*Starts tractor and begins to bale the straw*

*Walks behind hay baler and begins to eat*

*shoo's heiffer away from hay then goes to mailbox to wait for diploma to arrive.*

*waves back to cowardly lion and wonders how he's doing*

*Sits down under an apple tree*
Hey Dorothy, wanna join me?

Banshees and Wee Folk and Cromwellians, Oh My!!!

*peeks in from behind apple tree*

*Sits at the top of the apple tree and drops a bushel of apples on Marlowe's head*

sits under apple tree .
Sorry it took so long but have been very busy *s*
So what's happen?

*Opens picnic basket and hands Dorothy a sandwich*

takes sandwich and munches quietly, whilst enjoying the quiet countryside.

Munchkin says while flipping a coin to Dorothy...

*No worries Dot, I'm buyin' if you're flyin'!*

Looks more like Roos and Emus and Southern Crosses, oh my....
...Your money's no good here Jumm. Don't make me test your mettle (metal?)
*He he he he he*

*walks over to that ol' apple tree.*
Hey Dot, CowardlyLoin..can i sit with ya'll a bit?

Thirsty Munchkin *tapping his fingers, waiting for Dottie to return with stubbie in hand, thinking maybe she decided that it would be lighter to carry if she drank the contents.*!

*take a bite o' the coin, Tinman, it's nae tin!

grins at Jumm.

That coin'll never buy you a stubbie mate, even in the land of Oz *L*

More of a cider girl myself,

Have a seat Sarette.

grabs a couple of stubbies for munchin Jumm
whad'll be mate
a VB, Fosters or maybe an Emu Export? Or do you have a favourite?

offers Sarette a sandwich * How is it going Sarette? What's been happening around here..any adventures to go on?

No worries Dot, I'd like anything you're drinking, ceptin' the cider!

*Lays back on the grass and forgets about the misery back in Kansas, grabs an ice cold stubbie and drinks til it's empty, grabs another*
Ahhhhh....

Munchkin *sizes up Cowardly Lion*, wondering if he'll share one of those stubbies with me? If not, I might just have to twaddle down to the local myself god-forbid, on my own stubby munchkin legs.

*Hands Jumm a stubbie*

Munchkin to Cowardly Lion....
*Thanks Mate, you're a scholar and a gent, next one's my shout!*

*By the way CL what's become of Our Dot? Last I seen of her she was chuggin' cider!

Not sure. She's one busy Kansas Girl...

plonks herself down on the grass, grabs another cider, passes a couple of fresh beers to Jumm and CL*
Hi guys *s* Ive been climbin me a mountain *g*
and have the sore legs to prove it ...

Hey what's up Pussycat? *concerned look*

Lion hunters *LOL*
They want to put me in a cage and break my spirit

swigs beer *BG*, while filling tub with warm water and epsom salts for Dot's tired tootsies!
Sprinkles a little (Epsom) under the rose bushes too.

*soaks sore tootsies * ahhhh, gee thanks Jummkin *s* I really needed that. Havent climbed anything higher than a sand dune in a long time *g* *hands Jummkin a pack of salted nuts to go with the beer.

Hey CL, Well my furry friend I suppose ya gotta decide if ya like living around hunters or maybe ya should try out the wide open plains.*ruffles fur*

*S*
I'll soon hit the wide open plains, but I can't go yet. Got bidniz to take care of before I'm footloose and fancy free. *Grabs another stubbie and quaffs it down* Did somebody say Fosters?!?
*gets nauseated*

Oh CL Ive just been watching a program called Man Eaters and Id say lionesses in the wide open plains are almost as scary as the hunters *g*

Keep ya wits about ya!

Thanks for the salted nuts, Dot, I ate 'em all in one go. *S* Now I'm thirsty again!
BTW where'd you see that program on Lions, Dorothy? At the Wizard's Cinemaplex in town?

Well actually Jummchin I caught the program on GWN the Great Wizard Network on TV.

I think it looks like it's only you an me in OZ. *looks into the distance and sees CL playing*

so Jummchin tell me a little bout yourself? *leans against tree with an expantant look*

Expantant? *Gets out dictionary*

hee hee

maybe I was panting..you know I meant expectant.*g*

Hmmmmm, panting eh? *WEG*

*biffs CL on shoulder* I was running up the hill that's all. I wouldnt want Jummchin to get the wrong idea*g*

*LOL* Okay, just checking ...

plonks herself on the grass, grabs her guitar and practises furiously before her lesson *

jeez I'll be glad when I sound a bit better *L*

Sounds pretty good to me *S*

*takes earplugs out from CL ears* *s*
Ta, its these bar chords. sheesh

*Hangs a black drape over Oz for today and feels so very sad for my friend Shannon and her loss. Looks at own sons and appreciates them so much more*

Jumm's 15 yr.old son just returned from three weeks in Australia, I'm sure I know what you mean CL.

Jumm pondering what one calls a "group" of Koalas....a herd, a pride, flock? Anyways here's a Bag O'Koalas emptied out on my scanner, fresh from Oz!

They're Koala clips, good for clipping music to your music stand when playing an instument, Dot. They all say "I *heart* Australia 2000", on their little waistcoats.

Just been thinking about what to call a group of Koalas *g* a cuddle might be a good description although I hear they stink.

Im glad the little clippy beggars are coming in handy for something *g* Oh and by the way I *heart* Australian 2000 too *g*

Dorothy plants a eucalyptus tree with lemon scented blossum in memory of Brandon on a hill overlooking the beautiful blue green ocean.

I planted several coconut palms last week. I'll name it Brandon Grove.

*Sets out another picnic basket under a koolabah tree* *LOL* Did I spell that right?

Coolabah I think or though I have no idea what a coolabah tree looks like.

It's one thing to feed me but are you going to talk to me *g*

Hi Dorothy. How are you today? I didn't see you there under the tree.

Im trying to remember to breathe.*s*
Im one busy little vegemite.
But never too busy to chat to a friend.

Jumm, camped in a billabong under the shade of a coolibah tree and singing as he looked at his old billy boiling...."Hi CL and Dot, long time no see, have a cuppa with me?"

*can resit no more - shaking her head at the total misuse of Aussieisms*

For goodness sake, Jumm .. that is a run-of-the-mill gum tree *sigh* .. we have decide here, as a family, a group of Koala's is called 'a group of Koala's' *L*

Jumm, if you have boiled the billy, you aren't having a cuppa, you are having a 'brew'.

those 'clippy koala's' came in handy when my sister went to Ireland ... i bought about 40 of them for her to take with her *s* Qantas use them as give-aways, too.

jess .. gotta run !! being chased by a jumbuck!!

Jumm, cheering Lacie, as he picks himself up off the ground and swats the dust off his Munchkin butt, "I thought there was something funny about that Aussie tea!"

BTW CL and Dororthy, should we take Lacie on as our "Australianism Authenticity Authority"? We could remunerate her in Koala Clips....

*The Coolibah Tree is the "Eucalyptus microtheca", one member of the large Gum tree family.

*Dorothy sits under the shade of a Coolibah tree, skipping rocks across the billabong. Grabs a brew *g* from Jumm and sips it*

Hiya Jumm, glad ya back! Hiya Lacie what's that you got in yer tucker bag? Didja manage to catch the jumbuck *g*

And yes Jumm I think we can pretty well guarantee that Lacie is up on her Aussie vernacular.*s*

Jumm, leaning over confidentially to Dorothy, "Pssssst, Dot, I checked four Aussie Dictionaries, and they all said a "billy" was a can for boiling water for bush tea, now I'm really confused!"

*listens to Jumm* as far as I know Jumm, a billy IS a small can that boils water for making tea *s*
Maybe its the contents of the bush tea that is in question. Im not sure. But anyway, boiling a billy on a campfire out in the Aussie bush is sure one hell of a way to spend a nice evening *s* of course a guitar and good company make it even better. *s*

*sigh* ... of COURSE a billy is a can for boiling water, and then to make tea. *sheesh* ... BUT it is not 'making Tea* (best posh English accent).. it is *makin' a brew* ... a 'brew' isn't ALWAYS ... well, doesn't always 'knock ya socks off'! Usually here a 'brew' is a cuppa tea.

*pours the brew for the crew* .. Jaysus, now I am a poet?? *LMAO @ the pun*

Well Dorothy we have your poet *who don't know it* in Lacie, now all we need is the guitar (I've got one but haven't touched it in donkey's). Where's Cowardly Lion, he'll miss the fun!

*anyone got the bug juice, these mozzies are starting to get thick, at this billabong*

*sprays the 'avagoodweeken' over Jumm ...... that should keep them bloody mozzies away!

Here I am. I was sleeping after a great meal...

Well Jumm, you cant be any worse than me at playing the guitar. Give it a burl. Any suggestions for a song??

*walks around campsite, scavenges a few good sticks, takes out the marshmallows from her backpack and sits by the fire*
Marshmallow anyone??
meeemeee meee *clears her throat*
Okey doke Lacie and CL, I know you guys must have nice voices *s*

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee............

Is that for a marshmallow ?
or are you warming up your voice *g*

*hands CL a gooey marshmallow just in case*

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia Fair"

got that verse out of the archives *L*

hmmmmmmm .. maybe i should sing to you the words of the tune you will all be hearing during 'the games' *L* so, I shall sing it ...

*Takes MM and eats it, starts to sing*

Jumm *wondering* out loud to CL....if you eat M&M's will you rap like "Eminem"?

also impatiently waiting for Lacie's performance... the tune of "Advance Australia Fair" sends shivers up my spine, it's got to be one of the best national anthems...hope that's the one Lacie's referring to.

oh, and here's an Oz related quiz....why is the Emu and Kangaroo the state animals of Australia, as depicted on the 50 cent coin posted way above here?

*hint-it's related to the National Anthem!

Jumm going back to "Grammar School"", tries again......

oh, and here's an Oz related quiz....why are the Emu and the Kangaroo the state animals of Australia, as depicted on the 50 cent coin posted way above here?

*hint-the answer is related to the National Anthem!

*best singing voice *

Australians all let us rejoice
For we are young and free.
With golden soil
and wealth for toil
our home is girt by sea.
Our land abounds in natures gifts
Of beauty rich and rare ...
In history's page let every stage
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR.
In joyful strains then let us sing
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR!!!

second verse ... ya have to pay for *grin*

hope you enjoyed my rendition, Jumm *blushing from a public performance*

(The 'roo and the emu would be national emblems, actually ....... each state has it's own, as I am sure each state of the US has it's own.)

unbungs the keg under the coolabah ... the suns over the yardarm here .. drinkies??

Ahoy, what's in that keg Lacie? ...ahhh it doesn't matter anyway, pour me a tall one, it's the weekend, cheers!!!! Where's Dorothy and CL, we've got a full keg here mates!

*settling in for a second verse*, while thinking lacie's blush came from living in a ....

".....sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
of droughts and flooding plains."

*I meant "National" emblem as Lacie correctly pointed out.

*sits down after hearing national anthem *s*
beautifully done Lacie.
I was humming along with you, lets hope we get to hear the song heaps during the Olympics!!

CL if ya going to sing,swallow the marshmallow first *g*
I love our anthem too Jumm *s*

Answer to Oz Quiz.....

The Emu and the Kangaroo (so I'm told) never walk or hop backwards, thus, they always *Advance Australia Fair*, except for the occasional pause at a keg for a pint, that is.

Dorothy, so you are a true blue Aussie are you?

G'day Mate *g*
dinki di

i have a song for you to search out, Jumm ... "The Drover's Dream". One of my favouites from childhood .. listening to my Dad and his brothers singing after 'one too many' *L*

"One night while droving sheep
My companions lay asleep.
There wasn't a star to 'luminate the sky.
I was dreamin' I suppose
Cause my eyes were partly close,
When a very strange prossesion past me by.

First their came a kangaroo, with his swag and blanket too.
A dingo ran beside him for a mate.
They were travelling mighty fast and he shouted as they past
"better hurry up it's getting late"


you can search the rest. Let me know if you dont have any luck.

p.s. (best Hoges accent) the kegs fullapiss, maaate!

Ok I'll give it a go, Lacie.....let you know what I find.

Dorothy, you're getting too far ahead of me here, with your "dinki di"'s!!!*LOL*

to Lacie....*fullapiss* sounds like me, after I've had a few pints!

dorothy sits by the billabong, looking up at the starlit night feeling a little meloncholy*

Sorry you're feeling melancholy, Dorothy, maybe A SONG will pick up your spirits.... THE DROVER'S SONG!


*thanks to Lacie for pointing me to the song!, here's the url in case the link doesn't work..... http://talaverastud.bizland.com/Australiana/Music/DroversDream.html

Yep you're probably right Jumm *s* thanks

*Sits next to Dorothy* Okay, tell me what all those stars are up there. I know the ones back in Kansas, these are different...

*whispers to Dotty* .. it's the Southern Cross, tell him ....... the constellation on the Aussie Flag.

hey, you know, we should compare contellations ..

*LOL* I think I can find that one, tell me some of the others

Well ya know the Southern Cross is kinda reassuring *s* well just off to the side of the SX are two stars called the pointers and I always look for them to find the SX.* points them out to CL* and isnt the milky way spectacular. I could stay out here and watch them all night
*leans back against the Coolibah and enjoys the company on this starlit night*

*reaches into her backpack and grabs her binoculars*
*stands up and faces north* *hands binoculars to CL* see there near the northern horizon, thats cygnus and if you look close ya can see the dumbell nebula. *looks to Lacie* and Aquarius just on ya left if you look straight up *s*
tis beautiful isnt it

*stop press* ... *stop press* .. the new Fosters ad, released today in Aus - the Aussie Rules Grand Final day!! (Essendon won, btw)

I will send the add to all I can ...... I think you have to download *quick time* to watch it ... it's worth it! .. the persona of Aus!!!! *grin* talk about Aussie hype!! *L*

seems the commercial is only 'downloadable' if you connect through Aus ..... try anyway ..
www.ibelieve.com.au

too cloudy here for the telescope .. i would be just quoting from the astroscope if i commented ..

Jumm scratching his "loaf a bread", wondering if he heard right on that FOSTER'S ADVERT?
1)Was that "beet root" he likes on his hamburger, Lacie and Dot?
2)Don't women drink beer in Australia? The bloke in the commercial had a lot of brothers but no sisters!

Okay, where's the Coal sack? BTW, every time I try to open the email with the Foster's Ad,my puter does an illegal operation thang. *ROARRRRRRR*

hey Jumm .. glad you found "The Drovers Dream" .. really wacky song, huh? It kinda reminds me of this string on the message board *LOL*

yep *grin* .. beetroot *L* .. yummmmmmm gotta have beetroot on everything in summer salads and hamburgers!!! The beer industry really does promote the beer thaaang in a bloke only way ... BUT dont ya love the commercial???

CL, you cant open it?? bummer .. guess if i knew who you were i could resend it *L*

I can remember hot summers nights, laying out on the lawn to stay cool, with my Dad pointing out all the stars and planets ... it is a lovely memory. Tonight, about middnight, Pegasus (the saucepan) and Sagitarius will be making a fine show and the Megelanic Clouds will be visable - if the cloud lifts, of course. Orion, with Betelgeuse, along with the Big Dipper will be waiting for anyone with patience - and no early call in the morning *s*.

nothing quite like the stars, is there?

Jumm putting a PRAWN on the barbie, remembers way back to his childhood and his German Grandma dishing out the red beets, right next to the cauliflower. She was a great cook , but could never get me interested either.

hmmm .. a different method in the preparation and cooking from memory. I too, have had some experience with that way of cooking .... being taken for Sunday night dinners to visit a boyfriends family. He family was from Ukraine, and although much of their traditional food is delicious, the cabbage and beets left me cold, also.

I will find my recipe for making beetroot our way ....

We see Orion up this way too

CL, my son when a little younger, used to call Orion's Belt, O'Brien's belt! *chuckle*

Lacie, I've got the burger right here waiting, for that red beet recipe!

I love looking at the moon as well. It's nice to know we are all sharing it.*s*

And a burger just aint a burger without beetroot on it. *Opens the tin of beetroot and chucks some on Jumms burger* there you go mate *s*

well .. the tin stuff is ok, i guess *L* .. solves my problem of finding my old nanna's recipe, too!!

Jumm *not beeting around the bush*, thinkin' if that recipe is so hard to find, how often does Lacie really cook beets?...*LOL*

Thanks for the tinned beets, Dorothy, but do they REALLY come out of a "TIN", or a "jar"?

I use to cook my own home grown beets every year ... until about 7 years ago, and I would hate to lead you up the garden path about the recipe! *s* ..... tin is correct.

Sorry, my interest in beetroot isn't very keen. Actually, I'm a carnivore *snicker*

I'm a snicker "carnivore"! *WAG*

Cowardly Lion is a carnival sticker ??????

*Pulling beets outta Accasbel's ears* You heard right! *Stickering to herself* Can't beet the humour here...used ta tin beets when I was a farmgirl 'ears an 'ears ago but they were sugar beets an I tinned 'em with a hoe, hoe, hoe! *Stickering some more* Canned humour, anyone? Meat you for lunch, Cowardly Lion! *Throwing a whole rack of beef on the Barby* I hate beets!!!

re. Oz Olympics, some questions asked of the Olympic Committee,on their web site, they're a HOOT!

"Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)>A: No. Everybody stinks.

Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)>A: Yes. At Christmas.

Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)>A: Face North and you should be about right!

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)>A: Americans have long had considerable trouble distinguishing between>Austria and Australia.

Q: Are there places in Australia where you can make love outdoors? (Italy)>A: Yes. Outdoors

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)>A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)>A: This HAS to have been asked by a blonde..

Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year>round?(Germany)>A: Another blonde?"

LMAO*
Thanks Jumm I enjoyed the laugh.
Makes me feel better about asking a Scottish cousin if they had MARS bars *L* I was a lot younger then!

GO AUSSIES!!!

OI. OI. OI !!!

believe it or not, I have been asked many similar questions around the net .. *smile* Hense the over abundance of 'australian' links on my web page.

OK .. here is Nanna Ratz's beetroot recipe ... the best! Ya gotta grow your own beets, though ... that is the key!

trim the beets, leaving about 1" of the leaves. Boil in water with cloves approx. 1/2hour. (15-20 mins for baby beets)

strain and peel the beets whilst running under cold water. Slice.

1 3/4 cup of vinegar
tablespoon of sugar
salt and pepper to taste (guess ..ok?)
2 cups of the water the beets were boiled in, finely strained.
Bring this mixture to the boil, simmer for 10 minutes .... cool.

Place the cooked and sliced beets into sterile containers - cover with the vinegar mixture and seal.

yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm .. server chilled.

You Ozzies DON'T have Christmas....it's Chrissy! And you don't give presents, they're prezzies!*LOL*
So I was told on one of the myriad Documentaries about Australia now showing on the "Public Broadcasting Service" here. The programme narrated by the Australian Art-critic, Robert Hughes, is excellent, and my son, Brendan, pipes up every few seconds with ..."I was there, I was there!" needless to say the trip made a deep impression on him.

Ahhhhh, the secret ingredient, home grown beets....sounds tasty to me,with a good ale, prost, Lacie!

ya have it on a salad sandwich, or on a hamburger .... you could have a beer, too, i ya really want.

I'll just take the beer *LOL* and a steak...

hey .. was the SOMETHING? or was that SOMETHING? ...... I thought that was a great Opening Ceremony !! ............... and Aussies seldom like Aussie productions *s* .. 'tall poppy syndrome' and all ............

Comments????

gotta say .. the lighting of the flame was SPECTACULAR ... but i guess that is emotive.

The Olympic Year Of Women ......... and some of our best SHARING the honours ........

Dinky di dotty
loved the tap routine *G*

Starts lawnmower

Can we check the web footed, size 17 footed Ozzy swimmer to make sure he's not a genetic hybrid? *LMAO* Good show,(shoe?)mates

Thorpedo, we call him *s* .. Ian Thorpe .. and such a nice young man, too. Only 17 years of age.

In keeping with great Aussie Journalism, he was asked a few months back if his 'donger' matched his foot size *rolls eyes* ... dumb bloody reporter!! OF COURSE IT WOULD!! *LMAO*

And let's not forget that sensational swim by the relay team !!!!! I embarrassed myself by cheering out loud *LOL* even a quiet lil girl like me can be moved *G*

doesnt it make ya wanna go out and get fit *L*

Dotty .. They were sensational!! .. the whole nation was on it's feet, cheering .. it's meant to be like that ...

hmmmmmmm since when have you been a quiet girl???

*cracks open a keg* .. time for merriment!! Lacie is on holidays (for the non-aussie = vacation) so, I'll shout .. *rings the bar bell*

So .... who's for a skinny dip in the billabong?

Lacie's on holidays AGAIN?????? says Jumm with a mild attack from the "green-eyed monster! You go on and have a dip, and I'll keep an eye out for crocs, when I get off work.....

.....somehow I don't think my guilt trip is working, eh Lace? Have a ball on your vacation! :)

*grin* ... the land of 4 weeks paid vacation a year *s*

We are not taking off from home, though .... just enjoying the springtime weather, the beach and doing a few day trips. The boys are on two weeks school holidays too.

*still looking for a partner in the skinny dip* !!

chucks off her gear and leaps in *g*
Im on holidays too
YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


race ya lace

*grin* ... nothing like it, is there, Dotty??

by the way, Dot .... *Dorothy disrobes and joins Lacie in the billabong* .. would be MUCH better than *chucks off her gear ... * .. *shakes head* .. you want them all to KNOW we are mad hicks?? *LMAO* ........ how about some champers??? *L*

Holding out a glass for some liquid refreshment, from the shore, "I'd join you but my farmer's tan is too laughable!"

*grin* ... sorry Jumm Jumm .. you gotta get in, farmer's tan and all, to get your glass replenished! Them's this Billabongs rules!

we promise not to peek *g*
*puts hands over her eyes*

c'mon the water is fine ..

*grins at Lacie* I think they already know..

~~~~kerrrrflop!~~~~

Lacie and Dorothy, there's a stream of bubbles headed your way, and it ain't the champagne!

(that'll flush 'em out, says Jumm to himself, with binoculars at the ready!heheheh!)

*dives underneath the bubble stream, grabs Jumm by the ankles and up-ends him!

There, Dot, that'll teach him to bring the binocs!! I am inpressed at how he managed to keep his glass above water, though.

So, where's the volleyball?

*LMAO*
I dont think so .......

Jumm holdin' his flute (champagne glass, heheh) high and dry (where the hell IS he going with this?)in toast to Lacie and Dot, with the words of that inestimable Ozzie, Robin Leach, "May you always have Champagne in Streams and Caviar Knishes"!

well .. i just think Dotty is a piker!! NO VOLLEYBALL?? .. hey, we can match those Aussie Beach Volley Ball women *grin*

*doesn't even wanna think about Jumm's quote*

*Throws volleyball into the water, jumps in after it* You know cats aren't supposed to like water, but this seems as fine as frog hair to me *LOL*

*hits the volleyball back to CL* ... Oh Lordy Lordy Yes ... fine as frog hair from here! and a fine serve you have there, CL.

*S*

i would hoped for at least a *blush* ..

golly gee, oh wizz .. i am loosing my touch !!

How's ya spike *wg*