Coming Soon: Carnival of Homeschooling

Next Tuesday, the Carnival of Homeschooling will stop here at Apollos Academy. If you would like an entry included in the carnival, follow the instructions here. Whether or not you can contribute a post this week, please make sure to stop by here next Tuesday and visit the carnival... and don't forget to bring your cotton candy!

Serendipity

I was looking for a picture of a clock (I'll explain this another time... maybe), and my Google Image search brought be to the blog Per Crucen ad Lucem.

I was immediately struck by the top post on the site: Jaroslav Pelikan on the need for creeds.

We listened to the rebroadcast of this Speaking of Faith program a couple Saturdays ago. After grumbling about yet another rerun on this program (you'd think that after a pledge drive, they'd at least trot out something new so you felt like the money donated was being well-spent and truly needed), we turned up the volume and rediscovered why we added Credo to our wish lists. Jaroslav Pelikan's unwavering belief that Christians (humans, really) need creeds because they bind us not only in belief but to a community of believers that transgresses time is encouraging and contagious. He dispels the argument that those who find creeds divisive and quaint by arguing that creeds are simply an expression of tradition. Everyone has tradition. Those who say they have shunned tradition are, at best, deluded. "The only alternative to tradition is bad tradition," Dr. Pelikan argues.

So to find another who enjoys the tradition of listening to a repeat broadcast about tradition, faith, and creeds is a joyful occasion. Further reading of Mr. Goroncy's blog revealed a kindred spirit when it comes to an intellectual interest in the meeting of church and culture but enough difference to make reading his insights a learning experience rather than a meeting of the mutual admiration society (on first glance, Mr. Goroncy's - Dr? Pastor?- focus seems to be the influence of Reformed Christianity on traditional New Zealand belief systems and visa vera, but I'll have to read more to know for sure). I'll be adding him to my GoogleReader list and thought you too might want a heads up to an interesting, challenging blog to interact with.

Sending Up A Signal Flare

I am still alive. The internet at our house has given up the ghost, so I am only able to get online once or twice a week at the library or coffee shop. On these trips I have to race through checking and responding to email, renewing library books (well, recently it has been more along the line of managing fines), and downloading and uploading chapter edits. This doesn't leave time for fun stuff like blogging, playing on Facebook, or reading through homeschool message boards. My publisher also invited me to join Twitter, but I don't think that is going to happen for a bit. It has also made ordering books for next school year a bit difficult.

Being nestled in the woods can be wonderful for the spirit, but it is the death knell to reliable satellite internet service. "All you need is a clear view of the southern sky" the smiling spokeswoman in the satellite ads assures. Guess what we don't have? As soon as the trees leaf, our internet goes POOF! We also live in a weird little hole without access to cable, DSL, or a strong cell signal. Our landlord, who lives on the same property but closer to town, is apparently the end of the line for DSL and cable... or so we thought. Frodo called Comcast the other day in his quarterly attempt to hint that they need to extend the access to our house. Usually, the response is a friendly but curt, "I'm sorry but we don't service your address." This last call was a bit more optomistic... "We can't do just internet, but we can do a phone internet bundle for you. We just have to send a tech down to check things out." Keep your fingers crossed.

In the meantime, I am getting a lot done in my yard, writing up lesson plans for next year, and writing up illustration lists. And maybe in another week or two, I can get back online at home, in my jammies, in the late night hours when the rest of my family is sleeping (well, everyone but Secondo, she's my fellow night owl) and blog to my heart's content. Maybe...

Um, Oops.

I transferred a bunch of posts during the last 24 hours from my old blog to this one, and apparently those getting email updates were bombarded with blog update notifications. Sorry about that. (Maybe it's some sort of suppressed need for attention from my blog given that I have been neglecting it recently.) I think I have finished transferring everything I wanted to, but if I decide to transfer any more, I'll either shut off the alert function (if I can even do that) or give you a heads up.

Again, I'm sorry for stuffing your inboxes this morning. *blush* Oops.

Book Meme

Heather, over at Stepping Heavenward, "tagged" me for this meme... in a laid-back, non-tagging sort of way. *grin*

From The Equation for Excellence: How to Make Your Child Excel at Math:

A parent gives a child a problem. The child gets the problem wrong. The parent should then just give an easier problem, right?

Share a taste of your most recent read... or at least the one most near at hand. If you'd like to participate, consider yourself tagged and follow these guidelines:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages.)
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people. Or not. I'm in favor of just opening up for anyone who wants to play along.

The Paradox

A friend pointed out the other day that I hadn't posted here in over two months. After the shock wore off that there is someone out there who cares enough to check here regularly to see if I've posted and note the frequency of the posts, I responded, "Yeah, I know. Life's been too crazy." And there is my paradox... when life is busy, I don't have time to post here; when life is slow and I have all the time in the world to write blog posts, I don't have anything interesting to write about.

Here's a brief list of all the stuff that's gone on in the last two months that I would have loved to have written about (and will, eventually) but just didn't have time to because, well, I was busy doing them:

1. Frodo finished his first year in the PhD program (I know, that doesn't sound like it has much to do with me, but trust me, it does... it throws me into single-parent mode)

2. I finished the second book of my science curriculum series. (Now, I just have to shift gears and work on editing the first one.)

3. We took some time off of homeschooling and played, and the kids enjoyed having parents who weren't working, working, working. (We all so enjoyed this.)

4. My parents came for a week-long visit. (We hadn't seen them for almost a year, and really had a wonderful time.)

5. Had the car fixed. (That was a very expensive proposition.)

6. Had the car fixed again. (Can you call it "hemorrhaging money" when you're already broke?)

7. Took lots of pictures. (I am finally getting a chance to play with my new camera, plus the publisher for my books wants to go color and may use some of my photos.)

8. Read a lot of books. (I love to read... especially when I have writer's block or when I am procrastinating.)

9. Began attending small groups at church. (The church just started the small groups, and we love ours.)

10. Sent Primo off to Youth Group... one activity involved dropping her off on campus to meet-up with the rest of the youth to attend a concert. (I am not ready for this.)

11. Deep-cleaned the house. (I have been wanting to do this for months, but waited until the book was done and spring semester was over. The house is so nice and comfy now.)

12. Sketched a design and began collecting fabrics for my new nephew's quilt. (I haven't tried anything this ambitious before, but I think it will look great when it's done. I just hope I can have it done by September when we hope to drive up for a visit. Oh, and on that note, pray for gas prices to stay down.)

13. Started up our homeschool's summer session. (Homeschooling year-round is great. It allows us to take off from Thanksgiving to New Year's plus we are inside in the a/c or heat on the truly hot or cold days and have the time to take off a day or two when those perfect spring or fall days come around.)

14. Wrote up a school plan for the upcoming year and planned what texts I need to purchase. (Now I just need money... and more bookshelves.)

15. Wrote up a summer reading list for myself. (I tend to focus on "have-to" reading, education and work-related things, so I wanted to come up with goals that included some pleasure reading.)

16. Wrote up an outline and a list of reading materials in preparation for book 3. (Now all I need is the contract for book 3.)

17. Held a book handwritten in the 1300's, another that was one of only three copies known to be in existence (one of the other two is in the British Museum), and touched the signature of Frederick Douglass. (I'll post about that shortly. This was so cool!)

18. Found out that the University Museum allows homeschoolers to check out boxes of actual artifacts to take home and study. They will also set up private displays and viewings on request. (You know we'll be taking advantage of this.)

19. Ate way too many hot dogs. (I know they are bad for you, but they're yummy.)

20. Began walking in the walking park down the street three times a week. (see # 19)

That's all I can recall for now. I know there is more, but I am going to go hang out with the kids for a bit then start in on my summer reading list. I'll share some more details of our recent adventures soon... sooner than two months from now. Promise.

What's on Your Desk?

I was reading Heather's blog, Stepping Heavenward, last week, and she had posted a meme that included a list of questions to answer to reveal a bit about your personality. The meme had quite a few questions, and I had answered an email forward with many of the same questions before, so I didn't "consider myself tagged" and post it here (sorry, Heather), but it got me thinking: Who comes up with these memes? There can't be some meme-generating organization out there, right? Someone sitting at their computer, probably someone with writer's block or being paid on salary, comes up with a meme, posts it on her blog, tags five people and, thus, a new meme is born.

Well, I have writer's block (although I'm posting this on Sunday when I just take off and chill, but we'll ignore that for now), I have a blog, I know five people. Hey! I could create a meme!

So, here's my meme:

What's on your desk?

You can tell a lot about a person by the state of their desk and what they keep on it. So, share what's on your desk. You can take pictures, take an inventory, or do both. Don't have a desk? That's okay, just give us a glimpse into the space where you pay bills, write letters, grade papers, study, or work on the computer.

When you've finished your photos or inventory, post it on your blog and tag five more people to do the same. Don't forget to share the rules with those you tag and ask them to share their posts with you when they are done.

My desk:

Actually, I have two desks. I have my grandfather's secretary where I keep all my bill-paying items, household paperwork and various office supplies like my stapler and 3-hole punch. However, we couldn't position it close enough to an outlet so that I could use my laptop there and I like to spread out when I work and the surface was too small for that. I still pay bills there and write the occasional letter there, but the majority of my work is done at the make-shift desk in our bedroom. It is made of a door laid atop two TV tray tables, so it gives me a nice long surface on which to spread out. Unfortunately, it also provides plenty of room to dump stuff. Last Monday, when I came up with this meme idea, I went to sit down at my desk to work, and this is what it looked like:



Scary, huh? Since there's so much stuff on there, I'll give you a short run-down of the junk that found its way on there.

Right side: (roughly left to right)
-bowl of cold tea
-some DVDs (you can see What's Eating Gilbert Grape on top)
-Latin for Children A DVDs/CDs
-instructions for our new weather alert radio
-copy of Mother Earth News Magazine
-envelope to send to Angel
-clipboard of text edits for Science for Children: Book 1
-keychain thing with foreign language flashcards from Sonic
-pile of papers to send with bills to alert companies of our new phone numbers

Left side:
-a couple of Terzo's handwriting worksheets
-pile of papers that need to be filed
-Terzo's Tiger Cub cap
-Valentine from Secondo
-blown light bulb
-shirt
-copy of The Well-Trained Mind
-books for work (which you can barely see)
-more papers to file
-copy of National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Weather
-a couple burnt-out matches

I'm not sure what you can learn about me from that mess... except that Frodo and I have been fighting the flu, so I haven't been working at my desk much recently.

The one good thing about this meme is that it inspired me to clean my desk.



Isn't that so much better? Now I can spread out. There are no shadows cast by the piles of junk. You can see the pictures of Frodo and I in college and my grandparents (taken a few months ago) and the lovely flowers that Terzo picked for me. Don't you love the vase he picked? Nothing says, "I love you, Mom" like daffodils in a college football cup. Seriously, nothing. You can also see my coaster that a new, dear friend of mine made for me. Actually, Belle, who directed the Christmas play at our church, made Frodo and I a set a four coasters as a Christmas gift; she put a photo of each of our kids in their costumes in each one. I love them... and now I can actually use my Secondo-decorated one because now I can find it! The envelope for Angel is still there in the photo, but I typed up my note (my handwriting is terrible) and dropped that in the mail Saturday. I am very happy with my desk. And now that I am feeling better (at least well enough to sit up and work at my desk), I'll get the maximum benefit from it... or at least have a clear space to bang my head or place my elbows while I stare at my computer screen (and its lovely U2 wallpaper) trying to stave-off writer's block, or editor's block depending on which I'm working on.

Alright, time to tag.

Heather at Stepping Heavenward
Angel at Aduladi' & Co.
Amy at The Foil Hat, Inc. (if she survives the flu)
Brittney at King Alfred Academy
Chris at A Mountain Homeschool

Tag! You're it!

Well, there it is. My first meme. Enjoy!

Book Meme

I've been tagged by Heather at Stepping Heavenward for the following book meme:

1. Pick up the nearest book (af at least 123 pages).

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people.


Seems easy, right? You'd think so. Here was my problem... these were the two books closest to me:





Neither has 123 pages.

Not to worry. I have four other books on my desk that are at least 123 pages each:










Well, they each have at least 123 pages, but two are dictionaries and one is heavily illustrated and has a picture on page 123. I thought for sure that Botanical Latin would fit the bill (it has 539 pages), but no. It has conjugations and translations of the pronouns alius and alter on page 123, no complete sentences.

Next closest is my date book. No good. Then there was a tie for the next closest book:





So, you are going to get quotes from both because I couldn't decide which to choose. Hopefully, you can determine which quote comes from which book.

Quote 1:

Wherever Yates appeared, there was the inevitable Stephen. And not only there, but beaming with affection and gushing with apologies for not being able to pay. By and by, however, whenever poor Yates saw him coming, he would turn and fly, and drag his company with him, if he had company; but it was of no use; his debtor would run him down and corner him.

Quote 2:

There the Lord made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you."
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

The five I am tagging:

Angel at Aduladi' Homeschool Academy
Chris at A Mountain Homeschool
Brittney at King Alfred Academy
The Mama at and the mama
Jessica at Trivium Academy

Hopefully, I'll remember to go tag them all after lunch. If I forget and one of you is here reading, consider yourself tagged... participation is optional as always. Also, anyone here reading that wants to participate, but I didn't tag specifically, consider yourself tagged and leave your answer in the comments section or leave a link there to your blog so we can all check out your answer.

Guess I'd better go read Botanical Latin and get writing... after lunch.

Thinking Bloggers Award

Wow! I am honored to have been awarded a Thinking Bloggers Award by no apology. What an unexpected surprise. Thank you.

Now, it is my turn to bestow the award on five other bloggers who make me question, wonder, awaken, rage, act, cheer... in short, think.

1. Dura Mater - The name means "tough mother". Yup. That pretty much sums it up.

2. Consent of the Governed - "Featuring information you need to know before you consent..." Do I really need to elaborate? No. I didn't think so.

3. The Liberty Papers - "I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death." The spirit of Patrick Henry is alive and well. Stop on over for an inoculation of Liberty and plain-ol' common sense. (Pun intended, of course.)

4. Stepping Heavenward - Home of my "cyber twin". I come here for a daily serving of theology, homeschool resource recommendations, encouragement, or a hearty laugh. It's a regular brain buffet.

5. Aduladi' & Co. - My daily reminder that there is no "same old, same old" when the Lord of Hosts permeates all.

The Homeschool Blog Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the Homeschool Blog Awards in the following categories:

Best Homeschool Mom Blog
Best Homeschool Dad Blog
Best Blog Design
Best Artistic Content Blog
Best Crafts, Plans & Projects Blog
Best Family or Group Blog (must have multiple authors)
Best Encourager
'Live-What-You-Believe" Homeschool Blog
Best Unschooling or Eclectic Schooling Blog
Best Geographical Blog (anywhere on the planet)
Best Current Events, Opinions or Political Blog
Best Homemaking or Recipes Blog
Best Teen Homeschool Blog
Funniest Homeschool Blog
Best Cyber-Buddy Blogger
Best Thrifty Homeschooler
Best SUPER-HOMESCHOOLER
Best Nitty-Gritty Homeschool Blog
Best Variety
Best Homeschool Curriculum/ Business Blog
Best NEW Homeschool Blog (must have been started in 2006)

You may submit nominations through April 6th, and you can see who has already been nominated here. Voting will begin April 9th.

Who Needs Lunch?

Especially when I finally have my blog up and running!

Yes folks, this blog has existed (blank) for almost a year and thanks to a lot of help from Aduladi', I have officially limped out of the starting block into the world of blogging! (You can just ignore the other 2 I am trying to get up and running... which I will make very easy by not giving you the addresses!)

I thought this would be a good way to keep friends and family a part of our school and a good means of accountability for me. Please bear with me as I am new to this, and haven't a clue as to what I am doing... to which Aduladi' can attest.

As a basic background to our school. We are a (loose) classical homeschool of 4 students (not including the adults), one tutor and a principal. Yes, we teach Latin! We have based our curriculum on the Trivium as described in The Well-Trained Mind and Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning.

So far we are loving the "Great Conversation".

Won't you join us?