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| Have always wondered about the literature selection for high school students. Having had to wade through Silas Marner - actually will confess was enough a nerd that I generally enjoyed high school English. For the rest of the teenage world, however, required readings don't seem to hold their interest or relate to their experience of the world of that point. My kids required great prodding to get through and complete papers(although Kelly did develop an interest in Dostoysky). I can imagine their reactions if they had to read Pillars of the Earth over the summer(Mom, this is summer - I shouldn't have to think!). The sheer volume would have been daunting. Chances are half of the students in the class would have checked out a synopsis on the web and BS'd their way through the paper(technique verified by my friend's son Graham). Cleburne actually got off easy - Graham's schools English department required reading included Brokeback Mountain. | | |
| Have discovered my true purpose in life - the cat's heating unit. As the temperature drops, the cat follows me around the house - trying to train me that it is now time to go to bed. He then drapes himself across me, using my body heat for his comfort. Have not figured out why he won't use Sam - who is much toastier - perhaps Sam moves too much. | | |
| Great excitement today as John & Claire made it on a NY Times blog(A Rock-Star Welcome at the Youth Ball- The Caucus Blog -NYTimes.com) - their fleeting claim to fame - John is at least as his dad put it"shilling for a job." Eagled-eyed Sam also spotted them on Fox's coverage of the Youth Ball. | | |
| Where were you during the inauguration? John & Claire - standing with the throng freezing. Mom - library day. I -waiting for a blood draw. Clinic has a very nice hotel like waiting room, complete with comfortable sofa-ed T.V. viewing area. Everyone was glued to the t.v. - watching a dignitaries, former presidents, Obama daughters, etc. heading to their seats, listening to the prayers, awaiting the swearing in. Silence, except for the occasional nurse announcing the name of her next victim(actually she did the smoothest draw I have ever had). Those in various stages distracted for a moment from their condition, drawn into this historic event. Health care will be a big issue for the new administration. Government has cut any profit out of the drugs the clinic administers - office visit copays did not cover the cost of running the office. Changes made to improve the health care system and make it more affordable may cripple it instead. I selfishly hope that when my blood counts explode, that there will be a health care system to treat it. John & Claire have the youth ball tonight - staff ball tomorrow. Sandy,Angie, and Sophie(sleeping in car seat) went above and beyond - picking John & Claire up at Dulles and dropping them off within 10 blocks of Dupont Circle. If there is ever someone who should be FEMA director, it would be Sandy - food, sleeping bags etc. | | |
| While playing spies with Zac(5) on a very cold day, discovered what appeared to be a very dead lizard. On closer inspection, Lizzie Lou was not dead, only nearly frozen. Hand warmth brought him back from his semi-veg upside down looking dead state. Once the cold spell broke( as this is Texas - weather changes daily), Lizzie Lou was relocated to rock outcropping near the house. Lizzie Lou's opinions of the episode are unknown. | | |
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