The Roaming Stevens

Darn.  Damn.  Durn.  DURN IT. Tinto and I zip into Adelaide at least once a week or that is the way it has happened for the last few weeks. Amazing new roads to the city; most certain that news is a yawn to everyone else, but it is a gentle surprise to us and makes driving in quite easy.  The good news about a city that does not have monstrous proportions of human beings is that traffic can be fairly easily dealt with!  In September, 2016 it was announced that $985 million would be spent on FIRST major concrete road to Adelaide.  BET it cost more than that!   It IS nice though.  See?  Another FIRST ~!  Hard to conceive (truly) that this was the first major concrete road built into a city of Adelaide's size... The roads in South Australia are tough roads on cars.  Most of the roads needed help when I departed in 2013 and some are still in dire need of being repaved today - or - how about just paved!??!??!   In...

It's been years ~ over 4 years since I have visited the Barossa Farmers Market!  We weren't 3 feet in the door and a 'Happy Hello' came from a great mate we have not seen in years - what a SUPER feeling that was to experience. My how it has GROWN; it looks inviting, enticing, fun, and fantastic.  It is a very welcoming place ~ GO and see for yourself. For all visitors travelling to South Australia ~ we thank you ~ Adelaide is beautiful and filled with vibrant restaurants and some super sight seeing, but...PLEASE...if you are in this great state on a Saturday, get your bottoms to the Barossa Farmers Market, too. It's a gem ~ a real little piece of food heaven! Nothing touches Adelaide's Central Market, I know ...but, regionally and rurally speaking, the Barossa Farmers Market is the next best thing!  I used to tell Tinto when I first migrated to South Australia that I wanted a small flat in the city so I could wander over to Adelaide Central Market in the...

Rightio indeed~!  Yes, fellas, women have at LEAST 20,000 words to 'get out' per day, so here I go. I want to share my admiration, respect, and love for a particular group of people whom largely...go unnoticed.  We banter about the word 'LOVE' a lot these days, I know I certainly do, but when you have a strong feeling for a person, an organization, a deed or an act...a furry friend ~ USE it; TELL the world about it because sharing the positive only creates a good atmosphere.  We have enough negativity to shout about these days... So, what do YOU know about Big Brothers Big Sisters ?  Anything?  A lot?  A little, perhaps? Let me tell you a bit.  As I was born in America I know of these people and they do great work.  My Mother used to talk about them when I was a child and I know she appreciated the impact these people made then and NOW. 1904 - can you believe it?  BBBS began in 1904 and it is still growing and going s...

My almost 17 year old granddaughter received a phone call asking if she was still interested in work.  Summer told her Mum that she said, 'Well, yes, of course' but, then asked who was calling.  Bloody Hell - the application was submitted when I was still in the States.  Summer had almost forgotten about it.  I would have, too!  A text, another phone call and a good chat and this weekend little Ms. Granddaughter begins employment.  School finished on Friday.  New job on Saturday.  That is the way to roll.  Yes, indeed.  School is OUT for summer and Summer Daye is IN a job.   Check.  Done. Dusted.  A FIRST for Summer Daye~! Received a text a little while ago and my daughter told me that Summer was informed that if she did not smile and look as if she was having fun that she could be fired.  The manager said he had to let new employees know this fact 'up front'.  I am going to have so MUCH FUN with this...

What a wonderful weekend! THANKS to the LIGHT REGIONAL COUNCIL for providing over 3,000 indigenous, native plants for the community.  Great turn out; everyone seemed to be pleased and appreciative.  Good for the environment - physically AND mentally good for Kapunda's inhabitants!  I had NO clue THAT many people would turn up for 10 free plants.  Trees were a part of the give away, too.  HOW NICE WAS THAT?   Returning to our house after being absent for SUCH A LONG WHILE...those plants were HUGELY appreciated.  WE LOVE GREEN STUFF!   I LOVE OUR RUSTIC (rusty!) garden.  She is a lovely, live 'being', but... needs continuous love and affection.   We hope these will grow tall and hearty and add to the flavor of the Maxwell grounds. Tinto and his mean, green, mulching machine:  Trees, bushes, wild weeds - LOOK OUT! - if you grew too large and are overpowering the garden while we were away you're going to get a B...