Mother Auma sent me the Thinking Blogger Award over a week ago. The only trouble is, I'm still thinking about who to nominate next! I will try to get going on that. There are several sites I check once in a great while that really make me think differently or on a subject that I really don't understand...such as an Economics site I found recently while researching the book, The Incredible Bread Machine.
I've a plethora of irons in the fire: many family birthdays, two anniversaries, three weddings, and family reunions all happening in an eight week span, not to mention a Senior camping trip, graduation parties and graduation! Makes me think I have too much to do :-). They're all good things, so it will be fun!
Ciao for now,
Javamom
17 April, 2007
16 April, 2007
Book Finds
The Dread-Pirate Sparsebeard and I had a date day (in honor of his birthday this week), since our four kiddos were otherwise engaged. First, we took our time to have lunch and good discussion at a little French cafe. Then we rented a French film about a little girl named Ponette, who (in the film) is grieving the loss of her mother. Then we stopped by a local used book shop before picking up our youngest two from a youth retreat.
I'm very pleased with our new books:
Las Crónicas de Narnia: El León, La Bruja, y El Ropero
Spanish Proverbs: Idioms & Slang
Himnario de la Iglesia
1001 Pitfalls in Spanish
and
Early American Writing (Penguin Classics)
I'm very pleased with our new books:
Las Crónicas de Narnia: El León, La Bruja, y El Ropero
Spanish Proverbs: Idioms & Slang
Himnario de la Iglesia
1001 Pitfalls in Spanish
and
Early American Writing (Penguin Classics)
11 April, 2007
Nature and Habit - part one
I have tried to carve out time every day or two to read and to order my thinking. My book club is reading Part III in CM's volume 1. I tend to grab onto one phrase and work backward...or from the middle of the chapter to the beginning! Is that Habit or Nature? (grin)
That's not the best way to plan a discussion! Today, I've tried to settle in since I have a larger chunk of time while half my kids are studying and discussing Worldviews of the Western World with other homeschooled students.
Nature is what we come into this life with, and is the sum of our genes from previous generations within our family.
I have a 1927 dictionary that defines Nature this way:
Natural constitution or character, nature, The particular combination of qualities belonging to a person or thing by birth or constitution; native or inherent character or disposition (as "To weep was not in Lady Kew's nature," (from Thackery's Newcombs). "It is my habit, I hope I may say, my nature, to believe the best of people," (G. W. Curtis' "Prue and I). Lastly, it can be seen as a primitive, wild condition; an uncultivated state; the moral state as unaffected by grace.
I love the distinction made here.
CM says on page 103:
page 104:
Divine Grace works on the Lines of Human Effort.––In looking for a solution of this problem, I do not undervalue the Divine grace––far otherwise; but we do not always make enough of the fact that Divine grace is exerted on the lines of enlightened human effort; that the parent, for instance, who takes the trouble to understand what he is about in educating his child, deserves, and assuredly gets, support from above..."
"...what too many Christian parents expect: they let a child grow free as the wild bramble, putting forth unchecked whatever is in him––thorn, coarse flower, insipid fruit,––trusting, they will tell you, that the grace of God will prune and dig and prop the wayward branches lying prone. And their trust is not always misplaced; but the poor man endures anguish, is torn asunder in the process of recovery which his parents might have spared him had they trained the early shoots which should develop by-and-by into the character of their child.
That's hopeful! Most of us know how difficult it is to create one new habit, much less multiple new habits. But to harness the effectiveness of developing just one new positive habit in order to train (retrain!) a negative trait within our 'nature' is worth the mental and physical effort. In fact, she says the payoff is that the habit will be ten times stronger than 'nature.'
Most of all, I appreciate that CM included the power of God's grace in the training of ourselves and our children. Without it, and by human effort only, our days might be so mechanical, perhaps even exhausting. The word picture I imagine in relation to this is that of pushing a broken-down bulldozer uphill in order to make use of said piece of machinery.
How has positive habit formation been helping in your family and your home? Does anyone have a practical example they'd like to post?
Javamom
...who has had to edit this three times already for spelling errors. Argh!
That's not the best way to plan a discussion! Today, I've tried to settle in since I have a larger chunk of time while half my kids are studying and discussing Worldviews of the Western World with other homeschooled students.
Nature is what we come into this life with, and is the sum of our genes from previous generations within our family.
I have a 1927 dictionary that defines Nature this way:
Natural constitution or character, nature, The particular combination of qualities belonging to a person or thing by birth or constitution; native or inherent character or disposition (as "To weep was not in Lady Kew's nature," (from Thackery's Newcombs). "It is my habit, I hope I may say, my nature, to believe the best of people," (G. W. Curtis' "Prue and I). Lastly, it can be seen as a primitive, wild condition; an uncultivated state; the moral state as unaffected by grace.
I love the distinction made here.
CM says on page 103:
"The will of the child is pitifully feeble, weaker in the children of the weak, stronger in the children of the strong, but hardly ever to be counted upon as a power in education.
The nature of the child––his human nature––being the sum of what he is as a human being, and what he is in right of the stock he comes of, and what he is as the result of his own physical and mental constitution––this nature is incalculably strong."
page 104:
Divine Grace works on the Lines of Human Effort.––In looking for a solution of this problem, I do not undervalue the Divine grace––far otherwise; but we do not always make enough of the fact that Divine grace is exerted on the lines of enlightened human effort; that the parent, for instance, who takes the trouble to understand what he is about in educating his child, deserves, and assuredly gets, support from above..."
"...what too many Christian parents expect: they let a child grow free as the wild bramble, putting forth unchecked whatever is in him––thorn, coarse flower, insipid fruit,––trusting, they will tell you, that the grace of God will prune and dig and prop the wayward branches lying prone. And their trust is not always misplaced; but the poor man endures anguish, is torn asunder in the process of recovery which his parents might have spared him had they trained the early shoots which should develop by-and-by into the character of their child.
Nature then, strong as she is, is not invincible; and, at her best, Nature is not to be permitted to ride rampant. (emphasis mine) Bit and bridle, hand and voice, will get the utmost of endeavour out of her if her training be taken in hand in time; but let Nature run wild, like the forest ponies, and not spur nor whip will break her in.
so CM's answer:pg 105
Habit May Supplant 'Nature'
'Habit is ten natures.' If that be true, strong as nature is, habit is not only as strong, but tenfold as strong. Here, then, have we a stronger than he, able to overcome this strong man armed."
That's hopeful! Most of us know how difficult it is to create one new habit, much less multiple new habits. But to harness the effectiveness of developing just one new positive habit in order to train (retrain!) a negative trait within our 'nature' is worth the mental and physical effort. In fact, she says the payoff is that the habit will be ten times stronger than 'nature.'
Most of all, I appreciate that CM included the power of God's grace in the training of ourselves and our children. Without it, and by human effort only, our days might be so mechanical, perhaps even exhausting. The word picture I imagine in relation to this is that of pushing a broken-down bulldozer uphill in order to make use of said piece of machinery.
How has positive habit formation been helping in your family and your home? Does anyone have a practical example they'd like to post?
Javamom
...who has had to edit this three times already for spelling errors. Argh!
10 April, 2007
Homeschool Blog Awards voting this week
Do remember to hop on over to vote in this year's HS blog awards. There are so many categories to vote that it really gives everyone a good chance to find new blogs they may not have visited before, and for all the blogs get a chance at some new visitors to their home-on-the-web. I am in the best "Variety" category and the best "Live-what-you-believe" category. Plug over, Javamom out!
09 April, 2007
Pearls Before Breakfast
It was a chilly weekend, most of which was spent cleaning or with family and friends, celebrating a wedding, helping with yard work, deep cleaning home, hostessing 12 boys who rolled our house early Friday a.m. AND left easter eggs for us, returning later Saturday a.m. to participate in airsoft wars with my boys. Then finally cooking for and hostessing Easter company.
Whilst downloading e-mail once or twice during that time, I was sent a link (from two different sources) about a social experiment done by some staffers at The Washington Post magazine, and one of the most popular classical violinists of our time. Being a Josh Bell fan, I was drawn to go check it out for myself, but had to wait until this morning, after all our busy fun of the weekend.
The article is long, but wonderful, as it is a very thorough (yet maybe somewhat flawed) study in one microcosm of time. It is still an excellent experiment, of which the outcome is not too surprising. I did enjoy the follow up comments included within the article, but comments from readers are funny to thoughtful, as well. Maybe some of them miss the point or take it too seriously...which is what makes it funny (to me).
Whilst downloading e-mail once or twice during that time, I was sent a link (from two different sources) about a social experiment done by some staffers at The Washington Post magazine, and one of the most popular classical violinists of our time. Being a Josh Bell fan, I was drawn to go check it out for myself, but had to wait until this morning, after all our busy fun of the weekend.
The article is long, but wonderful, as it is a very thorough (yet maybe somewhat flawed) study in one microcosm of time. It is still an excellent experiment, of which the outcome is not too surprising. I did enjoy the follow up comments included within the article, but comments from readers are funny to thoughtful, as well. Maybe some of them miss the point or take it too seriously...which is what makes it funny (to me).
My dh cringes and does not like it when violin players swoop and sway "too much" in his opinion :-). But we enjoy Bell's music...okay *I* enjoy Bell's artistry in music. Dh prefers the cello or double bass...and I do like seeing/hearing him at a live performance.
(Side note: The movie he doubled in...The Red Violin...interesting yet a little creepy!)
Back to some quotes from the article:
"Bell has played, literally, before crowned heads of Europe. Why the anxiety at the Washington Metro?"
"When you play for ticket-holders," Bell explains, "you are already validated. I have no sense that I need to be accepted. I'm already accepted. Here, there was this thought: What if they don't like me? What if they resent my presence . . ."
Context matters. I also think timing matters.
The article continues:
Next, the article's writer points out that ALL children strained and tried to stop, look, and listen, but were forced onward by their parents.
Back to some quotes from the article:
"IF A GREAT MUSICIAN PLAYS GREAT MUSIC BUT NO ONE HEARS . . . WAS HE REALLY ANY GOOD?"
"Bell has played, literally, before crowned heads of Europe. Why the anxiety at the Washington Metro?"
"When you play for ticket-holders," Bell explains, "you are already validated. I have no sense that I need to be accepted. I'm already accepted. Here, there was this thought: What if they don't like me? What if they resent my presence . . ."
Context matters. I also think timing matters.
The article continues:
"Kant said the same thing. He took beauty seriously: In his Critique of Aesthetic Judgment, Kant argued that one's ability to appreciate beauty is related to one's ability to make moral judgments. But there was a caveat. Paul Guyer of the University of Pennsylvania, one of America's most prominent Kantian scholars, says the 18th-century German philosopher felt that to properly appreciate beauty, the viewing conditions must be optimal."
I agree!Next, the article's writer points out that ALL children strained and tried to stop, look, and listen, but were forced onward by their parents.
The writer quotes my favorite modern poet (no secret to my readers with all the Billy Collins references plastered on and throughout the booksncoffeehaus blog :-)
"Billy Collins once laughingly observed that all babies are born with a knowledge of poetry, because the lub-dub of the mother's heart is in iambic meter. Then, Collins said, life slowly starts to choke the poetry out of us. It may be true with music, too."
The article wraps up thusly:
"But he (Bell) is back in the States this week. He has to be. On Tuesday, he will be accepting the Avery Fisher prize, recognizing the Flop of L'Enfant Plaza as the best classical musician in America."
I like a person who can laugh at themselves and roll with life.
It's pretty inspiring, actually :-).
Javamom
06 April, 2007
Good Friday thoughts
Hubster and I grew up in homes that didn't participate in Good Friday. Easter was special, but we celebrated Christ's death, burial, and resurrection every Sunday.
In parenthood, The Hubster, aka Dread Pirate Sparsebeard, and I made a point to change the way we celebrate religious holidays and give them more spiritual significance in our lives. As a first, some in our family even participated this year in giving up something from Lent to Resurrection Sunday, to find our supply and fill that void with The Lord. Totally unheard of in the church-of-my-youth. There are many things I appreciate about my heritage, and I'll share those another time.
We made one other change to our usual routine this year. Instead of spending it as we have so many times in the past (preparing to sing for an Easter musical, Good Friday service or be a part of Easter service worship team or chorus), we've taken time off from those ministries and are helping direct family members, instead. Hubster took our youngest two boys to help do some serious yard work at the Grandparents' home. It is getting to be too much for them as Poppy fights off another bout with cancer. Dd and I stayed home to do some deep cleaning and meal planning for company coming several times this weekend.
My boys are having company over tonight and tomorrow, then Hubster's brother and family will be joining us in Worship on Sunday, then coming home for Easter Lunch. In one way, I consider NOT participating in any music events this year a form of rest.
Thinking of you all and praying you have a bless-ed Holiday.
Javamom
In parenthood, The Hubster, aka Dread Pirate Sparsebeard, and I made a point to change the way we celebrate religious holidays and give them more spiritual significance in our lives. As a first, some in our family even participated this year in giving up something from Lent to Resurrection Sunday, to find our supply and fill that void with The Lord. Totally unheard of in the church-of-my-youth. There are many things I appreciate about my heritage, and I'll share those another time.
We made one other change to our usual routine this year. Instead of spending it as we have so many times in the past (preparing to sing for an Easter musical, Good Friday service or be a part of Easter service worship team or chorus), we've taken time off from those ministries and are helping direct family members, instead. Hubster took our youngest two boys to help do some serious yard work at the Grandparents' home. It is getting to be too much for them as Poppy fights off another bout with cancer. Dd and I stayed home to do some deep cleaning and meal planning for company coming several times this weekend.
My boys are having company over tonight and tomorrow, then Hubster's brother and family will be joining us in Worship on Sunday, then coming home for Easter Lunch. In one way, I consider NOT participating in any music events this year a form of rest.
Thinking of you all and praying you have a bless-ed Holiday.
Javamom
04 April, 2007
C. S. Lewis fans
From Christianity Today online and into my mailbox. Read more about it here! The third volume of The Letters of C. S. Lewis is out.
I think the whole three-volume set would be a fantastic present for our son who is about to graduate from our hs highschool.
The CT article and review is titled: "They Didn't Have Email"
The massive concluding volume of C. S. Lewis' Collected Letters.
The Comedy of Errors
We've not done as well as I'd hoped juggling life, fitting in co-op schoolwork and AO/HEO schoolwork this year. That's hard with four kiddos, have you tried it? I think that's why the Lord blessed us with just the four that we have. Granted, they are older students and can do much of the work on their own. And our youngest ham, is getting better at staying focused, since he has the benefit of getting to exercise his artistic side productively through our homeschool co-op.
Now that co-op is over and I personally have fewer teacher duties, our family can move on to the next Shakespeare play, which is The Comedy of Errors.
Just an update from Texas, where we are experiencing Spring Fever, but are moving forward progressively! How are you all doing?
Javamom
Now that co-op is over and I personally have fewer teacher duties, our family can move on to the next Shakespeare play, which is The Comedy of Errors.
Just an update from Texas, where we are experiencing Spring Fever, but are moving forward progressively! How are you all doing?
Javamom
02 April, 2007
Blog labels
I updated nearly every post with a blog label today. What I noticed(and I grant that I am late to the game :-) is that it is not an exact science. There is a lot of overlap, and some posts hang out there under a label that could apply to a number other posts. For example, on the blog topic of opinion, you'll notice there aren't that many listed under this label. It's not because I'm not opinionated. In fact, I really am. I just found better labels to apply to a lot of posts, or my opinions are woven into other posts. I try not to be too blunt in my presentation of my opinions, either. Heaven knows that the older I get and the more I learn, the more I see what I lack in so many areas. So I have little inclination to put myself out there as an expert.
My main purpose for starting this blog was to keep in touch with family and friends flung to the outer-regions of the earth :-).
It's quicker than snail mail and easier to keep up with said family and friends in one venue, complete with pictures. But you all already know that!
Anyhow, it should make it more interesting...or at least easier to search through post topics.
I lost my AO/HEO homeschoolers blogring code when I upgraded my blogger and changed my template recently, and it was supposed to be sent to me. I need to go try to get it, again. If any of you know the code, could you send it my way? Thanks in advance!
Ciao for now, faithful visitors one and all!
Javamom
My main purpose for starting this blog was to keep in touch with family and friends flung to the outer-regions of the earth :-).
It's quicker than snail mail and easier to keep up with said family and friends in one venue, complete with pictures. But you all already know that!
Anyhow, it should make it more interesting...or at least easier to search through post topics.
I lost my AO/HEO homeschoolers blogring code when I upgraded my blogger and changed my template recently, and it was supposed to be sent to me. I need to go try to get it, again. If any of you know the code, could you send it my way? Thanks in advance!
Ciao for now, faithful visitors one and all!
Javamom
Homeschool Blog Awards
Have you sent in nominations, yet? I'm about to go do this right now. I know several who deserve to be in the running. You only have until April 6th to get them in!
Hurry!
Javamom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)