Lifestyle of Learning 2014 Edition: Volume Twenty

The first two weeks of November...

Bishop completed several merit badges and ranked up to Star scout.  I am so proud of him.  He has vision and motivation to move towards that goal.  He accepts that he is a leader within his troop and strives to do that which will make his troop better and stronger.

A dessert competition was held at the latest Court of Honor.  Bishop brought Apple, Pear, Cranberry Cobbler and was crowned King of the Desserts!

All Hail the King of the Desserts!

Bishop and I decorated sugar skulls!
We did so, primarily, for artistic and cultural purposes.  However, as we did bury two of our beloveds this year we found setting up a small altar to be a poignant reminder of those who have gone before us and all that they have contributed to our lives and who we are.

 

History group continues to be a steady part of our lives.  We learned of the expansion of the Islamic Empire and looked at geometrical patterns that are used in Islamic art.

We also read about the Vikings, Eric the Red and Leif Ericson.

We more closely examined runes and runestones and tried our hand at them.

For some rune inspiration check out Angelic Scalliwags.

We also read of Alfred the Great.  It is said that Alfred went in to hiding and stayed with a peasant family for some time.  The woman of the family asked him to watch the oat cakes to ensure they not burn.  Distracted by his thoughts of his people he failed to watch the cakes properly and they did indeed burn.  Bishop treated the history group to some truly delicious and unburnt oat cakes.  He adapted this recipe.  They were really delicious.  We now have intentions of adding some protein to the recipe and then making these routinely as snacks for the family.

Bishop completed reading of Son of Charlemagne (great book) and made progress on his Biology studies.  Maceo made some progress on math.

We finally made it to the Passages Exhibit.  We were able to view over 400 artifacts including fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, first edition of the King James Bible, and letters and Bibles of Luther, Tyndale and Wycliffe.  It was an incredible exhibit.  We will return soon.  Naturally we were unable to take pictures of the artifacts but I was able to photograph the interactive portions of the museum.

Bishop using a quill to transcribe a portion of the Bible.

St. Jerome.

A Gutenberg press.

Listening to Luther, Erasmus and Eck.

If you have the opportunity to visit this exhibit I highly recommend it.

Maceo has kept quite busy with his his performance endeavors.  He continues with private vocal instruction, troupe mentorship and troupe.  His troupe performed at First Friday ArtWalk.  Maceo performed a solo - Some Enchanted Evening.

The troupe also performed at the Taste of Home Expo.

He has also been quite busy viewing theatre performances throughout the community-local universities and high schools.  He has seen Violet, Godspell, and The Addams Family.

Bishop's service group has been busy assembling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

They had a goal of assembling 10 shoeboxes.  This Thursday they will be delivering 16 shoeboxes!!!

I find these boys to be so inspirational, they make me want to be better, to be more curious, to set more goals, to endeavor more!