Did the Covid-19 pandemic (hopefully just about over in Australia) and its resulting forms of lockdown bring out in Almanackers particular food cravings/obsessions? It certainly did in Kevin Densley’s case. In response, KD created a personal “Pandemic Cafe” menu, one high on instant gratification, and low in terms of other culinary considerations!
Almanac Poetry: Platinum Blonde
April 13, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This week’s intriguing poem from Kevin Densley is about 1930s Hollywood glamour icon, Jean Harlow, who died tragically young.
Almanac Comedy: ‘Mo Goes to the Dogs’
April 9, 2021 by 6 Comments
Kevin Densley introduces an episode of the classic Australian radio comedy series, McCackie Mansion, from just after WW2, starring the legendary actor/comedian Mo. In this episode, Mo McCackie, his son, Young Harry, Uncle Horrible and Spencer the Garbageman go to the Harold Park dogs – KD describes it as “seven and a half minutes of hilarious, nostalgic joy”.
Almanac Poetry: ‘Magpie versus Crow’ – Tommy Mallet
April 6, 2021 by 1 Comment
A battle for territory between magpies and crow is the topic of Tommy Mallet’s poem, ‘Magpie versus Crow’.
Almanac Poetry: Morrisons, Victoria
April 6, 2021 by 2 Comments
This week’s poem from Kevin Densley is about Morrisons, a Victorian locality near the small town of Meredith. Some of KD’s relatives farmed there is the past.
Almanac Memoir (and Music): ‘Maybe’ by Split Enz
April 2, 2021 by 2 Comments
This Friday’s piece from KD, although quite brief, covers a great deal of territory, including mid-1970s Sydney, the Opera House, King’s Cross, a family holiday, and an encounter with early Split Enz.
Round 2 – Haiku Bob – life is simple
April 1, 2021 by 1 Comment
Watching the Magpies’ win over Carlton, Haiku Bob had a moment of clarity about a simple rule for a happy life (for Magpie fans).
Almanac Poetry: Uncle Bert and the 1909 Warrnambool to Melbourne Cycling Race
March 30, 2021 by 6 Comments
This week, Kevin Densley’s poem is about two relatives, Fardie and Bert, who rode in the 1909 Warrnambool to Melbourne – yes, for some time, the famous cycling event went in the opposite direction to what is the case today.
Almanac Poetry: ‘Get Up’ – Tommy Mallet
March 30, 2021 by 1 Comment
Tommy Mallet’s poem ‘Get Up’ is about the perils of working in the bush, especially falling branches.
Almanac History: Yahl – South Australia
March 26, 2021 by 13 Comments
Ever heard of Yahl, South Australia? In this Friday’s column, KD writes about the place and its close connection to the German branch of his family history.
Round 1 – Haiku Bob: laid bare
March 24, 2021 by 4 Comments
Haiku Bob offers his reflections on returning to the MCG
Almanac Poetry: Kate Kelly (1863-1898)
March 23, 2021 by 10 Comments
Kate Kelly, Ned’s sister, is the subject of this week’s poem by Kevin Densley.
Almanac Poetry: ‘Scales’ – Tommy Mallet
March 23, 2021 by 1 Comment
Tommy Mallet delights in the joys of the natural world after a day working in the bush.
Almanac Music (Jazz): ‘St James Infirmary’ by Louis Armstrong and His Savoy Ballroom Five (1928)
March 19, 2021 by 4 Comments
In this Friday’s column, KD looks at a jazz standard recorded by Louis Armstrong and His Savoy Ballroom Five in 1928, ‘St James Infirmary’. Since then, there have been hundreds of recordings of this song.
Almanac (Swimming) Poetry: The Slow Lane
March 19, 2021 by 3 Comments
Campbell Bairstow has moved to the slow lane of the pool it seems. Willingly? Happily?
Almanac Poetry: Near Drowning at St Leonards Beach, Victoria, 1967
March 16, 2021 by 2 Comments
A father saves his young son from drowning. Kevin Densley describes this week’s poem as ‘particularly close to home’.
Almanac Poetry: ‘So…’ – Tommy Mallet
March 16, 2021 by Leave a Comment
A tram can be a wonderful place for the delights of overheard conversation as Tommy Mallet’s poem ‘So…’ illustrates.
Almanac Review: Adelaide Writers’ Week 2021 – Powerful Word Fest
March 12, 2021 by 6 Comments
The Adelaide Writers’ Week is a festival of words, powerful words, and this year was no exception as Col Ritchie reviews some of his highlights.
Almanac Life: The Art of Indian Head Massage
March 12, 2021 by 1 Comment
In this Friday’s column, KD writes about his most unusual qualification, and invites Almanackers to comment and/or share theirs.
Almanac Poetry: Bert Watts’s Pies
March 9, 2021 by 12 Comments
His grandfather blamed café owner Bert Watts; his father, a butcher – but what really happened? In this week’s poem, Kevin Densley uncovers the truth.
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