Our cat doesn’t like Christmas; too many, far too loud, people who normally talk to her and pat her.
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But, at this time of year, there is so much they want to say to one another, that she is completely ignored.
‘‘I’m the centre of life in this household. What are you all doing – making such a mess? There is even wrapping paper on my cat tree. And what’s that noise? Is it supposed to be a Christmas carol? I thought you lot could sing. (Now, they are drinking something called Brandy Alexanders) That’s it. I’m going outside until somebody misses me.’’
She returned late Christmas Eve to sleep on our bed.
And disappeared again in the morning.
Christmas night she was restless, wandering about the silent house — until she returned to our bed to sleep briefly.
I guess her life will settle down — just as mine will.
The humans had a great Christmas — albeit a rowdy one.
I had some amusement on Boxing Day, when First Son was making his first cup of coffee with a grinder and AeroPress (He normally uses a FrenchPress with pre-ground coffee ).
His son, when presenting the gift, had made a long speech about why his father was going to love this coffee — the best in the world — he said.
Eventually, the coffee was made and very much enjoyed.
First Son was walking around, saying things like ‘This is the way to wake up in the morning.’
Until his daughter figured out that he had had three ‘shots’ of espresso in one coffee.
A video, on how to use this thing, promptly arrived from his son (back in Melbourne).
Now we know how First Grandson is handling his 18-19-hour days of work and study — he makes it even stronger.
Those were the days, my friends.
I’ve been thinking about new years past — and for some reason the lyric of Those Were The Days is running through my head.
‘We’d live the life we choose. We’d fight and never lose’. The words are so true of youth — whatever the era.
But, quite strangely, the most ‘social’ part of our lives wasn’t our youth.
After we were married, we lived with my parents for a few months while our house was being built.
My thoughts were filled with interior decoration and whether the third bedroom was big enough.
First son was born 15 months after we had settled into our new lives.
Second son, two years later.
We took our lives and our responsibilities, very seriously.
It wasn’t until third son was a young boy that we started entertaining (on a scale I’d never imagined).
I remember one New Year’s Eve, when we had asked half a dozen people to help us welcome in whatever year it was.
A couple of extras came along — but that was fine.
Sometime, around 11pm, I heard noises from the back garden — and found a substantial number of people, sitting in a circle on the lawn.
Someone had a guitar and they had started singing.
I never did count them but there were at least 20 people outside.
They weren’t strangers; they were all friends — but I was somewhat startled for a couple of minutes.
Then, if I remember correctly, the ‘inside’ people joined the ‘outside’ people and the party really took off. I think we lit the barbie around 2am.
Another year — could have been a couple of years later — when a group of us provided entertainment at a friend’s restaurant.
They wanted a ‘theatre restaurant’ and we said ‘why not?’
Nancy Kinmond offered to direct it and I wrote a melodrama — and did some choreography.
First son played the hero ‘True Blue Hugh’ and Prue Ryan played the heroine.
I was comfortable on a stage — with the audience out there somewhere, in the dark.
But I wasn’t at all comfortable with the first table a metre away; especially when I attempted a can-can with Prue (who was half my age and a dancer of some note.) Anyway, the melodrama went down well.
The best part of the night was sitting around with dear friends, after the audience had gone home — and belatedly welcoming in the new year.
‘Those were the days, my friend. We thought they’d never end. We’d sing and dance, forever and a day.’
From the Town Square
Shepparton is not without growing pains.
There are more than a thousand families waiting for affordable housing.
We don’t have an abundance of land and it trickles on to the market, with at least three people trying to buy every block that becomes available.
Although there is a great scheme available to help first-home buyers, the people of Shepparton can’t benefit if there is no land available.
There must be a lot of frustration out there.
That is why I was more than excited to read (last week, in this newspaper) of a plan to build over car parks; the first space under discussion, a car park on the corner of Nixon and Maude Sts.
It is possible to build 30 apartments there — without losing the existing parking. I know it is just a drop in the bucket — but we have to start somewhere and a car park, in a mostly commercial area, is as good a place as anywhere.
I imagine I might receive some mail about this — especially as I don’t live anywhere near the proposed building.
But what a great ‘fresh start’ for 30 struggling families.
I truly love this city and I care about the community.
We don’t want it to stagnate; we must make it possible for it to grow.
There is a minimum of $45 million available — and we are going to need more than that.
We all understand that there are many reasons why a family may be struggling — particularly after the last two years and I’m sure there will be a selection process.
So, please, can we support this — and get on with it?
Under the clock
April 2, 1914
PICNIC RACE CLUB
The Goulburn Valley Picnic Race Club, which was formed last year, and held a very successful amateur meeting in May last, will hold is second race meeting on Wednesday next, April 8th.
Amateur riders only will take part, and the races are for trophies.
The Broken River racecourse has very kindly been lent for the occasion by the Shepparton Jockey Club, and as the track is in good order, a fine afternoon’s sport is anticipated.
The novelty races, such as the Gretna Green Race and the Tandem Race will doubtless attract much interest and provide considerable amusement for the onlookers.
The Shepparton Band has been engaged for the afternoon, and will supply an exceptionally good musical programme.
Ladies will be admitted free.
Graduation for Willow
The photo is of the youngest member of our family — and her best friend Massimo — graduating from pre-school, complete with mortarboards and gowns.
His mum, in a text message (giving her permission for his pic to be published) mentioned that he loves Willow very much.
They are attending different schools next year and I sincerely hope his little heart isn’t about to be broken — but, sadly, I fear it might be the first of many.
I think the photo is cute and I haven’t anything else for this week of ‘silly season’ — so I hope you like it too.
The new year
I think that, 12 months ago, I said that 2021 would be a better year than 2020.
But surely, 2022 will be close to normal? Surely?
I wish you the very best for a happy year. Stay safe, live in the moment and find some joy.
May it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.
Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish.)
Shepparton News chief correspondent