http://www.hsperson.com/pages/child.htm
http://www.advice-for-parents.com/2007/11/what-can-i-do-about-my-preschooler-who.html
http://www.advice-for-parents.com/2007/11/my-child-cries-at-everything-part-2.html
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Friday, April 04, 2014
St Patrick
10 fun facts to share with your friends!
The most kids know of St. Patrick 's Day is that you must wear green
or you'll get a pinch from your friends. Adults see the day as an
occasion to celebrate, sometimes with green beer and other assorted
alcoholic beverages. However, few really know what they are celebrating
or why the holiday is so important, particularly in the Americas.The following 10 facts may help you to better enjoy this popular holiday.
10. March 17th is when Patrick died.
Saint Patrick is a saint of the Catholic Church, and his holy day is the day of his death, and subsequent entrance to heaven, rather than the day of his physical birth. After spending most of his adult life converting the pagans of Ireland to Christianity, St. Patrick went to his reward on March 17, 461 AD.
9. St. Patrick wasn't Irish.
St. Patrick wasn't Irish, and he wasn't born in Ireland. Patrick's parents were Roman citizens living in modern-day England, or more precisely in Scotland or Wales (scholars cannot agree on which). He was born in 385 AD. By that time, most Romans were Christians and the Christian religion was spreading rapidly across Europe.
8. St. Patrick was a slave.
At the age of 16, Patrick had the misfortune of being kidnapped by Irish raiders who took him away and sold him as a slave. He spent several years in Ireland herding sheep and learning about the people there. At the age of 22, he managed to escape. He made his way to a monastery in England where he spent 12 years growing closer to God.
7. St. Patrick used the shamrock to preach about the trinity.
Many claim the shamrock represents faith, hope, and love, or any number of other things but it was actually used by Patrick to teach the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and how three things, the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit could be separate entities, yet one in the same. Obviously, the pagan rulers of Ireland found Patrick to be convincing because they quickly converted to Christianity.
6. Legend says St. Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland.
According to legend, St. Patrick drove all the snakes, or in some translations, "toads," out of Ireland. In reality, this probably did not occur, as there is no evidence that snakes have ever existed in Ireland, the climate being too cool for them to thrive. Despite that, scholars suggest that the term "snakes" may be figurative and refer to pagan religious beliefs and practices rather than reptiles or amphibians.
5. Patrick's color is blue.
The original color associated with St. Patrick is blue, not green as commonly believed. In several artworks depicting the saint, he is shown wearing blue vestments. King Henry VIII used the Irish harp in gold on a blue flag to represent the country. Since that time, and possibly before, blue has been a popular color to represent the country on flags, coats-of-arms, and even sports jerseys.
Green was associated with the country later, presumably because of the greenness of the countryside, which is so because Ireland receives plentiful rainfall. Today, the country is also referred to as the "Emerald Isle."
4. The Shamrock is not the symbol of Ireland.
The shamrock is a popular Irish symbol, but it is not the symbol of Ireland. As early as the medieval period, the harp has appeared on Irish gravestones and manuscripts. However, it is certain that the harp was popular in Irish legend and culture even well before that period.
Since the medieval period, the harp has represented the nation. King Henry VIII used the harp on coins as early as 1534. Later, the harp was used on Irish flags and Irish coats of arms. The harp was also used as a symbol of the Irish people during their long struggle for freedom. Starting in 1642 the harp appeared on flags during rebellions against English rule. When Ireland became an independent country in 1921, it adopted the harp as the national symbol.
3. There are more Irish in the USA than Ireland.
Well, sort of. An estimated 34 million Americans have Irish ancestry. Some are pure-blood Irish, meaning they or their parents came from Ireland, but many more have mixed ancestry today. By contrast, there are 4.2 million people living in Ireland. This peculiarity has a lot to do with the troubled history of Ireland. During the potato famine in Ireland, millions of Irish left the country for the US. This diaspora of Irish continued throughout much of the 19th century. Great numbers of Irish immigrants filled factories, served as railroad laborers --and even joined the military, sometimes immediately upon stepping foot on American soil! During the US Civil War, entire regiments of troops were comprised exclusively of Irish immigrants. It wasn't until the economic boom of the 1990s that more Irish stayed in their native country than traveled abroad searching for better opportunities.
2. St. Patrick's Day in the US has a strong political history.
In the mid 19th century, the Irish faced discrimination much like that faced by African Americans. In a few rare instances, prejudice against the Irish was even more fierce! The Irish were culturally unique, Catholic, and because of deplorable conditions in Ireland, flooded into the US in large numbers. They were perceived as a potentially disloyal and were treated harshly. To combat this, the American Irish began to organize themselves politically. By the end of the 19th century, St. Patrick's Day was a large holiday for the Irish and an occasion for them to demonstrate their collective political and social might. While the political emphasis has faded along with the discrimination, the holiday remains ever popular as an opportunity for festivity regardless of one's cultural background.
1. St. Patrick's was a dry holiday in Ireland until 1970.
Aside from the color green, the activity most associated with St. Patrick's Day is drinking. However, Irish law, from 1903 to 1970, declared St. Patrick's Day a religious observance for the entire country meaning that all pubs were shut down for the day. That meant no beer, not even the green kind, for public celebrants. The law was overturned in 1970, when St. Patrick's was reclassified as a national holiday - allowing the taps to flow freely once again.
Saint Patrick is a saint of the Catholic Church, and his holy day is the day of his death, and subsequent entrance to heaven, rather than the day of his physical birth. After spending most of his adult life converting the pagans of Ireland to Christianity, St. Patrick went to his reward on March 17, 461 AD.
9. St. Patrick wasn't Irish.
St. Patrick wasn't Irish, and he wasn't born in Ireland. Patrick's parents were Roman citizens living in modern-day England, or more precisely in Scotland or Wales (scholars cannot agree on which). He was born in 385 AD. By that time, most Romans were Christians and the Christian religion was spreading rapidly across Europe.
8. St. Patrick was a slave.
At the age of 16, Patrick had the misfortune of being kidnapped by Irish raiders who took him away and sold him as a slave. He spent several years in Ireland herding sheep and learning about the people there. At the age of 22, he managed to escape. He made his way to a monastery in England where he spent 12 years growing closer to God.
7. St. Patrick used the shamrock to preach about the trinity.
Many claim the shamrock represents faith, hope, and love, or any number of other things but it was actually used by Patrick to teach the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and how three things, the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit could be separate entities, yet one in the same. Obviously, the pagan rulers of Ireland found Patrick to be convincing because they quickly converted to Christianity.
6. Legend says St. Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland.
According to legend, St. Patrick drove all the snakes, or in some translations, "toads," out of Ireland. In reality, this probably did not occur, as there is no evidence that snakes have ever existed in Ireland, the climate being too cool for them to thrive. Despite that, scholars suggest that the term "snakes" may be figurative and refer to pagan religious beliefs and practices rather than reptiles or amphibians.
5. Patrick's color is blue.
The original color associated with St. Patrick is blue, not green as commonly believed. In several artworks depicting the saint, he is shown wearing blue vestments. King Henry VIII used the Irish harp in gold on a blue flag to represent the country. Since that time, and possibly before, blue has been a popular color to represent the country on flags, coats-of-arms, and even sports jerseys.
Green was associated with the country later, presumably because of the greenness of the countryside, which is so because Ireland receives plentiful rainfall. Today, the country is also referred to as the "Emerald Isle."
4. The Shamrock is not the symbol of Ireland.
The shamrock is a popular Irish symbol, but it is not the symbol of Ireland. As early as the medieval period, the harp has appeared on Irish gravestones and manuscripts. However, it is certain that the harp was popular in Irish legend and culture even well before that period.
Since the medieval period, the harp has represented the nation. King Henry VIII used the harp on coins as early as 1534. Later, the harp was used on Irish flags and Irish coats of arms. The harp was also used as a symbol of the Irish people during their long struggle for freedom. Starting in 1642 the harp appeared on flags during rebellions against English rule. When Ireland became an independent country in 1921, it adopted the harp as the national symbol.
3. There are more Irish in the USA than Ireland.
Well, sort of. An estimated 34 million Americans have Irish ancestry. Some are pure-blood Irish, meaning they or their parents came from Ireland, but many more have mixed ancestry today. By contrast, there are 4.2 million people living in Ireland. This peculiarity has a lot to do with the troubled history of Ireland. During the potato famine in Ireland, millions of Irish left the country for the US. This diaspora of Irish continued throughout much of the 19th century. Great numbers of Irish immigrants filled factories, served as railroad laborers --and even joined the military, sometimes immediately upon stepping foot on American soil! During the US Civil War, entire regiments of troops were comprised exclusively of Irish immigrants. It wasn't until the economic boom of the 1990s that more Irish stayed in their native country than traveled abroad searching for better opportunities.
2. St. Patrick's Day in the US has a strong political history.
In the mid 19th century, the Irish faced discrimination much like that faced by African Americans. In a few rare instances, prejudice against the Irish was even more fierce! The Irish were culturally unique, Catholic, and because of deplorable conditions in Ireland, flooded into the US in large numbers. They were perceived as a potentially disloyal and were treated harshly. To combat this, the American Irish began to organize themselves politically. By the end of the 19th century, St. Patrick's Day was a large holiday for the Irish and an occasion for them to demonstrate their collective political and social might. While the political emphasis has faded along with the discrimination, the holiday remains ever popular as an opportunity for festivity regardless of one's cultural background.
1. St. Patrick's was a dry holiday in Ireland until 1970.
Aside from the color green, the activity most associated with St. Patrick's Day is drinking. However, Irish law, from 1903 to 1970, declared St. Patrick's Day a religious observance for the entire country meaning that all pubs were shut down for the day. That meant no beer, not even the green kind, for public celebrants. The law was overturned in 1970, when St. Patrick's was reclassified as a national holiday - allowing the taps to flow freely once again.
St. Patrick's Day is dedicated to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Despite popular belief, he did not rid the island of snakes, but did convert many of the Irish people to Christianity. But who exactly was he? Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents, but at the age of sixteen, was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders, who took the young man back home with them to be engaged as a slave. After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick managed to escape, and according to his writings; God spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland. This meant walking more than two hundred miles, but he eventually made it back to Britain. Not long after, he experienced a second dream, in which an angel instructed him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He spent the next fifteen years in Religious study, becoming a priest, and then fulfilling the angel's request. He was already familiar with the Irish language and culture so instead of enforcing his own Christian beliefs, he incorporated them into the traditional rituals. Since the Irish used to honour their gods with fire, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter and drew suns, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross.
Though he was not the first Christian in Ireland, he became the most influential one, and since it is believed that he died on March 17, 460 CE; that day has been set aside as his Saint's Day. http://www.victoriancanada.com/saint_patrick.html
The cynic might think there's more chance of finding St Patrick's Day celebrations in Shangai than on the Shankill and that Bali will see more wearing of the green than Ballymena.
But, while Protestants here have hardly been the biggest fans of Ireland's patron saint, who they say has been hijacked by republicans, several hundred Orangemen will still be on the march over the weekend on the Shankill and in Ballymena to commemorate St Patrick.It'll be a drop in the ocean admittedly among an estimated six million people around the world who'll be drowning their shamrocks over a weekend when only a minority of Ulster Protestants will raise a glass to Patrick on what's seen by some as the Catholic answer to the Twelfth of July.
But things are changing. Slowly. And in the past decade a growing number of unionists have started to embrace the saint they once accused Sinn Fein of politicising for their own ends. Especially in Belfast.
For several years in a row there was controversy as nationalists and republicans attending a St Patrick's Day concert and parade in the city centre waved Tricolours in a sea of green which was like a red rag to those of an Orange hue.
Belfast City Council responded by trying to neutralise the carnival – which this year runs for four days – by banning all flags and emblems in a move which encouraged Protestant community groups to join in the festivities.
But the fear this year is that tomorrow's St Patrick's Day pageant could raise tensions if large numbers of Tricolours are used as tools of triumphalism in the city centre where the restrictions on the flying of the Union flag at the City Hall have sparked weeks of often violent protests.
One leading loyalist is pessimistic: "I think relationships have taken a few steps back because the flag and symbols are again to the forefront of our differences. The worry is that the Tricolour may become an issue once more on St Patrick's Day at the City Hall where the Union flag has been the focus of attention for months."
Police are also aware that loyalist flag protesters have been threatening to demonstrate at the City Hall tomorrow which could be a major security nightmare on a day that is supposed to promote harmony and understanding.
The
irony of course is that St Patrick – and more specifically his Cross –
is part of the Union flag, "so every time we fly the flag we are
elevating and lifting up St Patrick," says the loyalist source,
reinforcing the conclusion the two sides here have been engaged in a
power struggle for ownership of St Patrick.
Sinn Fein
Councillor Mairtin O Muilleoir says he believes Belfast's St Patrick's
Day is becoming more of a cross-community event. "I don't want to
exaggerate it and we're not there yet but it's a testament to this city
that there is more of a shared occasion around St Patrick," he said.
Only one politician from the Unionist community has been ever-present at the St Patrick's celebrations in Belfast.
Dr
John Kyle, a former chairman of the Progressive Unionist Party has been
criticised in some loyalist quarters for his participation especially
in the days before flags were outlawed but he has no regrets and will be
in the parade tomorrow.
"I am happy to celebrate St
Patrick because he's a man to be admired and respected. In terms of the
Christian faith I believe Protestants and Catholics owe him a huge debt
of gratitude.
"He came to a country and changed it for good and he doesn't belong to either tradition."
Dr
Kyle finds the reluctance to take part in the Paddy parties by some
Unionist parties hypocritical. "Why is it ok for them to go to St
Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington and not to one in Belfast?
"I
think unionism undersells itself in terms of its heritage and it needs
to stop vacating shared space. We have instead to celebrate our shared
history. St Patrick is just as much part of the unionist heritage as the
nationalist heritage."
One Ulster Scots organisation –
the Ullans Academy – which includes churchmen, politicians and former
paramilitaries in its ranks – is trying to bring St Patrick back into
the unionist fold.
Each year the academy holds a St
Patrick's Day breakfast to which they invite Protestants and Catholics
to explore their common bonds with the patron saint.
The
former DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley, who regularly attends the breakfast,
used the occasion six years ago to call for St Patrick's Day to be
declared a public holiday in Northern Ireland.
Wearing a
sprig of shamrock, he told me how he admired the saint and preached and
wrote about him on a regular basis, describing him as one of the
greatest evangelists of all time.
Even at the height of Protestant hostility towards St Patrick his spirit was kept alive, ironically, by the Army.
Its
local regiments all received shamrock every March 17, usually from
members of the Royal Family under the watchful eyes of a veritable
battalion of Northern Irish journalists specially flown in for the event
by the Army.
Yet, when the soldiers went back to civvy street, the shamrock and the saint went to the back of their minds.
DUP
Assemblyman Sammy Douglas who has hosted the Ullans breakfast in
Belfast City Hall says: "I remember the excitement of going to St
Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena to see the presentation of shamrocks to
my brother and his colleagues in the Royal Irish Rifles."
But that was all there was to the MLA's engagement with the St Patrick's celebrations when he was growing up.
Douglas
says Protestant antipathy towards St Patrick is dissipating as they
re-claim him as one of their own "after years of seeing Catholics
flaunting him as a republican and nationalist icon".
"It's
still politicised in many ways. But I do believe things are different
now, though it's probably going too far to say Protestants would find it
easy to go along to the Belfast celebrations."
Ex-UDA
leader Andy Tyrie (left) has been pioneering an initiative to try to
correct the misconceptions of the past and as part of it, former PUP
leader David Ervine's brother Brian gave talks this month in both east
and west Belfast about St Patrick.
He says: "The idea is
to explode the myths and legends and I told the two audiences that St
Patrick is a candidate for a shared history between our two communities
when he is stripped away of his republican appendages and depoliticised,
making him acceptable to everyone here."
Ervine, whose
wife is promoting the Irish language in east Belfast, is convinced that
Protestants will want to learn more about St Patrick if the politics are
stripped away. "There's nothing to fear from him or the language," he
says.
The Orange Order, however, isn't fully on board the
St Patrick bandwagon yet. Its chaplain the Rev Mervyn Gibson says: "I
am happy to embrace St Patrick's heritage but not in the narrow
nationalist way it has been done recently.
"He has
definitely been hijacked but I do think that attitudes have altered over
the last 10 years as Protestants try to maybe not to re-claim St
Patrick but rather to share him.
"Certainly there's not
the same hostility as there was but many Protestants don't buy into the
green rivers and the New York parades but it is relevant with the
present situation that the cross on the Union flag is the cross of St
Patrick."
Just like Protestant churches, a number of
Orange lodges take their name from St Patrick. The Cross of St Patrick
LOL 688 says its aim is to promote his Christian message.
Five
years ago they were approached informally by a councillor to see if
they would take part in the St Patrick's Day celebrations in Downpatrick
where the saint is said to be buried.
But the idea was a non-starter because the Orangemen were told not to wear their collarettes or carry their banner.
Several
years earlier the Orange Order pulled out of a parade in Cork claiming
the safety of the small delegation of members who were scheduled to
participate couldn't be guaranteed. The order blamed Sinn Fein for
hyping up the situation with statements that the Orangemen's presence
would be offensive.
Like many Protestants, Mervyn Gibson says that as a youth in Belfast St Patrick wasn't part of his life.
"For me St Patrick's Day was only about the Schools' Cup final and the only march was rugby fans heading up the Ravenhill Road."
However,
the director of the St Patrick's Centre in Downpatrick believes more
Protestants do want to know more about Ireland's patron saint.
Dr
Tim Campbell says: "I work in the field and I know there has been a
huge sea-change over the last five or six years of people from a
unionist tradition who want to learn about St Patrick and to be more
involved in his celebrations.
"They want to find a way of
doing that because they don't necessarily want to be associated with a
parade that has a lot of flags and bunting in it.
"They
want to do it in a family friendly and safe environment. And we believe
we have been successful in doing just that in Downpatrick away from all
the politics where we can concentrate instead purely on a historical
figure."
However, not even Downpatrick which normally
attracts upwards of 30,000 people to its cross-community parade has been
immune from division.
In 2011 seven primary schools
pulled out and unionist politicians walked out after Sinn Fein
councillor Eamonn Mac Con Midhe carried a Tricolour at the head of the
St Patrick's Day parade.
He said he wasn't supporting
Down District Council's 25-year policy of flying the red and white cross
of St Patrick which he claimed 'had a military background'
However,
Dr Campbell says it's business as usual now in Downpatrick and for the
past two years a group called the Friends of St Patrick have held cross
community dinners in honour of the patron saint with DUP politicians and
Irish presidents attending them.
Tim Campbell says
Downpatrick is a lesson for everyone. "We want people to understand that
St Patrick was someone from Britain who became the patron saint of
Ireland and can be celebrated by everybody.
"We are
making inroads at making it all more inclusive. And there's more
interest among young people in St Patrick than there has ever been.
"But
he needs to be more central in the school curriculum particularly in
primary schools. Pupils need to learn more about him as a reconciling
figure."
Harder for some people to reconcile however may be the idea of a St Patrick's Day without drink.
Belfast
City Council has endorsed the idea of Sober St Patrick's Day championed
first in New York by businessman Bill Reilly, who is flying in from the
Big Apple for the celebrations here on Sunday.
Council officials are hoping his idea of a drink-free day will catch on in Belfast especially among students.
That
could be a tall order. Said one councillor: "It might be harder to
banish the booze from the Holylands than it was for St Patrick to get
rid of the snakes from Ireland." The spirit of
St Patrick was kept by the Army
Friday, January 03, 2014
The Important Thing About Yelling
FROM: rachel-macy-stafford
I cherish the notes I receive from my children -- whether they are scribbled with a Sharpie on a yellow sticky note or written in perfect penmanship on lined paper. But the Mother's Day poem I received last spring from my first-born daughter left a profound impact.
It was the first line of the poem that caused my breath to catch before warm tears slid down my face.
The important thing about my mom is ... she's always there for me, even when I get in trouble.
You see, it hasn't always been this way.
In the midst of my highly distracted life, I started a new practice that was quite different from the way I behaved up until that point. I became a yeller. It wasn't often, but it was extreme -- like an overloaded balloon that suddenly pops and makes everyone in earshot startle with fear.
So what was it about my then 3-year-old and 6-year-old children that caused me to lose it? Was it how she insisted on running off to get three more beaded necklaces and her favorite pink sunglasses when we were already late? Was it that she tried to pour her own cereal and dumped the entire box on the kitchen counter? Was it that she dropped and shattered my special glass angel on the hardwood floor after being told not to touch it? Was it that she fought sleep like a prizefighter when I needed peace and quiet the most? Was it that the two of them fought over ridiculous things like who would be first out of the car or who got the biggest dip of ice cream?
Yes, it was those things -- normal mishaps and typical kid issues and attitudes that irritated me to the point of losing control.
That is not an easy sentence to write. Nor is this an easy time in my life to relive because truth be told, I hated myself in those moments. What had become of me that I needed to scream at two precious little people who I loved more than life?
Let me tell you what had become of me.
My distractions.
Excessive phone use, commitment overload, multiple page to-do lists and the pursuit of perfection consumed me. And yelling at the people I loved was a direct result of the loss of control I was feeling in my life.
Inevitably, I had to fall apart somewhere. So I fell apart behind closed doors in the company of the people who meant the most to me.
Until one fateful day.
My older daughter had gotten out a stool and was reaching for something in the pantry when she accidentally dumped an entire bag of rice on the floor. As a million tiny grains pelleted the floor like rain, my child's eyes welled up with tears. And that's when I saw it -- the fear in her eyes as she braced herself for her mother's tirade.
She's scared of me, I thought with the most painful realization imaginable. My 6-year-old child is scared of my reaction to her innocent mistake.
With deep sorrow, I realized that was not the mother I wanted my children to grow up with, nor was it how I wanted to live the rest of my life.
Within a few weeks of that episode, I had my Breakdown Breakthrough -- my moment of painful awareness that propelled me on a Hands Free journey to let go of distraction and grasp what really mattered. That was three years ago -- three years of scaling back slowly on the excess and electronic distraction in my life ... three years of releasing myself from the unachievable standard of perfection and societal pressure to "do it all." As I let go of my internal and external distractions, the anger and stress pent up inside me slowly dissipated. With a lightened load, I was able to react to my children's mistakes and wrongdoings in a more calm, compassionate and reasonable manner.
I said things like, "It's just chocolate syrup. You can wipe it up, and the counter will be as good as new."
(Instead of expelling an exasperated sigh and an eye roll for good measure.)
I offered to hold the broom while she swept up a sea of Cheerios that covered the floor.
(Instead of standing over her with a look of disapproval and utter annoyance.)
I helped her think through where she might have set down her glasses.
(Instead of shaming her for being so irresponsible.)
And in the moments when sheer exhaustion and incessant whining were about to get the best of me, I walked into the bathroom, shut the door and gave myself a moment to exhale and remind myself they are children, and children make mistakes. Just like me.
And over time, the fear that once flared in my children's eyes when they were in trouble disappeared. And thank goodness, I became a haven in their times of trouble -- instead of the enemy from which to run and hide.
I am not sure I would have thought to write about this profound transformation had it not been for the incident that happened while I was finishing up the manuscript for my book. In that moment, I got a taste of life overwhelmed and the urge to yell was on the tip of my tongue. I was nearing the final chapters of my book and my computer froze up. Suddenly the edits of three entire chapters disappeared in front of my eyes. I spent several minutes frantically trying to revert to the most recent version of the manuscript. When that failed to work, I consulted the Time Machine backup, only to find that it, too, had experienced an error. When I realized I would never recover the work I did on those three chapters, I wanted to cry -- but even more so, I wanted to rage.
But I couldn't because it was time to pick up the children from school and take them to swim team practice. With great restraint, I calmly shut my laptop and reminded myself there could be much, much worse problems than rewriting these chapters. Then I told myself there was absolutely nothing I could do about this problem right now.
When my children got in the car, they immediately knew something was wrong. "What's wrong, Mama?" they asked in unison after taking one glimpse of my ashen face.
I felt like yelling, "I just lost a fourth of my book!"
I felt like hitting the steering wheel with my fist because sitting in the car was the last place I wanted to be in that moment. I wanted to go home and fix my book -- not shuttle kids to swim team, wring out wet bathing suits, comb through tangled hair, make dinner, scrape dirty dishes and do the nightly tuck in.
But instead I calmly said, "I'm having a little trouble talking right now. I lost part of my book. And I don't want to talk because I feel very frustrated."
"We're sorry," the older one said for the both of them. And then, as if they knew I needed space, they were quiet all the way to the pool. The children and I went about our day and although I was more quiet than usual, I didn't yell and I tried my best to refrain from thinking about the book issue.
Finally, the day was almost done. I had tucked my younger child in bed and was laying beside my older daughter for nightly "Talk Time."
"Do you think you will get your chapters back?" my daughter asked quietly.
And that's when I started to cry -- not so much about the three chapters, I knew they could be rewritten -- my heartbreak was more of a release due to the exhaustion and frustration involved in writing and editing a book. I had been so close to the end. To have it suddenly ripped away was incredibly disappointing.
To my surprise, my child reached out and stroked my hair softly. She said reassuring words like, "Computers can be so frustrating," and "I could take a look at the Time Machine to see if I can fix the backup." And then finally, "Mama, you can do this. You're the best writer I know," and "I'll help you however I can."
In my time of "trouble," there she was, a patient and compassionate encourager who wouldn't think of kicking me when I was already down.
My child would not have learned this empathetic response if I had remained a yeller. Because yelling shuts down the communication; it severs the bond; it causes people to separate -- instead of come closer.
The important thing is ... my mom is always there for me, even when I get in trouble.
My child wrote that about me, the woman who went through a difficult period that she's not proud of, but she learned from. And in my daughter's words, I see hope for others.
The important thing is ... it's not too late to stop yelling.
The important thing is ... children forgive -- especially if they see the person they love trying to change.
The important thing is ... life is too short to get upset over spilled cereal and misplaced shoes.
The important thing is ... no matter what happened yesterday, today is a new day.
Today we can choose a peaceful response.
And in doing so, we can teach our children that peace builds bridges -- bridges that can carry us over in times of trouble.
This post originally appeared on Hands Free Mama.
Rachel's book, Hands Free Mama, describes exactly how she transformed her distracted, perfectionistic, hurried life into one of meaningful connection, inner peace and gratitude. Hands Free Mama is currently available for pre-order and goes on sale January 7th.
I cherish the notes I receive from my children -- whether they are scribbled with a Sharpie on a yellow sticky note or written in perfect penmanship on lined paper. But the Mother's Day poem I received last spring from my first-born daughter left a profound impact.
It was the first line of the poem that caused my breath to catch before warm tears slid down my face.
The important thing about my mom is ... she's always there for me, even when I get in trouble.
You see, it hasn't always been this way.
In the midst of my highly distracted life, I started a new practice that was quite different from the way I behaved up until that point. I became a yeller. It wasn't often, but it was extreme -- like an overloaded balloon that suddenly pops and makes everyone in earshot startle with fear.
So what was it about my then 3-year-old and 6-year-old children that caused me to lose it? Was it how she insisted on running off to get three more beaded necklaces and her favorite pink sunglasses when we were already late? Was it that she tried to pour her own cereal and dumped the entire box on the kitchen counter? Was it that she dropped and shattered my special glass angel on the hardwood floor after being told not to touch it? Was it that she fought sleep like a prizefighter when I needed peace and quiet the most? Was it that the two of them fought over ridiculous things like who would be first out of the car or who got the biggest dip of ice cream?
Yes, it was those things -- normal mishaps and typical kid issues and attitudes that irritated me to the point of losing control.
That is not an easy sentence to write. Nor is this an easy time in my life to relive because truth be told, I hated myself in those moments. What had become of me that I needed to scream at two precious little people who I loved more than life?
Let me tell you what had become of me.
My distractions.
Excessive phone use, commitment overload, multiple page to-do lists and the pursuit of perfection consumed me. And yelling at the people I loved was a direct result of the loss of control I was feeling in my life.
Inevitably, I had to fall apart somewhere. So I fell apart behind closed doors in the company of the people who meant the most to me.
Until one fateful day.
My older daughter had gotten out a stool and was reaching for something in the pantry when she accidentally dumped an entire bag of rice on the floor. As a million tiny grains pelleted the floor like rain, my child's eyes welled up with tears. And that's when I saw it -- the fear in her eyes as she braced herself for her mother's tirade.
She's scared of me, I thought with the most painful realization imaginable. My 6-year-old child is scared of my reaction to her innocent mistake.
With deep sorrow, I realized that was not the mother I wanted my children to grow up with, nor was it how I wanted to live the rest of my life.
Within a few weeks of that episode, I had my Breakdown Breakthrough -- my moment of painful awareness that propelled me on a Hands Free journey to let go of distraction and grasp what really mattered. That was three years ago -- three years of scaling back slowly on the excess and electronic distraction in my life ... three years of releasing myself from the unachievable standard of perfection and societal pressure to "do it all." As I let go of my internal and external distractions, the anger and stress pent up inside me slowly dissipated. With a lightened load, I was able to react to my children's mistakes and wrongdoings in a more calm, compassionate and reasonable manner.
I said things like, "It's just chocolate syrup. You can wipe it up, and the counter will be as good as new."
(Instead of expelling an exasperated sigh and an eye roll for good measure.)
I offered to hold the broom while she swept up a sea of Cheerios that covered the floor.
(Instead of standing over her with a look of disapproval and utter annoyance.)
I helped her think through where she might have set down her glasses.
(Instead of shaming her for being so irresponsible.)
And in the moments when sheer exhaustion and incessant whining were about to get the best of me, I walked into the bathroom, shut the door and gave myself a moment to exhale and remind myself they are children, and children make mistakes. Just like me.
And over time, the fear that once flared in my children's eyes when they were in trouble disappeared. And thank goodness, I became a haven in their times of trouble -- instead of the enemy from which to run and hide.
I am not sure I would have thought to write about this profound transformation had it not been for the incident that happened while I was finishing up the manuscript for my book. In that moment, I got a taste of life overwhelmed and the urge to yell was on the tip of my tongue. I was nearing the final chapters of my book and my computer froze up. Suddenly the edits of three entire chapters disappeared in front of my eyes. I spent several minutes frantically trying to revert to the most recent version of the manuscript. When that failed to work, I consulted the Time Machine backup, only to find that it, too, had experienced an error. When I realized I would never recover the work I did on those three chapters, I wanted to cry -- but even more so, I wanted to rage.
But I couldn't because it was time to pick up the children from school and take them to swim team practice. With great restraint, I calmly shut my laptop and reminded myself there could be much, much worse problems than rewriting these chapters. Then I told myself there was absolutely nothing I could do about this problem right now.
When my children got in the car, they immediately knew something was wrong. "What's wrong, Mama?" they asked in unison after taking one glimpse of my ashen face.
I felt like yelling, "I just lost a fourth of my book!"
I felt like hitting the steering wheel with my fist because sitting in the car was the last place I wanted to be in that moment. I wanted to go home and fix my book -- not shuttle kids to swim team, wring out wet bathing suits, comb through tangled hair, make dinner, scrape dirty dishes and do the nightly tuck in.
But instead I calmly said, "I'm having a little trouble talking right now. I lost part of my book. And I don't want to talk because I feel very frustrated."
"We're sorry," the older one said for the both of them. And then, as if they knew I needed space, they were quiet all the way to the pool. The children and I went about our day and although I was more quiet than usual, I didn't yell and I tried my best to refrain from thinking about the book issue.
Finally, the day was almost done. I had tucked my younger child in bed and was laying beside my older daughter for nightly "Talk Time."
"Do you think you will get your chapters back?" my daughter asked quietly.
And that's when I started to cry -- not so much about the three chapters, I knew they could be rewritten -- my heartbreak was more of a release due to the exhaustion and frustration involved in writing and editing a book. I had been so close to the end. To have it suddenly ripped away was incredibly disappointing.
To my surprise, my child reached out and stroked my hair softly. She said reassuring words like, "Computers can be so frustrating," and "I could take a look at the Time Machine to see if I can fix the backup." And then finally, "Mama, you can do this. You're the best writer I know," and "I'll help you however I can."
In my time of "trouble," there she was, a patient and compassionate encourager who wouldn't think of kicking me when I was already down.
My child would not have learned this empathetic response if I had remained a yeller. Because yelling shuts down the communication; it severs the bond; it causes people to separate -- instead of come closer.
The important thing is ... my mom is always there for me, even when I get in trouble.
My child wrote that about me, the woman who went through a difficult period that she's not proud of, but she learned from. And in my daughter's words, I see hope for others.
The important thing is ... it's not too late to stop yelling.
The important thing is ... children forgive -- especially if they see the person they love trying to change.
The important thing is ... life is too short to get upset over spilled cereal and misplaced shoes.
The important thing is ... no matter what happened yesterday, today is a new day.
Today we can choose a peaceful response.
And in doing so, we can teach our children that peace builds bridges -- bridges that can carry us over in times of trouble.
This post originally appeared on Hands Free Mama.
Rachel's book, Hands Free Mama, describes exactly how she transformed her distracted, perfectionistic, hurried life into one of meaningful connection, inner peace and gratitude. Hands Free Mama is currently available for pre-order and goes on sale January 7th.
What Little Girls Wish Daddies Knew
I’m spending the morning waiting for my car in the repair shop. Four men in flannel (I missed the flannel memo) and I sit around smelling tires and inhaling exhaust fumes while an enchanting little fairy is in constant motion around her daddy. She climbs on him, giggles, turns around, and then she’s back to twirling on the tile.
She’s bouncing and spinning around in her pink frilly skirt. Her black cable knit tights are sagging around her tiny knees, and her puffy coat makes her arms stand out further than is natural. To top off the ensemble is a shiny crystal tiara. It’s been tacked down to her head with what appears to be about 60 haphazard bobby pins.
She’s probably four years old. So little, so vulnerable. She doesn’t seem concerned about it as she sings about teapots and ladybugs in her black Mary Janes. I feel myself tear up as I watch her. I tear up as I watch him watch her. She could not possibly know at four what impact this man, his character, or his words will have on her for years to come. And, maybe he doesn’t know either.
So, to all the daddies with little girls who aren’t old enough yet to ask for what they need from you, here is what we wish you knew:
1. How you love me is how I will love myself.
2. Ask how I am feeling and listen to my answer, I need to know you value me before I can understand my true value.
3. I learn how I should be treated by how you treat my mom, whether you are married to her or not.
4. If you are angry with me, I feel it even if I don’t understand it, so talk to me.
5. Every time you show grace to me or someone else, I learn to trust God a little more.
6. I need to experience your nurturing physical strength, so I learn to trust the physicality of men.
7. Please don’t talk about sex like a teenage boy, or I think it’s something dirty.
8. When your tone is gentle, I understand what you are saying much better.
9. How you talk about female bodies when you’re ‘just joking’ is what I believe about my own.
10. How you handle my heart, is how I will allow it to be handled by others.
11. If you encourage me to find what brings joy, I will always seek it.
12. If you teach me what safe feels like when I’m with you, I will know better how to guard myself from men who are not.
13. Teach me a love of art, science, and nature, and I will learn that intellect matters more than dress size.
14. Let me say exactly what I want even if it’s wrong or silly, because I need to know having a strong voice is acceptable to you.
15. When I get older, if you seem afraid of my changing body, I will believe something is wrong with it.
16. If you understand contentment for yourself, so will I.
17. When I ask you to let go, please remain available; I will always come back and need you if you do.
18. If you demonstrate tenderness, I learn to embrace my own vulnerability rather than fear it.
19. When you let me help fix the car and paint the house, I will believe I can do anything a boy can do.
20. When you protect my femininity, I learn everything about me is worthy of protecting.
21. How you treat our dog when you think I’m not watching tells me more about you than does just about anything else.
22. Don’t let money be everything, or I learn not to respect it or you.
23. Hug, hold, and kiss me in all the ways a daddy does that are right and good and pure. I need it so much to understand healthy touch.
24. Please don’t lie, because I believe what you say.
25. Don’t avoid hard conversations, because it makes me believe I’m not worth fighting for.
It’s pretty simple, really. Little girls just love their daddies. They each think their daddy hung the moon. Once in a while when you look at your little gal twirling in her frilly skirt, remember she’ll be grown one day. What do you want her to know about men, life, herself, love? What you do and say now matters for a lifetime. Daddies, never underestimate the impact of your words or deeds on your daughters, no matter their age.
FROM: http://tarahedman.com/girls-daddies-knew/
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Mental Models
A mental model is generally:
--founded on hardly quantifiable, impugnable, obscure, or incomplete facts
--flexible – is considerably variable in positive as well as in negative sense
--effects as information filter[disambiguation needed] – causes selective perception, perception of only selected parts of information
--compared with the complexities surrounding the world, it is very limited, and even when the scientific model is extensive and in accordance with a certain reality in the derivation of logical consequences of it. It must take into account such restrictions on working memory; i.e., well-known rules on the maximum number of elements that people are suddenly able to remember, gestaltismus or failure of the principles of logic, etc.
--sources of information, which one cannot find anywhere else, are available at any time and can be used.
Mental models are a fundamental way to understand organizational learning. Mental models are "deeply held images of thinking and acting." Mental models are so basic to understanding of the world that people are hardly conscious of them.
From: Wikipedia/Mental Model
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Monday, July 01, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Truth?
WordTruth
Truth
Adultery ... Far Worse than You Might Think
Biblical Insights that are Out of Sight (part 1)
Biblical Insights that are Out of Sight (part 2)
Born To Die: The REAL Christmas Story
Confession - Insight into the Real You
Confession - The Ultimate Test of Truthfulness
Counseling Must be Based Solely on the Bible
Discipleship Must be Based Solely on the Bible
Divine Sufficiency or Divine Deficiency
Do You Really Believe What You Say About Prayer?
Every Thought Captive
False Teaching In The Church And How To Oppose It
False Teaching that is Easily Recognized and Exposed
Forgetting Your Sins . . . What Does the Bible Say?
Free Speech Either Exalts Self or Honors God
God's Truth is Your Foundation for Life
Good Works are not Good Enough and do not Work
Grace, Mercy, and Peace
Gratifying Yourself or Glorifying Your Savior
Heaven ... Are You Going There?
Illuminating the Gray Areas of Life
Is Jesus Lord of Your Life?
Is Self-Love Biblical?
Lies and More Lies: Can Lying be Eliminated?
Life's Most Important Decision
Living a Life of Grace and Truth
Living by Faith or Living by Feelings
Rejecting Popular Untruths - Forgiving Yourself and Forgetting Your Sins
Salvation Explained by the Romans Road
Spiritual Realities Before and After Receiving Christ
Taking God's Name in Vain is More than Cursing
Telling the Truth is Naturally Impossible
The Futility of Forgiving Yourself
The Most Difficult People In The World - Fools and Scoffers
Trinity - Think Bigger
TRUTH - The Measurement for All Aspects of Life and Relationships
Truth in Life Basic for Growth in Christ
Truth is Personal, Not Merely a Concept
Unmasking Lies that Masquerade as Truth
What Do You Believe? . . . No, Really
Words - The Thermometer of Your Heart
Your Way or God’s Way … Your Choice
Truth
Adultery ... Far Worse than You Might Think
Biblical Insights that are Out of Sight (part 1)
Biblical Insights that are Out of Sight (part 2)
Born To Die: The REAL Christmas Story
Confession - Insight into the Real You
Confession - The Ultimate Test of Truthfulness
Counseling Must be Based Solely on the Bible
Discipleship Must be Based Solely on the Bible
Divine Sufficiency or Divine Deficiency
Do You Really Believe What You Say About Prayer?
Every Thought Captive
False Teaching In The Church And How To Oppose It
False Teaching that is Easily Recognized and Exposed
Forgetting Your Sins . . . What Does the Bible Say?
Free Speech Either Exalts Self or Honors God
God's Truth is Your Foundation for Life
Good Works are not Good Enough and do not Work
Grace, Mercy, and Peace
Gratifying Yourself or Glorifying Your Savior
Heaven ... Are You Going There?
Illuminating the Gray Areas of Life
Is Jesus Lord of Your Life?
Is Self-Love Biblical?
Lies and More Lies: Can Lying be Eliminated?
Life's Most Important Decision
Living a Life of Grace and Truth
Living by Faith or Living by Feelings
Rejecting Popular Untruths - Forgiving Yourself and Forgetting Your Sins
Salvation Explained by the Romans Road
Spiritual Realities Before and After Receiving Christ
Taking God's Name in Vain is More than Cursing
Telling the Truth is Naturally Impossible
The Futility of Forgiving Yourself
The Most Difficult People In The World - Fools and Scoffers
Trinity - Think Bigger
TRUTH - The Measurement for All Aspects of Life and Relationships
Truth in Life Basic for Growth in Christ
Truth is Personal, Not Merely a Concept
Unmasking Lies that Masquerade as Truth
What Do You Believe? . . . No, Really
Words - The Thermometer of Your Heart
Your Way or God’s Way … Your Choice
Monday, June 03, 2013
Conditional Logic Statements
Every geometry proof is a sequence of deductions that use if-then logic.
You write one of the given facts as statement 1. Then, for statement 2, you put something that follows from statement 1 and write your justification for that in the reason column.
Then you proceed to statement 3, and so on, till you get to the prove statement.
The way you get from statement 1 to statement 2, from statement 2 to statement 3, and so on is by using if-then logic.
A two-column geometry proof is in essence a logical argument or a chain of logical deductions, like
If I study, then I’ll get good grades.
If I get good grades, then I’ll get into a good college.
If I get into a good college, then I’ll become a babe/guy magnet.
(And so on . . .)
(Except that geometry proofs are about geometric figures, naturally.)
Note that each of these steps is a sentence with an if clause and a then clause.
From Logic for Dummies
Philosophy 103: Introduction to Logic
Philosophy 103: Introduction to Logic Conditional Statements and Material Implication
In logic, a conditional is a compound statement formed by combining two sentences (or facts) using the words "if ... then." A conditional can also be called an implication.
Wikipedia on Conditional Statements
You write one of the given facts as statement 1. Then, for statement 2, you put something that follows from statement 1 and write your justification for that in the reason column.
Then you proceed to statement 3, and so on, till you get to the prove statement.
The way you get from statement 1 to statement 2, from statement 2 to statement 3, and so on is by using if-then logic.
A two-column geometry proof is in essence a logical argument or a chain of logical deductions, like
If I study, then I’ll get good grades.
If I get good grades, then I’ll get into a good college.
If I get into a good college, then I’ll become a babe/guy magnet.
(And so on . . .)
(Except that geometry proofs are about geometric figures, naturally.)
Note that each of these steps is a sentence with an if clause and a then clause.
From Logic for Dummies
Philosophy 103: Introduction to Logic
Philosophy 103: Introduction to Logic Conditional Statements and Material Implication
In logic, a conditional is a compound statement formed by combining two sentences (or facts) using the words "if ... then." A conditional can also be called an implication.
Wikipedia on Conditional Statements
Relativeism might be my box!
Relativism is the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.
Although I do not believe in boxes..........there is no spoon in the Matrix, don't try to put God in a box, etc.
My friend decided I should try this on for size............see if the box fits!!
Relativism is not a single doctrine but a family of views whose common theme is that some central aspect of experience, thought, evaluation, or even reality is somehow relative to something else. For example standards of justification, moral principles or truth are sometimes said to be relative to language, culture, or biological makeup. Although relativistic lines of thought often lead to very implausible conclusions, there is something seductive about them, and they have captivated a wide range of thinkers from a wide range of traditions.
Definition from http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/
Major Relativistic Variables
5.9 Self-Refutation: Quicksand all the Way Down? Truth is the Achilles' heel of relativism. According to the normative thesis of strong truth-value relativism one and the same thing can be true relative to one framework and false relative to another, true for some groups and false for others, and ever since Plato's argument against this form of relativism in the Theatetus many philosophers have agreed that the view is self-contradictory or self-refuting. Plato's argument is sometimes known as the peritrope; it's a turning the tables, turning the relativist's line of reasoning back against itself to show that his thesis succumbs to the very relativity he defends. Relativists always face the occupational hazard of sawing off the limb they are sitting on, but with strong truth-value relativism they seem to cut down the whole tree. The Problem is General The problem of self-refutation is quite general. It arises when truth is relativized to a framework of concepts, beliefs, standards, or practices. It also arises for many of the more sweeping claims that central epistemic notions are somehow relative. If the epistemic relativist argues that all justification or rationality is framework relative, he lays himself open to the reply that his very claim is at best justified relative to his framework, only rational by his own standards, only defensible by his own guidelines, just as much a social construction as he insists everything else is. Plato's argument against strong truth-value relativism is typically said to go like this: either the claim that truth is relative is true absolutely (i.e., true in a non-relative sense) or else it is only true relative to some framework. If it is true absolutely, all across the board, then at least one truth is not merely true relative to a framework, so this version of the claim is inconsistent. Furthermore, if we make an exception for the relativist's thesis, it is difficult to find a principled way to rule out other exceptions; what justifies stopping here? On the other hand, if the relativist's claim that truth is relative is only true relative to his framework, then it can be false in other, perhaps equally good, frameworks. And why should we care about that the relativist's (perhaps rather idiosyncratic or parochial) framework? From: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/relativism/
Although I do not believe in boxes..........there is no spoon in the Matrix, don't try to put God in a box, etc.
My friend decided I should try this on for size............see if the box fits!!
Relativism is not a single doctrine but a family of views whose common theme is that some central aspect of experience, thought, evaluation, or even reality is somehow relative to something else. For example standards of justification, moral principles or truth are sometimes said to be relative to language, culture, or biological makeup. Although relativistic lines of thought often lead to very implausible conclusions, there is something seductive about them, and they have captivated a wide range of thinkers from a wide range of traditions.
Definition from http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/
Major Relativistic Variables
- Dependent Variables (What is Relative)
- 2.1 Central Concepts
- 2.2 Central Beliefs
- 2.3 Perception
- 2.4 Epistemic Appraisal
- 2.5 Ethics
- 2.6 Semantics
- 2.7 Practice
- 2.8 Truth
- 2.9 Reality
- Independent Variables (Relative to What)
- 3.1 Language
- 3.2 Culture
- 3.3 Historical Period
- 3.4 Innate Cognitive Architecture
- 3.5 Choice
- 3.6.1 Scientific Frameworks
- 3.6.2 Religion
- 3.6.3 Gender, Race, or Social Status
- 3.6.4 The Individual
5.9 Self-Refutation: Quicksand all the Way Down? Truth is the Achilles' heel of relativism. According to the normative thesis of strong truth-value relativism one and the same thing can be true relative to one framework and false relative to another, true for some groups and false for others, and ever since Plato's argument against this form of relativism in the Theatetus many philosophers have agreed that the view is self-contradictory or self-refuting. Plato's argument is sometimes known as the peritrope; it's a turning the tables, turning the relativist's line of reasoning back against itself to show that his thesis succumbs to the very relativity he defends. Relativists always face the occupational hazard of sawing off the limb they are sitting on, but with strong truth-value relativism they seem to cut down the whole tree. The Problem is General The problem of self-refutation is quite general. It arises when truth is relativized to a framework of concepts, beliefs, standards, or practices. It also arises for many of the more sweeping claims that central epistemic notions are somehow relative. If the epistemic relativist argues that all justification or rationality is framework relative, he lays himself open to the reply that his very claim is at best justified relative to his framework, only rational by his own standards, only defensible by his own guidelines, just as much a social construction as he insists everything else is. Plato's argument against strong truth-value relativism is typically said to go like this: either the claim that truth is relative is true absolutely (i.e., true in a non-relative sense) or else it is only true relative to some framework. If it is true absolutely, all across the board, then at least one truth is not merely true relative to a framework, so this version of the claim is inconsistent. Furthermore, if we make an exception for the relativist's thesis, it is difficult to find a principled way to rule out other exceptions; what justifies stopping here? On the other hand, if the relativist's claim that truth is relative is only true relative to his framework, then it can be false in other, perhaps equally good, frameworks. And why should we care about that the relativist's (perhaps rather idiosyncratic or parochial) framework? From: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/relativism/
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The information trail..........
It all began as a question about medieval carts.............and lead to Gnosticism..........
Ozark Medieval Fortress
These linkspages will direct you to information on a diverse array of topics relating to the material culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
Renaissance Technology
Gnosticism
The Gnostic Society
And thrown in for good measure.............Zoroastrianism
And the Oxford English Dictionary, all 20 volumes!!
With a little help from StackOverflow
Ozark Medieval Fortress
These linkspages will direct you to information on a diverse array of topics relating to the material culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
Renaissance Technology
Gnosticism
The Gnostic Society
And thrown in for good measure.............Zoroastrianism
And the Oxford English Dictionary, all 20 volumes!!
With a little help from StackOverflow
Monday, May 27, 2013
Celtic Myth Podshow
The Celtic Myth Podshow will tell you ancient tales and legends of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man bringing you the bravery of heroes and heroines, the magnificent pantheon of gods and goddesses and the magic and wonder of druids, faeries and folklore.
http://celticmythpodshow.com/
http://celticmythpodshow.com/
Merriam Webster dictionary
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoroastrianism
My favorite place to "hear" words!!
My favorite place to "hear" words!!
Welcome to the Phrontistery!
I stumbled on this website while looking for types of materials. The whole website is amazing!!
http://phrontistery.info/index.html
I'm your host, Forthright. Since 1996, I have compiled word lists in order to spread the joy of the English language. Here, you will find the International House of Logorrhea (an online dictionary of obscure and rare words), the Compendium of Lost Words (a compilation of ultra-rare forgotten words), and many other glossaries, word lists, essays, and other language and etymology resources. If you have a question, comment, addition, or suggestion, feel free to e-mail me. Happy word-hunting!
http://phrontistery.info/index.html
I'm your host, Forthright. Since 1996, I have compiled word lists in order to spread the joy of the English language. Here, you will find the International House of Logorrhea (an online dictionary of obscure and rare words), the Compendium of Lost Words (a compilation of ultra-rare forgotten words), and many other glossaries, word lists, essays, and other language and etymology resources. If you have a question, comment, addition, or suggestion, feel free to e-mail me. Happy word-hunting!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Freezer Meals
My daughter did a freezer meal weekend with friends and it gave me a great idea!!
I want to do something like this too!! The two biggest problems I face are 1) these pies are loaded with fat, gluten and sodium 2)I don't have any recopies for doing this!
So I am on a hunt for ideas.............
Convenience Cooking: 18 Freezer Meals from Martha
http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/freezer-meals#slide-1
Making 50 Freezer Meals in one Day
http://happymoneysaver.com/making-50-freezer-meals-in-one-day/
18 Casserole Recipes {including some that freeze and/or slow cook}
http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/08/18-casserole-recipes-including-some-that-freeze-andor-slow-cook.html
http://www.cranespiepantry.com/news_and_calendar.html
http://thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2012/10/freezing-chicken-pot-pies.html
I will look into this further...........
So I am on a hunt for ideas.............
Convenience Cooking: 18 Freezer Meals from Martha
http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/freezer-meals#slide-1
Making 50 Freezer Meals in one Day
http://happymoneysaver.com/making-50-freezer-meals-in-one-day/
18 Casserole Recipes {including some that freeze and/or slow cook}
http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/08/18-casserole-recipes-including-some-that-freeze-andor-slow-cook.html
http://www.cranespiepantry.com/news_and_calendar.html
http://thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2012/10/freezing-chicken-pot-pies.html
I will look into this further...........
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