Slow Digestion

No, I'm not going to get all disgusting here. I am referring to my trip to Pennsylvania. Its purpose was to attend the Veritas teacher training conference which was hosted by Veritas Press and Veritas Academy.

My digestion of all that I learned will be slow. As I sort things out, I will share them here. I have devoured several books by Doug and Nancy Wilson since hearing them speak, and have found each volume reminds me that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2Tim 3:16) And, quite frankly, that's just the reminder I need!

Cultural Excursion--It really is a small world

Returned last night from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was like another world. In both the good and bad ways. Wide, open farmland--good. Beautiful old buildings--good. Scores of Amish folks who cease education at the 8th grade--I'm gonna go out on a political limb, here and say, bad. Amishbuggyrides.com--Hmm...I don't really know about that one.


I was there less than a week, and stayed entirely in Lancaster county. It was like rewinding the clock to a different time. A time before I was a kid, that's for sure. People were courteous. Every door was held for me by a gentleman, teenaged or older. Waitresses smiled, and were genuinely pleasant. Not the just-finished-a-3-week-training-on-courteous-service kind of pleasant, either. These people were actually nice.

On the universality note, I saw Hibiscus plants for sale, albeit greatly different from the ones I see here in the Pacific rim. A friend and I saw God's beautiful creation and adorable children as we rode in one of those Amish buggys. She got groped by our eldery driver as I snapped of photo of the two of them. I guess sinners are everywhere. Go figure.

Oh by the way, some of the towns in the county are Bird In Hand, Intercourse, Virginivlle, and Blue Ball. Yes, these are towns named by those sweet innocent looking Amish folks.

A Reason to Educate

"Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the spot of every wind. With such persons, gullability, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to James Smith, 8 December 1822)

Homeschooling: Haven for Abusers?

No, it isn't.

He Must Have Hit "The Wall"

Syd Barret, one of the main dudes from Pink Floyd, has died.
I know, that was a tacky title, but I get to do that without fear, because I am anonymous. Yippee!

I got that info off Lileks, where I nearly needed the Depends mentioned in this:

She was born Ella Geisman, but died June Allyson. I remember her as the spokeswoman for Depends – a fate that will someday befall Sharon Stone, probably. "You know, when I was in ‘Basic Instinct, I raised eyebrows when I didn’t wear any panties. But that was then, and now I like the security and peace of mind of the new Depends Thong [for] active, glamorous seniors.”

If nothing else becomes a regular habit for you, visit Lileks daily.

Original--Not

One experiece common to all homeschoolers is the $25,000 question of "socialization". Ugh. For those who homeschool, it is painfully obvious. For those with kids in government or private schools, it is a genuine concern.
Initially, I became anxious, thinking I had to answer that question. But how to do it? How to compress all that had gone into my decision to homeschool into a relatively short, coherent answer? Then, I became a smarty pants. I took the idea from someone else (I seem to do that a lot) and responded thus: "No worries. Once a week I hide in the bathroom, beat my kids up and offer them drugs. That way, they have that real school experience." Now, I go on the offensive: "What do you mean by that?" I do that because I realize that every time I have been asked that question, the asker and I are not defining socialization the same way. Not only that, but the asker actually doesn't know what they mean. They haven't thought it through ad nauseum, as my husband and I have.
The truth is all socialization is not created equal. If you think about it, who in their right mind would want to ensure that their child acted like the typical fourth grader? Wouldn't it be better to have your child have exemplary behavior beyond her years? When was the last time you felt pride which compelled you to compliment the behavior in a high school hallway? Just curious...

Next post I'll tackle the concerns over the potential for abuse in homeschooling homes.

Dead Man's Chest

I am fully stealing a friend's line here when I say that will be my chest's new name. Check this out. WARNING: definite cringe factor ahead.

Avalanche

Is it just me, or do any of you other homeschoolers feel the crushing weight of your "To Do" list from time to time? Today's is scary. All this before 9:30 AM, simultaneously homeschooling Sweet Boy in Math and Writing:
Sweep/mop all floors
polish counter tops in kitchen
dust/vaccuum living room
cycle through as much laundry as possible (ensuring nothing gets left in the washer to mold)

At 9:30 it's off to Costco, pick up Girlie Whirl by 11AM, and go to furntiure store to purchase yet another bookshelf. (Sweet Boy's Lego creations are way too cool to disassemble. Therefore, we must display them proudly.)
Wish me luck!

Observation for the week

The 4th of July was wonderful. Threw a bash and saw lots of people I love dearly. Dad-a-thon created a small pyrotechnic danger in the street, but no one was injured. All in all, a great day in America. Which brings me to my observation: After posting Tuesday, I began to wonder: Did any of you know that was inscribed on the Liberty Bell? I sure didn't. I wonder if those folks over at this place know what's on there? But then, they would have to actually study history, rather than reinvent it. And, well, that's just too darn hard.
There are so many instances where our Judeo-Christian heritage is threatened. I challenge you to really know your country's history. Know who those founders really were as men. As you do, you will find them very human, fascinating, strange, and yes, a little nutty. Much like some of your favorite friends, I'm sure.
Here's a short list of books to get you started:
1776
Benjamin Franklin
Mayflower
George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation

Let Freedom Ring

"Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof - Lev. XXV, v. X"
Inscription on the Liberty Bell, from Leviticus 25:10

It is really something to celebrate. With the opinions I have, and this mouth I am not afraid to use, I thank God every day for this great nation of His. To those of us who like to think for ourselves and worship freely--party on! America is the place to be.

That Pesky Truth

SpunkyHomeschool is right on. Hers is not a popular commentary on parenting, but I have to say, I couldn't agree more. The bottom line is that parenting is hard. And, like most difficult things, we don't want to do it. We'd rather have "me time". (A phrase, by the way, which could get you poked in the eye if you say it within my arms reach.) So, we outsource the gig. I mean, heck, the authorities are willing to take on your little darlings? You should be grateful. And, quite frankly, you are.

Heart Surgery

I am changed by Christ. This is dramatic, if you know me at all.
I have become someone who cares--to the point of genuine sorrow--about another person. I yearn in a deep way for her to bathe herself in the word of God; to know its life changing power. For her to reap the benefits of all that our Father in heaven wants for her in this life. And yet, I have a deep sense that it is simply not going to happen.
God is performing surgery, changing my stony heart to flesh. And it really hurts.

The Devil Wears Eyebrows Oops! I Mean Prada

Went to see the film yesterday with a good friend. We enjoyed it. It departs from the book in many ways that are just fine by me. However, the casting of both romantic interests are ugh, yucky. The boyfriend, Nate, looks like a 17 year old who really needs a shower, and Christian, the dashing handsome writer guy has freakish eyebrows. Really--they are creepy in a Steven King sort of way. I could imagine them coming to life and eating people. Or talking to Christian, and telling him to do horrible things, and...well, you get the idea--just plain distracting.

My friend and I both identified more with Amanda Priestly than we should have. It would really be so much fun to let your inner monologue be heard. My personal favorite is Meryl Streep's incredible and ever so slight flick of her hands, adding emphasis to "That's all."

Of course, the utter narcissism is deplorable, but somewhere, deep inside, Amanda's right, we all really do want to be her.