12/09/2026
~ We didn't have an Ipad when we were kids.
We had a Play Room & it was found outside.
We had water from the hose & hand me down clothes and a whole lot of time to fill.
On the odd occasion after school, we'd walk to the local General Store and wait there until Mum finished work.
To keep us occupied, Mum would buy us both a packet of Tally-Ho's with whatever loose change we could find in her wallet.
We'd sit outside, rolling grass into thin lines, trying to make the perfect "rollie", watching minimal traffic drive by.
Mum was resourceful like that.
If you were stupid, you'd make the mistake of telling Mum you were bored. Two simple words, "I'm Bored" would have Mum finding plenty of boring jobs to fill any spare time you once thought you had.
We might have played up once or twice but all Mum ever had to do was give us a wonky eyed, sideward glance, and then we knew we'd have to explain ourselves to Dad.
I don't ever remember us running out of things to do.
And still, I've never felt the urge to buy my kids an Ipad.
Story: 1990's
Photo: September. Central Queensland 2026, Smoke & Fire Season.