It's a Bright New Year!

Pardon our radio silence. We're back and ready for a new year, with new words ... hopefully more good than bad.

Bopping with Babushkas: No.16 in an Occasional Series entitled 'Harmless Hobbies for Mad Old Bags'

All I have to say about Christmas 2010

Holy Meerkat Family!

O.K. I was going to post a photo of a woman having hysterics in a shopping mall,
but I couldn't get anyone to come close enough to hold the camera.

So, anticipating next Year's New Year's resolutions, 
I have resolved to let my nice side shine through. 

So here's the sweetest thing you'll get from me until ... oh, quite some time, probably.

See more meerkats and make them your own at    http://www.etsy.com/shop/niftyknits 

Outspoken Australian Woman made a Saint

That's Mary MacKillop, now known as St Mary of the Cross, sculpted by John Elliott in St Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane.

Not an inappropriate name, given her history and the attempts of perverted and conniving priests to make this courageous and unswerving woman go away - but when did the Catholic Church ever demonstrate any great regard for the work of women or the welfare of children?

Here's what Ynes Sanz wrote about her in  Fanny the Flying Housewife & other stories, 2009.

Two Marys

Mary Helen MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross 1842 — 1909

i St Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane

come away

from the frankincense

and chasubles

in a dim-lit chapel

stone walls chisel-ticked

enclose a stillness

inhale this new scent

calling up old linen

and young women's dreams

behind a rood-screen

of scribbled tree slabs

is a sanctuary

imbued with the spirit

of camphor laurel

one hundred years in growing

a figure looms from a plinth

no-eyes becoming eyes

under your grateful gaze

woman and tree both

wild and problematical

stout beauty at their heart

light a candle for her

and see in its flicker

Mary striding on

ii St Francis' Church Melbourne

For the poet's daughter, artist, 1970 —

Here Friends,

we see the Blesséd Mary,

aloft against a creamy ground,

flowers at her feet,

in the niche where we placed her,

waiting for the day

that she becomes a saint.

You may be surprised

at her meek demeanour

and downcast eyes,

but we like to remember

a compliant heart

may be found even

inside a rebel breast.

We see in her statue

a symbol of Women's

Work in worship.

See the fine detail

made by our master sculptor.

Note the work in the gilded crucifix

woodgrained rosary and

simple prayer book

so skilfully painted as if worn with constant use.

What's that you say?

The statue's painter

was a woman?

No I was not aware,

but come, let me show you,

head-high to your right,

another of the Church's

treasured works of art.

 
© Ynes Sanz 2009

Happy Spring!

Printemps - Marc Chagall

Yes, it's Spring in the Southern hemisphere.

All over Brisbane, dogs with short memories are being startled by bluetongue lizards, viruses are raising their tiny heads and soon, all kinds of large black and white birds will begin to swoop on human beings who will respond by drawing eyeballs on their hats in a vain attempt to deter them.

Make of it all what you will.

Topiary: No. 2 in an occasional series entitled 'Harmless Hobbies for Mad Old Bags'

This topiary woman found at the unpredictable Nothing to do with Arbroath

Yarnbombing: No. 1 in an occasional series entitled 'Harmless Hobbies for Mad Old Bags'

This Knitting-covered bus is from a story in the UK Telegraph newspaper at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4305406/Knitters-turn-to-%20graffiti-artists-with-yarnbombing.html

















While these knitted beanies on a Banksy are from a post at
http://www.oberholtzer-creative.com/visualculture/2009/01/yarn-bombing/

Women say 'knickers' to violence

Meanwhile, in the faraway city of Bangalore, India, women going about their business are being subjected to random but sustained violent attacks by fundamentalist Hindu males.

Proudly claiming the description of 'A consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women' these women have caught the attention of the world for the chutzpah with which they are organising a campaign to defend themselves and 'say nyaaah to infringements on (their) constitutional rights' and 'nyaaah to any threats of violence'.

See more at http://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/

Australia's Day of Mourning

Those who have died by fire
those who have died under fire
those who have died under water
who have died under duress
who have died from violence
who have died from alcohol or accident
who have died from drugs or dementia
who have died from not being ready for this world
who have died from being too awake to the world
who have died by another hand
who have died lending a hand
who have died helping a mate
who have died unable to help themselves
those who died tired at the end
those who had barely any beginning
all these and more
today and tomorrow and tomorrow
we will remember to remember.

©Ynes Sanz 2009

Grumpy Grannie grinds her teeth

Dental Neglect a scandal in Australian Nursing Homes
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Government will make sure that reports of dental health neglect in nursing homes are investigated. (From ABC News online - see link below)

When facilities like nursing homes ( and childcare centres too but don't get me started on that !) became investments for big business like insurance companies, retailers etc instead of being run by people who had some interest and expertise in the actual field - and wash my mouth out for mentioning compassion - then the almighty dollar dictated stingy staff hours, minimal qualifications poor care, less interest and cruel games: "what no fresh fruit to eat? - I'm sure it was on the table when the visitors were here" etc etc

Anyone who has ever been inside a nursing home in any capacity can tell a swag of similar stories.

Let's start telling all of these stories out loud instead of sharing shocked whispers.

Good on you Dr Rogers.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/05/2438477.htm