24th August

Well, the election results were certainly interesting. It is estimated that it will be at least ten days until the results are known. The first hung parliament since the war. Certainly shows how the voters feel about their choices. I’d certainly like to hear what the negotiations are with the two leaders and the independents, but of course we won’t.
5th September is Fathers’ Day. The origins of this special day are younger than I’d have thought. I found this on the internet (where else?) and found it interesting.
While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers have only recently officially received the recognition they so richly deserve. After all, dad is the pillar of the family unit, the one who made us feel safe, loved to tickle and tease, and above all gave us a sense of security. While mom was the pillow to fall on, dad was the rock who held us up. Here are some thoughts and facts on Father's Day, dedicated to every man out there who proudly wears the name DAD.
Origins
In 1909, listening to a sermon on Mother's Day, Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd felt inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts and felt there should also be a Father's Day. Her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, had as a single parent raised his six children in Spokane, Washington after his wife's death. She initially suggested June 5th, the anniversary of her father's death, however, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday in June. Unofficial support from such figures as William Jennings Bryan was immediate and widespread. Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national holiday in 1924 but the all-male U.S. Congress was mindful that passing a measure so favorable to males could be seen as a conflict of interest. In 1926, The National Father's Day Committee met for the first time in New York City. Lyndon Johnson made Father's Day a holiday in 1966, but the holiday was not officially recognized until the presidency of Richard Nixon in 1972 when he signed into law a permanent U.S. Father's Day to be observed on the third Sunday of June.
Inspiring Words
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. - Mark Twain I'm sure we all remember our teenage years and how true and insightful this statement by Mark Twain is. Here is another of my favorites: It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. - Anne Sexton
You’ll note that the dates are different in the northern hemisphere. This caused confusion in our family, with children in different continents and hemispheres.
I hope all you DADS have a great day and, although I no longer have a dad I will make his favourite pud. for him
Plum Duff.
His was a favourite, and very filling, dessert in earlier times in Australia, although it was more suited the to colder climates from whence they came. It was probably eaten with a hard sauce or, if the family was affluent, cream.
Ingredients
1/4 cup plain flour, 1/4 cup s.r. flour, pinch salt,1/2 teaspn bicarb soda, 60gm suet, 1 egg, 2 tblspn sugar, 1 cup cooked prunes cut into small pieces, 1 teaspn mixed spice.
Method.
Sift the flour, salt and soda. Shred suet and rub into flour. Beat the egg, add sugar and then the prunes. Gently fold in the flour. Tip the mixture into a floured pudding cloth, gather at top and tie securely. Place in a large pot of boiling water and boil for 3 hours. Dried mixed fruit can be used instead, or with prunes. Delicious cold as well. My dad used to take it for ’smoko’.
Life’s Lesson (from Dad)
My dad taught me to make gravy,
how to save the juices from the roast,
blend in flour to a smooth paste
over the right spot on the wood stove.

He showed me how to stir in fluid
from the vegetables to add flavour,
said there was no need for seasoning
if the food was cooked properly.
Frances Mackay 2010.