Years ago, in Brisbane, there used to be an old European woman who was always dressed as a Nun. Her nun's outfit looked slightly authentic, but it was definitely home made.
She looked a bit like these nuns.
She was little, and muscular, and she'd charge around the CBD feeding the pigeons. I used to see her almost everyday. It was a couple of years before it dawned on me she was probably not 'the full quid'.
I was reminded of her because I've taken to feeding the Butcher Birds.
I've taken to throwing them cubes of cheese.
Initially, I gave them platters of various cheeses and dips and olives, and the occasional aperitif, but it seemed they prefer basic cheddar squares thrown all over the ground.
And my red-eyed nemeses have returned in increasing numbers.
They get nothing from me, but clench-fisted curses, because they're eyeing off ...
my freshly potted dracena ...
... and my newly sprouted monstera. I will not tolerate pea-brained, potted-plant vandalism.
Well, dont make a 'habit' of it!
ReplyDeleteHardy Har!
Why dont you put some big rocks around the top of the pots to stop them digging in there!
I remember her when I used to work in town. She used to rush around like she was on a mission. We used to call her the Flying Nun because she was so quick. Did you ever see her up close? Her uniform was slightly grubby. Some people said she was actually a man. I always wanted to find out more about her.
ReplyDeleteThose turkeys are pest!
Melissa,
ReplyDeletetoo witty! I'm collecting rocks now.
Brismod,
man hey? I did see her up close. She did have a hairy chin and parts of her outfit was held together with safety pins.
She moved with the speed of light as if she had somewhere to go. Occassionally she'd come into one of the TABs I used to work in, though she'd never bet.
I wonder if anyone else remembers her?
Would you like me to make some crochet rock covers for you to confuse the turkeys!!
ReplyDeleteNuns, birds, and turkeys! I wonder if every city has its "odd" ladies. I remember one who would knock on your door and if you opened it she would barge right in. She carried a basket trimmed with crepe paper and plastic flowers. Oh the memories!
ReplyDeleteUgh, what are those hideous creatures?! turkeys?
ReplyDeleteWhat a host you are not even offering them a cocktail with their cheese or maybe a glass of wine....MISSED ya Momma i have to go back and catch up.....and your back a little HOORAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember said Nun and the homeless chap who used to try and busk by playing air guitar on a bit of broken wood. He perpetually had one leg in plaster. I had to forcibly stop myself from jumping up and down on his good leg when I he called out 'Hey Olive Oil' one day as I glided past. Cheers M-L
ReplyDeletetime for nerf guns!
ReplyDeleteKerry, can you crochet words into those rock cardigans? Words like, "Get away from my plants or it's a moderate over with lots of olive oil".
ReplyDeleteDeb,
I think every City must have its eccentrics. Even my father tells a story of a woman in Sydney, must've been in the 40s or 50s, who'd jump in cabs and expect to be driven from place to place for free.
Frau S,
they're 'scrub turkeys'. They're like vermin ... but we can't touch them because they're so-called protected. Their babies are cute.
Hello Heidi,
I know. I couldn't help myself. I missed everyone.
M-L,
How I laughed at your comment. I think I'll laugh about it all day!
Milady,
that's not such a bad idea. You can get those almost semi-automatic, long-range water guns. I might get one of those and establish one of the boys as a sentry.
Funny you should mention nuns and turkeys together again because those creepy buzzards are stalking the convent again.(i.e. Get thee to a hennery.)The babies were cute for about 2 days then they grew up and now they come from both directions,. We have tried nerf guns from our arsenal in Boy's World but they bounce off the turkeys thick warty hides. (Or was that toads because they've arrived for the first time ever since the rains!) It's like the Western front in the Western suburbs with small neighbourhood boys rigging booby traps on the cubby roof and cane toads seemingly falling from the skies!
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
ReplyDeleteignoring the tendancy to tautologise, I find toads repulsive and repugnant.
The thought of them falling from the sky is enough for me to refuse to go outside.
What big words you use, O Legal One. I have to look up something from every post. You're teaching me lots!
ReplyDeleteO Canadian Snowed-in One, I make up a lot of words.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute post! I guess birds ain't that fussy when it comes to their cheeses eh?
ReplyDeleteBrrrr... toads.... Even frogs falling from the sky gives me the horrors.
Well bless that little Monstera.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy a story like this very much. Have you seen the house on Milton Rd that always has a dummy dressed as a Nun, but in theme? Eg: Christmas/Easter/Vote Green's Nun? I always check her out to see what she has to say.
In Darwin we had a lady called Heidi (all folk lore) and she has blonde hair/blue eyes and a European accent. She is quite famous see: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/07/17/4704_ntnews.html
PS - your stong interest in ornithology is definitely giving you biddie points!
ReplyDeleteI remember her too. I wonder what happened to her? I hope someone cared for her. I feel kind of sick thinking about it really. I know a similar kind of lady who lives in Bulimba. She wears dirty clothes and mutters and the snobs that live round me look down on her. The problem is she doesn't like it when you try to talk to her. There are so many people to worry about isn't there really. I am rambling again. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Your plants are looking lovely, cheers Katherine
ReplyDeleteR&S,
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with that dummy. Whomever lives in that house is obviously a little amusing, or very bored.
OBH,
I think a lot of people who wander the streets don't have anyone to care for them. Though, there would be a whole side to life that we would never see ... we at home with electricity and a computer, blogging about superfluities. I'll ask my brother, he works in that sort of area.
I remember the 'crazy' nun, and then straight away thought of the nun in the window on Milton Road... we must have all moved in the same circles and yet never met... cue sinister/rousing/crescendo of music... (may have used words incorrectly there)
ReplyDeleteThe Crazy Nun's probably sitting in a penthouse at New Farm, with the man who played air-guitar on a stick, overlooking the River.
ReplyDeleteThey're both saying ... "Remember that girl with glasses who worked in the TAB? And remember Olive Oil, and that girl who went by the name 'Brismod'? She was always looking at me funny. And the woman in East Brisbane who my muttering friend sees all the time? What's with her and old furniture? And then there was that artistic one who moved to Toowoomba ... they're all mad! And nosy!"
I don't remember the nun but I remember the old homeless guy out near Toowong, who used to sit on Moggill Road with bags and bags of stuff. He was kind of a cool old guy actually, always a constant when I used to drive to UQ. Last time I saw him was 7-8 years ago, not sure if he's still around.
ReplyDeleteYes Emma. I know that man. His name was 'Ziggy' and he lived behind the R.E. He had a brother and sister whom he could have lived with, but he chose not to. He was featured on 'Brisbane Extra' a few times. I think occassionally yobs used to be mean to him. But I think he got sick ... though that was a good few years ago now.
ReplyDeleteMoving in the same circles ... cue music, Anna.
I found this link, for anyone who's interested:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziggy_the_bagman
Ziggy yeah that's right! Thanks for the link, imagine our Ziggy having a wiki entry. Good on him.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've just recalled the bloke who pushes a lot of pumpkins on a trolley along Moggill Road near Chapel Hill. He's always pushing pumpkins on his trolley and dressed in white painter's overalls.
ReplyDeleteWhere are my Kenmore associates when I need them?
Oh la la, fine dining for birds, impressive. I'm currently growing vegetables for the local birds to pick at. Love Posie
ReplyDeleteThere was this old couple that used to feed pidgeons at the playground in my neighbourhood with entire breads. It was old and hard bread and they were throwing this at the pidgeons. The problem was that they were like stones and sometimes they hit kids that were running and playing around them. I had a few bumps from bread too. I have been suspicious of people who feeds birds out of their homeever since, they're never totally 'there'.
ReplyDeleteI think you should make turkey jerky and sell it at the park in a turkey outfit. You'll be the crazy turkey lady and all the bloggers can blog about you. We're talking lots of protein in jerky. You might make enough money to build your MCM home...then I could take notes from you. What do you think?
ReplyDeletethis post has it all! I love your nun story! sounds like you're a bit of a bird nerd, and so am I.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really interesting that you can Wiki Ziggy. You may be in there too - or are you already?
ReplyDeleteHa ha why haven't I found this blog before. I am with the nerf gun person, gets the kids on patrol I say. The cheek of those turkey things.
ReplyDeleteIm astonished they poo pood your cheese platter. We supplied our local wildlife with all sorts of gourmet treasures too, until last week when we dismantled the veggie patch. Megan xx
ReplyDeleteI know that 'nun' you're talking about ... she must have become one of Brisbane's well known identities ... it took me a while to realise she wasn't quite 'with it' too.
ReplyDeleteTell the turkeys they'll be talking to the butchers if they don't watch their backs.
ReplyDelete