What (bush) women want…
One of the things I haven’t really addressed too much here on this blog has been the challenges women face living in the bush. They are things that you kinda know and can imagine, but until you actually live it the reality doesn’t hit home.
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One major issue is support for pregnant mums – in most cases, we simply cannot have our babies in our local towns. Shocking but true. My mother could – we were all born at the nearest town, even my brother who was a caesarian birth. The hospital is only 45 minutes from home, so Dad could easily visit her during her stay, and still keep things on track on the property.
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But these days, women must go away – up to four and five hours drive from home – to hospitals set up for maternity. It means a lot of induced births (who can afford weeks of motel accomodation – or being away from school-age older siblings -just in case Mother Nature doesn’t kick in?). And it means that the usual support networks often aren’t there for new mums. It’s tough. And that’s just if everything goes according to plan.
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Most women don’t complain out loud about this situation – it’s just another fact of life. There are plenty of uncomfortable little facts of life: dealing with unreliable bore water, seemingly endless power outages, poor internet and phone connections, menfolk that work six and seven days a week, rough roads and expensive groceries. These women don’t see they can change things, so they just get on with it.
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Most find their own special ways of coping, of staying sane in the isolation, and celebrating their womanhood. Some do amazing hand-crafts, others create incredible gardens, a few even start little framing businesses, and some get out there in the paddock and work sunup to sundown alongside their men. Every day I am amazed and humbled by their talents, creativity, drive and generosity. The last couple of weekends at campdrafts have illustrated clearly how these women manage their worlds and maintain their feminity. It’s quite a juggling act when so often they are required to be self-reliant and do ‘men’s work’.
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There are many female campdrafters and most are incredibly well-presented, with plenty of style and pizzaz (as well as riding skills) on display.
It’s generally not hard picking the girls’ horses from the mob…
And I saw others, like my friend Tracey, at her stall selling gorgeous hand-made jewellery. 
I really love her stuff.
And I really, really love they way she presents it…
Weathered old tree roots against luminous faux-pearls…
It kinda illustrated the paradox to me far better than words…the gnarled and the tough
the perfect foil for
the pretty and feminine.
Don’t you think?
11 Comments
Wrensong Farm
I am always impressed and amazed at how strong bush and ranch women are. I’m not sure I would have that strength!
I SO have missed reading your blog posts….and you’ve been campdrafting! One of the many things I want to see in Australia! Awesome flying hooves pics! Also absolutely LOVED that huge grin on Dash’s face while riding! There is a true horseman!
Leslie
When I was 13, my mother and I went to live on a station south of Glen Morgan for 3 months where she had a go at being a house keeper.
I mustered cattle and breathed fresh air all day long.
She was up at 5.30 in the morning, working.
I remember it all well.
It’s a different life!
Pony Girl
It appears to be a different life, for sure. Where do you feel you fit in? How close is your nearest neighbor?
I crave the ranch life. I know I’m romanticizing it, to some degree! But part of me really believes it’s where I’d be most happy.
The photos were great of your friend’s jewelry, it is lovely!
d/iowa
love the pics of the jewelry!
perfectly paradox 🙂
Country Girl
I like how she displays them, too. Nice stuff. I love, too, how you crop your photos.
Bush Babe
WF – welcome back – missed you too!!!
Leslie – the quiet and the fresh air are major, major drawcards!!!
PG – there is a whole post in the answer to that question! I was accused of ‘romanticising’ bush life before I came home too – but really the beauty of it is what keeps you here. Tough, but beautiful and real. Hang onto the romance I say!!
Diane – thanks love!!
CG – that’s a lovely compliment for both of us! *curtsies*
Jayne
Love the jewellery, the display is brilliant!
Got some contact details for it?
Lived in rural communities for donkey’s years, but not so isolated as that.
Reddirt Woman
Each time I drop by I find something new and wonderful about your life in the bush. I’ve often wondered how some of my great and great-greats managed in what was then the “wild West” here in Texas and Tennessee and reading your posts gives me a little insight. You do what needs to be done. You have to be able to creatively deal with life. While we have internet, phones, tv and all that stuff, however intermittent, when you live out in the bush or the country you have to be strong. And I agree… you can be strong and still be feminine.
Great post. Thank you.
Helen
Cactus Jack Splash
Lovely jewlery
Debby
Your picture of the ‘pearls’ and the old wood is a perfect metaphor for you and your women friends.
Woman in a Window
Thank you for that context. I’d have never known. Seems richer to me now. The toil always makes things seem so.