Parenting Beyond Belief

I checked out this book from the library last week, have been reading it whenever I have a break to sit down and read..not as easy as it sounds. What a great book!! It is due soon, and I doubt I'll finish it, and can't renew it since there is a waiting list for it. I'll just put myself on the waiting list again, and finish it later.

It is compiled of short essays of different perspectives from a variety of folks, giving advice or just stories of how they raise children in secular households. How to help children figure out that they can ask questions about religion, or lack thereof, without fear. Lettings kids know to think for themselves, make up their own minds, not let anyone brainwash them at an early age. In Stu Tanquist's essay he speaks of religious indoctrination at an early age, how some evangelistic groups are getting the kids before they realize they can think for themselves, pushing the idea that doubt is bad and there is only one answer and someone else has already figured it out for you. Fascinating stuff.

So, I just thought I'd put this small post together to say..hey, check out this book if you are curious. Parenting Beyond Belief, On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion, by Dale McGowan.

Ahhhh Fall

I just love fall, my favorite season by far. The leaves are falling, and it just has this awesome crisp look outside, guess I'll go for a walk....ugh..wait...its 90 degrees? Drat.

Yes, fall in St. Louis, oh, did I forget to mention the 70% humidity?

The leaves are dropping due to our drought...no color. Again, half the fun of fall is looking at the pretty leaves before they fall. At least at this rate, they will all blow away and get crushed in the driveway so we won't have much to rake.

It is going to cool off one of these days, and we can't wait!!

Another fun part of fall is college football. I can say this with confidence this year, as Michigan State is off to a rip roaring 4-0 start. This is absolutely unheard of for our mighty Spartoons, and Steve and I are happy, yet reserved as this weekend is the start of Big Ten play. Wisconsin may just send us home with our tails between our legs...can't wait to find out!!

A fun part of this is that Travis has absolutely no interest in throwing the football, until he starts to watch football, so it is nice to see he has some interest in it.

The other side of the equation is that UofM is doing worse than us, so far, which is comforting too.

We've been lucky to have had all 4 of the games on network tv/ESPN. The big concern of the Big 10 network hi-jacking all our games so far has sputtered.

So, bring on fall...chili, leaf piles, football and tailgates....we're ready!!

No PB&J?

OK, now I understand there are kids out there with peanut allergies, and I completely understand needing to be observant of nearby peanuts, and hidden peanuts and all things peanut-ish. The school that hosted the summer camp Travis attended this summer even had 'peanut free' tables in the cafeteria.

BUT, I saw something in the paper today saying that there are elementary schools out there, one in O'Fallon, that have banned all things peanut. Travis would wither away if he couldn't have peanut butter/jelly every day he took a cold lunch. The school has determined that nobody in the school could bring a PB&J into the school for the fear that the wafting scent of peanut butter could cause major havoc on less than 1% of the school population.

I sent a turkey sandwich in with him once a couple years ago, and it came right back that afternoon...it didn't go over well. I really hope our school doesn't go to that extreme. They don't have a cafeteria, they eat at their desks...just like we do at work!!

I find this interesting, wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this.

This has to get better, right?

OK, so now I am posting on a Friday night. I guess things around here are boring, oh well! Tonight was piano lessons and Sonic. Sonic is awesome! Totally blows McDonald's away in my book. Travis says they even have better toys, and I agree. Burgers always have lettuce and tomato, the way it should be. Some day perhaps, I'll put together a post of all the best places to eat, in all the places we've been...might be a long list!!

A superb night in St. Louis, cool and clear and pleasant. Finally fall is approaching and the hot and muggies have left us behind, whew! Might even hit the hot tub...ahhh.

Second post

It is Friday, and now I'm back home after the morning walk to school. I only have a few minutes here, before I head out to tackle today's to-do list. It is a doozy today, but that's ok, I'll manage.

Not sure about this whole blog thing, why would anyone want to read about our daily life? I could write stories about how we ended up where we are, it was quite a journey. I could write about what I put in my son's lunch box every day...and yes, it is PB&J. Trader Joes smooth natural peanut butter, and depending on the day, boysenberry, raspberry or my mom's homemade strawberry jam. See what I mean? How can this be interesting to anyone, I'm particularly bored with it sometimes.

So, I will ponder today, where will I go with this blog, perhaps nobody will read it and in that case, who cares where I go with it. It will be good, either way. I hope.

welcome....

This is my first post ever, on my first blog ever. Wow. Deep.

Pardon me, but I need to go make a PB&J for my son...I'll get back to you shortly.