Educating the Whole Hearted Child

Anita at Busy Hands Busy Minds was reviewing this a while back. And although she has been schooling way more kids for way longer than I have, we both found ourselves wondering why we'd never read this. I think she has better excuses. (smile) But at last, one of the 4 books I have purchased since new years, has come in the mail and I've already begun to glean good stuff.

Years ago, 13 roughly, I had a copy of Susan Schaeffer Macauley's book, 'For the Children's Sake'. I had no idea I'd desire to homeschool my children, but there it was. Had no idea this book would reappear in a quote from her book in Educating the Whole Hearted Child. But there it was, a quote that made me think of my recent Barnes & Noble Incident.

'And so, over-entertained, pushed, pulled, and tidied up, often the child of today has the rich creative play-response crushed out. Sometimes the only thing his dulled eyes focus on is a premature adolescence which will relase him from childhood.'

Swimsuit Edition

As I was purchasing 'Carrots Love Tomatoes' my son got an eye-full at the checkout stand at Barnes & Noble. Sports Illustrated's Swim Suit Edition is on the shelf at eye level for someone about 3 feet tall. This cover did not go unoticed.

It would be laughable, as we have many laughs in my family about SI. When that issue would come along with the regular monthly subscription, it promptly wound up in the garbage. Back in the day, 1976-ish. When we married, my husband & I, he had a subscription, not unlike most men. When that time of the year rolled around, and he had noticed he hadn't had an SI in a while, he asked & I responded, setting the stage for many a discussion in our marriage.

A famous model at the time, came under discussion, & I mentioned she'd been in the issue. He said, where is that by the way, I said, in the dumpster. He laughed, very hard, knowing he'd never see that kind of competition cross our threshold again, if I had anything to say about it.

Again, in some ways it is laughable, looking back, at how even innocent the photos were when I married, 1997. And as Nana used to say, 'next thing you know they'll have no top on at all'... and as we all know this milestone has long been passed. Provocatively enough, covergirl x this year is removing her almost missing in action top, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. At eye level for a 3 foot tall person.

Did I say something? Yes, as I have in the past while in B&N. As I looked for 'Animal, Vegetable Miracle' last year, my son got an eyeful of the opposite side of the aisle - s*xuality. And he'd found the choicest items. His innocence lost. In the Barnes & Noble.

This time, I told the cashier I didn't have time to wait for the manager, Henry would have cost me a fortune in merchandise damage by the time he/she arrived at the desk, but I turned the copy around so not to see the front in the display, and told sales clerk I meant business. I seldom came in for this reason. When B&N becomes an adult bookstore (meaning the x version of that term, perhaps better labeled adolescent) then we've really slid completely into the gutter.

Do I go to this store often? Used to, but not so much now. I can hardly find a book I don't have issue with, and the commercialism has just about done me in. But I really wanted that book, and I didn't want to wait on the mail. But as usual, it burned me out for a while, convincing me, that I must myself, protect my eyes, and teach my own children by example about where I shop and what I let slide in the stores I do patronize.

It's a cultural landslide, desensitizing us and allowing us to believe every woman should have the perfect body, and it's ok to take your clothes off in public.

BTW, I asked Jack a while back when seeing some rather scantilly clad ladies in the newspaper advertisements, did he think Mommy would pose in the paper like that... his eyes about fell out of his head. I told him it was extremely wonderful how God had made our bodies, but they weren't for everyone to see so unclothed. I'm so glad he's interested, but wishing our world wasn't pushing him to lose the innocence that 6 year old boys have.

This world is not my home- Life- Meds # 21

'this world is not my home, I"m just a passin' through,

my treasure is laid up, somewhere beyond the blue,

I know he'll take me through tho, and I am weak& worn, cause I can't feel at home, in this world anymore.

Oh Lord, you know, I have no friend like You.

My treasure is laid up, somewhere beyond the blue,

the angels beckon me, and I am weak & worn,

and I can't feel at home in this world anymore.'

Sounds drastic... but somedays that's where we find ourselves I find myself.

#96 I'm sure where I'm going, I'm confident. I want to be there, I don't want to miss it.

Not just the destination, but the comfort I need when I'm overwhelmed, lonely, exasperated, exausted & unsure. Lord help me to not only look toward 'those pearly gates' but to look to

#97 You, Abba Father, for the rest that is true rest, not just my mediocre band-aids here in this fallen world.

#98Salvation isn't just in the next life, but it's here. He overcame death, the deed is done. I can claim it. Victorious with Him am I. My hope is built on 'nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.'

#99So I'm thankful for ER's that provide peace and assistance when you just don't know what's wrong with your baby. H has had a gastro virus for 11 days as of today. He's ok, but it's made me think about those who don't take health for granted. Mom's at St. Judes in Memphis.

Mom's who don't bring their babies home and watch them play the next day.

Mom's who don't have any medical care, and often watch their babies suffer.

#100 I'm thankful for those around me that will just help and 'cover' for me when I'm in need.

#101 My hard-workin husband. There really is an 'S' on his chest.

#102 The grocery around the corner.

#103 Precious friends who bring you diapers & yogurt. and hug you.

#104 Opportunity. It's a blessing I don't want to ever overlook.

Thankyou God for these many, many blessings.

#105 Simple Mom's post 'Has this world been so kind?' by Tsh Oxenreider. I am blessed by this site. It is a good work. It's always worth a read, because it makes you want to 'get up off your bum and get busy'.

Be encouraged to count blessings in your life, by counting with others at the Gratitude Community. The world is a better place when people are looking for the good instead of the bad. It's like medication for the soul. Life meds #21.

Praising Boys Well

I purchased a book the other day that even my husband raised an eyebrow to. 'Praising Boys Well'. I seldom give a second glance to books that mention 'self-esteem' as necessary. But this book was trying to bring the tide back to what a healthy & humble self perception would look like. And I needed this. See I can pick out a flaw in the system or an error in the effort, style or method, but sometimes I lack the match for the 'flame' that must glow in my kid's hearts. I can hold the line of discipline like a bull dog, but sometimes being a little more approachable is what's needed. I need this. And this unsuspecting book really struck a chord. So I bought it, thinking it might be a real catalyst for change in my approach to the years ahead in schooling boys.

A few thoughts from and about this book, that I think are golden:

'Self-esteem and strong self-belief are, indeed, valuable attributes, but their value is undermined if they come at the expense of sound self-knowledge(because he's told he's wonderful at everything), sound friendships (because friends are put off by his resulting bossiness and arrogance), and determination and perseverance ( because he has never had to face and overcome setbacks).' For the soul who can't let go of the term 'self-esteem' these are the exact thing that self-esteem does. But I think the author realizes this even if he doesn't see the flaw in the term. Reverse the words – esteem self. Do you see the dilemma with this virtue? It's not really a virtue from a Biblical perspective.

But that being said, the author shares terms and suggestions for ways to praise well. The first terms to consider & focus on to more clearly and effectively communicate with our children our desires for their hearts and actions. Terms for focusing 'on the varied, deeper purposes of praise beyond the obvious ones: affirm, appreciate, approve, admire, attend, anticipate, achieve, acknowledge, be aware and alert, and aspiration.' That's the first 10. These terms are meant to describe ways to effectively think and refine our praise to speak to a boys hearing. An example that sets this book apart in my mind is the definition & explanation he shares of admiration. His clear differentiation of hollow pedestal placing void praise versus Godly type care & admiration. Admiration because he is mine, my child. Love because he is my child, not earning my affection & admiration because he did something well. This may seem obvious, but to a parent who is trying to teach a child in this world's moral climate, one may fall into bad habits of withholding loving, admiration & affection. It can seem so important to share that which will mold their minds, it can become overwhelming to a mom with rambunctious boys. Do they still not need admiration? I think so. Every person does. Not excessive adoration, but appropriate admiration.

While discussing the purpose of praise the writer also shares a wonderful suggestion of keeping these areas of communication in 'terms of time zones.'

'It is useful to consider praise in terms of time zones. Although each encounter and incident is in the present, a key purpose of praise- and of support and encouragement—is to help our boys feel optimistic about their future, comfortable with the route they have traveled from the past, and content with the present. When we encourage them, our focus is on the future: We try to convince any boy in our care he will overcome any current difficulty to be successful herafter. We therefore generate faith, hope, and confidence and give him heart. When we clearly enjoy his company and his achievements, we indicate our happiness and pleasure with who he is, in the present moment.'

I carefully consider post-modern psychology, and seldom throw out a book, or person to consider, but I've had to do some home-work in an area of my personal weakness. While reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, I've had to answer questions about the strengths of each family member, and ways to help them feel appreciated and loved. This book I believe, Praising Boys Well, will help me become better at appreciating & and affirming my love & confidence in them, as they choose , not perfectly but in this youthful season of learning & growing, to choose to follow godly principles & virtues.

Keeping a balance, a Godly approach to parenting, can be found in both determining what we don't want and being very specific about what we do want. Sometimes looking for ways to effectively communicate that which we have in our hearts can be the missing tool.

'A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.'

Who is Really in Control - Life Meds Dose #20

This seems to be a tough morning for many, myself included. I could barely look at the headlines of the paper. Yet no physical natural disaster took place. Haiti had no new tremors, a new hurricane had not devastated an untouched coast. But I could barely look.

Maybe you felt this way too. And for a moment, well off & on, I looked for my 'paper bag', breathed deeply...

I'm sure I will again. Sorry folks, I still get worked up over politics sometimes.

But mostlyI thought of this. The real medicine I needed.

When Daniel, a captive in a foreign country, who was placed in a position of authority, was called to deliver an indictment to one of the most powerful kings in history,

he spoke this prayer.

It can be found in Daniel 2.

'20 Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkeness, and light dwells with Him. I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You.'

Daniel is known for his prayer life. Daniel's trust is
demonstrated by his lifestyle. He hasn't lost sight of who is really in control of what will happen in the future.

There is nothing God cannot use for His purposes. 86

He is worthy of praise because of who He is. I AM. 87

He knows all things, deep & secret, whether in the light or the dark. 88

He sees those who are in need and holds them in His mighty hand as he knows how to care. 89

I'm thankful for all of those things, as well as the mundane, but wonderful,

simple things.

I'm thankful for my beautiful hydrangeas that are blooming. 90

Friends who care and let me know. 91

The urgent care right down the street, who helped resolve our stomach bug. 92

Grape soda & Ramen noodles. 93

Story books like 'Rock-a-bye Farm' & 94

Chapter books like 'Rascal' 95

And His Book, that tells me the story of His Love. 96

Join me alone with many others at the Gratitude Community who are counting & focusing on the one true Giver.

Bread Recipe from Mother Earth News

I'm continuing in my effort for options for better food for our family. We continue
to eat whole wheat bread from Our Daily Bread because I'm just not in a place to make it right now.
But I came upon this article about breads. The title attracted me because it said it was easy. I'm still not sure these are top quality (no offense) because they are not entirely whole wheat. But for now I may try to adapt the recipe because of their simple process to make. I'm also going to try that recipe Rachel sent me for the bread she's using.

Photo: Mother Earth News

Garden Planning 2010

It's that time again. To plan & hope. I read this article yesterday at Mother Earth News (we subscribe), but this is a link to the article, on-line.

This article was about square foot gardening. What I found particularly helpful was that this writer documented her findings for a small garden & compared very accurately, I might add, to another persons similar purchases of same items.

The article specifically mentions what she bought to start the garden and calculates into the cost comparison all related expenses. She saw a noticable savings, from a dollar standpoint. But what is the intangiable benefit is the freshness & control over the product available for consumption.

Take note of the planted garden in it's beginning stages and the end of the season growth. She also mentions the homemade tomatoe cages they used because of the inadequate size of store bought. I didn't have that problem last year... maybe this year!

I'm going to follow her plan closely, as appropriate to my soil & season. I'd like to get a scale and calculate yield as well. I'm sure I'll lose a few to the boys rowdiness & play, but that's ok. Another intangiable benefit.

photos: Mother Earth News

Give Away - at Thy Hand Hath Provided

Michelle at Give a Girl a Fig has managed to capture some of the most beautiful photos to create some wonderfully designed creations.

Thy Hand Hath Provided is giving- away some of these, in fact some beautiful note cards are the choice item. I have registered (which was super easy) and you need to - too!

Go here and follow easy, easy directions...

photo by: Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig

Gratitude - Lifetime Meds - dose # 19

74 is that really it? I need to post these more, so I'm going to keep a counter of sorts in my sidebar. I really, really, really think taking note of the gifts and being thankful continually keeps one focused on the Giver. This is one of those days 'I don't feel sick'. When the pink eyes are no longer pink, but there are 4 more doses to take.

I feel well, but I'll stop this healthy spiritual state of being, if I quit counting.

So thankful:

75 for a weekend that encouraged fellowship with christians.

76 weather that was amazing.

77 dear husband who takes kids to park to find simple adventures.

78 Zoes restaurant, chicken soup & Gruebens.

79 Franks' red beans & rice.

80 My neighbors Jerri & David & Nikki. we pray for them everynight. Henry loves them so.

81 My carpool friends this morning.

82 Boyscouts.

83 Boyscout cakebakes.

84 A son who wishes to do it himself, a self-starter.

85 Scripture that encourages my soul.

Join others or start your own account of soul nourishing meds here. The group of folks is diverse & wise looking to God for real healing.

Slipcovers & Painted Furniture

The Blogging Bee At Homestead Revival gave me pause to think -- had I learned anything this week that was thrifty or organic in any way? Well, I have a few thoughts on food, but this week was more of a do it yourself decorating weekend. I was inspired by The Nester to reconsider my hard pressed contentment with the color of this chair. I love the fabric, I loved the price when I bought the set ($85 down from $150 on craigslist.com) but I do not love the color. It's too cold, burgandy-ish. I would love a warmer color of red or a big buffalo black check.





This chair joined our family at Christmas when we needed a little extra seating in our home in Georgia.(long story soon to follow.)
It was calling me at $16 saying 'I'm blue check & relatively clean... take me home....'. How could I walk away? Now it sits in my bedroom, waiting it's future home. The ottoman goes with a pair of wicker chairs that reside in my living room, but don't have adequate space for the ottoman.
Both of these chairs are my idea of fixer-uppers in the upholstery world. I had a career in interior design & we seldom 'did our own', but I operate on a whole 'nuther budget than most of our clients. So I still stick to the favored method of glean as you go, and when it all comes together, fabric, time & chair -- go for it. Now I've found a great tutorial so I think its time to jump into this project.


My last picture is a sort of before(still looking for this picture) & after. But I just had to show you. This is where we've been doing our bird count. I bought this about 5 years before Eric & met, and it's been painted so many times, well, I've lost count. It has no name, it's too simple for a 'buffet', 'cabinet' just doesn't flow, ? China cabinet... ? please, there's been no china on this since 3 months after we married, and the wedding gifts were safely stored. I painted any surface with chalk board paint, and left our growth chart on the sides where we've marked it. (If you move you still have to chart these permanently somewhere.) But for now it stores playdough and a small do-dad cabinet the boys enjoy storing little things. I enjoy having a little extra storage space for cereal bowls & coffee mugs. Our cd's are also stored here with our 'hi-fi' system.

So even tho I've never recoverd these items I thought you might also enjoy visiting The Nester & the tutorial she shared for recovering furniture.

Sunday

Because of His great love, I now live. He is rich in mercy, and His grace sets me free. Let me live then as I've been raised, I'm no longer that 'old' woman. She was buried and I've been raised. Pay no mind to that spirit that walks about ready to devour and cause me suffering, now and in the afterlife. May I walk in a way that glorifies Him, honors Him, does not diminish the greatness of His sacrifice.

Silencing the landslide of cultural messages

Sally Clarkson is the author of the book 'Educating the Wholehearted Child' among many others.
I visited her blog this morning and found an excellent article about imagination in children & reasons for play. No surprise television is a part of the discussion. (Again, I'm carefully limiting my book purchases this year, but this one is on the way.)


About twice a year, I take the tv out of the room. I clear it out, I fantasize about smashing. I say it outloud. I read books like 'Bringing up Boy's' who advocate it, knowing what little there is good on it. But I find this last for a while, even months, before we find it's illumination filling our time.

And a quick by the way, I appreciate comments that mention parenting from a position of authority in early childhood, and more from a position of influence, from Amy @ Homestead Revival. And Thy Hand's comments about the perpetual revolving door.

I mentioned in this post, that Dobson's book, Bringing Up Boys, mentions the landslide of influence on our family's and children. In Chapter 14, titled Predators, an article is included written by Ellen Goodman, a secular writer for the Boston Globe/Washington Post, copywrited in 2000. It describes why parents who are often perceived as overly concerned about media or influences in the community shouldn't back down.

..." Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, a researach associate at the Institute for
American values, found this out in interviews with middle-class parents. " A common complaint I heard from parents was their sense of being overwhelmed by the culture. they felt relatively more helpless than their parents."

' "Parents," she notes, "see themselves in a struggle for the hearts and
minds of their own children." It isn't that they can't say no. It's that
there's so much more to say no to." '

"Without wallowing in false nostalgia, there has been a fundamental shift.
Americans once expected parents to raise their children in accordance with the dominant cultural messages. Today they are expected to raise their children in opposition."



Dobson goes on to write 'It's why parents feel more isolated.'


Ouch. Isn't that the truth. It automatically puts you at odds, when you step out of the mainstream, so not to be swept away. And being at odds or doing 'it'(life) differently can be a little lonely sometimes. Whether it's food, clothes, entertainment, worship...





But it's in those lonely times, the quiet, silent times, that meditation, not the emptying of the mind in a zen like experience, but the quietness that allows the filling of the mind with the Creator's original hope: to hear Him. Ann describes at A Holy Experience, how we live more reactively when we are constantly in the presence of noise. When you are accustomed to noise, & your children are accustomed to noise, it can be a tough transition. But one well worth it. It's where real strength to fight the current is found. Yes, reading all the books that support the family & wholesomeness are great learning tools, but in grounding our walk with Him is where we find the fortitude & reason to go to all the effort. Grounding ourselves so that when we suffer loneliness or weakness, we'll perservere, and continue to build character which leads to something hoped for that doesn't disappoint.





Romans 5:3-6





verse 6, '... when we were powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.'





Thanks be to God for silent moments. And a Hope that doesn't disappoint.





Visit A Holy Experience for more thoughts on the spiritual practice of silence.
This is an excellent link to visit. Those who contribute also have much to offer. Every Wednesday there are those who gather to share their thoughts helping them grow closer to God.

'Livin' in a Van Down by the River' -aka How did I get here and who are all these children?

It's Sunday morning early, so I'm looking for the next reading for the season of Lent. (my small devotion book pictured in this post - 'Devotions for Lent) is in the bedroom, where Jack is snuggled in the bed asleep. zzzzz

So I wandered over to visit Edie at Life in Grace to see what she'd posted about today as she is a worshipper who serves God through the appointed seasons of the Lutheran church. Like myself, she doesn't follow a pattern of posts, I wish I could have a simple train of thought sometimes, actually do a weekly post of sorts, but that's just not my style. My blog is for me to ramble about what I'm thinking about, and to keep me accountable. If you post it... there will be readers and they'll comment and then... well you know what happens... you are blessed with blogger friends who you will meet at the blogging bee. And you'll start chatting about what's really on your heart. And you'll be blessed because you took a little big of time out of your day to sit with kindred spirits, sharing, sewing, fooding, spiriting.

Anyway, Edie has a wonderful way of sharing moments in her life, like so many of you bloggers out there. She is a SAHM who homeschools, but she also, as she mentions in her fish-taco post, sometimes she feels like Chris Farley 'livin in a van down by the river'. It's an old SNL skit, where he rants on and on to his nephew & niece about 'this could happen to you' if you don't stay and school and follow your dreams. To hear a woman tell she's walked away from a medical practice to stay at home with her kids, somehow makes me feel like what I walked away from was worth it too. I don't miss working, but I do miss the mental stimulation sometimes, the order, the easy parts of working outside the home. (don't miss the recipe/picts of the fish tacos).

I've been reading '7 Habits of the Highly Effective Family' and it has really, really struck a cord with me on several things. ---

In one of the chapters, there is a discussion about fitting the former paradigm of the traditional home into the modern arrangment & modern core values. I think I said that right. If you are a mom & dad who choose to follow the traditional mom stay at home, dad works outside home pattern, you will face some truly challenging odds. Per the book, not just me saying. (Dobson's quote regarding this 'landslide' to follow in later post).

It has been thoroughly interesting being a part of a book club reading this. These ladies are diggin in to make their families better, more effective. Not militant, but getting tools to fight the wave of modern assault on the family. I feel it? Don't you?

There are times it is so hard, challenging, I who swore I'd live in a box, before I'd go back to work when my kids were young, have wondered what kind of teaching position I could get, today, right now, immediately. Do you ever read the postings on Monster? I at least read the local teaching/education section. I've probably read the want ads every week since I was 15.

But I don't ever call, or send my resume. Because I see the wave coming crashing at my familiy. I see the importance of stepping up to the plate. I see the inadequacies of parents, including myself, to enable our children for holiness. The voices in the world are so loud and so blaring, so visually stimulating, so charged with that which I would not have them to hear or see. But I have to spend the time it takes, with a heart that is invested, for them to actually hear my voice. God says that those that love Him, hear his voice. Like sheep know the shepherds voice. I think my kids know my voice, they know my snap. I can snap across a room and their heads at least pop up. But instead of a threat of punishment, I wish for them to do my will, when it comply's with what God desires, because it will disappoint me if they don't, not because of fear of punishment. That their heart will be saddened & that they will choose a better way not out of fear but of a desire to do what's right. I think this comes with age, but children are all different in disposition (it actually really annoys me when I hear parents say this, because I feel like it's a cop out for not having children follow any expected standards).

I've ordered a new book, 'Educating the Whole Hearted Child' in hopes that I will work on my parenting to consider the heart of my children. I have been a huge John Rosemond fan, and don't doubt his work when it comes to effectively dealing with children. But I'm always left with a less loving feeling when I read through it. I don't doubt because I've seen results using his materials. But I can be a bit abrupt in my parenting, disciplining, training. I can quote his stuff, but I need to be able to quote, in my head for purposes different than compliance, other material, that addresses the heart. I have also pulled out my Dobson book, Bringing up Boys.

I found this post at Diligently Seeking God for today(the daily devotion I'm following this year) spoke volumes to me about that quasi place obedience for love or fear. It is a beautiful thought provoking post. God will not lead us where He won't light the way.... I hope you look there with me, and gain a blessing for yourself.

May God bless you and me in our efforts to serve Him by serving our families- this week, as always. I've enjoyed this little chat at the blogging bee! Be sure to go over and visit... there are some really smart gals who visit Homestead Revival. Be sure to stop by.

Iditarod & Alaska Reading for Adults

Some years ago, my Dad handed me this book. It was one I'll never part with. It is a beautiful love story, with history from the same wild state as the Iditarod --Alaska.

If I ever travel to Alaska, I'll go to Chicken. I'll look for the places in this book. The warm firebox style homes that nurtured souls in such a barren land. And hope that I happen upon a storyteller who knew Ann Hobbs.












We've also read 'The Great Serum Race'

an excellent, but less complicated version of the origin of the Iditarod. We are following the race using eIditarod and have chosen our musher, a rookie, 'Middie' Johnson #35, grandson of Henry Ivanoff, who handed the serum package to Leonhard Seppala. Seppala mushed twice as long as any other sled team in this amazing story. Seppala's dog Togo is the star of this book, and it tells what really happened and why Balto is more well known.

We are rooting for an Alaskan, and hoping genetics plays to our odds! Go Middie!

By the way, I heard that you can view the race somewhat through google earth. Hope it's not a wilderness legend...

The Children of Green Knowe - A Book Review of Sorts

Jack has been listening to this series on CD, and really enjoying it. (We just finished The Treasure of Green Knowe )I have listened while we're in the car, and sometimes in our kitchen, and enjoyed the simplicity and wholesomeness. The reader has a wonderful voice presence and the story generates creative play. It is reminiscent of The Secret Garden, and many of the books that involve siblings who create the story for a unique house, such as the children in the Narnia series(not to understate the excellence of Narnia books.) The animals & relation to nature in the book is just enough to engage my young boy, to stimulate outdoor play, incorporating the characters such as Tolly & Linnet in his own stories.

There are characters in the book that are 'from the past', that could be called ghosts, however, they aren't called ghosts. Tolly, the lead character, is not in the least scared,-- this is not a scary story. These children become friends with Tolly, and the adventures at Green Knowe begin. Tolly has come to live here through loss, but discovers a family who gives him a sense of place & home.


There is an enormous amount of reference to the creatures & natural surroundings. Birds, bugs & all sorts of critters.


The vocabulary is stimulating and the prose a cut above. It is an enjoyable read/listen for kids and adults alike.

My use of the CD's are mostly for diversity in language & vocabulary. Also for the imaginary play. The sheer enjoyment factor. I'm not ready to call this 'excellent' literature, (I still haven't read 'Roxaboxen'.) Comparitively the main character lends a view into how one might entertain & spend days if there were no parents to guide, similar in ways to 'The Secret Garden'. Little Mary Lenox, certainly needed a dose of parenting, but historically that didn't always happen. She was sassy, smart mouthed, and had been allowed arrogance to be her leading character trait. Tolly lends another, gentler manner to the child who must fend for his personal growth & character.

There are all sorts of references to kindnesses to siblings, teaching & caring for each other. I really enjoy that.

I would have written a better description of this book, shared more quotes, but I only checked out the Cd's. Yet another reason to actually read the hardcopy book. I love books.

In a comparison of simply entertaining media- actually having a child request stopping by the library to get the next set of Cd's-- Jack is always up for one of the 'Cowboy Dog' series, which I have begun to refuse.

(Homeschool Dawn shared an excellent review about Hank the Cowdog at her site)

The last Cowboy Dog Cd had a song which was titled 'Be a Winner'. It was full of catchy tongue & cheek phrases which I heard for the next few days. Most of the song suggested sportsmanship was over rated & cheating was ok, as long as you won. I know the writer did not intend for the sentiment to be what the child chants in the car, house or school, but he did, & I didn't like it.

So, 'Cowboy Dog' is off our listening/reading list. I'm all for chanting something far more noble.


Take-away- not a classic in our books yet, but seriously good food for imagination and exposure to nature as a daily part of life.



Related Post #1




Related Post #2

Trials & the Testing of our Faith

Our faith shine's brightest in the darkest moments, would you agree?

In the daylight, it seems no so bright, it blends in with what is good already, the warmth of all things comfortable. But when darkness of colds and flu and infections and colisions of schedules, spills and messes are the norm, our faith is tested. ---whether we continue to be reverent & grateful, in the light of challenge.

Perseverence in difficulty creates character, not for character's sake only, that we may be praised but for the glory of God. That even when we're challenged, and walking in life's quicksand, God will be glorified.

Thankful am I for what God has done for me, seeing Him for who He is, His greatness, His Holiness.

Thankful for a husband that just keeps going, not unlike that energizer bunny.

Thankful for smart little boys, who make tents & play even when they're sick.

Thankful for tennis lessons for little kids, building their agility, in game & life.

Thankful for friends who perservere in their life's version of quicksand.

Thankful for new born babies, God's design for life.

Thankful for cool beautiful weather.

Thankful for flowering bulbs, a unique gift in nature.

Thankyou God for this unique life of mine, for challenges & blessings, may my faith in You grow, only to glorify You.

64-73

Counting & remembering with reverence Who gives these Gifts.

A couple of thoughts from 'In Defense of Food'

I've limited my book purchases, because I'm trying not to spend money. If you don't spend money, you haven't spent it. Seems obvious, but sometimes we miss the obvious for the trees.

But I did buy 'In Defense of Food', by Michael Pollan. Not surprised by it's content, but encouraged someone put it in such simple, readable terms.



From page 39, " Yet as a general rule it's a whole lot easier to slap a health claim on a box of sugary cereal than on a raw potato or a carrot, with the perverse result that the most healthful foods in the supermarket sit there quietly in the produce section, silent as stroke victims, while a few aisles over in Cereal the Cocoa Puffs and Lucky Charms are screaming their newfound "whole-grain goodness" to the rafters. Watch out for those health claims."



I couldn't agree more.



My pet peeve food rule (that fluctuates in practice as required) - is mentioned under the heading 'Don't eat anything your Great-Grandmother wouldn't recognize as a food.' page 149.

He mentions 'There are many reasons to avoid eating such complicated food products beyond the various chemical additives and corn and soy derivatives they contain. One of the problems with the products of food science is that , as Joan Gussow has pointed out, they lie to your body: their artificial colors and flavors and synthetic sweeteners and novel fats confound the sense we rely on to assess new foods and prepare our bodies to deal with them. Foods that lie leave us with little choice but to eat by the numbers, consulting labels rather than our senses.'



Perhaps this is a little more theoretical than good mantra. But it takes away my ownership of what I put in my body. Unfortunately I'm addicted to the compositions & concoctions produced by the major food players in the industry. I've become sensitive to the unbelievable contradiction between my food conscience and my palate, but in the heat of the moment, all reason goes out the window. The heat of the moment may be in a social setting, or at home when no one is looking. But that moment comes. Usually stress induced.

I'm talking Zingers, Kashi Blueberry Cereal, Coca-cola, Pancake Mix, Food cheese Product, Salsa Verde, to name a few. And of course the Tostitos to eat the Salsa Verde.

But as I read yesterday, this is about 40 years of training a finely tuned palate. I can certainly enjoy a refreshing vegetable, fruit, or other whole food. I have begun to train my palate to be tuned into the nuances of whole foods as well as organic or true-free-range products.

But that doesn't mean the battle is won. There are the family to think about, whose palattes and emotional eating habits are also well trained. No blame here, but I'm the one doing the shopping. I'm the one guiding the Food Journey. I can and have dumped bad habits before.

So I press on. Reading and working on patience. Planning & avoiding, and trying the new choices, making them the preference.

Reasons it's Difficult to Travel this Food Journey

This one may seem a little less obvious, but can you tell how anemic this tomato looks? While we've been sick, Eric went to the store. I had list ready, abreviated it a little and sent him shopping. Bless his heart... seriously you could almost see through this tomatoe-esque thing. It had a slight resemblance in flavor to a real tomato, but eek! He really didn't do that badly in his efforts. He did purchase organic milk. (?) I was stunned. All the other options must have been sold out.

1.Point I'm making, we are on several journey's right now, and the food journey isn't at the top of our families list. When taking a food journey, bring family along with patience. Be thankful for efforts made of any kind.

2.Cultural foods are not always...mmm.. shall we say 'high quality'. I'll be careful here, but to some these are just mud-bugs. After watching 'Food Inc.' & reading 'In Defense of Food', I've been reminded about some of the less palatable facts about food. But isn't he cute? The kid, I mean....

oh yeah... our first bag of the season- 7 lbs of heaven.

3. Kids are trained to eat what they've been served. Do you notice that this picture is taken as we're driving by? We can't slow down in front of a Cane's sign, because it's all we'll hear for, well until we get some Cane's chicken. Yet another wonderful thing about Louisiana. Henry wake's talking about Cane's chicken, (and Eden.) He's a simple man, with good taste.

Do I have to say anything about this Baum's Bakery sign? During Mardi Gras, they'll ship your king cake anywhere... or just serve you up 3 to go.

4.But it should be said, sugar is addictive.

So while I plan my next trip to the farmer's market, and consider CSA's I'm painfully aware of the difficulties that are out there, challenging my food journey. Like the sirens calling Jason...

A Handful of Videos

We've been sick, and videos have helped get us through. I have become a regular user of netflix to keep us watching what we actually select, vs. the poor advertisements even during quality shows. We have recently watched 'An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving' from the shortstory by Louisia May Alcott. It was precious. My boys enjoyed it, as it had plenty of snow, and some mild adventure. They liked 'Where the Red Fern Grows' as well as 'The Yearling' more but those are about boys, and their adventures with animals & outdoors.

The 'Thanksgiving' film included a trailer of other films from Affirm Films. There were several I'd seen advertised or was familiar with their story. Be sure to click over there to see other offerings that I'm sure will inspire. I think we'll check out 'Faith Like Potatoes' next.