090214 - Seagull Mail - Funeral

Well it's pouring down rain outside - which is a nice change from the heatwave temperatures of last week. And things seemed to have cooled off a bit down south too - to help with those terrible bushfires in Victoria. We don't mind if it rains for a week (and it's been a couple of days already). Penny stays curled up warm in her cushions - and I sit here writing to you - while the rain patters on the cabin roof overhead.

Yesterday was Friday 13th - and I attended a funeral - on a bleak and wet, overcast day - which always seems how it should be - when saying goodbye to a departed friend - like the world is mourning too.

It was Gwen Morris - wife of John - who died last week at 77 years. Gwen, while probably deserving most to be remembered, for her love of all life, smiling nature, and here devotion to her church and family - had the unusual - and in fact unique distinction - to be known throughout the country - as the 'silkworm' lady. For over 50 years - FIFTY YEARS - she had bred silkworms in boxes on shelves in a closet in her home - and for FIFTY YEARS - has been the main supplier of silkworm eggs - to all the schools across the country - completely free - for children to learn and experience the magic and wonder of them. And who of us cannot remember - when we were at school - and had silkworms - and learned about them.

What an extraordinary thing - that this little lady - from her own home at Liverpool - should have passed on to children across Australia - many millions of silkworms - for 50 years - and imagine the joy and wonder she has given to those schoolchildren by her selfless, and dedicated actions.

Silkworms begin as tiny eggs. They should be placed in an open container like a wooden bowl or cardboard box. Keep the eggs in a warm place, but not in direct sun. They prefer temperatures of about 85 degrees and well-ventilated and moist air. They'll hatch in a week or two.

Initially, the caterpillars eat small amounts of food, but in the last two weeks, they consume huge amounts of food. It is crucial to have plenty of mulberry leaves for them. The amount they eat directly transforms into the amount of silk they produce.

If allowed to feed continuously and in temperatures of 78=B0 to 88=B0 F, silkworms can go from egg to 1 inch in about 12 days, and 3 inches in less than 30 days. They will begin to spin cocoons at about 28 - 30 days old or when they are between 2 1/2 and 3 inches long.

Well, as much as we'd like to say - that today - dawned bright and new - bursting forth with new life to renew our spirits - it didn't. And as though to continue it's melancholy theme - it brought forth a wet and dreary Valentines Day. Traditionally February 14th here - and I suppose every where else in the world that supports Florists & Greeting Card shops. For the most part - it seems to pass uneventfully for Penny and me - and once again - despite a steady flow of emails, and photos - from new friends and old - across the world - every single day - the computer today - has fallen painfully silent - and the inbox shamefully barren.