If dandelions have taken over your lawn it's sort of ironic that, while we're battling to keep our gardens alive because of the water restrictions, these cheerful yellow flowers are thriving and could help you get through coronavirus food shortages.
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They're looked on as the scourge of the lawn but dandelions are a nutritious, beneficial plant. Every part is edible so can be used as a substitute for necessities you can't get in the supermarkets because of the greedy hoarders.
Fresh dandelion leaves have a sharp, bitter flavour that many people would find pleasing in salads, so you can substitute them for lettuce in your favourite recipe or mix them with other greens for a mellower flavour.
Cooking them lessens their bite and they can also be sautéed or used in soups. The flowers can be used to make a distinctive wine.
Dandelion leaves are a rich source of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, potassium, iron and manganese.
So before you do battle with the greedy hoarders in the supermarkets or aim that can of Roundup at your lawn's dandelions, harvest them instead.
Always honest
Comedian Mary Coustas, better known as her alter ego Effie, is reviving her character in her 'Effie in Love Me Tinder' show that kicks off in Newcastle tomorrow.
It's years since she first graced TV screens but she's not concerned about now being accused of political correctness because she says 'Effie was always honest.'
As a former press officer for the deputy president of the Senate, some earth-shattering memories of working in Parliament House included the endless clip, clop, clip, clop of high heels up and down the corridor outside the office.
David from the Black Rod's office next door always reckoned women were ruling the country.
Clip, clop, clip clop. One morning there was more than normal commotion in the corridor. Was it a division?
Nope, but office doors were open and MPs' and staffies were waving and carrying on.
Strike me pink, it was Effie.
What's she doing here? She says "hello, good thanks" as she glides past.
So you never knew what to expect of everyday life in the heart of Australia's democratic system.
Well, sort of.
Chaos
Some of the petrol stations in Orange are still in need of lollipop traffic controllers because of the driveway chaos.
Drivers park and wait over the footpaths and into the street traffic lanes but worse, coming in from two directions, often park nose-to-nose while filling.
Another car pulling in behind blocks the whole shebang and drivers have to manoeuvre and reverse to try to get out or just sit and wait.
Others crawl around the driveway in and out of other cars so their filler cap is on the same side as the hose, which will reach the opposite side anyway, and they cause more jams.
So filling the tank can be a painful experience. You would think drivers could at least all go in the same direction.
But then that probably takes a bit of common sense.
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