Wednesday 21 September 2011

O is for Origami


I have been making origami pieces since childhood - I still have the origami instruction book given to me as a birthday present when I was about 10. So I'm always interested in new folds.

A couple of weeks ago, someone told me about a clip she had watched online of a little book by British origamist Dave Brill.

So I've made these little books for the grandchildren. All you need is a 15cm square of Japanese paper (colored on one side). No cutting or gluing.

L is for Language/Linguistics




I enjoyed studying Linguistics at uni. When I had children, all the theory was made real in participating in their development.

Later I worked with special needs kids. A joy when language sessions went well. Other times, constant struggle.

Now the grandchildren are forging ahead with language and it is wonderful to see again, theory worked out in practice.

Monday 19 September 2011

H is for Holocaust


When we were in Israel, we visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum. The most heartbreaking memorial is to the one million children killed by the Nazis. Their names are recited continuously in a candle-lit underground labyrinth.

One of the many threats to Israel today is abortion. Since 1948 about two million unborn children have been terminated, more than the number of Jewish children killed in the Holocaust.

Be'ad Chaim is an organization in Israel that gives practical help to girls who decide to keep their babies.

Thursday 15 September 2011

Skeptics

A friend asks "Why is it ok to be skeptical of any religion except the religion of climate change?"

Good question. Actually it is good to ask questions and take time to think through important issues and not just accept everything you hear.

But don't be constantly doubting. Don't be like the boat tossed by the seas. Put down your anchor.

Oh, and the religion of climate change? Topic for another day. Quadrant has some excellent articles on it.

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Winter Blues










It's been a long cold wet winter and everyone has been sick. We crave the sunshine and the warmth. The grandchildren are out of sorts. When it's warm again we'll go to the park.

Sunday 11 September 2011

September 11

Ten years ago I sat all day in disbelief staring at the computer screen and wondering what was going on.

Ten years ago I didn't know much about Mohammed and his followers. Since then, I've bought 2 different translations of the Koran, and several books on Mohammedism.

Ten years on, maybe I'm beginning to understand the ideology and why those 19 men did what they did.


Wednesday 7 September 2011

Monday 5 September 2011

S is for South Sudan

I read an encouraging article in Israel Today. Israel and South Sudan are fast becoming good friends.

"Both Danon [Israeli lawmaker] and [President Salva] Kiir said that Israel and South Sudan have a bright future as partners in combining the former's vast technological abilities and the latter's enormous natural resources."

FGM

This is a revolting practice and it is revolting to write about. I will not link to the article but you can find and read for yourself. The Jakarta Globe 2 September 2011 "Fears Indonesian female circumcision guidelines could increase practice".

And to refute the tired old argument that "it's not Islamic", a quote from the hadiths: "A woman used to perform circumcision in Medina. The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said to her: Do not cut severely as that is better for a woman and more desirable for a husband." - Sunan Abu Dawud 41.5251

Thursday 1 September 2011



M is for marriage

If there are no absolutes and marriage is a tool of bourgeois oppression (as I was told at uni when I was told that everything is meaningless and everyone was shacking up with everyone else), why is having homosexual marriage an absolute must-have?