Unfortunately I have to report it was the result of a very stupid mishap.

It’s probably something I shouldn’t mention, but one I will.

Just to highlight the fact that you are never too old to learn.

And to never become too complacent just because you think you have a few years on you that you are any wiser.

What I am trying to say is that I suffered an injury that even a child probably would not have been exposed to.

Let me explain..

I was mulching some cuttings from the garden, and the machine is quite large.

I had been carrying out the task for well over an hour and all was going well - just a few minutes to go.

But out the corner of my eye, I noticed it was slightly clogging up.

Obviously, the thing to do is switch off the machine and clean it out.

No, that’s not what Captain Stupid did.  

He left the machine on, grabbed a large screw driver and put it into the opening to clear it out.  

It worked the first time, but shoving the tool further in is a definite No, No!

The mulcher did not like the screw driver down its throat and spat it out - taking the top of my right hand off.

Not pleasant, but definitely worth the punishment for being so stupid.

A quick glance and the decision was made to make the journey to the Emergency Department (referred to, as I found out, ED) at the hospital.

The staff there are absolutely fantastic and looked after things beautifully.

The locum doctor visiting for just four days, Dr Janet was brilliant and after 11 stitches, I was ready to go home.

Things didn’t work out all that well however, with the combination of mulching machine, plants and screw driver providing some infection.

So a regular visit daily back to the ED  was required to administer a drip.

Anyway, it’s all good now - although still tender in the deepest cut area.

I’m not in anyway looking for sympathy because it was truly one of the most stupid things I have ever done. 

This is merely to serve as a warning to be bloody careful.  Not be complacent.

The irony is that workplace safety is a huge issue here at the Champion Post - and just about everywhere else.

I need to practice what I preach!!

As for sympathy?   Well, that just didn’t happen.

The kids reminded me countless times that all I had to do was switch the machine off; and stressed the very bad timing for such an idiotic thing.

As a result, I was unable to assist in moving our daughter into her new home; seriously handicapped for a boys golfing weekend; and was unable to assist in preparing our garden for last weekend’s open gardens day.

But there was an upside...of sorts.

The screw driver did not go through my head, take my eye out and did not do more damage.

And I didn’t have to do the washing up!

- - - - 

But, and again it’s not something to be proud of, we nearly never made our tee-off on time.

Before we went to bed on Saturday night, as the elder statesman of the group, I stressed to everyone to make sure they turned their clocks forward for Daylight Saving as it was an early tee-off, and it would be even earlier with the loss of an hour.

All well and good, except that when I went to bed, for some reason I put the clock back!

So when they tried waking me up next morning insisting it was 7am, I fought tooth and nail to convince them it was only 5am and that they were simply geeing me up.

Yep, one of those ever-increasing worrying senior moments that seem to be so common nowadays.

- - - -

The Parkes Garden Club held its open gardens last weekend, and we were surprisingly asked to open our yard as part of it.

We didn’t think anyone would want to come and have a look, but we agreed.

That of course, meant quite a bit of panic and a lot of work to bring it up to speed.

And me with a busted hand was not exactly popular because I couldn’t contribute.

Chris worked tirelessly to ensure the garden was suitable and she received terrific help from the family.

So last Sunday was the big day, and it went off really well.

Not sure what the visitors (more than 350 of them) thought, but we had a good day anyway.

We had visitors from far and wide - bus loads from Boorowa, Nyngan and Gilgandra as well as Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Wellington, Orange, Canberra, Forbes, Eugowra.

It was fun talking to people who obviously love gardens.

I have to say though, you could have counted the number of men who visited on two hands (maybe even one).

Obviously the menfolk are either golfers or were at home watching the Bathurst car races.

Congratulations to the organisers on a wonderful day - we are only too aware of how much work went into the event.

- - - - 

We don’t seem to have as many characters around nowadays as there used to be in the past.

But we had a real gem in John (Gidgie) Leister who sadly has left us.

Gidgie was not only the local barber for most of his lifetime, he was a local personality with a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of subjects - from sport, to Parkes, to politics.

He was a staunch and proud supporter of his home town and was quick to offer advice on how things could be improved.

Gidgie was regularly in contact with us here at the Champion Post to offer thoughts for stories, information on local events and residents.

Only a few months before his passing, he dropped me a note:

“Just a few suggestions you might get your teeth around.  Only suggestions ole mate. I’m not trying to get your job.

No. 1- has it ever been reported who bought the old Austop building and what they are going to do with it?

No. 2 - Interview DOCs manager and see how many child abuse cases in Parkes and bring it to our notice.

No. 3 - Catch up with manager of Public Housing in Parkes and see what condition they (houses) are in.

No. 4 - Why the horrific prices dentists charge?

No. 5 - Also, why the price of petrol locally? I think when the barrel of oil was $106, petrol was $1.50 and now oil is $87.

No. 6 - Enclosed is a couple of stories on reverse mortgages. Horrible eh?

All the best, regards, Gidgie.”

- - - - 

Sadly Parkes has also lost an iconic character no doubt well known to most residents.

Ervine Barber was a regular feature around Parkes (He was also known as Wiggy).

Ervine was always courteous and respectful, certainly in my many dealings with him.

He was 69 - his funeral is expected to be late next week.

Ervine is the last of his family who resided in Bollinger Street.

- - - -

THOUGHT FOR 

THE WEEK:

“Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.”