Just a Mom?

A dear friend of mine sent me this story in an e-mail.  I think I read it quite a while ago, possibly you have too, but I think it's a goodie and worth passing along to you.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

JUST A MOM?


A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.  

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,  'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.  'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,'  Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.   The Clerk was obviously a career woman; poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like , 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it?  I do not know.   The words simply popped out.   'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.  

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.  Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,  'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (norma lly I would have said indoors and outside).   I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).  Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 16 hours a day, (24 is more like it).   But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the
rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.  Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.   I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'   

Motherhood!  

What a glorious career!  
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Think about it...

Does this make grandmothers,
'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human
Relations'

And great grandmothers, 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'  

I think so!!!  

I also think it makes Aunts, Associate Research Assistants

A Few Things...

Charity at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FHCJourney and Amy at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SimpleFolk have posted this list on their own AWESOME blogs...So I thought I would be a copy cat and do it, too!  Hope you enjoy.  Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

FREE Oil Pastel Set!!

Blessings, Kim Wolf<><

Passing along a Free Offer.....

Friday Feast

I see several of you all doing a "Friday Feast" of questions and I thought I would give it a go today.  Hope you enjoy...and if you do your own be sure to let me know!

Appetizer

Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?     The country!  I grew up in the 'burbs but spent nearly every summer at various farming relatives and stayed outside, rode horses, chased piglets and calves (don't tell anyone!) and hiked and roamed the woods.  My hubby grew up on a farm and misses it terribly.  We still have hopes of living "out" but have, for now, settled for a small, rural town in a rural county.  We really like it, but would prefer to be farther out in the country.

Soup

Who is the cutest kid you know?  Well, since my girls aren't technically "kids" anymore, and I can't just pick one, I'll have to say:  our god-son, David; along with Elizabeth and Nathaniel, and Grant and Olivia.

Main Course

Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.   When my girls were both grade-school age and we were having lunch at McD's, an older (nosey) woman asked them why they weren't in school.  (Ever notice that they NEVER ask YOU?)  When they said that we homeschool, she looked me right in the eye and said, "I always thought you needed to be smarter than the children to teach them."

If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?     My own home-made personal and home products. 

Dessert

What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?   I take Juice Plus; and I also take Barlean's 'Essential Woman,' Evening Primrose Oil and a daily tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil (for Omega 3's).  I'm in "that stage" of my life and these products do WONDERS for my mood, skin, hair, nails and monthies.  If you would like some great information about the beginning stages of the change of life, pick up a copy of the book "Before the Change."  I'm sure you can get a copy at any bookstore, but I got mine from Marilyn Moll from her Urban Homemaker catalogue ~ http://www.urbanhomemaker.com. 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Former Homeschooler, Tim Tebow, is One of Sport's Good Guys

Florida's Tebow one of sports world's good guys

Looking back on the sports world in 2007, many disturbing stories come to mind - the Barry Bonds' steroid charges, Michael Vick's dog-fighting conviction, NBA referee Tim Donaghy's betting on games.

It seems sports is going in the wrong direction. Athletes should be good role models for kids, but many of them are cheating and lying. Unfortunately, children want to do exactly what their favorite athlete does. This can be a bad thing, unless their favorite athlete happens to be Tim Tebow.

There are many excellent role models in sports, but no one really compares to Tebow, the University of Florida's starting quarterback.

Many talk about the 6-foot-3-inch, 224-pound sophomore's ability on the field, and that is important. He was the first college player ever to rush for 20 touchdowns along with passing for 20. At the end of the season, he was listed as the second-best quarterback in the nation with 4,181 total yards.

Some of the awards Tebow won in 2007 include the Heisman Trophy, the Associated Press Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award and the Davey O'Brien Award. He will likely get better as a player during his next two years of college.

Tebow was home-schooled by his mom along with his four older siblings, two girls and two boys, in the Philippines before moving to Jacksonville, Fla. The Tebows lived on a 44-acre farm, where the three boys were taught a strong work ethic. They repaired fences and took care of gardens and cattle.

Tim Tebow played football for Nease High School [NOTE**In FL homeschoolers can play in their local p.s. sports team ~~ KW<><] where he threw for an incredible 5,552 total yards and 70 touchdowns as a junior. Not only hard-working on the field, he earned a 3.5 grade point average in high school and as a ninth-grader, achieved the required college score on the SAT.

As a senior, he chose to go to the University of Florida.

Even though Tebow has one-of-a-kind talent, it is the way he acts off the football field that sets him apart. If he was a jerk to his teammates and the fans, people would have a hard time cheering for him. Instead, he will be remembered as one of the most respected football players of all time because of the way he acts towards fans.

He has been happy to sign an autograph or take a picture with someone. Tebow has even been asked to sign a baby's head, a nose and a watermelon.

Asked about his priorities, he has responded, "My faith is No. 1. Family is No. 2, then academics. After that is football."

If he is that awesome at football, how strong must his faith be? When talking about his faith, he has said, "Jesus means everything. Without Him I would be nothing. He is the reason why we are here. We are to honor Him in everything we do and say and be thankful for Him. He has given me athletic ability. On the field and off the field, I give all praise, honor and glory to Him. He gave me the athletic ability and He can easily take it away."

If kids look to someone like Tebow as their role model, the future of sports will be bright.

Beating the Winter Blahs

I know so many of us are familiar with Lehman's Country Store in the heart of Ohio Amish Country - Holme's County.  In case you don't know it, they have a great website, a blog and an e-mail list you can join to learn about many great sales! 

But I wanted to let you know about a great blog entry they have today about beating the Winter Blahs, or SAD syndrome.  I thought it was well worth sharing with you and well worth your reading time.  Go to http://countrylife.lehmans.com/2008/01/10/banish-winter-blahs/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

HOMESCHOOL GRAD WINS HEISMAN TROPHY!!!

For some unknown reason I could copy/paste this article on my personal homeschool blog, but not here.  So...if your would like to read this article about this AWESOME Christian young man, who was homeschooled, please click on:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Buckeyeblog/441999. 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Rant on Immodesty

There is some peace of mind that comes from finding someone who is like-minded with how I think and feel.  Jacque Dixon, one of the daily writers for TOS Publisher Gena Suaez's blog ~ Home Where They Belong ~ really cut loose in a rant of righteous aggrevation.  And I have to say that I AGREE!!  Below is Jacque's "rant" and below that is my comment.

I would be VERY interested in your opinion.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Nov. 29, 2007
They Own Your Children, You Know

I get news alerts about homeschooling, public schools, etc. via email. Sometimes these links come from friends, like the emailed link last week to the story in the news about the mass immunization call in MD. The title of the email was, "Ever-Increasing Government" and her comment was, "they own your children, you know."  Re: to this email were then renamed, "I would be furious".

At this and on further discussion on addressing the thought, "they own your children, you know," I disagreed. Not that the gov't doesn't think they own your children, but that they really are not "taking" the children, but rather, the parents are systematically giving up control of their children.

Unfortunately, Christians - parents and grandparents, pastors and churches, have already rolled over in their understanding of what is best for children. As I looked through the cbd homeschool catalog last night ... trying to avoid being upset by the many absurd 'Christianized' worldly ideas, I could not stand it any longer when I found the book whose description said:

"no longer little girls, but not yet adolescents, young women between the ages of 8 and 12 now have their own fun-filled guide to ... from family and friends to guys and God."

Did you catch that? I about came unglued. YOUNG WOMEN?? HUH? This is a Christian author saying our eight and twelve-year-old girls are no longer little girls. They are now young women. Well, maybe in her world. Maybe in *the* world, but not our world.  I don't think we have a clear understanding as homeschool parents just how deep into the public mindset most Christian parents are. I think we think they think like us a lot of times because they are Christians, and they don't.

It is no longer about keeping the ps out of control or taking control, it is about parents who have for many years chosen to give their children fully to the system. The whole shebang...the way the world dresses, dates, immunizes, teaches about sexuality, homosexuality, and the list goes on and on. I am not saying everyone should believe as I do... nor do I think everyone does. I just think that parents who grew up in the system who want their children in the system, be it for sports, academics, socialization, to be in clubs, to have friends, to be popular... whatever their reason... to be a light to a dark world.... I think they have been in it so long, they are now propagating it, and it is kind of like blaming the devil for everything to blame the pss in many cases.

A lot of times the christian parents have given up rights without considering consequences, and then the lawyers and those of us who have been telling them all along have to pick up the banner and fight for their children when they have not. There is something wrong with perspective here. The GOV knows what their goals are. The christian parents have not a clue... they are just going with the flow, calling us (homeschoolers) high-n-mighty.

Sorry for the rant. I think I am still upset about some moronic author assuming any 8yo child is ready to be a young woman and discuss guys. Hannie is going to be 8 next month, and she doesn't even want to help Eric clean off the porch. Gimme a break.

This book, which I do not at all recommend is Between: A Girl's Guide To Life by Vicki Courtney - and also... for "Teens"   TeenVirtue2: A Teen's Guide To Relationships.  I just don't think many Christian parents today get it. They want the smart, sexy, popular kids who handle relationships and jobs and cars and cell phones who will still go to church on Sunday morning. They want the football star that everyone is cheering for. I don't know if that is ok. I do know that it is a worldly desire, and the same one that says that an eight year-old little girl is no longer a little girl, but a young woman ready to talk about guys. God help us, The Church.

I'm not saying don't be proud of your children, but, c'mon. This is a testimony to the direction of the world that the church is steeped in. As Christians, we must be aware. We must wake up.  I am happy we keep our children home. We do not desire all of those things for our children. God has a path for them to follow, and it starts with their character in Him and the family He put them in, not the world's idea of success.
blessings!

Jacque

Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths Homeschool
and Seeking Rest on the Homestead, too!

Nov. 30, 2007 - YOU GO, GIRL!!!

Posted by Buckeyeblog

...And DeeDee, too! I'm SO sick and tired of people trying make little girls grow up before their time. My girls are nearly 20 and 17 now, but I still see what little girls wear (Madonna look-a-likes) and what the fashion stores sell (hooker-wear). And, I'll tell you, I am NOT above commenting about what stores sell in their Jr. Depts., in particular. I have often commented to floor managers, dept managers and store managers about the shameful clothes they sell...I've even happened upon a couple of buyers in the store, too. If shame (which no one seems to have anymore) doesn't pierce their brains, then I hit them where it matters to them...in the purse strings! I tell them that they have no idea of the market they are missing by not AT LEAST having a corner in that dept with more modest clothing for those parents who are not afraid of their children and don't want their daughters looking like prostitutes.

If it weren't for L. L. Bean and Eddie Bauer we wouldn't have anywhere to buy waist-high ~ AND FASHIONABLE ~ jeans. Teens can still dress somewhat "trendy" and still be fashionable...and I still think that "wholesome" will/does sell!!

Just this morning, on Fox and Friends (Fox News' answer to Good Morning America) they had a collection and really cute dolls (Barbie-type) who have "real" body-types and dress modestly and they were awesome! Made me wish my girls were still little enough to play with them.

Anyway...all that to say...PLEASE JOIN ME...and others...in KINDLY BUT FIRMLY telling store managers, dept managers, etc. that there really IS a market for modest clothing. That not every parent wants their kids to to dress like hookers and ~ shocker of shockers ~ there are kids/teens who don't want to look that way, either!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Tagged!!!

Fellow blogger, http://www.homesteadblogger.com/scarecrow, included me in his list of those tagged.  Thanks for thinking of me, Scarecrow!  Below are the rules and my answers...

New Children's Movie Aims to "Kill God"

PLEASE read the entry below, for Tia - Homeschool Blogger's editor.  THEN PLEASE take the time to read the Snopes write-up about this shameful movie being released for the Christmas season...billed as a childrens' movie!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

I'm not a movie goer myself but if I was I would definitely avoid The Golden Compass, a children's movie coming out this December.  Why?  The author of the book is an atheist and hates C.S. Lewis.  Snopes.com says this is true. 

I just want to warn Christian parents to be sure to research any movies they want to view.  The Golden Compass is one man's plan to teach atheism and break down Christianity, not becuase he doesn't believe in it, but because he HATES it.  Click on the link above to get a better picture of what this movie is really all about. 

Hat tip: Kris Price

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

What's in a (MIddle) Name?

My dear blog friend, LadyMother, tagged me for the Middle Name Meme.  However, I've elected to put a little "spin" on it.  So...here goes...

for the Middle Name Meme...

Here are the rules:

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

My middle name ~ Ann:

A:  Appreciative.  FAMILY:  I always wanted 5 children, but - since we had a daughter who is now with Jesus, 2 miscarriages that are with Jesus BUT were given 2 daughters we could raise here on earth - I have to remind myself that I WILL have 5 in heaven and that eternity is MUCH LONGER than our mere life here.  MATERIAL POSSESSIONS:  I have been VERY "well off" and I have been LITERALLY penniless (and that, not very long ago) and I appreciate everything that we have, everything that others - in the Name of Christ - have done for us.  I am also SO blesssed that so many of our possessions were handed down from much-loved, much-missed loved ones.  We have my hubby's grandmother's rocker, my gr-grandma's rocker (not only were my children rocked on it, but I was, my daddy was and my grandpa was!), many pieces of furniture, coat racks, children's toys, bikes, lamps and shelves that my dear daddy refinished or handmade just for my family or me because he loved me so much.  It touches my heart that while he was working on these items that he was thinking of me...or my family...with every stroke of the saw, every swish of the paint/finish brush, every turn of a screw.  I have jewelry that was passed down...my grandma's pigeon blood ruby ring and a gold ring (she was a VERY poor little Appalachian farm wife/mother - of 14 - so fine jewelry was very treasured), I wear my mom's origianl wedding ring set and my daddy's wedding ring.  Call me sentimental!

~  Phil. 4:11-13 - "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in pleanty or in want.  I can do everything through HIM Who gives me strength."

N:  Noble:  I don't say that haughtily, but humbly.  I have been reborn - through no good doing of my own - and adopted as a child of THE KING!  I am His clay that is being continually shaped for HIS noble purposes, most of which I have no idea what they will be.  And it may not even have anything to do with ME.  Like Rahab, I have a tainted past - but I have been forgiven and made brand new, and like Rahab, I may be in the family line of someone who will do mighty, mighty things for God's Kingdom, if the Lord should tarry.  It may even be one of my daughters!

~  2 Tim. 2:20-21 - "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.  If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

N:  Name:  Name?  Of all words...Name?  Yes!  I am thrilled, I am excited, I am impatient to find out the name that God, Himself, has picked out JUST FOR ME!!  Have you ever given that any thought?  For some unknown reason, for me, this fact of my future is beyond exciting!  I know how much thought my husband and I put into picking the names for our daughters...how much MORE thought - being the thoughtful, insightful Father that He is - has God put into the name that HE has picked out just for ME!  That ONLY HE & I will know!  WOW!!!  It makes me SO happy!  The thoughtfullness, the intimacy of our Father/daughter relationship when I finally get to go home!

~  Rev. 2:17 - "...I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who recieves it."  Rev. 3:12 - "...I will also write on him My new name."    

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

P.S.  I won't "tag" anyone, but if you would like to consider yourself tagged, let me know so that I may read your blog! 

Just One More HUGE Reason to Homeschool!!

You will be amazed at what you are about to read, below, that happened at the public school.  It just amazes me how often fact is stranger - and more dangerous - than fiction.  Gee, I wonder why there was so much trouble with the students at this school to begin with...couldn't possibly be because there was already demonic activity there to begin with...brought in by the strange pagan beliefs of the people who actually RUN THE SCHOOL, could it?  Sheesh!

And people think WE'RE weird for loving our kids so much that we WANT to be with them all day, teach them the truth from God's Word and true academics.

KEEP THEM HOME!!!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Principal Ousted Over NYC School Ritual

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

By COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK --

     A public school principal accused of paying a woman to sprinkle chicken blood on the high school in an attempt to cleanse it of negative energy will be fired, the Department of Education said Tuesday.

     Maritza Tamayo, principal of the Unity Center for Urban Technologies, paid a woman named Gilda Fonte to lead several Santeria rituals at the Manhattan school during "midwinter break" in 2006, when students were not there, according to Richard Condon, the special commissioner of investigation for city schools.

     A former assistant principal, Melody Crooks-Simpson, said there was a running joke at the school that sage should be used to cleanse the building because many of the students were ill-behaved.  But it seems Tamayo took it seriously, Crooks-Simpson told investigators, and had Fonte lead a ceremony at which she sprinkled chicken blood on the building.

     Tamayo coerced staff members to participate in and help pay for the ceremonies, investigators said.

     Santeria is a blend of traditional African religions and Catholicism and first was practiced in the Caribbean by slaves who were prohibited from worshipping in other religions.

     The commissioner's report recommended that Tamayo be fired.  Dept of Ed spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said that Tamayo will be reassigned immediately and will be fired.

     Telephone calls to Tamayo's home were unanswered Tuesday.  But in the report, Tamayo denied taking part in a religious ceremony at the school.

     Crooks-Simpson told investigators she didn't attend the ceremony with the chicken blood, but showed up to school a few days later in a white dress to participate in another ceremony because Tamayo said it wouldn't work without her.  She said Tamayo charged her $900 for the rite.  [emphais mine - KW]

     Tamayo said in the report that the $900 was for a vacation they took together with their families.

     Another teacher saw Tamayo, Fonte and another woman, wearing white dresses, performing a ritual at the school while Fonte balanced a silver tray with 40 lit candles on her head, said investigators.

     Fonte told investigators she did not practice Santeria.  There was no telephone listing for her.

     The problem wasn't that Tamayo was performing bizarre religious rituals but that she was coercing her staff to participate, Condon said.  [NOTE: that WASN'T the problem!!??!!  emphasis mine - KW]

     "Had she hired a priest to sprinkle holy water on the building, and she coerced the assistant principal into paying for it and attending it, I would have a problem with it," Condon said.

Gem of a Personality! :-)

I thought it was interesting that my birthstone is also an Aquamarine.

Your Gemstone is Aquamarine

Intuitive, tranquil, and trusting. You inspire others to have faith in themselves.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Reagan on Memorial Day...

"Memorial Day was established to commemorate those who died in the defense of our national ideals. Our ideals of freedom, justice and equal rights for all have been challenged many times since then, and thousands of Americans have given their lives in many parts of the world
to secure those same ideals and insure for their children a lasting peace. Their sacrifice demands that we, the living, continue to promote the cause of peace and the ideals
for which they so valiantly gave of themselves."

-- President Ronald Reagan, May 25, 1981

Lord of the Rings Test ~ Who Am I?

Test Results - Gimli

You are most like Gimli. Most people think you're pretty rough, but you're actually rather sophisticated. Unlike others, you don't need everything to be perfect. You're flexible. When problems come your way, you face them head-on and get whatever help you need. You also stick to your morals very closely, and you are unlikely to compromise. You are very loyal to your friends, but don't be so controlling!

Another Black Eye for Ohio Homeschoolers

OK - We all know how much government schools and those who work for liberal/socialist causes hate homeschoolers...well...here in Ohio we've just found out about another case of "so called" homeschoolers who have abused their kids and run afoul of the law.  CNN's Nancy Grace has been so kind as to REPEATEDLY bring to light that this particular family CLAIMED to be homeschoolers as they abused their children.

Another thing that irritates - and amuses - me is this Sparks fellow of Lucas County Children's Services.  In one remark he says, "I'm not very happy with the home schooling laws in the state of Ohio."  And LATER in ANOTHER answer he ADMITS, "I don't know the laws about home schooling..."  Mr. Sparks, make up your biggotted mind and educate YOURSELF about the Ohio homeschool laws (Ohio Administrative Code) before you lump all who claim to homeschool together with REAL homeschooers and spew your ignorant remarks.

I understand that the children's services of 2 counties were aware that those people were abusing their kids.  Also, if the  school district knew that they were supposed to be homeschooling, didn't they make sure that this family either had their kids tested or assessed or else report them as truant?  Maimi County supers are certainly good at trying to pry their way into our homes, I can't imagine other counties not being like-minded.

OK...now that I've gotten that out of my system...now you can read the transcript below... 

KW<><

Snip from Transcript

GRACE: Home schooled?

FRANCK: One neighbor even said that they didn`t know they had children, so...

GRACE: Home schooled? Home schooled?

FRANCK: Yes.

GRACE: Joining us also is Dean Sparks. He`s the executive director of the Lucas County Children`s Services. Welcome. Thank you, Mr. Sparks, for being with us. How can you -- just can anybody just home school? You`ve got a stripper and a guy cooking up crack, home schooling. I see a problem with that.

DEAN SPARKS, LUCAS COUNTY CHILDREN`S SERVICES: Yes. I`m not very happy with the home schooling laws in the state of Ohio. There is some kind of oversight possible if it`s more of a organized thing, but you know, parents can home school their kids. And frankly...

GRACE: Well, aren`t they regulated?

SPARKS: Pardon me?

GRACE: Aren`t they regulated? Can you just keep your kid out of school and say, I`m home schooling him?

SPARKS: Well, you know, I don`t know the laws about home schooling as well as perhaps our educational system does, but what I do know is that this is not the first time I`ve seen somebody say, Well, my child is home schooled, which allowed the parents to have continuous...

GRACE: Mr. Sparks, it`s my understanding that child services knew these children were in distress, not only this county but in another county, and yet they were still living there. There had never been a in- home visit, and the kid was living in a dog cage for a Jack Russell terrier.>>>>>SNIP

SNIP  GRACE: Really? Really? You let a parent that actually has a complaint, letting the kid wander outside, home school? I mean, that is a red bell of alarm right there, that you would let a negligent parent home school. I mean, clearly, there should be a little cross-referencing between abusive parents and home schooling parents. How`s the teacher going to report bruises, cuts, scrapes, tears if there`s no school to go to?>>>

[emphasis mine ~ KW]

How to Tell if the Weather Will Change w/o Your Evening News!

This is taken from Countryside & Small Stock Journal (magazine), May/June 2007 issue.  Some of these I have heard of and some are new.  I thought it was well worth sharing with you!

Blessings, Kim Wolf<><

A Change in the Weather

Jeffery Goddin, Bloomington, Indiana

There are many quaint old sayings about what might indicate a change in the weather.  All involve pleasantly observing the world around us.  Some of these sayings are a bit humorous, and some of them are even based on scientific fact!

If the grass is dry at night, look for rain the next day.

Dew only forms when the humidity is low, as when there's a high pressure front over the area.  If the grass is dry in the morning it often means there's a low air pressure and high humidity, good conditions for rain.

A mackerel sky means rain is on the way.

A mackerel sky is a sky that has that "quilted" look of regularly spaced mounds - of fish scales.  This kind of sky is formed by high altitude winds - a good sign that rain is blowing in.

A ring around the moon means rain.

A ring around the moon is caused by high-altitude moisture, which indicates there might be enough moisture in the atmosphere to cause rain clouds within 24 hours or so.  [KW - I've seen this MANY times in my life; it's very true.]

Leaves show thier backs before rain.

This is almost always true.  Leaves hang a certain way in accord with the prevailing breezes.  Before a rain the wind will "back around" from its regular directions, causing the leaves to show their backs.  [KW - This is very true, too!  My family always said that the leaves were "begging for rain."]

Distant sounds can be heard clearly before rain.

The low air pressure and changing wind directions before a storm do indeed make it easier to hear distant sounds, like the whistle of a train, or a dog barking.

Smoke will move low to the ground before it rains.

Before a storm, the low air pressure makes it harder for smoke to rise, while on clear days smoke will often rise straight up in the air.  [KW - this is true.  I've seen fireplace smoke bend over to a nearly perfectly horizontal line out of a chimney.]

Birds fly low before a storm.

The air pressure falls before a storm, and this disturbs the balance in birds' inner ears, making it harder for them to fly higher.

Pigs carrying sticks in their mouths are a sign of storms coming.

This might be true, in that the changes in air pressure before a storm disturb their ears, and the change in wind directions brings them new scents, making them restless.  Still, pigs are ornery enough without letting them arm themselves. 

Roosters crow at odd times when the weather's changing.

This saying can have some truth to it, but there are roosters that will crow at just about any darned thing.

An old cat will get frisky as a kitten before it rains.

I've seen this saying prove true on many occasions, but one must also keep in mind that old cats are pretty much a low unto themselves.  [KW - I've seen this many times, myself.]

Doves coo a lot before a rain.

KW - This is one of my own.  When doves coo like crazy, it will rain within 24 hours!  Never fails.  This is why the old folks call doves "rain crows."

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

My (UN)Official Aristocratic Title:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Exalted Highness Duchess Kimberly the Purple of Leper St George Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

That was fun!

Blessings to the little people, Her Exalted Highness Duchess Kimberly<><

Juice Plus Info...

In the process of trying to better my family's health, I am turning over many stones.  One of the things I'm looking into - hearing very encouraging things about - is Juice Plus.  Now just so you know, I'm NOT selling it, not even using it yet, but I see a lot of testimonies of Drs who are recommending it and even selling it from their offices.  My cousin's wife sells it and she just told me about a couple of up-coming occasions that some of you might be interested in.

Bare with me and I'll list them below.  If you are not interested, just pass this entry by. 

~  Monday, March 12th, 8:30p.m.  An open call with Jeannie E. Deasy, graduate of University of KY.  She will be speaking on Autism research and dealing with autism through nutrition and Juice Plus.

     Call:  1-646-519-5960; access pin 2354.

~  Friday, March 2nd, 7:30p.m.  Juice Plus sponsored presentation by Jeannie Williams, RN.  At the Holiday Inn on Presidential in Fairborn - across from Nutter Center Arena.  She is a nurse who reversed her own MS, long-term, through nutrition and Juice Plus.  She will be discussing:  nutrition and illness management, auto-immunities, MS, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, RA, building your immune system, etc.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><    

Pioneer Story...

I had shared in an earlier post that we have been studying Prioneer/Homesteading life.  (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Buckeyeblog/273657)  I got a really great book from the library - "Pioneer Women" by Linda Peavy & Ursula Smith (consultants for PBS's Frontier House series).  I came across a story that just touched my heart.

Now, I hope you don't find this morbid, as it is about the loss of a child, but having faced the death of our first daughter, Jessica, stories like this catch my attention.  (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Buckeyeblog/34315)  In an odd way, there is comfort in numbers. 

Unfortunately, a sad but common occurrence on the frontier was the untimely deaths of children and mothers - usually, mothers were lost in childbirth.  In the chapter entitled "Behind Closed Doors" Peavy & Smith deal with this very issue.  Here is a story that I thought, while so sad, is so precious...

"When Oregon pioneer Martha Gay Masterson's little son Freddie died after a suddent and brief illness, the family buried the boy in a place where he loved to play, so that 'the little birds he loved in life sang their evening songs over his grave.'  His little playmates 'came loaded with lovely white flowers' which were strewn over his grave.  Only a day or so before he grew ill, Masterson had cut his curls for the first time, and asked what should be done with the ringlets, Freddie had answered, 'You take one curl, Mama, then I will put the others out by the big tree and the birds can have them to build their nests.'  Busy with her work, Masterson did not follow him outside and  had all but forgotten the incident until late in the fall when one of her daughters called her outside to see a bird's nest she'd found.  There in the tangled mass of sticks were little Freddie's golden curls.  Twenty-one years later, Masterson still had that little nest."

Isn't the Lord good?!  How meaningful that little nest was to that family and to actually KNOW that the Lord loved them enough to let them know that He had honored little Freddie's love of his little bird-friends; that they had done exactly what he had wanted them to do and used his curls to build their nests for their own little "families."  That would have meant more to me than words could have ever expressed.  I hope that someone in their family tree still has that nest.

Blessings, Kim Wolf<><