farmdoc's blog post number 212

It’s decades since I last thought about the musical composition called a round. I used to love listening to rounds, and was ever perplexed and fascinated by how all the parts reached the end together. One of the best known and best loved rounds is Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ – a round for four voices – or one. It’s an English nursery rhyme, of course. Wikipedia says the lyrics have often been perceived as a metaphor for life’s difficult choices; and it lists many ‘Additional or alternate verses’. A favourite of mine is:

Row Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Throw your children overboard
And let the pollies scheme.

That irreverent verse brings back memories of the Tampa; but more particularly of Messrs Howard, Ruddock and Reith – people I’d prefer to forget, thank you. Diametrically unlike darling Emily who, with Jono, visited Mole Creek from last Thursday to Sunday. Whilst here, Em presented me with the t-shirt in the photographs, which she’d screen-printed herself. I was, and am, touched by her thoughtfulness and kindness. I think the best presents are hand-made ones. I’d much rather receive a hand-printed t-shirt than an exorbitant designer-label one. No doubt considerable time, care and attention went into the printing. Screen-printing is a skilful practice. And so is rowing. Thank you, Emily Emily Emily Emily.