Last night's LOST was very interesting. The kids enjoyed the conversation we had about the bizarre paradoxes that would crop up if one could travel back into time. Charles said it made his brain hurt a little. This Wikipedia article discusses a great deal more than we covered last night, I think it'll be fun for us to delve into over the coming days.
I keep thinking about Cole turning on the television every morning to watch the weather on the local news. He gets so irritated with the other stories we have to endure in the meantime. For example: the Governor wanting to spend millions of dollars to tear down Cole Hall on the NIU campus and put up a new building to replace it, Iowa saying they will continue to allow folks who smoke to light up while they are out on their tractors, the fairly recent mutterings of passing a law against spanking.
I usually leave the news on, a sort of background noise to our morning routine. But more and more often I find the stories so ridiculous or inappropriate for the kids to hear, that I switch it off. Seriously, is the morning news the best place to discuss why Victoria's Secret's ads are too sexy? Or the possible "positive side" of affairs? Or "Is my girlfriend gay?" Or "look what Brit did today & isn't it terrible that the paparazzi won't leave her alone? Here we'll show you the footage!"
This is simply trash. It's verbal and visual spackle, used to fill the cracks between the perpetual replay of video from the latest bombing, shooting or 20 car pile-up. It's broadcast Vicodin, leaving viewers numb and bleary. It doesn't teach anything. It's only worth is in the immense appreciation I've gained for PBS, the History Channel & the Discovery Channel.
awww crap. i think i just broke my soapbox.
In other news (and I promise by news I am not referring to the latest edible facial scrub), I came across the blog for Bill Moyers Journal. A brief selection from his interview with Susan Jacoby caught my attention & I found the other reader's comments very interesting.
I've gotten a bit into the complete transcript, but the children are almost done with breakfast so the rest will have to wait. I think I'll be reading her book, The Age of American Unreason, when I get the chance.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Rainy Sunday
We've been reading The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. Now that we are just 3 chapters from the end we've started some projects to make a lapbook covering some of the things we've learned. I'll be posting photos of our lapbook as it progresses.
In chapter 19 we read about a game of bone dice and sticks played by the boys in Attean's village. I'd been reading up on the native people in the area of Maine described in the book and discovered a similar game played by the Penobscot, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Maliseet. The version of Waltes we've made is played by rules modified for young children.
To brighten an otherwise dreary & miserable day, yesterday Charles and Gillian molded & decorated the clay dice and counting sticks. We've enjoyed playing - they both get an especially big kick out of it when I drop a die and lose my turn.
Below you'll find photos of the kids making the game. To learn how to make your own game of Waltes, visit the Hudson Museum website!
We've been reading The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. Now that we are just 3 chapters from the end we've started some projects to make a lapbook covering some of the things we've learned. I'll be posting photos of our lapbook as it progresses.
In chapter 19 we read about a game of bone dice and sticks played by the boys in Attean's village. I'd been reading up on the native people in the area of Maine described in the book and discovered a similar game played by the Penobscot, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Maliseet. The version of Waltes we've made is played by rules modified for young children.
To brighten an otherwise dreary & miserable day, yesterday Charles and Gillian molded & decorated the clay dice and counting sticks. We've enjoyed playing - they both get an especially big kick out of it when I drop a die and lose my turn.
Below you'll find photos of the kids making the game. To learn how to make your own game of Waltes, visit the Hudson Museum website!
I also wanted to mention that Dad is home and feeling better. He is on increased blood thinner and visiting the hospital every week to have blood work done.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
...
I just received a call from my brother, he had taken my dad to the VA in Iowa City yesterday because he had been having trouble breathing at night (this is not a new complaint - previously they had put him on "water pills" and more recently increased the dose).
They said his heart was a bit enlarged, but sent him home. Apparently they did take some x-rays but didn't review them before sending him home. Today he was called back to the hospital in the snow storm. They gave him a MRI and verified he has a blood clot in his lung.
They have not decided on how to proceed. He is on blood thinners and a number of other meds, which complicate any immediate invasive action.
I just wanted to let you all know & ask you to keep him in your thoughts.
Joyceb
They said his heart was a bit enlarged, but sent him home. Apparently they did take some x-rays but didn't review them before sending him home. Today he was called back to the hospital in the snow storm. They gave him a MRI and verified he has a blood clot in his lung.
They have not decided on how to proceed. He is on blood thinners and a number of other meds, which complicate any immediate invasive action.
I just wanted to let you all know & ask you to keep him in your thoughts.
Joyceb
Baby Photos
This morning we treated Promise to a slice of apple and brought out her babies for pets and pics. 
They are so teeny and sweet! 2 Black 1 Sable (maybe seal). The Sable is much more talkative than the other two - lots of little squeaks and grunts when I pick him/her up. At this point Gillian is very eager to name them, but it'll be weeks before we can tell boys from girls. I hate calling them "it."
They are so teeny and sweet! 2 Black 1 Sable (maybe seal). The Sable is much more talkative than the other two - lots of little squeaks and grunts when I pick him/her up. At this point Gillian is very eager to name them, but it'll be weeks before we can tell boys from girls. I hate calling them "it."
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Promise, our little tort Jersey Wooly doe, gave birth to a nice little litter of 3 kits this morning. Mother and babies are all looking great. I had been a little worried because her first litter was so difficult, but she came through this delivery like a pro.
Charles & Gillian (and I) are very excited and ready to hold the babies. I think that we'll let Promise settle into motherhood undisturbed for this first day. She deserves the rest.
Charles & Gillian (and I) are very excited and ready to hold the babies. I think that we'll let Promise settle into motherhood undisturbed for this first day. She deserves the rest.
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