Ramadan, Easter and Dogs

One of the amazing things about Australia is our mixed cultures.The native Australians have been on this continent for around 60,000 years and yet the white ‘conquerors’ dismissed them as savages. This is slowly being rectified.

Now, we also have a large contingent of peoples from other countries and religions. Even though we are recognized as a Christian country of British roots, we have accepted into our country Buddhists, Muslims and Judaism as well as other religions.

This month sees both the religious events – Easter and Ramadan. The whole month is a fasting, praying month for the follows of Islam, (Muslims) while Easter is a Christian event with Good Friday falling on April 17th this year. (Easter is a move-able event, ruled by the full moon – so can be anywhere from March to late April).

One of my pet hates is the referring of Christians by Muslims, in the past, as ‘dogs‘. Perhaps that is a compliment? Domestic dogs are known to be loyal to their masters and generally caring. Of course, it depends how a dog is treated – if cruelly treated it will become vicious. Our children are also influenced by our parents and our surrounding society. We are all victims of our upbringing and environment.

So – in conclusion – please learn to be caring and understanding of people’s actions and beliefs. If you had grown up in another country or a different age, your beliefs and personality would be different. It is fortunate that human beings are capable of compassion and love, and also have the outstanding ability to adapt. For example – in ancient Egypt, there were many gods, and cats were worshiped instead of dogs! Funny how we change. With that in mind – enjoy my short story! I hope it gives you a bit of a giggle.

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The cat.

The cat hid behind the shrubs in Veronica’s garden, waiting to pounce.He loved this game. When he saw Veronica walk past, he would launch himself and wrap his paws around her leg. She was always surprised and jumped around and yelled. The cat thought it was funny.

Sometimes, he would catch strangers, and they tended to be angry – he didn’t understand why. It was only a game!

What’s worse, Veronica didn’t seem to enjoy the presents he offered her either! He had tried so hard to find something she would love – a frog, a large cockroach, a mouse – even a sparrow or a wren – but she screamed and would pick up the prize between her thumb and finger as if it was something quite disgusting – and then she would throw it away! He couldn’t believe it. He had worked very hard to find such a tasty morsel.

He decided then and there to show her who was boss!

When she wanted to cuddle him, he just turned his back and ignored her.

When she wanted him to go outside he went, then immediately wanted to come back in and yowled at the door until she surrendered and let him back.

When she was cozy in bed and nearly asleep, he scratched at the door and wanted to go outside again … then inside … then outside … the inside. So much fun!

Next time he would bring her a rat and see if she thought that was better! He knew it wasn’t – even he didn’t like rats!

When she was ready to go out, he would curl up on her bed and pretend to be fast asleep.

If she decided to take him to the vet, he would scratch and hiss and claw her hand until she gave up and tried other techniques. It didn’t take him long to work out ‘Here, kitty, kitty,” said in a sweet voice meant trouble, and he wasn’t going to be hood-winked. The time he climbed up the curtains, shredding them with his claws and ending up on top of the wardrobe where she couldn’t reach him, still made him smile.

Of course, it couldn’t last. Veronica began to make noises that she would get rid of him.

The ultimate betrayal was when she brought in a boyfriend.

The cat found out that he could use that to his advantage.

By curling up and purring on Barry’s lap, Veronica was beaten!

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And now for something nice to eat!

Lachlan’s Lunchbox Muesli Squares:

3 ½ cups quick oats

½ cup sunflower seeds

½ cup pine nuts

½ cup diced dried apricots.

½ cup sultanas

2 tblspns sesame seeds

2 tspns ground cinnamon

80g butter

1 cup honey

2 tblspns brown sugar

Soak apricots and sultanas in warm water for 1 hour before starting.
Preheat oven to 170°C.
Lightly grease a slice pan and line with baking paper. Make sure paper hangs over edge of pan on long sides. Lightly spray grease on paper.
Place oats, seeds, soaked and drained dried fruit and cinnamon in a large bowl. Mix well.
Place butter, honey and sugar in a saucepan and stir over a low heat until combined. Cook for about 3 minutes on simmer, stirring consistently until thickened slightly.
Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Place in prepared tin, and using damp hands distribute mix evenly.
Bake for 25 – 30 mins.
Cool in tin. Cut into squares but don’t remove from tin until completely cold. Should make 20 squares.

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One of the dreams of today’s generation, is hoping the politicians and those powerful people in big business will work towards a better environment. We, as a race, have squandered the commodities of our planet to the point where our planet is dying, and it is fighting back. During the last few years we have seen cataclysmic floods, fires and disease. We have observed glacier melt and volcano eruptions. (Of course, the media has been there to make us aware of all that,too)

Two years ago, Australia and America experienced huge bush fires. Many blame Global warming for that. However, the firefighters are, in my opinion, heroes! I wrote this little picture book as a tribute to their work (hopefully it also highlights the danger of fire to our wild-life.) It is AU$18 (plus postage). If you would like to know more, please email me at maureenlarter@gmail.com and I will send you a catalogue of my books FREE.