Shelagh Letters...: Recent Episodes
letterstomygreatgreatgrandchildren
Letters to my Great Great Grandchildren. The Genesis Movement, A year in the life of a christian family struggling with looking after the environment and family at the same time “Saving our planet one person and one day at a time”
19 October 2017 In which David has his recording night and which Shelagh thinks about spinning. A drama plays out in the fish tank! The snails change and at first, we are not sure if they are dead or just hibernating!
17 October 2017 In which we remember 30 years since the 1987 hurricane, Jonty’s reading improves, Rachel teaches the children sewing which brings back lovely memories. 18 October 2017 In which I bake cakes for bible study. I Bake Cakes Muscovado toffee tasting buns (recipe). We watch the film the Shack
16 October 2017 in which David falls asleep at work and the temperature is unseasonably warm. Another hurricane is on they way. We consider the red squirrels of Anglesey and we study the river Thames and visit the river and rowing museum in Henley
15 October 2017 In which raw sewage pours thought the music room ceiling and we thank God for the plumber, David lays the slabs for the new greenhouse - Poem ‘Time’
14 October 2017 In which the beginning of the day and what we eat is considered and eating between meals is frowned upon. Is there still a link between hunger and eating!! Recipe for Savoury Quinoa
In which all is calm, and we support David’s work in Sue Ryder at the stand in the Market Place Henley. We discover that we are taking in unwanted anti-biotics in almost everything we eat and drink. We consider the importance of exercise and the contents of David’s salad and the recipe for Polenta.
In which the day starts with meditation. We go on a mini shopping trip as part of our maths lesson and Rosie’s bedroom is declared a danger zone!
In which the day awakes. I enjoy a rare moment when I am alone. We make ‘old fashioned lemonade’ (recipe) and then nestle in when it rains.
In which the children write poetry and then maths. The Hens live happy free range lives and think about the best use of water. The fish are giving birth and so we buy a birthing net. And we derive a simple pleasure from the wonderful colours of Virginia creeper.
9 October 2017 Introduction In which the earth moves away from the sun, we learn a little about the family and sharing our lives. How the Idea of a Genesis Movement formed in my mind. Genesis 1 vs 25-3- 2 v 18 and how we become environmentally aware and work about the work of A Rocha. The Chestnut Candles light again for those that died last year.
Dear All Book 2 Autumn into Winter will be available from 6 AM tomorrow morning A Song from David "When the Harvest" while you wait
7 and 8 October 2017 Summer to Autumn End Autumn to Winter next Genesis Movement, the allotment community comes into its own. We go to Church for Harvest Home which is blest with the first fruits. Poem, ‘This time of year makes me think of’
6 October 2017 In which we walk to the Harvest Festival Supper across the field in the dark under the twinkling stars. The Community comes together.
5 October 2017 In which we consider how best to build a lively compost and consider the cycle of nature and consider the beauty of the human heart and wonder at the discovery of Art. All is well in the Hen house!
4 October 2017 In which we support Sue Ryder Hospice and plan way to recycle as much as possible and make vegan apple crumble and The Rise Flapjacks (recipe)
Good Afternoon all my faithful listeners I am sorry there has not been podcast today but we start again tomorrow bright and early at 6am. Have a lovely rest of the day.
3 October 2017 In which the garden shed is finally erected, we think of the beautiful Thames and all its activities. The problems of French plumbing and the joys of reading to each other. David organises his new cave. Poem Swan
2 October 2017 In which the woods are beautiful in the rain. The problems of getting clean water in some parts of the world. Of whom much is given much will be expected (Luke 12:48) David buys me a spinning wheel and we plan to grow our own dyes and think about traditional crafts. We prepare for harvest supper.
30 September & 1 October 2017 In which The beauty of the spider web is seen in the morning light. We feed the birds and consider how clever the Corvids are. We don’t make chutney and ensure we do not poison our dogs. Church and the legend of the Tulip Tree in the Garden of Eden. The Children swim.
29 September 2017 In which we plan a trip to Wallingford in the afternoon after school and a lovely Christian Book shops and good charity shops. We consider the beauty of a spider web and its medicinal uses. We visit the Lamb Arcade and a wonderful old-fashioned sweet shop.
28 September 2017 In which we have a little history lesson at home school and plan a trip to Wittenham Clumps. The Children make a wonderful creative mess. The hens are doing well, how sad that they would have been destroyed. We think again about the plastic in our seawater and our fish. We consider the building of Dog Poo Loo and ways of using less plastic generally.
27 September 2017 In which we celebrate a birthday. I produce Vegan Cake (recipe) for Fika Friday at Sue Ryder. We hear about Tedwood and Edward cats. We prepare for the new shed to arrive and muse on the smells and perspectives of childhood. Poem Fibonacci Sonnet
26 September 2017 In which the hens get a hang of their new life. We name the hens and consider the problem of buying cockerels and the cruelty of the end industry.
24 and 25 September 2017 In which it is Chicken Rescue Day and we consider the quiet joys of Anglicanism. I enjoy Harvest Hymn by John Betjeman and David locks us in the hen house. We go for a lovely walk in the woods and enjoy the beginning of Autumn.
22 & 23 September 2017 In which the gardener brings lovely vegetables, the hens enjoy a patch of sun and we get a new hob fitted while preparing Crocus tulips and narcissi bulbs for Christmas. I go to a pub for a vegan supper and remember the ‘One Solitary Life Players’. We lay the foundation for the shed base and Rosie gets lost in the cement! poem ‘A secret Time for Pigs’
21 September 2017 In which we find ideas for homemade Christmas presents (a bit early for March I know!) and where Mums slaw is first introduced to the waiting world. Mexico City is hit by and earthquake. We hope that families can stay close to each other and look after each other and reflect on traditional family roles. Are we living the life we really want to live? Poem ‘The Rippling Water Bloke’
20 September 2017 "“Saving our planet one person and one day at a time” In which the green house arrives, and we make vegan sausages
19 September 2017 In which we invest in hen feeders in preparation for the new Araucana hens and in which we take time to reflect on the beauty of Oxfordshire countryside.
18 September 2017 In which I get up early to write and so many memories come back to share with you, Horse dung for the garden and Chelsea buns from the Bakerman. Home school continues with Aunty Rachel with the new sewing machines. We consider our gender roles and Mrs Pidgeon is displaced by the cutting down trees lost in the fire.
17 September 2017 We prepare for the harvest supper and provide a recipe for hummus, Marshall returns from camp and Aunty Rachel does sowing with the little ones. We consider the importance of sitting down to meals together.
16 September 2017 In which Rafa is recovered, there is a terrorist attack in London, and we contemplate the beauty of sweetcorn. Marshall leaves for a camping weekend, we prepare for the new hens to arrive later in the month while we work on the allotment and Shelagh sits on the naughty step.
15 September 2017 In which Jonty and Rosie get a cold and we learn about antibodies and Jonty gets croup. We are what we eat and we think about natural and spiritual healing.
14 September 2017 In which we think about gathering our apples and learn about various types of English apple varieties as well as blackberries and sloes. There is a simple recipe for sloe gin and apple chutney, and we think of a time when there are no postmen
13 September 2017 In which Hurricane Aileen terrifies the children and we collect faggots from the road for the fire and we contemplate the harmony of nature and the children build with Lego. If a child lives with praise.
12 September 2017 In which Rafa loses the use of his back legs and we remember Arnie whose stomach is full of lead, tights, plastic and a tennis ball and Marshal starts his training
11 September 2017 In which Irma hits the coast of Florida, bicarbonate of soda is used as a deodorant and vinegar is marvellous for cleaning. We remember bee Keeping and think about the home school schedule.
10 September 2017 In which we go off to church while David builds his shed foundation, we eat a beautiful nut roast (do make a note of the nut roast recipe) and Betty and Bertie are being taught by mother pigeon.
9 September 2017 In which we hear disturbing news about sea salt, we join BBOWT and plant daffodils, the tomatoes develop blight and David works on the shed base in his overalls
7 and 8 September 2017 In which hurricane Irma builds, we consider the problem of plastics, the fledglings cope with the torrential rain and we write poems about autumn.
6 September 2017 in which the tutor visits, we share cake coffee and the bible and learn about the savoury rice dish (make a note of the savoury rice dish) and worry about how far the rice has travelled and marvel at home grown food.
5 September 2017 In which home school enjoys its first day of term, David is brought low by cod liver oil and the fish are known each by name
3 and 4 September 2017 in which we learn about life in the local village, Aunty Rachel and in which the earth moves further away from the sun