A true Gemini.

I've had so much enjoyment from these poetic offerings and I hope you do too.


From Heather and friends at Warrigal Rd SEP

Nineteen fifty-one - what a very good year
That was when Carmel first did appear
Twenty-fourth of May - she was one of a twin
Terrible to imagine ther could have been two of them!

Born to a bookie - what are the odds?
Catholic and Irish - lucky sods!
Looks like a lady - can talk like a trucker
Can turn the air blue - you mother - ....of all AVTs.

Carmel's been teaching for so many years
She must have looked into millions of ears!
Deaf from all over the state would agree
You just don't mess with - Carmel Markey.

Lets think back to those who impressed her the most
J*##~*!  )^@+e -  now I don't mean to boast
But we did well to keep them both with their lives
Just had to keep Carmel away from sharp knives!

Another pleasant one to recall
$``3e~  &r-*n - the shortest tale of them all.
'Short Man Syndrome became the catch cry
Whenever he did something to put the blood in her eye.

How they both survived all those school trips away
Remains a mystery to this very day
But Carmel's professional attitude lasted
Never once to the children did she call him a .... rude name.

Carmel's an MPhil - or so Sara said
She studied and researched and wrote and reread
She spent time with George Booker on Maths - what fun!
And then at school made me test every one!!

Well we remember her style and her flair
The leather pants, jeans with no sides - that amazing red hair!
All the stuff lovingly knitted by Mother
Was that just for you - none for your brother?

Carmel won't have chocolate but loves a red wine
Chicken wings for morning teas - just divine!
Beautiful cross stich work she can do
And pottery freak - she loves it - it's true.

Carmel has friends the wide world around
And she is a good one they have all found
Loyal, supportive, a cheerful quick wit
And happy to help them when they're knee deep in .... trouble

So it's time to say "Happy Birthday" from us all
We wish you many more - hope you have a ball
Sixty will have advantages - if you look very hard
Forget the birthday ones - bring on that pension card!



From Julie and Friends at Taigum ECDU.

Carmel, this is a special day
So we hope you can stay
And have some afternoon tea
As we celebrate this milestone of 60!

You've taught deaf children
 for many a year
From Mt Isa to Zillmere Nth
So we give you a cheer.
For fourteen long years
You taught at Warrigal Rd
Finally a move closer to home
Saw you lessen your load.

With the change of scene
came a totally new role
Now instead of a class, the children
You visit steal your soul.
Ever since you came a few years ago,
You've always had a smile on your face,
Although at times, it has been a challenge
You seem to like the change of pace.

We don't see you often
And there's lots of visits to do
But we enjoy your chats
As you pass through.
A cup of coffee
Is often in your hand
Either Gloria Jean's
Or the coffee van.

In your spare time
You enjoy many things
But Tai Chi is a favourite
For the energy it brings,
It helps you relax
And calms you down,
So much joy it gives,
That you now teach around town.

Last year saw you leave
On a big holiday,
To America, Canada
And places far away.
It was in Turkey that you saw
Precious things, and you bought a rug
You loved it so much
That now you have the travel bug!!

A marriage proposal was
Offered to you
From what we have heard
There may have been a few.
We wish you many more years
Of Tai Chi, travel and fun.
You might even do
A marathon run!!

You're a wonderful person
And a very special friend.
Whenever it is needed
A willing hand you lend.
The past 60 years
Have seen you achieve
Much to be proud of
But there's more up your sleeve.

60 is old some people might say
But in your case no,
You don't look your age and
And you haven't started to slow.
Whatever you do
We wish you all the best
Do as much as you can
But take some time to rest.

You're thinking about reducing your
days at school
That seems fair to me
When you've given so much
Now let your heart rule.
I don't want this ditty
To go for too long
To keep you from celebrating would
be wrong.

On behalf of all here
I'd like to say
We're glad to know you
And for good health we pray.
As on this ladder of life,
You now climb another rung,
Congratulations Carmel on being 60
years Young!!

The big 6O.

When I was a teenager, I could imagine myself being forty,  Fifty seemed a long way away.  And sixty was nearly at death's door.  Well, I made it and, as far as I can tell, I am a long way from the grim reaper.  There's a lot to celebrate and a lot more to achieve.  After many ups and downs, I am currently at a point in my life where I feel at peace and proud of what I have made of my life.

Of all the things to celebrate, love and friendship are some of the best and good health comes a close second and, for me, they go hand in hand.  Support from family and friends has been so important to me at different times.  And so I felt a strong need to celebrate with many of the important people in my life.

The celebrations started with a surprise high tea at the Stamford Plaza from my friends at Warrigal Rd.  I was blown away.  I don't see them very often so it was an extra treat to spend a few hours with them and remember the joys of working with a staff and the wonderful/sick sense of humour from those days.  It was an afternoon full of laughs and wicked food in a delightful setting by the Brisbane River and spent with wonderful friends.  One of the highlights was a poem written by Heather in her own inimitable style and exposing me for my inability to cope with others' short comings.  (Inside joke, I'm sorry)  Such a lovely birthday surprise and I'd always wanted to go to a high tea.


A few days later, on the actual day, I was treated to another celebration by the staff at my base. This time it was in a less glamorous setting (it is Education Queensland after all) but there was plenty of homemade warmth and yummy food  in abundance.  Despite her protestations that it was a culinary failure, Colleen's birthday cake was the best and I, for one, enjoyed every crumb. 



Note the birthday crown.


Not to be outdone by Heather's brilliance, Julie had worked late into the previous night polishing her own poetic masterpiece.  This time Julie highlighted some more lofty qualities (I think it was about me) - I am a Gemini, after all.  Thank you so much, everyone at Taigum ECDP, it was a warm, loving afternoon. 




The crew at Taigum.









The rest was up to me.  I had thought about various ways of sharing my celebrations with others but, in the end, I wanted to do it in my own home.  The date was set, invitations were sent ,the menu was decided upon, drinks organised, seating planned and helpers at hand.  What have I forgotten?  Too late now.

It was a memorable night for me and I hope for others too.  I felt surrounded by warmth and well wishes.  The house was full of friends, laughter and flowers.  And all the time, thinking of my sister Ann.



Too much food, of course.

  







Someone commented on the diversity of my friends and I guess that is one reason why I feel so lucky. 

The Markey kids.



The action in the kitchen.











The younger generation.





The helpers who kept everything going.



So here we are.  The party's over but the memories are here for ever.  Thank you everyone for making my milestone such a happy one.

And......
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just let me know when you think it's time for a facelift........

Stay tuned for the poetic accolades.
















A little piece of peace.

Although I am a city girl born and bred and I love all that beautiful Brisbane has to offer, I have found a little piece of peace and I love visiting it.  There are some places that are very special.  When you are there, life as you know it stops and is replaced by peace and beauty and wonder.  Such a place is Lynchs Creek in the Northern Rivers District just south of the Queensland border.

My brother is the proud owner of a beautiful part of Lynchs Creek with views across the valley and towards the Border ranges.  It is green and gentle and very spiritual.  Spiritual in the sense of Uluru or Fraser Island.

There are infinite different moods but all of them beautiful.  It is sometimes bright and hot and sunny.  At other times, it is clear and crisp.

It can be cloudy and mysterious or raining and grey.






And, as Kev discovered last summer, it can be fiery and threatening.

If you want to work hard and get plenty of farm life action, just say the word and Kev will give you plenty to satisfy your need.  Lots of big boys' toys.

If you want to enjoy a quiet break from the constant noise of work and the city, this is the perfect place.










 If you want to take in the sights, smells and sounds of nature, no place better.  If you love Australian wildlife, there is every chance you will see plenty.

And if you want a perfect setting to lose yourself in a set of Tai Chi, there are few places more peaceful and scenic.



There are magnificent National Parks close by and abundant inspiring views in the area.  You can experience rural communities without having to travel long distances.  And no visit is complete without a celebration of all this at sundowners.

And let's not forget the creek.  And rumour has it, platypus like Lynchs Creek too.

A little piece of peace.





BUT
just to fulfill the fears of my friends in the northern hemisphere who are more frightened of snakes than grizzly bears and moose ....

this little fellow just wanted to get into the bathroom.  Personal hygiene is important.  Isn't it?
http://www.snakecatcher.com/greentreesnake.htm

A quick trip to Toowoomba?#!*

Toowooba is a picturesque city 127 kilometers west of Brisbane.  It is perched on an escarpment on the eastern edge of the Great Dividing Range 700 metres above sea level.  It is a garden city with charming gardens, beautiful roses and spectacular historical Queensland homes and is the home of a friend of mine who is happy to have me and my dogs invade her peace.  There are exquisite places for lunch, gorgeous little galleries and gift and craft shops to empty your wallet.  Beautiful parks abound and the climate is more temperate than Brisbane and a great place to escape when the humidity in Brisbane is crushing.

And so it was to Toowoomba that this little trio embarked on Monday 10th January 2011.  The car was packed with everything two spolied dogs and one spoiled owner would need for a couple of days in Toowoomba.  Just a quick trip, that's all.  As we drove further west, the rain started and then bacame more and more heavy .... torrential.  Withcott is a little community at the bottom of the range just before the steep climb to Toowoomba. By the time I reached Withcott, I decided I needed to pull off the road and let the rain pass.  I didn't fancy the drive up the range with poor visibility and I was only 10 - 15 minutes from my destination.  Little did I know .............

that Toowoomba had received 123 mm of rain in a very short time and was itself experiencing flash flooding.  And if a city is perched on top of a range, gravity dictates that amount of water must go down and one of the paths the water took was the channels provided by the engineers of the road up and down the range.  And the community right at the bottom of those steep channels is Withcott.  And a certain little white car had just parked in the main street in the path of the wall of water.  I was just in the process of deciding how to fill my time when I felt the car being buffetted and looked out the window to see water flowing under my car and rising by the split second.  S##t! (translation "Oh my goodness.  What will I do?")  There was no time for considered thought.  I spotted a small ramp on the downside of the service station to my right and moved my car there and crossed my fingers and toes as the water rose and thundered through Withcott.  After sometime, it occured to me to video what was happening but this was not at the height of the crisis.

I watched a number of things float past.  Sadly, the service station that sheltered me lost a couple of bowzers and much of its stock.  The ute that belonged to one of the owners was flooded and pushed through the driveway.  A blue Merc parked nearby was moved some distance along with the bitumen it was parked on.  A small car was picked up by the water and smashed into the side of the road.  I didn't really take in too much, I was too busy trying to keep my dogs calm, keep an eye on what was happening around my car and also trying to think positive.  And then it was over.  Whew!  Now what do I do?  Ask the people in the know of course so I spoke to a couple of truckies who advised me that the road to Brisbane was cut and the road up the range was cut so we were stuck.  One of them suggested that since I was so close to my destination and that all stops would be pulled out to clear a path up the range, I should wait for that to happen.

I joined the queue of about a dozen cars and trucks waiting to go up the range.  And my luck continued as I parked behind another very helpful truckie who took myself and another lady under his wing and kept us informed about what to expect.  We sat there for ten hours and watched four ambulances go up into the darkness and return.  We saw earth moving equipment rumble into the shadows and convoys of trucks make the return trip many times.  Police cars were circulating and the rain continued intermittently.  In the meantime the dogs needed to be fed, given drinks and a few toilet walks.  The local community put on a barbeque at the local school for those who were stranded regardless of the fact that every business in the main street and beyond was caked in mud and a number of houses had been inundated and pushed off their stumps.  True hospitality.  My stomach wasn't thinking of food so I stayed put.  Trying to keep calm, I finished reading "A Tiny Bit Marvelous" by Dawn French and was astounded by the ending.  A happy ending - good sign.

All of a sudden we were moving and, in no time at all, at the top of the range.  So at about midnight, three very tired creatures parked outside Leigh's house.  The light was on and the omelette was ready to cook.  But ......

Leigh had her own crisis.  Her yard and garage had been flooded.  She had lost two side fences, a retaining wall, many things in her garage, numerous prized roses, contents of her garden shed and the water had stopped 2 cm below her front door.

What a day.  And my quick trip to Toowoomba turned into a week because the road to Brisbane was so badly damaged by the floods in the Lockyer Valley, in Ipswich and then in Brisbane that it took that time to repair it to a state that cars could use some lanes.

I am one of the luckiest people alive.  If I hadn't pulled off the road, I would have been half way up the range when the wall of water rushed down and then maybe I could have been in one of those ambulances.  I was lucky to be so close to my eventual shelter.  That business has shut it's doors at this point. I was lucky that a ute carried through the driveway was caught on something and stopped because it was heading straight for me.  Nothing in my car was damaged or wet.  However, Jock was pacing round and round the back seat whimpering and Mandy sat on the front seat looking at me and trembling.   I think she has a bit of PTSD but otherwise is fine.

So we all live to pester you another day.  Ha Ha!  It was one adventure I could live without.  The Lockyer Valley was hit heavily in terms of loss of life and property.  A tragic, tragic day for many people and my little experience doesn't really figure in the scheme of things.



The devastation after the storm.