World turned upside down 08/11/00

It will be, in September, when Sydney hosts the Summer Olympics.  My favorite "city around the bay" will be at the top of the world, if you know what I mean. 

The world's eyes have been turning to Sydney for months now.  People who did not know a lot or did not know anything about this remarkable city are seeing its spirit and energy. 

As a sometime-Sydneysider myself, I know firsthand its special charm.  My goodness, "charm" falls short.  San Francisco has charm, London has charm, Bryn Athyn has charm  - I do not know what adjective could do Sydney justice. 

When I was a young woman, it was popular to say that everyone should visit Paris before they died.  Today, that would be Sydney. 

If my health and medical insurance permitted, I would be on a plane down there tomorrow.  I am happy that I will get to see so much of my much  missed home away from home during the Olympic coverage. 

I have noticed how differently Sydneysiders seem to be responding to playing host to the Games compared to Atlanta, four years ago.  Anyway, Atlanta turned itself inside out with pride that the Games gave the city world class status.  In the case of Sydney, they already know they're world class, with

or without the Olympics.   

In this prejudiced Nan's opinion, the Games are as blessed to be taking place in Sydney as Sydney is honored to host the Games. 

Come September, my favorite piece of jewelry will be the Southern Cross!

I remember when I visited Mike & Kerry that first time.  I was at some gathering and - being a sky watcher - went out on the deck and looked up at a sky full of stars.   

Laughing at myself, I said out loud - "Oh, I forgot that you do not have the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper."  

It seemed like a chorus of voices rang out with, "WE have the Southern Cross!" 

To my delight, dear John Sandow - who is a meteorologist - came out and pointed out to my wondering eyes the Southern Cross.   

I wish I could describe how it felt looking at it that first time.  Like finding the right adjective for Sydney, my vocabulary falls short.

At least I know how to tell you all how much you mean to me.  Love to all my dear friends, in whatever hemisphere you may be, with special hugs to current Sydneysiders,  Kimberly & Scott - Nan Lockhart

(For 2nd-to-none Olympic coverage, check out smh.com.au - the Sydney Morning Herald;  gives me chills to count down the torch relay - 34 days to go.) 

 

Walking Tall 08/08/00

I expected to be proud this summer of the accomplishments of my “sometime" hometown, to see Sydney set the world on its ear with the best Summer Olympics ever.  I did NOT expect Philadelphia to shine as it did during the Republican Convention, which just ended. 

It feels as all of us in the Greater Philadelphia area have grown at least an inch, we are walking so tall with pride over what so many people

accomplished.  To anyone who knows Philadelphia, it borders on the miraculous. 

It took one person to believe.  That person was Ed Rendell, and I thank him for the inspired lunacy that made him think Philadelphia - who boo for Santa - could pull it off.  It took an entire metropolitan area covering parts of three states to make it come true. 

The most remarkable thing to come out of the convention was how Police Commissioner John F. Timoney handled the same "demonstrators" who created havoc in Seattle and in Washington, D.C.  This man went from seeing his police force condemned less than a month ago for beating up a carjacker to having everyone singing praises for how they successfully defused a potential powder keg, people just itching for a fight.  The sight of our police force - including the commissioner - on mountain bikes instead of on motorcycles, police cruisers or horses is a sight I will never forget. 

People did not know who the older gent was on a bike.  He even got roughed up by some of the protestors, who did not know whose bike they were fooling around with. 

The city did itself proud and I am so happy.  Pete, who was born and bred in the Philadelphia briar patch, would have been so pleased with it all. 

To Commissioner Timoney, the people who pulled off a "flawless" (Mayor Street's new favorite word) convention, all the hotel staffs who welcomed the delegates, the people - including Becky Cooper - who volunteered time and energy, the citizens of Philadelphia who showed the world it really is the City of Brotherly Love, I give a hearty, "Good on ya, mates!" 

Next up - SYDNEY!

Love to one and all - International Grammie

a taste of Australian pizza 08/07/00

A dear granddaughter-of-the-heart ~ Carolyn Heldon ~ sent me a posting that included an excellent description of typically Australian pizza.   Here goes:

We have a great place that is only about a ten mins bike ride away, (or a couple of mins in the car) and it makes the best pizzas that I have ever had even in this country.  It is a place called Pizza League and the pizzas are named after Aussie Rugby league teams. 

 The Sharks is a seafood pizza which has about five different seafood toppings, the Tigers is the meat lovers with BBQ sauce.  Pepperoni, salami, ham, chicken, bacon and ground beef as well.  Yummy.   

Then there is the Supreme and that is just crazy.  16 toppings.  Meats, veggies, pineapple, as well as the little anchovies which some people don't like.

My favourite though is the one that has banana on it.  Most people wrinkle their nose up at that one but it is really nice.  I didn't think that I was going to like it but it was good.  It is sort of a cross between a meat lovers and a Supreme with a few little extras.

All the regular pizzas isn't counting the gourmet ones either.  The ones with turkey and avocado with extra cheese and pineapple. 

I would say that all of their pizzas are about two inches high off the base.  That is what I call a great meal.

The one with bananas would probably kill me, but I would die happy. 

Love to one & all  - Grandma L'

when good vegetables go bad 08/02/00

We are lucky that there is a fresh produce stand ten minutes from Elsa's work.  She brought home yellow squash,  peppers, zucchini and cucumbers, as well as lovely home grown tomatoes. We have enjoyed the most succulent peaches.  

It was a surprise when first one of the peppers quickly went bad and then two of the squash.  It took awhile to hit home that we have become accustomed to supermarket vegetables, with their  extended "shelf life" and questionable nutritional value.  These vegetables are as Mother Nature meant them to be.   God bless them!

Good night, one and all, on this hot & humid evening - Grammie Kay

pizza 08/01/00

I remember my grandson Scott's contempt for American pizza, where people eat it plain and consider three or four  toppings "the works."  He told us tales of Australian pizza and the bounty of toppings they had.  We would take him up to Mom's Pizza in Newtown if we were ordering pizza because he could let loose, although I think he never got past considering three or four topping a pretty skimpy pie. 

While  "surfing" last night for Canberra web sites, we came across a study that ran on an Australian TV station.  It was about which pizza chain has the most toppings.  Domino's and Pizza Hut, which have invaded Australia, had the most meat and cheese but lagged way behind when it came to vegetables and other toppings.  They were also the most expensive. 

Personally, I would like those two American "carpet baggers" to leave Australia's sunny shores.  I liked Scott's description and pride in his native pizza.  On the other hand, maybe the contact with the more creative toppings so popular in "Oz" will work their way back to the States.  What a pleasant thought to go off to bed with.

Nite nite and God bless - Nan