We have a friend in NYC who runs the Inwood Astronomy Club.  We asked him several months ago for recommendations on telescopes.  He pointed us toward Celestron.  I investigated and then, after looking at the prices, decided to wait.

Tonight, I won at local auction a brand new Celestron and paid $340 US.  :)  I am quite happy.  Here is the model:

So, we're transforming our front walkway. Here is the link of "before" and "in progress".

http://thistles-and-blooms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/front-walkway.html

What will grow on that raised area? Hidcote Lavender. pernicious mentioned it last year I think, and I just fell in love with the idea of beautiful, fragment lavender lining the walkway to the house.   ( Read more... )

Rachel received a lot of very nice toys and stuff for her birthday. One of the gifts caught me by surprise though. She received this book from a family of whom she is very fond. It was signed: To Rachel, Best Wishes and Happy Birthday, Cybele Young.


( Read more... )

Cut and Pasted from our homeschool journal, Trailhead and Markers

I really like the FIAR (Five in a Row) curriculum.  Let me state that upfront.  It is very well done and I would recommend it to anyone.

I also don't agree with everything in it.  I The Story of Ping, the author's take on Ping's decision is different from mine ( Read more... )

My mom left me when I was 9 years old.  I saw her about two weeks out of every year.  It sucked ( Read more... )

We decided that if we are going to celebrate things which are unseen and unprovable by giving gifts, eating elaborate meals and engaging in odd rituals, that we were, by golly, going to celebrate things seen, known, provable, etc ( Read more... )

Cleaned up Rachel's room tonight before bed.  In the process, I found on the shelf in the closet, a book.  It was "The Night Before Christmas"....and it was the one I asked my mom to read for Rachel last Christmas ( Read more... )

that I found a five page letter on Mom's computer from Mom to Rachel?  As I read it, I discovered that my great-great grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee.

Nicely done Mr. Butcher.  I thoroughly enjoyed the read and look forward to the next book.

Yesterday, Rachel was playing in our living room while I fixed dinner.  At one point I looked over at her and realized she was lying in a box with her legs spread, knees propped up.  She was wearing two tutu skirts.  From under her skirts she was pulling out one of her dolls.  I watched while she brought the doll up to her face, holding it ( Read more... )