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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 19 11:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

A Harpie was a Greek mythological being that had the head and body of a woman and wings and claws of a bird. It is usually applied to a woman who yells, shouts and is generally unpleasant. Rather more likely for this other woman from what you have said of her. I am sure you can avoid that Cassandra, and will deliver your arguments with dignity and sense. All the best for it.

We have been fortunate with the weather the last couple of days; sunny and not too cold, although I think next time I am in the woods I might try my winter trousers. I have been feeling the cold a bit more lately for some reason.

Had to stay in for a besom to be picked up, but a reasonably productive day with paperwork anyway.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 19 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks for that definition MR - fortunately it was not I who was the Harpie. Modom walked out the meeting several times and had to be brought to order by her mother.

It was a long hard meeting, but apparently, while my nemesis is still looking for reasons to usurp the position of Treasurer, she was at least convinced (finally) that her 'meeting' was not a meeting. In order to provide her with a small win, I conceded we should re-name the 'minutes' from the October meeting as 'notes of discussion' as we were not a quorum, and did nothing but a bit of housekeeping.

After a lengthy search of the Articles which prove fruitless, she also conceded (though with reservations) that our Treasurer is still part of the Committee and that her letter seeking leave of Absence was marginally acceptable, but I had to trek through our entire Articles to provide her with sufficient chapter and verse to persuade her. I did also 'save the day' with my arrangement with Council which stopped further recriminations.

So my Christmas will be spent redrafting the Articles (I got that motion through), the person who was 'elected' at the attempted coup has now been formally voted in as a member, and even if she storms off we still have a quorum. So it is all good.

On several occasions she alleged that documents were missing from the file, but I was able to retrieve them from the filing cabinet and table them to show that they are indeed part of our records, so while she is still on the rampage the committee has pretty much endorsed all that I wanted them to and the next meeting will be in January with the Boyz attending which will give me two more voices to endorse what I am saying in terms of governance.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 19 9:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Whew!!

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 19 12:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well done Cassandra. You certainly have more patience than I do.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45376
Location: yes
PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 19 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tidy maam

the new articles will define a new battlefield but you get to landscape it and deploy the forces of all sides. seems a good start.

if you can get it right it should avoid known issues and create a framework for the future.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 19 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Looks as though you are getting somewhere at last, Cassandra. Our fingers are in the appropriate position. I just wish "they" would resign out of the way and let you get on with it. I always think that people who feel the need to shout are simply afraid of not being heard.
Apart from all this how is the rest of your life going on, Seb in particular? I hope he understands.

How are you, MR? Not such a bad thing that you had to stay in for the besom, having been unwell with the cold, and the paperwork is critical to be kept on top of the tax man!

You appear to be in the right place, gz. What do you know that we don't?

I have nothing to report except that I am slowly catching up with the kindling, but only at the rate of a net extra a day, every little helps.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 19 8:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Seb has been very supportive. He even let me sleep in until 11 this morning without getting unduly anxious about the toilet.

I will indeed be drafting them very carefully - fortunately there is a thing called the 'model rules' which are the basis for these things so if I use 'track changes' the process can be transparent. I will also be providing an idiots guide because the 'plain english' legalese in the model rules is enough to make anyone blanch unless they have served in the Civil Service or similar - that rather requires one to become a bit of a bush lawyer in terms of interpreting legislation to see what it is you are supposed to be doing (and how to avoid following the Minister's instructions).

I treated myself to a day off, so after my late breakfast I went into the Pancake Parlour and had a rather hearty soup, a chat to various locals and tourists alike (I am pretty catholic in my conversational tastes), and visited Kat, and then a friend who is moving out today, and after cleaning the bank I am now back home, contemplating (but not very seriously) lighting the fire and what flavour yoghurt I will have for dessert.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 19 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You seem to have done brilliantly Cassandra. Getting things on a sound footing seems the best way to keep the hall going. The way the others were going seemed a good way to get the Council to pull out and even start legal proceedings for fraud, even though it was idiocy and mismanagement.

Having at least one pet civil servant is always useful I find, as they can read things the 'right' way. Even having been brought up to fairly formal letter writing isn't enough, so you being able to translate the 'plain English' will be essential.

I am a lot better thank you Gregotyn. I am taking a long time to recover, but seem to be getting there now. I managed a bit of work in the log store yesterday, but did find it rather tiring. Unfortunately, as you know, at this time of year logs and kindling wait for no man. At least the weather so far this week had been sunny and still if somewhat chilly, which helps a lot.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 19 6:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Another day of full on winds today and I am so tired all I want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep for a week. Sadly that was not an option so it was a six am start today to get organised to take my dirty old man down for his podiatry appointment. I have to explain that he has a reputation in that department which I defused pretty quickly after making him sit at a picnic table and watch me knit for an hour or two while we waited for the other patient. It got him talking about his wife and her knitting and so we have been on safe ground ever since.

While his feet were being prepared for Christmas I scurried off and did my shopping (now safely stowed in the freezer etc), and was back before he knew I was gone. Wrestling the car up the highway in 50km winds was fun, as was dodging log trucks (which seem to be in abundance at present).

Back to Oatlands for lunch at my favourite cafe (which is moving and expanding to a larger premises with potential for a restaurant), and a chat with German Ralph (Kat's husband),then home to walk the dog, unpack the groceries, and light the fire (a bit ambitious, but there you go) in preparation for an early (early) night. Tomorrow I get to drive someone to Hobart once more. Have never had her as a passenger, but from past experience I hope she's taking her anti-psychotics, haha.

This is all presuming I am not blown away between now and then.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 19 6:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

High winds as well here in Blenheim, but hot and dry....when water is needed , as the artesian wells now have to be pumped instead of coming up under pressure...both in Marlborough and the Canterbury plains

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 19 7:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Go carefully Cassandra. I hate high winds and they make me so tired. If they are too high and gusty we have to give up in the woods as it is too dangerous with the risk of falling branches and trees. You seem to have got that man fairly well tamed, so hope he carries on that way. Good luck with today's passenger too. You certainly have some odd characters around your way.

We have had sunny, still, and quite chilly weather over the last few days, but we are threatened with milder, damper weather later this week. Shame as the sun made a nice change and was helping me get better.

Log sacks are the order of the day today, and at some point very soon I have some besom brooms to make for orders.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 19 11:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yes, I find the high winds a pain for driving, but if only high meant high, then that would be good-well above big lorry height would be best! So as MR says take care, Cassandra. You seem to be getting the hall sorted-well done you!
You too gz, stay in and admire the weather from afar-well inside and dry!

I am early today because of an appointment at our doctors' for eye testing for diabetes. I was sent an appointment, then cancelled and then reinstated. I leave work early only to find they have not bothered to turn up for the 200-300 people who they normally do in the day! I appear to be not the only one, stiff letter a strong possibility-cost me money! Oh well I suppose I will have to go home and chop some wood, such a shame!

We have just had an influx of children from the school. As the library is under threat of closure, they get the children to come as a class and select a book, which they take home and return; this helps keep the library viable in the councils eyes, who would dearly like to close it and all the council offices here and them be concentrated 15 miles away in Welshpool, annoying for those who don't drive or are house bound, as many are here-born and bred and don't move anywhere.

So I am off to chop wood-now there's a change! The arm is holding up so I am happy, but am going to buy/make a machine to do it for me, for as I get older, I will still want to do the wood chopping, but without the pain in the arm if I over step the mark-in time terms, which I do on occasions. Demand is high this year, if only they would switch the heating on!

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 19 7:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Artesian water seems to be failing all around the world GZ. They seem to be finally realising that even the Great Artesian Basin needs recovery time. I read that our dust-storms are colouring your glaciers pink. Pretty alarming really.

I had another trip to Hobart today with a patient who is a good friend of psycho-neighbour. Fortunately she was on her medication so it was a fairly pleasant journey, though I did have to redirect the conversation several times to avoid gossip going next door.

My trip ended with another trip to the Pancake Parlour for a melted cheese and onion toasty and good company. They are planning to move to larger premises, which will incorporate a sort of craft coop of which I will be a part. Volunteering one day a week or fortnight to sell stuff while sitting doing creative stuff on the wheel.

More wind, and more wind tomorrow too, so what rain we have had will soon disappear. My passenger is a gardener and tells me her soil was only wet for an inch before she hits dust.

It's going to be a lively summer, that's for sure.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 19 8:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Husband has an appointment for a diabetic eye test today, so son is taking him. They have some legal stuff to do afterwards, so son is going to do the honours with driving as husband has to have dilating eye drops. I will be going to food bank for the first time for 3 weeks. We had our yearly Food Bank Christmas Meal yesterday evening, which was good. Very good restaurant and such good portions that several people had to have boxes to take home the extras.

We are back to milder, wet and windy today unfortunately. I was quite enjoying the colder bright still weather. We don't use artesian wells here; we have springs and winterbournes, some of which seem to be running already. Although we had a fairly dry summer, they are up quite early.

Our library also is under threat, and we have already lost our mobile one. Trouble is the councils just don't have the money to pay for all of it, and I can quite see that they need to pay for things like adult and child care before libraries, but the libraries and other things are still really necessary.

Your craft co-op sounds really good Cassandra, so hope it happens.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 19 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The craft co-op does sound good...I am hunting for like minded people to do something like that at home in Ayrshire.

We saw footage of the fires in Sydney today....only 70km from the centre...

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