Well, homeschooling is definitely an adventure, to say the very least. We have been learning a lot about the wild west, the Oregon trail, cattle drives, and other related things from the mid-1800's. I even taught Seth how to make a lasso out of twine and showed him how, if made correctly, it tightens when the cow tries to run away. (A hidden talent of mine.)
Next thing I know, I wake up to find Batman dangling from the ceiling fan, fastened securely, swinging around the room. (Guess I'm a good teacher - but the application was questionable. Lesson for the teacher - comprehension and application are two very different things.)
Later in the day I saw that Batman had been removed, but the string (a.k.a. lasso) was still dangling there with the circle part at the end, awaiting it's next victim (or superhero), to give that realistic flying cape look as it spun around when the fan switch was turned on.
Making a mental note to take the twine of death down later (I was too lazy at the time), I started to walk away. All of a sudden a shreiking, wailing sound sends a chill up my spine. I quickly spin around to find behind me a most horrific site...
Milo, our cat, had jumped up to catch the rope in his mouth. He caught the circle end of it with his fang, which proceeded to snap tightly closed - hence my eyes beheld the nightmarish site of a cat dangling from my living room ceiling fan, wielding it's paws in utter panic and fear, trying to free itself from the grip of a cowboy knot.
To make a very long story short - cat has very sore gums and will be eating soft food for awhile, ceiling fan has one blade that hangs a little lower than the others, and Mom has decided that medieval knights is a really cool subject to study. Perhaps a battle ax, catapult, and pointed lance are a little less dangerous than a ball of soft twine???
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The El (poem)
Mesmerized by the El - effortlessly squelching the grid-pattern stronghold of Chicago skyscrapers, shooting early morning rays in every direction, slithering between buildings, having no regard for their overpowering presence.
God grant that I break the stronghold of struggles as I reflect YOUR light while wandering through my concrete wilderness, with no regard for defeat.
God grant that I break the stronghold of struggles as I reflect YOUR light while wandering through my concrete wilderness, with no regard for defeat.
Praise in Progress (poem)
My house of worship is a canvas cathedral, with a steeple of stars.
Commune with me around the warmth of the campfire.
Feel the sand in your toes as Christ felt; hear the whippoorwill call before dawn.
Taste the dew placed upon your skin as warm air releases her clutch.
Watch the breath of your being join nature as the cooler temperatures of evening dominate.
Come, worship with me where God whispers.
Commune with me around the warmth of the campfire.
Feel the sand in your toes as Christ felt; hear the whippoorwill call before dawn.
Taste the dew placed upon your skin as warm air releases her clutch.
Watch the breath of your being join nature as the cooler temperatures of evening dominate.
Come, worship with me where God whispers.
Winter Wetland Wonder (article)
Jan 16th, 2008
Janna Odenthal, Post Tribune correspondent
“Dead of winter” is an oxymoron, according to volunteers at the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, a non-profit organization that preserves and protects various regions within the Indiana Dunes. A group of people worked to restore life at Coulter Preserve, a recently acquired savannah along County Line Road in Portage.
Like a scene from Currier and Ives, volunteers in boots, hats and gloves stacked logs for future firewood, while snow embellished the pile. Squirrels watched with curiosity as the group took a break for grilled hot dogs, soup and hot chocolate.
On the site, Queen Anne's Lace grasps her arms around tufts of snow as if planning to add it to her treasure trove of jewels. Wispy hair of the Canada Wild Rye resemble a fountain's spray as it defies the wind's attempts to destroy her beauty. Leaves of Goldenrod stems curlicue themselves against the cold in a fashion no artist could dream of duplicating. Such is the winter beauty of the nature preserve.
The volunteer efforts will help increase the vitality of the ephemeral wetland. A grant from the United States Fish and Wildlife Services helps make it possible to restore the 66 acres that contains more than 200 native plant species.
Individuals cut trees and hauled brush to a chipper, creating mulch to be used along trails. The thinning of the canopy will bring sunlight to ground level for various flora, including the lupine plant, the sole food of the Karner blue butterfly larvae. Both plant and butterfly are federally endangered species native to Indiana.
This was one of many restoration projects through the year. Field coordinator Jim Erdelac said a strong core of volunteers provided 475 hours of work in 2008. He said he hopes for continued success in 2009.
“I try to work with the volunteers as much as I can to suit their interests and strengths so they could be most effective. To do what we did today would’ve taken three or four days if it weren’t for the volunteers that came out,” said Erdelac.
Parks are open to the public. Certain activities, animals and vehicles are prohibited.
For more information see website http://www.heinzetrust.org/, contact the land trust at 879-4725 or email volunteer@heinzetrust.org.
Janna Odenthal, Post Tribune correspondent
“Dead of winter” is an oxymoron, according to volunteers at the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, a non-profit organization that preserves and protects various regions within the Indiana Dunes. A group of people worked to restore life at Coulter Preserve, a recently acquired savannah along County Line Road in Portage.
Like a scene from Currier and Ives, volunteers in boots, hats and gloves stacked logs for future firewood, while snow embellished the pile. Squirrels watched with curiosity as the group took a break for grilled hot dogs, soup and hot chocolate.
On the site, Queen Anne's Lace grasps her arms around tufts of snow as if planning to add it to her treasure trove of jewels. Wispy hair of the Canada Wild Rye resemble a fountain's spray as it defies the wind's attempts to destroy her beauty. Leaves of Goldenrod stems curlicue themselves against the cold in a fashion no artist could dream of duplicating. Such is the winter beauty of the nature preserve.
The volunteer efforts will help increase the vitality of the ephemeral wetland. A grant from the United States Fish and Wildlife Services helps make it possible to restore the 66 acres that contains more than 200 native plant species.
Individuals cut trees and hauled brush to a chipper, creating mulch to be used along trails. The thinning of the canopy will bring sunlight to ground level for various flora, including the lupine plant, the sole food of the Karner blue butterfly larvae. Both plant and butterfly are federally endangered species native to Indiana.
This was one of many restoration projects through the year. Field coordinator Jim Erdelac said a strong core of volunteers provided 475 hours of work in 2008. He said he hopes for continued success in 2009.
“I try to work with the volunteers as much as I can to suit their interests and strengths so they could be most effective. To do what we did today would’ve taken three or four days if it weren’t for the volunteers that came out,” said Erdelac.
Parks are open to the public. Certain activities, animals and vehicles are prohibited.
For more information see website http://www.heinzetrust.org/, contact the land trust at 879-4725 or email volunteer@heinzetrust.org.
Hoodlums and Hippies (article)
Oct 20th, 2009
Janna Odenthal, Post Tribune correspondent
Neil Armstrong and Martin Luther King, Jr were shaping history. Feminism was on the rise. Muhammad Ali boxed his way to stardom and the Vietnam War was in full swing. It was the sixties.
Hoodlums and hippies, political activists and entrepreneurs went their separate ways. Recently, however, they all gathered to celebrate a common bond. These sixties teens are turning 60 years old this year.
Tony Gengo, classmate and owner of Tony’s Place Italian Restaurant and Lounge, hosted an alumni birthday bash for the Valparaiso high school class of 1967. He provided lasagnas, pizzas, a large birthday cake and school color balloons of green and white.
“It’s my birthday present to the class. It’s just great to get everybody together again,” said Gengo. “I was a hoodlum in high school – motorcycles, fast cars. I am absolutely one of the last guys that people in high school think would’ve done this. It’s like the Fonz doing a reunion.”
Gengo encourages his classmates to keep in touch with one another. He said he now appreciates the diversity of people and enjoys getting to know them better.
“At 16, your buddies are your buddies, and that’s it. You can’t see beyond that,” said Gengo. “But because you didn’t like someone 20 years ago doesn’t mean you’re not going to like them today. We’re such a throw away society. But friendships you should never throw away.”
Tammie Charnas compiled high school photos of each graduate. Clean shaven teen boys donned suits and ties. Girls in dark rimmed cat-eye glasses curled their shoulder length hair upward and outward.
More than 40 years later, these individuals laughed and hugged as they reconnected, reminisced and received updates on each other’s lives.
Ken Hudgins of Valparaiso reacquainted himself with classmate Keith Hardesty of Winamac. Although living in close proximity, it was the first time they’d seen each other since graduation. They discussed high school pranks, favorite teachers, sports, garage bands and more.
“The dances, senior prom, all the study that went along with high school, I liked it all,” said Hudgins. “I remember starting my first jobs – mowing, shoveling snow, doing a paper route. It’s been a great experience.”
During the era, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead had become household names. Peace symbols, bell-bottoms, tie-dye and fringe were original fashions during New York’s Woodstock Festival and San Francisco’s Summer of Love.
Jack Meece said he attended both events during his teen years. He talked about his hippie experience with his friends that evening.
“I loved high school. I looked forward to it. But one day I came to school with an earring in my ear, and the principal made me go home. It was a big deal back then,” said Meece. “The 60’s were great. It would be nice if it could stay that way forever.”
Janna Odenthal, Post Tribune correspondent
Neil Armstrong and Martin Luther King, Jr were shaping history. Feminism was on the rise. Muhammad Ali boxed his way to stardom and the Vietnam War was in full swing. It was the sixties.
Hoodlums and hippies, political activists and entrepreneurs went their separate ways. Recently, however, they all gathered to celebrate a common bond. These sixties teens are turning 60 years old this year.
Tony Gengo, classmate and owner of Tony’s Place Italian Restaurant and Lounge, hosted an alumni birthday bash for the Valparaiso high school class of 1967. He provided lasagnas, pizzas, a large birthday cake and school color balloons of green and white.
“It’s my birthday present to the class. It’s just great to get everybody together again,” said Gengo. “I was a hoodlum in high school – motorcycles, fast cars. I am absolutely one of the last guys that people in high school think would’ve done this. It’s like the Fonz doing a reunion.”
Gengo encourages his classmates to keep in touch with one another. He said he now appreciates the diversity of people and enjoys getting to know them better.
“At 16, your buddies are your buddies, and that’s it. You can’t see beyond that,” said Gengo. “But because you didn’t like someone 20 years ago doesn’t mean you’re not going to like them today. We’re such a throw away society. But friendships you should never throw away.”
Tammie Charnas compiled high school photos of each graduate. Clean shaven teen boys donned suits and ties. Girls in dark rimmed cat-eye glasses curled their shoulder length hair upward and outward.
More than 40 years later, these individuals laughed and hugged as they reconnected, reminisced and received updates on each other’s lives.
Ken Hudgins of Valparaiso reacquainted himself with classmate Keith Hardesty of Winamac. Although living in close proximity, it was the first time they’d seen each other since graduation. They discussed high school pranks, favorite teachers, sports, garage bands and more.
“The dances, senior prom, all the study that went along with high school, I liked it all,” said Hudgins. “I remember starting my first jobs – mowing, shoveling snow, doing a paper route. It’s been a great experience.”
During the era, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead had become household names. Peace symbols, bell-bottoms, tie-dye and fringe were original fashions during New York’s Woodstock Festival and San Francisco’s Summer of Love.
Jack Meece said he attended both events during his teen years. He talked about his hippie experience with his friends that evening.
“I loved high school. I looked forward to it. But one day I came to school with an earring in my ear, and the principal made me go home. It was a big deal back then,” said Meece. “The 60’s were great. It would be nice if it could stay that way forever.”
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Hide-and-Seek (article)
September 24, 2008
Janna Odenthal, Post-Tribune correspondent
The game of hide-and-seek continues throughout adulthood. Individuals search for missing socks and car keys on a regular basis. The pursuit of intentionally hidden items, however, is more enjoyable.
This sport is called letterboxing. It began in 1854 in DartmoorEngland, the setting for the Sherlock Holmes mystery series.
Weaponry required for this hunt includes pen, ink pad, rubber stamp, compass, logbook and a list of clues. The prey is a hidden box.
No score is kept, no battle lines are drawn and there's no trophy to take home. Yet this free game of hide-and-seek has gained worldwide popularity among all ages.
Crown Point resident Dawn Cade has found several letterboxes in the northwest Indiana area with her husband, Michael, and sons, Shane and Scott.
"It's really a wonderful way for the four of us as a family to be together, outdoors and active," she said. "We ended up enjoying places we've discovered in our community that we were previously unaware of. It's an exciting learning experience for all of us -- all the stuff that was in our back yard we had never done before."
The fun begins long before the game starts. Stamps can be either purchased or created. Individuals wanting to design their own stamp simply draw a symbol or picture on a rubber eraser, stamp or other object. They then cut away the remaining sections, giving depth to the image.
This stamp, an ink pad and a journal are then placed in a waterproof container and carefully concealed in a variety of obscure locations.
Letterboxes have been hidden in public parks and buildings, remote forests, sandy hills, under rocks, high in tree branches. The list is endless.
The hider chooses a method of revealing clues regarding the letterbox location. He then posts it on a Web site for others to read.
The clues can be straightforward or hidden within a story, they may consist of map directions, landmarks and more. They range from easy to difficult.
Then the search begins. The seeker prints the list of clues, grabs his kit and puts his detective skills to work.
When he discovers the letterbox, he commemorates his find by marking his stamp and initials in the box's journal. He then records the box's stamp in his own logbook.
His records can include additional information as he so chooses.
Players discover the wonders and challenges along the pathway of the scavenger hunt. While some clues lead to breathtaking views, others take participants through more difficult terrain. Each experience is unique and often keeps participants coming back for more.
Illinois resident Amber Dilbeck has found letterboxes during her travels through Indiana with her husband, Tim. She has both placed and found letterboxes throughout the country. She said it has become her hobby.
"Whenever we travel anywhere on vacation, we always try to save some time to find a couple letterboxes while we are visiting," Dilbeck said. "It has led us to see sights in the country that are a little off the well-beaten paths, and led to exciting, more unpopular but interesting and beautiful areas."
To learn more
For more information visit www.letterboxing.org or www.atlasquest.com.
Janna Odenthal, Post-Tribune correspondent
The game of hide-and-seek continues throughout adulthood. Individuals search for missing socks and car keys on a regular basis. The pursuit of intentionally hidden items, however, is more enjoyable.
This sport is called letterboxing. It began in 1854 in DartmoorEngland, the setting for the Sherlock Holmes mystery series.
Weaponry required for this hunt includes pen, ink pad, rubber stamp, compass, logbook and a list of clues. The prey is a hidden box.
No score is kept, no battle lines are drawn and there's no trophy to take home. Yet this free game of hide-and-seek has gained worldwide popularity among all ages.
Crown Point resident Dawn Cade has found several letterboxes in the northwest Indiana area with her husband, Michael, and sons, Shane and Scott.
"It's really a wonderful way for the four of us as a family to be together, outdoors and active," she said. "We ended up enjoying places we've discovered in our community that we were previously unaware of. It's an exciting learning experience for all of us -- all the stuff that was in our back yard we had never done before."
The fun begins long before the game starts. Stamps can be either purchased or created. Individuals wanting to design their own stamp simply draw a symbol or picture on a rubber eraser, stamp or other object. They then cut away the remaining sections, giving depth to the image.
This stamp, an ink pad and a journal are then placed in a waterproof container and carefully concealed in a variety of obscure locations.
Letterboxes have been hidden in public parks and buildings, remote forests, sandy hills, under rocks, high in tree branches. The list is endless.
The hider chooses a method of revealing clues regarding the letterbox location. He then posts it on a Web site for others to read.
The clues can be straightforward or hidden within a story, they may consist of map directions, landmarks and more. They range from easy to difficult.
Then the search begins. The seeker prints the list of clues, grabs his kit and puts his detective skills to work.
When he discovers the letterbox, he commemorates his find by marking his stamp and initials in the box's journal. He then records the box's stamp in his own logbook.
His records can include additional information as he so chooses.
Players discover the wonders and challenges along the pathway of the scavenger hunt. While some clues lead to breathtaking views, others take participants through more difficult terrain. Each experience is unique and often keeps participants coming back for more.
Illinois resident Amber Dilbeck has found letterboxes during her travels through Indiana with her husband, Tim. She has both placed and found letterboxes throughout the country. She said it has become her hobby.
"Whenever we travel anywhere on vacation, we always try to save some time to find a couple letterboxes while we are visiting," Dilbeck said. "It has led us to see sights in the country that are a little off the well-beaten paths, and led to exciting, more unpopular but interesting and beautiful areas."
To learn more
For more information visit www.letterboxing.org or www.atlasquest.com.
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