APRIL

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything

William Shakespeare

Today is Good Friday and this morning Peter and I went to church.

Among scholars the historicity of Jesus is not questioned but they differ about the historical accuracy of details mentioned in the gospels. The two historical events that are generally accepted are the baptism of Jesus and the crucifixion.

The 'Christ Myth Theory' which suggests that Jesus never actually existed in history has largely been refuted by scholars.


From a mere historical point of view it is interesting that the crucifixion of Jesus has been noted for the last 2,000 years. It is estimated that the Romans crucified 30,000 in Palestine alone. So what makes the death of Jesus different?

I love this poem by Australian poet Bruce Dawe. It is written from the perspective of one of the Roman soldiers at the crucifixion.


 

And a Good Friday Was Had by All Bruce Dawe

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You men there, keep those women back and God Almighty he laid down
on the crossed timber and old Silenus
my offsider looked at me as if to say
nice work for soldiers, your mind’s not your own
once you sign that dotted line Ave Caesar

 and all that malarkey Imperator Rex
well this Nazarene
didn’t make it any easier
really-not like the ones
who kick up a fuss so you can
do your block and take it out on them
Silenus
held the spikes steady and I let fly
with the sledge-hammer, not looking
on the downswing trying hard not to hear
over the women’s wailing the bones give way
the iron shocking the dumb wood. Orders is orders, I said after it was over
 nothing personal you understand -we had a
drill-sergeant once thought he was God but he wasn’t
a patch on you
then we hauled on the ropes
and he rose in the hot air
like a diver just leaving the springboard, arms spread
so it seemed
over the whole damned creation
over the big men who must have had it in for him
and the curious ones who’ll watch anything if it’s free
with only the usual women caring anywhere
and a blind man in tears.

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I love April The weather is getting cooler. And this year there are toadstools everywhere.  I am a 'fungus-phile'. I love toadstools and the fungus of the forest.

Below are some toadstools we spotted around Lake Illawarra. 

Toadstool by Lake Illawarra.

Toadstools by the lake.

Toadstools by the lake.

This was a large toadstool in Peter's front yard.

And 2 magic circles of toadstools on lawns near Peter's place.

We have an election coming up here in Australia and one of the relevant topics being discussed by both sides is the introduction of the electric car. There is much exaggeration and fear mongering surrounding the topic. Here is an explanatory article to read if you are interested.


 Interesting sites

 1. Beautiful vans

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 Click here to see 10 beautiful vans that people call home.

2. Dog's pooh in accordance with earth's magnetic field

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Dogs join cattle, deer, foxes and wolves as yet another mammal to have 'magnetoreception'.Click here to read more.

3. Cora Ball removes toxic microfibres in washing

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 Recently connected to the term microfiber is the knowledge that these minuscule particles wash off our clothing and into our waterways with each load of washing.  This has resulted in innumerable microplastics in the ocean. The Cora Ball can remove these microfibres in the washing machine. Click here to read more.