What we've been up to...

Everything is melting into muddy messes. I was able to find the lid to our garbage can since the snow bank has been reduced to a crusty, dirt covered mound. Today I'm tempted to open the windows since we will probably break a high temperature record. It may be in the upper 50's!!  Its been great for walking, but I should be careful of the wind.

Something strange is going on with my ear. I can't tell if I'm getting an ear infection or what else could be happening, but it really hurts, and I can't hear out of it too well. I'm not running a fever though. If it doesn't go away in a few days, I'll guess I'll break down and pay for the doctor's visit.

DS10 is doing extra jobs, helping me organize. He wants to save up enough money for the video game, Skate II. Cleaning out the cabinet, he helped me realize we have way too many plastic bags. I like having a few around for cat box presents and to line our smaller trash cans, but we have enough to stuff a bean bag chair!

DS10 has also been into drawing his own comics lately, inspired by the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series. He drew one of Domo this morning in which his TV wasn't working. Domo ends up grabbing his rabbit friend and placing him on top of the TV to improve the reception. (Get it, rabbit ears!) I thought it was very clever.

I'm reading a really good book, The Language Police by Diane Ravitch. Its about the damage that has been done to the education of our nation due to groups lobbying for censorship in textbooks and curriculum. I've always felt our nation, (the US) has been dumbed down and this book explains how this has happened. The author offers an eye opening list of banned words and phrases and a terrific book list in the appendix.

Reading this book makes me so glad we home school! If I want to read Huckleberry Finn to the boys using the word, "nigger" I can. I can also explain to them how in our history's past, this word was used freely. We can further the discussion by examining the damage this has caused our country's race relations, and how we can make wiser decisions knowing these effects.

In the business of publishing and education, money motivates. You won't sell books if you offend. Whether its removing theories of evolution in textbooks marketed to schools in the bible belt, or banning references to pizza and ice cream to comply with California's ban on junk food. Diversity isn't marketable.

DS10 wanted to know what my dream job would be. When I thought about it realistically, I had no clue. I told him I loved being home and learning with him.

"But what are you going to do when Jake and I don't need you anymore?"  The kid is 10 and he's forcing me to think about an empty nest!

I have no idea really. I love teaching, but schools that last place I'd want to be because my philosophy of learning is so different. I'll have to brain storm it a bit and reflect.

Last week I was asked if I had all the money in the world, what would my dream house be like. My boys were in disbelief when I told them I didn't need a Crib's mansion, but all I would require would be lots and lots of land to grow gardens and forests on. This made me realize I should be doing more with the little lot we do have. If nature is so important to me, why isn't this reflected on my little patch?

And on that note, I'm going outside. The sun is high in the sky and I need to feel the wind on my skin.