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Hello,
Today I witnessed a scene which could only be described as domestic violence, while having coffee in a public place...
Sadly, we live in a era where there is an epidemic of such violence, and the statistics are quite alarming.
Thank goodness for the White Ribbon campaign, which raises awareness and is introducing strategies of education, designed to reduce the incidence of such crimes.
There were quite a few people in the area of the incident I witnessed.
Everyone froze in shock, including me. I suppose that is the natural reaction.
Instead of the usual buzz of voices, there was stunned silence, and only the protagonists could be heard.
Then, thankfully, I noticed security people in uniform quietly approaching as the event moved away to another area.
Ten minutes later, I saw the Police were there taking particulars.
It was only when I got home and thought it through that I really understood exactly what I had seen - and that is the effect of shock.
It did make me wonder if that is why sometimes people do not intervene quickly enough when something bad and unexpected occurs?
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Little Aussie visited us for the weekend, and I put out my collection of little houses and churches, gathered over many years.
It wasn't long before the village migrated to the floor...
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and became invaded by the cheeky Lego men..
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who were indeed fascinated by the 3 houses which have tiny Christmas lights.
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I liked this patchwork effect...
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and made Aussie a pair of spaceship shorts, just because.
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Last week I met up with the Sewing Sisters.
Somebody had a 1940 Ladies Home Journal inherited from her Mum.
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Nearly 75 years ago, but there are so many lovely details in these fashions which could be used beautifully today.
And not just the polka dots..
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Another talented member of our group whipped up Christmas bunting, all in one day.
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This was the centrepiece created by our hostess, V.
We love your style, and your beautiful house..
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Aussie and I had a wonderful conversation about this part of the Christmas display. Now that he is five, his little mind is moving onto the big themes of life.
Being a grandparent is so, so special.
Have a great week.
XXXX
I cannot imagine how shocking the incident that you witnessed was, thankfully there were people there to help, but it must still have been so incredibly shocking for you, I hope that you are OK now. It looks as though you had a lovely time with your sewing sisters, obviously a very talented group of people - just like you!! xx
ReplyDeleteThe sudden and unexpected always seems to shock us, not matter what the cause. It is interesting how we react - the sudden silence and stillness. I am fine now, thank you Amy. The sewing girls are all very talented, I am in awe of what they all achieve! xx
DeleteLove your Christmas treats. Hope you've recovered now, seeing is as shocking as living through it. x
ReplyDeleteHi Suzy, I always enjoy the Christmas season and all that it brings. xx
DeleteHi, Patricia...got your Christmas card, so thanks so much. Fun to read through your thoughts this morning. Sorry you had to witness an uncomfortable situation, and intervening can really get someone in trouble sometimes. Hard to know what to do. Love your pretty crafts, and I agree that being a grandparent is very special. We are currently building our grandson's tree house. Have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, glad the card found its way. Yes, intervening is not always necessarily appropriate, thank goodness the professionals were around. How fantastic to build a tree house for your grandson - I won't mention that one, or we will have to do it too!
DeleteSewing Sisters - what a great name for like minded crafty friends. Love the Christmas projects that were made and the vintage dress patterns are fabulous. It's not nice witnessing confrontation and hope you've forgotten about it by now. Love being a grandparent, there's nothing quite like it. ;))
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to see the vintage dress patterns, which were so beautifully designed. Inspiration for future projects.
DeleteGrandparenting is wonderful, especially at Christmas, totally Agreed!!
Love those fashions - some of us were saying the other day that the 40s and 50s were a very elegant period - presumably if you could afford it. Re violence - I think most people are shocked when it happens and some simply don't want to get involved - sadly. Hopefully, times ARE changing. Some of the stuff coming out in the news over here about cover-ups of abuse beggars belief.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, Elegant is a good description for those years. We could do with a bit more elegance today! Here too there is much in the news about violence in the home which is quite incredible and shocking. At least there are now organisations working on education and solutions.
DeleteDomestic violence both male and female, is on the rise. I think its always been there, but was kept in the dark. Now there are people and groups that can help. Its awful.
ReplyDeleteI love your vintage patterns Patricia.. the dress and the polka dot jacket would be stunning still today.
Gosh..little Aussie has grown... how sweet is his little christmas village.
We are blessed to be grandmothers.
wishing you a happy week ..
val xxx
I agree Val, it was kept in the dark and not so much recognised in the past, and the law did not want to get involved. Times are changing, thankfully, because it is on the increase.
DeleteYes, those fashions could be worn today, and I wonder if the current designers refer back to fashion history as they work.
Aussie almost loved my village to pieces :) He is a sweet little boy. Thank you for dropping in Val. xxx
Patricia, you did not tell us what happened, which is perfectly ok, but I hope you talked about it at home.I have never witnessed violence, perhaps I subconsciously avoid seeing it.
ReplyDeleteAre you planning to sew something 40´s ?
Your Christmas decorations are sweet and extra so with the added legos ( a facelift ; ).
I didn't describe what I saw because it was local, and I don't want to break the law myself by giving identifying information, Mette. However I did go over it at home with Mr C. It is not something you usually see in a public place, hence the shock. I hope you don't encounter it.
DeleteNo particular plan to sew something 40s - I don't have the tiny waist which appears to have been required - he he
I might leave one lego guy in the Christmas village and see if anyone spots it.
I watched a programme this evening about domestic violence using hidden cameras. It is something that has always gone on, usually behind closed doors, but is now being acknowledged by the police as a serious problem.
ReplyDeleteGrandchildren are the very best thing ever.
That would have been an interesting programme, Rosemary. As you say, usually behind closed doors, which I suppose is the reason everyone was so shocked when it happened in public.
DeleteHurrah for grandchildren!
Yes I think you do go into shock when something like that happens... very sad that folks use these abusive tactics to solve issues. On a happier note love your decorating and especially the Lego invasion!! Way to go with the shorts...don't see the larger ones there.. He he!
ReplyDeleteI guess shock is our system's immediate defence - makes you pause until you comprehend things. I hope I never see an incident like that again. I'm glad you like the decorations and the lego, all very child friendly. No larger shorts, fabric too expensive...
DeleteVery beautiful and warm Christmas decorations, Patricia. I sometimes wonder why the whole world has the notion of a snow, covered white Christmas, even in the Southern hemisphere. My fantasy is enjoying a sunny, warm, coatless Christmas celebrated on a beach. Barefoot and sleeveless would suit me fine.
DeleteWhen I was a teenager, I was once in someone's home for breakfast, when right on front of me, the husband started hitting his wife. It happened very suddenly and left me stunned and not knowing what to do.Today I'm sure I'd call the police. As a teenager, I was rather tramatized. Everything was normal one moment, followed by sudden and inappropriate violence. I feel blessed not to have been raised in a home with domestic violence and am glad society has a few resources to help women in bad home situations. I can't do too much to support them.
Boy I don't know what happened ... I certainly meant to type: "our society can't do too much to help these women, who suffer from domestic abuse. I think Blogger must have updated something ... as I'm not catching typos before hitting polish. How unforturnate!
DeleteHa! Before hitting publish!
DeleteDebra, thank you for your comments. Your experience as a teen would have been shocking indeed. So unexpected, and leaves you stunned, especially when it is not something you grew up with. Same with me.
DeletePerhaps we are so familiar with hot sunny Christmas, that we dream of the snow fantasy!
I'm sorry you witnessed that scene, Patricia. I'm sorry such things happen. I think you are right about shock being a reason people don't intervene when something like that happens. I'm glad you had time with your grandson. Balancing out the awfulness of seeing that abuse with the love of your family was perfect. You have said it perfectly. Being a grandparent is so, so special.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristie, I hope those people I saw are helped to have a joyful Christmas. As you know, nothing beats having grandchildren :)
DeleteYes, these things have always happened. Not in my family, thank goodness. I think we see these things in public more nowadays due to the breakdown in civil codes - people do just what they like now, when they like. I found it very difficult when I moved to Newcastle - the language and general behaviours were so different from the tame Adelaide Hills ways I was familiar with. It still gets me down.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a nurse, so had to get used to hearing and seeing results of domestic violence of all sorts (all ages, all sexes).
I think the rise in drug use is going to see more generations of damaged people who will perpetuate these cycles.
Sorry to sound so gloomy - the worldview of someone who has worked in hospitals can be a bit like this!
I am sure it must have been a horrible experience, and don't feel bad about not intervening - even in hospitals, teams are called to deal with these things - it can take quite a few people to deal with these situations.
Dear Sarahliz, thank you for your wise and thoughtful comment. I also think we see a breakdown in civil codes these days, more's the pity. It did cross my mind that drug use could be behind such out-of-control behaviour, in public, taking no notice of the audience of observers, or the fact that the law will intervene. I have so much admiration for nurses and other hospital professionals these days - it is shocking what they endure. When we spent 12 hours in Emergency after our accident, I heard some aggressive behaviours going on in adjacent areas - shudder!
DeleteOn a brighter note, how nice to grow up in the Adelaide Hills, one of the nicest places I have ever visited. xx
Thank you Patricia - I, too, long for the old days of manners and civility - and although we always had interesting behaviours to deal with in hospitals, certainly the levels of general aggression and abuse have risen - this is even happening with bus drivers now. It's very scary, no wonder I prefer my sewing machine! And luckily, Adelaide and the Hills still are reasonably pleasant - we plan to retire there, I have a bijou little cottage tucked away :)
DeleteI like your collection of little houses and churches, Patricia. I've always wanted a Christmas village. Your grandson must have 'eyes wide open' at his grandma's house. How wonderful that he is asking about Christmas, and that you are teaching him about this holy day.
ReplyDeletelove,
~Sheri
Sheri, I always wanted one too. A few years ago I began buying odd little houses whenever I saw them, and soon the collection grew. It is random and quirky, but seems to work for us! I'm sure Little Aussie has lots to tell when he goes home from our place. He sang me a little song about the Very First Christmas Day.
DeleteI'm sorry you had to witness such a terrible sight, it must have been disturbing. It sounds like you've been having a nice time with your little grandson, he will always remember the things you are teaching him!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer, Being a grandma gives you a sort of re-run, another chance to do the sweet things you do with a child. We love it, of course.
DeleteI'm sorry you had to witness this, Patricia, and can understand the shock you felt. Sadly domestic abuse seems to be everywhere and here in Mid-Wales, we actually have a men's refuge as well as a women's - one of the first in the country. In addition, the law is being changed in the UK to recognise that abuse can be emotional and psychological as well as physical.
ReplyDeleteYou and Little Aussie obviously have the most wonderful times together and he is laying up a store of very special memories.
I was a bit shaken up by this event, Perpetua. Perhaps it is not so surprising these days when our media is full of reports on domestic violence. The men's refuge is interesting, and there are men's movements in Australia providing help to men in domestic difficulties; I don't know of any refuges yet. Little Aussie is quite the character these days, and and endless source of happiness for us.
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