The Fire Within the Flames...

'The Fire Within the Flames' - J.R.Slattum

From his website: " Art is a doorway, not just a window. You travel into it, bringing back souvenirs "

 From his Facebook page HERE:
"His subjects gravitate towards anything that may answer those great philosophical Why's of The Universe, from science and quantum physics to metaphysics, mythology to psychedelics."

quirky...a quirky ostrich...

Olga Shefranov is a Ukraine-born artist based in Israel.

'I've looked at life from both sides now....'


rain and cold outside
cosy, quirky detours
inside

Beltane Blessings...

O the eyes... the eyes... so focused...ahead...Love it... https://t.co/SAlHA9M5PC

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

in praise of history and philosophy...

I am far from famous... But I have proven with secondary students that encouraging a view of global past and present history inspires an urge to dig into a little philosophy quite painlessly. Students can become quite enthusiastic about exploring beyond Playstation and Snapchat. https://t.co/ooSZLU5Beh

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

to mask or not to mask...

The wearing/not wearing masks debate certainly seems to have unstable evidence for both sides. However, I have yet to find an article that considers 'kinds of masks'. Is there a difference between cloth, surgical and even industry masks? One more effective than the other?

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

remote learning characters...

Now that remote learning is in full roar, some class characters are finding new ways to be characters - especially in face to face Google Meets. A Yr 10 student of mine came in with a message above smiling face. 'I love English' - translated as 'I want an assignment extension'.

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

simple? instructions? ...

I love seeing my students inspired+creative....(and I encourage them)...but there is one side of them that is hard work... responding to a simple instruction. Currently it's "Link your Google doc with me..." I can view/comment on progress...so far it's taken a week...and counting

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

Actually, in some cases, it has taken more than a week...possibly two...
But I didn't want to seem mean...

Update: A senior student took pity on me? the strugglers? and compiled a visual step-by-step guide re sharing Google doc. I attached it to yet another email to the strugglers. Did it work? (Email read?) Possibly 5% success. Back to more creative versions of 'It's URGENT'.

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

This thread tries to demonstrate that remote teaching/learning is no 'walk in the park' for teachers. It has fresh, time-consuming hazards to circumnavigate and overcome, far beyond the 'deliver the curriculum' expectation. It's a learning experience for everyone involved.

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

calliandra grandiflora...

Calliandra Grandiflora - native of Central America - by Philip Reinagle

Hand-coloured engraving from 'The Temple of Flora', (1799) by Robert John Thornton

'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'

respect the land

and all therein

it will always rise

above you

Nan Madol...

Nan Madol, an ancient city built on a coral reef is surrounded by water on 3 sides with a stone wall enclosure. Often referred to as the "Venice of the Pacific." More intriguing, is the 'Romulus and Remus'y' story of the founders... brothers...sorcerers...https://t.co/TSIUPApjgq

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

TODAY, the area is east of Pohnpei Island, (the largest and highest island in the Federated States of Micronesia), on small Temwen Island.

So many questions emerge...but I'll keep to a few...

1. 'The Saudeleur built Nan Madol as a temple for the farm god Nahnisohn Sapw, the god worshipped by the Saudeleur nobility.' No god of the sky or sea - the usual expanses relegated to significant gods in civilisations, but 'farm god'... Perhaps land being so precious in such an island environment may elevate the status of a farm god...????

2. 'The Saudeleur were originally a foreign tribe who came to Pohnpei and installed themselves as rulers of the island.' Clearly they were already civilised and from what civilisation? So Temwen Island and Nan Madol were actually the 'jewel in the crown' of this civilisation? So how much more was there?

3. Why is this history so elusive and, in its place, we have been handed down Rousseau's stereotypical 'noble savage' version of the Pacific Islanders?

4. Why would a small island be so attractive as a religious and commercial centre + a royal enclave? Island environment offered natural protection from invaders?

5. The question has to be asked...Why did this civilisation fade out of our awareness? Blind-sided by colonial ignorance?

humble Sam...

Sam has an appealing ability of sharing himself as a humble being... From the background of filming 'Australian Story' - 'In the courtyard of Oliver's café, no-one looked twice at the rumpled farmer reading his beloved Otago Daily Times at table 7.' https://t.co/87jroU4iy8

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 1, 2020

'And there he was, pulling into town behind the wheel of his Mr-Bean-issue 1960 Austin A40...'