My word inspiration today is Jillaroo. A Jillaroo is the female version of a Jackaroo, an Australian term for someone who works on one of the big cattle properties outback.
The rainy season had arrived with a vengeance, rain sleeted down, reducing visibility to a few hands in front. Mel pulled the edges of her drizabone closer together, and pushed her hat down further. Working in this weather was just miserable. But it had to be done or they could loose the cattle on several thousand acres.
With such poor visibility it nade it hard to repair the fence. She was mostly working by feel. At last the wires had been attached to the last post and tied off. Thankfully. Now to get back to the main house.
Swinging herself up into the saddle of her very bedraggled gelding, she turned his head for home. She tucked her head down against the rain and let her horse have his head. Knowing he would find his way she let her mind wander.
Soon the rainy season would be over and they could all dry out.
Ever since I read A Town Like Alice (years and years ago), I love reading about the Australian outback. So a Jackaroo is like a ringer? Or something different? I love the Jillaroo term--Jack & Jill, of course :) What I love most about it, though, is the idea of women doing what's been traditionally considered men's work. Yah, Jillaroos of the world!
ReplyDeleteGuilie @ Life In Dogs