Comments for Waltzing Australia

Comment on Cooper Creek by Christina

Christina — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:25:03 +0000

nice little video, there is a lot to be explored in the Cooper Creek Rain forest specially for the wildlife enthusiasts.

Comment on Jabiru by waltzingaustralia

waltzingaustralia — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:41:14 +0000

When I first visited Australia, I thought that as well — must be Aboriginal. I have, since then, discovered that these storks are not the only things that had names stuck on them that were picked up elsewhere. It appears to have been fairly common in the 1600-1800s, as the people discovering things did not always have a scientific perspective. (The folks on James Cook’s ship being an exception, since they were almost all scientists — bit more care used there. But the average explorer or settler would just think “looks like X to me,” and the name would stick.)

Comment on Jabiru by Siona

Siona — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:54:23 +0000

Brilliant – always thought Jabiru was an Aboriginal Australian name, so was amazed that the South American storks were also Jabiru… Happy to know better now… Thanks!

Comment on Sad News About Iconic Ghost Gums by waltzingaustralia

waltzingaustralia — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 17:06:44 +0000

Good to hear from you, Sue. And yes — it’s hard to find words for things that are so far from what we can imagine anyone doing. So glad I got to see the trees a couple of times while they were still there. But at least we still have Namatijira’s painting, so in a way, the trees will never die.

Comment on Sad News About Iconic Ghost Gums by whisperinggums

whisperinggums — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:46:03 +0000

I’m so glad you posted on this, Cynthia … a truly terrible thing to do. Vandalism, destroying for the sake of it, is such a … well, whatever I say would be trite and cliched.

Comment on In Defence of the Bush by waltzingaustralia

waltzingaustralia — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:46:01 +0000

Thanks for the link, Bobby. I enjoyed the article on the “Poetry Wars.” I did realize, and noted, that the poets were friends and the “war” was largely in fun. However, I suspect it had the great benefit of creating a little extra interest among their readership. I do agree that they represent two sides of the same story–and I would add to your comment that not only are there those who like four-star vs. those who prefer fewer stars, there are also those (myself included) who, at different times and in different place, like them all– four-star, two-star, and rolling a sleeping bag out on the warm ground under the gum trees — and are glad that all are available. Your comment about “Clancy of the Overflow” resonated, too — as I, too, often find the words running through my head, “And I somehow rather fancy that I’d like to change with Clancy, Like to take a turn at droving where the seasons come and go,…”

I also read with interest the article about Oodnadatta. While I didn’t know Adam Plate, I do remember stopping at the Pink Roadhouse when I was passing through Oodnadatta a few years ago. Always sorry to see any of the wonderful Outback identities pass on, especially relatively young.

Thanks for dropping by. I look forward to checking out future posts on your blog, as you wonder about the Outback. Happy New Year.

Comment on In Defence of the Bush by dazzlerplus

dazzlerplus — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:57:41 +0000

As someone who travels regularly to the Australian Outback, I’ve been interested to discover your blog, and in particular this post about the “Poetry Wars” between Paterson and Lawson. I think there was a sense in which both were right, just as today there are those who find it hard to enjoy accommodation less than four-star, and others who revel in exploring the quirkiness of two- and three-star.

I write both a newsletter and a blog about the Outback. See more about the poems at https://www.dropbox.com/s/k3b9sxfeo8c13wa/BDN%2353.pdf .

Comment on About My Book by waltzingaustralia

waltzingaustralia — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 07:59:14 +0000

G’Day, Mandy.

Thanks for the comment — and so glad you enjoyed my book. Even happier to learn that it has encouraged you in your own writing. Love the blog. And congratulations on the magazine article and competition win. Sounds as though you’re on your way.

Comment on About My Book by Mandy

Mandy — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 03:38:51 +0000

G’Day Cynthia,

I found your blog several months ago and was inspired by your story of quitting one life to persue another as a writer. Your story has helped me to amp-up my own writing ambitions this year: starting with a blog, a published magazine article and more recently winning a local writing competition. The writing competition awarded me with a Kindle and the first book i purchased was “Waltzing Australia”, which I enjoyed greatly.

I will not be giving up my day job as a cattle farmer for my passion for rural Australia is what fuels my writing – one is dependent on the other.

All the best,
Mandy McKeesick

Comment on Water Buffalo by George

George — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 23:34:15 +0000

The only thing you have to worry about if you see a Buff in the bush is if you can run faster than your mate. If not pinch his joggers.