Kiwi Identity - A thought for Christmas

Its Christmas Eve 2010, I am sitting on the 8th Floor of a building in Auckland City New Zealand, working. The below is a view from my office - not bad eh?



The Sky City Tower is on the far left, and the sleeping volcano Rangitoto rises on the horizon on the far right. Auckland is New Zealand's biggest city, but from what I have learned is not big by world standards at all! For this small time country girl its about as big as I can cope with without going crazy. Its amazing growing up where everyone knows everyone, with such a blinkered view on life how much I do love Auckland.

I love the cultural diversity and the anonymity. I am not actually sure if it is more tolerance or autonomy that makes it work, i think probably the latter. I was talking over a pot of peppermint tea in the cafe with a good friend of mine the other day about the New Zealand identity, his view point was that our identity is being lost with the introduction of new cultures and in an increasing population. I struggle with this thought. I for one embrace diversity - after all arent we all "new " to New Zealand when compared with how long other countries have been populated?

I recently read and recommend "Myth New Zealand" by Justin Brown, here's how he introduces his book "Ever wondered what happened to the Good Keen Man? Where are the new Burt Munroes? If the Pavlova is our national dish, why can't we find it in restaurants? When's the last time you used number eight wire? I love my country but it's time we put it through a 21st Century reality check" - like I say worth a read!



This Christmas I would like to encourage you to give-a-fig for all "New" Zealander's, I know it is a difficult time for those with family overseas, and for those whose families although close are divided. Spare a thought also for all those lonely people at Christmas, I know for me the "Lonely Day" song by SYSTEM OF A DOWN always takes me back to a particular Christmas when the people I loved most in the world weren't able to share it with me.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Have a Fantastic New Year to all xx

Lighten Up

Laughter is an amazing medicine. My kids make me laugh more than anyone or thing, with the exception perhaps of a “Some Mothers Do ‘Av ‘Em” or “Mr Bean” episode. Yes, I have one of those senses of humour where even the most obvious and anticipated event can make me laugh over and over again.

Laughter is so infectious and freeing I am beginning to understand why “wairako” a laughing ritual was developed some 800 years ago in the district of Hofu, Japan. Historians think the ritual was initiated by farmers as their way of forgetting about their hardships for a while. Numerous cultures have incorporated this rather simple therapy, so why aren’t we laughing more often?

I wonder if we have become so concerned about what others think about us that we have lost our impulsive nature to laugh. I know for one I laugh more with my family. Is it because I am more comfortable with who I am with them? I feel more self conscious in public, and tend to cover my mouth when I laugh because I am worried about how I look or perhaps sound.

The next time you see children play, listen to how much they laugh. It is amazingly infectious. Watch the ripple of laughter light up one child after another. Observe how they return to the source of amusement for another giggle over and over again. I love the way it lights up their faces, and makes their eyes glisten. Be careful though before you know it your face will light up too!

What an antidote for the busy, image conscious world we live in. And the best news is laughter is free and painless(depending of course on how much we laugh)… so go on free yourself and those around you – lighten up!

"Desiderata Too"

Here is an interesting Desiderata (Latin: "desired things", plural of desideratum) I found this while contemplating the 2010 year, and what it has meant to me ... this pretty much sums up this years philosophy. I will leave my comments un-said what do you think?

Desiderata Too

Don't go placidly amid the apathy and lethargy. Remember that your silence is consent and there can be no peace where there is injustice.

You can't please all the people all the time, so shout your truth from the mountain top and don't accept nonsense from the bigoted, the ignorant and the self-serving.

Don't avoid people who are upset. They may have good reasons and your care and interest may make them less aggressive.

Be tolerant of the diversity that makes everyone special and be aware that there are no persons greater or lesser than yourself.

Don't live in the past or future. Enjoy the present.

Don't become obsessed by your own career. It cannot give you security or possession of anything or anyone.

Exercise trust in your dealings but be circumspect, as the world is full of materialists.

Become yourself. Express affection for all people and all species.

Be sceptical about romance for it is as transient as a summer flower.

Don't become tired in your ways and never surrender your sense of wonder. Don't be defensive. Be optimistic and imaginative.

Fatigue and loneliness are born of fear. Be rigorous in accepting responsibility for your actions and their consequences.

You are a child of your less than perfect parents and like the trees and the stars your time will pass. And whether or not it is clear to you, things are not working out nearly as well as they could.

Whatever you conceive God to be, also be aware that every single thing you do actually changes the world. Dreams cannot be broken and they will give you no peace if you don't act with integrity.

Unfortunately, this world is becoming uglier each day.

Be brave.

Strive for the right of all people to make their own paths.

Found in a South Australian kitchen. Copyright 1992 Andrew Bunney.

Give A Little

"Dollar" was all he said as I walked past this man in obvious need of more than a dollar. I had spotted him from a distance and summed him up. Look fearless... thats what Dad always said, even if your petrified front up, walk tall and strong. Dont make eye contact... dont smile at anyone...thats what city life has taught me.

When did I become this person who doesnt see and doesnt hear, and most certainly doesnt give, not a smile not a dollar not anything dont give anything away. Phew... I dont carry change, perfect out I reason.

"Hello beautiful lady, how are you going today" the next guy was more used to me passing I see him most days, he sits on the sidewalk like some derelict Buddha, gut hanging out over his crossed legs with cardboard signs pleading his case, weve built up a rapport I smile at him and give him a wave. He looks happy, I wonder what he thinks as the crowd walks by with their poker faces.

I saw this same guy catching the late bus home after I had been on the turps, he had moved to a spot outside a small asian foodcourt that had seen better days. As I waited for my bus becoming more and more sober by the minute as the cold air hit me on the sidewalk I watched the shop owners in that wee foodcourt file out finished for their day at 11pm, passing the man, some threw parcels of food at him and kind words most acknowledged him and said goodnight. As the last shop owner left the man pulled his cardboard boxes around himself like blankets, and made him self comfortable across the entrance to the mall, tucked out of the wind, and happy, he was asleep in minutes, and the food court had security of sorts.

I approach the park on the corner of K'rd with caution, I like to know where they are, where he is before I walk through, are there other people walking my way, people with purpose, support safety in numbers, there he is its 8am in the morning hes out to it on the ground one day, on the park bench the next, usually without fail baring his butt cheeks to the world as he curls in a fetal position in his trackies and t-shirt, where will he go when it gets cold, does he have shoes and a jacket somewhere, does he have underpants?

The walking dead are the ones that scare me the most, that glazed over expression and if you actually look into their eyes they look opaque, if our eyes are the gateways to our soul then these gates are shut, is there a soul in there? I cant tell they let nothing in and nothing out other than the substances they live and die for... live and die for.

"Hi" I call and wave out, they scurry away pretending they havent seen or heard the lady from the house rented on the corner by a new family, my family. They look back - is she mad? it took 6 months before a neighbor said hello back when we moved from a small rural village of less than 30 houses to the burbs in Auckland. Is this really the world we live in?

When did a smile begin to cost us to much, when did kindness become dangerous, when did we stop giving? What happens if we forget how to give do we also forget how gratifying it is? Does that part of us shut down, what example are we setting for the next generation will they live only for themselves?

"Why did you say hello to that lady Mum?" "Because its nice to say hello to people even when you dont know them Darling, for some people its the only hello they will get in their day" her warm little hand in mine her beautiful blue eyes and face turned up to mine.... she doesnt know her Mum was one of those people just waiting for someone to say Hello.

Give a little.

Smartphone vs Sheep

My purchasing decisions have recently been challenged, I have been contemplating buying a smartphone for a while now, but have struggled with spending so much money on a device – which truth be told isn’t a necessity.

I have been reading Affluenza a book by Oliver James which suggests that wealth and misery go hand in hand, there definitely have been some home truths in there for me! Affluenza is best described as a virus-like condition which expresses itself as selfish capitalism, or in old fashioned speak “keeping up with the Jones’s” syndrome.

Our childhood which was focussed a lot on getting by, making do, and religion has made me more immune than most to Affluenza. It was a good read and reinforced the positives in the direction we are taking as a family to move to become more self reliant.

The beauty of having time on our side is that we have been able to talk and plan a lot of the decisions in advance of being back on our village block. We have the land around 1 ½ acres so that is our limiting factor.

Half an acre is planted in more than 50 fruit and nut trees which are coming into their own after 8-9 years, another half an acre is fenced off and had previously contained our sheep, chooks and ducks. The house sits on the other half acre, with trees for every season shrouded by a hedge of 200 Camellia sasanqua “setsugekka”.

In the wake of losing our last livestock to old age (RIP Bridgette) throughout the winter, and with the spring growth imminent we made what has possibly been the most satisfying purchase I have made in recent years -three very special sheep!

The sheep are horned Wiltshire’s, and are an ideal investment for a small block like ours. Not only do they shed 100% of their wool each spring (don’t have to shear them), but they are less prone to fly strike, and foot rot than your average sheep. They are also very good breeders, with a high rate of multiple births – usually twins – perfect for a perpetual meat supply!

With two ewe hoggets and one ram lamb weve got things covered – evidently that little guy whose only a month old will be ready to do the bizzo in the Autumn and we will have lambs next spring. Now theres something to look forward to!

For us this is what it is all about – an investment of $250 taking care of half of our meat requirements, and if managed carefully with a ram swap each year we wont be buying lamb from the supermarket ever again!

Beat that return smartphone!

Green is as Green Does

"Stupid is as stupid does" indicates stupidity is demonstrated by the actions of the one, therefore I feel inspired by “green is as green does”.

What is green? Green has been used to describe everything from the colour of the grass to a way to describe illness. Green has had lots of symbolic meanings, most commonly associated with nature, hope and growth. More recently green has been used to describe environmental protection and social justice, this is the green I am referring to.

I have been following a path which through my learning has lead me to think and live a greener life; and it seems I am not alone. Green has become fashionable, people like to be seen as green, business's are capitalising on green products, it could be said that even countries like our own do the same thing..like to be seen as green.

For a while I became concerned about this aspect of "being seen to be green" as opposed to actually being green. I came to the point of view that no matter what the motivation, what the outcome, what measure of green we are it all creates a greater awareness, and furthers social acceptance for greener practices, and is ultimately moving towards a greener future.

We can spend a lot of time focusing on what shade of green we are but what "green is as green does" reminds us is that being green is demonstrated by our own actions.

Why I Give a Fig - for the Garden to Table Programme

Have you ever got to a point in your life where you are looking for something beyond working 9-5? Beyond being a good parent, a good partner, beyond “success” even?

I am sure it wasn’t just because I was brought up on Dolly Parton and her song “9 to 5” which was played and sung repeatedly to brainwashing levels, that I think there is a better life!

Maybe its old age as I push the big 4 -0 or a mid-life crisis- but darn it; I want my life to mean something, I want to follow my dreams, I want to do something fulfilling!

It was with this thought in mind that I came across an article on Garden to Table.

“The Garden to Table Programme is an exciting new initiative for New Zealand Primary Schools where children aged 7-10 will learn to grow, harvest, prepare and share food.”

ref: www.gardentotable.org.nz

I contacted the Garden to Table Trust who run the programme to see how I could be involved. As it turned out they had an information day planned at two schools that were part of the pilot programme.

I was really excited to be a part of the open day held in June, the sun even came out for us! We visited East Tamaki Primary School in the South Auckland suburb of Otara, and Meadowbank School in Remuera, Auckland.

These schools are on opposite ends of the scale in terms of the Ministry of Education’s decile ratings,(a measure of affluence) but their needs and outcomes from the programme are very similar. We have a large number of our children growing up without recognising the true value of food, and sharing meals.

We have to ask ourselves why gardening and baking has become something that our grandparents (our children’s great grandparents) used to do, what happened to all those quarter acre sections and pots of marmalade? Our increasing population and urban drift is taking its toll- and the great thing about this programme is that it gives the kids the skills to make a difference…and they are!

The children were remarkable; their bright faces said it all as they proudly showed us around their school gardens, and kitchens. There was a real focus on working together, a willingness to share what they had learnt and what they were doing. The kids were into it literally boots and all!

Children are taking their lessons in the school garden and kitchen home, backyards are being transformed into living pantry’s, diets and knowledge about food are being extended, food is being prepared and shared together as a family – these in my opinion are strong foundations for happy, healthy kids.

The kitchen and gardens were helping in other areas of the learning too, for example children were learning maths through measuring or multiplying fractions in the kitchen. It was reported that children who weren’t learning in the classroom where learning through the hands on experience the Garden to table programme offers.

Schools are ingeniously weaving the programme into as many areas of the curriculum as possible and embracing the new medium for teaching. The programme relies on funding, donations and volunteers, and I applaud the effort the Trust and the schools are taking with their tireless campaigning to make the programme a reality.

I am left inspired by the realisation that we can make a difference and encouraged by the enthusiasm and vision shared by the participants who attended that day. I cant wait to be in a position where I can be more involved with the Garden to Table programme in Waikato Schools - roll on 2011!

I feel like I have made another step along my path leading to fulfilment; one which is aligned with my family’s dream of sustainability, my love of gardening, cooking and sharing.

...and thats why I Give-a-Fig about the Garden to Table programme!

The Figurative Fig

It is interesting to look into the history of the humble fig it is recognised by pagans and religious groups, referenced in Greek and Roman Mythology, the Bible and by Buddha.

It has been thought of as the tree of life, and the common thread through all of these writings seems to be that the fig tree symbolises:-

Abundance ~ Prosperity ~ Security

My earliest memories of a fig tree were from before I went to school, we had a graceful old fig tree which hung over the fence by our yards where we would muster the sheep into or break horses. The fig was a good source for a quick snack on the run, shade from the hot Hokianga sun, and a great tree to climb in to escape from the work at hand. Having had parents who loved trees and plants, fig trees are as entwined into my life as they are my memory over the years. I have a fig tree beside our house in Whangaparaoa which provides all of the same benefits for my children today, and it was one of the first trees I planted on our small block in Ngahinapouri.

Having grown up in a religious family the expression “who gives a fig” was a replacement for “who gives a f***k’ , for some odd reason it was acceptable to replace these expletives with everyday words as it showed an element of control?? I never really got that – everyone knew you meant the latter expression anyway – and didn’t it just make the everyday word an expletive?..often its more how we say something that offends rather than what we say; I don’t see many people offended by Billy Connely’s “Fork Owff”

Figuratively for the purpose of this blog, the fig is really a care, a thought; and when I say I give a fig – it means I care, who gives a fig - who cares, why give a fig- why we should care; and so on.