Sunday, April 10, 2005
Nature, God's classroom
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books. ~ Sir John Lubbock, Lord Avebury
Well, we've all spent the entire wknd. (besides sleeping and church this a.m.;) outdoors in this gorgeous weather we've been having, discovering anew some of the endless glories of our Father's creation. The kids have planted some of their seeds for our vegetable garden, played in the sprinkler w/Samson (who is beginning to learn some manners now!;), tried out their new insect nets (so picturesque watching them bounding through the field chasing butterflies), rode their bikes, etc. I've been planting rose bushes, bulbs, bleeding hearts and peonies in our flower garden, and put together a lovely obelisk for my morning glories to climb. Chris spent the wknd. building a new front porch/overhang, wood frame and steel, after tearing down the old 50's style aluminum awning. Now Chris, Nathan, and I all have sunburned faces and arms to show for it, Tabitha tans like an indian though, *must be the Cherokee blood*.
And speaking of indians, we spent the morning on Friday at a special event organized by a local homeschooler, whose husband is an American Indian. She, and two friends of hers, an Indian Chief(Cherokee & Shawnee), Graywolf, and his wife spent an hour and a half (in their full "regalia", ie; indian clothing) giving a talk on the history of the American Indians, legends of their people, and showed us many authentic tools, weapons, and artifacts that they'd either made or collected over the years, explaining the purpose/significance of each one. It was amazing, and moving, to say the least. Our fav. part was when Mr. Arnett, (Chief Graywolf) played for us on his reed flute (enchanting indeed!), and another he had as well that made an entirely different sound. The kids sat on the very front row *of course*, completely enthralled. This was perfect timing for us, as we're beginning our study of American history soon, beginning w/the American Indians, before any Europeans came.
We've been having a great time bird-watching these past few months, and our one birdfeeder that we view through our dining room window has drawn such a crowd of various birds that we've recently built some birdhouses (which are already occupied!;) and another huge birdfeeder for the front yard, which will also be our "welcome" sign (I'm having fun painting it w/whimsical flowers and butterfly). My favorite flying visitors are the Northern Cardinals. We're hoping to attract some hummingbirds (Chris's fav.) soon as well, and have just hung their feeders in the front and back yards(found a nifty "window hanger" at Tractor Supply, so we can watch them up close through the kitchen window).
I've just ordered Apologia's Botany course, and we'll begin it as soon as it arrives. Although we're just starting the Astronomy course as well (which was Nathan's choice to do first), Spring just seems like a great time to be studying plants, especially since we're doing so much gardening, and nature study already - so, we'll just have to do them simultaneously, and take our time w/both, finishing up toward the end of summer! I guess it just boils down to the fact that *I*, Mom want to learn botany, so the kids will join in of course! LOL! Then we'll start the Zoology course in the Fall/Winter months....learning Science is sooooo much fun w/these great courses by Jeannie Fullbright.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse...Rom 1:20
Well, we've all spent the entire wknd. (besides sleeping and church this a.m.;) outdoors in this gorgeous weather we've been having, discovering anew some of the endless glories of our Father's creation. The kids have planted some of their seeds for our vegetable garden, played in the sprinkler w/Samson (who is beginning to learn some manners now!;), tried out their new insect nets (so picturesque watching them bounding through the field chasing butterflies), rode their bikes, etc. I've been planting rose bushes, bulbs, bleeding hearts and peonies in our flower garden, and put together a lovely obelisk for my morning glories to climb. Chris spent the wknd. building a new front porch/overhang, wood frame and steel, after tearing down the old 50's style aluminum awning. Now Chris, Nathan, and I all have sunburned faces and arms to show for it, Tabitha tans like an indian though, *must be the Cherokee blood*.
And speaking of indians, we spent the morning on Friday at a special event organized by a local homeschooler, whose husband is an American Indian. She, and two friends of hers, an Indian Chief(Cherokee & Shawnee), Graywolf, and his wife spent an hour and a half (in their full "regalia", ie; indian clothing) giving a talk on the history of the American Indians, legends of their people, and showed us many authentic tools, weapons, and artifacts that they'd either made or collected over the years, explaining the purpose/significance of each one. It was amazing, and moving, to say the least. Our fav. part was when Mr. Arnett, (Chief Graywolf) played for us on his reed flute (enchanting indeed!), and another he had as well that made an entirely different sound. The kids sat on the very front row *of course*, completely enthralled. This was perfect timing for us, as we're beginning our study of American history soon, beginning w/the American Indians, before any Europeans came.
We've been having a great time bird-watching these past few months, and our one birdfeeder that we view through our dining room window has drawn such a crowd of various birds that we've recently built some birdhouses (which are already occupied!;) and another huge birdfeeder for the front yard, which will also be our "welcome" sign (I'm having fun painting it w/whimsical flowers and butterfly). My favorite flying visitors are the Northern Cardinals. We're hoping to attract some hummingbirds (Chris's fav.) soon as well, and have just hung their feeders in the front and back yards(found a nifty "window hanger" at Tractor Supply, so we can watch them up close through the kitchen window).
I've just ordered Apologia's Botany course, and we'll begin it as soon as it arrives. Although we're just starting the Astronomy course as well (which was Nathan's choice to do first), Spring just seems like a great time to be studying plants, especially since we're doing so much gardening, and nature study already - so, we'll just have to do them simultaneously, and take our time w/both, finishing up toward the end of summer! I guess it just boils down to the fact that *I*, Mom want to learn botany, so the kids will join in of course! LOL! Then we'll start the Zoology course in the Fall/Winter months....learning Science is sooooo much fun w/these great courses by Jeannie Fullbright.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse...Rom 1:20
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