My Weekly Natter with Patrice

The thing about arriving on Patrice's porch on a Thursday instead of Wednesday is that I miss all the other ladies and their chats.


Mind you, it does mean I have Patrice and her tea and cakes all to myself. Method in my madness, you see.

Have you ever colored your hair? If so, what colors have you tried?

Oh dear me. Patrice, I'm not sure you ought to have brought this up.

When I was a teenager, I trained for 2 years to become a hairdresser. I was away from home, and - as one does in hairdressing college - I pretty much went through the range of shades for hair colour. However, one shade... er, hang on... one colour kinda takes the biscuit. I'd coloured my hair blonde - that's bad enough to think of now - but then we dyed the front area a cerise pink colour. My hair had the 1980 flicks all around the area that framed my face, so these flicks were a bright, bonny cerise colour.

At the end of this term, I was coming home for a break. I still remember my Mum's face when she saw me coming off the ferry. Suffice to say it wasn't the most welcoming welcome I've ever had in my life.

Oh my, oh my, Patrice. That brings back memories.... 

I haven't coloured my hair for 25 years, so all the colouring really is a distant memory....

What's your favorite kind of music?

I do enjoy music. I don't like all kinds of music, and much of what may pass for music wouldn't be music in my mind. There are some kinds of music which were very much part of my life before I was converted and, although I'd possibly still enjoy the music, I'm not sure that it would be beneficial for me to take my heart where the music would lead it.

The kind of music I listen to depends on the circumstances. I love Enaudi's music, and will often play that in the kitchen while I work

This is beautiful.

I often listen to the classic hymns, or classical music too. I honestly find music so emotive that I do try and be careful what I have on. Being a country bumpkin, country music would always have been a favourite. I think my boots would choose this genre, but there's quite some time since I played it myself.

What are the last three movies you watched?

Mmm. Well, we watched the Chicken Run the other night together. Normally, winter in our time for family movie nights, but we did fit one in recently and watched this one (again!). It's so well done. Really, I think the adults love it more than the kids. Oh hang on - maybe that's only me!

We were given The King's Speech last week and the Builder and I sat and watched it. I had heard a bit about the language in the movie. Mmmm. I wished we hadn't watched it. 

Aside from the language issue.... I just didn't think the movie was up to much. I wasn't keen on the way King George VI was portrayed, and I didn't like Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen Mother (not that she was Queen Mum then, but that's what she is to all of our generation!). Even with the swears edited out, I wouldn't go out of my way to watch this movie.

Can you tell I'm playing for time here, because I'm struggling to think of a third movie. It's summer! Summer means no movies! I'm quite sure that one of the period dramas that find their way onto our screen on a regular basis would have been in the 'last three'. My guess is Pride and Prejudice (now, that's where Mr Firth shines. Er, Anne, you're a married spud, you're a married spud...) 

Do you remember your first pet?

Oh yes. Her name was Game, she was a miniature Shetland Collie and she was absolutely gorgeous. For years and years, I'd pleaded with Mum and Dad to buy me one, and when I was twelve years old, Game came into our home. My mum still gets emotional when she speaks about her. By the time she died, I was living away, married and with my own baby, but my mum was absolutely devastated. 

What was the best or most interesting "back to school" thing from your childhood?

Er, Hmmmm. Give me a minute here.

Nope. Can't think. I'm not sure we did 'back to school' things. It's Lewis. We just got on with things. No niceties here, Patrice.

But talking of 'back to school'. We kinda began today. We got a bit of a start, and will spend today and tomorrow getting used to new materials, sorting out our schedule (er - why did you all splutter on your coffee. I do have a schedule. It sits nice decorating my kitchen wall. Sometimes, I even look at it.), and making sure we've got all the equipment and stationary we need. Everything we ordered online has come, which is a real bonus. So it's 'off to work we go'!

The schools on the island went back today too - it's much earlier in Scotland than in England. That's why us Scots have always been more ejoocated than them South of the Border. You didn't know we were? Oh yes, it's a commonly known fact. Here in Scotland, anyway.

Actually, Patrice, it's so sunny right now, and there is so little wind, that we could almost have had this chat on our porch. 

If we had one.

Holidays are Almost Over...

Almost all our school materials have now arrived. Woohoo! The kids are all ready and eager to begin schooling, so I reckon we'll kinda get going on Thursday, and hope some creases will be ironed out before we get a good start on Monday.


Hang on... Thursday is tomorrow. Oh well, there goes my day or two of ease before the term begins. Never mind, there's always the Christmas holidays.


For the Wee Guy, we are using:


Maths


Abeka for Maths and Language. He's now onto his third year of Abeka Arithmetic and Language. It works well for us, the lessons are clear and very easy to follow. 


The girls are using Abeka's DVDs for Maths.


History


Mystery of History for, er, History! We haven't used this curriculum before, but it's set out in such a way as to be used with all three kids. For example, after Lesson 91 has been read (and talked about), these questions follow:

Activities for Lesson 91

91A—Younger Students
Write a story about what it would be like to have a pet elephant. What would you want him to do for you? Where could he take your family? Where would he sleep, and how much would he eat?  To make your story believable, read some information about elephants in the encyclopedia and weave these facts into your story.

Dictate the story to your teacher and include it in your Student Notebook 
under “Africa: Tunisia.” (Tunisia is the modern country in Africa where Carthage used to be.)

91B—Middle Students
Pretend you are a soldier with Hannibal’s army. Write a diary page of what it is like to travel with the elephants. Although it was not a funny expedition, you could write your diary page in a humorous fashion. Use your imagination. 
File your page under “Africa: Tunisia.”


91C—Older Students
1.  Write a synopsis of each of the three Punic Wars. These wars were considered pivotal to history, and the tactics of Hannibal were ingenious. Pay attention to the name Scipio. 
h ere was more than one. File your research under “Africa: Tunisia.”


2.  Are you a war buff ? If you like battle scenes, research the details on the Battle of Zama, Scipio versus Hannibal. It was quite a showdown.



And so, there are a variety of questions suitable for the different age groups.


One area of study I am keen that they improve on is the ability to read, understand, chew over, and regurgitate - whether in writing or orally.


For Bible as a subject, the girls are going to use The Truth that Frees as a teaching tool. 


Much of what might come under the category of Language/English/Literature will be a selection of books and materials 


- they will listen to lectures, take notes and answer a question I've set them: this question may ask for an essay, for a summary, or for a discussion on the topic.


- we will read chapters of books together and, again, I will set relevant questions for them. We plan to carry on with Ruth: Her Story for Today, which I posted about here.


- they will read and write book summaries, reviews, or they will write essays connected with the book. Again, the synopsis of some of their reading books will be in the form of discussion - of questions and answers, of thought and opinions.


Again, we will be using Pudewa's Excellence in Writing materials to help with writing style.



Art


Katie is keen on drawing, and definitely has some talents in this area that did not come from me. She is going to use Artistic Pursuits to develop some of her artistic skills.


She will do Art with the Wee Guy too.

Science


The girls will use Abeka DVDs for Science. 


The Wee Guy is using Abeka's science curriculum for his age group.

Here's a selection of some of the books we'll be using this coming year.

And now, it's 'hop to it'... there's work to be done!

No Appreciation for Jackson, the Friendly Mutt

Jackson, being the friendly kind of mutt he is, thought he'd go and say Hi today to the decidedly unfriendly rams.

He took his football over to play, and his baseball.

I'm not sure what purpose the baseball bat was to serve. Was it for fun. Or defense?

"Hi woolly sheep. You wanna come play footie?"

Who are you calling a sheep, you wimpy little mutt?

"Mum. Mum! Did you hear what he called me?"

And another thing, mutt. I serve one purpose in life, and playing football doesn't help my cause.

If it did, Big Brother would have got me a football long ago. You hear me?

Strewth...

"I wanna come in, mum. That's the last time I'm gonna be nice to that rough bunch."

"Can I come and sit in the Family Room with you, Mum? Daddy's not in anyway, and I wont tell him you let me."

You come here, my pet, and watch the sun go down with me. Hah! You just think who's the loser now.... You're inside here with me, and he's outside in the rain.

Let him put that in his pipe and smoke it.

Bunch of ruffians.

Delicious, delectable, delightful

My friend, Dawn, called over today.

She brought along the sweetest, most delectable treat imaginable.

Have a look at this...

Tell me: could you not eat this? I mean... those jeans and that gorgeous delightful, squeezable derriere. 

*Faint*

But, not one to stay faint for too long when there are other delectables on the go, have a look at what else she took along with her...

 Sticky Toffee Cupcakes with Toffee Icing.

Ah-maz-ing.

I choose my friends carefully ;)

Anyway, onto some more photos of the 'other' edible bundle.

Seriously cute. Sweet. Even though I didn't even get one glimpse of those thighs today.

Next time, boy. Next time...

Just another Saturday...

Big Brother was separating the sheep from their lambs today. This always makes me sad - more for the sheep than for the lambs - although tomorrow morning we'll be woken to a cacophony of bleating from poor, motherless lambs.

My momma heart bleeds. Thankfully, I'm not the one making these decisions. Big Brother knows what he's doing.

This is Louis. He's one of the not-nice-but-dim dogs. No, I think I need to re-word that: He is nice, but he's not dim. He's Jackson's cousin. He's gorgeous.

And this is Ben - another cousin of Jackson's. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.... watching the sheep with interest, but not getting anywhere near them.

See, the dogs in Lewis are all related too - just like we are. Of course, the dogs are related by blood, but by adoption. That's okay though - they're still cousins. 

Not that I've ever broken this news to Jackson. As far as he's concerned, I'm his Mama, so I'd appreciate none of you bringing up the subject of where he came from in his presence. 

I'll show more of today's photos on Monday (when I ask BB some questions regarding ... you know... er, stuff he was doing), but for now, have a look at this. 

Oi! Look this way! Thank you, that's just perfect for this photo. All of you, just stay still a minute and look at the camera.

Thank you. You've been a smashing audience.

Yes, yes, I got your good side.

Inside the house, there was some food on the go. Katie made her Victoria Sponge. (I'll post the recipe she uses soon.)

Here is a photo of Reason #275 for having daughters.

It is also a photo of Reason #186 that I am not shedding a certain 8-unwelcome-lbs.

There were more cauliflower and broccoli ready for harvesting. Some of it will be eaten tomorrow, some of it went into soup, and some was blanched, bagged and frozen.

 Unlike those of you living in the baking heat, we don't tend to have bags of ice handy. Fortunately, I found this one in the freezer - just what I needed for the job at hand.

The photo doesn't show the colour properly, but the broccoli is so green after being blanched. 

All being well, this will be used when there's no fresh broccoli or cauli on the go.

I hope y'all have a blessed Lord's Day. If you are looking for something to listen to, here's a recommendation from me: Hannah Prepared for Blessing.

I was blessed listening to it, and it spoke specifically to some needs of my own soul right at the time I needed that. I hope it may be blessed to others too.

Àirigh a' Bhealaich

Remember the day we went to Cuidhshadar? Well, when we'd finished our time at the beach, we went for a stroll down memory lane.

When the Builder and his siblings were young, they used to spend whole summers out here on the moor. Five weeks (going home at weekends) on the moor: no running water, but a crystal clear running stream; no electricity; no internet, consoles or gadgets.

Just mile after mile of empty moor - empty, but full in a child's imagination.

And each of the ruins of shielings here holds memories for them. Where, today, only one wall, or a chimney remains standing, a generation ago these were shielings which, over the summer, were teeming with life.

Today, they teem only with memories. And stories, forever engraved in the hearts of those who spent time out here.

The last few summers the Builder's family spent out on the moor was spent in this shieling. DR is standing at the chimney, but the following photo shows the inside of the àirigh, which was built into the side of the hill.

Here's where the fire was. Do you see a blue kettle still sitting in there? 

The feelings that rushed back into the Builder's mind and to his siblings' were so strong. For a long time, we just stood and allowed them their memories. There may even have been a tear or two.

None of those of whom they spoke, who spent time out there over summers are here. 

All the stories of 'Remember when....', were of people who were full of life then, but are now gone.

Although we now have a younger generation of people who are, once again, discovering the delights of spending time out on the moor in simple àirighean, we saw nobody that day.

I felt that each ruin, or even each àirigh seen from a distance, spoke like memorials to another time, another generation.

Almost like walking through a cemetery, and reading the writing on memorials. To me, they are just that: memorials to people whose names I recognise, and to a way of life of which I knew nothing.

But to the Builder and his family? Each 'memorial' spoke volumes. In fact, they did more than speak: they bellowed - albeit quietly. For out here, there are no loud noises.

This Week's Chat on Patrice's Porch

Aye, it's Thursday. That's means it's time for Patrice's Wednesday's Chat on the porch.


Ahem....moving on immediately before anyone notices...


Before we begin, Patrice, I have to check that it's warmer on your porch than it is here with us, because if not, it's in by the fireside with a hot chocolate!


Much warmer, you say? Excellent - the porch it is.


Here are today's questions:


What color was your first car?


It was a kind of wine colour. It was a Ford Fiesta, and the night I got it, as I drove from Stornoway to Ness I made up a poem about it. Sadly, I didn't write it down and all I remember is the first verse:


I'm just a wee Fiesta
please don't expect too much
I'll do whatever you ask of me,
just give the gentle touch.


That's a l-o-n-g time ago.


Do you dance or sing when you're by yourself?


Actually, I sing ALL the time. I definitely sing when I'm alone. Well, when I finish talking to myself, I sing. But, truth be told, I sing all the time I'm not talking - whether I'm on my own or in the vicinity of some unfortunate body.


What were your favorite and least favorite subjects in school? (I'm thinking high school or younger, but if you want to tell us about your PhD, go right ahead.)


Oh, this is difficult. I had some good teachers, and some not-so-good teachers, but there simply wasn't a subject that gripped me. When I was 21, I went back to school, and the Gaelic teacher I had (who would not have inspired me at school age) gave me a love of Gaelic literature, which I then went on to study at University. 


My years in school passed in a blur. I hardly remember them.


What was the last dinner you made?


Stewed sausages - because the kids love it. I didn't have it: I had a chicken pasta bake thingy left over from last night. The recipe for it is here, but mine doesn't always follow the recipe to the letter. In fact, I never use the broken spaghetti now - I use pasta twists normally.


Please finish this: "I feel naked without ---------------------." (Now, you know there's someone out there who will answer "clothes". See. I caught you! :)


Oh boy.... apart from clothes, I wear little! You want specific clothes?! You know what I feel most comfortable in - my cut-offs; you know I wear no jewellery most of the time (not even my wedding and engagement rings - shame on me); you know I don't do fancy stuff. I just don't know how to answer this.


There you are Patrice, you have me stumped!


I think I'll change the subject. I was speaking to a relative of mine yesterday at the local shop. He's my mum's first cousin, brother of the relative we've visited in Ontario, and son of the mother who gave birth to eight boys and one baby girl. That girl died as a toddler. How unspeakably heartbreaking is that.


Anyway, he was telling me that my great-grandfather, and his brother, emigrated from Lewis in the 19th century to go to America. They ended up in Alberta, Canada, but came back home to Lewis after some time. He didn't know why. What he did tell me was that the ship that was crossing the Atlantic, taking the many young men and women from Scotland to the New World, picked them up in Port of Ness. Port of Ness! It's almost inconceivable to me, now, that a ship large enough to cross the Atlantic would berth in Port of Ness. I really  must look into this whole story, and if I find out more about the comings and goings of my great-grandfather, you can be sure I'll let you know.


So many wonderful stories have been lost to our generation. I wish I was able to recapture them. If you head over to the Pioneer Woman's site and read this post, you'll see some amazing history that's been preserved in her family. Well, in MM's family, but ... same thing.


I wish the same level of history had been preserved in all of our families.