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Outside writing, he is active in public decision-making on development, population, growth, water and resources issues. A bajoe had cared for them all their lives and yet they did not trust him at all. Sudden death was in their future. A white doe poised for flight, whiskers twitching and pink eye scrutinising his upper half, above the stable door of the lounge.
What could she see of him? Tall, skin the colour of old hay, black hair, straight flat nose. Was his stillness gathering menace? Taking no chances, she thumped her foot once on the concrete of the fifth floor. It set off an explosion. Scratching claws shrieked on concrete as bodies hurtled into corners with percussive thumps. He squinted with pain as he watched 40 rossits pile up against the breakfast bar, clawing to bury their heads in the heaving mass of furry white bodies, like children hiding. On this day in , there were water restrictions, as usual.
The water supply could only be used for drinking, hygiene, cooking and growing food. As an adolescent, he was a great success at growing vegetables but he grew tired of vegetables day after day and longed for meat. He experimented with a new disease-resistant animal, the rossit, with success. Today, at 21, he was proud to be preparing Australians for survival.
Self-sufficiency should be a lifelong strategy. Start a vegetable garden and a rossit hutch now! A rossit looked like a rabbit with a marsupial pouch and long bushy tail. Too bad, he thought, that rabbit genes for mob flight were integral with the genes for sociality. He let himself into the room, crossed to the corner and gently pulled apart the struggling mass, body by body.
His ministrations seemed to calm them and they nosed around for food in the sawdust on the floor. He left them eating the vegetable peelings he had brought. Then he inspected the bedrooms. One of the young does had her white chin hairs streaked with blood. In her terror, she had scoffed all her hairless, pink, blind kindle , born that day. Angry, he went to grab her by the ears to pick her up cruelly. Then he told himself she had behaved naturally, recycling protein that might be lost. He lifted her gently, with his hand under her heavy belly and took her to the buck in the next room.
He watched him sniff her rear, mount her and, as she yielded entry, thrust once, then fall back and to the side. The protein would regenerate. The Yabras did not need to grow their own food. His mother, Transcending One, famed for her dreaming and meditation, had been elected for a third term as Prime Minister of Australia the previous year.
His father was Deputy. They received modest salaries. The show was based on the hydroponic gardens, poultry and rossits they grew in Family Fare Tower , the apartment building their family alone occupied. Since then, he had made sure his family would always have water and food. Marko and T One had bought the vacant building for next to nothing and transformed it into a model of self-sufficiency.
Poultry were on the ground floor. Floors Two, Three and Four were horticultural gardens. On the fifth floor were rossits. The sixth was storage.
There were 14 empty floors above — no one had rented a unit during his lifetime. There was no electricity for the lift, and when they ran short of solar power for the pump, he had to carry water up from the basement. They grew vegetables with water brought from lakes dammed by the embankments along the river.
They prevented the sea from submerging the Meannjin River floodplain. The salt concentration from the breach had been diluted by storm run-off water and was low enough for hydroponics. Their crops were safe in the building. Abajoe knew from experience that if he planted vegetables in the bare spaces between blocks, people would steal the produce.
Civil society was still in disarray from the Great Famine. Then he had guarded the building from the starving.
His grandparents, Zelta, the former Prime Minister and Hugo, an energy consultant, had moved in when T One and Marko moved out to the prime ministerial residence at the stadium. Her husband, Winston, had died three years previously, aged Average age at death in Australia had risen to and was still rising, due to ascetic and healthy lifestyles since the renunciation of materialism.
Abajoe and his adopted sister, Paula, grew food for all of them. Also 21, she had studied with him, tutored by Marko and the elders and now helped with the animals and gardens for the shows. They came to his flat every afternoon.
The statuesque Paula had a segment on growing poultry and fruits. She was very popular, and fans, who at first had little interest in self-sufficiency, kept chooks and planted trees through admiration for her.
T One and Marko lived there, in the prime ministerial residence under the grandstand. Most of the time, they were away visiting places that had requested help from the national government. T One was mostly involved in making sure only essential developments went ahead because her Government had been elected to bring in a non-material, spiritually diverse society. Sudarta, who led the Opposition, had a different idea of the future lifestyle for Australia — a return to materialism. Her party, the Progress Party, wanted Australia to join the South East Union, which would bring population growth, industrial development and free movement of people between countries.
We have to prevent another famine. Population and water control. Co-ordination of the councils. We need good friends, who will come to our aid.
We can help each other against enemies. His genetic make-up was extraordinary and his take on most situations was radical and inspirational. He was preparing his keynote address to the Annual Youth Conference and had almost finished.
Our population of 50 million is therefore 40 times less dense. It is the least dense of any nation.
This may not be a good thing. Bhakarians feel sorry for Australians, their lack of community and the emptiness of their social lives. Mineral assets are 20 times higher in value, or times more per person. Compared with Bhakarians, Australians are obscenely wealthy in mineral resources. The Australian environment is harsh and unable to sustain much development.
However, Bhakaria is campaigning for sanctions against us for not rejoining the South East Union. Their development could be sustained long enough for high profits.
Sometimes when I commit to reading an early readers copy, I don't always pay much attention to the blurb and this is one such time. Want to Read saving…. Girls born in suburban Sydney in the s were rarely called Sacha, particularly girls who aspired to be Russian. Jones also writes with such a witty sense of humor. Apr 29, Cyndi Delia rated it really liked it.
If Bhakarians immigrate in large numbers, the possibility of famine could increase. Bhakaria has a thriving material economy and high density living. The immigrants may see the solution to be industrial development. But Bhakaria has reliable rains and is able to feed its people using factory farming methods. Consequently, they have been reluctant to take on more mouths to feed and have been keeping the number of guest workers and immigrants to a minimum. Abajoe wanted to finish off with discussion questions. She recalls humorous incidents, backed up with hilarious dialogue along with some not so fun reminders of growing up during the late 60's, 70's and early 80's.
As a similar aged Brit, who grew in UK, I wasn't expecting to recall any memories similar to the author's, yet we share some rather surprising coincidences in our lives despite growing up at the opposite side to the world. It was so easy to identify with what she experienced Also triggers which reawakened dormant memories long buried away Romper Room, pink Nesquik! This is definitely a book you just need to read!
I don't want to give too much away and inadvertently reveal spoilers.
What I can say is The Grass Was Always Browner is a wonderful reminder of times gone by or a delightful incite about the era for the younger reader whether you live in Australia, UK or beyond. May 05, Jacki rated it liked it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Wicked Reads. This book left me struggling with how to write my review. It was definitely different from memoirs I have read before. Experiencing her life's memories through her eyes was a very interesting journey.
The ups and downs, her very bizarre, but quite humorous family, and her unique way of telling her story combined to make a nice read. The book was longer than I ha I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Wicked Reads. The book was longer than I had expected it to be, but as a life's journey, it definitely ended up being appropriate. I also had a few jumbled moments where it took me a moment to figure out what was going on.
The Grass Is Always Browner This song is by Jännerwein and appears on the album Abendläuten (). A winter sundog anywhere Would have let you go But. book preview of THE GRASS IS ALWAYS BROWNER.
Overall, I liked going through Ms. Jones life and I would recommend this book to fans of memoirs looking for something different. May 04, Alison rated it liked it. The title of this was enough to tempt me.. Follow her journey during her formative years, the emotions and family dynamics all add to the drama.
The whole dance concept was entertaining. Ideal for anyone who likes memoirs, Australia and a positive reminder to keep an eye on the grass colour in life! Thanks to the author and Tasty Book Tours for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest opinion. Cathy Smith rated it really liked it Sep 17, Wendy Simmonds rated it really liked it Jan 05, Greta Simmonds rated it it was amazing Oct 19, Dorothy J rated it it was amazing May 02, Sarah McMullan rated it did not like it Oct 18, Bridgett rated it liked it Sep 14, Michelle Manskie rated it liked it Jun 14, Audrey Stewart marked it as to-read May 01, Lee Todd marked it as to-read May 01, Maria Malaveci marked it as to-read May 01, SD marked it as to-read May 01, Erin marked it as to-read May 01, Virginia Horton marked it as to-read May 01, Bookerina Lovington marked it as to-read May 01, Wendy marked it as to-read May 01, Ellie W marked it as to-read May 01, Peggy marked it as to-read May 01, Nikolina marked it as to-read May 02, Pascale marked it as to-read May 02, Sharon marked it as to-read May 02, Gabbi marked it as to-read May 02, Wiliam Gossage marked it as to-read May 02,