Things Worth Remembering The three habits that lead to success are: Patience, Application, and Vision.
Take care: The person who will tell others' faults to you - will tell yours to others.
It is always better to be underestimated.
There are three things that are better than riches: Health, Freedom, and Honor.
Think swiftly, speak softly, act wisely.
"The world is neither Scottish, English, nor Irish, neither French, Dutch, nor Chinese, but human, and each nation is only the partial development of a universal humanity." - James Grant on founding the National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights, 1862
All from: The Book of Celtic Wisdom
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Anakin Skywalker: (eyes closed) “Don’t go.”
Padme Amidala: “I don’t want to disturb you.”
Anakin Skywalker: “Your presence is soothing.”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones
We were all a little nervous about Dad Windu getting laid-off and being home all.the.time. Rightfully so, I think.
- Were we going to get on each other’s nerves?
- Would DW start channeling his inner professional and start managing the way I ran the house and our homeschooling?
- Would Padawan Learner get distracted having someone else walking around, talking, and moving in and out of our ’school’ space during the day?
- Would I begin to chafe at having to share the computer, the kitchen, and the teapot more than a few hours each night?
It has, thankfully, worked out very well this past month and a half. Dad Windu has his own routine going for large parts of the day, and he and I are getting out for a daily walk nearly each afternoon. PL has benefited from having Dad Windu right there for some of the math questions that I would normally have to go look up. I’ve enjoyed having another adult around to talk with during the day. DW helps with the house picking up, meal prep and chauffeuring tasks, freeing me from having to do all the day-to-day boring tasks myself.
In the end, we’re enjoying each other’s company on a day-in, day-out basis, and truth be told, I’m going to be a little sad to see him go away for 9 hours each day once he’s back working someplace.
Princess Leia: “Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder.”
Han Solo: ”Who’s scruffy-looking?”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Well, at present I am.
With Dad Windu off relaxing at his brother’s house, it was just Padawan Learner and I hanging out this afternoon and evening so we decided to have a Star Wars movie marathon in the basement. We ran through Episodes I, II and IV. For some reason PL decided to skip III, which surprised me, but perhaps it was just to be kind. I think he knows that’s my least favorite one.
As any self-respecting movie marathoner knows, that means nothing more pulled together than comfy pants, piles of pillows and blankets, and those fine lunch/dinner/snack combos of What’s in the fridge? and What’s left in the cupboard? and Do we have any extra Christmas goodies still in the freezer?
I hope you all had a good weekend, too.
Yoda: “Yes, run! Yes, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan’s apprentice.”
Luke: “Vader. Is the dark side stronger?”
Yoda: “No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.”
Luke: “But how am I to know the good side from the bad?”
Yoda: “You will know… when you are calm, at peace, passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
I’m feeling that way today. Calm, at peace, passive. I’m doing what I can and letting the rest slide.
Dad Windu is officially unemployed, and that’s ok. We can meet our basic bills – home, utilities, food – on his unemployment benefits and that’s about 3 steps further than many families right now. Chalk one up for common sense, frugal living, and good luck over the years.
DW’s getting some (long overdue) things done around the house. We’re keeping Padawan Learner’s life as normal as possible, with both trampoline class and piano lessons for the time being. We’re surprisingly relaxed about the whole process, one of the side benefits of waiting for this to happen for.months.now, and taking our time enjoying the holiday season, our families and friends. We’re entertaining job postings from all over the U.S. and DW is working his network here at home.
We bought Padawan Learner some new snow boots today, nothing like a winter storm to highlight the need. He got off easy from shoveling snow the last 4 days, “I’d love to help, but I don’t have any boots. Bummer.” How a kid that wears a EEEE width can just walk in and find boots that fit, several pair no less, is beyond me. I think there’s a widespread athletic shoe conspiracy in force every six months when he’s outgrown yet another pair of shoes.
Luke: ”I’m endangering the mission. I shouldn’t have come.”
Han Solo: “It’s your imagination, kid. Come on. Let’s keep a little optimism here.”
Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi
Padawan Learner threw his first snowball (more like a snow-lump) yesterday morning before the sun could melt the wee bit of white away. This morning brought more rain and a bone chilling cold that very clearly told us that winter will soon be here. We headed north not knowing if we would be able to stop for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, IL. Fortunately, the rain slacked to a gentle mist so we were able to enjoy a stroll through the 4 block area and take the Lincoln home tour before watching one of the two visitor center movies. I would have liked to see the second one, but we had pushed PL’s lunch needs too long for that.
When a 14 year old boy is really hungry, he’s REALLY hungry. After a quick lunch at The Feed Store restaurant (adequate but, like all places catering to the tourist trade, over-priced) – which sits right across the street from the Old State Capital - where Lincoln gave his famous “A House Divided” speech. We took the tour inside the Old State House (which isn’t really old, but a reconstruction with only the exterior limestone being original to the 1800’s). The tour guides were informative, seemed pleased to have questions asked, and didn’t make the usual “So, no school today” comment which tends to lead to either a “super-genius” or “uber-fundy” expectation of PL – neither of which he tends to enjoy.
The National Surveyor’s Museum, also across the street from the Old State Capital, which was scheduled to open this spring appears to be on perpetual hold due to a lack of funding. Too bad, DW was looking forward to seeing it. DW and PL are continuing to watch WWII in HD (a multi-night program) and it is just breaking my heart to hear it. I frequently have tears in my eyes, but last night was worse. Perhaps I just know what to expect now, because the content is no less heart-breaking. I wonder if FireFly Mom’s family has been watching it as well. I know her son has a passion for WWII history.
Tonight is our last night on the road. We’re all a little sad to see our trip come to an end, something we looked forward to for so long. But we’re also glad to be getting back to our own beds, our cats, our friends, and our usual routine. Dad Windu is getting apprehensive about what awaits him next Monday, and I must admit that I am as well. He has been watching the schedule from the road (nothing like tech giving you the opportunity to fret while on vacation), and it isn’t encouraging.
I take it back. Tonight is just as horrible as last night. I can’t take listening to it anymore. I’m off to take a bath, with the fan running (loudly I hope) to drown out words that break my heart. I hate what we animals are capable of doing to ourselves and others in the name of power and greed. Safety and peace to you, my military friends and family. May our children, or at least our grandchildren, find a better way to a better world.
“These Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short.” – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
We left our hotel this morning in a steady rain. Having stayed in the nicest hotel room of our whole trip, I hated to leave it. Just so you know, if you find yourself on I-70 west of Kansas City, KS, we highly recommend you check into Hyatt Place. $99 got us this adorable suite:
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2 double beds
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shelving under giant TV
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sink & drawers
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Even the soaps were cute!
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excellent couch in sitting area
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DW making use of the bar and work area
Being in Topeka, we simply had to visit the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. It would have been wrong for any peace-loving, why-can’t-we-all-just-get-along, American not to go. It was… It was… It was so much more than I thought it would be. Than any of us thought it would be. Maybe a plaque on the wall. Perhaps a bit of literature and some pictures. A reminder that allowing segregated schools and facilities was beneath the dignity of a free nation.
I had no idea that segregated schools, public services and facilities were mandated in many states; I had assumed it was just tolerated. Kansas was one of states that allowed each school district to decide for themselves regarding segregation policies. Among the five cases, Topeka was chosen to be the lead in the class action lawsuit because, despite having segregated schools, the two school systems were pretty uniform in the quality of the teachers, instruction and buildings. This was important, because it forced the focus away from the normal complaint of merely damaged buildings to the damage that segregation inflicted on the children themselves.
I admit that segregation had always been a “those states” issue in my brain, up to today. *puffs my chest out* I’m from the Great Frozen Midwest. We didn’t have drinking fountains with Whites or Colored signs hanging above them. Poll taxes were not collected when my grandma was registering voters. Neither bus and train seating nor waiting rooms were assigned by race in my state, thankyouverymuch.
Then I started to read the signs, watch the videos, listen to the recordings filling the room. I heard about riots in “integrated” Northern and “progressive” East and West Coast cities, when desegregation was put into action. I read newspaper headlines about school districts across the country, including states that never officially allowed segregation, being closed in protest. I saw clean cut teenagers with crisp Midwest accents spewing hate, promising violence and wishing death on other teenagers simply because they were goingn to be bussed to their school. I thought about my mom, going to high school in Michigan, and Dad Windu’s father, going to university in Arizona, and I wondered what they had thought about it. Were they afraid? Were they welcoming? Did they spew polite venom in the form of, “Schools just work better when they’re filled with only their own kind.”
It is really a remarkable museum, and I haven’t been able to get my brain around it all yet. Since it was once a school, a letter grade is probably the most appropriate way to evaluate my experience. I give it an A++.
“This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops.” – Darth Sidious, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
We had rain today. Rain! It took us a few moments to realize what it was when it first hit the windshield. It’s been so hot and dry the past two weeks that we’d kind of fallen into expecting desert weather for our entire trip. Alas, it was not so. As we neared the Oklahoma boarder, the tap, tap, tap of rain began. I guess it was letting us know that we’ve officially entered our third week of the trip, and our time is winding down.
We had planned to visit Dodge City and Fort Larned today, making a wide detouring curve from I-35 at Witchita to I-70 near Salina. With the pouring rain, however, we pressed on straight north toward Salina instead as all the things we wanted to do in both places are outdoor activities. We ended book 4 of the Percy Jackson series yesterday and started book 5. PL warned us that 5 was pretty much a non-stop battle; he wasn’t kidding. I feel slightly battered just listening to it.
We decided to stop in Salina, KS for lunch and to see the animated A Christmas Carol with Jim Carey. Unfortunately, the theater’s computer system crashed while playing it earlier in the day, so there would be no movie for us there. We did the only reasonable thing, we got back in the car and drove 102 miles further, to the next theater on our route, which was in Topeka. We’ll see A Christmas Carol after dinner.
Just to prove the nicest of random strangers, here’s a picture taken of us back at Bandelier that was emailed to me today.
UPDATE: A Christmas Carol far scarier than I was expecting (DW agrees) – please pre-watch if considering for young or sensitive children.
Luke: “Vader’s on that ship.”
Han Solo: “Now don’t get jittery, Luke. There are a lot of command ships. Keep your distance, though, Chewie, but don’t look like you’re trying to keeping your distance.” [Chewie barks a question] ”I don’t know. Fly casual.”
Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi
What a strange day. We didn’t see a single amazingly cool thing. Frankly, I’d kind of gotten used to it.
Instead we drove from 10 am until 8:30 pm (552 miles), with a short stop at a rest area for lunch and an hour at a sit-down restaurant for dinner. I even drove for 12 miles today! I haven’t driven a mile (although I have offered) since we left home.
A couple of fun things I did see today were:
 PL hanging from the rest stop over-hang
 - A Texas-shaped waffle maker at our hotel
Yoda: You must not go!
Luke: But Han and Leia will die if I don’t.
[Obi-Wan's ghost appears]
Obi-Wan: You don’t know that. Even Yoda cannot see their fate.
Luke: But I can help them! I feel the Force!
Obi-Wan: But you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted by the Dark Side of the Force.
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Temped to stay there for.e.ver maybe. Carlsbad Caverns were so beautiful, we stayed for hours and hours. Toward the end, it was awesome overload. I’m running late this morning, so I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Be sure to click on the images to get the larger picture.
“I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere. Not like here. Here everything is soft and smooth.” – Anakin, Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones
As written by Dad Windu in his journal:
We stopped at the White Sands Missle Base to see the museum. But, since it was Veteran’s Day, the museum was closed. We were able to see the outdoor display of missles and rockets and such though. After this, we went to the nearby White Sands National Monument, which was one of the stops [Obi-Mom] wanted to make. The gypsum sand dunes were beautiful. We walked the dunhes in our bare feet and took lots of pictures. We saw animal tracks in the sand as well, but no actual animals.
Then we headed to Lincoln, NM, which is another old west town. The site of the Lincoln County War. As I sit here and write, we are staying at The Ellis House B&B. This house is the site where the first shot was taken during the 5 day war between the Tunstell faction and the Murphy/Dolan gang. It is surreal to think that this famous set of events happened right outside my window.
Click to see the pictures from Lincoln
“You have allowed this dark lord to twist your mind, until now, until now you’ve become the very thing you swore to destroy.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi to Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
For those of you don’t remember me talking about it before, Dad Windu is passionate about roads. Long, straight roads with minimal changes in elevation. Guard rails and wide, paved shoulders would not.be.optional in his perfect world. Forty-four miles (travel time: 2 hours) of switchbacks up to the Cliff Dwellings of the Gila National Forest and another 65 miles (3 hours) of some of the worst switchbacks either of us has ever seen back out (we had to take a different route out for our next destination) had DW frequently exclaiming, “I hate this road!” Thankfully, we had book three of the Percy Jackson series to keep us company.
But even with all the traveling nastiness (I should admit that I spent my time knitting a slipper, so the drive didn’t bother me at all), PL – riding shotgun – and DW both admit that the cliff dwellings were too cool to pass up. I highly recommend that you all put them on your Must See list. Just bring along the Dramamine.
We met two homeschooling brothers that volunteer at the Cliff Dwellings and a very nice German couple that was absolutely ga-ga over meeting three homeschooling kids in one morning. They asked us about why we homeschool (the other boys live in a very remote area), how we homeschool, the benefits to being able to travel at will, and etc.
Obi-Mom Kenobi, secular homeschool ambassador.
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Secular Homeschoolers Unite!
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