Eltzroth's Xanga

Pillars of the Earth vs Cleburne Center of the Earth

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:37:55 GMT

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.

Cat's heating unit

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:27:42 GMT

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.

NYTimes Blog

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:14:03 GMT

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.

Inauguration

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:01:36 GMT

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.

The Rescue of Lizzy Lou

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:13:32 GMT

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.

Italian Food in Big Cleb

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:15:49 GMT

Fine food at the new Italian restaurant(don't know how new- haven't been down that way since Mom discovered Golden Corral) across from the mall - even wine. WINE? In big Cleb! Going the way of Connecticutt?

Kids are places I am not and wishing I was - Sweet Pea's in New York looking for work along with the flood of bankers - with son's election blogging is over and 1 months severence pay, said child is now in Hawaii.

Nothing rests

Everything moves

Everything vibrates

Hurricane Ike

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:02:09 GMT

Brother-in-law has 2 sets of house guests, no power, and minimal landscaping damage. Friend's daughter's 2nd floor apartment flooded - her boyfriend decided to fill their bathtub as an emergency measure, then took a nap. CNN had a great website with a live feed of the Galveston sea wall. Galveston residents who stayed were assured that that they faced certain death and should write their ss# on their wrists so their bodies could be identified. HEB closed at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Rain headed for Austin is not here yet - unlikely to appear. Dinoland exhibit at the gardens closed until Tuesday. Coast's lost souls are here - stressed and trying to make the best of it.

Wii Biddie

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:13:40 GMT

Friends are headed to California Sunday to take only daughter to school (film, USC, want to go sooooo bad - her course load sounds like a dream). After celebratory dinner last night , adjourned to their house to play Wii. Being of ancient times and having no teenagers in the house, had not done so before. Set-up had everyone laughing( became 6' at the push of an "A" button). Can see where it can become addicting - can now bowl badly in the surreal world as well.

My son called during the session and was very impressed that the biddie crowd was moving into the 21st century - if somewhat slowly. He is very happy that his new boss is from Houston - they can now talk pick-up trucks and barbeque to the horror of the Oregoneons.

The Joy of Planning Surprises

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:39:17 GMT

My husband has been planning THE BIG SURPRISE for over a month now - he has shown it to all our friends - even given my never-able-to-keep-a-secret sister full details. The folder labeled NASA has been strategically tucked between the driver's seat and console of his car. Constant reminders not to book anything else that day were given.

Any number of things could have given it away - my sister would have been an easy mark. A quick check on the internet under NASA would have revealed all. Sam, himself, is not known for being able to keep things of excitement under wraps long.

Left early Sunday - quick stop in Brenham to check on antique roses(my daughter is planning fall gardens) - wandered around Houston a bit searching for a missed exit - arrived at last around 3:30.

The part of NASA open to the public is no longer the stodgy we-made-it-to-the-moon-and-you-didn't - it's now party fun time kid activity center. A massive pirate island play area fills the entrance. Space ice cream lines gift shop walls( gift shop actually houses some of the only genuine artifacts ). Tucked in one corner is a small display with props, short films, ship, and small models from the Attack of the Clones. Small Jedi were attacking the display and each other with light sabers. Total of two adults(I was one) sat to watch the short film.

The film was to start at 8:00. Left to cruise around the surrounding area - tried out the local Dairy Queen(impressed that they actually knew how to give directions to a local book store). Back at 5:30 to wait in a very hot and long line to get back into NASA to be allowed to wait in another long time - mutiny of two meant we donated three tickets to the Ronald McDonald house.

Great time was had by all - a classic Eltzroth trip - drive 4 1/2 hours - stay 30 minutes, then leave.

Grandma Thompson

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:45:47 GMT

Grandma Thompson was laid to rest Saturday in a very traditional ceremony - viewing, funeral service, graveside service. Despite qualms about an open casket - admit she looked very much at peace. At the graveside service, she even got a little bit of snow.

Talk with other generations after the service - most (being Thompsons have made no plans) expressed desire to be cremated and ashes spread. Tried to sell the idea of donating the body to a medical school- should appeal to the ever frugal midwesterners - practical, a benefit to society in the training of doctors - cheap, medical school absorbs all the cost( relatives known to recycle everything) - and in the end, your survivors can still get the ashes to spread or hoard in vase on mantle. No interest yet.

Siblings were quite positive and worked amazingly well at dismantling Grandma's apartment - great stories about Grandpa and Grandma -