My sisters used to play a game about choosing 10 people living or dead to invite to sit with you at a college dining hall table (some odd Centre activity), but none the less interesting. Lately, I keep thinking how much I would like to really sit down with an assortment of "experts". After all, they are talking in my head at all hours of the day and night. They all seem to be pushing their respective opinions on to me and I am left to agree or refute each ever louder voice. So many of them seem to contradict, or at the least, not quite seem possible, that I would love for them to fight it out in front of me instead of using my blood pressure as the mediator. This is not the time to tell me only crazy people here voices. I haven't gone off the cliff yet, although a common statement in our house is "_____________ (fill in child of the day here), you are making me crazy!" Followed by Brian, "And she doesn't have far to go!" But I digress.
I can see Alice Gray, author of The Worn Out Woman, explaining the need for quiet,personal space. After all, even Jesus had to push away from the crowds and go up into the hills or onto the sea for some time of respite. This could be followed by Emilie Barnes of More Hours in my Day explaining that I didn't after all need sleep,but to accept my high calling as a mother and get up at 3 or 4am for a time of contemplation and study. Maybe we could choose Les and Leslie Parrot, whom seem to contradict themselves when explaining that couples become closer by experiencing new things and activities together, but kids need tradition and stability. I guess this means I should do more with just Brian,but that ignores the assorted studies and more "experts" warning against daycare, and unoccupied hours. Studies show that 4-Hers, boy scouts and female athletes are less likely to use drugs or have premature sex, but those same activities make dinner at the table difficult and dinner at the table reduces depression and improves grades. Playing sports reduces obesity, but The Hurried Child is over committed and stressed before age 5. The Triple Bind points out that girls are now expected to be smart, athletic and effortlessly beautiful and polite. Read to them, send them outside, don't make them stand out like geeks, but don't let them feel entitled. Encourage and support,but don't over inflate ego or make them think "we all get a prize."
Just about the time that fight is getting hot, lets bring in Gary Smalley to discuss how often you should date your spouse- once a week!!!, and a longer weekend every quarter to six months. But before he takes center stage, make sure we get Dave Ramsey seated to clarify how much all these different things will cost and keep us on budget. Once he gets it all budgeted, bring in David Platt and Francis Chan to challenge the whole group to be Radical and Crazy and find the money to spend equally on missions and time on community service etc. Let Po Bronson have a few minutes to point out the value of sleep from his work Nurture Shock before David Platt sends us all to all night "Secret Church" and then let the father and son Raniers discuss how we really didn't need the program, but Simple Church and a Simple Life.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Where’s Ms. Whittamore When You Need Her?
One of our public school casualties has been field trips. No one teaches Kentucky History like Ms. W but I did my best to fill the gaps. We took one day of fall break to visit Fort Harrod and Shaker Village. Jack loved it and his older sisters tolerated yet another teachable moment.
Despite some bad attitudes, we still let everyone have a chance at throwing a small ax. I hoped there were too many witnesses for Brianna to be truly dangerous.
Jack’s version of this activity was a little like a good fisherman’s tale. However, reality is- choose Brianna if you are under attack.
My favorite sight. Made me very thankful for my double ovens and large capacity washer!
We picnicked under this wonderful tree. It just screamed to be climbed, but Brian had to stand on a table and lift Hadley down from her highest perch.
self portrait
All the learning exhausted Hadley.
So glad we purchased a jogging stroller for less than wheelchair friendly outings!
I learned my lesson this fall break. We have big plans for spring break so I thought we should stay home for fall. I seriously underestimated the emotional fall out from kids and Mama alike when it seemed that EVERYONE we knew was traveling somewhere great. Of course I spent 36 hours of the break laying in the bathroom floor, but I’m sure a bathroom floor at the beach would have seemed better! Stay tuned for next year’s plans.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Bringing in the Shrimp
Southern Kentucky is blessed to be home to Buck Acres freshwater shrimp farm. The last weekend of September and the first weekend of October are the scheduled yearly shrimp harvest. It is an amazing sight to observe. Watching the ponds drain and seeing the prawns (freshwater shrimp) and tilapia lifted out still thrashing and flipping is a locavore’s dream. It requires lots of teamwork and a good deal of patience. Jack and Hadley couldn’t get enough. I was sure we would be pulling Jack from the drain spillway and while I waited to get my shrimp, Grandma pointed out that Hadley had put on gloves and was actually helping with the harvest.
Shrimp are bottom feeders so as the ponds drain, they settle in the mud and must be gathered by hand.
The water drains through a large concrete “colander” that traps the shrimp etc. These men are scooping them out and transferring the shrimp and fish to live wells.
Turtles also got caught in the nets and were set aside to be released.
Brianna was my photographer for the day, which means I have beautiful shots of the happenings and not a single shot of our family experiencing them. Sigh.
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