Octo-Boy!

I have to practice getting my lips around some new words today...

I actually think I may be getting a stutter...

I'll try for you:

.

MY

SON

IS

EIGHT.

Gads.

A few pertinent questions spring to mind.

Deep and involved queries...

Ssuch as:

How?

What?

Where?

When?

And most importantly...

WHY!

~

My baby boy is growing up.

My Dash is a Transformer-mad, Ben 10-crazy, wii-playing, rip-stick-riding maestro...

We are so proud of you, matie.

Happy Birthday!

(PS Thanks y'all for sweet and reassuring comments last post. I'm okay. And I ain't plannin' on going away...)

Some friends of mine...

Our local campdraft last weekend was a hectic, happening affair -

with lots of action in the centre ring and plenty of activity in the grandstands too.

Events like this provide the chance for socialising that can be rare in rural areas.

Oh sure, we may run into people we know at the local supermarket,

or see them in passing on the road, or at someone's birthday party.

But an event like this brings people of like minds together.

~

And the delightful thing for me,

having lived in the city for so very long

(and sometimes not even knowing my neighbours' names)

is that almost EVERYWHERE I look at a local draft,

I know someone.

This shot, for instance, contains the rear views of my father,

some of his campdrafting co-horts from the 'good old days'

(who still give me a ribbing about my few - unsuccessful - campdrafting efforts)

and there are a smattering of friends there too.

~

This chick went to school with Mr Incredible,

...and her family and mine pretty much grew up together.

We may (or may not) have yakked for about an hour in the stands later on...

we only had about 25 years to catch up on!

~

This is her brother, and also the President of the local campdraft committee.

He was one busy bloke over the weekend -

what with riding, supplying cattle AND organising the three day event.

We like to call him 'Mr President' just to annoy him!

~

And this is his gorgeous wife, waiting her turn in the yard.

She's not so much the First Lady,

as Madam Secretary (of the same committee)

and one of the best female riders I have ever seen.

Pretty. And quite fierce. At least on a horse.

Heh.
~
This is our local butcher.

Unlike some who were literally born to draft, he took up campdrafting as an adult

and is really starting to hit his straps.

He won the Maiden on Friday...

(which sounds much more romantic than

being 'the best cow chaser around a mowed paddock'!)
His partner is one of my oldest friends (and a long-time lurker here).

We could NOT be prouder of him.
~

This is the Dad of one of Dash's school buddies.

He is a terrific horseman and trainer.

Plus he's a totally nice guy - and not bad as a long jump steward either.

~

And of course, there was Dash and Violet's cousin doing her thing

in HER very first campdraft...

You GO girl!!!

(Loving the matching shirt and saddlecloth, BTW)

So you see...

Not only am I exhausted from taking a bazillion photos (no exaggeration) and encouraging my hubby in his drafting endeavours, as well as cheering on our son in his first very draft, plus attempting to ensure my children don't invade every gooseneck horse trailer on the grounds (when I am not looking) and keep up the supply of chocolate ice-creams and meat pies (when I am)...

I have been TALKING.

Talking up a storm.

Catching up with friends.

And wearing my larynx out in the process.

I have another event mid-week* which will no doubt place

some stress on my vocal chords too.

Thank goodness the mountains of laundry before me don't require me to vocal input.

'Cause there's another one of these campdraft things on NEXT weekend.

~

*it's a secret event, but trust me, there will be a blog post about it.. if I survive!

Generations - and a giveaway or two!

There's been a heap going on behind the scenes here lately...
We are preparing for branding at the moment - one of our big annual tasks as cattle producers. Jeanie is coming over - with her mustering professional Salina ready and rearing to go. We managed a mini-getaway (photos still to come) to the beach, and the normal getting-ready-for-school events and packing-as-much-as-humanly-possible-into-holidays activites.

.
So while I am juggling the myriad of events looming on my google calendars, I give you a sweet series of photos, shot just before Christmas. The set feature the three most important blokes in my life - my Dad, my husband and my son.

They were setting off from our house to muster in the cattle in the next paddock...

Sharing a special man-to-man moment together...

Savouring the anticipation of the muster ahead -

and trying not to stand on the madly cavorting dogs, all ready for action...

Mentally planning the strategy of gathering the cattle as they peruse the paddock.

Briefly soaking in the vibrant verde of the pasture, after a long dry spell, before...

Setting off to seriously address the task at hand...

And effortlessly handling the job as only men of experience can.

(Can a seven-year-old with six months mustering under his belt be considered a 'man of experience'? Ask Dash, he'll soon tell you!)
.

But here's where you come in...

I wonder what is REALLY going on in photo number two?

If you've played my games before, you'll know I don't care about the truth.

(I can't HANDLE the truth!)

I shall give you the truth at the end of the game...

I want creativity and comedy.

You know I am just too lazy to provide it myself...
.

So please, leave your guess in the comments section - the one that makes us laugh (and/or spit our coffee) the most will win a 8x12" BB print of their choice.

.

I shall also do a random pick and give away this wonderful Australian movie to the lucky winner.

'The Castle' (remastered) DVD.

It's classic Aussie humour with some lines that have infiltrated the Australian vernacular -

'Tell him he's DREAMING, son!"

and

'Feel the serenity!".

Even the cover descriptions are taking the p***. I loved it's whackiness, Michael Caton as Darryl Kerrigan, the quintessential Aussie blue-collar battler - and a bonus is a young Eric Bana as 'Con Petropoulous... an accountant and amateur kickboxer'.

...

CONTEST OPEN UNTIL MONDAY 9PM (Queensland, Australia time)
Feel free to enter as many times as you like!

So... what are you waiting for, my friends?

The comments section awaits your guess (and so do I!).

+++CONTEST CLOSED+++

Jeanie has been designated official adjudicator (we are all putting our votes in though) and I shall run the random number generator shortly.

Thanks for playing, girls and boys!

Laugh lines

I shot this photo during our rain inspection outing the other day...

... it makes me smile.

I just love that my husband smiles with his WHOLE face - one of the very first things I noticed about him actually. Right after those mesmerising blue eyes... they caught my attention but it was the crinkling smile that did me in.

My mother also smiles with everything she has - her delight reflected in every corner of her face. Her lines are happy reminders of a million smiles. They tell the world about her character and it's a beautiful thing.

Do you think celebrities (and others) who freeze their faces realise what they steal away, when they try to steal back years? That the very light in them that made them beautiful to begin with is dimmed by that effort?

Smile crinkles rule.

Best Band-Aid of All

I was a little rough on everyone last post.

I am very sorry.

But ... it kind of had to be done, had to be written.

I needed to clear the air, and I simply couldn't ignore various readers' pleas for an update, or Tuffy's right for his short little story to be told. He's got a special place in my heart.

.

Are you OK?

Can I do something to make it better?

.

You know I think I might already have a little something

tucked away here that might help....

Ah... here it is.
The very best band-aid of all: A BABY.

Not MY baby of course -

Violet gets violent if I refer to her as my 'baby' any more -

a borrowed baby.

YOU know who I'm talking about:

Paris.

My clever sister's divine little being who loves to point her pinky.

My gorgeous niece Salina's scrumptious little sister...

Oh, and I believe my brother-in-law V may have had something to do with her too...

(No photos. V is shy. But his father's love for this newcomer is so great it almost busts the walls from his home!)

.

JOB WELL DONE, PEOPLE.

.

But wait... there's more.

My brother, his wife and their three children will bring THEIR new baby home this weekend.

And oh, he is a CORKER.

Texted snaps and emailed images already have me clucking.

I cannot WAIT to hold him and inspect him and adore him.

.

Just as this one was held, and inspected and adored.

Isn't it amazing how babies can steal your heart by doing nothing?

And how love and arms can extend so easily to encompass one more?

Some of the sweetest mysteries of the world...

.

Hope that salves the sting of Tuffy's tale...

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE.

Pre-Christmas rollercoaster

This'll be quick - life is chaotic and crazy and Christmassy here

(or as my friend Jayne would say: Chris-Messy).

...

The emotional rollercoaster ride of the Granite Glen express has been full on -

Jeanie finally presented us with a little angel of a baby girl on Monday.

This little sweetheart...

(I would show you another of the shots, but my hubby has vamoosed in the Prado and accidentally taken my camera for the ride).

...

The as-yet-un-blog-named little darlin' has a very definite little chin, an unmissable cry and loves being held upright against Mum's chest. She and Salina are bonding beautifully -I have never seen a prouder big sister!

Gorgeous...

...

Lots and lots of other stuff (some of which involves some serious downward motion on that rollercoaster I am referring to) has happened. I will save details 'til after the Festive Season I think.

(Gosh I'm a tease, aren't I?).

...

But this bit of weather-related news I will share:

it rained here last night as I was driving home in the dark from Paradise.

Real rain.

Freaky rain.

Flooding rain.

Almost four inches of the wet stuff.

With some hail, the size of large marbles.

But get this....

ONLY AT OUR HOUSE.

Well, it did reach our next-door neighbours' too

and it actually put a run in the river,

but just over the small range just a few kilometres from our place...

NOTHING.

Dust.

It's very weird.

Apparently from a distance, a giant mushroom-shaped cloud sat right over our property.

Some say it looked like a twister over our place.

(Not that we really get twisters Down Under.)

There is debris everywhere here this morning.

At least we don't have to top up the pool or water the lawn.

I kind of feel for those whose rain gauges are still dry though...

We have friends trucking water to keep stock alive.

So we are keeping our joy pretty low-key.

'Wide-spread rain' appears to be an extinct kind of weather event in this part of the world...

...

Anyway, got go clean up and unpack and start cooking!!

Oh, and WRAP.

*sigh*

Happy Christmas Eve, my friends...

hope your Christmas rollercoaster stays up, up, UP for ya!

Today

It's a big day today. A day filled with a certain bush blogger being on tenderhooks (or a cat on a hot tin roof) awaiting a phonecall from a certain hospital somewhere near Paradise...
.
Yesterday we farewelled Salina, who journeyed back home to Paradise, courtesy of Nana's taxi service. We have adored having our niece visit for a few days - she is an important part of our family and is a delight to have around. I was there when she arrived into this world - all massive dark eyes and olive skin. She was the most solemn, fattest-cheek, gorgeous baby you ever did see. Doted on. Still is.

.

She has been a surrogate big sister for Dash and for Violet. She plays, she bosses, she loves, she organises, she encourages, she rides with, she swims with, she bosses (did I mention that already?) and she is generally their favourite person in the world...

And today she will become a 'real' big sister, as Jeanie gets induced sometime today (we think). The newest addition to our clan is being very shy, requiring some encouragement to make his/her entrance to the world at 12 days overdue! We are all excited and nervous and filled with anticipation.

.

For Salina it'll be a huge transition - but we know she will be a wonderful sibling for this new arrival into our ever-spreading family. She's had seven-and-a-half years of practice on my two, and she gets A's all round from us!

Sending my love to my baby sister, her hubby and my niece.
A world of wonderful changes await you all today.
Somewhere just over that ridge...

The Great Hobby Horse Fiasco

Earlier this week I shared a little of our Melbourne Cup day - the finery and fashion. And the cuteness with which I am bombarded. But I kind of missed out on one of the more spectacular of the events. (Actually I am not sure that anything is more spectactular than a dog in a bow tie?)

.

There were all kinds of shenanigans going on... especially during the Hobby Horse Derby.

Perhaps you were imagining that only children rode hobby horses? For those experienced in the ways of bush entertainment, the concept of fully-grown hard-working men grabbing the nearest pole-like object and galloping madly down a cleared grassed 'field' is not all that unusual. (Perhaps this happens in the Big Smoke too? If so correct me, please!)

.

Shall I illustrate?

This is the host of our Bush Melbourne Cup day - Joel.

Joel was once a rodeo clown - can you tell?

He is also super fast and has a wicked sense of humour... he dressed especially for the race.

Gotta love those rugby socks, Joel! (Do you think he was trying to distract the competition?)

.

The men got into teams of two for a kind of relay... the race was to consist of a return trip around a post set up about 50 metres from the start line, with second runner to take the 'steed' and complete the same course. Fairly simple rules. One would think. Shall we see what happened?

.

The men lined up their frisky mounts, held them steady... the women shouted "GO"

and they were OFF...

If you can, please take a moment examine the 'horses' - there are some classics.

I particularly like the pink gumboot on the stick.

And the mop.

Does anyone recognise the groom from a wedding I recently photographed?

My cousin Tom got a pretty good start.

And that would be my brother on the far side...

He seems to have been thrown from his mount early on, and has taken to carrying it.

Most unusual. They are a competitive lot, my family.

But my brother has nothing on the wiliness of my uncle...

as you shall see.

See the bloke in the next shot in blue shirt and the hat,

already over the line to take the 'horse'?

That'd be my Uncle T.

An experienced polocrosse player and all round good guy.

Now I can't say exactly what went on next as I have no actual evidence.

(I think I may have been laughing too hard to press the shutter.)

But it may, or may not, have included a minor short-cut being taken by the more mature participants of the race. Which may or may not include my uncle. Like in the MIDDLE of the racetrack in front of EVERYONE. Subtle.

Because, miraculously...

He STREAKS to the finish line!

A clear winner.

And yes, the stewards enquiry is still going on.

(I must check to see if members of my family are on THAT panel too!)

...

Oh, and in case you are wondering, the children did get a go at the mocked up horses too...

after the men had completed their 'race'.

Here is my niece Rose showing how it is done...

Somehow that pink gumboot horse looks 'right' with this rider!

Anyone recognise the jockey in second place?

Go Dash!

He never did pass his cousin, but took that in good humour.

He's not a fan of coming second usually, but he kind of adores her...

A little niggly part of me wonders though...

Is he cursing his chance at glory?

And wishing he had payed more attention to Uncle T's dubious race tactics?

Only time will tell!!

...

My question to you:

What do you do for entertainment when friends, neighbours and family gather?

And is there cheating involved?

It's a CONSPIRACY!

And if I have not already overloaded you in the cute department...

there is a little something I need to share:

Heaven help me... another second cousin (sorry, first cousin, once-removed).

A cherub of the highest order.

One of the twins born earlier this year.

Oh those big solemn eyes.

Oh, those rosy chubby cheeks.

Oh, those dimpled hands...

WHY does it always come back to photos of babies on this blog?

Me? Clucky? Nah, couldn't be.

It's a just a conspiracy on a global scale.

Note to my family, would you PLEASE stop having gorgeous babies...

Seriously people. It's killing me!

Bush Cup Details: heat, hats and hobby horses

Yesterday was Melbourne Cup Day...

A day to throw on some glad rags

Fill up the esky with beer, wine and finger food

And head west in search of Race Day, Bush style!

...

We found it. Sixty kilometres from Granite Glen at my cousin Em's lovely home.

Past the burned-out paddocks, over the long dirt roads, under a wide blue sky.

It was a hot (oy the heat) but happy day.

I made a little effort (hey I painted my nails!) but failed to reach the sartorial elegence of most present on the day. I have a serious issue with hats - they just look weird on me. Unless they are caps or cowboy hats, I cannot wear them.

It's among my many foibles.

There was even a dog with a better outfit on than me...

Say hello to Jack.

Jack can work a camera, and work a crowd...

To wit: both achieved simultaneously!

In an effort to outdo this satorially splendid pooch

the local ladies put in the hard yards to spruce up too...

Gorgeousness abounded.

Feathered fascinators made a big comeback ... sidenote: I can't do fascinators either.

I tried, I really did. But me and the feathers, it was just wrong. So very wrong.

Here however is someone who can wear a hat with style...

one of my recent commenters, I believe, looking stunning.

...

There was a fashion parade also, with models plucked from the onlookers.

(I cried off from duties, being old, fat and lame... and busy, on photo duty!)

This beautiful young woman was among the models, and she did a great job...

Not the least of her challenges was negotiating the steps in these fabulous shoes...

Oh, the envy I feel at her pretty feet, her agile negotiation of the steps, those shoes...

*sigh*

I couldn't even negotiate the lawn in 1 inch heels without hitting the turf. Pathetic!

But you are not here to contemplate my physical and mental issues, or clumsiness.

You are here for FUN and PRETTY today.

Oh look...

Sweet and pretty.

That will do nicely ...

My cousin's daughter (soooo, my second cousin?) frolicking on the 'race-track'where the hobby horse derby took place. Is she not the cutest thing? (And yes, I am aware that I say that about pretty much every young human on this blog. But seriously people... scrumptious, no?)

...

I will showcase more on the HH Derby tomorrow.

It was a riot.
In the meantime ...

a sneak preview of warm-up in the mounting yard.

Whoa back big boy!

This kid is another very distant rellie, and clearly knows a thing or two about riding.

He should, his parents are amazing horse people.

We were all very impressed with his technique.

I am not sure if this is how he usually leads his ponies home, however?

A stewards enquiry is underway as we speak...