Liza the Drover's wifeA Story by B.J A typical Australian story from many years ago. Dedicated to my Grandmother whom was one of these women. She led an isolated life
beyond the horizon amongst the desert, and saltbush plains. The scorching midday sun
belted down constantly. Trees were
sparse around the hut built of bark and timber. The floors often were slabs of
timber, with the kitchen often built bigger than the main house. Sometimes the kitchen being built away from the main house. Often she was alone with her children for months on end, while her husband was away with the sheep or cattle. She was the children’s teacher, nurse, property caretaker. Tending to the homestead by herself; a special type of woman it took to cope with the conditions. Her skin became hardened to the conditions, sometimes thin and frail. Liza was one of these women, she was not a coward, but she could be frightened often dealing snakes, dogs, possums and most of all children. Sometimes up to fourteen children. Children frightened at times of thunderstorms which can be quite dramatic in the desolate outback A child screams a dog barks and Liza is on the alert checking under beds for snakes, checking floorboards. Children scamper together, protecting each other, while Liza keeps on searching. Eventually Liza gives the all clear and says ‘Maybe it went under the floor boards and Ralph (the dog) scared it away barking.’ ‘Mum will you read to us for a while so we can go to sleep’ asks Freddy Liza clambers onto the bed with the kerosene lamp beside them on the table and begins reading till all her children fall asleep. Alone at midnight, with all the children finally asleep she works, sewing patches on boys trousers, patching aprons, reading by lamp light. While waiting anxiously for news of her husband. Liza was a Drover’s wife, she made do, and she is used to being alone. As many a Drover’s wife did they were survivors. At night while her children slept and when she was able to sleep restfully, she had dreams, girlish dreams, of castles, knights in shining armour. Those dreams are all but vanished now, as a Drover’s wife. Liza finds her excitement where she can in an old Ladies Journal, an old one at that. Dreaming at times she pictures herself in all the finery of a city lady. At times she lays down her work and stares out a window, thinking, listening, her own private time. Her husband Joe is an Australian, and so is she, they were used to separation. When he returned a Liza was paid Joe usually paid her most of his pay. His pay was not much but Liza knew how to make it go round. She was use to not fretting, Liza made do and she did so well Liza fight fires, floods alongside her husband and children. She is now a woman from the bush. The Drover’s wife.
© 2014 B.JReviews
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B.JSouth Australia, Rural, AustraliaAboutI live in rural South Australia, among the best wine district in the state. I enjoy dabbling with words, seeing what I can create. I appreciate creative reviews. more..Writing
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