tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453792360015486892.post6342641661205357632..comments2024-03-28T08:02:44.699-07:00Comments on Perfume Project NW: WHAT’S KEEPING ME FROM WRITING? (And Winner of the Draw)Doc Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08376377441504529063noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453792360015486892.post-35345713605271204632013-08-19T11:55:03.460-07:002013-08-19T11:55:03.460-07:00Gail, I hope that I can inject some appreciation f...Gail, I hope that I can inject some appreciation for exploration, self-expression, and creative endeavors into the "hard science" class. If things continue as they are now, I think a lot of the kids will find that they can't even work for the man and the corporation because everything has been completely automated and outsourced. <br /><br />I'm afraid what they will experience is being trained to work for the corporations, and unable to adapt and make their own way when the promised high-paying jobs don't materialize. That's why I try to emphasize communication skills, ability to work independently, and critical, creative thinking in all of my classes. A lot of students don't like it because they just want to mindlessly memorize information up to the point of recognition and take multiple-choice tests. <br /><br />Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617147322518152988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453792360015486892.post-65391325755146788762013-08-19T11:46:09.062-07:002013-08-19T11:46:09.062-07:00Belle, I'll write something about lavender and...Belle, I'll write something about lavender and lavender judging later this week. Figs taste like ... well, they taste like figs. Sweet, juicy, honey-like, fruity, green, lactonic, and aromatic. Different varieties have different tastes. We grow three different varieties, all of which thrive and produce prolifically. <br /><br />The course I'm teaching is for beginning university students. Over the years I've seen interest switch almost completely from the arts to the sciences. All of the students sign up for the courses that sound like prerequisites to get into medical school or an engineering program, and no one signs up for arts, music, writing, or anything creative, so those classes get canceled. It's a consumer's market. <br /><br />In the US. many students graduate from the university with a huge amount of debt because tuition is so expensive and the economy is so bad. I think that's what drives the preference for courses that are perceived as "practical". Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617147322518152988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453792360015486892.post-54685133476938287752013-08-18T10:20:10.957-07:002013-08-18T10:20:10.957-07:00I'm sorry you have had to modify your upcoming...I'm sorry you have had to modify your upcoming class to suite the economic expectations of your new students and/or their parents.<br />I like the way Belle puts it in her comment "Art gives us a chance to explore and express ourselves..." (and thank you Belle for the congrats!).<br />I imagine these hard science kids, if they are lucky, will figure this out when they are in their mid forties or so and perhaps lament the years they spent working for the man and the corporation. Or maybe not! <br /><br />Living and teaching music doesn't afford us every material product and convenience but we enjoy our lives everyday. And thanks again, Ellen, for making "perfume for the people".<br /> Azarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08011756547431804355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453792360015486892.post-39585731119729778952013-08-18T06:40:30.285-07:002013-08-18T06:40:30.285-07:00How does a lavender judging class go? I'm quit...How does a lavender judging class go? I'm quite curious o_o And how do figs taste like? Those don't exist where I live, and they don't import them much either.<br /><br />Ugh, I hate how much focus there is on hard sciences. Art gives us the chance to explore and express ourselves, wherein science is more static and structural. Plus, money isn't everything in the world. In my opinion, it's more about living life is what's worth.<br /><br />And congrats to you, Gail!Bellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453792360015486892.post-25984592145375588672013-08-17T22:20:25.629-07:002013-08-17T22:20:25.629-07:00That is Brad sniffing the lavender!
I don't ...That is Brad sniffing the lavender! <br /><br />I don't think we have chiggers here, but I've been bitten by mosquitoes this summer while chopping down blackberry bushes. The garden spiders are everywhere!<br /><br />Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617147322518152988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453792360015486892.post-17604290976468765372013-08-17T19:28:28.250-07:002013-08-17T19:28:28.250-07:00WOW! Thank you, Ellen. Now I have to choose!
I...WOW! Thank you, Ellen. Now I have to choose! <br /><br />In the above photo of the lavender field it looks like Brad sniffing the flowers! He is so into lavender now. A still is definitely on the short list. I have to contact Misha again about how and what best to plant on our bank. <br /><br />About the spiders: We were out planting more cedar trees and Brad was attacked by small spiders or chiggers or something. They really got him! (I think I was protected by the perfume I was wearing.) We have more the the usual number of big house spiders this year and garden spiders everywhere. Spiders and fruits all seem to be earlier this year. I would give our plums about four days, which means we will have to pick them earlier. The raccoons can read my mind! Azarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08011756547431804355noreply@blogger.com