OLIVE STEALS A BABY
OLIVE’S THIRTY SECOND POST
Olive
Good evening to all my dear readers and friends.Mike likes me to start with a song. I’m getting sick of this one, but here goes.
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Olive’s song. click here
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And another song just for luck, Ollie!
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Mike
(To the reader) Olive tells me she’s feeling very very old tonight so we’re bringing you a story from our trip to Broken Hill 2 years ago when she and I made a movie together.
As you probably know, Ollie was born in that mining town in 1899 and left it as a single mum with three kids in tow, hopping on a steam train for Adelaide sometime in the late twenties.
There they go.
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………………………….Ollie herself had been one of twelve kids, the last of the bunch and not a welcome sight to her mother who Olive claims, never liked her one bit!
The little girl did everything to win her mother over but to no avail. (see the post about catching the ragman)
Still, life was not all grim, and you are often very funny, my dear Ollie, telling stories of your older sisters kissing and canoodling on the the front veranda.
I can picture you spying on the young lovers with Mum and Dad snoring just inside the window.
Here you are at spying age, (12) looking very serious for a little snoop.
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…………………………The second story on today’s blog tells how when Ollie was old enough to be interested in boys, she sometimes gave her admirers the blue duck.
Olive
Not that often, Mike!
Mike
Well, often enough to make your Dad mad at you….
Olive
Too Right!
Mike
…..And have him send you across the road to apologize to those poor lads..
Olive
Oh, yes but we still gave blue ducks sometimes in spite of Dad.
Mike
Well, now that we’ve got everyone intrigued, we are not going to tell the blue duck story.
Not yet at least. First, I’m putting in your tale about how one of your sisters got pregnant and what your Dad did about that.
Olive
What the young man did, you mean!. Bill was the fella’s name.
Mike
Right! ,,,,,And then you get into another story, and amazing one too, of how you stole a baby who became your half brother, another Bill.
Olive
Billy, not Bill, and I didn’t steal him. I hid him. There’s a big difference, you know, Mike
Mike
Anyway, here’s you telling those stories to two young people we met in Broken Hill.
I’ve forgotten their names but I’ll find out before the next post and add them, the names I mean.
The girl who’s listening loved to act, remember? She played your beloved sister, Emma in our movie, the one who died of the ear infection. That’s why she’s wearing the old blouse. It’s her costume.
That girl also did a courting scene on the front verhanda with the boy we see. He was nice too.
Olive
Very nice indeed. Very politely spoken, he was.
Mike
I hope folks will be patient because it will probably take a few moments to download you, Ollie
Olive
Download me? What does that mean?
Mike
Don’t worry. They know….And I think we’ll keep the blue duck episode for next time.
I haven’t got the energy to trasfer it. Transfers take a few hours……
Anyway, here to finish off are some pics of Billy, the stolen baby, and your Mum and Dad.
First, Billy when he was a big and strapping fella, your “terrible” Mum beside him
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Mike
Now, your Dad with his fake arm.
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click to hear how Olive saved Billy
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Monday, August 27th, 2007 at 1:08 am
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24 Responses to “OLIVE STEALS A BABY”
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August 27th, 2007 at 1:57 am
Okay…you’ve got me curious now. A blue duck? A pregnant sister? I can’t believe you just left us hanging like that, Mike. I’ll be tuning in later for sure.
As far as the movie “Sicko” that you mentioned earlier…I’ve personally not seen it, but have read quite a bit about it. I think Michael Moore is quite talented in movie making but I don’t think his movies are 100 percent truthful.
No one dies in the U.S. because they can’t afford a life saving operation. Those of us that pay the high premiums for insurance are in essence paying for those that cannot pay. Under law, an emergency room cannot refuse you treatment because of lack of insurance or money. This extends to all people (including our large illegal immigrant base). The great thing about this country is that you are free to live elsewhere if you so desire. Perhaps Michael Moore would like to receive all his care in Cuba, but I’ll take my chances right here (as will he, I’m sure).
Eric, sorry about the blue duck. Just ran out of puff. The meaning is actually explained in an earlier blog.
you should go see SICKO. I think it very powerful and very timely. He shows that people do die from withheld care, and are driven crazy with unnecessary worry when there is enogh to worry about with illness itself.
I has 2o years of “free” Canadian health care and never a bad experience or excessive wait. I had good care in the US for the thre years I lived in the Boston area, but then i was part of the Harvard heath care plan and as a lecturer was was gerring the best on offer.
Now, back in Aust since the mid nineties, I’ve had ten years of free (paid for by my taxes of course) care again, never any waiting or stress.
Many years ago a girl friend I was travelling with had a horrendous experience in the US, a noghtmare now graven on my memory as I remember her suffering. I lived through one of the horror stories Mike presents. Recently, I posted both a youtube clip about wishing he had come to look at our hybrid system( now being nudged towards private insurance)
I also posted a clip defending Mike (Mike is mauled) against a new Canadian Doc called, Manufacturting Dissent. That film reveals, as you say, that Moore has often fudged the truth, esp. with his first film, Roger and Me.
In SICKO, for example, the Cuban chapter was obviously set up, contrary to the way the story tells it. None the less, the feeling he reports of warm non money driven heath care, is true. I’ve experienced that in Cuba.
But I argue that this film which attacks him, does the same thing, embroiders the truth. Docmentaries thrive on story and emotion as do fiction films, and there is a strong temptation to enhance the story threads one comes across, as Moore does.
It happens a lot and one needs to be found out and taken to task. On the other hand, I think the essential crtique he makes, the food for thought he provides, is good.
For me, he’s the Mark Twain of today. Mike the helper.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Great story about baby Billy - I have been waiting for that one.
This may have been stated in the video clip (my 2 yr old was distracting me terribly, have to watch it again later) but did Billy know the truth about his adoption and the circumstances?
Billy did not know, Christina. Mike the Helper.
August 27th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I felt sad to read that Olive’s mom rejected her. I hope she is happy today.
I think Olive is having a great time these days. She has her ups and downs of course. But there is a sparkle in her eye and excitement when she tells a story. Mike the helper
August 27th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Dear Ollie, it sounds like you were certainly a feisty one when you were younger. Fancy hiding that little baby and saving it from the orphanage. But I guess you fell in love with him and couldn’t bear to see him sent away. Lucky for him to find such a caring family, and good on you for not revealing the poor young lady who had to give up her child. Things were certainly different back then, a whole “stolen generation” of babies of all colours and faiths. Don’t wear Mike out now, will you, keep well both of you, fondest regards
Christine.
I’ve been intrigued, Christine, by Olive’s refusal to mention this name. She’s been forthcoming with other touchy names, but this is the way she wants the story told and we respect that. People were more circumspect in this days and that might have been a good thing. Mike the helper
August 28th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Wow! Dear Mike & Olive ..
Your blob gets more intriguing all the time .. keep it up!!
Happy to hear that Razzler. Mike the helper
August 29th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Dear Olive,
it’s so lovely to see and hear you sing. You look and sound lovely.
I hope you keep singing and ‘blobbing’ forever…
big hug,
Marina
(The Netherlands)
Marina, “Forever” seems a bit much to ask. But I do think the blog is keeping Ollie healthy and happy. Tht’s why she is such an inspiration to other older folks to have a go at the internet, not to be scared of it. Mike her helper
August 31st, 2007 at 8:51 am
Hi Olive, you are an inspiration to all of us. I read your article in the US, we are happy to hear about your blogging. Thanks a lot. Happy Blogging. Cheers
Welcome to our blog, Chris. Mike the helper
August 31st, 2007 at 10:40 am
loved your
*my blue heaven*
keep up the amazing stories
as you are rather good at this,
i think.
love your blob!
i send you somepinkflowers
across the the miles…
carry on!
Bonnie, we hope to do more songs. Mike the helper
August 31st, 2007 at 11:28 am
Ollie
You are a beautiful lady.
Good on you and all the best
xxx
Thanks, Juile. Mike the helper
August 31st, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Ollie, I love your blob! I can’t wait for the next post or song. Best wishes to you for a wonderful day.
Hope to have some new songs next week, Feelingflirty. Mike the helper.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Good Morning from Tempe, Arizona USA-First time reader Dear Olive! I love your stories and how your freinds present them. I hope you’ll count me as a “friend” too! Take care dear!
Michelle Downs
Michelle, thanks for the nice comment and don’t forget we are always looking for people to post anecdotes about their own old rellies and esp. the depression period.(See post 29) Mike the helper.
September 1st, 2007 at 12:58 am
Kudos to you Mike for helping dear Olive with her blog. My aunt is 99, and I only wish I could do this for her, but she has suddenly decided not to speak….I guess ever again. How odd that I should link here at this time. I just returned from a trip to Nevada where I found an old pioneer graveyard with the name Ronin (pic on my blog). I wonder if this family could have been any relation to the Ronin film people you are affiliated with…maybe pioneer English settlers? Wonderful thing you are doing here.
Why has she stopped Judie? it ita physical thing or mental, do you think? Is it possible you could play her a clip of Olive singing as a an inspiration? mike the helper
September 1st, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hi Olive & Mike,
Love the blog but have a bit of tech issue here coz couldnt add the RSS feeds on Google read (said error, No feed available for “http://http//www.allaboutolive.com.au/feed/”)
I then looked at the RRS feed link it is -
feed://http//www.allaboutolive.com.au/feed/
so i modified the link to - feed://www.allaboutolive.com.au/feed/
And it works…
Might be a good idea to fix that line so other not-so-geeky reader can add feed to their google read..etc
Anyway, olive your blog is a great read. I can sit in front of my computer whole weekend just to read you blog…
Kind regards,
christine
Christine, I’ll ask the fellow who helps us techinally because I don’t understand the problem, Mike the helper.
September 1st, 2007 at 12:18 pm
hi Riley, I’m very surprise to read you beautiful essays and intrested in them when I was just passing by. I’m from China, only 25 years old. You look so young and preety regardless your real age. I do hope you and mike keep writting this funny story as well as being happy and healthily every single day! Best wishes!
Thanks Shasongyang. We are a very happy that you are visiting us from China. Mike the helper
September 1st, 2007 at 2:29 pm
my dear grandmas,I’m a girl from china.I heard your storys through the chinese network news.in my soul ,you’re very great.Beacause my grandma who is 77 years old has not known what is the bolg till now,and as myself i do not know what will be doing too, when i will be very very old.but now i’m sure that you’re my goal and i wanna learn your optimism and activity.at last, here’s to your health !!
We hope that our blog might inspire your gandma Li dayu. Thanks for writing. Mike the helper
September 1st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Oi! That’s not fair. To talk about giving a blue duck and then not letting us know what it is…lol! Sounds naughty, though and Olive, you seemed to be a bit of a tearaway at times…so I bet it is naughty…lol!
The blue duck will come on stage today, Robyn. promise. Mike the tardy helper
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:05 am
What a lovely lady, I wish you happy and healty forever!
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:06 am
BTW, Im also from China, you are kind of famous here, hehe, cuz your story is all around our major news websites.
Glad we reached China, Lian. Mike the helper
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 am
hi
i am come from Taiwan, i read your story and know your blog on the news in Taiwan.
nice to know and read your blog
Glad we reached Taiwan as well, Mark. Mike the helper.
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
HEY OLIVE!
Here is the best wishes from tom wei in bendigo Vic. U wonderful blog already brought ur whole life to all the people around the world!
Wonderful story, Amazing lady! BTW, looking forwarding ur nxt story!Maybe u will become a legend in future…..
Don’t be too impatient, Tom, its a lot of work. besides there is so much posted already that reading back posts should keep by you busy for several days. I esp. like the Steam Tram. Mike not to be rushed
September 5th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Hello Olive!
What a blog - and my depest respect for your work here! Keep on blogging! Have fun!
September 8th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
“Olive Steals a Baby”, great story Olive! Keep on telling them. I so enjoy listening to your stories!
Thanks, Constance. Mike the helper.
September 15th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Hello from Maine finally! So sorry, have been away for most of the summer and finally catching up on the blog!! Have been reading and reading as I can in the last two weeks and made it this far. The Olive steals a baby has been removed from you tube?? Oh, how I’ve wanted to see that story! Mike..after reading for a bit, would you like me to send my copy of the dvd on to others? Please email an address and I will be so happy to do so. Unfortunately, I have gotten no where with getting it shown locally, tho, I suspect you have new Mainer’s reading now. Best to you,
health, peace and love… Almost Birthday Time Olive-YAY!!
Tami
The stealing the baby story is still there, Tami. Mike the helper
September 15th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
For some reason I cannot view it, (reads: This video has been removed by the user.) I will continue to try. Have so thoroughly enjoyed all the new video’s Mike, wonderful job! As for Leno, it’s nice to be asked for sure!! WOW. They should send someone to Australia to interview the both of you!
Tami is right the story of the baby is gone. I will put it back today. Mike the helper