The other day, my daughter was exploring YouTube when she happened upon a video of ferrets performing what people refer to as the “weasel war dance.” It is a funny-looking movement/gesture that ferrets display when they are happy or excited (or so I am told). Anyway, watching the video led her to investigate a Wikipedia article about weasels, where she discovered that a group of them is called a “boogle.” So, geese travel in a gaggle, lions live in a pride, and crows traffic in murders (sounds ominous). How is it that a boogle is not a family of ghosts? Just a thought from my friend Vickie.
If you know the names of any other odd animal groupings, please let me know.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
No Diapers!
Some time ago, on Nightline, the “Sign of the Times” segment profiled a support group for parents (translation: moms) who have chosen to raise their children sans diapers. News flash: this is not a new idea. My daughter is sixteen and when she was potty training (oh so many years ago), I had friends who used this method with their kids. For the most part, it works but…
- you must be at home with your child
- you must pay close attention to your child
- you must have patience with your child (an abundant supply of patience)
- you must be ok with an occasional “mess” (if you know what I mean)
I tried this method with Katherine the Great for about a week and determined that it wasn’t for me. Back then, I was much too structured for the “wait and watch” approach. It depended too much on me hovering over my daughter. I decided that if I was going to hover, I preferred to “play helicopter” about reading rather than going potty. As a result, I spent much more time curled up on the couch perusing Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton and Alphabeasts by Dick King-Smith, rather than running for the bathroom. To each his own, I guess.
- you must be at home with your child
- you must pay close attention to your child
- you must have patience with your child (an abundant supply of patience)
- you must be ok with an occasional “mess” (if you know what I mean)
I tried this method with Katherine the Great for about a week and determined that it wasn’t for me. Back then, I was much too structured for the “wait and watch” approach. It depended too much on me hovering over my daughter. I decided that if I was going to hover, I preferred to “play helicopter” about reading rather than going potty. As a result, I spent much more time curled up on the couch perusing Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton and Alphabeasts by Dick King-Smith, rather than running for the bathroom. To each his own, I guess.
Word Games
Much to my dismay (or is it my amusement?), I live with two rather nutty and creative people who love to play word games. I think King Richard came to enjoy these during his many hours on watch as a reactor operator in the Navy. Katherine the Great just has a fascination for Latin and all things “language.” Their latest pastime is to combine movie titles, similar to those Jeopardy categories that use the beginning of one word and the end of another. Some examples of King creativity:
Daddy Day Care Bears
Down with Love Actually
Gorillas in the Mystic Pizza
The Hunt for Red October Sky
Knight’s Tale of Two Cities
The Lake House of Sand and Fog
Lawnmower Man of La Mancha
Man in the Iron Mask of Zorro
Men in Black Rain
National Treasure Planet of the Apes
The Nightmare Before Christmas Story
Sixth Sense and Sensibility
Sleeping with the Enemy of the State
While You Were Sleeping with the Enemy
One Fine Day After Tomorrow
Not horribly intellectual, but a good mental exercise just the same. Try it and see what comes to mind.
Daddy Day Care Bears
Down with Love Actually
Gorillas in the Mystic Pizza
The Hunt for Red October Sky
Knight’s Tale of Two Cities
The Lake House of Sand and Fog
Lawnmower Man of La Mancha
Man in the Iron Mask of Zorro
Men in Black Rain
National Treasure Planet of the Apes
The Nightmare Before Christmas Story
Sixth Sense and Sensibility
Sleeping with the Enemy of the State
While You Were Sleeping with the Enemy
One Fine Day After Tomorrow
Not horribly intellectual, but a good mental exercise just the same. Try it and see what comes to mind.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Sign Man: Jerk Workshop
The other day, as I traveled on base to (once again) retrieve my husband from work, I saw this billboard at the gate, presumably installed by Sign Man:
Know How To Avoid
Marrying A Jerk
Workshop
Call 694-1145
King Richard has a question about this seminar: Is it open to everyone? Or is this a Navy-sanctioned course in man bashing and, consequently, for women only? My question is: does our culture ever consider women to be jerks? I must admit I rarely hear women referred to in that way. Thoughts, anyone?
Know How To Avoid
Marrying A Jerk
Workshop
Call 694-1145
King Richard has a question about this seminar: Is it open to everyone? Or is this a Navy-sanctioned course in man bashing and, consequently, for women only? My question is: does our culture ever consider women to be jerks? I must admit I rarely hear women referred to in that way. Thoughts, anyone?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
A Glimpse of Sign Man
Late yesterday afternoon, as I once again drove on base to retrieve my hubby from work, I saw Sign Man changing the Subase notice board. Apparently, this mystery man had changed the sign at least once while I wasn’t looking because it no longer announced the “Dolphin Scholorships,” but a visit from a local government official. Now the sign says, “Welcome to Subase,” and it is spelled correctly. Hurrah!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Sign Man Strikes Again
This evening, when I drove onto the military base near my home to retrieve my husband from work, I encountered this sign:
Dolphin Scholorship
Charity Event
May 19
Call for Reservations
Readers may recall that this same sign sported a misspelling sometime ago. It took a few days for it to change back then. I wonder how long it will take this trip?
Dolphin Scholorship
Charity Event
May 19
Call for Reservations
Readers may recall that this same sign sported a misspelling sometime ago. It took a few days for it to change back then. I wonder how long it will take this trip?
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Embarrassed & Irritated
On Wednesday morning, I read a few posts in the blogosphere about the current visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the United States. For those of you who may be unaware, Her Majesty arrived yesterday to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. I posted the trip itinerary here on Gooseberry Lane, mostly for the benefit of my friends in Virginia, in case they wanted to make the effort to see an actual reigning monarch. But I digress…the point of this blog entry is to register my embarrassment and irritation at the content of those aforementioned blog posts.
The first stated the following about Queen Elizabeth:
This was the embarrassing part (although I suppose I do sound irritated about this as well): the person who posted the above statement is a homeschooler!!! Suggestion for the future: if you are going to wax ignorant, please do it where you are unidentifiable as a home educator. I am a homeschooler and I know I can speak for myself and my friend (also a home educator) whose mother is an Australian citizen, we do not appreciate being categorized as intellectually crippled or, at the very least, completely lacking in basic research skills. A SINGLE Google search for “Queen Elizabeth II” yields NO LESS than 3,400,000 hits. Don’t know much about the Queen? Please!!!
The other post that set me off was this:
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. --- Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)
You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord. --- Leviticus 19:32 (NASB)
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one other, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. --- 1 Peter 5:5 (NASB)
The first stated the following about Queen Elizabeth:
And who is this person we are getting so worked up over?No one knows much about her?! The blog author could not be farther off the mark, especially if she had done even the smallest amount of research about Her Majesty. But again, I digress…
No one knows much about her, really…except that bit portrayed in The Queen…this leaves the Queen a somewhat enigmatic character whom we can color as we please. Her position and her character are merely symbolic of a nation.
[The blog author then quoted from CBS News]…She represents a kind of transcendence of the next two generations of her own family which curiously chimes in with the kind of attitude that the British have about the breakdown of their own family life. She becomes a kind of head of a dysfunctional family that is kind of enduring…
A symbol of aloofness at the breakdown of the family. What an inspiring model for the world.
This was the embarrassing part (although I suppose I do sound irritated about this as well): the person who posted the above statement is a homeschooler!!! Suggestion for the future: if you are going to wax ignorant, please do it where you are unidentifiable as a home educator. I am a homeschooler and I know I can speak for myself and my friend (also a home educator) whose mother is an Australian citizen, we do not appreciate being categorized as intellectually crippled or, at the very least, completely lacking in basic research skills. A SINGLE Google search for “Queen Elizabeth II” yields NO LESS than 3,400,000 hits. Don’t know much about the Queen? Please!!!
The other post that set me off was this:
…I am amazed at the fact that American citizens are so eager to abject themselves to a woman who is famous for nothing other than the fact than she is distantly genetically linked to a band of guys who beheaded people to establish their rule over the British Isles.The blog author continued:
Okay, let’s get this straight people.Well, I guess those last few words demonstrate what has become, it seems to me, the completely American attitude that good manners and deportment are worthless, an attitude that I found irritating back in 1979 when Pope John Paul II visited the United States and I was chastised for showing pleasure at the fact that my Catholic friends got to see him (one even got to kiss his ring), and it is an attitude that I still find irritating today. Sometimes respect is due just simply by virtue of the office. I should respect President Bush, even if I disagree with some of his decisions, because he is the President. Likewise, I should respect the Queen because she is the Queen. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor-Mountbatten is eighty-one years old and the sixth longest reigning monarch in history. That alone should garner respect. I have a better reason, though; if I were in her presence, I would need to show her respect because she is my elder, an elder who also happens to be the Queen of England but, nonetheless, my elder.
We won the Revolutionary War.
We owe no allegiance to the British Throne.
When it comes to the British Royal Family…we owe them nothing.
No respect.
Nothing.
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. --- Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)
You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord. --- Leviticus 19:32 (NASB)
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one other, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. --- 1 Peter 5:5 (NASB)
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Shop On The Base, Honey
This blog entry was approved by my good friend and fellow retired Navy wife, Koalagirl15, and was prompted by her most recent ordeal of being trapped in the base entry traffic just as the front gate was closed for a terrorist drill.
Being the wife of a retired Navy man, I am regularly encouraged by my husband to take maximum advantage of our military benefits, one of which is shopping at the base commissary*. Now, I don’t have anything against going on base to shop at the commissary; after all, I shopped there on a weekly basis for over fifteen years while my husband was on active duty. However, now that I am a retired Navy wife, I would much rather purchase my groceries at Big Y or Stop and Shop. Yes, I know the commissary has cheaper prices on most food and non-food items, but it really is the non-food costs that push my decision to avoid on-base shopping.
What kind of non-food costs, you ask? The kind that have to do with the valuable nature of my time as a busy homeschool mom. You see, almost without fail, if I make the decision to shop at the base commissary, the Navy makes the decision to run a force protection drill on the same day, at the same time. I decide to save a little cash; the Navy decides to simulate terrorists attacking submarines. For the non-military types who may be reading this blog entry, allow me to paint a picture of what this might look like:
My solution: send the husband. A grocery list is small, usually only the size of an index card. When added to the weight of his tools and backpack, it is barely noticeable. Not only that, he drives right past the commissary on his way off base. Surely, a short stop isn’t too much to ask; after all, he can use that time to unwind before he comes home. He can also hand pick those granny smith apples he likes to munch on, or that granola he adores (the really disgusting kind with only healthy stuff like dried apricots and nuts, but no chocolate chips). Sounds like a plan to me.
My challenge: convincing him this is a good idea. :-)
* For those readers who are unfamiliar with military life, the commissary is a grocery store.
Being the wife of a retired Navy man, I am regularly encouraged by my husband to take maximum advantage of our military benefits, one of which is shopping at the base commissary*. Now, I don’t have anything against going on base to shop at the commissary; after all, I shopped there on a weekly basis for over fifteen years while my husband was on active duty. However, now that I am a retired Navy wife, I would much rather purchase my groceries at Big Y or Stop and Shop. Yes, I know the commissary has cheaper prices on most food and non-food items, but it really is the non-food costs that push my decision to avoid on-base shopping.
What kind of non-food costs, you ask? The kind that have to do with the valuable nature of my time as a busy homeschool mom. You see, almost without fail, if I make the decision to shop at the base commissary, the Navy makes the decision to run a force protection drill on the same day, at the same time. I decide to save a little cash; the Navy decides to simulate terrorists attacking submarines. For the non-military types who may be reading this blog entry, allow me to paint a picture of what this might look like:
It is 9:00 AM on a Wednesday. You have just dropped your four-year-old daughter at preschool and have decided to go grocery shopping while she is in class. You have two hours, just enough time to shop and head home to unload your purchases before the strictly enforced preschool pickup time expires like Cinderella’s pumpkin. You rose early in the day to prepare a shopping list so that you can move quickly through the store.Now, doesn’t that sound like the adventure of a lifetime, an adventure that any busy wife and mother would gladly select from the cornucopia of grocery shopping experiences, especially since it will save you ~$6.00/week (cost savings based on personal shopping list of blog author; results not typical and may vary)? Let me help you here --- ah, probably not.
It is now 9:45 AM. All is going well (in fact, life is humming along almost too perfectly). Preschool drop-off went like clockwork; you are reaching the end of your grocery list; and the commissary actually had most of your desired items in stock, eliminating the need for additional visits to “civilian” supermarkets. You are ecstatic! You reach the checkout line in record time and begin unloading your purchases for payment when, out of the corner of your eye, you see base security pass by the front of the building. Almost immediately, the announcement is made that a base-wide drill has commenced and everyone should leave the building. You exit through the front doors to stand in the parking lot, leaving your groceries in the cart and on the checkout conveyor belt. It is chilly outside and a northeast breeze cuts through the light windbreaker you grabbed, thinking it would be sufficient for the day, never imagining that you would find yourself spending any more time outside than the seconds it takes to run from your car to your house. No one says how long the drill will last. Being nothing more than a spouse, and a retired spouse at that, you have no need to know that information (from a military standpoint), so you wait. Realizing that time is running short and your original plan of the day has been foiled, you phone the preschool to inform them that you are trapped on base for an indefinite period of time and that you will, in fact, be late to retrieve your daughter from preschool. Ending that call, you begin the long vigil until the all-clear sirens emit their blaring wail, notifying all within hearing distance (and then some) that life can now return to normal. The imaginary terrorist attacked has been successfully repulsed. Hurrah!
You re-enter the commissary, pay for your groceries, pick up your daughter from preschool (not forgetting to pay the fine for late retrieval), and skip the rest of your morning errands in favor of lunch because, by now, your child is starving and you could use a chocolate fix to de-stress from such a relaxing trip to the base. :-)
My solution: send the husband. A grocery list is small, usually only the size of an index card. When added to the weight of his tools and backpack, it is barely noticeable. Not only that, he drives right past the commissary on his way off base. Surely, a short stop isn’t too much to ask; after all, he can use that time to unwind before he comes home. He can also hand pick those granny smith apples he likes to munch on, or that granola he adores (the really disgusting kind with only healthy stuff like dried apricots and nuts, but no chocolate chips). Sounds like a plan to me.
My challenge: convincing him this is a good idea. :-)
* For those readers who are unfamiliar with military life, the commissary is a grocery store.
The Queen Comes to America!
I wish I had known about this sooner. I would have made the effort to get to Jamestown for the festivities. I think it would be cool just to see Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, even if I had to use high-powered binoculars to do it. Buckingham Palace and the British Monarchy Media Centre have released this information about the Royal trip:
The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will visit Virginia to mark the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. Other highlights include an arrival ceremony at the White House and a visit to the Kentucky Derby.If anyone out there makes the trip to the Historic Triangle to see Her Majesty, let me know by sharing your experience in the comments section for this entry. Have a great day!
May 3, 2007: Richmond, Virginia
Afternoon: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Governor’s Mansion before undertaking a walkabout to Capitol for an arrival and greetings ceremony. The Queen makes a speech to the Virginia Assembly. Evening: Arrival in Williamsburg.
May 4, 2007: Williamsburg, Virginia
Morning: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Jamestown Settlement. The Queen tours the Fort whilst The Duke of Edinburgh tours the ship SUSAN CONSTANT.
Her majesty and His Royal Highness arrive at the Jamestown archaeological site. The Queen visits the museum whilst The Duke of Edinburgh visits the vault (conservation facility).
The Royal couple view part of the original well before a tour of the dig and site. They present a gift to people of Virginia. The Queen attends a lunch at the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg. The Duke of Edinburgh attends a lunch in Norfolk.
Afternoon: The Queen visits the College of William and Mary where she meets students and academic alumni, requests the ringing of Wren Bell and receives a class award. The Duke of Edinburgh attends a reception onboard USS WISCONSIN.
May 5, 2007: Kentucky
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attend the Kentucky Derby.
May 6, 2007: Washington, D.C.
Evening: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Andrews Air Force Base.
May 7, 2007: Washington, D.C.
Morning: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attend an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. They inspect an Honour Guard and meet guests. The Queen and the President make speeches. A private lunch follows.
Afternoon: Photograph of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness with Commonwealth ambassadors. The attend a Garden Party at the Ambassador’s Residence.
Evening: State Dinner.
May 8, 2007: Washington, D.C.
Morning: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visit the NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre. The Queen meets staff and visits the Mission Control Centre. The Duke of Edinburgh tours the spacecraft test facilities and robotics. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh view the ‘Science on a Sphere’ exhibition and plant a tree at the Visitor Centre.
Morning: The Queen holds an Investiture (three honorary awards) at the Ambassador’s Residence.
Afternoon: Her Majesty and His Royal Highness plant a tree at the Ambassador’s Residence before visiting the Children’s National Medical Center. The Queen visits the cardiac ward whilst The Duke of Edinburgh visits the research facility. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness meet young patients in recreational activities.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visit the World War II National Memorial where they lay a wreath, meet veterans of the war in the Pacific, visit the Field of Stars, and meet GI war brides.
Evening: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh host a return dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence, also attended by the President and Mrs. Bush. Departs Washington via Andrews Air Force Base.
Monday, April 30, 2007
MassHOPE Convention
This past weekend (April 27-28, 2007), Koalagir15 and I attended the 18th annual convention of the Massachusetts Homeschool Organization of Parent Educators, known locally as MassHOPE. I attended this conference for the first time many, many years ago, before I ever started homeschooling. I did not return until 2003. Why the long years of absence? I have no idea. I suppose I could claim a busy schedule or lack of financial wherewithal. Personally, I think it was lack of motivation or arrogance that I “had it all figured out.” Being the mother of a homeschooled high school student and serving as the Coordinator of a homeschool support group have certainly worked to cure me of those two ailments, but I digress…
For me, THE highlight of the 2007 convention was having the privilege to, once again, hear Chris Klicka speak. I was blessed to hear this gentleman give a presentation at that first homeschool convention many years ago when my daughter was only two years old. I don’t recall the topic back then but, this year, the seminar titles were “The Battle for Our Children’s Minds” and “Homeschooling Teenagers: Standing Against the Culture.” To me, Mr. Klicka is one of the giants of the homeschooling movement, serving the community as an attorney with the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) since 1985. He is also the father of seven homeschooled children, the author of a number of books, and an MS patient. To watch him continue on with life (and an abundant life at that) in the face of the challenges presented by his illness is both inspiring and humbling. My water heater running out of hot water or a bad headache can sidetrack my best daily efforts; I cannot imagine the level of mental and spiritual fortitude it takes to live with MS. Needless to say, I respect the man immensely and was ecstatic that my daughter had the opportunity to see and listen to Mr. Klicka in person.
My second convention high point was the general session on Friday night that featured a presentation by Doug Phillips of Vision Forum and the graduation ceremony of (at least) ten homeschooled high school students. In honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, Mr. Phillips gave a speech comparing the settlement efforts in Virginia with those in New England. Having a degree in Political Science with a fair amount of coursework in American History, I found this topic fascinating (so much so that I took notes).
The graduation ceremony was like nothing I had seen before. The emcee for the evening read a personalized description of each student that included their achievements, as well as their dreams and goals for the future. At my high school commencement, the principal read my name. In a class of 227 graduates, he couldn’t do much more. If he had, I would still be sitting in the second row of gymnasium chairs waiting to get my diploma.
Other positives from the convention:
- purchase of Apologia Advanced Biology curriculum (Human Anatomy)
- acquisition of poetry curriculum
- the opportunity to see The Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum
- the chance to talk with homeschool parents from across New England
- the opportunity to hear about the work of support groups in other towns
MassHOPE 2008 is already scheduled (April 25-26). Mark your calendar today and reserve your hotel room early.
For me, THE highlight of the 2007 convention was having the privilege to, once again, hear Chris Klicka speak. I was blessed to hear this gentleman give a presentation at that first homeschool convention many years ago when my daughter was only two years old. I don’t recall the topic back then but, this year, the seminar titles were “The Battle for Our Children’s Minds” and “Homeschooling Teenagers: Standing Against the Culture.” To me, Mr. Klicka is one of the giants of the homeschooling movement, serving the community as an attorney with the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) since 1985. He is also the father of seven homeschooled children, the author of a number of books, and an MS patient. To watch him continue on with life (and an abundant life at that) in the face of the challenges presented by his illness is both inspiring and humbling. My water heater running out of hot water or a bad headache can sidetrack my best daily efforts; I cannot imagine the level of mental and spiritual fortitude it takes to live with MS. Needless to say, I respect the man immensely and was ecstatic that my daughter had the opportunity to see and listen to Mr. Klicka in person.
My second convention high point was the general session on Friday night that featured a presentation by Doug Phillips of Vision Forum and the graduation ceremony of (at least) ten homeschooled high school students. In honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, Mr. Phillips gave a speech comparing the settlement efforts in Virginia with those in New England. Having a degree in Political Science with a fair amount of coursework in American History, I found this topic fascinating (so much so that I took notes).
The graduation ceremony was like nothing I had seen before. The emcee for the evening read a personalized description of each student that included their achievements, as well as their dreams and goals for the future. At my high school commencement, the principal read my name. In a class of 227 graduates, he couldn’t do much more. If he had, I would still be sitting in the second row of gymnasium chairs waiting to get my diploma.
Other positives from the convention:
- purchase of Apologia Advanced Biology curriculum (Human Anatomy)
- acquisition of poetry curriculum
- the opportunity to see The Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum
- the chance to talk with homeschool parents from across New England
- the opportunity to hear about the work of support groups in other towns
MassHOPE 2008 is already scheduled (April 25-26). Mark your calendar today and reserve your hotel room early.
Au revoir, IHOP
About a mile from my house are the remnants of an IHOP restaurant that went out of business several years ago. Apparently, the owners decided not to renew their franchise and the doors were shut. Shortly after closing, the establishment reopened as “Marcy’s Pancake House.” Unfortunately, “Marcy” flipped flapjacks for only a few months when a major plumbing disaster ruined the interior of the restaurant, causing the “House” to fold. Today, the old IHOP bit the dust for good when some large machinery was brought in to tear the building to the ground. For posterity sake, I had to snap this picture. Now the big question is: with IHOP gone, what will occupy the space?
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Submarine Photos
I recently received an e-mail message from my husband that contained a link to this LiveJournal page where I found several photographs (like the one at left) of the Russian submarine Kursk after the boat had been recovered and brought into dry dock for salvage. As the wife of a former submariner, I can tell you these pictures are somewhat unnerving, illustrating the kind of damage that can occur when disaster strikes at sea. To learn more about the Kursk incident, consult this Wikipedia page for an extensive explanation of the tragedy. The introduction given there provides a good overview of the unfortunate event.In August 2000, the Russian Oscar II class submarine (which is the world’s largest class of cruise-missle submarine) Kursk sank in the Barents Sea when a leak of hydrogen peroxide in the forward torpedo room apparently led to the detonation of a torpedo warhead, which in turn triggered the explosion of around half a dozen other warheads about two minutes later. This second explosion was equivalent to about 3-7 tons of TNT and was large enough to register on seismographs across Northern Europe.Also from the Wikipedia article:
Despite a rescue attempt by British and Norwegian teams, all sailors and officers aboard Kursk were lost. A Dutch team later recovered 115 of the 118 dead, who were laid to rest in Russia. The fate of three bodies still unrecovered is debated, but it is generally accepted that they were lost in the explosion.
Most of the hull of the submarine, except the bow, was raised from the ocean floor by the Dutch salvage companies Smit International and Mammoet in the fall of 2001 and towed back to the Russian Navy’s Roslyakovo Shipyard…Russian President Vladmir Putin signed a decree ordering that all crewmembers will be bestowed the Order of Courage. The captain of Kursk, Gennady Lyachin, was awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation.Thankfully, the international community recovered the Kursk, giving the families of the crew some sense of closure, and the submarine community some valuable information about how to prevent such a catastrophe from ever happening again.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Sunday Psalms
MORNING: Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
EVENING: Psalm 115
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
Why should the nations say,
“Where, now, is their God?”
But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
They have eyes, but they cannot see;
They have ears, but they cannot hear;
They have noses, but they cannot smell;
They have hands, but they cannot feel;
They have feet, but they cannot walk;
They cannot make a sound with their throat.
Those who make them will become like them,
Everyone who trusts in them.
O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.
May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!
All Scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible.
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
EVENING: Psalm 115
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
Why should the nations say,
“Where, now, is their God?”
But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
They have eyes, but they cannot see;
They have ears, but they cannot hear;
They have noses, but they cannot smell;
They have hands, but they cannot feel;
They have feet, but they cannot walk;
They cannot make a sound with their throat.
Those who make them will become like them,
Everyone who trusts in them.
O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.
May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!
All Scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Unhooked Generation: Chapter 1
As part of a self-designed Health class, my daughter and I are reading a book by Jillian Straus, a senior associate producer for The Oprah Winfrey Show. The book, titled Unhooked Generation: The Truth About Why We’re Still Single, discusses the attitudes toward and the realities of sexuality, dating, and marriage amongst adults ages 18-35. Publishers Weekly has this to say about the publication:
I must admit, when I started Unhooked Generation, I was concerned that the overall message would be one of ethical relativity and advocacy for the “unhooked” mindset. Happily, after reading only the introduction, I think Ms. Straus is squarely on the side of commitment. Quoting from the text:
Having been married for twenty-two years myself and being the child of parents who were married forty-six years when my father died, I doubt whether I will be able to relate completely to the paradigm studied in Unhooked Generation. Yet, for the sake of my daughter and her education, I will struggle through it. Rest assured, I plan to “balance” the information obtained from this book with some resources on the biblical view of sexuality, dating, and marriage, resources like Every Young Woman’s Battle: Guarding Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World by Shannon Ethridge & Stephen Arterburn or I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris.
I will keep you updated on our progress through these materials.
Straus, a producer for The Oprah Winfrey Show, has lived an independent life typical of her Gen-X peers. But in this perceptive book, based on interviews with 100 heterosexual singles across the country, she concludes that the myriad choices enjoyed by 20- and 30-somethings have led to a sense of hopelessness and cynicism about relationships and a deep fear of commitment that’s often felt as a “fear of settling.” She lists cultural factors that place obstacles in the way of intimacy, among them an obsessive focus on independence and career, the aftereffects of feminism, and reliance on distancing new technologies such as instant messaging and online personals. Straus writes in a lively style replete with buzzwords, yet offers tough conclusions. While both men and women have impossible expectations, Straus observes that Gen-Xers prefer to “upgrade” rather than work on a relationship. And the compulsion to have lots of casual sex with attractive partners conflicts with the goal of finding a mate. The book ends with stories of couples who have succeeded in finding and keeping love. Straus argues convincingly that in order to open yourself to love, you cannot keep your options open --- you have to commit all the way.I chose to add this book to the Health class reading list so that my daughter would be exposed to, and have the opportunity to discuss, the prevailing attitudes about sexuality, dating, and marriage amongst young people because these are the points of view she will, most likely, encounter when she enters the workforce and/or leaves home for college in a few years. I want her to be armed with as much information as possible before she walks out the door; and, as a parent, I want to be prepared for the challenges she will face, challenges that are (in some ways) much different from those I faced while at university.
I must admit, when I started Unhooked Generation, I was concerned that the overall message would be one of ethical relativity and advocacy for the “unhooked” mindset. Happily, after reading only the introduction, I think Ms. Straus is squarely on the side of commitment. Quoting from the text:
Certain commentators have made the point that an early adult experience of serial monogamy leads to a lot of heartbreak and cynicism, and that it can actually undermine faith in marriage and commitment. One of these is Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author of Kosher Sex. Rabbi Boteach argues that, by the time you have seriously dated a couple of people, slept with them, and left them or been left by them --- that is, before you ever make it to the altar --- there is “scar tissue” on your heart. Maggie Gallagher, who wrote The Abolition of Marriage, makes a similar case. These books defy the conventional wisdom of our generation...that a series of intimate relationships prior to marriage can strengthen the marital bond, much like training wheels strengthen the skill of bike-riding. The problem is --- as I began to feel after listening to my own heart and hearing the feelings of my male and female friends --- when you painfully experience your training wheels falling off a couple of times, it is hard to trust your bike.I am also pleased by Ms. Straus’ admission that the birth cohort to which she belongs (Gen-X) yearns for deep emotional intimacy, yet seems so disconnected. Their definition of connection, for example, taken from the “Unhooked Dictionary” in the back of the book, sets an almost impossible standard:
An instant bond beyond physical attraction that we, as Gen-Xers, strive for but can’t always sustain. Can occur along with or separately from the buzz.Buzz, of course, being:
The euphoria someone gives you when you are in love, usually associated with the early stages of romance.According to Ms. Straus, Gen-Xers also do not accept marriage as an ideal nor as the singular feminine goal. In fact, they doubt whether love can even last. Sad.
Having been married for twenty-two years myself and being the child of parents who were married forty-six years when my father died, I doubt whether I will be able to relate completely to the paradigm studied in Unhooked Generation. Yet, for the sake of my daughter and her education, I will struggle through it. Rest assured, I plan to “balance” the information obtained from this book with some resources on the biblical view of sexuality, dating, and marriage, resources like Every Young Woman’s Battle: Guarding Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World by Shannon Ethridge & Stephen Arterburn or I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris.
I will keep you updated on our progress through these materials.
Coping With Ripples?
This morning, I heard (yet again) about a school that was closed due to a bomb or shooting threat received since the massacre at Virginia Tech this past Monday. I understand the necessity of taking such action. The fiduciary responsibility of school administrators dictates that they protect the children in their care. But what happens to the education of our children if we continue to allow such threats to disrupt classrooms across our country? Do the affected students have to make up the work missed? Do the schools add days to their academic calendars when classroom time is eliminated? How much instructional time is lost due to drills instituted as preparation for the threat that may come tomorrow? Do public schools have contingency plans to continue classroom instruction if and when a school is locked down? If students are sent home, do they log into a virtual academy so they don’t get behind?
Being a homeschool parent, I don’t deal with such questions. I would truly like to know what happens when the proverbial threat “rock” is dropped into the educational “pond.” What sorts of consequential “ripples” do these threats create, and how does the system cope with them? Please, tell me so I will know. Thank you.
Being a homeschool parent, I don’t deal with such questions. I would truly like to know what happens when the proverbial threat “rock” is dropped into the educational “pond.” What sorts of consequential “ripples” do these threats create, and how does the system cope with them? Please, tell me so I will know. Thank you.
Green Comparison
My husband often reads American Thinker, a blog that is published and edited by Thomas Lifson and whose “About Us” section contains this description, quoting directly from the website:
The first home is located in Tennessee:
- twenty-room mansion heated by natural gas
- pool, pool house, & separate guest house, all heated by natural gas
- average electricity & natural gas bill: $2400+
- natural gas use: 20 times national average for average American home
- physical footprint: 4 times the size of average new American home
- electricity consumption: 12 times average home in Tennessee
- monthly energy consumption exceeds annual energy consumption of average home
The second home is in Texas:
- four bedroom house with only 4000 square feet
- geothermal heat pumps use ground water to heat & cool the house
- geothermal heating system uses NO fossil fuel
- rainwater & household wastewater is purified & used for irrigation
- native flora surrounds the home
Can you guess who owns these properties? If you answered Al Gore and George Bush, respectively, you would be correct. Apparently, Mr. Gore compensates for the excessive energy footprint of his mansion by purchasing “carbon offsets” from someone whose home consumes less energy. Hmm…someone like George?
So much for environmental awareness.
American Thinker is a daily Internet publication devoted to the thoughtful exploration of issues of importance to Americans. Contributors are accomplished in fields beyond journalism and animated to write for the general public out of concern for the complex and morally significant questions on the national agenda.I don’t frequent American Thinker; it isn’t that I lack enthusiasm for their writing, I just lack the requisite number of hours in my day to read yet another blog. Instead, I rely on my hubby to forward articles I may find interesting. This is one such article. I received it late last night. In short, it compares the environmental footprint of two different American houses.
There is no limit to the topics appearing on American Thinker. National security in all its dimensions, strategic, economic, diplomatic, and military is emphasized. The right to exist and the survival of the State of Israel are of great importance to us. Business, science, technology, medicine, management, and economics in their practical and ethical dimensions are also emphasized, as is the state of American culture.
The first home is located in Tennessee:
- twenty-room mansion heated by natural gas
- pool, pool house, & separate guest house, all heated by natural gas
- average electricity & natural gas bill: $2400+
- natural gas use: 20 times national average for average American home
- physical footprint: 4 times the size of average new American home
- electricity consumption: 12 times average home in Tennessee
- monthly energy consumption exceeds annual energy consumption of average home
The second home is in Texas:
- four bedroom house with only 4000 square feet
- geothermal heat pumps use ground water to heat & cool the house
- geothermal heating system uses NO fossil fuel
- rainwater & household wastewater is purified & used for irrigation
- native flora surrounds the home
Can you guess who owns these properties? If you answered Al Gore and George Bush, respectively, you would be correct. Apparently, Mr. Gore compensates for the excessive energy footprint of his mansion by purchasing “carbon offsets” from someone whose home consumes less energy. Hmm…someone like George?
So much for environmental awareness.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Yet Another Shooting
I had a pretty normal day on Monday, all things considered. I taught school, did laundry, ran some errands, and went out for lunch with my daughter. I did some cleaning and decluttering in my kitchen, and some additional planning work for my homeschool support group. Like I said, pretty normal. By contrast, I also pumped water from my basement and took a drive down River Road to assess the damage along our local shoreline after the mighty Nor’easter of the past day or so. Many waterfront properties had a considerable amount of debris in their yards, indicating that the river had made its way across the road and then some; not normal, but definitely to be expected after such severe weather.
What was not to be expected was yet another school shooting, this time at a college rather than a high school. Of course, due to my lack of news awareness, I was ignorant of this massacre until almost 3:00 PM when my husband called to say that the children of some of his colleagues, children who attend Virginia Tech, were fine. They were either off campus at the time of the shooting or were elsewhere on the school grounds. Praise the Lord!
Hearing this report made me wonder how many of these shooting incidents have taken place in the United States over the past few years. They seem to be increasing, at least to this homeschool mom, but are they really? A reporter for Fox News must have been thinking the same thing because, not too long after my bewilderment, I found this article detailing the school shootings in our country over the past ten years. Summarizing the information:
2007: 3 shootings, 35 dead, 30 injured
Blacksburg, VA: COLLEGE student killed 32, injured ~30, killed self
Greenville, TX: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide at school
Tacoma, WA: HIGH SCHOOL student killed younger male student
2006: 8 shootings, 11 dead, 17 injured
Springfield Township, PA: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide
Katy, TX: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide
Nickel Mines, PA: five Amish schoolgirls & gunman killed, 6 injured
Cazenovia, WI: student shot & wounded principal,
Bailey, CO: six students held hostage, assaulted, 1 killed, gunman killed
Pittsburgh, PA: five basketball players shot after a school dance
Hillsborough, NC: HIGH SCHOOL student shot & injured 2 other students
Essex, VT: gunman killed 2 people & injured 3 at ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2005: 2 shootings, 11 dead, 7 injured
Red Lake Reservation, MN: nine students killed, 7 injured, shooter killed
Cumberland City, TN: young student killed school bus driver
2004: 5 shootings, 5 dead, 2 injured
Nine Mile Falls, WA: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide
Joyce, WA: young student committed suicide in classroom
Philadelphia, PA: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL student killed, guard injured
Washington, D.C.: HIGH SCHOOL student killed, another student injured
Henderson, NV: gunman killed hostage in car on school campus
2003: 3 shootings, 5 dead, 4 injured
Cold Spring, MN: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2 fellow students
Red Lion, PA: MIDDLE SCHOOL principal killed by student, shooter killed
New Orleans, LA: four teenagers killed fellow student, injured 3 others
2002: 2 shootings, 0 dead, 3 injured
Bowie, MD: MIDDLE SCHOOL student shot & critically wounded by sniper
New York, NY: HIGH SCHOOL student opened fire at school, injured 2
2001: 7 shootings, 7 dead, 18 injured
Caro, MI: HIGH SCHOOL student took 2 hostages, killed himself
Ennis, TX: student took 17 hostages, killed self & female student
Gary, IN: HIGH SCHOOL student, expelled from school, killed classmate
Granite Hill, CA: teacher and 3 students wounded by classmate
Williamsport, PA: HIGH SCHOOL student wounded classmate in cafeteria
Santee, CA: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2 classmates, wounded 13 others
Baltimore, MD: HIGH SCHOOL student shot & killed classmate
2000: 4 shootings, 2 dead, 6 injured
New Orleans, LA: two MIDDLE SCHOOL students wounded in gunfight
Lake Worth, FL: honor student killed English teacher on last day of class
Mount Morris Township, MI: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL student killed classmate
Fort Gibson, OK: MIDDLE SCHOOL student wounded 4 classmates
1999: 3 shootings, 14 dead, 29 injured
Deming, NM: MIDDLE SCHOOL student killed female student
Conyers, GA: HIGH SCHOOL student injured 6 with rifle & handgun
Littleton, CO: 12 students, teacher & 2 gunmen die, 23 injured
1998: 3 shootings, 8 dead, 30 injured
Springfield, OR: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2, injured 20
Fayetteville, TN: HIGH SCHOOL student killed classmate
Jonesboro, AR: students killed teacher & 4 girls, wounded 10
1997: 2 shootings, 5 dead, 12 injured
West Paducah, KY: student killed 3, wounded 5 at HIGH SCHOOL
Pearl, MS: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2 students & wounded 7 others
Total: 42 shootings, 103 dead, 158 injured
Given this information and the magnitude of the Virginia Tech killings on Monday, I truly don’t understand what is happening in our culture that drives people, many of them young, to take their own lives (and the lives of others in the process). Is it a lack of ability to cope with life? Is it the product of violence in our culture? Is it the availability of firearms in our country? The questions could go on and on.
Yet, as a practicing Christian, I wonder if this “school-shooting problem” isn’t related to a lack of spiritual grounding amongst our young people, a lack of grounding in a faith practice that teaches:
- the value of life
What was not to be expected was yet another school shooting, this time at a college rather than a high school. Of course, due to my lack of news awareness, I was ignorant of this massacre until almost 3:00 PM when my husband called to say that the children of some of his colleagues, children who attend Virginia Tech, were fine. They were either off campus at the time of the shooting or were elsewhere on the school grounds. Praise the Lord!
Hearing this report made me wonder how many of these shooting incidents have taken place in the United States over the past few years. They seem to be increasing, at least to this homeschool mom, but are they really? A reporter for Fox News must have been thinking the same thing because, not too long after my bewilderment, I found this article detailing the school shootings in our country over the past ten years. Summarizing the information:
2007: 3 shootings, 35 dead, 30 injured
Blacksburg, VA: COLLEGE student killed 32, injured ~30, killed self
Greenville, TX: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide at school
Tacoma, WA: HIGH SCHOOL student killed younger male student
2006: 8 shootings, 11 dead, 17 injured
Springfield Township, PA: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide
Katy, TX: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide
Nickel Mines, PA: five Amish schoolgirls & gunman killed, 6 injured
Cazenovia, WI: student shot & wounded principal,
Bailey, CO: six students held hostage, assaulted, 1 killed, gunman killed
Pittsburgh, PA: five basketball players shot after a school dance
Hillsborough, NC: HIGH SCHOOL student shot & injured 2 other students
Essex, VT: gunman killed 2 people & injured 3 at ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2005: 2 shootings, 11 dead, 7 injured
Red Lake Reservation, MN: nine students killed, 7 injured, shooter killed
Cumberland City, TN: young student killed school bus driver
2004: 5 shootings, 5 dead, 2 injured
Nine Mile Falls, WA: HIGH SCHOOL student committed suicide
Joyce, WA: young student committed suicide in classroom
Philadelphia, PA: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL student killed, guard injured
Washington, D.C.: HIGH SCHOOL student killed, another student injured
Henderson, NV: gunman killed hostage in car on school campus
2003: 3 shootings, 5 dead, 4 injured
Cold Spring, MN: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2 fellow students
Red Lion, PA: MIDDLE SCHOOL principal killed by student, shooter killed
New Orleans, LA: four teenagers killed fellow student, injured 3 others
2002: 2 shootings, 0 dead, 3 injured
Bowie, MD: MIDDLE SCHOOL student shot & critically wounded by sniper
New York, NY: HIGH SCHOOL student opened fire at school, injured 2
2001: 7 shootings, 7 dead, 18 injured
Caro, MI: HIGH SCHOOL student took 2 hostages, killed himself
Ennis, TX: student took 17 hostages, killed self & female student
Gary, IN: HIGH SCHOOL student, expelled from school, killed classmate
Granite Hill, CA: teacher and 3 students wounded by classmate
Williamsport, PA: HIGH SCHOOL student wounded classmate in cafeteria
Santee, CA: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2 classmates, wounded 13 others
Baltimore, MD: HIGH SCHOOL student shot & killed classmate
2000: 4 shootings, 2 dead, 6 injured
New Orleans, LA: two MIDDLE SCHOOL students wounded in gunfight
Lake Worth, FL: honor student killed English teacher on last day of class
Mount Morris Township, MI: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL student killed classmate
Fort Gibson, OK: MIDDLE SCHOOL student wounded 4 classmates
1999: 3 shootings, 14 dead, 29 injured
Deming, NM: MIDDLE SCHOOL student killed female student
Conyers, GA: HIGH SCHOOL student injured 6 with rifle & handgun
Littleton, CO: 12 students, teacher & 2 gunmen die, 23 injured
1998: 3 shootings, 8 dead, 30 injured
Springfield, OR: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2, injured 20
Fayetteville, TN: HIGH SCHOOL student killed classmate
Jonesboro, AR: students killed teacher & 4 girls, wounded 10
1997: 2 shootings, 5 dead, 12 injured
West Paducah, KY: student killed 3, wounded 5 at HIGH SCHOOL
Pearl, MS: HIGH SCHOOL student killed 2 students & wounded 7 others
Total: 42 shootings, 103 dead, 158 injured
Given this information and the magnitude of the Virginia Tech killings on Monday, I truly don’t understand what is happening in our culture that drives people, many of them young, to take their own lives (and the lives of others in the process). Is it a lack of ability to cope with life? Is it the product of violence in our culture? Is it the availability of firearms in our country? The questions could go on and on.
Yet, as a practicing Christian, I wonder if this “school-shooting problem” isn’t related to a lack of spiritual grounding amongst our young people, a lack of grounding in a faith practice that teaches:
- the value of life
…the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. --- John 16:27 (NIV)- the assurance that, even in the face of tragedy, something positive will be created
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. --- Romans 8:28 (NASB)- perseverance when faced with challenges
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eye on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. --- Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)I have no answer as to why anyone would commit such a heinous crime. I do, however, have a personal observation: the perpetrators of these crimes seem to be getting more efficient at killing. In 1997, seventeen people were affected in two shootings (5 dead, 12 injured); this year, approximately sixty-five people have been victimized (~35 dead, ~30 injured) in only three shootings…thus far. As the parent of a student who is rapidly approaching her college years, I pray that we, as a society, find some answers as to why these school shootings occur, not just for the safety of our students but also for the survival of our freedoms, as our desire for security may threaten to overrun our commitment to liberty.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Electronic Field Trips Announced!
Colonial Williamsburg has released the list of Electronic Field Trips for the 2007-2008 academic year. I have reprinted the summary here. For more information on cost and sign up procedures, visit the Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trip page. My daughter is very excited about the episode entitled, “Emissaries of Peace,” because it deals with the Cherokee people prior to their march westward. Katherine the Great has discovered, of late, that my maternal family history contains a Cherokee woman named Zula who married a gentleman named Charles Edward Forsythe in Indian Springs, Maryland around 1732. But I digress…check out the listings and sign up today!
JAMESTOWN UNEARTHED
October 11, 2007
Take a look at how history is written and reevaluated as new methods of study are introduced. Explore the myths and misconceptions of Jamestown in 1607: revisit the documents, artifacts, and other evidence through archaeology. Learn how every generation sees the evidence in new ways, and how this affects our understanding of the past.
EMISSARIES OF PEACE (premiere)
November 8, 2007
During the turbulent era of the French and Indian War, the Cherokee people struggled to presere their independence. Follow Cherokee leader Ostenaco and Virginian Henry Timberlake on their 1762 journey from Chota (the capital of the Cherokee nation( to Williamsburg and London in search of lasting peace.
FOUNDERS OR TRAITORS? (premiere)
December 6, 2007
The months of late 1776 were “the times that try men’s souls.” Join Edward Rutledge, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams as they attend a conference with British admiral Lord Howe, hoping to end the American rebellion peacefully. Discover the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the risks they took.
FOR READY MONEY
January 10, 2008
Join a young merchant apprentice as he learns his lessons in money and accounts. Just as today, everyone in colonial America from gentleman to slave had access to coins, bill, notes, and credit. Discover how the colonial economy worked.
NO MASTER OVER ME
February 7, 2008
Ann Ashby tells the story of her life as a free black during the days of slavery. Discover how she and her husband, Matthew, made a life for their family: Matthew purchased his wife and children and had them freed. This is the story of balancing between slave and free communities in this poignant reminder of what our freedom is really worth.
TREASURE KEEPERS (premiere)
March 6, 2008
You’ve seen their work in every museum --- but what do conservators really do? Learn how conservators prevent or slow the damage caused by “agents of destruction.” Explore how and why preserving history is important for future generations.
THE INDUSTRIOUS TRADESMEN
April 10, 2008
Follow the lives of several journeymen fresh from their apprenticeships in trades and business as they learn how skill and opportunity will impact their careers. Discover which ones will achieve their dreams and become masters of their own shops.
JAMESTOWN UNEARTHED
October 11, 2007
Take a look at how history is written and reevaluated as new methods of study are introduced. Explore the myths and misconceptions of Jamestown in 1607: revisit the documents, artifacts, and other evidence through archaeology. Learn how every generation sees the evidence in new ways, and how this affects our understanding of the past.
EMISSARIES OF PEACE (premiere)
November 8, 2007
During the turbulent era of the French and Indian War, the Cherokee people struggled to presere their independence. Follow Cherokee leader Ostenaco and Virginian Henry Timberlake on their 1762 journey from Chota (the capital of the Cherokee nation( to Williamsburg and London in search of lasting peace.
FOUNDERS OR TRAITORS? (premiere)
December 6, 2007
The months of late 1776 were “the times that try men’s souls.” Join Edward Rutledge, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams as they attend a conference with British admiral Lord Howe, hoping to end the American rebellion peacefully. Discover the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the risks they took.
FOR READY MONEY
January 10, 2008
Join a young merchant apprentice as he learns his lessons in money and accounts. Just as today, everyone in colonial America from gentleman to slave had access to coins, bill, notes, and credit. Discover how the colonial economy worked.
NO MASTER OVER ME
February 7, 2008
Ann Ashby tells the story of her life as a free black during the days of slavery. Discover how she and her husband, Matthew, made a life for their family: Matthew purchased his wife and children and had them freed. This is the story of balancing between slave and free communities in this poignant reminder of what our freedom is really worth.
TREASURE KEEPERS (premiere)
March 6, 2008
You’ve seen their work in every museum --- but what do conservators really do? Learn how conservators prevent or slow the damage caused by “agents of destruction.” Explore how and why preserving history is important for future generations.
THE INDUSTRIOUS TRADESMEN
April 10, 2008
Follow the lives of several journeymen fresh from their apprenticeships in trades and business as they learn how skill and opportunity will impact their careers. Discover which ones will achieve their dreams and become masters of their own shops.
I Would Fail That Quiz, Too
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani had a little trouble answering some practical economic questions the other day at a campaign stop in Alabama. Apparently, a reporter quizzed the former New York City mayor on his knowledge of prevailing food prices. Giuliani’s answer, quoting from an article on Fox News:
“A gallon of milk is probably about a $1.50, a loaf of bread about a $1.25, $1.30.”The article went to state that:
A check of the website for D’Agostino supermarket on Manhattan’s Upper East Side showed a gallon of milk priced at $4.19 and a loaf of white bread at $2.99 to $3.39. In Montgomery, Alabama, a gallon of milk goes for about $3.39 and bread is about $2.Don’t feel bad, Mayor Giuliani, I would have trouble with those questions too (and I have a degree in Economics). I don’t drink milk and I often buy bread in a specialty store rather than at my local supermarket. Add the fact that I dislike grocery shopping and I would have failed the pricing quiz too.
Snack Idea: The Banana Dog
One of the homeschool teens that my daughter corresponds with online had an interesting snack suggestion the other day: a banana dog. It is his version of a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Instead of making this perennial favorite on regular bread, he puts the banana in a hot dog bun. How clever! It certainly makes sense, doesn’t it? A banana is shaped like a hot dog, so why wouldn’t it fit better in a hog dog bun than on a regular slice of bread? Call me simple, but I thought this was an ingenious idea. I may even try it someday soon. Keep the creative juices flowing, JP.
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