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RSSBack Issue: February, 2008What is your best childhood memory?Posted February 29th, 2008 by Jen in blog stuff, family life24 Comments »
So, my question is: What is one of your best childhood memories? I have precious memories of the poplar tree that grew in our yard. I would climb the tree and sit for hours on a branch, shaded in my leafy hideaway, looking at the blue sky and imagining the Apache Indians in the distant mountains. I spent my early childhood in the Arizona desert, near the stronghold of Geronimo. My tree gave me a bird’s eye view of the Cochise Stronghold and I was sure the warriors were still hiding there. Thank you, SmallWorld, for reminding me of my tree! What is your best childhood memory? Works For Me: Keeping Coffee Hot (without a microwave)Posted February 27th, 2008 by Jen in family life, health/cooking/food11 Comments »
When I’m at home in the morning, which is just about always, I make a pot of coffee - or, like this morning, my husband does - and we take simple pleasure in that morning cup of coffee. Grinding the beans, listening to the gurgles of the coffee pot as it labors for us, smelling the first aroma of the fresh brew, and finally, drinking out of a nice ceramic or china mug. This ordinary and basic routine is comforting. And here’s my tip for drinking a hot cup of coffee to the end, sans microwave or lidded travel cup: I pour HOT water into our coffee mugs of choice, and let them sit for a few minutes. This gets the ceramic all toasty warm…so that when I pour our coffee into the mugs, the coffee isn’t expending all of its heat energy into the walls of a cold mug, and can instead just sit and relax in its warm surroundings. You won’t believe how this already warm mug extends the life of your hot coffee! No microwave, no lids, no problem. More Works for Me Wednesday Posts. image: flickr.com, by gluGirl Technorati Tags: coffee, coffee mug, microwave A Habit of PeacePosted February 26th, 2008 by Jen in religion9 Comments »
The ever-present worry, knots in my stomach, and uneasiness of late have become like a tiresome, old friend. I strangely cling to them out of familiarity and a bizarre sense of duty to hold onto them. If I let go of these worrisome habits, will I be doomed? Not worrying equals sure ruin, in my twisted mind. How does one come to such a warped understanding? For me, It’s partly the result of being continually let down as a child, so to hope for good things meant they surely would not come to pass.
I need to retrain my mind to diligently run after peace. How do habits get formed, anyway? I suppose by performing the same action over and over. The amount of mental will-power required to retrain your mind is enormous! Truly, only with God’s help is this possible.
I noticed yesterday, even after some situations had been resolved, that I still had residue of worry over the very thing — it was there from habit only. A great big light bulb went off in my head! I was never trained in the habit of peace — which is ultimately a complete trust in God and his love for you. I’ll be instructing myself in the habit of peace by doing a few things:
Grace and Peace to you, my friends.
Blog Spotting to France and BackPosted by Jen in carnivals, france/french4 Comments » Why are there so many good blogs? Dang, it just eats up my time and I have to exercise great restraint. At any rate, Here are a few cyberstops that may be worth your time. There’s the round of carnivals, including last week’s Carnival of Homeschooling and this week’s; a collection of insane blog posts, family-themed blogs, and Christian blogs, just to name a few. As I was putting together my list of French books last week, I couldn’t help but spend a bit of time in France, bien sur, and came across a few très bon resources that you may enjoy. I was intrigued by an organic old-vine winery in Provence; I’d like a Postcard from Provence (a daily painting blog); some help with your French (the wife of the wine blog I mentioned); a family living the “aixtreme life” in Aix-en-Provence. On the way back to this side, I stopped in the U.K. at a bend in the road. I discovered a new blog, just one month old, the fascinating faith journey of a boomer in the pew; some blogs which are new to me, but give great inspiration and charming art mixed with thoughtful words. Have a terrific Tuesday!! Technorati Tags: blogging, blog carnival Norman Rockwell: The People’s PainterPosted February 24th, 2008 by Jen in arts & crafts, book reviews, features, history, politics/world news, product review10 Comments »
However, passing time and a view through a lens clarified by our own humanity is providing a fresh take on Rockwell. Are we not in need of art that springs from sentimentality about American values? Is there not a desperate call to understand the dignity of the common man? Isn’t this a time to celebrate democracy and the individual? Do we not need hope for our nation in the face of economic and international uncertainties? The engaging power of Norman Rockwell paintings are for such a time as this. If one judges Norman Rockwell by popular appeal, he has always been wildly successful. Though derided by the art world, he was embraced by the people. Though his storyteller style was out of fashion in the modern, abstract art establishment, Rockwell was clearly understood. Rockwell wrote in 1936:
Norman Rockwell was best known for his Saturday Evening Post covers, of which he painted hundreds over a period of 47 years. Of these, there are four from 1943 that are among his most famous and influential works. The Four Freedoms series, published in 1943, was inspired by president Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech in which he set forth four principles for universal rights: Freedom from Want, Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, and Freedom from Fear. The wartime effect of the bold statements made by these powerful paintings cannot be underestimated.
Lest we forget what American life was like in the 20th century, we have Rockwell. We can remember the best of America and the worst of America, but always with benevolent affection. The everyday happenings of everyday people were the subject of most of his work, painted with accuracy and an appealing sense of tradition. Resources:
Technorati Tags: art history, Boy Scout calendar, Norman Rockwel, Saturday Evening Post, The Four Freedoms Two Impressionist Paintings Recovered - Madness!Posted February 23rd, 2008 by Jen in arts & crafts3 Comments »
A glaring sign that the robbers are mental cases? Just sitting there in the back of an unlocked white car, completely unharmed. The robbers don’t like pictures of beautiful flowers? How dare they cast aside that ravishing Monet! The other two stolen paintings, still not found, were portraits. And sorry for my uneducated opinion, but not pleasant to look at. Count Lepic and His Daughters (Edgar Degas), with the Count appearing rather hideous and his daughters like castaway dolls; and the mournful looking Boy in a Red Waistcoat by Paul Cezanne — would you want these hanging on your wall? Of course you would, if you’re a mental case.
Of interest: Kayla Webley’s Art Crime Blog and Stolen Vermeer.
Technorati Tags: art heist, art recovery, Bührle Collection, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne, Zurich, Switzerland Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Wooden (our ranch)Posted by Jen in family life, the ranch21 Comments »
This week’s theme: Wooden
That’s a lot of wood! We’re getting there, folks! We continue to build the wooden structure that we call “the ranch.” Here is a view from the back, and I truly hope to show the finished product in a few months. To all of you who have ever engaged in a building project, and survived, you have my highest regard.
It’s a John Wayne Coffee Mug MorningPosted February 22nd, 2008 by Jen in family life6 Comments » For Christmas, I bought my husband a John Wayne coffee mug. It’s a hefty, oversized, manly mug with a picture of The Duke on one side, and the motto “A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by” inscribed on the other. More importantly, it’s the largest coffee mug in the house. My dear, I know you are possessive of your manly mug, but please understand that I slept for one hour last night, in ten minute increments, and only in between all the vomiting. I NEED this mug overflowing with John Wayne-ish coffee to make it through my day. I need the inspiration of The Code to see past the mounds of linens that need washing, all the little three-year-old boy clothes soiled with the poor child’s upheavals, and all my own clothing equally fouled from the never-ending night. I’m on my second robust, red-blooded cup of coffee. My cute little mug with the flowers would never do on a morning like this. It’s a kind husband, indeed, who will share his rare and rugged mug, and also take the other three children for the day so his wife can recover, catch up, and even take a nap with the yet ailing child. It’s a very John Wayne thing to do. Technorati Tags: coffee, coffee mug, John Wayne, John Wayne coffee mug, flu My French Book List for 2008Posted February 20th, 2008 by Jen in book reviews, france/french15 Comments » Why French books? Mostly because I’m enamored with France, though I’m not entirely sure why. I began to learn the language in high school, and slowly began to absorb the culture, cuisine, and history of this fascinating place. On a trip to France after college, my fate was sealed: it was all better than I had imagined. I couldn’t get over the history and romance of the land. To stand in the Cathedral at Chartres which dates back to the 12th century, to walk through the gardens at Versailles, the halls of the Louvre, the vineyards of the Loire Valley, the beaches at Normandy — it was all breathtaking. I realize that every nation has its flaws and dark places, but I simply choose to love France. I appreciated this piece from Crunchy Con about his unreasonable love of France:
I will not read all these books in 2008, I just know it. This is an ambitious list for a busy mom like myself, with so many other things to keep up on, but this is the Year of French for me, and my book list for the year is comprised entirely of books about France, the French, set in France, by a French author, or anything a Francophile would love. Without further adieu ado, here is my list of great French books - in English- (well, I hope they’ll be great…I’ll review them as I go), an eclectic mix of serious, light, and historical books. But for the acclaimed French classics, like Madame Bovary or The Count of Monte Cristo, go here. 1. Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky. This is the one book on my list that I’ve read already. I just finished it last week, and will review it shortly. Wow. Here is a piece of the review from The Washington Post’s Book World:
2. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. There are many books in this genre of American/Brit type of adventurous person who leaves it all behind to live in France, renovate a house, or open a restaurant. This is the beginning of the explosion of the genre, and from what I hear, a fabulous read. From Amazon.com:
3. Fields of Glory by Jean Rouaud. Set in the Loire Valley, this book has been beautifully translated from French; it’s the story of three generations and the memory of the battlefields of WWI. From Library Journal:
4. The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos. First published in 1937, this is the story of a young Catholic priest in an isolated French village, and his diaries of his faith and failures. From Amazon.com:
5. Blame it on Paris by Laura Florand. This is pure fun, ladies! American girl goes to Paris for study abroad, meets French boyfriend, ends up staying in France. Who doesn’t like a little French fairy tale? From Booklist:
6. God Still Loves the French by Marc Mailloux. Written by an American missionary with a deep passion for the French and a desire to share God’s love with them. From Stevan Horning, Reviewer:
7. Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World by René Girard. What I really wanted to read by René Girard was a book published fairly recently in Italian, Verità o fede debole. Dialogo su cristianesimo e relativismo (Truth or Weak Faith: Dialogue on Christianity and Relativism). It’s about what Girard believes is a coming Christian Renaissance. But I can’t find the book in English. So I’m going to read this one instead. Girard presents the idea that human culture is based on a sacrifice as a way out of the mimetic, or imitative, violence between rivals. Here’s a quick review of Things Hidden. You can read an excellent interview with René Girard here. Girard is a French anthropologist and has been called one of the most influential intellectuals of our time. For a man with outspoken Christian views, it’s amazing to me that he’s held in such high regard in French intellectual circles, and has even been named to the Académie française. 8. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. Time-travel to Paris in the 1920s - great art, beautiful women, literary icons. From Amazon.com:
9. French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. We all know the French paradox, and this book will enlighten us all, I’m sure! From Amazon.com:
10. My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme. From Publishers Weekly:
11. Wine & War: The French, The Nazis, and the Battle for France’s Greatest Treasure by Donald Kladstrup. The Nazis’ looting of treasures went far beyond the works of art most of us are familiar with. From Library Journal:
12. The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland. The French Revolution comes to life, with Josephine Bonaparte center stage. From Amazon.com:
13. Murder in the Marais by Cara Black. A little French mystery to top off my list! This is the first book in the series starring detective Aimée Leduc, set in modern day Paris. From Publisher’s Weekly:
Are there any other Francophiles/bibliophiles out there who’d like to join me in reading any of the books listed here? I’d love some company along the way - we could have a cyber book club of sorts. For more Thursday Thirteen lists, go here.
Technorati Tags: book list, France, French books, Thursday Thirteen WW: I Had to Pull OverPosted by Jen in carnivals, the ranch15 Comments »
Sunset over the Three Sisters, part of the Cascade Mountain Range that I’m blessed to look at every single day. This photo is from last week, and I wasn’t the only one to pull over. Even us locals who see this stunning horizon all the time are still in awe on days like this. For more Wordless Wednesday participants, please visit the official WW Hub or 5 Minutes for Mom. Technorati Tags: Cascade Mountains, Three Sisters, sunset, wordless Wednesday Leonardo da Vinci For KidsPosted February 17th, 2008 by Jen in arts & crafts, book reviews, education, features, history, science9 Comments »
There are volumes written about the genius of da Vinci, and it can be hard to know where to start, but if you’re interested in a unit study on this magnificent artist, I would begin with Janis Herbert’s book Leonardo da Vinci For Kids, His Life and Ideas - 21 Activities. Only 90 pages, Herbert’s book neatly breaks up the study into four sections, each including historical and artistic information, and activities for students to do at home or in the classroom: 1) A Boy in Vinci; 2) The Young Apprentice; 3) A Genius at Work; and 4) “I Shall Continue”. Herbert takes some literary license in her book, and creates some wonderful dialogue and scenarios, that while not authenticated, brings Leonardo da Vinci to life for young minds. I’ll highlight some of the activities Herbert has created for each section. ONE: A Boy in Vinci Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in the small village of Vinci, in a region of Italy called Tuscany. He was the illegitimate son of a peasant woman and an ambitious notary. Probably because of his illegitimate status, Leonardo had little early education, other than the local priest teaching him how to read and write and use an abacus. Shuffled around to various family members as a child, Leonardo was left to himself quite often, and perhaps this solitude is what we’re still grateful for five centuries later, as he spent his days outdoors studying birds, plants, and nature. Activity: Brush up on Birds (pp 4-5) When you draw or paint something, you notice things you may not have seen before. That’s why Leonardo grew up to be a great artist and a great scientist. He was one of the first artists to draw things exactly as he saw them in nature. While sketching and painting birds, he learned a lot about their anatomy, or body structure.
TWO: The Young Apprentice
According to the artist biographer Vasari, Leonardo and Verrocchio worked together on the painting Baptism of Christ (1472-1475). Vasari wrote that Leonardo painted the young angel holding Jesus’ robe so skillfully and with such superior quality to his master that Verrocchio put down his brush and never painted again. New ideas in painting, and indeed culture, were rising up in Florence around this time, as the Renaissance was blossoming. Oil painting had just been introduced to Italy from northern Europe, and Leonardo spent a lot of time mixing different materials, and soon surpassed everyone in his use of the new medium. Leonardo also brought new perspective and depth to painting, as he used his skills in math and geometry to calculate the placement of lines in his drawings and paintings. And perhaps foremost to the new Rensaissance art was Leonardo’s passion to draw things as realistically as possible. He sketched incessantly and was an ardent observer of nature, animals, plants, people. Activity: Animal Art (p. 20) When Leonardo was a young apprentice in Florence, he spent all of his spare time drawing. Often, he went to the Medici family’s private zoo and drew the animals there. Take a trip to the zoo to sketch the animals or draw your pet at home. Materials:
Go over the shapes, building on them with heavier lines. Hold and move the pencil in different ways to get different effects. Draw soft, shaded lines lightly with the side of the pencil. Press down hard and move it back and forth for a hard, jagged line. Pencil in the distinctive features, such as the hooves and tail. For the horse, use soft, short strokes with the pencil held slightly at an angle to capture the texture of his hair. Use longer lines of different sizes for his flowing mane. THREE: A Genius at Work When Leonardo da Vinci was 30 years old, he left Florence for Milan, where he spent the next 17 years. At the persuasion of Lorenzo de’ Medici (hoping to secure peace between Florence and Milan), Da Vinci presented himself to the Duke of Milan, Ludovico il Moro. Leonardo wrote a letter to Ludovico, offering himself as a military engineer, and came before the Duke with a lira da braccio, lute, which he made himself and beautifully played before the court. Leonardo’s letter told of all the weapons and fortifications he could design to keep the city safe.
Leonardo’s love of music led him to study the science of sound, and he was one of the first to liken it to the motion of waves. He was also one of the first to note that il sole non si muove, the sun does not move - a remarkable observation in a day when people thought the sun revolved around the earth. In 1484 the plague struck Milan, and the thousands of dead people were left to rot in the streets. Leonardo, being the ultimate problem solver that he was, turned his attention to disease prevention. He designed a layout of the city that had wide streets and canals in place of the narrow ones, wide enough for proper sewage disposal, and a system for washing the streets automatically with locks and paddle wheels. It was a two-tiered town design, with the top streets for homes and churches, and the bottom streets to be used for deliveries and wagons.
Leonardo also received a commission to paint an altarpiece, for which he created Virgin of the Rocks, a stunning work which reflects his interest in nature. One of Leonardo’s most famous paintings, The Last Supper, was also painted in Milan. It took him over three years to complete this painting. Leonardo’s work habits are best reflected in The Last Supper. He often didn’t even finish his work, so the world is fortunate to have this masterpiece. Here’s how Herbert describes his work on The Last Supper:
When Leonardo finally finished, the painting was immediately acclaimed as a masterpiece, with superb design and characterisation. However, because Leonardo had used tempera paint over a ground of mostly gesso, instead of the more reliable fresco, it rapidly deteriorated. The Last Supper has undergone extensive restoration over the centuries, but is still one of the most reproduced works of art ever. Activity: Leonardo’s Lute (p. 31) Leonardo’s silver lute captured the heart of Ludovico. You can make a musical instrument from items found around the house. Adult supervision is recommended for this activity. Materials:
FOUR: “I Shall Continue.” With Italy at war with the French, Leonardo returned to Florence in 1500. In 1502, Leonardo entered the services of Cesare Borgia, the Duke of Valentinois. Borgia helped the French conquer Milan, and had ambitions to conquer all of central Italy. Borgia hired Leonardo da Vinci to be his military engineer, and Leonardo traveled all over Italy with him, examining castles and fortresses, and suggesting improvements for fortifications.
It is now known that the identity of the woman in the portrait is Lisa di Gherardini, the third wife of a Florentine silk trader named Francesco del Giocondo. Lisa di Gherardini was 26 years old at the time of the sitting and had recently lost a child. Herbert invites students to question the portrait: And what is she thinking? Why does she smile? A story is told that Leonardo had musicians and clowns in his bottega as the woman sat for her portrait, so that she would smile as he painted. But this smile has appeared in other paintings by Leonardo. Is he trying to tell us something? Is this a peaceful smile or is it a little disturbing? Why does she smile when she wears a black veil and all around her is dark and gloomy? Leonardo was back in Milan by 1508, and then moved to France at the behest of King François in 1516. He settled in the Loire valley in the beautiful manor house Clos Lucé, near the royal chateaux in Amboise, France, and became First Painter and Architect and Engineer of the King. Leonardo and King François visited together often, discussing philosophy, art, science. Though now paralyzed in one arm, Leonardo could still draw and supervise the work of his pupil. Leonardo wrote in his notebooks, “I shall continue,” and he never gave up his studies or his work. Leonardo died on May 2, 1519, and French legend tells us that he died in the arms of King François. Activity: The Craft of Cartography (p. 65) When Leonardo became a military engineer for Cesare Borgia he created many maps. Mapmakers are also called “cartographers.” Leonardo was one of the first cartographers to draw maps from a vista d’uccello, a bird’s-eye view. Materials:
I highly recommend Janis Herbert’s book, Leonardo da Vinci For Kids. These and many more activities can be found in her engaging book. She includes biographies of other famous Renaissance artists and historical figures, web sites to explore, and a helpful glossary. Other Resources: WebMuseum, Paris
Technorati Tags: art activities, art for children, art history, inventions, Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, The Last Supper Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - FreePosted February 16th, 2008 by Jen in carnivals20 Comments »
This week’s theme: Free
Running free along the beach; I took this photo of my niece, foreground, and our French exchange student, background, this past summer at the beach below Heceta Head Lighthouse near Florence, Oregon. It’s such a carefree feeling, one of my favorite things in the world - the wet sand beneath my feet, the salt air in my face with its delightful aroma, that constant roar of the mighty Pacific.
Technorati Tags: beach, Pacific Ocean, PhotoHunt, Heceta Head, Florence, Oregon The Sun Broke ThroughPosted February 15th, 2008 by Jen in family life, poetry, religion4 Comments »
The Sun Broke Through The sun broke through, we must find a trail, photo: our property (can you see the jackrabbit in the center?)
Blog Love for Valentine’s DayPosted February 14th, 2008 by Jen in carnivals11 Comments » Happy Valentine’s Day! For bloggers, the best Valentine gift would be some link love, so here’s some long overdue mentions.
1. Heather at Untraditional Home
1. Jane at Shore Stories And now a few of the current carnivals spinning around in the blogosphere: The Carnival of Family Life Technorati Tags: awards, blogging, carnivals, Valentine’s Day WFMW: Just Eat the Ice CreamPosted February 12th, 2008 by Jen in carnivals, family life, health/cooking/food13 Comments »
As you can see, ladies (and gentlemen), there was no room in the freezer for this quart of ice cream, so I simply had to eat it. I believe it fit before I took it out, but somehow, various frozen food stuffs were shuffled in such a way that it no longer had a space, not an inch to spare in there. And truly, there was only about a quarter of the quart left, so my goodness, why make such a fuss over rearranging the entire freezer to wedge this luscious, chocolatey, creamy dessert back in there? Can’t you see that the carton is already slightly crushed? Ahem, for more Works For Me Wednesday posts, visit Don’t Try This At Home (who is hosting while Shannon is in Uganda), and I’m sure you’ll find something other than Breyers All Natural Organic Chocolate Ice Cream that works for you. Art Heist: What’s Your Theory?Posted by Jen in arts & crafts, germany, politics/world news5 Comments »
The spectacular art heist of this past Sunday at the Bührle Museum in Zurich has rocked the art world, and police are working around the clock to solve the case and find any possible connections with other recent thefts, including the theft the previous week of two Pablo Picasso paintings stolen from a Swiss exhibition near Zurich. A note on the museum’s website says “The museum remains closed.”
The stolen art work has been valued at $180 million and comprised four Impressionist masterpieces: Poppies near Vetheuil by Claude Monet (1879), Count Lepic and his Daughters by Edgar Degas (1871), Blossoming Chestnut Branch by Vincent Van Gogh (1890) and Boy in a Red Waistcoat by Paul Cezanne (1888). Since this month my blog features have been about great artists, and the first artist I covered was Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, this breaking news certainly caught my attention. The Bührle Museum did have a Renoir on display, Little Irene, but it wasn’t touched, probably because the three masked gunmen couldn’t carry anymore heavy paintings, and the robbers appeared to have just taken the first four they came to. Motive? I mean, you can’t go out and sell the famous stolen art. “It’s extremely hard, if not impossible, to sell these works,” said Michaela Derra of Ketterer Kunst GmbH, a Munich, Germany-based purveyor of modern and contemporary art. Here is a speculation:
However, I have my own little theory. There is apparently a Saudi collector sending his thugs out to steal art for his private collection. None of the current stories I’ve found on the Bührle theft have mentioned this connection, so I could be promoting an absurd idea. Nonetheless, just two months ago, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, paintings by Picasso and Portinari were stolen, but recovered. One of the suspects in the case told detectives the paintings were to be delivered to a Saudi collector, who has not been publicly named by authorities. The history of Mr. Emil G. Bührle is very interesting, and perhaps he himself was a collector who obtained stolen art, and conceivably everything has come full circle. Bührle, born in Germany, was an industry tycoon who provided weapons to the Third Reich during World War II. In the aftermath of the war, he amassed one of Europe’s most valuable collections of art. It’s a tragedy of the war that the Nazis looted much of the great art owned by Jews, and many of Bührle’s pieces were on a “looted art list.” Exactly how Bührle obtained his collection is unknown, but some of it is “flight art,” works smuggled out by Jews and sold at bargain-basement prices to avoid confiscation by Nazis. Maybe this art heist was Jews taking back their rightful property, via a Saudi collector, who will ask for a ransom. At this point, any theory can be thrown into the ring. Reactionary Homeschooler, Inquiring About OptionsPosted February 11th, 2008 by Jen in education9 Comments » Frankly, I homeschool more for reactionary reasons than for proactive reasons. I much agree with many of the “why homeschool” reasons I hear about, like the ability to fine tune your educational approach to meet the specific needs of your child, the wonderful freedom of learning through living, the pleasure of having your own child at your side and imparting the best of what you know as well as learning new things together. However, I also have no problem with sending my child off to school, either, provided it’s a safe, quality, moral environment. And that’s where I become reactionary. I am anti-school violence, anti-indoctrination in secularism and humanism, anti-standardized, one-sized education, anti-teacher-knows-best, anti-parent-serves-the-state. And so I homeschool. I enjoy all the positive aspects of homeschooling, don’t get me wrong. It’s just interesting to explore the roots of my motivation. Parents are joining the homeschool movement in droves for reactionary reasons. When will we get a New Deal? If there were some better choices out there, this wouldn’t be happening. I think a lot about the plight of many parents who are unable to homeschool for a variety of reasons, yet can’t afford a school of their choice, and I’d really like to see something done about this. I think many homeschool families would be wise to think beyond their own four walls for a moment. For true, global change to happen, is it possible that you need to think outside the care and education of your own children? For the majority of children who have no choice but to attend the local propaganda center (pick up your straight jackets and bullet proof vests at the door), otherwise known as public school, can you do something? What are some options we can pursue and promote? School choice. Charter schools. Private, church-run schools, hosted by nearly every church, with a very minimal cost. Large homeschool co-ops. Let government money follow the child, no matter what the educational choice. I like all of these options. Can reactionary homeschoolers do something proactive about the state of education? Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669)Posted February 10th, 2008 by Jen in arts & crafts, features, history5 Comments »
His birthplace Leiden, a sophisticated and intellectual university town, claiming to have the most academic and research-oriented university in the Netherlands, today has a statue commemorating his life there. Rembrandt first opened a studio in Leiden in 1624, and never strayed too far from these roots.
Night Watch is variously called a portrait of a militia company or portraits of several leading citizens in their roles as citizen-soldiers, or a portrait of local leaders in the set roles of protectors of the citizens. It was commissioned by a group of local leaders, as was the custom of the time. But looking closer at Night Watch, you see something much more vibrant, modern and open-minded than a set group portrait of civic leaders. For example, in a place of prominence in the front and center is a child – a female child. For patriarchal society in 1600’s Netherlands, this was quite a departure. This portrait, with its sense of motion captured in an instant, and its large crowd, complete with lights, drums, weapons, and other accessories, has a party verve – it’s almost a caricature of warlike behavior – as if the locals gathered in a party mode, and are putting on a show of militia behavior, and yet it’s not a war at all, and no one is taking it seriously. The presence of the girl front and center adds to this sensibility. It’s as if these locals are saying in this picture – here we are, and we are ready to be a militia if we have to be, but really we aren’t, and we are entirely too civilized to take it very seriously. Night Watch down through the ages, along with the remembrance and legacy of Rembrandt in general, has lived a most interesting life with a jaunty air thoroughly in this original spirit. Early in her life, Night Watch suffered the ignomy of having her edges cut off, removing a number of townsfolk from the picture, for the simple reason that the picture was too big for its position on a wall (Night Watch remains a whopping 11 feet by 14 feet in size). In the 1800’s the Netherlands, in deference to the continuing centrality of Rembrandt and his work, specifically built its new state museum with rooms to accommodate Night Watch and other Rembrandts. Since moving into its new quarters in 1885, Night Watch has left only three times – most dramatically when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. The Dutch, in preparation for the invasion, detached Night Watch from her frame, rolled her up, and hid her, as well as a number of other Dutch masters, in secure quarters under sand dunes near Limburg. Night Watch was hidden for several years, and restored to her prominence after the war, never having been found by the Nazis. Night Watch was attacked a couple more times after World War II – not this time by a concerted invasion, but by mentally unstable individuals. Both attacks resulted in minor damage, which has been repaired.
This piece was written by my sister, Nancy Robinett. Nancy is a lawyer in Arizona and Washington and studied law at Leiden University in the Netherlands as part of her law school education. She has seen Night Watch in Amsterdam and highly recommends the experience to anyone traveling to Europe. My Sister’s Here!Posted February 8th, 2008 by Jen in family life9 Comments » I’m set for a fun weekend with my sister who just flew in from Michigan! I have to go show her Oregon’s mountains and rugged cliffs, and also our little cow-town, so I’ll check in later this weekend. Here we are on the couch this morning, Heather (on the left) and Jenny (my childhood name), just 13 months apart, reunited again! We’ve both been busy having babies and such, and being over halfway across the country, we haven’t seen each other for six years!! (I am actually several inches shorter than her; I think I subconsciously scooted myself higher in this photo!) Here’s to Sisters!!
Technorati Tags: sisters Grapes of Abundance: 13 ThoughtsPosted February 7th, 2008 by Jen in family life, religion14 Comments »
1. I should expect God’s provision. We are trying to wrap up our house project, and there is the stress and strain of all the elements of time, money, and labor having the essential collaboration and timing. I will trust in His abundant supply. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, he clothes the flowers, and consider the birds… 2. Aside from raw supplies, I can trust God to provide for my spiritual needs, in abundance! His Joy, Peace, Comfort, Eternal Security, and so much more. I can’t live without these resources. I woke up feeling very spiritually at rest, a contrast from the past month of intense worry and anxiety. 3. It’s interesting that the first immense cluster of grapes I saw was in my husband’s strong hand. As the main financial provider and spiritual head of our household, this makes sense. I had a fleeting thought in my dream of “I don’t know if I could hold up that huge bunch of grapes.” But he could. 4. My husband and I have a dream of cultivating a small vineyard on our property - the property in question. It’s interesting that the grapes appeared in my dream, as it to say, “We are coming!” 5. I did a quick search on grapes this morning, and unbelievably, I found an article titled, “Cornell Names New Wine Grape ‘Abundance.’” Can you believe? I live in Central Oregon, not exactly wine country, but there are a handful of vineyards. And this grape, ‘Abundance,’ was named for its productivity, makes a good red wine, and is disease resistance and winter hardy. Sounds exactly like what we would need to survive our harsh winters. 6. The presence of the younger brother in the dream - perhaps he has a share in this abundance, either monetary or spiritual? 7. There were grapes not only in my husband’s hand, but also in the sack the brother was reaching into, and the abundance of such was evident; this was more than we would ever use for just ourselves. 8. Grapes in the Bible symbolize charity; we have always prayed that we could be a blessing to others in significant ways. 9. The new wine that is embodied in grapes denotes a blessing. From Isaiah 65:8: Thus says the LORD: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’ So will I do for My servants’ sake, That I may not destroy them all.” 10. Like Pharaoh’s dream of seven fat cows and seven healthy ears of grain, perhaps this dream signifies the beginning of the years of plenty, and the rest has not yet been revealed. 11. The first verse that pops into my head about abundance is this: Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). What is in the heart is the crucial issue. 12. Along those lines of the heart, another telling scripture on abundance, from Proverbs 20:15 - There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. “Lips of knowledge” speak to me of wisdom; speaking wisely, acting wisely. 13. I’m so thankful for my dreams! I love looking for the nuances, the possible meanings, and just the richness of dreams. They are sometimes common, with no meaning at all, but sometimes extraordinary and vividly colored messages from God. WW: Wear Your Helmet On The Ice!Posted February 6th, 2008 by Jen in carnivals, family life, sports8 Comments »
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out 5 Minutes for Mom, and also the Wordless Wednesday Hub. Technorati Tags: wordless Wednesday, ice skating, helmets Valentine’s Day: What NOT To DoPosted February 5th, 2008 by Jen in family life, holidays11 Comments »
2. It’s NOT about you. Ladies, this one is for you. We think Valentine’s Day is our day to be pampered, loved, admired, and put up on a pedestal. It’s great if that happens, but when your focus turns inward, you turn ugly. And who wants an ugly Valentine? Focus instead of loving others. 3. Do NOT drop hints. Oh, honey, Valentine’s Day is coming…have you made plans? No, no, no! If you followed tips #1 and #2, you won’t be dropping hints. This leaves your spouse feeling like a mouse in his hole with the cat’s paw coming at him. Trapped, cornered. Romance killer. 4. Do NOT have a “work spouse” and for Heaven’s sake, don’t give them a Valentine gift. I was shocked to read an article this morning in which some professor says having a “work spouse” can be a good thing. The term refers to a significant co-worker with whom you flirt, who provides you with mental and emotional support, but of course you draw the line. A 2007 study quoted in the article stated that 23 percent of employees had a “work husband” or “work wife.” No mention made of the fact that workplace affairs are a leading cause of divorce. 5. Do NOT compare your Valentine’s Day with anyone else’s. A wealthy friend receives a diamond pendant, another travels to a resort, another dines at the finest restaurant. You put the kids to bed early and have a homemade meal in your own kitchen with your beloved. We’re all at different places in life, have different priorities and tastes - it’s all okay. 6. Remember the all the “LOVE IS” parts, but also the NOTs of 1 Corinthians 13: Love does NOT envy, love does NOT boast, love is NOT proud, love is NOT rude, love is NOT self-seeking, love is NOT easily angered. Love keeps NO record of wrongs, love does NOT delight in evil. 7. Do NOT make excuses. For anything. There’s no place for “I’m tired, the kids wore me out, or I worked all day and I have a headache.” 8. Do NOT go into debt for Valentine’s Day. 9. Do NOT get sick by gorging on bad chocolate. 10. Do NOT rush something just because it’s Valentine’s Day. But everyone, please DO have a Happy Valentine’s Day!! New York Giants Win Super Bowl; but my contest winner is a Patriots fan!Posted February 4th, 2008 by Jen in carnivals, giveaways, sports, the office3 Comments » Great big giant congratulations to the New York Giants on their stunning Super Bowl XLII win!! And huge congratulations to the WINNER of my Super Bowl Giveaway: Shannon Jordan at A Reforming Mom, who is a true blue New England Patriots fan (despite her husband not being). I hope this soothes the pain of the loss. Way to go Shannon, and if you can sneak this auto accessories package onto the family van, go for it! Shannon will be receiving a Patriots license plate frame, a Patriots auto emblem, and a Patriots sheet of removable decals. In the case of a house divided, it may be a good thing they are removable. Thanks to everyone who participated in my Super Bowl Giveaway! The items in my giveaway were all from my online store, TeamMASCOT.com, and if you are a sports fan, you might want to take a look. Keep an eye out, I’ll always have more contests! The winners of the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival (890 giveaways!) are being posted HERE-Rocks in My Dryer-, so if you’re not sure if you won something, take a peek! | ||||
If you recall, there are two obstacles for me to overcome regarding my ability to drink hot coffee: 1) I 
I’ve decided I must pursue peace as a habit of life. I’m calling it a habit because I have some control over this attitude of the heart and mind; peace is a practice and pattern I can cultivate no matter the circumstances around me. I know this because I’ve been cultivating the opposite habits in my life lately: turmoil and anxiety. Apparently, I’ve tended to them well, because they are flourishing like weeds.
Rockwell was born in 1894 in New York. He was a prolific painter, producing over 4000 original works. It’s fitting that one of his first jobs was art editor for the Boy Scouts of America, and Rockwell’s annual contributions to the Boy Scouts’ calendars between 1925 and 1976 have earned him a permanent place in the hearts of millions. Steven Spielberg has said that Rockwell’s scouting paintings inspired him to pursue his life’s work.
Two of the four impressionist paintings 
Perhaps there’s something we don’t know about here. Was a ransom paid for the two returned paintings? And the two still at large, the more valuable ones, perhaps waiting a larger ransom? Why else undergo such a high risk theft only to return two of the masterpieces less than two weeks later? Only if you’re a raving lunatic.
When Leonardo was 14, his father sent him to Florence, where the young boy became apprenticed to the renowned master 
Draw the animal using geometric shapes. For the horse, you might start by lightly drawing a large circle for his rear, a long oval for his body, and another circle for his chest. Draw his neck and head as ovals. Draw narrow cylinders for his legs and small ovals for his feet. While making this preliminary sketch, notice proportion (for instance, the size of the head compared to the body). 
Leonardo was fascinated by technology and the workings of machines. He invented fire throwers and missiles, and made an early design for a machine gun. Hundreds of inventions were sketched out in his notebooks - tanks, helicopters, bicycles, submarines, hang gliders, pulleys, cranes, bridges, and more.
Anatomy was another passion of Leonardo. He went to hospitals to watch operations, he visited morgues to dissect bodies of the dead. He measured muscles, diagrammed organs, discovered the way blood flows through the body, and made important conclusions about lungs and oxygen. His knowledge surpassed the doctors of his time. Leonardo applied this deep understanding of the human body to his art, and excelled in drawing proportional anatomy.
Throughout all of these other pursuits, Leonardo da Vinci continued to paint. His patron, Ludovico, was invaluable during his time in Milan. Ludovico had Leonardo paint his friend Cecilia Gallerani, and Leonardo called the painting Lady with Ermine. It was so lifelike that a poet commented that “Nature herself was jealous.”
Draw a horse’s head (approximately 3 by 3 inches) at one end of the lid of the shoe box. Ask an adult to help you cut the shape out carefully with a utility knife. Make a 1 1/2 inch slit in the lid of the box 3 inches from the other end as shown. Make a bridge for the lute out of the small square of cardboard.
Around this time, Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa, beginning in 1503, the most famous painting in the history of art. Leonardo took the painting with him everywhere. Many historians say the Mona Lisa wasn’t finished when he left Florence, and that he completed it during his final stay in France. After Leonardo died, the painting was given to the king of France, and today, it hangs in the Louvre in Paris. 
Things to consider when making a map are direction, scale, and symbols. With these things in mind, you can make a map of your neighborhood, showing the way from your house to your friend’s house or from your house to school.
Looking at Rembrandt’s most famous work, 
Rembrandt remains central to Dutch identity, and a primary transitional painter into early modern times. His use of light and dark as intrinsic design elements, his willingness to flout earlier conventions of painting, his modern sensibilities in creating both action pictures and in individualistic portraits that resonate with more modern self-interest, all make him relevant to modern viewers, despite the passage of over three centuries. 
I had 
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