Hi everyone here in Australia it is Caturday and this week there are two videos for you all to see, they were taken while I was staying at Tasha's while mum went to Queensland in one of these you will see Luca as well.
Saturday, 12 July 2025
Thursday, 10 July 2025
The post with links to other posts
My post with links to other posts.
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/07/tuesdays-four-on-tuesday-for-change.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/07/australia-child-labour-laws-history.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/07/freedom-hodgepodge.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/07/tuesdays-four-on-wednesday.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/07/a-hodgpodge-life.html
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Mandurah W A
This week we are looking at the second largest city in Western
Australia this city is Mandurah, it is located approximately 72 kilometres (45
miles) south of Perth. It is known for its coastal location, marine life,
and as a popular tourist destination.
It is also known for the Peel-Harvey Estuary with its abundant
wildlife and migratory waterbirds. The Mandurah Community Museum features
exhibits on the Peel region’s history. Halls Head Beach has a large resident
dolphin population. To the south, Yalgorup National Park is home to
thrombolites, rare, rock-like microorganism formations, at Lake Clifton.
Mandurah was initially established as a townsite in 1831,
following the arrival of Thomas Peel's settlement in the area. While a
townsite was laid out in 1831, the area remained largely undeveloped until the
post-war boom of the 1950s and 60s, when it began to grow as a fishing village
and later a popular resort and retirement destination. The area's name,
Mandurah, is derived from the local Aboriginal word "mandjar,"
meaning "meeting place".
The traditional owners of Mandurah are the Bindjareb people
of the Noongar Nation. The City of Mandurah acknowledges and respects the
Bindjareb people as the first peoples of the land. They are also sometimes
referred to as the Binjareb/Pinjarup people. The Noongar name for Mandurah
is Mandjoogoordap, which means "meeting place of the heart".
The City of Mandurah has a population of more than 99,000
residents as of June 30, 2023. This makes it the largest regional city in
Western Australia. The city's population has been steadily growing, with
an increase of 3.82% in the year leading up to June 2023. Projections indicate
further significant growth, with an expected increase of over 23,000 residents
between 2021 and 2046
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Sun Bear
This week we are looking at a species of bear I have never
heard of, that being the sun bear it is found in the tropical forests of
Southeast Asia. It is the only species in the genus Helarctos and they are the smallest
bear species and are only around half the size of an American black bear,
measuring 4-5 feet tall when stood on their hind limbs, and weighing up to
68kg.
Sun bears are named for the bib of often sunshine-yellow fur
adorning their chests. Each sun-bear bib is unique and can be used to
distinguish one bear from another. Their fur is thick, short and generally
jet-black, although some bears have a reddish or silvery hue.
Despite their name, recent research on wild sun bears
suggests these animals are crepuscular, meaning their activity levels peak
during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk.
They are known to be very aggressive and may attack without apparent provocation. Except for females with cubs the bears are solitary although there is a suggestion that same may form long-term monogamous relationships. Litters are of from 1 to 3 cubs with no apparent set period for mating or birth.
Relative to their skull size, sun bears have the largest
canine teeth of any bear species. For context, sun bear canines are the same
size as those sported by polar bears, and species some 5 to 10 times larger.
Sun bears have long, curved claws, are well adapted for
gripping bark and are the most arboreal of all the bear species. These bears
will climb trees to forage for wild fruits and beehives and to evade predators
such as tigers, leopards and dholes, an Asian canid. One of the characteristic
signs of the presence of wild sun bears is claw marks on trees they have
climbed.
They have exceptionally long tongues, the longest among
all bear species, reaching up to 25-30 centimetres (10-12 inches). These
long, sticky tongues are essential for their diet, allowing them to extract
insects and honey from hard-to-reach places like tree crevices and termite
mounds.
Sun bears primarily inhabit dense tropical and subtropical rainforests throughout Southeast Asia. Their range includes areas in northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. They are typically found at lower altitudes in these forests but can be seen at higher elevations in some regions like India.
They are omnivorous, favouring fruits, insects, small
animals and bee nests (for insects and honey). Large teeth and long claws
enable sun bears to tear into logs and termite mounds in search of insects an
important component of their diet. Their tropical habitat generally provides
food resources year-round, so sun bears do not hibernate.
Sun bears face significant threats from habitat loss
due to deforestation and conversion of forests for agriculture, particularly
oil palm plantations. They are also targeted by commercial hunting for
their bile, paws, and other body parts, and are affected by the illegal pet
trade.
Monday, 7 July 2025
Kazakhstan
This week we are visiting Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country
and former Soviet republic, it extends from the Caspian Sea in the west to the
Altai Mountains at its eastern border with China and Russia.
It was once called the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic and was
one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union from 1936 until its
dissolution in 1991.
Its largest metropolis, Almaty, is a long-standing trading hub
whose landmarks include Ascension Cathedral, a tsarist-era Russian Orthodox
church, and the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, displaying thousands of
Kazakh artifacts.
The capital is Astana although before 1997 the capital was
Almaty, it has population of 1,423,726 it is the second largest city in the country.
The population of the country is around 20 million.
Kazakhstan is officially a
bilingual country those languages are Kazakh and Russian. The currency is
the Tenge.
The flag is a light blue field with a gold sun and soaring
golden steppe eagle in the centre. Along the hoist side is a vertical band
of national ornamentation in gold. The blue represents the endless sky and
the unity of the Kazakh people, while the sun and eagle symbolize prosperity
and freedom, respectively. The current flag was adopted in 1992, replacing
the flag of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.
When it comes to religion the main ones are Islam and Christianity, the majority of Kazakhs, particularly ethnic Kazakhs, identify as Muslim. Most practice Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school. There are also smaller communities of Shia, Sufi, and Ahmadi Muslims.
A significant portion of the population, especially ethnic
Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians, identify as Orthodox
Christian. Other Christian denominations include Catholics, Lutherans,
Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals, and members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Smaller communities of Jews, Buddhists, and followers of other
faiths like the Baha'i faith and Scientology also exist.
Kazakhstan is a presidential republic, where the President
holds significant power. The President serves as both head of state and
commander-in-chief, and also appoints the Prime Minister and other cabinet
members. The country has a bicameral parliament, consisting of the Senate
and the Majilis.
While the constitution outlines democratic principles like
freedom of speech and religion, Kazakhstan's political system is described as
semi-presidential with a strong executive branch, and there are concerns about
the fairness of elections and restrictions on freedoms.
That will do for now, part two next week.
Sunday, 6 July 2025
Week27 of 2025
My watch says I slept
for only 4hrs and 17mins and I was awake for 14 mins.
Tim and I went
shopping, Tim cashed in the bottles, I bought a new pair of trackies and a new
Tee shirt. I also went to Woolies to get a few things. By the time I got home I
was exhausted.
It has been warm
enough outside for Tim to do some work out the back.
I spent a couple of
hours reading and commenting on blogs and cropping some photos.
BGL:5.5
Steps:7,953 = 4.4klms
My watch says I slept
for 7hrs and 21mins and I was awake for 9 mins, much better than the night
before.
When I got up to pee
at 4.15 the bathroom was so damn cold, I turned the heater on and left it on
when I went back to bed so that it could warm the room a bit before I went in
for my morning wash.
Tim rang me to let me
know he wouldn’t be home till this arvo, so I cooked my own lunch chicken
schnitzel and chips.
Steps: 10,938=5.80
Klms
It is a wet morning,
and I woke with a headache.
My watch says I slept
for 7hrs and 34mins and I was awake for 34 mins. My watch analyses changes in
physical activity to estimate sleep time and status. It is designed to give one
a pretty good idea of how they are sleeping.
It was raining
lightly when I went with Sam to wait for her transport this morning.
While I was getting
my pizza out of the oven for my lunch my left knee gave way and if I hadn’t
been leaning against the bench I would have ended up on the floor. So, I had
Jess go and meet Sam this arvo.
Blain came down to
check on me and was here for about half an hour just chatting.
Sue has dropped
Archie off at Tasha’s while she goes to Qld to visit Kirsty she will be gone 6
days.
It has been a really
cold day.
9,310=4.55
It is a wet morning,
and I am waiting for Tim to leave for work so I can have a shower.
My watch says I slept
for 9hrs and 52mins and I was awake for 30 mins.
Sue caught her flight
to Qld to spend some time with Kirsty’s family.
Tasha said Archie is
hiding under Blain’s bed, he hasn’t eaten or drank anything.
This afternoon Blain
came down and told me they had to remove the mattress and slates on Blain’s bed
in order to get Archie out, he said he had to put a towel over Archie’s heard
in order to get him out from under the bed. Tasha put Archie into his carry
case to settle down.
I am very restless
this arvo and cannot stay still.
BGL:5.8
Steps:12,737=6.49Klm
It is a wet morning, and
I am waiting for Tim to leave for work so I can have a shower.
I had the worse night I
have had in ages; my watch says I slept for only 4hrs and 9mins and I was awake
for 33 mins.
I am so cold this morning
from around 10am and have a headache. I tried to have a rest during the day but
didn’t happen, so I expect to be in bed early tonight.
Thankfully the day warmed
up some and I was able to get motivated to answer some letters I have here.
Tim found out we need to
go to Centrelink which for those who don’t know is our social security anyway I
need a letter from them stating I do not get a payment to hand in to housing so
they can stop charging us rent on money we don’t have. I found a phone number
and Tim said he will ring them tomorrow.
BGL 5.6
Steps: 7,966=4.06Klm’s
I had a much better
night my watch says I slept for only 9hrs and 15mins and I was awake for 39
mins.
Today is the last day
of term 2 for school, some schools finished last week like the school Tim does
but most in NSW finish up today.
I rang Centrelink
using the cordless house phone I was waiting for around 1.5hrs then after I
explained what I wanted I was asked to hold while things were checked and after
another 25 mins the phone died. I decided I will ring back on Monday as I had
enough.
Steps:8,886=4.48
Klm’s
I have been really cold this
morning and have a headache I think due to the cold.
Tim left for work around 5.30am, he
said he should be home mid-afternoon.
Tim got home around 2pm, the first
thing he did was changed his clothes and went out the back to work on the yard.
I am having a rough arvo and night,
unable to settle I got up and used the powerfit
BGL:5.6
Steps: 9,603= 4.85Klm’s
My watch says I slept for only 9hrs
and 22mins and I didn’t wake at all during the night.
I have been really cold this
morning and have a headache I think due to the cold.
Tim left for work around 5.30am, he
said he should be home mid-afternoon.
Tim got home around 2pm, the first
thing he did was changed his clothes and went out the back to work on the yard.
I am having a rough arvo and night,
unable to settle I got up and used the powerfit
BGL:5.6
Steps: 9,603= 4.85Klm’s
Friday, 4 July 2025
Ecuador's Anthem
Ecuador’s anthem is a Latin American epic anthem. The
lyrics were written in 1865 (the author, Juan León Mera, later served as
president of the Ecuadoran senate) and set to music the following year. Except
in formal occasions (where the second verse is performed, followed by the third
verse and the second verse is repeated), the second verse is the verse that’s
sung out of the seven verses of the poem (six of which make up the complete
lyrics of the anthem.)
The anthem was first performed publicly on August 10, 1870, in
Independence Square, Quito, with Neumane conducting the orchestra.
While the anthem was in use, it wasn't officially adopted by the
Ecuadorian Congress until September 29, 1948.
The anthem's lyrics and music evoke a sense of patriotism and
celebrate the nation's history and aspirations. It is a powerful symbol of
Ecuadorian identity and a source of national pride.
Chorus:
Hail, O Homeland, a thousand times hail!
O Homeland, glory to you! Your heart overflows
with joy and peace, and your radiant face
shines brighter than the sun we behold.
I
Indignant, your children rose against the yoke
imposed by Iberian audacity,
against the unjust and horrendous suffering
that fatally weighed upon you.
They raised a holy voice to the heavens,
a voice of noble and unmatched commitment,
to avenge you from the bloody monster,
to break that servile yoke.
Chorus
II (official verse)
The first, the sons of the soil
which Pichincha proudly adorns,
acclaimed you as their eternal lady,
and shed their blood for you.
God saw and accepted the sacrifice,
and that blood was the fruitful seed
of other heroes whom the world, astonished,
saw rise around you by the thousands.
Chorus
III
Against the iron arm of these heroes,
no land was invincible,
and from the valley to the highest sierra,
the roar of battle could be heard.
After the battle, victory flew,
freedom followed the triumph,
and the lion, broken,
was heard roaring in helplessness and despair.
Chorus
IV
At last, Spanish ferocity yielded,
and today, O Homeland, your free existence
is the noble and magnificent heritage
given to us by felicitous heroism.
We received it from paternal hands,
let no one attempt to wrest it from us now,
nor does any foolish or audacious one
wish to provoke our vengeful anger against themselves.
Chorus
V
Let no one, O Homeland, attempt it. The shadows
of your glorious heroes watch over us,
and the valour and pride they inspire
are omens of triumphs for you.
Bring forth the iron and the fulminating lead,
for at the thought of war and vengeance
awakens the heroic strength
that made the fierce Spanish succumb.
Chorus
VI
And if new chains are prepared
by the unjustness of barbaric fate,
great Pichincha! may you foresee the death
of the homeland and its children in the end.
Sink swiftly into your deep entrails
all that exists on your land. Let the tyrant
tread only ashes and in vain
seek any trace of being beside you.
Wednesday, 2 July 2025
Launceston
This week we are in Launceston the second largest city in
Tasmania.
It's famed for the Cataract Gorge, with panoramic views, walking
trails, sculpted gardens and a chairlift. The Queen Victoria Museum, in a
19th-century railway workshop, has exhibitions on Tasmanian history. Its sister
Art Gallery lies across the river, by sprawling Royal Park. The vineyards of
the Tamar Valley stretch northwest along the Tamar River.
The estimated resident population of Launceston, Tasmania
is 71,889. This figure is based on the 2022 estimates from the City
of Launceston. The population of Launceston has been steadily increasing
since 2016.
The traditional owners of the Launceston area in Tasmania are the Palawa people, specifically those belonging to the North Midlands Tribe. They are the original inhabitants of the region and have a long-standing connection to the land, including the Tamar River (kanamaluka) area. The broader Tasmanian Aboriginal people, also known as the Palawa, are acknowledged as the traditional owners of all of Tasmania (lutruwita).
The town was established by Lieutenant Colonel William
Paterson in 1804. He initially set up a settlement at Outer Cove, later
named George Town, before moving to York Town and then to the present-day site
of Launceston. The settlement was initially called Patersonia before being
renamed Launceston in honour of Governor King.
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Polar Bears
This week we are looking at the polar bear, the polar bear
is a large bear native to the Arctic and nearby areas. It is closely related to
the brown bear, and the two species can interbreed. The polar bear is the
largest extant species of bear and land carnivore, with adult males weighing
300–800 kg.
They are a powerful symbol of the strength and endurance of
the Arctic. The polar bear's Latin name, Ursus maritimus, means "sea
bear." It's an apt name for this majestic species, which spends much of
its life in, around, or on the ocean–predominantly on the sea ice. In the
United States, Alaska is home to two polar bear subpopulations.
They are good swimmers and can sustain a pace of six miles per hour by paddling with their front paws and holding their hind legs flat like a rudder. They have a thick layer of body fat and a water-repellent coat that insulates them from the cold air and water.
These bears spend over 50% of their time hunting for food. A
polar bear might catch only one or two out of 10 seals it hunts, depending on
the time of year as well as other things. Their diet mainly consists of ringed
and bearded seals because they need large amounts of fat to survive.
They rely heavily on sea ice for traveling, hunting, resting, mating and, in some areas, maternal dens. But because of ongoing and potential loss of their sea ice habitat resulting from climate change–the primary threat to polar bears Arctic-wide–polar bears were listed as a threatened species in the US under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008. As their sea ice habitat recedes earlier in the spring and forms later in the fall, polar bears are increasingly spending longer periods on land, where they are often attracted to areas where humans live.
They can run as fast as 40 kilometres per hour—but
only for short distances. Younger, leaner bears are the best runners and are
able to cover two kilometres’ without stopping. Older and larger bears, on the
other hand, quickly overheat. However, they can only swim up to 10 kilometres
per hour.
They have 42 razor sharp teeth: With jagged back teeth and
canines larger than grizzly teeth, that would be quite the bite. Their paws are
30 cm wide which is big which act as a natural snowshoe that helps the bear
trek across treacherous ice and deep snow. They also have 3 eyelids: The third
helps protect the bear's eyes from the elements and they have 4 inches of fat
under their skin to keep it warm. Their skin is black, and their fur is transparent,
and they have a blue tongue.
During autumn pregnant polar bears make dens in earth and
snowbanks, where they'll stay through the winter and give birth to one to three
cubs. In spring the mother emerges from her den followed by her cubs. During
that time, she will protect them and teach them how to hunt. They have a
gestation period of between 195 and 265 days. They can live 20 to 30 years, but
only a small percentage live past 15 to 18 years.
The oldest known polar bear in the Arctic lived 32 years.
The oldest known polar bear in a zoological park lived 45 years.
When it comes to predator’s adult polar bears have no
natural predators except other polar bears. Cubs less than one year old
sometimes are prey to wolves and other carnivores.
Newborn cubs may be cannibalized by malnourished mothers or
adult male polar bears.
Monday, 30 June 2025
Ecuador Part Two
This week I am sharing a little more about Ecuador.
Encebollado is widely recognized as the national dish of
Ecuador. It's a hearty fish stew, often made with tuna, and features a
prominent onion flavour, along with cassava, tomatoes, and cilantro. While
other dishes like ceviche and bolon de verde are also popular and sometimes
cited as national dishes, encebollado is generally considered the most
representative of Ecuadorian cuisine.
Their national animal is the Andean condor. It is also
the national bird of several other South American countries, including Bolivia,
Chile, and Colombia. The Andean condor is a large bird of prey and holds
significance in Andean folklore and mythology.
They have a national flower it is the Chuquiragua
(Chuquiraga jussieui). It's also known as the "Flower of the
Andes". While red roses are a popular and important flower cultivated
in Ecuador, the Chuquiragua holds the official designation.
It’s not surprising that the national sport is Football (soccer).
Amateur weekend games are played in parks, plazas, and vacant lots around the
country. The national team has enjoyed success in regional competitions and in
the World Cup.
Ecuador is known for its low cost of living, particularly when
compared to countries like Australia or the US. A couple can live
comfortably on less than $23,000 per year, enjoying things like nice
apartments, frequent dining out, and even a house cleaning
service. Housing costs are significantly lower, with rentals ranging from
$300-$1300 per month depending on location and amenities.
Sunday, 29 June 2025
Some Sunday Questions
Came across these questions over here: https://lemonscottage.blogspot.com/
So decided to post them here with my answers.
What is something you should throw away, but just
can't bring yourself to part with?
My collection of Trixie Beldon books got my first one when I was
9yrs old and just can’t part with them.
When you make yourself a sandwich, do you cut it
on the diagonal, straight up the middle, or not at all?
Depends on the bread some I cut diagonal usually twice, so I have
four small triangles other bread I cut into four small squares.
What song or sound brings back memories of
childhood?
Can’t think of any one song, there are many different songs that
when I hear them take me back to my childhood.
Who is the first person you call when you have
good news?
For many years it would have been my mum, but the last couple of
years it has been my sister Sue.
Have you ever set out on a walk in the rain?
Yep I have done way back when.
Week 26 of 2025
I slept for 8hrs and 54mins and I
was awake for 36mins, and woke feeling good, although it took me a while to get
moving when the alarm went off.
I have had a productive morning did
two loads of washing, tossed the sheets into the dryer but hung the clothes on
the clothes hoists and took them outside to dry. Also put the work shirts in the dryer so they
shouldn’t be too difficult to iron.
BGL:5.2
Steps:5,758=3.00klms
My watch says I slept for
5hrs and 3mins and I was awake for 8mins, maybe that’s why I don’t feel fully
with it. I will have a shower after Tim leaves for work as I am going to the
doctors and my hair feels yuck. I also am going to have my blood taken for my
six-monthly blood work check.
After the blood was
taken, we drove Sam to Tafe and then I went to the doctors for a new referral
to see the neurologist that appointment is on the 14 July and is a telehealth
appointment. He also said my eye has healed nicely after the fall.
Sue made my appointment
with the optometrist that this Saturday at 11am.
Also went and picked up
scripts from the chemist.
Tim rang to let me know
he will not be home till around 10pm, he is doing emergency rail.
7,351=3.68klms
My watch says I slept
for 7hrs and 43mins and I was awake for 7mins, I do feel ok at the moment as in
awake and functioning.
No school for Sam
today she has an 11am appointment with the hairdresser and Jess can’t see the
point of sending her for only a couple of hours.
It is a cold day, and
we have had rain around 11am. Around 2pm someone came and repaired the roof so
hopefully no more leak.
Sam haircut looks
good.
BGL: 5.2
Steps: 4,688 which
equals around 2.35klms
My watch says I slept
for 8hrs and 20mins and I was awake for 48mins, I am feeling good this morning,
have already vacuumed out and tidied the kitchen.
After Sam left for
school, I decided to mop the bathroom and kitchen floors, while doing the
bathroom my right knee felt like it started to dislocate but then it didn’t,
and the knee has been very sore and unstable since.
When I go to meet Sam
this afternoon, I am going to use the scooter as it feels like it may give way
at any moment.
Just had plumbers
arrive to look at the roof, I told them someone was here yesterday he said he
would check it out anyway. I was waiting for him to come and tell me if all was
good but nope, he just left.
BGL: 5.1
Steps:6,015= 3.11klms
My watch says I slept for 8hrs and
56mins and I was awake for 14mins, I had a shower and let the hot water run
over my knee and it has helped with the pain and movement.
Sue and I went to Charlestown
Square to meet up with Sandy and she had Denni with her and our niece Samantha
was there and her eldest Hayley and our nephew Dawson was also there it was
really great seeing everyone. Sue did her grocery shopping and then we left, by
the time I got home I was barely able to move.
I put a heat pack on my right knee
and sat and rested for a while after an hour or, so I was doing much better and
able to walk and move without too much pain.
I still took the scooter up to meet
Sam by Monday I am hoping I will be ok.
BGL: 5.2
Steps:5,111=2.56klms
My watch says I slept
for 9hrs and 57mins and I was awake for 55mins, my knees yes both of them are
painful this morning.
I did a load of
washing and hung it up to dry and by the time I was done I was exhausted, and
my back ached something shocking. I had to have a rest before doing anything
else. I didn’t take the washing outside as it felt like it could rain, and it
did end up raining around 1pm.
Thankfully it wasn’t raining
when I went to meet Sam.
I am extremely tired
this arvo and even though it’s only 6.30pm I am off to bed as I am falling asleep
sitting here.
BGL:5.8
Steps: 4,506=2.30klm
My watch says I slept
for 10hrs and 41mins and I didn’t wake at all during the night. I am feeling
fine this morning and have already vacuumed once and cleaned the kitchen.
Sue took me to have
my eyes checked and all is good with them.
It has been a cold day;
Tim has been saying he is bored as the yard is too soggy to work on. After a
while he found something to do but once he did that he was bored again.
Steps:5,129=2.62klm’s
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Caturday
Hello everyone it is my time to feature on Caturday,, this is me
Archie when I was a tiny kitten this was taken just after my mum adopted me, wasn’t
I oh so cute , I am sitting on mum’s lap.
Friday, 27 June 2025
Scared Band if Thebes
Today I am writing a post suggested by and for my transgender granddaughter
Sam, who is mentioned often in my diary posts, she has learnt a bit about these
soldiers, I think at school, abut I am not 100% sure about that.
Anyway, the subject is The Sacred Band of Thebes.
The Sacred Band of Thebes was an elite heavy infantry of select
soldiers, allegedly consisting of 150 pairs of male couples which formed the
elite force of the Theban army in the 4th century BC, ending Spartan
domination. Its predominance began with its crucial role in the Battle of
Leuctra in 371 BC.
They were formed under the leadership of Gorgidas but first ac
hieved fame under the general Pelopidas. They remained invincible from 378-338 BCE when the entire troop fell together at the Battle of Chaeronea.
The military unit is first mentioned in 324 BCE in a speech, but
their full story wasn’t known to much later.
The Sacred Band were deployed early in the Boeotian War in 378
BCE under Gorgidas but became famous for their participation in the Battle
of Leuctra in 371 BCE. They remained undefeated until the decisive battle of
Chaeronea in 338 BCE when the Macedonians under Philip II and his son Alexander
the Great crushed the combined forces of Thebes and Athens.
The Sacred Band fell together as a single unit and, according to
Plutarch, were mourned by Philip II of Macedon himself as valiant warriors.
They would later became legendary figures exemplifying courage and military
strength.
The city of Thebes, where this band had been founded in 378 BCE was
particularly unique in how it regarded the love, between men. A young Plato is
thought to have said “the rule has been laid down straightforwardly that it
is right to gratify (male) lovers, and no one, young or old, would say that it
is wrong."
Of course, it was not uncommon for male-male encounters to be
pursued by ancient Greek soldiers, demonstrated through the institutionalised
practices of homoeroticism in Spartan militia and the cities of Crete.
The very act of homoeroticism was thoroughly incorporated into
the educational systems of the Greek world. It was a means to lead a boy into
adulthood, and by the Classical period, it extended into higher culture: “from
the military to athletic games, from philosophy to historiography.”
But why would Thebes want to specifically create an elite unit
of bonded male lovers, if homoeroticism was already part-and-parcel of ancient
Greece’s cultural fabric?
According to Plato’s philosophical thought, lover-soldiers would
inspire the courage and bravery needed on the battlefield. Plato tells us that:
The last person a lover could bear to be seen by,
when leaving his place in the battleline or abandoning his weapons, is his
boyfriend; instead, he’d prefer to die many times. As for abandoning his
boyfriend or failing to help him in danger – no one is such a coward that he
could not be inspired into courage by love and made the equal of someone who’s
naturally very brave. — The Symposium, 179a’
It is said that such was the powerful display of love that it
brought the great king to tears. So, to mark the burial site, a marble lion was
erected in honour of the fallen, acting as a “symbol of their courage.”
The Lion of Chaeronea is still standing. It's a funerary
monument erected in honour of the Theban Sacred Band, who died in the Battle of
Chaeronea in 338 BC. The monument was rediscovered in 1818 and later
restored, and it remains a prominent landmark near the battle site.
This once-famous troop of heroes is often passed over in
discussions of Greek history possibly because they were gay and the concept of
a victorious unit of gay warriors is at odds with the prevalent homophobia of
the present day.
As LGBTQ+ activism makes more progress in educating people,
however, the Sacred Band of Thebes is again receiving the kind of recognition
they deserve.
Thursday, 26 June 2025
A post with links to other posts
Here are the new links to other posts over at Random Stuff
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/swallowing-issues.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/this-months-sister-poem.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/history-of-child-labour-laws.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/junes-last-hodgepodge.html
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/tuesdays-four-on-thursday_26.html
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Mount Gambier
This week we are looking at the second largest city/town in South Australia, which is Mount Gambier, with a population of over 26,000. It is located on the Limestone Coast. It is in the southeastern corner of South Australia.
The town was founded by Hastings Cunningham and was first
called "Gambierton" in 1854 by subdividing a block of 77 acres (31
ha). From 1861 to 1878, the Post Office was known by this name before reverting
to Mount Gambier.
It’s known for its limestone, volcanic landscape and crater
lakes. One of these, Blue Lake, turns cobalt blue in summer. Nearby, the
Centenary Tower offers panoramic views of the area. The Umpherston Sinkhole
contains a lush sunken garden. The Lady Nelson Visitor Centre houses a
full-size replica of a late-18th-century ship.
Mount Gambier's history is marked by its volcanic origins,
early European exploration, and development as a significant regional centre in
South Australia. The extinct volcano, Mount Gambier, was first
sighted by Lieutenant James Grant in 1800 and named after Admiral James
Gambier. European settlement began in the 1840s, with the area becoming a
major agricultural and timber centre.
The traditional owners of the Mount Gambier area are
the Boandik people, also known as the Bungandidj. They are the First
Nations people of the region, and their language and culture are deeply
connected to the land and waterways. The name "Bungandidj" is
said to mean "people of the reeds".
Organizations like the City of Mount Gambier and headspace
Mount Gambier formally acknowledge the Boandik people as the traditional
custodians.
There's a growing movement to recognize the Boandik presence
and connection to the land through dual naming of significant sites, alongside
their European names.
The Bungandidj language is being revitalized, and efforts
are underway to reintroduce it into the community.
The Boandik people have a long and rich history in the
region, and their stories and cultural knowledge are important to the area's
identity.
Mount Gambier is generally considered a safe place, but
like any location, it has areas where caution is advised, especially at night
or in more remote areas. While some crime statistics show increases in
thefts and break-ins, these are not indicative of the overall safety of the
city for residents and visitors.
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
American Black Bear
This week we are looking at the American black bear, or simply
black bear, it is a species of medium-sized bear which is endemic to North
America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely
They vary in size, with males typically weighing between 56
to 226 kilos (125 to 500) pounds and females between 40 to 136kilos (90 to 300)
pounds. They generally measure 1.5 to 2.1 metres (5 to 7 feet) in length
and stand less than1 metre (2 to 3 feet) tall at the shoulder on all
fours. When standing upright, they can reach a height of 5 to 6 feet
Most of their diet consists of berries, fruit, sedges, and
insects. They will also occasionally consume fish, honeycomb, and human food
and garbage, so it is important to make sure to keep your items locked up with
bear-proof equipment! In the spring, black bears may prey on young elk and
deer.
They are typically shy and secretive towards humans,
generally avoiding encounters. They are known for their intelligence and
curiosity, exhibiting problem-solving skills and a tendency to
explore. While they can be active at any time of day, they are often
crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Black
bears are also solitary animals for most of the year, except during mating
season and when females are raising cubs.
They inhabit a wide range of environments across North America,
primarily favouring forested areas. They are commonly found
in mountainous regions, woodlands, and swamps, often seeking out areas
with ample food, water, and shelter.
They may become prey to mountain lions, wolves, coyotes,
bobcats, grizzly bears, humans, or other black bears. Cubs are especially
vulnerable to predation by these other animals.
While they are generally not known to be aggressive towards
humans and often try to avoid encounters, they can be dangerous in certain
situations. They may act defensively if they feel threatened or cornered,
or if they are protecting food or their young. However, fatal black bear
attacks are rare, with only a small number occurring each year in North
America.
Black bear cubs are typically born in January or February,
weighing less than a pound and hairless, inside their mother's den. They
are usually born in litters of one to three, and emerge from the den with their
mother in the spring, weighing around five pounds. Cubs stay with their
mother for about 18 months, learning essential survival skills
Caturday Clips
Hi everyone here in Australia it is Caturday and this week there are two videos for you all to see, they were taken while I was staying at...
