This is a quote from a heartbreaking video on Aids.
"Sometimes, in an effort to remind people of the cost of the Cross, we withhold grace until we're sure they understand their sin.
"But it's in the giving of our grace that we remind people that they need to go to Jesus to find their own. People understand their sin without our help. It's grace they need help understanding."
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Food Crush
I LOVE Food TV! It's one of my guilty little secrets. Daniel and I often watch Iron Chef America before going to bed. As a confirmed Foodie, I find I love to try out the simple, FAST ideas I see executed in Kitchen Stadium. I love fresh and fast.
Now I do like Bobby, with all his southern charm, and Iron Chef America is on at a time of day where I don't feel guilty turning on the tube, but my ultimate Food Crush is Jamie Oliver.
I don't know what it is, but I swoon at his cooking, his garden, his cute accent, and the amazing fresh food he throws together in his outdoor kitchen! I love the show...it's glorious in design...a beauty and a wonder to behold. (OK, maybe I've gone a little far, but honestly don't you agree? It's all about the SHOW ladies... after all Jamie is a child...he kind of makes me think of my son Nialle, another Food Nerd, if HE had a TV show)
So, last night, after working HARD all day, we were famished. We have been living outside, where it's shady, cool and comfy. We come in the house only to sleep and shower on the days when Daniels off. Fresh is THE only way to go, and Jamie *sigh* had cooked up a beautiful fresh roasted tomato and sausage and fresh herb concoction ( yumm!) in his outdoor kitchen on the previous day. (I was right THERE people, living vicariously through the boy!)
Daniel loves the show too, and so when it was supper time, off we went to get fresh Italian sausage, some baby zucchini, and a great crusty loaf. Fresh basil, fresh tomatoes from the garden, a nice fruity olive oil, sea salt, lots of whole garlic cloves...and a little balsamic vinegar to finish it off...it was HEAVEN!!
What a brilliant way to end a magnificent day!
Made in the Shade
My shady backyard garden was in sore need of some TLC. This is what we did yesterday...
This is a simple way to clean up and keep weeds out of an area where I don't really grow anything. The wood chips look a little garish at first, but they do mellow to a nice earthy grey in a year or so.
The boys helped out, and this scarecrow-ish looking chap spread the chips out after Levi shoveled and delivered them by the wheelbarrow load.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Learn about Herbal wonders
Check out this blog. It's my friend Diane's, who is also the "Grandma Farm" of my sweet Grandson Liam.
She is learning and practicing the Herbal Arts and is really a wealth of information. She has a really wonderful family too, and I consider her somewhat of an expert on that subject too!
She is learning and practicing the Herbal Arts and is really a wealth of information. She has a really wonderful family too, and I consider her somewhat of an expert on that subject too!
Good wine, good cheese, and turning the other cheek
Speaking of learning how to live my faith from others who may not share my beliefs....check this out! I wonder what would have happened if the guests were drinking really bad wine?
Faith matters
Donald Miller says in "Blue Like Jazz" that you never really question your beliefs till you have to explain them to a skeptic.
As far as my faith is concerned, the journey is to have my actions line up closer to my stated ideal, that being to be more Christ like.
I continue trying to improve while understanding that I can never achieve anything near perfection. While I can and do learn how to be more like the ideal from people of many faiths that I encounter on the journey, I know that only by measuring myself against the standard of Christ will I truly grow.
As far as my faith is concerned, the journey is to have my actions line up closer to my stated ideal, that being to be more Christ like.
I continue trying to improve while understanding that I can never achieve anything near perfection. While I can and do learn how to be more like the ideal from people of many faiths that I encounter on the journey, I know that only by measuring myself against the standard of Christ will I truly grow.
I also realize I can't achieve my ideal at all! It's impossible for me to become...good enough...to deserve God's Grace. It is impossible for anyone. All my good works can't gain me His love, or salvation. That is a free gift, available to all. What an empty life it is to chase the approval of man, judged by man...subject to man's interpretation of my worth. Better to trust His Grace.
Ephesians 2:7-9 (New International Version)
....in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 3:24
and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:21
Sin once used death to rule us, but God gave people more of his grace so that grace could rule by making people right with him. And this brings life forever through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Galations 2:21
By saying these things I am not going against God's grace. Just the opposite, if the law could make us right with God, then Christ's death would be useless.
"The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the unquestioned answers."
Friday, July 06, 2007
Passion equals Mission
You know how some people just have an almost obsessive love for something, and they live and breath it from the time they are children, passionately pursuing it and becoming an expert in their chosen field just because it touches something in their hearts?
What if that love is put on hold, set aside, dismissed, for more "important" things, like multiplication tables or parts of speech, and the precious season for Love of Learning is squandered in favour of the mundane and the ordinary?
What if we all lose because a child somewhere is forced, or shamed into giving up that love for more "important" things like grammar, or ringette? (Not that I think any of these are not worthwhile pursuits, in their proper season and place!)
Do you believe that could happen?
Have you ever had a passion that you were convinced to set aside in order to follow a schedule that someone else deems more important?
Just asking. Because when I saw the following, I wondered...What if Bart Weetjens Mom had told him "No hamster will ever live in this house!"? What if he were completely shut down in his desire to form relationships with rodents? What if he were instead forced to channel all his free time into vicariously fulfilling his parent's dreams, like, say, being coerced to attempt to become a concert violinist or a movie star?
For example, look at this "Hero Rats" project run by this Belgian researcher in Tanzania. He's been a rodent-lover since childhood, and has turned that love to training African giant pouched rats to sniff out land mines! These rats are BIG, and they're so cute, they live around 8 years and are super trainable. Did you know that a landmine explodes somewhere in the world about once an hour? And Africa has more than anywhere else. So these rats go out on leashes and sniff out mines and scratch the ground!!! And they're almost always right. I love it! Weetjens, the researcher, is now training rats to sniff out tuberculosis. Check out this: a human lab technician can test about 20 samples for TB in a day; a rat can sniff about 2000. You can watch that segment here.
This story demonstrates to me in a very powerful way that when a child shows a deep, unshakable desire to really LOVE something, to LEARN about something, even when it's something that repulses others, we may do ourselves and mankind in general, a huge service if we facilitate that passion.
The video explains that Bart was inspired by a boyhood passion, and took a chance..and for years he was laughed at, and refused funding. When asked why he continued, in the face of so much opposition he says, " Well, the reason was clear. Obvious. I dreamed of a better world. As long as these landmines are there, the people just cannot build a normal life."
And he is building a better world...WITH RATS!!
THAT 'S what Thomas Jefferson Education is all about...facilitating a love of learning, and facilitating a fulfillment of each individuals personal passion and mission.
As John Taylor Gatto says, "Genius is as common as dirt".
Everybody has their passion, genius, and I believe, special mission they are meant to fulfill.
Even if no one else understands. Even if it involves a passion for the most unloved critters on the planet. Maybe especially then.
What if that love is put on hold, set aside, dismissed, for more "important" things, like multiplication tables or parts of speech, and the precious season for Love of Learning is squandered in favour of the mundane and the ordinary?
What if we all lose because a child somewhere is forced, or shamed into giving up that love for more "important" things like grammar, or ringette? (Not that I think any of these are not worthwhile pursuits, in their proper season and place!)
Do you believe that could happen?
Have you ever had a passion that you were convinced to set aside in order to follow a schedule that someone else deems more important?
Just asking. Because when I saw the following, I wondered...What if Bart Weetjens Mom had told him "No hamster will ever live in this house!"? What if he were completely shut down in his desire to form relationships with rodents? What if he were instead forced to channel all his free time into vicariously fulfilling his parent's dreams, like, say, being coerced to attempt to become a concert violinist or a movie star?
For example, look at this "Hero Rats" project run by this Belgian researcher in Tanzania. He's been a rodent-lover since childhood, and has turned that love to training African giant pouched rats to sniff out land mines! These rats are BIG, and they're so cute, they live around 8 years and are super trainable. Did you know that a landmine explodes somewhere in the world about once an hour? And Africa has more than anywhere else. So these rats go out on leashes and sniff out mines and scratch the ground!!! And they're almost always right. I love it! Weetjens, the researcher, is now training rats to sniff out tuberculosis. Check out this: a human lab technician can test about 20 samples for TB in a day; a rat can sniff about 2000. You can watch that segment here.
This story demonstrates to me in a very powerful way that when a child shows a deep, unshakable desire to really LOVE something, to LEARN about something, even when it's something that repulses others, we may do ourselves and mankind in general, a huge service if we facilitate that passion.
The video explains that Bart was inspired by a boyhood passion, and took a chance..and for years he was laughed at, and refused funding. When asked why he continued, in the face of so much opposition he says, " Well, the reason was clear. Obvious. I dreamed of a better world. As long as these landmines are there, the people just cannot build a normal life."
And he is building a better world...WITH RATS!!
THAT 'S what Thomas Jefferson Education is all about...facilitating a love of learning, and facilitating a fulfillment of each individuals personal passion and mission.
As John Taylor Gatto says, "Genius is as common as dirt".
Everybody has their passion, genius, and I believe, special mission they are meant to fulfill.
Even if no one else understands. Even if it involves a passion for the most unloved critters on the planet. Maybe especially then.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Catch Up
Well, May was a BUSY month! I had a Math seminar, the Forum in Lethbridge, a holiday in Canmore, a couple days at Crooked Creek, lots of company....whew! What will June be like?
I'm excited and resolved to get into some serious studying. Both TJED events inspired me to forge ahead in my own education. I love meeting with people who are making a difference, who love to learn, who are passionate and articulate and excited about changing the world, starting with themselves. I have a vision and a passion too, and can start RIGHT NOW to do what I can do, what I am called to do. My focus will be shifting to accomplish some new goals, and some old goals I've let slide. I'll have to change some things and rearrange some things and push myself harder in a LOT of things.
Our week away with the family was a perfect time for reflection. I saw a "sign", literally, in a wonderful little place in Canmore called "Communitea". (Try it out if you're there..great atmosphere, super tea, delicious, healthy food.)
The sign said "If you must doubt something, doubt your limits". How inspiring! I was reminded of it as I hiked and climbed some places I thought were beyond my limits. Levi reminded me of it, Vanessa quoted it too, as did Josh. As I sweated and gasped and hauled my sorry behind up a mountain I thought..."Are you guys nuts?! You thought I could actually make this climb?!"
But rather than give up, I pressed on...slowly...one...little...step...at...a...time. Levi wasn't too fond of the shortness of breath he felt at that altitude either, so we talked about doing really hard things but doing them at our own personal pace. It's not a race. Any journey we take, we move ahead one step at a time.
It's like my education. Six years ago...SIX YEARS....I discovered this TJED model of learning. I am nowhere near where I want to be on the journey. I've been sidetracked. I've fought it because it's HARD. I've been lazy too often and taken the easy path that leads not up to where the air is clear and the view is spectacular, but to the same old puddle that's in the ditch by the side of the wide, common conveyor belt freeway.
But I don't need to stay there. I have examples of amazing people who are ahead of me on the climb, who are constantly holding out a hand to steady me, pull me up, encourage me. Some of them are unaware of the impact they have on my climb, on my personal desire to attempt to take it to the next level. There are so many! Debi. Heather. Tanya. Jonathon. Kathy and Kirk. Peggy. Karen. Sherri and Paul. Real people who are honest and transparent and imperfect and strong and brilliant and generous. How can I thank them? There are many more too. Examples of perseverance and grace and faith and self sacrifice and good humour. They make the pain bearable, and the desire to climb higher more intense.
The analogy gets a little cheesy, I know...but it is very real to me, at this moment, with the image of my "sign" so fresh in my memory.
I'm excited and resolved to get into some serious studying. Both TJED events inspired me to forge ahead in my own education. I love meeting with people who are making a difference, who love to learn, who are passionate and articulate and excited about changing the world, starting with themselves. I have a vision and a passion too, and can start RIGHT NOW to do what I can do, what I am called to do. My focus will be shifting to accomplish some new goals, and some old goals I've let slide. I'll have to change some things and rearrange some things and push myself harder in a LOT of things.
Our week away with the family was a perfect time for reflection. I saw a "sign", literally, in a wonderful little place in Canmore called "Communitea". (Try it out if you're there..great atmosphere, super tea, delicious, healthy food.)
The sign said "If you must doubt something, doubt your limits". How inspiring! I was reminded of it as I hiked and climbed some places I thought were beyond my limits. Levi reminded me of it, Vanessa quoted it too, as did Josh. As I sweated and gasped and hauled my sorry behind up a mountain I thought..."Are you guys nuts?! You thought I could actually make this climb?!"
But rather than give up, I pressed on...slowly...one...little...step...at...a...time. Levi wasn't too fond of the shortness of breath he felt at that altitude either, so we talked about doing really hard things but doing them at our own personal pace. It's not a race. Any journey we take, we move ahead one step at a time.
It's like my education. Six years ago...SIX YEARS....I discovered this TJED model of learning. I am nowhere near where I want to be on the journey. I've been sidetracked. I've fought it because it's HARD. I've been lazy too often and taken the easy path that leads not up to where the air is clear and the view is spectacular, but to the same old puddle that's in the ditch by the side of the wide, common conveyor belt freeway.
But I don't need to stay there. I have examples of amazing people who are ahead of me on the climb, who are constantly holding out a hand to steady me, pull me up, encourage me. Some of them are unaware of the impact they have on my climb, on my personal desire to attempt to take it to the next level. There are so many! Debi. Heather. Tanya. Jonathon. Kathy and Kirk. Peggy. Karen. Sherri and Paul. Real people who are honest and transparent and imperfect and strong and brilliant and generous. How can I thank them? There are many more too. Examples of perseverance and grace and faith and self sacrifice and good humour. They make the pain bearable, and the desire to climb higher more intense.
The analogy gets a little cheesy, I know...but it is very real to me, at this moment, with the image of my "sign" so fresh in my memory.
"If you must doubt something, doubt your limits." I think I need to put that where I will see it each day. Not like a tattoo on my forearm, but on my wall, above my doorposts, written on my heart.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Navel gazing and immature.....
but funny!
Janice (a Hutchy cousin) had this on her blog.
So, in case you want to play, google the phrase "arlene likes to" (though you would insert YOUR name instead of mine) in quotation marks.* A surprising amount of stuff pops up! Funny stuff.
Ya, kind of juvenile but I do get like that....
So, here's what "arlene likes to" do!
Janice (a Hutchy cousin) had this on her blog.
So, in case you want to play, google the phrase "arlene likes to" (though you would insert YOUR name instead of mine) in quotation marks.* A surprising amount of stuff pops up! Funny stuff.
Ya, kind of juvenile but I do get like that....
So, here's what "arlene likes to" do!
Arlene likes to sit by the door and watch us. ...
arlene likes to read books.
Arlene likes to spend her time sewing and reading.
Arlene likes to watch her "stories" ..
Arlene likes to do anything that has nothing to do with fitness, like hanging out with her husband, children and friends. ...
Arlene likes to Quip, "In the face of adversity, grate things happen!"
Arlene likes to garden in the nude.
Arlene likes to lend an ear.
Arlene likes to display an obnoxious tendency to make everybody else look uneducated next to her. And besides, she’s wrong. .
Arlene likes to keep some extra buck ready to use;
Arlene likes to entertain friends and. family,
Arlene likes to make this dip in advance in a plastic pie plate with a lid (like Tupperware®).
Arlene likes to live intensely
ARLENE likes to flirt too!!!
Arlene likes to travel
Arlene likes to think she's the better gardener. .
Some of these are me to a "T". LOL Which ones, you ask? You tell me. (NO, I do NOT garden in the nude! Sheesh! And a PLASTIC pie plate??? You gotta be kidding!)
So, go ahead and try it...I know you want to! Better yet, post it on your blog, and leave a comment here.
*Note...mine was OK, but maybe make sure you use a computer with a filter for icky stuff.
Some of these are me to a "T". LOL Which ones, you ask? You tell me. (NO, I do NOT garden in the nude! Sheesh! And a PLASTIC pie plate??? You gotta be kidding!)
So, go ahead and try it...I know you want to! Better yet, post it on your blog, and leave a comment here.
*Note...mine was OK, but maybe make sure you use a computer with a filter for icky stuff.
Monday, May 07, 2007
When life gives you lemons...
Have Christmas!
If you look over Vanessa's shoulder you will see a lot of suspicious white stuff falling from the sky.... and staying.
Yes, it is in fact May, not December, but we had a HUGE dump of snow here on Friday night while we were having dinner at Nialle and Nessa's. HUGE.
Claude had just arrived from Ottawa, Robin and Jun from touring the very HOT portions of the globe, and Paige from balmy Calgary. They were rather ...uh...surprised.
When we left Wetaskiwin, the snow was so thick and heavy on the road and on the windshields that we could hardly see the road. Mark refused to drive one bit further than my house, so we pulled out the sleeping bags, blew up some air mattresses and put everyone up for the night. It felt just like Christmas when I was a kid! Which got me thinking....
It turns out that Claude realized that this is a family he could indeed fit into very nicely! Christmas isn't in a day on the calender, it's in the heart! What fun to wake up to Christmas music, Christmas breakfast and Christmas gifts!!
Wow!
I got a sewing machine!!! And it's JUST like the one in my basement studio!!! I also got a very nice, moist towelette from Korean airlines, and some sea shells and foreign currency...AND a blender pen like Paige uses in her art projects!
Zoot got a can of tuna. That Santa always comes through.
I think Claude got a vintage bumper sticker to go on his brand spanking new Porsche.
What did Robin and Jun get?
Ooooohhh, it's no-name Spam for Brit boy (they eat it there; even though it says RIGHT ON THE CAN, in the list of ingredients, that it contains cow hearts. Yum).
Robin got her all time favorite, dilled green bean pickles.
Paige must have been really good....
because she got Shel Silverstien's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" book of poetry.
Levi got chocolate, Josh got some styro-foam...JUST LIKE what he's been building models from...
Friday, May 04, 2007
Look at this!
I just got this beautiful postcard in the mail. It was painted by Karyn, as she travels through the US on a holiday with her Jim. Wow!
Karyn, you did a brilliant job! I'm so happy to see you using your talent...and I'm proud to see you using this new medium. The painting is really good...especially the mountain in the middle...it really gives me a sense of the place. I'll treasure it.
Thank you!!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
At least the Robins are happy.
It's a rainy and cool day, the robins are singing, the worms are in danger, and so it was perfect for baking.
We had Pat over for tea, and baked some muffins to go along...they were scrumptious! Even though I didn't follow the recipe.
I have a compulsion to tweak...just a wee bit, enough to make them mine.
This is the recipe in it's original state:
Banana Almond Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour
3 Tbsp wheat germ
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup toasted, chopped almonds
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
2 mashed, ripe bananas (1 cup)
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Heat oven to 400 F.
Sift first 6 ingredients. In bowl, blend next 3. Stir wet and dry ingredients together just till moistened. Scoop it into greased muffin pans, (I use paper liners) and mix the last two ingredients to sprinkle over top of unbaked muffins. Bake 20 minutes.
Well, in my version I replaced 1/4 cup of the white flour with ground flax seed, and replaced all the wheat germ with the flax as well. I didn't have enough banana to equal one cup so I substituted apple sauce for the 1/4 cup banana I was short. I added about a tsp of almond extract. I upped the quantity of almonds by a bit, and didn't measure the topping ingredients at all, just mixed lots of cinnamon with about an equal amount of sugar.
Mmm-mmmm. They smelled divine, and tasted wonderful, with a nice flecky interior from the flax.
Good rainy day treat!
Thanks for the idea to post the recipe Kathleen, yours sound great too!
We also had another Robin fly in this week! I'm so happy that my niece Robin is home from her globe hopping. She's been gone for about a year and a half. She traveled all over south east Asia, and ended up in Australia working for the last six months or so...and she met a boy, and brought him home with her!
Jun is a Brit, and he too was traveling and working Down Under. They were here for a late dinner on their way to Slave Lake after a hard trip halfway 'round the globe that lasted about three days. They arrived here a day earlier than they left Thailand, and Jun said he felt like it was a day he's really not live over again!
Jun immediately won my heart as he felt enough at home here to ask to borrow some books. I think he took Plato's "Symposium", and "Life of Pi".
I love Book People! Robin borrowed a couple too..."7 Habits" by Stephen Covey, and Peal's "How To Win Friends and Influence People".
I really have a problem with that book, ("How to Win Friends..", not "7 Habits") as the whole premise is to manipulate others to gain what you want. Jun's read it, and agreed, it is Machiavellian, and he said that the whole point is that it did work, so from a sales standpoint, it is a classic.
I find it really disturbing that the book is considered a classic with a lot of Christians I know. In my opinion it goes against every true intention of Christ's example of laying down our life for others, for their sake, not ours.
It's great to have Robin close, and I know she'll find lots to keep her busy while she hangs out at Mom and Dad's.
3 Tbsp wheat germ
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup toasted, chopped almonds
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
2 mashed, ripe bananas (1 cup)
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Heat oven to 400 F.
Sift first 6 ingredients. In bowl, blend next 3. Stir wet and dry ingredients together just till moistened. Scoop it into greased muffin pans, (I use paper liners) and mix the last two ingredients to sprinkle over top of unbaked muffins. Bake 20 minutes.
Well, in my version I replaced 1/4 cup of the white flour with ground flax seed, and replaced all the wheat germ with the flax as well. I didn't have enough banana to equal one cup so I substituted apple sauce for the 1/4 cup banana I was short. I added about a tsp of almond extract. I upped the quantity of almonds by a bit, and didn't measure the topping ingredients at all, just mixed lots of cinnamon with about an equal amount of sugar.
Mmm-mmmm. They smelled divine, and tasted wonderful, with a nice flecky interior from the flax.
Good rainy day treat!
Thanks for the idea to post the recipe Kathleen, yours sound great too!
We also had another Robin fly in this week! I'm so happy that my niece Robin is home from her globe hopping. She's been gone for about a year and a half. She traveled all over south east Asia, and ended up in Australia working for the last six months or so...and she met a boy, and brought him home with her!
Jun is a Brit, and he too was traveling and working Down Under. They were here for a late dinner on their way to Slave Lake after a hard trip halfway 'round the globe that lasted about three days. They arrived here a day earlier than they left Thailand, and Jun said he felt like it was a day he's really not live over again!
Jun immediately won my heart as he felt enough at home here to ask to borrow some books. I think he took Plato's "Symposium", and "Life of Pi".
I love Book People! Robin borrowed a couple too..."7 Habits" by Stephen Covey, and Peal's "How To Win Friends and Influence People".
I really have a problem with that book, ("How to Win Friends..", not "7 Habits") as the whole premise is to manipulate others to gain what you want. Jun's read it, and agreed, it is Machiavellian, and he said that the whole point is that it did work, so from a sales standpoint, it is a classic.
I find it really disturbing that the book is considered a classic with a lot of Christians I know. In my opinion it goes against every true intention of Christ's example of laying down our life for others, for their sake, not ours.
It's great to have Robin close, and I know she'll find lots to keep her busy while she hangs out at Mom and Dad's.
Monday, April 30, 2007
From the sidelines...
Corey, the shy boy from the other side of the crescent is often afraid to ring our doorbell, and will stand on our back step and wait till he's noticed.
We've told him that we don't mind him trying to get our attention...that's what the doorbell is for, but he can't bring himself to actually call attention to himself like that.
Yesterday I was walking downstairs to get something and was startled to find him on the step, visible only from the nose up through the window of the door.
I opened the door and asked him, "Corey, did you ring the doorbell?" He backed off the step, his eyes wide, and burst out..."I didn't touch it!!"
After I finished laughing at the look on his face I assured him again that that is THE socially acceptable way to call on the neighbours.
I also overheard the following conversation between the boys bouncing as high as possible on the trampoline:
Levi: "Do you know you have a normal brain, your civilized brain, which is meant for solving problems. Then you have a brain for dangerous situations and it's kind of like a lizards brain."
Mason: "Ya, and there's also the "vert-a-brain! It's kind of in the back of your head at the bottom!"
Us: ROFL and L and L..."Yes, and it's green!"
We've told him that we don't mind him trying to get our attention...that's what the doorbell is for, but he can't bring himself to actually call attention to himself like that.
Yesterday I was walking downstairs to get something and was startled to find him on the step, visible only from the nose up through the window of the door.
I opened the door and asked him, "Corey, did you ring the doorbell?" He backed off the step, his eyes wide, and burst out..."I didn't touch it!!"
After I finished laughing at the look on his face I assured him again that that is THE socially acceptable way to call on the neighbours.
I also overheard the following conversation between the boys bouncing as high as possible on the trampoline:
Levi: "Do you know you have a normal brain, your civilized brain, which is meant for solving problems. Then you have a brain for dangerous situations and it's kind of like a lizards brain."
Mason: "Ya, and there's also the "vert-a-brain! It's kind of in the back of your head at the bottom!"
Us: ROFL and L and L..."Yes, and it's green!"
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Like cat hair to black socks...are boys to a trampoline.
This week the boys in our house got a new toy...a trampoline. Long story, but we returned the Nintendo wii that they purchased with their own money, (taking advantage of a momentary lapse in my ability to distinguish good ideas from crap!) and they got to keep the cash while their dad bought them a trampoline. The monetary benefits helped ease their disappointment at the fact that yes, indeed, Mom HAS come to her senses after all.
What was I thinking people??! Sure, as far as video games go, the wii is "better", but what is that saying? So they have to get off the couch and move their arms about...it's still is a magnet that tries daily to suck all the creative energy out of our family time. Evenings went from "quiet reading and talking time" to "Can we play now? How about now? PUUULEEEEAS!!!"
I read just days after we purchased it a quote by Dr DeMille that someone posted on a TJED group...."It is impossible to have a scholar in a home with video games".
Ooooouch.
Whether or not that belief is strictly true, it soon became clear that it would be quite true in our home. It created a black hole into which all the great ideas and curiosity, that have previously bounced so freely around in our home, immediately vanished .
I discovered something else. While video game systems are a magnet that attract, absorb and negate positive energy, trampolines also have a very powerful force field of their own. They attract boys. Who knew there were so many in our neighbourhood? Where did they come from? Did they exist before we bought the trampoline, or did they materialize spontaneously upon the addition of a bouncy surface to our back yard?
Boys I have never seen before showed up at our door with notes from their Mothers (or is that motherships?") saying "Travis/Justin/Whatcha-ma-callit has my permission to play on the trampoline."
I don't know who these people are! Levi plays a lot of street hockey, so he explains to me..."oh, he lives on the other side of the crescent", or..."he lives next door to Cory's friend's cousin" as if that explains the close personal connection these parents suddenly feel with me, entrusting me as they are, with the lives of their offspring, on a dangerous, (yes, I know) totally frowned upon by responsible pediatric orthopedic surgeons, instrument of mass destruction.
Or do they know of me from their kids as the one who's always home with my boys? The one who never has babysitters? Who doesn't allow my boys inside the homes, (or usually yards) of people I've never met? The "Homeschooler"? Do any of these facts preclude me from being irresponsible?
I don't really think they have given it any thought. I think they see the trampoline as a great asset to the neighbourhood, as a way for their kids to get exercise, and they send them here as an example of their total lack of cynicism.
They must actually trust another parent, a fellow adult, as being capable of using common sense to monitor the activities of all our children, and trust me as doing what's best for our kids. That is the kind of neighbourhood I want to live in, and that's what I want to believe about these parents.
And after being rather overwhelmed and overwrought at the realities of having the equivalent of an entire public school playground in my backyard as soon as the actual public school is dismissed every day, I must admit I am seeing the situation in a more favourable light. It's an opportunity to be a light, and to give, and to provide a safe (well, relatively) place for the kids to hang out where I can see them, hear them, and have some influence over them. They are respectful. (if not they know they will be asked to leave). They watch their language (Levi informed them all on their first visit that there is a "swear jar"...$2 per violation or they are asked to leave), and they have to be respectful of the younger, smaller boys.
It's amazing to watch the dynamics play out here. They worked out a system, based on a game they play with a couple of big balls, to all get a fair turn.
Two kids jump (no tricks, flips, or somersaults) and the others take turns rolling the big ball at their feet on the tramp. If they get "tagged" with the ball, they are out and the ball-roller is on. Another boy gets a chance to be a roller, and the game goes on. Eventually everyone gets a turn, some longer, some shorter, but as it's fair, and based on skill and luck. No one argues, no one whines, no one complains.
I find it fascinating! If I went out and tried to impose my idea of "fair" on them, I'd be sitting with a stopwatch, arguing seconds, trying to compensate for those who's dismounts are slower etc.
Their system works much better! I am very proud to say that Josh and Levi have not tried to pull rank as owners, and make the others subject to pettiness or tyranny. They respect the rules as somewhat sacred, and all are subject to this unwritten law...fair's fair.
I watch from a few yards away, through the kitchen window, where I'm usually preparing supper while the backyard teems with sweaty, healthy boys. There may yet be a broken bone or two. I hope and pray no one has a litigious disposition if another's child gets hurt. But what price can I put on this opportunity to allow these boys to learn to govern themselves and get in this much innocent, healthy entertainment?
What was I thinking people??! Sure, as far as video games go, the wii is "better", but what is that saying? So they have to get off the couch and move their arms about...it's still is a magnet that tries daily to suck all the creative energy out of our family time. Evenings went from "quiet reading and talking time" to "Can we play now? How about now? PUUULEEEEAS!!!"
I read just days after we purchased it a quote by Dr DeMille that someone posted on a TJED group...."It is impossible to have a scholar in a home with video games".
Ooooouch.
Whether or not that belief is strictly true, it soon became clear that it would be quite true in our home. It created a black hole into which all the great ideas and curiosity, that have previously bounced so freely around in our home, immediately vanished .
I discovered something else. While video game systems are a magnet that attract, absorb and negate positive energy, trampolines also have a very powerful force field of their own. They attract boys. Who knew there were so many in our neighbourhood? Where did they come from? Did they exist before we bought the trampoline, or did they materialize spontaneously upon the addition of a bouncy surface to our back yard?
Boys I have never seen before showed up at our door with notes from their Mothers (or is that motherships?") saying "Travis/Justin/Whatcha-ma-callit has my permission to play on the trampoline."
I don't know who these people are! Levi plays a lot of street hockey, so he explains to me..."oh, he lives on the other side of the crescent", or..."he lives next door to Cory's friend's cousin" as if that explains the close personal connection these parents suddenly feel with me, entrusting me as they are, with the lives of their offspring, on a dangerous, (yes, I know) totally frowned upon by responsible pediatric orthopedic surgeons, instrument of mass destruction.
Or do they know of me from their kids as the one who's always home with my boys? The one who never has babysitters? Who doesn't allow my boys inside the homes, (or usually yards) of people I've never met? The "Homeschooler"? Do any of these facts preclude me from being irresponsible?
I don't really think they have given it any thought. I think they see the trampoline as a great asset to the neighbourhood, as a way for their kids to get exercise, and they send them here as an example of their total lack of cynicism.
They must actually trust another parent, a fellow adult, as being capable of using common sense to monitor the activities of all our children, and trust me as doing what's best for our kids. That is the kind of neighbourhood I want to live in, and that's what I want to believe about these parents.
And after being rather overwhelmed and overwrought at the realities of having the equivalent of an entire public school playground in my backyard as soon as the actual public school is dismissed every day, I must admit I am seeing the situation in a more favourable light. It's an opportunity to be a light, and to give, and to provide a safe (well, relatively) place for the kids to hang out where I can see them, hear them, and have some influence over them. They are respectful. (if not they know they will be asked to leave). They watch their language (Levi informed them all on their first visit that there is a "swear jar"...$2 per violation or they are asked to leave), and they have to be respectful of the younger, smaller boys.
It's amazing to watch the dynamics play out here. They worked out a system, based on a game they play with a couple of big balls, to all get a fair turn.
Two kids jump (no tricks, flips, or somersaults) and the others take turns rolling the big ball at their feet on the tramp. If they get "tagged" with the ball, they are out and the ball-roller is on. Another boy gets a chance to be a roller, and the game goes on. Eventually everyone gets a turn, some longer, some shorter, but as it's fair, and based on skill and luck. No one argues, no one whines, no one complains.
I find it fascinating! If I went out and tried to impose my idea of "fair" on them, I'd be sitting with a stopwatch, arguing seconds, trying to compensate for those who's dismounts are slower etc.
Their system works much better! I am very proud to say that Josh and Levi have not tried to pull rank as owners, and make the others subject to pettiness or tyranny. They respect the rules as somewhat sacred, and all are subject to this unwritten law...fair's fair.
I watch from a few yards away, through the kitchen window, where I'm usually preparing supper while the backyard teems with sweaty, healthy boys. There may yet be a broken bone or two. I hope and pray no one has a litigious disposition if another's child gets hurt. But what price can I put on this opportunity to allow these boys to learn to govern themselves and get in this much innocent, healthy entertainment?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
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