penelope's Blog

The Isle of Wight is also known as Dinasaur Island because two complete Dinasaur skeletons were found on one stretch of coast line.  We went in search of fossils which I really enjoyed and we actually found a couple of nice ones.

Jason took this fabulous sky picture one evening.

This is me taking Caiden for an early morning stroll, note the pretty rural scenery.

Well I feel refreshed, renewed and invigorated by my holiday, although I am missing Caiden and his Mum and Dad already.

We just had holiday in the Isle of Wight – with my son Jason, and grandson Caiden with his Mum Hannah. We had such a lovely time.

I’m not sure whether this blog post will work so I’ll just try uploading before I insert more pictures.

Oh Gosh!   They are so, so likeable.

It is such a long time since I felt such admiration for another female….but that Michelle Obama is just so cool.  I do like her so much.

The thing is…..they are a couple whose integrity is so easy to believe in.

Be good to them USA….because they’re worth it.

On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlessinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew,
homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned
under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned
by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It’s funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a
great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can.
When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind
them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s
Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided
they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies
to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own a Canadian?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this
day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of
Menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have
tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour
for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odor is not
pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly
states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or
should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination,
Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can
you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in
my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be
20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their
temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they
die?

9. I know from Lev.11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean,
but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in
the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds
of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.
Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together
to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private
family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable
expertise in such matters, so I’m confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,
James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus,
Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education
University of Virginia

(It would be a damn shame if we couldn’t own a Canadian.)

These poor folks in Swansea – South Wales – had a loft extension…and then look what happened!!!

This is a picture of my son Danny, who flies birds of prey – He is a falconer, but flies all kinds of birds, vultures, eagles, hawks.

The hood is used for falcons, it is very light and fits comfortably over the bird’s head, so that it cannot see and doesn’t get scared when being moved around, because they don’t like being moved in bird boxes, like most of the other birds do.  Falcons just sit on a small perch, fastened by the leg with a loose jesse and so long as they are hooded, they are fine.

OK – this is the pine cabinet in the kitchen, with a very random, much loved, collection of teapots.

This is the Secretaire – with collection of books, pince nez, Spode pottery…….odds and sods.

My corner, where I sits and thinks…..and sometimes I just sits.

Pince Nez – old specs…..I love ‘em.

And this is a beautiful, hand-made hood for a falcon…..where the term hoodwink comes from.  My son, Danny, is a falconer and his colleague, Joe, makes these, so beautifully.

So, you see, nothing very valuable….but just things that I love.

At about 8.20am this morning – this was happening in our lounge.  Isaac practising his euphonium with Roxana ‘helping’.  You will notice in the background that the TV is on.

I was singing along – the wrong song for the tune…hence the disapproving glances……

It seems ever so quiet…after they’ve gone!!

1981  & 2005 - Two  Interesting Years
Interesting  Year 1981
1.  Prince Charles got married.
2.  Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of  Europe.
3.  Australia  lost the Ashes.
4.  The Pope died.

Interesting  Year 2005
1. Prince Charles got  married.
2.  Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of  Europe.
3.  Australia  lost the Ashes.
4.  The Pope died.

This is known as Ruskin’s View!