Left Brain/Right Brain?

Does your left hand know what your right hand is doing?

Are you left brained or right brained? Take this test and see if you agree with what the experts say.

I tested out Right Brain dominate.

I then took the Visual Test, and almost lost my balance when I had to cross my eyes! But I have a balance disorder, but be forewarned should you decide to try it!

The Joy of the Free Sock

The Joy of the Free Sock
~~Miss Roxie

I think that I shall never know
Of such a mass rebellion
As when a sock goes in the wash
And becomes a common hellion!

You’d think a sock
Would just go around
And come back on it’s own,
But no!
There in the midst of cleansing
Amid the soap and foam,
All laws defied
Your laundry’s lied!
And let the sock go roam!

Those sounds you think you hear at night?
The ones you can’t explain?
They’re eerie, yet melodious,
They’re cheery, but yet strange?

That is the Laugh of the Free sock!
Doing a wild abandon dance!
No foot inside
To guide its stride
It Lives now
The Life of Shapeless chance!

Nell's Daughter

Nell’s daughter in the Later Years

~~Miss Roxie

Oh, well now, this here girl,
her cool has done simmered down
To warm oatmeal
Some might say with a laugh,
But it’s true….
I'm no longer crisp cinnamon toast
With hot butter.
The days that I sizzle as bacon on china?
Oh honey,
Those will be the cold ones on the California coast!

Nah. It's normal days and hours and nights that have set in my routine.
A comfy pair of jeans can be recognized as a friend,
My car works each time I turn the key,
I want that stability,
Clothes are for comfort,
Style is for fun, and
That one time at the holiday parties during the year,

But that's okay.
It's okay.
It has to be
This life was mine,
Given and lived,
And still livin'!
Loving my husband, my children,
My family, my friends both seen and unseen,
My neighbors….
With all that I knew
How to do……
To change things for the better,
What else can you do?
But work to see things,
All things “together for good”
That became the plan

What I’ve seen my mother do
I did and
I still do
What I need
And I oughter,
So at the end,
Of the very long run,
At the end of my time
Of her time
Of our time together,
There will stand a mother,
My mother,
Who can feel, truly feel,
She can smile shyly and feel,
Radicially proud of her daughter.

I love you, Mom

Pride and Prejudiced ~ The Movie

I am thinking I am not a good one to review this movie. I am one of those whom have remained spoiled by the 6 hour A & E version. So, I may judge rather harshly. And those who have read the book may judge more harshly. I've read only chunks of the books, but now, I have to read it all - it's not fair otherwise to be a total critic.

I can tell you that those in the theater - which was full to capacity – seem to absolutely love it. If they didn't, I don't know why everyone was reciting the lines as they left!

Here's the basic story ~

Lizzie (Keira Knightley) Bennet, is one of five sisters from a not so wealthy family (but they have servants) in 18th century Britain (when a woman's only lot in life was to marry *up*), and her pride and prejudices towards Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFayden), who is without one doubt much more well-to-do, and at least as prejudiced himself, on the idea of Lizzie, as Lizzie is on the idea of him (in other words they are very alike, just on opposite sides of the payroll). But, I will have to say, Mr. Darcy, appeared to be MUCH the snob at the beginning. If he was foolin', he was doing a really good job of it. So I can't help but agree with Lizzie's first impression.

This is the quintessential opposites attract story, with both characters loathing one another at the start, (been done before, I know) only to swoon at each other's feet (could be called the Passion and The Prejudice but that was most likely too steamy a title for Jane) as the story progresses.

For me, much is lost in not hearing all the lines spoken. Nowhere did I hear the book’s most beloved opening sentences -- "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

Much of the story, as this film presents it, is left in vagueness. It focused on the relationship of Lizzie and Mr. Darcy.

Some critics asked “'do we need another Pride and Prejudice?” You know, it's a great story ... nothing wrong with a great story being done again and again. More great stories need to be told over and over again.

To those that love the depth of great text, this version of Pride and Prejudice may seem like a commercial of the A & E version (One is cheating oneself to not be immersed in the exact writing of Jane Austen. The text is like the best cheesecake dessert!)

They did give it a most decent try. Madam Blueberry gave it a 7 (she's also a fan of the A & E version), and I agree, perhaps a 7.

But my in laws LOVED it - gave it a 10! And so did the audience I viewed it with (I'm pretty sure), which was very mixed in age, but there were many young people in attendance..

But I still think it worth the viewing. Let me know what you think.

I would like to mention something I found interesting – it seemed that the first scene in which there was a ball of the country folk, had them appearing, well, very unkempt! I know the beards of the men were rugged throughout the film, even the wealthy, except for Mr. Bingley (but he appeared about 18 or something) ~ but the people at the beginning were looking rough shall we say?

And, I didn’t think that the pigs in the house of the Bennets were quite accurate….

Such a lovely Pie

The photo does not justice do to the Lovely Thanksgiving Pie. It sure doesn’t capture the love that went into it. (I'm finding it's not so easy to photograph food!) But I just had to share Madam B's first Apple Pie with the world. This was Grandma Rita's recipe that she followed with Grandma Rita at the assist.

Grandma Rita has been spoiling us for years with her pies and her pasties. Rita was born in Ireland, as was my husband, and didn't come to America until she was thirty years old. Her baking has always been most special. There's something about those old recipes that sets them apart. I'm not sure what it is. The use of less sugar perhaps? Whatever it is, it is excellent!

I realize Thanksgiving Day has passed, but I'll never stop being thankful. A thankful heart is full. A thankful heart has no time for dwelling on negative thoughts, as they are swept to their proper place ~ out the back door! It is not a good plan to allow negative thoughts to plant themselves deeply. Keep a fertile ground of thankfulness, as that can only lead to the growth of love. And I believe Love Conquers All. And I believe Love Bears All Things.

Last night in a conversation with #1 son, I told him I was in a good place emotionally. He asked, "Why is that, Mom?" After thinking about it seriously, I realized that to be in a good place emotionally, it has to be a conscious decision. So why not just make it?

The sooner we do it, the more practiced we become at it. And who knows, maybe a generation of Thankful Hearts could just change the world!

“We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies.”
~Shirley Abbott

The End of the Day of Thanks

T’was just a delightful day, the weather, the company; the flow of each of our temperaments was just lovely.

My niece, her husband, two sons, and my great nephew came to visit as well. They didn’t stay for dinner, but it was lovely to have them hang out for a while. The boys were most interested in books and puzzles that I had for them! You know kids, there is no time like the present, so they each started a puzzle right away. So I was thankful for them coming to see me!

But before I forget ~~

the menu ~

Morning was sausage and waffles. Not just any ole Waffle…but ones especially made by Madam B. Just perfection.

Vegetable Soup was made for those that felt a need to partake in some necessary nourishment between the brilliant breakfast and the upcoming Turkey feast.

Note --This would be a homemade soup
~~ (olive oil, garlic, onions, celery, carrots, spinach, peas with assorted seasonings including Nature Seasoning, thyme, sage, sweet basil, and a bit of oregano. and cooked slowly in a vegetable broth)=

Our dinner choice was mostly the standard fare of the Holiday.

Herb Stuffed Turkey Breast
They did turn out lovely, and tasted lovely also. (We got the idea from Rachel Ray from 30 minute meals).

Mashed Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Steamed Carrots
Biscuits
Gravy
Hot Apple Pie

We were a small group this year. Five altogether.
My boys couldn’t make it up this year, as it would have been just to hectic with their work and school schedules. And that was okay with me. I don’t fancy to highly of my kids driving far distances and getting tired on the road, when so many other people are on the road and in the same condition. And we are going to be seeing them next weekend for more party stuff. I’ll tell about that later.

The photo of the Turkey Breast ended up on top.
~~~~~~~~

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~~ Jane Howard

The Thankful Heart

Though the years

be stained

with tears

by those cousins

hurt and sorrow ,

A life that's known

those sides of love

can find love,

looking forward

toward tomorrow.

Tis Gratitude

Will teach us

the thankful heart

can mend,

And a life

Thought stained

can richly gain

It’s strength

To love again.

~~Miss Roxie

Some thoughts of Thankfulness

"When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup."
Sam Lefkowitz

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
Albert Schweitzer

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
Charles Dickens

"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues."
Cicero

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?"
William Arthur Ward

Let never day nor night unhallowed pass But still remember what the Lord hath done.
~William Shakespeare

And then it was the next day

The voice of parents is the voice of gods, for to their children they are heaven's lieutenants.
~~~William Shakespeare

Yesterday! ~ boy howdy the time sure flies when you are having fun!

Early in the day, I shopped along with 2/3 of my town. I did get out early, but I had to wait until I got the phone call assuring me that all would be okay with my mom. She had gone into the hospital on Monday afternoon, to finalize lots of tests because of a pressure in her chest and numbness from her elbow to her hand that would not go away.

Long story short ~ She went to the doctor first thing in the morning, doctor said, "Well, if you were 26, I'd send you home, as everything I can check out now looks fine. But you're 76, so I have to run more tests." Which they did, but each test lead to another test which lead to the last test that needed to be done, which was the catheterization, and that revealed she could go home. But heads up, MOM!! You had us worried.

Because Mom was in the hospital, there were many phone calls, but they were necessary. We needed to find out what was going on, and we needed to comfort each other. It is in these times, you really appreciate a way to feel close to those you love.

Moving on ~
Came home from the shopping, and Madam B (whom I can't sing enough praises about) had all the counters and such, ready for stacking the grocery bags and then had them unloaded and put away faster than I could get the mail and make a cup of tea! Bless the Lord for this child to be my last at home!

Next, sitting with a cup of tea and my daughter's brilliant conversation, the phone rings. It's my sister in law (who was in a city 7 hours away) telling me my in-laws are broken down about a mile from my house. It's seems my mother in law was so upset about it, that she called my sister in law thinking she was calling me!

But the angels were with them. Their car had just _stopped_ ~ right in the middle of one of the busiest intersections at that time of day because of the school bus stop. They said, "Seven angels all rushed out to help us." They don't know where they came from, but men flew to their aid from every different angle of the road! The fellows got their car secured on a side road, and one waited until I got there. I ordered a tow truck and got them home.

So all is well, and as always, there is a story to tell!

For Your Entertainment

A special Christmas Light Show ....

Trust me ~ Call the family in and
Just click on the link above,
Enjoy!

Which LOTR Personality Are Thee?

Take the quiz: "LOTR Personality Match W/Excellent Pics"

Arwen
She is said to be the most beautiful of all living beings. Her heart being just as beautiful. You also have a good heart and you walk with a light about your face.

This BlogMate has many fun tests!

Just so you know.....

Notice! There is a serious construction going on within this blog. My friends and I are under great strains of emailing furry to correct the problems within the interiors of the blog.

Please remain clam. Or calm.

All will be well. After all, it's only blog world.

I am looking forward to a good a postive result. Keep the faith.

My best friend came through ~ that's what they do.

And.....Yikes!

Life can just bring it on! We are planning a move to South Florida. A very big change for us...relocating and job change for my husband who is the soul supporter of this family. So we pray daily for God's guidance. But we are moving to be closer to our family. We appreciate, care for, and love our family that much.

Tonight, the young man who wishes to buy my husband's business came over with his father. What a lovely young man! It all just seems too perfect, you know? Ever get scared or nervous with *too perfect*? He seems just a fine young man -- and his father -- you could tell he was a good dad and very interested in his son. And as the father spoke of all his children, you could tell he instilled in them a work ethic, that, I feel, is somehow leaving the youth of today.

Oh! Can life be this good? Can things go so well? Can such a struggle turn into a good and wonderful thing? Only God knows!

Rate My Life

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6.7
Mind:	6.1
Body:	5.5
Spirit:	8.4
Friends/Family:	7
Love:	9.2
Finance:	7.5
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

I'm not really sure what you say about this one? They did ask me to please write something about Love because they said most people don't score that high ~ I'm not clear on where I picked this up ..Aha HERE.

And tomorrow I'll try to figure out if there is some way to know "could this possibly mean anything?"

Just catching up on the days

I'm not sure where the minutes have gone, but I do know that if I don't make a few notes here, they will slip away from my mind faster than chocolate chip cookies do from my kitchen.

Today Madam B and I finished the task we started yesterday. That would be a major one of painting the food pantry closet. We removed all the things in the pantry, vacuumed, washed and painted walls and shelves, covered the shelves with contact paper ~
-- (and that was a nightmare as I have never bought contact paper that was crooked before!),
but long story short, it's all together again, and it looks so clean and shiny!

I have lived in this house for 22 years and have never painted that pantry. So now, it's done.

I also made a great pot of soup, and a lovely cheesecake! Oh such an easy cheesecake, too!
Here's the story of the cheesecake -- I made some chocolate chip cookies yesterday, and I used my food processor. I wanted to make the cookies with half whole-wheat flour and half white, but I forgot. I forgot about adding the whole-wheat - Anyway, I have never used the food processor for cookies before and I think I shant ever again. They just were too softish and would not stay together. Although they tasted most wonderful and fattening, but they would not stay in the form a cookie!

So, I decided the what-had-come-out-of-the-oven-stuff would make a wonderful bottom for a cheesecake! I looked on line and found this recipe for Black Forest Cheesecake. Very basic -- There are several on line, but don't be fooled! This one is so easy! (I shall post it at the end). So with my handy dandy food processor, I whipped up the cheesecake, and Madam B had prepared the crust for me in my spring form pan, that my sister gave me in 1989, and I only first used it a couple of months ago, popped it in the oven for 45 minutes and it just tastes of professional quality!

So what else? ~~

I'm reading Johnny Tremain and Twelfth Night right now because Madam B is - and we are still reading The Scarlet Letter - Oh, that poor Reverend Dimmensdale, what pain the tortured soul must endure – I will be happy when we are finished with this book. I don’t think it’s a book to be labored over.

I am concerned about losing school time soon. Next week my in laws are coming, to visit and have Thanksgiving with us, and we are going to attack the project of a major cleaning of my kitchen cabinets (there are a lot of them). And I'm going to continue to go through my cupboards and get rid of things I've collected, for heavens knows what reasons we collect and keep things. Well, sometimes, like the spring form pan, it takes a long while for its use to be recognized in your lifetime.

Madam B and her dad have gone to see Harry Potter and the something of something. I don’t keep track of Harry very much, but they seem to like him and all his antics.

I’m waiting for Pride and Prejudice to open at a theater near me. I’m hearing it’s enjoyable! I’ve been reading it on line, jumping from part to part ~ I think I will read the book. I never have, as I’ve never liked ‘chatty’ books. I didn’t enjoy Little Women, but I did like the story and the movie.

Well, that’s a skimming ~ reading this will be a prompt to remember my life and this day ~ Every time I say This Day, I think of Aragon (Lord of the Rings - I think Return of the King)

Black Forest Cheesecake

1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
Frozen whipped topping, thawed

Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in chocolate and extract; pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.

Top cheesecake with pie filling and whipped topping just before serving. Spoon pie filling to within 1 1/2 inches of edge of cheesecake. About every three inches around the edge, place a dollop of whipped

JUST SO YOU KNOW – I used fat free cream cheese and vanilla extract AND I poured out half the cheesecake mixture before I mixed in the chocolate chips, so it had a duel effect. Very cool beans!

~~~A thought for today~~~

So divinely is the world organized that every one of us, in our place and time, is in balance with everything else. ~~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Pieta ~ Michelangelo (1499)

This is such a beautiful piece of art. It moves me to such emotion.

Michelangelo was 24 when he completed this. I tried to find various views, as it is so amazing. I find it more stunning with each new detail I see...

There are three views Here.

This link, in the first three choices, offers a wonderfully detailed view, also.


I wish I had the words to describe my feelings when I look at this. But somehow, I don't think they would matter very much. What I feel from this, could not add a measure of importance to it's beauty.

I found some details about the sculpture here.

A Spinach Casserole

This is very good ~ very easy to make.

Spinach Casserole -

2 well beaten eggs
6 TBS all-purpose flour
1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach thawed (squeeze out water)
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar Cheese
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven 350. Beat together eggs and flour until smooth, stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into greased 1 QT casserole dish. Bake one hour.

Now here's why it's really great -
You can serve it to vegetarians
We have substituted tofu for the cottage cheese
Made it with half tofu and half cottage cheese
Subbed vegetarian cheese for the cheese
left out the salt,
made it in the food processor and not
And it's always turned out well.
In other words, if you like spinach, this is a good recipe to have around. I love a recipe you can change around depending what you have on hand, and they forgive you.

Next, I want to try substituting Egg Replacer for the eggs, but I might have to add some cornstarch. I'll let you know.

But this is great tasting and easy and nutritious enough to be called a main dish.

Won over by the Green Side

Green Smoothies have won over two more people! My father and mother-in-law are now loving them, and they are ready to try new combinations.
And this morning, my daughter had her first ~ she choose strawberries, pineapple and green lettuce. Truthfully, it didn't look exactly like a green smoothie, more like a dark mauve one. But this is a child who puts chocolate chips in her tea.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scottish Proverb
Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead.

What kind of Herb are thee?

YOU ARE CATNIP


What herb are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

~~I borrowed this from javamom's blog

I really think the last comment on my herb-self was prompted by question #1
on the quiz!

Some random advice on Reading

“In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them
you can get through,
but rather how many can get through to you.”
-Mortimer J. Adler, philosopher, educator and author (1902-2001)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted;
nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,
and some few to be chewed and digested:
that is, some books are to be read only in parts,
others to be read, but not curiously, and some few
to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.

Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man,
and writing an exact man.

~~Francis Bacon

Connections of Poetry and Song

"I am," I said
To no one there
An no one heard at all
Not even the chair
"I am," I cried
"I am," said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
Leavin' me lonely still

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The above are words from a song
by Neil Diamond, "I am I said."

In an earlier post, I mentioned an interest in reading
about John Clare, whose Poem I posted here.

It began...."I am,"

and this Neil Diamond song came in my mind, and I wondered...
Did Mr. Diamond read John Clare?
Mr. Clare was a troubled soul, indeed, and died in an insane asylum.
And I recall Mr. Diamond, in an interview
long ago, saying that he had written, "I am I said" while he was going
through some therapy.
It just makes one wonder is all.
Makes one wonder, just how connected is everything?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I am a part of all that I have met.
Alfred Tennyson

Advice of a Pirate

There are only two real rules: what a man can do and what a man can't do. For instance, you can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man or you can't. But a pirate’s in your blood boy, and you'll have to square with that someday. And me, I can let you drown, but I can't bring this ship into Tortuga by myself. So what do you say, can you sail under the command of a pirate or can't you?......Captain Jack Sparrow from the Black Pearl

Poems by John Clare

Written in Northampton County Aslyum
John Clare

I am! yet what I am who cares, or knows? My friends forsake me like a memory lost. I am the self-consumer of my woes; They rise and vanish, an oblivious host, Shadows of life, whose very soul is lost. And yet I am—I live—though I am toss’d Into the nothingness of scorn and noise, Into the living sea of waking dream, Where there is neither sense of life, nor joys, But the huge shipwreck of my own esteem And all that’s dear. Even those I loved the best Are strange—nay, they are stranger than the rest. I long for scenes where man has never trod— For scenes where woman never smiled or wept— There to abide with my Creator, God, And sleep as I in childhood sweetly slept, Full of high thoughts, unborn. So let me lie,— The grass below; above, the vaulted sky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found this poem several years ago and have always felt the pain of this poet. I don't know who he is, and I've never stumbled across any of his works. I finally just went on line to find out about him. But he seems to be like me, having more questions than answers, having that sense of feeling lonely, but yet maybe he was surrounded by people who loved him. I don't know. But my interest is peeked, and I shall have to read about him to feel satisfied.

What is Life ~ John Clare

And what is Life? An hour-glass on the run, A mist retreating from the morning sun, A busy, bustling, still-repeated dream. Its length? A minute's pause, a moment's thought. And Happiness? A bubble on the stream, That in the act of seizing shrinks to nought. And what is Hope? The puffing gale of morn, That of its charms divests the dewy lawn, And robs each flow'ret of its gem -and dies; A cobweb, hiding disappointment's thorn, Which stings more keenly through the thin disguise. And what is Death? Is still the cause unfound? That dark mysterious name of horrid sound? A long and lingering sleep the weary crave. And Peace? Where can its happiness abound? Nowhere at all, save heaven and the grave. Then what is Life? When stripped of its disguise, A thing to be desired it cannot be; Since everything that meets our foolish eyes Gives proof sufficient of its vanity. 'Tis but a trial all must undergo, To teach unthankful mortals how to prize That happiness vain man's denied to know, Until he's called to claim it in the skies.

Book a Minute Classics

This is so funny; I can hardly choose which is my favorite! For the quickest book report ever ... go here




(I want to put this on my sidebar if that's possible)

The Picture of Dorian Gray

It's the 1945 movie ~ The Picture of Dorian Gray.

But first it was a book by Oscar Wilde. A novel about a man who never aged on the outside because his portrait did instead.

Dorian Gray has a name that aptly fits him. There is no color to his personality, no zing; the beauty of Dorian is on the outside only. He is essentially the flat canvas and lives his life devoid of feelings and develops no dimensions to his character. He becomes a true hedonist. He becomes seduced by the dark side! He is Darth Gray-der!

Everything rolls off him as if he is covered with a coat of shellac, as if he is the painting. Nothing penetrates him. His soul is trapped in the painting, and it is this work of art that begins to show the inner part of him that is ugly and tainted.

At first he finds this fact of his beauty never fading just fascinating. He enjoys the attentions this brings.

But with no feelings in the heart, he becomes like an empty space, and Dorian becomes addicted to more and more sinful ways, perhaps in a effort to feel something leaving one to think perhaps falling in love with ones own beauty is ones doom. Doeth one not see the possibility of this?

Perhaps, through the attention Dorian receives for his looks, he thinks he will restore to himself the feelings of abandonment from the loss of his parents early in his life.

What needed to come from within, Dorian was looking for without.

Wide Awake

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book ~
an Irish Proverb

Yesterday I slept until noon. And last night I laughed so hard at a blooper's show my chest was hurting. So maybe that is why this morning I was awake at 3:30 AM and up at 4:30 AM and feel fine (so far, I'll probably crash around noonday).

And I will remember to see the sun rise this time. It's supposed to do that around 7:30 AM. Gosh, even a reasonable sleep could have made that!

I have no idea what is affecting my sleep patterns.

My #1 son is in India on a business trip, so it's about 4 PM where he is right now. This is his first time to India. He flew through Paris, but I think he wasn't allowed to leave the airport. I'll find out for sure. He did connect with us by email already to say in a sentence he was there in New Delhi and meeting his boss today. You know, you homeschool a child and you never think ~ one day he will go to India. It was Australia he always talked about! Oh well. I imagine he'll go there one day, too.

The World is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page ~
....St. Augustine

An open letter to Socrates

I stumbled across this letter below, and it made me laugh. Sometimes things just hit me funny.

But it reminded me of the quote, "Life is a tragedy to those who feel, and a comedy to those who think." I had to look up the author of the quote - some fellow named Jean de la Bruyere - which I think rhymes with the cheese.

I am a thinker. I overthink. I rethink. I dethink. I love to think about things. I would stay on the mountain top and think if I could. But life will not allow me that pleasure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dear Socrates,

I hate you. I know why they killed you. You believe you are a gadfly for the good of society, whose sting serves a greater good, but in fact you introduced a way of thinking into the world that has made life unlivable. 'What did I do?' you might innocently inquire; 'all I do is ask questions.' Oh yes, but those questions are intended to expose the assumptions upon which all human knowledge is built, and you know full well that once that happens, there can be revolutionary consequences. 'That too is for the better,' you might reply; 'if the foundation is rotted out, replace it with a sounder one to secure the future.' But the problem is that there is no such thing as a sound foundation. According to you there must always be assumptions; hence the questioning never stops. The only thing that has been 'secured', therefore, is your profession!"

Philosophy Now Magazine (November 2005).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you think sometimes we think too much?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time alone isn't such a bad thing

"The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the
religion of solitude." -Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)

On being Alone
  by Miss Roxie

It was something I never really minded.
I did like to find my way around a new place
with a slower gait then others.
Although it was nice to have a friend
now and then,
being alone, unparalleled spatial auras
that tumbled themselves into
just a dimension passing
quietly ...
in reading, in listening to the sounds of music,
photographs real and otherwise,
daydreams,
relaxing in the grass, watching clouds dance,
star gazing in the night air,
To remain a secret.  Or not.
Alone was never bad to me.
Now,
on being lonely,
well, that's another thing altogether, isn't it?

Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.....May Sarton

A Poem from Miss Roxie

My heart speaks

by Miss Roxie

If my heart could rule the world
There would be no pain or sorrow
There would be only understanding
And helpfulness and mercy
And counting correct change
And traffic that merges correctly and
Cuts no man off to start a firebrand of anger

There would be hugs before they were needed
So no great depths of loneliness would ever be reached
There would be pats on the heads for young children
Whose kind deeds would be matter of factly done
And lollipops that wouldn’t rot your teeth
If my heart could rule the world.

All would feel what another feels
The famous slings and arrows, the insults,
The differences, the sameness
If my heart could rule the world

The heartbeat would be universal
And would daily cry out for
No misery today!
No sorrow today!

What do you need old man?
Old woman?
Young boy?
Young girl?
Working man?
Mother with babe in arms?

What do you need?
Here, let me help you.
Here, let me carry that load for you,
Here, trade me your burdens for a while,

Rest here, my heart would say,

If my heart ruled the world.

What you can find cleaning out the attic

Dad and Madam B finally got to the attic late this afternoon. And now, everything is in my family room. Everything.

They sorted out a sort of pile of things to go and things to keep, and the things to go pile is _a lot_ bigger, thank goodness.

Madam B brought me a box of books to ask what I wanted to keep from there, and as I went through the box, I realized that some of Sean's notes were in there. Found myself walking down memory lane...So this is what I am currently reading.

These are from Sean when he was ten going on 11 ~~

About Ludwig Beethoven:

Ludwig V. Beethoven became a famous composer in Germany in the late 1700's. He became successful because he overcame painful treatments in his past and deafess at the age of 30.

Jan V. Beethoven, Ludwig's father, thought he was ugly, and Jan was an abusive father. But his mom and his grandfather thought he was beautiful and loved him very much.

Respect:

If you don't respect your parents or everybody, you won't get respect back. Please, if you do not respect your parents, you lose a lot of privileges. If you say shutup to something else while someone is talking then they will think you are saying shutup to them.

George Washington Carver:

George Washington Carver was born near Diamond Grove, Missouri. It is not clear when he was born, but one book said that he was born in 1861 and died in 1943. If that book is right, he lived 82 years.

He was a scientist and a botanist. He invented powered milk, wood stains, fertilizer, and other things.

His dad was killed. His mom, along with George and another child were kidnapped. George was saved because a man took George for a $300.00 horse, that was expensive.

George found out that sweet potatoes and peanuts could grow in the Alabama soil. He taught the farmers how to plant those things so they could raise money for the community. That took a while.

I think that George misses his mom and dad.

When Nathan comes:

When Nathan comes the house goes uh-oh. When Nathan is here, the person that goes "aaaaaaaa", he is the little terrorizor. When Nathan comes the house is ready to get messey like a tornado came through. He bites, he yells, he eats your toes for fun, and he disrupts everything. Me and my mom are glad when he is laying down.

But he is the cutest baby on earth. We love him very much.

Ways not to be bitten by sharks:

1. Don't swim in waters where sharks are.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"When Nathan Comes" is my favorite. Nathan is my great nephew, and he used to come here about three days a week or more, from morning till night, because his mom worked. He is about 10 years younger than Sean. We had the most fun when Nathan was here. It really was hard to get school done during those years that we took care of Nathan, but I wouldn't change that experience for the world.

Sean is 19 now. He is away at school.

He played football with Nathan, who is 9 now, the last weekend of October. My family met in the middle of the state for a reunion weekend. And Nathan just thinks my boys are "all that".

It is such a fine feeling to watch your family grow up and grow stronger in love and connection. It's such a fine feeling.

"The family is the school of duties - founded on love" .....Felix Adler

Early musings

Words to the wise:

Dorian Gray (The Picture of Dorian Gray)~ "An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you ef you don't watch out!"*

Reverend Dimmesdale (The Scarlet Letter) ~ "Be sure your sins will find you out!"**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was up at 5 AM. What? Am I crazy now?

Sleep declared itself done, so I arose before the sun. I enjoyed my cup of hot coffee in the quiet, and began my bookwork, which I completed! hooray! but I forgot about the sunrise that I had wanted to see!

I am happy to say, though, that I accomplished a lot of work. All my posting of bookwork is complete and up to date! This is marvelous. I cleaned out three drawers of my desk. Threw away a bag of things. Helped my husband with something he had to complete, and am now taking a short break before I get ready to head out for errands and visit my homebound friend, Drusy.

Madam B did all her today's school last night, so she has made Blueberry muffins for me to take to Miss Drusy, cleaned out some cabinets, and cleaned the kitchen and is helping her dad with emptying of the attic. This is a job that has been lying in wait. Since we are moving (soonish?), we must not put this off any longer.

Dad's best and easiest way to clean and organize? Throw it out!

I usually have to leave, so I don't have to deal with emotional attachment to "stuff." It's terrible, isn't it? I still have the first flowers my oldest son gave me (he's 29 now) in the original little plastic box I put them in after they turned brown. I go in my closet every so often to look at them. Silly, I know, but it always makes me smile. I can still remember the day, the little head of hair running over with his eyes focused on the little flowers, "Here, mommy, for you." Ahhhh, life is just so short!

Well, you know what they say, enjoy your achievements as well as your plans!

Later,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Little Orphant Annie (one of my favorites to read aloud)
**Numbers 32,23

I really do love Big Books!

"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery."....Francis Bacon

I have been searching for some big art books. I just like big books. Maybe it is because I am getting older and can't see as well? I don't know ~ but I did find three that I purchased!

This one is online for a mighty hefty price! I mean $110.00? But I found it for $9.99. The other one, I can't find online, is called The Impressionist A Retrospective. It was $9.99, also. I'm sure a search could find them for $00.10 with a hefty shipping and handling cost because they are so huge! But I love them. The photos are nice and there is a lot of information about the artists and the time periods. I am satisfied with my purchase. I picked them up at Walden's Book Store.

The third book I bought, I probably didn't really need, but I liked it. It is here. It has a lovely large photo on each page with some information about the artist and the painting on the other. This one I picked up for $4.00.

I did notice that the books featuring the modern art were several dollars more. I didn't care for any of the modern art, but my daughter did like a lot of it. But I didn't buy those books, maybe later (who knows). I'm stuck here for now.

I enjoy looking at a painting and knowing what they are, and then letting myself feel something from them. I like, then, to read the explanations, praises and criticisms of the painting, and measure it against what I felt.

I had an experience with Degas in looking at two particular paintings and felt such gloom and darkness and even a feel of being threatened by them, and when I read about those paintings, I was surprised that was exactly what he had painted! Silly, I know, but I thought I should not be so hasty now not to like him, as I don’t really know why he wanted to show those feelings, only that he did it successfully.

"A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art."....Paul Cezanne

What I'm reading -

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne

and various other things that come in my path....

Love and Marriage - The Kids View

Love and Marriage from the kids point of view....

• "If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." -- Glenn, age 7
• 
  
• "Love is like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." -- John, age 9
• 
  
• "I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." -- Manuel, age 8
• 
  
• "No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." -- Mae, age 9
• 
  
• "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." -- Greg, age 8
• 
  
• "Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." -- Tom, age 5
• 
  
• "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested
  
• enough to go for a second date." -- Mike, 10
• 
  
• "I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when Dinosaurs is on television." -- Jill, age 6
• 
  
• "One of the people has freckles, and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too." -- Andrew, age 6
• 
  
• "My mother says to look for a man who is kind. That's what I'll do. I'll find somebody who's kinda tall and handsome." -- Carolyn, age 8
• 
  
• "It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." -- Kenny, age 7
• 
  
• "One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." -- Ava, age 8
• 
  
• "When somebody's been dating for a while, the boy might propose to the girl. He says to her, 'I'll take you for a whole life, or at least until we have kids and get divorced.'" -- Anita, 9
• 
  
• "I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." -- Regina, age 10
• 
  
• "Most men are brainless, so you might have to try more than once to find a live one." -- Angie, age 10
• 
  
• "A man and a woman promise to go through sickness and illness and diseases together." -- Marlon, age 10
• 
  
• Being] single is better . . . for the simple reason that I wouldn't want to change no diapers. Of course, if I did get married, I'd figure something out. I'd just phone my mother and have her come over for some coffee and diaper-changing." -- Kirsten, age 10
• 
  
• "Love is foolish...but I still might try it sometime." -- Floyd, age 9
• 
  
• "Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." -- Dave, age 8

• 
  

On being Dsylexic

I misplace things on a daily basis. It's just me. I have a disease. The one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing. It's dyslexia. Was anyone aware that there are scientist currently working on trying to find a gene that proves dyslexia is heriditary? It was discussed on NPR this past week, and has been before. Here is a message board that was speaking of it.

Some people from Yale are studying it, and I think two other places, as well. They have found a total of three different genes that it might be, but are sure of none.

I really don't know what this all means. I mean, it's good to study things, but I'm wondering how knowing it's a gene can help dyslexia? I wouldn't give my children a drug (I have two dyslexics and then myself). I have just explained to them they are the way they are (and my brother cautioned me greatly about that because he didn't want me to stifle any genius they may have by telling them they can't do something. I mean, Shakespeare did, after all, make up words, and dyslexics, some, see words differently, maybe even to use them as a new word...)

But Dyslexia can annoy one in other ways than reading ~~ it can affect your time management and that's called Time Management Dyslexia, which people do not believe is heriditary, even though if you check out the link from the word genius, you will see it mentions Time Management as a Problem. (I can only say I'm working on it as I realize it is a problem for me, and my daughter is working on it because it just seems to make the most sense in handling your life.)
anyway,

Here are the listed criteria for Time Management Dsylexia:

Do you often show up late for appointments?
(I used to, but not anymore, I am righteously on time)

Do you often stay up late to get things done?
(I do. But I don't always get the things done that I planned to get done. But something gets done.)

Do you ever rush to make up for another task that took longer than you thought it would?
(frequently if not more often than not)

Do you regularly try to squeeze too much / too many things into an alloted amount of time?
(That's what I do best.)

Feel rushed and harried often throughout the day?
(Well, there was a time I was _so_ like that, now, I let it flow.)

If you're Time Dyslexic, I'm imagining that you'll find that you consistently underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete things.
(Yes, I do that. I always underestimate the time and now I always add plenty of time.)

So, I'm a time dyslexic and a regular misplacer dyslexic. But I'm working on it! I may never
change. But, I've been this way so long, I doubt I would recognize myself if I were to become some what perfect.
But the children! I would hope they could find a way to accept they way they are as being
for some reason that is good. Mostly, I don't want them to worry about how they are, justfunction to the higest of their abilities. If some sense is underdeveloped, usually, if you are a person who has not gone dormant, another sense will perk up in it's place, and they will learned to develop a whole new sense to assist the way they learn and look at things, and then maybe, they will be original thinkers! How cool is that? Oh .... who knows. Just always hope for the best...that's a good thing.

(I still can't figure out why this great big space is here on this post ~ I've tried to fix it and just can't seem to do it......oh well)

Tell you what ~ just mediate quietly while you scroll down...........
ooohhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Is it just another day?

The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another, and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it.

--J.M. Barrie, novelist and playwright (1860-1937)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good morning all,

Have a most blessed and happy day, as you take the time to think about what part of the story of your life you will write today.

I have a busy day ahead and plan on using my timer to assist me. I fear if I don't, I will not be able to stay on task! Such a difficult time I have with that! Staying on task! I am a dreamer, I posess a mind that floats in the sky of sweet thoughts, I need to learn not to continue to try to escape this world in my mind, but instead find a way to function in it that will leave me satisfied, and God pleased, at the end of the day....

but I digress. I feel more like writing than like doing what physically needs to be done! But I know by doing the tasks at hand, I have the opportunity to create beauty and calm around me. So I need to get to it!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results"....James Allen.

'Cause I like Big Books

Tim's Mom
has this posted on her blog, and I thought it was so funny, I brought it over here ~~~

http://www.unc.edu/~shoyle/BigBibles.wmv

What Sense to you favor?

Here’s a self test – What’s your favorite Sense?

And is there an advantage of knowing this about yourself? I found a little advantage in this test when I took it with my spouse. He’s Auditory. I was Kinesthetic. We see things from different angles, and knowing these simple little differences we began to phrase words of explanation differently to each other. It’s like finding a short cut way to make oneself understood!

I have no idea if this little test would help or interest you folks at all. It’s from a book that I’m sending to my sister called, “How to make people like you in 90 seconds or less” (she’s in business and finds these things helpful)

So maybe take the test, and, then, we’ll discuss ~~ we’ll talk about each other, and how weird we know we each are…..

Where would you place yourself among the Visuals, Auditories, or Kinesthetics? Like many people, you’ll probably say, “Oh, I’m a Visual, for sure.” But you might be in for a big surprise. Take the following test to see how you tune in to the world. Choose only one answer from each question, and circle the letter next to your answer.

If only three rooms are left at the beach resort, I would choose the room that offers

a. An ocean view but lots of noise.

b. Sounds of the ocean but no view.

3. Comfort but lots of noise and no view.

When I have a problem,

1. I look for alternatives.

b. I talk about the problem.

3. I rearrange the details.

When riding in a car, I want the inside to

1. Look Good.
2. Sound quiet or powerful.
3. Feel comfortable or secure.

When I explain a concert or event I’ve just attended I first,

1. Describe how it looked.
2. Tell people how it sounded.
3. Convey the feeling.

In my spare time, I most enjoy

a. Watching TV or going to the movies.

b. Reading or listening to music.

c. Doing something physical (crafts/gardening or playing a sport

The one thing I personally believe everyone should experience in his or her lifetime is

1. Sight
2. Sound
3. Feeling

Of the following activities, I spend the most time indulging in

1. Daydreaming
2. Listening to my thought
3. Picking up on my feelings

When someone is trying to convince me of something,

a. I want to see evidence or proof

b. I talk myself through it

4. I trust my intuition.

I usually speak and think

1. Quickly
2. Moderately
3. Slowly

I normally breathe from

1. High in my chest
2. Low in my chest
3. My belly

When finding my way around an unfamiliar city,

1. I use a map
2. I ask for directions
3. I trust my intuitions

When I choose clothes it is most important to me that

1. I look immaculate
2. I make a personal statement about my personality
3. I feel comfortable.

I make decisions

1. Quickly
2. Moderately
3. Slowly

So after you look over your answers, you make your tally – How many each of a, b, c’s—

a) is visual b) is Auditory and C) is Kinesthetic. The higher the number in each category, the stronger the tendency.

By taking this test, not only will you now have a strong indication of how your three main senses stack up, but you’ll also begin to understand how people can have differing priorities. I’m still working on understanding that one, as my priorities seem to make a lot of sense to me, and I guess I need to make sure of what my mate’s priorities are, reflect on the test results, and then explain to him why he is wrong?

Bursting with flavor

The morning's Green Smoothie-
One banana
One Pear
Two Cups of Kale (YES, Kale!)
and about 1/4 cup of Pineapple.

I had mentioned before that I want to get my in-laws into the Green Smoothie, and everyone is dragging their heels. But I did too, I remember.

Tim's Mom told me about them, in a very casual way, and I thought--"Ummmm, lettuce in a smoothie?" Not to appetizing sounding....

Then one day I was talking to her on the phone and asked, "what's that noise?" (LOL, this should tell you how boring I am on the phone), and she said, "That's the blender. I'm making the boys a green smoothie. They love them."

And that was the opening of the floodgates! If the boys loved them, why couldn't I love them! I have children, I _know_ how picky kids are!

So again ~ we can always learn by observing children....

Today is a gift

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. -- Anonymous


My daughter and I are cleaning out drawers and boxes and cabinets. It's really amazing how much you can get rid of and still look like you've gotten rid of nothing!

I think tonight is the New Moon. We are going walking soon. I feel relaxed. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the moon, but in Madam B's astronomy today, she learned about the moon and how it affects the ocean. And she said, 'I never really thought about the fact that the waves in the ocean move even if there is not a breeze, and the book says that the moon and gravity pull, make the waves.' So she wondered, 'why isn't the water in my glass moving in waves? I mean there is gravity and there is the moon....ummmm." (anybody know without my looking it up?)

We made another big pot of vegetable soup. Madam B wants to try one week with eating only vegetables, so soup seemed like good thing. And it's lovely here now, the weather is perfect for a cup of soup now and then. And it turned out so well!

For Dad we made the cutest little pizzas! And we top them with mozzarella cheese and tomatoes, which we season with oregano, basil, seasoning salt, and garlic powder. Yum.

I am trying to convince my mother in law to try the Green Smoothies! She is tired all the time. She sounds wicked tired on the phone, so she will be a perfect candidate for knowing if this will be a help.

I am currently reading The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Scarlet Letter.
There are some very interesting and thought provoking concepts in both these books. I am enjoying them both.

Since I have began to use the Ambleside Online curriculum, I am regaining interest in the classics and have decided to chip away at reading them all. It's helps when someone is reading them with you (Like Tim's Mom). That encourages me to stay focused, and even though I don't get to discuss the books as much as I would like, the opportunity is there should I take it.

I love the AO curriculum. It's like the education I wished I had had!

"There is no Challenge more challenging than the challenge to improve yourself."
-- Michael F. Staley


PS ~~ Just a little shout out to Miss M!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

My chance meeting with an Author

I had the pleasure of having lunch with John Crawford, the author of 'The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell.' The link below tells you about his book, if you haven't heard of it, yet.

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,157322314X,00.html

The meeting happened like this ~

I was on my way to Tennessee, to visit Tim's Mom and her family; and I was on the connection leg in Charlotte. I had an hour before my flight, and felt I should eat then, so I wouldn't arrive hungry, and my darling friend wouldn't have to feed me right away.

I mosied on down to the first place I saw with food available. I really wasn't interested in what they offered, and neither was the young man in line in front of me.

He chose something and then went over to sit down. I got my something, and began looking for a place. I couldn't find a seat. And you know, it's not like I recognized him (his photo is in the book), but there was something that seemed *okay* about him, so I went over and asked him if it would be alright to join him.

He said, "Oh yes, mam" (*mam* I am still getting used to that... ) ....he cleared the table and made room for me.

I felt obligated to speak, so I did. I thanked him for sharing the table and asked him where he was headed. "Tallahassee," he said. Now wow. "Tallahassee! No kidding? I just left there."

We then had the most interesting conversation that two strangers could have! Education, the school system, people not thinking for themselves any more...just lots on things...and in the midst of it all I heard him mumble something about having written a book....

"Wait, Wait, back up," I said, "You said you wrote a book?"

"Yes," he said.

"Well, tell me about this book you wrote." (Still not knowing who he was but truly interested in his book)

And then he says, "I'll show you." And he pulls from his briefcase, the book I was familiar with.

"That's your book? You're John Crawford!"

He nodded, smiling.

I told him I had just finished his book, and thanked him for writing it. We chatted a bit more, we both had planes to catch, but I did want to tell him something in particular.

"When I finished this book," I said, "I couldn't stop thinking about you and I wanted to know if you were okay." So I asked him, "Are you okay?" The moment was personal and emotional. He nodded his head, and said softly, "Yes. Yes, I'm okay now."

I let him know I was proud and honored to have this opportunity to meet him and talk with him. He told me that a WWII vet he met had shook his hand so long that he didn't think the man was going to let go! I said, "I can understand that! I feel that same way towards you, and I want to give you a hug before you go." I gave him a hug and thanked him for sharing his story.

He was a truly a gentlemen. And a hero in my opinion.

The stories must be told. And we must listen. Everyone must listen.

Listen now. Not later.

We always let the stories be told, but often so much later after the fact. Oh, I so hope we don't do that this time.

Anyway, it just most delightful for me to meet John Crawford!