Peace (Agnus Dei)/A Communion Blessing From St. Joseph's Square - Rich Mullins
John 6:32-98/Matthew 26:26-30/Colossians 3:12-17
VAMP
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
Though we're strangers still I love you
Dm C2 Bb2
I love you more than your mask
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
And you know you have to trust this to be true
Dm C2 Bb/F F
And I know that's much to ask
C Dm7 C/E F2
But lay down your fears, come and join this feast
Gm7 F2/A Bb2 C
He has called us here, you and me
Chorus:
Gm7 F2/A
So may peace rain down from Heaven
Bb Csus
Like little pieces of the sky
Bb/D C/E
Little keepers of the promise
F Gm7
Falling on these souls this drought has dried
F2/A Bb
In His blood and in His body
F/C Dm C2
In this bread and in this wine
Bb Gm7 vamp
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
And though I love you still we're strangers, prisoners in these lonely hearts
And though our blindness separates us still His light shines in the dark
And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach
Behind these prison bars to set us free
CHORUS
Bb Gm7 F2 Bb2 Dm C
...Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
CHORUS
F/C Dm F/C
...In this bread and in this wine
Bb2 Gm7 F2maj7/A
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
Bb2 F2/A Gm7 Bb/C vamp
Peace to you, peace of Christ to you
F2 Bb2 F2 Bb2
[ / / / / ][ / / / / ][ / / / / ][ / / / / ]
Dm C2 F2
Friday, October 15, 2004
This Week's Lessons
Time to focus on the true meaning of this blog...to record what we've been learning.
We began a new schedule here after the Family Gathering was over. It's a simple schedule, but it seems to be working well. Each day, every area of our goals is covered as time allows. I'll post the schedule in another post.
This week, we've been reading Little House in the Big Woods. Wonderful conversations have come from the reading of this classic. Sweetheart wondered why Pa didn't drive the car to town. There was discussion about the difference between their Christmas and modern Christmas. We discussed butchering after the chapter where Ma, Pa and the girls helped with the butchering of the pig.
Each evening, after reading, we have been spending time in song. Bohemian plays the guitar and we choose songs from the songbook, songs that speak to our heart. It has been a wonderful time of family closeness, and everyone has looked forward to it each day.
In the evenings, just before bedtime prayers, I have been reading to Monet out of What Every Fourth Grader Needs to Know. The first reading was from Gulliver's Travels, but as we've read that book and its adaptations before, it wasn't really new to Monet.
All of the children have been spending time each day working on their handwriting, maths and reading. Sweetheart's reading is coming along well. :-) We had a wonderful time with her reading lesson on Wednesday! I couldn't find her reading book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, so I wrote out short sentences made of the words that she can read and illustrated them with simple drawings. Every time she finished a sentence, we would dance around the room. :-) She enjoyed that time and is looking forward to more reading lessons. Now, where is that book??? ;-)
Yesterday, Monet, Sweetheart and Houdin had art class where we had a guest teacher. Rob taught the children how to draw faces and how our faces are proportionate to the width of our eyes. We discussed Leonardo DaVinci and his scientific way of drawing. This was helpful, as we began a nature journal recently and discussed how the drawing we do in our nature journals is about observation and not really about art. That was the day (Tuesday) that Sweetheart hit The Baby in the head with the swing. :-/ Bard says that The Baby will look like Harry Potter when we're done with her. :-)
We spent yesterday afternoon at a wonderful park near Bohemian's work. The park had a little building with a stage, so the children put on a play about the underground railroad.
In the evening, we worked on our Christmas knitting and read and then Bohemian played some David Wilcox songs for us on his guitar.
Today, I hope to make a couple of quiches and, since it is Friday, clean the floors.
We began a new schedule here after the Family Gathering was over. It's a simple schedule, but it seems to be working well. Each day, every area of our goals is covered as time allows. I'll post the schedule in another post.
This week, we've been reading Little House in the Big Woods. Wonderful conversations have come from the reading of this classic. Sweetheart wondered why Pa didn't drive the car to town. There was discussion about the difference between their Christmas and modern Christmas. We discussed butchering after the chapter where Ma, Pa and the girls helped with the butchering of the pig.
Each evening, after reading, we have been spending time in song. Bohemian plays the guitar and we choose songs from the songbook, songs that speak to our heart. It has been a wonderful time of family closeness, and everyone has looked forward to it each day.
In the evenings, just before bedtime prayers, I have been reading to Monet out of What Every Fourth Grader Needs to Know. The first reading was from Gulliver's Travels, but as we've read that book and its adaptations before, it wasn't really new to Monet.
All of the children have been spending time each day working on their handwriting, maths and reading. Sweetheart's reading is coming along well. :-) We had a wonderful time with her reading lesson on Wednesday! I couldn't find her reading book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, so I wrote out short sentences made of the words that she can read and illustrated them with simple drawings. Every time she finished a sentence, we would dance around the room. :-) She enjoyed that time and is looking forward to more reading lessons. Now, where is that book??? ;-)
Yesterday, Monet, Sweetheart and Houdin had art class where we had a guest teacher. Rob taught the children how to draw faces and how our faces are proportionate to the width of our eyes. We discussed Leonardo DaVinci and his scientific way of drawing. This was helpful, as we began a nature journal recently and discussed how the drawing we do in our nature journals is about observation and not really about art. That was the day (Tuesday) that Sweetheart hit The Baby in the head with the swing. :-/ Bard says that The Baby will look like Harry Potter when we're done with her. :-)
We spent yesterday afternoon at a wonderful park near Bohemian's work. The park had a little building with a stage, so the children put on a play about the underground railroad.
In the evening, we worked on our Christmas knitting and read and then Bohemian played some David Wilcox songs for us on his guitar.
Today, I hope to make a couple of quiches and, since it is Friday, clean the floors.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Stream of Consciousness about The Family Gathering
It's over.
It started last Wednesday.
I was in a panic.
The house wasn't clean enough.
The projects weren't finished.
My checking account was aching.
I called my mother-in-law for advice.
She gave wise counsel, as usual.
Calmed, I hung up and began to pray while cleaning.
Things began to fall into place.
Family started to arrive in the late afternoon.
Chicken Paprikash and Rice were on the table.
On the island, pies on pedestals and cookies on plates.
Bedrooms were clean...rooms were assigned.
Time to rest.
Singing, laughing, a little bit of anger.
Hay bales and cornstalks on the porch. Mason jars filled with sand and tealights.
Sister-in-law takes a bath in the jacuzzi.
Doors open to the outside. Kids laughing, running, playing, excited.
Bonfire crackling.
This is autumn. This is good.
More family arrives. And more. More food, more cookies, more games, more music.
Resting, games, a trip to the exotic animal farm.
Golfing, more games, a lot of food.
Tension, dog accidents, trips to the general store.
Visits from neighbors. Some family members leaving. Rides on pony carts. Cake. Happy Birthday. Visits from friends. More friends. More neighbors. Maple branches above the doorways. Candles in every room. Oak and maple on the window casings. Music in the family room.
More friends. More neighbors. More food. Pies, cakes, chicken, cole slaw. Cookies, hot dogs, sloppy joes. Gorgonzola, baby swiss, cheddar.
Surprise visitors. Tears. Happiness. Hugs.
More surprise visitors. More tears. Tours of the new home. Who will come next?
Sun is setting. Candles lit again. Coffee and hot mulled cider. Ponies go home.
Rocking chairs on the porch. Amish neighbors visiting. Music in the family room.
Very late. Phone rings. Another visitor, lost, needs directions.
Time to clean up. Time to rest. Talking long into the night. I fall asleep.
Breakfast comes. Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast, sausage.
Pregnant sister-in-law is thrilled! "My favorite breakfast!"
Last minute conversations. Packing up. The last of the family is leaving. Wait! Don't forget! Oh! And one more thing!
House is empty now. It was good. No regrets. Checkbook will recover.
It started last Wednesday.
I was in a panic.
The house wasn't clean enough.
The projects weren't finished.
My checking account was aching.
I called my mother-in-law for advice.
She gave wise counsel, as usual.
Calmed, I hung up and began to pray while cleaning.
Things began to fall into place.
Family started to arrive in the late afternoon.
Chicken Paprikash and Rice were on the table.
On the island, pies on pedestals and cookies on plates.
Bedrooms were clean...rooms were assigned.
Time to rest.
Singing, laughing, a little bit of anger.
Hay bales and cornstalks on the porch. Mason jars filled with sand and tealights.
Sister-in-law takes a bath in the jacuzzi.
Doors open to the outside. Kids laughing, running, playing, excited.
Bonfire crackling.
This is autumn. This is good.
More family arrives. And more. More food, more cookies, more games, more music.
Resting, games, a trip to the exotic animal farm.
Golfing, more games, a lot of food.
Tension, dog accidents, trips to the general store.
Visits from neighbors. Some family members leaving. Rides on pony carts. Cake. Happy Birthday. Visits from friends. More friends. More neighbors. Maple branches above the doorways. Candles in every room. Oak and maple on the window casings. Music in the family room.
More friends. More neighbors. More food. Pies, cakes, chicken, cole slaw. Cookies, hot dogs, sloppy joes. Gorgonzola, baby swiss, cheddar.
Surprise visitors. Tears. Happiness. Hugs.
More surprise visitors. More tears. Tours of the new home. Who will come next?
Sun is setting. Candles lit again. Coffee and hot mulled cider. Ponies go home.
Rocking chairs on the porch. Amish neighbors visiting. Music in the family room.
Very late. Phone rings. Another visitor, lost, needs directions.
Time to clean up. Time to rest. Talking long into the night. I fall asleep.
Breakfast comes. Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast, sausage.
Pregnant sister-in-law is thrilled! "My favorite breakfast!"
Last minute conversations. Packing up. The last of the family is leaving. Wait! Don't forget! Oh! And one more thing!
House is empty now. It was good. No regrets. Checkbook will recover.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Comforts and lessons from Proverbs 12
If You Love Learning
1 If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it--
how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good person basks in the delight of GOD,
and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 You can't find firm footing in a swamp,
but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 A hearty wife invigorates her husband,
but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked kill;
the speech of the upright saves.
7 Wicked people fall to pieces--there's nothing to them;
the homes of good people hold together.
8 A person who talks sense is honored;
airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living
than act important and starve in the process.
10 Good people are good to their animals;
the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table;
the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.
13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
wise people take advice.
16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash language cuts and maims,
but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truth lasts;
lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No evil can overwhelm a good person,
but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 God can't stomach liars;
he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge;
talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The diligent find freedom in their work;
the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Worry weighs us down;
a cheerful word picks us up.
26 A good person survives misfortune,
but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 A lazy life is an empty life,
but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 Good men and women travel right into life;
sin's detours take you straight to hell.
1 If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it--
how shortsighted to refuse correction!
2 A good person basks in the delight of GOD,
and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.
3 You can't find firm footing in a swamp,
but life rooted in God stands firm.
4 A hearty wife invigorates her husband,
but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.
5 The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
the plots of degenerates corrupt.
6 The words of the wicked kill;
the speech of the upright saves.
7 Wicked people fall to pieces--there's nothing to them;
the homes of good people hold together.
8 A person who talks sense is honored;
airheads are held in contempt.
9 Better to be ordinary and work for a living
than act important and starve in the process.
10 Good people are good to their animals;
the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.
11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table;
the witless chase whims and fancies.
12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.
13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
well-done work has its own reward.
15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
wise people take advice.
16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
the prudent quietly shrug off insults.
17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash language cuts and maims,
but there is healing in the words of the wise.
19 Truth lasts;
lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
21 No evil can overwhelm a good person,
but the wicked have their hands full of it.
22 God can't stomach liars;
he loves the company of those who keep their word.
23 Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge;
talkative fools broadcast their silliness.
24 The diligent find freedom in their work;
the lazy are oppressed by work.
25 Worry weighs us down;
a cheerful word picks us up.
26 A good person survives misfortune,
but a wicked life invites disaster.
27 A lazy life is an empty life,
but "early to rise" gets the job done.
28 Good men and women travel right into life;
sin's detours take you straight to hell.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Words The Baby Can Say
The Baby is 20 months old. Here are the words she can say:
Mommy
Mama
Dada
Papa
Brothers'and Sisters' names.
yes
no
up (points up)
down (points down)
horsey
doggy
kitty
monkey
donkey
ducky
ball
eyes
cow
couch
please
thank you
more
apple
boogie
knee
me
good (pronounced "goot" in response to the question, "How are you?")
car
uh oh!
yeah!
ow!
baby
yucky
star
moon
keys
hi
bye
She smiles when we tell her to, blows kisses, drinks out of a glass (has never had a bottle or sippy cup), dances when we say "boogie," can point to all of her body parts when you name them, waves goodbye, gives hugs and kisses, climbs up and down the stairs, can sing "g, p, v, z and me" when I sing the ABC song, cleans up her toys, looks at books, can sit still to listen to a board book, sleeps with Mommy and Daddy, loves to nurse, and keeps us all entertained. :-)
Mommy
Mama
Dada
Papa
Brothers'and Sisters' names.
yes
no
up (points up)
down (points down)
horsey
doggy
kitty
monkey
donkey
ducky
ball
eyes
cow
couch
please
thank you
more
apple
boogie
knee
me
good (pronounced "goot" in response to the question, "How are you?")
car
uh oh!
yeah!
ow!
baby
yucky
star
moon
keys
hi
bye
She smiles when we tell her to, blows kisses, drinks out of a glass (has never had a bottle or sippy cup), dances when we say "boogie," can point to all of her body parts when you name them, waves goodbye, gives hugs and kisses, climbs up and down the stairs, can sing "g, p, v, z and me" when I sing the ABC song, cleans up her toys, looks at books, can sit still to listen to a board book, sleeps with Mommy and Daddy, loves to nurse, and keeps us all entertained. :-)
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Stream of Consciousness Whilst Awaiting Awakeness
The house is quiet except for the whir of the hard drive.
This is hard to do sometimes, write stream of consciousness.
Everyone else in the house is sleeping.
I'm a bit bothered by a few things.
I'll get over them eventually.
Most of it is about vanity, pride and money.
Our family gathering is in four days.
I'm not sure I want to do it anymore.
I feel inadequate.
I feel like I live in a fishbowl, even out here in the middle of Amish Country.
I wonder if I should have more children.
I feel like I should have more children.
I feel like I want more children.
But sometimes, the children drive me mad.
In my heart, I know, that most of the madness is due to my own selfishness and impatience.
I want my house to be clean.
I want to spend time writing.
I want to receive accolades.
I want to have good, obedient, intelligent children.
What does that mean?
I also want to have bright, analytical, questionning children, children with personalities.
I haven't been sleeping as much as I should.
I don't know what to try to accomplish today.
How long will everyone sleep?
What should I be doing while they're sleeping?
I already fed all of my birds...
Actually, today should be a fairly good day. It's Saturday, Bohemian's home, we have an extra helper in the house (Kat, Bard's friend) who will help Bard clean the cabin, yesterday was payday (even though most of it's gone already), the kitchen cabinets are done, and my female Budgie acutally looks like she's getting better.
What else should I be doing?
I want to go read some other blogs. I have enjoyed reading other people's blog links. I read one this morning by Valerie called Barefoot and Pregnant. Her posts about being "done" and about "habits" made me think.
I need to learn to sew.
Bard has been knitting. She finished a scarf and is working on a second.
I should be knitting my Christmas gifts.
I have so much I want to do.
So why am I sitting here?
This is hard to do sometimes, write stream of consciousness.
Everyone else in the house is sleeping.
I'm a bit bothered by a few things.
I'll get over them eventually.
Most of it is about vanity, pride and money.
Our family gathering is in four days.
I'm not sure I want to do it anymore.
I feel inadequate.
I feel like I live in a fishbowl, even out here in the middle of Amish Country.
I wonder if I should have more children.
I feel like I should have more children.
I feel like I want more children.
But sometimes, the children drive me mad.
In my heart, I know, that most of the madness is due to my own selfishness and impatience.
I want my house to be clean.
I want to spend time writing.
I want to receive accolades.
I want to have good, obedient, intelligent children.
What does that mean?
I also want to have bright, analytical, questionning children, children with personalities.
I haven't been sleeping as much as I should.
I don't know what to try to accomplish today.
How long will everyone sleep?
What should I be doing while they're sleeping?
I already fed all of my birds...
Actually, today should be a fairly good day. It's Saturday, Bohemian's home, we have an extra helper in the house (Kat, Bard's friend) who will help Bard clean the cabin, yesterday was payday (even though most of it's gone already), the kitchen cabinets are done, and my female Budgie acutally looks like she's getting better.
What else should I be doing?
I want to go read some other blogs. I have enjoyed reading other people's blog links. I read one this morning by Valerie called Barefoot and Pregnant. Her posts about being "done" and about "habits" made me think.
I need to learn to sew.
Bard has been knitting. She finished a scarf and is working on a second.
I should be knitting my Christmas gifts.
I have so much I want to do.
So why am I sitting here?
Friday, October 01, 2004
Difficult Times Ahead
Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.
These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself "truth." They get exploited every time and never really learn.
These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself "truth." They get exploited every time and never really learn.
Sick and Tired of Dead Animals...
It really doesn't take that long to clean my parakeet cage. It's not even a very difficult task if I put freezer paper in the bottom. A 3M sponge with one Scotch-Brite side makes the whole chore a breeze. But somehow, I don't get to it once a week, as I should. I'm very steadfast about cleaning out their feed and water dishes, but I just don't get to the cage as often as I should.
So I wonder if this is why my female budgie, Dabadi, is sick. There were two other budgies living in the cage, though we moved one to a cage of his own in Monet's room where we have been working on finger-training him. Dabadi's mate, Dabadee, is still in the cage with her. I noticed that he was paying extra attention to her, and I wondered if maybe she was nesting. She spent a lot of time in her nest, so I figured that was it.
Until three days ago, when I noticed that she was listless and her rear-end was a bit pasty. I began changing the water twice a day, making sure she had grit, and watching her closely. She seemed to stabilize.
Today, however, she seems very listless and her rear-end is very pasty and looks sore. Dabadee has been caring for her, feeding her, preening her. I decided to make an extra-comfy home for them, so I gave the entire cage a thorough scrubbing, put fresh millet sprays in the cage, and went out to the yard to look for some pine branches.
While I was out there, I decided to pay a visit to the bunnies, who are Monet's project. Monet is an animal-lover and keeps good care of his fish and budgie. Just this morning, he told me how much he likes his budgie and how he gave her clean water and food before he came down to eat his own breakfast. Apparently, Monet is not as fond of the bunnies. Two of the three had gone on to be in bunny heaven! I was so terribly upset and am now quite depressed. I feel now that I have no business working towards an open house. Our yard, not yet planted, is full of scrubby underbrush. Of course, this is an open HOUSE and not an open YARD, but I do so wish it were beautiful and inviting. Gardens are so peaceful and magical to me. I had such high hopes for these bunnies, for the gardens, for a symbiotic relationship between the bunnies and the red worms.
I'm struggling with whether or not to keep the last bunny. I think that I should bring it into the house, but the mess that they make with their bedding is so difficult to handle, and the guinea pigs already make those messes.
No more animals. I say it, and I hope to mean it. Jane Goodall would be so ashamed. :-/
I feel so very sad.
So I wonder if this is why my female budgie, Dabadi, is sick. There were two other budgies living in the cage, though we moved one to a cage of his own in Monet's room where we have been working on finger-training him. Dabadi's mate, Dabadee, is still in the cage with her. I noticed that he was paying extra attention to her, and I wondered if maybe she was nesting. She spent a lot of time in her nest, so I figured that was it.
Until three days ago, when I noticed that she was listless and her rear-end was a bit pasty. I began changing the water twice a day, making sure she had grit, and watching her closely. She seemed to stabilize.
Today, however, she seems very listless and her rear-end is very pasty and looks sore. Dabadee has been caring for her, feeding her, preening her. I decided to make an extra-comfy home for them, so I gave the entire cage a thorough scrubbing, put fresh millet sprays in the cage, and went out to the yard to look for some pine branches.
While I was out there, I decided to pay a visit to the bunnies, who are Monet's project. Monet is an animal-lover and keeps good care of his fish and budgie. Just this morning, he told me how much he likes his budgie and how he gave her clean water and food before he came down to eat his own breakfast. Apparently, Monet is not as fond of the bunnies. Two of the three had gone on to be in bunny heaven! I was so terribly upset and am now quite depressed. I feel now that I have no business working towards an open house. Our yard, not yet planted, is full of scrubby underbrush. Of course, this is an open HOUSE and not an open YARD, but I do so wish it were beautiful and inviting. Gardens are so peaceful and magical to me. I had such high hopes for these bunnies, for the gardens, for a symbiotic relationship between the bunnies and the red worms.
I'm struggling with whether or not to keep the last bunny. I think that I should bring it into the house, but the mess that they make with their bedding is so difficult to handle, and the guinea pigs already make those messes.
No more animals. I say it, and I hope to mean it. Jane Goodall would be so ashamed. :-/
I feel so very sad.
Thinknits
I knit these mittens two winters ago as a Christmas gift for my sister-in-law. I'd love to make another pair, but I would make them with a different kind of yarn. These were made with Lion Homespun and are not very warm. They are pretty though, aren't they? Come on over to my Thinknits blog and see some of my other knitting projects!
Our Deer Baby
Our Deer Baby
This incredible woman blogs about her adventures in geocaching, baking, homebirthing, momming, teaching, learning, creating, loving, worrying, rejoicing, and sharing. Her blog is sure to inspire and provoke thought. It's wonderfully bucolic and the photos are scrumptious.
This incredible woman blogs about her adventures in geocaching, baking, homebirthing, momming, teaching, learning, creating, loving, worrying, rejoicing, and sharing. Her blog is sure to inspire and provoke thought. It's wonderfully bucolic and the photos are scrumptious.
BookCrossing - Home - FREE YOUR BOOKS!
BookCrossing - Home - FREE YOUR BOOKS!
I've been spending the past several hours reading Deer Baby, a fantastic, adventurous blog by an adventurous woman. How inspiring! Take some time to read about her anxious awaiting for her Deer Baby, her homebirth, her ups and downs, trials and revelations, and I think I mentioned that she's adventurous. :-) Thanks for this link, Heather!
Anyway, in Deer Baby's blog, she mentions BookCrossing. I read about this a few years ago and was intrigued, but didn't pursue it. I believe I will now! Go check it out!
I've been spending the past several hours reading Deer Baby, a fantastic, adventurous blog by an adventurous woman. How inspiring! Take some time to read about her anxious awaiting for her Deer Baby, her homebirth, her ups and downs, trials and revelations, and I think I mentioned that she's adventurous. :-) Thanks for this link, Heather!
Anyway, in Deer Baby's blog, she mentions BookCrossing. I read about this a few years ago and was intrigued, but didn't pursue it. I believe I will now! Go check it out!
Thursday, September 30, 2004
The Good News...
The good news is that the kitchen cabinets are done.
The bad news is that Bohemian has hurt his back.
Every twist or bend causes him excruciating pain. He didn't sleep well last night, carefully turning to try to find a comfortable position. I called our massotherapist today to see if he can get him in.
The other bad news is that Edison hasn't been well for two days, barely eating, complaining of chills and a stomachache. Then, last night, Sweetheart began complaining that her tummy hurt "really bad."
Six more days until the family gathering.
The bad news is that Bohemian has hurt his back.
Every twist or bend causes him excruciating pain. He didn't sleep well last night, carefully turning to try to find a comfortable position. I called our massotherapist today to see if he can get him in.
The other bad news is that Edison hasn't been well for two days, barely eating, complaining of chills and a stomachache. Then, last night, Sweetheart began complaining that her tummy hurt "really bad."
Six more days until the family gathering.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Fellowship of the Ring
With all of the hubub about the LOTR, I've avoided it for the most part. I've always liked The Hobbit, and I don't have anything against the movies (other than how graphically scary the bad guys are!), but I've just steered clear of it.
Today, my dad brought home FOTR on CD from the library, so we listened to that while cleaning and finishing cabinets. Dare I say that I really like it? I always thought The Hobbit was too wordy and spent too much time on description, but I must have acclimated to the style or this one is different, because I'm thoroughly enjoying it, as are Bard, Houdin, Monet and Sweetheart.
Today, my dad brought home FOTR on CD from the library, so we listened to that while cleaning and finishing cabinets. Dare I say that I really like it? I always thought The Hobbit was too wordy and spent too much time on description, but I must have acclimated to the style or this one is different, because I'm thoroughly enjoying it, as are Bard, Houdin, Monet and Sweetheart.
My Housecleaning Playlist
If you have any suggestions for good songs with a "housecleaning" theme, send 'em on!
For now, here's my feeble attempt at creating a fun housecleaning playlist:
"Cleaning House" - Ian Charles
"Clean Your Room" - The Zucchini Brothers
"I Am Not Your Broom" - They Might Be Giants
"Cleaning House" - Grandpaboy
"The Inside Of My Head" - David Wilcox
"Heigh-Ho - Snow White" - Andre Rieu
"Clean Up" - Barney
"Clean Up Woman" - The Pretenders
"Clean Up Your Own Backyard" - Elvis Presley
"Paint Up, Clean Up Time" - Lord Creator
"I Will Never Clean Up My Room" - Cathy Fink/Marcy Marxer/...
"New Broom" - Byron Berline
"Dust My Broom" - B.B. King
"Got My Broom To Prove It" - Susan Weber
"I'll Make Your Bed" - Dolly Parton
"Cobwebs" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Doing The Dishes" - Frank Loesser
"Dirty Dishes" - Larry LaVey
"Too Many Dirty Dishes" - Albert Collins
"Too Many Dirty Dishes - (with Henry Gray)" - Tab Benoit
"Leave The Dishes In The Sink, Ma" - Spike Jones
"Whistle While You Work" - Artie Shaw
"Whistle While You Work - (alternate mix, previously unreleased)" - Diana Ross & The Supremes
"Housework" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Housework" - The B-52's
"Housework" - Fishbone
"Clean Up" - The Canton Spirituals
"Beautiful Day" - U2
"If These Walls Could Speak" - Jimmy Webb
"Step Inside This House" - Lyle Lovett
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Clean" - Request-A-Song.com
"I've Got To Be Clean" - Jeff Chaz
"Cleanin' Off The Porch" - Larry Cordle & Lonesome...
"Spring Cleaning" - John McCutcheon
"Dust Pan Blues" - Gene Autry
"Dishpan Brigade" - Wishing Chair And Kara Barnard
If you don't have Rhapsody yet, you can register and download it.
For now, here's my feeble attempt at creating a fun housecleaning playlist:
"Cleaning House" - Ian Charles
"Clean Your Room" - The Zucchini Brothers
"I Am Not Your Broom" - They Might Be Giants
"Cleaning House" - Grandpaboy
"The Inside Of My Head" - David Wilcox
"Heigh-Ho - Snow White" - Andre Rieu
"Clean Up" - Barney
"Clean Up Woman" - The Pretenders
"Clean Up Your Own Backyard" - Elvis Presley
"Paint Up, Clean Up Time" - Lord Creator
"I Will Never Clean Up My Room" - Cathy Fink/Marcy Marxer/...
"New Broom" - Byron Berline
"Dust My Broom" - B.B. King
"Got My Broom To Prove It" - Susan Weber
"I'll Make Your Bed" - Dolly Parton
"Cobwebs" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Doing The Dishes" - Frank Loesser
"Dirty Dishes" - Larry LaVey
"Too Many Dirty Dishes" - Albert Collins
"Too Many Dirty Dishes - (with Henry Gray)" - Tab Benoit
"Leave The Dishes In The Sink, Ma" - Spike Jones
"Whistle While You Work" - Artie Shaw
"Whistle While You Work - (alternate mix, previously unreleased)" - Diana Ross & The Supremes
"Housework" - Loudon Wainwright III
"Housework" - The B-52's
"Housework" - Fishbone
"Clean Up" - The Canton Spirituals
"Beautiful Day" - U2
"If These Walls Could Speak" - Jimmy Webb
"Step Inside This House" - Lyle Lovett
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Clean" - Request-A-Song.com
"I've Got To Be Clean" - Jeff Chaz
"Cleanin' Off The Porch" - Larry Cordle & Lonesome...
"Spring Cleaning" - John McCutcheon
"Dust Pan Blues" - Gene Autry
"Dishpan Brigade" - Wishing Chair And Kara Barnard
If you don't have Rhapsody yet, you can register and download it.
Insomnia
I know I should be sleeping. I'll especially know it tomorrow morning. But for now, the house is quiet, and I'm getting uninterrupted time. So why would I sleep? Why, that'd be...that'd be silly!
So I'm thinking about my day, instead. I'm thinking about how I woke up this morning and remembered that the piano tuner was coming to tune my FREE piano. When he walked in the door, he ran his hands along the front of the piano, feeling the grain. I don't know from what type of wood the piano is made, but it looks like curly walnut or some such. Very pretty. Still, because it was a free piano, I am suspicious of its true value. So when the piano tuner asked me how we got the piano in. I asked, "Why? Should we take it back out?" "Oh, no!" he said, "I like it!" For the next hour, I watched the piano tuner...well...tune my piano. When he was done, he pronounced it "among the living," and left. Now we have a freshly tuned piano for the gathering! I do hope someone who plays will come for our jam! Claudia, if you're reading this, I'm counting on you. :-)
In between The Baby's screaming and pizza bagels, the kids and I began deep cleaning the house room by room. Bard, Bohemain and I also worked on the kitchen cabinets. We had our cabinets built for our new house by a local Amishman, who must have thought we were thoroughly and completely nuts when I told him what I wanted. The upper cabinets are hickory, some with glass fronts. We had the carpenter poly the upper cabinets in natural but asked him to leave the lower cabinets unfinished. We then finished them with Old Fashioned Milkpaint in Lexington Green. It's been quite a learning experience, but we have the look we wanted...antiqued, distressed and very farmhousey. :-) For the past couple of weeks, we've been putting a coat of polyurethane on the cabinets. I didn't want to do this. We tried using Watco Danish Oil, but the waterspotting and staining was just awful, so I finally sanded the cabinets and coated them with two coats of satin poly. We have one coat of poly to do on our 8x4' island, and the doors/drawers that go in it, and we'll be DONE with that! We still want to make a matching panel for our FREE dishwasher after we determine whether it works or not.
Tomorrow...continuing to deep clean room by room.
Oh, joy.
So I'm thinking about my day, instead. I'm thinking about how I woke up this morning and remembered that the piano tuner was coming to tune my FREE piano. When he walked in the door, he ran his hands along the front of the piano, feeling the grain. I don't know from what type of wood the piano is made, but it looks like curly walnut or some such. Very pretty. Still, because it was a free piano, I am suspicious of its true value. So when the piano tuner asked me how we got the piano in. I asked, "Why? Should we take it back out?" "Oh, no!" he said, "I like it!" For the next hour, I watched the piano tuner...well...tune my piano. When he was done, he pronounced it "among the living," and left. Now we have a freshly tuned piano for the gathering! I do hope someone who plays will come for our jam! Claudia, if you're reading this, I'm counting on you. :-)
In between The Baby's screaming and pizza bagels, the kids and I began deep cleaning the house room by room. Bard, Bohemain and I also worked on the kitchen cabinets. We had our cabinets built for our new house by a local Amishman, who must have thought we were thoroughly and completely nuts when I told him what I wanted. The upper cabinets are hickory, some with glass fronts. We had the carpenter poly the upper cabinets in natural but asked him to leave the lower cabinets unfinished. We then finished them with Old Fashioned Milkpaint in Lexington Green. It's been quite a learning experience, but we have the look we wanted...antiqued, distressed and very farmhousey. :-) For the past couple of weeks, we've been putting a coat of polyurethane on the cabinets. I didn't want to do this. We tried using Watco Danish Oil, but the waterspotting and staining was just awful, so I finally sanded the cabinets and coated them with two coats of satin poly. We have one coat of poly to do on our 8x4' island, and the doors/drawers that go in it, and we'll be DONE with that! We still want to make a matching panel for our FREE dishwasher after we determine whether it works or not.
Tomorrow...continuing to deep clean room by room.
Oh, joy.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Vedic Maths Tutorial (interactive)
Vedic Maths Tutorial (interactive)
This is a very cool new way of looking at math facts. With these tricks, you can develop math confidence and solve math problems more quickly! We really liked learning the first tutorial. At first, my brain didn't want to cooperate (I was ready for something hard, and my mind wanted to resist!) but after I let it click, it was really cool!
Ah, the thinks you can think. :-)
This is a very cool new way of looking at math facts. With these tricks, you can develop math confidence and solve math problems more quickly! We really liked learning the first tutorial. At first, my brain didn't want to cooperate (I was ready for something hard, and my mind wanted to resist!) but after I let it click, it was really cool!
Ah, the thinks you can think. :-)
Looking back...
I've been looking back at some of the photos from Autumn 2003 and thought I would take the time to post a few of them here. It's fun thinking back to what was going on in our lives this time a year ago. The photos below are from Fall 2003.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
This time last year...
About this time last year, this is what the house looked like. The carpenters were just putting the roof on the second floor. :-) I remember thinking, "This house is going to be the best house in the whole wide world."
And it is.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Stream of Consciousness Whilst I Eat a Brownie
Houdin just brought me a brownie. It's hot. He dropped the fork on the floor when he handed it to me.
Bohemian is playing "Show the Way" on his guitar. He hasn't played for a while. Sounds sweet.
The Baby is playing with spoons and pots from the kitchen.
The brownie is still hot.
Monet is giggling. Something that Houdin says makes him laugh.
Bohemian grouted the tub tonight. We cleaned and buffed, cleaned and buffed, cleaned and buffed.
I hear a lot of clinking forks. But the brownie is still hot.
Today was a quiet day. The radiator blew in the Jeep a few days ago, and Bohemian spent the day trying to fix the water pump, which went out after the radiator was replaced.
Someone's whistling.
We're out of milk.
The birds are quiet.
The dogs aren't.
The neighbor brought the new puppy over, after he made a voyage to their house. This is unlike him. I looked up training techniques to keep him on our property.
The Baby's crying.
The brownie is still hot.
The kids are playing Connect Four. It's not the real Connect Four, but a rip-off sold by Wal*Mart.
We're supposed to take a walk with Jane Goodall on Monday. I hope the van is fixed by then, or we'll have to miss it. That would be a bummer.
The brownie is only warm now.
Bohemian is asking for a glass of water. That's because we're out of milk.
This brownie would be really good with icing. I think I'll have another when I'm done with this, but put icing on it.
I wonder if anyone gave The Baby a brownie. I should go check.
I only have one bite of brownie left, and some crumbs.
The Baby is yelling, "GO!" and Bohemian is yelling, "WHERE?"
Houdin is quoting Bill Cosby.
The brownie is gone.
Bohemian is playing "Show the Way" on his guitar. He hasn't played for a while. Sounds sweet.
The Baby is playing with spoons and pots from the kitchen.
The brownie is still hot.
Monet is giggling. Something that Houdin says makes him laugh.
Bohemian grouted the tub tonight. We cleaned and buffed, cleaned and buffed, cleaned and buffed.
I hear a lot of clinking forks. But the brownie is still hot.
Today was a quiet day. The radiator blew in the Jeep a few days ago, and Bohemian spent the day trying to fix the water pump, which went out after the radiator was replaced.
Someone's whistling.
We're out of milk.
The birds are quiet.
The dogs aren't.
The neighbor brought the new puppy over, after he made a voyage to their house. This is unlike him. I looked up training techniques to keep him on our property.
The Baby's crying.
The brownie is still hot.
The kids are playing Connect Four. It's not the real Connect Four, but a rip-off sold by Wal*Mart.
We're supposed to take a walk with Jane Goodall on Monday. I hope the van is fixed by then, or we'll have to miss it. That would be a bummer.
The brownie is only warm now.
Bohemian is asking for a glass of water. That's because we're out of milk.
This brownie would be really good with icing. I think I'll have another when I'm done with this, but put icing on it.
I wonder if anyone gave The Baby a brownie. I should go check.
I only have one bite of brownie left, and some crumbs.
The Baby is yelling, "GO!" and Bohemian is yelling, "WHERE?"
Houdin is quoting Bill Cosby.
The brownie is gone.
Timelines
This looks like an awesome resource. When I climb out of debt, I want this. Of course, I'll be, what, 65? As Pierce Pettis said, "When Garth Brooks recorded 'You Move Me,' we were able to go from renting to owning a house. We started out with nothing! Now we owe thousands and thousands of dollars!"
Welcome to Great Folding Carts.com!!!
Welcome to Great Folding Carts.com!!!
I'm not sure what I'd use this for, but I saw it on another homeschooler's blog. If you click on the "free sticker" button, there's a sticker that says "no school like home." Kinda cute. :-)
I'm not sure what I'd use this for, but I saw it on another homeschooler's blog. If you click on the "free sticker" button, there's a sticker that says "no school like home." Kinda cute. :-)
People over 35 Should Be Dead
I don't know the orignal author of this, but found myself nodding my head over it, so I thought I'd pass it on.
People over 35 should be dead.
Here's why ...
According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 40's,50's, 60's, or even maybe the early 70's probably shouldn't have survived.
Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paint.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets
and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets.(Not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking.)
As children, we would ride in cars with no seatbelts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the street lights came on. No one was able to reach us all day.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, video tape movies, surround sound, personal cell phones, personal computers, or Internet chat rooms. We had friends! We went outside and found them.
We played dodge ball, and sometimes, the ball would really hurt.
We fell out of trees, got cut and broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. They were accidents. No one was to blame but us. Remember accidents?
We had fights and punched each other and got black and blue and learned to get over it.
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms, and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live inside us forever.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rang the bell or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Some students weren't as smart as others, so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade.
Tests were not adjusted for any reason.
Our actions were our own.Consequences were expected.
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law. Imagine that!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
People over 35 should be dead.
Here's why ...
According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 40's,50's, 60's, or even maybe the early 70's probably shouldn't have survived.
Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paint.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets
and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets.(Not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking.)
As children, we would ride in cars with no seatbelts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the street lights came on. No one was able to reach us all day.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, video tape movies, surround sound, personal cell phones, personal computers, or Internet chat rooms. We had friends! We went outside and found them.
We played dodge ball, and sometimes, the ball would really hurt.
We fell out of trees, got cut and broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. They were accidents. No one was to blame but us. Remember accidents?
We had fights and punched each other and got black and blue and learned to get over it.
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms, and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live inside us forever.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rang the bell or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Some students weren't as smart as others, so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade.
Tests were not adjusted for any reason.
Our actions were our own.Consequences were expected.
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law. Imagine that!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
Manners for a Guinea Pig
Yesterday, we started working on using good manners. The system works very simply: good manners all day, no instigating arguments with siblings, obedience to Mom and Dad. For every infraction, you get a point. The person with the least points gets to sleep with a guinea pig in their room. Yesterday, Bard and Sweetheart tied, so they both got to keep guinea pigs in their rooms. :-) The scoreboard has been cleared and we start over, working on manners for two days, and then the winner will get the guinea pig in their room. Since we have three guinea pigs, this should work out well. If they all tie, we'll bring in a rabbit. :-)
Bard's Activities
Bard has been an ENORMOUS help with the Open House preparations. She has been organizing, cleaning and doing laundry. So far, she has cleaned the kids' bathroom, Sweetheart's room, the computer room, the family room, and her own room.
Today, she was called away to do chores at a neighbor's house--scrubbing floors and cupboards. This will help to earn her money for her trip to China.
Thank you so much, Bard! You're a blessing!
Today, she was called away to do chores at a neighbor's house--scrubbing floors and cupboards. This will help to earn her money for her trip to China.
Thank you so much, Bard! You're a blessing!
Writing Practice
Monet has been enjoying e-mail correspondence with his grandma, which has been great for his writing practice as well as his computer skills.
Sweetheart has been working on drawing princesses. Fantastic practice for hand-eye coordination, shapes, and writing readiness. The princesses have oval faces, triangle bodies, lines for hair, and zig-zags for crowns. :-)
Sweetheart has been working on drawing princesses. Fantastic practice for hand-eye coordination, shapes, and writing readiness. The princesses have oval faces, triangle bodies, lines for hair, and zig-zags for crowns. :-)
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Radio Programming
We had a great discussion last night about radios and television. It was initiated by the fact that Grandpa bought each of the kids a small radio and headphones, which immediately became a problem. None of them could hear us, which made it impossible to follow our instructions. Also, Monet, at nine years old, has no idea what kind of garbage is rampant on radio and so doesn't know what to avoid.
Bohemian decided to sit down and discuss the issue. We talked about our television viewing, how we're selective about what we view because once you put garbage into your head, it's very difficult to get back out. The garbage can be in the form of unpleasant images, scary scenes, sexual images, or what seems as benign as materialistic commercials. This is why we don't have network television. Our TV is a receiver for DVDs only, and those are selected by us as a family to enhance our imaginations, inspire us, or educate us.
In the same way, we don't just play the radio. There is so much on the radio that's unfit for adult ears, let alone children. But, again, the materialistic bent of commercial broadcasting is just that, commercial.
To prove our point, we threw out a few random words which also happened to be keywords for local radio commercials. All it took was for me to say, "I met my husband," and they could finish, "on E-Harmony dot com!" Or I could say the word "gimmicks" and they could sing the jingle for the local car dealership.
This, children, is the point of radio programming. To program the minds of those who listen. To create in you a need you never knew you had, and then make you restless enough to sell you something to meet your need. Radio and television programming is designed to unsettle us, to make us selfish, to tell us that we're not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, clean enough and to convince us that we need more more MORE!
It's important to make wise decisions about what you put into your head. Some things, no matter how benign they may seem, will never come back out.
Bohemian decided to sit down and discuss the issue. We talked about our television viewing, how we're selective about what we view because once you put garbage into your head, it's very difficult to get back out. The garbage can be in the form of unpleasant images, scary scenes, sexual images, or what seems as benign as materialistic commercials. This is why we don't have network television. Our TV is a receiver for DVDs only, and those are selected by us as a family to enhance our imaginations, inspire us, or educate us.
In the same way, we don't just play the radio. There is so much on the radio that's unfit for adult ears, let alone children. But, again, the materialistic bent of commercial broadcasting is just that, commercial.
To prove our point, we threw out a few random words which also happened to be keywords for local radio commercials. All it took was for me to say, "I met my husband," and they could finish, "on E-Harmony dot com!" Or I could say the word "gimmicks" and they could sing the jingle for the local car dealership.
This, children, is the point of radio programming. To program the minds of those who listen. To create in you a need you never knew you had, and then make you restless enough to sell you something to meet your need. Radio and television programming is designed to unsettle us, to make us selfish, to tell us that we're not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, clean enough and to convince us that we need more more MORE!
It's important to make wise decisions about what you put into your head. Some things, no matter how benign they may seem, will never come back out.
This Magic Moment
Last night, we watched a movie about illusion called The Mysteries of Magic, The Impossible Made Possible. It featured the history of illusion, especially as it related to people producing ghosts and conjuring up "spirits." It was very enlightening to see how far people would go to make a person believe something.
One of the illusions involved reflections in glass. It was an illusion called "Pepper's Ghost," where people would enter this old house, received all sorts of sensory deprivation, drink "poison" (which was actually some type of narcotic to make them more open to the trick), and then be lead to the edge of death where they would see a beautiful girl turn into a skeleton, right before their eyes.
After the video was over, Bohemian jumped up and said, "We can do one of those! We can do one of those magic tricks!" So he sent all of the kids from the room, except for Bard, and then he arranged us thus: Bard sat on a stool on one side of the room, just behind the french door. I sat on the other side of the room on a stool where I couldn't be seen but facing the french door. The room was completely dark, and we each held a flashlight. When both of our flashlights were on, Bard could be seen through the french door's window, and my reflection could be seen ON the window. Thus, we could line up our faces so that we would be in exactly the same place. Then, Bard turned her flashligh on and I turned mine off. When Bohemian would count "three," Bard would turn her flashlight off, and I would turn mine on. Her image would then disappear, and mine would appear exactly where she had been!
We called the other three kids down and showed them the illusion. They were amazed! It was as if Bard were disappearing and I were appearing in her place! The other kids had great fun with it, Monet figuring the mechanics of the trick out right away and putting it to other uses. He was able to make himself disappear and immediately started talking about all of the possibilities for the trick. Bohemian explained that it was through a trick like this that David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear.
This magic moment went right along with our discussion on light and darkness, in more ways than one!
One of the illusions involved reflections in glass. It was an illusion called "Pepper's Ghost," where people would enter this old house, received all sorts of sensory deprivation, drink "poison" (which was actually some type of narcotic to make them more open to the trick), and then be lead to the edge of death where they would see a beautiful girl turn into a skeleton, right before their eyes.
After the video was over, Bohemian jumped up and said, "We can do one of those! We can do one of those magic tricks!" So he sent all of the kids from the room, except for Bard, and then he arranged us thus: Bard sat on a stool on one side of the room, just behind the french door. I sat on the other side of the room on a stool where I couldn't be seen but facing the french door. The room was completely dark, and we each held a flashlight. When both of our flashlights were on, Bard could be seen through the french door's window, and my reflection could be seen ON the window. Thus, we could line up our faces so that we would be in exactly the same place. Then, Bard turned her flashligh on and I turned mine off. When Bohemian would count "three," Bard would turn her flashlight off, and I would turn mine on. Her image would then disappear, and mine would appear exactly where she had been!
We called the other three kids down and showed them the illusion. They were amazed! It was as if Bard were disappearing and I were appearing in her place! The other kids had great fun with it, Monet figuring the mechanics of the trick out right away and putting it to other uses. He was able to make himself disappear and immediately started talking about all of the possibilities for the trick. Bohemian explained that it was through a trick like this that David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear.
This magic moment went right along with our discussion on light and darkness, in more ways than one!
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Getting back to it...
Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning, I feel like I didn't sleep at all. It's all just a long continuation, day after day of the same thing. It's just one day, just longer. :-)
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Off to see Pierce Pettis
We're heading out to Kidron tonight to see Pierce Pettis at the KidronFolk Music Festival. I'm very excited and can't wait to meet some new people! I plan to take some invitations to our open house/jam session so that we can hand them out to any musicians we might meet.
We've spent today sanding and finishing the kitchen cabinets. I hope to post a pic later! They look much nicer, and we distressed them just a bit more than we had before. We have an 8' island in the center of the kitchen with a maple butcherblock top, and we hope to get that finished tomorrow, painted with a coat of buttermilk milkpaint, and then lexington green milkpaint, sand, distress, hand-rub, then finish. We should be able to get it done tomorrow. It will be so awesome to finish before our family gathering.
I called to have the piano tuned, and there's hope that it should be tuned within the next two weeks. Bohemian was going to try to do it, but with all of the work he has to do to finish the house before the gathering, I said it would be best to leave it to someone else.
We put the hardware on all of the french doors. It was so awesome to open the french doors off of the schoolroom onto the side porch. It opened the whole room up SOOO much! I hope to hange a hook on the side porch for our three budgies to enjoy the weather when it's warm, yet still be able to hear them "talk" to each other from inside.
There's a parrot looking for a new home on FreeCycle. I submitted a request, and I really hope they choose us. What a wonderful thing it would be to find a healthy parrot for a pet!
Off to get ready for the festival!
We've spent today sanding and finishing the kitchen cabinets. I hope to post a pic later! They look much nicer, and we distressed them just a bit more than we had before. We have an 8' island in the center of the kitchen with a maple butcherblock top, and we hope to get that finished tomorrow, painted with a coat of buttermilk milkpaint, and then lexington green milkpaint, sand, distress, hand-rub, then finish. We should be able to get it done tomorrow. It will be so awesome to finish before our family gathering.
I called to have the piano tuned, and there's hope that it should be tuned within the next two weeks. Bohemian was going to try to do it, but with all of the work he has to do to finish the house before the gathering, I said it would be best to leave it to someone else.
We put the hardware on all of the french doors. It was so awesome to open the french doors off of the schoolroom onto the side porch. It opened the whole room up SOOO much! I hope to hange a hook on the side porch for our three budgies to enjoy the weather when it's warm, yet still be able to hear them "talk" to each other from inside.
There's a parrot looking for a new home on FreeCycle. I submitted a request, and I really hope they choose us. What a wonderful thing it would be to find a healthy parrot for a pet!
Off to get ready for the festival!
A Man for All Seasons
I'm writing this post backwards...from tonight to Monday.
Tonight, we watched the DVD A Man For All Season about the life of Sir Thomas More during the reign of King Henry VIII. We discussed Sir Thomas' obedience to God over obedience to a king. We discussed the scripture, "What does it profit a man if he gains the world but loses his own soul?" as was mentioned by Sir Thomas to Richard Rich. We talked briefly about the Pilgrims and their leaving England to worship as they saw necessary as opposed to being ruled by a church that was ruled by a king.
On Thursday, Edison, Monet and Sweetheart had art appreciation where they learned about Seurat and practiced a bit of their own pointilism. They found that sometimes art takes much, much patience. Photos of the art class are here.
We also spent time at The Hartville Marketplace where Edison spent some time talking to a magician friend of his. Bard and her friend Kat wandered around looking at things they wanted to buy but couldn't afford. Bard and Kat had spent the morning babysitting, but Bard is saving money for her trip to China in 2005.
When we got back to Kat's house, my dad called to say that Poochie (who almost has a name now) was missing and had been gone all day. He had followed us to feed the chickens and apparently never went home.
On Thursday afternoon, the kids and I shopped Goodwill for some new (to us) clothes. Bard carefully chose her things based on the sales and prices as well as the styles. We'd had a great conversation about What Not to Wear, about how cruel the "fashion gurus" are and how hurtful it must be for some contestants to know that their friends thought so poorly of their clothing choices. We discussed how much more important it is to be kind than to be fashion-conscious, but that you could still be fashion conscious without breaking the bank. She stayed with this theme during her shopping trip. I hope to go back to this particular Goodwill earlier in the day, as it was a really nice one, but so much of the stuff was picked over. Still, a tag that said Old Navy or GAP was about 200% more expensive than one that said Faded Glory or Cherokee. Brand consciousness, even at Goodwill. Afterwards, Bard and Houdin went to the grocery with a list and a cash card and came out with all that was on the list.
Thursday evening, we had dinner with our friends, S and B and their kids. We were there when B came home from work, and S took him aside to talk to him for a minute. When they came out, S informed us that she had just taken a pregnancy test and are now expecting #4! How exciting! They've chosen a name already...Seth Joshua Louis.
After dinner, Bard, Kat, S and I went to another friend's home for a PartyLite party. I feel guilty buying...but I do love their stuff. While I was there, Bohemian called to say that Poochie was home, safe and sound. My friend Jen's mother offered Bard a job cleaning house once a month, to help with her China tour.
I made my case to Bohemian that we should stay at S and B's overnight, since Bohemian had taken Friday as a vacation day. It was dark, rainy, and we had driven into town seperately. Bohemian wanted to drive home...so we left our Jeep and drove the van. On the hour-and-a-half-long drive home from S and B's, the alternator in our van failed and we spent an hour in a Wal*Mart parking lot at 2:00 AM, walking a dog we're dogsitting (yes, that makes five) and watching the live bat that was frequenting the Hallowe'en display, ironically! After brainstorming for a solution to get us the 45 minute trip back home and coming up with nothing better, we finally purchased a battery, and we were able to get back home.
On Wednesday, we drove to Toledo to pick up Bard from her visit to Chicago. We had lunch at Tony Packo's--fried pickles, a chili sunday, hot dogs and chicken paprikas. While there, Edison (who has decided to change his name to Houdin, so will henceforth be known as such) saw a picture of David Copperfield along with his signed hot dog bun. At Tony Packo's, celebrities sign hot dog buns which are then encased in acrylic and hung on the walls. There are hot dog buns signed by President Clinton, several of the Kennedys, and many famous musicians. Apparently, Tony Packo's was made famous not only by Burt Reynolds dining there, but also by Jamie Farr mentioning Packo's on M*A*S*H.
After lunch, we went to a park in Toledo called Pearson Metropark. The Baby got to play with her cousin while Sweetheart made friends. Bard stuck close by my side, hugging me and being so glad to be home after her almost-two-week adventure in Chicago nannying for her aunt. I missed her so much, and now she's gone again for the weekend, scrapbooking with Kat, and then to choir in the morning and then a hayride for the choir with Ash in the evening on Saturday. We'll pick her up on Sunday...and I will be very glad.
The Baby at Pearson Park
All of the kids at Pearson Park
Wednesday night, we all went for a nightwalk up to Aden's Hill where we talked about the constellations, pointed out the summer triangle, asked who could see The Milky Way (we all could) and saw that The Big Dipper was low on the horizon but could still be used to point to Polaris. We could see Pleides and Casseopia (I'm probably spelling all of these wrong), and then it was time to head for home, because it was getting cold. Now the kids are asking for night hikes every night. :-) Bard kept talking about how good it was to be back home, out of the light pollution of the city, and how she knew she could just never live in the city...it was the country for her. :-) She was anxious to hug her siblings, listen to their stories, and just be home again. What wonderful things she learned while away!
On Monday, the kids had choir, and I had to pick up a phone from a freecycle offer (did I write this already?). While in the car, Houdin told me all about the books he's been reading--he's been working his way through all of the condensed classics. He told me about Journey to the Center of the Earth, which was his favorite, and explained why Little Women was not his favorite (Beth dies, and there was nothing they could do about it).
Tomorrow, we hope to finish the kitchen cabinets, and then, maybe, go to the Kidron Folk Festival to see Pierce Pettis.
Another late night. It's off to bed...
Tonight, we watched the DVD A Man For All Season about the life of Sir Thomas More during the reign of King Henry VIII. We discussed Sir Thomas' obedience to God over obedience to a king. We discussed the scripture, "What does it profit a man if he gains the world but loses his own soul?" as was mentioned by Sir Thomas to Richard Rich. We talked briefly about the Pilgrims and their leaving England to worship as they saw necessary as opposed to being ruled by a church that was ruled by a king.
On Thursday, Edison, Monet and Sweetheart had art appreciation where they learned about Seurat and practiced a bit of their own pointilism. They found that sometimes art takes much, much patience. Photos of the art class are here.
We also spent time at The Hartville Marketplace where Edison spent some time talking to a magician friend of his. Bard and her friend Kat wandered around looking at things they wanted to buy but couldn't afford. Bard and Kat had spent the morning babysitting, but Bard is saving money for her trip to China in 2005.
When we got back to Kat's house, my dad called to say that Poochie (who almost has a name now) was missing and had been gone all day. He had followed us to feed the chickens and apparently never went home.
On Thursday afternoon, the kids and I shopped Goodwill for some new (to us) clothes. Bard carefully chose her things based on the sales and prices as well as the styles. We'd had a great conversation about What Not to Wear, about how cruel the "fashion gurus" are and how hurtful it must be for some contestants to know that their friends thought so poorly of their clothing choices. We discussed how much more important it is to be kind than to be fashion-conscious, but that you could still be fashion conscious without breaking the bank. She stayed with this theme during her shopping trip. I hope to go back to this particular Goodwill earlier in the day, as it was a really nice one, but so much of the stuff was picked over. Still, a tag that said Old Navy or GAP was about 200% more expensive than one that said Faded Glory or Cherokee. Brand consciousness, even at Goodwill. Afterwards, Bard and Houdin went to the grocery with a list and a cash card and came out with all that was on the list.
Thursday evening, we had dinner with our friends, S and B and their kids. We were there when B came home from work, and S took him aside to talk to him for a minute. When they came out, S informed us that she had just taken a pregnancy test and are now expecting #4! How exciting! They've chosen a name already...Seth Joshua Louis.
After dinner, Bard, Kat, S and I went to another friend's home for a PartyLite party. I feel guilty buying...but I do love their stuff. While I was there, Bohemian called to say that Poochie was home, safe and sound. My friend Jen's mother offered Bard a job cleaning house once a month, to help with her China tour.
I made my case to Bohemian that we should stay at S and B's overnight, since Bohemian had taken Friday as a vacation day. It was dark, rainy, and we had driven into town seperately. Bohemian wanted to drive home...so we left our Jeep and drove the van. On the hour-and-a-half-long drive home from S and B's, the alternator in our van failed and we spent an hour in a Wal*Mart parking lot at 2:00 AM, walking a dog we're dogsitting (yes, that makes five) and watching the live bat that was frequenting the Hallowe'en display, ironically! After brainstorming for a solution to get us the 45 minute trip back home and coming up with nothing better, we finally purchased a battery, and we were able to get back home.
On Wednesday, we drove to Toledo to pick up Bard from her visit to Chicago. We had lunch at Tony Packo's--fried pickles, a chili sunday, hot dogs and chicken paprikas. While there, Edison (who has decided to change his name to Houdin, so will henceforth be known as such) saw a picture of David Copperfield along with his signed hot dog bun. At Tony Packo's, celebrities sign hot dog buns which are then encased in acrylic and hung on the walls. There are hot dog buns signed by President Clinton, several of the Kennedys, and many famous musicians. Apparently, Tony Packo's was made famous not only by Burt Reynolds dining there, but also by Jamie Farr mentioning Packo's on M*A*S*H.
After lunch, we went to a park in Toledo called Pearson Metropark. The Baby got to play with her cousin while Sweetheart made friends. Bard stuck close by my side, hugging me and being so glad to be home after her almost-two-week adventure in Chicago nannying for her aunt. I missed her so much, and now she's gone again for the weekend, scrapbooking with Kat, and then to choir in the morning and then a hayride for the choir with Ash in the evening on Saturday. We'll pick her up on Sunday...and I will be very glad.
The Baby at Pearson Park
All of the kids at Pearson Park
Wednesday night, we all went for a nightwalk up to Aden's Hill where we talked about the constellations, pointed out the summer triangle, asked who could see The Milky Way (we all could) and saw that The Big Dipper was low on the horizon but could still be used to point to Polaris. We could see Pleides and Casseopia (I'm probably spelling all of these wrong), and then it was time to head for home, because it was getting cold. Now the kids are asking for night hikes every night. :-) Bard kept talking about how good it was to be back home, out of the light pollution of the city, and how she knew she could just never live in the city...it was the country for her. :-) She was anxious to hug her siblings, listen to their stories, and just be home again. What wonderful things she learned while away!
On Monday, the kids had choir, and I had to pick up a phone from a freecycle offer (did I write this already?). While in the car, Houdin told me all about the books he's been reading--he's been working his way through all of the condensed classics. He told me about Journey to the Center of the Earth, which was his favorite, and explained why Little Women was not his favorite (Beth dies, and there was nothing they could do about it).
Tomorrow, we hope to finish the kitchen cabinets, and then, maybe, go to the Kidron Folk Festival to see Pierce Pettis.
Another late night. It's off to bed...
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Government, handwriting, etc.
Since we're working on the KONOS unit study for obedience, we spent this morning talking about government and how important it is to pray for those who are in authority over us. The scripture verses that we read from The Message were very interesting. I'll post them later.
We also worked on handwriting. Edison chose a poem to copy and I'll work with him more closely on his handwriting one-on-one later. One of the problems I have with the handwriting is that the do it perfectly during their lessons, and then when it's time to actually write, just in "real life," they slip back into their sloppy handwriting patterns. We use Getty-Dubay, and someone mentioned on one of my e-mail lists that there is a software company that provides fonts for Getty-Dubay so that you can type out the verse or practice writing instead of handwriting it. I think I'll invest in this.
The kids are taking a few-minute break for me to blog and regroup. I can't believe how quickly the day has gone by! We'll go back to our study, where I think we'll break from KONOS for a bit and move on to the Flat Stanley project.
We also worked on handwriting. Edison chose a poem to copy and I'll work with him more closely on his handwriting one-on-one later. One of the problems I have with the handwriting is that the do it perfectly during their lessons, and then when it's time to actually write, just in "real life," they slip back into their sloppy handwriting patterns. We use Getty-Dubay, and someone mentioned on one of my e-mail lists that there is a software company that provides fonts for Getty-Dubay so that you can type out the verse or practice writing instead of handwriting it. I think I'll invest in this.
The kids are taking a few-minute break for me to blog and regroup. I can't believe how quickly the day has gone by! We'll go back to our study, where I think we'll break from KONOS for a bit and move on to the Flat Stanley project.
FLAT STANLEY PROJECT
FLAT STANLEY PROJECT
The Flat Stanley project was listed on one of the e-mail lists to which I belong. I had heard about it before and thought it was a great idea, but I didn't look further into it. After reading through the description of the project, checking the participant list and seeing that there are other homeschoolers, I shared the idea with Monet by telling the following story:
"Once upon a time, there was a boy named Monet. He was just sitting at the table, quietly doing his homeschooling project, when the chalkboard came crashing down on top of him, squashing him as flat as a sheet of paper. His mother was alarmed, but Monet wasn't bothered at all! In fact, he was a wee bit excited! 'Mom!' he cried, 'now I can go anywhere in the world...in an envelope!'"
Monet was really excited about this idea. We came up with a few variations, such as provide our Flat Monet with pockets and a backpack. Edison got in on the game, too, and thought it would be cool to send a dollar along with his Flat Edison so that it could be converted to whatever country's money Flat Edison happened to visit.
Monet wants to send his Flat Monet to a cousin in Chicago. Edison would like to send his around the world. His idea was to do a "round robin" type of thing where he sends his Flat Edison along to someone and then they send it along to someone else when they're done. We'd have to figure out how we'd get him back!
We signed up on the Flat Stanley website and hope to get approval soon so we can begin participating!
The Flat Stanley project was listed on one of the e-mail lists to which I belong. I had heard about it before and thought it was a great idea, but I didn't look further into it. After reading through the description of the project, checking the participant list and seeing that there are other homeschoolers, I shared the idea with Monet by telling the following story:
"Once upon a time, there was a boy named Monet. He was just sitting at the table, quietly doing his homeschooling project, when the chalkboard came crashing down on top of him, squashing him as flat as a sheet of paper. His mother was alarmed, but Monet wasn't bothered at all! In fact, he was a wee bit excited! 'Mom!' he cried, 'now I can go anywhere in the world...in an envelope!'"
Monet was really excited about this idea. We came up with a few variations, such as provide our Flat Monet with pockets and a backpack. Edison got in on the game, too, and thought it would be cool to send a dollar along with his Flat Edison so that it could be converted to whatever country's money Flat Edison happened to visit.
Monet wants to send his Flat Monet to a cousin in Chicago. Edison would like to send his around the world. His idea was to do a "round robin" type of thing where he sends his Flat Edison along to someone and then they send it along to someone else when they're done. We'd have to figure out how we'd get him back!
We signed up on the Flat Stanley website and hope to get approval soon so we can begin participating!
Pen Pals from all over the globe...
Room 108 Pen Pals
This site collects the names and e-mail addresses of pen pals from all over the globe. You can choose from pen pals in North America or elsewhere. I haven't checked further into this, so if you do, let me know!
This site collects the names and e-mail addresses of pen pals from all over the globe. You can choose from pen pals in North America or elsewhere. I haven't checked further into this, so if you do, let me know!
Mad Math Minutes for Web
Mad Math Minutes for Web
Can you do this page in a minute? Lets you set the type of problems, number of problems, highest number given and more. Great customized practice for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Can you do this page in a minute? Lets you set the type of problems, number of problems, highest number given and more. Great customized practice for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Spelling Assessment
Assess your spelling
You need to have sound for this one. The program dictates a word to you and you spell it. You will be assessed using a standardized assessment method.
You need to have sound for this one. The program dictates a word to you and you spell it. You will be assessed using a standardized assessment method.
Virtual Lemonade Stand
Virtual Lemonade Stand
Do you have what it takes to run a successful lemonade stand? Decide how many lemons you need, how much ice, how many cups, what to sell for, etc.
Do you have what it takes to run a successful lemonade stand? Decide how many lemons you need, how much ice, how many cups, what to sell for, etc.
A Maths Dictionary for Kids by Jenny Eather
A Maths Dictionary for Kids by Jenny Eather
Did you know that a Magic Square is numbers arranged in a square so that the numbers add up to the same total vertically, horizontally and diagonally?
Did you know that a googol is the numeral 1 followed by ten zeros?
Do you know how to convert kilometres to miles?
This wonderful interactive dictionary defines math terms for kids in an easy and friendly way. It's a great tool when you come across a mathematical term whose meaning you just can't recall. It's also kind of fun just to read through the terms and practice the little activities accompanied by each definition.
I'd love to find something like this for science and language arts!
Did you know that a Magic Square is numbers arranged in a square so that the numbers add up to the same total vertically, horizontally and diagonally?
Did you know that a googol is the numeral 1 followed by ten zeros?
Do you know how to convert kilometres to miles?
This wonderful interactive dictionary defines math terms for kids in an easy and friendly way. It's a great tool when you come across a mathematical term whose meaning you just can't recall. It's also kind of fun just to read through the terms and practice the little activities accompanied by each definition.
I'd love to find something like this for science and language arts!
Monday, September 13, 2004
The Long Day is Over
Feeling tired
By the fire
The long day is over
The wind is gone
Asleep at dawn
The embers burn on
With no reprise
The sun will rise
The long day is over...
~Nora Jones
The end of our first day of academic focus is over. It was both good and bad. We had fun, and we had tears. It's amazing how living can be so hard on one's soul.
We began the day with a few workbook pages. Sweetheart did pages of a number book to learn to read, recognize and use her numbers. She was anxious to do them and was disappointed when it was time to move on to the KONOS stuff.
Monet started off with a workbook on multiplication and immediately deemed it "too easy." I assured him that what he was doing was only an introductory review and that it would, indeed, get harder. :-)
Edison started the day with a game of pizza math, something I picked up in the clearance aisle at Wal*Mart. It's a game that helps to understand fractions and division.
While they worked on their notebooks, I served up toast and gave The Baby some cottage cheese (her current favorite). After I finished with that, we moved right on to the KONOS obedience character study. We started with a game of Mother May I/ Simon Says where the three of them had to line up facing me. I would call out an instruction saying, "Mother says," or "Father Says, " or God Says," and they had to decide if they were to obey or not. The object was to get to me, so I would say something like, Mother says take three baby steps forward," and then they would decide if they should obey Mother, and if they should, they would. Then I would say something like, "A stranger says take one step backwards," and they would decide whether they should obey or not. The last instruction was, "Mother says give Mama a hug," so I got three big hugs. :-)
We discussed authority, helping 5 YO Sweetheart understand what the word "authority" means. We listed the different people who are in positions of authority over us, and we discussed what the Bible says about our obedience to God, to parents and to others. Later, in the car, Edison asked why it's so important that everyone vote, so we discussed what it means to have someone be in a position of authority over you, and how our founding fathers came from a monarchy where they weren't given any control over who would be in authority over them, and how hard they fought to have independence and a democratic government, or a government run by the people. If we don't vote, I explained, we can't complain about who has authority over us in the government.
We played another game where I let the children choose a room in the house, anywhere they wanted, and they had to listen for the dinner bell. As soon as it was rung, they were to come as quickly as they could and I would time their results. They were able to hone their skills down to eight minutes! I plan to give these drills daily.
We played another game where I would call out an instruction. The people who obeyed each received a point, and the one who obeyed the quickest received an extra point.
I assigned them to read the story of Abraham and Isaac and to dramatize the story in some way. Edison and Monet had a falling out over it and eventually I separated them and assigned them to each dramatize the story in their own way. Monet chose to make popsicle stick puppets while Edison chose shadow puppets. They'll put on their productions tomorrow.
Monet and I practiced counting by tens from any number, adding double digits, dividing and multiplying. We also discussed percentages as they relate to fractions.
Sweetheart and I did a reading lesson...she's still doing well. She practiced writing the letter "d" on paper and then in jello powder in a pie pan.
This evening, Edison and Monet had choir practice and then we stopped to pick up some old school lockers that I got from FreeCycle, and then we stopped for pizza, where Monet and I tried this trick on Bohemian:
Explain to a friend that you can predict a mathematical outcome based on the number of their choosing. Write down your prediction on a piece of paper, fold it in half and put in their hand, instructing them to place it in their pocket or some other safe place. Have them choose a number, any number, but suggest that it's one that will be easy with which to work because they will be adding, subtracting and dividing using the number. After they've chosen a number and written it down without telling you what it is, have them do each of the following steps:
Add your number to the next higher number. For example, if your number is six, add seven to it to get 13. If your number is 42, add 43 to it to get 85, and so on.
Add nine to the sum.
Divide that sum by two.
Subtract your original number from the quotient.
After they've done their math, checked it for accuracy and then checked it again, let them take the slip of paper out of their pocket and read it. They'll be amazed that you predicted right!
The reason? No matter what number they choose, the answer will always be five!
Lessons I learned today:
Do all of the workbooks and copying first.
Have finger snacks that don't cause stickyness. Toast is probably not the best choice for a worksheet table breakfast. :-)
Have Edison and Monet work seperately from the beginning.
Be flexible.
That's all for tonight. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
By the fire
The long day is over
The wind is gone
Asleep at dawn
The embers burn on
With no reprise
The sun will rise
The long day is over...
~Nora Jones
The end of our first day of academic focus is over. It was both good and bad. We had fun, and we had tears. It's amazing how living can be so hard on one's soul.
We began the day with a few workbook pages. Sweetheart did pages of a number book to learn to read, recognize and use her numbers. She was anxious to do them and was disappointed when it was time to move on to the KONOS stuff.
Monet started off with a workbook on multiplication and immediately deemed it "too easy." I assured him that what he was doing was only an introductory review and that it would, indeed, get harder. :-)
Edison started the day with a game of pizza math, something I picked up in the clearance aisle at Wal*Mart. It's a game that helps to understand fractions and division.
While they worked on their notebooks, I served up toast and gave The Baby some cottage cheese (her current favorite). After I finished with that, we moved right on to the KONOS obedience character study. We started with a game of Mother May I/ Simon Says where the three of them had to line up facing me. I would call out an instruction saying, "Mother says," or "Father Says, " or God Says," and they had to decide if they were to obey or not. The object was to get to me, so I would say something like, Mother says take three baby steps forward," and then they would decide if they should obey Mother, and if they should, they would. Then I would say something like, "A stranger says take one step backwards," and they would decide whether they should obey or not. The last instruction was, "Mother says give Mama a hug," so I got three big hugs. :-)
We discussed authority, helping 5 YO Sweetheart understand what the word "authority" means. We listed the different people who are in positions of authority over us, and we discussed what the Bible says about our obedience to God, to parents and to others. Later, in the car, Edison asked why it's so important that everyone vote, so we discussed what it means to have someone be in a position of authority over you, and how our founding fathers came from a monarchy where they weren't given any control over who would be in authority over them, and how hard they fought to have independence and a democratic government, or a government run by the people. If we don't vote, I explained, we can't complain about who has authority over us in the government.
We played another game where I let the children choose a room in the house, anywhere they wanted, and they had to listen for the dinner bell. As soon as it was rung, they were to come as quickly as they could and I would time their results. They were able to hone their skills down to eight minutes! I plan to give these drills daily.
We played another game where I would call out an instruction. The people who obeyed each received a point, and the one who obeyed the quickest received an extra point.
I assigned them to read the story of Abraham and Isaac and to dramatize the story in some way. Edison and Monet had a falling out over it and eventually I separated them and assigned them to each dramatize the story in their own way. Monet chose to make popsicle stick puppets while Edison chose shadow puppets. They'll put on their productions tomorrow.
Monet and I practiced counting by tens from any number, adding double digits, dividing and multiplying. We also discussed percentages as they relate to fractions.
Sweetheart and I did a reading lesson...she's still doing well. She practiced writing the letter "d" on paper and then in jello powder in a pie pan.
This evening, Edison and Monet had choir practice and then we stopped to pick up some old school lockers that I got from FreeCycle, and then we stopped for pizza, where Monet and I tried this trick on Bohemian:
Explain to a friend that you can predict a mathematical outcome based on the number of their choosing. Write down your prediction on a piece of paper, fold it in half and put in their hand, instructing them to place it in their pocket or some other safe place. Have them choose a number, any number, but suggest that it's one that will be easy with which to work because they will be adding, subtracting and dividing using the number. After they've chosen a number and written it down without telling you what it is, have them do each of the following steps:
Add your number to the next higher number. For example, if your number is six, add seven to it to get 13. If your number is 42, add 43 to it to get 85, and so on.
Add nine to the sum.
Divide that sum by two.
Subtract your original number from the quotient.
After they've done their math, checked it for accuracy and then checked it again, let them take the slip of paper out of their pocket and read it. They'll be amazed that you predicted right!
The reason? No matter what number they choose, the answer will always be five!
Lessons I learned today:
Do all of the workbooks and copying first.
Have finger snacks that don't cause stickyness. Toast is probably not the best choice for a worksheet table breakfast. :-)
Have Edison and Monet work seperately from the beginning.
Be flexible.
That's all for tonight. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Our first day...
Today will be our first day to start formal academics and delve into themes and units for the year. Because we are learning-oriented and tend towards the unschooling philosophy, our whole family learns all the time about many different things, and we gravitate towards things that have educational (particularly historical) significance.
Today, we will begin a character unit study on obedience using the Konos curriculum. Throughout that study, we'll be learning about light, lighthouses, authority, kings and queens, printing, candlemaking, and more.
Today, we will lay the groundwork for the unit study. We'll begin copying verses and memorizing poetry. We'll begin practicing our multiplication tables. We'll begin timing each other to see how fast we can come when called. We'll play Mother May I and Simon Says.
Sweetheart will continue her reading lessons (she's doing so well!) and she is also doing pages from a workbooks called God's Colorful World and God's Animal Alphabet. I'm normally not into workbooks, but Sweetheart really is, and she asks me daily "what she can do," looking for ideas to feed her mind. Maybe she and I can make a book called, "What Can I Do Today?" to which she can refer when she's bored.
Yesterday, Monet asked when we were starting lessons. He said, "I think I'll do really great with lessons this year." :-) I think he will, too.
Here's to balanced learning...
Today, we will begin a character unit study on obedience using the Konos curriculum. Throughout that study, we'll be learning about light, lighthouses, authority, kings and queens, printing, candlemaking, and more.
Today, we will lay the groundwork for the unit study. We'll begin copying verses and memorizing poetry. We'll begin practicing our multiplication tables. We'll begin timing each other to see how fast we can come when called. We'll play Mother May I and Simon Says.
Sweetheart will continue her reading lessons (she's doing so well!) and she is also doing pages from a workbooks called God's Colorful World and God's Animal Alphabet. I'm normally not into workbooks, but Sweetheart really is, and she asks me daily "what she can do," looking for ideas to feed her mind. Maybe she and I can make a book called, "What Can I Do Today?" to which she can refer when she's bored.
Yesterday, Monet asked when we were starting lessons. He said, "I think I'll do really great with lessons this year." :-) I think he will, too.
Here's to balanced learning...
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Crazy busy
Today was full. After staying up half the night to mess with my blog, I woke up early this morning and didn't feel a bit tired. Strange. I had to force myself to go to sleep last night, and I laid in bed this morning for a half hour trying to go back to sleep before I decided it was no use. So I got up.
A trip to Wal*Mart (found a few learning materials, bought a couple of baskets, a wood carving set and whittling blocks for our upcoming unit on printing, got some more stuff for homemade pop) then a trip to the library, and then home, where I did some organizing and staining while Bohemian worked on the lawn. And that's a lot of work.
The kids watched an old Walt Disney video about birds...can't remember what it was called, but it was a special feature on The Rescuers. I stained the oak leaf carvings above the door, which was Monet's idea (of course), so he got to stain a few things, too. Looks nice. I'll post a photo when I can get the pics off of my digital camera.
Our tiger kitty had kittens in the barn, so Monet and Sweetheart spent a good part of the morning in the loft playing with the kittens. At one point, Sweetheart came in to inform me that Monet had fallen asleep in the loft with a kitten in his arms. :-)
The boys cleaned out the van and cleaned the windows. Afterwards Edison rode his bike to Richard and Penny's, and then Richard brought him home. Edison was in a really good mood and was very helpful. He even made the comment that when the house is messy, it "drives him nuts." He's been doing a lot of reading lately, too. I hope to interview him (maybe tomorrow?) about all of the books he's been reading.
I looked at the Rainbow Resource Center catalog today, the one that I picked up from the homeschool meeting. Wow! I know what my kids are getting for Christmas this year! I was so inspired! Cool stuff.
When we were in the car on the way home from the grocery store, the chocolate cupcakes that Sweetheart picked out went crashing to the floor of the van. It was kind of Edison's fault because he put them in a precarious place. A couple of people were giving Edison a hard time, but then Monet said, "Well, they still are what they are." Very good observation, indeed.
Bohemian and I spent the evening staining and polying the stair railing, window casings and windowsills. We'll be having a family gathering next month, so that has kind of lit a fire under our tails to get stuff done.
Bard is still in Chicago...or did I mention that before? She's spending two weeks nannying and helping my sister-in-law, who is a midwife in the Chicago area, because she has a lot of ladies due right now and a one year old who doesn't care to share his mother. My SIL has so graciously agreed to pay Bard her first month's China payment in return for her help. I miss Bard a great deal. She's a wonderful helper and a good companion. But it has also been nice to take this opportunity to try to train my sons to be keepers of a home, too.
The Baby is begging to nurse, so I'm going to sign off. There's so much more I want to say. Maybe I'll blog again tonight after she falls asleep. Until then...
A trip to Wal*Mart (found a few learning materials, bought a couple of baskets, a wood carving set and whittling blocks for our upcoming unit on printing, got some more stuff for homemade pop) then a trip to the library, and then home, where I did some organizing and staining while Bohemian worked on the lawn. And that's a lot of work.
The kids watched an old Walt Disney video about birds...can't remember what it was called, but it was a special feature on The Rescuers. I stained the oak leaf carvings above the door, which was Monet's idea (of course), so he got to stain a few things, too. Looks nice. I'll post a photo when I can get the pics off of my digital camera.
Our tiger kitty had kittens in the barn, so Monet and Sweetheart spent a good part of the morning in the loft playing with the kittens. At one point, Sweetheart came in to inform me that Monet had fallen asleep in the loft with a kitten in his arms. :-)
The boys cleaned out the van and cleaned the windows. Afterwards Edison rode his bike to Richard and Penny's, and then Richard brought him home. Edison was in a really good mood and was very helpful. He even made the comment that when the house is messy, it "drives him nuts." He's been doing a lot of reading lately, too. I hope to interview him (maybe tomorrow?) about all of the books he's been reading.
I looked at the Rainbow Resource Center catalog today, the one that I picked up from the homeschool meeting. Wow! I know what my kids are getting for Christmas this year! I was so inspired! Cool stuff.
When we were in the car on the way home from the grocery store, the chocolate cupcakes that Sweetheart picked out went crashing to the floor of the van. It was kind of Edison's fault because he put them in a precarious place. A couple of people were giving Edison a hard time, but then Monet said, "Well, they still are what they are." Very good observation, indeed.
Bohemian and I spent the evening staining and polying the stair railing, window casings and windowsills. We'll be having a family gathering next month, so that has kind of lit a fire under our tails to get stuff done.
Bard is still in Chicago...or did I mention that before? She's spending two weeks nannying and helping my sister-in-law, who is a midwife in the Chicago area, because she has a lot of ladies due right now and a one year old who doesn't care to share his mother. My SIL has so graciously agreed to pay Bard her first month's China payment in return for her help. I miss Bard a great deal. She's a wonderful helper and a good companion. But it has also been nice to take this opportunity to try to train my sons to be keepers of a home, too.
The Baby is begging to nurse, so I'm going to sign off. There's so much more I want to say. Maybe I'll blog again tonight after she falls asleep. Until then...
Friday, September 10, 2004
A ton of links...
I added a ton of links for learning resources in Ohio. I hope to add more for Holmes County as well. Searching for links, I'm amazed at the amount of stuff that's here to see! Ohio really is awesome. If you can think of any Ohio or Holmes County links I should add, please let me know and I'll do my best. In the meantime, be sure to visit a few of the links, and then a few of the places!
Homeschool Support Group Meeting
Well. I went. I did it. And guess what.
I survived. :-)
Actually, I had a good time! I met a few people, saw that there are actually a lot of very nice people there, and no one yelled at me. I didn't make a single enemy, and I actually may be on my way to making a few...ahem...could it be...FRIENDS? :-)
They served punch, not Kool-Aid. There were some wonderful people there, and there were some people I had even met before. There was a woman there named Connie (if you're reading this, "Hi, Connie!") who I'd seen at Wal*Mart once a year or more ago, wearing her baby in a sling, and I'd thought, "Oh my goodness! I should go talk to her! I've never seen another person wear their baby in this county!" But I chickened out and gave it to the Lord (I know...I must be a real geek to pray for friends...but I'm in a new community, for crying in the mud!). We had also seen each other another time at Edison's fiddle lesson, where she and her son had been taking lessons. It was really fun to talk to her and exchange e-mail addresses.
The Baby was a bit difficult to maintain. I'll have to make sure to prepare for that next time. I was able to pick up a Rainbow Resource Center catalog, which is very cool because I ordered one online and haven't received it yet.
There were quite a few people at the meeting. I'd say there were about 20-25 families there and it seemed like there were quite a few who were coming to the meeting for the first time, just like us. At one point (and I think you'll appreciate this, Heather...I thought of you), everyone was introducing themselves. When the families with quiverfuls or larger introduced themselves, people actually APPLAUDED! Where on earth would you ever find that kind of response??? There were many families with three or more, five seemed about average, and there was one with 11 (including adopted children).
The kids and teens all seemed to socialize well with each other, but I didn't hang out with them to see for sure. I'm looking forward to some more activities and opportunities to get to know people.
One of the cool "schooly" things that happened tonight was that they had a Human Scavenger Hunt which gave Sweetheart a chance to practice writing her name. One of the women prepared a list of about 30 attributes, such as "owns a horse," "speaks spanish," or "wearing a jumper." You had to find people with that attribute and have them sign your paper, and it had to be someone outside of our immediate family. One of the attributes was "under 36" tall." Many people had Sweetheart sign her name on the paper. It was good practice, but she was so nervous that she would forget how to spell her name. :-) Monet was really into the game, asking people to sign his paper and telling others which people he'd found that could sign for which things.
The down sides: no matter HOW many times I tell my kids, they will NOT stop interrupting me when I'm talking! Ack! I just can't get them to understand! It wouldn't be so bad if I had one child, but I have FIVE. So as soon as I finish telling one to stop interrupting, here comes the next. I swear, it seems like they have a meeting beforehand..."You go first. Tap her on the shoulder four times. If she doesn't answer tap again and again until she answers you. After she gets mad at you, I'll come up and ask her the question. That way she'll be mad at you and so exasperated that I'll get the answer. If that doesn't work, we'll send Sweetheart. She's not as hard on Sweetheart..." They took turns tapping and talking all evening!
And no matter HOW many times I tell them NOT to talk with food in their mouths, they still DO! I intentionally stopped at Burger King ahead of time so that they wouldn't ravenously attack the snack table, but they filled their plates to the brim and continually spewed banana bread crumbs from their lips. ACK!
And no matter HOW many times I tell them NOT to bicker with their siblings, they insist on nagging and picking each other over EVERY SINGLE THING! And they really don't care where we are! They'll come hollering. The exchange goes something like this:
So, yes. I survived. Barely. :-) And I actually think I'll go back next month. If I can get the kids to be civilized.
*NOTE: This is a dramatization. This did not ACTUALLY happen. This is a gross exaggeration! But...well...okay, it's pretty darn close. ;-) Still, if you have any suggestions on how to train these children in this area, please, please, please let me know!
I survived. :-)
Actually, I had a good time! I met a few people, saw that there are actually a lot of very nice people there, and no one yelled at me. I didn't make a single enemy, and I actually may be on my way to making a few...ahem...could it be...FRIENDS? :-)
They served punch, not Kool-Aid. There were some wonderful people there, and there were some people I had even met before. There was a woman there named Connie (if you're reading this, "Hi, Connie!") who I'd seen at Wal*Mart once a year or more ago, wearing her baby in a sling, and I'd thought, "Oh my goodness! I should go talk to her! I've never seen another person wear their baby in this county!" But I chickened out and gave it to the Lord (I know...I must be a real geek to pray for friends...but I'm in a new community, for crying in the mud!). We had also seen each other another time at Edison's fiddle lesson, where she and her son had been taking lessons. It was really fun to talk to her and exchange e-mail addresses.
The Baby was a bit difficult to maintain. I'll have to make sure to prepare for that next time. I was able to pick up a Rainbow Resource Center catalog, which is very cool because I ordered one online and haven't received it yet.
There were quite a few people at the meeting. I'd say there were about 20-25 families there and it seemed like there were quite a few who were coming to the meeting for the first time, just like us. At one point (and I think you'll appreciate this, Heather...I thought of you
The kids and teens all seemed to socialize well with each other, but I didn't hang out with them to see for sure. I'm looking forward to some more activities and opportunities to get to know people.
One of the cool "schooly" things that happened tonight was that they had a Human Scavenger Hunt which gave Sweetheart a chance to practice writing her name. One of the women prepared a list of about 30 attributes, such as "owns a horse," "speaks spanish," or "wearing a jumper." You had to find people with that attribute and have them sign your paper, and it had to be someone outside of our immediate family. One of the attributes was "under 36" tall." Many people had Sweetheart sign her name on the paper. It was good practice, but she was so nervous that she would forget how to spell her name. :-) Monet was really into the game, asking people to sign his paper and telling others which people he'd found that could sign for which things.
The down sides: no matter HOW many times I tell my kids, they will NOT stop interrupting me when I'm talking! Ack! I just can't get them to understand! It wouldn't be so bad if I had one child, but I have FIVE. So as soon as I finish telling one to stop interrupting, here comes the next. I swear, it seems like they have a meeting beforehand..."You go first. Tap her on the shoulder four times. If she doesn't answer tap again and again until she answers you. After she gets mad at you, I'll come up and ask her the question. That way she'll be mad at you and so exasperated that I'll get the answer. If that doesn't work, we'll send Sweetheart. She's not as hard on Sweetheart..." They took turns tapping and talking all evening!
And no matter HOW many times I tell them NOT to talk with food in their mouths, they still DO! I intentionally stopped at Burger King ahead of time so that they wouldn't ravenously attack the snack table, but they filled their plates to the brim and continually spewed banana bread crumbs from their lips. ACK!
And no matter HOW many times I tell them NOT to bicker with their siblings, they insist on nagging and picking each other over EVERY SINGLE THING! And they really don't care where we are! They'll come hollering. The exchange goes something like this:
*Me: So anyway, Mrs. Homeschool Support Group Organizer, your children are so well behaved. How do you get them to...?
One of my children: MOM! I WAS JUST ABOUT TO TAKE THE LAST PIECE OF BANANA BREAD, AND HE TOOK IT RIGHT OFF THE PLATE IN FRONT OF ME...
Me: (whispering in the child's ear) Please do not interrupt when I'm talking. you know that...
One of my children: DON'T YOU EVEN CARE? YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT ME. I WAS TRYING TO GET THE LAST PIECE OF...
Me: Okay, we'll talk about it later...wait a minute. You don't even
like banana bread...
One of my children: THAT'S NOT THE POINT! I WAS JUST ABOUT TO TAKE IT...
Other child interupts: YEAH, HE WAS JUST ABOUT TO TAKE IT BECAUSE HE HEARD ME TELL SWEETHEART THAT I WAS GOING TO TAKE THE LAST PIECE, AND THEN HE RAN OVER
AND TOOK IT AND...
One of my children: THAT'S BECAUSE I WAS GETTING IT FOR BABY! SHE WAS CRYING BECAUSE YOU TOOK HER DOLL AWAY...
Other child: DID NOT!
One of my children: DID, TOO!
Other child: DID NOT!
Me (looking back at Mrs. Homeschool Support Group Organizer whose mouth is hanging open in amazement): So, tell me, how do you get such well-behaved kids?
So, yes. I survived. Barely. :-) And I actually think I'll go back next month. If I can get the kids to be civilized.
*NOTE: This is a dramatization. This did not ACTUALLY happen. This is a gross exaggeration! But...well...okay, it's pretty darn close. ;-) Still, if you have any suggestions on how to train these children in this area, please, please, please let me know!
Carschooling
Carschooling.com - Over 350 Entertaining Games & Activities to Turn Travel Time into Learning Time
This is such an awesome idea. My sister-in-law, who is a midwife, was just telling me the other day how much time they spend in the car and how she often takes her homeschooled children's work along with her. I will DEFINITELY pass this information on to her. A fellow homeschooler in my area said she got her copy of this book from Wal*Mart.
From the website:
I have logged over 218,000 miles in the car with my kids. Here’s my solution to introducing fun education into traffic jams, cross-town jaunts, and endless road trips.
As a homeschooling parent, I spend a lot of time in the family car with my two sons. I cart them around to science, music and gymnastics lessons, to libraries, friends’ houses, and homeschool park days for recreation and socialization. I also take them on numerous field trips to distant points of interest.
This is such an awesome idea. My sister-in-law, who is a midwife, was just telling me the other day how much time they spend in the car and how she often takes her homeschooled children's work along with her. I will DEFINITELY pass this information on to her. A fellow homeschooler in my area said she got her copy of this book from Wal*Mart.
From the website:
I have logged over 218,000 miles in the car with my kids. Here’s my solution to introducing fun education into traffic jams, cross-town jaunts, and endless road trips.
As a homeschooling parent, I spend a lot of time in the family car with my two sons. I cart them around to science, music and gymnastics lessons, to libraries, friends’ houses, and homeschool park days for recreation and socialization. I also take them on numerous field trips to distant points of interest.
Homemade Pop and David Copperfield
Because of Edison's interest in magic, I've been renting some magic and illusion DVDs from Netflix. Over the last couple of days, we've watched David Copperfield: Illusion and today Mysteries of Magic: Volume I. Mysteries of magic contained a lot of history about illusion. From the Netflix description:
Last night, we made homemade soda pop ala Honest Pretzels by Mollie Katzen (I just looked her up and she has a webpage here, thought it looks like it may not be updated regularly). The soda was very simple. I used:
You might want to check the flavor as you add the lemon little by little, in case you don't like it as tart as we do.
Marvel at Houdini's escape from the Water Torture Cell. Watch illusionists stop everything from bullets to cannonballs with their bodies. And, see Penn & Teller perform the scariest trick of all -- conjuring up a million bees, on stage.
Last night, we made homemade soda pop ala Honest Pretzels by Mollie Katzen (I just looked her up and she has a webpage here, thought it looks like it may not be updated regularly). The soda was very simple. I used:
- 2 liters of club soda
- 2 cans of frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
- 1 container of lemon juice (the little ones that look like a lemon)
- and the juice of 2 limes.
You might want to check the flavor as you add the lemon little by little, in case you don't like it as tart as we do.
First Meeting
I have my first homeschool support group meeting tonight. I am SO nervous. Will my kids swing from the ceiling? Will get there before it's over? Will I have time to take a shower or will I have to go in my pajamas with my hair in knots? Will The Baby want to nurse and pull my shirt up in front of the president of the support group? Will they all be right-wing fundamentalists? Will they all think I'm a left-wing liberal? Will all of the children be wearing headcoverings? Will they serve Kool-Aid? Will I get my finger food done, or will I have to take Triscuits and Spam? Will Bohemian get home in time to go with me? Will someone want to come and check my house to see if I'm a good enough homeschooler? Will I make any enemies? Will I make any friends?
Monday, September 06, 2004
Snoopy
Snoopy, the 80 pound lap dog who has to be eased into meeting new people, barks loudly at people she doesn't know and eats kittens. She's a beagle-basset mix which also makes her the perfect porch dog, because her long, velvety ears hang over the edge of the front porch where she lays, unmoving, most of the day, just like Fletcher from the Something Queer
Four Dogs
When the Man waked up he said, 'What is Wild Dog doing here?'And the Woman said, 'His name is not Wild Dog any more, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always.'"
- Rudyard Kipling
"No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich." - Louis Sabin
I never would have thought we'd be a four-dog family. Four dogs is way too many. Four dogs is stupidly too many.
Growing up, I had one cat and one dog and never felt that it would be right to have more than one. After all, I was an only child. One of each was the exact right thing to have. How could you love them enough if you have more than one? How could you devote the time and attention that each needed if you had more than one? How could they be unique and special if you had more than one?
So we started out with just one dog. He was unique, sweet, and so very special. From the moment I saw him in the pet store, where my then 14 year old brother-in-law convinced me that it was okay to take home a puppy, I knew that this little golden guy was my doggie soul-mate. I dragged Bohemian back to the pet store later that night to buy the puppy I'd already named Gordon and took him home to be our one and only very special family dog forever.Whoever said you can't buy happiness
forgot little puppies. ~Gene Hill
But I accidentally hung that one. Long story, very painful. I'll spare you the details. We'll just say that what Bohemian said is right..." If you give a dog a long enough rope... " and we'll leave it at that.
"Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in."- Mark Twain
It took me a while to get over the death of Gordon. I just kept thinking about how it was all my fault, how, because I'd been so careless, I had dashed all of the plans I'd had for him. Romping in the fields (though we had no fields at the time), accompanying my kids down to the fishin' hole (that didn't exist in our neighborhood) and taking long walks on country roads with us (even though we lived on a very busy road in the suburbs, which was the reason for tying him up in the first place, which was the cause of his hanging).
Labradors are lousy watchdogs. They usually bark when there is a stranger about, but it is an expression of unmitigated joy at the chance to meet somebody new, not a warning.
~Norman Strung
It was Edison's third birthday that finally inspired me to research what would truly be the best kind of dog for our family. After reading about all of the different dog breeds, buying a few dog breed books at the bookstore, and talking to different breeders, I brought home a dopey, four-month old black lab the week before we travelled to Chicago to help prepare for my sister-in-law's wedding, a time when he wasn't old enough to be left alone but was just old enough to tear the wallpaper off of my in-laws' bathroom walls (Note to my mother-in-law, Kathie: I'm very sorry for what Indy did to your bathroom).
For the fifth year in succession I have pored over the catalogue of dogs in the show at Madison Square Garden without finding a dog named Rover, Towser, Sport, Spot or Fido.Who is the man who can call from the back door at night: "Here, Champion Alexander of Clane o' Wind-Holme! Here, Champion Alexander of Clane o' Wind-Holme"?- Westbrook Pegler
The dog had no name (well, he did have a name, but we didn't like the name "Oscar," which reminded me of hot dogs) until we took him to the Indiana Dunes where he romped excessively in the lake and then collapsed on the beach, seemingly comatose. We thought he was going to join Gordon in Great Doggie Heaven. But he continued his dead-dog-like state only until he miraculously recovered his strength and was ready to jump up and do it all again. That's when we decided to name him Indiana, after the Indiana Dunes. We also thought it was a clever dog name, since it was mentioned in Indiana Jones ("We named the *dog* Indiana!"). He would be our one and only, very special, family dog forever.
Until one day about five years later, when our pastor and his wife mentioned the sweet yellow labs their son was selling to raise money to buy his new bride a bedroom suite. They wondered if we might want one. Well, we thought, Edison has a dog. Wouldn't it be nice for Bard to have a dog, too? It's for a good cause. And labs are such social creatures, you know? Indy really should have a pal. So we brought Nutmeg home and she would be our...other...very special family dog forever.
Until one day about five years later, when our pastor and his wife mentioned the sweet yellow labs their son was selling to raise money to buy his new bride a bedroom suite. They wondered if we might want one. Well, we thought, Edison has a dog. Wouldn't it be nice for Bard to have a dog, too? It's for a good cause. And labs are such social creatures, you know? Indy really should have a pal. So we brought Nutmeg home and she would be our...other...very special family dog forever.
But Meggy had wanderlust. We decided not to have her spayed because we thought we might want to become professional breeders. Before long, Meggy was a walking hormone. Even though she and Indy were both indoor dogs, she continually begged to go outside. Once out, she refused to stay in the fenced-in yard with Indy, who had officially become an "it" at six months old, and she decided to seek greener pastures and a more productive companion, digging new holes as soon as we'd fill the old ones and actually chewing through a section of lattice to get out of the yard. One fast-moving car, four sobbing children and a huge vet bill later, we were back to one dog.Happiness to a dog is what lies on the other side of a door. - Charleton Ogburn Jr.
My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton
One September day after we moved to the country, we were enjoying the activity of the local farmer's auction when there came an extremely tall Amishman named Big Ben. Big Ben was toting a dog kennel full of sweet, tiny puppies--toy fox terrier/jack russell mix.
Monet was smitten. I thought about taking home the little guy cradled in Monet's arms. The tiny creature looked just like a min-pin, the price a mere twenty bucks (is there every a "cheap" dog???). At the thought, my legs began to shake. I thought about the two dead dogs in Great Doggie Heaven. I thought about how Bohemian would react. He'd already told me "No more animals!" after I had, week after week, brought home chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, guineas, pheasants, pigeons, ducks and kittens. But I have a disease, I've since discovered, that causes me to make impulse decisions when it comes to living things. I picked up my cell phone and told Bohemian, through the spotty reception, that I had found a puppy who was just s-o-o-o cute, that he would be a great pet for Monet (who has an animal-acquisition disease, too), and that it was such a deal at a mere twenty bucks! "Whatever you think is best..." he said, his resigned voice trailing off as I lost the call and was left to interpret his response. Legs still shaking, I handed Big Ben my last twenty dollars and went home with that sweet little pooch. We named him Jack, after C.S. Lewis, and he is one of the best friends a little boy could want. He sleeps under Monet's covers, follows the kids to the creek, the neighbors' houses, the bakery.... He comes when you call and does cute tricks. Of course, he also kills chickens and chases rabbits, but I'm still so very glad we took the chance and brought Jack home with us. And I'm so very glad that we've kept him alive.
"Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a
mother willing to let him have one" - Anonymous
Two dogs is a nice balance. I could have been fine with two dogs. They were actually a good set, in a humorous kind of way. This big, clumsy, gentle giant of a black labrador and this tiny, rabbit-and-chicken-eating bundle of energy of a terrier. Two dogs. A good balance. Big and little. Yin and yang.
So when one of Bohemian's coworkers wanted to find her dog a better home on someone's country farm than she was giving her on her city lot, I was very clear about my intentions. I would do the co-worker this favor: Snoopy could come to us just to spend the weekend. We would keep her for a few days, see if we could find a home for her on a nice Amish farm, and if we couldn't, she would go back.
When Bohemian dragged her down the footpath to our cabin in the freezing rain, and I say dragged bccause she was absolutely adamant that she was NOT going to come willingly, I knew that she would be going back to her lot in the city. She growled at the kids, hid under the table, and was generally very anti-social. She caused us a panic attack when she ran away from home the first night, causing us to comb the neighborhood and put up fliers from dawn to dusk. As the darkness fell and I was certain I was going to have to call Bohemian's co-worker to tell her we'd definitely given Snoopy a home in the country, the silly dog slinked back to the cabin as if she'd always lived here, her huge tummy leaving a belly-shaped path in the snow as she waddled.
Cowardly dogs bark loudest. - John Webster
I now know that Snoopy is very shy, that coming into a house full of strangers was enough to cause her deep doggie depression. I know this because she weasled her way into our hearts over the course of that weekend and endeared herself to my dad, who also lives with us and refused to let her go back to the city.
So now, we have an 80 pound lap dog who has to be eased into meeting new people, barks loudly at people she doesn't know and eats kittens. She's a beagle-basset mix which also makes her the perfect porch dog, because her long, velvety ears hang over the edge of the front porch where she lays, unmoving, most of the day just like Fletcher from the Something Queer books. She's probably the dog who gets the most comments from visitors. "Love your hound dog!"
After a year and a half, I'd become fairly certain that our dog number was set, that we didn't need or have want for another dog until Indy, who will be 10 in March, goes to meet his Maker. And I would still feel this way today.
If it weren't for FreeCycle.
So now, we have an 80 pound lap dog who has to be eased into meeting new people, barks loudly at people she doesn't know and eats kittens. She's a beagle-basset mix which also makes her the perfect porch dog, because her long, velvety ears hang over the edge of the front porch where she lays, unmoving, most of the day just like Fletcher from the Something Queer books. She's probably the dog who gets the most comments from visitors. "Love your hound dog!"
After a year and a half, I'd become fairly certain that our dog number was set, that we didn't need or have want for another dog until Indy, who will be 10 in March, goes to meet his Maker. And I would still feel this way today.
If it weren't for FreeCycle.
"My dog is usually pleased with what I do, because she is not infected with the concept of what I "should" be doing." - Lonzo Idolswine
So far, through FreeCycle, I have given away two Zebra Finches and have acquired the following: two easy chairs, a very decent working refrigerator, a dishwasher (I don't know whether it's working or not because we haven't installed it yet), an antique upright piano, two old school lockers, and two potted plants.
I was supposed to be putting in a new lawn with Bohemian when I snuck inside to check my e-mail and saw the following FreeCycle post.
"FREE TO GOOD HOME: Black lab pup about four months old."
I resisted the urge to open the e-mail and read it...for about two seconds. When I replied to the post, it was only to encourage the woman who was having a difficult time maintaining her sanity after purchasing two lab puppies that were destroying her seed-selling business by uprooting and eating all of her flowers. I wanted to give her some advice, to let her know that crating a pup really works, that I've used the method on several occasions, and that it's the best way to go. Much better than hanging or locking the pup in your in-laws' bathroom (Kathie, did I ever apologize for that? If not, I'm so very sorry...)
Somehow, accidentally, my fingers typed:
"We live on a farm, have an older black lab, an 'adolescent' female bassett and a 3-year-old jack russell/toy fox terrier mix, all spayed/neutered. I'd love to take your little guy if you don't change your mind or can't find a more fantastic home for him. We're definitely a dog family. Our dogs live right along with us. We use gentle training methods and crates. We don't live close to the road, and they have plenty of room to romp and play. "
And then, I accidentally hit "send."
Within twenty minutes, the reply came back.
"OK Where do you live LOL, I had several replies, yours sounded the best to me and also you were the first one (by the time in my inbox), so you win both ways here LOL"
And then I slunk back outside to continue working on the yard.
Bohemian was trying to fix the old John Deere mower, again, so I sat on the hill to watch him. It was so hot. After a few minutes, he came and sat beside me, wiping his brow and shaking his head. As usual, the dogs started to congregate around the humans who were now at their eye level and not moving.To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious
afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace. ~Milan Kundera
"Would you like another lab?" I asked, as if asking him if he'd like a big glass of ice cold, homemade lemonade. It really was a fair question. We've talked about getting another lab since Indy started sporting a grey beard. We've talked about getting another lab lots of times...when Indy passes to that Great Doggie Heaven to join Meggie and Gordon.
"Sure," he answered, "When we lose Indy."
"I mean now..." I ventured. I knew that I had to explain. Fast.
"AwomanonFreeCyclepostedablacklabpuppy.He'spurebred,butshegottwoand can'thandlethemboth.She'sgivingoneawayandIaccidentallyresponded andshejustreplied..."
Bohemian reached his hand out to pat Indy's old, black, greying head. Snoopy and Jack pushed their heads under his hand. Indy resignedly looked on. "Did she say we could have him?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Well, when do we pick him up?"
So now we have four whole dogs. I never thought there would be room in my heart for four whole dogs, but I've surprised myself. Or maybe the dogs have surprised me. Each one has a different personality, a different set of endearing qualities that makes each a very important part of our family: Indy, with his calm, mature, unconditional love; Jack, with his boundless energy and wiley ways; Snoopy, with her guarded enthusiasm and possessive spirit, and now Poochie (who isn't allowed to have a anme until Bard returns from Chicago), who's like watching Indy come home for the first time all over again. I guess dogs are kind of like a cross between children, snowflakes and flowers...they're so darn cute, no two are alike and you can never have too many."He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your
dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown
Well, unless you have five dogs. Five dogs, without a doubt, is way too many. :-)
"How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers!" ~Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Friday, September 03, 2004
Edison's Magic
Edison has been going to the bakery two to three times a week to perform magic tricks for customers entering and exiting the bakery. This was a big deal for me, to let him go, but I've been doing well about allowing him to go after all of his chores are done. Each morning, he's responsible for making his bed, straightening his room, feeding and watering the goats and chickens and then doing whatever else I ask him to do, like sweeping the garage or carrying something up or down the stairs for me. This morning, I asked him to clean the refrigerator, and he did an awesome job. He fell off of his bike yesterday and scraped up his hand, so he wasn't able to wash the shelves and drawers in the sink, but I did it, he dried them and then put them back. It's wonderful to open the fridge and not be afraid of what might jump out at you.
Learning to use the phone
After listening to my children scream into the phone one too many times, "MOM!!! MOM!!! THE PHONE IS FOR YOU!!! MOOOOOOMMMM!!!" while I am repeating helplessly on the other phone, "I've got it. Hey. I've got it. I'VE GOT IT!" I finally decided to teach the children to use the intercom system on the phone. We brought each of the cordless phones into one room, along with the cell phone, and I called our home number. I showed Monet and Sweetheart how you answer the phone politely, press the "hold" button, and then transfer it to the appropriate floor's phone. When the party you are transfering to answers, say, "Mom (or whomever), the phone is for you," and then hang up so that I can talk. We first practiced by making the phone calls while we are all in my room, then we went to separate rooms, then to separate floors, and then I had people outside of the house call in. They both did really well! I think that's the end of the screaming into the phone! YEAH!
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