Bluebirds, Rosco, squeeky laundry trolley, wheelbarrow rides, Mr Spalding, Morning Coffee biscuits on the front porch, fairies in the garden, poppafruits, frogs, porcelain birds, maroon curtains, shows in the garage, shows in the back room, Donald Duck, The Small One, ticking clock, paperbark, knitted coat hangers, darts, chalk, Toohey's Old, horse number, race number, coloured glass lampshade, sewing, typewritter, Handle's water music, My Fair Lady, bergoo, Aktavite, vegemite roll-ups, jubes on the fridge, sweep and slam, outdoor lazy susan, fireworks, crinkle-cut pavers, wash, rinse then wipe, if your body craves it you need it, "How do you do that, Grandma?", teeth, shaving brush, bath tub, sprinkler, blow-up pool, hoongked, shmozzle, 50th Wedding Anniversary, bloody bastard, rollies, orange chalk hem marker, St Anthony, bidies, chandelier, electric car windows, futzi, oxta, knee drop, einen frienen puncenae, Mrs Crutch, Aunt Nancy, marble cake, 2, 4, 6, 8 cake, burnt cake, straws in the bottom cupboard, hairspray...
Bluebirds, Rosco, squeeky laundry trolley, wheelbarrow rides, Mr Spalding, Morning Coffee biscuits on the front porch, fairies in the garden, poppafruits, frogs, porcelain birds, maroon curtains, shows in the garage, shows in the back room, Donald Duck, The Small One, ticking clock, paperbark, knitted coat hangers, darts, chalk, Toohey's Old, horse number, race number, coloured glass lampshade, sewing, typewritter, Handle's water music, My Fair Lady, bergoo, Aktavite, vegemite roll-ups, jubes on the fridge, sweep and slam, outdoor lazy susan, fireworks, crinkle-cut pavers, wash, rinse then wipe, if your body craves it you need it, "How do you do that, Grandma?", teeth, shaving brush, bath tub, sprinkler, blow-up pool, hoongked, shmozzle, 50th Wedding Anniversary, bloody bastard, rollies, orange chalk hem marker, St Anthony, bidies, chandelier, electric car windows, futzi, oxta, knee drop, einen frienen puncenae, Mrs Crutch, Aunt Nancy, marble cake, 2, 4, 6, 8 cake, burnt cake, straws in the bottom cupboard, hairspray
Bluebirds, Rosco, squeeky laundry trolley, wheelbarrow rides, Mr Spalding, Morning Coffee biscuits on the front porch, fairies in the garden, poppafruits, frogs, porcelain birds, maroon curtains, shows in the garage, shows in the back room, Donald Duck, The Small One, ticking clock, paperbark, knitted coat hangers, darts, chalk, Toohey's Old, horse number, race number, coloured glass lampshade, sewing, typewritter, Handle's water music, My Fair Lady, bergoo, Aktavite, vegemite roll-ups, jubes on the fridge, sweep and slam, outdoor lazy susan, fireworks, crinkle-cut pavers, wash, rinse then wipe, if your body craves it you need it, "How do you do that, Grandma?", teeth, shaving brush, bath tub, sprinkler, blow-up pool, hoongked, shmozzle, 50th Wedding Anniversary, bloody bastard, rollies, orange chalk hem marker, St Anthony, bidies, chandelier, electric car windows, futzi, oxta, knee drop, einen frienen puncenae, Mrs Crutch, Aunt Nancy, marble cake, 2, 4, 6, 8 cake, burnt cake, straws in the bottom cupboard, hairspray
Lil was 13 years my senior, so in my early years she had the worldly knowledge of an adult. In reality, she and her sister were two young girls growing up in war years and deprived of the luxuries normally available to young people.
Lil could always be counted on to provide assistance to the struggling. In particular, when Mum would test my spelling knowledge, Lil could be seen behind Mum’s back mouthing an “O” or making the shape of a “P” with her fingers. Passing the spelling test was mandatory before the family would hop on the tram to go to the movies at Drummoyne.
In the war years, shortages included boy friends, and while we seemed to have a fair variety passing through, I was told that they all suffered from “big ears”, “warts”, “squinty eyes”, “squeaky voices” or other such defects that made them unsuitable “regulars”. There were Yanks, Soldiers, Sailors.. etc
They came in a variety of contraptions. Some came by tram, others by motor bikes and some by cars. Obviously, the car drivers were preferred, but they also had to have coupons to buy petrol.
“Carrying the Can” was the expression developed for those who tagged along on picnics, to the beach and other outings, no doubt “cramping the style” of the principle performers.
One of Lil’s dates had a roadster with a “Dickie Seat” out the back. This provided a measure of privacy for the front passengers, but was fatal for dickie seat passengers (like Joyce and I) in inclement weather.
Lil’s career started as a sales girl at Manfolds on the corner of Liverpool and George Streets in the city. She and another girl (famous for her chest size) worked in the more exclusive upstairs section of the shop.
Here she learnt the tricks of the retail trade. With only one staircase, many relaxing moments could be had, adjacent to the staircase, where she was forewarned of arriving customers or MANAGEMENT. She also learnt that there was little that could NOT be returned to the supplier for a full credit.
Her ability to returning goods has become legendary. The classic I thought was when she returned a hair cut!
I was aware that there was some significance of a photograph on Lil’s dressing table of a wavy haired army bloke with a big grin. When he finally turned up in person (minus much of the wavy hair), it became deadly serious. Intense courtship, marriage at St Declans at Penshurst, flat in Macleay Street Kings Cross, purchase of land at 10 Monaro Avenue Kingsgrove, the Vauxhall and then the KIDS…. But they can carry the story from there.
Lil was always fun to be with. She often made you laugh till your sides hurt. She was not too proud to tell stories against herself and delighted in taking humorous digs at other people.
Even when her ability to communicate diminished with her illness, you could tell she was taking the “mickey” out of somebody by her eyes and hand gestures.
Don’t know how the Good Lord is going to handle her, but will be anxious to get His report should I get there too.
The strong laugh, the savage look, the sunday roasts, dividing the ice cream, plenty of advice, the top dresser drawer, poems, lemonade, chocolate, knitting, sewing, unpicking, unravelling, torches, extra fingers, grey hair, "hold your mother's hand", anchovette and lettuce sandwiches, apple pie, apricot slice, fruit salad slice, burnt meat, wallpaper, washing walls, burnt vegetables, insurance man, plucking ducks, travelling, moussaka, Octoberfest, Christmas day, birthdays, gardening, holidays, missing Dad, grieving for Marty, Brag Book, love, fun, happiness. All of these things are a miniscule part of what made up Mum. A book would be more appropriate as no-one can live for 90 years without doing lots of things and touching many people's lives.
The sadness of loss is present, but the knowledge that the suffering and indignity of a horrible disease is over makes the sadness easier to handle. We will always miss you, Mum.
