Remembering Valmae

Pink flowers arriving at our place for a completely different reason seem fitting to pause to remember Peter's Mum's birthday and use these flowers as a marker for the day, yesterday. Valmae Ackland would have reached 84 had she not died in 2011. She continues to be greatly missed by both of us. She was such a valiant lady who had so much to teach us about love in a true and deep sense. We love you Mum.

Toy Kits

This a catch up on the sort of projects Peter takes to the school for the recess time Woodcraft Club gatherings or when he works one to one with a child. Most of them are produced as pre-cut 'kits' to be assembled by the children. Peter tries to make the construction as self-explanatory as possible to enable the child to more fully own the task. The children are very proud of their work and the picture above is a small sample of the ideas that have come to fruition lately. Many times Peter has relied on the adventurous and limitless imagination of the children to lead him on to something new. All that is needed most often is economical wood and a good glue.

Fence

This is a simple bit of news that was about 10 years in the waiting. We and our neighbour finally got around to replacing our side fence. The fencer who installed it did a fine job as you can see. Peter was not sure because it was the lowest quote and sometimes that can backfire. This meant a fair bit of extra work for Peter in order to recreate his 'naturally lit' workshop space, where he makes most of his wooden toy kits. The old awning off the old fence was too far gone, so he had to start again with new materials... clear polycarb attached to a panel of treated pine lattice and resting in a length of roof guttering. The size needed was different anyhow because the fence is higher. After a few additional days, Peter got his work space back, an area that is quite protected from all but the heaviest rainstorms. If they come along, it is definitely time for Peter to call it a day!

Men Group Power

 We encourage and accept each other on our journey into the deep of Life’s Mystery.

 We allow the Mystery to work in us and through us and for us.

 We experience Life’s Mystery change us for good.

 We have common struggles and common understandings.

 We share our life stories and weave these into the Divine Story.

 We are willing to directly help other group members as we discern the need.

 We are able to keep each other accountable for what we say and do.

 We influence each other through wholesome interactions.

 We share as a group of men and learn Life honouring social skills.

 Each one of us is accepted for the man that he is.

 We can freely express our emotions without receiving ridicule.

 Each of us is responsible for his own life, despite its circumstances.

What is said in the group stays in the group.

Silk Dying Shared

Bec unwound her latest natural silk dying with us. She helped by transporting Piper to us and taking Jaz home to save us a trip so she brought us her work to show us as well. It was a special little cameo moment in our side yard as Bec carefully lifted aside each layer and picked off the gum leaves. We all watched on. There was something very ritualistic about it.

Piper Stay

Piper had her turn with us last. She came dressed for the Canadian Winter! It wasn't that cold but she wore that fur had everywhere. She went to Savers and spied the Polar Bear which helped her look the part even more. In the evening, we watched a few VHS videos we had also brought back from Savers. In the morning, Barb and Piper spent a few hours at the zoo where she spied a eagle to keep. Barb was very generous! Sorry, no picture of it but it is an impressive stuffed bird. After that, we joined with the Johnson Family for lunch at Cafe Azurea as we usually do. Piper and Abigail are rarely seen together and they were able to pick up from where they left off. The following series of pictures show them in action with an iPhone camera app.

Jasper Stay

Next to have a turn with us was Jasper. He was behind the purchase of two boxes of ice cream Drumsticks, a popular Funk kids' choice.

Jaz enjoyed playing our Angry Birds card came. He did well in our game. Peter never seemed to be able to finish it and so lost big time much to everyone's amusement.

At Savers (opportunity shop) Jaz spied an almost new helicopter still in its original box. But after putting the nine needed AA batteries to get it started, the best it could do was flash its lights and make a few siren sounds. It even came with an infrared remote and Jaz was imagining that it could take off and fly around the room! No such luck. It was one of those "crawl" around the room toys... if it worked, and alas it didn't.

Peter and Jaz actually had a fun time together carefully pulling the toy apart, occasionally taking photographs of their progress to guide the reassembly. They removed a significant number of parts but were not able to find the cause of the problem. The reassembly had its dramas but they were successful... and now Jaz has a toy that he may play pull-apart again. When Peter was a boy he often pulled his toys apart and he may have inspired Jasper to do the same.

Jethro Stay

These holidays we spent time with the grandkids one at a time. We were not sure how it would work with all the extra driving to and from Gembrook. Jethro was first and we had many a game on the lounge room floor, in particular an Angry Birds card game. He also took a liking to a Sudoku game, making the rules up to suit himself and showing a high appreciation of each number. Well done Jet.