The Place of Lions Pt 2

more quotes:
Mount Meru.
Rising to over four thousand five hundred metres, symmetrical and quiet against the vast African sky, it is one of the world's most beautiful mountains.It's lower slopes are covered in dense rain-forest of immense age, a cool fairy land of ancient trees decked out in swathe upon swathe of hanging green mosses.

Here, in this lovely, manless place, baboons and Colobus monkeys pass the day's news back and forth



in harsh, chattering screams; azure and gold lizards dart up and down the damp trees, quick brilliant jewels in the forest gloom; chameleons hunt with their strange rhythmical dance, rocking from leg to leg until moths and insects are mesmerized, then, in an eye-blink,flicking out a whip-like tongue of astonishing length to haul in another luckless meal.

Here two great crashings and splinterings warn of the presence of the world's most destructive beasts,elephants,as they smash their way through the forest ripping whole trees apart i their constant battle to keep their great bulks nourished.

And looking down , over all from unimaginable heights, circle the great birds of Africa, the eagles and buzzards, the harriers and bright bataleurs.

This then is a magical place. Yet it is a neglected an ignored place. A place unknown to most of the world. And the reason it is so lies to the east. Overshadowing Mount Meru and all of Africa is a mountain everyone knows. A colossus so high, so vast, so unlikely that wise men in Europe laughed in disbelief at its discovery. Kilimanjaro, the wise men said could not exist. Snow in the tropics was impossible. These foolish missionaries in Africa were seeing cloud, mistaking it for snow and should get new glasses...."

African Readaloud

The boys and I have discovered a "new" readaloud for our African studies.
This one belonged to Duncan(do you remember the story Duncan?)and we only found it when we were trying to make order in some of the bookshelves....How do others cope with the great numbers of books homeschoolers collect?
We like to try to put all those titles of a theme together, then we try to find all the books by a particular author and put them together. Thus Historical fiction is in the hallway near the front door and all historical fiction by Barbara Willard, for instance, is put on the same shelf.
The difficulty arises when you have less shelf space for a theme than you do books...but I digress, back to the find!

We still have 7 more chapters to read but so far we are very happy with our choice. I am reading it to an 8yo+12yo(boys). Be warned though it is not a book for the squeamish: there is a plane crash and all that involves plus they are amongst wild beasts, some of whom(poachers) happen to be human!!But the language is rich in descriptive prose, we have been able to follow the journey of the characters with atlas and google maps and it is a very exciting story!

And without further ado here are some quotes:

"The map helped. It sped the days. Every day he would unfold it carefully and look at it, scanning its greens and browns and blues, savoring its names.
And such names!Names that sang of strangeness and smelled of Africa. Serengeti, Loliondo, Kilimanjaro, Massai Steppe. Names filled with sun and space, and warm winds carrying the tang of loping giraffe."

"A parting. A parting not just of two people who had grown to like each other. More than that. Much more.A parting of generations, which they both recognized. The eternal parting of the young from the old. The old regretting the times gone and the opportunities missed; the young fearful, but eager for the future. The old heart sinking to see the hopes of of his youth made flesh in another; the young heart burning to fly away. When the old look at the young they see time made flesh and bone....Chris smiled. Then he stepped out on the road to Africa."

St John Vianney

I found these fabulous quotes here:

"If people would do for God what they do for the world, what a great number of Christians would go to Heaven!

Sin is the executioner of the good God, and the assassin of the soul. It snatches us away from Heaven to precipitate us into Hell. And we love it! "-- St. John Vianney

Porridge please !

There is a tradition in our family, porridge for breakfast in winter. One son would prefer it all year round. This morning we tried it a bit differently. Last night I soaked two cups of oats in two cups of warm water to which I added the juice of half a lemon. The recipe said to leave it somewhere warm. Warm? In this weather! So I put the saucepan on the couch next to the heater and covered it with cushions! This morning I added two more cups of warm water and two tablespoons of butter(the butter helps our body to absorb the goodness from the oats so it satisfies us for longer) I must say when I tasted a spoonful that if I were a breakfast person I’d be tempted. However at ¼ to 7 on a July winter’s morning this is my preferred choice and like the cat on the mug there’s just no getting away from it …for me!

In the years ahead

I was honored to be asked to be an honorary godmother for the oldest of these delightful young women and will certainly continue to pray for them and their family in the years ahead.
In his homily our Archbishop referred to the Old Testament reading for this Sunday(Exodus 16:2-4,12-15)You know the one where the Israelites are complaining about being taken away from the wonderful land of Egypt(!)and how miserable life was where they were now. The Archbishop emphasized the goodness of God to the people in the O.T and how we can also take comfort from this(ie God not giving us what we deserve)when so often our own lives can be reflections of these Old Testament people in our greed and selfish ways.


He then went on to talk about what the sacrament of Confirmation was. When we are baptized we receive the Holy Spirit and full of God's grace became new creations and members of God's family. At Confirmation the Holy Spirit comes to us in a more specific way and fills us with the grace needed to live each individual life as a member of the body of Christ. So while we all receive the Gift we are not all called to live the same life(ie not all clones!), some will need strengthening in some areas that others will not because they have not been called to be that particular part of the body and so on.Of course he added too at the time of Confirmation we are still very young and don't usually know where God is calling us but as we slowly grow and walk in Christ the grace will be there to meet all situations and needs.We were reminded in closing of Blessed Mary Mc Killop, whose centenary is later this month and at the time of her confirmation would not have known that God would call her to do a such a marvelous work for Him here in the southland of the Holy Spirit!

When it rains

I am posting this not because its been raining(which it has)but as a thank you to two special friends, one of whom now lives quite a distance away and the other who came originally from where the former now lives(!) because your friendships mean so much to me, as does your support and encouragement just now.Thank you.

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom.
It was pouring outside--
the kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so
much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down
the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just
inside the door .

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because
nature messed up their hurried day. I am always
mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of
the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.
Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came
pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my
day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic
trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the
rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked.

"Let 's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom
replied.

This young child waited about another minute and
repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain."

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this
morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's
arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the
rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy
about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this,
he can get us through anything!'"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't
hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one
came or left in the next few minutes.

Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she
would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for
being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this
was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time
when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom
into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the
rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed
washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and
laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the
puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads
just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed
by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the
way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material
possessions, they can take away your money, and they can
take away your health. But no one can ever take away
your precious memories...so, don't forget to make time and
take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To
everything there is a season and a time to every purpose
under heaven.

A friend sent this to me to remind me of life. Hope you
enjoy it.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH
THE RAIN.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour
to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire
life to forget them.

So my friends I've posted this little story for you. It's a
short message to let you know that I'll never forget you.

Don't get in a hurry. Take the time to live!!!

Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when
you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain!
God makes everything but unbreakable hearts

I have been tagged by Sybille Thank you for giving me the award Sybille.rather than adding a list of people to pass it on to; if you are a regular visitor of this blog consider yourself tagged! Conditions of this award are: Tell your readers 10 things about you that they may or may not know, but are true.Now to the list.

1.My great grandfather was a lighthousekeeper
2.I have homeschooled people outside my family, including two children from Iran
3.I taught preschool and preschool teachers how to teach preschool in Tonga
4.Chocolate is one of my favorite foods!
5.I do not appreciate sharing my home with free-range rodents(ds sugested putting that one in as we have a tiny mouse problem just now(no pun intended)
6.I love to go for walks with my family and close friends(as opposed to any other form of exercise!)
7.I am unashamedly, proud, thrilled, awe-struck.....etc to be called home to the Catholic church
8.I like to make lists(ok ds's idea with that one too!)
9.I am learning maths along with my children and discovering there is truth in the saying you are never too old to learn something new, and enjoy it
10.I am enjoying reading books by this author for relaxation at the moment and tend to agree with him that the world would be a much nicer place were there more people like Mma Ramotswe

This was just a quick list, so appologies if you were wanting something deeper !

Schoolroom re-vamped

Here is part of our geography centre. I like to set up learning centres. (must be the ex-teacher in me)and this one gets a lot of use. It also doubles as a spot to place art work/displays like these clay representations of the tower of Babel.

This couch is never normally this tidy!! It is where we read many of our readalouds. Plus I decided in a room with many shelves and windows it made sense to use any free wall space “creatively”. Hence the current picture study behind the couch.This picture also demonstrates the mutifunctionality(is that a word!!) of our room. Please note herbs and flowers hanging to dry, and silky bantams cheeping and eating busily in the foreground. We know now ,sadly, that one is a trainee rooster and we will shortly be finding him a new home.This is another reading corner. Mostly where “interest” books are placed. Note the ancient weaponry (Celtic double sided axes) so essential to a good read!

Here is our friend’s Murray river long necked turtle which is on long-term loan. Her name is Gertie and she loves to dance, for her food, or/and just when she feels excited….Actually after a visit to a wildlife centre we're pretty certain “she” is a he.

And finally here is one child’s work area which he shares with our resident rabbit, Pipkin. We like to have lots of candles burning while we school!!
Note: a couple of residents not photographed as the camera was fast running out of battery were our budgies and lovebirds, please mentally add two bird cages near the door!!

but where are all the birds?!

We went on a walk to a wetlands close by with some fellow home schoolers.One memorable moment which I wasn't quick enough to snap was when a large coco cola transporter whizzed by behind us(...i don't know something about the bright red logo and all this "nature" in the foreground.) Anyway it was good to catch up with friends. We saw lots of yellow everywhere...but as you can see not many birds.

Because Dd has her mid-year exams for Year Twelve ds baked her these delicious cupcakes! They were super rich but also super yummy...wonder if you can guess the author of the recipie!!

Chocolate cherry cupcakes
1. Melt 125gms butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
2. When nearly melted stir in 100gms dark chocolate broken into pieces
3.Leave for moment to begin softening then take off the heat and stir with a wooden spoon until they are smooth and melted
4. Add 300gms morello cherry jam, 150gms castor sugar, a pinch of salt and 2 large beaten eggs
5.When all is well amalgamated stir in 150gms self-raising flour.
Put into muffin papers and bake in mod.oven for 25 mins.
6.When they are cool.break 100gms dark chocolateinto saucepan with 100gms double cream. Bring to boil. Remove from heat and beat until thick + smooth.Ice cupcakes and decoarate with cherries.

"I learned that people who live in artificially complicated situations call such a life “simple”. I never knew anybody, anywhere I have been, who found life simple. I think a life or a time looks simple when you leave out the details, the way a planet looks smooth from orbit."
Ursula K. Le Guin

I asked ds to take a few photos from our watchtower and these are what he came up with...very different from my original, or from how I expected the project to pan out!

Africa study :Kenya and Tanzania

Today we read some books set in East Africa. The boys enjoyed learning some Kenyan vocabulary, adding some art work of the masai people to their notebooks and colouring the Kenyan flag. The readaloud for this part of Africa is definitely not a great work of literature but like the picture books it has reinforced our knowledge of this part of the world. I find fiction often does this "better" for Africa as it doesn't have so much of an agenda!...and can anyone guess what we are having for tea tonight!!

Africa study

We have been really enjoying listening to this cd as part of our African study. We were so pleased to find it locally.And talking about local purchases this book is also by a local author.The colours used in the illustrations throughout are vibrant and it has really enhanced our study of the Masai people.
Here is a review of the story"Set in Ngoro-Ngoro, Tanzania, Ndito is a story of a little girl's life in Africa.It is about dreams, courage, determination and a little git of attitude.
On her journey to fulfill her life long dream of meeting her favorite birds. The Marabous, Peacock and Flamingos, Ndito is faced with many obstacles." The author, who now lives locally spent her childhood in Tanzania before moving to Sweden to study law.

You see, God knew, however high they reached, people could never get back to heaven by themselves. People didn’t need a staircase, they needed a rescuer. Because the way back to heaven wasn’t a staircase; it was a Person.
People could never reach up to Heaven, so Heaven would have to come down to them.
And one day it would.

Africa

Above is our geography corner with some of our African resources displayed. Below are close-up shots of our basket of flags and a basket of African art.

The Earth from the Air

We are really enjoying pouring over this book. Here are some examples from the book that relate to our current study on Africa. As well as nice clear photographs the book also features interesting art work of people.I think it is giving the boys a fresh look at photography, and although they have always enjoyed taking pictures with our camera I saw ds's eyes gleam in a way that might mean he has something a little more interesting planned. Stay tuned!

What's going on up here!

Yes I know I've named my blog homeschoolingdownunder; but as you can see there is a lot that happens up here in the land of downunder!

Jesus of the scars

If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow;
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars we claim Thy grace.

If when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know today what wounds are; have no fear;
Show us Thy Scars; we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong, but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.


Edward Shillito (1872-1948)

Just to share

"I believe that children in this country need a more robust literary diet than they are getting.... It does not hurt them to read about good and evil, love and hate, life and death. Nor do I think they should read only about things that they understand.... a man's reach should exceed his grasp. So should a child's. For myself, I will never talk down to-or draw down to-children."
Barbara Cooney on her receiving the Caldecott Medal in 1959
Someone shared this quote here and I thought it was too good not to pass on in case you are not a member of this site!