Animal-name stuff

My dear old aunt milked Jersey cows, by hand, and had names for them all - they responded accordingly, too. There was Beauty and there was Peggy, but after that, brain-fade (mine). We all know that some people who own animals take on a particular look (e.g. horse-faced ladies). I had another aunt, a real character, who owned a property on the river 4 miles from the city centre and horses were her life. The house was ramshackle and a visitor was never away from the horse (manure) odour. We had a pet rabbit named Thumper who often 'escaped', a fox terrier called Terry who dug holes in the lawn, and Dick the cat (he got sick and had to be dosed with Mycetin - "Dick likes mice-eatin'"). Getting away from names a bit, at agricultural college the dairy herd boasted about 70 milkers (Ayshire breed) and the job of the junior student was to rise around 4.30 a.m., walk 2 miles in the dark with a flashlight, and bring the milkers up to the yard at the dairy - one hardy soul, unsure about which irrigation paddock the milkers were in, 'played safe' (dark, remember!) and rounded up all the cows he could spot; finished up in the yard with 130 boxed milker and dry cows; not a pretty sight. Did the Dairy Instructor give him a spray, in more ways than one! Never lived it down, poor sod. Probably a (retired) Dairy Board executive now. Back to names, could have owned a dog called Ralph (rowf, rowf) - didn't though.

Mini-sailing in the Pacific, et al

Anyone who has lived on a small Pacific island must have had contact with boats, whether as a user or as a watcher. Sailing a small dinghy in a race with sailing craft of all sizes, up to four-crew catamaran, can be daunting. Given that the weather is fair (including a stiff breeze), the experience can only be described as exhilarating. Should you be a relative novice sailor, some aspects to be aware of are sail set, boom swing, course direction, bailing needs, proximity of other craft (both in the event and out), sudden weather changes, under-surface coral and rocks. Recreational sailors in that setting vary from those hell-bent on winning every time to those who just want to enjoy the sailing activity - the excitement and the company (before launch, during race, and later socialising). Watching boat use can also be an absorbing past-time. Scale has a bit to do with it; watching freighters or cruise ships enter or leave harbour can be quite awesome, particularly when tugs are employed in helping manoeuvre a ship into a channel and into, or out of, a berth. Watching ferries of all sizes operate can be fascinating; another day for that story!

Pets as stress relievers

It's been said that owning, and caring for, a pet can lessen the stress that accompanies daily living for many people. The writer believes this to be so inasmuch as having the animal/bird/fish right there at the time the tension is mounting can have a calming effect of quite some proportions and maybe prevent rise in the blood pressure (of the carer, not the pet). Regrettably, when we find ourselves in some emotional situation, our pet just doesn't happen to be along. That's the 'here and now' scenario; whether having a pet has a permanent or long-term calming impact on you perhaps depends on how highly-strung you are as a person, how easily you lose your temper, or resort to tears in a crisis. It would be a matter of degree in any case - just what amount of stress relief the pet affords. People often talk to (with?) their animals or birds (not sure about fish) and chances are this comes about as a mini stress-reliever, without the person even recognising it as such. And of course someone may speak to an animal (horse) or bird (Joe Whistler) where it isn't a pet - it might be owned by another person or be 'in the wild'. How about insects, or similar? Who finds their pet spider calms them down?

Island Living

When domiciled on an island (as distinct from an island-continent), one comes to realise that self-sufficiency is an admirable daily aim not easily achieved in practice. The commodities that accompany everyday living are not necessarily available freely. It can be a case of "next ship" for some items, unless one is prepared to get by with the most basic existence. In a cool temperate climate, clothes are essential and may need to be imported if one is not to revert to wearing animal skins for attire. Food may not be so much of a supply problem depending on the preparedness of inhabitants to eat locally-grown fruit and vegetables. Water needs to be available if food garden practice is followed. Transportation could be limited to 'shank's pony' where one has no fuel-dependent vehicle or bicycle; once someone has such transport forms, maintenance is called for and it may not be possible in your island environment. There must be many throughout the world living in island communities either because they were so born or because they favour the isolated lifestyle. They may not move very far afield over their lifespan but at least experience comparative tranquility, provided the island is small and remote enough!

A touch of gastro

Not a happy topic but one that needs facing constantly; gastro (-enteritis) is always about and not too difficult to contract, particularly if one is weakened already by, say, overtiredness. In it's mild form, the complaint can be 'stomached' fairly easily, the frequent trips to the toilet being the biggest nuisance. In a more-serious dose, the whole digestive system feels under assault and this translates into sensations of general illness. It appears dehydration is the big bugbear so it becomes necessary for the sufferer to maintain fluid intake. Practising strict hygeine appears to be the best tool for countering an attack -frequent hand-washing and care in eating in 'doubtful' environments look to represent help, especially if spread of gastro is suspected. Medical attention would need to follow development of the disease on any larger scale. Not too hard to beat if someone is otherwise healthy - just mighty unpleasant while it's present and really tough for children and elderly.