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1. When Calvin was a little boy, he learned best via the “hard way.” When I told him not to touch something because it was hot, he inevitably had to touch it anyway to make sure, and of course he burned his fingers because of it! He has always been that way. So when he learned to drive, his father and I warned him about making sure to keep to the speed limit because speeding tickets are expensive and insurance rate hikes go through the roof! And at the age of 20 1/2 Calvin still learns best by doing. He got a traffic tickets and court costs this week but was able to get on a $25/month payment plan. He hasn’t seen his insurance hikes yet. When will this kid learn that mom and dad just might know a thing or two about the pot holes of life that are avoidable!?
2. We had record heat here yesterday of 81 degrees. Pretty good for Ohio. I heard snow in the forecast for tomorrow. Weather wise, we are rarely bored.
3. This was a hard week getting back into the swing of things after spring break. The boys mainly stuck with math and Izzy and I stuck with reading and language arts. I guess we had to tackle or most difficult subjects first. Hopefully next week we can explore the rest of the curriculum. We did study the great state of California this week and got a bit of science in as well. To tie in with that study we are also reading a children’s book about the Donner Party – which although a bit morbid does emphasize the importance of making good decisions! Come to think of it it also points out the value of sticking with tried and true trails instead of looking for the short cut. Come to think of it – I might pass this book on to Calvin when we’re done.
4. Interestingly, the Breen Family, who were part of the Donner Party were strong Catholics. Their devotion during their hardships inspired Virginia Reed (also a member of the Donner Party ) to eventually convert Catholicism:
“I am a Catholic although my parents were not. I often went to the Catholic church before leaving home, but it was at Donner Lake that I made the vow to be a Catholic. The Breens were the only Catholic family in the Donner party and prayers were said aloud regularly in that cabin night and morning. Our only light was from little pine sticks split up like kindling wood and kept constantly on the hearth. I was very fond of kneeling by the side of Mr. Breen and holding these little torches so that he might see to read. One night we had all gone to bed — I was with my mother and the little ones, all huddled together to keep from freezing–but I could not sleep. It was a fearful night and I felt that the hour was not far distant when we would go to sleep — never to wake again in this world. All at once I found myself on my knees with my hands clasped, looking up through the darkness, making a vow that if God would send us relief and let me see my father again I would be a Catholic. That prayer was answered.” – Virginia Reed, “Across the Plains in the Donner Party.”
5. I got to take some new pictures for Find a Grave this week. Here’s a sample.
I took pictures for a family of three, all on one headstone. Apparently one of the women had a son and a picture was requested for that person as well. But a very active member of Find A Grave sent me a message that she had found him buried at another very close by Catholic cemetery – so at least they can now all be together in the cyber graveyard.
6. And here is a really neat crucifix I found out at that grave yard.
7. A while back I blogged about this girl, who managed to get through college debt free. Being a soccer ref was part of her game plan in high school. I think times have changed. We paid $65 for Sam to take the soccer ref course and another $65 or so for his ref uniform and supplies and thus far I have only been able to get him assigned to one game. At this rate I will be lucky to break even! And I think part of the reason for this is that a lot of adults are reffing games for the extra money! Which is going to make it extra hard for a newbie like Sam to get a gig.
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