GOODBYE FLYING PIG

We can afford to open ourselves and join the rest of the world with a sense of tremendous generosity, tremendous goodness, and tremendous richness. The more we give, the more we gain--although what we gain should not particularly be our reason for giving. Rather, the more we give, the more we are inspired to give constantly. And the gaining process happens naturally, automatically

  Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

As a Christian this quote works for me. I really believe you get a lot out of helping people. I wish this was something I could convey to the students I work with. I teach 15 year olds to 19 year olds who do not fit into the mainstream school system because of behavior problems. They tend to come from backgrounds where they have to put themselves first because nobody else does. Often they come from families where taking rather than giving is the norm. One of the things we teach them to do and praise them for is helping each other. When they can begin to put someone else first or help someone we see this as a great achievement. And in the end it will make for a more fulfilling life for them.

Out my window

As I sit at my computer I can see the purple jacaranda flowering through the trees.

When my ex-husband and I set up our garden in our twenties we were unaware that the jacaranda was not a native plant. There are so many of them around. Hence I have an exotic jacaranda in a bush garden of native plants. But it is very pretty.

Christmas decorating

I collect snow-domes at Christmas time, but for some reason I cannot seem to find them except one. I guess they are packed away somewhere. So instead of a display of snow-domes so far I only have one this year. (The others may yet turn up.) I decided to set it up in the window of my front hall.

I love the look on this reindeer's face.

It is a bit crazy that in this country of kangaroos and eucalyptus we decorate with reindeer and fir trees - the remnants of being a British colony. But 200 years on? I am just as guilty as anyone. Holly and snow scenes mean Christmas to me, as much as baking hot days and sea food lunches.

 The Flying Pig

The flying pig is destined to go as a present for a special person who I know will really appreciate a handmade gift. I know she will put it in her office.

The card is one of a set of handmade cards given to me as a present by P:-)'s daughter-in-law. It was a lovely present because she had made it herself.

 Interesting sites

1.

 If you would like to read some interesting information on flatuelence , click here.

2. 

 Click here to read an interesting article about some boys with autism having larger brains. 

3.

 

If you have a microfiber sofa you might be interested in how to give it a good clean. Click here  to find out. 

THE OLD CHURCH AT WORK

Life has taught me this one thing – that just because you lose today, it doesn’t mean that you’re destined to lose tomorrow. Sunshine always follows rainfall; light always pierces the darkness, and winter is always transformed into spring.

Peter G. James Sinclair

There was a carpet of jacaranda  flowers over the ground at work this morning.

Jacaranda flowers on the ground

 I work in a building that is an old Anglican church.

Old church I work in.

The church is now a last resort school for students who don't fit into mainstream school. Most of them have some sort of behavior problems. They are mainly aged 15 to 19.

The church has some beautiful, old windows.

Church windows

In the photo above you see through windows on this side of the church, a set of stained glass windows on the other side of the church. The church has quite a history in the area. It was opened in 1928 and remained a church until 1996, when the congregation moved to larger premises down the street. We still have people coming in, looking for funerals.

Tonight we went to my mother's for dinner. P:-) and I go every week and usually my brother is there. I always look forward to it. Tonight we had delicious rhubarb crumble for dessert.

Mum has a lovely garden. The photos below are from her front garden.

Feverfew

This pretty flower above is Feverfew - once used as a medicinal pant for headaches, digestive problems and arthritis.

Coreopsis and red geraniums

Closeup of coreopsis.

Mum loves bright colors and red is one of her favorites. Her favorite flowers are daisies. Her garden keeps increasing in size as she digs more and more garden beds. She spends a lot of time gardening, although most of it is easy care. It always looks great.



Interesting sites

1.     

This is a tiny, tiny house in Japan shared by a 39 year old man and his mother. Click here to read about it and see the video.

2.

Check out this passive solar museum in China. Click here to read more about it.

3.

3D printing sounds incredible. Click here  to read about it being used in UK hospitals to save thousands of pounds.

4.

 

Click here to see photos of this black rhino being transported by helicopter. Make sure you scroll down the page and click to get the full screen.