I love (but do not idolize) old books. I have just a few of my Grandfather's old schoolbooks. They would be banned now...
I enjoy restoring and preserving old and vintage books. It is a fascinating thing to work with paper materials, cloth materials, adhesives, needle and thread, leather. It is fascinating to see how different books and papers respond to various treatments in the process of restoring them and preserving them for future generations. That is why I studied book restoration for years.
Hubby is an American Lit. Teacher and a Master of English.
We have always loved the more rare and obscure titles of vintage books, but enjoy classics from Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, also classics from British History and Literature, as well. We have always homeschooled. Many and many homeschoolers use vintage books (or even not-so-vintage-books printed pre-1985).
I have my own personal collection of Nature books, Americana, history and biographies, for both adults and children. I also have a lot of very old Charles Dickens novels, and enjoy multiple other British authors, as well. I have a decent collection of old Geography books...you can not read more interesting travel and geography books than were written a hundred years ago.
Have you ever read the Opal Wheeler books for children about famous Composers? They are simply lovely; so beautifully written. They are not dumbed-down into bits of boring facts, but are narrative in nature. The same is true for some of the editions of Children's Plutarch or Children's Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb, just to name but a few examples. Who writes for children in that way anymore? I know that some of these titles are available in newer or in cheaply done, softcover editions, but I love the stamped, embossed, covers, the wonderful illustrations; the craftsmanship of the cloth-on-board, older editions. They should be kept available, preserved, to be enjoyed by future generation, as I am able to enjoy my Grandad's school books. Craftsmanship sadly and largely went out the window long ago, but there is still a band of booklovers and bookbinders who appreciate and value such work, who learn to work within, handle carefully, and preserve that work.
It is from the above perspectives that I share this post today.
I have literally been dumbfounded by the crazy details and the far-reaching implications of the August 2008 CPSC (US Consumer Products Safety Council) ruling:
This act was well-intended, and I am all for protecting children from dangerous levels of lead and phthalates. But this one act over-reaches this mark to such a detrimental point.
Since the Act was instated on February 10th, all products...each and every item intended for children 12 and under must be tested for lead and phthalates (not some simple, inexpensive pen blot test from what I've read) or be tossed out. And yes, this includes children's books. Frustration and outcry from the American Library Association and others finally led to the CPSC amending the original banning of all children's books en masse, narrowing it down just to children's books published before 1985. Oh. WOW. THAT's a relief, isn't it?
Not in the least!!
Many good websites have broken down and chronicled the journey of this act, and subsequent reactions (and lack of reactions) with very good details, and I will share a few of them later in this post, so that I don't misrepresent something, or become redundant.
But first, allow me a brief rant (an activity I do not often indulge).
This act was passed by the Democratic-led Congress and signed by then President Bush last August and went into effect on Feb. 10th of this year. I'm not the only one who is confused or overwhelmed because so much information and even some misinformation has been floating all over the internet for the past few months, but almost NOTHING has been covered in the news. So regular Joe and Ann American do not know about it, much less care. Hugh Hewitt finally brought it up on his radio show this past Monday, and I was cheering from the driver's seat of my van as I was driving to tutor a student in Spanish.
Glen Beck is said to have shrugged off the need to mention anything about this, because he (alledgedly) said that there is not enough public outcry to justify it. (Grrrrrrr)
Can I mention the timing...the timing is also horrendous, when many families are tending more and more to need to shop at Goodwill and thrift stores in order to clothe their families. Our family has benefited from such practices for decades, (many things still have new price tags on them) what with living on Hubby's income as a teacher and afterschool director. (My minimal contributions over the decades has been just enough to keep an emergency fund from time to time).
More Americans are seeing the need to live within their dwindling means, and thrift shopping and antiquing is one way to accomplish that. The reach of recent legislation and implementation is so broad and so patently bad, it is already putting some small businesses out of business, or forcing them to become expats overseas.
I have been silent on the matter of the now-banning of books (intended for children) printed pre-1985, simply because I was literally knocked almost speechless, and I had such hopes that the American Library Association and other interested groups would be able to plead for some sense to come back into Congress's heads...perhpas that they would be able to reason with the politicians and the powers-that-be the ridiculousness of their actions.
*I forgot to include this last night: Nebraska City Library quarantines their collection of children's books this very week. Here is another link from a librarian showing a couple of photos from her local library, where she has marked out the books that she knows this ban includes. Just in case you don't believe the scope of this Act.
Many Americans don't even know it happened, what all the bans include, and it simply overwhelms me to the point of disbelief that it all really went into effect. It is difficult to put it all down in words
1) I am coming out of the shock, denial, and disbelief that it would mean the banning of wonderful books from my own childhood, but of my parents, grandparents, and so-on, and so-on....childhoods; some beautiful books, both in their artistic display of covers (though some bindings and papers were made on acidic materials, papers with high iron contents, or were printed in the wrong grain direction), the words and stories themselves will be lost. Some have sneered, "Well, no one reads those old books anyway."
If this would be protested well, and be publicized well, then maybe a poll could be taken to prove that there are whole groups passionate about the preservation of old books for the sake of history, heritage, for their unequaled quality of writing and content that they contain, not to mention a whole different set of standards which were celebrated 'once upon a time.'
Now I am fuming and beyond disappointed in our politicians: the Democratic-majority congress and my former Conservative and Republican representatives and President. (I am an independent now) I am so upset by their knee-jerk overreactions to the lead-laden charms, toys, and other cheap junk imported into our country that made all the news last year.
Libraries have "sort of" been given a one-year reprieve. People at thrift stores are already throwing away good, useful books. Some are probably worthless, but many...so many that have gone out of print never to be published again...what will become of these?
Why can't people just hold their horses? Do nothing for a time. Take the books off the shelves but don't toss them into the proverbial incinerator just yet, please!!
My frustrations ~
1) Our former President and Congress voted on this sweeping, overgeneralized legislation without even reading it and digging into what it would require for businesses and people that it likely never thought it would effect. Note this quote from Federalist Paper #62 ~
"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man who knows what the law is today can guess what it will be tomorrow. Law is defined to be a rule of action; but how can that be a rule which is little known, and less fixed?" (Hat tip: The Amused Cynic)
2) I was already teetering near the edge in my passion and disgust for politicians and what they end up becoming in the machine of The Beltway. I *so* know and believe that God is ultimately in control, and I trust Him and have almost given up on trying to "make a difference" on a grand scale.
3) I therefore prayed that the American Library Association, and other lobbying blocks would be able to sway the aforementioned politicians to see *reason* before the Feb. deadline rolled around.
Ha. Ha.
Look, I am all for getting rid of unnecessary and dangerous chemicals in plastics (Phthalates) and the high amount of lead in charms, jewels, toys that are predominantly come from imports from the far east. Why could not the testing requirements be on those highly known offenders and products? Oh, yeah, because the powers-that-be are always quick to throw out the baby with the bathwater in order to save us from ourselves.
For much more detail about all of this confusing mess, read Val's blog. I've bought many children's books and book sets from her over the decades. Check out Walter Olson's writing at Overlawyered...he keeps posting updates and thorough, and some downright angering/disappointing reports from the Folks in Denial at the New York Times . Also read the interesting effects to the ATV industry. Check out a touching personal story by lawyer Mark Bennett. Then read the incredible in-depth insights by fellow homeschooler, the brilliant Deputy Headmistress in her multiple and ongoing posts at The Common Room. I've bought children's books from her family, as well, and read or own many of the books she has recommended to so many people over the years. She writes further about one of the links I shared (via FaceBook) a couple weeks back about Senator Jim DeMint's efforts to reform this mess ~
"Senator Jim DeMint has a reform bill in Committee right now. That link is to an article he wrote about it, this link is to a site where you can read the test of S. 374, his reform bill. There is also a version in the House, here is where you can read the actual bill. Unfortunately, it's in the same Committee that gave us this bill in the first place. She goes on to list the members who have been selected to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 111th Congress. Please contact them and ask them to support HR 968, and specifically to exempt books, all books, not just those published after 1985, and thrift shops from all but the recall portions of the bill ."
I see that she has linked to Overlawyered, as well. The news update there is not good on a just- cancelled Congressional meeting where small business owners were supposed to get a chance to share the consequences of the CPSIA on their businesses. I guess they can't handle the truth, and they don't want the truth getting out, because they might lose face.
If you are beginning to see where this is leading us--to a nationwide book ban...heck, the ban has already happened, people...it is just not being reported in the media--then DO something to try and help get this thing repealed. If you are already doing something, I will join you in the protest. I could write about the protest that Etsy is brewing up...but I'll simply link to it for now.
C'mon, friends! This is not a partisan issue. Let's keep hounding Congress and the CPSC (available through the links above). Let's make calls to some think-tank lawyers who see the dangers of losing whole chunks of history, artisanship, art, you-name-it.
Project Gutenberg, Bartleby and other e-text projects are able to digitize or print up some of the OOP books, but many will be lost because they are so obscure, but none-the-less important accounts of biographical and historical nature.
Let's get this grassroots effort growing!
Exhausted Javamom
Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts
27 February, 2009
16 February, 2009
Lirerary and Cultural Connections
When I wrote about a particular section of North and South a couple of weeks back, I shared the following passages and mentioned that I kept reflecting on them; turning them over in my mind.
Let me give a little explanation as to 'why.'
From near the end of Chapter XV:
This reminded me that in some circles, there has been this push to deny that this time in kids' lives did not exist until 1960, that somehow, our 20th Century was the first to "come up with this time period in kids' lives" in which we somehow make excuses (as a society) and give them permission to rebel. Perhaps it is just the term 'teenager' that became more accepted in this time, but I have to *heartily* disagree that the transition never existed before 1960.
This never set right with me, and I skirted the possibilities of it while our older two were going through the changes of the teenage years.
It is (to me) very exciting to read older literature that alludes to this time period in the lives and normal development of humans in earlier time periods than the 20th Century. Another fact of older literature is the divulsion that more than a few adults were addicted to Opium and Laudenum (it was given for medicinal purposes) and snuff!
Why do we glorify certain centuries or eras more than others and put down the supposed 'construct' of the teenage years?
The second passage I quoted was of Margaret mentioning:
'I heard a story of what happened in Nuremberg only three or four years ago. A rich man there lived alone in one of the immense mansions which were formerly both dwellings and warehouses. It was reported that he had a child, but no one knew of it for certain. For forty years this rumour kept rising and falling--never utterly dying away. After his death it was found to be true. He had a son--an overgrown man with the unexercised intellect of a child, whom he had kept up in that strange way, in order to save him from temptation and error. But, of course, when this great old child was turned loose into the world, every bad counsellor had power over him. He did not know good from evil. His father had made the blunder of bringing him up in ignorance and taking it for innocence; and after fourteen months of riotous living, the city authorities had to take charge of him, in order to save him from starvation. He could not even use words effectively enough to be a successful beggar.'
It finally clicked with me: I now think she is referring to the story of Kaspar Hauser, also mentioned in Charlotte Mason's Volume 3, pages 71-74.
Continuing to make connections; characteristics of life-long learning ~
Javamom
Let me give a little explanation as to 'why.'
From near the end of Chapter XV:
Mr. Hale said--
'I dare say I am talking in great ignorance; but from the little I know, I should say that the masses were already passing rapidly into the troublesome stage which intervenes between childhood and manhood, in the life of the multitude as well as that of the individual. Now, the error which many parents commit in the treatment of the individual at this time is, insisting on the same unreasoning obedience as when all he had to do in the way of duty was, to obey the simple laws of "Come when you're called and "Do as you're bid!" But a wise parent humours the desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and adviser when his absolute rule shall cease.' [Javamom, here...Charlotte Mason says something to similar effect!!]This reminded me that in some circles, there has been this push to deny that this time in kids' lives did not exist until 1960, that somehow, our 20th Century was the first to "come up with this time period in kids' lives" in which we somehow make excuses (as a society) and give them permission to rebel. Perhaps it is just the term 'teenager' that became more accepted in this time, but I have to *heartily* disagree that the transition never existed before 1960.
This never set right with me, and I skirted the possibilities of it while our older two were going through the changes of the teenage years.
It is (to me) very exciting to read older literature that alludes to this time period in the lives and normal development of humans in earlier time periods than the 20th Century. Another fact of older literature is the divulsion that more than a few adults were addicted to Opium and Laudenum (it was given for medicinal purposes) and snuff!
Why do we glorify certain centuries or eras more than others and put down the supposed 'construct' of the teenage years?
The second passage I quoted was of Margaret mentioning:
'I heard a story of what happened in Nuremberg only three or four years ago. A rich man there lived alone in one of the immense mansions which were formerly both dwellings and warehouses. It was reported that he had a child, but no one knew of it for certain. For forty years this rumour kept rising and falling--never utterly dying away. After his death it was found to be true. He had a son--an overgrown man with the unexercised intellect of a child, whom he had kept up in that strange way, in order to save him from temptation and error. But, of course, when this great old child was turned loose into the world, every bad counsellor had power over him. He did not know good from evil. His father had made the blunder of bringing him up in ignorance and taking it for innocence; and after fourteen months of riotous living, the city authorities had to take charge of him, in order to save him from starvation. He could not even use words effectively enough to be a successful beggar.'
It finally clicked with me: I now think she is referring to the story of Kaspar Hauser, also mentioned in Charlotte Mason's Volume 3, pages 71-74.
Continuing to make connections; characteristics of life-long learning ~
Javamom
27 August, 2008
The problem I have with modern marketing
Perception changes reality. If marketers ~ even Christian marketers ~ can change our perception of things, then they might have us hooked. I'm not talking about true needs, here, just perceived needs. I am so sick of deceptive marketing, but really with marketing in general. I know that the workmen and women are worthy of their wages, but truly, do we need so many workmen in one area? The writers that I love to read (or have time to read) have resources through their blogs or they are simply friends with whom I converse. That is more like it was in my Mother's and Grandmothers' day. Maybe folks weren't always right, but then neither are they always right now, even if they have written books and articles! Remember, facts, theories, technology, and opinions keep changing.
I have to be careful not to throw out the good things with the hype, so I have to pray for wisdom (always). I'm also tired of the latest greatest "Prayer Bear" or "Journal" other marketing scheme. Who, pray tell, will be the best-selling Christian author next decade, 'cause (if I were a betting woman) I'd bet that it won't be the same as this decade's author. So that author better get his share while the getting is good! That is the story of marketing! I apologize if I seem a little zealous. It's not inherently evil to be a best-selling author, or have a similar "high-profile" job...talk-show host, "Life Coach," actor, singer, what-have-you.
Now I have to admit that thanks to marketing and demand, classic "Oldie-but-goodies" have come back around or always been available. Thanks to demand, homeschool materials are much more readily available, but to me there are TOO MANY out there now, competing for our God-given AND hard-earned dollar. We have to be so much more shrewd and careful, and guard our time and dollars. It is such a struggle sometimes. I choose to shut most of it out and off, because the fruit of the struggle is not good fruit.
But something to consider in a future post is the "timelessness" of a classic...be it a book, author, work of art, music, etc. Think classic and save money. LOL.
If hubby and I have a need, then we research it a bit and try to spend our time and money wisely. We have not always done so. We've made some bad or expensive choices over the years, but we try to stay the course even when we fail. We have found treasures for pennies on the dollar much more often than not.
Perception changes reality.
1) The perceived "need" for newer, bigger, faster, brighter...better?
2) The perceived illusion that what you already have is not good enough, even if it is not broken or torn.
3) The illusion...YES sometimes it is indeed an illusion...that we need to be more "up-to-date" (relevant?) to keep up and compete with others (happens in homes, homeschooling circles, and churches, yikes!). If we stay on that merry-g0-round, what we have will only be good enough for a week, a month, or a year. In fact, with more and more which we have to choose from, it seems to speed up the merry-go-round faster and faster. We may find that we are hanging on for dear life to keep up, or that we eventually get "flung off" from the centrifugal force anyway! So what have we gained? What have we harmed in the process?
On the other hand, sticking with something ONLY because "that's the way it has always been done" is not the right motivation or the best mode of operation. That is the opposite extreme. I am really talking about the need for balance, here. But even thinking that through, simplicity is not found in the middle at all! So maybe balance is not necessarily in the middle. Of greater import is the richness, depth, and weight that living a simpler life can offer.
Are we not smart enough to just keep it simple?
Meditate on that for a minute.
There are too many voices, e-mails, styles, opinions, and etcetera, to count!! My head aches over them and how much time they can steal from us. Most of these things are subjective things. WE do not really need them at all to live well and even succeed. It is up to each of us to be led toward how much we can or should handle.
What do we really need to survive? We learned it in grade school...say it with me:
~ Water
~ Food
~ Shelter (okay, I'm including clothing, here-shelters our bodies, keeps us warm)
What does our soul need to survive and thrive?
~ Jesus - aka Living Water
~ God's word - food for the soul
~ Shelter - home and (church) community
Pretty simple. Why do we complicate it, so? Why do we fall prey to the extremes that marketing has to offer?
Say "no" to the not-so-merry, merry-go-round!
I encourage us all to take a step or two toward living more simply. It will save money, draw us nearer to our God, our Saviour, our family, and friends, provide us with a little more time to enjoy the beauty God created around us, help us to afford being creative and hospitable to others, and return some peace to our lives.
With His Love and freely given,
Javamom
A caveat: please understand that I am not saying that buying new, cool things is bad or sinful, in and of themselves. For example the Hubster, Dread-Pirate Sparsebeard, just snatched up a steal-of-a-deal on and end-of-summer clearance on a grill. We have never owned our own propane grill. In 23+ years of marriage, we have gone without or used a small charcoal grill.
Grilling out saves us money in the summer, because our home is all-electric.
I have to be careful not to throw out the good things with the hype, so I have to pray for wisdom (always). I'm also tired of the latest greatest "Prayer Bear" or "Journal" other marketing scheme. Who, pray tell, will be the best-selling Christian author next decade, 'cause (if I were a betting woman) I'd bet that it won't be the same as this decade's author. So that author better get his share while the getting is good! That is the story of marketing! I apologize if I seem a little zealous. It's not inherently evil to be a best-selling author, or have a similar "high-profile" job...talk-show host, "Life Coach," actor, singer, what-have-you.
Now I have to admit that thanks to marketing and demand, classic "Oldie-but-goodies" have come back around or always been available. Thanks to demand, homeschool materials are much more readily available, but to me there are TOO MANY out there now, competing for our God-given AND hard-earned dollar. We have to be so much more shrewd and careful, and guard our time and dollars. It is such a struggle sometimes. I choose to shut most of it out and off, because the fruit of the struggle is not good fruit.
But something to consider in a future post is the "timelessness" of a classic...be it a book, author, work of art, music, etc. Think classic and save money. LOL.
If hubby and I have a need, then we research it a bit and try to spend our time and money wisely. We have not always done so. We've made some bad or expensive choices over the years, but we try to stay the course even when we fail. We have found treasures for pennies on the dollar much more often than not.
Perception changes reality.
1) The perceived "need" for newer, bigger, faster, brighter...better?
2) The perceived illusion that what you already have is not good enough, even if it is not broken or torn.
3) The illusion...YES sometimes it is indeed an illusion...that we need to be more "up-to-date" (relevant?) to keep up and compete with others (happens in homes, homeschooling circles, and churches, yikes!). If we stay on that merry-g0-round, what we have will only be good enough for a week, a month, or a year. In fact, with more and more which we have to choose from, it seems to speed up the merry-go-round faster and faster. We may find that we are hanging on for dear life to keep up, or that we eventually get "flung off" from the centrifugal force anyway! So what have we gained? What have we harmed in the process?
On the other hand, sticking with something ONLY because "that's the way it has always been done" is not the right motivation or the best mode of operation. That is the opposite extreme. I am really talking about the need for balance, here. But even thinking that through, simplicity is not found in the middle at all! So maybe balance is not necessarily in the middle. Of greater import is the richness, depth, and weight that living a simpler life can offer.
Are we not smart enough to just keep it simple?
Meditate on that for a minute.
There are too many voices, e-mails, styles, opinions, and etcetera, to count!! My head aches over them and how much time they can steal from us. Most of these things are subjective things. WE do not really need them at all to live well and even succeed. It is up to each of us to be led toward how much we can or should handle.
What do we really need to survive? We learned it in grade school...say it with me:
~ Water
~ Food
~ Shelter (okay, I'm including clothing, here-shelters our bodies, keeps us warm)
What does our soul need to survive and thrive?
~ Jesus - aka Living Water
~ God's word - food for the soul
~ Shelter - home and (church) community
Pretty simple. Why do we complicate it, so? Why do we fall prey to the extremes that marketing has to offer?
Say "no" to the not-so-merry, merry-go-round!
I encourage us all to take a step or two toward living more simply. It will save money, draw us nearer to our God, our Saviour, our family, and friends, provide us with a little more time to enjoy the beauty God created around us, help us to afford being creative and hospitable to others, and return some peace to our lives.
With His Love and freely given,
Javamom
A caveat: please understand that I am not saying that buying new, cool things is bad or sinful, in and of themselves. For example the Hubster, Dread-Pirate Sparsebeard, just snatched up a steal-of-a-deal on and end-of-summer clearance on a grill. We have never owned our own propane grill. In 23+ years of marriage, we have gone without or used a small charcoal grill.
Grilling out saves us money in the summer, because our home is all-electric.
04 October, 2007
Tomorrow: co-op, then a break week
A well-deserved break it will be. I will be working part time up at Dh's school, but at least we have a break from Friday co-op classes. This has been a hard month re: settling old auto accident claims from 2005, settling issues from last month's wreck, including rental car and getting our van back two weeks later than hoped, and settling our finances, which we've had to juggle so much to stay afloat and keep food on the table. The Lord provides just what we need, always has...but...that is always less than what we (or our kiddos) think we can survive on. It is humbling...but in the very best way ;-).
Dh and I both have been planning two separate trips, his being more detailed and involved for his school: a freshman class trip. Dh also teaches, so we've both been busy, busy, busy with lesson plans, prep and grading. I've said it all before, but one does not truly understand how much time all of that really takes for teachers, when you want to do it well for the benefit of your students. Add to that the fact that dh runs the afterschool program, which means he gets home every night at 7:20. EVERY night for the last 15 years. Then he gets back up at 4:30 and does it all over again. EVERY day. EVERY night. God bless him richly. I truly mean that. He is superman.
Add to that that we are blessed to home school, so we then spend lots of time the rest of our time on those lessons for our own dear teens.
Whew. We are TIRED. We had a restful weekend last weekend, but truly...
SOMETHIN's gotta give. We scramble for precious time with our family unrelated to their schedules or classes. We eek out precious time for ourselves. I kid you not, this fall has been stingy on time to our kids and to us.
Others pull on our time about our need to be more involved elsewhere (whether they mean to or not...I'm sure if they were in our shoes they'd understand a little better) on top of everything else that we do in our larger city-wide community, reaching out to, working almost daily with, and learning from secular folks and Christian friends alike, more than half who aren't homeschoolers but are public or private schoolers. One of these life commitments is, of course, focosed parenting and discipling our kids, which is simply educating future good citizens, with a strong *and* gentle Biblical world view and preparing them to take on life in a healthy manner as young adults.
Dh doesn't get enough sleep, as it is. I barely do. Pray that things will ease up for us! For that is physically not a good healthy example over the longhaul.
Ds, age 14, seems to be understanding Algebra better. Yay. Note the joy in my "voice." I am reluctant to say anything, b/c he had it before, but "forgets" it so soon. He is working on more practice to help him remember more solidly. That should help Dh get to sleep sooner!
Dd is still behind in her worldviews homework, though she is able to get it all in for a better grade, she's still got the cart before the horse.
College age son is on track saving for next semester by working a lot and sometimes preparing the right paperwork to get into school.
I've talked about Margin before, planning time in your schedule to regularly and quickly rest and refresh whether it's quiet time or be together to build relationship and recharge. I have more opportunity to do this than Hubby. That's why he's the Dread Pirate (:-). He juggles so very much. He sacrifices daily. He needs rest. More rest and time with us.
Okay...I'll close there. He has a trip soon of hiking, but it is a working trip. He's gotta keep those freshmen safe! Yeah. I'm off to finish packing for a hectic, non-stop day of classes.
Please don't think this is complaining. Trials strengthen in us perserverance, etc. I know that I know that the Lord is providing us with exactly what we need to sustain us, both spiritually, mentally and physically. I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day!
Hang on to hope, and do not grow weary in doing good!! Do all things unto the Lord!
Javamom
Dh and I both have been planning two separate trips, his being more detailed and involved for his school: a freshman class trip. Dh also teaches, so we've both been busy, busy, busy with lesson plans, prep and grading. I've said it all before, but one does not truly understand how much time all of that really takes for teachers, when you want to do it well for the benefit of your students. Add to that the fact that dh runs the afterschool program, which means he gets home every night at 7:20. EVERY night for the last 15 years. Then he gets back up at 4:30 and does it all over again. EVERY day. EVERY night. God bless him richly. I truly mean that. He is superman.
Add to that that we are blessed to home school, so we then spend lots of time the rest of our time on those lessons for our own dear teens.
Whew. We are TIRED. We had a restful weekend last weekend, but truly...
SOMETHIN's gotta give. We scramble for precious time with our family unrelated to their schedules or classes. We eek out precious time for ourselves. I kid you not, this fall has been stingy on time to our kids and to us.
Others pull on our time about our need to be more involved elsewhere (whether they mean to or not...I'm sure if they were in our shoes they'd understand a little better) on top of everything else that we do in our larger city-wide community, reaching out to, working almost daily with, and learning from secular folks and Christian friends alike, more than half who aren't homeschoolers but are public or private schoolers. One of these life commitments is, of course, focosed parenting and discipling our kids, which is simply educating future good citizens, with a strong *and* gentle Biblical world view and preparing them to take on life in a healthy manner as young adults.
Dh doesn't get enough sleep, as it is. I barely do. Pray that things will ease up for us! For that is physically not a good healthy example over the longhaul.
Ds, age 14, seems to be understanding Algebra better. Yay. Note the joy in my "voice." I am reluctant to say anything, b/c he had it before, but "forgets" it so soon. He is working on more practice to help him remember more solidly. That should help Dh get to sleep sooner!
Dd is still behind in her worldviews homework, though she is able to get it all in for a better grade, she's still got the cart before the horse.
College age son is on track saving for next semester by working a lot and sometimes preparing the right paperwork to get into school.
I've talked about Margin before, planning time in your schedule to regularly and quickly rest and refresh whether it's quiet time or be together to build relationship and recharge. I have more opportunity to do this than Hubby. That's why he's the Dread Pirate (:-). He juggles so very much. He sacrifices daily. He needs rest. More rest and time with us.
Okay...I'll close there. He has a trip soon of hiking, but it is a working trip. He's gotta keep those freshmen safe! Yeah. I'm off to finish packing for a hectic, non-stop day of classes.
Please don't think this is complaining. Trials strengthen in us perserverance, etc. I know that I know that the Lord is providing us with exactly what we need to sustain us, both spiritually, mentally and physically. I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day!
Hang on to hope, and do not grow weary in doing good!! Do all things unto the Lord!
Javamom
19 July, 2007
British School Board Announces Death of Western Civ
Are they daft?
Well, I suppose this should not be a surprise to the truly educated minds of the world. Sir Winston Churchill has been officially axed from the required lessons list. Who else was taken off the list? Hitler, Gandhi, Stalin and Martin Luther King, not to mention the War of the Roses, Elizabeth I and Henry VIII. Oh, sure, they will still be teaching World Wars I and II, etc. but without its heroes and villains named? Can you say "watered-down by the P.C. crowd??"
Instead they will be taught about “relevant” issues such as global warming and drug dangers. Churchill’s grandson, Tory MP Nicholas Soames, is said to have called the move “total madness.”
At least the schools secretary Alan Balls is angered enough to give this a deeper look. He is now squared against all curriculum advisers.
Ministers said the shake-up will free up a quarter of the school day so teachers can focus more on individual pupil needs.
Regarding languages, they decided that their schools will be able to stop teaching French, German and Spanish and offer other languages (in place of the common foreign languages...and in Jr. High??? Charlotte Mason would roll over in her grave, if she could), including Urdu, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic. Qualifications and Curriculum Authority boss Ken Boston said the changes would equip young people “with the skills for life and work in the 21st century”.
Well that's just great. (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
Alright homeschool/private school families and teachers--Let's educate and empower our children with a real, no-bones-about-it lifelong education in Western Civ. and Biblical Worldview courses, to be able to preserve some truth to teach future generations.
Read more here.
Well, I suppose this should not be a surprise to the truly educated minds of the world. Sir Winston Churchill has been officially axed from the required lessons list. Who else was taken off the list? Hitler, Gandhi, Stalin and Martin Luther King, not to mention the War of the Roses, Elizabeth I and Henry VIII. Oh, sure, they will still be teaching World Wars I and II, etc. but without its heroes and villains named? Can you say "watered-down by the P.C. crowd??"
Instead they will be taught about “relevant” issues such as global warming and drug dangers. Churchill’s grandson, Tory MP Nicholas Soames, is said to have called the move “total madness.”
At least the schools secretary Alan Balls is angered enough to give this a deeper look. He is now squared against all curriculum advisers.
Ministers said the shake-up will free up a quarter of the school day so teachers can focus more on individual pupil needs.
Regarding languages, they decided that their schools will be able to stop teaching French, German and Spanish and offer other languages (in place of the common foreign languages...and in Jr. High??? Charlotte Mason would roll over in her grave, if she could), including Urdu, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic. Qualifications and Curriculum Authority boss Ken Boston said the changes would equip young people “with the skills for life and work in the 21st century”.
Well that's just great. (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
Alright homeschool/private school families and teachers--Let's educate and empower our children with a real, no-bones-about-it lifelong education in Western Civ. and Biblical Worldview courses, to be able to preserve some truth to teach future generations.
Read more here.
19 March, 2007
Learning to Cry for the Culture
I just read a good article at Christianity Today Online about Francis Schaeffer, one of the most important Christian Philosophers and thinkers of the 20th century. It is written by musician and author John Fisher. In the article, Fisher tells us what he learned from Francis Schaeffer as he reflects on a time that he heard him speak at Wheaten University more than a couple of decades ago. I'll only share several quotes that I found resoundingly important for us to consider, then link you to the original article.
Then this, with which I so heartily agree.
Yes, these short thoughts are exactly the reason to have your students and older children read the writings of Francis Schaeffer, pray and ponder over them, then do something positive in the culture; engage and be in the world and not of it, to try to be of help and make a difference.
Sincerely,
Javamom
Fisher writes: "Instead of shaking our heads at a depressing, dark, abstract work of art, the true Christian reaction should be to weep for the lost person who created it. Schaeffer was a rare Christian leader who advocated understanding and empathizing with non-Christians instead of taking issue with them."
Then this, with which I so heartily agree.
"Jesus asked us to love our enemies. Part of loving is learning to understand. Too few Christians today seek to understand why their enemies think in ways that we find abhorrent. Too many of us are too busy bashing feminists, secular humanists, gay activists, and political liberals to consider why they believe what they do. It's difficult to sympathize with people we see as threats to our children and our neighborhoods. It's hard to weep over those whom we have declared enemies.
Perhaps a good beginning would be to more fully grasp the depravity of our own souls and the depth to which God's grace had to go to reach us. I doubt we can cry over the world if we've never cried over ourselves."
Yes, these short thoughts are exactly the reason to have your students and older children read the writings of Francis Schaeffer, pray and ponder over them, then do something positive in the culture; engage and be in the world and not of it, to try to be of help and make a difference.
Sincerely,
Javamom
01 March, 2007
High School Senior Options
Has anyone else had the problem of how to answer people (who mean well) when they ask, "What college is your son going to?" or "What are your son's plans?" It is a similar reaction that folks feel obligated (or maybe it's just genuine curiosity) when we were just beginning our homeschool journey, when loved ones AND strangers asked all those (sometimes thoughtful, but other times, annoying) questions about "How do you make sure you are teaching what they need to learn?", or (love this one) "are you qualified? Will it count?" and of course "Can homeschoolers get into college?"
Please share with me your experiences. All along this journey of over 13+ years I have found that there are many, many options for learning, training and growing to be a better follower and to be a good leader in adulthood. Most folks are just so ---- bent on how you just absolutely MUST follow the traditional path and make sure your student is all ready to jump right in to college immediately.
Once again, as with those "just starting out" years, I wish people would realize that there exists a multitude of ways to accomplish education and succeed, both primary and higher education and training. Taking a semester or summer off to get some more humanitarian work under the belt is exactly what we're hoping for for our son, then he can begin courses at the community college with little cost, and begin to rack up college hours toward becoming a transfer student. He may actually take a community college course before that hoped-for humanitarian/mission trip. We will save up to $50,000 by not jumping (or forcing) into traditional college immediately after dear son comes off of that graduation stage with his certificate in that big hand of his.
It's not like we don't have a plan. I have a fluid and working sketch that is open to adjustments here and there. There are so many options that we are trying to funnel down into a more specific path, while AT THE SAME TIME allowing for some God-led guidance and opportunities to come along (which they are, by the way).
We (society) have such a rigid box of what counts for education. It gets very frustrating sometimes when folks cannot get out of that box and see the interesting and creative opportunities that abound! In fact, I so strongly believe that opportunities to become better educated for both leadership and contentment in adulthood exist outside of a traditional setting far more often than in the tradional setting. Just go back to the bio's of the most famous statesmen, scientists, and renaissance men. They were not educated traditionally. Some in modern society still aren't.
And there is not a thing wrong with allowing for more time for the student to feel more comfortable about their academic choices while getting some of the basic core subjects out of the way. How many college students or adults do YOU know who changed their major multiple times, adding on to the amount of money and time spent toward attaining a goal of a degree.
AND how many adults do you know now who are not working in the field in which they majored? I am not at all saying that a degree is not important. I AM saying, however, that giving students some time to mature into a degree or career plan while getting basics out of the way, therefore hopefully leading to fewer academic changes being made as possible (and thereby saving money along the way) is NOT a bad thing. It is even a PLAN, if I dare say such a thing.
You can probably tell...we have gotten some interesting input (or criticism) for not having all ds' paperwork in to the college/university of his choice, yet. That's because he doesn't have one yet. Community college courses and online courses are a very good option, as well as the dual-credit course option that high schooolers have. We have two more teens and one pre-teen, who can take advantage of this option sooner or later, **should it be a good fit for them.** Isn't the fit of the student to a particular college/university one of the most important things? That's what I've read, anyway.
Another point is that some students do not and cannot possibly be sure of what career they want to "lock themselves into" early in their high school career. My question is should they even have to?? It didn't work for me (I burned out badly 3 1/2 years in) and many others that I know. But that leads to a whole different subject. In spite of bombing Statistics in my Senior year, I do get to make use of my Spanish language minor :-). In spite of Dh's bachelor's degree, which was not in education, he did get to go on and become a teacher. He did finally earn a Master's degree in English.
I know we have to jump through certain hoops. I just believe that there aren't as many "must-do's" as the general public tries to make us think there are. But then, we've lived counter-culturally and unconventionally much of our lives, and have a lot of experiences (mine and others') on which to hang my beliefs.
Maybe we are just living by-the-seat-of-our-pants. Better yet, though, maybe we are just trying to live by Faith and not trust in those 'horses and chariots.'
I await to hear the experiences and thoughts of my readers. I need the encouraging words!
Javamom, handing the soapbox to someone else, now.
Please share with me your experiences. All along this journey of over 13+ years I have found that there are many, many options for learning, training and growing to be a better follower and to be a good leader in adulthood. Most folks are just so ---- bent on how you just absolutely MUST follow the traditional path and make sure your student is all ready to jump right in to college immediately.
Once again, as with those "just starting out" years, I wish people would realize that there exists a multitude of ways to accomplish education and succeed, both primary and higher education and training. Taking a semester or summer off to get some more humanitarian work under the belt is exactly what we're hoping for for our son, then he can begin courses at the community college with little cost, and begin to rack up college hours toward becoming a transfer student. He may actually take a community college course before that hoped-for humanitarian/mission trip. We will save up to $50,000 by not jumping (or forcing) into traditional college immediately after dear son comes off of that graduation stage with his certificate in that big hand of his.
It's not like we don't have a plan. I have a fluid and working sketch that is open to adjustments here and there. There are so many options that we are trying to funnel down into a more specific path, while AT THE SAME TIME allowing for some God-led guidance and opportunities to come along (which they are, by the way).
We (society) have such a rigid box of what counts for education. It gets very frustrating sometimes when folks cannot get out of that box and see the interesting and creative opportunities that abound! In fact, I so strongly believe that opportunities to become better educated for both leadership and contentment in adulthood exist outside of a traditional setting far more often than in the tradional setting. Just go back to the bio's of the most famous statesmen, scientists, and renaissance men. They were not educated traditionally. Some in modern society still aren't.
And there is not a thing wrong with allowing for more time for the student to feel more comfortable about their academic choices while getting some of the basic core subjects out of the way. How many college students or adults do YOU know who changed their major multiple times, adding on to the amount of money and time spent toward attaining a goal of a degree.
AND how many adults do you know now who are not working in the field in which they majored? I am not at all saying that a degree is not important. I AM saying, however, that giving students some time to mature into a degree or career plan while getting basics out of the way, therefore hopefully leading to fewer academic changes being made as possible (and thereby saving money along the way) is NOT a bad thing. It is even a PLAN, if I dare say such a thing.
You can probably tell...we have gotten some interesting input (or criticism) for not having all ds' paperwork in to the college/university of his choice, yet. That's because he doesn't have one yet. Community college courses and online courses are a very good option, as well as the dual-credit course option that high schooolers have. We have two more teens and one pre-teen, who can take advantage of this option sooner or later, **should it be a good fit for them.** Isn't the fit of the student to a particular college/university one of the most important things? That's what I've read, anyway.
Another point is that some students do not and cannot possibly be sure of what career they want to "lock themselves into" early in their high school career. My question is should they even have to?? It didn't work for me (I burned out badly 3 1/2 years in) and many others that I know. But that leads to a whole different subject. In spite of bombing Statistics in my Senior year, I do get to make use of my Spanish language minor :-). In spite of Dh's bachelor's degree, which was not in education, he did get to go on and become a teacher. He did finally earn a Master's degree in English.
I know we have to jump through certain hoops. I just believe that there aren't as many "must-do's" as the general public tries to make us think there are. But then, we've lived counter-culturally and unconventionally much of our lives, and have a lot of experiences (mine and others') on which to hang my beliefs.
Maybe we are just living by-the-seat-of-our-pants. Better yet, though, maybe we are just trying to live by Faith and not trust in those 'horses and chariots.'
I await to hear the experiences and thoughts of my readers. I need the encouraging words!
Javamom, handing the soapbox to someone else, now.
19 February, 2007
CM comments, Parents' Review Ads
Heard at Book Club tonight: Queen Shenaynay to group: "Remember, Charlotte didn't have Google." to which Javamom quickly added: "Charlotte *was* Google!"
[side note: A lovely, growing group of friends who have joined me in a CM book club, read volume six together over the last two years. This year, we began and plan to complete volume one.]
We were referring to all the references Charlotte sprinkles into the pages of her writings. Much can be picked up in reading Charlotte's own words. She was incredibly well-educated. A product of her time? Well, sure...but not all people living in that time were so educated.
Her 'campaign' if I may call it that, was that she wanted all children (and I might say even their mothers!) to be able to have a liberal (well-rounded) education as well, not just the children of the privileged, wealthy class. Her writings provide *and* inspire quite an education.
One of the most important thing to consider when delving into reading CM is that one will take in far more from her writings if one looks up all the little references Charlotte makes that are often (though not always) in Italics, or in indented quotes. Then one is truly able to dig into the meat; the deeper meaning of her thoughts, examples, and her principals, as she shares quotes or paints word pictures with references...most of which might not be caught, "partly because of our own defective education" (CM vol. one page 67).
(click to enlarge)
I've been meaning to share some pictures, maybe even a few quotes, from an old copy of The Parents' Review that I purchased several years ago. I was urged on before CM BookClub tonight by QS at the Beehive to post this at once to share with our Charlotte Mason friends via the blogworld. This comes from the advertisement section of the June, 1933 issue, Elsie Kitching, editor. Charlotte died in 1923) Just in case you can't read it, it says "Notice to Members of the P.N.E.U. Peter Robinson, Ltd. are the official suppliers of the Parents' Union School Uniform. The new badge is registered and copyright and therefore obtainable only from the appointed outfitters or P.N.E.U. office. Enquiries should be made to, and price lists obtained from...etc., etc."
The second ad in the first picture is hopefully easier to read. These were photographic prints one could order for Picture Study., in the recommended 10 in. by 8 in. format, or lantern slides made to order.
The many advertisements (not shown in this post) for various CM schools all over England fill the ad sections of the PR Magazine. They provide for us some of tiny missing pieces of what some CM schools / homeschools were like, many of them with photos of the building(s) or partial grounds.
Many of them were lead by Head Mistresses who were Ambleside or HOE graduates, themselves.
The section we read and studied in book club tonight was pages 42-69, much of which discusses just what it was about nature study that Charlotte thought was so important: "Training the children's powers of observation and expression, increasing their vocabulary and their range of ideas...she is training them in truthful habits, by making them careful to see the fact and to state it exactly, without omission or exaggeration." (Vol. one pages 46-47)
Throughout this section, she very specifically lays out how mother can lead her children through this, both by example and with minimal interference. She does give instruction, but it is leading instruction, with examples of things she remembers from her own memory (of a painting or a landscape) and with phrases that encourage the children to look and observe on their own, and very discriminatingly.
Some people get hung up on Charlotte Mason because in a blanket judgment, they say something like, "CM is just all about nature study and not much else," which is so discouraging...not to me personally, but that such false representations exist and run rampant within the homeschooling community!
Nature study is but one of a multitude of aspects of a Charlotte Mason education. It is not a separate or even the primary subject. In fact, I'll share a quote by Monk Gibbon from the Parents' Review magazine that I've shown you today, which puts my thoughts on this matter into a nutshell.
He says, "Literature is not a 'subject.' Music is not a 'subject.' Drawing is not a 'subject.' Religion is not a 'subject.' Rather, are they all activities of the spirit, valid in themselves. And yet, they become 'subjects in the hands of the pedants."
pedant - a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit.
Ouch! (for some). Sorry about that. Well, not really. My whole point of home educating (and guiding our children to self-educate) was to get off the track of "standardized education" and allow them the time to truly learn; to form relationships with great minds and with real things, FIRST hand, to seek wisdom, be led by the Holy Spirit, and to value learning. I'll stop there for now, or I may become preachy.
Instead, I'll close with one of my favorite finds (actually a friend found it for me) that hangs in our family / dining room. It is a map of the state birds and flowers of the US. It is surrounded by some of the fascinating things we've collected on nature walks that reflect God's highly specialized and creative genius in nature, such as a sample of wild-grasses (on the left) that have a three-sided (triangular-shaped) stem. Who knew such a plant existed? Why should we care? One reason is that it is evidence of God's order in nature.
Enjoy!
Javamom
[side note: A lovely, growing group of friends who have joined me in a CM book club, read volume six together over the last two years. This year, we began and plan to complete volume one.]
We were referring to all the references Charlotte sprinkles into the pages of her writings. Much can be picked up in reading Charlotte's own words. She was incredibly well-educated. A product of her time? Well, sure...but not all people living in that time were so educated.
Her 'campaign' if I may call it that, was that she wanted all children (and I might say even their mothers!) to be able to have a liberal (well-rounded) education as well, not just the children of the privileged, wealthy class. Her writings provide *and* inspire quite an education.
One of the most important thing to consider when delving into reading CM is that one will take in far more from her writings if one looks up all the little references Charlotte makes that are often (though not always) in Italics, or in indented quotes. Then one is truly able to dig into the meat; the deeper meaning of her thoughts, examples, and her principals, as she shares quotes or paints word pictures with references...most of which might not be caught, "partly because of our own defective education" (CM vol. one page 67).
(click to enlarge)I've been meaning to share some pictures, maybe even a few quotes, from an old copy of The Parents' Review that I purchased several years ago. I was urged on before CM BookClub tonight by QS at the Beehive to post this at once to share with our Charlotte Mason friends via the blogworld. This comes from the advertisement section of the June, 1933 issue, Elsie Kitching, editor. Charlotte died in 1923) Just in case you can't read it, it says "Notice to Members of the P.N.E.U. Peter Robinson, Ltd. are the official suppliers of the Parents' Union School Uniform. The new badge is registered and copyright and therefore obtainable only from the appointed outfitters or P.N.E.U. office. Enquiries should be made to, and price lists obtained from...etc., etc."
The second ad in the first picture is hopefully easier to read. These were photographic prints one could order for Picture Study., in the recommended 10 in. by 8 in. format, or lantern slides made to order.
The many advertisements (not shown in this post) for various CM schools all over England fill the ad sections of the PR Magazine. They provide for us some of tiny missing pieces of what some CM schools / homeschools were like, many of them with photos of the building(s) or partial grounds.
Many of them were lead by Head Mistresses who were Ambleside or HOE graduates, themselves.
The section we read and studied in book club tonight was pages 42-69, much of which discusses just what it was about nature study that Charlotte thought was so important: "Training the children's powers of observation and expression, increasing their vocabulary and their range of ideas...she is training them in truthful habits, by making them careful to see the fact and to state it exactly, without omission or exaggeration." (Vol. one pages 46-47)
Throughout this section, she very specifically lays out how mother can lead her children through this, both by example and with minimal interference. She does give instruction, but it is leading instruction, with examples of things she remembers from her own memory (of a painting or a landscape) and with phrases that encourage the children to look and observe on their own, and very discriminatingly.
Some people get hung up on Charlotte Mason because in a blanket judgment, they say something like, "CM is just all about nature study and not much else," which is so discouraging...not to me personally, but that such false representations exist and run rampant within the homeschooling community!
Nature study is but one of a multitude of aspects of a Charlotte Mason education. It is not a separate or even the primary subject. In fact, I'll share a quote by Monk Gibbon from the Parents' Review magazine that I've shown you today, which puts my thoughts on this matter into a nutshell.
He says, "Literature is not a 'subject.' Music is not a 'subject.' Drawing is not a 'subject.' Religion is not a 'subject.' Rather, are they all activities of the spirit, valid in themselves. And yet, they become 'subjects in the hands of the pedants."
pedant - a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit.
1. One who pays undue attention to book learning and formal rules.
2. One who exhibits one's learning or scholarship ostentatiously.
3. Obsolete A schoolmaster.
Ouch! (for some). Sorry about that. Well, not really. My whole point of home educating (and guiding our children to self-educate) was to get off the track of "standardized education" and allow them the time to truly learn; to form relationships with great minds and with real things, FIRST hand, to seek wisdom, be led by the Holy Spirit, and to value learning. I'll stop there for now, or I may become preachy.
Instead, I'll close with one of my favorite finds (actually a friend found it for me) that hangs in our family / dining room. It is a map of the state birds and flowers of the US. It is surrounded by some of the fascinating things we've collected on nature walks that reflect God's highly specialized and creative genius in nature, such as a sample of wild-grasses (on the left) that have a three-sided (triangular-shaped) stem. Who knew such a plant existed? Why should we care? One reason is that it is evidence of God's order in nature.
Enjoy!
Javamom
06 February, 2007
Mandatory Cancer Vaccine
I'm extremely disconcerted and undone over the latest mandate that our governor (who just so happens to be in the party I end up voting for much of the time) has made.
Friend of homeschoolers? Sure, when it helps to get him elected. For better or for worse, politicians are standing up and taking more notice these days of the ever-growing homeschool voting block and how it may be important for them to get on "our" good side!
There was just that type of something about him this past year that made me not want to vote for him again or be seen supporting him in the election last November. Why, we homeschoolers even had the chance to go stand on stage with him the night before (or was it on?) election day, and also get to see our President. Wow. That really bothered me and I honestly felt by that point that he was just using our huge voting block for his own advantage, not necessarily for our interests. I didn't publically share my feelings at the time, as I didn't want to stir up anything with many whom I know would probably not agree with me.
Well guess what...parenting issues such as these, and choices regarding vaccinations and other health issues are a couple of "our" interests. And I think he just blew it, big time. I hate to say that I am not surprised at all by this. I don't have a lot of facts to back up my reservations, but I had them.
Friend of homeschoolers? Sure, when it helps to get him elected. For better or for worse, politicians are standing up and taking more notice these days of the ever-growing homeschool voting block and how it may be important for them to get on "our" good side!
There was just that type of something about him this past year that made me not want to vote for him again or be seen supporting him in the election last November. Why, we homeschoolers even had the chance to go stand on stage with him the night before (or was it on?) election day, and also get to see our President. Wow. That really bothered me and I honestly felt by that point that he was just using our huge voting block for his own advantage, not necessarily for our interests. I didn't publically share my feelings at the time, as I didn't want to stir up anything with many whom I know would probably not agree with me.
Well guess what...parenting issues such as these, and choices regarding vaccinations and other health issues are a couple of "our" interests. And I think he just blew it, big time. I hate to say that I am not surprised at all by this. I don't have a lot of facts to back up my reservations, but I had them.
To me, this mandate is disturbing on at least two levels: 1) requiring something of us that is our decision as parents to make and 2) Merck stands to earn millions of billions of dollars on this "mandatory" vaccine (they were lobbying for this last week). Whose pocket is Merck in, anyway? (or did I just say that backwards...who is in Merck's pocket, LOL).
Follow the money, I say. I just think it is wrong for this governor to make such an executive decision with so little discussion or warning. This vaccine doesn't even cover all types of cervical cancer, just those caused by HPV (an STD). It brings up my frustration that the drug companies have too much power, now (I hate, hate, hate all the advertising they get to do...when some of the JUNK they send down the pike is probably as dangerous as Tobacco), but that is another issue for another day.
Hmphhhhh. I wonder if our "One Tough Grandma" would have pulled this kind of slick "Good old boy" move. Somehow, I really don't think so. But the crowd was so upset by her supporting teachers and teachers' unions. Gosh. Too bad we didn't consider more of her positions than that, 'cause in Texas homeschools ARE private schools, so we are teachers. So what if a lot of schools don't like or approve of homeschools. So far, we still have an upper hand, that of course we should fight to keep. I liked that Tough Grandma, even if she was idealistic and even if she was backed by Texas teachers. At least we knew where she stood!! Beats a back-stabbing good ol' boy any day. Austin needed shaking up.
Sorry, y'all. This just really bugs me.
Follow the money, I say. I just think it is wrong for this governor to make such an executive decision with so little discussion or warning. This vaccine doesn't even cover all types of cervical cancer, just those caused by HPV (an STD). It brings up my frustration that the drug companies have too much power, now (I hate, hate, hate all the advertising they get to do...when some of the JUNK they send down the pike is probably as dangerous as Tobacco), but that is another issue for another day.
Hmphhhhh. I wonder if our "One Tough Grandma" would have pulled this kind of slick "Good old boy" move. Somehow, I really don't think so. But the crowd was so upset by her supporting teachers and teachers' unions. Gosh. Too bad we didn't consider more of her positions than that, 'cause in Texas homeschools ARE private schools, so we are teachers. So what if a lot of schools don't like or approve of homeschools. So far, we still have an upper hand, that of course we should fight to keep. I liked that Tough Grandma, even if she was idealistic and even if she was backed by Texas teachers. At least we knew where she stood!! Beats a back-stabbing good ol' boy any day. Austin needed shaking up.
Sorry, y'all. This just really bugs me.
Javamom on a soapbox (which doesn't happen so very often) chiming in with my two bits-worth of an opinion
31 March, 2005
*Terri Schiavo*
Aol news flash had the absolute poor taste of carrying this AP story about the military trial of a U.S. Captain after Terri died, instead of Terri's story. Yeah, I'm sure they just didn't get the press release, yet. Riiiiggghhhtttt.
This IS war…on multiple fronts. It is a spiritual battle, a battle of worldviews, and a battle against deception.
In the past two weeks, I have not written about Terri Schiavo, as so many people have done an eloquent job of informing the public of the facts that weren’t being shared in the msm. I realize that by not commenting at all, I could be seen as being absorbed in my own world. Though quiet here on the web, I have not been ignoring the travesty of the situation, but have been praying.
I am now officially, over-the-top upset at the multiple ironies and double standards of the “justifications by certain powers that be” of pulling the feeding tube from Terri Schiavo.
Let me back up just a step. I have been in the process of switching ISP’s, but still have access to AOL. On yahoo I just noticed (around 10:00 a.m. central time on March 31st) that Terri has died. Imagine the ire that swelled out of me when aol’s top stories were: American Idol cast-off, Kobe Bryant and the one that MOST steamed me:
Military Court Convicts U.S. Soldier for Shooting Iraqi
Captain Had Testified Killing Wounded, Unarmed Man Was 'Honorable'
Doctors, just as in the Terri Schiavo case, were consulted regarding their opinions of the Iraqi driver’s health status. Wow, surprise surprise the conclusions they came to about the "health" and viability of the Iraqi Insurgent.
I cannot even write. I think the headlines and the stupid, contadictory, stories and biased conclusions speak for themselves.
Patricia Heaton, TV mom and actress on “Everybody Loves Raymond” had the guts to stand up for Terri’s rights to life…citing the other doctors consulted in her case, believing that she did have the capacity to sense joy and pain on a human level.
The *least* I can do is continue to pray…and stick by my switch away from AOL’s poor-taste, biased news flashes. I may add more later, as I come upon more links. Check out rushlimbaugh.com. If you don't like my conservative stance on this, or my sources, too bad. Get over it. I was a vegetarian, home-birthing hippie at one time, but that doesn't mean I can't also be a conservative...with some libertarian leanings.
p.s. Breakpoint with Chuck Colson just published an article on similar irony, and states it much better than I have.
This IS war…on multiple fronts. It is a spiritual battle, a battle of worldviews, and a battle against deception.
In the past two weeks, I have not written about Terri Schiavo, as so many people have done an eloquent job of informing the public of the facts that weren’t being shared in the msm. I realize that by not commenting at all, I could be seen as being absorbed in my own world. Though quiet here on the web, I have not been ignoring the travesty of the situation, but have been praying.
I am now officially, over-the-top upset at the multiple ironies and double standards of the “justifications by certain powers that be” of pulling the feeding tube from Terri Schiavo.
Let me back up just a step. I have been in the process of switching ISP’s, but still have access to AOL. On yahoo I just noticed (around 10:00 a.m. central time on March 31st) that Terri has died. Imagine the ire that swelled out of me when aol’s top stories were: American Idol cast-off, Kobe Bryant and the one that MOST steamed me:
Military Court Convicts U.S. Soldier for Shooting Iraqi
Captain Had Testified Killing Wounded, Unarmed Man Was 'Honorable'
Doctors, just as in the Terri Schiavo case, were consulted regarding their opinions of the Iraqi driver’s health status. Wow, surprise surprise the conclusions they came to about the "health" and viability of the Iraqi Insurgent.
I cannot even write. I think the headlines and the stupid, contadictory, stories and biased conclusions speak for themselves.
Patricia Heaton, TV mom and actress on “Everybody Loves Raymond” had the guts to stand up for Terri’s rights to life…citing the other doctors consulted in her case, believing that she did have the capacity to sense joy and pain on a human level.
The *least* I can do is continue to pray…and stick by my switch away from AOL’s poor-taste, biased news flashes. I may add more later, as I come upon more links. Check out rushlimbaugh.com. If you don't like my conservative stance on this, or my sources, too bad. Get over it. I was a vegetarian, home-birthing hippie at one time, but that doesn't mean I can't also be a conservative...with some libertarian leanings.
p.s. Breakpoint with Chuck Colson just published an article on similar irony, and states it much better than I have.
02 March, 2005
Is Motherhood Really Madness?
The "madness" written up recenly was the subject of a Newsweek story by Judith Warner, author of the new book Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety.
As Chuck Colson, in his news commentary "Breakpoint" highlights, "Warner's experience and observations led her to ask why "arguably the most liberated and privileged group of women" in American history have "driven themselves crazy in the quest for perfect mommy-dom," making "high-pressured, time-demanding, [and] utterly exhausting kids' activities" an essential part of parenting?"
Maybe this is just a cause close to my heart, but I think if we don't ever respond to or rebut articles like this, the myths will continue to live on in our culture.
I was raised with a propensity not to fall for what is culturally popular. Or at the very least to consider and measure it carefully (count the cost) to stand on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, praiseworthy....dwelling on these things.
My mom babysat for the moms who decided to work in the 70's and 80's, so I saw the effects, both short and long-term, that had on the moms and the children; the regret, separation, distance, frustration, etc. I, like many of us, remember the mantra of the 80's, especially, was that "you can be it all and have it all as a working mommy."
I was a nanny for a doctor and a nurse at this point, and worked for another family one day per week, as well. I had the blessing of the lessons of walking through "childcare" as a caretaker for others. I gleaned much by having a relationship with my employers and discussing their thoughts, both positive and negative, on the issues facing women. Interestingly, my primary employer was not a practicing "organized religion" Christian (she was raised in organized religion, but did not believe in it), and her husband, a pediatric specialist, was a universalist. Even they felt like culture was sending the wrong message of affluence, status, etc., and lived counter-culturally to the beliefs/trends of the decade. They seemed to have a better handle on values than some Christians I knew.
I decided that "career mom" was not a route I felt I should take, even though I was going to college to become a psychologist or Christian Counselor. That lifestyle choice didn't seem to be going so smoothly for very many moms that I knew, through the Christian college I attended and the professional Christian women I knew at church, to the moms I worked for. As a working woman in Boston, after college, the Catholic moms that I worked with worked "mothers' hours" (during school hours) so they could be home when the kids got home. They seemed to understand the importance of their roll of "Mother." Those of us who didn't have kids, yet, tended to cover the later afternoon hours. A lot of women were measuring what was best for their marriages and families, at the time, and that was a good "Titus 2" example for me, whether they were of the same "church family" to which I belonged, or not.
So I struggled over the issue of what to do about the "cultural lie." It was infiltrating even women in churches I attended. Justifications were being made, or understandable regrets expressed over the choice the need to work, among some of my peers. It went to the core of my identity and what I was going to do as an adult, so much so that I developed anorexia. There were a couple other factors thrown in there, but this issue was at the core! I prayed to the Lord for wisdom and direction, and clarity...and discussed it with my [now] Hubby while we were engaged, to be sure that he and I had the same heart on the issue. I didn't mind being a working woman, but really felt the Lord wanted [me] to stay home with children when they came along.
The premise and research of this article and book is all based on a worldly standard, I didn't buy it when my time came to make the decision re: career vs. motherhood, and I don't buy it now. I wish she would interview moms who are living counter culturally. They are NOT hard to find. I am just perplexed by the author's lack of including a broader base of moms for her "research."
There were over 900 at the WholeHearted Mother Conference in Texas alone, and surely some of the women who were there would not agree with the basis or the outcome of this writer's study.
On pg. 2 of the online article, it says: "Nine hundred and nine women in Texas recently told researchers they find taking care of their kids about as much fun as cleaning their house, slightly less pleasurable than cooking, and a whole lot less enjoyable than watching TV.And I wondered: Why do so many otherwise competent and self-aware women lose themselves when they become mothers?"then:"—told me of lives spent shuttling back and forth to more and more absurd-seeming, high-pressured, time-demanding, utterly exhausting kids' activities. I heard of whole towns turning out for a spot in the right ballet class;"
I'm saddened that the parenting of children is veiwed by the populous as "less fun than cooking." Of course it's more difficult than watching TV, Tv is just an escape from reality, and it numbs the brain cells. (Read the book by Jane M. Healy, PH.D called Endangered Minds or The Plug-in Drug: Television, Computers, and Family Life by Marie Winn)
Again, I say, something is terribly wrong with the picture Warner has painted by her observances of a small cross-section of American moms. As for feeling pressured to attend endless activities, I say that activities are not bad, but we have to learn not to overdo it by filling every waking hour with scheduled, group activities. We have the choice not to buy into this type of "placing hopes on this-or-that highest rated class or camp...in order to have my child in the best the country has to offer" mentality.
I know that we moms still want the best for our kids, and sometimes agonize over the amount of chores that we have to keep up, or we spend way too much money for "just the perfect curriculum," so I know that we resemble some of the issues of struggling with "comparing ourselves to others" etc., but we are still different, still "Set Apart" you know? I'm not naive to think we've arrived.
Culture may say it is so, and it may be true for a lot of people, but it does not make it *truth.* Instead of following culture, which she asserts has quested for "perfect mommy-dom," we know as Christians that we only have to strive for Godly Mommy-dom, as a part of a whole Godly life! It all depends on what or in Whom our beliefs are rooted...it all comes down to our worldview. From what source does our very living, breathing and basis for truth spring forth?
That is all I have time to preach on today :-). I promise this commentary was not meant to offend, or make anyone feel like they are being less of a mom. If one is having to work outside the home out of necessity, or been thrust into single motherhood, I do not begrudge the need to work.
I am not a perfect mom myself, and my home is not always immaculate, but I know whom I have believed in, and am persuaded the He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him...
As Chuck Colson, in his news commentary "Breakpoint" highlights, "Warner's experience and observations led her to ask why "arguably the most liberated and privileged group of women" in American history have "driven themselves crazy in the quest for perfect mommy-dom," making "high-pressured, time-demanding, [and] utterly exhausting kids' activities" an essential part of parenting?"
Maybe this is just a cause close to my heart, but I think if we don't ever respond to or rebut articles like this, the myths will continue to live on in our culture.
I was raised with a propensity not to fall for what is culturally popular. Or at the very least to consider and measure it carefully (count the cost) to stand on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, praiseworthy....dwelling on these things.
My mom babysat for the moms who decided to work in the 70's and 80's, so I saw the effects, both short and long-term, that had on the moms and the children; the regret, separation, distance, frustration, etc. I, like many of us, remember the mantra of the 80's, especially, was that "you can be it all and have it all as a working mommy."
I was a nanny for a doctor and a nurse at this point, and worked for another family one day per week, as well. I had the blessing of the lessons of walking through "childcare" as a caretaker for others. I gleaned much by having a relationship with my employers and discussing their thoughts, both positive and negative, on the issues facing women. Interestingly, my primary employer was not a practicing "organized religion" Christian (she was raised in organized religion, but did not believe in it), and her husband, a pediatric specialist, was a universalist. Even they felt like culture was sending the wrong message of affluence, status, etc., and lived counter-culturally to the beliefs/trends of the decade. They seemed to have a better handle on values than some Christians I knew.
I decided that "career mom" was not a route I felt I should take, even though I was going to college to become a psychologist or Christian Counselor. That lifestyle choice didn't seem to be going so smoothly for very many moms that I knew, through the Christian college I attended and the professional Christian women I knew at church, to the moms I worked for. As a working woman in Boston, after college, the Catholic moms that I worked with worked "mothers' hours" (during school hours) so they could be home when the kids got home. They seemed to understand the importance of their roll of "Mother." Those of us who didn't have kids, yet, tended to cover the later afternoon hours. A lot of women were measuring what was best for their marriages and families, at the time, and that was a good "Titus 2" example for me, whether they were of the same "church family" to which I belonged, or not.
So I struggled over the issue of what to do about the "cultural lie." It was infiltrating even women in churches I attended. Justifications were being made, or understandable regrets expressed over the choice the need to work, among some of my peers. It went to the core of my identity and what I was going to do as an adult, so much so that I developed anorexia. There were a couple other factors thrown in there, but this issue was at the core! I prayed to the Lord for wisdom and direction, and clarity...and discussed it with my [now] Hubby while we were engaged, to be sure that he and I had the same heart on the issue. I didn't mind being a working woman, but really felt the Lord wanted [me] to stay home with children when they came along.
The premise and research of this article and book is all based on a worldly standard, I didn't buy it when my time came to make the decision re: career vs. motherhood, and I don't buy it now. I wish she would interview moms who are living counter culturally. They are NOT hard to find. I am just perplexed by the author's lack of including a broader base of moms for her "research."
There were over 900 at the WholeHearted Mother Conference in Texas alone, and surely some of the women who were there would not agree with the basis or the outcome of this writer's study.
On pg. 2 of the online article, it says: "Nine hundred and nine women in Texas recently told researchers they find taking care of their kids about as much fun as cleaning their house, slightly less pleasurable than cooking, and a whole lot less enjoyable than watching TV.And I wondered: Why do so many otherwise competent and self-aware women lose themselves when they become mothers?"
I'm saddened that the parenting of children is veiwed by the populous as "less fun than cooking." Of course it's more difficult than watching TV, Tv is just an escape from reality, and it numbs the brain cells. (Read the book by Jane M. Healy, PH.D called Endangered Minds or The Plug-in Drug: Television, Computers, and Family Life by Marie Winn)
Again, I say, something is terribly wrong with the picture Warner has painted by her observances of a small cross-section of American moms. As for feeling pressured to attend endless activities, I say that activities are not bad, but we have to learn not to overdo it by filling every waking hour with scheduled, group activities. We have the choice not to buy into this type of "placing hopes on this-or-that highest rated class or camp...in order to have my child in the best the country has to offer" mentality.
I know that we moms still want the best for our kids, and sometimes agonize over the amount of chores that we have to keep up, or we spend way too much money for "just the perfect curriculum," so I know that we resemble some of the issues of struggling with "comparing ourselves to others" etc., but we are still different, still "Set Apart" you know? I'm not naive to think we've arrived.
Culture may say it is so, and it may be true for a lot of people, but it does not make it *truth.* Instead of following culture, which she asserts has quested for "perfect mommy-dom," we know as Christians that we only have to strive for Godly Mommy-dom, as a part of a whole Godly life! It all depends on what or in Whom our beliefs are rooted...it all comes down to our worldview. From what source does our very living, breathing and basis for truth spring forth?
That is all I have time to preach on today :-). I promise this commentary was not meant to offend, or make anyone feel like they are being less of a mom. If one is having to work outside the home out of necessity, or been thrust into single motherhood, I do not begrudge the need to work.
I am not a perfect mom myself, and my home is not always immaculate, but I know whom I have believed in, and am persuaded the He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him...
09 January, 2005
"Ch-ch-ch-changes"
I generally enjoy change, since I am fairly easily bored. Maybe that's not a very good trait for a Mom to have. But, at the same time, I tend to lean on the side of a keeping a slower pace. Dh and I like to avoid the tyranny of the urgent and balk at the constant striving (and the resultant tension) of society to over schedule every waking hour. "Purposeful" calm is a good thing.
I do enjoy basic routine, as it keeps the days and weeks flowing, but it also brings mixed feelings in me. Daily chores cycle around and can become rather mundane, so I try to work something beautiful or peaceful into the day. I also try to keep up a good attitude and do ALL things for the Glory of God. That's not always easy!
But back to change...
The newest transitions for our family are within the music ministries. Dd, in Junior High, has a new leader for their all-girl worship team, and it is going very well. The leader is also a home school mom, and is playing keyboard, singing with and mentoring the girls in worship leading. This is great for dd, because it compliments what we've tried to show or teach dd over the years as we've been singing on worship teams, at special events, or just singing with friends. Side note: Hubby plays guitar and mandolin and I do vocals and small percussion. I don't play piano, so the new leader playing keyboard is also a plus for our dd! Ky is most excited that the new leader harmonizes with them, which encourages them to sing stonger, as well.
Our church hired a new staff leader for adult worship, and this change makes me a little anxious. I am excited about the direction the church is going after a very difficult year of transition, and how we will re-group the worship teams, but I'm a little antsy at the same time. It's just about this little interim time of reworking the teams, rehearsal schedule, etc. I know these will be very good changes, it's just the waiting and planning phases, I guess. I'm just ready for it to be "together" and flowing well. In some ways, that doesn't make sense, because routine usually gets old, quick. But routine, in this sense, has been easy to be a part of. Being on a team every other weekend was/is something that doesn't interfere with home schooling, or our family schedule, and we are able to be used of God for our church community with our spiritual gifts, as well. I'm thankful for our leaders, and those who have filled in to lead and sing in the interim.
Hubby and I, like others, will be meeting with our new worship leader and his family within the next week, over food and cappuccino. I hope I can stay focused. I tend not to make a lot of sense when my thoughts are going in many directions at once. I have a lot that comes to mind when new situations arise, A little A.D.D., which is great for creativity and adventure, but if not kept to myself, can easily overwhelm others........ ;-)
I'm going to try to keep busy, and just keep my mind focused on Philipians 4:6+ "Be anxious for nothing..."
Happy New Year, all!
I'll share more later about the hs road blocks we've been overcoming most recently...the most stubborn in all our years (12-ish) of home schooling, thanks to a time of refocusing on God's direction and will, instead of just trying to "push through."
I do enjoy basic routine, as it keeps the days and weeks flowing, but it also brings mixed feelings in me. Daily chores cycle around and can become rather mundane, so I try to work something beautiful or peaceful into the day. I also try to keep up a good attitude and do ALL things for the Glory of God. That's not always easy!
But back to change...
The newest transitions for our family are within the music ministries. Dd, in Junior High, has a new leader for their all-girl worship team, and it is going very well. The leader is also a home school mom, and is playing keyboard, singing with and mentoring the girls in worship leading. This is great for dd, because it compliments what we've tried to show or teach dd over the years as we've been singing on worship teams, at special events, or just singing with friends. Side note: Hubby plays guitar and mandolin and I do vocals and small percussion. I don't play piano, so the new leader playing keyboard is also a plus for our dd! Ky is most excited that the new leader harmonizes with them, which encourages them to sing stonger, as well.
Our church hired a new staff leader for adult worship, and this change makes me a little anxious. I am excited about the direction the church is going after a very difficult year of transition, and how we will re-group the worship teams, but I'm a little antsy at the same time. It's just about this little interim time of reworking the teams, rehearsal schedule, etc. I know these will be very good changes, it's just the waiting and planning phases, I guess. I'm just ready for it to be "together" and flowing well. In some ways, that doesn't make sense, because routine usually gets old, quick. But routine, in this sense, has been easy to be a part of. Being on a team every other weekend was/is something that doesn't interfere with home schooling, or our family schedule, and we are able to be used of God for our church community with our spiritual gifts, as well. I'm thankful for our leaders, and those who have filled in to lead and sing in the interim.
Hubby and I, like others, will be meeting with our new worship leader and his family within the next week, over food and cappuccino. I hope I can stay focused. I tend not to make a lot of sense when my thoughts are going in many directions at once. I have a lot that comes to mind when new situations arise, A little A.D.D., which is great for creativity and adventure, but if not kept to myself, can easily overwhelm others........ ;-)
I'm going to try to keep busy, and just keep my mind focused on Philipians 4:6+ "Be anxious for nothing..."
Happy New Year, all!
I'll share more later about the hs road blocks we've been overcoming most recently...the most stubborn in all our years (12-ish) of home schooling, thanks to a time of refocusing on God's direction and will, instead of just trying to "push through."
04 November, 2004
My Post Election Thoughts Echo Peggy's
One of my favorite editor/writers is Peggy Noonan. Check out her article, "So Much to Savor," about the outcome of the election.
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