Another book post

So in my quest of reading, I have also read Stink Alley by Jamie Gilson(http://www.amazon.com/Stink-Alley-Jamie-Gilson/dp/1887840656/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376066736&sr=8-2&keywords=stink+alley).  This is a coming of age story about a little girl, Lizzy Tinker, who finds herself trying to live up to the expectations of the very strict, William Brewster.  Lizzy never feels good enough.  Lizzy and her family are part of the "radical" sect of Puritans who followed Brewster to Holland.  Life had been better in England for Lizzy and her friend Will.  Now, both of her parents have passed as well as a step-mother.   Lizzy is living under the critical eye of the Brewster's and feels like an imposter.  She finds herself more like the free-spirited Dutch children.  Her friend Will and his brother end up fleeing the sect and the rigidness of the Puritan life.  

I have mixed feelings about this story.  I think the author does a great job of depicting life in the early 1600's.  There is mention of the Puritans' time in England, reasons why they left, and their journey to Holland.  All of this will serve to gently educate the reader.

My reservation comes from the fact that both Lizzy and Will find the Puritan way of life too restrictive.  In the end both characters leave because they just cannot live within these restrictions.  While I am not saying the Puritans were perfect in their beliefs, I don't like the mentality of children not liking the culture and beliefs of their elders and ditching them.  Maybe that says more about me though. Hmmm.

I will say that in the end, Lizzy is a survivor as is her friend Will.  That "I-can-make-it-after-all" attitude is a good thing!

A few more books

I really don't know what is going on this year, but reading just doesn't seem to be taking priority.  That said, with the upcoming start of our school year, I wanted to pre-read some of the books Palmer and Dempsey would be reading this year.  

The first one of these books is Peace Child by Don Richardson(http://www.sonlight.com/130-15.html).  This book describes how Mr. Richardson traveled as a missionary to New Guinea and introduced native tribes to Christ.  I found this book to take a while to really get going.  Part of the reason for this is because Mr. Richardson takes the time to introduce the reader to this part of the world, this culture has been previously unknown.  But as events unfold and tensions increase the plot does pick up.  

Mr. Richardson places himself in the midst of the Sawi people.  Their culture makes legends of those who make friends with enemies for the sole purpose of betrayal.  The bigger the friendship scam, the greater the hero.  This culture is a violent one.  The victim of betrayal is usually eaten.  

Mr. Richardson finds himself asking how in the world is he going to have a message of peace mean anything to these who immortalize this kind of thinking?  But, Richardson does not give up.  He continually tries to comprehend the Sawi people and by doing so he finds a hole through which to explain the message of Christ.  

For all of Richardson's work, we cannot ignore the courage of the first of the Sawi to stand up and say a big "YES" to accepting Christ.

Thank God for those people who heed the call to travel to all ends of the earth to make sure everyone has the opportunity to hear the message of Christ.  They give new opportunities to people for salvation.  In the process, there are also new opportunities for education and medical treatment given.  

This was a rewarding book to read because it gave insight into a culture that may not be written about in history books.  It also reminds us about the missionaries that choose to live their life with Gods' purpose in mind.

Second Book of 2013

     Before I jump into Gulliver's Travels, I think there are some other books that require my attention.  I like to try to keep up with reading that Dempsey and/or Palmer may or may not like.  That is what led me to The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner.  This is a 1997 Newbery Medal Honor Book.
     First, let me say that language could be an issue for some.  While the Lord's name isn't technically taken in vain, the term Gods D___ is used, repeatedly.  The society is a polytheistic one.  To me, it felt like the same thing.  I did not think the use of this language was necessary.  Also, there are times when death's occur.  They are not graphically described, but they are there.  I would let my 13 year old read this, perhaps not my 9 year old.  I would read this to my 9 year old, definitely, if I thought he would be interested.
    The story begins with the main character in jail.  He is let out only to do a task for the King's right hand man.  The task - steal a stone.  This is a pretty significant stone.  The story revolves around the journey to the stone's location.  While on the journey, we learn a bit about the 5 characters that go on the journey and we also learn about the societies in which they live.  There are a few twists to the ending - nothing to be revealed here!
     I found the book to be a bit slow at times.  Unremarkable.  I did like the twists at the end, but I am not sure that made the whole book worth it.  If you have a voracious reader you could let them read this, if the language and mild violence doesn't bother you.  If you have a reluctant reader, you may want to pass on The Thief and opt for Percy Jackson, Harry Potter,or Eragon!

2013 - A New Start to Reading

     So, I think I tend to be a bit obsessive.  See a list, must complete list at all costs kind of obsessive.  Sometimes that's good.  But I can sort of drive myself crazy with lists too!  Years ago I became familiar with the book, The Well-Educated Mind by Susan Wise Bauer(2003 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc)(go to www.welltrainedmind.com for more info).  For those not familiar with this book it explains how to read, I mean really read, books.  Not just reading a book like you would go to a movie - for entertainment.  But taking the act of reading to a new level - becoming a participant in the process of digesting literature.  Learning from the books, taking something from the book and giving it meaning within your life.
     The book lists four basic genres of literature, one being novels.  And there is - A LIST.  A list of novels the author is recommending be read.  Well, if I have a list I will follow.  I will check off the items, be done, and move onto the next list.
    The first novel on the list is Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes written in 1605.  This book was fantastic!  I am not talking about the abridged modern day version.  I am talking the umpteen hundred pages, unabridged, translated by Tobias Smollett in 1755 version.  Whew!  Totally worth it.  To this day, it amazes me how Cervantes, writing over 400 years ago, can make me ROFLOL!  The scene in the garrett of the inn and the "lady" comes up to acquaint herself with the other patron....Hilarious!
    So, let's move onto book number two - The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.  Oh my.  I found this book to be painful.  I started this book in 2008.  Put it down and didn't want to pick it back up.  Except remember the list?  My obsessiveness said the list needed to be done.  It was begun(yes, one book in and I am that committed) and it must be finished.  Pilgrim's Progress, Pilgrim's Progress.  Ughh.  So many other books, yes, let's read those.  But oh, then there's Pilgrim's Progress.
    So in September 2012 I went at it again.  This time determined to finish if it killed me!  And guess what?  It didn't kill me and you won't believe when I finished - Christmas Day 2012!!!   What a totally cool gift to give ones' self.  First, I got rid of all guilt associated with having not finished this book.  WooHoo!!  But, more importantly, the book itself is a gift.  I felt closer to God when I was reading this book.  The language was a double edged sword.  At times it was a hindrance to my understanding(so I would pull out a kids's version and a modern day English version).  But, throughout the book I also loved the richness of the language.  All the effort that went into this book was so worth it.  I am amazed at the pictures Bunyan created in my mind.  And these pictures seem to have woven their way into the fabric of our culture.
    I did wonder why Christiana was the benefactor of a guide, children, and friends during her pilgrimage.  Is it because women were thought of to be weaker by Bunyan(and society at the time)?  Is it because a women is supposed to be led by a man?  Is it a reflection of the social nature of women?  Christian had to walk his road alone - is that because Bunyan felt alone in his Christian walk?
    I do like how in Part II there was a place for the Pilgrims to live before death came to call.  For Christian, it seemed as though his pilgrimage led to an obvious death.  I didn't really like that.  So, how the end was handled in Part II, was a lot better.
     Has anyone else read this book?  Would you like to comment on it?

     As for me, onto the next book.  Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift.  Of course, I do have a tone of other books and magazines to read.  But eventually, I will get back to the list!

Opening Day!

So, Palmer made his grid iron debut today!  You all know I don't publish photos that can share too much info and I don't think I am comprimising that by sharing this.

 Here he is, all suited up and looking to take the ball away!

Palmer's game was cut short due to time, which stunk.  But his team did really well against their opponent. 

Please say a prayer for a player from our town, another division.  He was taken to the hospital for a concussion.  This little guy is about a year older than Palmer.  Not the way you want a season to begin.

I will say, it is exciting to see your son carry the ball well(Palmer did have a couple carries, one that was really good!).  And he does look cute in all the gear!

How much would you spend?

A bit ago Dempsey took a test.  It wasn't a big deal.  It wasn't for a grade.  It wasn't a pass/fail thing.  It was a test for entrance into the JHU CTY(Center for Talented Youth) Program.  The results confirmed what we, and everyone who knows him, already knew.  The kid is SMART!  Needless to say, he was accepted.

The test results brought about mixed emotions from Dad and me(OK, mainly me).  Pride was prevalent.  But there was also apprehension and panic.  I mean, how in the world could I home school this smart guy?  I must make sure to challenge him every day, must find the perfect school books, must have in depth studies of all subjects, must teach all subjects, must, must, must!  But then the following revelation hit...he was just as smart the day, week, year before he took his test, and I had been his teacher.  Before test day, that had been the most desirable solution because we suspected we knew Dempsey to be really smart.  So why wasn't it good enough now?  Aghhhhhh.  Breath a sigh of relief. 

As a former member of the JHU CTY(which was known as G&T when I was young), I remember taking classes with other JHU kids.  They were fun and I fit in.  I was pretty excited to know that Dempsey could have fun, be challenged.

As a member of the JHU CTY, you are offered classes to challenge your brilliant, beautiful, brainy, child - for a slight fee.  That isn't so slight.  Try $600 - $700 for a class!!!! 

So here is my question - How much are you willing to spend on your child's education?  This is more for the home schoolers out there.  We already pay for everything!  I am not complaining, just stating a fact.  So how much would you spend?

Coming to an End

So, we were in Russellville, AR and had completely unreliable internet! One moment I would be logged into the network, the next I wouldn't be. Yesterday we began our day in Oklahoma City. What a neat little town. It is really nice downtown. We stopped in to see the OKC Memorial for the bombing that happened in 1995. How very moving. Everything is placed in a certain position for a reason. You get the feeling that the memorial was painstakingly planned out. We know it is painstakingly maintained for we witnessed garderners clipping grass by hand. The groundskeepers are very respectful of visitors, stopping their work as you approach the area they are in and waiting for you to pass.

This tree stood on that day in April, in a parking lot across the street from the Murrah building. As you can see it survived and is now called The Survivor's Tree.

We were surprised to learn that the memorial receives no federal dollars for maintenance. It seems for all the money our government throws away that it could contribute to this very important memorial.

From OKC, we traveled east across Oklahoma to Fort Smith, Arkansas.

This was, at one time a fort set up by the US to help bring the law to the western most state in the union. It sat on the border of Arkansas and not Oklahoma, but Indian Territory.

After Fort Smith, we spent the night in Russellville, AR as previously mentioned.

Today, we went to Fox, AR to see where my dad was born, raised, and now lies forever. Sorry folks, no pictures. It was nice to be able to show the boys where part of their family comes from.

Even though we won't be home for another couple of days, our trip to unfamiliar places is over. Hubby no longer has to research hotel prices and availability in places where we think we may be. We will be with family, in a place we know, in a town we know. I've said this before, but while this trip has been fun and we have seen some great things, it will be a relief to be somewhere familiar!

I will be taking a few days off. But once home, will get back to posting again. Thanks for "coming along" on this fantastic journey with us. Check back to see what other adventures our family undertakes!