The Great Turkey Walk

                                                        

"The Great Turkey Walk" by Kathleen Karr really has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but because it is about turkeys it seems weirdly appropriate at this time of the year.  I love to read this book out loud to my children and they laugh and laugh at my ridiculous southern drawl that I try to imitate.  It is a fun and a funny story!  I can't describe the book better than the back cover, so that is what I will use:

"In the days before intercontinental railroads, highways, and trucking firms, the only way to ge livestock on the hoof (or claw) to market was to walk it.  Many have been the tales of great cattle drives.  Hardly anyone remembers the great turkey walks, which required just as many heroics.

During the ninteenth century, feathered herds were routinely walked to Boston and other northeastern cities from surrounding farms.  These treks, however, rarely covered more than fifty miles.  The epic journeys took place in the West.  In 1863 one enterprising gentleman actually walked a herd of five hundred turkeys from Missouri to Denver with only a wagon drawn by mules, the birds, and two boy drovers.  Another entrepreneur of the period performed the same feat in reverse, walking a flock from California to the booming Comstock Lode of Carson City, Nevada, earning enough money to establish a famous cattle fortune.  These intrepid pioneers were the inspiration for Simon and his enterprise."

Enjoy this book: it is awesome!

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The Miracle of Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving was truly a miracle.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and the story of the pilgrims and indians are among my favorite stories of history.  It is popular in recent times to equate the 'miracles' of Jamestown with Plymouth, but in reality I believe that the true miracle happened in the Massachusetts Bay. 

I have great respect and admiration for both John Smith and Pocahontas, but the truth of the matter is, the people of the Jamestown Colony did not listen to either of them.  They colony was run by God-less men who wanted nothing more than wealth and prestige and who failed to take council from anyone expressing common sense that went against these goals.  The fact that it did not fail after the ridiculous loss of life that consumed so many of the people who immigrated there, my be considered by some to be a miracle.  I don't believe that.

In contrast, the Puritans who migrated to Plymouth were seeking religious freedom.  They set up a very forward-thinking government under the Mayflower Contract, and they had a sincere desire to follow God's will for them.  Were they perfect?  Not by a long shot.  Did they do the best they could with the tools they had available to them?  Absolutely - both physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Squanto was sent to these people to help save them.  Consider his life up to this point.  I believe that he was prepared in much the same way Joseph of Egypt was prepared to save his people.  God makes good things come from bad situations all of the time. 

"Wherefore, take heed, my belove brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil....For every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God." (Moroni 7:14-15)  We are subject to the trials and tribulations of earth life.  It is never easy - not for anybody.  When hard things happen to us, they can be blessings if they ultimately lead us to Christ.  On the other hand, if our 'blessings' lead us to complacency and idleness, they are not good things in Christ.  "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things..." (D&C 59:21)

At this important time of year and at this holiday, we have a time devoted to giving thanks.  Let's make sure we "do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances...inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours,"  (D&C 59:15-16) 

Share this holiday and this story with your children.  There are a LOT of great Thanksgiving books; I have a lot of them.  I would recommend that you read, "Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving" by Eric Metaxas.  It will be a blessing to them to understand God's hand in our story.
                                               
Because I think this book is so fantastic, and because I want some feedback, if you leave a comment (on any post) between now and November 15, your name will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of this book.  It can then be shipped to you to arrive before Thanksgiving Day.  :-)  You will be entered once for each comment.

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Picture Books for October

I decided it would be super cool to write about my favorite picture books each month.  I'll try to choose three of the best.  This month, I think about the harvest, especially pumpkins
                 
and apples.  So, those are my three book choices.  I choose every house with children should have these books both for their great pictures but also for the fantastic stories.

First:  "Tops and Bottoms" by Janet Stevens was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1995.  This is a tale of hard-working Rabbit outsmarting lazy Bear by trading land for crops.  Sometimes Rabbit gets the tops (lettuce and celery) and sometimes Rabbit gets the bottoms (potatoes and carrots) and then Bear is sure he will one-up Rabbit - he'll take the tops AND the bottoms.  You'll have to read it to find out who gets whom!
                                        

Second, "How to Bake an Apple Pie and See the World" by Marjorie Priceman is wonderful.  We have to read this book at least once each fall and then bake an apple pie.  You'll notice that with my insatiable appetite for geography, this really fits the bill!  The recipe for this pie takes you all over the world to find the ingredients in their original form.  No grocery store cinnamon, milk, butter, or sugar here.
                                       

And third is a new favorite this year.  Although we have only had it a couple of days, I think I have already read it to Brecklyn a half of a dozen times.  "Pumpkin Soup" by Helen Cooper was on the coffee table of our music teacher last week, and I knew that it would make a great book to set out to spark my children's interest at home.  It sure did.  Again, the illustrations are delightful and the message about being kind, not fighting, and taking turns are timeless and timely for any family with children.
                                         

I hope you enjoy these fall books as much as my family and I do!

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The French Revolution and G.A. Henty

We ended our studies last year with the Revolutionary War and the creation of the Constitution.  We started out this school year learning about the French Revolution.  What a great study in contrasts.  It has been very fascinating.  I have delved into the French Revolution more than I have ever before, and that is why it has taken so long to write this post: I wanted to be finished with all the books I wanted to read before I made my recommendations about them.  Something unexpected occured along the way. 

I am sure many of you are familiar with G.A. Henty.  He is a very prolific Victorian-era English author.  His books have received acclaim among Christians and homeschoolers for many years.  I am, now, ashamed to admit that I read one of his books for the first time today, notwithstanding I have 2 or 3 on my shelves.  I am now convinced that he is a must-read for children (12+) studying history and wanting to learn it from historical literature.  All the good I have read about him is true.  Most especially, though not exclusively, I highly recommend these books for young men.  It seems there is so much good literature for young women.  My own daughters love to read books by Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters.  These books seem to me to be in that calliber of writing.  Don't mistake me; the writing is not the same style as these female authors, but is great writing and full of adventure, excitement, piety without being preachy, and good advice, as well a smidge of romance.
                                                     

The book I read, "In the Reign of Terror: A Story of the French Revolution" had me hooked from the first chapter.  As Harry, an English boy, prepares to travel to France he receives this advice from his father:

          "You will see much that is new, and perhaps a good deal that you don't like, Harry, but it is better for you never to criticize or give a hostile opinion about things; you would not like it if a French boy came over here and made unpleasant remarks about English ways and manners.  Take things as they come and do as others do; avoid all comparisons between French and English customs; fall in with the ways of those around you; and adopt as far as you can the polite and courteous manner which is general among the French....If questioned, you will, of course, give your opinion frankly and modestly; ....Be natural and simple, giving yourself no airs, and permitting none on the part of the lads you are with; ....But on the other hand, do not be ever on the lookout for small slights, and bear with perfect good temper any little ridicule your...ways and manners may excite.  I need not tell you to be always straightforward, honest, and true, for of these qualities I think you possess a fair share.  Above all things restrain any tendency to use your fists...So, whatever the provocation, abstain from striking anyone.  Should you find that in any way your position is made intolderable, you will of course appeal to the marquis...but avoid anything like petty complaints."  (pages 8-9)

Besides such a plethora of great moral example, there is opportunity to talk about Voltaire and Rousseau, the Jacobin club, Robespierre, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the Bastille, and Tuillieries, and the guillotine.  Many a great conversation we have had about tyranny, anarchy, and Republican government.  I think we can learn so very much contrasting the American Revolution, which was truly a secession, and the French Revolution, which was a true revolution and which traded one tryanny for another after intollerable anarchy.  "...in England there is little fear of such an oubreak of democracy as that which is destroying France."  (page 64)  What a great time to have a discussion on what democracy is and what it isn't!
                                      

I am so excited to include these books in my history studies that I have ordered "The Boys Guide to the Historical Adventures of G.A. Henty" by William Potter.  I was able to download a collection of G.A. Henty books, "The Works of G.A. Henty" onto my kindle for $2.99. 

I want to add that if anyone is interested in a further study on Marie Antoinette, I can heartily recommend the book, "Marie Antoinette: The Journey" by Antonia Fraser.  This book is very comprehensive and informative.  There is so much mystery surrounding this woman that I greatly enjoyed reading a book that was exclusively devoted to presenting her as a person in her time.  The author was admittedly biased toward Marie Antoinette, but I did not find that any problem in the read.  It is definitely an adult or older youth book, 458 pages and very academic but worth it if you are interested.  A simpler book about her is included in the "Royal Diaries" series, "Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles, Austria-France 1769".  One of my daughters read this book and enjoyed it.
                                                                          

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The Toothpaste Millionaire

It must be so frustrating to try and follow a blog that posts so sporadically as mine does.  Sorry.....  I have several things in the works, though, so don't lose hope.  I had to send this to the head of the line.

It snowed today!!! I realize this is an overdo of the exclamation point, but it snowed today!!!  And not just a skiff in the morning that we woke up to and was melted by noon.  This snow stayed and then more came down in the afternoon.  Whatever?!  It is October!  But, the snow is directly related to my post tonight. 

After dinner, the four older girls headed out for their Young Women's activity.  Doug is in Houston, Texas (where, by the way, it is 80 degrees) and I was talking to him on the telephone.  I was whining about being cold and he told me to start a fire.  I complained that I didn't want to start a fire, so he suggested I ask Benjamin to do it.  Every boy always wants to start a fire.  So, Benjamin started a fire.  He did a great job, too, and within a few minutes the little girls and I were all sitting in front of it enjoying the wonderful enveloping warmth.  Than Benjamin said, "Can I get a blanket and spread it out in front of the wood stove and you can read us a book?  That is my favorite thing to do."  Oh, yes.  We spend many wonderful evenings (and afternoons and mornings) during the winter relaxing on a blanket in front of the fire and reading and talking and learning.  He said, "I'm sure you have a book to read to us.  You always you have something you want to read."

"Well, now that you ask....."  Of course I have something to read!  That's my job.



Two hours and two wide-eyed children later (Three year old Brecklyn was turning around and around on her back hitting everyone with her feet by the time we were done.) I finished the story and shooed everyone off to bed.  What kept a nine year old and a seven year old interested for two hours?  "The Toothpaste Millionaire" by Jean Merrill.  Actually, we stole it from the bedside of Amanda (12), who has been loving it, and I'm sure older children would like it as well.  Don't worry, we returned the book to its spot before she got home and so she is none the wiser.

This book tells the story of a 12 year old millionaire, his ideas and his business sense.  There is truly so much useful business information in here, I think this book would be a great jumping-off place for a class on entrepreneurship for young people, or old for that matter. It clearly explains overhead costs, business loans, company stock and shareholders, boards of directors, and management.  There is plenty of honest-to-goodness math in the story that is not forced or boring, just part of the excitement.  I am quite certain that much of this went over Benjamin's and Bethany's heads, but the story was entertaining enough that didn't even matter.  If I were reading it to older children, I would take time to talk about all the other ideas, but for this group the story was just right.

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David and Corrie, Faith, and Prayer

Today was General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and, as always, feel uplifted and enlightened.  Today our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, spoke about the power of prayer and the blessings our Father in Heaven gives us as we pray to him and follow his commandments.  I have a real testimony of that power and have seen in work in miraculous ways in my own life. 

Besides being strengthened by modern prophets and apostles and by ancient scripture, The Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, my testimony is strengthened when others share their testimonies with me.  Often times this sharing is through books.  I wanted to mention two of my favorite faith-promoting stories today.


Corrie ten Boom was a woman admired the world over for her courage, her forgiveness, and her memorable faith. In World War II, she and her family risked their lives to help Jews escape the Nazis, and their reward was a trip to Hitler's concentration camps. But she survived and was released--as a result of a clerical error--and now shares the story of how faith triumphs over evil.  I have read her book several times as I have needed a lift of faith and her story inspires me every time.  Her faith is real and her experiences remind me and reassure me that there is a God and he is aware of his children, even in difficult times and through trials and tribulations.

 

David's entire twelve-year life has been spent in a grisly prison camp in Eastern Europe. He knows nothing of the outside world. But when he is given the chance to escape, he seizes it. With his vengeful enemies hot on his heels, David struggles to cope in this strange new world, where his only resources are a compass, a few crusts of bread, his two aching feet, and some vague advice to seek refuge in Denmark. Not far into his journey, David decides that he needs some help and the only help available to him is in the form of a god.  He then must choose a god from among those he has heard about in the camp.  He chooses the God of David.  Then, he begins to pray to his God.  His prayers are so simple and sweet and sincere.  David's faith is so young and new and he is completely ready to turn his whole life over to God and trust in Him.  There is no pride and no holding back in his belief; David trusts in God. 

Both Corrie and David remind me that faith is simple and to trust God is to let go of the stress, the pain, and the pressure of life and let him take you in his own way and in his own time.  If I could just remember these lessons and perfect my own faith like Peter and Nephi and Esther and all the other heroes that I have that build my testimony in my God.


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Art

Once a week I try to do an art study with my children.  Sometimes we just learn about the artist and look at his work; other times we actually do some art work ourselves.  I have to admit, there are some things I am good at and love, and other things not so much.  Art is one of the 'other' things.  But, today the children and I had a great time.  You'll never believe who we studied:  Pablo Picasso.  As you may have guessed not being an artist, "modern art" is not very intriguing to me.  I don't like the disjointed feel of it and to the untrained eye, it looks childish.  However, I have a new appreciation for Picasso today. 

Last week we started our study by reading "Picasso (Getting to Know the World's Great Artists)" by Mike Venezia.
           

Today, suggestion of "Discovering Greatest Artists:  Hands-on Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters" by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Kim Solga, we painted 'Fractured Friends'.   Each child painted a picture of the child across from her at the table, we let the pictures dry, and then cut them out into cubes and glued them back together abstractly, imitating the Cuban art form.  It was really fun.  While the children painted, I read "Who Was Pablo Picasso?" by True Kelley. 

               

  

Next week, we are going to paint pictures in varying tones of the same shade, imitating Picasso's Blue Period. Picasso painted for an extended period of time in shades of blue after a dear friend died and he felt distraught over the situation. We will talk about the feeling associated with different colors and how a picture painted in that color would make you feel. 

Then, we will make collages, pictures made using not only paint, but any other materials we can find and we want to paste to our pictures.  Picasso was incredibly talented and diverse!  If you have not appreciated him before, take some time to do so.  I have never been so excited to get to art day before.  (I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I like it when combined with history and biography, though.)

Here are some other books I would recommend to teach about art and artists:



  

Lives of the Artists (And What the Neighbors Thought)

The Usborne Art Treasury: Pictures, Paintings, & Projects

                  

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