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MLG, like many others I suspect, had an impoverished childhood - raised as the youngest of 9 siblings, in a poor family, competition meant she was always last in the queue. So fast forward 30-some years, married to a farang, and in NZ. Whilst we are at the modest end of income in NZ, we are still streets and avenues ahead of her childhood. So, every clothing, shoe and makeup sale, that's on is religiously attended and real, actual bargains are gained. But shoes, when our shoe shelves got filled, she started piling them on the floor in front of the shelves. Several, 9 years later, the floor in front go the shelves had become a large cardboard box, the size of half a beer barrel. The shoes were heaped in this. Until today. Even though the New Year's resolutions are not until tomorrow, 13:06 hours and minutes away, by my looking, MLG sprang into action. Our recycling bin now has some 20 pairs of unloved shoes in it and the cardboard box has gone. A miracle I tell you. I'd never presume to tell her what number of shoes was seemly, given her childhood, anymore than she would cast an eye over my growing pile of fishing tackle.

Thanks Kiwi, a sad tale and one that shows true friendship. It reminds me of the blokes who've gone, who were my friends. An aphorism, sourced from the cult of the sky fairies, is apt at this point: " There but for the hand of God, go you or I "