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Chris Commens’ comments on the idea of a neighbourhood tool pool of sorts (C8) has its proponents. Among them is Sue Scott of Hornsby, who was reminded of her childhood in Wales: “When we moved into our house, one of the neighbours called round to tell us that if we needed a ladder it was in the garage at number two whenever we wanted to use it. I now live in a unit and share my stepladder with the neighbours in the block. No rules needed, just co-operation.”
“Here in Cobargo on the Far South Coast, we’ve had a tool library for locals since the 2019/20 bushfires,” reports Mary Williams. “For a yearly fee, locals have access to a huge array of donated and purchased items from power drills to a trailer. The hiring and maintenance are looked after by local volunteers. A wonderful resource that is treasured by all.”
Regarding the grandparent variations (C8), Andy Parkinson of Kiama chips in with this missive: “My uncle was Birdie to his grandchildren. One better than a Pa.” Similarly, Michael McFadyen of Kareela says, “When I was little, I called my fraternal grandfather MorPa. I’m still not sure if it was because he was another (more) Pa or because he lived in Morpeth.”
Some grandparents, like Bruce Horsburgh of Robertson, take the long path: “When our first grandchild was on the way, my wife was searching for a suitable appellation. Our son, for reasons inexplicable, suggested ‘Brian’. This devolved to ‘Bad Brian’, thence to B.B. and thus she is now known to our six grandchildren as ‘Bebe’.”
Is POTUS (C8) really the Good Shepherd? Russ Couch of Woonona looks at the facts: “The mother of the messiah-like Donald was indeed named Mary, though I don’t think Fred was a carpenter.” Hugh Moran of Gordon does a deeper dive: “Trump’s paternal grandmother had an interesting name given his current narcissistic artwork; her name was Elisabeth Christ, before marrying a Trump from her neighbourhood.”
While a cheery Alynn Pratt of Grenfell suggests that “besides welkin (C8), there is another word that Betsy Richens is unfamiliar with, Dictionary.” Julia Smart of Camperdown claims: “I do actually know what the welkin is, and was extremely annoyed when the Herald’s Target Time puzzle refused me the point recently.” That smarts.
“Expectorating rail travellers (C8) are trainspitters,” explains George Manojlovic of Mangerton. “And their favourite destination is Port Hacking.”
Column8@smh.com.au
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