Category: MakesYouThink

Anne of 1000 Days

Posted on by wotif

Anne of 1000 Days is  a true story. Not much action it is true,but plenty of emotive value. Not only that but it represents a vast number of our elderly citizens. To say they are a ‘dying breed’ is literally true, for age is their enemy, and one that everyone must face eventually.

Of course each generation will have its own story to tell. But not everyone is a hero. In fact, let us go back to the days before Womens’ Lib – or more exact, the womens’ liberation movement. This was led by people such as the irrepressible Germaine Greer), and the launch of her revolutionary book The Female Eunoch. 1970. This was a time when women didn’t work (ir again, more exactly, have paid employment. Instead they looked after the house, husband and family, which was not considered work. But sometimes they would gain a little recognition. And more so if they could claim to be part of the saying, “Behind every great man, there is a little woman.” On which note, I leave you with Anne of 1000 Days, part of our series, LifeInThe Slow Lane, but  hopefully it will also MakeYouThink.

Armistice Day

Posted on by wotif

100 years since the GREAT war.

Today we pay tribute and homage to  the millions who served and lost their lives in the 1914-1918 war. It was the war to end all wars, and possibly the last one where face-to-face combat was the norm. Servicemen suffered two horrors.  That, of being automatically enlisted into war, and expected to kill the enemy. And second, to be prepared to die or be maimed while doing so. A no-win situation.,

100 years later and there are more wars raging around the world than we can name – or even know about. Warfare has changed, in many ways it has become simplified. The enemy doesn’t even have to be in sight. Yet people are still dying, or if fortunate, survive –  and carry the battle scars physically and mentally – for ever.

Our very first podcast was released on Anzac Day, 25th April. This is a day personal to Australia and New Zealand. But the story, Wheeled Prison, brings to light the simple naivety of young men before going into battle, and the sheer reality of it when facing the enemy, or returning home, often broken and bitter.

Ordinary people can do little to stop this, other than vote for politicians who will do everything possible to avoid this carnage and confrontation. But we CAN be aware of the personal sacrifice given by so many, and often forgotten or ignored.

Ray, the Refrigerator Man

Posted on by wotif

Ray, the Refrigerator Man. While we often say that most of the fastfictionpodcasts have their genesis in true stories, our latest pod is completely true.  It brings to light two factions –  the background and lifestyle of Ray, and our reaction, as a middle-aged couple living in a totally different world.  And yet, with the passage of time,  and the work cycle, we find ourselves sharing a cup of coffee, and his viewpoints.

When you have listened to the pod, why not let us know how you think you would react if you had been with us on the balcony that day.   And in a back-to-front-way, does the #MeToo movement apply in this case?  Lots of questions, but where are the answers? We still haven’t got any. Have you?

 

 

The Law of the Land

Posted on by wotif

The Law of the Land poem has been in my possession for a few decades. The author was unknown, although it was thought it had its origins in South Africa. It was powerful then, and even more powerful today.

It is not meant to moralize, but brings a strong message to Australia’, and indeed the world.

We feel it is particularly relevant today, as the Australian government is finally recognizing the plight of farmers and all those involved with the land, and by default, our lives.

As ‘natural disasters’ begin to abound, and temperatures soar, it is understandably difficult to discern whether man’s influence is at the stem.

But whatever the cause, the farmers combating these horrors of fire and flood, should be acknowledged as our national hero’s.

THE LAW OF THE LAND

Now this is the Law of the Land, son

      as old and as true as the hills

And the farmer that keeps it may prosper,

      but the farmer that breaks it, it kills

Unlike the Law of Man, son

      this law, it never runs slack,

What you take from the land for your own, son,

      you’ve damn well got to put back.

Now we of the old generation

      took land on the cheap and made good;

We stocked, we burnt and we reaped, son’

      we took whatever we could.

But erosion came creeping slowly,

      then hastened on with a rush’

Our bluegrass went to glory,

      and we don’t relish wiregrass much.

The good old days are gone, son,

      when those slopes were white with lambs,

Now the lambs lie thin and starved, son

      and the silt has choked our dams

Did I say that those days were past, son?

      For me they’re good as gone.

But to you they will come again, son,

      When the job I set you is done

I have paid for this farm and fenced it,

      I have robbed it and now I unmask’

You’ve got to put it back, son

      and yours is the harder task.

Stock all your paddocks wisely

      rotate them all you can’

Block all the loose storm water,

      and spread ’em out like a fan

Tramp all your straw to compost,

      and feed it to the soil;

Contour your lands where they need it

      there’s virtue in sweat and toil.

We don’t really own the land son,

      we hold it and pass away’

The land belongs to the nation,

      till the dawn of Judgement Day

Now the nation holds you worthy

      and you’ll see if you’re straight and just

That to rob the soil you hold son,

      is forsaking a nation’s trust

Don’t ask of your farm a fortune’

      true pride ranks higher than gold’

To farm is a way of living’

      learn it before you grow old

Now this is the Law of the Land, son

      to take out you’ve got to put back

And you’ll find that your life was full son,

when it’s time to shoulder your pack.

Taken from The Stellerlander Newspaper,  South Africa, author unknown,

Time Gentlemen, Please

Posted on by wotif

Time Gentlemen Please: This story is not really about time, or even Rolex.

There was always an irony in the fact that a Rolex watch was often given to retirees after a lifetime of service to a company. At the very time in his life when time is of far less importance.  Even so, in some ways, the watch would represent a man’s life.  The Rolex itself, prized for its accuracy, also represents the highest level of achievement.

So why not listen to the story and decide yourself?

 

 

The Honourable Thing

Posted on by wotif

The Honourable Thing: While this new episode of fastfictionpodcasts is most certainly a contender for TheSpouseTrapSeries, it may well fit into another series – but we leave you to decide. It covers quite a few marital issues – with a surprising outcome that seems to solve them.  Even more surprisingly, perhaps, it is true – well mostly!

Synergy

Posted on by wotif

Synergy: 11m25s Maureen Durney and John Cross

One definition of Synergy is the creation of a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts. The term synergy comes from the Attic Greek word meaning “working together”.In the garden Synergy is the growing of compatible plants together to produce a better outcome. However this story is NOT about gardening.

We meet an ageing spinster on one ‘dark stormy night’ which changes her life. It could comfortably fit into our CrimeWithoutGrime series, but it is hoped that some of the things covered will also MakeYouThink.  Enjoy.

A long time waiting

Posted on by wotif

A long time waiting has been a long time coming.

It is based on not one but many true stories that began their genesis soon after the second World War.

The United Kingdom struggled to overcome the devastation caused by bombing when thousands of families lost their homes. Children lost parents, and all lost some part of their identity.

During the next fifteen years it is estimated that nearly 150,000 children aged 4 to 14 were rounded up as part of the child migrant scheme. Over 7,000 orphans and children from disadvantaged homes were sent to Australia in order to enjoy a “better life.”  In other cases, the parents – many of them single mothers  were forced to give up their child for adoption. This was due to poverty or social stigma, with the assumption of neglect. Parents and children were encouraged to believe they were going to  better life. Parents were told their children had a better chance in life. Yet few had details of where their offspring were sent.

Reality

The reality, for some of those children, was a  childhood of servitude and hard labor. They were sent to foster homes: on remote farms, at state-run orphanages and church-run institutions. They were often separated from siblings. Some were subjected to physical and sexual abuse.

Oranges and Sunshine

In 1987 the English social social worker Margaret Humphreys learnt of the truth of this program and let the world know. In 2010 the film Oranges and Sunshine starring Emily Watson was released, and became a triumph in the box office. However it is only now that the children, all now in their seventies and eighties are being recognized as victims and compensation considered.

A long time waiting is a complex story which sits comfortably in the CrimeWithoutGrime, MakesYouThink and even TheSpousetTrap series.

 

National Apology Day, 22nd October.

Today is the Australian National Apology Day for all those young children, mostly between 6- 14 years, who were shipped out from England after WW2 on the premise they would have a better life.  While a good many were orphans, there were also a good many who were simply disadvantaged by having a single working mother whose care was automatically questioned. At best the children were losing possibly their only living relative, at worst they were used as child labour, and possibly physical and mental abuse.

Not only was this a cruel project, it was insidious in its cover of being a kindly act. The parents and children alike had their lives ruined, and these wasted lives have long been forgotten. So, as our story A Long Time Waiting infers,  this National Apology Day has been A Long Time Coming.

While this story is one of fiction, it is based on first hand knowledge of true events.  And so, while it may not be a story you Enjoy, we hope it Makes You Think.

While we cannot go back into the past, we can ensure that we do not take those mistakes into the future.

 

The Russian Samovar

Posted on by wotif

The Russian Samovar – MakesYouThinkSeries.

It is said that old age is not for wimps, but the alternative is equally unappealing. So the only thing to do is adopt a positive attitude, gather your resources, and make the most of what you have. This is what Mildred Peebles did, with surprising results.

The Russian Samova covers many modern issues within its 13 minutes of air play.  Family relationships, old age isolation, loneliness, friendship – all of these elements are touched on briefly.  The original story was actually used as a teaching tool for students in social and welfare studies.  Their focus was elder abuse.  That may be a little strong but you may like to make your own comments.

Oh, and by the way, as you can see they are a form of teapot, and found in various forms all over the Middle East. They come in many shapes and sizes, but for the most part are not only intriguing, but can be very beautiful in design as well. A quick look in Google Images will give you some idea of the diversity.

 

 

Touche

Posted on by wotif

Touche: Our latest podcast introduces Tom, an old busker, much the same as found in any capital city. We pass them every day in busy malls, or streets, sometimes briefly aware of their jaunty tunes, and even more rare, drop a few coins in a hat or music case.

Our busker Tom is a blind old English ten pound pommy, and of course he is always accompanied by his faithful companion Patch.  Over the years he has become street smart and encourages passers by to part with a few donations by playing the saxophone.  This story may stay with you long after the lights are out. And why is the story called Touche, well, listen in and find out.

  • CrimeWithoutGrime
  • 8.54m
  • Monologue by John Cross
  • Written and Produced by Breanda Cross