A Tangi for Lou

I went to Lou Brookes' Tangi (funeral) this morning. Lou was a year younger than I. Lou had cancer and, in his last stages asked to be moved back from Auckland to Huntly where he was born.
Lou was a Maori and in his younger days was a salesman for the firm I worked for at that time. Everyone liked Lou and liked his fast patter. In later years Lou worked the markets up in Auckland and everyone knew him, once met forgotten, never!
Lou's Tangi was held at Te Ohaki Marae and the Tangi follows a similar format to the more familiar Church funeral service. The Tangi differs subtly in feel to a Church funeral. A sorry sadness pervades, that the person has left his relatives and friends behind and softly in the background keening will be heard from one or more of the older ladies. The Marae service is relatively short but the graveside service is much longer than a Church service. The hymns are sung as in Church, but no organ music is needed here. The Maori have fine and tuneful voices.
At the graveside, speakers will talk to the person in a conversational tone as his body rests in the grave. Some may sing a verse or two of a favourite remembered song. The immediate family standing around the grave will cuddle each other adults and children and often will sadly weep. It is very moving. Truly felt emotions are not at all suppressed. An orator or orators will call out the persons' life and ask why he has left them.
I was glad to be able to say goodbye to Lou. I was glad I could drop a proffered flower on his coffin. I was glad I met his remembered family now grown up with children of their own. And, I was glad they came up and remembered me. Lou was a little more than an acquaintance Lou was a friend from long ago.

Journal Bullies

OldEric says :- Another dark and/or controversial subject. The newspapers are often full of bullying reports in schools both here and overseas. Bullying has always existed both mental and physical. I'm not talking gang related stand over tactics but general bullying, one trying to dominate another bullying.
From experience of 4 schools I attended in the 1940s bullying was generally tolerated by authorities in England as long as it didn't get out of hand. It was tolerated because it was a part of growing up, it was considered as part of the formation of ones character--it helped to form ones character, to stand on ones feet. Some may say hindered the formation of ones character. I'm inclined to the former. Bullying was tolerated by authorities to help one to learn how to deal with the problems of life both in childhood and most certainly in adulthood. Bullies grow up and in the main bullies do not change their ways, they may change their methods but they still bully if allowed to do so.
I will over the next few days relate 3 stories of bullying and the results during my school years.

On a High
OldEric says:- I'm on a high today. no, not that high, just feeling pleased with my self. At last got my Home Page under construction and the first thing I did was link my blog to it. It worked, at least for me it did. Been on the web for I think 5 years or is it 6? Never had a yen before. Blogging one day and Web pages the next. What next? I'll have to give Nomad a hurry up not much movement on his wed site.
Feeling better now that nine eleven is over. At least that is what they call yesterday down here in NZ. Don't feel like working today so I did'nt. Sorted 2 customers out and fired up the computer. Here in NZ Spring has sprung and that feeling is in the air. Work is often quiet this time of year. Must be feeling tired this afternoon, I keep having to rectify typing errors. I was up at 4.40 am this morning, could'nt sleep so fired up the computer wrote up some of my 2000 trip journal from the notes I kept. Boy, am I a sluggard. I only do it when I get the urge.
Its 3pm, time for a coffee and then I'm going to link my 2000 Journal to my home page.
Not bad for a 68 year old!!

Journal A Short note

OldEric says :- I've 10 minutes only. Pat needs the computer for the local bird club newsletter. I shan't stop her ,as co-newsletter publisher, it is less for me to do,hi. Then I can spend more time opening up my mind to the Blog (just joking, of course). Some say, if the thoughts there....... Spent time on my 2000 trip journal. this afternoon. I close down at 3 pm most days but today I closed my work a little earlier.
Had Emails from my son Ian and also my niece's husband Pete, otherwise known as Nomad, when surfing the net. They have both found my other website and hence the Blog. I have a link to it.
Well 10 minutes have elapsed and I wait for the shout from upstairs, "Eeeeric, will you be long?". Goodbye for now.

Journal My Birthday

OldEric says :-) well I have just had my birthday once more on the 13th and I’m a year older and really I don’t want to be. In fact if I had my way I would not now have a birthday and be reminded of the event. Ah, well.

On a brighter note Ian phoned up first on our Thursday morning with best wishes and as always a pleasant chat. Then next was Phyl Cartmill who sang a very nice rendition of “Happy Birthday, she has a nice voice.

Next was Tony with best wishes also and asking whether we are coming to dinner Thursday or Friday. Then Gillian phoned in the evening after work followed by Geoff when he could at last get through. The phone line is always busy, busy especially with the computer and Tahlia in the evening.

I’ve got a nice array of cards on the china cabinet. John’s was missing this time; they are on an extended trip to Spain and Portugal.

Pat bought me a 1250 page book by Microsoft on XP so I was pleased with that.
Gillian some book tokens, which I always like, and Tony a two-litre bottle of Tanqueray Gin, nothing but the best, which I like also. The Queens tipple too!

Pat made a lovely traditional roast dinner with Kumera and Pumpkin on the eve of my birthday, my favourite followed by Apple crumble, another favourite.

Last night, Friday we went to Tony’s he made Curry followed by Apple crumble, I could eat it constantly. A big glass of gin, bitters and lemon and wine with our curry. Yes another pleasant night out.

All in all a very pleasant birthday and I again say to myself how glad I am to have such a nice thoughtful family to share my birthday with. Many are not so lucky as I.

Tahlia went home for the weekend directly from school on Friday night.

Journal

OldEric says:- Well heavy morning mist this morning the sign of a hot sunny day. By 9am the sky is blue the sun is hot and wisps of mist hang over the lake. Our back section is just about out of control with the trailing weed Convulvus and I decided to try and do something about the problem. I got up at my usual 6am time had a cup of tea and a biscuit and thought about my problem. I waited until 8am until most of the heavy dew had evaporated filled the sprayer with Roundup and went to face the problem.

I sprayed 5 litres of the weed poison over everything grass included and then gave up on the very steep part of the section. I had had enough. I was hot, tired and my gammy foot was hurting.

I came up from the back and I felt a bit despondent, how much longer can I keep this up? I'm 69 this month and each year the section maintenance becomes a little more difficult. I know it won’t be long before I can no longer continue my fight with the back section and it will then become a wilderness. I then wonder how long can I keep the upper section going?

Well I have had a late breakfast now and I feel better. I will get Pat to get some more Roundup and I will have a go at the rest of the back and then wait 14 days to see how the poison has affected the Convulvus. I guess it will take two sprays-overs, Convulvus is hard to kill. Then in future years try to keep the creeping enemy under control.

Well I have got that off my chest I feel better still. My trouble is I have too many interests and I don't want to give any of them up. I never dreamed age would slow me up, but it has and I don't like the feeling.