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Hill Street Blues star passes away

Hill Street Blues star Barbara Bosson has passed away aged 83. Bosson, who played Fay Furillo in the American police drama, was a popular TV star in the ‘80s, earning five consecutive Emmy nominations for her role. She was also the ex-wife of TV giant Steven Bohcho, who created Hill Street Blues and several other hit shows at the time. The news of Bosson’s death was shared by her son, Jesse Bohcho, who shared an image of he and his mother when he was a child. "More spirit and zest than you could shake a stick at. When she loved you, you felt it without a doubt. If she didn't, you may well have also known that too. Forever in our hearts. I love you Mama. Barbara "Babs" Bosson Bochco 1939-2023," he captioned the image. Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey shared her support, commenting a red heart under Bochco’s Instagram. Bosson was also known for her roles in shows including Murder One, Hooperman and films including Cop Rock and Calendar Girl Murders. Hill Street Blues proved Bosson's main claim to fame, with her leaving the show in 1985 during its sixth season after being fired from the project over creative disagreements. Bosson and Steven Bohcho went on to work together on other projects, including the Rockford Files spin-off Richie Brockelman, Private Eye, Hooperman and the musical Cop Rock. The pair divorced in 1997 but continued to co-parent their son Jesse, who was born in 1975. Steven died in 2018 at the age of 73. Further details of Bosson’s death are yet to be revealed. Image credit: Instagram

News

TV host humiliated live on air by 9-year-old daughter

A TV host has been left mortified after her 9-year-old daughter embarrassed her live on air. Jenna Hager Bush, one of the hosts of the US morning show Today with Hoda & Jenna, had her daughter Mila on the show to chat about fashion. The 9-year-old then shocked her mum by telling viewers that Hager “never wears underwear.” She continued, “She is not wearing it right now! I saw her change!” The little one’s confession came one month after the journalist first confessed that she often skips underwear for a “more pretty silhouette” after co-host Hoda Kotb called her out. Hager, who also shares daughter Poppy, 7, and son Hal, 3, with husband Henry Hager, explained that her controversial wardrobe choice makes her life “easier.” “You don’t have to pack as much,” she pointed out last month. “There [are] a lot of pros to it.” While Mila wasn’t the first to out her mother’s lack of underwear, she did continue to embarrass Hager with another story on Tuesday. “One time she was laughing in our living room and she peed her pants!” Mila said, noting that Hager had to “change [her] pyjamas” at the time. Hager was a good sport, sarcastically thanking Mila before saying, “I think Hoda is trying to get the truth bombs out [of you] but no more.” <div id="ad-hybrid-banner-1" data-type="unruly" data-ad-size="4x4" data-device-type="web"> <div> </div> </div> When Mila showed no signs of keeping quiet, Hager abruptly concluded, “OK, goodbye! Goodbye, I love you!” As Mila exited the stage, Kotb gushed, “What a great kid. … You and her are very similar because you’re both just exactly who you are.” Image credits: Today with Hoda & Jenna

Kate Bush reflects on hit song revival

British singer-songwriter Kate Bush has reflected on a new generation of fans discovering her music that was made popular in the 1980s. After appearing in the highly-anticipated new season of the Netflix series Stranger Things, Bush’s 1985 hit song Running Up That Hill has found itself back in the top 10 of the international music charts. In a rare interview, the singer told <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb">BBC’s Woman’s Hour</a> radio show how wonderful it has been to have a new legion of younger fans. She said, “Well it’s just extraordinary. I mean, you know, it’s such a great series, I thought that the track would get some attention. But I just never imagined that it would be anything like this. It’s so exciting. But it’s quite shocking really, isn’t it? I mean, the whole world’s gone mad.” She added, “What’s really wonderful I think is this is a whole new audience who, in a lot of cases, they’ve never heard of me and I love that. The thought of all these really young people hearing the song for the first time and discovering it is, well, I think it’s very special.” Bush also discussed the meaning of the song and how it has been reinterpreted by the show, giving the track a new life. She said, “I really like people to hear a song and take from it what they want. But originally it was written as the idea of a man and a woman swapping with each other. Just to feel what it was like, from the other side.” She also revealed that the show led her to listen to Running Up That Hill for the first time in a long while, admitting “I never listen to my old stuff.” “But then you know, when things like this come along, I’m normally involved in something like you know, maybe doing an edit or revisiting the track for some kind of other reason, I’m working on it. So yeah, I hadn’t heard it for a really long time.” Image credits: Getty Images

Music

Woman turns herself in after fatal attack on 87-year-old singing coach

A 26-year-old woman has turned herself in to police after admitting to attacking an 87-year-old woman, which led to her death. Lauren Pazienza shoved Barbara Maier Gustern before striking her on the back of the head in an unprompted attack on March 10th in New York City. The NYPD released a picture of the woman wanted for the attack, just days before Lauren turned herself in to authorities. Police identified Pazienza through video and her Metrocard, police sources said. Pazienza covered her face with her hair as she was led by detectives to a car for transport to criminal court, as she refused to answer reporters who asked her about the allegation she pushed Gustern. Following the brutal attack, Barbara was in critical condition until she died from her injuries on March 14th. “Today, at 11:15am, we have lost one of the brightest little flames to ever grace this world,” her grandson wrote on Gustern’s Facebook page. “I ask that you all give me a little time and space, but I want to make time for anyone and everyone who wants to know more about her final moments,” the post said. “Bobbob, I love you, you are and always will be my heart,” it said. “I love you all so much, I could not have made it through these past 5 days without all of your support.” Barbara Maier Gustern, who was a renowned vocal coach and tutored famous students including Blondie singer Debbie Harry, was walking around at night alone when the attack occurred. Her red-headed attacker then ran off, with police saying the attacker crossed the street before pushing Gustern, who suffered a fatal head injury. NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig described it as a “disgusting, disgraceful law offence” committed against a “vulnerable elderly female who is doing nothing but walking down the streets of New York City”. Image credits: NYPD / Facebook

Travel Trouble

Guy Pearce sells unusual home in Victorian bush

Hollywood star and Geelong local Guy Pearce <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/hollywood-star-guy-pearce-sells-bushland-retreat-near-geelong/?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa:strap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has sold</a> his secluded property less than a year after buying it as a family retreat. The five-bedroom home, which sits on a sprawling seven-hectare property in Beremboke, in central western Victoria, boasts views of the Brisbane Ranges and is built on a hillside with turrets, glass walls, and seven decks and verandahs to soak up the views from. Pearce has <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-beremboke-138584531" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> the home for between $1.0 and $1.15 million, despite having spent $1.2 million on it last April, only for it to be snapped up for $1.27 million. However, any profits he might have made from the sale will likely be spent on stamp duty and other buying and selling costs. Dozens of buyers inspected the home - which is split into three interconnecting pods - in February, but the agent selling the property withheld the true identity of the home’s owner from potential buyers and simply said it was an “overseas owner”. The “main house” is where you’ll find the lounge room with a wood heater, the atrium-styled dining room, curved kitchen, and loft bedroom with upper and lower balconies. Connected to this is the octagonal “bedroom house”, with its dual balconies, geometric main bedroom, and a lower-level bedroom with a kitchenette. The final self-contained “cottage” features a sunken lounge, main bedroom, a loft bedroom and even more balconies. Having owned the property for a short time and during the pandemic, Pearce never had the opportunity to take up residence in the unusual home. Last year also proved to be a busy year for Pearce and his investment portfolio, having sold a four-bedroom home for $4.2 million just weeks after buying the Beremboke home. Images: Getty Images, Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Mystery van visitor unmasked

The "fan" who was permitted entry to the van carrying Shane Warne’s body from Koh Samui to the Thai mainland after his shock death has been identified as German national Barbara Woinke – a former entertainment and travel writer. She was at the centre of an investigation over a <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/legal/anger-after-fan-enters-van-carrying-shane-warnes-body">potential security breach</a> involving Warne's body. all of which was captured by an ABC film crew. Prior to Warne's autopsy being conducted, Woinke was able to enter an ambulance carrying Warne’s body and spend more than 30 seconds alone in the vehicle. Thai authorities were told the woman knew Warne personally, prompting them to provide her access to pay her respects The Australian reports she has worked for daily newspapers and magazines such as Instyle, Glamour and Bunte. Before moving to Koh Samui in Thailand, she lived in Berlin, Paris and New York, according to one online German book retailer selling her travel guide to Lake Garda in Northern Italy. “(Ms Woinke) always has her passport and driving license in her handbag just in case,” the bio reads. A video posted on YouTube in September last year shows Ms Woinke in Koh Samui promoting a tourism networking group called Skal International. "Hello, I’m Barbara Woinke. I’m originally from Munich in Germany and here on Koh Samui in Thailand I am part of the membership committee of Skal Koh Samui,” she said. Video footage showed Woinke carrying a small bunch of flowers and approaching the ambulance which was transporting Warne’s body from Koh Samui where he died, via ferry to the mainland. Woinke told the ABC she simply wanted to pay her respects and did not mean any harm. “I am a big fan of him. It’s very sad that we lost him. I just took the flowers to pay condolences,” she said. “I am sorry about yesterday but I [did] not mean [any] negative act by that. I am a big fan, he is a great player.” She was accompanied by a Thai woman who spoke to authorities near the ramp entrance to the ferry, reported by ABC to be immigration officials. The woman says in English, “yeah, yeah she knows him”, followed in Thai by, “thank you very much, she’s a friend”. They were both then escorted through parked cars to the ambulance where the German woman approaches the driver-side window, holding up the flowers to show the driver. The driver then gets out and walks around the sliding side door of the ambulance, opening the door for the woman, who enters, and closes it behind her. There are concerns about the length of time the woman spent unaccompanied with Warne’s body, although Thai police say the woman did not do anything illegal. Image: ABC News / YouTube

News

Designer home comes with its OWN footy field

A designer homestead in the middle of the Western Australian bush has been <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-wa-muckenburra-700170614?cid=content-article:buyers:featured-property" target="_blank">listed</a> for sale, and its expansive 100-acre surroundings comes with its own private football oval. The home, with its “contemporary industrial meets country resort” aesthetic, took its creator five years to construct. “The purpose-built property is a model of the perfect country retreat dreamed up by its owner, who is an architect and university lecturer,” Nick French, of Dethridge Groves Real Estate, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/designer-bush-homestead-on-100-acres-just-outside-perth-comes-with-own-afl-oval/" target="_blank">said</a>. “It’s seamless and all the spaces are huge, which gives a very relaxed flow, and it all sits within a pristine bush setting with no other houses in view.” Along with its three bedrooms and bathrooms, the home boasts oversized entertaining spaces, a library and study, and a courtyard garden and plunge pool belonging to the master suite. The property also comes with a two-storey bunkhouse with two full-sized bedrooms of its own. Despite being only an hour from the city, the property has an isolated feel. “The 100 acres of ever-changing natural bush land has many, many species of flowering natives - including some rare orchids,” Mr French said. Though the natural beauty surrounding the home is a huge bonus, the highlight of the outdoor spaces has to be the quarter-sized AFL oval, along with its own seating for spectators “to take in all the fun”. “There’s also a huge rear entertaining patio with built-in barbeque area and woodfired pizza oven,” Mr French said. With a solar energy system and water tanks capable of storing 90,000 litres, he added that the home also has a 10-star energy rating. “The owners have moved to new employment positions in Victoria and had to sell up both their main home and this holiday home,” Mr French said. “It might not be the place you immediately think of when buying a holiday home or a weekender, but it’s only an hour drive from Perth but is completely secluded on its own huge land holding of diverse, native bushland. “The local town is utterly delightful with a number of historic buildings.” The home is open for inspections by appointment, and Mr French said he is welcoming offers starting at $1.7 million. Images: Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Hero dog honoured for saving over 100 koalas

Image: Nine News A former rescue dog who saved over 100 koalas during the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires has been honoured for his work in the United Kingdom. Bear, a six-year-old Australian koolie, was honoured by the International Fund for Animal Welfare at the House of Lords earlier this week. He appeared via video link to accept the award. Bear’s handler Romane Cristescy, of the University of the Sunshine Coast, couldn’t be prouder of the former rescue dog. “We think Bear really deserved this award,” she said. “He’s been such a good boy in helping us find and rescue a lot of koalas, especially during the bushfires but he works throughout the year to help us in our job to make a better and safer place for koalas. “We’ll give bear extra pats and extra play for his award.” Bear was one of two dogs honoured during the ceremony. Jasper, a cockapoo, won “Animal of the Year” for his work in supporting frontline NHS staff through the pandemic. Bear’s boundless energy made him a perfect candidate for the Detection Dogs for Conversation program at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He was trained to recognise the scent of koalas’ fur. Over the 2019-2020 bushfire season Bear is credited with saving 100 marsupials after the habitats were scorched. Once he’d detect their smell, Bear would drop silently to the ground at the base of the tree, to ensure it is not disturbed. A total of 33 people lost their lives in the fires which burned across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Three billion animals are estimated to have died over, 24 million hectares of land was burnt, and 3000 homes were lost.

Family & Pets

Dame Barbara Windsor dies aged 83

Actress Dame Barbara Windsor, who is best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films, has died at aged 83. Her husband Scott Mitchell said she had passed peacefully from Alzheimer's at a London care home on Thursday evening. He recounted his wife’s life beautifully, and said she would be remembered for the "love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives". The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who both met Dame Barbara, also went on to pay tribute to her acting and charity work. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "So sad about Barbara Windsor, so much more than a great pub landlady and Carry On star." He went on to say that she was "one of those people that just cheered you up, and cheered everybody up because she had a kind of irrepressible naughtiness that was totally innocent. "She did a lot of good work for charity and looking after lonely and vulnerable people, she lit up people's faces." Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014 and had moved to a care home earlier in 2020. She appeared in nine films in the Carry On comedy series, plus Sparrows Can't Sing, for which she was nominated for a Bafta, as well as parts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and On the Fiddle with Sir Sean Connery. She made a permanent mark for her portrayal of landlady Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders.

24 hours to evacuate: Aussie troops move in to assist families fleeing bushfires

Residents are struggling on the South Coast of NSW a there’s no fuel, no food and no power. This is due to bushfires ravaging the area and the Australian Defence Force has been called in to help the affected areas. A fleet of ships and helicopters are making their way to coastal regions to supply and rescue residents that are trapped by the flames. There are currently 110 fires burning across NSW with over 50 yet to be contained, according to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1212444017251647489" target="_blank">NSW RFS</a>. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> At 5.30am there are 110 fires burning across NSW with over 50 yet to be contained. Firefighters will make the most of more favourable conditions today to protect properties before deteriorating conditions again this Saturday.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSWRFS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSWRFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSWFires?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSWFires</a> <a href="https://t.co/vb3o55n8XU">pic.twitter.com/vb3o55n8XU</a> — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1212444017251647489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">1 January 2020</a></blockquote> With around 50,000 homes without power, major phone networks being down, and supermarkets closed, residents are struggling to obtain essentials such as food, fuel and water. NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says that there will be a “huge effort” to get as many people out of the area before Saturday, as conditions are set to worsen. "It's an extreme challenge for firefighters," he said on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6119081428001" target="_blank">Sky News</a>. RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers agrees. “There is every potential that the conditions on Saturday will be as bad or worse than we saw yesterday (Tuesday),” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/australian-troops-prepare-for-bushfire-emergency-evacuations-by-sea/live-coverage/cf3d149ec9bbb9b7eb808e663eec8a28" target="_blank">reporters</a> in Sydney. “Crews are working hard to get some containment before Saturday but we are concerned about that fire because of its potential run into far western Sydney,” Mr Rogers said. With at least 1298 homes destroyed across the state and air quality continuing to worsen in the affected areas, firefighters are run ragged trying to stop NSW from burning. Thousands are fleeing the South Coast, with almost 30 road closures in the region. Live Traffic NSW has issued a warning for heavy traffic conditions as well as significant delays.

News

Oprah buys actor Jeff Bridges' Santa Barbara estate for $10 million

Another day, another home for Oprah. The TV star now owns at least six homes after selling the houses based in Chicago and Atlanta. The star has seemed to turn her focus to the Montecito neighbourhood of Santa Barbara, and her latest house purchase from actor-friend Jeff Bridges is no exception. She purchased the home after sneakily waiting for the price to be reduced from the initial price of $USD 7.495 million ($NZD 11,676,000) and snapped it up for $6.85 million ($NZD 10,669,000). That’s a price reduction of $NZD 1,007,000. The 3,517 square foot Spanish Revival-style home was originally built in 1919 by famous architect James Osborn Craig. The house has been carefully taken care of as it still has its original windows, doors, hardwood floors as well as five fireplaces. The home features two bedrooms and three bathrooms. High ceilings, expansive windows and French doors are around the home, with every room opening to beautiful gardens. The house sits on an impressive four acres of gardens and also has a pool. The master bedroom features an open-beamed ceiling, French doors and a fireplace. The kitchen boasts wood cabinetry and quartz countertops and large, expansive windows are a staple throughout most of the rooms in the house. Photo credit: Elevated Horizon courtesy of Coldwell Banker

Home & Garden

Inside Ellen DeGeneres' luxury $10 million Santa Barbara home

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have dropped the price of their gorgeous vintage farm near Santa Barbara, California. The property had over $1 million slashed from its price back in July and is now going for AUD$10 million. The prolific home owners purchased the home for AUD$9.8 million a little over a year ago and turned it into a posh, design-savvy home that is hard to resist! With three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms with an additional barn house for a lucky guest, the 10.5 acre mountain and ocean-view property has become a haven for any potential buyer looking for seclusion in comfortable luxury. Built in 1917, the main floor has an open layout with wide, beautiful plank oak floors throughout to give a real farmhouse feel. The kitchen has a unique touch with all black granite counter tops, grey cabinetry, stone slabs and sleek, stainless steel appliances. The living and dining area also carry a dark tone with a painted stone fireplace. The master suite offers a size that is unlike any other - with vaulted ceilings, custom lighting and a french doors leading to a verandah it is the type of airy and spacious part of the home a haven. The property also comes with a century-old barn as well as a spa, various terraces pastures that give a view worth looking at. The equestrian estate is located between Montecito and Carpinteria - areas DeGeneres and her wife de Rossi are familiar with. The couple have spent an estimate of $145 million flipping homes. Scroll through the gallery above to see Ellen's gorgeous home.

International Travel

Inside Barbara Sinatra's $11 million Los Angeles penthouse

Barbara Sinatra’s Los Angeles penthouse is hitting the market for US$8 million (NZ$11.9 million). Located on the Wilshire Corridor in Westwood, the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.luxuryhomeslosangeles.com/idx/10560-wilshire-boulevard-los-angeles-ca-90024/15489222_spid/" target="_blank">apartment</a> was where the late socialite lived after the death of her husband, legendary singer Frank Sinatra. Before her death in 2017, Barbara used to entertain celebrity guests and friends such as Gregory Peck and Kirk Douglas, and invite them over for poker nights, according to Leonard Rabinowitz, listing agent of Hilton & Hyland and a friend of the Sinatras. The 520-square-metre property boasts four bedrooms, five terraces, an open floor plan and views of the mountains, ocean and city on all four sides. The living room features a wood-burning fireplace, along with a built-in bar and cocktail area, and a table that can be flipped over to become a poker table. A set of sliding glass doors connects the living room to the outdoor dining area with sceneries of surrounding mountains. The formal dining room has a private outdoor atrium and lounge area, while the kitchen is lined with black marble countertops. Before Frank died in 1998, he and Barbara split their time between their Beverly Hills estate and a Malibu beach house, Rabinowitz said. After the singer’s death, Barbara and her friends were robbed on a Beverly Hills street, prompting her to look for an apartment with additional security. She bought the 24-hour surveillance Westwood property in the early 2000s from Marilyn and Harry Lewis of the Hamburger Hamlet restaurant chain, according to public records. Scroll through the gallery above to see inside Barbara Sinatra’s lavish penthouse.

Music

Remembering Barbara Stanwyck: A life in pictures

109 years ago, Barbara Stanwyck whose original name was Ruby Stevens, was born in Brooklyn, US. The American motion picture and television actress gained traction in 1926 when she nabbed the leading role in Burlesque. What made her a legend in her own right was not the number of revered awards, money or fame. Ms Stanwyck died being known as an iconic figure throughout the early ‘30s, for her sheer talent and her versatility that made her a force to be reckoned with during Hollywood’s Golden era. Stanwyck was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress four times for her roles in Stella Dallas, Ball of Fire, Double Indemnity, and Sorry, Wrong Number. The adaptable and gifted talent won three Emmy awards, a Golden Globe and an honorary Oscar in 1982. Later, Stanwyck was made the recipient of honorary lifetime awards and eventually went on to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Barbara Stanwyck died 20 January 1990 in Santa Monica. Scroll through the gallery above to see a glimpse of Barbara Stanwyck’s life through pictures.

Art

The sweet moment between George W. Bush and Michelle Obama at John McCain’s funeral

A small moment of sunshine came out of a rather emotional day, as an exchange between former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Michelle Obama went viral. A memorial service for US Senator John McCain was held on Saturday, who passed away on August 25 due to glioblastoma – the medical term for a brain tumour. As viewers tuned in to watch the service, many noticed a sweet moment between the former President and First Lady, as George was seen delivering a small piece of church candy into the hands of Michelle. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> George W. Bush sneaking a piece of candy to Michelle Obama is warming my heart . <a href="https://t.co/pAtDdIcSeB">pic.twitter.com/pAtDdIcSeB</a> — Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandscahill/status/1035904690825908225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">1 September 2018</a></blockquote> The exchange happened with the two seated next to each other, as Sen. Joe Lieberman spoke about the importance of reaching across the political aisle. The video shows former President Barack Obama looking at the pair fondly as his wife responds to George with a “thank you". George has spoken about the Obama’s with high regard in the past, especially Michelle who he said “kind of likes my sense of humour,” he told <a href="https://people.com/politics/george-w-bush-breaks-down-his-affection-for-michelle-obama-we-just-took-to-each-other/">People magazine</a> in 2017. “Anybody who likes my sense of humour, I immediately like.”

News

Is ageism affecting you?

Barbara Binland is the pen name of a senior, Julie Grenness, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is a poet, writer, and part-time English and Maths tutor, with over 40 years of experience. Her many books are available on Amazon and Kindle. Yah, we made it! We got old! Now we are ageing in the millennial world, which we have played a part in creating. Is ageism affecting you? Ageism is simply discrimination against older people in the workforce, in the media, in advertising, and in the social scene. One of the major areas where ageism is evident, is in the employment of older workers. Older workers can provide years of experience, life skills, and be great mentors to younger workers. But nearly a third of the officially unemployed workers are aged 45-65 years old. If someone loses their job at this age, they may never gain more than a casual, part-time position. These are the vital years pre-retirement, when employees build up savings and superannuation for their golden years. Basically, many employers do discriminate against hiring older workers from their candidates. Some unemployed older worker can retrain, but may battle an overlooked prejudice, the ageism of the potential employer. These retrained workers may never gain employment. If they do, they may have only 5-10 years of working life remaining. Many employers prefer to hire someone younger. Ageism is also evident in the media. For instance, no weather girl on the television is an old, grey, fat woman. Weather girls are anorexic, beautiful, blonde bimbos who can barely read an autocue. Maybe old, fat, grey women don’t want to be weather girls. That’s okay. Maybe they do, and the employers in television land hire young, attractive babes. That is ageism. On the other hand, ageism can factor in a reverse situation. An older, more experienced nurse, doctor, allied health professional, or a teacher, can still attract job opportunities. Society regards their experience as both valid and valuable. In my personal experience, as a teacher/tutor for 42 years, I receive part-time job offers as a tutor, several times per week. Nice to be asked. Moreover, seniors have discounts on travel fares, a senior’s card discount on purchases, and some concessions with their pensions. But is the level of the senior’s pension, a sign of ageism itself? Most household budgets are eroded by the cost of food and bills. What are your experiences? Is ageism affecting you?

Retirement Life

Relationship quiz: How well do you know your partner?

Relationships

How I fell head over heels in love with my pet

Barbara Binland is the pen name of a senior, Julie Grenness, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is a poet, writer, and part-time English and Maths tutor, with over 40 years of experience. Her many books are available on Amazon and Kindle. So, you want a fur friend for your retirement! Domestic animals. For example, a dog. This is food for thought: who is these days domesticating whom? Exactly who invented emotional blackmail? Why, our pets. This is a little tale for you. Say you buy a puppy. Ooh, a cute fluffy puppy, like a Shi-Tsu. Ahh, cute and fluffy. You buy it a bed, a flash set of doggy bowls for food and water. You have to purchase it a leash, a collar, a coat, toys, flea and worming treatments. Plus your new owner, the puppy, shall need regular clippings. Ahh, a cute and fluffy puppy. Ahh, so cute. You place your puppy in the middle of the lounge room. Ahh, a little puddle. You promptly clean the carpet. Now you need to buy carpet cleaners and deodorants. Ahh, a cute and fluffy Shi-Tsu. So adorable. You buy a brush and puppy pen, and tenderly place your Shi-Tsu puppy in it. Ahhh, it does not like its puppy pen. It chews its way into the family room. You love this little fur friend already. So cute and fluffy. What’s next? Ahhhh, look the Shi-Tsu’s found your only pair of slippers. Ahhh, well, they were your slippers. Never mind. Ahhh, look, it’s time for a cute little puppy’s dinner. You kindly place appropriate puppy nibbles in its shiny brand new bowl. The cute and fluffy puppy does not want to eat the food! Ahhh! What is it going to eat? Looking in the fridge, you find some steak. Ahh, now you are cooking. Your cute and fluffy. Shi-Tsu thinks you are full of it, but basically lovable so long as you cook steak. Ahh, your puppy loves you. Ahhh, unconditional love. It has already acquired effective communication and emotional blackmail capability. Ahhh, little Shi-Tsu, so cute and fluffy, and funny. Look, now it is chewing the skirting board in the family room. Ahh, you love your puppy. Then, it is bedtime. Ahhh, you place your cute and fluffy Shi-Tsu in its bed, also cute and fluffy, with its brand new toys. You head off to bed after cleaning a couple more puddles. Ahhhh, exhausted, you sink into and turn off the bedside lamp. Wrong! A persistent whining and howling emanates from the family room. Ahhh, cute and fluffy Shi-Tsu is lonely. Ahhh, you pet your puppy. Ahhh, don’t wriggle in bed, your puppy might not like that. Ahhhh, your puppy snores! Delightfully cute. Ahhh, so cute and fluffy. Never mind, you can buy earplugs. See, you have acquired a canine who does not speak English, but it has already mastered effective communication. Never mind, “Tomorrow is a new day!” Your new cute and fluffy owner can sleep on your bed all day, while you drive off to the supermarket in the rain to buy it more steak. Don’t forget the earplugs! Never mind. You have been domesticated in symbiosis by emotional blackmail. Unconditional love? So, you wanted a companion fur friend in retirement. Yes, your dog shall make your world a better place…

Family & Pets

A humorous poem about “man flu”

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Barbara Bush dies at 92: US first lady’s parting jab at son George W. Bush

Former US first lady Barbara Bush passed away yesterday at age 92, but as <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank">News.com.au reports</a>, the notoriously witty matriarch of one of America’s most famous political families, was still cracking jokes right up until the end. Her eldest, former US President George W. Bush, has revealed in the days leading up to her passing, she continued to playfully needle him as she had in the past. At one points, Mrs Bush reportedly turned to the doctor and said: “You want to know why George W. is the way he is?” The doctor had looked a little surprised. “Because I drank and smoked when I was pregnant with him,” she replied. Mr Bush spoke in glowing praise of his mother, saying she, “was warm and wonderful, until you got out of line.” This was by no means the first time Mrs Bush gave one of her son’s a gentle ribbing, as she famously joked around with her son Jeb Bush during his bid to become US President. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6IuDx88RwUo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> “The best news of the day was that my mum finally said I was her favourite,” Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, quipped to his mum. “Oh no I didn’t,” she said laughing. “You mean of all of the children?” “Yeah,” Bush deadpanned. “No,” she quipped. Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath released a statement from the family following her passing. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Herewith a statement from former President <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeHWBush?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeorgeHWBush</a>. <a href="https://t.co/USSq5RkD4g">pic.twitter.com/USSq5RkD4g</a> — Jim McGrath (@jgm41) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgm41/status/986662348017537025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote> Our thoughts are with Mrs Bush’s friends and family. Image credit: Twitter / US Secret Service

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Barbara Bush dies at 92: US first lady’s parting jab at son George W. Bush