Keep Calm and Carry On

          This was the first election in a long time where our family watched every debate, followed the news (which I hate with passion. Yes, I'm biased), and monitored the little maps showing the electoral college numbers. Our wish was that the other guy would win. As wonderful as the idea of 'our guy' winning, it was with greater saddness than just 'being the losers' that we watched the results roll in. No, this isn't the end of the world, but it did show the direction our society is moving.

The History Sentence from Classical Conversations

"Taxes, slavery, unemployment, and diseases all contibuted to the fall of Rome."

continues to play in my mind like a broken record.

At the height of the Roman Empire the people became greedy, wanted more without working for it, were taxed beyond belief  thereby causing business to move away or close, the free thinking beliefs regarding sexual behavior became common, and the diseases and passions that reigned within the Roman Army all led, in part, to its downfall. When military has no discipline while leadership in government hold to loose standards, morals, and laws the people become unruly and the nation crumbles. It seems to me the 'Roman' Empire' is falling again.

Thankfully, our hope isn't held in the waffling hands of our government and the mortal man. Rather, we are confident that the Lord knew and indeed wanted the leadership we have placed where they are. While we know that the turmoil and consequences that must be faced may be difficult, we are given nothing that we can not bear. He has been faithful in the past to care for our family. He will be faithful in the future. We need to trust Him. Hold things Loosely. Remain Faithful to the tasks given to us. Remember that our time is short.

All Hallows' Eve

Like most children who enjoy dress up, ours take that concept and perform it with relish. H's school has an Oktober fest with games, etc, including a costume contest. He decided to go as a Slender Man - a creature that has no facial features, wears a black suit, and evidently is quite fascinating among the high school students of today. C has been planning, since the days of unpacking lots of boxes LAST November, to be the Bubblewrap Queen. She saved tons of the packing material so that we could assemble her dress. When we took her out she received many comments, several strangers took pictures, and she only popped the bubbles that she accidently stepped on. - much to the amazement of facebook friends.

Is Nature History?

The first field trip of the year sent us to our local Natural History Museum. In we walked, ready to view the same ol' same old stuff we see every year. Not so! Much to our surprise the museum has changed some of their rooms, added new exhibits, and given the toured an opportunity to touch and play with some of history. The students loved it. The Parents loved it too.
Beginning with the new dinosaur rooms, we explored those that are long gone. We were still inundated with the MILLIONS of YEARS theory.. They have put lots of effort into promoting the ideas - even coming up with some new whoppers that they unknowingly contradicted  within the same exhibits - It made me wonder if they had one person read everything or just trust that everyone must write and believe the same thing, therefore it will all be correct.
I found the most fascinating display was of the dinosaur fossil found in Kansas of a Plesiosaur type animal that died while still carrying the unborn fetus. How did it and the other water dwelling fossilized animals get in Kansas you ask? Well their idea is that there must have been an ocean that ran through the middle of North America ages ago.  Hmmmmm. I have another theory....
Despite the lack of clear logic in some of their arguments we all enjoyed the lovely exhibits displaying the variety and creativity of God's creation. Does Nature tell a history? Yes, if you know where to look.

 "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth,

who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

 the moon and the stars, which You have ordained;"

 Psalm 8:1, 3

 

God designed Tic Tac Toe anyone?

 

 

Fall Wreath

Can you find the small bird???

Stuck in Tar

Visiting the  Page Museum with friends.

Classically Conversing with Colleagues

Enjoying the fellowship of friends. Assembling our Essentials notebooks as we prepare for Classical Conversations.

Pinterest Possibilites

Making an inexpensive wreath is a claim many pins suggest possible. One such suggestion is creating a large wreath using a pool noodle. Several months back I went in search of a pool noodle. According to one pin you should find a plethera of cheap ones at the dollar store. My local discount dealer sold only noodles that, when bent to wreath form, were smaller than premade wreaths at the same location. Keeping my eyes open throughout the following 6 weeks eventually landed two long noodles from a local thrift store.

Next came the ribbon. $6 for a 50 yd spool of red indoor/outdoor ribbon from my local craft store, $5 more for other fancy ribbons, and $3 for a big ol' letter 'B'.

No one in the family liked the finished product. Though the size of the wreath is indeed perfect for our 4' wide x 8' high door - it greatly lacked  what C. labeled 'fluff'.

So.....$10 more for flowers from the same craft store gave a slightly fuller wreath.

I'm still deciding if I should add to this or just wait till the fall and start again.

Mr. G.Q.

Water Polo Championships

After a fun summer of water polo competitions we made it to FINALS. Ranked second, Knollwood worked hard to maintain their position and come in 2nd in the end. They played 5 games over the course of 6 hours. It was a long, hard, and fun day.

Congratulating the winners

Coach Kyle, Ast. Coach Steven, C, and friends

Practicing the 2nd Amendment

The family had the opportunity to vist a gun range and practice their marksmanship skills. This was C.'s first time out. They all had a blast