Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Tags: Sasha Snow Moira McBoid July 2011 July 22 2011 July 24 2011 July 26 2011 Read 239 times / 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) on January 02, 2018, 08:52:05 PM The letter starts on the postcard but quickly runs out of room. It continues on a separate bit of parchment. The letter, postcard and picture were all put into a package with a jar of vegemite and owled.22 July 2011 Sasha Rudolf Waldgraf Schlagenweit DundeeThe Green Tortoise Pub & InnFlagstaff Hill Maritime VillageVictoria, AustraliaNot The Northern HemisphereMoira E. McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKNorthern HemisphereDear Moira & Greetings from the Land Down Under! As you may have noticed, my plans to go to Portugal got a little sidetracked. Mostly, because I saw that they are starting the Hobbit trilogy next year and I had to go see Hobbiton in New Zealand! The picture of me is in the humble abode of a Mr. Bilbo Baggins. Or, Frodo Baggins, depending on when we're referring to. I realize very little of that made any sense - and we must rectify that. After New Zealand, I've been making my way along the Great Ocean Road of Southern Australia. I started out in Melbourne and spent the day shopping for some of the weirdest potions ingredients. You don't want to know what they do with kangaroo bladder stones! Maybe you do. They apparently use it in a bald head remedy. I think I'd rather be bald.Yesterday, I spent the day footing it around the Great Otway National Park. I'm not quite sure why they decided to name everything "great" but it is quite spectacular country. Rainforest and waterfalls and gorgeous beaches. I met a couple koalas during the hike. Well, I didn't meet them properly, of course. It was more a curious observation from a distance, rather then a proper introduction and interaction. They were far less interested in me then I was in them. I camped overnight up at a remote little campground; the only other campers there were a lovely couple from South Korea. They were very fascinated by my accent and kept asking me about Austrian nuns. I continued following the Australian coast today and even took a surfing lesson. I had a lot of fun face planting in the water and figuring out how to tie recreational items to my leg. Now, I'm in this delightful little town called the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. There's the tiniest little wizarding alley nestled along the river front and I can see the lighthouse from my room. Tomorrow I'm off to Portland and Discovery Bay to go whale and seal watching. Then, I'm heading across the water to spend a few days exploring Tasmania. As long as as the tasmanian devil doesn't devour me in a whirlwind, I should be back home by the weekend.Hope you are enjoying your summer and not working too hard! I've enclosed a bottle of the ultimate Australian breakfast. Apparently, if you eat this stuff on toast, you're ready to wrestle crocodiles. I'm sure you're keeping all the animals (two-legged and four-legged) in line on the farm. I hope the Baldman has been on his best behavior. Give him an extra hug from me.Sincerely, Sasha RWSP.S. Whatever you do, don't eat the souvenir. It's atrocious.P.S.S. I'll bring a proper souvenir with me. P.S.S.S. Really. Don't eat the vegemite. Skip to next post Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #1 on January 03, 2018, 07:58:03 PM The letter arrives in an unadorned white envelope. At the bottom of the paper by Moira's signature there is a single muddy paw print.22 July 2011Moira McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKSasha SchlagenweitSomewhere In AustraliaDear Sasha,You're right. None of that made any sense to me. I can only assume you are referring to muggle literature again. The stack of things you claim I need to read or see is growing bigger as always.That picture is both cute and amusing.I'm glad to read that you're having fun. It sounds like quite the adventure! I can't write with complete honesty that I wish I was there with you. A part of me is curious and eventually I may travel, apart from that school trip, but not right now.Work here on the farm has been the same and busy as usual. I've started adding a morning run every two or three days into my routine. Baldur, who has been a perfect gentleman, joins me when I do. He leads a very spoiled life here, I should warn you. He sleeps on the foot of my bed and has his meals when we do.So, if I shouldn't eat the vegemite what should I do with it? Fertilizer, maybe?Ever your friend,MoiraP.S. Baldur says hi.P.S.S. Cerys, the winged mare I told you about, is having her foal within the next few weeks! Skip to next post Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #2 on January 04, 2018, 01:19:20 PM 24 July 2011 Sasha Rudolf Waldgraf Seaworthy PrivateerThe Siren SchoonerSomewhere in the PacificPresumably, near Australia & Taking the Long Leisurely Way to TasmaniaHopefully Still Not In The Northern HemisphereOtherwise, send a search teamMoira E. McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKNorthern HemisphereDear Moira & Greetings from the Open Ocean! Well, sometime soon, we will rectify that confusion. The funnest part of that is always seeing witches and wizards' reactions to the muggle interpretation of elves. It's classic. Oh, and wizards. There are wizards in it though they are color-coordinated. You'd probably like Radagast the Brown. He talks to animals. Sort of. Which has always seemed strange. I mean, muggles have always assumed that's some sort of ability that people with magic might have and, yet, I've never met a ... zoogilimens? Zoomouths. Other then snakes, I suppose. Why just snakes? Why aren't there ... dolphin-mouths or, even, bonobo-mouths? Why are there wizards that can talk to reptiles, but not our closest animal relatives?I should add that to my list of questions. I should really stop trying to confuse you. Since you found the picture amusing, I've sent another one. It's from my whale watching trip yesterday. We had a lot of fun and they even let us swim with the whales. If you look really closely, you might see me playing with one. I called her Wilma. You should totally try traveling! It's really amazing. I mean, you know the world is this big, remarkable place with all this fascinating stuff in it but you never really know it. If you ever have time, you should come on one with me! It would be lots of fun. Eating strange food, meeting strange people and confusing other tourists are wonderfully fun past times. And, somehow, home never seems quite as sweet as when you've been some place very unhome-like for a long time. I'm glad to hear the farm is keeping you busy; I imagine you're relieved to be back in your element. It's still strange to think we aren't going back to Hogwarts in little over a month. When do you start your new job? It won't be until after I'm back, right? Which would be an easier question to answer if I knew if I was coming back on schedule. We'll have to hang out before you do, since I imagine you'll be busier then I am. I met a couple of graduate students from Canada (they're like students who've finished Hogwarts...and one round of university and are on their next round. In other words, they're me in probably five years) on the whale watching tour who are doing some research down around Antarctica. Since I'm apparition-impaired and, as far as I know, Antarctica is out of apparition and floo network range, I'm hoping to cozy up enough to them so they extend an invitation to visit, sometime. Of course, it's a long shot, but we'll see. As to the vegemite, I recommend keeping it around as part of your home defense plan. Or as a gift should you ever find yourself getting a much-despised coworker as a secret santa recipient. In that case, make sure you add a sinister note. Like "great on steak - slather it on!" or "goes great in a martini. All the coolest Australians do it." Sincerely, Sasha RWSP.S. If I end up getting delayed and just go straight to America, is Baldur okay with you for another couple of weeks? I mean, I'm sure he's fine but I don't know if you have plans. Since, clearly, I don't. P.S.S. That is very exciting about Cerys. Hopefully, everything will go well; if you need any help, don't hesitate to let me know. I'm sure the foal will be as precious as mom is. P.S.S.S. So...I'm trying to figure out the most polite way to ask. I came to the conclusion there really isn't, so I'm just going to ask it and tag it as a P.S.S.S. because, somehow, etiquette rules always seem less rigid in post scripts. Do you have any plans for the afterbirth and umbilical cord? If not, I would really love to have it. If you just plopped it in the freezer ... wait ... do wizard houses have freezers? How do you freeze things? I mean, a spell can freeze it but I don't want you standing there casting a spell until I can pick it up. Weird. Hogwarts really should do muggle-wizard exchange programs. I know about making potions but nothing about how wizards do laundry. Other then get an elf. Which, I'm doing. I admit, I would love the idea of Legolas doing my laundry. Anyhoo...stopping the tangent. You could plop it in my freezer! Or, something. Just - can I have it? Skip to next post Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #3 on January 04, 2018, 06:05:28 PM 26 July, 2011Moira McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKSasha Sea-dog SchlagenweitPossibly Tasmania or Somewhere LostDear Sasha,Why in Merlin's beard do you want the afterbirth? On second thought maybe I shouldn't ask. I feel there is a long winded explanation to that question that will leave me much confused. In response to your question, we usually dispose of it but I can store and freeze it for you. We have cellar outside that is charmed to keep anything inside cold. Milk is stored by the door where it won't freeze.I don't begin work until September 5th. I hope you're back before then! After some discussion with the company we were able to get my work schedule sorted out ahead of time as well. Sundays and Wednesdays I will be off with my normal work hours being seven am to six pm unless there is an emergency that requires me to stay later. Yes, I still plan on helping at home daily.If you want to extend your trip Baldur is more than welcome to continue his stay here. In fact, whenever you decide to travel again he is welcome to return as well.Perhaps I will manage a vacation trip with you sometime. Whenever that will be, I'll let you do most of the talking while I observe as usual. You've had more practice at it than I. Even if you do say you're sorry too much sometimes. Looking forward to your next letter of fun-filled, or horrendous, adventure. Unless you suddenly show up on our doorstep demanding to have your dog back while also giving me a proper souvenir. I might have already used a bit of the other as a test fertilizer. Will let you know how that goes.Your slightly concerned friend,Moira Skip to next post Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #4 on January 12, 2018, 09:25:57 PM 27 July 2011 Sasha Crickey Rudolf Waldgraf SchlagenweitThe Spotted KoalaSydney, AustraliaMoira E. McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKNorthern HemisphereDear Moira,I definitely do intend to return home before September, so I値l be back before you start work. Which will be good, since it sounds like you値l be busy. Hopefully, you値l still make time to have fun. Speaking from personal experience, all work and no play really is no fun. A lesson I probably should have learned a long time ago. The new house should be finished early August and I致e made arrangements for my grandmother to move in with me during the second week in August, so I値l definitely be back by then. We値l have to grab coffee or do something else when I do. I'll have lots of photos and stories to share.In the meantime, since it sounds like you池e content to have Baldur hang out a little longer and, I知 sure, Baldur is having a blast, I知 going to take you up on your offer to extend his stay! I was tempted to come home and lounge in my own house for a few nights but then I was able to book a sailboat cruise from Sydney to San Fransisco. Why go to the US by way of the UK if you can just go straight there? With an open bar? And, mid-Pacific star gazing? I知 really going for the star gazing.It would be cumbersome to explain why I知 interested in the afterbirth in a letter and, likely, even more boring to read about it. It値l be easier to explain in person. In the meantime (and to stave off any concerns), I知 wanting it for my research. I don稚 know if it will actually be useful - in muggle animals, it can be extremely useful. It involves special types of cells, which are really small version building blocks of living thingsmuggles are made up of them and maybe wizards, but I'm not sureLike eggs. Really small eggs.Like I said, it痴 a bit complicated to explain. I壇 be happy to try to explain sometime, if you were interested, but it would be much easier to do in person. But, thank you! I do appreciate it. I値l take it off your hands as soon as I知 back in the UK. Whenever that is. And, now, I'm off to see Of Mice and Men at the Sydney Opera House and then I take to the open ocean tomorrow evening.Sincerely, Sasha RWS Skip to next post Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #5 on January 24, 2018, 06:18:11 PM 29 July, 2011Moira McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKSasha SchlagenweitMid-Pacific to the USADear Sasha,My work is fun. Mostly. That doesn't include the cleaning, though I still don't mind that too much, nor does it entirely include the times I get kicked, bitten, or slapped around by a wing. None of that happens often but it is still a potential hazard, especially with the horses boarding here.Anyway, you'll have to take me on a tour of the new house once it's done and you're all settled. It's hard to imagine you "lounging" at all in the proper term even if you have been learning how to relax this summer.I imagine your stargazing isn't much different than mine. Sometimes I'll get on e of the horses and go to a high point for a while. Considering Cerys' condition I've been using one of the stallions instead.I will trust that explanation on the afterbirth being for research. You have discussed some of it with me before, about differences and similarities between muggles and wixes, and magic disrupting muggle devices.I will continue to keep Baldur safe and happy.Kindly, Moira Skip to next post
Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) on January 02, 2018, 08:52:05 PM The letter starts on the postcard but quickly runs out of room. It continues on a separate bit of parchment. The letter, postcard and picture were all put into a package with a jar of vegemite and owled.22 July 2011 Sasha Rudolf Waldgraf Schlagenweit DundeeThe Green Tortoise Pub & InnFlagstaff Hill Maritime VillageVictoria, AustraliaNot The Northern HemisphereMoira E. McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKNorthern HemisphereDear Moira & Greetings from the Land Down Under! As you may have noticed, my plans to go to Portugal got a little sidetracked. Mostly, because I saw that they are starting the Hobbit trilogy next year and I had to go see Hobbiton in New Zealand! The picture of me is in the humble abode of a Mr. Bilbo Baggins. Or, Frodo Baggins, depending on when we're referring to. I realize very little of that made any sense - and we must rectify that. After New Zealand, I've been making my way along the Great Ocean Road of Southern Australia. I started out in Melbourne and spent the day shopping for some of the weirdest potions ingredients. You don't want to know what they do with kangaroo bladder stones! Maybe you do. They apparently use it in a bald head remedy. I think I'd rather be bald.Yesterday, I spent the day footing it around the Great Otway National Park. I'm not quite sure why they decided to name everything "great" but it is quite spectacular country. Rainforest and waterfalls and gorgeous beaches. I met a couple koalas during the hike. Well, I didn't meet them properly, of course. It was more a curious observation from a distance, rather then a proper introduction and interaction. They were far less interested in me then I was in them. I camped overnight up at a remote little campground; the only other campers there were a lovely couple from South Korea. They were very fascinated by my accent and kept asking me about Austrian nuns. I continued following the Australian coast today and even took a surfing lesson. I had a lot of fun face planting in the water and figuring out how to tie recreational items to my leg. Now, I'm in this delightful little town called the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. There's the tiniest little wizarding alley nestled along the river front and I can see the lighthouse from my room. Tomorrow I'm off to Portland and Discovery Bay to go whale and seal watching. Then, I'm heading across the water to spend a few days exploring Tasmania. As long as as the tasmanian devil doesn't devour me in a whirlwind, I should be back home by the weekend.Hope you are enjoying your summer and not working too hard! I've enclosed a bottle of the ultimate Australian breakfast. Apparently, if you eat this stuff on toast, you're ready to wrestle crocodiles. I'm sure you're keeping all the animals (two-legged and four-legged) in line on the farm. I hope the Baldman has been on his best behavior. Give him an extra hug from me.Sincerely, Sasha RWSP.S. Whatever you do, don't eat the souvenir. It's atrocious.P.S.S. I'll bring a proper souvenir with me. P.S.S.S. Really. Don't eat the vegemite. Skip to next post
Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #1 on January 03, 2018, 07:58:03 PM The letter arrives in an unadorned white envelope. At the bottom of the paper by Moira's signature there is a single muddy paw print.22 July 2011Moira McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKSasha SchlagenweitSomewhere In AustraliaDear Sasha,You're right. None of that made any sense to me. I can only assume you are referring to muggle literature again. The stack of things you claim I need to read or see is growing bigger as always.That picture is both cute and amusing.I'm glad to read that you're having fun. It sounds like quite the adventure! I can't write with complete honesty that I wish I was there with you. A part of me is curious and eventually I may travel, apart from that school trip, but not right now.Work here on the farm has been the same and busy as usual. I've started adding a morning run every two or three days into my routine. Baldur, who has been a perfect gentleman, joins me when I do. He leads a very spoiled life here, I should warn you. He sleeps on the foot of my bed and has his meals when we do.So, if I shouldn't eat the vegemite what should I do with it? Fertilizer, maybe?Ever your friend,MoiraP.S. Baldur says hi.P.S.S. Cerys, the winged mare I told you about, is having her foal within the next few weeks! Skip to next post
Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #2 on January 04, 2018, 01:19:20 PM 24 July 2011 Sasha Rudolf Waldgraf Seaworthy PrivateerThe Siren SchoonerSomewhere in the PacificPresumably, near Australia & Taking the Long Leisurely Way to TasmaniaHopefully Still Not In The Northern HemisphereOtherwise, send a search teamMoira E. McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKNorthern HemisphereDear Moira & Greetings from the Open Ocean! Well, sometime soon, we will rectify that confusion. The funnest part of that is always seeing witches and wizards' reactions to the muggle interpretation of elves. It's classic. Oh, and wizards. There are wizards in it though they are color-coordinated. You'd probably like Radagast the Brown. He talks to animals. Sort of. Which has always seemed strange. I mean, muggles have always assumed that's some sort of ability that people with magic might have and, yet, I've never met a ... zoogilimens? Zoomouths. Other then snakes, I suppose. Why just snakes? Why aren't there ... dolphin-mouths or, even, bonobo-mouths? Why are there wizards that can talk to reptiles, but not our closest animal relatives?I should add that to my list of questions. I should really stop trying to confuse you. Since you found the picture amusing, I've sent another one. It's from my whale watching trip yesterday. We had a lot of fun and they even let us swim with the whales. If you look really closely, you might see me playing with one. I called her Wilma. You should totally try traveling! It's really amazing. I mean, you know the world is this big, remarkable place with all this fascinating stuff in it but you never really know it. If you ever have time, you should come on one with me! It would be lots of fun. Eating strange food, meeting strange people and confusing other tourists are wonderfully fun past times. And, somehow, home never seems quite as sweet as when you've been some place very unhome-like for a long time. I'm glad to hear the farm is keeping you busy; I imagine you're relieved to be back in your element. It's still strange to think we aren't going back to Hogwarts in little over a month. When do you start your new job? It won't be until after I'm back, right? Which would be an easier question to answer if I knew if I was coming back on schedule. We'll have to hang out before you do, since I imagine you'll be busier then I am. I met a couple of graduate students from Canada (they're like students who've finished Hogwarts...and one round of university and are on their next round. In other words, they're me in probably five years) on the whale watching tour who are doing some research down around Antarctica. Since I'm apparition-impaired and, as far as I know, Antarctica is out of apparition and floo network range, I'm hoping to cozy up enough to them so they extend an invitation to visit, sometime. Of course, it's a long shot, but we'll see. As to the vegemite, I recommend keeping it around as part of your home defense plan. Or as a gift should you ever find yourself getting a much-despised coworker as a secret santa recipient. In that case, make sure you add a sinister note. Like "great on steak - slather it on!" or "goes great in a martini. All the coolest Australians do it." Sincerely, Sasha RWSP.S. If I end up getting delayed and just go straight to America, is Baldur okay with you for another couple of weeks? I mean, I'm sure he's fine but I don't know if you have plans. Since, clearly, I don't. P.S.S. That is very exciting about Cerys. Hopefully, everything will go well; if you need any help, don't hesitate to let me know. I'm sure the foal will be as precious as mom is. P.S.S.S. So...I'm trying to figure out the most polite way to ask. I came to the conclusion there really isn't, so I'm just going to ask it and tag it as a P.S.S.S. because, somehow, etiquette rules always seem less rigid in post scripts. Do you have any plans for the afterbirth and umbilical cord? If not, I would really love to have it. If you just plopped it in the freezer ... wait ... do wizard houses have freezers? How do you freeze things? I mean, a spell can freeze it but I don't want you standing there casting a spell until I can pick it up. Weird. Hogwarts really should do muggle-wizard exchange programs. I know about making potions but nothing about how wizards do laundry. Other then get an elf. Which, I'm doing. I admit, I would love the idea of Legolas doing my laundry. Anyhoo...stopping the tangent. You could plop it in my freezer! Or, something. Just - can I have it? Skip to next post
Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #3 on January 04, 2018, 06:05:28 PM 26 July, 2011Moira McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKSasha Sea-dog SchlagenweitPossibly Tasmania or Somewhere LostDear Sasha,Why in Merlin's beard do you want the afterbirth? On second thought maybe I shouldn't ask. I feel there is a long winded explanation to that question that will leave me much confused. In response to your question, we usually dispose of it but I can store and freeze it for you. We have cellar outside that is charmed to keep anything inside cold. Milk is stored by the door where it won't freeze.I don't begin work until September 5th. I hope you're back before then! After some discussion with the company we were able to get my work schedule sorted out ahead of time as well. Sundays and Wednesdays I will be off with my normal work hours being seven am to six pm unless there is an emergency that requires me to stay later. Yes, I still plan on helping at home daily.If you want to extend your trip Baldur is more than welcome to continue his stay here. In fact, whenever you decide to travel again he is welcome to return as well.Perhaps I will manage a vacation trip with you sometime. Whenever that will be, I'll let you do most of the talking while I observe as usual. You've had more practice at it than I. Even if you do say you're sorry too much sometimes. Looking forward to your next letter of fun-filled, or horrendous, adventure. Unless you suddenly show up on our doorstep demanding to have your dog back while also giving me a proper souvenir. I might have already used a bit of the other as a test fertilizer. Will let you know how that goes.Your slightly concerned friend,Moira Skip to next post
Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #4 on January 12, 2018, 09:25:57 PM 27 July 2011 Sasha Crickey Rudolf Waldgraf SchlagenweitThe Spotted KoalaSydney, AustraliaMoira E. McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKNorthern HemisphereDear Moira,I definitely do intend to return home before September, so I値l be back before you start work. Which will be good, since it sounds like you値l be busy. Hopefully, you値l still make time to have fun. Speaking from personal experience, all work and no play really is no fun. A lesson I probably should have learned a long time ago. The new house should be finished early August and I致e made arrangements for my grandmother to move in with me during the second week in August, so I値l definitely be back by then. We値l have to grab coffee or do something else when I do. I'll have lots of photos and stories to share.In the meantime, since it sounds like you池e content to have Baldur hang out a little longer and, I知 sure, Baldur is having a blast, I知 going to take you up on your offer to extend his stay! I was tempted to come home and lounge in my own house for a few nights but then I was able to book a sailboat cruise from Sydney to San Fransisco. Why go to the US by way of the UK if you can just go straight there? With an open bar? And, mid-Pacific star gazing? I知 really going for the star gazing.It would be cumbersome to explain why I知 interested in the afterbirth in a letter and, likely, even more boring to read about it. It値l be easier to explain in person. In the meantime (and to stave off any concerns), I知 wanting it for my research. I don稚 know if it will actually be useful - in muggle animals, it can be extremely useful. It involves special types of cells, which are really small version building blocks of living thingsmuggles are made up of them and maybe wizards, but I'm not sureLike eggs. Really small eggs.Like I said, it痴 a bit complicated to explain. I壇 be happy to try to explain sometime, if you were interested, but it would be much easier to do in person. But, thank you! I do appreciate it. I値l take it off your hands as soon as I知 back in the UK. Whenever that is. And, now, I'm off to see Of Mice and Men at the Sydney Opera House and then I take to the open ocean tomorrow evening.Sincerely, Sasha RWS Skip to next post
Re: Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira) Reply #5 on January 24, 2018, 06:18:11 PM 29 July, 2011Moira McBoidMcBoid FarmScotland, UKSasha SchlagenweitMid-Pacific to the USADear Sasha,My work is fun. Mostly. That doesn't include the cleaning, though I still don't mind that too much, nor does it entirely include the times I get kicked, bitten, or slapped around by a wing. None of that happens often but it is still a potential hazard, especially with the horses boarding here.Anyway, you'll have to take me on a tour of the new house once it's done and you're all settled. It's hard to imagine you "lounging" at all in the proper term even if you have been learning how to relax this summer.I imagine your stargazing isn't much different than mine. Sometimes I'll get on e of the horses and go to a high point for a while. Considering Cerys' condition I've been using one of the stallions instead.I will trust that explanation on the afterbirth being for research. You have discussed some of it with me before, about differences and similarities between muggles and wixes, and magic disrupting muggle devices.I will continue to keep Baldur safe and happy.Kindly, Moira Skip to next post
Sure Doesn't Feel Like Summer (Moira)