June 2013

It really is June. It's hot. We have a garden. We're swimming like fish . 

I have given up on the laptop sync to my blog. Matters not. But couldn't post even 1a single picture. So some catching up will follow. 

Life is amazing. How did I get so lucky? 

'Unbroken' by 'Gravity'

Sara Barellis belts it out. Again. Gravity. The inevitable. The reality. The truth is, the peanut butter's must be made for lunch, the dots must be dotted, the shoes must be tied, and the legalities must be met.
Gag. Bring me to the moment, the apex, when in like a story, 'Unbroken' the pilots and those who make up the team who fly the bombers must decide to live or die, and how they will get to their determined destination. Bring. it. on.

Spring 2014

It's 28 degrees outside, but we've already prepared the garden beds. I'm thankful for my husband who is diligent. We have a seasoned compost pile to bring into the equation. This is a blessing too. Horse compost. I've moved blueberries back in February so we could safely remove some pines.
Fence may go in this weekend. And then to the discussion of a dog. That's just a given. The man needs a dog. Who are we kidding? I need a dog.

February 2014 - 'Unbroken'

If I had to compose a reading list for the year, I'd be off to a pretty good start. Aside from particular scriptures that I've been savoring, I have stumbled upon, as well as have been handed some pretty inspiring reads.
Unbroken  by Laura Hilldebrand is going to prove I am sure to knock my socks off. The first 2 chapters have seem to hit close to home. I love the joy of track and running  proving to be a tool for success. I love the WWII era, as it proved to be one of clarity of right and wrong, unlike our present post-modern, shake things up, 'change is good' way of thinking. I likewise believe there are some attributes that start early. There is no way to know how one's early character, determined by nature or nurture either one, will sustain one. This book and story telling of success will no doubt be the stuff that will inspire, even in February.
I'll throw in the movie, 'Monuments Men'. I took Jack to see it Saturday night, my valentine date.  With the usual gratuitous non-sense left out, I only wish they'd left out the profane use of Jesus name. Reality may have been, but it would be so nice if it could be shown to children, in a public school settling, instead of 'Dispicable Me, II'? 'Monuments Men' was stellar in inspiration. It reminds me of another book I've yet to finish, by Nancy Pearson, Saving Leonardo. One may think I've decided to champion art, but this is not my point. It is the message, surprisingly George Clooney delivered while trying to encourage his men. It is the culture that we were fighting for, that which the creative soul has created, the outpouring of the mind- sculpture, paintings, music-.

For now we look forward to events that will honor our fallen heroes. 

December 2013

 

I need this just about now. So I think I will.

We made these little guys yet again.

 

 

The cardinals are bringing in the season.

 

Advent & Jesse Tree ornaments hung about the tree.

 

What it looked like some time ago.

 

 

We've been reading 'SNOW'.

 

 

Hoping for this.... Remember? It was beautiful!

 

About to pot up some paper whites.

 

And still working on a Christmas Card.

So for now, an oldie but a goodie.

 

Merry Christmas!

November - Gold and Grey 2013

Sewing is such a therapeutic effort, a collecting of frayed edges, within a yarn, a thread that can make it well. November is a healing, thankful time. Earth is collecting all the worn and spent blooms, gathering fodder to renew the soil again. My soul is gathering. Gold and grey, seldom red. Quiet joy by a fire's warmth, a small fire, steady, never over-heating the box, but steadily. A flicker of red, too robust will spend the strength.

 

October rushes through, scattering wrappers all about the house.

The gardens bring about relief from the buzz of sugar

 

 

Every good and perfect gift, really is from above.

 

 

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Common Core Standards ~ The Crashing Scaffolding 2013

I refer to a curriculum in a recent post about children's literature and C.S. Lewis. And I am regularly reminded that a government school, which is systematic in its efforts to provide for a collective population that is incredibly diverse, a one-size fits all education, will ultimately fail. Proponents of this set of standards may disagree that one-size fits all is not accurate. I disagree. Based on personal experience of our family. And that it is detrimental to the love of learning far beyond any other effort in public education in America.
But I knew this. Going in. So it is for me to deliberate when I can muster the energy. But as professors of law are often at their desks, with time to write, I will defer to this letter written by Law Professor from Notre Dame, to Catholic Bishops in opposition to Common Core.
An article about the letter and Common Core can be found here.
I reject it unequivocally, and felt this was one of the best shared synopsis of reasons in which I share belief.

C.S. Lewis on Children's Literature

'I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story. The good ones last. A waltz which you can like only when you are waltzing is a bad waltz.'
The passing of C.S. Lewis was marked 50 years just this week. I am currently carrying a copy of 'The Abolition of Man' in my purse. Perhaps as a talisman against current curriculum. I was so pleased to see National Review on-line quote this precious book. But it is not for children, but about how the education system of his time was failing children, and in turn, society. A culture crashing down on its flimsy 'scaffolding.'
But this reading shared at this link, is one worth considering. It inspires me all over again to consider that book for children, young and old alike, that stands the test of time. Perhaps the woods will inspire, or the cold of this November Day.
God is in it all, Creator of the Universe, Creator of all mankind. God be glorified.

 

Marshall, California, on the road to the Coast ~ 2006

October Already 2013

Celebrating our Anniversary with kids at Jittery Joes Coffee

My stinky big brother is 50 years old. I'm still 29.

 

BUGS! at the Georgia State Botanical Gardens.

 

Lunch at school with 4 monkeys.

 

Free demonstration.

 

And Crash.

 

Boys, life, love, joy.

What we are doing to our boys....

A typical Saturday night at our house.

While I am working on details regarding DAR, I hear from the backyard, an after-school eulogy for a chip monk the cats have caught. The boys 'finished it off' with the b-b gun. Then with a true 'Star Spangled Banner' send-off, they  buried it. Yes, in deed.

Sometimes I feel like I'm in the middle of an extremely patriotic version of 'Lord of the Flies.' We consistently are mending the cuts and wounds of warriors who cross our yard, bearing swords & shield, often wearing their pajama bottoms, wrapped in duct tape. No tribe distinction, just 'warrior'.

This article comes to mind, makes me feel like at least we get this 'wild-thing' right. Or at least we encourage it.

This pod-cast from Circe was excellent.  James Daniels is from Westminster Classical School in Memphis. He so 'the normal guy', but has less than the normal to present. Scroll to 'What we are doing to our boys'.

Some time ago, Henry over heard someone talk about genes, and wondered what that was all about. While we casually sat in our living room, I indicated it is what made him have blue eyes, and daddy have black hair, and he said 'and that's why you have silver hair?' to which I replied, 'no child, YOU are why I have silver hair!'

Love my boys!!

Wallace Stegman's 'Angle of Repose'

 

No book review here. Just an update that tells where I've been. I've finally finished the Pulitzer Prize winner, 'Angle of Repose', by Wallace Stegman. Written about a biographer tracing his family's roots in the west. I find this fascinating as my mother-in-law grew up in much of this region of the country. I am priviledged to have visited her stomping grounds, the only of her children (spouses included) to have seen Spanish Dry Diggins' and driving through Cool, California. This with newborn Henry in tow. Eric had to fly back earlier, and Jack, Henry & I toured with 'the Sisters' the Sierra Nevada's.
No words. So I read them, digest them, and keep on swimming, as Dory (the fish) says.

I am dying to write an essay or letter to the editor regarding media in the children's section. I'm sick of computers in the kids section for parents to check their facebook, while their kids tear apart the library. The writer pictured by her most recent offering 'Flight Behavior' Barbara Kingsolver, writes about his in her recent book of essays. in  round about way, as does another more conservative write I plan to compare and contrast. As well as include my own simple experience with the public library.
My blood pressure goes up tho as I even think about it.

This is what childhood should look like.

Trying to decide which bite to take after a long swim.

Not stuck behind a video game. Or missing the forest (stacks) for the trees (computers).

Tennis for the compulsive sports kid, Tennis for Life at the rec center. Thank you County Sports!

 

While I debate the worth of waiting for the book at the library.... instead of buying at Target.