Dec. 28, 2006 Merry Christmas!
Today is Holy Innocents Day, or the 3rd or 4th day of Christmas depending upon your tradition. Here is prayer I find very meaningful. My husband and I say it together over the children after dinner every 28th of December to remember all the lost children of the world....
Let us pray. O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who didst embrace and lay thy hands upon the little children when they came to thee, and didst say to them: "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs, and their angels always see the face of my Father," — look with a Father's eye upon the innocence of these children, and bless them this day and all days to come. By thy grace and goodness let them make progress in desiring thee, loving thee, fearing thee, obeying thy commandments — thus coming to their destined home, through thee, Saviour of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Here is wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas season! Savor each day until Epiphany!!!! |
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Oct. 28, 2006 One of Athena's many college essays
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I believe everyday
experiences can change a person if they are open to seeing in a new
way. Just recently, a homeless man came up to the skate park while I
was there. The man was dancing around and smiling, which made me
smile. When I looked around though everyone was pointing and
laughing. When the old man sat down and started talking, people would
make jokes, take his stuff and then throw it at him. It was hurting
me to see people treating another person like that. Eventually, the
old man came up to and started talking to me.
Everyone around me was
talking about him; I just listened to what he had to say. He told me
about his sons and how he made bad choices in life. He asked me to
listen to my elders because there is always something to learn from
them. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a plastic baggy.
It was full of trash he had collected. He explained to me how it was
a puzzle. He pointed out the different colors telling me what they
meant. After explaining all that was in the bag he handed it to me. I
didn't know what to do, so I just held onto it.
After just sitting next
to him for a while, I told him I needed to to talk to someone. When
we said 'bye and I walked over to my friends. They asked me what he
said; I couldn't really answer them. They didn't really care, they
only wanted to twist his words to continue making fun of him.
My friends couldn't
understand why I stayed and talked to him. The whole time I was
thinking of the Golden Rule, Love thy Neighbor as thy Self. I
just sat there and talked. It didn't hurt me to listen to what he had
to say. A lot of my friends kept making fun of him, even after he
left. I think they made fun of him because of their own insecurities.
It is easier to make yourself feel better by tearing others down than
it is to reach out and help another person.
I left the park that day
thinking about the old man. If everyone in the world were that
friendly, life would be so much more peaceful. I want to be like
that. When I come across people who I wouldn't normally talk to, I
talk to them. I want to know them. Each person on this planet has
something to teach me. And who knows we may turn out to be great
friends.
I posted this essay here because as I read it I thought about all the different reasons parents tell me they homeschool. This essay is exactly why I homeschooled! While reading it I went through a whole series of emotions. But mostly I was scared (I didn't know she had this encounter) and I was proud (she treated another human being with kindness and compassion).
I have always said you "know" when they are ready for college and I think this essay shows a confident young woman who is ready to face and engage the world on her own terms. I will miss her, probably even more than I miss Kayleigh. Athena has a calmness about her that soothes anyone in her presence!
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Oct. 4, 2006 Wife swap....
This is actualy one of the show I watch
when I run across it. I really enjoy the culture shock, yet still
learning and growing aspects. I am usually pretty happy with the way
they are respectful of each family too. They do edit to show the most
extreme moments, but hey the people did agree to have every minute of
their lives taped for two week good and bad....
Now Jessica at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamma1420/ has asked me
(and everyone else) how I would want to influence another family.
That is really the reverse of how I have posed the question to myself.
I always ask, who would I want to switch with so I could learn more or
experience something really cool.
I would hope that I could teach
how to dream and how to play. I would want to figure out with each
child what they really want out of life --right now, not 2, 5 or 10
years from now, but right now. Then I would hope we could come up with
a plan and start working towards that dream. I would hope I could make
the same type of connection with the spouse.
I would probably try and teach
healthy balanced eating with lots of family cooking together. I would
probably have more chores for the kids than I see most kids doing now
days. We would read instead of tv. We would play outside instead of
video games. And we would do at least one community service project
together.
But like someone else said, I am probably not a good canidate for the
show because not much bothers me. It would be hard for me to enforce
rules because I think 'rules' should be internal guides not some thing
someone else imposses upon you. If the rules don't make sense to you
than you end up resenting and rebelling. Maybe that would be my 'rule
change' I would make each family member come up with two new rules for
themselves that would improve their lives and their family's life.
Thanks Jessica for asking. It was a lot of fun thinking about my answer! Now I am off to post on Gilamesh....
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Oct. 1, 2006 For something completely different!
I don't usually do religious posts. But today's Gospel reading really struck a cord with me today.
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
I love this part of the Gospel because it lets me know others don't
have to be part of 'my little group' and follow Christ the same way I
do, to call upon the power of Christ. It also lets me see that others
of different faiths who treat me with kindness because I belong to
Christ will be rewarded.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
This sentence caused me to really
think about my actions. Do I put up walls between others and God? Do I
try and tell people their ways are not good enough?
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"
What struck me the most here was
Jesus wasn't talking about some sinners out there. He was talking to
his beloved disciples. It is easy to think about those sinners in an
abstract way, but here he was talking to his closest friends and
telling them that if they get in the way of others finding Him, of
discouraging them, they would pay dearly.
So, this passage calls me to be accepting, assume others are doing
their best, accept kindness where ever I find it, and above all not to
assume because someone finds God differently than I do that they are
wrong. I need to make sure I am not building up walls between God and
others.
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I can't believe it has been two weeks since my last post. Life has been in full swing lately.
RGRC update: We are finishing our third full week of study groups, preparing for our African Bonfire, and enjoying African music and food! The kids can't get over how 'happy' the music on African radio is. We talked about the fact that none of us speak any of the languages so we have no idea what the lyrics are saying, but the music and voices are beautiful and seem very happy.
Here is a tiny taste of what we have been doing. We have eaten lamb roasted over an open fire, lentils and rice, chin-chin (like a cinamon donought), pumkin soup, fried yamballs, and M'Hanncha (an almond and filo dough pastry). We have made mummies, masks, shield, spears, African jewlery and tunics. We have researched and written reports on tse-tse flies, cheetahs, the Sahara, Egypt, mummification, apartied, Cleopatra, Augustine, Stanley, Livingston, and Victoria Falls to name just a few. We have read and acted out African Fairytales, read Heart of Darkness, and seen three movies about different time periods in Africa. The boys just started building a hut and market place outside for us to have the bonfire around.
Family update: Kayleigh is adjusting very well to NYC. She already has a new job in addition to the one she had upon arriving. She now teaches dance and gymnastics to children after school. She is making great money (even by NYC standards) and after three months will get a huge raise and health insurance. Not bad for being in the 'big city' for three weeks.
Athena has taken a trip to Chicago to see the King Tut exibit. She also has two trips to Florida, one to Ohio, and one to New York planned before Christmas. Some college related, some family related, some dance related, but most contain elements of all three.
Nathan is doing well at the local Youth Performing Arts School. I just went to a performance of his last night. I have to say though, if this wasn't what he really, really wanted I would be crankier during this transistion phase. He is tired and snappy most of the time. He is not used to the early morning, sitting still, or 2-3 hours of homework each night. Everything is getting done, he is just moodier about it.
Dirk has been fighting thyroid issues and an infection for the last month. He just needs lots of prayers.
Reading update: Besides reading Heart of Darkness with the 9th and 10th grade boys, I have been reading Nurishing Traditions and trying to put the food philosophies into practice. I have read Fearless Girls, Wise Women and Beloved Sister with one book club, Marley and Me with another and Gilamesh with the reading partners online.
Now that things have settled down a bit, I am carving out time for the two things I have seriously neglected the last two weeks! Blogging and Exercising!!!
I hope this finds you all well!
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Sep. 1, 2006 Sorry, I have been missing in action...
I have spent the last
few days with my oldest daughter, Kayleigh. I put her on a plane this
morning. That was nothing new, I have put her on more planes than I
care to remember right now. The thing that was new was this was a one
way plane trip. She has now moved to NYC.
We have no clue when we will see each other again.
It could be in a few months for the holidays, or if she gets cast in a
traveling show it could be years. I thought I was fine. I knew this day
was coming. She has been planning it and then putting it off for three
years. Today was 'the day'.
I am confident she will do great. She has two jobs
and an apartment already. She has been living on her own for over 3
years. Two years at college, a couple summers in North Caroline and
this year in her own apt. in Louisville. She has college experience and
life experience in her chosen field. And she already has friends and
professional contacts in NYC.
I didn't sleep well and I feel awful. I don't know
how much of it is her leaving and how much is a summer cold and how
much is a reaction to a new medication I have to take. Hopefully, my
headache will go away, my stomach will calm down and life will get back
to normal soon.
I feel like I have let the Reading Partners down,
but I promise I will post as soon as I can hold a coherent thought.
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Aug. 22, 2006 Mad lib mania Aug. 15, 2006 Not my usual kind of post :)
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From Tad (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/twimmer/182806/)
In our test case, the
parents agree to the arrangement, and even encourge it based on their
religious views. Assuming that the parents have not used coersion on
the girl beyond reasonable parenting, we have both the girl's choice
and ratification by the parents. Or the other way 'round; the girl
could be ratifiying her parents' choice. In either case, the parents
have decided that this is an appropriate course for their child. By
what reasoning do we allow the state to second guess these parents?
Now my response......
Ok, I had to go look up marriage laws and these were the easiest to find: United States:
Usually 18. Most states, however, allow marriage at a younger age with
parental and/or judicial consent. Some states allow marriage at a still
younger age if the female is pregnant. (Nationally few marry under the
age of twenty.) Arizona:
no statutory minimum, those under 18 must have parental consent, those
under 16 must receive approval of a superior court judge and parental
consent. (statute) California: no statutory minimum, those under 18 must receive approval of a superior court judge and parental consent. Georgia: 18 generally, 15 with parental consent, 16 without parental consent if pregnant Florida: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent. Michigan: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent. 15 and under with parental consent and probate judge approval. Mississippi: 17 for males, 15 for females, unlimited with parental consent. New Hampshire: 18 generally; 14 for males and 13 for females, in cases of "special cause" with parental consent and court permission. New York: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent, 14 for males and 13 for females with court permission. North Carolina: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent, unlimited in case of pregnancy or birth of child with parental consent. Texas: 18, 14 with parental consent.Texas Family Code Utah: 18 generally for first marriage, 16 with parental consent, 14 with court approval or previous marriage. Massachusetts: 18 generally for first marriage, 16 with parental consent. I
have to admit that some of these blow my mind. Hard time imagining a
case where a 14 yr old is being married for a second time! I can live
with each state determining marriage laws. If the family can prove to a
judge that their 14 yr old-- of either gender-- is ready for marriage,
more power to them.
I
also looked up the medical problems associated with girls 14 and under
carrying a child to term. The biggest problem is that their pelvis is
not yet properly shaped to deliver the child. Even with the best
pre-natal care the young mom is more than 20 times more likely to die
in childbirth than a 16 yr old or older. So, to me, allowing a girl of
14 to marry is the same as playing Russian Roulette with her life.
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Aug. 12, 2006 Book Tag, I like this one too.....
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I had to
think very hard about a few of these because of limiting it to one. I
think on different days in different moods I would probably pick much
different books.
Here are today's choices!
1. ONE BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Van DeMille
2. ONE BOOK THAT YOUVE READ MORE THAN ONCE
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
3. ONE - O.K. TWO - BOOKS YOUD WANT ON A DESERT ISLAND - NSRV Bible
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
4. ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU LAUGH
The Husband Test by Betina Krahn
5. ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY
Night by Elie Wiesel
6. ONE BOOK THAT YOU WISH HAD BEEN WRITTEN How to Follow Me, not Paul by Jesus
7. ONE BOOK THAT YOU WISH HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN
Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days by Tim F. LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
8. ONE BOOK THAT YOURE CURRENTLY READING The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien
9. ONE BOOK YOUVE BEEN MEANING TO READ Nurshing Traditions (cookbook) by Fallon Sally
TAG FIVE OTHERS
Since I don't know who likes to be tagged and who doesn't I want to
open this up to anyone who reads this and feels inspired to answer the
same questions. If you do please leave me a note so I can go read your
blog!
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Aug. 8, 2006 In the News today...
I am one who usually doesn't get upset by
the morning news. Today seems different. There are three articles that
have really frustrated me this morning.
First: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thecheckout/2006/08/post_9.html
BusRadio! This is about putting targeted radio programing on
school busses. They 'say' only 6-8 minutes will be actual
advertisments, but the whole station will be used to test market CDs,
movies, new artists and such. They would have a completely captive
audience that can't turn it off or leave the room.
Second: http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-16/1154844074102520.xml&coll=1
This one is about a group from St. Bernard's Parish who want to put up
a monument to those who died in their Parish during Katrina. The ACLU
wants to stop them from using a cross because a few of the active
people serve as council members. This is a monument on private
property, funded with private money, done on volunteer time. It seems
the ACLU is saying that if you want to hold a job in the government you
CANNOT be a member of a faith community. By being an active member of
your faith community you are promoting a state religion!
Third: http://trends.newsforge.com/trends/06/07/20/1651223.shtml?tid=147
This one is about the RIAA bringing lawsuits against people for sharing
music files, when the people who they are suing have never even owned a
computer! They are getting information about individuals illegally and
judges who don't understand technology are rubber stamping arrest
warrants and search and seizure warrants without due process.
All of this reminds me so much of a book by Taylor Caldwell called
Devil's Advocate. In it a secret group is trying to get Americans to
revolt from an oppressive government by taking away more and more
rights. I am not one for conspiracy theories, but when I read article
after article about how simple rights are being taken away and totally
innocent people are being hounded while the real villains go scot free,
it makes me think maybe their is something to those theories.....
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Jul. 25, 2006 encouragement
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I wanted to encourage some of you new homeschoolers with strong-willed children. My oldest, Kayleigh, is very, very strong willed. It is a trait that challenged me as a parent, but I am thankful for now that she is an adult. This was a child who had to choose her own clothing as young as 18 months old. I could hold up two dresses and she would choose one, but if I had just pulled the exact dress out of the drawer and tried to help her get dressed, you would have thought you were watching WWIII. By 8 when we started homeschooling, she had been through 6 yrs of Montessori training (and so had I), but I still didn't know how we were going to make it. When I said the sky was blue she had to say no, it is azure or cerulean. It drove me nuts! That was 12 years ago and she has thanked me many times over for having the courage to homeschool her.
Things that really helped us, I would ask "do you want to do spelling or writing now?" or "do you want to write with a pencil or on the chalkboard?" somehow I worked what I needed her to do into a question that had an answer that was acceptable to both of us. I also relied on the Montessori idea of self-correcting whenever possible. Even with that there was very little independent written work until she was almost 11-12.
With Athena, she was independent from day one! As long as she knew what I wanted finished before the end of the day and I trusted her to do it, she was a happy camper.
Then with Nathan at 14 I still work very closely with him on many subjects because he has to talk it all out. I don't "do" much except sit and listen to his thoughts. Occasionally I will take notes while he talks so he can do type up his reports and essay. He couldn't work independently and quietly if his life depended on it. I guess he can, because he did make it through the 4 hour ACT tests, but he said it was the worse experience of his life. And if he wants to succeed at the Youth Preforming Arts School he has chosen to attend he better figure out quickly how to work quietly and independently.
With all three of them I made sure they understood education is something they do for themselves, not something I do to them. They educate themselves, I hopefully encourage and inspire, but it is their responsibility not mine. I model my own education, by reading with them, writing with them, building with them, doing puzzles with them, cooking with them, but I make sure they know I am doing it for me just like they should be doing it for themselves. People who visit here are amazed when they see the same kids (5 to 19) listening to Dr. Seuss as are listening to Beowulf and discussing both as literary works regardless of their age.
Kids love to mimic adult behavior. If you write, they will write, if you do housework they will do housework, if you read out loud, they will listen. It might be a like the scene in Tom Sawyer-- by studying yourself, you are naturally inviting them to study too.
I had very few good "teacher" models to draw from and I had been told all my life a parent can't teach their own child. It helped me to think of myself as a fellow student instead of a teacher. Then that evolved into a mentor as the kids got older and we invited others to study with us. In my 12 years of homeschooling I have learned much more than I did in my 12 years of schooling and my 5 years of college (even though I had a great college experience). So, relax and hang in there! You guys are so far ahead of where I was when I started!!!! I envy you these years, they are gone way to quickly.
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Jul. 25, 2006 Just returned from Nashville
Well, we just returned from Nashville. I didn't get to do all the sightseeing I wanted, because of the dance competition schedule and master dance classes that the kids took. I did get a couple of my novels finished though. Spent quality time with my oldest, whom I don't get to spend near enough time with anymore. And generally just relaxed.
Nathan and Athena both did solo routines at the advanced level and earned very high scores. For kids who are used to being in the top three all the time, it was a lesson in humility that neither of them made it into the top 10. Their team dances also did well. One of Athena's team dances made it into the top ten out of over 50 dances in the same division. Still, the kids weren't too happy because they are used to placing much higher.
Kayleigh was there as a teacher/choreographer this year instead of a dance competitor. Her students did extremely well. They placed the highest of any of the students from our studio! She was very proud of them. I was very proud of her. It is hard to believe she is really leaving to live in NYC in just a few weeks.
I hope to get back to the HTRLLAP posts very soon. There are only a few left. If anyone is following in the book, they may have figured out I am not going in order. When I first wrote the outline parts, it was for a group of middle schoolers who were watching movies based on classic novels and so I skipped a couple of chapters that didn't apply to them. I later added those back in for some highschoolers, but that is why things are skipped and out of order, but the whole book should ended up in the How To Read Literature Like A Professor file.
Now, I am going to check on you guys while I wait for my gym partner to get here.
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Jul. 20, 2006 I love new books!
I am so excited! An order from National Geographic just came in yesterday. Three books that I have never read before either!
The first is a novel called Facing The Lion, Growing up Maasai on the African Savanna. I can't wait to read this aloud during literature time. It fits perfectly with our history/geography. We are using Around the World in 180 Days, and Africa will be the first continent in September.
Then a book we are all excited about---Atlas of the Middle East, with a history and regional guide. I got it for our fall studies, but given what is going on in the world right now, the teens are devouring this atlas and all its text! It is amazing how much they can learn with a good Atlas and a newspaper!
Next was Everyday Science Explained, the photographs in this book are absolutely breathtaking! They draw you in to read the short science explainations that are clear and relevant.
I also went to the book store Tuesday night. I wasn't really supposed to, but I HAD to get a book for the book club and I NEEDED a new copy of The Well Educated Mind :)
I ended up with an arm load of books, which is why I wasn't supposed to go until August! Here is what I got, The Well Educated Mind- hardback for writing my personal notes in the book, Women Who Run With The Wolves (Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype), a new paperback copy of How to Read Literature..., An Invitation to the Classics, and the book I went in for The Memory Keepers Daughter. See, I was very controlled. Normally, I cannot leave a bookstore with fewer than 10-15 new books and a few used ones too.
I think I have enough to read while in Nashville this weekend. It will be hard, but I will not go back into a bookstore or order a new book until August! Must feed and clothe the family :)
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Jul. 16, 2006 motivation ideas
JenB
(www.homeschoolblogger.com/tiredmom/) had a question about motivation
ideas. My answer got too long winded to leave in her comment box so I
decided to post my answer here instead.
If he has something he
likes to do, like visit friends, play outside, watch tv, play games,
whatever it is, use that to help him learn how to reward himself.
When Kayleigh was about 7-8 she was attending a Montessori school and
she was having a hard time being motivated to do anything. So, the
teacher and I decided that if her work was done she would bring home a
green card, if it wasn't she would bring home a red one. Everytime she
got a green card we would go to her favorite tea house and have hot tea
and a cookie and have 'girl talk time'. When she brought home a red
card, she would have an extra household chore to do that evening in
place of watching TV. It wasn't long at all before she was getting all
green cards, then the cards weren't even needed anymore and she got her
work done and we still got to do 'tea time' a couple days a week.
We began homeschooling the every next year and the reward system worked
again. Punishments made me seem like the bad guy and the one in
control, but rewards made her feel like she was the one in control. It
was up to her to earn the reward and she knew she could do it.
With Athena though (now 16), she is motivated by a list at the
beginning of the day that she can mark off as she works. I have to be
sure and include everything, because she hates the feeling of being
'dumped' on. So every morning we sit down with her weekly assignment
sheet, her calendar, and a fresh piece of paper and make a list for the
day that includes chores, assignments, classes, projects, etc. Then she
is off and running. I rarely say another word to her because her reward
is the internal feeling of being done.
With Nathan (now 14),
he is changing rapidly! When he was little he also like a complete list
for the day. Now that he is a teen the list isn't enough, he needs
rewards to motivate. They are simple things like as soon as your
academics are finished you may go: ride your scooter, do yard work,
sleep, chat online, go skating or to the skateboard park....
When they have a clear understanding of what I expect, they don't seem
to mind doing it. When I am fuzzy or unclear in my directions or
continue to add this or that then they resist and get very grumpy. I
found that when I really took the time to listen to them, they were
much more likely to hear me out. |
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Jul. 15, 2006 Toddlers....
I had the great joy of watching an almost
18 month old this week. I only had her a couple of days, but it was so
much fun. I don't see how any of you with toddlers ever find computer
time. She was much more entertaining than any tv or computer could ever
be!
I got to remember why I was drawn into Montessori Methods of learning
in the first place. I absolutely adore watching them learn. The
repetitive actions, the huge smiles when they figure out how something
works, the big bubbly laughter, the need to control their environment,
just about everything is a new experience, and the constant busy-ness
of learning. Oh, I can't forget the hunderds of kisses a day the the
way it feels to have a toddler go to sleep in your arms. I was in
seventh heaven while she was around.
Gigi is young enough that I also got to remember toxic diapers and food
all over her, the table, the floor and even me, when she got done
eating. The diapers were bad, but I have seen worse and the food was
actual 'fun' because I don't have to deal with it everyday :) I loved
watching her learn how to use a spoon to get the soup into her mouth.
She had to work very hard at not having it spill back down the back
side of the spoon when she put the front of the spoon into her mouth.
It was a lot of fun see how she like new foods like figs, bagels, and
dill pickles. All of which she enjoyed completely! I learned a
peanutbutter cracker dissolved into chicken noodle soup isn't too awful
:)
I think I will have to 'borrow' Gigi more often! I can also see the
value of sending her home :) I have been whinning lately about not
being a 'mommy' anymore, but I am doing and interested in so many
things I would have to set back on the back burners if a little one
were to come back into our lives that I can see value in life after
mommyhood. I can now see Gigi as my transisitional friend. I can get to
enjoy her giggles, kisses, and the weight of her sleeping in my arms,
but then send her home so that I can write, paint, read and think whole
'grown-up' thoughts without interruption :)
I didn't realize how much I really descend into their world until this
week. I do like being on my own rhythm. I like waking, eating and
sleeping on my schedule instead of the other way around.....I realized
I have a lot of work to do in the next 8-10 years, before the
grandbabies start coming!
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A few Flag facts:
Ever
wonder why the flag is red, white, and blue? While the flag's colors
did not have a specific meaning at the time, the colors were
significant for the Great Seal of 1782. - White: Signifies purity and innocence
- Red: Signifies valor and bravery
- Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Why
stars and stripes? Stars are considered a symbol of the heavens and the
divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe
is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.
A
cool flag time line here Betsy Ross Flag
Time Line
Learn how to fold a flag here
And a review of Flag Etiquette:
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in
which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions
on how the flag is not to be used. They are: - The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
- The
flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk,
draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue,
white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe
of the bunting should be on the top.
- The flag should never be
used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed
or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs,
napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary
use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
- The
flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform,
except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military
personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
- The
flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark,
insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
- The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any
other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store
the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously. The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our
country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
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Jul. 2, 2006 Five things.....
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I thought this
was a cute list. I got it from barbieheart
who got it from The sparrow's nest.
5 Things in my Refrigerator: 1. leftover roast beef
2. whipped cream
3. cold filtered water and ice tea (about 5 gal. each)
4. flour tortillas
5. big bag of pre-made spinach salad
5 Things in my Closet:
1. clothes, way too many!
2. comic books (belonging to dh)
3. old stuff animals
4. DVDs
5. Irish beers dh got as a gift and uses to make lamb stew, YUM!
5 Things in my Purse:
1. checkbook
2. recipts I haven't filed yet
3. loose change in every pocket...
4. calendar and note pad
5. at least 5 pens
5 Things in my Car
1. various CDs
2. sunglasses
3. maps
4. sales fliers
5. coupons to Rally's
5 People I am tagging:
Like the others I am just opening it up to anyone interested.
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Jun. 30, 2006 I'm bored.....
I have been random blogging today and was
really suprised by the number of blogs where parents have commented
that their kids are "already bored or restless." I saw a few good
suggestions about helping them make lists, giving them crafts to do,
starting school work back up...... everyone jumping to rescue the bored
child.
I have a radical idea, the next time you hear a child say "I'm bored."
Respond by saying "hmm, that is interesting honey" and when they say
"there is nothing to do", you can say "really, nothing to do?" and stay
very, very quiet.... or even go back to what you were doing, if
possible invite them to help you, but don't offer rescue suggestions.
Let them sit, stand, pace, pout whatever their reaction is until their
mind kicks into gear.
Usually parents don't jump up to give school work answers when the kids
say "I don't know." Most of the ones I know say, well find the answer
or let's find the answer together, depending on the skill level and
maturity of the child. Think of being bored as an "I don't know" answer
to the question "what could you being doing with your time."
Now sitting down BEFORE they say they are bored, like at the beginning
of the day or the first day of the week and brainstorming activities,
like letter writing, crafts, cooking, sewing, playing outside,
swimming.... to make sure the supplies are one hand and a parent is
available if needed is very different than rescuing them from being
bored. It is giving them background information before they begin their
work.
Kids as young as 3 and 4 need to start having a say in how they spend
part of they day. If they get used to you scheduling every minute of
their day, they will never learn the skill of independent time
management. And if you schedule "when it is important" during the
"school year" then they will get the idea that the time that is theirs
to schedule isn't very important at all. Just like with all skills
practice makes perfect!
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Jun. 21, 2006 Handy Husbands!!!! and who is Mab?!?
I have to say thank you, thank you and
thank you again to my wonderfully talented husband. I was never
completely happy with my blog template and tonight he fixed it for me.
It is PERFECT! Exactly what I wanted and I adore him even more for
taking the time to figure out how to make my vision come to cyber life!
And who is that Queen Mab, right in the center..... It depends on who
you ask. In English folklore she is a fairy who rides across the
faces of sleeping people and compels them to dream dreams of
wish-fulfillment. In Welsh folk tales she gives mead and wisdom to
travelers who seek her. In most Celtic mythology she was somehow
responsible for making sure the king to be was well versed in feminism
and women's mystries. I chose her to be on my page because my job as a mentor is to help others develop their dreams.
I also think women's wisdom is often overlooked. The Bible calls Wisdom
Sophia, it uses She and Her, yet so often all knowledge, logic and
wisdom are thought to be handed down from a Male God to a human
male then to the lowly female. So in my little way, in my corner of the
world, I am reclaiming a balanced God. A God that is big enough to be
both male and female and yet greater still to be more than both. The
very real historical male Jesus and the full body of Christ
where "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ." Galatians 3:28.
I hope my blog inspires dreamers to dream big and leaves wisdom seekers a little wiser. :)
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Jun. 11, 2006 Bumper sticker philosophy.
| 'People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to
discourage others'-- as seen on the bumper sticker When the kids come
to be with new ideas, I ask myself how do I say "yes, that will work."
My mind goes naturally to all the reasons it won't work, why it is
inconvient, why it is too expensive, or why we don't have time.
Stopping and biting my tongue for a few seconds to let my brain work
has been a huge blessing. I have been training my mouth to say "Cool
idea, how would you make it work," or "that is interesting, what would
you need from me" or "neat, what's the next step"...now I can and do
say these things out of habit. I am following my dreams and I want more
than anything for the kids to follow theirs. I want them to feel safe
enough to bring new dreams to me to help them grow. Since I believe
passions and dreams are gifts of the Holy Spirit, to destroy them, to
belittle them, to push them aside too quicky or to dismiss them as
flights of fancy is to sin against the Spirit. When a child is told no
constantly, they stop dreaming altogether. I see this way too often
with the broken spirits that come to be for mentoring. Teens should be
full of passion! Yet, more often then not these kids come to me
defeated, lost, and feeling powerless because well meaning teachers and
parents have have shut down every dream they have had. We do it in
little ways, stop playing your music now and get to work, stop what
your writing and do what I assigned, that book's not good enough read
this one instead, stop what your doing and do what I want done right
now.... in every way we say what we want is more important and more
valuable then what they were finding meaningful. What they are learning
is "So, what would be the point of dreaming, if my dreams and desires
are not valuable or valued." So, the next time you find yourself faced
with a child who has a strange idea, or wants to do something wacky
sounding... ask yourself is there anyway I can say yes, or can I
discuss and brainstorm this idea with them without shutting them or it
down...Get excited about the freedom we have as homeschoolers to follow
these rabbit trails of learning and life. Let your child truly know
they can listen to the Spirit and follow their dreams. |
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What Type of Homeschooler Are You?
Galileo - If it is worth learning, it has been printed
in Latin. You want your children to have a
classical education. You teach the Trivium of
grammar,
logic, and rhetoric, and the Quadrivium
of arithmetic,
geometry, music, and astronomy.
Ancient history is
fascinating to you, and you
own several Greenleaf
Guides to prove it.
Visit my blog:
http://www.GuiltFreeHomeschooling.blogspot.com
Take this quiz!
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