| Wednesday, September 08, 2010 |
|
|
| RUBE GOLDBERG IS A FAVORITE IN MY HOUSE [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/8/2010 |
| |
With a load of legos, connectix, a few paper towel rolls, bendy straws and duct tape your kids can make some amazing Rube Goldberg machines.
It is amazing what they can build and how much time they'll take (bonus). We've have catapults, dog entertainment centers and more.
Consider introducing your budding engineers or just 'wanna build something' kids to this neat guy - the end product here is never as interesting as the process. A bit of metaphor of our very lives.
Granted, we know heaven is much more important than the life we lead but the process we endure here on earth is much like a huge Rube Goldberg machine. For us, there is no ladder to heaven such as Jacob saw but rather a wandering, winding path through deserts, slavery, plagues and more. We know/hope we'll get there but there are some days when we wonder if what we've built will actually work.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38936882/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/8/2010 |
| |
Today is the Nativity of the Blessed Mother. Be sure to let your family know and plan a nice cake or visit to an ice cream place (my choice).
Send her a card - spiritually - and let her know how wonderful a mother she is and how your life would not be same without her.
No mother likes to be ignored or forgotten on her birthday - don't forget yours!
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| WHAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED HERE IS UNDER ATTACK ELSEWHERE [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/8/2010 |
| |
Homeschooling is a right many of us exercise here but other families are not so lucky. And who is to blame - The United Nations.
Several countries including Sweden, Germany and now Botswana claim that their adherence with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child makes homeschooling illegal.
I've never had any real issue with the UN as some do. I am not sure I understand its current purpose and certainly have cause for concern for many of its efforts but did not 'fear' their power. Until now.
Check out the story here:
http://www.hslda.org/hs/international/201009030.asp
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| Tuesday, September 07, 2010 |
|
|
| I LIKE "THE BOOK OF ELI" [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/7/2010 |
| |
I will admit I like movies where the bad guys get theirs and the good guy - despite huge struggles and himself - wins.
I am a huge fan of Russell Crowe's "Gladiator" and also now like Denzel Washington's "The Book of Eli" for this reason. I like seeing - once in a while - a strong, physical and forceful character winning.
But I will say, I am a bit surprised at the R-rating as it didn't seem any harsher than some PG-13 stuff I've seen and with no nudity at all.
The conspiracy theorist in me says the rating was to prevent a larger audience from seeing it when it first came out because "the book" is - spoiler alert - after all a Bible.
Few in Hollywood would want you thinking the Bible is actually a source of hope for a battered world.
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| OKAY - SO BURNING THE QU'RAN OR KORAN IS OKAY?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/7/2010 |
| |
Silly, silly, silly antics posturing as a stand against Islam and terror.
I do worry as some do what the backlash will be towards any Americans outside the USA (especially military targets).
I just can't see how this does any good.
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/7/2010 |
| |
Here at the wonderful world of Watkins and I survived, still love my kids and they all learned something.
I will admit that this year is headed to be a real adventure as we pray about Matt's entry into a Ph.d program or not, move closer to his work (should we forgo the Ph.d) or look for work closer to home or...or...or
Homeschooling actually has some familiarity to it but in that I have decided to give a one day a week co-op a try, it is also a bit more hectic.
So, here's to all the moms and dads out there educating their kids - be it all day long or not. Hats off to those who are doing the quick morning drive to their closest school or the long haul to the closest school.
I will be not drawn into any arguments of homeschooling vs. not. Those type of discussions are unfair to either side. All I want is parents to make a good decision, stick with it and be involved with their kids.
Have a great year and I'll appreciate prayers for the same here!
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| Monday, September 06, 2010 |
|
|
| WHEN THE EVIL OF ABORTION IS IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/6/2010 |
| |
Seriously - in my little town of Elkton we have the horrors of late term abortion. I cannot put into words what this does to my heart and soul.
Of course, you know it happens but still I had no idea there was an abortion mill in my town. No idea at all. I don't know how I could have found out but I would have been there at least once a week to pray the rosary as would others I know.
Forgive the shoddy reporting we endure here BUT at least it is being reported...
http://wjz.com/health/abortion.botched.2.1895727.html
The list of issues on this story are myriad but please extend some prayers to my little town and the young girl.
Is there an abortion mill in your small town? Do you know? Would you find out?
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| Friday, September 03, 2010 |
|
|
| BE CAREFUL OF THE NEXT AT-HOME 'PARTY' YOU GO TO! [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/3/2010 |
| |
Have you ever been caught in this? You are invited over to a friend's house and upon arrival discover it is actually a sales pitch for the couple's new home business or some shady pyramid scheme.
I am not talking about a legitimate invite to an Usborne Books party or even Amway but something seemingly legitimate that is actually pretty shady or suspect.
Matt and I endured this many years ago when some friends invited us over to dinner. Great! We don't get many of those invitations. We got a sitter and looked forward to an evening with adults. Instead we got an evening of a sales pitch for some telephone company pyramid scheme! Can't remember the company name but since then I've remembered the feeling of being bushwhacked - I didn't like it!
How's this for bushwhacking? Drug companies are sliding into social get-togethers to push a new products such as an IUD??!!
Seriously - in an attempt to push drugs as much as possible drug companies are hiring nurses/doctors to attend events and sell their products under the auspices of being helpful.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38980515/
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| DID YOU CATCH THE STUDY ABOUT LESBIAN PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS? [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/3/2010 |
| |
There was a study recently about how 'successful' lesbian parents are in raising healthy successful kids. Over at the Register, from the print edition there is a good critique of the value and quality of the study.
I found it interesting to discover that the study was completely composed of parental input. Nothing from the children, they just asked the moms (both of them).
I can understand their hesitancy to talk to the kids. I know for myself I wouldn't be too eager to have anyone talk to my kids about my parenting. I would worry about my kids remembering only my worst days and never recall the great days (which outnumber the bad). I would worry about what 'secrets' they might reveal such as my love for lounging in my pj's until 9-10 in the morning on some days. Such behavior might be interpreted as laziness by some rather than the casualness I intend.
BUT - when interviewing and collecting data for a scientific paper, to be published in a peer-reviewed journal you would hope for a more balance collection.
For despite every effort to honest, I would find it hard pressed to say honestly how good my children are at sports or in getting along with others. My hesitancy would be from wanting to be harsh towards my child but also not wanting to admit my own failings as a parent.
For if I were to admit that my child was overly sensitive or harshly critical of others is that not, at least in a small part, due to my parenting and teaching?
Read the article and the comments below and find a bit of satisfaction as I did. It is not that I want/hope/desire children of these partnerships to be miserable. Rather, I am greatly offended in the implied (and highly publicized) result that these children are some how better than children from a mother/father family.
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/2-mommies-are-better-than-a-mom-and-dad-combo/
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| PRAYERS PLEASE [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/3/2010 |
| |
I am distracted once again as Matthew is right now as I type also typing - taking an on-line GRE.
Yes, my husband well into his 40's is taking his 'first' standardized test since he was in high school.
He did not need a GRE to be accepted in the Master's program at Johns Hopkins but now as he is prayerfully deciding about pursuing a Ph.d he needs one for grad school admissions.
He's been faithful in practice tests, took a 'test taking' course and done his homework but he will readily admit that he suffers from test anxiety.
Pray, please for his success. Not so much in that he needs to do well for admission but more so that he knows that he really is smart. He is, his work and grades at JHU prove it, but he often doubts himself.
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| Thursday, September 02, 2010 |
|
|
| DISCOVERY CHANNEL HOSTAGE STAND-OFF [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
9/2/2010 |
| |
Did you catch the story? A group of Discovery Channel (right here in Maryland) employees were held by James Lee who had declared that people are the problem.
The story line is here and be sure to check out the link to Mr. Lee's TV story pitch:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38968317/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts
Mr. Lee's issues were the promotion of population growth that Discovery Channel (partnered with TLC) did with such shows as the Duggar's and their failure to stop the destruction of the planet.
Mr. Lee suggested programs that would highlight not only his "Race to Save the Planet" but a series based on the polemic sold as a novel "My Ishmael" written by Daniel Quinn.
I've blogged about that book in the past. Surprisingly, it seems to be required reading in some schools. Its basic plot revolves around the wisdom a talking gorilla can give us ignorant humans on everything from, yes, population to the environment as a whole.
I am not sure if this incident will bring back the overpopulation debate but comments for each of the stories covering the standoff are clear that a good number of people want us to begin to encourage - if not legally force - a population program.
China is spot-on with one couple/one child policy according to these folks. Over-population, despite the falling birth numbers around the world including here, is a reality for these folks. Sustainability which is necessary for a healthy world is not necessary for these folks.
If you find yourself with some of these folks in your family, or if you want to respond to a story you read on-line remember this key phrase: "Keep your politics off my uterus!"
They throw that one at us all the time in regard to our fight against abortion. Well, if we can't get involved in what is happening in their uterus, they can't get involved in ours.
If we are not allowed to try to save lives through our pro-life efforts they are not allowed to...
Read the complete entry...
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
Return to top of page.
|
| Pastoral Solutions
Institute Resources |
|
| Recommended Reading |
|
| |
| Contributors |
|
| Links |
Coming soon...
|
This site designed and powered by the Ridgefield
Group. |
|
