I was amused last week to read an article by a journalist specialising in pop culture with the by line ” What makes you rich in Australia during a cost of living crisis.”
I’m not going to repeat figures quoted in the media on a daily basis about interest rates, inflation, and the number of people who are homeless. It’s too depressing. What I will share is that according to the article if you “buy a daily take-away coffee, add extras to your brunch at a cafe, and own a Frank Green water bottle that puts you in camp wealthy.”
This led to considerable distress as I had never heard of a Frank Green water bottle. Who is Frank Green anyway? And how hard is it to design a water bottle, especially one that elevates your social and economic status. What special features has old Frank included in the design process to make these such lauded water bottles?
This blew my mind having come from a generation that recycled Vegemite jars for juice and milk glasses and the re-use of honey jars with handles which made practical beer steins. There were never any tears if you chipped a glass in the kitchen sink as they were so easily replaced.
I’m all for being aware of the environment and do not purchase bottled water unless dying of thirst. (And let me assure you that thirst quenching – preferably with a crisp, dry white- is a priority.) Tap water is fine served in a recycled plastic bottle.
So this week in the mail I received my very own Frank Green water bottle. Thank you daughters of mine – my life is now complete. It is so exciting to be at long last living in Camp Wealthy.
“The Cow That Swam Out To Sea” is based on the true story of a cow that was washed 95 kilometres down the Brisbane River during the 2011 Brisbane floods. These floods attributed to the deaths of 33 people with 3 people still missing, presumed dead.
In the book Matilda the cow is curious and by mishap lands in the raging river. Although she is unable to swim to safety she finds a log which gives her something to hang onto as she is washed downstream and finally escapes via mangroves. The illustrations make it quite clear that poor Matilda has no idea what is submerged under the water in which she is floating – logs, building material, and even sharks.
Although this book is aimed at the very young it contains gentle lessons about the dangers of floodwaters and the environment which means it meets the Gaia Challenge brief. It also appealed to me because it documents a slice of recent Brisbane history.
Meet the real flood survivor, Red Gum Danette.
Brizzy Mays Books and Bruschetta 