The title of this article 'Pennies From Kevin' actually came off the ABC radio today where it was used to describe the Prime Minister's economic stimulus package.

A little over four years ago I  wrote about finding a penny on the ground and actually picking it up. Was a time when I couldn't be bothered with the worthless things. They won't even buy you a piece of bubble gum these days.

In Australia, you won't find any pennies on the ground. None. They've done away with the worthless coinage. The smallest numismatic denomination is a five cent piece. In the super market and elsewhere the total is automatically rounded to the nearest multiple of five (unless you're paying electronically, in which case they can charge you the exact amount - as it doesn't require producing change).

Apologies. I'm actually going somewhere with this. Twice this week I've seen something shiny on the ground and reached over and picked it up. A two-dollar coin both times. That's enough to buy a beer.

I believe I will.

I'm not making this up. Driving home today, just outside Kangaloon, there was a dead rat on the side of the road. No big deal, right? Just another big ugly dead rat.

This one was wearing a knitted pullover.