Normal People against the Politically Correct that is.

A week ago, our family headed south to celebrate our Dutch family Christmas.

Most of the family made the trek to virtually a halfway point for us and family from the south coast.

Since our Mum died three years ago, it has become a tradition that we get together for the Swarte Piet (Black Pete) Christmas tradition.

Otherwise, it is difficult for us all to be together at Christmas because the siblings all have their own family Christmas scattered far and wide.

It was fantastic - even if there were a few injuries from the fun and games which were held.

Anyway, I raise the matter because to the PCs, it is quite a touchy subject.

We’re told we shouldn’t refer to it as Black Pete - even though it is a very Dutch tradition - and we most certainly should not dress up with a painted face (so we don’t).

Even in Holland, it has proven quite divisive despite the fact that it goes back centuries and Swarte Piet (St Nicholas’ offsider) is promoted extensively.

Besides, what would you do with the history of the tradition?

Wipe it from the annals, pretend it never existed?

Don’t think so.

As I said, we thoroughly enjoyed the occasion - it certainly highlights just how special family is.

And a reminder that Christmas is not far away at all - less than two months. 

Boy, time flies when you are having fun.

- - - - -

NOW!!!! To the real reason I raised our Christmas.

And why us (I think we are anyway) NPs should fight back.

Are you aware that there is now a push to ban the words of Baa Baa Black Sheep?

True!  

In Victoria they want to remove ‘black’ from the kids song.

I think this has raised its head before, but is now back on the agenda.

Forget that we all grew up with it, that it has been around for goodness knows how long, that it is one of the most loved songs of all time.

The PCs think we should sing Baa Baa Rainbow sheep.

That doesn’t quite have the right ring to it - surely Baa Baa any-coloured sheep” sounds better.

Fair dinkum! 

There are actually black sheep; no rainbow sheep or any-coloured sheep.

Where do these people come from?

Do they spend their lives in Academia Land, never venturing out into the real world?

I just can’t get my head around the fact that there are actually real people who come up with these ideas.

Surely they are having a lend of us.

I certainly hope so - because if we continue down this path, pity help what our history and traditions are going to resemble in another 100 years!

Smart phones and computers will probably be running the joint anyway!

- - - -

Having old fashioned views can also get you into a lot of trouble.

It has me, anyway.

Another modern day trend which is starting to raise its head - and should quickly be chopped off!! - is the desire for women to work longer and have kids much later in life.

It has reached yet greater heights now, though, with women being given an option to freeze their eggs so they can delay having children and can devote their fertile years to work.

I kid you not!  

This apparently is an offer being made to female employees of Facebook and Apple.

Australian companies are following suit.

It is regarded as a ‘benefit’ - a breakthrough, a game-changer which will ‘finally’ emancipate women from the slavery of motherhood!

It also removes the obstacle that holds women back from wage equality with men.

I really can’t believe the world has come to this.

Babies and family....they will become an afterthought.

Work first!

If you ask me, it is part of the problem of our kids today - that the mums are out too quickly, working and not staying at home long enough to teach the kids about respect and discipline (rant!).   

Phew!

- - - -

On to a subject which makes me feel a lot better about the world.

I mentioned that we had our garden open as part of the Open Garden scheme.

It meant though, that we could not visit the other gardens that were also involved.

Well, last weekend the volunteers and garden owners had a special tour of their own.

It blew me away.

The other three gardens were really something. 

All very different, all truly outstanding.

It amazes me that here we are out in the middle of the state where the temperatures regularly top 40 degrees, and it is usually fairly dry, that we have these magnificent gardens.

And there are many more of them too.

If you missed taking in the Open Gardens, you missed a wonderful experience.

- - - -

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

“Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.”