A Spacesuit for a Dog, and Other Things

Among other things, 

this week has included the construction

of a spacesuit for a dog.

Rana, the Border Collie
member of Australian Border Collies in Space

graciously cooperated in Emily's science assignment:

constructing a space suit suitable for visiting Mars -

the ultimate part of a term-long series of science projects.

The helmet: constructed using papier mache and fabric.

Rana will be comfortable in his heat-and cool-resistant layers;

breathing apparatus; paw grips; tail-operated location device and more;

and stylish with personalised logos.

There were times during the planning and construction of this spacesuit 

where I could have used some breathing apparatus myself, 

and a cone of silence wouldn't have gone astray, either.

But once we got over the initial stages, 

Emily did it all on her own and did a fantastic job!

Emily has had loads of assignments due in the last month

and will really enjoy her school holidays starting this weekend.

In other news ...

 we have bought a new (to us) car;

(to replace the car written off last week)

Laura has done her flute exam;

my knee is doing much better;

recent experiments in my diet had disappointing results...

... and last weekend I had a wonderful weekend here

studying Phillipians

with lots of good friends from church

and hundreds of other women;

staying in a bedroom which looked straight out to this view.

Lots of encouragement, lots of challenges,

lots of fellowship, lots of laughter.

All good.