Tuesday, February 14, 2017

America and Immigrants


America has immigrants from near and far
But they changed the U.S., wherever they are
Some are refugees, coming to flee
Coming on ships on the stormy sea
Some come for a better life
Like a house, children, and a wife
Some come for wealth or power
Or for businesses to bloom and flower
Some came to live with fathers and mothers
They came to live with sisters and brothers
They all heard the mourning dove
And sometimes even found true love
Some came for the university
But they all gave us diversity
They gave us new cultures and new foods
They have all different kinds of moods
They brought animals, like horses and mules
They gave us new seeds and new tools
Immigrants were very brave
The ships sometimes hit huge waves
They all left their native land
Left the forests, the desert sand
Some came in the time of the colonies thirteen
Some want to come now, in 2017
The land here is big enough to share
Beautiful, glorious, and fair
Immigrants come for many reasons
Hoping to come in all the seasons
They all have a reason to come
We need to welcome everyone
Immigrants are what make America great
We need to love them, not to hate
Immigrants are people too
They shouldn’t be judged by the actions of few
We welcome immigrants, wherever they are
Those who came to America from near and far  

Saturday, April 09, 2016

Artwork Update

These kids have been busy (and creative)!

Watercolor and marker on paper
John, February 2016

Sea Lion
Oil pastel on paper
Helen, February 2016

Acrylic on paper
Helen, March 2016

Acrylic on canvas
Helen, February 2016

Watercolor, ink, and salt on paper
Helen, February 2016

Sea Shells
By: Helen Winnacker

Shells, shells on the floor
In the forest of the deep
Lying in the sand


California
Tempera paint on paper mache
Elizabeth, February 2016

Yosemite
Oil pastel and watercolor on paper
Helen, January 2016

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Easter


All dressed up in their Easter best and carrying the spoils from our annual Easter egg hunt at St. Clement's Episcopal Church.

Monday, February 29, 2016

Snowy Owl


Tempera paint on paper.
John Winnacker
December 2015

Still Life


Water color and oil pastels
Helen Winnacker
February 2016

Friday, January 22, 2016

Landscape in Oil Pastels


Helen, January 2016

Sunday, January 10, 2016

New Family Member

Elizabeth realized her dream of owning a tortoise this weekend. Caspian, a five-to-ten-year-old Russian Tortoise was acquired Saturday morning and is acclimating nicely to his new home.


You would think that a tortoise would be a very boring pet, but he actually requires quite a bit of care. He's a bit like a dog, but smaller and quieter. Each day, Elizabeth must give him fresh food (greens and a bit of fruit or egg), his water must be changed, living area cleaned of waste, AND he needs to go outdoors when possible for a little "reptile recess."


Luckily, we have a large yard equipped for our tiny tortoise in which to roam. I hope that his caretakers continue to take such an interest in his care and well-being.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Summer!

Summer enrichment classes started today, and everyone was at Havens this morning from 9 to noon. It was glorious. Afterward, I took them to Castle Rock Recreation Area in Walnut Creek, where we had a picnic lunch and a short hike. Tired and dirty, they asked to go to a playground, where they spent the dregs of their energy. Not a bad start to our summer.