You may simply call me a writer, the eldest of the 8 (going on 9) Read children – many of which you will find roaming about the blogosphere. A 19 year old Christian homeschool graduate, I have been Classically educated through the teaching principles of Charlotte Mason. I have been a military child ever since I can remember, toured the nation and the world, and upon my father’s retirement from the U.S. Army, my family and I have been shaping our new land into a homestead known as Fair Hills Farm.

In 2004, my mother discovered the fascinating history of Dr. Harvey W. Wiley and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. After years of researching and writing, I completed a full length historical drama screenplay titled The Crusading Chemist in March 2008 and recently completed a revision of it. I am now a college student majoring in History and minoring in Political Science at Jacksonville State University and in between studying, working on literary and art projects and living big family farm life I hope to maintain a quest for truthful research through Luke Historians and Not Just An Opinion.  My constant prayer is to glorify the LORD far beyond my finite imagination!

Blogging Since: January 2006

Read my philosophy of Blogging.

Amanda Read is a self-taught artist that developed her skills primarily through nature journaling.

Imaginate That! Read & Abbott Movie Projects

 

Amanda Read is the author of the historical/biopic/drama screenplay, The Crusading Chemist.  She is the Worldview/News columnist for The Cross-Eyed Blog and Webzine, and a regular columnist and contributor for The Girlhood Home Companion Magazine.  In September 2008 she wrote the e-book, Keeping The Family Flock: A Primer On Keeping Chickens.  In September 2009, the e-book The Modesty Handbook presented by Cross-Eyed Blog and Webzine was released, in which some of her writings are featured.  Miss Read is also Editor in Chief of the online fact database, Not Just An Opinion and founder of the Christian historical journalist society Luke Historians.

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS ALL OF YOU,

~Amanda Read~

@SincerelyAmanda on Twitter

I want to present a challenging question to all bloggers.  The following is a post that I began writing several months ago, but I didn't decide to post it until now - the day I am moving to my new blog (which can be accessed by typing www.amandaread.com).  This isn't exactly a "farewell" since I am still blogging and will probably Iframe this HSB blog with my new blog...but in a way it is, because I am leaving aspects of this familiar blogging atmosphere behind.

"If for some strange reason I had to withdraw from the blogosphere, how would that affect my life?"

Mom and I asked ourselves that question not too long ago, and the plain, unfussy answer is: it wouldn't affect our lives at all.  Sure, it would be somewhat disappointing to those of us that enjoy blogging, but it wouldn't disturb our lives in any way at all.  As I started thinking about what sort of outlet the blogosphere is and how I should properly use it, I gradually arrived at writing something I have never written before: a blog post on blogging itself.

I have been blogging for over two years now, and have been involved in writing on the internet for nearly five years.  Through all of that I have been able to observe and gain experience in the workings of the internet and the way in which it is used and abused by humanity. Yet amazingly, despite its potentially addicting appeal to me, blogging has never become a major part of my life or my family's life.  We don't live for the daily interaction of comments upon comments and immensely cluttered sidebars and sitemeters and hand-me-down-blog-awards (note: I do not intend to condescend the good will of those that invented the numerous creative awards, but goodness - after the splendid Blogging With A Purpose Award and Blogging Reflection Award why did everybody and their brother think they needed to make a new award?  It has devalued the significance of blog awards!).

I like to visit the blogs of people such as Susan Wise Bauer, Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin, Diana Waring, Tiffany McDonald...People that don't blog to get a life, they blog because they have a life.  Their blogging is a simple, informative, conversational hobby that shares knowledge and in turn offers entertainment, comfort and literary fellowship to those that are inspired by what they do.  It doesn't matter how often they update their blogs or how much traffic their sites get - that isn't the point.  The point is that they only blog when they have something worth saying.

In recent years there has been an enormous campaign of sorts to encourage people of all ages to get out there and start blogging, particularly homeschoolers.  We definitely want to encourage more good people to blog, and I think it is probably advisable that blogging skills be developed in many aspiring and accomplished writers - or even people that aren't necessarily into writing, but have interesting messages to share nonetheless.  A great amount of good influence can be made.  Unfortunately, a great amount of garbage can be produced as well, especially when the art of blogging becomes blown way out of proportion.  I won't discourage anyone from starting a blog or from continuing a blog, but I would like to see that everyone has their priorities straight (including myself).

To put it simply, proper blogging is an outlet for sharing information, not gaining a social life.  It's all fine and good to have friends and of course, the whole idea of blogging is to gain an audience.  However, getting too personally involved with your audience can be terribly distracting.  As the Bible warns:

"A man of too many friends comes to ruin..." ~ Proverbs 18:24

As soon as you become extremely chummy and cliquish about blogging (or any social interaction, for that matter), you will likely end up with your mind consumed with concern about your reputation, popularity, and an inflated sense of your own importance on the internet.  The sad thing about losing your mind is that once you've lost it, you don't realize it's gone.  For your safety and sanity, it's best to not get too personal in the blog world.  You certainly shouldn't be boring and impersonal - blogging should be unique, enjoyable and entertaining.  But in terms of relating to other people, remember that your blog isn't exactly a social networking site like MySpace or Facebook in which close friends might chatter and play and give inside jokes or taunts (and even on those sites you must guard your tongue from running out of control).

There is nothing wrong with being a little chipper, but think of blogging this way:

Imagine you are at a conference at which friends, acquaintances and complete strangers are giving speeches and displaying their works of art and research.  In such a place, how do you converse, laugh or argue with others?  You discuss politely when you have something to talk about, you share thoughts, stories and ideas, but you don't rudely draw attention to yourself or expect everyone to grovel before your opinion. 

That's basically what is going on in the blog world: you are in a public atmosphere with a wide audience.  On top of that, what you say can never be completely erased or hidden - and you are always labeled with some discreet form of identification (your IP address).  I don't completely understand the technical aspects of the cyber world, but as far as I know, you have to be careful.

If all of that completely freaks you out, then blogging probably isn't for you.  If you are going to be on the internet, you shouldn't be trembling with paranoia and self-consciousness.  There is always the privatizing of blogs and entries and profiles, but if you get immensely overwhelmed by that, you will likely end up with your mind consumed with concern about reputation, stalking, and an inflated sense of your own importance on the internet.  So at either of these two extremes, you've lost your mind.

Do you see what ultimately goes wrong in both circumstances?  Overtly investing your emotions and life into blogging.  In other words, getting too personal.  When you write on a blog, you are completely welcome to exert your passion into your topic, but do not either drag all your fellow bloggers into a clique revolving around yourself, nor drag yourself into a private box that is just taking up internet space.

FLATTER ME THIS, FLATTER ME THAT

Another skill bloggers need to develop is courteous commenting.  The oft repeated line is "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all".  That is a good tip, but there is another type of bad commenting besides criticism - and it may be worse.

"A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps." ~ Proverbs 29:5

"Let me now be partial to no one, nor flatter any man.  For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away." ~ Job 32:21-22

"He who rebukes a man will afterwards find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue."

~ Proverbs 28:23

Oooh, the tickling of the ears.  Now, there is nothing wrong with complimenting someone on their writing style, musical or dancing or artistic talent, or photographs, etc..  People need some sort of encouragement to keep them going, and we want to take every opportunity possible to draw attention to things of good report.  But in reality - and even more so in virtual reality - there is a strong need for sincerity. 

The simple fact is, people weren't created to be fanatically adored and worshipped.  Mankind - and even angels - can't handle such pride.  We have seen repeatedly what has happened to idolized and hounded celebrities.  Can you imagine what would happen to an idolized and hounded blogger that in turn ends up thinking they're a celebrity?

From what I've seen so far, flattery in the blog world is mostly chatter generated by enthusiastic blogging fans that apparently don't proof read their comments.  The flattery lies in telling a person over and over again that everything they say and do is right, correct, charming, amazing, etc. before thinking twice about whether or not that person actually needs to hear that...over and over and over again.

The problem is that before long those sorts of commenters begin commenting on the person - that is, the blogger - rather than the blog.  The result is a fanatical attachment to a person that they may very well only be acquainted with via the internet.  Once that sort of fanaticism has been developed, the comment section and/or C-Box/Flooble box/communication what-you-may-call-it can fast become more like a celebrity gossip column than a pleasant center of discussion (and that sounds especially ridiculous when the subject of discussion is not a celebrity).  It doesn't take long for innocent but empty blabbering to turn debates and casual topics into vicious gossiping outbreaks.  I've never been infected by an outbreak, but I've watched it take place from the distance.  It is sickening.

Way too often are conflicts kept heated due to people wasting their time involving themselves in it. 

"A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire." ~ Proverbs 16:27

"Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him." ~ Proverbs 26:17

If you ever happen to eavesdrop on a conflict, DON'T grab the dog by the ears, even to defend your favorite blogger.

~ ~ ~

Such activities, needless to say, do not encourage good blogging.  They simply drag out the involved bloggers' emotions, families, lives and relationships in ways that are not appropriate for the blogosphere.

Good bloggers are able to sharpen their minds in debate by focusing on an issue worth discussing - without making themselves the issue.

"He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him." ~ Proverbs 18:13

"Do not go out hastily to argue your case; otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor humiliates you?  Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another, or he who hears it will reproach you, and the evil report about you will not pass away." ~ Proverbs 25:8-10

So, that brings us to a dose of what our hyper-energized modern society needs anyway: common sense and simplicity.

·                    DON'T LIVE TO BLOG OR BLOG TO LIVE

Blogging isn't meant to become a lifestyle, but rather an outlet for sharing information or journaling about your lifestyle.

·                    MAINTAIN AN UNCLUTTERED INTERNET LIFE

Taking on too many blogging activities is just like taking on too many offline activities.  It will stress you out and wear you down.  Consider occasionally taking a fast from blogging to renew your mind and creative resources.  Cutting down your blog-devoted time will not cause the world to cave in.  Make sure you have a reality check: does the blogosphere really need you all the time?

{As a side note here, I'll mention that though this may not always be the case, the majority of these blog charades are caused by women.  I think that we women have an inherent weakness in idle chatter.  Running our mouths comes naturally (just look at how much I've written!).  As the following women say...

"Christian women have many new, high-tech alternatives to the old, pedestrian gadding-about. Now we can “be idle, wandering about from [blog] to [blog]; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which [we] ought not,” (1 Timothy 5:13) without even leaving our own thresholds. It’s more easily justified, and therefore we must be even more vigilant to keep our consciences tender and our hearts willing to be convicted."

~ Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

http://visionarydaughters.com/responding-to-a-rumor/

"Sometimes you have to focus really hard and ignore some of the loud, intrusive voices that invade your home - whether it is electronic invasion through TV or the internet, or whether it is the phone ringing off the hook and people trying to pull you in the wrong direction, taking your focus off of your primary calling, or whether it is catalogs in the mail or a ladies' group needing assistance only you can provide. Don't submit to the tyranny of the urgent mentality that is so easily forced on you. And don't let your girlfriends intrude on your family time. Friends are important, but they should be down the list after your God, your husband, your children. We certainly should not be shunning our husbands or neglecting the discipleship of our children because we need some 'girl time.' If you have time leftover after the first priorities, for friends and fellowship, then enjoy it to the hilt."

~ Christine Read

http://fairhillsfarm.com/weblog/2007/12/12/simplifying-priorities/}

·                    POPULARITY ISN'T WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

Remember, anyone in the world can become popular if they try hard enough.  All it takes is a little irrational devotion.  If so, is it worth making popularity your sole goal? 

Don't be offended if you don't receive tons of comments.  Remember that there are plenty of readers that read blog posts without commenting.  It's better to have a few substantial, genuine comments instead of tons of empty "you rock" or "you suck" sorts comments.

• NEITHER HARASS PEOPLE, NOR FEAR HARASSMENT

"Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, or he will become weary of it and hate you."

~ Proverbs 25:17

The same can be said for putting your foot in your neighbor’s blog.  For some odd reason, some people really do get fed up with people that are almost too friendly.  They are sure to enjoy your comments, but as soon as you begin nagging them – even nicely – with private messages, e-mails, etc. they may very well build up an irrational resentment towards you.  They develop a sort of allergic reaction, you might say.  It causes both sides involved to become sensitive and frustrated.  They get tired of feeling obligated to respond (perhaps regarding an issue they don’t care to discuss) and they begin feeling uncomfortable with communicating on such a personal basis.

However, if someone seems to be harassing (or “stalking”) you, don’t let it go to your head.  If you think you should not be communicating with them, quietly drop out of the deal by not responding (after all, if you don’t have any personal information out in public, what is there to fear?).  If the person is malicious, by all means report them – but if the person is just friendly to the brink of annoyance, don’t start a slanderous campaign against them and assume that every other person in the world is out to get you.  For one thing, it is extremely silly and for another – it will drive you out of your mind!  It will lead you to extrapolate absurd things at your first impression of every person you see on the internet (pride and prejudice all over again).

Once again:

"Do not go out hastily to argue your case; otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor humiliates you?  Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another, or he who hears it will reproach you, and the evil report about you will not pass away." ~ Proverbs 25:8-10

In conclusion, I must admit that in the past two years this blogosphere has gradually become subject to dramatic inflation.  It doesn't seem the same anymore.  I hope to see more bloggers strive to create great blogs instead of great social clubs as time goes on.  The internet has become a virtual Tower of Babel that is being raised higher and higher...

MAY YAHWEH HAVE MERCY ON US,

~Amanda~

Do read about it at www.fairhillsfarm.com/weblog!  It is so sweet to watch a mother hen raise her chicks.

In case I don't have time to explain later...I am transferring my blog to a wordpress on some hosting that we own.  You will know when it has been changed.

Well, this post has more brevity than I'm generally capabable of, but I don't think I have anything else to say.

~Amanda~

This is a blog post to honor one of our HomeschoolBlogger Class of 2008 Graduates: Eyebright of Defective Compositions.

{The card has a picture of a rose from our garden - photo taken by Abigail} 

I like Micah 6:8 because it is a reminder to me that as homeschool graduates we are at this busy time in our lives when so many people are watching us with high expectations - and perhaps we have some high expectations for ourselves - but ultimately, all that really matters eternally is having a willing heart to serve the LORD.

I appreciate Eyebright's unique and entertaining blog ("Defective Compositions" is a clever title!) and am glad to be one of her (many) blogging acquaintances.

Congratulations, Eyebright!

Keep in touch -

~Amanda~

I’ve decided thus far not to have a set day for my graduation.  I’m happy for everyone else that does but I personally can’t quite get into it.  I remember coming to the conclusion as a young child that I should never have a high school graduation because if I do end up having a college graduation, by then I will have run out of things to say for a commencement speech.

Furthermore, I don’t feel like a graduate as long as I have to prepare for the ACT (which is what I will be doing for the next three weeks).  The other day I accompanied Mom and my siblings on the grocery outing, and we managed to order my class ring while we were at it.  It will be gold valadium with a garnet and have an artist’s palette engraved on one side (to represent my artistic interest) and the Bible (along with a cross and crown) on the other.  The inscription engraved inside the band will be “2 Timothy 2:15”.

Rachel laughed about me technically being the only graduate in my “class” – unless you count other seniors from our homeschool group.  Well, it seems to me that the entire school charade is appearing more laughable the older I get.

For instance, the ACT is supposed to be an exam that tests your overall educational progress and determines your preparedness for college level work.  But as with most standardized time tests, the results still turn out to be somewhat irrelevant.  You must answer a certain number of questions in a certain amount of time (in the case of the math section, you are given 60 seconds per problem).  Ultimately, the test doesn’t test your knowledge so much as it tests your ability to process your knowledge quickly.  For those of us that are slow, thorough thinkers, we may well be just as educated as the super speed readers and mathematical geniuses, but not able to answer as quickly and thus not appear to be so.  I suppose that dilemma will always be a by-product of mass produced compulsory schooling.

While I am on the subject, I might as well dismiss all doubt of my deep seated bias against standardized tests.  My grudge against the sardonic multiple-choice pamphlets began at the tender age of 7 (or maybe it was 8).  We were living in West Point, New York when I was first confronted with such things at the necessity of the government homeschooling law.  Mom was able to give me the test at home because of my young age, but it was still, nevertheless, a timed test.  I wept bitterly while solving the math problems, convinced that I couldn’t possibly solve any of them in the allotted time.

I took my last (or so I thought) standardized test at age 11, which was for the 6^th grade level.  Sure, I scored high on my tests (except for the “Dates and Holidays” section…never quite figured that one out…), but that didn’t matter to me.  In the whole course of the exam I couldn’t find a single interesting question – not even history questions (they don’t even have history on the ACT).  Instead, there were insulting questions such as, “Two politicians shake hands.  Does this mean: A.) They are good friends.  B.) They are enemies. C.) They are just being polite….”  The President’s dog could probably figure that one out after awhile.

The test never gave me an opportunity to demonstrate the reading or nature journals or science experiments or unit studies or Latin that I had studied.  Instead for reading comprehension I was expected to explain whether or not the little boy in an underwear commercial was embarassed or if the lady looking at the rose in an apartment building felt happy.  Such emotionally-oriented testing did bring me to a modest appreciation of math, oddly enough.  It was an objective, honest subject after all!  I wish it had brought me a talent for math as well.

After reflecting on my test experiences, it occurred to me that the panic associated with standardized tests is very similar to the panic felt when walking into a doctor’s office or dentist’s office.  It is a fear of being evaluated and declared “unfit” by some stranger's standard of excellence.  In light of Eternity, it doesn’t really matter.  But being humans of finite rationality it is difficult to remember that sometimes.

I probably won't be online very often in the next few weeks, so I'll go ahead and mention that The Fair Hills Farm Weblog has opened.  Be sure to take a look at the Photo Album - Abigail's photography is great!

May YAHWEH Bless,

~Amanda~

Spring is probably the busiest time of year for us.  There is always so much outside work to do.  It’s already been nearly three years since we moved here and thus there is all the more going on.

Dad, Rachel and I went to a homeschooled friend's graduating class dinner on Wednesday.  Andrew has been in town so he spent one night with us (the rest of his family is visiting tomorrow morning).  He did lots of fun film projects with Joseph (Abigail did the actual filming).  I remember doing recording projects with my siblings and Andrew, David and Angela about 8 years ago!  Brings back memories...

We enjoyed the Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2008!  The online conference is such a great idea.

I'm scheduled to take the ACT Writing Test along with the required portions of the test next month.  I need to practice planning and writing an essay within a 30 min. time limit (and in perfectly legible handwriting)!  On the Writing Test you can score from 1 (poor skill) to 6 (effective skill).  I'm going to take three practice tests this month anyway, so hopefully that will help me get prepared. 

I submitted the screenplay to Abbot Management on Friday.  Dad talked to a director/producer (one of the contacts his friend gave us) on the phone awhile back and mentioned The Crusading Chemist.  He said he will check out the website.

I'm nearly finished with my huge landscape painting of our pond.  Next I want to try doing a painting based on a photograph of Beth and her friend Jenny.  Recently I've kept my easel set up out of the way in the Guest House.  I bring my World Views audios and my portable CD headset player with me each painting session to make the most of my time.

I need to go read while I have the chance - I don't often get to read for fun during the week because I'm so busy with other things!

~Amanda~

Post Scriptum - I added photos/video of the Carcassonne game to my last post.  I meant to do that earlier, but the photos had not yet been downloaded.

The site is up.  Www.thecrusadingchemist.com, that is.  I stayed up late setting it up last night, and it is nearly certain to not appeal to you web design connoisseurs, but it is at least uncluttered and straightforward.  Dad's friend gave us some phone numbers to various contacts, so we decided that there needs to be a website to direct them to all the information they want.

I'm still plodding through my final studies, though I haven't spent as much time on them as I would like.  I'm also trying to figure out how to repair my laptop's CD/DVD drive (not sure what happened to it - the hardware is either "corrupted or missing").  Acer's website is informative, but not informative enough (at least for me to solve the problem).  I'm going to have to try calling them again. 

We finally have a promising broody hen working on a clutch of eggs.  I should write about that on my homesteadblog...

Monday evening we had a delicious Passover dinner at the Williams' house (excepting the bitter herbs - particularly horseradish - to which all the children present would testify).   After that we had songs and our little Exodus skit.  I recited the first eight verses of Ex. 6 and the others recited the 10 plagues.  I even liked reciting the ending verses (which I had to memorize in about 20 minutes ).  We happened to have time to begin a game of Carcassonne - which abruptly ended at midnight when we had to leave (Jay took a picture of the board, so perhaps we can reenact it next time).

(As you can see, we experimented with photo tinting effects)

Rachel and Abigail initiated a flower garden project under the arbor by our pool.  Very nice.

~Amanda~

"That man was ahead of his time," the old businessman Walter Williams quips to the naive young Reporter at the back of the room. "But the more obvious it becomes that he was right, the less people listen to him."

The chatter in the classy, sparkling dining room of the Waldorf-Astoria dies down as the audience turns its attention to a distinguished gentleman at the head table.

"It's only been twenty years, Harvey. That's young for a law, don't you think?" mentions the lovely Mrs. Anna Kelton Wiley, at least thirty years younger than her husband.

Still stately at the advanced age of 82, Harvey Wiley, our hero, graciously tells his story once more...the story behind one of modern America's most complacent tragedies.

"The events that led to that complex yet ignored history humbly came about in the beginning by simple observation," says Harvey, his style of speaking as enrapturing as ever. "When there is so much progress, people tend to forget."

Flash back to Kent, Indiana in year 1863. An 18-year-old Harvey Wiley sets out from his family farm to go to college. He witnesses the cultural and industrial changes of the day experiencing everything from lectures at Hanover College and Harvard University, serving in the War Between The States, apprenticing with a country doctor and finally studying over seas at the Imperial Health Laboratory with Dr. Eugene Sell.

There something dawns on him: increased industry results in a demand for a nearly mechanical production of food. The manufacturers are beginning to resort to the use of toxic preservatives (i.e., formaldehyde in milk, sodium benzoate and copper sulfate in canned goods, sulfur dioxide in dried fruits...), adulteration and misbranding. It will become slowly but surely more difficult for people to provide safely for their families as this unnatural revolution takes place. It is now that Harvey feels a calling to seize upon this pressing issue that is invading his own country. He returns to the States to resume a teaching position at Purdue University and begins informing the public of such hazards by writing for science magazines.

His experience gains him the position State Chemist at the State Board of Health. At a convention in Missouri he meets Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Loring, who is so impressed by Harvey's work that he secures an offer for him to become Chief Chemist of the United States Department of Agriculture.

He arrives at the archaic Washington, D.C. of the late 19th century, bearing the responsibility of being a high ranking agricultural scientist challenged with maintaining diplomacy and resolve despite changing Presidential administrations. His days get busier, but he refuses to let go of his desire to reform the nation's chaotic food and drug industries.

As the late 1890's roll to and end, he is in his 50's and far from family and close friends - apparently a confirmed bachelor. Surprisingly, at this wearying time in his life he meets a beautiful young woman named Anna Kelton. He is immediately smitten with her poise and dignity, which fully embody all the charms he scientifically described in a humorous poem he wrote in a Harvard Laboratory that portrayed his "Ideal Woman" - which, as a man of high standards, he previously presumed he would never find. The seeds of their romance are sown. After Anna (who happens to be 33 years younger than Harvey) leaves her secretarial post at the Bureau of Chemistry, they only occasionally see each other throughout the next decade. The script follows Anna Kelton's life to add another dimension to the story: American society's view of the crucial issue, including the involvement that women had in it.

Becoming restless and determined, Harvey Wiley finally decides there is ample evidence for presenting the case of the nation's health to its leaders. "So far there has been too much argument about the effect of chemical preservatives on health," he says, addressing a conference of delegates debating about food regulation. "I propose to find out by scientific experimentation what is the truth about a question of such vital concern to the consumers of the nation. Someday we will have a law,"

His confidence mysteriously infuriates an unimpressed audience member at the back of the room - George McCabe, a suave young lawyer ambitious to become the most powerful legal official in the USDA. How dare Dr. Wiley propose a significant law without consulting him first?

The Scottish-born Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson holds McCabe in high esteem, repeatedly following his advice in dealings with Chief Chemist Harvey Wiley, not realizing the increasing grudge he has against him.

Being the honest scientist that he is, Harvey, along with his capable and discerning assistant W.D. Bigelow, conducts experiments to further validate his convictions. A group of young men volunteer to test the consequences of consuming tainted foods. The studies of "The Poison Squad" draw much attention from the press. Harvey Wiley's excellent analytical presentation convinces a congressional committee to approve his plan and allow him to help draft the bill - much to Solicitor McCabe's loathing.

The politics of the scenario draw in another catalytical persona of interest: President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt has conflicted with the perfectionist Chief Chemist occasionally, but he is impressed by Harvey's common sense and integrity. Roosevelt signs the Act into Law on June 30, 1906, drawing cheers from all the citizens except some unreasonable businessmen - one of whom is Walter Williams. Williams, ambitious and impatient to have a profitable industry no matter what practice, consults with Solicitor McCabe along with others in his clique to weaken the law.

Solicitor McCabe influences the well-meaning but wavering Secretary Wilson to appoint a board of elite conflicting scientists - "The Remsen Board" - to counteract the enforcement of the Pure Food and Drug Law in one of the most misunderstood and ignored crimes in American government. McCabe ultimately constructs a nemesis of convoluted bureaucracy that drives a schism between Harvey, the President and Secretary Wilson, ultimately making himself the superior authority over the law. Once McCabe gains this power, he discards and manipulates prosecutions in order to allow the illegal practices that the careless food and drug industries prefer. Thus begins the complex friction that will haunt Harvey Wiley and the nation forever.

When a court in Harvey's home State of Indiana begins hearings on a case regarding their manufacturers and the State Board of Health, Harvey and Bigelow are among the government chemists summoned to clarify the dangers of preservatives. Solicitor McCabe issues an order preventing them to testify, which results in the case being brought to the Supreme Court. When Bigelow and one of the manufacturers that abolished sodium benzoate in his products testify the truth, Walter Williams suddenly realizes that he has been on the wrong side. When he withdraws his prosecution and admits that Harvey is right, Solicitor McCabe is furious. Though he could retreat from his lost and sickening cause, McCabe has for so long fought against Harvey Wiley that his most ambitious desire now is to defeat him.

The climax is reached when the Association of Food and Drug Officials convention takes place in Denver, Colorado. Elections are held to determine leaders that will be influential in upholding the Pure Food and Drugs Law. When the wrong candidates are elected due to Solicitor McCabe's campaigning, the Remsen Board's faulty science is upheld and support for the Law is undermined.

The worst has arrived for the Pure Food and Drug Law and its staunch founder, Harvey Wiley. The leaders that have gained the most power over the issue have practically silenced the debate in front of the outraged public without a hint of remorse. Perhaps the only vindication left is the Moss Committee Investigation during which Solicitor McCabe is forced to admit that his decisions have been deliberately antagonistic towards the Chief Chemist.

The honest investigation clearly favors Harvey, but to no avail at the time. It will all be a preserved but untouched record of history as time goes on. Just as Harvey has decided that his service in Washington is dwindling, he happens to run into Anna on a streetcar. He asks to call and proposes that very afternoon.

In 1912, Harvey Wiley resigns from the Bureau of Chemistry. With his new bride, Anna, at his side he moves to the countryside of Virginia where they will raise two sons in the years to come.

Return to the Waldorf-Astoria Dining Room in 1926. Harvey Wiley's speech is ending.

"If the Bureau of Chemistry had been permitted to enforce the law as it was written and as it tried to do, what would have been the condition now?"

At the back of the room, Walter Williams, remorseful, turns away from the Reporter and leaves.

"The health of our people would be vastly improved and their life greatly extended..." Harvey continues. The indomitable Harvey's battle has not ended, but the battleground has changed. He bears his frustration with the understanding and warning that neither industry nor government nor science can save a nation. It is the family that must preserve health, strength and values for the future generations.

Now his conviction is understood. Foreseeing the demise of the nation's health, he continues to write voraciously. Among his many writings is his story of the Pure Food Law in which he portrays one of the elements in history that contributes to the mystery of how the most blessed nation in the world has unnecessarily suffered under its own indulged weakness. Harvey Wiley closes his book with the compassionate hope that one day its audience will remember its responsibility and be moved to action.

~ ~ ~

Well, I hope you've enjoyed a brief history lesson, if nothing else.  There are lots of exciting things that I've been busy with that I hope to write about soon.

Take care and May the LORD Bless!

~Amanda~

Due to mysterious ways, The Crusading Chemist is on its way to The Library of Congress rather than the Writers Guild. That is, to Washington, D.C. rather than Los Angeles, California.  My literary friends, please read closely just in case you ever plan to publish/produce some of your work.

On Tuesday Dad brought home the 10 bound copies of the screenplay from the Minuteman Press. All is well with that, though there are a few minor typos I overlooked that are infuriating to me (it's not like I didn't proof-read it!). But those slip-of-the-pen things are common enough to not distract people too badly (I should hope).  After all, there is alot of editing in the movie making process.

On Friday Mom took an unbound copy and a bound copy to the Post Office. The unbound copy was on its way to the WGA, while the bound copy was on its way to myself (an old legal check - mail it to yourself and never open it so you will have legal, date/time stamped proof that you are the author).  Just in case you are wondering, this WGA plan was not some wild idea of mine.  According to what we had read, registering a screenplay with the Writers Guild is a legitimate step forward to finding a producer.  Supposedly it is also advisable for playwrights and book authors to register their works as well.  {However...}

As Mom was mailing the script, a man behind her over heard her explain to the bewildered woman at the desk that the package contained a screenplay.  He then questioned Mom about it as well and advised her to not send it to the Writers Guild unless the screenplay was government-copyrighted first, describing it as a "cut-throat industry".  He said he had worked as a director and screenwriter and explained that the Writers Guild is able to lift manuscripts that haven't first been registered with the Government Copyright Office. He further stated that you can't register a script with the Writers Guild unless you are a member and that you can't become a member unless you know someone in the industry (strange...their website said nothing about this!).

Mom was quite taken aback - what are the chances of running into someone like that in a rural town Post Office just as you happen to be mailing something to the Writers Guild?  The woman at the desk said they were getting ready to close, so Mom decided to take the scripts back home. She didn't get a chance to ask the guy what his name was, so that is all the information we will get from him most likely.

Later that day we researched the Government Copyright Office registration system. It is a much more in depth process, but it doesn't ask for your social security number like the WGA does. It is also a bit more expensive, costing $45 as opposed to $20, but it seems like the safer way to go now. 

For a dramatic work you have to fill out the PA (Performing Arts) form.

 They had the handy PDF form fill out system, so the only part I had to use a pen for was my signature.

Now it will be sent to the Library Of Congress - which incidentally happens to be one of the locations in a scene in the script itself.

I trust that the LORD was keeping me from making big mistake - it will be interesting to see what happens next!

~Amanda~

"Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in HIM, and HE will do it."

~ Psalm 37:5

What more can I say?  I'm still sure this project deserves to have been written better than I could offer it, but I was privileged to work on it this long, and it is now officially accomplished.  Well, in terms of screenwriting, perhaps that is tentative - a director can still improve it as necessary, and I hope to learn how to improve my writing in all areas after experience on this project.

It came out to 132 pages long (a bit long for a movie script, but tolerable enough - staying in the page boundaries is my weakness!).  Next it goes to Kinko's to have bound copies made, and then sent to the Writer's Guild to be registered (after it is registered I might post more information on the script's plot line, etc.) .  I'm working at revising the Treatment for Dad to show to his friends that have producer contacts. 

Other events of this day...Abigail turned 11.  She was born in West Point, New York over a decade ago already!

(In this picture, she is illustrating how a denim skirt can double as a poncho)

Grandmomma and Granddaddy came over to celebrate our wonderful little (well, getting big) Abby's 11th birthday.  It was lots of fun...I'm sure Abby can fill you in about it on her blog soon!

I'll post about our latest project with our Dominique chickens on my homesteadblog soon.

~Amanda~

Yesterday we had a photo shoot for The Girlhood Home Companion article on soap making.  We began making another batch of soap in the morning, and Mom got behind the camera and tripod to photograph Abigail and me performing the melting step.  During one of the photos the shutter didn't appear to go off, and we suddenly realized that Mom had accidently filmed a video instead!

That's Rachel cheering "Yay!" at the end to taunt us.  Haha...

We also took the opportunity to do another photo shoot that we have been planning for a long time - one of Bethy Linda wearing our great-grandmother's 103-year-old dress.

{Click for larger images}

You have to admit, even if you're not related to her, that she is unusually beautiful.  I can hardly believe that I'm 100% related to her myself!  She looks a lot like Dad's mother, Linda (her namesake).  She also looks a little bit like Rachel in some ways.  But she is definitely unique.  Hopefully I'll be able to pick one of the 51 photos we took of her as model for a painting... 

Click here to see recent photos of our homestead.

~Amanda~

I didn't get to make a post on the first day of March, so I will begin this post with what occurred then.  Our friends the Williams kindly invited Rachel, Joseph and me to accompany them to a splendid performance of Fiddler On The Roof.  I saw the movie many years ago, and I think the JSU Drama Department performance was very well done.

The story is set in Anatevka, a small village in Russia in the year 1905 - on the eve of the Russian Revolutionary period (which goes right along with my upcoming study).  It follows the life of Tevye, a Jewish peasant and father of five daughters who says that living in their village is like being a "fiddler on the roof"; seemingly crazy, haphazard and risky, yet precisely balanced and preserved by Tradition. The drama and comedy (and of course, the music...live orchestra at the theatre we went to) unfolds into a very entertaining family story that ends on a rather sad note...the political culture changes invade and end up moving even the villagers grounded by Tradition to scatter about the world.

I found myself humorously thinking that a "Fiddler" set in our era would begin the other way around: people trying to withdraw from the modern mayhem to find some sort of Tradition to balance with in the first place!

~~~

Our soap supplies arrived this week, so we were able to make glycerin soap on Friday.  The process is amazingly simple and fun, but you will have to wait and read the details and see the photographs (whichever decent ones out the 50 make the cut) in the next issue of The Girlhood Home Companion.

I've returned to my WVWW Year II Audios (did I mention that I haven't been studying while I was finishing up the screenplay?) and have enjoyed the lectures on The American Revolution, John Locke, The Declaration of Independence...I am way too into it most of the time.  I like to rewind and re-listen constantly (just as I reread pages in books - and then rarely finish them).  My little portable headset CD player has been much appreciated, but suddenly the rewind button quit working (I took that as a sign).  I am thus now forced to listen attentively while resisting the urge to rewind and get that tiny historical detail.

As soon as I finish those, I have to drill through Geometry.  Then I study to take the infamous ACT and then - I'll be considered a "Homeschool graduate".  Oh...and Dad finally got me a driver's manual to study for my permit.  That's probably the subject I could care the least about (if that goes below math, that is really saying something), but I have it to do.

~Amanda~ 

I don't mean to be shallow, but I have decided to make a post on February 29, 2008 simply because I will not be able to post on this day for another four years.

Besides that, the weather has been alternating between freezing and balmy (I should save those details for my homesteadblog).  Believe it or not, I have completed the final draft of The Crusading Chemist.  Well, except for scanning through it for typos.  PRAISE THE LORD!  I think I'll even post a picture of the bound final draft once it's printed.  It certainly isn't perfect, but I've done the best I can.  Now I must complete the revision of the treatment (hopefully that won't take too long).

I'm also working on an article for The Girlhood Home Companion about glycerin soap.  We ordered various supplies for making the soap yesterday...it will be a great project! 

We're going to see a performance of the musical Fiddler On The Roof with some friends tomorrow evening.

~Amanda~

February is showing itself to be quite an eventful month!  It is also a leap year, remember.  Apparently every Presidential Election year happens to be a leap year (every four years).  Some friends visited yesterday.  Next weekend John Y. is returning from Denver for a visit.  The week after that the Clarks are visiting.

I began Super Tuesday filling out a ballot and ended it printing out my 2nd screenplay draft.  It is 137 pages long, so I have thus proceeded to make little cuts and corrections in pen and ink before proclaiming it "The Final Draft".  Another priority is the Treatment.  Last year I studied for the Three-Page Treatment Competition.  Though I never actually entered the contest, I learned a lot from it.  Geoff Botkin says that a good Treatment is usually about 12 pages long.  I won't deliberately try to hit a certain number of pages, but I still have to follow the basic strategy: Tell the synopsis of the story in present tense, dramatic prose style.

Today Dad went to Tuscaloosa to play in a racquetball tournament.  Joseph and David went along with him.  The rest of us did some baking (it's nice to have meals made ahead of time before the last day of the week in order to have a Sabbath rest).

Rachel has been begging to go to the bookstore forever (or so it seems), so this afternoon we were finally able to go to Books-A-Million (there is no Barnes&Noble in our area).  Rachel, as usual, found a tremendous selection of great books.  I was watching Beth some of the time and thus didn't look very thoroughly, but there wasn't much I could think of that I really wanted to read.  I did manage to find The Real ACT Prep Guide (oh joy), which I decided I needed to buy.  While Mom and I were having coffee Rachel told me she found a book I might like.  It was Jane Austen: The Complete Novels from Grammercy Books.  I love it!  I also managed to find the CD Celtic Journeys: Celtic Mysteries.  I love Celtic music, and this CD is very nice.  Mom, Rachel and I got some Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer (I chose Rhubarb, Rachel chose Watermelon and Mom chose Papaya).  Abigail and Mary got some Pomegranate Lip Balm (they can fill you in on the books they got).  So, as you can see, chapped lips occur around here sometimes.  We ate at Quizno's afterwards, which was absolutely delicious.

There are some exciting things going on homestead wise that I can't wait to write about, but I suppose I'll have to wait and put that all on my homestead blog in order to be nominally accurate...so check it from time to time and see what happens.

Take care and MAY GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~

Well, today was my 18th birthday.  I believe my littlest siblings were more excited about it than I was (cake and celebrations are so fresh and new in their young minds).

When I was but 10 I often said, "I only have 8 years left before I become officially an adult"...and thus be able to vote.  The thought came to me as I observed the arduous Election 2000.  I kept a daily journal fairly consistently since I was 8, but in 2000 I began what later became my tradition of keeping a "World Journal" in which I recorded national and international events.

Notice that GOD is clearly honored in the voter's registration.

Well the "d" on the end of my signature is sort of similar...any family resemblance? {Haha..}

Here are some pictures I took of my siblings playing with some new homeschool friends this month (Joy and Amy are the friends pictured).

What have I been doing all this time, exactly?  Experiencing our miniature festivities of the closing year and completing my debut screenplay (ha) so I can then focus on completing my course work and then write and paint 'till the end of time....or something to that effect.  Believe it or not, I think the script is more or less finished.  I have over 120 pages (the standard length for a 2 hour film) and now need to print it all out and edit, edit, edit and then perhaps never have to look at the thing again.  Well, it's not that terrible of an experience, but spending over a year on a writing project gradually drains your creative interest for it.  However, the New York Times now has their ancient archives online now so recently I found some fascinating pieces of information to incorporate into the story.

Here is a video of our other homeschooled friends, Andrew and David, giving Joseph a lesson in sword fighting tactics which they have been learning recently.  No, that's not me playing the Rondo Alla Turca, even though I can play that song.  I was filming!  This video is also on my YouTube account (SincerelyAmanda) if you would like to comment on it there.

The other night I redesigned Mom's blog.  I couldn't make a suitably sized banner for the header at the time, so I just removed the header above it.

Priceless Purity is fixing to go professional thanks to the help of Eric Novak.  I'm hoping to get my own site as well this year.  Resolutions, resolutions...

Last night we went to see the fireworks at Ft. McClellan.  They were outstanding!  Abigail filmed it with our brand new 8-mega pixel camera.  After that we met Grandmomma and Granddaddy at Roma's and had pizza.

Well, I have to go eat New Year's dinner.

Farewell and MAY GOD BLESS YOUR NEW YEAR,

~Amanda~

Originally I intended to post this old interview on Veteran's Day.  However, since the article was misplaced until now, that has been delayed. 

I remember the day when the news reporter and photographer stopped by our house to do an article for The Huntsville Times about military families for the Veteran's Day issue.  They stayed and talked into the evening, so the photographer had to come out the next day to get a good family photo of us in the daylight.  This was the finished result...

___________________________________________

The Huntsville Times Saturday, November 11, 2000

Family forces

When there's a career Army person at home, everyone is on duty

By PAT NEWCOMB Times Staff Writer

Amanda Read counts on her fingers.  She was born in El Paso.  From there she moved to Monterey, Calif.  She moved next to Ithaca, N.Y.  Then it was Germany, with a two-month stay in Uzbekistan.  Then West Point and now Huntsville.  Amanda is 10.  A pretty girl with long brown hair and olive-shaped eyes, Amanda is what is often referred to as an "Army brat".  Her dad, Bryan Read, is a major in the U.S. Army.

But Amanda is no brat.  She's articulate and self-assured.  She helps her mom, Chris, take care of her four younger siblings.  She's smart, too.  "They know their geography," said Bryan Read of his children.  "Amanda can point out on a globe where we've lived."

For now, home is Huntsville.  The family of seven lives in a modest, red-sided rancher on Redstone Arsenal.  Chris Read has made it home, with family photos, baskets and a piano that has nicks in it from many moves.  Those scratches are memories, said Bryan Read.  "Each one represents a different move," he said.

He is one of more that 1,500 active-duty military members stationed at Redstone Arsenal.  More than 2,500 military dependents are also on the rolls.  A typical tour of duty at Redstone is three years, said Dan O'Boyle, a Redstone spokesman.

Bryan Read has been in the Army for 15 years.  He and Chris have been married 12 of those.  Before she and Bryan married, Chris had lived all her life in Tuscaloosa where her father, Roger Sayers, was president of the University of Alabama.  She was a nursing student at Alabama when she met Bryan, who was from Jacksonville.  He was in ROTC while in college and went into the Army after graduating.

Moving with children, especially five ranging in age from 10 to 1, is no picnic.  It takes a lot of organization, said Chris Read. "I try not to be too much of a pack rat," she said.  Because of their frequent moves, the Reads have eliminated one difficulty.  Their kids are home schooled so they don't have to move them in midyear.  The Reads also do it because they want to include religious study as part of their children's education.

A little room off the kitchen serves as a one-room schoolhouse for the Read children.  It's a tiny room, but their education has been broad because of their military life.  "There's been something about each place we've lived that I've enjoyed," said Chris Read, "that I've been glad the children have experienced." 

It's not that there haven't been sacrifices.  The family has never had a pet, unless you count a hermit crab.  They want a dog, but that's not a good idea because of the potential for moving overseas. They have had to leave friends.  And there's always the possibility the country may go to war, and Bryan Read will have to go fight.  "I think that's always something in the back of your mind," said Chris Read. 

But Bryan Read accepts that as part of his obligation.  "It's what the American people pay us to do.   They've invested a lot in us."

The Reads expect to be in Huntsville through the summer, maybe a little longer.  They don't know what's next.  He is a foreign language officer.  He speaks fluent Russian and that may determine his next assignment.

______________________________________________

Oh, to think what has happened in the seven years since!   Yet the LORD planned it all along.

MAY GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~