Columbus Day, or "The Things That Haven't Been Done Before. . ."

by Edgar A. Guest

"It is said that if you hold a stick in front of the foremost sheep in a flock that files down a trail in the mountains, he will jump it - and that every sheep thereafter will jump when he reaches the spot, even if the stick be removed. So are many people mere unthinking imitators, blind to facts and opportunities about them. The air was not part of the domain of humanity till the Wright brothers made themselves birdmen.

~Audrey's "ship"~

The things that haven't been done before, Those are the things to try; Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore At the rim of the far-flung sky, And his heart was bold and his faith was strong As he ventured in dangers new, And he paid no heed to the jeering throng Or the fears of the doubting crew. ~Tasha's "ship"~ The many will follow the beaten track With guideposts on the way, They live and have lived for ages back With a chart for every day. Someone has told them it's safe to go On the road he has traveled o'er, And all that they ever strive to know Are the things that were known before. ~Making Columbus Day lapbooks~ A few strike out, without map or chart, Where never a man has been, From the beaten paths they draw apart To see what no man has seen. There are deeds they hunger alone to do; Though battered and bruised and sore, They blaze the path for the many, who Do nothing not done before. ~More lapbook/ship-building fun~ The things that haven't been done before Are the tasks worth while to-day; Are you one of the flock that follows, or Are you one that shall lead the way? Are you one of the timid souls that quail At the jeers of a doubting crew, Or dare you, whether you win or fail, Strike out for a goal that's new?" ~Tracing yet another ship~ Dear Readers, Happy Autumn, er, Winter, er Columbus Day! We are enjoying a winter wonderland here in our neck of the woods. Just when we got our Autumn decorations out, Old Man Winter decided to make an appearance instead! Poor Cold-Toed Biddies! Bare feet or snow coats, it's so confusing! It's a good thing everyone's good at indoors entertainment: Baby Moses and snake friend (eek!) "Gotcha!" We had a pleasant Sabbath at home, and Ken and the older girls did a charity Elvis show at a local nursing home (we were all planning to go, but the little Master was "s'eepy"!) on Saturday, and had lots of fun. It got down to 25 degrees last night, so hopefully the potatoes and carrots we neglected to dig up are still useable. It's time to pull out the extra comforters, and to enjoy evenings by candlelight (and firelight, if you're lucky!). May I remind you, dear ones, however, to please keep a window open a little bit somewhere in the house while burning candles, lamps, or wood, since these all take a lot of oxygen from the air, and we don't do very well without our oxygen, do we? May you stay warm and toasty at this time, and enjoy a nice book or two with family or friends (We're almost done with On the Banks of Plum Creek, and its accompanying guilt trips!). Love, Marqueta