Sorry Day and other bits and pieces

Today is Sorry Day in Australia. This day is an opportunity to show respect to our fellow indigenous Australians and to move closer towards reconciliation.  The first Sorry Day was held in 1998 after a government report called Bringing Them Home recommended, among many other things, that an apology be made to the aboriginal people for forcibly removing the Stolen Generations from their parents and communities. Many of these people never saw their parents again.  I'm ashamed to tell you that it was Australian government policy to remove these children up until 1969. The recommended apology eventually happened in 2008; the first major official act of a new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.

The Apology Day ceremony was held in Parliament House and brought together many black and white Australians from cities, towns and the outback. They were met at the front door by the Prime Minister, who greeted many of them with: "Hello I'm Kevin." When I saw that, I felt very proud to be an Australian. However, today, on this Sorry Day 2011, many Australians would not know we are commemorating this day, and the vast majority will not attend any reconciliation or sorry ceremony.  The Maleny Neighbourhood Centre's Sorry Day will start at 10.00am. There is a timeline, speeches, music and food to share. Aunty Beverly and Aunty Pam will be there to meet and greet. As far as I know there is no other event on the Sunshine Coast and I couldn't find any listed in Brisbane either.  If you wish to come to ours, please join us. Everyone is welcome.  

I haven't written about Alice lately. She's still with us but her eyesight is very poor and she's deaf. She's also lost all the hair on her bottom and back legs. We are currently looking after another Airedale, Koda, Jens and Cathy's dog. Koda is a very big girl but she's gentle and timid so it's good to have her here with Alice and it's lovely seeing them play together. I feed them early in the morning when I get up and leave them outside to do a wee then they come inside again. The signal they want to come in is when Alice gives one bark. Yesterday when I hear the bark, I went out and opened the door and only Koda walked in. Then Alice barked again. I looked out into the darkness and could barely see Alice on the verandah. She barked again. I walked over to her and she was standing facing the washing basket trolley - she thought it was the back door. :- (   We cherish every day we have her with us.

I have finished making the prizes for a competition we're having at the Down to Earth Forum which ends next Tuesday. The competition is for the best post in May. It can be on any subject, by any of the members or moderators. I will pick the winner.  The prize, when only the best will do, is a handmade pure cotton apron, two pure cotton waffle weave dishcloths and two balls of pure Merino organic Australian wool. I will post the prize anywhere in the world, so get your posts in now.

And finally, for those who are following along with the vinegar making, here is my vinegar, photo taken now as I write this post.  Looking into the side of the jar there is not much happening but when I took off the lid, I could see bubbles starting on the top. That's a good sign. It's also a good sign if you see movement in the bottom sediment layer. Fermenting is a live process, this movement is the fermentation process happening right before your eyes.

I have been struggling with my vinegar because it's been quite cold here. I've been taking it outside, with the jar wrapped in a towel, and the top open, to sit in the sun on the verandah.  When I cook, I sit it close to the stove.  Hopefully, all that attention will pay off.  How is yours going?