Archive for November 11th, 2009

This time of year the darkness sets in so early that candles can be a really fun activity that can represent “lighting the way to a new year”.

Shopping List:

• Candle Wicks  (available at craft and hobby stores)
• Beeswax (available at Amazon- might be available locally too)
• Other needs:
• Small sized coffee cans
• Newspaper
• Lots of pot holders
• A large pot
• Sturdy twigs

1) The beeswax comes as a big block; chop this up into small pieces that will fit into coffee cans.

2) Fill a pot with water and place cans of beeswax into the pot. Don’t let the cans float (remove some water if they do).

3) Allow the wax to melt in the cans. (Adding fresh chunks as the wax melts).

…….While the wax is melting.

4) Cut 12 inch wicks. Tie one end of each wick to a twig.

5) Remember to check on your melting wax! When the cans have 6-8 inches of  melted wax, remove from the heat and place on a newspaper-covered area. (Note: use newspaper it’s a mess otherwise).

6) Dip the wick into the wax while holding onto the stick. “Dip it down; pick it up.”

7) Allow the wax to harden on the wick then re-dip… over and over and over again. Till the candle is large enough to fit in a candle holder. (To flatten the bottom of the candle, use wax paper and with each dip tap the candle on the wax paper- it will make the candle a tad easier to use in a candle holder).

Once you’re done, save the cans for next year (you can remelt the wax that’s left inside) and keep the newspaper for a fire in the wood stove (the wax on the paper will help the fire ignite).

Add some education to the process? Make honey cakes, use beeswax and talk about the gifts from the honey bees!

For more information or for guidance on making candles in a classroom setting, read Earthwaysby Carol Petrash.

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I ventured out of my habitat this morning and am inspired to write a bit of a rant because I’ve gotta get this off my chest.

Why’d the anti-abortion community get the phrase “pro-life”?… it really doesn’t seem like these folks are really “pro-life” at all.  And, although in conventional terms I guess I am “pro-choice” come on, who isn’t? (That’s WHY we have 6 different kinds of ketchup at the grocery store).  I definitely am not “pro-abortion”.

I drove by Planned Parenthood this morning, all along the street were LARGE images of aborted fetus’, neatly propped up by well-meaning anti-abortion activists. Most of the images were very distorted, unrealistic and gross. I was horrified when I came to a full stop at a stop sign with my 3 year old son gazing out the window at these pictures. And the organizer stood by our car, a huge grin on his face, trying to hand us a leaflet. (I have studied the teachings of Ghandi and Dr. King and had to pull from this non-violent foundation to keep from ramming into this guy.)

Then, I got to thinking about how it would be for me if I was stuck with the “choice” of abortion and had to walk by these people. I am now convinced that anyone willing to go through that and actually follow-though is amazing, brave, courageous, and a lot of other things…. Is it really more responsible to bring an unwanted child into a world of violence or abuse?

I will not join a picket line to hand out “pro-abortion” pamphlets either. I feel that choice is between a woman and her God.  And I can assure you, the guy grinning at my son was not “pro-life”; anyone with any sense would be embarrassed to have a child see those pictures.

With great relief I turned the corner to head home.

Back home to my natural habitat:

We watched a big tractor working on our street.

Did a little work in the garden.

Looked at some beautiful fall flowers still blossoming (and dying) in our yard.

Watched a blue jay eating at our feeding station.

Baked cakes in the sandbox.

And ate a “tv” lunch of fresh eggs and quinoa.

And THAT is what childhood is meant to be.

I have limitless gratitude that I was ready to be a mom when my time came; and I know my son is the one that benefits the most from this.

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