Even More Movies

Yesterday when I composed my list of interesting current and upcoming films, I neglected to include these:

Facing the Giants
One Night with the King
The Last Sin Eater
Thr3e

All trailers are linked from Movies.com or the specific movie website.

More Movies of Interest

Besides, Amazing Grace, several other current and upcoming films look promising. Check them out, if you wish, by following these links. See you at the movies!

The Astronaut Farmer
God Grew Tired of Us
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Last King of Scotland
Letters from Iwo Jima
Miss Potter
The Painted Veil
Premonition
The Queen
The Wind That Shakes the Barley

All trailers are linked from Movies.com.

Amazing Grace --- The Movie

In stark contrast to the previous post regarding the disrespectful behavior of some individuals who wanted to be heard (see Capitol Graffiti), check out this movie about William Wilberforce. At age 21, he became a member of the British Parliament and worked tirelessly for the abolition of slavery. Talk about using your freedom of speech responsibly! The film, entitled Amazing Grace, is from Bristol Bay Productions and is scheduled for release on February 23rd.

Parents and teachers, check out the official movie website for an extensive collection of educational materials that can be used in conjunction with the film. Movie buffs may want to visit the movie blog as well.

To watch the film trailer, click here.

Capitol Graffiti!!!???

Every once in a while, the Plush Duck finds something that irritates her enough to squawk from her homemade soap box, but this report put me over my little ducky edge.

This morning, I was surfing through my standard online news sites and blogs when I came across this article on The Hill, written by Jackie Kucinich. I read it over several times because I just couldn’t believe my eyes. The opening words were especially irritating:

Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of the west front steps of the United States Capitol building after police were ordered to break their security line by their leadership.

OK, as an ordinary citizen who did not witness this event, I have a limited amount of information about what occurred. On the other hand, I am a retired military wife whose husband still works in the defense industry. That alone gives me more than a cursory understanding of security issues. In addition, having studied Political Science, I have a slightly better than average understanding of how my government actually operates. Shocking though it may be, folks, our democratic republic is a bit more complex than Schoolhouse Rock would lead you to believe, a point that (I think) is lost on those spray can-wielding Anarchists. But I digress…

Two problems I can see, as reported in that ONE sentence:

First, the protesters were ALLOWED to spray paint the Capitol steps. Excuse me!? No one should be “allowed” to engage in illegal behavior. Last time I checked my local New England laws and ordinances, defacing public property was a crime! Adults and teenagers in my small county are prosecuted for spray painting stop signs. I can only imagine what the legal community would do to them if they defaced a national monument like the United States Capitol building. Big clue for the police leadership: in the hierarchy of public property, a traffic sign and a national monument are NOT the same thing. The latter is subject to a much higher level of respect! At least, it should be!

Second, the frontline POLICE officials were ordered, by their LEADERSHIP, to break their security line. Notice the two words emphasized in the previous sentence: police and leadership. The first is defined as a law “enforcement” official; the second can be defined as one who takes command of a situation or crisis. Were the laws enforced during this incident? Obviously not, if Anarchists committed a crime under the watchful eye of the police. Did anyone take command of the situation so that the appropriate laws were enforced? Again, doesn’t look like it if Anarchists, people opposed to the good order and discipline required for civilized society, committed a crime while the police watched from the sidelines. Granted, the police officials in attendance were probably very busy keeping the other protesters in line. After all, a small group of over-the-top protesters, like those wielding spray cans, can push a larger group of relatively calm demonstrators over the edge. That’s how riots begin, for heaven’s sake. Still, why take that risk to ensure freedom of speech for those who clearly don’t understand how to use that freedom responsibly and who, as Anarchists, are entirely opposed to the foundational underpinnings of the democratic republic that gives them that freedom?

No. The police leadership in attendance should have held their security line and dispatched a small contingent of police officers to arrest the criminals who defaced MY Capitol building. It is after all, in the words of those Anarchists, “our Capitol building.” As one of the people who assume possession of “our building,” I am offended by your graffiti and I believe you should be prosecuted for defacing a national monument. I am also dismayed that the police chose to back down in the face of this confrontation. Poor form all around, folks. Very poor form, indeed.

Accountability Update NOV/DEC 2006

If you are new to Gooseberry Lane, Accountability Updates track my progress in achieving two goals in my life: reducing the amount of time it takes to finish organizational/remodeling projects in my home and reducing the amount of money my household spends on restaurant expenditures (see Restaurant Addiction). The rating scale for these updates is as follows:

1: Failed miserably. No progress whatsoever.
2: Tried, but couldn’t do it. No significant progress.
3: Making progress. Halfway there.
4: Came close. More effort needed.
5: Did it! All goals met.

Today, I look back at November and December 2006 to evaluate my progress. In the months where I marked the first anniversaries of my father’s passing and the death of my daughter’s Sunday School classmate, the return of my darling husband from eight weeks of work travel, and the craziness of the holiday season, I had some challenging “mood days” to overcome. Unfortunately, those days usually meant less progress around the house and greater restaurant temptations. November was worse than December but, thankfully, I made it through both. God is surely faithful.

HOME ORGANIZATION
Overall rating: 1

Rather than working on any home organization projects, November and December were focused on preparing for the holidays. I managed to have most of the gift shopping finished before Thanksgiving. Good thing, too, as I fell ill with a nasty upper respiratory infection that zapped every ounce of physical and mental energy I had. With the help of others, I managed to get the tree decorated, the gifts purchased, and Christmas dinner on the table, though. It wasn’t fancy, but it got done.

Seeing as my plan for November included clearing the kitchen table, devising a maintenance plan to keep the table clear, and refinishing the chalkboard, I must say I failed miserably. Maybe I shouldn’t have planned anything since Christmas preparations around here begin in earnest around Halloween. Lesson learned for next year.

RESTAURANT EXPENDITURES
Overall rating: 2

Both November and December saw travel expenses from King Richard. He jaunted off to Virginia and Washington, the former for a few months, the latter for a few days. Of course, when that happens, I am always tempted to eat out. It provides social time, it reduces my workload, and it keeps me from eating leftover tuna casserole for eight days straight. December was lower, not because of discipline and self-control on my part, but because the entire household was ill the aforementioned upper respiratory infection and was couldn’t go out. Anyway, the final numbers for the latter half of 2006 are as follows:

November 2006: $1041.81
December 2006: $776.56

Amazingly enough, even with these ridiculous statistics, my household paid for Christmas out of cash flow alone. No credit cards needed.

I had no plans for January in either category, but watch for the update sometime next week. I will try to be prompt with it this year.

Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. --- Proverbs 16:3 NASB

I Thought I Was A Lutheran

Can you tell I am cleaning out my online mailbox today?

I found this article from The Barna Group, which was sent to me as an Update in November 2006. The part I found interesting was in the “research details,” where they described/defined the various groups who were included in the study:

“Born again Christians” are defined as people who said they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today and who also indicated they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Respondents are not asked to describe themselves as “born again.”

“Evangelicals” meet the born again criteria (described above) plus seven other conditions. Those include saying their faith is very important in their life today; believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believing that Satan exists; believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; asserting that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches; and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today. Being classified as an evangelical is not dependent upon church attendance or the denominational affiliation of the church attended. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as “evangelical.”

According to these definitions, I would have to classify myself as an evangelical (gasp!). And all this time I thought I was just a Lutheran.

More Homeschool Persecution

For all those American parents who see homeschooling as “just another educational option,” be warned that it is much, much more. It is a commitment that, in years past, carried the threat of imprisonment in the United States and still carries that threat in other countries. I provide this news article from Brussels, Belgium (June 2006) as a case in point:

BRUSSELS, June 15, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Paul Belien predicted in May of this year that he would be under a legal assault from the extreme left Belgian ruling party. Now Belien is indeed being prosecuted by the Belgian government, for the “crime” of homeschooling his children.

His wife, Alexandra Colen writing in Brussels Journal said her husband was questioned by Brussels police on Wednesday. He was told that his offence was homeschooling his five children, four of whom are now in university.

Colen said her husband was told that, as a homeschooler, Belien had “not adequately educated his children,” which constitutes the criminal offence of “neglect of parental duties.” The order to arrest Paul Belien came from the Ministry of Education, who instructed police to take down his statement for evidence.

Belien is a lawyer and has written for a number of influential journals before founding Brussels Journal. Alexandra Colen, a Member of Parliament who holds advanced degrees in philosophy and linguistics, gave up an academic career to be a full time mother and homeschooler.

The family is among a rapidly growing number of Belgian families who have removed their children from the government-run schools, where drugs and violence are rampant and, Colen says, children are indoctrinated in socialism.

To read the full article, click here.

Physical Stewardship Goals

This Sunday past (1/21/07), we had our first 2007 intergenerational seminar at church. I love these discussion sessions because they foster relationships between the youth and the adults in our congregation. The fact that Christ Lutheran makes a point of holding these meetings at least four times a year was key in my decision to begin attending the church. But I digress...

The topic of the January seminar was “Taking Care of Your Life.” The Christian Education Director chose this subject to coincide with the fact that, on the 2007 Missouri Synod Lutheran Church calendar, January 21st was “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.” Apparently, this event is observed annually on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. The Missouri Synod Lutheran Church is opposed to this practice, as evidenced by the following quote from their website:

God’s Fifth Commandment is clear, “Your shall not murder.” This means, in the words of the Small Catechism, that “we should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.” God forbids us to take the life of another person, and this most certainly includes abortion. God’s Word also says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5). Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

But, again, I digress...

The point of the seminar was to discuss what Scripture has to say about our lives and about how we should care for ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. These are the verses we examined, along with my responses/reactions:

Our Lord Jesus Christ has power over everything, and he will make these poor bodies of ours like his own glorious body. Philippians 3:21 (CEV)

I like this promise. It assures me that God will eventually take away my earthly body and give me a new and improved version that does not deteriorate. How cool is that?! No more aches and pains. No more astigmatism. No more scoliosis. Thank you very much, I will take this offer.

You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NASB)

Ok, this is the convicting verse for me. If my body is the temple where the Holy Spirit lives, I am astonished he hasn’t been more vocal about a redecorating plan. Maybe he has been vocal and I just ignored him ... ALOT! The fact that I am 25 pounds overweight and exercise less than most people on the planet certainly begs for a new course of action in the physical fitness/nutrition area.

Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path. Don’t be a heavy drinker or stuff yourself with food. It will make you feel drowsy and you will end up poor with only rags to wear. Proverbs 23:19-21 (CEV)

So, what is the “right” path? The verse makes it pretty clear --- don’t drink heavily or eat too much. Well, I don’t drink much at all, so I guess I am alright in that department. I have been eating less recently as well, especially since my daughter lost over fifteen pounds just by focusing on appropriate portion sizes and by eliminating soda. Of course, I could definitely improve. I have also noticed that when I do eat a healthy diet, full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, I feel great. On the other hand, when I eat several heavy meals in a row, I feel lethargic. Amazing how Scripture proves itself true.

As the saying goes, “Exercise is good for your body, but religion helps you in every way. It promises life now and forever.” These words are worthwhile and should not be forgotten. 1 Timothy 4:8 (CEV)

The first part of this verse is pretty obvious. Years of scientific research have proven again and again that a balanced exercise routine is healthy for anyone, especially if that routine includes aerobic, flexibility, and strength training. The second part of the verse tells me that as focused as I may be on getting physically fit, I should be just as focused on getting spiritually fit.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NASB)

At this point, the seminar discussion focused on strategies for promoting emotional wellness, recommendations like:

- maintain a balanced lifestyle
- eat a healthy diet, exercise, and minimize stress
- relax and have fun
- develop coping mechanisms
- utilize a support network
- ask for help
- remember that you are not alone

This last suggestion was accompanied by an astounding statistic: 48 million people made office-based appointments for mental health services in 2004. Amazingly enough, many professionals believe this number underrepresents the actual need for those same services.

Having dealt with anorexia, cancer, and the death of a parent (among other challenges) so far in my forty-five years of life, I agree with all the strategies listed above. However, I would add one more that, I believe, is crucial: abide in God’s word. It keeps everything else in perspective.

So, after attending this seminar and meditating on these verses, I have devised some physical stewardship goals for 2007. My overarching goal is to become more fit but, in the words of Miss Tiffany (my Christian Education Director), I need to set SMART goals as well (SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Tangible). These are my SMART goals for physical stewardship:

- to exercise at least 15 minutes per day
- to lose 10 pounds
- to eat a more varied and nutritious selection of food
- to eat out less frequently
- to reduce my stress level
- to undergo a physical examination with all appropriate cancer screenings

Of course, it goes without saying that I need to commit these plans to the Lord so they will be established.

This was the verse that ended our discussion. It is my prayer for you. Go, be fit, and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 (NASB)

No More Complaints

Yesterday I was complaining a bit about how cold it was here in my part of New England. After all, I had been spoiled with 50ºF and 60ºF temperatures for most of December. Well, right on cue (as usual) the Lord gave me a “perspective check.” My husband forwarded this photo from his online mailbox. Needless to say, I stopped complaining pretty quickly (at least about the cold weather). Have a great Saturday!

Australia Day!

G’day, mate. In honor of my friend, Koalagirl15, I would like to announce that today is Australia Day. Even though I am certain this has been listed on every calendar I have ever owned, I only found out about it yesterday --- when Koalagirl15 invited me to an Australia Day dinner. Yep, I really am that slow. :-)

The menu for this yummy feast was as follows:

- meat pies (with catsup)
- sausage rolls
- coconut shrimp (with mango chutney/dip)
- tomato-onion casserole
- Pavlova with fresh fruit
- Australian wine

The wine was very good, but strong. It hit me a little harder than I expected. The shrimp was quite tasty as well; and the Pavlova was wonderful: light and sweet with a beautiful collection of kiwis, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries on top. I wonder just how many calories were hidden in that meringue, though, because I gained a pound overnight. :-)

If you would like to learn more about this Australian national holiday, visit the official Australia Day website. Hooroo!

The Rudolph Club --- JAN 2007

Organized Christmas.com, one of my favorite holiday preparation websites, has a novel page for those of us who like to break our Christmas preparations into manageable pieces throughout the entire year. It is called the Rudolph Club and, on the 25th day of each month, it presents an “assignment,” a simple task(s) to be completed during the next month that will put you on the road to a well-planned holiday season with plenty of time to spare.

I skimmed this page occasionally in the past, wondering if it would be worthwhile. In the back of my mind, though, I thought it would either take all the enjoyment out of the actual Christmas season if I expended too much effort planning for it so far ahead, or I would lose interest. Yet, despite these misgivings, I decided to give it a go for 2007. What is the worst that could happen? My state of Christmas organization remains exactly the same. Sounds like a win-win scenario to me: a) I lose nothing in the way of preparedness, or b) I have the best Christmas ever. I am praying for option (b).

JANUARY ASSIGNMENT #1: Tie Up Loose Ends!
- check for truant decorations
- inspect the laundry room for Christmas table linen, towels, etc.
- inventory the Christmas china & locate any stragglers
- look for errant holiday hardware (e.g., replacement light bulbs, etc.)
- gather holiday gift wrap & craft supplies

Store all these items in their proper place, or create a Loose Ends Box in which to put them until October when early Christmas planning begins in earnest.

JANUARY ASSIGNMENT #2: Set Up A Gift Closet
- create a dedicated storage space for early gift purchases
- make certain the space is accessible
- set up and keep a gift closet inventory

FRUGAL GIFT IDEA: Holiday Socks
Throughout the year, purchase holiday-themed socks on clearance --- Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc. --- for a sock box. Come December, you will have a colorful assortment of footwear fun that is certain to be a hit with any little girl (or grown woman, for that matter).

HOLIDAY BOOKS & MOVIES
Each month on the Rudolph Club page, members list a holiday book and film for viewing/discussion during the following month. The February selections are:

Book: Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
Film: The Twelve Days of Christmas Eve

Wish me Godspeed! See you on February 25th.

Hometown Hero

A while back, I posted a blog entry about a gentleman in my hometown who believes he has discovered the cause of gravity (see Cause of Gravity in My Hometown?!). Now I would like to introduce you to another local individual, seventeen-year-old Nick Graham. Still in high school, Mr. Graham attends class by day and works in his grocery store by night. That’s right, HIS grocery store. Nick Graham purchased the Main Street Market in Truman, Minnesota last year. When the former grocery store closed and residents of this small hamlet (population 1259*) were faced with driving out-of-town for foodstuffs, Mr. Graham made the command decision to become a businessman. With $10,000 in hand, money he earned and saved by working on his uncle’s turkey farm, Nick put a down payment on the establishment and reopened the only grocery store in town. Surprisingly, Mr. Graham claims he never went grocery shopping before becoming a grocer. Go figure.

Why did he do it?

“This community has been struggling for the past few years. It’s kind of been in a downward spiral and I didn’t want to see that continue,” Nick told a reporter for CBS News. “I’m here because this community needs me to be here.”

It brings tears to my eyes to know that my hometown and the community of Truman are still turning out people like Nick Graham, individuals who will stay in those small communities and contribute in such a purposeful way to the lives of others.

To view a video clip of the CBS News article about Mr. Graham and his Main Street Market, click here.

Note: I am very familiar with Truman, Minnesota, having grown up just a few miles down the road. My sister also works in the community. My father was resident of the Lutheran Retirement Home there before his death in November 2005.

* 2000 census data

Jeans Math & A Confession

Today, I am catching up on laundry. Since it is Wednesday, I started with the jeans. I have this ridiculous, Monk-like schedule for dirty clothes. It looks like this:

Monday: whites (and some bedsheets, if time permits)
Tuesday: darks and colors (plus bedsheets, time permitting)
Wednesday: jeans
Thursday: whites
Friday: darks and colors
Saturday: jeans
Sunday: catch up, delicates, sweaters, etc.

So far, I have two loads in process, one in the dryer and one in the washer. I think that will just about finish the job for the day, unless my husband comes home from work with another pair of dirty denims.

Speaking of my husband, the love-of-my-life, the fixer-of-all-things-broken-in-my-home, and Subaru mechanic extraordinaire, he owns 15 pairs of jeans. I know this because my daughter and I added them up this morning:

9 pairs in the armoire
1 pair on his person
5 pairs in the laundry
15 pairs of jeans

This statistic is even more amusing when you consider that King Richard recently stated his need for even more jeans.

Huh?

Total number of jeans owned by Katherine the Great: 3 pairs
Total number of jeans owned by the Plush Duck: 2 pairs.

So much for “jeans math.”

Note: Before King Richard sends a comment divulging my deep, dark secret, I have a confession to make: my laundry is at least two weeks behind. What can I say? I hate housework.

Homeschooling Is Backward?

I found this comment on Stateline.org in response to an article from April 2005 that covered challenges to No Child Left Behind:

I think the government and the parents of our children both need to look at their priorities or we will be going backward in time to home-schooling for everyone or private schools.

So, to choose homeschooling over a public school education, or even a private school education, is going back in time? Talk about chronological snobbery!!! According to the author of this comment, you would think that the quality of education in our past was somehow deficient. I am certain that is why homeschooling, mentor schooling, apprenticeships, and private educational institutions turned out the intellectual giants listed below (taken from Christian Homeschoolers.com). Without some of these people, their brilliant minds, and their capacity for service and community contribution, the world within which we live would look very different and many of the freedoms, modern conveniences, and social services that we take for granted would be non-existent.

I am going to assume that what the author really meant to say was: in the past, access to a high-quality education was limited to those who were able to teach themselves or their own children, or who were wealthy enough to hire private tutors or send their children to private schools.

FAMOUS HOMESCHOOLERS

Artists
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Claude Money
- Andrew Wyeth

Composers
- Irving Berlin
- Anton Bruckner
- Felix Mendelssohn
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Educators
- Frederick Terman (President, Stanford University)
- William Samuel Johnson (President, Columbia University)
- Frank Vandiver (President, Texas A&M University
- John Witherspoon (President, Princeton University)

Generals
- Stonewall Jackson
- Robert E. Lee
- Douglas MacArthur
- George Patton

Inventors
- Alexander Graham Bell
- Thomas Edison
- Orville & Wilbur Wright

Presidents
- George Washington
- Thomas Jefferson
- James Madison
- John Quincy Adams
- William Henry Harrison
- John Tyler
- Abraham Lincoln
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
- Woodrow Wilson

Preachers & Religious Leaders
- Moses
- John the Baptist
- Joan of Arc
- William Cary
- Philip Melanchthon
- Jonathan Edwards
- Dwight L. Moody
- John Newton
- John Owen
- Charles Wesley
- John Wesley
- Brigham Young

Scientists
- George Washington Carver
- Pierre Curie
- Albert Einstein
- Blaise Pascal
- Booker T. Washington

Statesmen
- Winston Churchill
- Benjamin Franklin
- Patrick Henry
- William Penn
- Henry Clay

U.S. Supreme Court Justices
- John Jay
- John Marshall
- John Rutledge
- Sandra Day O’Connor

Writers
- Hans Christian Andersen
- Pearl S. Buck
- Agatha Christie
- Charles Dickens
- C.S. Lewis
- George Bernard Shaw
- Mark Twain
- Daniel Webster
- Phillis Wheatley

Constitutional Convention Delegates
- Richard Basset (Governor, Delaware)
- William Blunt (U.S. Senator)
- George Clymer (U.S. Representative)
- William Few (U.S. Senator)
- Benjamin Franklin (Inventor & Statesman)
- William Houston (Lawyer)
- William S. Johnson (President, Colombia University)
- William Livingston (Governor, New Jersey)
- James Madison (President of United States, 1809-1817)
- George Mason
- John Francis Mercer (U.S. Representative)
- Charles Pickney III (Governor, South Carolina)
- John Rutledge (Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court)
- Richard D. Spaight (Governor, North Carolina)
- George Washington (President of United States, 1789-1797)
- John Witherspoon (President, Princeton University)
- George Wythe (Justice, Virginia High Court)

Others
- Abigail Adams (Wife, John Adams)
- Ansel Adams (Photographer)
- Clara Barton (Founder, Red Cross)
- John Burroughs (Naturalist)
- Andrew Carnegie (Industrialist)
- Charlie Chaplin (Actor)
- George Rogers Clark (Explorer)
- Noel Coward (Playwright)
- John Paul Jones (Father of American Navy)
- Tamara McKinney (World Cup Skier)
- John Stuart Mill (Economist)
- Charles Louis Montesquieu (Philosopher)
- Florence Nightingale (Nurse)
- Sally Ride (Astronaut)
- Bill Ridell (Newspaperman)
- Will Rogers (Humorist)
- Albert Schweitzer (Physician)
- Leo Tolstoy
- Martha Washington (Wife, George Washington)

The Patriots Lost!

The New England Patriots lost their championship game. Being a Minnesota Vikings fan since my youth, I am not crushed by this news. However, I do know people that are probably having a tough time getting out of bed this morning. After four years on top of the AFC East and three Super Bowl wins since 2000, the Patriots now have the opportunity to practice humility, something all of us need occasionally.

I read in the newspaper that Super Bowl XLI will be the first time two African-American coaches will be on the sidelines. Interesting statistic. I do plan to watch the game, although I am unsure whom to support. As a Vikings fan, I am (by definition) NOT a Bears fan. I guess that leaves the Indianapolis Colts.

See you at the game!

Pats Out of Luck
The Catch That Flipped the Game
History Times Two

Possible Education Changes?

A recent article in the Hartford Courant states that, in his job application, the new Connecticut Commissioner of Education, Mark K. McQuillan, laid out his policy priorities for the schools in our state: the expansion of preschool education, an effort to recruit highly-trained teachers, a longer school day, and a longer school year. He also stated in a news conference that he favors a graduation exit exam for all students.

Is this a warning shot across the bow that Mr. McQuillan is anxious to make Connecticut look like his old stomping grounds --- Massachusetts? We shall see.

Requirements Compared

With the advent of a new Commissioner of Education here in Connecticut, a commissioner who is from Massachusetts, I thought it prudent to compare the homeschooling requirements in each state. All information is from the Home School Legal Defense Association.

CONNECTICUT

Compulsory school age: Five years of age and over and under eighteen years of age. Five and six-year-olds can opt out when the parent goes to the school district and signs an opt-out form.

Legal Option: Establish and operate a home school.

Attendance: Generally, 180 days per year.

Qualifications: None.

Notice: None, but parents may voluntarily comply with State Department of Education guidelines by filing a “Notice of Intent” form with the local superintendent within 10 days of the start of home school.

Recordkeeping: The guidelines require that parents maintain a portfolio indicating that instruction has been given.

Testing: None.

Subjects: Reading, writing, spelling, English, grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history and citizenship (including a study of the town, state, & federal governments).

Practically speaking, this means that homeschoolers in Connecticut with children ages 5-18 can file a Notice of Intent form and attend a portfolio review at the end of the academic year. However, this procedure is completely voluntary. Of course, some school districts in the state view these two actions as “required” so, in an effort to foster goodwill between homeschoolers and public school officials, HSLDA recommends that Connecticut home educators file Notices of Intent and attend portfolio reviews. Pretty simple and straightforward, with little or no impact on my freedom to make educational decisions for my child.

MASSACHUSETTS

Compulsory school age: Six to sixteen years of age. Child must be six by December 31st of that school year.

Legal Option: Establish and operate a home school as approved in advance by the local school committee or superintendent.

Attendance: None specified, though 900 hours at elementary level & 990 hours at secondary level are expected.

Qualifications: None.

Notice: A de facto part of the approval process.

Recordkeeping: None.

Testing: Not required by state law but may be a negotiated condition for approval.

Subjects: Reading, writing, English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, history and constitution of United States, duties of citizenship, health (including CPR), physical education, and good behavior.

Having never homeschooled in Massachusetts, I can only speculate as to how these “requirements” impact home educators in that state. However, based on some of the language given above, I can probably hazard a good guess as to what my life would be like as a Massachusetts home educator.

First, I wouldn’t need worry about complying with any homeschool-related statutes until my child was six years of age. This stipulation is actually an improvement over Connecticut. Here, I need to begin paying attention to possible legalities when my child is five years of age.

Second, I would need to ask permission to homeschool my children. Such a request would need to be approved by a local school committee or a local school superintendent before any instruction ever occurs. More importantly, and not specifically stated, my request to establish a home school could be denied. What recourse do I have if the state interferes with my freedom to make educational decisions for my child?

Third, I would need to log the days of attendance and the hours of school my child completed each day. While the law states that no attendance requirement exists, notice the word “expected” in the sentence that enumerates the number of hours children should attend school. State education officials could interpret that to be a strict requirement, rather than a mere expectation. Translation: I need to be able to verify how many days and hours my child received instruction. Pretty specific for a state that has “no specific attendance requirement.”

Fourth, I would probably need to test my children annually. Again, the law does not set forth a specific testing requirement, but notice the phrase, “… may be a negotiated condition for approval.” The Massachusetts education officials who wrote this part of the law made sure that they retained the power to approve or deny a request to homeschool unless a home educator agreed to test their children on, what I imagine, is the same schedule and in the same manner as the public school. What if I desire to test my children once every four years instead of once per year? What recourse do I have if the state interferes with my freedom to make educational decisions for my child?

So much for comparisons. All in all, if I have a choice (and if the legal requirements remain the same in each state), I will continue homeschool in Connecticut. Hopefully, the new Commissioner won’t feel compelled to transform my state into the one next door. After all, variety is the spice of life … and the foundation of innovation.

New Education Commissioner

On Thursday last, the Connecticut State Board of Education named a new Commissioner of Education: Mark K. McQuillan, the former deputy commissioner and chief operational officer for the Massachusetts Department of Education. Slated to begin work on April 16th, his stated priorities are closing the achievement gaps between wealthy & poor districts, establishing universal preschool education, and supporting Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in his effort to challenge some of the provisions of No Child Left Behind (namely testing schedules and the lack of funding).

As a self-professed “conservative” homeschooler who, happily, enjoys great freedom in choosing curriculum, establishing an annual school schedule, and deciding when, where, and how to test my daughter, I look upon the selection of Mr. McQuillan with trepidation. Being educated at such “liberal” institutions as the University of California-Berkeley and Harvard, I expect him to favor policies such as a lower age of compulsory school attendance, school district approval of homeschool curriculum, and mandatory achievement testing, all concepts with which I disagree. Whether Mr. McQuillan will actually propose these policies remains to be seen. One thing is certain, whatever direction he chooses for the Connecticut Department of Education, as a homeschooler, I need to monitor the situation closely.

Educator Chosen to Head Agency

More on French Homeschooling

Tonight, I found another article on the recent homeschooling victory in France. Quite disturbing is the last paragraph:

Home schooling has come under serious attack in Germany recently, with police enforcing a formal ban on home education by seizing children and physically transporting them to school facilities. Some families under threat by enforcement officers have left the country for Austria, where policies on home schooling are less restrictive.

I thank God every day for the American home educators who came before me and who fought to homeschool. Without their dedication and sacrifice, I would not enjoy the privilege of instructing my daughter as I see fit --- with a faith-based curriculum, personally designed by my husband and me to provide a balanced point of view and an intellectual challenge, while retaining the ability to address the specific interests of our student.

Pledge of Allegiance

A homeschooled student who is part of my support group posted this video on his blog, The Magical Storyteller. Having watched "The Red Skelton Show" as a child, I found this both moving and nostalgic, not to mention informative. How many of us could put the Pledge of Allegiance into our own words? After watching an episode of "Hannity’s America"* on Fox News recently, it seems that many of us cannot even recite the original words (with or without the phrase “under God”), let alone interpret it for ourselves or others.

*I was unable to locate a video of this episode. If I find it, I will post the link.

Tour de France Route 2007

When I first began following the Tour de France in earnest around 2001, the official route was announced in January. Apparently, information about the 2007 route has been available since last October. I’m a little slow on the uptake around here, I guess. Anyway, for those who may be interested, this is the route. Note that it begins in London, England. Further details can be found at www.tourdefrancelondon.com and www.letour.fr. Tour dates: Saturday 7 July – Sunday 29 July 2007.

Prologue: London > London
Stage 1: London > Canterbury
Stage 2: Dunkerque > Gand
Stage 3: Waregem > Compiègne
Stage 4: Villers-Cotterêts > Joigny
Stage 5: Chablis > Autun
Stage 6: Semur-en-Auxois > Bourg-en-Bresse
Stage 7: Bourg-en-Bresse > Le Grand-Bornand
Stage 8: Le Grand-Bornand > Tignes
Stage 9: Val-d’Isère > Briançon
Stage 10: Tallard > Marseille
Stage 11: Marseille > Montpellier
Stage 12: Montpellier > Castres
Stage 13: Albi > Albi
Stage 14: Mazamet > Plateau-de-Beille
Stage 15: Foix > Loudenvielle – Le Louron
Stage 16: Orthez > Gourette – Col d’Aubisque
Stage 17: Pau > Castelsarrasin
Stage 18: Cahors > Angoulême
Stage 19: Cognac > Angoulême
Stage 20: Marcoussis > Paris Champs-Élysées

Victory!

A follow-up to two previous postings, Censorship Concerns and Comment Response:

French homeschoolers can breathe a sigh of relief. Earlier last week, the sponsor of Amendments 127 & 128, legislation that would have effectively outlawed homeschooling in France, withdrew the restrictive proposals from consideration by the French parliament. Apparently, the French Minister of the Family, Philippe Bas, spoke out against several parts of the bill, including the sections pertaining to home education. Quoting from a message sent by HSLDA:

He [Minister Bas] specifically opposed the sections regulating and essentially prohibiting homeschooling, saying in the French parliament: “As they are, I am not favorable to these amendments [numbers 127 and 128]. I find them too restrictive … We must allow parents who, for instance, have three young children, a mother who is willing to take care of them and if they have decided to teach them to read-write-count --- if that is their choice of living --- provided that we can verify that the educational job is well done, then that freedom must be preserved.”

While I applaud the successful effort to defeat these amendments, I disagree with Minister Bas and his statement that seems to suggest an essential freedom should be preserved only if the citizens exercising that freedom can prove they deserve to keep it. Still, victory is victory. French homeschoolers can still exercise their God-given freedom to educate their children as they see fit. For that I am grateful.

Anorexia Remembered

I received a message from a homeschool acquaintance yesterday, informing me that her daughter was recently admitted to an inpatient care center for the treatment of anorexia. Though I was never hospitalized (I think mostly because the medical community didn’t do that sort of thing in the late 1970’s), I dealt with this demon in high school, as did several of my classmates. I remember well how it began.

I was in ninth grade. The school year was 1976-1977. Jimmy Carter had just been elected President, a good thing for all us Minnesota Democrats. I was taking a full class load at school and had just joined the orchestra with my newly acquired harp. At the beginning of the year, I weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of 130 pounds. Being 5’4” tall, that meant I was slightly pudgy, but not necessarily fat. This was not an unusual condition in my family, but it was certainly disconcerting to me, a young girl entering puberty whose body was changing in a variety of ways.

Sometime during the fall of 1976, my parents and my dentist decided that I should have some extensive orthodontic work done to correct a fairly severe overbite and some tooth crowding issues. That meant four extractions and a frenectomy, an operation to reduce the size of the “hinge” that connects the upper lip to the gum. My frenum was quite large and thick, creating a huge space between my front teeth. I can’t recall which operation occurred first, but this preliminary dental work was performed over the course of two dental visits: one to extract two lower teeth, the other to extract two upper teeth and perform the frenectomy. A few days after the latter operation, my maternal grandmother died, requiring me to travel to Iowa for funeral services with a mouthful of gauze and stitches. If memory serves correctly, I could barely speak, smile, or eat because of those stitches. Family members joked that they would puree my food because I was in such pain. By January 1977, my braces were installed and my three-year journey to smiling perfection was off and running.

Due to the stress on my body from the dental work, I lost some weight. Then, as usual, during the winter months, I got a rotten cold that morphed into bronchitis. More weight lost. Sometime that winter, German measles also began popping up all over southern Minnesota. In an effort to prevent an epidemic, everyone in my age group was revaccinated (at the time, health officials speculated that our early childhood shots were defective). Because I had an ongoing upper respiratory infection, I missed the inoculations. Well, by the end of May, I had the measles. Not just any old measles, one of the worst cases of German measles my physician had ever seen. My fever hovered around 104° F for more than a week. I had measles in my eyes, in my mouth, and (my physician believed) in the lining between my brain and my skull. I was sick! Because a staph infection had invaded the local hospital, the medical consensus was to care for me at home with constant monitoring by my parents and assigned hospital staff. Of course, I knew nothing of this. Later, I learned that I was on the prayer list at church and that my parents received sympathy cards from friends and neighbors who, apparently, were convinced I might not make it. Finally, after more than two weeks, I was (shakily) back on my feet and weighing in at 95 pounds.

The actual weight number wasn’t the biggest problem, though I was certainly enamored with my thin thighs, my flat tummy, and the fact that I looked great in denim shorts for the first time in my life. No, the biggest problem was the praise I received from other people. Everyone who saw me complimented me on my new, thin physique. These were completely innocent comments by friends and neighbors who loved me, who were previously concerned that I might not even recover. Unfortunately, these same innocent comments were processed in a completely incorrect way by the mind of a teenager with body image/control issues. Definitely a recipe for disaster.

My recovery was slow. By the time I graduated from high school, I was only up to 105 pounds. I stayed there through my entire college career, during a brief foray into law school, and while I was a newlywed. It wasn’t until I was almost twenty-five years old that my weight registered in the normal range for my height and age. When I got pregnant with my daughter at age twenty-eight, I finally weighed 125 pounds.

Having developed anorexia at a time when it wasn’t recognized or treated as a true medical condition, I never had counseling, nor did I participate in any kind of therapy to reorient my body image perceptions. I did that with the help of family and friends who cared and were willing to listen. Experiencing pregnancy was a huge help, teaching me that my body would indeed change as I went through life. Learning the difference between “being fit” and “being thin” was also a godsend. I now believe the former is a lifestyle and a frame of mind; the latter is a condition that, more often than not, is genetically determined.

At forty-five years of age, I am now heavier than at any other time in my life (although I am eight pounds lighter than I was a month ago). I still deal with food issues and accept that I always will. I have learned to keep it all in perspective, though. God created me because He loved me and wanted me to have a great life. He created food for my nourishment, as well as for my enjoyment. Both are gifts from Him, gifts that are meant to be used properly and well --- to the glory of His Holy name.

Shaker Wisdom

While sorting through a box in my living room today, I came across a book I purchased at least a decade ago, Simple Wisdom: Shaker Sayings, Poems, and Songs by Kathleen Mahoney. The photographs within are gorgeous and, like the title of the book, simple in their composition. I imagine that is what attracted me to this little treasure in the first place. That, and some of the sayings:

- Labor to make the way of God your own; let it be your inheritance, your treasure, your occupation, your daily calling. Do all your work as if you had a thousand years to live, and as you would if you knew you must die tomorrow.

- Keep busy; idleness is the strength of bad habits.

- All that you do, do with your might, things done by halves are never done right.

- Better soil your hands than your character.

- Good temper is like a sunny day; it sheds a brightness over everything; it is the sweetener of toil and the soother of disquietude.

- Begin today! No matter how feeble the light, let it shine as best it may. The world may need just that quality of light which you have.

- Truths like roses have thorns about them.

- Have the courage to speak your mind when it is necessary you should do so.

- All truths must not be told at all times.

- Never open the door to a little vice, lest a great one should enter too.

- Labor to keep alive in your breast, that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

And, last but not least, one of my favorites:

There is an eye that never tires
A God who never sleeps;
He knows the secret of each heart,
A watch o’er us he keeps;
Beholds our motives, foul or clean,
Knows we are mortals frail,
And yet we are upheld by him,
His arm doth never fail.

We see in all his wond’rous works,
The glory of his plan,
In giving agency to rule
The final state of man.
As happiness depends on choice,
We need not mourn or grieve;
Thank God he did our souls arrest,
By this we did believe.

Comment Response

In response to a comment posted to an earlier blog entry (see Censorship Concerns):

I received the information about the French homeschool legislation, Amendments 127 & 128, in an email alert from the Home School Legal Defense Association. Information on the bill itself may be found at Les Enfants d’Abord, the website of a French homeschool support organization. Unfortunately, the website is in French and my French is woefully inadequate for translation purposes. If you are fluent in French, it may be what you need/desire. Otherwise, at this time, I am unable to find any truly helpful information that is in English. Sorry.

As for the veracity of the information from HSLDA, I have no reason to question it. In my eleven years of homeschooling, I have never known HSLDA to pass on inaccurate information. To my knowledge, the data they provide on homeschooling in foreign countries comes from the homeschool leadership in those locations. Who better to know what is actually occurring than the local residents. Again, sorry I can’t be more helpful.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Just a quick post to wish my mother a “Happy Birthday.” Born in 1931, she is one of only two children born to Edward and Leon Henkel in Mechanicsville, Iowa. Her brother is five years younger, and born on January 11th. Great birthday present, don’t you think? I hope you enjoy the gift I sent for 2007. Have a great day. I love you!

Apple Fan

Ok, after the unveiling of the Apple iPhone yesterday, I must admit I am an Apple fan. I have owned nothing but an Apple computer since around 1988. First, it was the Macintosh SE, a quaint little number that still sits in my attic. I suppose I keep it for sentimental reasons. Over the years, I progressed through various versions of the Apple desktop models until my husband gave me an iBook G4 for Christmas in 2004. I still don’t own an iPod, mostly because I don’t need one. Being a homeschool mom, I spend a lot of time in my kitchen so I listen to iTunes on my laptop or desktop computer from the adjoining family room (Mozart does wonders for concentration during math homework). But being a homeschooler who is on the road to music classes and handbell rehearsals, I could use an iPhone. Who couldn’t benefit from a gadget that acts as a phone, a computer with Internet access, a music library, and a camera, not to mention a calendar? I could eliminate my laptop, my digital camera, my cell phone, and my Palm Pilot from the load that goes in my purse or my car every day that I travel for school (the camera is sometimes used to document schoolwork). Lightened load with no loss of technological advantage? Sounds good to me. Now, I just need come up with $500. That may take awhile.

Censorship Concerns

Once in awhile, the Plush Duck finds a soapbox under her porch and can’t resist the temptation to stand on it and momentarily squawk at passersby.

As a homeschooler, I often receive information from the Home School Legal Defense Association about the challenges faced by home educators in other countries. Today, I learned this about homeschooling in France, quoting excerpts from a message sent by HSDLA:

- French homeschoolers are faced with a draconian bill, which will be voted on by parliament within the next few days.

- Homeschooling is currently allowed in France. However, this bill would essentially outlaw homeschooling. No parent would be allowed to homeschool unless they showed that the health or handicap of their child makes it necessary for him or her to be taught at home.

- In addition, if a family could even prove they have a health issue or some other “serious” reason to justify their homeschool, they would then have to submit to a home visit by a government official each year. Also, their curriculum would be either provided by the “National Center of Correspondence Teaching (CNED)” or by an approved private correspondence school.

- Homeschooling has long been allowed in France. Homeschoolers have to have regular testing and sometimes they are visited by an official but for the most part operate freely. This bill would completely change that legal atmosphere and make it impossible for 95% of homeschoolers to operate.

The portion of this legislation that frightens me most is the requirement that curriculum be provided by a national/government organization or by a government-approved correspondence school. Such limitations restrict the ideas that are discussed and presented in the classroom to those that are approved by decision makers currently in power. Some of the greatest scientific, religious, and culture innovations that have ever occurred in the history of the world originated with ideas that were not “approved” at the time: a non-geocentric view of the universe, a spherical view of the earth, the Reformation, the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, just to name a few. A plethora of ideas that can be, and are, openly discussed and examined is always better than strict censorship. Of course, as a Christian, I would add that such an examination should include evaluation per the Holy Scriptures (and not just my own Lutheran interpretation of Scripture).

I guess my question to the French government is, “What exactly are you afraid of that you feel the need to control the ideas that schoolchildren may be exposed to if parents act as teachers?” My assumption as to the answer from French authorities, “We need to ensure that schoolchildren are not brainwashed by overly religious parents who will, by default or design, turn out intolerant citizens.” My response to that assumed answer: some ideas, once openly discussed and examined, should be rejected --- religious intolerance being one of them. My disagreement with the faith practice of an individual does not give me license to treat that individual in an inhumane manner.

If we do not teach our children to effectively evaluate ideas and, consequently, stand for something of merit, they will fall for anything. How intolerant will our world be then?

Cause of Gravity in My Hometown?!

I love my hometown. It isn’t anything spectacular compared to, say, New York City or Colonial Williamsburg, but it has a charm that is uniquely “small town Minnesota.” The main street has a renovated 1902 Opera House that hosts local concerts; amongst the twenty-one churches in town, four of them are Lutheran; and in a state with more than 10,000 lakes, Fairmont has five, all within the city limits and all connected by a series of channels.

Yet, this homey, “small town” atmosphere may be changing in the near future if a discovery by local resident, Kevin Fruechte, turns out to be true. Scientists and reporters may be stopping by to chat with him about the nature of the universe and all things gravitational. You see, Mr. Fruechte believes he has determined the cause of gravity. Apparently, a provable mathematical answer to this question has eluded scientists for years and, now, a humble engineer from Fairmont, MN says it is, quite simply, G=4hf/3.

Of course, having completed only high school level physics and calculus, this formula means nothing to me. However, if it makes sense to you, then you may want to peruse Mr. Fruechte's entire paper on the subject. It is available online at www.googlebase.com. Search for “Kevin Fruechte.” If you wish to read more about Mr. Fruechte himself, see the article from my hometown newspaper, “Holy Grail of Physics Found in Fairmont?” Happy reading!

Lenten Planning

Just as I begin planning for Christmas a few months ahead, I have now begun planning for Lent. The start of the Lenten season is February 20th this year --- Shrove Tuesday or, as people in the United States know it, Fat Tuesday. Generally observed as part of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Fat Tuesday is considered the last day to party before the “deprivation” of Lent. This hearkens back to the old practice of “giving something up” for the forty-day journey to Easter. As a child, it meant that my Catholic friends had to eat fish on Friday. I didn’t understand that when I was younger, and I’m not sure I get it even today because I really don't like fish, but...

In doing some reading about Shrove Tuesday, I discovered that it is, apparently, a day for eating pancakes. Some towns in the British Isles even have pancake races where individuals run relays while flipping pancakes in a skillet. Talk about coordination! Doing anything while running a relay would put me over the edge. I’m just not that athletically gifted. But given the fact that pancakes are a Fat Tuesday tradition in the British Isles and I am, by descent, English, Irish, and Scottish, I have decided to either serve pancakes in my home on February 20th, or have a pancake party. How I would accomplish the latter is currently a mystery, even to me, but it sounds like a fun time.

Other Lenten ideas:
- attend church on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes
- attend mid-week Lenten services at my church
- read & discuss The Road to Coronation as a Lenten bible study

So, is anyone else thinking about the next big holiday? What are you planning for Lent? What sort of Lenten traditions do you observe in your home? I would love to know.

Morning Coffee

I caught an article on WTNH-TV News this morning about a coffee shop in Minnesota that is selling a $10.00 cup of coffee. Why so expensive? It is made from coffee beans that have passed, partially digested, through the intestines of the common palm civet, an Indonesian cat. Apparently, this stuff is known as Kopi Luwak. To learn more about it, check out this article on Wikipedia. According to the online encyclopedia, the coffee beans themselves can sell for up to $600.00 per pound. I don’t know about you, but I think I may stick with Starbucks Decaf.

Epiphany

I love the word, “epiphany.” To me, it sounds like what it means: a moment of sudden revelation or insight. In the Church year, of course, that revelation is Christ and Epiphany is the holiday that commemorates the gift-giving actions of the wise men that ‘reveal” the baby Jesus as our Lord and King. Depending on whether you subscribe to a Catholic calendar or a Protestant one, Epiphany is either one day or an entire season. As I belong to a Lutheran congregation, I observe Epiphany as an entire season, one that begins on January 6th and ends on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Traditional food for the actual day of Epiphany: a King’s Cake. I did not make one of these this weekend, but I may plan on it for next year.

My family spent the weekend celebrating, cleaning up, and getting back to normal. The celebrating happened at the Shoreline Ringers holiday party. With such a busy concert and rehearsal schedule during Advent, the director wisely decided to wait until the end of Christmas for a get-together. The food was great: baked Brie, Chinese BBQ meatballs, shrimp dip, a corned beef cheese ball, and more. The company was even better. These folks really seem to enjoy spending time with each other, whether they are ringing bells or not.

Clean up, of course, involved dismantling a very dry Christmas tree, as well as the continued effort to pack away everything from holiday gift wrap to Christmas china. I may be busy for a few more days, but the boxes will eventually make it into the attic. The dishes will probably head for the basement. Lugging heavy boxes full of dishes into my attic is just not a task I care to tackle, now or next Christmas when it is, once again, time to gear up for holiday fun.

Getting back to normal meant getting up and heading to church. I must confess I slept in too late for early church and our “work schedule” in the house negated late service, so I only attended Sunday school. Later in the evening, I took Katherine the Great to Youth Group for Bible study and a few games of Sardines (a favorite activity at Christ Lutheran). Rather than drive the hour-long commute that accumulates if I drive to and from the church twice, once for child drop off and once for pickup, I camped out in the Youth Director’s office and read Huckleberry Finn. Exciting, I know. Don’t you wish you had my life?

Tomorrow is the “official” end of Christmas vacation at our house. Bright and early, it is back to school! I’m sure 8:00 AM will come earlier than I think.

My Sinuses Think It Is April

Today is January 6th and the forecast temperature for southeastern Connecticut is 65° F. The daffodils in my garden (or what I refer to as a garden) are completely confused, as are the cherry trees in New London. Both are either blooming or, at least, trying to bloom. I haven’t checked my “Miss Kim” lilac tree in the front yard, yet. Frankly, I’m afraid to see if it has blossoms on it. Though I am not completely convinced of the scientific verification of global warming, it is difficult to deny that some sort of warming phenomenon is at play when a garden as far north as mine is coming to life in the ”dead of winter.”

But more than the garden, my sinuses think it is spring. For the past week, they have become increasingly stuffy, as if they are responding to spring pollen. I guess that is to be expected if flowers are actually, albeit prematurely, blooming. I just don’t like it, that’s all. It is annoying and uncomfortable and tiring. How is a homeschool mom supposed to get her work done if all she is doing is treating her sinuses? Good grief!

Maybe if we all pray for snow (or the next ice age), global warming will end, the flowers will stop blooming until April, and my sinuses will get back to “normal.” Hey, it’s worth a try.

Christmas Day 12

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me … twelve drummers drumming.

Well, the end is finally here. It is Twelfth Night, the last milestone of the Christmas season. At my house, that means debriefing. I started this activity a few years ago as a way to get “pre-organized” for next Christmas (you know, the one twelve months from now). I’m still not sure this procedure works for me, but it has served to clarify what my family values about Christmas, namely family time at home, early completion of shopping errands to avoid crowds, and lots and lots of music.

What debriefing has to do with the number twelve, I don’t know. I suppose just that it helps me focus on essentials. Theologically, that is what the Twelve Days of Christmas gives us as a final verse, the essential beliefs of the Christian faith, the twelve points of doctrine found in the Apostles Creed:

1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2) I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8) the holy catholic [universal] Church,
9) the communion of saints,
10) the forgiveness of sins,
11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and the life everlasting.

Historically, somehow, the number twelve is related to drumming, as illuminated for us by the author of Brownielocks.com:

In the early days of England, they had town watchmen, known as waits, that went around patrolling the streets and calling out the hours of the night. By the 18th century, [they] got a little more skilled and turned into town musicians. During Christmastime, these town musicians were nicely rewarded. They sang day and night, often serenading sleepers from midnight to dawn.

But, odd as this seems, Europe wasn’t really into drums. They actually first got introduced to them during the Crusades when they brought them back to Europe as their spoils from the Holy Land. These drums were basically Egyptian and Sumerian. Soon, the beat of a drum became associated with warfare. And, a symbol of marching into battle.

The drum also became associated with the trumpet, to announce the arrival of each course during banquets. A skilled musician could not only play the pipes, but also the tabor (a small drum). This was known as the whittle and dub.

Sad to say, I encountered no drums today. I did, however, encounter handbells at the final holiday concert of the Shoreline Ringers Community Handbell Choir. Personally, I think it was the best of the four they gave this season, not just because the ringers delivered an exceptional performance, but also because the audience was so interactive. At each concert, Jane Nolan, the director, asks the audience if they have any questions. Usually, she gets a few inquiries, but tonight the listeners in attendance wanted to know everything from “Do you have to read music to play handbells?” to “Is there a waiting list to join the choir?” These folks were also a lot of fun when it came to the music itself. When the ringers played “White Christmas” as their encore, the audience sang along. It was great!

The other positive ending to the 2006 Christmas season was the arrival of my replacement dishes (see Christmas Day 5). I had ordered a breakfast service for eight from SmartBargains.com, only to have it arrive as pottery shards a week later. The company fixed the problem, however. I now own a beautiful set of red, Scandinavian-style plates, bowls, and mugs, all washed up and stored for 2007. The only challenge will be remembering where I put them when next December rolls around.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of postings on the Twelve Days of Christmas. I have enjoyed writing them. I pray the season of Epiphany (and the rest of the year) treats you well and that the Lord richly blesses you and your family. God bless!

Photo of Twelve Drummers Drumming Christmas ornament by artist P. Buckley Moss was taken from the website of the Finn Gallery in St. Petersburg, FL.

Christmas Day 11

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me … eleven pipers piping.

I can hardly believe we are so close to the end of the holiday. Soon, this season will enter the archives of Christmases past, to be cherished and remembered for years to come, and we will be in what the Catholic Church calls “ordinary time.” Given the fact that the Christ child is departing, I suppose “piping” is an appropriate activity for the day, as it notifies everyone that someone important is leaving (at least that is what it means in the Navy). Of course, Christ doesn’t completely depart. We just begin to follow Him as an adult.

And who better to “pipe” Christ away than His eleven faithful apostles. Theologically, these are the individuals represented by the number eleven. Notice the elimination of Judas the Betrayer, traditionally known as the one who gave our Lord over to the Romans for crucifixion in return for thirty pieces of silver. Poor man.

Historically, Brownielocks.com has this to say about the pipers and their pipes:

Sitting around, watching your sheep was a pretty boring job. So, shepherds often would play their pipes. It is believed that on the night Jesus was born, shepherds were playing. It’s also rumored that while Rome burned, Nero wasn’t fiddling. Instead, he was playing bagpipes!

By the 9th century, the bagpipe was the instrument for all medieval celebrations. This music had only one single line of melody, which suited the bagpipe quite nicely, especially for dances called caroles.

Drones, which could produce only a single tone were added to the bagpipes in the 13th century. The drone is what creates that background hum that you hear. As the demand for more harmony, multi-notes, and melodies grew, the bagpipes were losing their popularity and being replaced by other musical instruments. But, [it] never died out in Scotland! In the 16th century, the bagpipe became an instrument associated with soldiers and fighting. It had a real stirring effect on the men! Because of this, the English banned the bagpipe in Ireland.

In France, the bagpipe was popular as an accompaniment for dance. In the 17th century, a new kind of bagpipe was created called the musette. These were driven by bellows (rather than mouthblown), and the sound was less shrill. The French nobility also had their musettes crafted not just as musical instruments, but as works of art, with ivory chanter and bag covers made of embroidered silk, with tassels and fringes. Many French musicians often played the musette as entertainment for Twelfth Night celebrations.

Being a descendant of Scotsmen (actually, Scotswomen), I like this day because I like bagpipes. I could listen to them daily, although I do occasionally tire of the oft-played Scotland the Brave. I much prefer the various reels and hornpipes that are heard at Highland festivals.

Other Thursday Activities:
- In preparation for a possible kitchen remodel, I sorted through schoolbooks in an effort to empty the family room bookshelves. We plan to turn our family room into our kitchen, and our kitchen into our family room.
- I purchased Christmas dishes for my daughter @ Target. On December 26th, she found one cereal bowl that I refused to buy without other matching dishes. Today, she found the matching bowls and dessert plates too. Needless to say, Katherine the Great is a happy girl.
- I purchased two lamps for my living room.
- King Richard helped our friend, JLZ, install a new video card on his computer.
- My daughter and I watched Wallace & Grommet: the Curse of the Wererabbit with the mother of JLZ while she was waiting for the video card installation procedure to be completed.

I hope your day was as rewarding and productive mine. Once again, Merry Christmas!

Photo of Eleven Pipers Piping Christmas ornament by artist P. Buckley Moss was taken from the website of the Finn Gallery in St. Petersburg, FL.

Christmas Day 10

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me … ten lords-a-leaping.

Wow, the daily count has finally entered double digits. That means the end is near. Only two days remain in the Christmas season. I will be sad to see it go but, then again, Epiphany and Lent are on the way.

In reading about the Twelve Days of Christmas, I noticed something that was probably obvious to other people, but that only struck me this year. The first seven days are centered on some type of bird performing some passive/calm activity, such as sitting, calling, laying, or swimming (which in swans looks much more like gliding). The last five days are centered on the activities of people: milking, dancing, leaping, piping, and drumming. If you think about this in the context of a celebration of Christ’s birth, it seems that both the animals and the people are either observing the preparations for the party, providing food for the party, or celebrating at the party. That is what the twelve days of Christmas are supposed to be --- a party, a joyous celebration of the arrival of Christ. Unfortunately, in our 21st century culture, we do all our celebrating before Christ arrives. By the time the “Christmas season” truly begins on December 25th, we are all partied out, so we hang on until New Years Day and then sweep the Lord’s birthday celebration clean, right in the middle of the festivities. It is as if we invited Him to our home for His own birthday party and, then, threw Him out in the middle of it.

I am attempting to change this attitude at my house, difficult though it may be to swim against the cultural tide. For example, I tag my Christmas tree early, the day after Thanksgiving, but I don’t erect it until very close to Christmas, usually around December 18th-23rd. That way, it lasts until Epiphany. My new agreement with my husband, who is not a big fan of the tree, is that I will start dismantling the holiday evergreen (and other Christmas décor as well) on his birthday, January 3rd. Granted, this is a bit like cleaning up while the party is winding down, but I prefer to think of it as clearing the table of dirty dishes before the guests actually depart. It makes the end-of-celebration atmosphere a little less stressful for me and a little more appealing for the guests.

So, for me, the tenth day is still about celebrating (but with a bit of environmental maintenance). Theologically, the tenth day is about remembering the Ten Commandments. Depending on your denomination of Christianity, these can differ slightly. Even though I am a Lutheran, I actually prefer the “evangelical” version of these behavioral guidelines:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall make no idol or graven image for yourself.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not commit murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or property.

Historically, the tenth day is about leaping dances, as the name implies. Apparently, only for those of the male persuasion, this type of dancing was meant to “rile men up” for battle. Brownielocks.com has this to say:

The Roman god of vegetation and war was Mars. The Roman priests of their Salii ritual would leap as high as they could in the air in hopes of inducing the corn to grow. It was believed that the height of their leap would be the height of the corn. Swords were a part of their costume.

In Britain, the lords a-leaping are assumed to be morris dancers, highly costumed ceremonial folk, who performed between the courses of a Christmas feast. One form of morris dancing included swords also. In this dance, twelve men in two teams performed intricate patterns ending with the swords being braided together to form a Lock or Nut above the Lord of Misrule (during the Twelfth Night Celebration). In other morris dancing, instead of swords, antlers were worn.

By the end of the 18th century, this style of dance was no longer of interest to the upper classes for entertainment. It was being performed at festivals and fairs only.

Some believe that the lords a-leaping did a dance called the gavotte for the Twelfth Night celebrations because it was accompanied by a drum or bagpipe. The gavotte lasted until the end of the 18th century and then faded away in popularity.

Other than lots of leaping, and a reminder of what my behavior should be, today was about Christmas winding down and “real life” winding up. Being a Wednesday, the household schedule was full of weekly music appointments: piano lessons, music composition class, and handbell rehearsal. Being my husband’s birthday, the schedule also included a dinner date at our favorite pizza restaurant. Not extravagant, I know, but after twenty-one years of marriage, the simple things are often best.

As the season continues, Merry Christmas!

Photo of Ten Lords-a-Leaping Christmas ornament by artist P. Buckley Moss was taken from the website of the Finn Gallery in St. Petersburg, FL.

Happy Birthday, Honey

Just a quick post to wish my darling husband a “Happy Birthday.” Of course, being the organized housewife that I am, I do not have anything amazing planned for his special day. Frankly, I don’t have anything planned, let alone something amazing. Birthdays really aren’t a big deal at our house. Half the time, the person having the birthday forgets that it is their birthday. I’m not certain if that is a coping mechanism geared toward graceful aging, or an advanced stage of denial. Since the former sounds healthier, I opt for that. :-)

Anyway, “Happy Birthday,” honey (and thanks for putting the towels in the dryer). I love you!

Christmas Day 9

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me … nine ladies dancing.

It appears we have yet another day with people as the object of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Nine ladies dancing sounds quite joyful and enthusiastic and, apparently, in the Middle Ages, the dances themselves were known as caroles. Brownielocks.com gives us this further information:

… the carole was very popular court entertainment. But, prior to this time, dancing was considered a sin of the flesh and was connected with the devil. Since most dances were done in circles, the direction in which one danced also mattered. Slowly, dancing got accepted --- but only if done in the correct direction! The Christian church considered dancing to the left bad, but dancing to the right [equaled] good. However, many non-Christian people danced from left to right because they were worshipping the sun as a way of representing the sun’s movement from east to west … By the 15th century the word for carole was replaced with the word branle, because dancing was associated with songs. Eventually, the songs turned into stores, like those about Christmas. This is how the term Christmas Carols came about.

Of course, if you are a churchgoer, like me, you may prefer the “religious” meaning of these lovely ladies twirling: the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are, in no particular order: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As I know as little about these nine fruits as I do about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, I may have to add them to my Bible study list for the New Year. Any suggestions for study materials would be greatly appreciated.

Tasks for today brought me closer to the end of my “Christmas vacation” attitude and closer to the “reality” of post-holiday life, namely I accompanied my husband to his annual endocrinology appointment. As a thyroid cancer survivor, he undergoes some annual follow-up work that, normally, isn’t too complicated. This year, however, brought some additional cardio evaluations that are currently being scheduled: a stress test, some lipid bloodwork, and a sleep apnea test. I’m sure I will share more about these as they come to pass.

My daughter and I also visited our neighbor, Jan. She is a great collector of all things “pig,” so we took the opportunity to give her a small Christmas gift --- a lithograph of two pigs snuggling side-by-side on a fence, watching the sunset. Since Jan has a new boyfriend, it seemed quite appropriate.

Last, but not least, Katherine the Great had a meeting to work on the spelling list for our upcoming homeschool spelling bee. This is her third year choosing the challenge words and she seems to enjoy the process just as much as when she first took the job. This year, she is working with one of our most experienced homeschool moms to ensure that each round is fair throughout. The bee itself is on Monday night next, so the list will need to be finished soon. Sounds like tomorrow will be back to the homeschool grindstone, so to speak.

Hopefully, your “Christmas vacation” mindset isn’t turning into a grindstone too quickly. Smooth transitions are always preferred, at least around here. Tomorrow, the Christmas cleanup begins in earnest so all traces of the holiday are packed away by Epiphany. After all, Lent is just around the corner.