Long ago when women thought they were pregnant they went to the doctor and had a "rabbit test." If they found out they were pregnant, the catch phrase was "the rabbit died."
My rabbit test did not involve pregnancy, however.
I arrived in NZ to live with John on Sept. 8, 2001. A few days before the horrendous events of 9/11 that rocked the world. Later that week John and I travelled down to the farm so that I could meet his parents and see the farm for the first time. Despite years of travelling to NZ, I had never been to the King Country before.
It was a warm, sunny spring day, so lunch was served outside on the terrace overlooking the garden. The camelias and rhodos were in full bloom. I'm sure I was a source of curiousity and much discussion within the family (and probably still am!), but John's parents welcomed me graciously into the family. I noticed a rabbit nibbling grass in the garden and commented upon that. While John and his mum and I continued to chat over cups of tea, Maurie excused himself and went off to do something.
A few moments later a shot rang out from behind my back, and the rabbit lay dead on the lawn. Now, I'd grown up in a small town with a father and brother who hunted game for food (not sport), so was used to a hunting rifle in the house. I'd also travelled enough around NZ to know that both rabbits and possums were officially considered pests, and were a scourge and major problem on many farms.
So I wasn't all that fazed by what had happened, and commented to Maurie that he'd made a good shot. Initially I thought that he had done this to show off his vintage Winchester firearm and crack marksmanship, both of which he had to the end of his life.
But as I got to know him better, I realized that it had been a test for the girl from LA, to see if she was going to cut the mustard in Piopio.
As he got to know me better, I trust he learned I can cut the mustard.
You and New Zealand fit like a glove! I love your blog. It's so wonderful to read about the farm and the country life. It makes me long for a place of my own to raise sheep or llamas. You are an inspiration! Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | 09/19/2010 at 08:18 PM