Episode 6: Life is Mostly Froth and Bubble
It was another stifling day in the West Australian wheat belt, in a heat wave that hadn’t seen an evening temperature below 90°F (32°C) for more than two weeks. We were not yet adjusted to the sun’s relentless demands on our energies and enthusiasm. Even our daily after-lunch siesta had been proving inadequate to replace our ‘get up and go’ that seemed to have ‘gotten up and gone’—without us. Surely an early night would be the solution? Sounded good, but we soon found sleep impossible. The sun may have set but its memory lingered—with a vengeance.Brainstorm number one that night was to thoroughly wet two thirsty bath towels, wring them out and lie on top of them. (read… and listen to more)
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Episode 7: Roomanship
Our vestibule (or lobby) was the handiest room in the old farmhouse, with its numerous brass hooks to hang coats and hats, racks to store boots, even space for all those thongs (and other sandals) – and kangaroos hanging in bags from most, if not all, of its six door-handles. The joeys loved peeking out at each other, and comforting themselves that others of their ilk were near. And I loved the convenience of my babies being together at feeding or cuddle times, or when I brought them out to play.
A baby kangaroo is happiest hanging in anything vaguely like its mother’s pouch. Although I started with one of my large knitted nylon bags for my first joey Snoopy, I continued to mull over alternative bedding ideas. One day, as I sorted through unwanted and unnecessary jumpers, a light-bulb moment occurred. (read… and listen to more)
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Episode 8: Bloody Hell… or Heaven?
“STOP! STOP… IN GOD’S NAME! YOU’RE KILLING HER!” the stranger shouted as he pushed his way through the crowd of shrieking children, jumping up and down in seeming panic and helplessness, almost hiding the gory scene. As they burst through the gate all he and his mate had been able to glimpse was a woman covered in blood. A man pinned her to the ground and much of her blood was spattered over him, too. His hands dripped with it as they clasped her neck. (read… and listen to more)
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Episode 9: A Little Honey called Candy
“What a honey of a dog.” I smile too, as I picture that golden puppy as I first saw her, in a pet shop cage.
Many life happenings conspired to create the ten-year gap from when our family dog Kim died, until I could get a puppy again, but finally the time and place had come; we could expand our furry family.
What a roly-poly golden girl Candy was, with huge melted chocolate eyes. Despite starting life as a city slicker, she happily made the ‘tree change’ with us. Framed by the endless horizon of her new great outdoors, she appeared incredibly small and vulnerable. (read… and listen to more)
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Episode 10: Ooroo Means Goodbye
“Come on Ooroo,” Candy seemed to say. “You can do it, I know you can. Watch—” and she demonstrated her version of navigation. Easy for her, these two steps at the end of our long, wooden verandah. By the fourth (or was that the fifth?) attempt, at last the tiny kangaroo learned his particular translation. His awkward bundle of legs came together for an amazingly graceful leap. (read… and listen to more)
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