What does August bring to Indiana? Caterpillars and Butterflies! There is so much fun lore surrounding these interesting creatures. Wooly Bear caterpillars are reputed to predict whether our winter will be mild or severe (read more in the Farmers Almanac). Monarch butterflies are the stars of international travel. There are many others that turn into moths. The Caterpillar Identification website can help you identify whether the creatures enjoying your garden leaves are helpful or harmful.
Another pesky bug this time of year are fruit flies. Is it not a wonder that these tiny bugs are invading? Produce is amazing! Washing and rinsing fruit can help diminish your infestation. Mainly storing fruit and vegetables in the fridge can help (but not all should be stored that way). You can make a fruit fly trap by putting a bit of fruit and a bit of vinegar in an empty, disposable container. Cover the bottle with plastic wrap and poke a couple small holes with a toothpick. The flies can get in and can't get out.
Getting Out There!
We are getting into the best time of year for hanging outside in Indiana. The CDC doesn't want you to stay away from getting outdoors or not taking advantage of our beautiful parks. Walking in the woods can be a great way to destress and maintain your mental and physical health. Here is a great link to provide you guidance: Visiting Parks and Recreational Facilities. Bottom line: properly wear your mask when you can't social distance, wash your hands (and use hand sanitizer when you can't).
International Friends Year 2020-2021
Staff met on Thursday to begin planning for this year. Input from our current students and input from our brief survey at the end of our official classes indicate that the general consensus is to continue via Zoom for the near future. That being said, face-to-face meetings may continue in the future. Please be watching for sign ups and surveys in the very near future.
English Language Learning
How to learn a new language: 7 secrets from TED Translators offers some insight into things you can do every day to make a new language part of your life and better yet, your mind.
Back to School Indiana
We have talked about how teachers and our children will get back into the classroom. Kathy shared a picture of a classroom where the kids are in the cab of their "trucks" with windshields to help protect those around them. The imagination of our teachers to adapt space for our children is incredible. Teaching our children to care for those around us as well as practicing good hygiene in the classroom (and other places) is an important part of being around others. We also know that human beings are very social and need to see and be around each other.
We know that masks or face coverings are a way of life for us. Here is a fabulous flier for families about how to wear and how to care for your face coverings from the state of Indiana Department of Education: Back to School Face Covering Guidance for Families
Indiana Department of Education has prepared detailed guidance for our schools. There are Webinars for our leaders to learn the latest and communicate with each other. Each district is working with the State Department of Health as well as individually. Each district and schools
COVID-19
Enjoy COVID Mask by Dale Officer. This satire of 1962 novelty song by Bobby Pickett. The original Monster Mash has become part of Americana and has been celebrated in cartoon movies and as a part of our culture.
Our Talented Friends
If you missed the concert last week, you watch Jerry performing with the band Shakes on Facebook by clicking this link. You may want to jump five minutes into the video to cut straight to the music.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30, Zoom.Mark tells how Jesus confronts a very difficult situation facing his best friends in chapter 14:27-31. He tells them that they will all fall away. The disciples were familiar with the quote that came from Zechariah 13 Jewish lore. Peter insists that he will not disown Jesus even if he has to die with him and all the others agree. Jesus specifically tells Peter that he will deny him three times before the cock crows twice! Is Jesus warning? Is he suggesting? Is he forgiving? As we talked about what people think they will do and what they actually do we find that often we don't live up to what we would expect for ourselves. In this case, Jesus exposes the truth to his followers to prepare them for their own disappointment in themselves. Jesus tells them in verse 28 that he will go ahead of them into Galilee. Jesus waits for them.
August 11: Join us as we continue the story of Jesus' passion. We will talk about Mark 14: 32-42. We begin to see how Jesus' predictions unfold. Who really betrays Jesus?
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30, Zoom.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30, Zoom
Back to school is on our minds. How else are you getting out? Are you moving around Indiana? Are you moving around the world?
August 11 and August 13: Join us each week for conversation about what is on your mind (or what is on my mind).
stars: famous individuals
wooly: fuzzy, having hair
pesky: annoying
is it not a wonder: we aren't surprised
invading: spread all over
produce: (PRO duce) fresh fruit and vegetables; (pro DUCE) is to make things
infestation: swarm or spread in a troublesome manner
hanging: socially getting together; spending time and relaxing
woods: an area with trees forest
destress: (DE stress) become calm
input: information and opinions shared
general consensus: most people agree
very near future: really soon
social responsibility: common behaviors and practices that care for those around us (this used to only apply to companies, but now it is applying to individuals)
cab: the part of a truck where people sit
imagination: creating new ideas, images and scenarios that can become reality
adapt: adjust to changes; acclimatize
hygiene: conditions or practices that promote good health, especially as they relate to cleanliness
Webinar: a class that is conducted on line; webinars are often recorded to be watched at a later date
satire: wit or satire about current affairs
novelty song: a song written for humor and fun (read a lot more here in Wikipedia)
Americana: American culture
cut straight to: go directly to something or avoid extra discussion
fall away: withdraw allegiance or friendship; to not believe or follow a religious
lore: common knowledge and customs of a group of people
disown: reject or contradict
deny: refuse to know something
cock: rooster; male chicken
unfold: events that happen
on your mind/on my mind: what you are thinking about
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