“Life ain’t easy being a woman. No siree. I tries to wake before my hubby, else I get thrown way behind. I’m busy in the morning so I’m up with the sun. Chickens to feed, eggs to collect. Make breakfast then lunches. Wake an wash the kids and get’em orf to skool. Then the days me own. I wish. Nope, I got ter tidy, dust ‘n sweep, boil the copper for the washing. Takes all mornin’ poking and wringing and hanging. I got ter tend the veggies, mend clothes, collect firewood, prepare dinner, clean windows. When I got a babe; I don’t right now- due in a couple of weeks – I have to suckle, change nappies all with no sleep. By the end of the day I’m buggered but my man ain’t finished, unless he got it in the morning. Yes siree. No fun. Then what did my man say to me this morning – “Ralph is going to send his Suze over in the afternoon and you and your buddy gonna move a bale of hay.”
Word Count 175
In response to Priceless Joy who hosts FFfAW and Ellespeth for providing the wonderful photo prompt.
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About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
This for the first line. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+lyle+lovett+stand+by+your+man&docid=607999025852124004&mid=E8DF42511A39E7147CD6E8DF42511A39E7147CD6&view=detail&FORM=VIREHT
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The link is not available here but I think you are telling me I am in error with the first line and it should be pick a bale of cotton. Changed on purpose because hay is pictured. I think that there are some video that as Australians we are not allowed to view – whether it be for copyright reasons or our government doesn’t think we are mature enough to see them.
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No errors! I tried to send you Lyle Lovett singing Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man”. The first line of that song is ‘sometimes it’s hard to be a woman’ which is great coming from Lyle. (A tall Texan with wry humor)
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Thanks. I will put in Tammy Winnette sung by Lyle Lovett and see what comes up at this end.
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Either can sing to you. “Stand By Your Man”.
Fun take on that weird photo. I just can’t usually get inspired by the photo prompts, have done very few. You always come up with something. You rock.
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thanks. I think photo prompts are much harder than a verbal prompt although I have to say some of Charli’s have me stumped for a time.
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I got it. Great. Isn’t he wonderful.
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Actually he is. And his Large Band.
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Good job, Irene. I was in the “modern” or “city” version of your story for 10 years, too long ago.
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Hopefully women’s roles have changed. It sounds as though you escaped your city version – I’m glad you did.
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Yes, mine wasn’t the reflection of social roles. I’m glad it was long gone.
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Tough being a woman anywhere in the world.
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Yes it is for many.
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A man marries and gets a wife. A woman marries and gets a ton of work. Where is MY wife?
(Wife=maid=wife.)
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Hahahaha. You’ve started my day off with a good belly laugh Sharon. Where is my wife? If you ever find out let me know.
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wonderful
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Thanks Ann.
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Hahahahahaha! Lazy good for nothin’ husband, making his poor pregnant wife do all the work! LOL! Loved the story, Irene!
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Thanks Joy. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Nice take. World over it is the women who do the real hard and tedious tasks in farming. In some place men just plow the fields and women do other tasks. Great write.
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Thank you. I think that the world over men have been seen as the protectors and the hunters and at time the warriors and women did the rest. I think many men haven’t known what to do as these roles have become in many parts redundant but have not found what to replace them with thereby doing little whilst women still do the lot plus often take on paid work as well. I think things have started to change as men find new roles for themselves in society and often share in the work at home.
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You have beautifully re-spun an age old yarn about societal expectations from man and woman. Lovely writing, Irene.
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Thank you Neel.
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