Life On The Planet

Can Not

You may have noticed, I write can not as two separate words, not as the more common cannot. There is a reason.

When I was a Junior in high school, I wrote a paper in English. I spelled can not as two separate words. It was marked as incorrect.

I informed my teacher, Mrs. Anderson, of her error. (Politely, of course.) Mrs. Anderson informed ME that can not is written as one word.

I then (politely, of course) used the dictionary in my desk to prove that either spelling is accepted.

Mrs. Anderson said that she would mark it as correct that one time, but in the future I was to write can not as ONE WORD.

I asked Mrs. Anderson (politely, of course) why Daniel Webster's spelling wasn't good enough for her. Mrs. Anderson threatened me (none too politely) with detention. I spent the remainder of that semester avoiding the use of the phrase can not in order to elude her decree.

Furthermore, I have never since spelled can not as one word.I can not think of a better way to demonstrate my utter disgust at her petty display of power.

(That is, and still be polite. Of course.)

Attention All Readers

This blog has been temporarily interrupted due to standardized testing.

(Chill out, people. It's only a test.)

P.S.

I <HEART> Number 2 pencils.

Algebra II or Geometry

Should Sal take Algebra II next year or Geometry? A friend who is a high-school math teacher recommends the continuity of Algebra II, but Geometry will be on the dreaded standardized test he will need to take to get into the local community college's Dual Enrollment program.

Comments? Thoughts? Ideas? Help?

Girl's Weekend: Sweet Julia, Inspirations & Twilight

Julia is not doing well.

"Mama!" Butterfly called a couple of hours ago. "You'd better come here."

Julia had fallen over trying to drink. She was still down when I got there. After attempting to rise, she fell over again.

She hasn't gotten up since.

I phoned our Vet., who is a friend, and we are doing what we can to make her comfortable. We will have to see what the next few days bring. It doesn't look good.

Butterfly and I had been enjoying "Girl's Weekend." (The C.F.O. is working. Tiger and Sal are camping.) Prior to the Julia incident, we had been having a really great couple of days.

Yesterday we went to a lecture by Dr. Jane Goodall. She was quite awe-inspiring, and I am so glad that Butterfly had the opportunity to hear her speak. Dr. Goodall's telling of how her mother's encouragement and support enabled her to achieve her dreams reminded me of the awesome and wonderful responsibility I have as a mother.  It is more than a little daunting. Her schedule of 300 days per year traveling and speaking would bury me. That she is able to maintain that level of activity in what you might call the evening of her career is phenomenal.

To say I was impressed would be an understatement.

Last night was rehearsal for The Pied Piper.

This morning we quickly tidied the house, and then we picked up Twilight.

We watched it three times.

Copious amounts of popcorn and Thin Mints were involved.

*Edit: Upon reflection "Girl's Weekend" probably should have been "Girls' Weekend." I just thought of Butterfly, and forgot to count myself. I really need to work on the whole self-awareness thing.

Cells Alive, Very Homeschooly!

I haven't written of homeschooly stuff recently. Rest assured, Mother, that we have been doing homeschooly stuff. Lots and lots of homeschooly stuff.

(Homeschooly - My goal is use it so much that it catches on and it becomes an actual word.)

I wanted to share a cool website with you, just in case you feel like doing homeschooly stuff at your house! It's Cells Alive. Ooo! We love it. Particularly the Interactive portion of the site.

(Tiger can't get enough of the computerized voice saying,"En-do-plas-mic Re-tic-u-lum." He giggles. I giggle at him giggling. The cat giggles at me giggling at Tiger's giggling...)

It's fun and, don't tell the kids, it's educational! Very, very homeschooly.

Or is it homeschoolish? I'll have to think about that one.

Costumes

I've been working on a couple of costumes for the musical Butterfly is in.
The making of the costumes involves taking this...

stinky, old burlap, and turning it into this...

 
a cape fit for a queen. A Rat Queen that is. It's for The Pied Piper!

(It's not quite finished, but as soon as the hot glue gun burns heal, I'll get right back to it.)

He Divides, He Scores! GOOOOOOOOAL!

Bobble-Head River Kings Hockey players...

make MATH ever so much more enjoyable!

What He Said.

"The function of education is to teach one to think
intensively and to think critically...
Intelligence plus character - that is
the goal of true education."

                                   Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I happen to agree, and that, my little darlings, is why school is in session at our house today.

Found

Book open. Case closed.

Until the next time, that is.

Reading Challenge

Reading to Know is hosting a Lucy Maud Montgomery reading challenge!



What a great way to get back into the swing of things!

(HT to At A Hen's Pace)