etymology of a word....

"The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. "Cristes" is from Greek Christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa (the holy mass). In Greek, the letter Χ is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid-16th century. Hence, Xmas is sometimes used as an abbreviation for Christmas." wikipedia

the  word  is  deeply  rooted  in  christianity,  regardless of  the  influence of pagan  and pre-christian  beliefs  held and  rituals  once  practiced - these were  violently  'stamped out', important seasonal ceremonial dates usurped and corrupted  by the christian invaders, and then incorporated into the christian calendar - no matter your reasoning, you can't get away from the  fact that  xmas, by it's mere name, is a christian celebration.

ironic then that Section 116 of the 1900 Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia - the Australian Constitution - provides that:

The Commonwealth of Australia shall not make any law establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance**, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

** isn’t it then an imposition on those that don't observe christianity that most of the country closes down on december 25?? according to the above, and in the words of elizabeth evatt,  "we are not by constitution a christian country", so why do we have a public holiday on this religious occasion  and not any other days of significance celebrated by other religions?

a paper by the Bertelsmann Foundation titled "Australia: High level of religious identity paired with low level of belief" makes interesting reading if you're into statistics - 30% of australians claim no religion, with that group being one of the most rapidly rising populations...

 

the assumption that everyone is christian and therefore must celebrate xmas is anathema to me - we're supposed to be a secular society - by calling it xmas and celebrating it as xmas the status quo is maintained - the christian stranglehold remains - i cringe - my beliefs and conscience don't allow me to prop up or support any christian 'celebration'  - its' persecution of womyn over the centuries has been barbaric and brutal  - misogyny one of its cornerstones ... just call me a heathen and heretic please, but never a christian...

as we all live by the months of the year defined by our civil calendar regardless of religious belief in australia, doesn’t it make more sense for the community as a whole to celebrate the end of the old, and the start of the new year with all its possibilities for change – shouldn't everybody, no matter what their religious or political beliefs, feel included and welcomed - shouldn't everybody be part of the celebration - shouldn't it be a celebration of community, not religion?

however, the most widely used civil calendar is the gregorian calendar – another imposition of the christians – this time pope gregory xiii - "the gregorian calendar reform contained two parts, a reform of the julian calendar ... together with a reform of the lunar cycle used by the church along with the julian calendar for calculating dates of easter."

what's wrong with using  the lunar or solar cycles to mark the passage of the days, months and years - humans seem to have this inane need to ‘control’ the change from one season into the next by having set dates for these transitions to occur between - the environment doesn't work to a timetable - it complements and is affected by the cycles of night and day... moon and sun...

homo sapiens - the one species that refuses to adapt to its environment – always striving to harness, change and control the natural elements… when will we get over this  need  to conquer and subdue, when will we realise there is no basis for this ridiculous superiority complex – it’s humans that have fucked up the world – hardly superior!!!!

i am so over this time of the year - so sick of  hearing 'discussions' on what animals will be eaten, how they'll be cooked, the 'merry xmas-ing', the xmas carols, the crush of the supermarkets and shops, the aggression and frustration engendered in people that are up to their necks in debt because the presents have to be more and more expensive each year - the millions (billions?) spent on so many useless items while filling the coffers of the multinational corporations and making the profiteers very happy...

it's such an indictment on humankind that there are so many desperately needy causes trying to stay afloat while they provide assistance and sustenance to so many while so much is wasted in this selfish, throw-away society... isn't the christian mantra 'peace and goodwill'?? haven't seen much of it... and then there's the number of drunken idiots around - seen lots of them...  and of course there's the fact that family conflict and violence escalates at this time of year... ah xmas - such a joyous, cheery time... it can bring out the worst in people...

hibernation is looking good for the week leading up to xmas next year!!!!

another step closer...

the compliance certificate for the plumbing and sewerage works is got – the paperwork has exchanged hands... it’s now 'full steam ahead' for irene to be able to sell the land at Malmsbury... it's been valued at $100,000 - it's in a superb spot - as they say 'location, location, location'!! - it's fully serviced and fenced on three boundaries - it's 5 mins from the train station and the shops - it's in a street that has no traffic because it goes nowhere and there are only a couple of houses - and if you're artistically inclined, it's in the 'heart' of a burgeoning 'artists' colony' - it'll be advertised online in the next couple of weeks - i'm going there new years eve and we'll be working on the ad and taking photos - they'll be online new years day hopefully... and for me it means i'm one step closer to reuniting with my wee louie boy (and that'll be good for irene - one less dog to have to share her bed with - he's the smallest, but he takes up the most room!!!!) - getting my own space out of the city (and escaping the claustrophobic horror of flat-dwelling) - it will be my home, my retreat, my sanctuary – and security for old(er) age... (the top pic is of the malmsbury mill - right opposite the block - and the bottom is the 'older persons retreat' being considered - similar in style to the existing house, in the right price range and perfect for the spot chosen...)

it also means peace of mind and a sense of safety from the ever expanding tourist and pub area encroaching on my home and (fast disappearing) comfort zone for so many decades (i was 'born'n bred' in st. kilda but it's a different 'world' now)... there's that ever present undercurrent of anger, hostility and violence... very noticeable last night when irene and the gang came for a visit and we decided to go for a lovely, leisurely stroll around the streets - and they are beautiful streets to wander - so many amazing old buildings and houses and such wide, green streets - it was about 9 pm and there was just something unnerving about the groups of young people (mostly male) just hanging around the streets drinking - so many groups, so much booze, so much ego and testosterone - a volatile combination - a time bomb waiting to happen...

there’s also the on-going ‘gentrification’ of st. kilda which has forced so many of the long time residents and lifeblood of the area further and further into obscurity if not oblivion with the cost of rental accommodation being so very expensive... take this house for example - it's a single fronted, 1 of 4 (not even semi-detached) 3 bedroom townhouse being advertised around the corner in cowderoy street for $690 per week ($2,998 per month!!!!) yeah, ordinary people can really afford that!!!!

anyway, in case you're not aware, it's the longest day today - the southern hemisphere summer solstice - or midsummer, or lithia - there are so many ancient cultures that celebrated these astrological events... so many interpretations and varying beliefs - and of course it was something else the christian invasion could exploit, claim and change...

"The Summer Solstice was incorporated into the Christian calendar during the spread of Christianity, and like so many of the old festivals, was given new meaning which was considered less Paganistic and more suited to the Christian festival. The Summer Solstice became the feast day of 'St. John the Baptist'.

Several hundred years ago, across Europe, healers were usually women who carried out healing using a mixture of herbs. Hildegard of Bingen put together a book recording many of these herbs and what they could be used for. In time, it became the foundation of herbalism and medicine in the western world. Shortly after its' publication, the Spanish Inquisition was established and it is believed over nine-million women were persecuted and then executed for what was termed as the practice of witchcraft. Witchcraft at this time had many definitions, one of which was "The knowledge and practice of the traditional ways of healing".

The connection of herbs and healing to witchcraft is that many of the herbs used for healing were believed to hold more healing power if they were gathered at significant times of the year such as Summer Solstice. During this time, it is believed by some, the feminine earth energies are at their most powerful. " (read more at the mystical world wide web)

and while i'm talking 'this time of the year' - if you have the need for 'last minute' gifts, why not make a donation to petrescue in someone's name, or victorian dog rescue - a donation would be greatly appreciated from any of the myriad animal rescue agencies.. maybe donate to help feed a rescued farm animal through animal liberation or "help bring emergency vet care to abandoned and neglected pets, new life for orphaned bear cubs or an end to the cruel hunting of seal pups" through ifaw or help wspa build a sanctuary for bears in pakistan, survivors of the barbaric "sport" of bear baiting - fuck, there are just so many animals and agencies needing help - how about purchasing the puppy mill documentary about the changing face of our relationship with dogs - i watched it today - it's thought provoking, heart-wrenching and informative - people need to start acknowledging the cruelty behind the pet shop puppies and take a stand, at least by getting the message out there and making others aware it's happening, otherwise the industry continues - it's extremely interesting and does show the positive action some ethical pet suppliers have instigated in america to 'thwart' the profit-at-any-cost and totally inhumane industry (australia is lagging behind but there are some ethical independent suppliers here taking their own stand) - it's well worth giving to someone as a gift... maybe you'd prefer to buy a toilet or a water supply for a village here...

HAPPY, PEACEFUL SUMMER SOLSTICE

what a disappointment!

i was so looking forward to reading the fire by Katherine Neville, sequel to the eight (written 20-odd years ago)... i was anticipating getting lost (in an absorbing way) between the medieval and the contemporary worlds - well, i got lost alright, but unfortunately it was in a confused sort of way trying to work out what was going on, who was who and where the hell they fit in with the story (let alone where the hell some of the characters came from to start with!!)...

the mythology of alchemy and the tying of this into the numerology surrounding the game of chess itself is an interesting concept, the historical 'landscaping' was well done, and the weaving of numerous well-known historical figures as integral 'players' spanning the centuries should have made it unputdownable - but the story just never came together - unlike the eight, the suspense was definitely not gripping, nor did it have the eroticism of the eight, and the ending bordered on a mills & boon 'boy meets girl and everyone lives happily ever after' scenario... i persevered to the end in the belief that it just had to get better - i needn't have bothered... i have to say that this is one of those sequels that should never have been written!!

if you've never read the eight, i highly recommend it - it was always a 'stand alone' book so i really don't know what possessed her to write a sequel after all this time - it does help though if you understand the strategic nature of chess...

after being totally disappointed with my reading choice, and having the flat to ourselves (me and the gang) for the weekend, i decided to watch an episode of a 2008 television series i'd never heard of before that sounded interesting from the blurb...


being human... it's about a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost who share a house... what a trio... I became hooked after the first episode (i couldn't help myself - i watched 6 hour long episodes over 2 nights) - it's dramatic, funny, sad, dark (and at times an indictment on human society) - we get to know these three characters and feel for their situations - we learn how they became the way they did - their 'trials and tribulations' while still trying to function as 'ordinary' people in their extraordinary circumstances... paranormal in the vein of kat richardson's greywalker series of books (which i love) - dare i say the thinking person's paranormal!!?

i'm addicted - unfortunately series 2 isn't available through our suppliers yet!!!!

and now i'm just going to concentrate on the recommended reading list of the slv's summer read programme... (there are some pretty good prizes up for grabs - to go into the draw you just need to name one of the books you've read from the list, and add your own reading recommendation!!!)

and the first reservation to come in for me was cooee by vivienne kelly... described as "a dark and elegant literary mystery" by scribe publications, i can only hope that it is a better read than my last one!!!!

ooooh - there's still no housing on the horizon for me brother, but he's away for the rest of this week so i'm going to enjoy the peace, quiet and space - and hope me old girl copes with the 39 degrees forecast for tomorrow!!!!

it's been a hard few days for me old girl - she's had really bad diarrhea since the weekend... extremely distressing for her - and for me!!! she's on the improve today, but it took a lot out of her - it was exhausting - she just couldn't settle - she just about wore grooves between the lounge and courtyard (but in true allie style she never lost her appetite once!!! although her diet changed radically to one of bland boiled rice - she'll be glad when that's finished!!!) luckily she drank heaps of water so didn't get dehydrated...

she's over the worst of it now though - which i'm thankful for because chronic diarrhea in an old dog can often signify a tumour - i was so relieved to see some improvement in her - a visit to the vet would just be sooooo very traumatic for her - so intrusive and invasive (and a tad freaky for the deaf and blind old babe)...

i'd never had reason to think about blind dogs with diarrhea before, nor the consequences of their inability to see where they're walking - until this week when reality stared me in the eye - by way of wee paw prints almost a translucent hue of mustard 'painted' on a canvas of carpet throughout the flat... my what a sight to behold... and then came the cleaning interspersed with dry-retching... what can i say - shit happens!!! (sorry, i couldn't resist!!!)

luckily i've been able to be home with her so she could have access to outside, and i could keep an eye on her 'artistic talents'... i'm one of those fortunate people who works with very empathetic, sympathetic and caring people who have been extremely generous in their understanding and offers of assistance should we have needed it...

anyway, things look like they'll be back to 'normal' tomorrow and i'll be back at work - ooooh, i am looking forward to friday - i'm off to the 'soft launch' of the state library's summer read - goddamn, i'm gonna miss the council end of year celebration - the one where there's never any food for the library folk by the time they arrive - especially if you happen to be a vegetarian... it was such a hard decision - the sacrifices we're forced to make...

malmsbury musings...

it's a pretty town is malmsbury... you may have passed through it on your way to bendigo or one of the other close by towns - daylesford or castlemaine perhaps - or you may even have missed it by blinking - or you may never even have heard of it - since the bypass was opened it's mostly 'local traffic' that passes through these days...

i visited overnight a fortnight ago and stayed at irene's - i figured i could trust darrell to watch the gang while i spent some time with my wee loudle boy... he does treat her well - he's actually awed at her ability to still get around being blind and deaf - she amazes him and he's very good to both her and the shadow lad...

it was a lovely (albeit very short) break from my day to day routine (especially the cleaning up wee part)... lovely once i arrived anyway - the trains only ran to sunbury this particular day and then we had to road coach it from there... now that takes a lot longer... usually a very commutable hour and a quarter trip became a two and a half hour ordeal - i really don't like coaches - a tad claustrophobic... so it was really good to arrive at the station and get off that bus!!!!

irene and i decided to go out for dinner, so we went to 'the stables' - it's only open friday and saturday evenings and they make yummy wood fired pizza - lots of vegie options... as the name suggests, it's an old renovated stables with a lovely rustic interior and a really comfortable and relaxed atmosphere - there's a welcoming treed courtyard with tables - unfortunately it was raining the evening we were there so outside wasn't the place to be... it was a very enjoyable evening though... we went home sated and just veg'd out with the poodles...

it's lovely sitting out on irene's back porch... it overlooks "the mill" - built in 1861 as a malt mill - now classified by the national trust, it houses a restaurant, gallery, studio and function centre - actually irene's getting ready to sell the back 1/4 acre of her property which faces on to this lovely landmark - a buyer's dream hopefully - it would be grouse to know that your view will always be beautiful because it can't be developed - i'd love to buy it but alas i have no assets or money - relationship crap years ago (yeah, what else - same old, same old!!!) left me with no alternative to bankruptcy - i lost everything that meant anything to me - my home, my dream (and soooo much more that i'm still unable to talk about without tears, regrets and depression so i won't go there)... you would have thought i'd have learnt then, but wisdom's a long time coming - anyway what's done is done so there's no point looking backwards...

... suffice to say an 'older persons retreat' will do me nicely in her lovely treed yard - there's a pretty spot earmarked for my cottage... once the land sells that is - hopefully it will get snapped up quickly... it has so much going for it... it's 5 minutes walk to the malmsbury station and just up the hill from the bakery, the general store, a winery, surrounded by amazing bluestone buildings... very well located actually... but there's more - arts and crafts stores, a hotel, antiques... fingers crossed...

ooh, did i mention that positioned between the shops and irene's place are the magnificent botanical gardens... i came across a blog with some grouse photos of the gardens right here.

all this within walking distance - and, if you know them, Mike & Linda are within 'cooee' as well - their 'country residence' is just down the road on the other side of the hill - just past the shops...

do you know anyone interested in a beautiful 1/4 acre block with a wonderful outlook??

but my poor louie's having a bit of a hard time at the moment... irene's been having a hard time with all the gang... three out of the four of them have had bad 'hot spots' (lucky boy managed to miss out - lucky in name, lucky in life!!) - they all got clipped by a 'new' person who did a wonderful clipping job - hopefully it's just coincidental - after all it's a bad flea time at the moment - allie and shadow haven't been immune here in the city either!! - but my poor wee loudie-dude has suffered the most - he already has sensitive skin and he's a real scratcher so it's taking longer for his to heal... and he is a sook - a wee neurotic boy really (but he's had a hard life - and he's had to adapt to a lot of change - he loved having me to himself the night i stayed - he didn't have to compete to share the human with 3 other dogs - mind you, the others enjoyed one less to share irene and their bed with too!!)... and it's not fair on irene either - when you've already got 3 dogs another one makes it so much harder - so many to deal with when it's bath time, flea-ing time, dinner time, medicine time, etc. etc. - even harder considering chronic ill health is part of her life, and she works, and has to cope with a 16 yo moody male teenager - the grandson!!!!

here's some photos of my cute wee fella i took a few weeks ago...

i'm going to do some reading and domestic stuff now... but i've been listening to alice russell lately so i'll leave you with some of her music... enjoy...