Baubles, Bangles and Beads

Well this post is actually just about baubles and beads - but the Frank Sinatra song just popped into my head and I couldn't resist it! If you want all the lyrics then they are here

Baubles, bangles, hear how they jing, jinga-linga
Baubles, bangles, bright shiny beads
Sparkles, spangles, your heart will sing, singa-linga
Wearin' baubles, bangles and beads

The black-busted bauble holder!

Now if you are like I used to be then you will have a scrambled collection of necklaces etc all tied up in knots and not easy to find let alone extracate from the pile. One day I had a brainwave (rare!) and now my jools are organised so that I can see them at a glance. So now I sing, singa-linga when choosing what baubles, (bangles) and bright shiny beads to put around my neck!

Jools tucked behind the door just waiting to be chosen

If you like the idea then off you trot to the harware shop to find the hooks (I found them in the picture hanging department!), then find a nook on the wall, take a hammer and bang it's done. But before banging I suggest that you lay them out to 'create' a design so you know where to put the hooks. Then 'voila' you too will have the pleasure of choosing your necklace treasures easily. And you'll find you you'll wear them more because they're so easy to find!

And top off your collection. The 'Asian piece' above mine I found it in a drawer at home. If I recall it was part of a shelf at my parents home. Sadly this is all that is left but I rather like my collection having a 'lid'!

Making up in Myanmar!

Now don't get excited this is not about kissing and making up - although perhaps if you are considered beautiful with splodges of white 'makeup' on your face then kissing is part of the deal!

A typical Myanmar splodge

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the woman of Myanmar are admired for their beauty especially when they put what I would consider splodges on their faces. Beauty is certainly a funny thing.

If you have straight hair you want curly

If you have curly hair you want straight

If you have dark skin you want light

If you have light skin you want dark

And so on and so on

Preparing a take-home salad mix

We in the west spend a fortune on lotions and potions, replumping, lifting and separating, tanning - well I could go on. For over 2000 years in Myanmar this 'paste' has been their natural sunscreen and the women take pride in covering parts of their face - and arms with Thanaka. It is made by grinding the bark, wood or even roots of the Thanaka tree with a small amount of water. As a sunscreen it is interesting that they don't cover their entire face - just their cheeks. (It's my nose that needs to be covered in the sun!) The most stylish seems to be in the shape of a leaf. It apparantly has a cooling effect and helps to remove acne and promotes smoothe skin. I would want to at least smooth it out over my entire face but that doesn't seem to be the way. What one thinks is ugly another thinks is beautiful - and the men admire it I am told!

Smoking a cheroot - I'll take the 15th Thanaka log on the right please!

Girls just gotta have fun - and think how beautiful their skin will be as they age!

If we started grinding the bark of trees and mixing it with water rather than buying expensive sunscreen and lotions and potions it would put the large cosmetics companies out of business.

Do you find the splodges attractive? Do they make the women look 'hot'?

Left is Right

Today is left handers day! And you thought I was going to talk about the current election campaign! So do keep reading as this post has NOTHING - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - to do with the election - because in my opinion neither left nor the right are right!

As a 'famed' left hander it's nice to think that we have a day to celebrate being the 'odd one out' - we are members of the 1-in-10 club. We 'oldies' have managed through school with dipped pens - and as a special compensation - a blotter to learn to write although many who have seen my writing would firmly disagree that it is in fact writing. We're considered a creative bunch. And I'd have to agree with that!

I was asked the other day why I wear my watch on my right wrist. Of course the right-hander who asked me wore his watch on his left wrist! I'm not clever enough to wear a watch, bracelets and other trinkets and hold a pen and write all at the same time. The clatter would be too noisy for me to think!

looks a bit awkward doesn't it?!

Many years ago - in one of my many former lives - I thought I would open a shop selling goods for left handers. Now you right handers won't understand this - but in those days there were so many 'tools' that were made for you right handers that made our lefties life difficult. Like the cord of the iron being placed on the right handers side (they are now placed in the middle) or the scissors whose handles are moulded 'right handed' (still a problem) and knives that cut for right handers (still a problem). It brings back memories of my favourite aunt. Cutting a perfect slice of bread for her was a difficult task. Not only did she have a 'right-handed cutting knife' (serrations on the wrong side!) meaning she cut at an unusual angle but she also had a husband who would be sent into a lather as he then needed to 'straighten' the cut only to have her 'angle' it again. This angling and straightening went on for over 40 years!  Might I add with good humour (I think!) Of course these days she wouldn't have a problem - slicing is done in the factory or bakery! He would be pleased! No wedges one end and thin bits the other!

Having decided to open a shop I then needed to register a name. Off I went to the Business Registration office. I wanted to register The Left Handed Shop. I sat and waited in the queue with others registering such exciting names as AAA Towing, and finally my name was called over the airwaves. "The Left Handed Shop". A room full of people turned and watched as this 'weird freak' trotted up to the counter with expectation in her eyes. "Taken" said the 'teller' adding no smile, recognition or humour. "Can I try another name" I asked. "Yes" he replied sighing "Well I'll have Left is Right" I replied! Back in the queue I went as he consulted the filing cabinet of names (no computers then!). More AAA Dresses, AAA every other boring name continued until yet again I was 'shamed' as he called "Left is Right". More turning of heads as I swept to the counter. My 'teller' obviously hated his job (who wouldn't with so many boring business names) and without a smile he said "Yes you can have that name". He asked me to sign for it, and then he signed - with his - LEFT HAND. "Oh you are like me" I said. No response. I fled the building. He's probably still working there!

After much thought I decided not to proceed with my idea. And perhaps that was the right (left) decision! Makers of most quality goods must have heard we 'lefties' cry. After all the iron is now 'multi-handed'.

I'm a leftie in 99% of the things I do and those that I don't are surprising. I did of course have (repeat have) a great left-handed serve (as does Rafael Nadal and Tony Roche just to name a couple) but surprisingly I play golf right-handed. Play being the operative word! Just as surprisingly my mother who was a rightie played golf left-handed!? The only other things I do right handed are knitting (my mother couldn't teach herself to knit inside out - 'cos that's what it looks like) and to use a knife and fork the 'correct right-handed way'. That's it. 

I'm disappointed that left comes from the Anglo Saxon word lyft for weak or broken!! The word southpaw is often used for us. But I've never heard northpaw have you? Are you a southpaw? If so happy Lefthanded Day. What do you do right-handed (northpawed!) - if anything?

Another Simple Olive Preserving Recipe

I have written about preserving olives in an earlier post
I have had a response ensuring me that this recipe is even better and easier!
So here it is! Over to you

BLACK OLIVES BY ROSA OF COSENZA

1. Pick the olives black and have a large pot of boing water. Drop the olives in and remove immediately!
2. Put them on an old towel immediately as they will stain
3. Allow to dry overnight
4. Place in a container and add approx 50 gms salt per kilo of olives
5. Mix daily. By day 7 they will be sweet (yes they will!)
6. Leave on an exposed table overnight to dry - on a towel - (or if you just happen to have a wood fired oven nearby (!) place the olives in when the oven is almost cold and leave overnight
7. Pack in jars with olive oil and dry red chillis or else rosemary, garlic - you choose
That's it!
Happy bottling

Gondwana Land

I'm stretching the envelope here by calling this post Gondwana so I hope you will forgive me and come along for the ride! It wasn't long ago - just 300-500 million years ago that Gondwana included most of the landmasses in today's Southern Hemisphere, including Antarctica, South America, Africa, the Australian continent as well as the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent, which have now moved entirely into the Northern Hermisphere. (Ancient Australian History)

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I hope you have been watching the fascinating series on ABC entitled 'First Footprints' an astounding look at our indigenous ancestors and our land. Watching the land mass break with Tasmania and also Papua New Guinea and the ramifications of those separations for the indigenous inhabitants was fascinating.  If you have missed an episode then see them on ABC iview here  It's a must see - I highly recommend it. The 4 episodes covered:

Episode 1: The super nomads - 50,000 - 30,000 years ago

Episode 2: The great drought - 30,000 - 15,000 years ago

Episode 3: The great flood - 18,000 - 5,000 years ago

Episode 4: The biggest estate - 9,000 - 1788

And so with all of the above in mind I was driving the other day and spied 'Gondwana land' in the trunk of a tree. Tasmania has not yet split from the mainland! My friend kindly hung out the window to take a shot. Can you see Australia/Tasmania imprinted (probably by a car) into the trunk of the tree? (Let you imagination run free!)

Gondwana Land in a tall oak tree!

Well done to the photographer - we were in a moving car!

I bet you didn't know this!

I received one of those 'shared emails' recently and decided it was too interesting not to share and just 'delete'. I'm rather a fan of WD-40 - I know it's good for squeaking doors but.. I had no idea it would perform such miracles as loosening arthritic joints (I am yet to try it although the left knee could do with a spray (!) while I am writing this!) The main ingredient is fish oil - perhaps we could squirt it down our throats (only joking!) instead of swallowing a mountain of fish oil tablets. I was also surprised that there is actually a website for it - here.

WD-40 - just so you know what I am talking about!

Firstly what is WD-40 - other than having a funny name, and using fish oil?! Well it means Water Displacement Number 40 (silly old you not knowing that!) The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. It was created in 1953 by 3 technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound (whatever that means!) They were successful with the fourtieth formulation (if at first you don't succeed then try, try again!) - hence WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East one of the founders (I hope they made loads of money!) says there is nothing in WD-40 that will hurt you.

So here are just a few uses - the website states there are over 2000! (I haven't test run ... but this will get you thinking!)

1. Spray on a spotty water-marked shower screens (plastic or glass!)
2. Protects silver from tarnishing

3. Removes road tar and grime from cars
4. Removes spray paint which has vandalised the duco of a car

5. Cleans and lubricates guitar 20 strings

6. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery

7. Keeps flies off cows (just what I need!)

8. Restores and cleans blackboards

9. Removes lipstick stains (useful for collars!)

10. Loosens stubborn zips (no comment!)

11. Untangles jewellery chains

12. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks and polishes up cook tops (no excuse now)

13. Removes dirt and grime  from the barbecue grill

14. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

15. Removes tomato stains from clothing

16. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble  floors

17. Keeps scissors working smoothly

18. Removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Just remember to open windows if you have a lot of marks (too much hooten annie square dancing in your house!)
19. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors (the only thing I have ever used if for!)

20. Remove dead insects or they will eat away the finish on your car

21. Remove crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean cloth

22. Lubricates sticking window tracks and makes them easier to open

23. Restores and cleans leather car dashboards 

24. Restores and cleans  roof racks on vehicles

25. Lubricates and  stops squeaks in electric fans.

26. Lubricates wheel sprockets (?!) on bicycles  

27. Lubricates fan belts and keeps them running smoothly

28. Keeps rust from forming on saws, saw blades and other tools.

29. Removes splattered grease on stove

30. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging

31. Lubricates prosthetic limbs (thank goodness I haven't needed to - yet)

32. Keeps  pigeons off the balcony (they hate the  smell) - I wonder if it works for possums?

33. Removes all traces of duct tape

34. Spray it on arms, hands and knees to relieve arthritis pain

35. WD-40 attracts fish so why not spray a little on live bait or lures 

36. Use it for gnat bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch

37. Spray garden posts around the sides to stop slugs/snails eating the plants
38. Removes chewing gum from everything

Sometimes 'mistake' inventions turn out to be amazing. Rather like the 3M Post-it Notes (discovered in 1968 because Dr Spencer Silver attempted to develop a super-strong adhesive but 'accidentally' created a low-tack reusable pressure-sensitive adhesive!)  Stories like Mistake Out (Tippex) (invented by Bette Nesmith Graham in 1956 to cover her mistakes on the typewriter. She sold the company to Gillette in 1979 for US$47.5 million - woo hoo) What a success! 

It's been Hell for Cadel

Just 2 years ago thousands of Melbournians Yelled for Cadel in Federation Square after his extraordinary win in the Tour de France. He did it without the help/support of his team mates who are primarily there to ensure that the leader of the team is supported and nurtured along the way on each stage of the journey. I watched the other night as the current winner Chris Froome 'hit the wall' and needed our own Ritchie Porte incur fines in order to bring food and drink to him inside the 'no food' zone of the race. Chris Froome has been supported all the way along by his team mates riding in a block to protect him on this extraordinary bike race. 

Cadel riding into Paris after winning the Tour de France in 2011

When I reflect back to the race won by Cadel I realise how remarkable the feat was. Yes of course we knew it was remarkable (not just because he was the first Aussie to win le Tour) but because he virtually 'did it alone'. 

Thousands welcome Cadel to Melbourne

Last year things didn't pan out for Cadel but after a third in this year's Giro Italia we thought he was on his way back to the podium. But he totally ran out of puff - and legs - finishing in 39th position (his worst ever result) in the final overall classifications (169 riders completed this gruelling 3 week race over more than 3250 kms - unbelievable).  At 36 it seems he is human after all - he is doing what all of us do as we age! - going slower!

Thank you Cadel for changing the face of cycling in Australia

Having watched this race for the last 10 years and needing a holiday afterwards to catch up on my beauty sleep the race never fails to surprise. This year it was the tiny 23 year old Colombian who won my heart and others.  Nairo Quintana Rojas not only came second beating former drug cheat Alberto Contador - he also won Best Young Rider and King of the Mountains in his first tour. As Cadel summed up his worst Tour "... that's sport" we see Quintana and of course Chris Froome celebrating. I hope they all go and put their feet up for a while! I'm certainly going to put mine up - and get some sleep before 1 a.m. for a while!