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  

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

Easter

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

Snowy Owl

Tempera paint on paper.
John Winnacker
December 2015

Still Life

Water color and oil pastels
Helen Winnacker
February 2016

Landscape in Oil Pastels

Helen, January 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.

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.