No Artificial Additives

Holidaying in Our Nation's Capital is Not an Oxymoron.

Last year I was castigated by a Disgruntled Parent of one of my students for drawing a picture of a large ox with Ewok horns & a nose ring & other piercings next to the word 'Oxymoron' on the whiteboard & making her copy it into her English Exercise Book. Perhaps I also included a short definition as well just to be on the safe side.

When the D.Parent confronted me, I burst into tears.

But I still like the word & never fail to take up any opportunity I can to use it.

As you can see.

Behold, above, Maeflower sitting on an Artificial Outcrop of Shale which was part of the Hellenic War Memorial we visited on friday. In fact, we made a tour of all the war memorials that line Anzac Parade in Our Capital, Canberra & had a bumper time.

Most of them were Australian - Memorials to Our Rats of Tobruk in WW2, Our Army, Navy & Air Force, Our War in Vietnam, Our Nurses, Our Korean War, Our War Partners, New Zealand. We spent some time critiquing each one along Strict Guidelines while we took photos of each other.

At the end, we both decided that the Tobruk Memorial was the most moving. The Poor Old Nurses one looked like a really really long shower screen that could have been easily mistaken for a Bathroom Accessory Shoppe Display. Clearly, a victim of Creative Death by Committee.

Next stop was An Enchanted Wood at the National Gallery. We just loved the Artificial Fog that sprang out of artfully placed enormous corroded iron jets.

I do so love Maeflower's outfit. She is wearing a dress that we decided is 'Azure'. Or at least, she called it that. Her grandmother bought it for her. Sadly, NOT my mother.

I have or HAD two mothers:

#1- A Wicked Birth Mother who is still alive & now 80 & is too ashamed to openly claim me & my sister Bronwyn who she also gave away 2 years before she had me;

#2- My Adoptive Mother Esme who was difficult but loving & who died 25 years ago.

No visit to Our Nation's Capital is complete without a visit to our Spiritual Home, The Canberra Mall.

Behold my newly-bought at 'Cotton On' toy sheepskin & leather jacket. This now makes three toy jackets I've acquired over the hols. I had just got it on sale for 35 bucks which is on a par with 'BednobsEtc'.

Fearful of the bitter cold of Canberra, I dragged down a huge vintage 'Acquascutum' coat which was a brand v. popular with the Royal Family, particularly the Queen Mother when she was alive.

It was a Sad Choice. Matron Central. And besides, far too bulky & unwieldy. Someone who hadn't seen me for ages recently commented that she thought I'd, 'lightened my load'. Well, I didn't want to load it up again. V. wise.

Rex, my favourite character from 'Toy Story' is behind me on the TV screen.

If I was a character in 'Toy Story', I'd be Rex. Some of you may think that I'm more Mrs Potatohead. That's not true.

When Rex exclaims, 'I can't stand all this uncertainty!!', I totally understand.

Meanwhile, back at the National Gallery Cafe, we're eating Macaroons. Since they cooked them on 'Masterchef' a couple of weeks ago, large chunks of Australia have gone mad for macaroons.

Because of my Strict Regime, I don't eat macaroons, although in honour of the show & the holidays & my daughter, I made an exception. Another wise decision.

Crunchy, yet Smooth; Light yet Substantial. Green yet Not Tasting of Grass.

I totally recommend them.

And a holiday in Canberra. Particularly if you have a daughter like mine.