I started yesterday morning with looking at some of my drafts and I decided it was about time that I should get rid of all the drafts that I did not need anymore. The first draft I looked at I wanted to publish rather than seeing it ending in ‘trash’. I love Di Morrissey’s books and am very impressed that she is able to write a comprehensive well researched novel every year. She wrote already 27 novels. I believe most of these are bestsellers. Here is what I found in Wikipedia:
“Di Morrissey AM is one of the most successful novelists of Australia with 27 best-selling novels and five children’s books published. Wikipedia”
Here you can find out more: http://dimorrissey.com.au/about-di/
And I referred to this video in yesterday’s diary:
“Jennifer Byrne presents an interview with Bryce Courtenay, Lee Child, Di Morrissey, and Matthew Riley.”
I always liked to watch and listen to the Jennifer Byrne interviews. Bryce Courtnenay’s books I used to be very familiar with over many years. I still own some of his books. Wouldn’t I like to read again and again these books: Maybe, maybe one of these days when due to the Coronavirus I am going to have lots of spare time, I am going to read, read, read!
Further on yesterday I published this item about how migrant workers had to clean up university students’ mess. So what I had observed about the life of cleaners during my long life, this is what I really had wanted to write about.
In my following diary posts I mentioned about the help that my family used to be able to afford. Some people were actually honorary helpers, like Tante Mietze who for many years lived with Peter’s family and tirelessly did all sorts of work for the family right into very old age. She was a real jewel and all the family still hold her in high esteem many years after her death.
I guess that most people cannot afford hired help any more these days, is partly because cleaners and all sorts of workers can these days demand higher wages. If for instance people employ migrant workers and try to underpay them, it is said they are being used as ‘slave’ labour.
I always had this opinion when in a family with several children both father and mother have outside well paying jobs, the wife’s salary should in the first place be used to employ some home help. Why else would a woman want to have an outside job if it did not pay enough for some home help? Now, I would very much like my readers’ thoughts on this. Please, do not hesitate to make a comment, when you do not agree with my opinion on this.
Another topic would be how do families cope these days with separation or divorce of parents, and how do wives fare then if they do not have a well paying job.
AuntyUta 
Thank you, Uta for your points…For my part, coming from the “unwealthy” side of the tracks, I have seen through most of my working life this presumption that those who have not / cannot draw a very good income are expected to do the dirty work of those who..even if totally unworthy…are better placed socially and financially…That is to presume that those poorer people have no personal ambitions of their own to improve and hone their skills to make an impression with their community in other ways than doing chores and physical labour…
I have written on my own mother in this situation…here..: https://freefall852.wordpress.com/2019/01/23/the-end-of-stories/
“But not for my mother…her enthusiasm for a past was being slowly squeezed dry..where once there was enormous enthusiasm to write of the world around her, I could now see that the weight of social responsibilities in trying to raise six children in the city suburbs drained the last bit of creative energy from her and she sacrificed her story-telling ambitions for the duties of a hired domestic cleaner to wealthier ladies who could afford to pay (so little) for time to persue THEIR own banal pleasures.”
It is a sad indictment on this gross, capital-based society that perhaps some of the best, most experienced tellers of tales and cultural impressions are expected and do wear themselves out on menial tasks to satisfy those least sensitive and capable…
Great comment! Thank you!
I think, Joe, it all depends on the character of the people. You can see different characters already in children when you watch them at play. Some want everything to themselves, others always want to share . . . Sadlly in our society greediness is often admired and praised. However I can see also the goodness in people. I reckon most people are only too willing to help others in an emergency or when they ask for help. 🙂
Some people also work tirelessly for Social Justice, but sadly find it hard to get support for their work. Maybe, just maybe, the Coronavirus Epidemy is going to help in building a better society structure for all people. 🙂
The other day I reblogged Ryan Milward’s blog about Social Distancing, When you look at what this young man is about, maybe this gives you some hope for future generations. He says: “Keep it real. Stay wild and stay free.” I think there is probably something in it. What do you think? 🙂
Here is the link to this young man’s ‘about’ page:
https://ryanmillward.com/about/
Hey..in regards top young Ryan’s advice…we were all young, wild and free once…and for my part here in Oz, I lived the life of the same…it was when I reached my thirties that the hunger for family happily snared me and I settled to a quieter life…There comes a time when social responsibility trumps individual hedonism..but that should not mean the tyranny of endless labour for low wages…I was fortunate in that I could and did build our family homes..you notice the plural there..my millstone was a useless first wife whose penchant for the “New Age” fantasy led her down that Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole of delusion and selfishness…it nearly killed me with fatigue trying to keep up with her endless wanting…
Greed take many forms other than wealth…some people wander the world seeking a love or respect…that ONE LOVE or respect that was most denied…be it from a parent or peers..until their dying days.
“the tyranny of endless labour for low wages…” – I think this is what Ryan objects to. And he also seems to object to the tyranny of a job with higher pay – the same monotonous job year in, year out . . . Well, he’s only 28, Let’s see what he’s going to make of his life. Apparently his conservative parents object to his way of life, for they must have had high hopes for him, It looks to me that he is very bright. No wonder they thought he would do well.
It is interesting, Joe, that you mention LOVE and respect in the sdame sentence. I happen to think that love without respect is not love.