Comfortably in Debt

"Everybody in Vanity Fair must have remarked how well those live who are comfortably and thoroughly in debt: how they deny themselves nothing; how jolly and easy they are in their minds."

Was this written about the Englishmen of 1848, or Americans in 2012? Oh Vanity Fair!

Title Swap for October

Miss Peregrines' Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
The Anatomy of Peace - Arbinger Institute
Education of a Wandering Man - Louis L'Amour
Eve and the Choice Made in Eden - Beverly Campbell
Tales From Shakespeare - Mary and Charles Lamb
To the Rescue: President Monson

Genevieve's Thoughts on Macbeth

I must say that reading it as an adult after joining the church was a much different experience from reading it as a non-member teen! While I remember a lot from performing in it then, I also remember being more into scary movies and more "desensitized" than I am now that I can create my own little bubble. I didn't remember Lady M being quite so creepy and evil, just crazy. Here are a few things that I remember coming to my mind:

1.The whole "fair is foul and foul is fair" theme that frequently pops up reminds me of (paraphrased) in the last days men shall call evil good and good evil.

2.The idea that even a good man, which Macbeth started out as, can become corrupt. No one is immune to temptation.

3.The question is that "would Macbeth have become king/ tyrant/ assassinated had he not known of the prophecy? (I know this is a common question, but it still intrigues me.) If he had let events run their course without the deceptions, would he have become king and perhaps been a better ruler and for a longer period of time?

4.It is amazing the fallacies that Macbeth has throughout. While he is willing to believe and realize the prophecy of him becoming king, he continues to try and undo the other things that have been prophecied... to no avail. It's like those people who spend their lives tearing down others only to find themselves alone and unhappy, which we see a lot of in the world today. Also, that while he bids the martyrs to heaven, he rarely contemplates his own eternal fate or consequence.

Thanks! Even though I wasn't able to come, it was nice having an excuse to read Shakespeare again.

Wishing I had a Mentor too.....

This month we read The Student Whisper that was written by Oliver DeMille and Tiffany Earl.  I found this book to be very helpful for the stage of life I am in right now.  I have been running a book group based on Classics and TJEd books for the last 3 1/2 years.  To say that my life has been transformed during this process, would be an understatement.  But if there was one gaping whole in my education right now, it would be a formal Mentor. 

In the first half of the book, Tiffany Earl takes you back into the beginning of her life.  I could relate to her honesty and her drive to make a difference in the world.  She shares what it felt like to be mentored Oliver DeMille.  What a incredible opportunity.  As I read about Tiffany's life goals, her struggle to reach them, and the guidance that she received, I began to look at my own.  It made realize that I am on a good road.  I have experienced some stumbling blocks, but I now have the courage to keep moving forward.

The second half of the book is by Oliver DeMille.  He explains in detail, how to be come a great mentor - a Student Whisperer.  This was so insightful.  I realized that I am Student Whispering my four children all ready in my own natural style.  But I can use some fine tuning.  I believe with time, I will be able to have a Master's touch too.

Even though I might not have the privilege of being personally Mentored by someone like Oliver, I am so grateful for this book and their insights.  It has helped me on my own path and mission.

Urban Survival (Again)

Its been a few weeks since we met to discuss the book Urban Survival Guide, but I wanted to add some of my thoughts to those that Emma wrote about it. Getting prepared for possible problems can be overwhelming. It can also feel scary because it means acknowledging that bad things can happen and that we are not always in control. (Darn it!) Although scary to consider at first, being prepared brings a measure of peace about the future. Certainly, I cannot be prepared for every single possibility. But I can cover some basics. There are so many resources out there, and any one of them can help you begin to prepare. I think where the Urban Survival Guide really excels is in giving you a plan, including small steps you can take today. It is a starting point with clear explanations for what you should get and what you need. It is broken up week by week, so you can focus on one area at a time.

Urban Survival

This month we read the book called Urban Survival Guide by David Morris.  This book was difficult emotionally to read because it makes you really think about what could happen in our society, in a very short time.  It makes you face the fact that we live in a very delicate situation that could become dangerous quickly.  For most people, thinking about urban survival is too much.  But I refuse to put my head in the sand.  I will try my best to be prepared for what every situation may come; and stay level-headed as we step into the unknown.

The following is a list of resources that we have found useful to prepare:

LDS Preparedness Manual - Christopher M. Parrett
Making the Best of Basics, Family Preparedness Handbook - James Talmage Stevens
Preparedness Principles - Barbara Salsbury
10 Essential Herbs - Lalitha Thomas
10 Essential Foods - Lalitha Thomas

We The People

"It turns out that Constitutional limits and language are only guaranteed to last as long as the people are vigilantly involved.  No matter what the Constitution says, it won't endure if the people don't closely read it and demand that it be followed.  In this sense they are the fourth branch of government:  The Overseers.

When the people, for whatever reasons, stop requiring officials and experts to adhere to the Constitution, those in power alter the Constitution, redefine its precepts, and sometimes mutually agree upon a revisionist and opportunistic definition of its language.  The people are left out of the process, and their freedoms decrease."

Pg 84

July's Title Swap

One Second After - William R. Forstchen
Beyond Capitalism and Socialism - Edited by Tobias J. Lanz
Boys Adrift - Leonard Sax
The Fisherman and His Soul - Oscar Wilde
The Peacegiver - James Ferrel
A Patriot's Handbook - Selected by Caroline Kennedy (CD's)
The Great Illustrated Classics
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - Dr. Marc Wiessbluth
Woolbur  - Leaslie Helakoski
The Declaration of Independence - Illustrated by Sam Fink
The Gettysburg Address - Illustrated by Sam Fink

Schoolhouses are Made Wrong

"Schoolhouses are made wrong.  If they must be, they would be built in a woods pasture beside a stream, where you could wade, swim, and be comfortable in summer, and slide and skate in winter.  The windows should be cut to the floor, and stand wide open, so the birds and butterflies could pass through.  You ought to learn your geography by climbing a hill, walking through a valley, wading creeks, making islands in them, and promontories, capes, and peninsulas along the bank.  You should do your arithmetic sitting under trees adding hickory-nuts, subtracting walnuts, multiplying butternuts, and dividing hazelnuts.  You could use apples for fractions, and tin cups for liquid measure.  You could spell everything in sight and this would teach you the words that are really used in the world. "

A Man's Character House

"Son, There is no question but what the thing you have done today deserves severe punishment.  You might have killed yourself or the horse, but much worse than that, you have injured your own character.  A man's character is like his house.  If he tears boards off his house and burns them to keep himself warm and comfortable, his house soon becomes a ruin.  If he tells lies to be able to do the things he shouldn't do but wants to, his character will soon becomes a ruin.  A man with a ruined character is a shame on the face of the earth."

Shakespeare Says it Best

"be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon'em"

Twelfth Night, or What You Will

Title Swap for April

Revealed Education - Jack Monnett
The Out-of-Sync-Child -  Perigee
Amazing Grace - DVD
Temple Grandon - DVD

What to do with the "Little Bird" who told you.....

" 'Oh! a little bird told us,' said Miss Browning.  Molly knew that little bird from her childhood, and always hated it, and longed to wring its neck.  Why could not people speak out and say that they did not mean to give up the name of their informant?"

March's Title Swap

Urban Survival Guide - David Morris
Happy for No Reason - Marci Shimoff
Absent in the Spring - Agatha Christe writing as Mary Westmacott
Behind Every Good Man - John By-the-Way

February's Title Swap

Girls on the Edge - Dr. Sax
Uncommon Genius - Denise Shekerjian
The Profound Effects of Music on Life - Auido CD, Andrew Pudewa
The Adverntures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat - Theoni Pappas
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