While crabbing on the shores of Maryland’s Wye River one intoxicatingly-sunny day, my husband and I netted and trapped about four dozen beady-eyed, bright-blue-shelled crabs. A rather unappealing briny odor arose from this crowd of clammy crustaceans as the overloaded bucket, which contained them, spilled over and they scuttled across the well-worn bottom of our wooden boat. A chorus of “click-clack-clee’s” resounded, as dozens of pairs of claws were raised in defiance – miniature prizefighters poised to lunge at our arrogant approach. Wincing with pain, as peevish pincers met with bare and unprotected fingers, we scooped our little dignity-damaged prizefighters back into their plastic pail. Back at home, after our soggy soldiers were relinquished to the cooking pot, our palates were treated to the savory, salty white meat of the once-feisty foragers.
Curriculum Corner
Given our current climate with the uncertainty of schools reopening, due to COVID-19, I know that there is already a serious uptick in those who are considering homeschooling this fall. So, I figured now is as good a time as any to list my all-time favorite homeschooling curriculums. Having homeschooled 2 of my kids all the way through high school, I had plenty of opportunities to check out what worked for us and what didn’t. There are so many good resources out there, these days, for homeschoolers. I am only going by what has proven tried and true for our family.
The Invisible War (COVID-19)
I feel like Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII, while her sister, Queen Mary, had her locked up in the Tower of London. Mary had deemed Elizabeth a threat to her crown. Each day, Elizabeth would wake up thinking this would be the day of her beheading and she was only allowed to go outside for a walk if she had special permission from the Queen. Instead of being locked up in the Tower of London, I am under a form of house arrest in my own home. Instead of awaiting possible decapitation (she was not decapitated), I wake up thinking I may die from coronavirus. So perhaps I’m being a bit melodramatic, but I can relate to what Elizabeth (who is my ancestor, by the way, but that is a story for another time) was going through.
The Romans Road
STEP ONE:
Romans 3:10 (NKJV)
“As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one;”
Best-Kept Vacation Secret
Drumroll, please! And the winner is…Chincoteague, Virginia, home of the famous Misty of Chincoteague (a children’s book by Marguerite Henry).
Natural Musings
I adore the log cabin scene on my home page, and I picked it because it perfectly suits my personality. I could totally imagine myself retreating to it at various times, though I would spend far more time outside the cabin than in it. (Unless there were bears around. Which there probably would be. Bears live in the mountains. Not sure how I would handle the bears. But I digress.)
America’s New War
(This was written in 2001)
Hi guys,
Since the attack on our nation, on September 11th, my e-mail address has been flooded with commentaries, relating to the attack, which attempt to make some sense out of a terrifying, disastrous and, seemingly, senseless situation. Some of the commentary is wise, some of it spiritual, much of it patriotic…but most of it seems to be devoid of a truer and more complete understanding of what has happened to us as a people and what we can anticipate as our destiny.
Afternoon Delight
Hot and sultry afternoon
i float upon your sandy dune
taste salt spittle on my tongue
watch violet seashells drowse among
your peanut brittle shores.
Joy In Homeschooling
Hi! This is an outline of a talk I gave several years ago. I thought I would start my “Homeschool Corner” off with these notes since I think they can be really helpful. And, current times being what they are – who knows – there may be more folks lining up to homeschool soon! Enjoy!
The Mighty Oak
O mighty oak
with arms outstretched
to greet your royal Maker-
limbs upraised
in heavenly praise,
muscular and sturdy limbs-
The Scenic Route 