Sunday, October 14, 2007
According to Wikipedia, NC-my location- is 77% Protestant and only 10% Roman Catholic. This means that as a convert to Catholicism, I get asked a LOT of questions. Personally, this doesn't bother me but it is very important for my children to understand not just what they believe but why they believe it. Amy Welborn's book PROVE IT is not only informative but at times humurous as well. I found myself learning a lot from this little book. I also very much appreciate that she was not mean spirited in her defense of Catholic beliefs while at the same time presenting the truth of our faith without any sugar coating. I am going to assign this book to my sixth grader this year.
Friday, October 12, 2007
My Favorite Poem
This was written by William Ernest Henly. The poem is a reflection of the author's own resilince after having his leg amputated.
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of Circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of Circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Tough Women
Everyone has pet peeves and I have mine. Occasionally I will have a discussion with other women in which they imply that somehow women had no real internal strength until the coming of 1960's feminism. Usually it is a young woman speaking and she expresses gratitude for being born in an era when she is allowed to be 'a strong woman."
Um...have these ladies never read books written by women prior to the 1960's or studied history? Simply because our fore mothers' daily lives were not written down in history books does not mean that they were weak, helpless creatures. In fact, I would imagine that our female ancestors had more internal fortitude then any modern young woman today.
The majority of our fore mothers were not sitting around bored, drinking tea and embroidering beautiful tapestries. They were resilient women who endured a lot of suffering without complaint. I dare say that they would be a bit contemptuous of their descendants for having become so weak and whiny.
Think logically for a moment about life before the twentieth century. Poverty was common. Not simply the belt tightening kind of poverty but intense suffering and hunger. Men and women both were expected to work hard for their bread. Even those women who did not have to work outside the home had to do household work without the appliances that we depend on today. There was no washing machine or bread maker. You couldn't just turn on the oven. You had to heat up a wood or coal stove. Your child needs winter clothes? Sister, you better know how to sew.
In 1853, chloroform was invented and it was administered to Queen Victoria for the birth of her seventh child. Up until that time, women often went without any pain medicine during labor. Pain was a fact of life and you simply endured it. By the way, Doctors did not understand that they should wash their hands before attending a birth until 1840! I remember my grandmother telling me that her mother-who was a midwife early in the twentieth century- told her that 'a woman in labor is a hair's breadth from death. '
Even if you did give birth safely, there was a real possibility that your child might not make it to adulthood. There were no antibiotics before the twentieth century. Imagine all the times that your child has needed antibiotics today. One of my own children suffered a bout of pneumonia as a toddler. If we had lived a hundred years ago, my son might not have reached his current age.
Due to the fact that hardships was common, you would not be aware at how difficult your life was. In fact, if you had shelter, adequate food and clothing, you would count yourself highly blessed no matter how hard you had to work. Society before our modern age seems to have disproved of excessive complaining and so you would probably not consider venting your problems out loud. You couldn't even complain that your life as a woman was harder then a man's because your husband's life would have been as difficult as you.
We tend to only appreciate those individuals who make it into the history books. Let's face it, before the modern era there were few women philosophers, painters, explorers or scientist. Some of this was no doubt caused by sexism but I think that females of long ago were simply too darned busy to do the types of activities that get one immortalized by history. That doesn't mean that they weren't tough, capable females who could probably whip the stuffing out of us modern women.
So the next time you hear a young woman say, "Women who were born long ago weren't allowed to be strong women." Or even worse "I wish that I lived long ago so I could have teas and sew quilts." Throw one of these books by women writers at her and tell her to actually learn something about the hardy women who came before us.
Um...have these ladies never read books written by women prior to the 1960's or studied history? Simply because our fore mothers' daily lives were not written down in history books does not mean that they were weak, helpless creatures. In fact, I would imagine that our female ancestors had more internal fortitude then any modern young woman today.
The majority of our fore mothers were not sitting around bored, drinking tea and embroidering beautiful tapestries. They were resilient women who endured a lot of suffering without complaint. I dare say that they would be a bit contemptuous of their descendants for having become so weak and whiny.
Think logically for a moment about life before the twentieth century. Poverty was common. Not simply the belt tightening kind of poverty but intense suffering and hunger. Men and women both were expected to work hard for their bread. Even those women who did not have to work outside the home had to do household work without the appliances that we depend on today. There was no washing machine or bread maker. You couldn't just turn on the oven. You had to heat up a wood or coal stove. Your child needs winter clothes? Sister, you better know how to sew.
In 1853, chloroform was invented and it was administered to Queen Victoria for the birth of her seventh child. Up until that time, women often went without any pain medicine during labor. Pain was a fact of life and you simply endured it. By the way, Doctors did not understand that they should wash their hands before attending a birth until 1840! I remember my grandmother telling me that her mother-who was a midwife early in the twentieth century- told her that 'a woman in labor is a hair's breadth from death. '
Even if you did give birth safely, there was a real possibility that your child might not make it to adulthood. There were no antibiotics before the twentieth century. Imagine all the times that your child has needed antibiotics today. One of my own children suffered a bout of pneumonia as a toddler. If we had lived a hundred years ago, my son might not have reached his current age.
Due to the fact that hardships was common, you would not be aware at how difficult your life was. In fact, if you had shelter, adequate food and clothing, you would count yourself highly blessed no matter how hard you had to work. Society before our modern age seems to have disproved of excessive complaining and so you would probably not consider venting your problems out loud. You couldn't even complain that your life as a woman was harder then a man's because your husband's life would have been as difficult as you.
We tend to only appreciate those individuals who make it into the history books. Let's face it, before the modern era there were few women philosophers, painters, explorers or scientist. Some of this was no doubt caused by sexism but I think that females of long ago were simply too darned busy to do the types of activities that get one immortalized by history. That doesn't mean that they weren't tough, capable females who could probably whip the stuffing out of us modern women.
So the next time you hear a young woman say, "Women who were born long ago weren't allowed to be strong women." Or even worse "I wish that I lived long ago so I could have teas and sew quilts." Throw one of these books by women writers at her and tell her to actually learn something about the hardy women who came before us.
David Copperfield
I remember clearly the first time that I discovered Dickens-a writer that I have developed a life long love affair with. I was a geeky(not much has changed), shy high school girl who spent most of her free time wandering the school's library in search of something to read. It was a hard choice for me, I wanted to read everything but I dreaded checking out a book only to find out half way that it was a boring read. What compelled me to pick such a thick novel as David Copperfield, I don't know. I suspect that I chose it due to its thickness. After all, I wasn't likely to finish it in one study hall.
Thanks to a very thorough public school education, I had never heard of Dickens. So, I had no preconceived notions about him or his writing. Yes, I had heard of Scrooge but I certainly didn't know who had written A Christmas Carol.
I fell in love with the novel. Few authors have made characters come as alive or seem as real as Dickens manages to do.
Here are just some of the wonderful, vibrant characters that will remain in the readers memory:
David's faithful nurse Peggoty
the obsequious and sneaky Uriah Heep
the two women who loved David. First the spoiled and immature Dora and then the wiser more worthy Agnes.
The Micawbers-based on Dickens own family. They end up in debtor's prison just like Dickens own father did
The eccentric Betsy Trotwood, David's aunt and eventual guardian
The books plot is simple. It starts with David's birth, his mother's marriage to his cruel stepfather, David's difficult youth and his eventual escape to his aunt Betsy. From there he is educated, marries twice and becomes a novelist. It is a plot summary that on the surface, doesn't sound very exciting. But the book is wonderful.
Parts of the novel are dark. Dickens deals with the very real problems of child abuse, cruelty, poverty and debtor's prison. Yet, Dickens also has a strongly developed sense of the ludicrous and therefore, is able to find humor in even the darkest parts of his novel. He points out the hypocrisy of the Victorian age and yet is sympathetic to his characters weaknesses.
Overall this is a great novel and one that I think is underrated today.
Thanks to a very thorough public school education, I had never heard of Dickens. So, I had no preconceived notions about him or his writing. Yes, I had heard of Scrooge but I certainly didn't know who had written A Christmas Carol.
I fell in love with the novel. Few authors have made characters come as alive or seem as real as Dickens manages to do.
Here are just some of the wonderful, vibrant characters that will remain in the readers memory:
David's faithful nurse Peggoty
the obsequious and sneaky Uriah Heep
the two women who loved David. First the spoiled and immature Dora and then the wiser more worthy Agnes.
The Micawbers-based on Dickens own family. They end up in debtor's prison just like Dickens own father did
The eccentric Betsy Trotwood, David's aunt and eventual guardian
The books plot is simple. It starts with David's birth, his mother's marriage to his cruel stepfather, David's difficult youth and his eventual escape to his aunt Betsy. From there he is educated, marries twice and becomes a novelist. It is a plot summary that on the surface, doesn't sound very exciting. But the book is wonderful.
Parts of the novel are dark. Dickens deals with the very real problems of child abuse, cruelty, poverty and debtor's prison. Yet, Dickens also has a strongly developed sense of the ludicrous and therefore, is able to find humor in even the darkest parts of his novel. He points out the hypocrisy of the Victorian age and yet is sympathetic to his characters weaknesses.
Overall this is a great novel and one that I think is underrated today.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
History for my 4th and 6th grader
I teach my nine and eleven year old from the same history curriculum. This saves me both time and money. I simply require a bit more work from my oldest daughter in terms of research and writing then I do the younger. This year I am trying something brand new. Instead of purchasing a ready made curriculum I created my own using books that I purchased from Amazon. We are studying ancient through the Roman period along this year.
I started with a basic but enjoyable history book. I wanted one that was fun to read as well as informative. So, I chose M.B Synge's History series beginning with On The Shores Of The Great Sea. This book was written in 1903 and is religious in nature. I have to add that I only use this book as a springboard for our study.
After reading Synge's book, I decided to get several supporting books. These good easily be purchased from the library. I split our year into several historical sections that I thought would interest the girls. Thus far we have studied ancient Egypt, and the Phoenicians. We are currently beginning a unit on ancient Greece and will study Greek myths.
I started with a basic but enjoyable history book. I wanted one that was fun to read as well as informative. So, I chose M.B Synge's History series beginning with On The Shores Of The Great Sea. This book was written in 1903 and is religious in nature. I have to add that I only use this book as a springboard for our study.
After reading Synge's book, I decided to get several supporting books. These good easily be purchased from the library. I split our year into several historical sections that I thought would interest the girls. Thus far we have studied ancient Egypt, and the Phoenicians. We are currently beginning a unit on ancient Greece and will study Greek myths.
Egyptian History Books For My Daughters.
This is a list of the books that I used to support my daughters study of ancient Egypt. If you have an older child I would recommend having your child do research and write a short essay. Kids learn a lot from research.
Flatulence
Answer this question, on what other blog about great books can you read an article on flatulence?
During my daughter and my perusal of The Dangerous Book for Boys, we came across this advice for dealing with girls. Avoid being vulgar. excitable bouts of wind breaking will not endear you to a girl, just to pick one example.
When dealing with most young ladies this would be excellent advice for young boys. The majority of girls aren't impressed by a flatulence. Of course, my lovely daughter, Sarah, isn't most young ladies.
Recently my daughter expressed a great deal of admiration for the boy next door because he has the ability to pass gas whenever he wants. I overheard Sarah, one day, excitedly asking him 'to crack one off.' I have no idea where she got such a crude expression, but despite what the authors claim she is one girl who is very impressed by the passing of gas.
Due to the fact that the boy's mother and I are spoil sports who want our children to grow up to be ladies and gentlemen, we have put a stop to such activity.(I mean the encouragement of purposefully passing gas, not the act itself. I don't want our children to explode!)
During my daughter and my perusal of The Dangerous Book for Boys, we came across this advice for dealing with girls. Avoid being vulgar. excitable bouts of wind breaking will not endear you to a girl, just to pick one example.
When dealing with most young ladies this would be excellent advice for young boys. The majority of girls aren't impressed by a flatulence. Of course, my lovely daughter, Sarah, isn't most young ladies.
Recently my daughter expressed a great deal of admiration for the boy next door because he has the ability to pass gas whenever he wants. I overheard Sarah, one day, excitedly asking him 'to crack one off.' I have no idea where she got such a crude expression, but despite what the authors claim she is one girl who is very impressed by the passing of gas.
Due to the fact that the boy's mother and I are spoil sports who want our children to grow up to be ladies and gentlemen, we have put a stop to such activity.(I mean the encouragement of purposefully passing gas, not the act itself. I don't want our children to explode!)
Women, Stop Whining About The Title!
The Dangerous Book for Boys is difficult to describe. It has a jumble of information that the authors thought that mainly boys would find interesting. There are chapters on how to tie knots, how to make a bow and arrows,how to build a tree house, the seven wonders of the ancient world, astronomy etc. None of the subjects go into depth but it is good starting place for young children to discover what interest them.
I've heard a few women complain about the title. "We can't let our daughters read the book" "Our daughters would love the books except they won't read it because of the title."
First off, if you have a daughter who would be interested in such activities as skinning a rabbit then she isn't going to be put off by the title. I bought this book for my youngest daughter, Sarah. She gravitates toward more boyish pursuits and the title simply intrigued her. There is enough educational information that she and I can read it when I home school and count it as a learning experience.
Besides are we all so shallow that we will only read books in which the main character is like us? In high school I was assigned Richard Wright's Black Boy while I was in High School. Should I have refused to read the novel because I am neither a boy nor black? What about Treasure Island? Why read Treasure Island, after all, I am not a boy like the main protagonist?
Sometimes, in America, we take good ideas and ruin them by going to extremes. It is a very good thing that today we can find more positive portrayals of women, minorities and the handicapped on both television and in books. But that doesn't mean that the only characters that we can identify with are those who are exactly like us or that we can't read novels that are aimed at the opposite sex or at a different race.
So parents-mothers particularly-if you think that your daughter(like mine) would enjoy such activities as making a battery, or discovering that urine makes great secret ink(I've forbidden her from trying this) then buy the book and don't worry about the title.
I've heard a few women complain about the title. "We can't let our daughters read the book" "Our daughters would love the books except they won't read it because of the title."
First off, if you have a daughter who would be interested in such activities as skinning a rabbit then she isn't going to be put off by the title. I bought this book for my youngest daughter, Sarah. She gravitates toward more boyish pursuits and the title simply intrigued her. There is enough educational information that she and I can read it when I home school and count it as a learning experience.
Besides are we all so shallow that we will only read books in which the main character is like us? In high school I was assigned Richard Wright's Black Boy while I was in High School. Should I have refused to read the novel because I am neither a boy nor black? What about Treasure Island? Why read Treasure Island, after all, I am not a boy like the main protagonist?
Sometimes, in America, we take good ideas and ruin them by going to extremes. It is a very good thing that today we can find more positive portrayals of women, minorities and the handicapped on both television and in books. But that doesn't mean that the only characters that we can identify with are those who are exactly like us or that we can't read novels that are aimed at the opposite sex or at a different race.
So parents-mothers particularly-if you think that your daughter(like mine) would enjoy such activities as making a battery, or discovering that urine makes great secret ink(I've forbidden her from trying this) then buy the book and don't worry about the title.
Nicholas
I think that by now, you have already figured out that I am a fan of Dickens. So it should come as no surprise that I am reading Nicholas Nicklby by Charles Dickens. Many years ago I read this book, but I have forgotten most of the plot.
As is true of most of Dickens novels, he mixes the darkness of Victorian life with humor and compassion. I did though find myself wincing at the portion of the book dealing with the boys' school that was run by the Squeers. It speaks to Dickens skill as a writer that I found myself wanting to physically beat Mr and Mrs. Squeers and spank their children! My apologies to Ms. Sally Field, but when it comes to abused children I am as ferocious as any man.
My mother's heart went out to the boys that were caught in this cruel school. Parents, believing in some cases that their children were being well cared for, sent their boys to the Squeers' boarding school. In reality the school is a hellish place where the boys are purposely underfed, stolen from and beaten. The point in which Nicholas beats Mr Squeer for abusing one of his charges made me want to stand up and cheer.
Of course I am not even half way through the novel, but thus far this is what has occurred.
After a failed attempt at speculation, the older Nicholas looses his entire estate and passes away in grief. His death leaves his wife alone to care for her two adolescent children, Kate and Nicholas(I think he is 19). Impoverished, the family travels to London to ask their father's brother, Ralph, to assist them. The Nickleby's desire is not that he support them financially but that he help secure them honest jobs by which they can make a living.
Due to Nicholas' open hearted and boldness, Ralph takes an immediate dislike to the young man. This shouldn't come as a surprise, after all how many older people today automatically are suspicious of older adolescents.
Uncle Ralph's assistance consists of placing his nephew as a tutor in the above mentioned Squeer's school. I suppose that Ralph hoped that his nephew would rot and never bother his uncle again. Of course the open hearted, Nicholas can't stomach the mistreatment of the children. But his pity and wrath is especially moved by the treatment of a wretched, young man named Smike.
Smike is a tall, ungainly man who is dressed in the same clothes that he arrived as a boy at the school. Abandoned by his family, Smike is treated as a drudge and often beaten. There is a pathetic scene in which he hopefully asks if any mail has come for him despite the fact that he hasn't heard from his family since his arrival at the school. He is cruelly mocked for his tears when he discovers that again nothing has arrived for him. It is obvious that Smike is mentally handicapped, although the book doesn't make clear if this condition was present at birth or resulted from his near starvation and cruelty at the hands of the Squeers.
After being dragged back home, Smike is captured and about to be beaten mercilessly when Nicholas intervenes and thoroughly beats Mr Squeer(Hooray!) He and Smike then flee the school.
While this has been occuring, Kate has been give a job as a seamstress to support herself and her mother. She works long hours, which wouldn't be so bad except for the seamstress' assistance, Miss Knag. Miss Knag is an older, vain woman who becomes offended with Kate when the younger woman is complimented and preferred by one of the customers. She makes work very unpleasant for Kate and when the owner of the shop becomes bankrupt, Knag takes over. Of course, Kate is told that her presence is no longer required.
I haven't gotten much further then this but I am really enjoying this work by Dickens. Although it sounds depressing there are some very funny moments in the book. For example, upon leaving the Squeers' Nicholas and Smike are stopped by a giant of a man named John Browdie. Previously Nicholas and John had been drawn into a quarrel over John's fiance. So, when Nicholas sees the larger John carrying a staff he assumes that he is about to be beaten up. Instead John listens to his story and is amused by the fact that Nicholas beat up Mr. Squeer. In fact John roars with laughter and asks Nicholas for his hand. He then pushes some money on the young Nickleby so that the two men won't have to walk the whole way to London.
As I said before, this is as far as I have gotten but so far this is a very entertaining book that makes me happy that I was not born in Victorian England.
As is true of most of Dickens novels, he mixes the darkness of Victorian life with humor and compassion. I did though find myself wincing at the portion of the book dealing with the boys' school that was run by the Squeers. It speaks to Dickens skill as a writer that I found myself wanting to physically beat Mr and Mrs. Squeers and spank their children! My apologies to Ms. Sally Field, but when it comes to abused children I am as ferocious as any man.
My mother's heart went out to the boys that were caught in this cruel school. Parents, believing in some cases that their children were being well cared for, sent their boys to the Squeers' boarding school. In reality the school is a hellish place where the boys are purposely underfed, stolen from and beaten. The point in which Nicholas beats Mr Squeer for abusing one of his charges made me want to stand up and cheer.
Of course I am not even half way through the novel, but thus far this is what has occurred.
After a failed attempt at speculation, the older Nicholas looses his entire estate and passes away in grief. His death leaves his wife alone to care for her two adolescent children, Kate and Nicholas(I think he is 19). Impoverished, the family travels to London to ask their father's brother, Ralph, to assist them. The Nickleby's desire is not that he support them financially but that he help secure them honest jobs by which they can make a living.
Due to Nicholas' open hearted and boldness, Ralph takes an immediate dislike to the young man. This shouldn't come as a surprise, after all how many older people today automatically are suspicious of older adolescents.
Uncle Ralph's assistance consists of placing his nephew as a tutor in the above mentioned Squeer's school. I suppose that Ralph hoped that his nephew would rot and never bother his uncle again. Of course the open hearted, Nicholas can't stomach the mistreatment of the children. But his pity and wrath is especially moved by the treatment of a wretched, young man named Smike.
Smike is a tall, ungainly man who is dressed in the same clothes that he arrived as a boy at the school. Abandoned by his family, Smike is treated as a drudge and often beaten. There is a pathetic scene in which he hopefully asks if any mail has come for him despite the fact that he hasn't heard from his family since his arrival at the school. He is cruelly mocked for his tears when he discovers that again nothing has arrived for him. It is obvious that Smike is mentally handicapped, although the book doesn't make clear if this condition was present at birth or resulted from his near starvation and cruelty at the hands of the Squeers.
After being dragged back home, Smike is captured and about to be beaten mercilessly when Nicholas intervenes and thoroughly beats Mr Squeer(Hooray!) He and Smike then flee the school.
While this has been occuring, Kate has been give a job as a seamstress to support herself and her mother. She works long hours, which wouldn't be so bad except for the seamstress' assistance, Miss Knag. Miss Knag is an older, vain woman who becomes offended with Kate when the younger woman is complimented and preferred by one of the customers. She makes work very unpleasant for Kate and when the owner of the shop becomes bankrupt, Knag takes over. Of course, Kate is told that her presence is no longer required.
I haven't gotten much further then this but I am really enjoying this work by Dickens. Although it sounds depressing there are some very funny moments in the book. For example, upon leaving the Squeers' Nicholas and Smike are stopped by a giant of a man named John Browdie. Previously Nicholas and John had been drawn into a quarrel over John's fiance. So, when Nicholas sees the larger John carrying a staff he assumes that he is about to be beaten up. Instead John listens to his story and is amused by the fact that Nicholas beat up Mr. Squeer. In fact John roars with laughter and asks Nicholas for his hand. He then pushes some money on the young Nickleby so that the two men won't have to walk the whole way to London.
As I said before, this is as far as I have gotten but so far this is a very entertaining book that makes me happy that I was not born in Victorian England.
Another Great Blog
Stephanie H has a great blog for book lovers. Her articles make me want to run out and purchase the books that she is writing about. Because book lovers need to stick together I am including a link to her blog.
http://somanybooksblog.com/
http://somanybooksblog.com/
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Big Wish
This collection by penguin is causing me to drool all over my key board. At more then $7,000 though, this collection is sadly not one that I can afford. But I can sure dream.
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