The Tapestry Project

Edith Schaeffer, age 90+

Here's a link to the webpage which tracks the progress of the production of an audio CD about the life and times of Francis and Edith Schaeffer.

This is an obvious interest of mine, based on the title of my blog, even though I just discovered the researchers. I started reading the autobiography over the summer and set it aside in order to complete my Summer Reading Challenge.

The Tapestry is officially on my Autumn Reading Challenge.

Check in on my reviews of my Summer books over at my Xanga site. I'm trying to wrap that up in order to begin afresh by the first day of Fall.

Jehovah Nissi

The Lord is my banner Exodus 17:15

I was the recipient of a forwarded email, entreating me to fly the American flag on Monday, September 11, 2006, and forward it to eleven people. Instead of forwarding the email, I am blogging about Patriot Day by recapping a sermon.

I will fly the flag of these great United States. I will wear a little lapel pin, too. But more importantly, I will pray that we as a nation repent of our ways and recommit ourselves to serving the One and Only, True God, who is NOT the same as Allah.

Do you own a flag and did you fly it?

Homeschooling Meme

5) One resource you would like to buy

A car!

Just when I think I cant respond to all the questions, an answer comes to mind. And I read in the answers of someone else where the response to this question was *a swimming pool!* That qualifies as PE, a bone fide subject to study. And if a swim team is organized, all the better :) So, that's why I think my answer of *a car* works. I will need a car soon. Not today. Maybe in 2007.

From my point of view transportation is essential part of homeschooling. Olga has served us well. That's the name of our 1993 Chevrolet Surburban with an odometer reading of 383,000 miles. She has served us so faithfully on our drive to and from school. 30-35 miles one ways adds up. Yup, we drive a lot. And there's probably more driving in the future, because we're not yet finished educating our charges.

Care to share what you drive?

Homeschooling Meme

6) One resource you wish existed

Reduced income/property taxes.

For example, if there were fewer programs which needed to be funded, then we citizens wouldnt need to pay so much in taxes. Right?!

Specifically, I am talking about abolishing both the federal and state departments of education for the express purpose of returning this God-given responsibility to parents of the children. This would mean that parents would retain more of the fruits of their labors. Hopefully this way, these parents would be able to exercise more control over the schooling of their own children.

So often I am misunderstood by others when it is discovered that I am not a proponent of public education. If asked, I reference Samuel Blumenfeld's fine volume, Is Public Education Necessary? Just the preface to the book is chock full of good information, and I quote from page "x":

Out of this labor (research for the book) came some fascinating discoveries:
1) that American intellectual history is inseparable from its religious history
2) that public education was never needed
3) that literacy in America was higher before compulsory public education
4) that socialists, who were very active in the public school movement, began operating …in America as early as 1829
5) that philosophy is more powerful than economics
6) that religion, in the long run, is more powerful than philosophy

I can always wish :)

Homeschooling Meme cont'd

4) One resource you enjoyed last year.

Participation in the production of a play, musical, or choral concert. Just last year, the musical was Camelot. There were at least three major choral concerts, but my favorite is the annual Lessons and Carols. I guess one understands that my children are the participants and DH and I are the spectators :)

As early as kindergarten, our children have been involved in productions. You know, those large group activities that require extra rehearsals, more cooperation, and intense pressures (stage gitters). I think it has been good training as well as fun. Participation continued through middle-and-high-school-aged years on into college. Currently, DD#4 is auditioning for jazz vocalist at her high school.

No doubt there are lots of stories to tell. There's certainly enough mementos (read packrat) for at least four scrapbooks. Here's a link to one online photo. DD#3and #4 are the only girls in this picture of the knighting of Sir Lancelot.

Thinking back on it, I have no trouble conjuring up memories. One occurred when I was in the fourth grade; and we worked together with the fifth graders to produce a variety show entitled *There's No Business like Show Business" I learned to dance The Charleston and wore a flapper dress. I had fun.

Homeschooling Meme

3) One resource I wish I hadnt bought

Artes Latinae, which is reviewed at this webpage.

At this point I could wax poetically about the merits of learning Latin, but I will spare you, dear reader, for the moment.

Addendum: In answer to Donna's question about whether our girls studied Latin at their Christian school? The answer is YES! The teaching of Latin was/is a very high priority on our list of criteria, when we were evaluating schools. In the case of this particular curriculum, the school used it for a couple of years and changed to something more traditional.

Labor Day

The first Monday in September signifies the end of summer for me, despite the history of the holiday. I cant say that I much affinity for the political positions of most labor unions, but I do enjoy this *holiday* *they* have afforded me.

But before you head out to your own celebration, take the time to read this op-ed from the Seattle Times. It makes for interesting reading, because the writer brings up some good points. I tend to agree with the premise that it's not jobs which Americans wont do, it's wages they wont work for. During the Y2K hype, I personally thought there would have been more bedlam, if the immigrants hadnt shown up for work than if the computers didnt roll over to the proper date. I just dont *get it* when somebody *wont* work.

Oh, and let me know what you think of the last line of the editorial :)

PS In case Rhett is looking for me, I'm off to the BBQ!

Vital Resource

One resource I would not be without.

The preached Word of God

The Bible is the first resource, which should go without saying. But because I believe that the majority of homeschoolers in the US do not base the education of their young on these holy writings, I mention it. And so, coupled with the actual written Word, I would be deficient in my preparation for teaching, if I were not hearing each week the preached Word of God. The two resources (Bible reading/study and preaching) go hand in hand.

In our family it is a top priority to be present on Sundays in congregational worship, where we are fed a feast of nutrionally-sound manna, not milky but meaty. Furthermore, this bread is not like the common white bread made from ingredients where many of the nutrients have been stripped, but an whole wheat variety full of living ingredients.

How does that translate into the ordinary homeschooling day/week. Up front, it calls for going to bed earlier on Saturdays! But also, when I am ordering the activities of the day/week, each day we prepare a little bit for Sunday. It can be as easy as reviewing applications from the sermon at Sunday dinner or singing the hymns together around the piano in the living room. Or the task can be even more concrete, like getting our clothes washed, dried, and pressed BEFORE Saturday, in order to make Sunday mornings somewhat less stressful.

The Sabbath is the highlight of the week: the most important event around which all other events revolve. There is no other more important day. It is vital to successful homeschooling.

Homeschooling Resources

After my introduction to this questionnaire on 8/30/06, I'm now ready to answer the first question.

Name one book/resource which you enjoy/recommend.

Since I don't fall into the popularly accepted definition of homeschooler, my answers will won't either. Therefore, I take the liberty of naming five books! (tee hee) The following list contains the titles of some of my favorite authors to whom I have referred consistently and deliberately over the past twenty years.

Education in America by George Roche
One by One by George Roche
Is Public Education Necessary by Samuel Blumenfeld
Back to the Blackboard by Jay Adams
Essays on Christian Education by Cornelius Van Til
Ending the Homework Hassle by John Rosemond
Philosophy of Christian Education by Paul Kienel, editor

Stay tuned for the rest of my long, drawn-out answers to the following of the quetions:

2) One resource you would not be without.
3) One resource you wish you'd never bought.
4) One resource you enjoyed last year.
5) One resource you would like to buy.
6) One resource you wish existed.

Fifty Things

1. My roommate and I once: planned to get along, but it didn’t happen.

2. Never in my life have I: wanted to hitchhike.

3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile is: DD#4

4. High school was: thirty years ago.

5. When I'm nervous: I perspire.

6. The last time I cried was: Monday, when a dear, recently widowed friend telephoned.

7. If I were to get married right now, my bridesmaids would be: few

8. Would you rather run naked through a crowded place or have someone e-mail your deepest secret to all your friends? I will not be tricked into choosing the lesser of two evils.

9. My hair: was trimmed last Saturday.

10. When I was 5: I lived in Idaho.

11. Last Christmas: I was celebrating.

12. When I turn my head left: I see my diplomas.

13. I should be: editing claims or processing payroll.

14. When I look down I see: industrial gray carpet.

15. The craziest recent event was: not having air conditioning one hour before 15 guests arrived for dinner.

16. If I were a character on "Friends": I'd be lost, because I've never watched this show.

17. When I was 17: I left high school and went to college early.

18. My favorite aunt is: non-existent.

19. I have a hard time understanding: people.

20. One time at a family gathering: we all got along.

21. You know I like you if: I pay you a compliment.

22. If I won an award, the first person I'd thank: would be God.

23. Take my advice: or suffer the consequences.

24. My ideal breakfast is: Black coffee, two hard boiled eggs and V-8 juice.

25. If you visit my hometown: there is a lot to see and do.

26. Sometime soon I plan to visit: Hillsdale MI

27. If you spend the night at my house: I'll treat you with Southern hospitality.

28. I'd stop my wedding if: the groom didn’t appear.

29. The world could do without: MTV

30. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: Yuk!

31. The most recent thing I've bought myself is: a Fall skirt cut on the bias with lots of colors.

32. The most recent thing someone else bought for me is: a dress

33. My favorite red head is: DD#2's boyfriend.

34. My favorite brunette is: my mother.

35. My car must have a sign on it that reads: teenaged driver aboard!

36. The last time I was drunk: not my cup of tea.

37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds: squirrels?

38. I shouldn't have been: so frank.

39. I should have: considered the other person's feelings.

40. Last night I: ate BBQ with my husband and DD#1.

41. There's this girl I know who: has defied the odds.

42: I don't know: what to wear for the wedding.

43. A better name for me would be: sergeant

44. If I ever go back to school I'll: be a widow.

45. How many days until my birthday? 221.

46. One dead celebrity I wish I'd met is: Hattie McDaniel

47. I've lived at my current address since: May 1988

48. I've been told I look like: my mother.

49. If I could have any car, it would be: Cadillac CTS

50. If I got a new cat tomorrow, I would name her: Cordelia

Homeschooling

*The practice of teaching one's children at home* All parents do it. That's not only my opinion, but also a dictionary definition. There is lots of teaching going on in our home. And so, that's why I consider myself a homeschooler.

Shedding a little more light on the issue, some of us teach our children at home exclusively and some send their children to boarding school, stretching the definition of *at home* to its thinnest. Even the families who teach mainly at home usually contract for some services within their communities in the same way that the family who contracts with the boarding school is outsourcing most of their teaching efforts.

For example, if a family is involved with a homeschool group or if they consolidate their efforts and one parent teaches a group science class, some services are outsourced. Consider that the practice of enrolling one's children in recreational activities (physical education) through local associations is also contracting for services. Even using one's public library is, in a sense, contracting for outside services.

And so, in our family, we chose to contract for some of the teaching efforts by sending our children to a private, Christian school. Although we highly regard our responsibility before God to teach our children (Deut 6), we chose to delegate a portion of this responsibility to some Christian helpers for a part of the day.

We never lost sight of our duty before God to bring up our charges in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Here's a link to a speech I gave several times. We continue to have the utmost regard for the Lord's Will and the vision He has helped us to have for their roles as Christian women of the 21st century.

With that explanation, now I will attempt to answer a questionnaire about which homeschooling books/resources I found most valuable or invaluable.

Homeschooling Meme

Dana/Dana (Okay, I'm (that's Ruthanne)breaking the rules here because Dana is not a homeschooler. However, she is very homeschool-friendly and loves life and learning. I really like Dana and would love to hear her thoughts on worthy educational resources.)

As you see I've been *tagged* And while there is no pressure to participate, I think I will. Actually I was thinking about these questions BEFORE I was tagged. And I started an answer....

So, in order to finish, I will break down the answers to one per day. Otherwise, the thought of putting all these ideas in one entry seems to keep me from completing the task.

That's the ticket...break it down into *doable* portions.

Touchstone

Shoutout to any of my reader/lurkers who subscribe to this magazine. I am looking for an article in the July 2006 issue. It's the one about cousins.

Leave me a comment if you are willing to email or snail mail me a copy of this article.

Thanks.

Sunday Sermon Series

For the past five weeks, and I expect for the coming five, at least, our pastor is preaching on various Scriptures and tying in the lives/works of historical personages. This is related to his particpation in Vision Forum's Mega History Conference which took place in July. I was unable to attend, and so, I am delighted to be hearing snippets JCM's lectures.

So, far we have covered 1) John Calvin and II Cor 10:1-6; Martin Luther and Romans 3; 3) Augustine of Hippo and Psalm 48; and 4) Survey of Martyrs from 1st cent thru 17th cent and John 15:16-27; and 5) Jesus thru the centuries and John 1:1-14 & Phil 2:5-11. Obviously, the hour-long sermons are just skimming through history, but they are informative and motivating.

One of the best effects of sitting under this type of Reformed preaching is the HOPE it inspires. Just like Gen Rbt E Lee in a letter to one of his captains, lamented that the *march of providence is so slow.......but that it is history that teaches us to hope.*

From my point of view, I dont want to be one of those people described by George Santayana.....who cant remember the past, and therefore, is condemned to repeat it.



PS Last Sunday, the girls sang a capella *Great in Thy Faithfulness* 

Wish you could of heard them :)

Meme for Five Things

Freezer
1)Bread and bread crumbs
2)Homemade soup
3)Nuts=pecans,walnuts,peanuts
4)Flour
5)Chicken Breasts

Closet
1)Upper rack=fall/winter clothes
2)Lower rack=spring/summer clothes
3)Floor(left)=dirty clothes basket
4)Floor(right)=shoe basket
5)Upper shelf=quilts/blankets

Car
1)Map
2)Jumper cables
3)Briefcase
4)Water bottle
5)Purse

Purse
1)Drivers License
2)Checkbook
3)Pen
4)Lipstick
5)Cell phone

On my mind
1)New employee
2)DD#1=Dec wedding
3)DD#2=Italian semester
4)DD#3=Newly collegiate
5)DD#4=Driving in AM traffic

Happy Birthday
DD#2, my artist/writer, is celebrating two decades!

In less than ten days she will be spending her Fall Semester studying art and writing in Italy!

She is the model in the painting in my Fine Art Friday entry over on my Xanga site.


Her special dinner menu which we all thoroughly enjoyed: Grilled Steak, Steamed Corn on the Cob, Steamed Broccoli, French Bread, NY Style Cheesecake w/fresh strawberries drizzled with hot chocolate fudge sauce.

Setting the Table
Just to give you an idea from last year's celebration, I'm posting this photo. This year's table setting uses a lime green cloth and napkins! Dishes are off-white with blue trim. Each place will have a knife, fork, spoon, dessert fork, and glass. Do you set the table completely for each meal in your home?

The colors and shapes on the plate have always captured my interest. In the case of our Low Country Boil, consider: The shrimp are pink and crescent-shaped. The sausage is red and log-like. The yellow/white corn is cylindrical or silo-like. The potatoes are small and spherical. The salad is very green, light and fluffy. Lest you think I a little *loco* with my efforts, consult my mentor, Mrs. Schaeffer, in her chapter on food, pgs 122-123, in Hidden Art of Homemaking.

A plate can be though of at times as a kind of *still life* - not a lasting one, of course, but lasting in memory. Dishes should be apart of the background for the colours of the food, and as one chooses dishes there should be some variety - even if the dishes are polished pieces of wood, shells, or large leaves from the jungle!

See my Fine Art Friday entry on my xanga site, too :)

Grocery Shopping

Although this rule is not hard and fast, Thursdays is my preferred grocery shopping day. If I were a *senior*, I might be tempted to switch to Wednesdays because of the discount offered :) But when the children were very young, I shopped only once per week and on Thursdays. It made for a good routine. We economized that way. We made friends at the store because they knew us.

So, since it's Thursday, I'm headed out to secure the foodstuffs for the Low Country Boil. Here's the menu. I won't embarass myself by listing the amount of each item needed to serve 16 guests, but I am wishing I could find my list from last year. It would save some brainwork.

Low Country Boil (shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes)
Caesar Salad (DH's favorite)
Coleslaw (Becky is bringing)
Rolls
Pickle Tray

Iced Tea, Beer

Dessert (Carolin is bringing)

PS Although I dont usually use coupons (I buy store brands), I do shop from a list and rearrange when I'm there according to what's on sale, not having studied the ads before-hand.

Low Country Boil
Taken last July, this photo relates what's happening today and now. Guests are coming for this fun feast on Saturday. I am busy shopping, cleaning, and cooking.

Details concerning the recipe will follow.

Pictured in the photo (L-R) DM, DD#3, Nephew, Nephew, DD#1, DD#4

The Brook

Seems as if I've lost my blogging stride, but I trust it will return in time. Routines and habits play a big role in how much I accomplish each day, so once that rhythm is in synch again, the posts should begin to flow.

Which makes me think of this neat poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and how Spurgeon capitalized on one of its phrases.

The Brook

I come from haunts of coot and hern,
I make a sudden sally
And sparkle out among the fern,
To bicker down a valley.

By thirty hills I hurry down,
Or slip between the ridges,
By twenty thorpes, a little town,
And half a hundred bridges.

Till last by Philip's farm I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.

I chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles,
I bubble into eddying bays,
I babble on the pebbles.

With many a curve my banks I fret
By many a field and fallow,
And many a fairy foreland set
With willow-weed and mallow.

I chatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.

I wind about, and in and out,
With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling,

And here and there a foamy flake
Upon me, as I travel
With many a silvery waterbreak
Above the golden gravel,

And draw them all along, and flow
To join the brimming river
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.

I steal by lawns and grassy plots,
I slide by hazel covers;
I move the sweet forget-me-nots
That grow for happy lovers.

I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,
Among my skimming swallows;
I make the netted sunbeam dance
Against my sandy shallows.

I murmur under moon and stars
In brambly wildernesses;
I linger by my shingly bars;
I loiter round my cresses;

And out again I curve and flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.