Fifty-five years ago I bought Gordon Lightfoot's first LP record. Most of the songs were ones he wrote. One, The Pride of Man, was written by Hamilton Camp. The song is based on Biblical prophecies of the fall of Babylon. Every stanza ends with the line “Oh God, the pride of man, broken in the … Continue reading The Pride of Man
Soar with the eagles
Somewhere in Africa, a hunter returning home spies in a rocky place a large nest of branches on which lies a beautiful egg spotted with red. Still warm from the mother bird who will soon come back. Curious, the man examines the nest. Delighted at his discovery, he slips the egg into his pocket to … Continue reading Soar with the eagles
This has happened before
A careful observer who escaped the plague at Florence in 1617 describes the barricaded houses and empty streets, forbidden to all but food suppliers. Florence was dead: no business activities and no religious services — except for the odd mass which the officiant celebrated at the corner of a street and in which the people … Continue reading This has happened before
Misfits
School tends to be a one size fits all proposition, and some children are misfits. Despite the best efforts of schools and teachers, some children just do not do well in a large classroom. Home schooling parents have more freedom to find ways to adapt the curriculum and environment to make learning work for their … Continue reading Misfits
SPRING!
We heard, then saw, Canada geese this morning for the first time this spring. A reassuring sign that the wild things are carrying on as usual and spring is on its way.
Learning to learn
It looks like parents will be teaching their children at home for awhile. Here is something to keep in mind: Education is not about teaching, it is about learning. And the great advantage that home-schooled children have is that they learn how to learn.
He who is his own doctor has a fool for a patient
I have paraphrased the English proverb that says “He who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.” I think the medical version is appropriate for our present situation. For someone to self-diagnose themselves as having COVID-19 and then to proclaim to have cured himself through some novel procedure unknown to medical science … Continue reading He who is his own doctor has a fool for a patient
What is needed to have a healthy congregation?
Blaise Pascal wrote; “The heart of man is so deceitful that as soon as he begins to think about getting converted, he believes he is.” A congregation largely made up of people like that will never prosper spiritually. So the starting point for a healthy congregation is that it must be made up of people … Continue reading What is needed to have a healthy congregation?
Memories of the 1998 Ice Storm
We had been to Saskatchewan to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday. We left Moose Jaw on New Year’s Day, 1998 and arrived at our home at Acton Vale Quebec about 3:00 am Monday January 4. There was a gentle rain falling and by the time we were up and around in the morning it had … Continue reading Memories of the 1998 Ice Storm
Return of the plastic grocery bag
Amazing new discovery! Reusable shopping bags may be good for the environment, but may also be dangerous to your health. Actually this isn't a new discovery, there are articles on the internet from up to ten years ago explaining that reusable bags can be a breeding ground for bacteria. I guess we are supposed to … Continue reading Return of the plastic grocery bag
