Burnished Orange Sky

I went down to the lake to watch the sun rise.  It was very pretty, as it turned many shades of orange. The mountains are Mt Maude, (left), and Mt Iron (right). Today is housework day, so got many odd jobs done. The forecast overnight is for rain, then clearing.

Because I am in the 1900's as far is blip is concerned, I thought I would do a series of life in New Zealand on that year.  Today is 1914.

There were 180,000 children at public schools in New Zealand (which included my Dad),  The total population was one million.  It was not uncommon for 40 or more children to be crammed in rows in classrooms that were hot in the summer and cold in winter.  Because of medical beliefs about the benefits of fresh air, teachers were encouraged to keep the windows open year round.  In winter children helped gather wood to burn in the classroom's stove.  For many warming up meant flapping their arms about or running around the building before the lesson.


Teachers were also required to conduct breathing exercises at the end of every lesson to remedy 'obstructive breathing.'  Common health problems identified were eye, ear, throat and nose troubles, stooped shoulders, malnutrition and spinal curvature.  Children could expect to be constantly reminded to 'Sit up straight' and 'Shoulders back!' as poor posture was targeted in schools.


Another Friday, so another weekend.  I hope yours is a good one.