Pomegranates

It really is the simple things, right?  We just have to take the time to notice them….I suspect they are always there, but in our busy-ness, we often neglect taking the time to really see that which is around us.

Year after year, we look at our scraggly little Pomegranate and wonder if it will really produce any fruit.  (Honestly, how do I know it is truly a pomegranate if it never has the fruit to prove it?  Hmmm…There is a lesson hidden there, right?)  Every year, it’s put on the list….the “chopping block” ….the list of plants to yank from the ground!  It really is scraggly, quite a homely looking, pathetic little thing.  But touring the plants in the yard today, I noticed something new and wonderful!  So of course, I must share the good news with you!

The Lesson:  We, just like my pomegranate tree, are known by our fruit!  

“A healthy tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a poor tree bear good fruit.  Every tree is known by the fruit it bears; you do not pick figs from thorn bushes or gather grapes from bramble bushes.  A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart; a bad person brings bad out of his treasure of bad things. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”  Luke 6:43 – 45 Good News Translation

Apologia Biology: Module 12 – Phylum Arthropoda

Phylum Arthropoda is home to some of my least favorite creatures….spiders and centipedes.  Oh they’re OK outside, but please stay out of my territory!  That’s all I’m saying!  However, in all fairness to this Phylum, it is also home to Shrimp Cocktail, Coconut Shrimp, King Crab Legs, and Crayfish Etouffe’.

Class Crustacea

This week’s class focused mainly on Experiment 12.1 – Crayfish Dissection.  Applie took some great pictures of her Crayfish Dissections, so be sure to check out her blog.

Class Arachnida -

While, as admitted, this is not my favorite creature, they are an amazing group!  When we first moved into our house, we had a huge banana spider take refuge just outside our dining room window.  It was amazing to watch her spin her web and catch insects.  She was quite beautiful in her own way.  At night, in the light of a nearby street light, the web made cool, yet creepy shadow on the dining room wall!  One day the “bug guy” came to spray and I ran outside to tell him not to kill the spider!  He said that was a first!   After several weeks, Charlotte got a little greedy, trapped and ate a dragonfly, and promptly fell to the ground dead!  (Photo courtesy of Photobucket.com)

That ends my tale, but check out these interesting videos….

NOVA Series Examines Strength of Spider Silk

Look at this…a Trap Door Spider…

Ever wonder, How do spiders make their web?

Here is an interesting art project: Spider Web Art Project

Class Insecta

Of the many things to learn about Class Insecta, and perhaps the most beautiful is the metamorphosis from egg to larva, to pupa, to adult.   Surprisingly, a majority insects go through this type of process.  AMAZING!   We have had the privilege of watching the metamorphosis of the Monarch, and other butterflies, over and over in our own backyard.

 

I cannot observe this process without being reminded of our own metamorphosis.  Romans 12:2 says, “and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NAS)  The only other time this word is used in the Bible is in the transfiguration of Christ, mentioned in all four gospels!   Brings a little depth to our own metamorphosis, doesn’t it?  Have we undergone a complete metamorphosis, changed to an entirely new creature? Or are we stuck in the larval stage?

The remaining time in class was spent observing some very interesting insect collections; one contained many local species and the other was a collection of insects from Thailand.  Because of time limitations, for Experiment 12.2 - Insect Classification, we used the specimen in the textbook for our project.

A couple of ideas to throw in the pot: 1)  Have each student do a virtual insect collection of 10 – 20 local species, print pictures and make scrapbook-like pages for their notebooks, journal their identifications and 2) Have each student bring one or two live specimen in a jar for the class to identify and observe.

Study Link:  Flashcards & Games at Quizlet.com

Apologia Biology: Module 9

Evolution: Part Scientific Theory, Part Unconfirmed Hypothesis

It is interesting how divisive this topic can be for our generation, isn’t it?  I mean, people get fired up about this!  If you follow science news at all and read the comments people post, you will see two clearly defined sides on the issue of creation.   One comment about God’s amazing creation and the angry banter begins!

And yet, if I had no knowledge of God and no access to a Bible, I would walk outside and see so many amazing plants and animals, each “unique in the song that it sings,”  that I could not help but determine that they were all designed by someone far more intelligent than I.

 That brings so much joy and so much hope, I’m not sure how opponents of creation even survive!  Listen to this:

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.  Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”  Job 12: 7 – 10

For our Module 9 session, we watched the movie, “The Mysterious Islands”.   You can also download a discussion guide for the movie.   This is an excellent supplement to the textbook.  Before you go, take a minute to watch this video:

Study Link:  Flashcards & Games at Quizlet.com

Disclaimer:  No compensation of anykind has been received to promote these links….no movies, no CD’s, no MP3′s….nothin’!

Simple Gifts Sunday

I love receiving simple gifts.  You know what I mean by simple gifts, right?   They are free for the giver, yet priceless to the receiver; they are easy to acquire for the giver, yet perfect to the receiver.  

Simple gifts are often spontaneous and not well planned out in advance.  That’s what makes them more special than the gifts that are purchased in a store and tied up with ribbons and bows.  This week I received not one, but two simple gifts. 

Simple Gift #1

I am not a morning person!  This gift made my day!  Simple, yet perfect….flowers from the yard and a cup of coffee, first thing in the morning, from my thoughtful Hubby.

Then Friday evening, Hubby’s parents came for “Pizza Night”.   My Dad-In-Law brought me a special gift from a local park….

Simple Gift #2

Now I know, not everyone would like to receive a vile of pond scum!   But for me, it couldn’t be more perfect.  (We’re studying micro-organisms in biology and it gave me the opportunity to pull out the microscope and see who’s in there.  I’ll never go barefoot in a pond again!)  It was an enjoyable and memorable evening.

God gives us simple gifts everyday.  Sometimes we don’t even notice, but if we look, we are often truly inspired and awe-struck.

Take time to notice! 

Take time to give a simple gift!

I’d love to hear about your Simple Gifts….anything from a sunrise to a special drawing from a child.   If you’d like to participate in this meme, sign the linky below and cut and paste the Simple Gifts Sunday button at the right.  (If I did that correctly??!!) 

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