Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Free Stories for Children
I found the link for this site, that has stories for children, at Freakonomics.com.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day 2009
Today I planted an onion from the root and stem of an onion I bought last Saturday--I'm not sure which end the growth would occur, if at all. Since last Earth Day, I've become more ecology conscious. For example, Instead of purchasing African Violets annually, as I have for years, last year I started developing new plants from the leaves of my older African Violet plants.
Another positive ecological change I've made is with using vinegar for cleaning instead of using commercial cleaning products. I add a small amount when washing dishes by hand. Outside the house, I'm using recipes from Jerry Baker books to care for my lawn and outside plants. His ingredients avoids chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
In activities I've developed for 3-6 year olds, I have reduce my reliance on plastic and products from China. Instead, I make products out of wood, textile, and recycled metal to support activities.
Another positive ecological change I've made is with using vinegar for cleaning instead of using commercial cleaning products. I add a small amount when washing dishes by hand. Outside the house, I'm using recipes from Jerry Baker books to care for my lawn and outside plants. His ingredients avoids chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
In activities I've developed for 3-6 year olds, I have reduce my reliance on plastic and products from China. Instead, I make products out of wood, textile, and recycled metal to support activities.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Times Are Changing
Come together 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you'd better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Bob Dylan
In the 1960s when I was 12, I was selected to represent my church at a convention for several days. I no longer can recall how this all came about. I lived in Charleston, SC, and the convention was 100 miles away in Columbia, the state capital. I think my father, who was an official in the church, had a hand in the decision to select me. I received a point of contact, instructions, a bus ticket, and was on my way. I can't remember the point of contact doing much, but that was OK. Anyway, I shared a room with three older guys from other churches and did my convention thing. I had no problem, except dealing with being away from home alone for the first time. I returned home and gave my report on the conference. I've been on the road ever since.
This story came to mind over the weekend after I read an Associated Press story titled "Public doesn't believe woman raped, killed girl." In addition to the dismay of learning about another attack on a child, what struck me was the disbelief of the public. Even though the evidence led the police to the conclusion that the woman raped the girl, the public seemed to be locked onto a paradigm that certain people don't do certain things. If the suspect were male, the person would have been adjudicated by the public prior to evidence. Moreover, if the person were a minority male, a photograph of the questioning would be all it takes for the public to render guilt. That child abusers being caught are married is another thought-pattern breaker.
We're living in a time when old thought patterns may not fit, and we need to accept where we are and adjust our thinking and laws to fit new patterns. Even as I'm writing this entry and listening to the news out of Mobile, AL, the newscaster is reporting a story of a soccer coach (male) being arrested for abusing a child. The newscaster even remarks that the arrestee was a popular person in the community.
Indeed, we are living in changing times and must find more efficient methods to protect children. I hope no one asks me about deterrence methods. I must prove a warning that my opinions about such methods are draconian.
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you'd better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Bob Dylan
In the 1960s when I was 12, I was selected to represent my church at a convention for several days. I no longer can recall how this all came about. I lived in Charleston, SC, and the convention was 100 miles away in Columbia, the state capital. I think my father, who was an official in the church, had a hand in the decision to select me. I received a point of contact, instructions, a bus ticket, and was on my way. I can't remember the point of contact doing much, but that was OK. Anyway, I shared a room with three older guys from other churches and did my convention thing. I had no problem, except dealing with being away from home alone for the first time. I returned home and gave my report on the conference. I've been on the road ever since.
This story came to mind over the weekend after I read an Associated Press story titled "Public doesn't believe woman raped, killed girl." In addition to the dismay of learning about another attack on a child, what struck me was the disbelief of the public. Even though the evidence led the police to the conclusion that the woman raped the girl, the public seemed to be locked onto a paradigm that certain people don't do certain things. If the suspect were male, the person would have been adjudicated by the public prior to evidence. Moreover, if the person were a minority male, a photograph of the questioning would be all it takes for the public to render guilt. That child abusers being caught are married is another thought-pattern breaker.
We're living in a time when old thought patterns may not fit, and we need to accept where we are and adjust our thinking and laws to fit new patterns. Even as I'm writing this entry and listening to the news out of Mobile, AL, the newscaster is reporting a story of a soccer coach (male) being arrested for abusing a child. The newscaster even remarks that the arrestee was a popular person in the community.
Indeed, we are living in changing times and must find more efficient methods to protect children. I hope no one asks me about deterrence methods. I must prove a warning that my opinions about such methods are draconian.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Here is a Poem for a Slow Sunday
Not of School Age (1932)
Robert Frost
Around bend after bend,
It was blown woods and no end.
I came to but one house
I made but the one friend.
At the one house a child was out
Who drew back at first in doubt,
But spoke to me in a gale
That blew so he had to shout.
His cheek smeared with apple sand,
A part apple in his hand,
He pointed on up the road
As one having war-command.
A parent, his gentler one,
Looked forth on her small son,
And wondered with me there
What now was being done.
His accent was not good.
But I slowly understood.
Something where I could go--
He couldn't but I could.
He was too young to go,
Not over four or so.
Well, would I please go to school,
And the big flag they had--you know
The big flag, the red-white-
and blue flag, the great sight--
He bet it was out today,
And would I see if he was right?
Robert Frost
Around bend after bend,
It was blown woods and no end.
I came to but one house
I made but the one friend.
At the one house a child was out
Who drew back at first in doubt,
But spoke to me in a gale
That blew so he had to shout.
His cheek smeared with apple sand,
A part apple in his hand,
He pointed on up the road
As one having war-command.
A parent, his gentler one,
Looked forth on her small son,
And wondered with me there
What now was being done.
His accent was not good.
But I slowly understood.
Something where I could go--
He couldn't but I could.
He was too young to go,
Not over four or so.
Well, would I please go to school,
And the big flag they had--you know
The big flag, the red-white-
and blue flag, the great sight--
He bet it was out today,
And would I see if he was right?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Stress May Hinder Children's Brain Development
Economist.com has an article that reports on a study with claims that poverty from generation to generation may be the result of children growing up under stress. These children's brain do not develop normal working memory and their chance for upward mobility is reduced.
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