Can't be out in the bush...so volunteering in the zoo!

I'll be starting to volunteer at Franklin Park Zoo in the next couple weeks, just a Saturday here and there but I am so very excited!! It's nothing like being out in the bush back home, and some of my friends who also grew up in Africa might find it strange --a zoo is such a far cry from being out in the wild, but being able to hear the Hadeda Ibis, lion roaring and leopards' 'rasping' is wonderful and just sounds so familiar!

I'll be helping out as an interpreter, explaining the animals and their behaviours, with a bunch of stories from home thrown in too, no doubt!

Another BIG Art Project .... Taking on the World!!!!

The New England District Missions Convention is next ....and that has meant another 'mega' art project for me!!! In years past I've painted banners, churches, lions, angels... this year it's the world!!

It was constructed by my friend Kathy''s daughter (Kathy is on the District Council). She built it in 4 separate pieces, that can be "locked" together and then wooden blocks drilled into it to brace it. Quite the set up!! It's 8ft high and 8ft across. The only place I was able to work on it was in my Grandmother's garage. Today I FINALLY finished it.... 7 days (well, 2 days and 5 evenings' worth of work).

For fun, I've been taking photos of it as it progresses, so here, see my world.....

Day 6, only outlining and Antarctica to go...

.... and Day 7, FINISHED!!!

Tuesday, May 27th we took this thing apart and set it up at the church, it took 4 of us to get it back together:

(Small nails were hammered in so that crosses could be hung. Each cross had an emphasis of Nazarene missions printed on it)

All set up and ready for the service on Wednesday night...
Phew!!! Am all done!!

World's End -- A Hidden Treasure Practically on my Doorstep!!

I feel like I discovered a hidden treasure last weekend!! I'd heard of this 'World's End' before and naturally, the name intrigued me. I located it on the map, but still didn't really pursue it until last Saturday afternoon with my friend Tisha.

It cost us $5 each to get in there, which I grumbled over a bit, but once in there.... wow....
These photos below, taken on my cell phone, do NOT do it justice, see these for a better sense of the place: http://www.shutterscript.com/2007/03/24/worlds-end

Living here on the South Shore and so near Boston, I long for the quiet and peace of nature. I really am a country girl at heart and so exploring World's End was an absolute DELIGHT! At times I felt like I was back home on one of the mission stations I grew up on in Africa, the smell of the grass and the earth took me right back. Then at other times, strolling along the lane lined with stately old trees, I felt transported to England. We saw a garter snake, cormorants, chipmunk, red-tailed hawk, red-wing blackbirds, great white egret... I'll have to come back with binoculars and a bird book!

I realize I'm ridiculously happy about this find and I hope to go back very soon... and who cares about spending $5 anyway, most folks spend more than that in a week on coffee anyway!!

For more info: http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/39632_world_s_end.cfm