Archive for February, 2008
Giving in
Posted by Bethany in Bookishness on February 22, 2008
I’m not usually quick to jump on bandwagons. When things quickly become popular, I generally head the other direction. Especially where literature and entertainment is concerned.
I pride myself in liking classics. Or obscure things others might not like. And staying far, far away from things that make people stand in line for hours to get their hands on. Or stay out all night waiting for. I pretty much despise pop culture. Sorry Hanna Montana. You and yours just aren’t my thing. I’ll take Little Women.
So, when Harry Potter became the latest craze I was wary. It just made people crazy. Kinda like Hanna Montana is doing now. I wrote it off as not being for me. I had a bad taste about all the hype.
Well, that was years ago. Eragon did the same thing. It just became too popular, too fast. Surely it couldn’t have any substance. Kinda like Hanna Montana. (Sorry. I’m sure she’s a nice girl, she just drives me nuts!! If you hadn’t noticed….) When I did finally read Eragon, I loved it! (I haven’t seen the movie yet. Anyone know if it’s good?)
Well, my daughter grew up and became an avid reader. I managed to keep her from all the hype over the teen stars, and the most popular trends, etc. The kid loves classics. But Harry Potter fell into her hands. She quickly read the entire series and loves them.
I also had several people I trusted in the literary arts (like my husband) assure me the reading was great. Still I was skeptical. It’s too dang popular! Do you understand me???? I have issues with this!
Well, someone talked me into watching the first Harry Potter movie. I didn’t want to. I was uninterested. I didn’t want to like it. It also went against everything inside me to watch a movie that I haven’t read the book for. We generally have a rule that if the movie comes from a book, the book must be read before the movie can be seen. (We don’t actually start this until about seven or eight years old, so they all get to see Charlotte’s Web before they read it…)But, I was surprised to find that it was interesting. Hrmmmm…..
I was book shopping with Shiloh and Landon last week when I finally gave in and bought Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This is about a year after I watched the movie. I finished reading it today.
I’m heading out to get the next book tonight. I’m afraid I’m hooked!
And I’m ashamed for having ever compared it to something like Hanna Montana.
Explanation
Posted by Bethany in Inquiring Minds, Motherhood, Out of the Mouths of Babes on February 21, 2008
Back to Shiloh again. My oldest kiddo has a deep, driving need to know things. She wants to understand the intricacies of every person, thing, action, etc. As a young child, why was a favorite word. These days, at ten, it’s a bit more than that…
“That doesn’t make sense. What were they thinking?”
“But didn’t they think about what they were doing? What would happen?”
“That’s not logical. That makes no sense.”
My little girl is growing up. And, unlike me at ten, she doesn’t just accept “they just do” or “there’s not a good reason” as explanations.
Surely everyone’s actions are stemmed from well thought out plans. Right?
Now, I’m curious what you would say to a little girl who has questions about these type issues.
*Why would someone hurt another in order to make them feel better about themselves? Why do they think it’s going to make them feel better?
*How come people (kids in particular) who haven’t been taught to be kind, considerate, well mannered, etc., don’t just see others who act that way and change?
*Why does a difficult home life cause some kids to go crazy and others to become withdrawn?
*Why would anyone do something for no other reason than to just be mean?
*How come all parents aren’t more concerned with their children than themselves?
*Why would a parent, or another adult, encourage a child to misbehave?
Believe me, we talked about a fallen world, sin and evil until I’m blue in the face. We’ve discussed and talked and considered and pondered and my Shiloh is completely unhappy with the verdict.
What would you say? What is your explanation?
Speed
Posted by Bethany in Family Matters on February 20, 2008
My son loves the word speed.
“I can do the dishes speed Mom.”
“I run speed.”
“Oh. You can’t believe this. It’s so speed.”
He’s almost outgrown it sadly. The word speed suits him. But I suppose he cannot grow into adulthood, asking his business colleague to please complete the paperwork speed.
He never, ever says the word careful.
But alas, all that aside, this post is actually about my oldest daughter. Not my son. I can get off track speed. Sometimes before I even get on track.
The word speed doesn’t suit Shiloh. If you knew her, you’d likely never use the word speed when describing her. She can, and will, sit for an hour and stare in awe at an anthill. It takes an act of God to get her out of bed in the mornings. And as much as I love her, well, she’s not likely to place in a footrace anytime soon.
She can however, read speed. The kid can blow through books at unheard of speed. Her library time at school is early in the morning and she often has already finished her book by the time she gets home from school. She bought two new books Friday night at Barnes and Noble, and was half through the first one before we made it home. They were both read before the weekend was over.
Now, she’s on the kid computer, doing some reading assignments. She is supposed to read a passage, then click to another page to answer questions about what she read. She keeps getting a message, that won’t let her proceed because the computer doesn’t think she’s had enough time to read the passage.
This is frustrating the daylights out of her. “Aaargh!” she exclaims. “I’m reading at the same speed I always do!” She is now reading the passage, then counting to 60 before she clicks the next button. Or running and getting a sip of water from the kitchen before clicking ahead.
The girl has speed.
Fine Art
Hey, did you know taking a quiz can create works of art? Me neither!
Well, that is, I didn’t until I visited Mopsy. I’m always learning things from her!
Urgent Prayer Request
Posted by Bethany in Uncategorized on February 5, 2008
Some of you may know that in October my step-daughter came to live with us. Here’s a post that has some background links.
Things were not very good at home with her mother. We talked her mother into letting us take her for the remainder of the school year. It has been difficult and trying at times, but we have seen vast improvements in Kaylie’s behavior. There has been little contact with her mother.
Today, out of the blue, her mother and grandmother showed up. They wanted to visit with Kaylie and take her to the beach. They promised to be back with Kaylie at 12:00 noon.
At noon they were not here. Joshua called and they claimed they has stopped to eat and promised to be back at 1:00. At 1:00 they were not here. Josh called again, and they said they were 15 minutes away. After fifteen minutes had passed they stopped answering their phone. We’ve heard nothing since, although we’ve called several times.
We’ve contacted the law, but they said they really couldn’t do anything because we didn’t have any legal documents stating we had custody. We have called a lawyer and are waiting to hear back. We are basically sitting around waiting, and praying.
Please keep our family, and Kaylie in your prayers. These two ladies have already exposed Kaylie to harmful things. They are not Christians. Please pray she will be safe and that this can be resolved as quickly and painlessly as possible. Please pray we will be able to afford the legal help we will need. Please pray for our sanity.
Thank you so much.