St Nilus 1600 years ago.... and you predict this for now?!?!?

St Nilus was a 5th century ascetic monk who was a disciple of St John Chrysostom (a doctor of the Church). He made a prophecy (though some dispute it dates from his time) relating to the 20th century which is striking in its foresight.

After the year 1900, toward the middle of the 20th century, the people of that time will become unrecognizable. When the time for the Advent of the Antichrist approaches, people’s minds will grow cloudy from carnal passions, and dishonor and lawlessness will grow stronger. Then the world will become unrecognizable. [...] People’s appearances will change, and it will be impossible to distinguish men from women due to their shamelessness in dress and style of hair. [...] At that time the morals and traditions of Christians and of the Church will change. People will abandon modesty, and dissipation will reign. Falsehood and greed will attain great proportions, and woe to those who pile up treasures. Lust, adultery, homosexuality, secret deeds and murder will rule in society. [...] At that time men will also fly through the air like birds and descend to the bottom of the sea like fish. And when they have achieved all this, these unhappy people will spend their lives in comfort without knowing, poor souls, that it is deceit of the Antichrist…

Sir James carroll..our most famous relative!!!

James Carroll (pictured standing second from the right- Richard Seddon is seated to the left with his hand on the paper) was born at Wairoa, one of eight children of Joseph Carroll, born in Sydney of Irish descent, and Tapuke, a Māori woman of the Ngāti Kahungunu tribe. He was educated both at Whare Wananga (traditional Māori college) and the Wairoa native school but left early to be a farm worker. In 1870, while no more than thirteen, he was part of the Māori force pursuing Te Kooti in the Urewera, and his bravery was mentioned in dispatches. Beginning his career as an interpreter and land agent, Carroll was elected to the Eastern Maori seat in 1887. He was Colonial Secretary (equivalent to Minister of Internal Affairs) from 1895. He was the first Māori to hold the cabinet position Native Affairs, which he held between 1899 and 1912. He was held in high regard within the Liberal Party and was acting prime minister in 1909 and 1911.
On 4 July 1881 Carroll married Heni Materoa (pictured below), which is where our family link comes from, also known as Te Huinga (1852/56?–1930) she was born at Makauri, a few miles north of Turanga (Gisborne). Her father was Mikaera Turangi of the Rongowhakaata (which is our familys hapu)tribe. Her mother was Riperata Kahutia, an influential leader of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1918. Heni Materoa-Carroll died in November 1930, Sir James died 8 years prior. Sad thing is they never had any kids. Heni was my Great Great Great (give or take one Great) Aunty.

Dairys/Corner stores...no more?

Whatever happened to the corner stores where we use to go for our 50c mixtures, rolled ice creams, milkshakes, homemade baking etc. Corner stores/Dairys were a kiwi institution growing up in New Zealand when you got your pocket money you would hop on your BMX and ride up to the shop and see what you can get for you $2...you would have came home with a popsicle (30c), a 50c mixture (with 15 or more lollies), a packet of Wrestling cards for 60c and then you would have some change left over for some lollies the next day.
Why are these dying? In our town you can only blame the large supermarkets which are now open longer hours. Often the supermarket would close at 6pm during the week and the time period from 6pm-10pm would often be the realm of the corner store, a time when you could go down buy the newspaper and a 'brown derby' for the kids. Now since the supermarkets are open late why bother going to the corner store for a 4dollar loaf of bread when the supermarket is open and is selling them for $1.80
What can we do? Obviously Im not saying buy 4 dollar bread instead of 1.80 bread, but rather than going to the supermarket for a trumpet, a soft drink, or some sweets....why not get a rolled ice crea, an old school dollar mixture or a milkshake.

Mr Bojangles

Mr Bojangles (Bill Robinson) famed for often playing opposite Shirley Temple (pictured opposite) and often playing semi submissive roles like servants, doormen, shoe shine men etc. He was often subject to racism/adversity in his life...one such event was when a manager in a restaurant refused to serve him and said we dont serve your type ...here when he replied ' do you have a $10 note sir, the guy passed it to him, he pulled 6 $10 notes out of his wallet, mixed them all up and then said 'sir now you guess which one is the coloured one'. Mr Bojangles died a poor man, but was generous to a fault, he often helped friends and family out and eventually the money just trickled away. Although he was poor again, he was happy.....

Mr Bojangles