Peace and Tranquility

On Sunday evening we camped overnight at Lake Rowallan, underneath the bluff and beside the lake, nobody else in sight. The lake changed dramatically and showed once again the creativity of our God. This is how it was when we arrived at 5.00 pm.

Lake Rowallan, Tasmania

Later on, after tea, we watched the last lights fade from the sky and this is what we saw. The light streamed across the lake in paths that reflected the setting light.

About 8.00 p.m

A quiet night, not even disturbed by wildlife, was enjoyed before the increasing lightness of the sky awoke us, not the birds! The reason was the deep mist that lay all around.

Reflections on a misty morning

Going down like flies

During the penultimate week of this short term break from retirement, I have had many of the class sick ... in fact seven were absent today. What a quiet way to end the week - children working efficiently and well, enthusiastically taking on board all that they can, seeking new knowledge and making connections to things already learned! Being a teacher these days might be tougher than when I started but the joys never cease.

A 7 year old said to me today, "Mrs W, what is half an ellipse called?" Of course, I have no idea, but thought that if a semi-circle is half of a circle then a semi-ellipse just might be half an ellipse ... but told him to write 'half an ellipse' just to be on the safe side ;-). Same seven year old also told me that I had left "specialised" off our shape word wall because "A square is a 'specialised' rectangle"! Teaching is a joy ... and a privilege.

My "baby" turned 27 yesterday - his dad and I sang a very croaky "Happy Birthday" over the phone. At times like this Mum misses those to whom I have given birth, but I am privileged to have all bar one of my children living within a four hour drive of us - my heart goes out to all those Mums who have lost a child.

Winter returned with a vengeance last night. The breeze blowing through the slightly opened window is decidedly chilly. The rain has been steady after a massive overnight dumping, but this evening there was an amazing sky - in the east layers of purple black clouds interspersed with layers of orange as the sun was setting in the west but in front of the layered effect were the two ends of a rainbow totally fragmented with the colours of the spectrum decidedly split apart ... eerie but awesome.

The weekend approaches, there is much schoolwork to be done but this evening is a quiet restful one thinking not of work but of those I love in far flung places.

A Quiet Day

Being in the middle of a 5 week stint of relief teaching, I found myself wanting a very quiet Saturday - how wonderful to get just that. A little gardening, a lot of watching of the Commonwealth Games, some cooking and much resting.
The joy of working under brilliant blue skies and finding flowers that have suddenly opened was counterbalanced by too many small snails hiding in the garden.
Many thoughts went to loved ones flying home from trips abroad or living overseas.
Wondering how the elderly and the very young in the family are going this fine spring day - my thoughts are always with them.
A quiet, peaceful day indeed ... thank you, Lord