#52Stories, Week 43, How do you believe the human race came into existence on this planet at this time ? Do you believe in religious explanations, scientific theories, or other conclusions ?

So this could be controversial.

Big Bang ?

Creationsim ?

Bible stories ?

Intergalactic travellers ?

It could be any of them. Who really knows ? George Lucas may be right. Alderaan looked pretty Earth like, even Naboo and Tatooine could be mistaken for some parts of our planet.

We are animals. Like other animals we share Earth with, we live in communities – mostly in peace. We have evolved, as some of them have too. We are the same but different. We have embraced technology and are on our way to destroying the planet with our consumerist materialism and excessive waste.

We are homosapiens, but also part Neanderthal, we’ve been here awhile. Were we here with the dinosaurs and managed to survive the big freeze ? Or did we come later ?

Whatever happened and whenever or how it happened every religion has the SAME story in their teaching, with similar values and similar festivals. So maybe there is some truth in those tomes. In our hunger for technology we just haven’t unravelled the riddle yet.

Whichever theory you believe is up to you, and I accept that we will all have different opinions. I'm not sure myself and I don't have any strong leanings one way or the other. Logically science seems like the winner, but I feel there must also have been an event that resulted in those stories in the Torah, Bible and Koran. Surely ?

Anyway, one thing is for sure. We ALL need to take better care of our home. We need to work together in a balanced and controlled way to ensure that neither pollution nor a minor community ends up destroying Earth. That is one big bang we don’t need.

If we are to survive here while searching for our own Alderaan, Kobol or Risa out there amongst the exoplanets in other galaxies we need to be sure we are all on the same page. 

There is no Planet B, we can’t leave home just yet.

Sunday Funday

It was a glorious day last Sunday - quite a contrast to today. We went for a walk to check out the wildlife and soak up some rays.

TURTLES !! There are turtles in the lake - can you see the one photobombing the ducklings ?

Then on the way home - love the patterns from the wrought iron fencing on the footpath

A day trip to the big smoke by rail

Last weekend we made a trip to Melbourne, to get a fix of big city vibes - since we are city girls at heart.

The main attraction was going to see a show. The Book of Mormon. We'd known about it for sometime. It was on when we were in LA, but there was no time then. We thought about a return trip to the US to include it, a trip from Auckland to see it in Melbourne - when we learned it was there. Much closer to home. Now though - even closer.

It was an early start, to make the most of the day. We were surprised just how many other people were catching the train as early as us...on a Saturday.

Two hours there, two hours back - but eight hours of giant city atmosphere. It was a chilly morning - the tall buildings preventing the sun getting to pavement level in some streets. We wished we had thought about that more and brought an extra layer. Nevertheless, we wandered the streets. Found our way to laneways we had visited in the past and ate a delicious late breakfast. Then some shopping, and exploring other hidden laneways - famous for street art. Dodging other shutterbugs, waiting our turn for the perfect shot, quietly cursing the ones who have to take a photo of e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e person in their posse in front of the wall (isn't the ART the attraction ?)

Then down to the river, and a wander to the Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens soaking up the architecture, the sun, the gloriousness of large trees and manicured parks. That feeling of solitude and solace while in the centre of the 2nd largest city in Australia (population 4.4million (2016) - the whole of New Zealand in one city)

And then the show. HILARIOUS. By far one of the best I have seen in in a while, if not ever. It is off to Sydney in the new year, so maybe a trip to see it again. If not, there are plenty of others to see in Melbourne - some even come to little ol' Bendigo too !

And then the ride back home and begin to plan the next trip...Christmas shopping maybe ?

#52Stories, Week 42, What do you believe are the necessary ingredients and habits for a good, moral, purposeful life ? How are you striving to live up to those ideals ?

Hmmm, these topics I have chosen for October are a bit deep and meaningful. I will see if I can stick with what I chose for the whole month !

Here is my list of the necessary ingredients and habits for a good, moral, purposeful life:

Honesty

Education

Acceptance

Respect

Tolerance

Trust

Mindfulness

Love

Hope

Curiosity
Diversity

Community

Solace

We should all harbour some intolerance to be able to facilitate change, but should not allow that intolerance to consume our lives or take away OUR enjoyment in life or alter the way that we see people and treat them if they or their actions and beliefs are different to ours.

How am I doing ?

I think I am fairly honest and open about my beliefs and feelings.

I respect others, accept their differences of opinions or beliefs.

I welcome diversity.
I am curious about the world and my surroundings.

I enjoy being part of a community.

I make time to do things for me – alone.

I include activities daily that allow me to practice mindfulness.
I like the simple things, no waste, good food, nature...
I try not to be negative, but to always see opportunities instead.

I love those who are near and dear to me.
I cannot change the world.
I can choose my own path.

I have hopes and dreams…

#52Stories, Week 41, What were the faith and religious traditions of your ancestors ? How did those traditions influence the course of their lives and by extension, your life today ?

One thing about family history research – you get to read all sorts of church records. In English, often badly written. In Latin, trying to remember those lessons from college (Latin is a language as dead as dead can be, first it killed the Romans and now it’s killing me) In French, same thing.

So faith and religious traditions of my ancestors ?

Originally I guess they were Pagan. Eventually they'd all have been Catholic – who wouldn’t be ? The desire to stay alive was probably a big influencer for that choice. Then came the reformation – and for the same reasons that they hadn’t dared to stray from the path before – they switched.

Some though were Protestant in defiance of the “norm”. They were Huguenots, persecuted in France and Belgium and exiled themselves to England from the mid 1500’s. They settled in the Spitalfields area of London and carried on their trade as silk weavers, attending L’Église Protestante Française on Threadneedle Street.

Eventually though all branches on the tree seem to have become members of the established church – the Church of England.

Over time some left, following other protestant evangelists, but many still bound to the established church for ceremonies. Inspired by alternative ideals they joined the Salvation Army, the Latter Day Saints or becoming Methodist, Primitive Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist.

Some were heavily involved with the faith that they chose and followed.

Henry James, great great great grandfather was a lay preacher at his Primitive Methodist chapel in Dudley.

John Daniels, brother of my great great grandmother left Wiltshire with his family to settle in Utah. His eldest daughter Mary married Jesse Gardiner in 1873. He had returned from Utah with other Elders in 1872 to preach the gospel on the Bristol Conference. Mary later contested his will after their marriage was declared illegal when the church changed its stance on polygamous marriage.

Julius Horskins, first cousin of my great grandfather joined the Salvation Army after attending meetings near his home in Notting Hill as a 12 year old. He went on to work in the West Indies, Costa Rica, India, South Africa and became Commissioner of Australia and New Zealand.

Thomas Morrison, first cousin of my grandmother, born in New Zealand to immigrant parents. Joined the Mormon church and sailed with fellow congregationalists to San Francisco and travelled to Utah where he raised his families and established a well known business - Morrisons Pies.

Violet Timms, sister of my grandmother, joined the Baptist Church and trained as a missionary to serve in India.

#52Stories, Week 40, What was life like growing up, who did the chores, what were meal times like ?

Well, the boxes have arrived, but I've not been able to find that list I made back in July of blog topics to keep me busy and catch up. I think I am almost on track - I just have to count to be sure that today is the 40th Sunday of the year...or maybe that was last week.

I did have something else in mind for this week, but I was reading Kim Wolterman's blog posts as part of this challenge tonight and she had a couple which I thought seemed interesting. So I have combined them into one.

Life pretty much ran like clockwork, following a routine set by Mum and Dad - and probably learned from their parents and adapted to suit each other.

Mum did most chores in the house and Dad did the outside ones - until we were old enough to start helping out. So washing, cooking cleaning, vacuuming were Mum's domain and lawns, rubbish and gardening were Dad's. Other things like putting out the milk bottles and dishes were shared - until they became ours to do. They were also a great team when it came to planning and transforming the garden or redecorating. Wallpaperers extraordinaire - a real production line process.

Mum organised the shopping too. She'd phone the butcher and place an order to last a week - and he would deliver it all in his little van. If we had a car - sometimes we would go and collect it instead. Groceries mostly were from the Four Square at Five Cross Roads - where McDonalds is now. A lot of time was spent waiting, waiting, waiting on our behalf while Mum chatted with Bubbles and Digger (the owners, and only staff members I ever saw there). I wonder what their real names were. Last name Morris i think because it was called the Morris Building from memory. Fruit and veges came from the greengrocer over the road - and if we were good we might get a treat from Gailer's to take home (cream cakes and pastries !)

Meal times were all around the table with our best table manners. No elbows, eating everything on our plates - even the PEAS ! Even if it took until bedtime ! We had a jar too that we were meant to put 2 cents into if we said "Eh".

Breakfast too was everyone together to start the day. Big breakfasts as well. Mum would say it didn't matter then if we didn't eat our lunches - she knew we had had a monster meal to start the day. Cereal plus egg on toast , toast as well sometimes and juice to drink.

Both meals were great opportunities to share plans for the day, and later reflect on what had happened.

I've not been so good at keeping that tradition myself. Initially I did try, but lack of space, lack of furniture and busy lifestyles - eating on our laps became our thing. Still together though and still talking about our day. I do miss that. Maybe I will get it back very soon. It is in my plan.