Sunday, June 6, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
This evening Coy and Tyler flew back to the states. It was so good to see them again and spend time. I thought you would enjoy hearing about a few things we did.
Coy and Tyler flew in about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 18th. It was a cloudy, rainy day that would plague us the entire time. But they told us at the beginning of this adventure… “if you wait for it to quit raining you will never do anything.” So off we went.
Because of Jack’s schedule, we needed to work around a few things. Jack had lined up a tour of a powdered milk plant. New Zealand exports a lot of milk but most of it goes out as powdered milk. The Lincoln professors were amazed that Jack could get into this plant. The students enjoyed it…we all did.
Because of Jack’s schedule, we needed to work around a few things. Jack had lined up a tour of a powdered milk plant. New Zealand exports a lot of milk but most of it goes out as powdered milk. The Lincoln professors were amazed that Jack could get into this plant. The students enjoyed it…we all did.
The next day we were off to Hanmer Springs, a hot springs north of Christchurch about 2 hours. It was fun to sit in a warm pool of water while it rained down on us. The next day we headed to Kiakoura, a small village on the east coast where there are several seal colonies. We saw lots of seals, some you could walk right up to, but as the boys were shopping in the village, one of the shop owners told them of a hike where you could see lots of baby seals. What an amazing find! North of one of the colonies there was a hike up a creek, through rain forest type jungle. There were several baby seals playing in the creek. But when you walk up about ¼ of a kilometer there was a small pool at the base of a waters fall and there were about 50+ baby seals playing in the water.
After Jack taught the dairy class on Tuesday morning, we left to go to the west coast. Floods had been predicted for the South Island so we had to work around them. It only takes 3 hours to drive to the west coast but you pass over some beautiful country. At Arthur’s Pass we stopped to hike the “Punchbowl”. It was a beautiful waterfall but the 335 stairs one way were difficult for the old parents. Tyler and Coy ran up and back in about 30 minutes. It took Jack and me at least three times that long. The boys were amazed by the transformation to more of a tropical rain forest that exists on the west coast.
We spent the night at Franz-Josef and hiked to the glazier the next day, up a wide river bed. We were all snapping pictures of the lush forest, the waterfalls, the wonder rocks and the large flow of ice.
We spent the night at Franz-Josef and hiked to the glazier the next day, up a wide river bed. We were all snapping pictures of the lush forest, the waterfalls, the wonder rocks and the large flow of ice.
We were able to get to Wanaka which is inland, an hour drive from Queenstown. Again, weather was directing our travels. Snow was expected over the pass so we stopped at dusk. Wanaka is a beautiful mountain town. We were able to watch all three of the Bourne movies in our evenings at the motels. It was fun.
We were able to drive over the pass this day to Queenstown. It had snowed and it was cold. Queenstown is located on a beautiful lake. It is the adventure capitol and specializes in things that make Moms very nervous: bungy jumping, skydiving, motor boat racing, etc. Coy, Tyler and Jack were able to drive the segways around the lake but the helicopter ride was canceled.
We ended our visit by going up the gondola to the top of the mountain. The view was breathtaking…the height was breathtaking.
We ended our visit by going up the gondola to the top of the mountain. The view was breathtaking…the height was breathtaking.
Jack and I loved having our boys in New Zealand and showing them this beautiful country and the lovely people we have met. New Zealanders are so kind and will go out of their way to help you. They are very proud of their country…as they should be and love to share it with you.
We realize that our family will continue to change. We loved the short time we got to be together, to get away from our lives, our stresses, our responsibilities to get to be together and love each other again. We have the greatest boys. We loved sitting back and watching the wonderful adults they have become. Thanks guys, for coming to New Zealand to be together as a family.
We realize that our family will continue to change. We loved the short time we got to be together, to get away from our lives, our stresses, our responsibilities to get to be together and love each other again. We have the greatest boys. We loved sitting back and watching the wonderful adults they have become. Thanks guys, for coming to New Zealand to be together as a family.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Fear and a suspension bridge
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Fear – It’s an interesting thing and as individual as each human being. Today we saw a suspension bridge. Jack suggested we try it. We had been traveling from Westport to Nelson, which is a beautiful drive but very windy. We were all ready for a break. Remember the bridge over the Virgin River in Zion when we were little? Similar but much higher and longer. This bridge was over the Buller Gorge, about 120 feet to the river. Pepper started over. Part way over he was annoyed that Rachelle was shaking the bridge behind him, wanted to turn back but couldn’t. Actually Rachelle wasn’t shaking the bridge at all, it was just how the bridge moved when someone was walking on it. (Although Rachelle had to admit to thinking about shaking the bridge, but didn’t.) I started over behind Rachelle and stopped to take a picture of either sides of the river and realized how difficult it was to keep still enough to take the pictures. At this point I looked back to see that Jack had only just started down the bridge. I turned back to check on him and he looked at me and said, “I could force myself to go over that bridge but I am old enough to say I don’t have to walk over that bridge. I think I will stay here.” As I got to the other side, Rachelle and Pepper were laughing because Pepper had been so freaked out. Something about, “Now you know how I felt flying thirteen hours over the ocean.” We all got back together on the other side and laughed about the experience. We all have things that frighten us and what scares one person may not scare another. I guess it comes down to accepting each others with our strong points and the weak ones as well. Gosh it’s nice to be with close family.
Fear – It’s an interesting thing and as individual as each human being. Today we saw a suspension bridge. Jack suggested we try it. We had been traveling from Westport to Nelson, which is a beautiful drive but very windy. We were all ready for a break. Remember the bridge over the Virgin River in Zion when we were little? Similar but much higher and longer. This bridge was over the Buller Gorge, about 120 feet to the river. Pepper started over. Part way over he was annoyed that Rachelle was shaking the bridge behind him, wanted to turn back but couldn’t. Actually Rachelle wasn’t shaking the bridge at all, it was just how the bridge moved when someone was walking on it. (Although Rachelle had to admit to thinking about shaking the bridge, but didn’t.) I started over behind Rachelle and stopped to take a picture of either sides of the river and realized how difficult it was to keep still enough to take the pictures. At this point I looked back to see that Jack had only just started down the bridge. I turned back to check on him and he looked at me and said, “I could force myself to go over that bridge but I am old enough to say I don’t have to walk over that bridge. I think I will stay here.” As I got to the other side, Rachelle and Pepper were laughing because Pepper had been so freaked out. Something about, “Now you know how I felt flying thirteen hours over the ocean.” We all got back together on the other side and laughed about the experience. We all have things that frighten us and what scares one person may not scare another. I guess it comes down to accepting each others with our strong points and the weak ones as well. Gosh it’s nice to be with close family.
A Day at the Temple
May 9, 2010
We spent Thursday, May 5th in the New Zealand temple. We were able to do 24 baptisms, 17 endowments, 12 sealing of couples, 8 sealing of children. It was an exhausting wonderful day. We also met some wonderful people. Here are a few of them:
Bro and Sister Kerioma from Timaru left their 8 children at home to spend three days at the temple. Bro Kerioma is with the ANZAC and has been the branch president for 9 years. They worked in the baptisry and were very kind.
Tina was a woman who worked in the lunchroom with Jack. Jack said she was a very kind soul. Each stake in New Zealand has two weeks a year where they come to the temple and bring the workers to staff it. They needed an extra man in the lunchroom, which is opened from 11:30 to 1:00.
I did the baptisms for the women and Jack did them for the men. A kind Maori man baptized me but could not pronounce my name. By the end we were both laughing. Afterward I told him how much I could relate to his pronunciation problems. Jack and I are trying to learn the names of the people in our ward and we go over the ward list on a regular basis as we try to train our mouths and brains around words and sounds we are not used to saying. Whittier doesn’t seem hard to us but I’m sure “Tuialii” isn’t hard for him (pronounced too-ee-ah-lee-ee). This gentleman was the former stake president in Christchurch. I wish I could remember his name. I probably couldn’t pronounce it.
We ended the day in the sealing room. We met Bro. Joyce who was a sealer, an elderly man. He is from Gisborne, about midway up the east coast of the North Island. He told us a special story and got emotional as he told it. When they were building the temple and excavating the east side, a skull was unearthed. They halted work and discovered an ancient Maori burial ground. They contacted the locate tribe and they came out. There were only a few bodies but they were re-buried down by the visitor’s center. The temple president talked to the “Maori gentleman” and said they would put a plaque up to commemorate the graves. But the “Maori gentleman” said, “What you are building on the hill will be sufficient.” Two things touched me: Bro. Joyce was touched because this man was not a member of the LDS faith and I was touched by the way Bro. Joyce referred to this man as a gentleman. That is not always the way the Maori are referenced.
Just a few of the many snap-shots of the day; you get to ask Pepper about the animals getting out of the barn.
We spent Thursday, May 5th in the New Zealand temple. We were able to do 24 baptisms, 17 endowments, 12 sealing of couples, 8 sealing of children. It was an exhausting wonderful day. We also met some wonderful people. Here are a few of them:
Bro and Sister Kerioma from Timaru left their 8 children at home to spend three days at the temple. Bro Kerioma is with the ANZAC and has been the branch president for 9 years. They worked in the baptisry and were very kind.
Tina was a woman who worked in the lunchroom with Jack. Jack said she was a very kind soul. Each stake in New Zealand has two weeks a year where they come to the temple and bring the workers to staff it. They needed an extra man in the lunchroom, which is opened from 11:30 to 1:00.
I did the baptisms for the women and Jack did them for the men. A kind Maori man baptized me but could not pronounce my name. By the end we were both laughing. Afterward I told him how much I could relate to his pronunciation problems. Jack and I are trying to learn the names of the people in our ward and we go over the ward list on a regular basis as we try to train our mouths and brains around words and sounds we are not used to saying. Whittier doesn’t seem hard to us but I’m sure “Tuialii” isn’t hard for him (pronounced too-ee-ah-lee-ee). This gentleman was the former stake president in Christchurch. I wish I could remember his name. I probably couldn’t pronounce it.
We ended the day in the sealing room. We met Bro. Joyce who was a sealer, an elderly man. He is from Gisborne, about midway up the east coast of the North Island. He told us a special story and got emotional as he told it. When they were building the temple and excavating the east side, a skull was unearthed. They halted work and discovered an ancient Maori burial ground. They contacted the locate tribe and they came out. There were only a few bodies but they were re-buried down by the visitor’s center. The temple president talked to the “Maori gentleman” and said they would put a plaque up to commemorate the graves. But the “Maori gentleman” said, “What you are building on the hill will be sufficient.” Two things touched me: Bro. Joyce was touched because this man was not a member of the LDS faith and I was touched by the way Bro. Joyce referred to this man as a gentleman. That is not always the way the Maori are referenced.
Just a few of the many snap-shots of the day; you get to ask Pepper about the animals getting out of the barn.
LDS Church College
May 5, 2010
We are in Hamilton, New Zealand…the location of the New Zealand Temple and Church College. We dropped by the Church College yesterday. It was a school for 12 to 18 year olds. It started in about 1958 when the temple was built. Apparently the New Zealand government didn’t think educating the Maoris was important so a school was built - Maori College. Toward the end of the 1930’s an earthquake destroyed the school, so the LDS church bought the property and built a school which would educate all students. Some also have said the New Zealand public schools weren’t what they were supposed to be either, so a school was built. I think I remember about 4000 students, many of them were boarding students. Several people we know have gone to the school. The facilities have worn down and weren’t passing codes. The country’s schools had improved greatly so the school was closed last year. Now the LDS church is trying to decide what to do with the property. There is a large building in the middle which is called the David O. McKay building. The surrounding communities use it for their stake conferences so that building may be kept. Paul Geno, of Agricultural Reserves Inc. (LDS church’s Farm Management), is wondering how to use the agricultural land around it. He has contacted Jack a few times to ask questions about what is being done at Lincoln University. It was really a fascinating place.
We are in Hamilton, New Zealand…the location of the New Zealand Temple and Church College. We dropped by the Church College yesterday. It was a school for 12 to 18 year olds. It started in about 1958 when the temple was built. Apparently the New Zealand government didn’t think educating the Maoris was important so a school was built - Maori College. Toward the end of the 1930’s an earthquake destroyed the school, so the LDS church bought the property and built a school which would educate all students. Some also have said the New Zealand public schools weren’t what they were supposed to be either, so a school was built. I think I remember about 4000 students, many of them were boarding students. Several people we know have gone to the school. The facilities have worn down and weren’t passing codes. The country’s schools had improved greatly so the school was closed last year. Now the LDS church is trying to decide what to do with the property. There is a large building in the middle which is called the David O. McKay building. The surrounding communities use it for their stake conferences so that building may be kept. Paul Geno, of Agricultural Reserves Inc. (LDS church’s Farm Management), is wondering how to use the agricultural land around it. He has contacted Jack a few times to ask questions about what is being done at Lincoln University. It was really a fascinating place.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thoughts on this Sunday Evening
Sunday, May 2, 2010
I have been frantically working on genealogy this week. I have been gathering all these family names, making sure I have enough information to enter them into the church’s New Family Search website and then the monumental task of learning how to use the website. If you want to get on, you will see that Charles Watson Rowntree and Hannah Parks still have more than seven daughters. But at the first of the week they had nine. I was able to lose one, a duplicate. Mysterious Amy is still there. We really don’t know where she came from. I have researched here in New Zealand thinking that she may have belonged to another Rowntree/Rountree/Roundtree/Roantree family, but at this point I can not find an Amy.
Jack and I will go to Hamilton, New Zealand this week to go to the temple. I have wanted to take family names so have been trying to go through the process that is so tenuous and time consuming, but as of tonight, we will do 10 men and 10 women baptisms, seal 12 people to parents and seal 22 spouses together. And what is more fun is that Rachelle and Pepper arrived today and will go with us. Isn’t life just amazing?
We are actually working with four families: Elizabeth’s family, Emily’s family, Esther’s family and Ann Parks‘ (Hannah’s sister) family. It is just the first wave. I will spend my last seven weeks trying to put as many pieces of the puzzle in place as I can. But its that one member of the family I could not get any information on only to find out in New Family Search this person has been done…the only one in her family. Now they will all be together. Or that one son who was not on record anywhere but because I read his father’s will, I know he is the executor. I found out all his work had been done, including his two sons who died at infancy but he was not linked to his family. I will take no names to the temple for him, but he is joined to his family because I spent a few days at Archives New Zealand reading probates and wills.
So as I said my prayers last night, it just kept replaying in my mind that we should not be here. Jack should have died and I should be home dealing with that…and yet we are here. The miracles that seem to follow this process are amazing.
So why are we here in New Zealand. Sister Thompson in the Cashmere Ward says we are here so she has a piano player for her choir. She’s such a wonderful person I can see the Lord doing that. Or could it be a break from life that Jack and Robynn needed. Or is it to finally gather the Findlater family…a family of nine children whose temple names were all there waiting for someone to check the box on the computer…a family married into the Rowntree family that I “found later” after gathering information on spouses. I’m not sure why we are here, but I do know one thing for sure… I am not in charge. There is a higher power involved. So I try to take every opportunity to serve, “because I have been given much.” I love you family. I will let you know how the temple goes.
I have been frantically working on genealogy this week. I have been gathering all these family names, making sure I have enough information to enter them into the church’s New Family Search website and then the monumental task of learning how to use the website. If you want to get on, you will see that Charles Watson Rowntree and Hannah Parks still have more than seven daughters. But at the first of the week they had nine. I was able to lose one, a duplicate. Mysterious Amy is still there. We really don’t know where she came from. I have researched here in New Zealand thinking that she may have belonged to another Rowntree/Rountree/Roundtree/Roantree family, but at this point I can not find an Amy.
Jack and I will go to Hamilton, New Zealand this week to go to the temple. I have wanted to take family names so have been trying to go through the process that is so tenuous and time consuming, but as of tonight, we will do 10 men and 10 women baptisms, seal 12 people to parents and seal 22 spouses together. And what is more fun is that Rachelle and Pepper arrived today and will go with us. Isn’t life just amazing?
We are actually working with four families: Elizabeth’s family, Emily’s family, Esther’s family and Ann Parks‘ (Hannah’s sister) family. It is just the first wave. I will spend my last seven weeks trying to put as many pieces of the puzzle in place as I can. But its that one member of the family I could not get any information on only to find out in New Family Search this person has been done…the only one in her family. Now they will all be together. Or that one son who was not on record anywhere but because I read his father’s will, I know he is the executor. I found out all his work had been done, including his two sons who died at infancy but he was not linked to his family. I will take no names to the temple for him, but he is joined to his family because I spent a few days at Archives New Zealand reading probates and wills.
So as I said my prayers last night, it just kept replaying in my mind that we should not be here. Jack should have died and I should be home dealing with that…and yet we are here. The miracles that seem to follow this process are amazing.
So why are we here in New Zealand. Sister Thompson in the Cashmere Ward says we are here so she has a piano player for her choir. She’s such a wonderful person I can see the Lord doing that. Or could it be a break from life that Jack and Robynn needed. Or is it to finally gather the Findlater family…a family of nine children whose temple names were all there waiting for someone to check the box on the computer…a family married into the Rowntree family that I “found later” after gathering information on spouses. I’m not sure why we are here, but I do know one thing for sure… I am not in charge. There is a higher power involved. So I try to take every opportunity to serve, “because I have been given much.” I love you family. I will let you know how the temple goes.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Celebrating ANZAC Day
From Sunday, April 25, 2010
Last Sunday we celebrated ANZAC Day here in New Zealand. ANZAC Day is a day actually celebrated by two countries, New Zealand and Australia, similar to America’s Veterans Day. The initials stand for “Australian New Zealand Army Corps.” Australia and New Zealand joined forces at the beginning of World War I. They entered Gallipoli, Turkey; an ally of Germany’s, to try to end the war before it got bigger. They actually failed, and after 9 months and many casualties, they retreated. That was the beginning of ANZAC Day but has evolved with different wars since. Now, the “returning soldiers” (we call them veterans) are honored on this day and everyone wears a red poppy. (From the poem, “Flanders Field.”)
The red poppies are actually made here in Christchurch by a group of handicapped adults and circulated all over the country. Several years ago New Zealand tried to hand this job off to the Japanese, but the people in Christchurch petitioned for it to stay here, with the handicapped group. I was surprised to see so many people at church wearing the red poppy.
As I was playing prelude at church, the bishop came up to me to tell me he had just gotten word from the Stake President that we were to sing the New Zealand National Anthem in Sacrament Meeting. This day is celebrated with parades but since it fell on Sunday this year, we were in church and missed the parades. I get the idea that the New Zealand anthem is not known by everyone, especially not the Maori verse, so copies were distributed around the audience. I had actually brought my Lincoln University Choir book with the accompaniment of the National Anthem, which was good, since all they had that day was the melody and the words. We were asked to stand, a member of our ward gave a short memorial and we paused for a moment of silence. Then we say the song, “God save our New Zealand.” It really is a beautiful song and I hope I did it justice.
As I stood there, I remembered back on our last November Veterans Day. I spent it in Cedar. I went with Dad to the Master’s Singers patriotic concert that Howd sang in. It was wonderful. Later that week Dad and I went to the final dedication of the Cedar City war memorials on the banks of Coal Creek. As I stood for that moment of silence here in New Zealand on ANZAC Day, I was honored by the people who have come before me…especially those in our families …who have served to protect us from those who would take away our freedom. Happy ANZAC Day!
Last Sunday we celebrated ANZAC Day here in New Zealand. ANZAC Day is a day actually celebrated by two countries, New Zealand and Australia, similar to America’s Veterans Day. The initials stand for “Australian New Zealand Army Corps.” Australia and New Zealand joined forces at the beginning of World War I. They entered Gallipoli, Turkey; an ally of Germany’s, to try to end the war before it got bigger. They actually failed, and after 9 months and many casualties, they retreated. That was the beginning of ANZAC Day but has evolved with different wars since. Now, the “returning soldiers” (we call them veterans) are honored on this day and everyone wears a red poppy. (From the poem, “Flanders Field.”)
The red poppies are actually made here in Christchurch by a group of handicapped adults and circulated all over the country. Several years ago New Zealand tried to hand this job off to the Japanese, but the people in Christchurch petitioned for it to stay here, with the handicapped group. I was surprised to see so many people at church wearing the red poppy.
As I was playing prelude at church, the bishop came up to me to tell me he had just gotten word from the Stake President that we were to sing the New Zealand National Anthem in Sacrament Meeting. This day is celebrated with parades but since it fell on Sunday this year, we were in church and missed the parades. I get the idea that the New Zealand anthem is not known by everyone, especially not the Maori verse, so copies were distributed around the audience. I had actually brought my Lincoln University Choir book with the accompaniment of the National Anthem, which was good, since all they had that day was the melody and the words. We were asked to stand, a member of our ward gave a short memorial and we paused for a moment of silence. Then we say the song, “God save our New Zealand.” It really is a beautiful song and I hope I did it justice.
As I stood there, I remembered back on our last November Veterans Day. I spent it in Cedar. I went with Dad to the Master’s Singers patriotic concert that Howd sang in. It was wonderful. Later that week Dad and I went to the final dedication of the Cedar City war memorials on the banks of Coal Creek. As I stood for that moment of silence here in New Zealand on ANZAC Day, I was honored by the people who have come before me…especially those in our families …who have served to protect us from those who would take away our freedom. Happy ANZAC Day!
Friday, April 23, 2010
A visit to the Botanical Gardens
From April 19,2010
Christchurch is known as the Garden City. I have spent a lot of my time visiting it’s libraries and archives. So when some friends showed up from Ft. Collins, Jack went fishing with Joe Goodell and I took Kathy to the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. I had never been there. It was a beautiful day, a nice place to view beauty and visit with a good friend. The rose gardens were lovely and I gathered some ideas for an arbor I would like to put in the back yard of our house in Ft. Collins. We went into the green house, donated to the city in 1908. It was old and majestic. They used heated water through pipes to keep the building warm for the tropical plants. Then out the back door we moved into the Begonia house. The woman watering the plants immediately apologized, saying that this is the end of the season and the blooms were small. We just stood there astonished because the flowers were the size of dessert plates. Kathy asked an interesting question, “How do you think Heavenly Father came up with all these beautiful flowers?” What a lovely day at a beautiful place, visiting with a good friend.
Christchurch is known as the Garden City. I have spent a lot of my time visiting it’s libraries and archives. So when some friends showed up from Ft. Collins, Jack went fishing with Joe Goodell and I took Kathy to the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. I had never been there. It was a beautiful day, a nice place to view beauty and visit with a good friend. The rose gardens were lovely and I gathered some ideas for an arbor I would like to put in the back yard of our house in Ft. Collins. We went into the green house, donated to the city in 1908. It was old and majestic. They used heated water through pipes to keep the building warm for the tropical plants. Then out the back door we moved into the Begonia house. The woman watering the plants immediately apologized, saying that this is the end of the season and the blooms were small. We just stood there astonished because the flowers were the size of dessert plates. Kathy asked an interesting question, “How do you think Heavenly Father came up with all these beautiful flowers?” What a lovely day at a beautiful place, visiting with a good friend.
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A Very Traditional Graduation
From April 16, 2010
The yearly Lincoln University graduation was held April 16, 2010. You are probably thinking the same thing we were… why would graduation be in the middle of spring semester. We didn’t get an answer but we got to be there and I got to participate.
Soon after we arrived in New Zealand I read a flyer at the cafeteria here on Lincoln Campus. They were inviting people to join the university choir. I thought I would be the only none student, but actually, there were about four students and about thirty professors and staff. We were going to sing at graduation. We prepared several numbers, some I was familiar with. But I loved the opportunity to sing the New Zealand National Anthem, first verse in Maori, the second in English. We also sang a traditional German piece which is part of the British graduation tradition. Here are a few of our observations:
We were all to wear the traditional regalia. I got to wear the black gown, a master’s hood and the mortar board hat. It was fun to see all the other hoods from around the world, worn by teachers and administrators. I loved the hoods that were edged in fur. Graduation was held at Christchurch Town Hall in the auditorium. Graduation started with the in-house organ being played by a wonderful organist. The choir then sang twenty minutes, ending with a song accompanied by the organ, “Gloria In Excelsis Deo.” Then the graduates marched in. This was British graduation tradition with the Maori influence; then came the processional of the dignitaries, administrator and professors. The first man carried a gold scepter. Then as everyone was on the stage, in came the leaders of the local Maori tribe to welcome the guests. One woman chanted from the stage while three ladies in traditional cloaks chanted back. When the PhD’s got their diplomas…and everyone got their diplomas that day…the announcer read the title of each of their dissertations. Because 45 percent of the students are foreign students, it was very interesting to hear what the students were doing and how it was influenced by their home countries. A young man from Nairobi was doing something with chemicals in the soils of his country…and can I say he had on the coolest shoes. They were dress black European style shoes with the long narrow square toe but they had gold paisley designs on them. I wondered if we were distant relatives with my family’s need to wear sparkly, fun shoes at graduation. One of the LDS members of our ward graduated with her Master’s degree. She is Maori and wore her family Maori cloak over her black gown. She had had an emergency appendectomy eight days before and they had had to open her completely up. She even spoke in the graduation ceremony. What an impressive woman. But the thing Jack and I noticed most was the lack of air horns, no “Hi Mom” taped messaged on the top of the mortar board or balloons, no giant balls being pinged around the graduates, no flip-flops (Kiwis call them Jandles) and definitely no streakers. This ceremony was traditional and respectful. The students and professors were honored. It was lovely. I just kept thinking how much my mom would have loved it. I think we have lost something in America. We have become lax with many of our traditions. It was nice to remember why we attend and have graduations.
The yearly Lincoln University graduation was held April 16, 2010. You are probably thinking the same thing we were… why would graduation be in the middle of spring semester. We didn’t get an answer but we got to be there and I got to participate.
Soon after we arrived in New Zealand I read a flyer at the cafeteria here on Lincoln Campus. They were inviting people to join the university choir. I thought I would be the only none student, but actually, there were about four students and about thirty professors and staff. We were going to sing at graduation. We prepared several numbers, some I was familiar with. But I loved the opportunity to sing the New Zealand National Anthem, first verse in Maori, the second in English. We also sang a traditional German piece which is part of the British graduation tradition. Here are a few of our observations:
We were all to wear the traditional regalia. I got to wear the black gown, a master’s hood and the mortar board hat. It was fun to see all the other hoods from around the world, worn by teachers and administrators. I loved the hoods that were edged in fur. Graduation was held at Christchurch Town Hall in the auditorium. Graduation started with the in-house organ being played by a wonderful organist. The choir then sang twenty minutes, ending with a song accompanied by the organ, “Gloria In Excelsis Deo.” Then the graduates marched in. This was British graduation tradition with the Maori influence; then came the processional of the dignitaries, administrator and professors. The first man carried a gold scepter. Then as everyone was on the stage, in came the leaders of the local Maori tribe to welcome the guests. One woman chanted from the stage while three ladies in traditional cloaks chanted back. When the PhD’s got their diplomas…and everyone got their diplomas that day…the announcer read the title of each of their dissertations. Because 45 percent of the students are foreign students, it was very interesting to hear what the students were doing and how it was influenced by their home countries. A young man from Nairobi was doing something with chemicals in the soils of his country…and can I say he had on the coolest shoes. They were dress black European style shoes with the long narrow square toe but they had gold paisley designs on them. I wondered if we were distant relatives with my family’s need to wear sparkly, fun shoes at graduation. One of the LDS members of our ward graduated with her Master’s degree. She is Maori and wore her family Maori cloak over her black gown. She had had an emergency appendectomy eight days before and they had had to open her completely up. She even spoke in the graduation ceremony. What an impressive woman. But the thing Jack and I noticed most was the lack of air horns, no “Hi Mom” taped messaged on the top of the mortar board or balloons, no giant balls being pinged around the graduates, no flip-flops (Kiwis call them Jandles) and definitely no streakers. This ceremony was traditional and respectful. The students and professors were honored. It was lovely. I just kept thinking how much my mom would have loved it. I think we have lost something in America. We have become lax with many of our traditions. It was nice to remember why we attend and have graduations.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A Special Thank You!
From Friday, April 10, 2010
A note of thanks: When Dick, Becky and Cameron were here in New Zealand, we took a circular trip over the Southern Alps, through Lewis Pass, over to the west coast and back over Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch. We were enjoying ourselves, having the best time and seeing beautiful country when the Mazda died..dead, dead, dead. It was an older car but in good condition, so we were surprised. So Jack and Dick left Becky, Cameron and I with the car to hitch a ride for help. Becky proceeded to teach me how to crochet hot pads while Cameron went panning for gold. Jack and Dick found a van driver who was taking a couple back up the road about 10 kilometers to the train which was heading back to Christchurch. We did have some insurance to tow the car to the closest town and we were able to rent a car later that evening. Now this seems simple in the telling but wasn’t quite so easy. But even later that night I realized some amazing things. New Zealand is a really safe place and the people are extremely kind and helpful. We were definitely blessed in our travels. But I think we were blessed with family being there. Dick was amazing at dealing with the situation. Cameron saw an opportunity to get a little extra cash…wished he had found gold. And Becky again showed her talent in laughing at the situation and being extremely adaptable. Thank you! Things were tense at times but wonderful memories were still created. Some of my most favorite memories were times when things didn’t always turn out: pushing the VW up Smith Hill in a rain storm trying get to Dad on Cedar Mountain for Family Home Evening, going to the St. Louis Zoo on the hottest day of the year when my car died, and Jack would say that going down with Coy and Tyler to have his brain tumors Gamma Knifed was one of his favorite days that year. And remember, it was Cameron’s first train ride; lemons into lemonade. Thanks Guys! You were wonderful.
A note of thanks: When Dick, Becky and Cameron were here in New Zealand, we took a circular trip over the Southern Alps, through Lewis Pass, over to the west coast and back over Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch. We were enjoying ourselves, having the best time and seeing beautiful country when the Mazda died..dead, dead, dead. It was an older car but in good condition, so we were surprised. So Jack and Dick left Becky, Cameron and I with the car to hitch a ride for help. Becky proceeded to teach me how to crochet hot pads while Cameron went panning for gold. Jack and Dick found a van driver who was taking a couple back up the road about 10 kilometers to the train which was heading back to Christchurch. We did have some insurance to tow the car to the closest town and we were able to rent a car later that evening. Now this seems simple in the telling but wasn’t quite so easy. But even later that night I realized some amazing things. New Zealand is a really safe place and the people are extremely kind and helpful. We were definitely blessed in our travels. But I think we were blessed with family being there. Dick was amazing at dealing with the situation. Cameron saw an opportunity to get a little extra cash…wished he had found gold. And Becky again showed her talent in laughing at the situation and being extremely adaptable. Thank you! Things were tense at times but wonderful memories were still created. Some of my most favorite memories were times when things didn’t always turn out: pushing the VW up Smith Hill in a rain storm trying get to Dad on Cedar Mountain for Family Home Evening, going to the St. Louis Zoo on the hottest day of the year when my car died, and Jack would say that going down with Coy and Tyler to have his brain tumors Gamma Knifed was one of his favorite days that year. And remember, it was Cameron’s first train ride; lemons into lemonade. Thanks Guys! You were wonderful.
Kiakoura
From April 7, 2010
Jack’s brother Dick, wife Becky and son Cameron came to New Zealand to visit. We had not been to Kiakoura so we went on a road trip. Kiakoura (ky-core-a) is located on the coast about three hours north of Christchurch. There are several seal colonies there and we were not disappointed. The first beach we went to, the seals were lying around, resting, and you could go right up to them. There were several on rocks but some in the grassy areas. It seemed like a “no brainer” to me…sleep on rocks, sleep on grass. The only thing we could figure was that maybe the rocks were warm. I took a picture of a seal sleeping on his back, which couldn’t be comfortable. As I was walking around, I saw the most unusual rock with tentacles coming out. You would see seaweed floating on the water. I took a picture of the rock because it showed how the seaweed roots cling to the rock for support. Talk about Medusa…
We drove about 10 K’s north to another seal colony. We were a bit farther away but still got a close-up view of several hundred seals…mostly moms and little kids. I took a movie of the little seals playing in a pool made by the ocean receding at low tide. It was amazing to me how they could chase each other over the rocks so well with just their flippers. There are amazing creatures on this earth.
Jack’s brother Dick, wife Becky and son Cameron came to New Zealand to visit. We had not been to Kiakoura so we went on a road trip. Kiakoura (ky-core-a) is located on the coast about three hours north of Christchurch. There are several seal colonies there and we were not disappointed. The first beach we went to, the seals were lying around, resting, and you could go right up to them. There were several on rocks but some in the grassy areas. It seemed like a “no brainer” to me…sleep on rocks, sleep on grass. The only thing we could figure was that maybe the rocks were warm. I took a picture of a seal sleeping on his back, which couldn’t be comfortable. As I was walking around, I saw the most unusual rock with tentacles coming out. You would see seaweed floating on the water. I took a picture of the rock because it showed how the seaweed roots cling to the rock for support. Talk about Medusa…
We drove about 10 K’s north to another seal colony. We were a bit farther away but still got a close-up view of several hundred seals…mostly moms and little kids. I took a movie of the little seals playing in a pool made by the ocean receding at low tide. It was amazing to me how they could chase each other over the rocks so well with just their flippers. There are amazing creatures on this earth.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Our Easter Picnic
From April 4, 2010
We decided to escape to Oamaru, Easter weekend. It is located about three hours south, on the east coast. There are some unusual rocks at Moeraki Beach which were amazing. For about 50 meters there are sphere shaped rocks, supposedly formed on the sea bed about 60 million years. As you look from above you wonder why these boulders are on this small section of beach. These circular rocks are nowhere else. There is also a blue penguin colony. But the most memorable experience for Jack and I will be the side trip we took up the McKenzie Valley. For those of you following on a map, we went west on Hwy 83 toward Omarama and around to Geraldine. New Zealand has taken the Waitaki River and dammed it in several places for electrical power and have created some beautiful lakes. It is also beautiful farming country. We had already stopped several times to take pictures before we had gone 30 kilometers. Omarama country is known for the Merino sheep. As we circled around Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, we could see Mt. Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. It was a windy two lane highway, but Jack and I didn’t have anything to do but watch the beautiful scenery. We stopped for afternoon tea at Geraldine and were home by 6:00 p.m. We enjoy the popular tourist sites, but we will always feel more at home in the country. We experience a peace among the solitude of the mountains and valleys. We both enjoy this.
We decided to escape to Oamaru, Easter weekend. It is located about three hours south, on the east coast. There are some unusual rocks at Moeraki Beach which were amazing. For about 50 meters there are sphere shaped rocks, supposedly formed on the sea bed about 60 million years. As you look from above you wonder why these boulders are on this small section of beach. These circular rocks are nowhere else. There is also a blue penguin colony. But the most memorable experience for Jack and I will be the side trip we took up the McKenzie Valley. For those of you following on a map, we went west on Hwy 83 toward Omarama and around to Geraldine. New Zealand has taken the Waitaki River and dammed it in several places for electrical power and have created some beautiful lakes. It is also beautiful farming country. We had already stopped several times to take pictures before we had gone 30 kilometers. Omarama country is known for the Merino sheep. As we circled around Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, we could see Mt. Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. It was a windy two lane highway, but Jack and I didn’t have anything to do but watch the beautiful scenery. We stopped for afternoon tea at Geraldine and were home by 6:00 p.m. We enjoy the popular tourist sites, but we will always feel more at home in the country. We experience a peace among the solitude of the mountains and valleys. We both enjoy this.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Finding out about Thomas
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday I uncovered a mystery. Actually Cousin Leonie did. Leonie is a librarian at the Christchurch Library. One of the first days I was there, I was just leaving and had a few questions. She happened to be manning the New Zealand history desk. As we began to talk, she started asking questions about why my ancestors immigrated to the US. I told her that three of the sister’s joined the Mormon Church. Well, she just smiled. She is LDS also; but she is part of the family that didn’t join the church and stayed in Christchurch. She has only been a member for about 15 years. We realized our families were in north Christchurch at the same time and probably knew each other; hence the name “Cousin Leonie.” She is sending temple names to her family in Utah because getting to the New Zealand temple is so difficult. Last Friday I checked in with Cousin Leonie. She has a Master’s in Maori Studies so usually works in the Maori section, but at a slow period one day she started looking for a few people I had asked her about. Wow! I found out about Thomas Johnstone Drake. Who is he? This is what I found out.
Thomas Johnstone Drake married Elizabeth Rowntree 1884. (Remember, Elizabeth is the oldest sister.) They moved to Lyttelton which is a harbor just southeast of Christchurch. Thomas was a constable. They had seven children. I think they moved to Wellington where Thomas was a Sergeant. So why was he buried in Whangarei (pronounced Fon-gurr-ray)? There are several articles about him if you look up “Papers Past” and put in the actual phrase, “Thomas Johnstone Drake.” But the one Leonie found was this:
SUDDEN DEATH OF A POLICE SERGEANT
Whangarei, Saturday. Today Thomas Johnson Drake, Sergeant of Police, expired suddenly in Dr. Ventry Smith’s surgery, which is attached to the chemist’s shop of Mr. H. C. Hemus. At the conclusion of a court case he complained of pain in the heart, and went to consult the doctor. He was in the surgery only a minute when he placed his hands on his heart, with the words, “I’m going,” and fell dead. He leaves a widow and seven children.
So on June 6, 1908, Thomas died of a heart attack, leaving Elizabeth to finish raising the seven children; the oldest was 23 and the youngest was 9. She lived another 43 years, dying in 1951. As Cousin Leonie said, “Isn’t that so sad.”
Friday I uncovered a mystery. Actually Cousin Leonie did. Leonie is a librarian at the Christchurch Library. One of the first days I was there, I was just leaving and had a few questions. She happened to be manning the New Zealand history desk. As we began to talk, she started asking questions about why my ancestors immigrated to the US. I told her that three of the sister’s joined the Mormon Church. Well, she just smiled. She is LDS also; but she is part of the family that didn’t join the church and stayed in Christchurch. She has only been a member for about 15 years. We realized our families were in north Christchurch at the same time and probably knew each other; hence the name “Cousin Leonie.” She is sending temple names to her family in Utah because getting to the New Zealand temple is so difficult. Last Friday I checked in with Cousin Leonie. She has a Master’s in Maori Studies so usually works in the Maori section, but at a slow period one day she started looking for a few people I had asked her about. Wow! I found out about Thomas Johnstone Drake. Who is he? This is what I found out.
Thomas Johnstone Drake married Elizabeth Rowntree 1884. (Remember, Elizabeth is the oldest sister.) They moved to Lyttelton which is a harbor just southeast of Christchurch. Thomas was a constable. They had seven children. I think they moved to Wellington where Thomas was a Sergeant. So why was he buried in Whangarei (pronounced Fon-gurr-ray)? There are several articles about him if you look up “Papers Past” and put in the actual phrase, “Thomas Johnstone Drake.” But the one Leonie found was this:
SUDDEN DEATH OF A POLICE SERGEANT
Whangarei, Saturday. Today Thomas Johnson Drake, Sergeant of Police, expired suddenly in Dr. Ventry Smith’s surgery, which is attached to the chemist’s shop of Mr. H. C. Hemus. At the conclusion of a court case he complained of pain in the heart, and went to consult the doctor. He was in the surgery only a minute when he placed his hands on his heart, with the words, “I’m going,” and fell dead. He leaves a widow and seven children.
So on June 6, 1908, Thomas died of a heart attack, leaving Elizabeth to finish raising the seven children; the oldest was 23 and the youngest was 9. She lived another 43 years, dying in 1951. As Cousin Leonie said, “Isn’t that so sad.”
History lesson
Friday, March 26, 2010
Here is a bit of New Zealand history. It is an amazing story. Some Polynesians came here about 1300 B.C. They came and went until about 1500 BC when a group stayed and the Maori were developed. About 1750, Captain Cook brought a ship of explorers and scientists and mapped the islands. For the next hundred years or so, people trickled in, mainly whalers. Unlike Australia, New Zealand was not started with convicts. Christchurch was established for the upper-class farmer. This didn’t go exactly as planned because many kinds of agriculturists came. In about 1850, four ship-loads of immigrants sailed into Lyttelton Harbor, and are said to be the “pilgrims” of Christchurch. This past week I found the ship lists of the “Mermaid”. She left England on 30 September 1862 and sailed into Lyttelton Harber 26 December 1862. On the ships lists were: George Farquhar, 26; Ann Farquhar, 23; Mary Jane Farquhar, infant; and Hannah Parks, 17. Ann was Hannah’s older sister. It seems amazing how early they were here, some of the first pioneers in New Zealand.
Here is a bit of New Zealand history. It is an amazing story. Some Polynesians came here about 1300 B.C. They came and went until about 1500 BC when a group stayed and the Maori were developed. About 1750, Captain Cook brought a ship of explorers and scientists and mapped the islands. For the next hundred years or so, people trickled in, mainly whalers. Unlike Australia, New Zealand was not started with convicts. Christchurch was established for the upper-class farmer. This didn’t go exactly as planned because many kinds of agriculturists came. In about 1850, four ship-loads of immigrants sailed into Lyttelton Harbor, and are said to be the “pilgrims” of Christchurch. This past week I found the ship lists of the “Mermaid”. She left England on 30 September 1862 and sailed into Lyttelton Harber 26 December 1862. On the ships lists were: George Farquhar, 26; Ann Farquhar, 23; Mary Jane Farquhar, infant; and Hannah Parks, 17. Ann was Hannah’s older sister. It seems amazing how early they were here, some of the first pioneers in New Zealand.
Ringing Bells
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I wanted to share a fun experience Jack and I had last week. I teach three youth at church organ lessons on Wednesday night at about 6:00. That night I was coming down with a cold and I didn’t feel my best but went into town anyway. Afterwards, I said to Jack, “Let’s go listen to the bells at St. Paul’s church.” They practice bell-ringing on Wednesday night at 7:30 and ring them at 9:30 Sunday morning. St. Paul’s church is where Hannah Parks and Charles Watson Rowntree are buried, and where they were married and the girls were christened. This was about the 5th church established in Christchurch. The original building was never intended to be permanent. It was built soon after the town was founded (early 1850’s). A new church was built in 1873 which still stands today. (Remember, Great Grandmother Jane Rowntree was born in 1868.) In about 1880, a prominent family donated 5 of the 8 bells to the church. Now these aren’t the bells we are used to. There are now 8. You stand in the tower in a circle, eight people each holding on to a rope. We know this because on that night, there was a man who had come from England to experience ringing the bells in Christchurch. He just walked in, so Jack and I did as well. We climbed the steps to the tower room and the people just kindly let us in and showed us “the ropes.” (That’s a little bell ringing humor.) There is a pattern and everyone knows the different patterns. They may start with one pattern and then change to the next. The only pattern I could discern was a scale starting at the top and coming down, over and over again. The other patterns were not patterns to me. It was just fun and afterwards, Jack and I stood outside and listened. “Hey Jack?” “What.” “We’re in New Zealand.”
I wanted to share a fun experience Jack and I had last week. I teach three youth at church organ lessons on Wednesday night at about 6:00. That night I was coming down with a cold and I didn’t feel my best but went into town anyway. Afterwards, I said to Jack, “Let’s go listen to the bells at St. Paul’s church.” They practice bell-ringing on Wednesday night at 7:30 and ring them at 9:30 Sunday morning. St. Paul’s church is where Hannah Parks and Charles Watson Rowntree are buried, and where they were married and the girls were christened. This was about the 5th church established in Christchurch. The original building was never intended to be permanent. It was built soon after the town was founded (early 1850’s). A new church was built in 1873 which still stands today. (Remember, Great Grandmother Jane Rowntree was born in 1868.) In about 1880, a prominent family donated 5 of the 8 bells to the church. Now these aren’t the bells we are used to. There are now 8. You stand in the tower in a circle, eight people each holding on to a rope. We know this because on that night, there was a man who had come from England to experience ringing the bells in Christchurch. He just walked in, so Jack and I did as well. We climbed the steps to the tower room and the people just kindly let us in and showed us “the ropes.” (That’s a little bell ringing humor.) There is a pattern and everyone knows the different patterns. They may start with one pattern and then change to the next. The only pattern I could discern was a scale starting at the top and coming down, over and over again. The other patterns were not patterns to me. It was just fun and afterwards, Jack and I stood outside and listened. “Hey Jack?” “What.” “We’re in New Zealand.”
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Getting a little behind
Sunday, March 21, 2010
There has been a delay in my blogging. It was time to feed the CSU students, I caught a cold, I was asked to speak in church and I had to teach a Sunday school lesson to 6 year olds.
We feed about 20 people on Monday. The hamburgers were a hit and I even found American Ketchup. Here they have what is called, “Tomato Sauce.” It is kind of like ketchup and I really like it. But the CSU students seemed to be missing American food. Since it is fall here, corn-on-the-cob is in the stores and I even set out two chunks of real butter to roll it in. It was a nice time hearing what everyone has been doing. Several of the students had gone over to the west coast to the “bug fest.” I don’t know what it is called, but they cook a lot of unusual things and everyone eats it. It seems gross to me but I guess about 20,000 people show up. Most of the students camped out on the beaches. I overheard one of the girls say she didn’t shower all weekend. When I asked why, she said the lines for the showers were really long. “Gosh, wish I could have gone.” NOT!!!
Saturday March 13, 2010, Jack and I attempted to find Lake Coleridge. It is a beautiful lake and we took pictures when we finally found it. The maps weren’t exactly accurate and there aren’t many ways to get there. Meanwhile, as we are driving, we came across the Rakaia Gorge which was stunning. I took a movie. I will see if I can upload it to the blog. Apparently it is a great fishing spot. We are trying to get a few students to go there and try it out for us. Again, you are driving on two lane highways, which for the most part aren’t bad. There isn’t much traffic which saves the day. The bridges become a bit dicey. Usually they are only one lane. So who goes first? There is a rule and eventually you figure it out. One side of the bridge is marked with a line across the road before the entrance of the bridge. That is the side that yields to the other side. Sometimes it is well marked, sometimes it is not.
Yesterday there was a Relief Society (Women’s) meeting at the church in the morning. Jack came about noon to pick me up and we went to the Wilderness Exhibit north of Christchurch. It was a path through nature with a lot of animals. It kind of reminded us of Willow Park in Logan, Utah, but we did see a Kiwi (the bird, not the fruit). Kiwis are nocturnal so seeing one in the wild doesn’t happen very often. I’m not sure I need to go back again, but it was a beautiful day to wander through woods. Jack and I really enjoyed ourselves.
I will try to do better about keeping up with the blog.
There has been a delay in my blogging. It was time to feed the CSU students, I caught a cold, I was asked to speak in church and I had to teach a Sunday school lesson to 6 year olds.
We feed about 20 people on Monday. The hamburgers were a hit and I even found American Ketchup. Here they have what is called, “Tomato Sauce.” It is kind of like ketchup and I really like it. But the CSU students seemed to be missing American food. Since it is fall here, corn-on-the-cob is in the stores and I even set out two chunks of real butter to roll it in. It was a nice time hearing what everyone has been doing. Several of the students had gone over to the west coast to the “bug fest.” I don’t know what it is called, but they cook a lot of unusual things and everyone eats it. It seems gross to me but I guess about 20,000 people show up. Most of the students camped out on the beaches. I overheard one of the girls say she didn’t shower all weekend. When I asked why, she said the lines for the showers were really long. “Gosh, wish I could have gone.” NOT!!!
Saturday March 13, 2010, Jack and I attempted to find Lake Coleridge. It is a beautiful lake and we took pictures when we finally found it. The maps weren’t exactly accurate and there aren’t many ways to get there. Meanwhile, as we are driving, we came across the Rakaia Gorge which was stunning. I took a movie. I will see if I can upload it to the blog. Apparently it is a great fishing spot. We are trying to get a few students to go there and try it out for us. Again, you are driving on two lane highways, which for the most part aren’t bad. There isn’t much traffic which saves the day. The bridges become a bit dicey. Usually they are only one lane. So who goes first? There is a rule and eventually you figure it out. One side of the bridge is marked with a line across the road before the entrance of the bridge. That is the side that yields to the other side. Sometimes it is well marked, sometimes it is not.
Yesterday there was a Relief Society (Women’s) meeting at the church in the morning. Jack came about noon to pick me up and we went to the Wilderness Exhibit north of Christchurch. It was a path through nature with a lot of animals. It kind of reminded us of Willow Park in Logan, Utah, but we did see a Kiwi (the bird, not the fruit). Kiwis are nocturnal so seeing one in the wild doesn’t happen very often. I’m not sure I need to go back again, but it was a beautiful day to wander through woods. Jack and I really enjoyed ourselves.
I will try to do better about keeping up with the blog.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Jack's Report
Field Trip #2 – Lincoln University – 18 March 2010
One of the great things they do here at LU is about five times during the semester there is a field trip day. On these days, all classes are cancelled to avoid class conflicts for students and everyone goes on a field trip. The instructors for the courses just build this into schedule. Today was the second field trip for me. Both of the field trips I have gone on are a combination of 3 classes – Animal Science 203, Farm Management 203 and Plant Science 203. A great way to get integration of topics and expertise. Today we visited a non-irrigated sheep farm near Darfield in Canterbury (Canterbury is a region/section of the South Island, I think it is a similar designation as county in the US.) – about 40 miles west and slightly north of Lincoln.
There were three buses, about 130 students and 5-6 instructors. The farmer we visited was named Peter. I did not get a handout and missed his last name, so it will be just Peter for now. I also missed the size of his property, but he runs 2100 Corridale ewes. He grew up on this farm so he knows it well and is a good farmer, it was apparent. The connection LU came a few years ago when one of the agronomists from LU, Derrick Moore (?) spoke at a field day that was hosted in Peter’s recognition for being named Corridale breeder of the year.
I’ll use a series of bullet points to give an overview of the day and Peter’s farming operation:
· Soils are light with little water holding capacity, therefore management to retain and use available moisture is key to success. We learned several things he does to accomplish this.
· Annual forage budgeting is key to balancing supply and demand. Perennial ryegrass/clover pastures make up 60% of the crops; 30% in Lucerne (that’s alfalfa for the non-British); 10% in a green feed crop like Kale or Rape for use during winter months.
· Use of brassica forage crops like kale, turnips, etc. for winter forage for both sheep and dairy cows.
· Pastures start to green up in late September – November and March are the best pasture months. June, July and August are forage deficit months. The green feed helps fill the void, and he feeds alfalfa hay and barley straw to make up the difference.
· Sub-Mediterranean clover is his choice of clover, it’s an annual, produces a hard seed, withstands hot summer sun better than white clover since the white clover has above ground stolons that are susceptible to desiccation by sun and Sub clover is deeper rooted.
· The group of students are diverse, but seem to have a pretty good grasp of production practices. Most of the Kiwi students come from farms here in NZ. About 40% are international students so they are learning how farming is done here in NZ. It is good for them.
As we rode back on the bus after the field trip, I got thinking how fortunate Robynn and I to be here. It’s a great learning experience and a chance to refresh and reflect on where I am in my career and vocation. I’ve been able to write 3-4 manuscripts thus far and revise and improve some of the things I used in classes and extension teaching. The only regret is that the time is going by so fast. Seems like we just got here.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Cemetery hopping
Thursday, March 11, 2010
What an amazing day! Jack and I woke up to rain. We had decided to visit the cemeteries of Jane’s three sisters who stayed here in Christchurch, but like they told us before we left for New Zealand, “if you wait for good weather to do something you will never do anything.” So off we went with our raincoats.
We first went to Waimairi (pronounced, y-e-mary) Cemetery. Jack and I had visited this cemetery before thinking some ancestors could be buried there because it was close to Papanui. Elizabeth Rowntree Drake was buried here, alone. Remember her policeman husband was buried way up on the north island.
What an amazing day! Jack and I woke up to rain. We had decided to visit the cemeteries of Jane’s three sisters who stayed here in Christchurch, but like they told us before we left for New Zealand, “if you wait for good weather to do something you will never do anything.” So off we went with our raincoats.
We first went to Waimairi (pronounced, y-e-mary) Cemetery. Jack and I had visited this cemetery before thinking some ancestors could be buried there because it was close to Papanui. Elizabeth Rowntree Drake was buried here, alone. Remember her policeman husband was buried way up on the north island.
The other graves we visited were nine rows away; Esther and John Clark, Jane’s youngest sister. Jack and I learned an interesting thing. They bury people on top of people. When we got to Esther and John’s head stone, we found out that they’re daughter, Lavinia and her husband had been buried on top of Esther’s parents. Lavinia is the only girl with three brothers. Now I knew her married name.
For some reason John’s information has been gold treated but not Esther's. The gravestone reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ESTHER
BELOVED WIFE OF
JOHN CLARK
DIED 18TH OCT 1945
AGED 73
ALSO JOHN
BELOVED HUSBAND OF ABOVE
DIED 18TH OCT. 1945
AGED 87 YEARS
The next cemetery was Bromley Cemetery in the south east part of Christchurch. It was more of a stark cemetery, not fancy or cared for. This is where Emily was buried. Her headstone was difficult to read:
REMEMBERANCE
GIDEAN
BELOVED HUSBAND OF
EMILY WILLIAMSON
BORN SHETLAND ISLANDS
1864-1945
ALSO HIS LOVED WIFE
EMILY
1869-1950
Emily and Gideon’s son Ernest is buried here as are both of his wives: Elsie Mary died at 44 years old. Ernest was buried with 2nd wife Mary above. Interesting.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ESTHER
BELOVED WIFE OF
JOHN CLARK
DIED 18TH OCT 1945
AGED 73
ALSO JOHN
BELOVED HUSBAND OF ABOVE
DIED 18TH OCT. 1945
AGED 87 YEARS
The next cemetery was Bromley Cemetery in the south east part of Christchurch. It was more of a stark cemetery, not fancy or cared for. This is where Emily was buried. Her headstone was difficult to read:
REMEMBERANCE
GIDEAN
BELOVED HUSBAND OF
EMILY WILLIAMSON
BORN SHETLAND ISLANDS
1864-1945
ALSO HIS LOVED WIFE
EMILY
1869-1950
Emily and Gideon’s son Ernest is buried here as are both of his wives: Elsie Mary died at 44 years old. Ernest was buried with 2nd wife Mary above. Interesting.
We ended our rainy day at the Linwood Cemetery where George and Ann Farquhar are buried. I was able to answer some date questions with this headstone. This cemetery might have been a prosperous cemetery as the headstones were large and ornate. What surprised Jack and I was the destruction of the headstones. It appeared the earth has settled on several, making the gravestones fall and break. But it was also evident that vandalism was prevalent. We also noticed for the first time graffiti all over.
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Working on loose ends
Tuesday, March 8, 2010
Today I spent the day in Christchurch. They are getting ready for the Ellerslie International Flower Show. They seem to be shutting down all of downtown. It is set up at Hadley Park so it makes it hard to park. I made an executive decision to get all the things I needed done in downtown Christchurch until next week. I first gathered some information about Christchurch at the Information Center. They have a trolley that take people around and explains the high points of downtown Christchurch. I guess they also have a tram ride and boating on a small river through town; something to think about.
Then I went to the Library. I worked on several loose ends and burial places. Elizabeth’s husband did die on the north island as a Sergeant in the police but I still don’t know why. The Kioreroa Cemetery is at the very top of the north island in Otaika. The information I read said, “..a few headstones still remain at the edge of the wooded area. Quite a few headstones are missing, some have been knocked over and could not be shifted and some are broken and scattered over a large area.” But googling the cemetery, it sounds like they are renovating it which is good. Thomas’s stone still seems to be there:
“Sacred to the memory of Sergt THOMAS JOHNSTONE DRAKE, beloved husband of Elizabeth Drake, who died 6th June 1908, aged 48 yrs. “In the midst of life we are in death.” Erected by his loving family.” I will visit cemeteries on Thursday.
Then I went to the Canterbury Museum. I am always up for a good museum and I was not disappointed. First I went to their research area. I was looking for the “G R Macdonald Dictionary of Canterbury Biographies.” Macdonald was a man who went around talking to all of the early settlers. He would interview them or their families and write down something about them on a little piece of paper. He apparently had written something about Charles Watson Rowntree and George Farquhar. You probably don’t know who George Farquhar is. If you look in your genealogy Dad gave you for Christmas, you will see that Hannah Parks Rowntree had a sister. Actually she had two but I haven’t found the other one yet. Ann’s husband is “George Falkner” but it is actually Farquhar. So this is what I found about Charles and George:
“Charles Watson Rountree lab. man [labouror] Papanui ’63 Anna [Hannah] Parkes Papanui M.R.”
“Farquhar, George (1836-1912) was born in Co. Armagh and described himself as a farm lab. He arrived in N.Z. by the Mermaid 26.12.62 [26 Dec. 1862] with his wife Ann, 23 and his dau. Mary Jane. He [died] 13.5.12 [13 May 1912] at 83. Wife Ann 28.5.17 [28 May 1917] at 74. Only dau. Minnie [died] 23.1.23 [23 Jan. 1923] at 60.”
I was also able to go on a quick tour of the museum and found some pictures of several places. I will go back and see if I can get come copies of the old pictures: Harewood school, St. Paul’s Church, etc. Home late but a wonderful day.
I
Today I spent the day in Christchurch. They are getting ready for the Ellerslie International Flower Show. They seem to be shutting down all of downtown. It is set up at Hadley Park so it makes it hard to park. I made an executive decision to get all the things I needed done in downtown Christchurch until next week. I first gathered some information about Christchurch at the Information Center. They have a trolley that take people around and explains the high points of downtown Christchurch. I guess they also have a tram ride and boating on a small river through town; something to think about.
Then I went to the Library. I worked on several loose ends and burial places. Elizabeth’s husband did die on the north island as a Sergeant in the police but I still don’t know why. The Kioreroa Cemetery is at the very top of the north island in Otaika. The information I read said, “..a few headstones still remain at the edge of the wooded area. Quite a few headstones are missing, some have been knocked over and could not be shifted and some are broken and scattered over a large area.” But googling the cemetery, it sounds like they are renovating it which is good. Thomas’s stone still seems to be there:
“Sacred to the memory of Sergt THOMAS JOHNSTONE DRAKE, beloved husband of Elizabeth Drake, who died 6th June 1908, aged 48 yrs. “In the midst of life we are in death.” Erected by his loving family.” I will visit cemeteries on Thursday.
Then I went to the Canterbury Museum. I am always up for a good museum and I was not disappointed. First I went to their research area. I was looking for the “G R Macdonald Dictionary of Canterbury Biographies.” Macdonald was a man who went around talking to all of the early settlers. He would interview them or their families and write down something about them on a little piece of paper. He apparently had written something about Charles Watson Rowntree and George Farquhar. You probably don’t know who George Farquhar is. If you look in your genealogy Dad gave you for Christmas, you will see that Hannah Parks Rowntree had a sister. Actually she had two but I haven’t found the other one yet. Ann’s husband is “George Falkner” but it is actually Farquhar. So this is what I found about Charles and George:
“Charles Watson Rountree lab. man [labouror] Papanui ’63 Anna [Hannah] Parkes Papanui M.R.”
“Farquhar, George (1836-1912) was born in Co. Armagh and described himself as a farm lab. He arrived in N.Z. by the Mermaid 26.12.62 [26 Dec. 1862] with his wife Ann, 23 and his dau. Mary Jane. He [died] 13.5.12 [13 May 1912] at 83. Wife Ann 28.5.17 [28 May 1917] at 74. Only dau. Minnie [died] 23.1.23 [23 Jan. 1923] at 60.”
I was also able to go on a quick tour of the museum and found some pictures of several places. I will go back and see if I can get come copies of the old pictures: Harewood school, St. Paul’s Church, etc. Home late but a wonderful day.
I
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Ward Organist
Sunday, March 7, 2010
I have become the ward organist. A few of you have heard the story. The first Sunday I was there, after church the elderly woman who leads the singing in sacrament meeting asked me if I could play the piano. I told her I could and she was so excited, saying something like, “I have been praying for a piano player.” She asked if I could play for the choir and I said yes. They would start practice next Sunday.
The next week was our first time driving to church by ourselves. Jack and I had gotten lost but we knew we might so we left early. We walked in about 9:25 and people on the stand were worried. They motioned me to come up. I went to the stand and said, “Would you like me to play for sacrament meeting?” They said, “Yes.” As the meeting was started the bishopric member mentioned something about having the music people show up on time. So afterward, I asked if they had a piano player. They said no. I asked if they would like me to play every week? They said yes. I guess they thought someone had asked me. I’m kinda used to being called to positions, but I guess they do things a bit different. That’s okay, I can do different.
The next week I decided I should play the organ. I went about a half hour early because I couldn’t get into the building during the week. I am not a very good organist. In my ward in Colorado, there are several very accomplished organists, but they all have small children. I was called about a year ago to play the organ. So I sat down to look over this organ. It was very simple and after a few minutes, I was able to figure out a nice sound but I am still learning the pedals. The first song hardly anyone sang. It wasn’t a common hymn but I wondered if maybe they didn’t play the organ for some reason. Afterward, I mentioned something to the chorister, but she said it sounded great. An elderly Maori man came up to me and said that it had been a long time since someone had played the organ for sacrament meeting.
Yesterday, I got to church early enough to get a mellow sound for prelude and one for singing. Things went okay. I would surely like to get the hymns before 9:25 Sunday morning so I could practice, but I don’t think they do things that way. After sacrament they asked me if I could play for a baptism. I said, “Sure.” After church I went to the primary room to start some prelude. The bishopric member who was conducting put a men’s choir hymn on the piano and said they would be singing it. The hymn had been transposed, could I play it? I said, “Yes.” He said I just needed to play the introduction. Now this had happened the week before. A priesthood men’s choir had sang in sacrament meeting. It consisted of the Polynesian men and sang part of it in Maori. I played the introduction and they took over singing accapela. So I thought that is how they would do it this time. It came time for the song, I started the introduction. Half way through the introduction, the man singing said, “That’s not the one I’m singing, I’m singing hymn, 220.” So I quickly changed to hymn #220. He starts singing and I quit to let him sing. He stops and looks at me and motions for me to keep playing. So I played for him. Now my back is to him and he is singing kind of what I would call the “Don Ho” version, so the tempos are very liberal. I just have to follow closely to what I hear. Thus continues the experiences to this ward organist.
I have become the ward organist. A few of you have heard the story. The first Sunday I was there, after church the elderly woman who leads the singing in sacrament meeting asked me if I could play the piano. I told her I could and she was so excited, saying something like, “I have been praying for a piano player.” She asked if I could play for the choir and I said yes. They would start practice next Sunday.
The next week was our first time driving to church by ourselves. Jack and I had gotten lost but we knew we might so we left early. We walked in about 9:25 and people on the stand were worried. They motioned me to come up. I went to the stand and said, “Would you like me to play for sacrament meeting?” They said, “Yes.” As the meeting was started the bishopric member mentioned something about having the music people show up on time. So afterward, I asked if they had a piano player. They said no. I asked if they would like me to play every week? They said yes. I guess they thought someone had asked me. I’m kinda used to being called to positions, but I guess they do things a bit different. That’s okay, I can do different.
The next week I decided I should play the organ. I went about a half hour early because I couldn’t get into the building during the week. I am not a very good organist. In my ward in Colorado, there are several very accomplished organists, but they all have small children. I was called about a year ago to play the organ. So I sat down to look over this organ. It was very simple and after a few minutes, I was able to figure out a nice sound but I am still learning the pedals. The first song hardly anyone sang. It wasn’t a common hymn but I wondered if maybe they didn’t play the organ for some reason. Afterward, I mentioned something to the chorister, but she said it sounded great. An elderly Maori man came up to me and said that it had been a long time since someone had played the organ for sacrament meeting.
Yesterday, I got to church early enough to get a mellow sound for prelude and one for singing. Things went okay. I would surely like to get the hymns before 9:25 Sunday morning so I could practice, but I don’t think they do things that way. After sacrament they asked me if I could play for a baptism. I said, “Sure.” After church I went to the primary room to start some prelude. The bishopric member who was conducting put a men’s choir hymn on the piano and said they would be singing it. The hymn had been transposed, could I play it? I said, “Yes.” He said I just needed to play the introduction. Now this had happened the week before. A priesthood men’s choir had sang in sacrament meeting. It consisted of the Polynesian men and sang part of it in Maori. I played the introduction and they took over singing accapela. So I thought that is how they would do it this time. It came time for the song, I started the introduction. Half way through the introduction, the man singing said, “That’s not the one I’m singing, I’m singing hymn, 220.” So I quickly changed to hymn #220. He starts singing and I quit to let him sing. He stops and looks at me and motions for me to keep playing. So I played for him. Now my back is to him and he is singing kind of what I would call the “Don Ho” version, so the tempos are very liberal. I just have to follow closely to what I hear. Thus continues the experiences to this ward organist.
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