The Writings of (not your average) Amanda Read - Homeschool Blogger

The Terms of Use Have Been Revised...

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:21:00 -0500

Thus, my current blog can no longer be Iframed in place of the ancient, amateur Sincerely Amanda template. I haven't blogged here in ages, and the feeling must be akin to that of opening a door that has rusted shut.

For now, I might just leave my HSB blog here as a monument to the cheery memories of Homeschool Blogger's Golden Age (not to sound too dramatic...I've wanted to pin historical labels to everything recently). HSB is in a happy and successful age right now, and it is the best place for homeschoolers to get a head start in the world wide web. But I still remember how exciting it was when the website first took off; word got out and membership surged. It was a new frontier that has since been well settled, acquiring all the marvelous diplomatic skirmishes associated with prosperity, and fostering creativity that has spurred some of its maturing members to venture off to start colonies of their own (I just can't hide the historian in myself, can't I?).

Here is a report of my adventures (the following is material gathered from pages of my professional website, www.amandaread.com):

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

Farewell With A Challenge

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:41:00 -0500

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:

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~

The Chicks Have Hatched!

Sun, 25 May 2008 21:51:00 -0500

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~

Congrats To Your Graduation, Eyebright!

Sat, 24 May 2008 08:22:00 -0500

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~

Of Graduation & Tests

Sun, 18 May 2008 17:39:00 -0500

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~

A New Month Already?

Sun, 4 May 2008 18:32:00 -0500

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.

I'm Not Exactly Scheduled, But Things Are Getting Done

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:54:00 -0500

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~

Thus, I Contemplate

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:03:00 -0500

It is amazing to me that sometimes I can be so busy and yet not seem to be doing much of anything. I'm always doing something, of course, but perhaps after I get so immersed in a project, it seems to become less of an accomplishment. That must be why we ought not to let ourselves drift by feeling. Some things seem too hard, some things seem too insignificant. But when done in CHRIST nothing can be too hard or too insignificant.

On Saturday (while Boppa happened to be visiting) we got a phone call from Dad's friend that lives near Los Angeles. After listening to Dad and me describe the screenplay, he suggested that perhaps we should stick with contacting the History Channel or Discovery Channel - but he offered to show the Treatment to his producer friends saying, "It's worth a try". An educational channel special would be fine enough in my opinion. However, I didn't write this script as a docu-drama. It can still be adapted, but it makes me wonder...

I get the impression that whenever I try to explain the project to someone in person (speaking) I do a lousy job of it - primarily because it has become habit to give to plain black and white details in the first sentence: "It's about Harvey Wiley, Chief Chemist of the Bureau of Chemistry of the Department of Agriculture from 1883 to 1912..." at which the listener vaguely nods as their eyes glaze over and you can almost hear their brains process, "Oh, yeah, like one of those stories on TV History specials...".

There isn't anything wrong with that, but when I heard Dad's friend say, "...I'm not sure if this story would interest the general public..." I started to get concerned about my communication skills. The entire point of this story is that it directly affects the general public - it's the general public that needs to know about it. Since it is history, the LORD ultimately wrote the story - I just dramatized it. On top of that, the story fits with Geoff Botkin's analysis of the successful cinematic story formula:

"My story is about (PROTAGONIST) who wants more than anything else in the world to(DESIRE). But, (OBSTACLES and ENEMIES) will try to prevent this, but (MORAL COURAGE) helps the hero to overcome in the CLIMAX."

If there is any potential in the story to impact the public at large, I don't want to squelch it in any way. This project took me nearly two years to complete (and I still don't consider the script as finished as I want it to be...guess I'm like Leonardo Da Vinci). It better add up to the best it can be!

Dad contacted Miriam Arond, Director of The Good Housekeeping Research Institute at Hearst Magazines and told her about the project (Harvey Wiley worked for the Good Housekeeping Research Institute after he retired from the Bureau of Chemistry). She said they were proud of the educational work Dr. Wiley provided on nutrition, etc. Today I received some old Good Housekeeping articles by/about him in the mail that she sent to me.

On April 12th, Joseph, Dad and I went with some of the Williams to a lecture by Brad Scott of Wild Branch Ministry. The lecture took place at a Messianic gathering at a synagogue (I even learned how to dance the Horah). He taught about the unique structure of the Hebrew language (Agri-Bio Linguistics) and how its influence is present in every language of the world...and how even our DNA reflects it! There is definitely more to the Hebrew language - and even the entire WORD of GOD - than meets the modern eye...simply because the majority of us have forgotten to think about it! Remember, CHRIST is the WORD made Flesh. No other literature in the world is even comparable to the Bible!

This evening we are gathering at the Williams' house for Passover. My siblings and I have been memorizing verses from Exodus for our the program and practicing our songs (Dad is bringing his guitar).

Have a Blessed Passover!

~Amanda~

The Crusading Chemist: The Story Behind The Story

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:05:00 -0500

Finally, I shall explain what all this research and writing and registering is really all about after all. What exactly is The Crusading Chemist about anyway? First of all, it is a biopic about a historical character already vague and yet increasingly curious to the modern audience: Harvey W. Wiley, Chief Chemist of the Department of Agriculture (specifically, of the Bureau of Chemistry - precursor to the FDA) from 1883-1912. As for the title, I didn't just make that up either. This man was referred to as "The Crusading Chemist" during his popular career.{You're probably still wondering - "who?", but you'll figure that out later...}

A STORY OF A FORGOTTEN HERO

I learned about this fascinating forgotten hero of American history when Mom was researching nutrition four years ago. As many of you probably well know, much of the food that is manufactured, sold and consumed in our country is adulterated and leeched of the essential nutrients that our ancestors used to have access to. That is why there is such a strong emphasis on taking vitamins and finding organic whole foods in our modern day and age. But where did that ridiculous controversy start in the first place? Why isn't everything at the store natural and wholesome like it should be? Why should we even have to worry about it?

Just a little over one hundred years ago, American citizens were outraged over such products. Back then additives, preservatives, bleached flour, etc. were freak practices of careless businessmen that were fast becoming vogue. Harvey Wiley, once just a farmer boy from Indiana (the 6th of 7 children as a matter of fact!) and eventually early 20th century America's most famous chemist, decided that something must be done about it. {Allow me to lapse into present tense here, as drama goes} His crusade for a law banning such practices (known as the Pure Food and Drug Law) is opposed only by two main forces that are deeply personified in two actual historical characters: Walter Williams, a fiercely antagonistic businessmen that is ambitious to have a profitable industry no matter what practice - and is later sorely penitent - and Solicitor McCabe, a suave young lawyer ambitious to become the most powerful legal official in the USDA that has grudgingly observed Harvey's success. McCabe influences the well-meaning but wavering Secretary of Agriculture (the Scottish-born James Wilson) to appoint opposing scientists to counteract the enforcement of the Pure Food and Drug Law in one of the most misunderstood and ignored crimes in American government.

A STORY OF SCIENCE AND POLITICS

As I began doing research on the historical setting, I realized that this story (though perhaps boring at first glance) is a goldmine of poignant themes. One of my favorite elements that I chose to elaborate on is that of science. The protagonist (Harvey Wiley) lives through the most shocking era of change in scientific history: the publicizing of ideas about the origin of life that were contrary to the widely accepted Biblical account of Creation. One thing that struck me most about the era of the late 19th century and early 20th century is that it became somewhat of a "second Renaissance" - a time of "enlightenment" amongst scientists, businessmen and politicians that steered the modern world towards humanism.

The script illustrates the faulty thinking that comes as a result of holding such views - and what happens when our leaders allow elitism to have its way.

A STORY OF AN UNUSUAL ROMANCE

Well, romance is almost stereotypical in every genre of film, but this history happened to have a very unusual sort of spin on that theme. Harvey Wiley composed a humorous chemistry poem about his "Ideal Woman" while in a laboratory at Harvard University when he was around 30 years old. However, he soon became so absorbed in his work and research that for many years he didn't even consider marriage an option in his busy life. In fact, he didn't even meet his "Ideal Woman" until he was 54 years old - and she was 33 years younger! Miss Anna Kelton briefly did secretarial work in the Bureau of Chemistry and then took a position at the Library of Congress. Harvey and Anna barely saw each other during the tumultuous decade of the Pure Food and Drug Law's passage, but they had impacted each other's lives greatly and both had passion for the cause. When Harvey was 66 years old he proposed to her and she accepted. They married a year later and eventually had two sons.

Harvey Wiley didn't describe much of his communication with Anna Kelton, and I was unable to access their letters which are now at the Library of Congress. Thus, I had to imagine a good deal of it. I orchestrated cordial dialogue and originally had a plan to cut directly to the end of a wedding scene in order to wrap up that plot at the end of the movie. That was fine in my mind until Mom and Rachel suggested that I write a proposal scene instead. I am hopelessly unromantic and was therefore determined to avoid such a thing. After a few hours of thinking it over I finally brought myself to write it. Rachel still insists that I made it too short...but there is a time constraint for movies, so I have a good excuse. The director and actors/actresses can improve where I falter.

PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

The bulk of the literary work in a screenplay is dialogue. For this script, I was blessed to be provided with loads of transcripts, Congressional records and writings by direct witnesses as to what these people actually said and did. Some of my favorite scenes took place straight out of Harvey Wiley's autobiography and New York Times archives! Of course, there are many scenes that I had to edit or invent dialogue for and quite a few scenes that I had to completely fabricate. It will be fun to ask some of you that are used to my writing and speaking style to guess which parts of the dialogue I created and which lines were actually spoken!

As for the characters, all of them are either actual historical characters or they are semi-fictional. What is semi-fictional? For instance: There were numerous young men that joined "The Poison Squad" (Harvey Wiley's experimental team that consumed preservative-laden foods to see the effects it had on health), but many news sources never released their names. I invented a minor character that joins The Poison Squad and happens to have an older sister that is a good friend of Anna Kelton. Technically you could consider his sister a fictional character, but as it turns out, she too becomes a semi-fictional character as the story progresses, because I use her to to fulfill the role of yet another otherwise anonymous historical character.

~ CAST OF MAJOR CHARACTERS ~

HARVEY WILEY - {protagonist} The Chief Chemist that fights for the Pure Food and Drug Law

W.D. BIGELOW - his First Assistant Chemist

SOLICITOR McCABE - {antagonist} The high ranking lawyer in the Department of Agriculture that leads the undermining of the Pure Food and Drug Law

WALTER WILLIAMS - The businessman that further influences Solicitor McCabe in defeating Harvey Wiley...and later regrets it

SECRETARY WILSON - The well-meaning Secretary of Agriculture that unwittingly defeats Harvey Wiley by listening to Solicitor McCabe

THEODORE ROOSEVELT - President of the United States during the fight for the Law

ANNA KELTON {love interest} The lovely young secretary to Harvey Wiley that later becomes his wife

VIVIAN MALLORY - her fashionable friend

EDWARD MALLORY - Vivian's brother who joins Harvey Wiley's "Poison Squad"

FREDERICK DUNLAP - The somewhat clueless young chemist appointed due to Solicitor McCabe's designs for thwarting Harvey Wiley

ALICE LAKEY - A strong supporter of Harvey Wiley's movement, she endorses the Act publicly in the women's clubs

{Harvey Wiley}

{The only picture I could find of W.D. Bigelow - he is actually much younger in the story}

{Solicitor McCabe - picture from an article in The Hampton Magazine}

{Secretary Wilson - just imagine, he had a Scottish accent, you know...}

{President Theodore Roosevelt, of course}

{Frederick Dunlap - picture in The Hampton Magazine}

{I scanned in this photo of Anna Kelton from Harvey Wiley's autobiography}

{There's a better picture of Alice Lakey somewhere...I just need to find it}

THE TREATMENT

The Treatment is supposed to capture the best aspects of the screenplay and convince a producer or director that it deserves to be made into a film. It is written in present tense just like the script itself. Does it tell you what you want to know about the screenplay? Does it make you want to read the screenplay or watch the movie? Or is it too long, too dull, too much or not enough? Please offer as many suggestions as you would like! Remember that the eloquence of the Treatment may be the only chance of ever getting the screenplay even close to being produced.

~ ~ ~

The story opens in 1926 at the 20th Anniversary dinner of the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Law. The storyline is woven from the accounts of Harvey Wiley, our hero, as he gives his speech and Walter Williams, the contrite businessman that originally collaborated with the scheming young lawyer, Solicitor McCabe, to oust Harvey and his Act. But where did Harvey gain such passion for this cause, and where did the businessman and lawyer get their antagonism for it? A historical character already vague and increasingly curious to the modern audience, Harvey Wiley's story encompasses the remarkable complexities of his lifetime involving science, politics, nutrition and cultural change in the United States of America - as well as shed light on the story behind our current FDA's major downfall in protecting the people.
ood and drug regulation in the United States is an issue that the lives of its citizens depend upon, but an entire century after its enactment, The Crusading Chemist is the first dramatized retelling of the forgotten history of the man behind it: The true story of Harvey Wiley {1844-1930}, an ambitious farmer boy from Indiana who becomes Chief Chemist in Washington, D.C. and oversees the political battle for and enforcement of the famous Pure Food and Drug Law.

"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~

A Change Of Direction

Sun, 6 Apr 2008 20:15:00 -0500

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~