What could be better than hanging out on the hammock and eating popsicles? (the popsicle is obscured by Pippi's foot, but it's there.)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Summer Sunday Afternoon
What could be better than hanging out on the hammock and eating popsicles? (the popsicle is obscured by Pippi's foot, but it's there.)
Summer Fun
Thursday was the last day of school and, amazingly enough, it wasn't raining. And as an added bonus The Princess and Spiderman were spending the night at Ammy and Grampy's house. So after school we piled into the car and headed to the start of summer.
Celebrating the Good Times
We went to a wedding yesterday.
We didn't have far to go, the church was down the road and the reception was next door, in our neighbor's backyard.
Everything about it was fun, the Mass was lovely, the party was fun, the weather (after what seems like endless rain) was gorgeous. But what really made this party special is that it was so long in coming.
When we first moved into our house we met our neighbor who was living with his elderly mother. We also met his girlfriend (who didn't live there). She told me that they'd been dating for about ten years.
We moved in almost fifteen years ago.
Yes, this was a marriage twenty-five years in the making.
All of their friends and relatives were so happy to finally be able to say they were at Lou and Kathy's wedding. (Because, quite reasonably, some of us never quite expected that day to come.)
We hung out with our other neighbors, and danced and drank (and yes, despite what one of my neighbors insisted, you can have too much Sangria). The kids ran back and forth between the food and our backyard where they ran around and played on the swing set and generally had more fun then if they'd had to keep out of the way around the grown ups.
It was a night to remember. As it should be. After all, it was twenty-five years in the making.
As an aside: Anyone else ever think it odd that an iconic song for a generation, a song that everyone knows all the words to is "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf?
We didn't have far to go, the church was down the road and the reception was next door, in our neighbor's backyard.
Everything about it was fun, the Mass was lovely, the party was fun, the weather (after what seems like endless rain) was gorgeous. But what really made this party special is that it was so long in coming.
When we first moved into our house we met our neighbor who was living with his elderly mother. We also met his girlfriend (who didn't live there). She told me that they'd been dating for about ten years.
We moved in almost fifteen years ago.
Yes, this was a marriage twenty-five years in the making.
All of their friends and relatives were so happy to finally be able to say they were at Lou and Kathy's wedding. (Because, quite reasonably, some of us never quite expected that day to come.)
We hung out with our other neighbors, and danced and drank (and yes, despite what one of my neighbors insisted, you can have too much Sangria). The kids ran back and forth between the food and our backyard where they ran around and played on the swing set and generally had more fun then if they'd had to keep out of the way around the grown ups.
It was a night to remember. As it should be. After all, it was twenty-five years in the making.
As an aside: Anyone else ever think it odd that an iconic song for a generation, a song that everyone knows all the words to is "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The lips of the just know how to please, but the mouth of the wicked, how to pervert. (Proverbs 10:32)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Toys for the Ages
There's been a lot of talk lately in the kidlitosphere about kids and if they are being pushed to read books that are too advanced for them to early. Don't push kids away from picture books too early, is one bit of advice, let them enjoy things that are designed for their age. Some of the best links to this discussion are here at Jen Robinson's Book Page.
Then yesterday the kids got out the marbles and the marble machine pieces and were having a blast playing with them. "Maybe we can get another set and add to this," Pippi suggested. That's when I realized I had bought the set for Harry about 5 or 6 years ago when he was in pre-school. I considered it a pre-school toy - but they are having just as much fun with it now, maybe more, then they did when we first got it.
There are a lot of toys we've kept through the years (there are also things we've gotten rid of or passed down - space is rather limited after all.) Every now and then the kids get out the Thomas the Tank Engine set or all the Fisher Price Little People and have a blast. Pippi still loves playing with her doll house and setting the rooms up. And I even find her playing with the Barbies now and then (something she never actually did in pre-school.)
Our neighbors are always quick to throw things out (their house must be so much more organized than ours!) but their daughter was only about five when the play kitchen went out with the trash. All I could think was that she probably could have enjoyed that for several more years.
But are we too quick to move kids up and through toys. Give them Barbie when they're two and then by the time they are six they will feel too grown up for it. But do we really want our kids to feel too grown up for toys by the time they hit double digits? Isn't it as bad as pushing them past picture books as soon as they can decode words on their own.
People lament how children grow up too fast. But what if we didn't make it seem that once they were in school they were too old for dolls or trains? What if we encouraged them to play like kids even when they were well into elementary school - or beyond?
Just something to think about.
There are a lot of toys we've kept through the years (there are also things we've gotten rid of or passed down - space is rather limited after all.) Every now and then the kids get out the Thomas the Tank Engine set or all the Fisher Price Little People and have a blast. Pippi still loves playing with her doll house and setting the rooms up. And I even find her playing with the Barbies now and then (something she never actually did in pre-school.)
Our neighbors are always quick to throw things out (their house must be so much more organized than ours!) but their daughter was only about five when the play kitchen went out with the trash. All I could think was that she probably could have enjoyed that for several more years.
But are we too quick to move kids up and through toys. Give them Barbie when they're two and then by the time they are six they will feel too grown up for it. But do we really want our kids to feel too grown up for toys by the time they hit double digits? Isn't it as bad as pushing them past picture books as soon as they can decode words on their own.
People lament how children grow up too fast. But what if we didn't make it seem that once they were in school they were too old for dolls or trains? What if we encouraged them to play like kids even when they were well into elementary school - or beyond?
Just something to think about.
Tuesday's Proverb
The mouth of the just yields wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. (Proverbs 10:31)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monkey Boy
When one of my brothers was about three he was told he could be anything he wanted to when he grew up. He said he wanted to be a monkey.
I think my son takes after his uncle. Not 0nly does he regularly climb doorways and walls today he was getting his kicks by shimmying up the legs of the swing set in the park, hanging from the top bar and jumping down.
If I didn't know better I'd think he was part monkey.
I think my son takes after his uncle. Not 0nly does he regularly climb doorways and walls today he was getting his kicks by shimmying up the legs of the swing set in the park, hanging from the top bar and jumping down.
If I didn't know better I'd think he was part monkey.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad
Forty-four years ago two young people pledged to love each other forever. So far they're doing a pretty good job of it.
My parents got married while my dad was in law school. I was born the next year - a year before he graduated. This year he retires.
My parents showed us by example how to live a good life, how to be good partners to each other and how to be good parents. Hopefully we'll live up to the example.
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
My parents got married while my dad was in law school. I was born the next year - a year before he graduated. This year he retires.
My parents showed us by example how to live a good life, how to be good partners to each other and how to be good parents. Hopefully we'll live up to the example.
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The just man will never be disturbed, but the wicked will not abide in the land. (Proverbs 10:30)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Knowledge We've Gained and Lost
I was thinking about technology the other day and how wonderful it is to have a world of information at my fingers via the Internet and Google.
When I wanted to make rhubarb-strawberry crumble, but didn't feel like sifting through my cookbooks for a recipe, I simply typed it into Google and found a recipe that worked for me.
When my son was hit by a baseball and complaining of serious rib pain, I looked up the symptoms for cracked ribs on the internet, and since they pretty much matched his symptoms, brought him to the emergency room (where, luckily his ribs turned out to be merely bruised.)
Want to know if the guy in one movie was in another, or when a book was written, or when the next book in a series is coming out. The internet provides the answers.
Does this make us smarter, I wonder, then people who lived a hundred years ago?
But then I think of the things a woman if a middle class neighborhood in a town in New Jersey would probably have been able to do 100 years ago, that I really can't lay claim to now.
She would have known how to take a chicken in the backyard and turn it into dinner. I prefer my chicken boned and skinless and if presented with a chicken in the backyard I think I would switch to eggs on the menu as opposed to the meat.
She would have been able to make clothing for her children - and possibly for herself and her husband as well. In my defense I did make my daughter a sun dress once. She was four. She's twelve now.
She would have been able to can and preserve food and it would have been a part of her regular seasonal chores.
She would have knit hats and mittens and scarves for her family. (I did crochet hats this year).
She would have a better understanding of natural cures for things. Instead of reaching for the bottle of medicine she would have concocted a poultice of some sort.
Not to say that there aren't people these days who do these very things; but most of them (especially regarding the chicken or canning) live in more rural conditions than I do. And would the woman from back then have been at a disadvantage in many other ways - of course.
But what are we losing?
When reading The Swiss Family Robinson I felt vastly inferior to that old-fashioned family that could be stranded on an island and immediately know what plants to eat for food and how to build themselves a liveable structure. Should I find myself in that situation, I'm much more likely to die of starvation or exposure. (So, I'll try to avoid that situation - why I never auditioned for Survivor)
There was another book I read once, The Harvester, by Gene Stratton Porter (and I could have long and lengthy discussions about this book, but I'll spare you) where the main character collects herbs for medicines. Is there anyone who knows that sort of thing anymore? Who can make usable medicines out of herbs growing in a garden. Is this information that was passed down from generation to generation to generation and is now simply not needed anymore.
It all just makes me wonder, what have we lost? If a modern, urban American, were left to live by his or her wits without Internet access or stores. Could we do it? And how much would we have to re-learn that our grandparents simply took for granted?
When I wanted to make rhubarb-strawberry crumble, but didn't feel like sifting through my cookbooks for a recipe, I simply typed it into Google and found a recipe that worked for me.
When my son was hit by a baseball and complaining of serious rib pain, I looked up the symptoms for cracked ribs on the internet, and since they pretty much matched his symptoms, brought him to the emergency room (where, luckily his ribs turned out to be merely bruised.)
Want to know if the guy in one movie was in another, or when a book was written, or when the next book in a series is coming out. The internet provides the answers.
Does this make us smarter, I wonder, then people who lived a hundred years ago?
But then I think of the things a woman if a middle class neighborhood in a town in New Jersey would probably have been able to do 100 years ago, that I really can't lay claim to now.
She would have known how to take a chicken in the backyard and turn it into dinner. I prefer my chicken boned and skinless and if presented with a chicken in the backyard I think I would switch to eggs on the menu as opposed to the meat.
She would have been able to make clothing for her children - and possibly for herself and her husband as well. In my defense I did make my daughter a sun dress once. She was four. She's twelve now.
She would have been able to can and preserve food and it would have been a part of her regular seasonal chores.
She would have knit hats and mittens and scarves for her family. (I did crochet hats this year).
She would have a better understanding of natural cures for things. Instead of reaching for the bottle of medicine she would have concocted a poultice of some sort.
Not to say that there aren't people these days who do these very things; but most of them (especially regarding the chicken or canning) live in more rural conditions than I do. And would the woman from back then have been at a disadvantage in many other ways - of course.
But what are we losing?
When reading The Swiss Family Robinson I felt vastly inferior to that old-fashioned family that could be stranded on an island and immediately know what plants to eat for food and how to build themselves a liveable structure. Should I find myself in that situation, I'm much more likely to die of starvation or exposure. (So, I'll try to avoid that situation - why I never auditioned for Survivor)
There was another book I read once, The Harvester, by Gene Stratton Porter (and I could have long and lengthy discussions about this book, but I'll spare you) where the main character collects herbs for medicines. Is there anyone who knows that sort of thing anymore? Who can make usable medicines out of herbs growing in a garden. Is this information that was passed down from generation to generation to generation and is now simply not needed anymore.
It all just makes me wonder, what have we lost? If a modern, urban American, were left to live by his or her wits without Internet access or stores. Could we do it? And how much would we have to re-learn that our grandparents simply took for granted?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Making the Trailer
Edited to add: If you can't see the embedded video, please let me know. And, if you can't see it, here's the link.
Movies have trailers. And now books do too. So, I've been thinking that When Mike Kissed Emma needs a trailer too.
What I'm going to share with you here is not the finished product. And will only be available to view until the finished product is ready. But I had so much fun making up this dummy trailer that I thought I'd share it with you.
Rest assured the real thing will be more polished, and it won't feature pictures of my kids. (Though Pippi thinks the one of Harry with the trombone should stay).
Movies have trailers. And now books do too. So, I've been thinking that When Mike Kissed Emma needs a trailer too.
What I'm going to share with you here is not the finished product. And will only be available to view until the finished product is ready. But I had so much fun making up this dummy trailer that I thought I'd share it with you.
Rest assured the real thing will be more polished, and it won't feature pictures of my kids. (Though Pippi thinks the one of Harry with the trombone should stay).
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The LORD is a stronghold to him who walks honestly, but to evildoers, their downfall. (Proverbs 10:29)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
'Cause That's So Much Better
"We used to play Terminator in gym class," said Pippi. "It's a lot like dodge ball. But they banned dodge ball because it was too dangerous."
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday Flowers
Thursday, May 21, 2009
One of the Crowd
Pippi has never been one to care if she fit in with the crowd. She was always happy to go her own way, do her own thing. She didn't care if everyone else had these sneakers or did this thing. She did what she wanted and was happy about it.
That's why I was so surprised to hear her say, tonight, "but everyone else has them, I want mine now too."
Was she talking about a cell phone? (no, she already has one.) The latest designer clothes? (they wear uniforms at their middle school.) Her own laptop? None of these things.
She's talking about braces.
The trip to the orthodontist today ended with "come back in four weeks, when that back molar has grown in more."
(I guess the days when kids were traumatized because they needed braces are long gone.)
That's why I was so surprised to hear her say, tonight, "but everyone else has them, I want mine now too."
Was she talking about a cell phone? (no, she already has one.) The latest designer clothes? (they wear uniforms at their middle school.) Her own laptop? None of these things.
She's talking about braces.
The trip to the orthodontist today ended with "come back in four weeks, when that back molar has grown in more."
(I guess the days when kids were traumatized because they needed braces are long gone.)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The hope of the just brings them joy, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nought. (Proverbs 10: 28)
Monday, May 18, 2009
More Prom Mania
As Climbing Roses continues it's Prom Mania this month head on over there today to see what I had to say about my junior prom. Oh, yeah, there's a picture too - trust me, you don't want to miss this.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked are brief. (Proverbs 10:27)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Here's a picture of me and my mom an unspecified number of years ago.
Mom taught me a lot, like how to stop and smell the flowers.
And she still teaches me every day about the right way to live, just by her wonderful example.
So Happy Mother's Day to Mom and all the mother's out there!
Mom taught me a lot, like how to stop and smell the flowers.
And she still teaches me every day about the right way to live, just by her wonderful example.
So Happy Mother's Day to Mom and all the mother's out there!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Prom Pictures
Over at the Climbing Rose blog there is a contest going on. Some of the Climbing Rose authors have their prom pictures up. Can you identify the author? Guess the year of the picture? Or even the decade? Pop on by and try your hand at it as Prom Mania continues.
And is my picture over there? I'll let you stop and by and see if you can figure it out.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
What a Game!
Last night after days of rain, Harry actually played a baseball game. His team hasn't been doing that great. It's not that as a team they were really worse than the other teams, but between lucky breaks for the other team and silly errors on their side, they seemed to have trouble getting ahead.
Until last night.
Last night it was like their team finally figured out what they were out there for. They made several successful outs at first base (as opposed to the first baseman missing the ball when its thrown to him). The pitchers they had were firing them in. The outfield was on it's toes (except for the one time when the ball landed between two outfielders and they both stood - each a couple of feet from it - and looked at it - and then when one of them finally picked it up they argued over who should have gotten it, instead of throwing the ball right away). The infield was at the top of their game.
Harry got the best hit he's gotten in years of little league. A fly ball far into left field. A double.
The other most exciting play of the game was the triple play our team managed to pull off. Bases were loaded, no outs. Kid hits a fly ball. Infielder catches it. Throws it to third, throws it to second and suddenly the inning is over. Whoa! That was exciting.
If you win all the time you get complacent. When it doesn't happen that often - it's thrilling - and these kids were on top of the world last night. And now they know what they're capable of. Let's see if they can do it again!
Until last night.
Last night it was like their team finally figured out what they were out there for. They made several successful outs at first base (as opposed to the first baseman missing the ball when its thrown to him). The pitchers they had were firing them in. The outfield was on it's toes (except for the one time when the ball landed between two outfielders and they both stood - each a couple of feet from it - and looked at it - and then when one of them finally picked it up they argued over who should have gotten it, instead of throwing the ball right away). The infield was at the top of their game.
Harry got the best hit he's gotten in years of little league. A fly ball far into left field. A double.
The other most exciting play of the game was the triple play our team managed to pull off. Bases were loaded, no outs. Kid hits a fly ball. Infielder catches it. Throws it to third, throws it to second and suddenly the inning is over. Whoa! That was exciting.
If you win all the time you get complacent. When it doesn't happen that often - it's thrilling - and these kids were on top of the world last night. And now they know what they're capable of. Let's see if they can do it again!
Those 'Bad' Words
My kids don't curse.
I am very pleased to be able to say this. It's not that they don't know bad words, it's not that they don't occasionally say something they shouldn't in a moment of anger, but in general they don't curse.
We've made it clear that there are words which are inappropriate to use, but we've never made that big a deal of it.
Pippi tells me that there are kids in her school who can't seem to have a conversation without using a hundred curses. The "f" word is a popular adjective I suppose. So, even though one would think she would be a little numb to bad words, when we were reading Shakespeare together and the quoted text she had to read said "Hell", she blushed and changed it to "heck."
One time Harry was upset about something (I don't remember what) and he looked at me and asked "Can I curse?" And I said yes. "Just this once." Because I know that sometimes when something really has you upset, it can kind of help to say something really bad. He looked shocked at my answer and then, real softly said (and I quote) "d word". Even given permission, he couldn't bring himself to actually say something bad (I was very proud.)
Lately though Harry has taken to "beeping". You know, pretending to curse but "beeping" himself out. So his sentences are littered with censored curses. But when I (after getting tired of constant beeping) told him that even though he wasn't saying the word, he was thinking about cursing, and he should try not to do that either, and he stopped.
Let's hope they keep this up!
I am very pleased to be able to say this. It's not that they don't know bad words, it's not that they don't occasionally say something they shouldn't in a moment of anger, but in general they don't curse.
We've made it clear that there are words which are inappropriate to use, but we've never made that big a deal of it.
Pippi tells me that there are kids in her school who can't seem to have a conversation without using a hundred curses. The "f" word is a popular adjective I suppose. So, even though one would think she would be a little numb to bad words, when we were reading Shakespeare together and the quoted text she had to read said "Hell", she blushed and changed it to "heck."
One time Harry was upset about something (I don't remember what) and he looked at me and asked "Can I curse?" And I said yes. "Just this once." Because I know that sometimes when something really has you upset, it can kind of help to say something really bad. He looked shocked at my answer and then, real softly said (and I quote) "d word". Even given permission, he couldn't bring himself to actually say something bad (I was very proud.)
Lately though Harry has taken to "beeping". You know, pretending to curse but "beeping" himself out. So his sentences are littered with censored curses. But when I (after getting tired of constant beeping) told him that even though he wasn't saying the word, he was thinking about cursing, and he should try not to do that either, and he stopped.
Let's hope they keep this up!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
As vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, is the sluggard to those who use him as a messenger. (Proverbs 10:26)
Monday, May 04, 2009
What Sayst Thou?
After her Religious Ed. class tonight, Pippi was in a conversation with the Director of Religious Ed. and a family friend who is going to be starting up a youth band.
The Director of Religious Ed. was making the point that old style music and Gregorian chants are hard for kids to relate to. Even the traditional words of prayers, like the Hail Mary, don't reflect the way people talk anymore. She turns to Pippi. "When was the last time you used 'thou' in a sentence?"
Pippi just kind of said, "Well......"
And the family friend explained, "She's been reading Shakespeare."
So, yes - the last time she used 'thou' in a sentence was yesterday as we read The Taming of The Shrew together. She also has a tendency to occasionally speak Shakespearean English. But she understood the DREs point nonetheless.
Also at Religious Ed. tonight the director asked the assembled students if they knew what Alpha and Omega was. Pippi raised her hand. "The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet" and she knew that the Church used them to refer to God.
Of course it helped that two years ago I showed the kids this video - and it works, Pippi learned the Greek alphabet in ten minutes, and hasn't forgotten it.
The Director of Religious Ed. was making the point that old style music and Gregorian chants are hard for kids to relate to. Even the traditional words of prayers, like the Hail Mary, don't reflect the way people talk anymore. She turns to Pippi. "When was the last time you used 'thou' in a sentence?"
Pippi just kind of said, "Well......"
And the family friend explained, "She's been reading Shakespeare."
So, yes - the last time she used 'thou' in a sentence was yesterday as we read The Taming of The Shrew together. She also has a tendency to occasionally speak Shakespearean English. But she understood the DREs point nonetheless.
Also at Religious Ed. tonight the director asked the assembled students if they knew what Alpha and Omega was. Pippi raised her hand. "The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet" and she knew that the Church used them to refer to God.
Of course it helped that two years ago I showed the kids this video - and it works, Pippi learned the Greek alphabet in ten minutes, and hasn't forgotten it.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Notes on Notes
I blogged over at Simply Put today about my organizational skills, or lack thereof, when it comes to keeping track of new story ideas.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
When the tempest passes, the wicked man is no more; but the just man is established forever. (Proverbs 10:25)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
April Flowers
I just love the flowers of early spring. Especially tulips. Must be the Dutch ancestry in me, but tulips just make my heart sing.
Not a Morning Person
Pippi is not a morning person.
This morning a little before six I woke to the sound of sobbing. I traced the sounds to her room. "Are you crying? What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep. The birds are chirping!" She said with as much venom as she could muster. "They start at five o'clock and don't stop. And then it just gets lighter and lighter. It's like I'm watching the sunrise."
"But watching the sunrise is a wonderful thing," I tell her, and then get out of there before she can throw something at me.
Seriously though, I did shut her windows in order to muffle the sound and she apparently went back to sleep - because it's after 9 and she hasn't emerged from her room yet.
This morning a little before six I woke to the sound of sobbing. I traced the sounds to her room. "Are you crying? What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep. The birds are chirping!" She said with as much venom as she could muster. "They start at five o'clock and don't stop. And then it just gets lighter and lighter. It's like I'm watching the sunrise."
"But watching the sunrise is a wonderful thing," I tell her, and then get out of there before she can throw something at me.
Seriously though, I did shut her windows in order to muffle the sound and she apparently went back to sleep - because it's after 9 and she hasn't emerged from her room yet.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Getting to Know Your Characters
Just assign your main character an essay to write. That's what I do. I post about it over at Simply Put.
Spring Cleaning
It's Spring Cleaning time in our town. For the next several weeks, rotating through the township, it's time to clean up and get rid of stuff.
It's actually a good incentive. Different weekends are designated as "permit-free" garage sale weekends. Last weekend was our chance. We didn't have a garage sale, but there were sales all over the neighborhood. And it was a beautiful day for it too.
But tonight is the real fun night. You see, the township also declared that on the Thursday following the garage sales as the day you could throw out big stuff without having to pay an extra fee to have a big item collected.
What an incentive to look around and see what big things have been taking up space that really need to go out. We put out some lawn furniture, a kid's picnic table, two air conditioners, a dehumidifier and a computer monitor (we still have a spare- *sigh*).
I've seen furniture, TVs, lots of boards (I think someone dismantled a room or something), all kinds of fun things out at the curbs.
And the scavengers are out. People in pick up trucks and vans cruise slowly down the streets looking to see if there is anything they want. Hey - I'd be thrilled if someone wanted our junk - I just don't want it anymore.
There's still a lot more Spring Cleaning I could (and should) do - but hey at least we got rid of a few things taking up space. It's a start.
It's actually a good incentive. Different weekends are designated as "permit-free" garage sale weekends. Last weekend was our chance. We didn't have a garage sale, but there were sales all over the neighborhood. And it was a beautiful day for it too.
But tonight is the real fun night. You see, the township also declared that on the Thursday following the garage sales as the day you could throw out big stuff without having to pay an extra fee to have a big item collected.
What an incentive to look around and see what big things have been taking up space that really need to go out. We put out some lawn furniture, a kid's picnic table, two air conditioners, a dehumidifier and a computer monitor (we still have a spare- *sigh*).
I've seen furniture, TVs, lots of boards (I think someone dismantled a room or something), all kinds of fun things out at the curbs.
And the scavengers are out. People in pick up trucks and vans cruise slowly down the streets looking to see if there is anything they want. Hey - I'd be thrilled if someone wanted our junk - I just don't want it anymore.
There's still a lot more Spring Cleaning I could (and should) do - but hey at least we got rid of a few things taking up space. It's a start.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
What the wicked man fears will befall him, but the desire of the just will be granted. (Proverbs 10:24)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Cousins
Friday, April 17, 2009
Flowers and Fairy Houses
Today we finally had a beautiful day - windows open, kids outside. Gardening, biking and building fairyhouses. All in all a very productive Friday if I do say so myself.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
Crime is the entertainment of the fool; so is wisdom for the man of sense. (Proverbs 10:23)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Happy Easter
When Pippi was 4 I was going to tell her the story of Easter. She told me she already knew it. And proceeded to tell me this story.
(reprinted from 2006)
When they laid Him down they wrapped Him up in cloth and then they prayed for Him. Then they made a table for His family and they laid Him on the table. The table was made out of stone. Everybody was sad because they would miss Him. And then on the third day the two Marys (not the ones that were Jesus’s Mommies, only two Marys) then the two Marys said where is Jesus. The Angel said (he was a boy Angel) – the angel said “Don’t worry, He’s outside the cave waiting for you to tell His whole human beings.” So they went to tell His human beings about Him and then they told everybody in the city of Egypt. Then Jesus went to Egypt to see His men. They wrapped Him up in purple robes and everyone laughed. Then He looked and then He went over to the two Marys and everyone was happy.Have a Happy and Blessed Easter.
(reprinted from 2006)
Easter Crafts
It's Holy Saturday and around here that means coloring Easter eggs.
This year we also tried another craft - sting eggs.
We did the first part yesterday. I don't have any pictures of that because my hands were a sticky mess as I tried to help the kids dip embroidery floss in a corn starch mixture and then wrap them around balloons. We let them dry and today we popped the balloons.
We didn't get quite the effect we were looking for - but we do have something decorative to show for our efforts. We decided that we needed both heavier string and more of it. Maybe next time (if there is a next time).
A Happy and Blessed Easter to all.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
The youth group at our church does a Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. We went tonight, as we have the past couple of years. The presentation is well done and powerful.
Two kids we've known for years and years had the parts of Jesus and Mary. It was hard to put aside that it was "Jake" and "Val" up there. I kept thinking about how much they've grown and about times when they were little. And then I realized that this wasn't pulling me out of the passion, but bringing me closer into it.
When Jesus walked that path, some of the people who watched were people who had known him his whole life. People who could say "I remember when he was little." And the pain in their heart was the greater for it.
And I could watch "Jake" and "Val" and the others and think of how great my pain would be for them if they were suffering in the way they were portraying.
And that is how much I should ache for our Lord.
Two kids we've known for years and years had the parts of Jesus and Mary. It was hard to put aside that it was "Jake" and "Val" up there. I kept thinking about how much they've grown and about times when they were little. And then I realized that this wasn't pulling me out of the passion, but bringing me closer into it.
When Jesus walked that path, some of the people who watched were people who had known him his whole life. People who could say "I remember when he was little." And the pain in their heart was the greater for it.
And I could watch "Jake" and "Val" and the others and think of how great my pain would be for them if they were suffering in the way they were portraying.
And that is how much I should ache for our Lord.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Holy Thursday
For the first time we decided to take the kids to the Holy Thursday Mass. In the past my husband has gone, and I've stayed home with Harry and Pippi. The Mass is long - closing in on two hours and this is the first time we figured they'd be able to handle it.
I'm glad we went, because it really helps to set the mood for Easter to participate in the various Holy Week offerings.
We had been offered (a month ago) the opportunity to present the Chrism Oil at this Mass. We didn't respond quickly enough and they found another family. It was too bad we didn't have that special job to do - but then again...
Harry was really bothered by the incense. He spent most of the time with his coat over his mouth and insisting the smell was making him sick.
It probably wouldn't have been too good if we'd needed to be part of the various processions with Harry gagging his way along because of the incense. I guess it was just fine that we could sit anonymously in our pew.
Have a blessed Triduum.
I'm glad we went, because it really helps to set the mood for Easter to participate in the various Holy Week offerings.
We had been offered (a month ago) the opportunity to present the Chrism Oil at this Mass. We didn't respond quickly enough and they found another family. It was too bad we didn't have that special job to do - but then again...
Harry was really bothered by the incense. He spent most of the time with his coat over his mouth and insisting the smell was making him sick.
It probably wouldn't have been too good if we'd needed to be part of the various processions with Harry gagging his way along because of the incense. I guess it was just fine that we could sit anonymously in our pew.
Have a blessed Triduum.
Talking about Revisions
I'm talking a little about revisions today over at Simply Put, go join the conversation.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
It is the LORD'S blessing that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it. (Proverbs 10:22)
Monday, April 06, 2009
Do You Have A Favorite Element?
My kids apparently do.
At dinner tonight:
Harry: Do you know what element has the atomic number 92?
Me: Um, no. Not really.
Harry: It's Uranium
The conversation went on from there. As Harry and Pippi discussed different elements and which ones were their favorites.
Me: You have favorite elements?
Harry and Pippi: Of course.
Now, Pippi is in sixth grade and is doing a unit on chemistry, but Harry is in third grade. They are not studying chemistry. So I asked "How do you know these things? And why?"
Harry: It's what I do in my spare time.
Okay then. (Turns out his binder has a science divider with the periodic table of the elements on it.)
His great-grandpa with a doctorate in Chemistry would have been so proud.
Oh and for the record their favorite elements are: Pippi: Unununium, Harry: Magnesium
At dinner tonight:
Harry: Do you know what element has the atomic number 92?
Me: Um, no. Not really.
Harry: It's Uranium
The conversation went on from there. As Harry and Pippi discussed different elements and which ones were their favorites.
Me: You have favorite elements?
Harry and Pippi: Of course.
Now, Pippi is in sixth grade and is doing a unit on chemistry, but Harry is in third grade. They are not studying chemistry. So I asked "How do you know these things? And why?"
Harry: It's what I do in my spare time.
Okay then. (Turns out his binder has a science divider with the periodic table of the elements on it.)
His great-grandpa with a doctorate in Chemistry would have been so proud.
Oh and for the record their favorite elements are: Pippi: Unununium, Harry: Magnesium
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Librarians Are Important
I wouldn't want to be the person in charge of school budgets when the economy is in the tank. Everyone thinks that anything that might affect their child is something that better not be touched. And I totally understand that if there is no money there is no money.
That said, I really regret that our board of education has decided that a good way to save money is to eliminate the position of librarian in the elementary schools. According to the news reports I've seen, they believe that the lack of librarian can be made up for with school aides, volunteers, and classroom teachers.
I will agree that volunteers are a great asset in a school library. I think our school right now has about four people who volunteer to help out. For a couple of hours at a time. That in no way covers the whole school week. The volunteers can check in books, check out books and shelve books. To some extent volunteers can help a child find a book. But volunteers do not necessarily know what books to recommend or even what books are appropriate for different ages.
I suppose the school aides can do the same thing the volunteers can do - and with the same limitations. They have the advantage of already being paid by the school with an expectation that they will be there for certain hours a day.
Classroom teachers. Personally I think that our society has gotten to the point where they expect way too much from classroom teachers. Not only basic education, but special education and drug awareness, and abuse awareness, and bully awareness and being on the look out for abused children. Anything society wants done regarding children the answer seems to be: the teacher can do it. You know what. No. The teacher can't. Not everything. It's not possible.
Can teachers teach research skills and how to look up books. Of course they can. Will they? If they have time when all the test prep work for the State testing is done. Maybe.
And who is going to order the books? And keep the selection of books up to date? I haven't seen this issue addressed at all.
For some children the only opportunity they have to pick out a book on their own is the school library. Why jeopardize that?
A school librarian is not simply a person in the library with glasses on a chain who reads books to children and teaches them the Dewey Decimal System. A certified school librarian is both a certified teacher and has a degree in library science. There is knowledge that comes with those degrees that a random volunteer has no hope of having.
I realize that hard decisions have to be made regarding budgets, and that these decisions aren't made lightly by the people in charge. But in my opinion doing away with school librarians does a disservice to the students and sends the message that libraries and books and reading aren't important. And that is not the message you want to send young children just learning to read.
Edited to add: From this news report it looks like principals would be in charge of maintaining the library collection.
That said, I really regret that our board of education has decided that a good way to save money is to eliminate the position of librarian in the elementary schools. According to the news reports I've seen, they believe that the lack of librarian can be made up for with school aides, volunteers, and classroom teachers.
I will agree that volunteers are a great asset in a school library. I think our school right now has about four people who volunteer to help out. For a couple of hours at a time. That in no way covers the whole school week. The volunteers can check in books, check out books and shelve books. To some extent volunteers can help a child find a book. But volunteers do not necessarily know what books to recommend or even what books are appropriate for different ages.
I suppose the school aides can do the same thing the volunteers can do - and with the same limitations. They have the advantage of already being paid by the school with an expectation that they will be there for certain hours a day.
Classroom teachers. Personally I think that our society has gotten to the point where they expect way too much from classroom teachers. Not only basic education, but special education and drug awareness, and abuse awareness, and bully awareness and being on the look out for abused children. Anything society wants done regarding children the answer seems to be: the teacher can do it. You know what. No. The teacher can't. Not everything. It's not possible.
Can teachers teach research skills and how to look up books. Of course they can. Will they? If they have time when all the test prep work for the State testing is done. Maybe.
And who is going to order the books? And keep the selection of books up to date? I haven't seen this issue addressed at all.
For some children the only opportunity they have to pick out a book on their own is the school library. Why jeopardize that?
A school librarian is not simply a person in the library with glasses on a chain who reads books to children and teaches them the Dewey Decimal System. A certified school librarian is both a certified teacher and has a degree in library science. There is knowledge that comes with those degrees that a random volunteer has no hope of having.
I realize that hard decisions have to be made regarding budgets, and that these decisions aren't made lightly by the people in charge. But in my opinion doing away with school librarians does a disservice to the students and sends the message that libraries and books and reading aren't important. And that is not the message you want to send young children just learning to read.
Edited to add: From this news report it looks like principals would be in charge of maintaining the library collection.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
A Visit With PJ Hoover
It was so wonderful to finally meet someone who I've gotten to know through blogs and e-mails. She was as delightful as I knew she would be, and we would have stayed up talking even later into the night had we been able to keep our eyes open anymore.
I'm so glad she was able to come, my only regret is that the visit didn't last nearly long enough.
I blogged more about her presentation at Simply Put.
I'm so glad she was able to come, my only regret is that the visit didn't last nearly long enough.
I blogged more about her presentation at Simply Put.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The just man's lips nourish many, but fools die for want of sense. (Proverbs 10:21)
Tuesday's Proverb
The just man's lips nourish many, but fools die for want of sense. (Proverbs 10:21)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Train Set
I remember when the train set was first built. We were still living in Trenton, so I was younger than nine. My dad spent lots of time getting the trains and the buildings right. It was a Christmas surprise one year, and the train set had pride of place in our large basement. Many of the buildings (like the bakery and butchery shop above) were built by my grandfather.
When we moved the new house had no basement. This posed a dilemma for the train set. But my dad figured a way around that. He set it up in the boys room on a table that could lift into the wall. Part of the year the train set was down and working, other times it would be stored away (it couldn't be stored away daily or anything like that - too much stuff to take off the set).
As Leo grew and the older boys lost interest, the train set moved to Leo's room, where it stayed for awhile, only eventually to be taken down and dismantled. I don't remember if the train set got set up again when the older boys moved out on their own.
But when my parent's moved to a different house about 11 years ago they had a basement that was just right for trains. And they had something else: grandchildren (okay, one at the time - but more were to follow).
Since then the train set has taken on various forms - at one point the set took up most of the basement. It has shrunk down to a more manageable size now and Harry has learned how to operate the trains - which he makes sure he does whenever we visit Ammy and Grampy's house.
All of the grandkids enjoy watching the trains. I'm sure when Baby T is a little older he'll love watching them too!
And since my Dad is about to retire - who knows what he might do with it next!
Celebrating Birthdays
March brings lots of birthdays in our families. Today was my brother Pete's birthday. Unfortunately, Pete and his family were the only ones unable to make it to March birthday celebration today (but they don't live within driving distance). We celebrated my parents' birthdays and my sister-in-law's birthday. Everyone loved playing with the new baby. Four-year-old Superhero will be very happy when Baby T is big enough to play with, but for now he liked holding him and feeding him. He even washed his own hands in hopes of then being allowed to hold the baby.
The kids got to blow out the candles. Yeah, none of their birthdays are in March, go figure.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Tuesday's Proverb
Like choice silver is the just man's tongue; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. (Proverbs 10:20)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Young Writers
Pippi was delighted to find that one of her friends was the seventh grader chosen to represent their middle school at the Young Writer's night. Pippi read the two poems I posted for Poetry Friday last week. Her friend read an essay about a Thanksgiving dinner her family prepared when their kitchen was under construction and they had no stove or oven (it included grilling the turkey in the backyard and unsuccessfully making cornbread in the toaster oven)
All of the poetry and essays shared by the 6th through 12th graders was wonderful. There is a lot of wonderful talent out there. Two of the most moving were a poem written by a tenth grader in honor of her father who passed away last year, and the story the eighth grader read about how when she was four years old her mother came to America - and how the rest of the family followed from Poland four years later.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Pop Culture References
I posted over at Simply Put today about putting pop culture references in your writing.
Is it better to be up-to-date and hip? Or timeless?
Is it better to be up-to-date and hip? Or timeless?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Poetry Friday
My daughter was chosen to represent her school at "An Evening with Young Writers" at our town's art center.
The two poems that were selected are ones I've posted here before on Poetry Friday, but they bear repeating. I'll put one here and the other over at Simply Put (spread the wealth)
Beauty and the Beast
By KRM
I was the big
Big man,
Muscular
Athletic, wonderful.
But she didn’t want me.
She fawned over
A beast locked
In a haunted castle
These years
What did he
Have that I
Didn’t.
Naturally, I started
Pressing her buttons.
But that made her
Hate me even more.
So then I set
Out.
Last straw.
Kill the beast!
A little lie here
A little blood there,
The benefit was mine.
The girl…mine!
But still,
My plan backfired,
Pushed off a
Tower. Landing
KERSPLAT
Down below.
And that was
My story.
My intentions
Started out
Good.
All I wanted was
Beauty
And
Instead got the
Brunt of the
Beast.
The Poetry Friday Roundup is by Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Can Assigned Reading be Fun?
Harry was complaining the other day that having to read a book for school "sucks all the fun out of it."
I can't really argue with him.
Reading a good book-getting lost in that world to the point that you're surprised to find you haven't actually left your chair-is one of life's pleasures.
Having to discuss theme and character motivations and what have you - are generally not quite so thrilling.
Now - just to be clear - Harry's not in a class that teaches everything in a dry pedantic way. They answer questions based on the story, yes, they discuss the story in a group, sometimes he has to do a writing assignment that takes an aspect of the story one step further and requires a little critical analysis: what qualities do you think make a good hero, who do you consider a hero? But he's nine and he wants to just read the book and be left alone.
But reading a book for school, doesn't it have to be discussed? Don't questions have to be asked to check for a certain level of comprehension? In his reading class they do not have a "reading book" they use novels. I think that's good. But is it better to have a class that focuses on shorter passages in a reading book and leaves the novels for fun time only?
I remember when I was in middle school and we had to do at least 15 minutes of silent reading at home each night as part of our homework. Reading for 15 minutes a night was not a problem for me, then, as now, I loved to read. The part I didn't like about the assignment was that we had to keep a journal and log. We had to mark down our writing time and write a short summary of what we read every day. I hated that part. (I remember doing a week's worth of summaries at a time before handing the journal in on Fridays).
But isn't that a reasonable way to make sure that a child is actually reading something? There are always going to be students that the teacher knows is reading no matter what. But there are others who won't. Is keeping tab on the time you read and writing a short summary (I'm talking a couple of sentences here) really so awful. I thought it was when I had to do it.
So... how do you teach reading and keep reading fun at the same time?
I can't really argue with him.
Reading a good book-getting lost in that world to the point that you're surprised to find you haven't actually left your chair-is one of life's pleasures.
Having to discuss theme and character motivations and what have you - are generally not quite so thrilling.
Now - just to be clear - Harry's not in a class that teaches everything in a dry pedantic way. They answer questions based on the story, yes, they discuss the story in a group, sometimes he has to do a writing assignment that takes an aspect of the story one step further and requires a little critical analysis: what qualities do you think make a good hero, who do you consider a hero? But he's nine and he wants to just read the book and be left alone.
But reading a book for school, doesn't it have to be discussed? Don't questions have to be asked to check for a certain level of comprehension? In his reading class they do not have a "reading book" they use novels. I think that's good. But is it better to have a class that focuses on shorter passages in a reading book and leaves the novels for fun time only?
I remember when I was in middle school and we had to do at least 15 minutes of silent reading at home each night as part of our homework. Reading for 15 minutes a night was not a problem for me, then, as now, I loved to read. The part I didn't like about the assignment was that we had to keep a journal and log. We had to mark down our writing time and write a short summary of what we read every day. I hated that part. (I remember doing a week's worth of summaries at a time before handing the journal in on Fridays).
But isn't that a reasonable way to make sure that a child is actually reading something? There are always going to be students that the teacher knows is reading no matter what. But there are others who won't. Is keeping tab on the time you read and writing a short summary (I'm talking a couple of sentences here) really so awful. I thought it was when I had to do it.
So... how do you teach reading and keep reading fun at the same time?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
Where words are many, sin is not wanting; but he who restrains his lips does well. (Proverbs 10:19)
What Would You Say?
The rallying cry "put prayer back in schools" can sometimes be heard across the land. The proponents of such a measure will say that the country has gone to heck in a handbasket since prayer was removed from school.
And perhaps in areas where 99% or even 100% of the children attending the school share a religious background it might make sense.
Our school is not that homogeneous. So the question would naturally become "what prayer?" "whose god?" Because in our school it's not even a matter of different Christian denominations with a few Jewish people thrown in for good measure. No there are Muslims and Hindus as well. And probably other beliefs that I'm not even aware of.
This came to mind today because of an incident when I was helping in the school library. A second grade boy asked his teacher (who I happen to know to be Catholic) if God was just a fairy tale. She raised her hands in dismay and rolled her eyes and said "Heavens no, who told you that?"
"My Dad," responds the boy. "He just believes in science."
The teacher turns to me and says "Can you believe a parent teaching their child that?"
I didn't say anything, but I can see a parent teaching their child that if that is what the parent believes. And perhaps that same parent would be appalled that someone else's child is being taught there is a God.
Another boy piped up. "His Dad believes in the devil though."
"You can't have the devil without God," I answered.
The teacher agreed.
"My Dad is from Africa," the first boy said.
Then someone else came to the desk and I didn't hear the rest of the conversation between the boy and his teacher. I did hear something to the effect of "that's not what your mother believes, you should listen to her."
I don't know this boy's family. I don't know what his father believes. But I can see the conversation that could go on tonight.
"I asked the teacher if God was a fairy tale and she said no. She said I shouldn't listen to you."
Now imagine if the teacher was an atheist and a child asked if there was a God. Then the conversation at home would go like this "I asked the teacher if God was real, but she said he's a fairy tale and that I shouldn't listen to you."
Just something to think about.
And perhaps in areas where 99% or even 100% of the children attending the school share a religious background it might make sense.
Our school is not that homogeneous. So the question would naturally become "what prayer?" "whose god?" Because in our school it's not even a matter of different Christian denominations with a few Jewish people thrown in for good measure. No there are Muslims and Hindus as well. And probably other beliefs that I'm not even aware of.
This came to mind today because of an incident when I was helping in the school library. A second grade boy asked his teacher (who I happen to know to be Catholic) if God was just a fairy tale. She raised her hands in dismay and rolled her eyes and said "Heavens no, who told you that?"
"My Dad," responds the boy. "He just believes in science."
The teacher turns to me and says "Can you believe a parent teaching their child that?"
I didn't say anything, but I can see a parent teaching their child that if that is what the parent believes. And perhaps that same parent would be appalled that someone else's child is being taught there is a God.
Another boy piped up. "His Dad believes in the devil though."
"You can't have the devil without God," I answered.
The teacher agreed.
"My Dad is from Africa," the first boy said.
Then someone else came to the desk and I didn't hear the rest of the conversation between the boy and his teacher. I did hear something to the effect of "that's not what your mother believes, you should listen to her."
I don't know this boy's family. I don't know what his father believes. But I can see the conversation that could go on tonight.
"I asked the teacher if God was a fairy tale and she said no. She said I shouldn't listen to you."
Now imagine if the teacher was an atheist and a child asked if there was a God. Then the conversation at home would go like this "I asked the teacher if God was real, but she said he's a fairy tale and that I shouldn't listen to you."
Just something to think about.
Light a Fire Under Him
There is a story in my family history about an uncle of mine. Actually he would have been an uncle of my grandmother's I believe. I don't vouch for the veracity of this story - only that this is how the story was told to me.
My great-great uncle was walking along the canal paths of the Erie canal. He came upon a mule that was refusing to pull it's load. No matter what the driver did to it that mule just stood there. The driver was fed up. My great-great uncle said he would buy the mule for a quarter (maybe the amount was even less, I'm not sure). The driver, facing a worthless animal agreed and turned the stubborn mule over to my uncle but wondered what my uncle would do with an animal that refused to move.
Simple. He lit a fire under him and the mule moved right quick. And my uncle got himself a mule right cheap.
Hopefully no one actually has to light a fire under me to get me writing and blogging again.
My great-great uncle was walking along the canal paths of the Erie canal. He came upon a mule that was refusing to pull it's load. No matter what the driver did to it that mule just stood there. The driver was fed up. My great-great uncle said he would buy the mule for a quarter (maybe the amount was even less, I'm not sure). The driver, facing a worthless animal agreed and turned the stubborn mule over to my uncle but wondered what my uncle would do with an animal that refused to move.
Simple. He lit a fire under him and the mule moved right quick. And my uncle got himself a mule right cheap.
Hopefully no one actually has to light a fire under me to get me writing and blogging again.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
It is the lips of the liar that conceal hostility; but he who spreads accusations is a fool. (Proverbs 10:18)
Monday, March 02, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Snowboarding
Uncle Leo took Harry out snowboarding this afternoon. And of course, since Harry's only other experiences with snowboarding have been down the slide in the backyard or down the big pile of snow by the driveway when we have a decent snowstorm he absolutely loved it.
He wants to go back and do it again next week. (Sorry Harry, that's not happening)
I'm waiting for my brother to send me the pictures and videos he has - from going down the big slope. My husband took these while they were having the snowboarding lesson.
And what did Pippi and I do while Harry was off snowboarding? We hung out with baby Tyler and Aunt Kristen. That was my kind of afternoon!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Two Points
It wasn't nearly enough to win the game, but when Harry scored his first basket of the season, it was also his team's first basket of the game and the other team already had eight points.
So it those two points brought loud cheers from our side.
Any baskets bring loud cheers from our side. We're very supportive.
But those two points didn't mean our team won. No, it was 26 to 12. Thankfully the season is almost over.
So it those two points brought loud cheers from our side.
Any baskets bring loud cheers from our side. We're very supportive.
But those two points didn't mean our team won. No, it was 26 to 12. Thankfully the season is almost over.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
A path to life is his who heeds admonition, but he who disregards reproof goes astray. (Proverbs 10:17)
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Horns of a Dilemma
I was minding my own business in the grocery store - picking up a few necessities for the week - when over by one of the frozen food displays a woman approaches me.
She was very apologetic and a bit frantic. Her story was that she had lost her job two weeks ago and had had no income for two weeks. Her cupboards were bare. She had two children. Could I help her?
Now of course if someone is truly in need I want to help. But there were a few things happening here. One, I don't carry a lot of cash with me, so I couldn't hand this woman any money to go buy some food. I was surrounded by food in the store but I hadn't paid for it yet - I couldn't just hand her some food.
The other problem was that I didn't believe her. Two weeks unemployed and she has run through any savings and all her food? Possible of course, but... doubts lingered. Adding to my doubts was the fact that she looked remarkably like a woman who approached me and my kids in her car on Halloween. She was driving around a very quiet neighborhood trying to get together cash to pay for gas so she could drive to pick up her kids from their father's house about 20 minutes away. I had no cash on me that time either - and really didn't believe that story.
But... what if she wasn't lying. What if she really was out of food and was desperate to feed her kids. The food pantries are turning people away because they have too many to serve. So I stood there, next to the frozen fish and tried to figure out what to do.
What I did was told her that I'd buy her some cold cuts. If she was at the check out lane when I checked out I would give them to her then. I told her it would only be a few minutes. She said she'd wait for me there and thanked me profusely.
So I picked up two extra packages of sandwich meat and finished my shopping and a few minutes later I checked out.
The woman was nowhere to be seen. I looked around as I was leaving the store - but didn't see her.
Now I have two extra packages of sandwich meat and a vaguely dissatisfied feeling.
She was very apologetic and a bit frantic. Her story was that she had lost her job two weeks ago and had had no income for two weeks. Her cupboards were bare. She had two children. Could I help her?
Now of course if someone is truly in need I want to help. But there were a few things happening here. One, I don't carry a lot of cash with me, so I couldn't hand this woman any money to go buy some food. I was surrounded by food in the store but I hadn't paid for it yet - I couldn't just hand her some food.
The other problem was that I didn't believe her. Two weeks unemployed and she has run through any savings and all her food? Possible of course, but... doubts lingered. Adding to my doubts was the fact that she looked remarkably like a woman who approached me and my kids in her car on Halloween. She was driving around a very quiet neighborhood trying to get together cash to pay for gas so she could drive to pick up her kids from their father's house about 20 minutes away. I had no cash on me that time either - and really didn't believe that story.
But... what if she wasn't lying. What if she really was out of food and was desperate to feed her kids. The food pantries are turning people away because they have too many to serve. So I stood there, next to the frozen fish and tried to figure out what to do.
What I did was told her that I'd buy her some cold cuts. If she was at the check out lane when I checked out I would give them to her then. I told her it would only be a few minutes. She said she'd wait for me there and thanked me profusely.
So I picked up two extra packages of sandwich meat and finished my shopping and a few minutes later I checked out.
The woman was nowhere to be seen. I looked around as I was leaving the store - but didn't see her.
Now I have two extra packages of sandwich meat and a vaguely dissatisfied feeling.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Birthday Boy
Harry is nine years old today. Not all the cousins were able to make it today, distance, snow or sickness, kept various people away, but the princess and superhero were here to help their big cousin open his presents.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
And It's Not Even a Sport
That's what Harry said when he expressed his new found pleasure in crocheting.
"It's supposed to be relaxing," he said, "and it's fun too, and it's not even a sport!"
"It's supposed to be relaxing," he said, "and it's fun too, and it's not even a sport!"
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The just man's recompense leads to life, the gains of the wicked, to sin. (Proverbs 10:16)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Birthday Fun
What do you do when a princess and a superhero (in a Steeler's jersey) share a birthday? Why you have a party that makes it look like Christmas came again. Then you play a little football. And if you're the newest cousin in the bunch you wonder what is going on.
Today my niece and nephew celebrated their fourth birthday and we got to meet the newest addition to the family for the first time.
It was a great day!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the ruination of the lowly is their poverty. (Proverbs 10:15)
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The World's Loss - Heaven's Gain
Word came this evening that a dear and wonderful friend of ours had passed away. Jackie had been suffering from cancer for the past several years, and it is a blessing to know that she no longer has to suffer. But that doesn't ease the pain for the rest of us who have to live without her now.
This was Jackie - always smiling, always happy - last year at our annual New Years celebration. She didn't make it to this years celebration because she was in the hospital, but she was with us in spirit. As you can see, last year, she has delighted to get her annual New Years' gift of bananas.
We first met Jackie when I was not quite two years old. We moved into the house next to her in-laws. Jackie was expecting her first child (my dear friend, Maria) and my mother was expecting my brother Peter.
Soon after that they moved into a house nearly across the street. And as my mother once said "you grew up in each others' houses." It was true. Jackie (the only adult we called by her first name, because her mother-in-law, our next door neighbor was already "Mrs. Maruca") was always welcoming and loving. She treated us as her own. She was more a favorite aunt then a neighbor and friend.
She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Especially her loving husband, Rocky, her three children and her grandchildren.
We first met Jackie when I was not quite two years old. We moved into the house next to her in-laws. Jackie was expecting her first child (my dear friend, Maria) and my mother was expecting my brother Peter.
Soon after that they moved into a house nearly across the street. And as my mother once said "you grew up in each others' houses." It was true. Jackie (the only adult we called by her first name, because her mother-in-law, our next door neighbor was already "Mrs. Maruca") was always welcoming and loving. She treated us as her own. She was more a favorite aunt then a neighbor and friend.
She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Especially her loving husband, Rocky, her three children and her grandchildren.
And here's one more picture. Jackie is in the middle in the green shirt. This was from Christmas 1974. I'm wearing the blue robe with the gold halo in my hair, Maria is next to me with the blue cape, my brother is the one munching on the carrot (we had apparently put on a Christmas play.)
Rest in peace, Jackie. We love you.
Rest in peace, Jackie. We love you.
Dinner Conversation
The conversation at dinner tonight progressed from the destruction of Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted, to the fall of the Roman Empire to Elmo from Sesame Street (and no, there were no toddlers at the table.) I'm not quite sure how we got from one to the other.
She's Got a Point
Pippi: Whoever named the speech disorder where a person can't pronounce the letter 's' a 'lisp' was just plain mean.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Feb 6, 1909
One hundred years ago.
That's the day my grandfather, Leo Tanghe, was born. I wish he had lived to see his hundredth birthday - but he did not, so we'll just have to honor the day on our own.
When asked to tell about his youth he started with "I was born, as most people are..."
He was a scientist to the core, making note of the minutia of life and recording it. His daily diaries are more accounts of what he ate and who he saw and what temperature it was than how he felt about any particular thing. But that didn't mean that he didn't also have the soul of a poet hiding behind that doctorate in chemistry.
When on a train trip away from his soon-to-be wife (in 1934) he detailed some of the experience in a letter home.
They raised six children together, my grandmother home taking care of the children, my grandfather working as a chemist for Kodak.
He loved photography and nature and especially mushrooms. He was a noted mushroom expert in the Rochester area and would be called upon to identify possibly poisonous mushrooms or even to discuss mushroom poisoning incidents on television as he did in 1995 - and recorded the event for several journals (second section).
When my daughter was born he sent a letter telling us what he was doing as they awaited news of her birth
He loved to make jams and jellies and would invite all of his local great-grandchildren over in the spring and they would make raspberry jam from the raspberries growing in the backyard.
He had a recipe for Hot Pepper Jam that showed his scientific side:
He was always ready to share his knowledge with anyone who was interested. Here he shows my cousin Jodie how to use a sliderule. Ten-month-old Pippi looks on, figuring this may be important someday.
For more great pictures go to my mom's blog Morning Glory Alley.
Happy Birthday, Grandpa.
That's the day my grandfather, Leo Tanghe, was born. I wish he had lived to see his hundredth birthday - but he did not, so we'll just have to honor the day on our own.
When asked to tell about his youth he started with "I was born, as most people are..."
He was a scientist to the core, making note of the minutia of life and recording it. His daily diaries are more accounts of what he ate and who he saw and what temperature it was than how he felt about any particular thing. But that didn't mean that he didn't also have the soul of a poet hiding behind that doctorate in chemistry.
When on a train trip away from his soon-to-be wife (in 1934) he detailed some of the experience in a letter home.
The Pullmans are fixed up quite nice compared with the day coaches. Only the middle half of the car is taken up by sleeping quarters. At one end there is the men's washroom and smoking lounge. Hot water, mirrors and towels are available. At the other end there is a similar compartment for the women (I presume, without making a thorough investigation of the matter.)He kept a diary during their honeymoon trip. The first entry is from June 30, 1935, the morning after the wedding.
...
The berth had a great deal more room than I had expected. Two could lie side by side provided they did not worry too much about getting their clothes mussed up, or about lying real close to each other.
...
It seemed as though we were going along leisurely at about the same rate that Alan might be pulling a cart down the sidewalk with no particular destination in mind. Yet the train must have been going about 60 miles an hour in order to get there in eight hours.
Fine day to start out our honeymoon. Warm and sunny all day long. Our destination is the Adirondacks - no special place in particular - except to be able to give vent to desire to see the massive wooded hills again. There is something attractive about the mountains. Even after having been here several times before, I return again in preference to going to a place where I have never been before.
Such an unpardonable error, for now we are two - Ruth and Leo. The word "I" must be cast into oblivion.
Such joy I never again expect to experience, as when I looked on her pretty head resting deep in the pillow. On that pillow too, I could rest my head right next to hers.
There is the word "I" again, but I am sure that word speaks for the both of us. Whatever joy was mine, was also hers. Our joys bound right back from one to the other, just as light does from two mirrors facing each other.
They raised six children together, my grandmother home taking care of the children, my grandfather working as a chemist for Kodak.
He loved photography and nature and especially mushrooms. He was a noted mushroom expert in the Rochester area and would be called upon to identify possibly poisonous mushrooms or even to discuss mushroom poisoning incidents on television as he did in 1995 - and recorded the event for several journals (second section).
When my daughter was born he sent a letter telling us what he was doing as they awaited news of her birth
We got this message [that I was at the hospital] just before we left for the 9:30 Mass at St. Charles. This is quite a struggle for us during the winter. I have to get out of our house through the back door on my butt and then get into the wheelchair and let Ruth push me to the car in the garage. Luckily I do not have any trouble driving [yeah, that raised my eyebrows too]
He loved to make jams and jellies and would invite all of his local great-grandchildren over in the spring and they would make raspberry jam from the raspberries growing in the backyard.
He had a recipe for Hot Pepper Jam that showed his scientific side:
4 lb sweet peppers
4 lb hot peppers
1 lemon
6 c vinegar
5 lb sugar
2 pkg (1 3/4 oz each) Sure Jel
I prefer red over green pepers - better flavor and more appealing color. These are available in late Sept and early Oct. at the Publbic market.
Quarter the sweet peppers and remove stem and seeds. Cut tops off red peppers and leave sees in. Quarter the lemon and use it all. Put peppers and lemon through coarse food chopper. Some juice may run out; catch it and add it to the ground mix. Place in a large pan or kettle with a heavy bottom.
Add vinegar and bring to a boil.
Add sugar and bring to a boil
Add Sure-jel and bring to boil (about 102 degrees C or 217 degrees F) and continue to boil until the thermometer reaches 104 degrees C or 220 degrees F while stirring. It is important to stir occasionally at the beginning and more often near the end. If you don't it might stick to the bottom or boil over and make a mess you will never forget. This will take about an hour, depending on the heat setting.
At this point put a test portion in a small container (bottle cap or milk carton cap) and cool it in the refrigerator. If it is too runny when chilled, boil it a little longer. With practice you can tell by the consistency when it has been boiled down enough.
Pour into sterilized jelly jars and cover with melted paraffin wax. If the jars have screw caps and take dome lids, wax is not necessary.
You will love it or hate it. You can adjust the "hotness" by varying the amounts of sweet and green peppers. You might want to use half or quarter of the above amounts for a first trial, but if you like it make a big batch and give some to your friends.
He was always ready to share his knowledge with anyone who was interested. Here he shows my cousin Jodie how to use a sliderule. Ten-month-old Pippi looks on, figuring this may be important someday.
For more great pictures go to my mom's blog Morning Glory Alley.
Happy Birthday, Grandpa.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool is imminent ruin. (Proverbs 10:14)
Monday, February 02, 2009
Winning isn't Everything
...but it sure would be nice now and then.
Sure we all saw the Cardinals almost pull a victory out of last night's Superbowl and the Steelers rallied back. An awesome few minutes of sports. We cheered for the Steelers, we felt bad for the Cardinals. But hey, even though the Cardinals didn't win the Superbowl - they got there. That means they won a lot.
Now - to this year's township basketball season. There are four teams in the minor boys division. There are about a dozen games. We're more than half way through the season and Harry's team hasn't won a game yet.
Oh, we've come close. There have been times when we were ahead by a few points. But the other team always ends up ahead at the final buzzer. Usually by about three points. Sometimes only by one.
It's hard to watch your kid's team lose all the time. You want them to win. At least once in awhile. Everyone likes to win.
And there's still more games. Maybe Saturday will be our lucky day!
Sure we all saw the Cardinals almost pull a victory out of last night's Superbowl and the Steelers rallied back. An awesome few minutes of sports. We cheered for the Steelers, we felt bad for the Cardinals. But hey, even though the Cardinals didn't win the Superbowl - they got there. That means they won a lot.
Now - to this year's township basketball season. There are four teams in the minor boys division. There are about a dozen games. We're more than half way through the season and Harry's team hasn't won a game yet.
Oh, we've come close. There have been times when we were ahead by a few points. But the other team always ends up ahead at the final buzzer. Usually by about three points. Sometimes only by one.
It's hard to watch your kid's team lose all the time. You want them to win. At least once in awhile. Everyone likes to win.
And there's still more games. Maybe Saturday will be our lucky day!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Musical Interlude
Harry's downstairs doing something on the computer and singing (repeatedly) at the top of his lungs in good old opera style:
His sister is upstairs saying "I don't know what you mean."
Life is like a love song
If you know what I mean
His sister is upstairs saying "I don't know what you mean."
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
On the lips of the intelligent is found wisdom, (but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence). (Proverbs 10:13)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Dream Planning
And I don't mean like your goals and aspirations. I mean dreams. You know those crazy picture shows in your head at night.
Ever since I was little I've determined that if you think of something while falling asleep you will dream about it.
I've used this time to plan the perfect bedroom for myself as a teen (I remember lots of blue, steps, a loft, a private bathroom and a balcony), to imagine TV shows with me as an added character (I had lots of great Charlie's Angels plots where I could play the role of Sabrina's [made up] younger sister Jamie) and of course to figure out story ideas.
Story ideas are the things I've stuck with the most. After awhile it gets boring to plan a room you'll never actually have - and I grew out of the idea of wanting to be on Charlie's Angels, but I still need to plan out stories.
Before I fall asleep I'll let a troublesome scene run itself over in my mind. I can get great dialogue this way - the key is to remember it in the morning.
Now - the big question: does thinking about something before you fall asleep make you dream it. It hasn't worked for me yet.
And last night I dreamt that a Revolutionary War battle was going to be fought outside our house and we were watching through the windows waiting for people to arrive. When the soldiers in their red and blue coats showed up we went into town to get out of the way. The whole time I was very concerned about backing up my computer. And when we got back, and the soldiers were gone, I was mighty upset they had put holes in our new screen door.
Yeah - I didn't think about any of that before falling asleep.
Ever since I was little I've determined that if you think of something while falling asleep you will dream about it.
I've used this time to plan the perfect bedroom for myself as a teen (I remember lots of blue, steps, a loft, a private bathroom and a balcony), to imagine TV shows with me as an added character (I had lots of great Charlie's Angels plots where I could play the role of Sabrina's [made up] younger sister Jamie) and of course to figure out story ideas.
Story ideas are the things I've stuck with the most. After awhile it gets boring to plan a room you'll never actually have - and I grew out of the idea of wanting to be on Charlie's Angels, but I still need to plan out stories.
Before I fall asleep I'll let a troublesome scene run itself over in my mind. I can get great dialogue this way - the key is to remember it in the morning.
Now - the big question: does thinking about something before you fall asleep make you dream it. It hasn't worked for me yet.
And last night I dreamt that a Revolutionary War battle was going to be fought outside our house and we were watching through the windows waiting for people to arrive. When the soldiers in their red and blue coats showed up we went into town to get out of the way. The whole time I was very concerned about backing up my computer. And when we got back, and the soldiers were gone, I was mighty upset they had put holes in our new screen door.
Yeah - I didn't think about any of that before falling asleep.
Okay then...
I told my son to get in the shower.
He told me he wanted to finish reading the Declaration of Independence first.
Who am I to say no to that?
He told me he wanted to finish reading the Declaration of Independence first.
Who am I to say no to that?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Poetry Friday
I've decided to post the poem for Poetry Friday over at my writing blog, Simply Put. Go check it out for a wonderful new poem by Pippi.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Shopping Lists...
...are apparently just suggestions to me.
I put five things on a shopping list today.
Five.
While at the store I took the list out of my pocket to make sure I didn't forget anything. I got a few things that were on the list and a few things that weren't.
I double checked the list and made note of the things I hadn't picked up yet.
I finished my shopping, came home, put the things away.
And then a few hours later I opened the bathroom cupboard and remembered I needed Dixie cups. And they were on my list. And I didn't buy them.
Sigh.
I put five things on a shopping list today.
Five.
While at the store I took the list out of my pocket to make sure I didn't forget anything. I got a few things that were on the list and a few things that weren't.
I double checked the list and made note of the things I hadn't picked up yet.
I finished my shopping, came home, put the things away.
And then a few hours later I opened the bathroom cupboard and remembered I needed Dixie cups. And they were on my list. And I didn't buy them.
Sigh.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
A fountain of life is the mouth of the just, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (Proverbs 10:11)
Finished
Now I can get on with the rest of my life.
*and it doesn't usually take me this long to finish a puzzle, but I wasn't able to work on it last week.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
She Has a New Book Boyfriend
It took less than one chapter for Pippi to fall in love with Edward Cullen in Twilight.
Her friends have been bugging her to read Twilight for over a year now. She resisted, saying that vampire love stories weren't really her thing.
Then she made a deal with one of her friends. If N would read the Percy Jackson series, then Pippi would read Twilight.
She came home from school on Thursday and said she was going to read Twilight, because N had gotten the first Percy Jackson book out of the library.
So the next day, while doing some birthday shopping for Pippi, I picked up Twilight (our first stop would normally be the library, but with renewed interest from the movie, the books were all out with waiting lists. I gave her the book on Friday (early for her birthday, but figured she could read it over the weekend.)
And by the time she had finished the first chapter she told me she had a new book boyfriend.
She plans to finish the book today (she would have finished it already if we hadn't had a baby shower to go yesterday, and a school dance Friday night.)
I guess I better finally read this book and see who exactly it is my daughter has fallen in love with.
Her friends have been bugging her to read Twilight for over a year now. She resisted, saying that vampire love stories weren't really her thing.
Then she made a deal with one of her friends. If N would read the Percy Jackson series, then Pippi would read Twilight.
She came home from school on Thursday and said she was going to read Twilight, because N had gotten the first Percy Jackson book out of the library.
So the next day, while doing some birthday shopping for Pippi, I picked up Twilight (our first stop would normally be the library, but with renewed interest from the movie, the books were all out with waiting lists. I gave her the book on Friday (early for her birthday, but figured she could read it over the weekend.)
And by the time she had finished the first chapter she told me she had a new book boyfriend.
She plans to finish the book today (she would have finished it already if we hadn't had a baby shower to go yesterday, and a school dance Friday night.)
I guess I better finally read this book and see who exactly it is my daughter has fallen in love with.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Tuesday's Proverb
He who winks at a fault causes trouble, but he who frankly reproves promotes peace. (Proverbs 10:10)
Monday, January 05, 2009
Puzzle Progress
Blogging has been light - as well as everything else I probably should be doing - because what I've been working on is the puzzle that Pippi gave me for Christmas. Making progress. But I still have a way to go. Sorry the picture is a bit blurry. If you want to see what it is supposed to look like when it's done- go here.
Brew Masters
While Pippi and I were out attending a baby shower, my guys were home with their brewing kits. Mr. Beer and Mr. Root Beer. Looks like we have some good drinking ahead of us - for everyone!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
New Year's Traditions
Or - of radishes and bananas
Once upon a time our family moved away from some dear friends. Several months later, one of the friends invited us back for dinner on New Year's Day. The other family was there as well.
Every year since the three families have gotten together for dinner on New Year's Day (or reasonably close to it).
That first year was 1976.
Not everyone can be there every year. But every year each family is represented by at least one member.
And we give gifts. This started naturally enough, because we were good friends getting together shortly after Christmas. The gifts are simple things - but there s always something else.
It's hard to explain exactly how it all started (and it's been tried: each time someone marries into one of the families and wonders why everyone is so excited about radishes and bananas)
I believe my father complained there weren't enough radishes in the salad that first year and every year since he has been presented with radishes as a gift. Sometimes they are artfully arranged, as in the time they were made into "Radish Man", other times, it's simply a bag of radishes.
Rocky gets hot peppers every year - and I'm honestly not sure why - I'm sure someone knows.
My mother always gives the two other families something to do with bananas. And this stems from a trip to Long Beach Island many years ago - when we were all together and my mother spent the time trying to get someone to eat bananas - since she had them and didn't want them to go bad. We started calling her a banana pusher. She took the calling seriously and every year bananas are part of the gift.
Salt is also a traditional gift. Since Dad and Ray love their boats - they're just a couple of 'old salts'.
So every year the New Year is celebrated with good friends and radishes, bananas, peppers and salt. Could you ask for anything more?
Oh yes - this year the boys sang some karaoke as well!
Happy New Year
Here's wishing a wonderful 2009 to one and all.
Last night we had a fun-filled New Year's Eve at home. For dinner we used the fondue pot and got to cook our own dinners - chicken, hot dogs, broccoli, carrots and cheese, dipped in a tempura batter and deep-fried.
Then we had a rousing game of Apples to Apples (best family game ever).
Followed by watching Heidi on DVD.
The movie wasn't quite over yet at midnight, so we switched to regular TV for a couple of minutes to watch the ball drop in Times Square, wished each other a happy new year, watched the rest of the movie and off to bed.
Today we're off to our traditional New Year's Gathering with family and friends.
More about that later (and if you're good I'll explain the odd tradition we have involving radishes, bananas, hot peppers and salt - I know you're dying to know)
Happy New Year everyone!
Last night we had a fun-filled New Year's Eve at home. For dinner we used the fondue pot and got to cook our own dinners - chicken, hot dogs, broccoli, carrots and cheese, dipped in a tempura batter and deep-fried.
Then we had a rousing game of Apples to Apples (best family game ever).
Followed by watching Heidi on DVD.
The movie wasn't quite over yet at midnight, so we switched to regular TV for a couple of minutes to watch the ball drop in Times Square, wished each other a happy new year, watched the rest of the movie and off to bed.
Today we're off to our traditional New Year's Gathering with family and friends.
More about that later (and if you're good I'll explain the odd tradition we have involving radishes, bananas, hot peppers and salt - I know you're dying to know)
Happy New Year everyone!
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