June

And since all this loveliness can not be Heaven,
I know in my heart it is June.

–Abba Goold Woolson (1838–1921)

This pretty much sums up June. Mosquitoes aside, this month has been lazily wonderful.  Spring lawn chores done, school winding down, and evening walks after the sun has set have been greatly appreciated.

The longest day of the year stealthily slipped away without me noticing it! 

Today is our last proper school day.  Next week Monday, my class goes on the annual end-of-school-year trip (more on it later), Tuesday is an admin day for doing reports, and Wednesday is the last official day; clean-up and such!  I have been spending free time this past week doing that and still have a lot of things to put away.  

A bouquet generously bestowed on me after recess yesterday.  

We do have a nice variety of 'wildflowers' on our premises!

Wordless Wednesday

Soapstone Carving

Friday morning we had a visitor at school doing soapstone carvings (Native American) with all the students.  The carver was of Metis origin and it was such a great experience for the students.  He had a blanket spread out on the floor on which he sat and all his supplies were laid out on it.  We all (me included) sat around him in a semi-circle.

I was amazed how successful the students all were with the little fish charms they carved.

When the students were almost done the first guided carving, they each got 2 more small slabs of soapstone and made a design of their own choice; some choosing to copy one of many that were on display and others their own original art.  This leaflet was made by one of the grade six boys and was so good.  There was a whimsicalness about it which was so original .

                                           

I joined in and was as immersed in the task as the kids were.  It was nice to sit back again and follow along rather than being the instructor.  The stone was great to carve.  We used files of different sizes and scouring pads to polish the finished art.  Following is the piece that I made with the instructor's guidance.

Much to everyones delight, he finished of by drilling a hole through the pieces and supplying a crude twine for a necklace.  These have been proudly worn by the students whether or not the shape is identifiable!

Wordless Wednesday -- Large Yellow Lady Slipper

Dew Drops

Dew drops on a Lady's Mantle plant -- Stunning effect.  The plant has velvety leaves which, I assume holds the dew longer than on other plants and with interesting effects.

Dew on curled up leaves...

...and outlining every single leaf!

Beautiful!

Drum roll, please

Disable music player at the bottom of the blog before playing this.

Enjoy

Wordless Wednesday