Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 28 April 2019

Sunday Selections #426

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside, and I have accepted the mantle.She has said that she will post her selections from time to time, and I look forward to seeing them.


The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me.

Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 

I usually run with a theme. This week I am being a tad self indulgent and focussing on snippets from my life.


I head in to do my shifts at Lifeline early.

 A colourful dawn is always an excellent start.


I smiled seeing one of Enlighten's jellyfish blooming in the city too.

 I don't think I have ever seen a mural being painted before.  I couldn't see what it is, and will try and take a photo of the completed mural when next I go into town.



Then to a bizarre co-incidence.  Our car is now seven years old.  At least.







When we got back to the car after doing our groceries this week we noticed that the car next to ours had a number plate which is only separated by one digit from ours.  What are the chances of that?


Another shopping centre.



I adore bearded ravens but this one didn't look at all impressed at having its photo taken.


Then to a What the ??? moment.
The kitty litter we usually use has been unavailable for a little while (a pricing dispute between the manufacturer and the supermarket).  So we bought a different brand.  After we got home I read the back of the packet.



I know we are constantly advised to eat more fibre, but they cannot seriously think that people are turning to kitty litter as a source.

I am going to finish on a subject which peeves me.   Our city has just acquired light rail for a limited area.  The entire bus network has been revamped to co-incide with the start date.  I don't drive.  I rely on the bus service if I am travelling early, to places which don't interest himself or when he is otherwise occupied.  The people who redesigned the bus network very, very obviously NEVER travel by bus.  

In one example.  On Friday the local hospital was one stop away from me (less than 15 minutes away).  From tomorrow if I want to go to the hospital by bus I can either walk a kilometre to a different stop and take not one but two buses to reach the hospital or I can go to the current stop, take a bus which meanders through the suburbs on a forty minute trip to a city centre, transfer buses to get to a different city centre and change buses yet again to get to the hospital. 

When I saw this on a seat at the bus stop I smiled wryly in agreement.



I should add that the complaints are loud and long across the city.  School children no longer have dedicated bus routes and it was suggested that it was appropriate for seven year olds to cycle through the city centre to get to school.  Retirement homes have lost their bus stops, the street behind me has lost ALL of its bus stops, and the transport minister continues to assert that we are 'better connected'.  I am waiting for her response to my letter of complaint.

132 comments:

  1. I've never seen a bearded raven; love the octopus, the twilight zone in numbers.

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    1. Linda Starr: Bearded ravens are relatively common here, and I love them. Intelligent, family minded birds.

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  2. Boy! I'd be spitting chips (not the kitty litter kind) about the change in bus service, too. I'd be more than spitting chips! Commonsense seems to be becoming rarer and rarer these days. Perhaps that raven had just discovered the changes, too!

    I did read on a can of salmon the other day that it might contain fish.

    Have yourself a great week, EC...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: You are right about common sense. Not common at all.
      I hope you and the furry denizens of your home have a great week too.

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  3. I love the jellyfish, they are superb. And the Bearded Raven, beautiful.

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    1. Bob Bushell: The jellyfish are fun. And you are soooo right about the Bearded Ravens.

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  4. Those octopusses (octopi?) are amazing. They should start selling small copies as lamps. Bearded raven, never heard of those before now, they are cool, your everyday species are my fairy-tale world for sure.
    And those warnings on edible, and now also inedible, substances are ludicrous.
    It seems bus services anywhere around the world is going downhill fast. Stupid, stubborn and incommodating they are! I hope your letter, and those of many other, will wake them up, but I fear not.

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    1. Uglemor: The jellyfish are a delight and spectacular at night. I like your idea of lamps and am surprised my money hungry local government hasn't thought of it. I suspect we will have to endure these changes - until the government of the day is changed at least.

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  5. I would be very upset too about this new bus schedule. I think that they should reduce the size of bus if they want to save money rather than cut out routes from the schedule. Some routes are very necessary, especially for some people. I hope enough people will complain to effect changes.
    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: They had public consultations (of a sort) before the changes. Many people made submissions (me included). And were ignored. I am not hopeful, but will probably have to adapt.

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  6. I enjoyed seeing these little snippets of your life. Wow, what a coincidence with that license plate. The odds of that happening are tremendous. Thank you for sharing them with us.

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    1. mxtodis123: The number plate co-incidence blew us both away. Himself's sister says she finds it creepy, we were just amazed.

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  7. An eclectic post covering a lot of different topics. Now that I think about it I have never seen a mural as a work in progress either. It must be quite a process involving well thought out plans, probably committed to technical drawings. As for the changes in the bus service, bureaucracy never seems to improve anything, does it? The licence plate serendipity is quite amazing. It would be interesting to have a mathematician calculate the actual odds of that happening.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: I suspect the odds are high. And agree that it would be interesting to see just how high.

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  8. Such a close number plate is rather amazing, but perhaps not so remarkable if the same make and bought from the same dealership and the owners live in the area, but they are not even the same make.

    I don't believe bus routes should never be changed but what is happening there just sounds crazy with so many people disadvantaged. I suppose there are some winners, but with such a high dissatisfaction level, I really wonder.

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    1. Andrew: Both cars are Mazdas, but the dealership is in another town centre. I am still blown away.
      I agree that bus routes don't need to be set in concrete, but these widespread changes (and the apparent complete disregard for the results of the public consultation) make me wonder too. And fume.

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  9. Lovely and interesting day in your life, although it looks like the attorneys got loose in the pet aisle.

    Your bus troubles sound like ours. If i could, i would enjoy riding a bus and not having to drive myself anywhere. Please don't hold your breath about getting a response on your complaint.

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    1. messymimi: I suspect you are right about the legal basis for that silly addition to the kitty litter.
      I am not holding my breath (blue is not my colour) but will persist with my complaint to the Transport Minister.

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    2. The kitty litter warning might be to remind parents to keep it safely stashed away as toddlers have been known to eat kibble from pet dishes and might see an open packet as just a different kind of pet food.

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    3. River: I suppose it might be, but it doesn't look remotely like kibble and I have never seen it on any other kitty litter.

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    4. River: PS. How do you keep the toddler out of the cats tray?

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  10. That doesn't sound better connected to me. It sounds like you are very much within your rights to complain... as are the school children and their concerned parents, and the nursing home patients. Sometimes you have to wonder who makes these decisions and why?!?!

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    1. CountryMum: I don't think it is better connected either. I worry that the changes seem to have been designed around the premise that every one who uses the buses is fit, and that none have things to carry.

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  11. Bus stops don't get me started I catch the bus because I don't have a car, we have a very good service to Parramatta run every 15mts but the service to Merrylands is only once a hour and often runs early easy to miss but they have been changing our bus stops too not sure why and no reason given.
    Merle.............

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    1. Merlesworld: It makes life difficult doesn't it? I am not at all sure how long I will have to allow to get into town to do my Lifeline shifts now.

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    2. Can you change your shift at all to make things easier?

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    3. River: What energy I have is decidedly morning energy. I would do an earlier shift if I could, but the buses are even less friendly.

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  12. Today's post gave me quite a few smiles - I've never been tempted to try kitty litter!

    Something very similar to your transport mess-up happened last year in Wellington: new routes, random loss of service, buses and trains being late and not connecting... It's been about 8 months now and in spite of thousands of complaints and feeble promises from the city's officials, there is virtually no improvement. A friend's daughter who used to catch one bus from close to home to the school she teaches at now has to leave home at an ungodly hour and catch 3, one of which quite often doesn't turn up!

    The raven looks decidedly grumpy, but is very handsome nevertheless :)

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    1. Alexia: Kitty litter doesn't tempt me. When I told the smaller portion what I had read he didn't believe me and had to have the packet shoved under his nose.
      I am sad to learn that our bus route makeover is following a precedent. I suspect that will make it harder to change.

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  13. I live in a very "well-heeled" suburb...and yet, we have no pavement in our cul-de-sac. That means, to reach a bus stop, I would need to walk on grass, tarmac(busy) road for close to one kilometre. And I'm pretty sure I'd need to change buses to get down to the city.
    But I'll finish with a small amusement...some years ago, I parked my white station wagon and returned to find two very similar models either side.And all three cars had similar plates. FHK*** and FCK*** Yeah, weird.

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    1. dinahmow: Pavement in this suburb is patchy. None in our street but the main roads do have it (albeit not in good repair). Smiling at the similarity of plates you noticed.

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  14. I hope I never have to rely on public transportation.
    Really? Someone would eat kitty litter?

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: I hope you don't have to rely on public transport too. I think messymimi nailed it - fear of legal action is what drove the disclaimer on the kitty litter. Just the same...

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  15. Replies
    1. Jamie Ghione: I hope to see more (and photograph it) next time I go into town.

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  16. Great photos. Yes, that raven was not impressed having his photo taken but great shot. I often wonder if we really are going nowhere fast I just know I keep writing and keep counting pennies and the days keep spinning by. Hope you're having a great weekend.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: I was sorry to offend the raven. Really sorry. And I hear you about the days spinning past. Just not the buses.

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  17. Back in the days I exhibited at shows, I drove the not ubiquitous vehicle, a Dodge Ram, royal maroon extended van. After setting up the show I came out and found an identical van parked by mine. The next morning the two of us happened to park side by side in the morning, and came out that evening to find a third identical van parked in a row. Three separate state plates, however.
    As for the buses, I would be spitting tacks. For what it's worth.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: That is weirderoonies. I am spitting tacks, and continuing to contact the decision makers.

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  18. I choked on my Coke when I read about the kitty litter. Imagine that! It's not for human consumption. lol

    I'm curious! What is the jellyfish made from? You always take such thought provoking pictures. I loved the bearded raven. I've never seen one.

    As for the transportation dilemma...good luck getting someone to listen to you. I think politicians are the same regardless of where they are located.

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    1. Mildred Ratched: Aren't we lucky that the company in question was community service minded and warned us about the perils of kitty litter?
      The jelly fish is glass, metal and electronics. If you step under it the colours on the tendrils changes.

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  19. With so many silly lawsuits (which actually win!) these days, warning labels have become ludicrous. The population seems to be dumbing down.
    The bus route changes are another sad sign. Personally, I’ve never lived in a place where public transportation was deemed worthy of attention. I thought Oz was more enlightened. I guess you’re sliding down to join the rest of us. :(
    Love the octopus and grumpy bearded raven! The octo would make a cute lamp!

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    1. River Fairchild: You are not the first to comment about the jelly fish and its lamp potential - which shamefully I hadn't seen.
      Sigh on the slide to the bottom.

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  20. Wow, so much fun today. The jellyfish is totally awesome and my grandson's would love seeing it for real too. A bearded raven is new to me, but kind of cute. As for the one digit off with your license plate that is incredible, but even stranger is that manufactures really have to print such odd things on their products! Enjoy your early rises to work (me too) but we're off earlier, and have a great week ahead.

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    1. 21 Wits: Welcome and thank you. My inner child always welcomes the jellyfish. Last year I spotted one in the mall. I hope your week is wonderful.

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  21. I sure enjoyed your ramblings today, all except for the diminished bus service. That would sure peeve me, too. I've seen your jellyfish often enough now to feel at home with them. I hope you let us know if you hear anything back about the bus situation. :-)

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    1. DJan: Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the non-whinging part of the post. I will let you know the outcome, but don't hold your breath. As I won't.

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  22. I love reading snippets of your life.

    Good for you for writing to your transport minister about the changes in service. There may be no modifications as a result, but there definitely won't be if no one objects. Sometimes public outcry can work. I hope there are letters to the editor in the papers as well. Unfortunately, it seems to becoming more commonplace that politicians simply ignore letters and criticism. But we must keep trying.

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    1. jenny_o: There have been letters to the editor and I expect this coming week when the reality of the changes hits people there will be more. Whether there are changes is another question. I hope so. I really hope so.

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  23. That's an impressive beard on that raven, possibly the largest beard I have seen. I'd love to have the time to watch an entire mural get painted from start to finish.
    I'm very glad you wrote a letter of complaint about the lack of bus services. I rely on buses too and find myself more and more unwilling to go anywhere because it takes two buses and several hours and then I have to return home the same way :(

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    1. River: It is a truly impressive beard isn't it? I expect he is the patriarch, and has been for a while. Two buses is bad enough, but three to get somewhere which was previously one stop away has me fuming. The several hours thing does too.

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  24. Pols and transport planners are a stupid bunch...I hope you get a reply but I bet she won't be arsed...

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    1. e: I am pretty confident she won't bother too. If she doesn't I will ring her office. And that of her political opponent. I may write to the paper as well.

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  25. Wow--- this post opened the floodgates. I'm so sorry they messed up your transportation. Unless the bureaucrat in charge gets a zillion complaints, I doubt they will do anything. Bummer. Love the Jellyfish, though....

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    1. Bill: The complaints have already started and will escalate from tomorrow when the new system comes into play. The jellyfish is a beauty isn't it?

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  26. That is a disgrace about the bus service now. Certainly NOT progress. I hope a LOT of people make complaints. Love early mornings and seeing sunrises.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure: The complaints are starting to mount, including a piece in today's paper which says that seniors and people with disabilities are disadvantaged by it. Add children to the mix and there are a lot of negative consequences.
      Like you, I am a lover of early mornings.

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  27. How interesting to see a bearded raven. That's a first for me. Love that big mural!

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    1. We are: Clamco: The Bearded Ravens are lovely, and it is easy to see where their name comes from isn't it? They are Australian natives so it is unlikely that you will see one.

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  28. Dear EC
    We are supposed to be cutting down on car usage and using public transport more, but how can we if the public transport makes life so difficult? Rural communities here are always losing bus routes, as well as local shops. It goes to show how little the decision makers understand about life.
    Love the sunrise and jelly fish. The car number plate was such a coincidence!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: The local government has said that these changes will encourage more use of public transport. I will be very, very surprised if they are right. Perhaps if some of the planners actually depended on it we would get a better outcome.
      We are still amazed at the chance which led us to park beside the car with one number different from ours. The car park had hundreds of cars in it, and that was where the first available space occurred.

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  29. Your pictures are all so fun and festive, and I love the jellyfish. Sure looks like a lot of traffic where you, and I agree, the chances of finding a car with one digit off has to be in the millions! Thank you for continuing to do Lifeline. I know there are times that you haven't been feeling well, but you still are committed to others. I do admire you, EC. Hugs...RO

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    1. RO: That traffic was in the car-park. My cities peak hour is short and by most standards insignificant. Lifeline is hugely important to me - it allows me to feel I still have something to contribute to the community. Hugs.

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  30. Those number plate coincidences are always fun. Don't, please don't eat kitty litter. The bus transport situation sounds dire indeed. I have never seen a bearded raven so was thrilled to see this one - whatever the expression his face.

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    1. Kalpana: Eating kitty litter has never occurred to me - or even to the cats. Bearded Ravens are native to Australia and I love them. His beard was particularly impressive.

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  31. I love your snippets of life.

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  32. Isn't it just amazing the things people must have tried to eat, hence the warning labels? At least kitty litter must be filling and low in calories.
    Sorry about your mass transit woes. Shouldn't the rail system enhance the current bus routes in a sane world?

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    1. Jono: Filling, fibre filled, low in calories - and taste. A sane world? Queue hysterical laughter.

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  33. The amazing thing is that you read license plates. LOL The jelly fish is awesome and looks like something seen in every si-fi movie.

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    1. Granny Annie: We do both read number plates, though it is more often something we do on the road. The jelly fish could grace a number of movies couldn't it?

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  34. Oh gosh, I can sure understand your comments about the bus and its ridiculous schedule that is not appropriate for average people. I used the bus when I lived in Corvallis which was quite small then. Yet a trip to the grocery store often took half a day, due to unwieldy bus schedules and routes being cancelled if they got behind, like because of being stopped for trains. I also advise "Don't eat cat litter". Lol. Like we're that fricking stupid. Maybe we are.

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    1. Strayer: You don't eat kitty litter either? Who would have thought. I shudder to think just how long I am going to be on the road with the new schedules. Hours.

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  35. A beautiful dawn sky and a very personable jellyfish!
    I always read licence plates too, as so many people here have a word or a funny name on their licence plates. But that's quite a coincidence to see the consecutive numbers. Did you leave a note on his window???? Perhaps you should go out and buy a lottery ticket now.
    Mmmmm yummy kitty litter. Don't knock it until you have tried it!
    Your transport difficulties sound familiar. Our bus services are very similar. And the schedules get updated every so often and it's never any better. And so many of the buses are just travelling empty because they just don't fit the needs of the people. Plus we are all in love with our cars.

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    1. Shammickite: We considered a lottery ticket - but got side-tracked. You have tried kitty litter?
      Today's paper has an article saying that the new bus system is designed to get people out of their cars and onto public transport. I suspect an epic fail will follow. Public transport is free for the next month but I don't think even that will be sufficient incentive.

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  36. A bearded raven...I've never seen one. How cool. I've seen raven's but not one that looks like that.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: This is our home grown raven. Aren't they lovely?

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  37. I am SO glad you wrote a letter of complaint because that bus route sounds crazy. I hope they sort it out and provide services that make more sense for the people who take them.

    That jellyfish made smile and so did the bearded raven- his expression cracked me up. I am wondering if the mural is a jungle scene. How interesting to catch a mural being created. :)

    Hope you have a lovely week!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: I was really pleased to notice the mural being created (and the painter was a woman). I will be back in that part of town next week and hopefully will remember to take a photo of the finished product. I am sceptical about whether my letter will change anything - but live in hope.

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  38. Hi EC - your bearded raven is special ... maybe they want to sleep ... it is coming up to your winter?! I can't believe the signs they put on products now-a-days ... always coming up with more ideas - nagging governments. Love the jelly fish, as too that mural, and the car plates: strange but true.

    My Dad years ago was parked and a chap who he'd been working with had locked his key in his car ... my Dad offered to try his - as it was the same type ... it opened and they happily went their separate ways - times have changed!!

    The buses ... well I hope they sort the routes and stops out - and don't leave you quite so stranded ... or the kids to find their ways. Getting to hospital is another matter ... take care and all the best - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: How amazing that your father's key opened his work colleague's car. We are indeed heading for winter but other than reptiles I don't think any of our animals hibernate. Some of the birds will fly north though.
      I am not holding my breath about the buses. Today is day one - and I will be interested to see/hear news reports.

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  39. Love the jelly fish! And you are quite right about that bearded raven. Our ravens don't have beards. As for the new busing schedule, what moron came up with that?!! I hope you get a proper response to your letter.

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    1. mshatch: Morons who never travel by bus and certainly don't depend on them. Morons who don't have to carry their shopping by bus. Morons without a disability.
      Isn't that beard special? I am a big fan of the corvid family.

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  40. Politicians are the same everywhere it seems!

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  41. Burp. Sorry, just ate a little Catlux. I won't any more after reading the warning.
    Thank you for the glimpse of your life. Can't believe how the new bus routes are so incredibly not helpful. Hope this gets changed soon. It's clearly not a case of resisting change, but of resisting stupidity.

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    1. Myrna R.: I am glad that you are no longer going to consume Catlux. We are told that the buses won't be changed for at least a year (but I hope they are wrong).

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  42. That minister of yours definitely never used public transportation. Some decisions made by politicians are mind boggling.
    But let me tell you… that “source of fiber” kept me laughing out loud for a few seconds!! It felt good!!! And the sign at the bus stop.
    Have a great week, dear EC!

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    1. Caterina: I am very, very glad to have made you laugh. Have a wonderful week yourself.

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  43. Boy that minister deserves to be hauled on to the transit "service" and given challenges of reaching docs, hospitals and schools. Idiots. All of 'em. I bet they paid consultants fortunes as well to tell them how to manage the stops. It happens in my city too.

    That mural has me curious.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: You are undoubtedly right about the consultants. Sigh.
      I will try and remember to take a photo of the finished mural and post it here.

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  44. Hmmmm. I'm hungry. Think I'll try a little kitty litter as a snack. Shouldn't be all that different from popcorn.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie Junebug: Myrna R. says it made her belch - I hope you have no problems with it.

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  45. Oh, that does seem odd that the car parked next to yours would have a nearly identical plate!

    I've never seen a bearded raven before. They look a bit serious with their chin gruff.

    Also, in case you forget: DO NOT eat the kitty litter! :D

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    1. Bea: Thanks for the reminder. Funnily enough I haven't been tempted by the kitty litter (perhaps because cleaning it is one of my duties). The bearded ravens do look serious - but stylish too.

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  46. That all sounds like a proper mess with the bush.
    That raven looks good, grumpy though.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: The raven did look a tad grumpy didn't he?
      It is a complete mess. Today the Minister said that some people would have to change buses two or three times and their trips would take longer but that it was a better system. And the commuters described day one as a dog's breakfast.

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  47. The number plate thing is pretty amazing!
    Groan about the buses, it's probably a question of a committee designing a horse and ending up with a camel

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    1. kylie: I am still blown away by the number plate thing. Sadly I think a camel would be more useful than the bus service which now exists.

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  48. If the number of complaints keeps coming hard and fast, perhaps they will relent and make the necessary changes. I do hope that will be the case. :( That is cool about the plate. I wonder if the other driver noticed as well.

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    1. mail4rosey: So far they are insisting it is an improvement (while acknowledging that people will have to walk further and their travel times have increased).
      I suspect the other driver didn't notice. We arrived after him/her and left earlier.

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  49. wow, that jellyfish is amazing!
    The license plates are a very strange coincidence..Do you think the other people noticed?
    I've never seen a bearded raven here in AZ. He didn't look impressed but he was beautiful.
    LOL on that kitty litter!
    Some people need those instructions I guess, We knew a lady that used Ajax cleanser to brush her teeth!She thought it would polish her enamel like it polished the porcelain in the sink.
    Sorry about your public transport problems.
    Hope you have a great week:)

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    1. Marfi-topia: Ajax to clean your teeth? Ouch. I can only imagine the damage that did. I hope your week is lovely.

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  50. I used your word embiggen with my wife the other day, and she cracked up. Thanks for giving her a smile.

    :)

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: I am always happy to produce smiles.

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  51. Yes, that jellyfish is mesmerising. I have never seen anything like it before. WOW!!
    Haha, that kitty litter really made me giggle...a lot like a bag of peanuts I bought yesterday, that stated in huge red letters on both the back and front of the bag, "MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS!" Lol
    Wow, what a coincidence...those licence plates! A once in a lifetime occurance, I'm certain. I bet you never see that again!
    Your bus problems sound a lot like ours here. The powers that be are always messing around with the routes: taking one off here, adding another where it will hardly ever be used. It is sheer madness. I do feel for you. It is so frustrating (not to mention tiring).😕

    Have a good day, my dear Friend!😊😊

    Big Hugs xxx

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    1. Ygraine: I want more than 'traces of nuts' in my bag of peanuts.
      I am pretty certain we will never see that car again, but we are grateful that we noticed the co-incidence at the time.
      A healthy and happy week to you. With hugs.

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    2. That warning is actually relevant even though it sounds comical. Botanically seen the peanut is not a nut but leguminosa - like peas, beans and lentils. People who are allergic to nuts may be able to eat peanuts.
      So, no, if you want your peanuts you'll not want more than traces of nuts in them ;)

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    3. Uglemor: Thank you. You are right of course - which I knew. I temporarily forgot, perhaps because peanuts are one of the 'nuts' people are most likely to cause dangerous allergic reactions.

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  52. Love that sky shot and the jellyfish. Such a shame to hear that the bus service is now worse rather than better.

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    1. Lady Fi: I never tire of skyscapes (and thank you so much for the beauties you post).

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  53. I'd like to think that people have more sense than to eat cat litter, but what with all the Tide pod challenge type things, I'm not so sure.
    Love the bearded raven. He looks quite curmudgeonly.

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    1. The Real Cie: I had to google the Tide Pod Challenge. Oh dear. I suspect I would prefer kitty litter to detergent.
      The ravens are intelligent, family minded and other birds usually give them a wide berth. What is not to love?

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  54. Thank you for letting us share your day. Kudos to you for the work you do at Lifeline.
    The rerouting of the bus stop sounds like a nightmare.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra: I get a huge amount from my work at Lifeline. And yes, the changes to the bus system are a nightmare. For a lot of people.

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  55. I echo Sandra's comments on your volunteer work at Lifeline. The rerouting of buses sounds atrocious! I hope they listen to all the complaints. Keeping fingers crossed for you all. Enjoyed your Sunday Selections very much. Interesting sights on your photo tour. I never saw a bearded raven before. The number plate coincidence, did you buy a lottery ticket? :)) Loved the jellyfish sculpture and would also enjoy seeing the completed mural. Pretty sky and that kitty litter? I would have had the same reaction.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Perhaps we should have bought a lottery ticket, but we didn't. If we had noticed on the way in perhaps... and thankyou.

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  56. Knowing you always reply to comments, I always come back and visit your posts. I was so surprised not to see an answer from you. then slowly realised I hadn't left a comment!!!
    Oh dear, I'll call it a senior moment because I know I'd read this post before today …

    I think your voluntary work at Lifeline is to be commended and I'm sure the free time you give for this is appreciated by so many …

    Amazing to see the mural in progress.

    What a coincidence with the number plate.

    How extremely annoying about the bus re-routes. The times this seems to happen, it makes you wonder what thought if any goes into timetabling and scheduling GRRR - hope it will get sorted.

    Happy May wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I am all too familiar with those senior moments. Mind you it is also possible that blogger ate your comment (as it has a habit of doing).
      I get more from Lifeline than I give. I will be very sorry when/if I am forced to step away.
      I still firmly believe that no-one who was involved with the bus route redesign ever catches them. Sadly they are still insisting that it will be at least a year before they make any further changes.
      Yet another reminder that I need to go back and take a photo of the completed mural. Thank you - and thank you for coming back.

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  57. Between your long break, followed by mine, it's been waaaaay too long since I've read one of your posts. (And this one is super!)

    The jellyfish sculpture is beautiful. (And much safer to enjoy than the real things!) I'd say the chance of being parked right next to a car with such a similar tag number would be somewhere between slim and none... but there it is! Amazing!

    I think you're right... the person who designed the new "and improved?" bus routes obviously doesn't depend on a bus to get around. How horrid. I take it the riders weren't allowed any input to the process, and senseless stuff like that really burns my britches. I hope you can still get to Lifeline easily without having to ride all around Adam's barn (one of my mother's old sayings) to get there.

    Take care, sweet lady.

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    1. Susan: We were given the chance to comment before the changes came into effect. And our comments were comprehensively ignored. At the moment my trips to Lifeline are going to take about an additional hour and a half. Sigh.

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  58. I am sure that this bus schedule will be changed back quickly. There is nothing like the power of angry mothers and retires to get things done.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: At the moment they are insisting that we are better off and refusing to change anything for at least a year. As pressure mounts we will see...

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  59. This post made me smile, raise my eyebrows, laugh and frown - in that order. It's remarkable that you noticed the car coincidence. I'm just off to make some dinner, luckily I have no tempting kitty litter in the house

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    1. Kim: No kitty litter in the house? Where will you get your fibre? It was lucky that we noticed the number plates wasn't it?

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  60. Good grief- another "brillilant" mind at work, I'll bet. Especially for all those kids who now have to change their entire morning routine, get up earlier, I'll bet and then sit for more minutes on a bus they probably already do not like riding on to get to school. Gracious, I would be banging on the door of this "brilliant engineer". Well, whew, have a good weekend. I hope it is a bus free one.

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    1. Terri: It is causing a heap of problems. And the Transport Minister is still saying how wonderful it is. As one example she is saying that more people are catching buses than ever before - which is correct if you count individual trips. A trip which used to be one bus ride can now be up to four (with a tram trip thrown in).

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  61. I love the bearded Raven photo! That jellyfish is cool! That was so funny about your license plate number!! I wonder if people have actually ate the kitty litter for them to put that on the bag! Scary!! LOL! I am so sorry about your buses! I hope it gets fixed for the better soon! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Thank you so much for trawling through my back posts. Huge hugs and gratitude. I can't think that anyone eats kitty litter. It is seriously unappetising.

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