the continuing adventures of us
Last night, when we were getting ready for bed, Emma and I had a brief but entertaining conversation about certain aspects of my body and how they… droop. “Gravity, baby,” I told her.
This morning, I was relating a bit more of this to Ron, who started to grin. Apparently after that, since I got ready for bed and immediately crawled in with my own book, he was all set to read Emma a story when she asked, “Daddy, how did God make gravity?”
Something I have noticed lately in my many reading travels, is how often people mention the unwritten societal rules;
- don’t talk to strangers, even as adult
- never make eye contact
- do not acknowledge another’s existence
I do know this is certainly more prevalent in large cities. People crammed together in masses on subways, busses, even walking down the street, yet none are interracting unless they really ave to. Talk to the store clerk, but nothing beyond niceties: “That’ll be $10.75 please,” hand over your money and say, “Thank you,” if that.
Any why do we do this? Have you ever noticed? Is it the training that most of have recieved, to stand in line quietly, to speak only when spoken to?
Now here, in my offline life, in this small quiet town and with my normally gregarious nature, this rarely happens. I can walk to the post office and pass countless strangers walking or jogging along, and invariably almost every single one will smile and/or nod. Ron can be working in the front yard and strangers will stop even briefly and comment on one thing or another. And you can’t go anywhere with Miss Emma and not converse with strangers. Strangers are friends we haven’t met yet, and indeed we have many friends-by-sight.
So to sound like Emma (at least I know where she gets it from) , why? Why not start a friendly revolution?
Live 8 is on and we’ll be watching intermittedly all day. Guess what? When the original Live Aid was on, I was in England, watching it on tv. Simon‘s grandfather wouldn’t let me stay up late to see it all. 
How’s that for a head trip, Si? 
I’m of two minds: one, I hate to see children, or anyone, suffering needlessly and want to do anything I can to help. On the other hand, there’s so much corruption and greed that often prevents that very aid from getting to the people who need it most. *Sigh*
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
From all of us here, to all of you – wherever you are – Happy Canada Day. 
More pics & zoomability here.
Izzy has a last call for her book, The Homeschooling Revolution. I have my copy (thanks Iz) and will write a more in-depth review later, but let me say this: GET THE BOOK! It is totally worth it to have in your home education library, especially at the price she is offering ($2 US from your paypal account. DUDE!).
If you are thinking of homeschooling, or need a reference outlining the movement, this is the book to have.
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