters: 2
Brothers: 1
What are you wearing?PJs
Favorite Number:14 and 16
Favorite Drink: Coffee and apple and strawberry juice
Favorite Month: April and June
Favorite Breakfast: Bacon and egg muffins
Love someone so much who made you cry? Kinda
Broken a bone: No, but I once dislocated my little finger
Been in a police car: No
Been on a boat? Yes, only my Dad's tinny
Came close to dying: Once or twice
Been in a hot tub: Yes
Swam in the ocean: Yes
Fallen asleep in school: No
Cried when someone died: I don't think so, I am not a heartless person, just no one ever died when I was old enough to understand what was happening.
Fallen off your chair: Yes
**************** What is**************
Your room like? Dirty white walls, my desk and book shelf (both over loaded with books) wardrobe (that I share with my sister), my sister's dressing table and a chair I am recovering (did I mention our room isn't very big?)
What’s right beside you? Coffee cup and office stuff
What is the last thing you ate? cup of coffee, before that it was dinner last night
--------------------- Ever had --------------------
Chicken pox: Yes
Sore throat: Yes
Stitches: No
-------------------- Do You -----------------------
Like picnics? Yes, but on warm days not cold ones.
Like School? Kinda, more to the point I like maths
------------------------ Questions ---------------------
Who was the last person you danced with? My self
Who makes you smile? My siblings, friends, and lots of other people
Who Did you last yell at? My sister, sorry Sar.
Do you like filling these out? Kinda
Do you like yourself? Yes and No
-------------------Final Questions---------------------------
What are you listening to right now? My sister making her breakfast, birds singing, and the dairy noises
Do you hate someone in your family? No, dislike yes but not hate
What car do you wish to have? One of my own
Good singer? I don't think so :)
Indoors or outdoors? Depends on if it is cold or warm outside
-------------------------- Today did you ----------------------------
Talk to someone you like? Not yet, haven't talked to anyone yet :)
Get sick? nope
Sing? Yes, but most of the time when no one is listening
Miss someone? Yes
---------------------Last person who ----------------------
You talked to on the phone with? Grandma
Made you cry? Noah (that isn't supposed to make you feel bad, by the way:)
Went to the mall with? Mum, mall?? shopping center
Been to Europe? No
Been to Asia? No
Been to Russia? No
Been to the Bahamas? No
Been to Mexico? No
Been to Canada? No
Been to Africa? No
----------------Random-----------------------
What books are you reading right now? Anne of Ingleside, my Bible, My Beloved Russia
Future kids name? Umm I don't know, it isn't something that I spend a lot of time thinking about.
Do you sleep with a stuffed animal? No, never
What's under your bed? My sister, I have a bunk bed
Favorite location? The Australian Bush, 100% :) on horse back.
Who do you really hate? I don't hate anyone
Do you have a job? I am the official sprinkler mover, to be writer and blogger
Are you lonely right now? Kinda
Time Finished: 7:23 AM 9 April 2009

Ok, I now tag Sarah and Earwen :) Have fun guys!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Writing assignment etc.

I got 84 out of 100 on my first assignment! Woo!! I am soo happy! I was really worried that I wasn't going to do well, but then as my Mum is always telling me "You are your own worst critic" so I guess I really was this time. My tutor is really nice, she helped me out a lot. She said I sound like I write as if I am talking... I dunno, do I? apparently it will be very easy for me to develop a unique style of writing. I am really enjoying doing this course, not long ago I was kinda doubting my abilities and the fact that I am only 14, being only 14 can be a real downer when you really want to do something but you feel you cant because you are too young, but I guess you just have to give it your best shot and if it doesn't work don't give up (this isn't always the easiest thing to do!). Well I now have to find my self a note book to carry around with me, this might be a bit hard cos around the farm I see so many things I want to write down but when you carry a note book, around a farm, it usually gets dirty or wet, or the worst... lost! Oh well I guess I will have to be extra careful with it.
I have to do some sewing later today, its kinda annoying when you know you have to do something but all you want to do is write. But then what ever you wanted to write always comes out wrong! Ok, I think I will leave that there, and go do the sewing, lol!
Bye.
P.S.
This was how my tutor graded me assignment (just so you know what I am talking about :) I got a 'D'.

HDs and Ds: (75-100) I very rarely give High Distinctions and Distinctions. This is because I consider a Distinction is earned only if your work is pretty close to perfect / publication standard. A Distinction will mean not only that you have performed exceptionally well, showing an understanding of whatever was being taught in the related tutorial but that your writing is also expressive and lively. A Distinction or High Distinction is not easily earned so if you do receive one, it’s a real achievement.
CR: (65-74) A Credit means that you have performed very well. You have shown a clear understanding of the material being tested, and your writing is of a high standard. There will be, however, some room for improvement – perhaps your language could be tighter, your organisation a bit more ordered or your punctuation needs sharpening up.
PA (50-64) A Pass means that you have a good grasp of the material presented in the course and you have a satisfactory level of achievement. The work does, however, need more polish. The comments with your assignment and any editing marks, will show you how you can improve.
FA: (49 or less) A Fail means that a lot more work is needed. If you are awarded a Fail I will tell you what you need to do next to help you work towards a Pass standard.
WD: I rarely fail an assignment without giving a student the chance to resubmit. This means you will receive a WD or your grade will be ‘withheld’. You will have another chance to try again.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Photos!! finally...

Ok here are some photos. There are some of the M.F.S.R.F and the others are from Sunday, we went to our old house (where friends of ours live now), to have a fellowship meeting of sorts, and the others are of a huge storm that came through here the other day.... oops I cant post any photo's till we get our Internet fixed cos Dad doesn't have a memory card slot in his computer :P. Oh well that just means I will have to tell you about it all without the photos as proof :(.
Yesterday we went to our friends house to have a fellowship meeting, well actually I think the adults were seeing if they were going to have further meetings because of the material they were looking at, and we kids just had fun! :)
We girls were supposed to be giving the little kids Sunday school lessons, until all the other kids got kicked out of the main room (cos the parents were having their marriage fellowship, no unmarried people allowed) and decided to help too. After that it was kinda 'Grab a little kid help him then laugh at everyone else doing the same!'. I helped a little boy called Ben Reynolds, he is the most gorgeous boy, when his family visits us, he runs to either my sister Sarah or I and clings to us the whole time. After the lesson we put a DVD on for the little kids and every one else started playing Pictionary (not me though cos as soon as the DVD was started I was promptly sat on by Ben, cute, but you start getting dead legs after about 10 minutes of the treatment). The movie finished and all the little kids either migrated out of doors or started making silly paper hats for everyone, and I was free to help one of the teams play Pictonary (I helped both)and steal other peoples silly paper hats (lol!), until Jonathan Reynolds was kind enough to make me one. The entire day was all a bit crazy, but the parents were happy, because they hadn't heard a peep out of us all day :).
Well I must go because I am sitting in the office and freezing to death because there is no heating in this part of the house! brrr...

Saturday, April 4, 2009

The Man From Snowy River

THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER
by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson
There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses - he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stockhorse snuffs the battle with delight.

There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup,
The old man with his hair as white as snow;
But few could ride beside him when his blood was fairly up -
He would go wherever horse and man could go.
And Clancy of the Overflow came down to lend a hand,
No better horseman ever held the reins;
For never horse could throw him while the saddle girths would stand,
He learnt to ride while droving on the plains.

And one was there, a stripling on a small and weedy beast,
He was something like a racehorse undersized,
With a touch of Timor pony - three parts thoroughbred at least -
And such as are by mountain horsemen prized.
He was hard and tough and wiry - just the sort that won't say die -
There was courage in his quick impatient tread;
And he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and fiery eye,
And the proud and lofty carriage of his head.
But still so slight and weedy, one would doubt his power to stay,
And the old man said, "That horse will never do
For a long a tiring gallop - lad, you'd better stop away,
Those hills are far too rough for such as you."
So he waited sad and wistful - only Clancy stood his friend -
"I think we ought to let him come," he said;
"I warrant he'll be with us when he's wanted at the end,
For both his horse and he are mountain bred.
"He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciusko's side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough,
Where a horse's hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride,
The man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many horsemen since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such horsemen have I seen."
So he went - they found the horses by the big mimosa clump -
They raced away towards the mountain's brow,
And the old man gave his orders, "Boys, go at them from the jump,
No use to try for fancy riding now.
And, Clancy, you must wheel them, try and wheel them to the right.
Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills,
For never yet was rider that could keep the mob in sight,
If once they gain the shelter of those hills."
So Clancy rode to wheel them - he was racing on the wing
Where the best and boldest riders take their place,
And he raced his stockhorse past them, and he made the ranges ring
With the stockwhip, as he met them face to face.
Then they halted for a moment, while he swung the dreaded lash,
But they saw their well-loved mountain full in view,
And they charged beneath the stockwhip with a sharp and sudden dash,
And off into the mountain scrub they flew.
Then fast the horsemen followed, where the gorges deep and black
Resounded to the thunder of their tread,
And the stockwhips woke the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
From cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the wild horses held their way,
Where mountain ash and kurrajong grew wide;
And the old man muttered fiercely, "We may bid the mob good day,
No man can hold them down the other side."
When they reached the mountain's summit, even Clancy took a pull,
It well might make the boldest hold their breath,
The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.
He sent the flint stones flying, but the pony kept his feet,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat -
It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride.
Through the stringybarks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground,
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went;
And he never drew the bridle till he landed safe and sound,
At the bottom of that terrible descent.
He was right among the horses as they climbed the further hill,
And the watchers on the mountain standing mute,
Saw him ply the stockwhip fiercely, he was right among them still,
As he raced across the clearing in pursuit.
Then they lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met
In the ranges, but a final glimpse reveals
On a dim and distant hillside the wild horses racing yet,
With the man from Snowy River at their heels.
And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam.
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten, then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.
But his hardy mountain pony he could scarcely raise a trot,
He was blood from hip to shoulder from the spur;
But his pluck was still undaunted, and his courage fiery hot,
For never yet was mountain horse a cur.
And down by Kosciusko, where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around The Overflow the reed beds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The man from Snowy River is a household word today,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride.
I'll leave the photos for tomorrow, because this is a pretty long poem :)
Hope you like it, I do.

Friday, April 3, 2009

just a quick hello

Well I guess I had better say it then lol... Hello!
Today was the official start of the Man From Snowy River Festival. Some of you wont know what that means. But for me it is a festival to honor two people, Banjo Patterson and Jack Riley. About 100 years ago Jack Riley was a renowned horse breaker, brumby chaser, and cattle station manager, and OH (an unmentionable!) a horse and cattle thief. He met a man called Banjo Patterson, a poet, who wrote a very amazing poem called The Man From Snowy River (in my next post I will write it out), about Jack Riley. And we now have a festival to honor them. They weren't really anything much, except some movie director liked it and made a movie about it, and put Corryong on the map. But, no one really knows who the Man From Snowy River was. So this side of the mountain his name is Jack Riley and on the other side they have some one else (personally I think its all a bit mixed up), but everyone enjoys having a festival about horses and poetry. So no one complains :).
It is raining again!! For the second time in two days :) I am so glad because it means we will probably have feed for the cows through winter, I am so grateful to my Lord.
I have to go.
P.S I will post photos and the poem tomorrow (if we have Internet).

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Long time no post, sorry :)

I am sitting here cross legged on my piano stool, that also serves as my computer seat, at 8:29 PM in my PJs listening to the quiet patter of rain on the roof (I love that sound :) waiting for dinner (I'm really hungry, its been a long day), the milk truck just arrived headed for the dairy (he'll leave in about 5 minutes), all is pretty quiet, both my sisters are at pizza-pasta night for the teachers at the school where they both work (Sarah works there every Friday), my brother is... Hold on I'll be back in half an hour, dinner is ready.
Oops more like an hour :). My Mum, Dad, Dan and Grandma are still eating sweets looking over old photos that Grandma had bought up. Most of them were taken when my Grandma was just a baby, and when my great Grandpa was in the army, there are quite a few photos of him marching proudly around wearing his uniform, its quite a different picture to view him in when now he has to use crutches to get around, and he cant remember where I live, and sometimes I wonder if he knows who I am. My great Grandpa Smith is turning 90 later this month, I know a lot of people who have never met their great grandparents, I feel sorry for them because I have known 2 of mine (and a great uncle), even though great Grandma Smith died when I was about 5 or 6.

I should probably be telling you all about what has been happening since I last posted, instead of rambling on about nothing (OK, OK yes I can do it a bit, lol). I don't think this will be a short post, but it cant be too long because I have to sleep sometime.

I have had a pretty busy last ten days. A lot of stuff happened, some I cant mention (because it involves other people) but most I can tell you about (if I can remember it all :).
I started my writing course, which is a bit hard because I have never done anything like it before and therefore it is all completely new to me. The basic stuff is pretty easy, I really had to struggle through the money making bits (they were really boring, but apparently needed if you want to be a writer).
I learnt a lot about trust, trust in my parents, most importantly trust in God, and trust in other people. Right now I am not the expert on trust and I still have a lot to learn but I think I learned a teeny, little bit. I learned a few things that I want to put here, when something happens that you have no control over, just TRUST GOD, because he has it under control (he has everything under control, so you might as well forget about controlling anything).
And all the other busy things were just normal every day things that have to be done... well, every day :)
We bought 60 new cows, almost all of them went into the dairy the same day they got here so we have had a few new faces in the herd :). There were supposed to be about 120 but after a lot of drama we ended up with 60. There have been a lot of cows calving over the last few weeks, thankfully all the calves so far have been small and haven't needed human intervention when being born, not that we really mind lending a hand, but normally the cows think that we will be available to help at 1 am, since we cant just tell them (cos they don't speak English, lol!) not to calve in the middle of the night we get up anyway. One job I hate is getting the new calf and mother from the calving paddock to the dairy yard, a lot of the time the calf needs to be carried and it is handy when you can sling them over the seat of the motor bike, but that can cause problems too... when a calf is scared they usually wet themselves (as well as try break every bone in your body by kicking), not a pleasant feeling for the person (yours truly) holding them (did I mention that I hate that calf?!).
OK, I think that is long enough for tonight (yawns, its 10:14 PM).
Good night.
P.S. Saw Firefroof, loved it.