TELLING STORIES ABOUT BARNIE
OLIVE’S FORTY EIGHTH POST
………………..
Who’s for tennis at 108?
Who’s for tennis at 108?
……………………..
Mike
As is becoming our custom, we start with some stamps.
We miss the old days when one sent real letters through the mails.
They winged their way, with coloful stamps doing the heavy lifting,
around the world, to loved ones far and near.
………………………..
………………………..
Today’s prize, folks, goes to the reader who’s been to every one of the places our stamps feature.
………………………
…………………………
If you think you’re in with a chance…..
………………………..
…………………….
….I mean. you’ve been to most of these countries, missing just one or two….
…………………
……………………..
….Then, get your running shoes on…
………………..
………………………..
We’ll hold the judging for a week or so.
………………………….
……………………
To give you a chance to fill the gaps….
………………………
…………………………
and visit those spots you’ve missed.
………………..
………………..
But do be careful about greenhouse gasses….
……………………….
…………………..
all competition travel must be eco friendly, (bikes and sailing boats are preferred) to compete.
…………………….
…………………..
Mike
Seriously, there will be competitions, dear Reader.
In fact, one has already begun, and that is to see who can send Olive the nicest stamp decorated evelope.
Jo Ann is our first entrant with these stamps she sent. They arrived on their envelope from the US just yesterday.
………………………..
………………..
Two of her stamps are especially great
……………………
……………………..
………………………..
If you want to compete, leave a comment on the blog to that effect.
A postal address will then be supplied to you. The competition will run till the new year.
The prize will be a certificate signed by Ollie, probably like this one.
……………………………….
………………………………
Competition No. Two is to choose the photo of Olive that you like best.
You have to search all the posts to date, all 48 of them.
Then, tell us which photo you like best, and why.
The most interesting, curious, and creative comment wins the prize which is a piece of orginal Letterart.
Letterart is an oil painting done on canvas to the size of an envelope.
It’s actually glued to the back of the envelope.
(Here’s an example, one of my favorites, painted near Helsinki )
…………………..
…………………….
The rules of the game stipulate that Letterart must go through the mail system, uprotected, and with colorful stamps on the other side.
We call it Risky Art because it may be stolen or damaged. But so far, all have arrived safely.
So, that’s the prize for best photo description, and that competition also finishes Jan 1st.
Now, here’s Ollie! (She doesn’t know about the comps. yet) ……………………
Olive
Good afternoon, everyone. I am feeling much better now.
Thank you so much for all your kind comments about Barnie.
I do miss him a lot and am so glad to have the lovely photos Mike took at me birthday a couple of years back.
………………………….
………………….
Eric came to read your comments to me as I lay on me bed, still a bit tired.
…………………..
……………………..
I told Mike I wanted to tell some stories about Barnie on the blog, and here they are.
……………………
…………………..
Mike
Eric and Ollie then started swapping stories about Sydney before the 2nd World War.
Eric was a young reporter with a newspaper at the time.
……………………..
……………………..He used to have a beer in a bar down in Sydney near Martin Place. This was at the famous long bar in the Australia hotel.
It turns out Ollie was a barmaid in that pub, and round about the same time.
We reckon she might have pulled him a beer. Or perhaps at Tattersals where she also worked and he also had a pint from time to time.
I was a bit disappointed that, despite Ollie’s fantastic memory, she can’t remember serving him.
This woman is really slipping. After all, it’s not that long ago, only round about 1942.
They reminisced about all the different pubs he knew.
Ollie told him a story about a regular customer, a travelling salesman, who used to sometimes give her porcelain horses .
She still had them till just recently, six of them.
She reported that one pub sacked her for pulling the beer with her left hand.
Olive
Yeah, I never spilt a drop that way.
But the other hand, Gawd, it was all over the place.
Still, he sacked me, the silly bugger.
…………………..
………………..
Mike
Here you are, Ollie, trying your hand at the old game, and having a few problems, Love.
……………………..
……………………..
Olive
What’d you expect? I can’t do that anymore with either hand!
Mike
Ollie, how would you like an outing next week?
Olive
Where too?
Mike
The Powerhouse Museum, not the one on the city, (below) but some place they have out at Castle Hill.
……………………..
……………………….
Olive
Why?
Mike
Well, I was speaking to a lady there who’s in charge of artifacts of the 20th cnetury.
I told her about how you’d explained the using of that old iron we found in Broken Hill.
……………………..
……………………
Olive
Oh, that old thing.
Mike
Well, they have lots of old things from the early part of the century and so I said,
“Why don’t I bring Ollie along and she can explain all your curious artifacts on camera?”
Olive
What did they say?
Mike
They were sort of interested. It just might happen next week if you would like it. Be good for the blog and for them too!
Olive
I hope it’s not far, this place
Mike
Only about an hour. And I’ll make sure there’s a disabled toilet, and someone to take you.
We’ll have morning tea too.
Olive
That’ll be nice.
Mike
Now, one other matter, Ollie. You blog has always been non commercial, right?
We’ve never put ads though it’s been tempting, especially in November when we had 353,090 hits on Nov. 6th.
What’s a hit?
Mike
A visit, someone coming to look. Anyway, we’ve stayed non commercial and that’s good.
Olive
Yeah, I agree..
Mike
But it’s costing me a lot this dear old blob of yours, Ollie, all sorts of expenses which are adding up and up.
I don’t mind that much I get a lot out of it. But it’s becoming a bit of a burden.
So, I asked Gerard who set it up orginally (Silvertrees) what the options are.
He said there’s a thing called Paymate we could attach
This would allow anyone who wants to, to make a small donation in a secure way. So, what do you think, Ollie?
Olive
Well, you shouldn’t be out of pocket. That’s not right at all!
I think it would be fine. As long as people don’t feel they have to pay.
Mike
Of course not. Anyway, I haven’t worked how to hook up to paymate as yet. We’ll see.
Since writing this, the little red paymate button is at the top of the page on the right
I hope people won’t be daunted by the info. they ask for. It does look a bit scary when you click on it..
But I guess its just the same for Paypal which is better known. My research tells me that the Paymate system is completely safe.
If people are put off, maybe we’ll put paypal instead or as well as. Anyone got an opinion out there?
………………………..
Saturday, December 1st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
This post is filed under Uncategorized.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
17 Responses to “TELLING STORIES ABOUT BARNIE”
Leave a Reply
December 1st, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Please email me Olive’s address. Thanks for all your hard work. Glad she is feeling like getting out for a bit. Kathy in Alabama, USA
Shall do, Kathy. Mike the helper.
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:28 am
Thanks for sharing your stories Ollie, as always! Good to know you’re feeling better. The contests are a great idea too, Mike.
As for the “donation” button, by all means, do it! As long as it’s purely voluntary, and there is no pressure to donate whatsoever, it’ll be a “win win situation”, as we Yanks say!
Looking forward to tales of your adventure to the history museum, too.
Give’em ‘ell, Ollie!
Certain no pressure at all, Robert. Ollie’s blog has a tone which we created, partially intentionally, party just because of who she is, and how we both see the world.
the present tone has a lot to do with not being about money. We like that tone and feel. Still, I must be realistic. I’ve chosen the Aust. equivalent of paypal called paymate. I hope poeple accept that. Mike
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:58 am
Hi Mike and Olive,
Just wanted to let you two know we’d be happy to contribute a bit. We love reading your stories, and I know it can cost a lot in fees as well as time to keep something like this running. If you get enough people contributing (and I’m sure you will!), take Ollie out to a nice dinner. The world loves Ollie!
Katy in Norway
That’s encouraging, Katy. I do hate to ask but am so glad to get your positive reaction. Mike the helper
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:39 am
So nice to see Olive up and herself. It’s surely been a hard week and she’s been on my mind as well as (probably) thousands of others! Love the stamps..love the challenges..and the paypal (in the US we call it paypal) idea is great Mike..Surely you will have some takers. Just a little additional note here, I was blessed to visit NYC for our American Thanksgiving holiday and in “walking” the Brooklyn Bridge on a beautiful non-traditional day, I saw 2 young people with “FREE HUG” signs..I was so excited, ran right up and gave them both my “Maine” Bear hug. If it wasn’t for you and this wonderful blog, I may have just wondered what that was all about. Thanks for sharing..it changes people’s lives.
Tami, that’s a great story about you being alert to hugs. Funny how good things can spread around the world like that. I must make an effort to get our hugger to meet Ollie. Maybe she’ll change her mind. Mike the helper
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:56 am
Thanks for showing my envelope and stamps. Local postmaster told me the Jamestown stamp’s out of print now but still lots of folks trying to buy them.
Enjoyed your videos, Olive. That museum with all the old 20th Century items — like your flatiron — sounds interesting.
Would like to have heard your and Eric’s WWII stories. My brother was with the U.S. Navy submarine unit, stationed on shore in Perth. He’s always wanted to go back and visit during peacetime but isn’t physically able now.
We might get Eric talking, Jorad. he’s a bit shy. Thanks for being the first with the envelope. Mike the helper
December 2nd, 2007 at 4:50 am
I loved the story about how Ollie and Barnie met up after he came home! My husband is currently finishing up his 3rd tour in Iraq and he’ll be home soon. I can’t wait to have my meet up with him like that!
I loved Ollie’s little laughs while she was telling her stories too. Her face just lit up and she sounded so youthful! I’ve very much been enjoying all of Ollie’s stories. I think it’s so ironic and funny that Ollie and Eric were in the same pubs so many years ago and now they’re friends! What a small world this is!
Thank you so much Mike for helping Ollie with her blob!
Thanks, Erin, safe journey home for your hubby. mike the helper
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:44 am
One of my friend sent out cards every month and I do a few here and there.
I sure love all those stamps which been feature on Ollie blob.
I would love her snail mail address so I can send her a Christmas Card.
My e-mail is peppylady(at)yahoo (dot) com.
Dora, Naples Idaho
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I’d love to send Olive a snail-mail letter! Maybe I can even get my artist friend to decorate it. Heavens knows that for all of my talents, art simply isn’t one of them!
I hope Olive is feeling better, and I hope the trip to the Museum is enjoyed by all!
Have a wonderful day!
Miss Rosie
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Thankyou again for your stories Ollie. It’s a gift you have been given, to be sure, of remembering so that you can tell in such a way as to let us see it all with you, through the Blob.
My own man came back from overseas service at end of WW2, and your telling took me back there again - end of ‘45. (This year was our 62nd wedding anniversary)
—-
I like your lovely blue shoulder wrap - it’s special - suits you just so!
—-
To Mike and Katya, Eric, Christine, Amber, and all - what a blessing you and ‘Gracious Olive’ are to us who are allowed to share in your kindnesses.
Katya lent the blue wrap, Nan. Mike the helper
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:33 am
I just find out where to comment on this blog. I found Ollie’s story from thai’s newspaper 2 months ago.I really love reading her story.
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:41 am
Fancy you being sacked for pulling a beer with your left hand, Olive. I always pulled beer with my left hand and I’m right-handed! He’d never get away with it today, with Work Choices and all.
It would be nice for you to go on that outing, Olive, as long as it doesn’t tire you too much.
You’re getting some lovely stamps from all over the world, it’s great seeing them.
I agree that Mike shouldn’t be out of pocket with this blog. Tell him there’s an application called PayPal which is very secure and is easy to use for people who wish to transfer money or pay for things they’ve bought. eBay uses it.
We are going to use Paymate which is the Aussie version of Paypal, equally secure apparently. Glad you like the stamps, Robyn. mike the helper.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Wow! The stamps are really beautiful. I would love to send you a letter with some of my country. Unfortunately, we don’t have ’stamps in the old way’ anymore. They are the sticker kind and it’s not the same. I will scan one and send it to you if I find it. And about the picture things… wow: it is really difficul to make one’s mind about which one is the most beautiful. They all have that special think on them, but I will try. By the way, I would like to donate some money because this blog is really nice and it shows that you spend a lot of time doing it. God… Ollie is an amazing. Everytime I read this blog a sentence I once read somewhere comes to my mind: “Being able to enjoy the memories of your life is being able to live twice”. And Ollie is surely doing it.
Glad you like the stamps, GWisemua, Do send us some stickers anyway. Thanks for the offer to donate. There is paymate button the blog now, top right corner. Let me know if you have any problems. You might be the very first. Mike the helper
December 4th, 2007 at 8:04 am
God… I have used my Internet nickname on the comment above. Sorry Mike. It’s me, monica.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Hey…..by the way…..on UK TV today……5.12.07…….11.15pm………….The Oldest person living …..Emma Tillman……..114 YRS OLD…..!!!!!!
What sadness to live to be so old…seeing all one’s friends and relatives dying…..by the way……am I right in thinking Olive still has 2 daughters alive…? How amazing !!!
Best wishes to all
Penny
Yes she does have two daughters still alive. Mike the helper
December 6th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Hi Olive and Mike.
The London newspaper The Sun, has just posted a great story about you, written by Dave Masters. See
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/real_life/article548314.ece
The Sun is a sensational tabloid daily with the highest circulation of any daily English-language newspaper in the world, — 3,126,866 copies a day in October 2007.
Thanks Etta, Actually I’ve just visited Ollie, shown her the article even have a photo of her holding it up. Mike the helper.
December 6th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Good morning Olive,
Hope this finds you well today!
Mike please send me the address, I would love to send Olive some letters and stamps. It is so kind of you to help her, and it is obvious that so many of us are reading and loving her blob. I am about to turn 30 this month, I can’t even imagine what it feels like to be 108! Olive you really are an amazing lady.
I will be looking up the Paymate link, and would be more than happy to help keep the blog going. You invest so much time and love, the least the rest of us can do is give a little bit of money.
I send my love and best wishes to you all, and I hope to be able to send a few letters soon as well.
Melissa.
I’ve sent you the address separately, and thanks so much for the offer of help. I’ve just been overwhelmed by blog related expenses and so I thought, “time to stop being shy about this.” Mike the helper
December 12th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Dear. Olive
I saw you on newspaper this morning.
I’m livin’ in South Korea.