Throughout the past year I have thought about our education system. We pay taxes for public schools. What is the return for the money? I am grateful for the education that I received in the public school system in the 1950s and 60s. I had classes in art and music in addition to reading, writing… Continue reading Public, Private or Home School?
Category: Parenting
Three Women and Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 14. The Farmer’s Almanac gives the history of this day, pointing to three women who promoted respect and support for motherhood. In the middle of the 19th century, Ann Reeves Jarvis sponsored Mothers’ Day work clubs. Her goal was to improve the living condition for mothers in West Virginia. Julia… Continue reading Three Women and Mother’s Day
Persistent About Health
Our health is a gift from God. He has given us an immune system to fight disease. Sometimes we need medical support and treatment. But I am wary of pills, medications and vaccines to treat everything. As a nurse I have observed a movement to develop protocols that are one size fits all. During the… Continue reading Persistent About Health
Gardens and Families
The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12 The hyacinths are blooming and I notice their scent when I walk outside. The hyacinths, tulips and daffodils usher… Continue reading Gardens and Families
Choosing to be Informed
This past week I attended a meeting about our upcoming school board election. My husband and I were saddened to learn about the declining level of math and English competency. That wasn’t the only concern mentioned. Violent behavior has increased. Teachers are stressed. The school board recently voted to go forward with an expanded sex education… Continue reading Choosing to be Informed
Why Didn’t I Take the Shot?
Our family’s experience with vaccines goes back a number of years. As we struggled with health problems, I prayed for God’s guidance in supporting my children’s health. Here is my story. Like every mother I have pursued health for my children. They all received childhood vaccines, but were prone to frequent ear infections, gastrointestinal upset… Continue reading Why Didn’t I Take the Shot?
Music and Drama with the Grandchildren
Recently our granddaughter had a part in a children’s theater production. It was great fun to see her perform in The Music Man! Our grandson had a school concert. The second-grade students sang songs and played simple instruments. The music teacher explained how the children were learning skills that would prepare them for reading music.… Continue reading Music and Drama with the Grandchildren
Against the Current or on the High Wire
What does it take to go against the current trends in our culture? Curiosity? Critical thinking skills? Perseverance? Sometimes circumstances give an extra push. For most of my nursing career I have worked in the hospital. I worked in hospital labor/delivery units, caring for women during childbirth. I took time off from clinical care—teaching Lamaze… Continue reading Against the Current or on the High Wire
The Joy of New Life
Spring is unfolding wonders all around. The cherry tree has blossomed and promises abundant cherries. The lilacs and lily of the valley are in bloom. A robin has built a nest in our garden shed. While my husband and I recovered from covid, the garden shed was an undisturbed place with shelter. The robin built… Continue reading The Joy of New Life
International Women’s Day
This post was originally posted in 2017. As women in the United States we can give thanks for the progress that has been made in women’s rights and opportunities. My maternal grandmother and paternal great-grandmothers immigrated to Michigan from Finland. With great effort they raised families while managing subsistence farms. My paternal grandmother wanted to… Continue reading International Women’s Day