Sunday Wrapup 10/28/2010
Our local newspaper carried a surreal picture of milo piled on the ground near Ensign. It looked like colored sand art, with curving bands and patches of cream and red and brown dumped onto a giant pile--the result of elevators being too full to contain the incoming harvest.
The picture reminded me of Tom Stoersbach, a young man from Illinois who lived with my parental family for a month or more one fall. He was a hippie who had found the Lord. We met him while we vacationed in Colorado--the only such vacation we ever took. I remember riding with him somewhere one evening when the setting sun slanted across a field of red-ripe milo, and he said, "Milo is such a beautiful crop--so much prettier than corn." Ever since, ripe milo has put a smile on my face.
Against the backdrop of one blue-sky, temperature-perfect day after another, such as we've had this fall, the bright hues are a delight. New England has hillsides and mountains of autumn colors. We have fields of it, thanks to milo.
*********************************
I keep reading about Transient Global Amnesia (TGA), to see if anyone has found a clue to its cause. Last week I read something that made a lot of sense to me. The information came from Pakistan, which makes it a little difficult to learn more about how the information was or can be substantiated. Here's a quote from http://www.cidpusa.org/TGA.htm
"Current research at cidpusa has found that stress triggers a[n] inflammatory response similar to PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder] and the inflammation can result in a spasm of particular blood vessels [in the brain] resulting in the loss of memory."
This is the first time I have seen cited the connection between stress and blood vessel spasms as a result of inflammation. Interesting. I wonder if over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication would help head off such episodes.
Last Wed. eve. in church, after making several very normally pertinent comments, Dad quoted John 14:6 as a lead-in to another comment, then abruptly stalled out, and Shane, who was leading the discussion, moved on to the next comment. But a lot of people recognized that something strange was happening and were concerned. Our family recognized it as an "episode" of the kind he has had several times over the past few years. It lasted maybe five minutes, as evidenced by some abnormal swallowing activity, and little more. He remembers nothing of the event, and seemed to have no significant impairment following it.
Others wondered about a mini-stroke. I have stopped worrying about that since doctors have assured us that he has none of the normal risk factors for a stroke. Furthermore, some fairly extensive testing has not revealed any abnormal electrical brain activity (ruling out seizures), and no tumors are present. Our observation tells us that for Dad the episodes are always linked to extraordinary fatigue or some kind of stress.
If blood vessel spasms occur only when inflammation is present, both the randomness of the episodes, and their tendency to occur in clusters over a few days' time are explained. Spasms, by definition, are sudden and fleeting, so that would explain why they can come on in the middle of otherwise lucid speech, and be gone five minutes later, when normal blood flow to that area of the brain is restored. But as long as the inflammation is present, the spasms can come back--which would explain why Dad has sometimes had episodes several times in the course of several days. Presumably, when the inflammation disappears, the spasms disappear also.
As you may recall, Dad's doctor said he does not have TGA. He's seen two cases of it, and he doesn't think Dad's case is like those were. But he has no explanation for what is going on. I don't suppose he would be impressed with information from an obscure source in Pakistan or from any non-professional who would suggest an explanation he hasn't heard first from a "trustworthy" source--especially if it turned out to be something Ibuprofen could fix.
*********************
A lot of high school students, girls especially, seem to struggle with algebra and other advanced match courses. I sympathize with such students. Algebra wasn't a piece of cake for me either. I hated it, in fact, and have never had a desire to delve into it again to see if I might like it more a second time around.
Can anyone convince me that there's merit in continuing to require it for every student who wishes to acquire a standard diploma? I've seen it stymie many a diligent student--even some who are extraordinarily talented in other subject areas. I feel a little angry every time I see it.
If my experience is any guide, it's quite possible to graduate from college with honors without ever venturing beyond the equivalent of high school algebra II. I took this course after I got to college, and subsequently forgot what I learned, as evidenced by my limited ability to help high school students with algebra now. (Fortunately we have two other staff people who are good at it, so I don't have to be.)
Also, if my experience is anywhere near normal, carrying out the duties of a homemaker, or any non-professional job calls for the use of only the simplest algebra--grade school stuff, almost, if it calls for any at all. You can even be a high school teacher without knowing algebra.
So where does this "a proper high school education requires the knowledge of algebra" idea come from? Research that shows it to be essential? Job experience that confirms it? Common sense? Government mandates? Scripture? Solemn vapors? Enlightenment is requested.
***********************
On Wednesday of last week the nutrition class and I served rice with various lentils toppings for lunch to any student or staff member who wanted it. The only requirements were that if they wanted to participate, they had to taste every topping and couldn't "pig out" on any one topping. Also, the comments had to be limited to positive ones. At least one student declined initially, but crept back to the kitchen for a plate while others were going back for seconds.
Nutrition class students had prepared the various toppings in groups of two or three. The toppings included lentil stew, sweet and sour lentils, curried lentils, Egyptian lentils, and Dal (an Indian dish). One group prepared lentil burgers, so this one was a side dish rather than a topping. I cooked the rice. Several of the dishes were actually quite popular; others not so much so. I got to bring home the ones in the latter category. The lentil stew and the Egyptian lentils went home with the people who cooked it. All the groups had this option.
Lentils don't win any beauty contests, and they have a fairly nondescript taste. But I love lentil dishes that have been jazzed up with lots of veggies and spices.
Unfortunately, a few faux pas in the preparation process compromised the flavor in some of the lentil dishes. One was the misreading of teaspoons for tablespoons in the amount of salt to add to the curried lentils. Another was the insufficiency of onions in the Egyptian recipe. And we couldn't find black mustard seed on short notice for the Dal, which our recipe warned us not to replace with yellow mustard seed. We did it anyway, doubling the amount to help compensate for its comparative mildness. Some of the fresh seasonings called for (ginger, garlic, parsley, pepper, lemon juice) were replaced with their dried, canned, or ground counterparts, which I believe compromised some of the flavor. And optional flavors were omitted in some dishes (soy sauce, onions) which would have really improved the flavor in my opinion. But all in all, it was a good experience, and I hope it was a tiny step forward for teenagers who stand to benefit from food experiences beyond the familiar.
***********************
In typing class, some students complain about other students who have an eyes-on-the-keyboard habit. I remind students to keep their eyes on the monitor if I catch students looking at the keyboard, but I'm sure I miss a lot of what happens. In an effort to get a handle on it, I assigned every student to a different computer for this quarter, and angled the tables at the back of the room to give me a better view of the students at the back. I have one more trick up my sleeve if the problem persists.
**********************
I'm really enjoying some of the stories my comp students are writing. I learned about an accidentally wild tractor ride Marvin had several years ago involving a near upset, a deer hunting disappointment Lillian had (notable because of its rarity. Most of her deer hunting has been successful.), a fun extended family camp-out Jenni's family had, and a driver's ed experience Louise had.
I also learned about Bert, the sassy turkey at Jenni's family's farm, and Lillian's little brother's attempts to seek manly pastimes in a household "stacked full of girls," as Lillian put it.
They also wrote really bad essays, working hard to incorporate everything they have been taught to avoid. It was hard to grade those because I couldn't mark the wording--only punctuation, grammar, usage, and capitalization errors. Not much needed marking.
Occasionally I get a start when I go through these writing no-nos, and wonder how many times I've done it wrong. Am I still doing it wrong? I wonder. Then I tell myself what I tell my students sometimes. "Don't wait to do something till you can do it perfectly. If you do, you'll live in a state of constant paralysis."
**********************
Next week promises to be an unusual school week. We're planning to go on our long-anticipated field trip on Tuesday. No regular classes will be held on that day.
On Thursday and Friday there will be no school because all of the staff is going to the Christian school conference.
We're having choir on Wednesday instead of typing, roughly from 10:30-11:30. This is an appropriate concession to Lyle, whose choir practices have been canceled several times of late when there was no school.
The school conference is in Topeka this year instead of Kansas City. I'll be checking for signs of bedbugs in our hotel room before I unpack this time. As a precaution, I plan to keep my suitcase tightly closed and my purse zipped unless I'm using them.
Last year I seem to have brought only bites home with me--no bugs. That was uncomfortable, but far more tolerable than having to deal with the critters here in our house would have been.
*********************
We're doing a literature unit on poetry this month. Every student is to select and memorize a poem at least 24 lines long to be recited to the other students, along with some introduction and any necessary explanations. The poems need to be approved by a teacher ahead of time. Several shorter poems may be used instead of one longer one.
********************
We had parent teacher conferences on Monday and Tuesday of last week. These days are very long school days--at least 12 hours, but it's a good tradition and we always feel afterward that we've had some good insights into our students' lives. Just focusing on each student for a time, as we do during the conferences, is a good thing, and helps us think how we might be able to interact with them more productively.
*******************
For probably the first time this year I'm caught up on grading. It's a good feeling. I like it so well I'm scheming for ways to maintain it throughout the quarter. This is my "hard thing" challenge.
*******************
On Friday evening we had our annual prayer partners banquet. Linda Luane, Rebecca M., and Lois M. each had a short speech, and an octet sang a number of songs. As usual, the church was transformed into a festive scene, and the good food and conversation were part of the restful and refreshing time.
I sat beside an elderly friend of mine whose husband has lost a lot of mental function in the past year. I heard the theme of "hope" through her ears partly, but also through my own, as well as through the perspective of others whose lives I know well enough to know that hope is sometimes hard to come by.
Every speech was encouraging. I often wonder at such times whether I am so impressed by the talks because they are really outstanding (I bet the men would be surprised at what these women are capable of.) or because I so seldom hear women speaking publicly, and I'm not used to hearing someone speak who knows women's language.
The centerpiece for each table was a candle-lit cylinder made of ice with botanicals embedded in it. As the evening wore on, the cylinder melted into a bowl of water. I didn't inspect how the candle inside stayed lit, but it was pretty throughout the evening. Another neat trick was to put the tables side by side, approximating a square--the easy alternative to renting round tables, which are always more conversation-friendly than the long, narrow tables are.
********************
Whenever Shane comes here to work he brings the dogs, Lexi and Brandi, along. They sniff and romp and play happily, trotting around together or after anyone who works outside. They remind me how much I miss having a good dog. These Corgis have a wonderful temperament. They perk up their ears at the guineas, but don't give chase. I love that.
Not all our dogs have been this low-maintenance, but even the high-energy ones have been interesting--maddening too, at times, but I could never stay mad at them for long. I'm easily charmed by a friendly dog, even if he overdoes it sometimes.
********************
Tim told us this morning in church that their neighbor and friend Lester died shortly after midnight this morning.
Tim and Esther had befriended this man from down the street, and kept up the friendship when he moved into a nursing home. He died there.
I'm happy to hear of people reaching out like this to people around them, as Tim and Esther did. Josh and Misty live in town too, and I heard today that they recently attended a block party with their neighbors. I don't envy these town dwellers, but I'm glad for the good use they're making of their opportunities.
******************
Grant's girlfriend, Clarissa, from Washington state, plans to come here on Nov. 1 for a visit lasting several weeks. This will be the first meeting between us and her. Grant visited at her home in August. He plans to spend the winter there working on a snow removal crew.
I noted with interest in a recent news item that the Pacific Northwest is expected to be cold and wet this winter as a result of the weather patterns set up by the La Nina weather phenomenon. If that's the case, he'll have lots of work. He will be in the Spokane area.
******************
Several students from Sterling College were here this afternoon to shoot bow targets with Grant. He had connected with them in the cafeteria when Terry and he uncharacteristically ate there while they worked there. I was napping today and didn't even see them.
At least one of the guys actually goes deer hunting here in Kansas. He's from Iowa. We had a good time this evening speculating about what they do with a deer if they shoot one. Hang it up in the dorm room? Outside from a tree limb? Nothing I can think of sounds very logical--even if they have it dressed at a local butcher shop. What use can they make of the meat?
*****************
I made a batch of fresh salsa again on Saturday, and canned 7 quarts of tomato juice and 5 quarts of pickled Jalapeno peppers. I also gave away three grocery bags of Anaheim peppers on Friday, and sent several bags of sweet peppers to Joel and Shane's house. Hiromi had picked the peppers, and a tub full of tomatoes. I picked more yesterday.
Since a killing frost has held off longer than usual, these crops keep on producing uncharacteristically late into the year. We also have cool season fall crops growing and thriving with this extended season. We're watering again. One rain of a quarter inch within the past number of weeks has left things relatively dry.
*****************
Last Sunday evening Jim Unruh spoke at our church on the culture of poverty (not sure of the actual title). It's not posted yet on the centeramishmennonite.org website, but I'm sure it will be soon. When it appears, it would be well worth your time to listen to it.
*****************
A week from today will mark the beginning of fall Bible school, with Aaron Lapp from PA speaking on Revelation. The meetings last through Thursday evening.
*****************
Three-month-old Sabrina had another surgery this past week to redo a hernia repair and a shunt placement--neither of which held after the first placement. She is doing well again now, and might have come home from the hospital today.
*****************
Grant's cell phone emits a most annoyingly insistent crowing rooster sound every morning around 7:00. It goes on until he rouses enough to shut it off. At least it sounds more convincing than the miserable er-er-er-er of an earlier ringtone he downloaded.
The picture reminded me of Tom Stoersbach, a young man from Illinois who lived with my parental family for a month or more one fall. He was a hippie who had found the Lord. We met him while we vacationed in Colorado--the only such vacation we ever took. I remember riding with him somewhere one evening when the setting sun slanted across a field of red-ripe milo, and he said, "Milo is such a beautiful crop--so much prettier than corn." Ever since, ripe milo has put a smile on my face.
Against the backdrop of one blue-sky, temperature-perfect day after another, such as we've had this fall, the bright hues are a delight. New England has hillsides and mountains of autumn colors. We have fields of it, thanks to milo.
*********************************
I keep reading about Transient Global Amnesia (TGA), to see if anyone has found a clue to its cause. Last week I read something that made a lot of sense to me. The information came from Pakistan, which makes it a little difficult to learn more about how the information was or can be substantiated. Here's a quote from http://www.cidpusa.org/TGA.htm
"Current research at cidpusa has found that stress triggers a[n] inflammatory response similar to PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder] and the inflammation can result in a spasm of particular blood vessels [in the brain] resulting in the loss of memory."
This is the first time I have seen cited the connection between stress and blood vessel spasms as a result of inflammation. Interesting. I wonder if over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication would help head off such episodes.
Last Wed. eve. in church, after making several very normally pertinent comments, Dad quoted John 14:6 as a lead-in to another comment, then abruptly stalled out, and Shane, who was leading the discussion, moved on to the next comment. But a lot of people recognized that something strange was happening and were concerned. Our family recognized it as an "episode" of the kind he has had several times over the past few years. It lasted maybe five minutes, as evidenced by some abnormal swallowing activity, and little more. He remembers nothing of the event, and seemed to have no significant impairment following it.
Others wondered about a mini-stroke. I have stopped worrying about that since doctors have assured us that he has none of the normal risk factors for a stroke. Furthermore, some fairly extensive testing has not revealed any abnormal electrical brain activity (ruling out seizures), and no tumors are present. Our observation tells us that for Dad the episodes are always linked to extraordinary fatigue or some kind of stress.
If blood vessel spasms occur only when inflammation is present, both the randomness of the episodes, and their tendency to occur in clusters over a few days' time are explained. Spasms, by definition, are sudden and fleeting, so that would explain why they can come on in the middle of otherwise lucid speech, and be gone five minutes later, when normal blood flow to that area of the brain is restored. But as long as the inflammation is present, the spasms can come back--which would explain why Dad has sometimes had episodes several times in the course of several days. Presumably, when the inflammation disappears, the spasms disappear also.
As you may recall, Dad's doctor said he does not have TGA. He's seen two cases of it, and he doesn't think Dad's case is like those were. But he has no explanation for what is going on. I don't suppose he would be impressed with information from an obscure source in Pakistan or from any non-professional who would suggest an explanation he hasn't heard first from a "trustworthy" source--especially if it turned out to be something Ibuprofen could fix.
*********************
A lot of high school students, girls especially, seem to struggle with algebra and other advanced match courses. I sympathize with such students. Algebra wasn't a piece of cake for me either. I hated it, in fact, and have never had a desire to delve into it again to see if I might like it more a second time around.
Can anyone convince me that there's merit in continuing to require it for every student who wishes to acquire a standard diploma? I've seen it stymie many a diligent student--even some who are extraordinarily talented in other subject areas. I feel a little angry every time I see it.
If my experience is any guide, it's quite possible to graduate from college with honors without ever venturing beyond the equivalent of high school algebra II. I took this course after I got to college, and subsequently forgot what I learned, as evidenced by my limited ability to help high school students with algebra now. (Fortunately we have two other staff people who are good at it, so I don't have to be.)
Also, if my experience is anywhere near normal, carrying out the duties of a homemaker, or any non-professional job calls for the use of only the simplest algebra--grade school stuff, almost, if it calls for any at all. You can even be a high school teacher without knowing algebra.
So where does this "a proper high school education requires the knowledge of algebra" idea come from? Research that shows it to be essential? Job experience that confirms it? Common sense? Government mandates? Scripture? Solemn vapors? Enlightenment is requested.
***********************
On Wednesday of last week the nutrition class and I served rice with various lentils toppings for lunch to any student or staff member who wanted it. The only requirements were that if they wanted to participate, they had to taste every topping and couldn't "pig out" on any one topping. Also, the comments had to be limited to positive ones. At least one student declined initially, but crept back to the kitchen for a plate while others were going back for seconds.
Nutrition class students had prepared the various toppings in groups of two or three. The toppings included lentil stew, sweet and sour lentils, curried lentils, Egyptian lentils, and Dal (an Indian dish). One group prepared lentil burgers, so this one was a side dish rather than a topping. I cooked the rice. Several of the dishes were actually quite popular; others not so much so. I got to bring home the ones in the latter category. The lentil stew and the Egyptian lentils went home with the people who cooked it. All the groups had this option.
Lentils don't win any beauty contests, and they have a fairly nondescript taste. But I love lentil dishes that have been jazzed up with lots of veggies and spices.
Unfortunately, a few faux pas in the preparation process compromised the flavor in some of the lentil dishes. One was the misreading of teaspoons for tablespoons in the amount of salt to add to the curried lentils. Another was the insufficiency of onions in the Egyptian recipe. And we couldn't find black mustard seed on short notice for the Dal, which our recipe warned us not to replace with yellow mustard seed. We did it anyway, doubling the amount to help compensate for its comparative mildness. Some of the fresh seasonings called for (ginger, garlic, parsley, pepper, lemon juice) were replaced with their dried, canned, or ground counterparts, which I believe compromised some of the flavor. And optional flavors were omitted in some dishes (soy sauce, onions) which would have really improved the flavor in my opinion. But all in all, it was a good experience, and I hope it was a tiny step forward for teenagers who stand to benefit from food experiences beyond the familiar.
***********************
In typing class, some students complain about other students who have an eyes-on-the-keyboard habit. I remind students to keep their eyes on the monitor if I catch students looking at the keyboard, but I'm sure I miss a lot of what happens. In an effort to get a handle on it, I assigned every student to a different computer for this quarter, and angled the tables at the back of the room to give me a better view of the students at the back. I have one more trick up my sleeve if the problem persists.
**********************
I'm really enjoying some of the stories my comp students are writing. I learned about an accidentally wild tractor ride Marvin had several years ago involving a near upset, a deer hunting disappointment Lillian had (notable because of its rarity. Most of her deer hunting has been successful.), a fun extended family camp-out Jenni's family had, and a driver's ed experience Louise had.
I also learned about Bert, the sassy turkey at Jenni's family's farm, and Lillian's little brother's attempts to seek manly pastimes in a household "stacked full of girls," as Lillian put it.
They also wrote really bad essays, working hard to incorporate everything they have been taught to avoid. It was hard to grade those because I couldn't mark the wording--only punctuation, grammar, usage, and capitalization errors. Not much needed marking.
Occasionally I get a start when I go through these writing no-nos, and wonder how many times I've done it wrong. Am I still doing it wrong? I wonder. Then I tell myself what I tell my students sometimes. "Don't wait to do something till you can do it perfectly. If you do, you'll live in a state of constant paralysis."
**********************
Next week promises to be an unusual school week. We're planning to go on our long-anticipated field trip on Tuesday. No regular classes will be held on that day.
On Thursday and Friday there will be no school because all of the staff is going to the Christian school conference.
We're having choir on Wednesday instead of typing, roughly from 10:30-11:30. This is an appropriate concession to Lyle, whose choir practices have been canceled several times of late when there was no school.
The school conference is in Topeka this year instead of Kansas City. I'll be checking for signs of bedbugs in our hotel room before I unpack this time. As a precaution, I plan to keep my suitcase tightly closed and my purse zipped unless I'm using them.
Last year I seem to have brought only bites home with me--no bugs. That was uncomfortable, but far more tolerable than having to deal with the critters here in our house would have been.
*********************
We're doing a literature unit on poetry this month. Every student is to select and memorize a poem at least 24 lines long to be recited to the other students, along with some introduction and any necessary explanations. The poems need to be approved by a teacher ahead of time. Several shorter poems may be used instead of one longer one.
********************
We had parent teacher conferences on Monday and Tuesday of last week. These days are very long school days--at least 12 hours, but it's a good tradition and we always feel afterward that we've had some good insights into our students' lives. Just focusing on each student for a time, as we do during the conferences, is a good thing, and helps us think how we might be able to interact with them more productively.
*******************
For probably the first time this year I'm caught up on grading. It's a good feeling. I like it so well I'm scheming for ways to maintain it throughout the quarter. This is my "hard thing" challenge.
*******************
On Friday evening we had our annual prayer partners banquet. Linda Luane, Rebecca M., and Lois M. each had a short speech, and an octet sang a number of songs. As usual, the church was transformed into a festive scene, and the good food and conversation were part of the restful and refreshing time.
I sat beside an elderly friend of mine whose husband has lost a lot of mental function in the past year. I heard the theme of "hope" through her ears partly, but also through my own, as well as through the perspective of others whose lives I know well enough to know that hope is sometimes hard to come by.
Every speech was encouraging. I often wonder at such times whether I am so impressed by the talks because they are really outstanding (I bet the men would be surprised at what these women are capable of.) or because I so seldom hear women speaking publicly, and I'm not used to hearing someone speak who knows women's language.
The centerpiece for each table was a candle-lit cylinder made of ice with botanicals embedded in it. As the evening wore on, the cylinder melted into a bowl of water. I didn't inspect how the candle inside stayed lit, but it was pretty throughout the evening. Another neat trick was to put the tables side by side, approximating a square--the easy alternative to renting round tables, which are always more conversation-friendly than the long, narrow tables are.
********************
Whenever Shane comes here to work he brings the dogs, Lexi and Brandi, along. They sniff and romp and play happily, trotting around together or after anyone who works outside. They remind me how much I miss having a good dog. These Corgis have a wonderful temperament. They perk up their ears at the guineas, but don't give chase. I love that.
Not all our dogs have been this low-maintenance, but even the high-energy ones have been interesting--maddening too, at times, but I could never stay mad at them for long. I'm easily charmed by a friendly dog, even if he overdoes it sometimes.
********************
Tim told us this morning in church that their neighbor and friend Lester died shortly after midnight this morning.
Tim and Esther had befriended this man from down the street, and kept up the friendship when he moved into a nursing home. He died there.
I'm happy to hear of people reaching out like this to people around them, as Tim and Esther did. Josh and Misty live in town too, and I heard today that they recently attended a block party with their neighbors. I don't envy these town dwellers, but I'm glad for the good use they're making of their opportunities.
******************
Grant's girlfriend, Clarissa, from Washington state, plans to come here on Nov. 1 for a visit lasting several weeks. This will be the first meeting between us and her. Grant visited at her home in August. He plans to spend the winter there working on a snow removal crew.
I noted with interest in a recent news item that the Pacific Northwest is expected to be cold and wet this winter as a result of the weather patterns set up by the La Nina weather phenomenon. If that's the case, he'll have lots of work. He will be in the Spokane area.
******************
Several students from Sterling College were here this afternoon to shoot bow targets with Grant. He had connected with them in the cafeteria when Terry and he uncharacteristically ate there while they worked there. I was napping today and didn't even see them.
At least one of the guys actually goes deer hunting here in Kansas. He's from Iowa. We had a good time this evening speculating about what they do with a deer if they shoot one. Hang it up in the dorm room? Outside from a tree limb? Nothing I can think of sounds very logical--even if they have it dressed at a local butcher shop. What use can they make of the meat?
*****************
I made a batch of fresh salsa again on Saturday, and canned 7 quarts of tomato juice and 5 quarts of pickled Jalapeno peppers. I also gave away three grocery bags of Anaheim peppers on Friday, and sent several bags of sweet peppers to Joel and Shane's house. Hiromi had picked the peppers, and a tub full of tomatoes. I picked more yesterday.
Since a killing frost has held off longer than usual, these crops keep on producing uncharacteristically late into the year. We also have cool season fall crops growing and thriving with this extended season. We're watering again. One rain of a quarter inch within the past number of weeks has left things relatively dry.
*****************
Last Sunday evening Jim Unruh spoke at our church on the culture of poverty (not sure of the actual title). It's not posted yet on the centeramishmennonite.org website, but I'm sure it will be soon. When it appears, it would be well worth your time to listen to it.
*****************
A week from today will mark the beginning of fall Bible school, with Aaron Lapp from PA speaking on Revelation. The meetings last through Thursday evening.
*****************
Three-month-old Sabrina had another surgery this past week to redo a hernia repair and a shunt placement--neither of which held after the first placement. She is doing well again now, and might have come home from the hospital today.
*****************
Grant's cell phone emits a most annoyingly insistent crowing rooster sound every morning around 7:00. It goes on until he rouses enough to shut it off. At least it sounds more convincing than the miserable er-er-er-er of an earlier ringtone he downloaded.
posted by Mrs. I at
6:35 PM
3 Comments:
Algebra was super easy for me because I started writing basic computer programs at around age 7. Computer programming is algebra. Doing basic finances and business processes in Microsoft Excel requires knowledge of Algebra. Computers are used extensively in business these days. Algebra is essential to do that well. Your DIL Dorcas uses Algebra to do her job, for instance.
By
Hans Mast, at 10/26/2010
I understand that computer programming involves some advanced mathematical reasoning processes, but I don't see people who struggle with algebra aspiring to do computer programming. And . . . doesn't spreadsheet stuff require only the most rudimentary algebra--something like what I learned in 8th grade--using basically the concept of letting letters represent numbers?
By
Mrs. I, at 10/26/2010
My mom's College prof told her that Algebra developes a part of your brain that nothing else does.
By
Jessica, at 10/28/2010
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