It's been quite a week here in Lake Wobegon. We're in that twilight zone between summer and school where some classes and activities have begun (mainly for the college four) and I'm still paddling as fast as I can to get the rest underway. Scheduling, planning, collecting resources and supplies, tying up the last few ends of co-op...all have consumed hours and hours of time until my eyes have crossed by evening. We're not starting our school routine full-time until the 8th, so I still have a few days to prepare.

The Papa also emailed from work this week with some hard-to-believe scheme for getting him to Hawaii not once but TWICE this fall. He claims the government is paying for it. I don't know. I think I'll tag along...not because I want to, you understand, but just to make sure everything's on the up-and-up. I'm sacrificial that way.

I finished Don Quixote! Wow...is that ever a project! I would recommend it, but I think the number of people likely to take me up on it would probably be <1, so I'll just say that for something written in the early 1600s it's remarkably timely in how it speaks to human nature. I loved it.

I think the latest count for dinner here tomorrow is 40, give our take ten or so. The girls and I will be celebrating Labor Day by laboring (joyfully!) over marinated grilled pork chops, bratwurst, and whatever else strikes our fancy as we work...


grit noun (grĭt)

1. Firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck: She has a reputation for grit and common sense.
2. Firmness of mind; unyielding courage; fortitude.
3. Sarah Palin





It seems surreal to see Hurricane Gustav barreling toward New Orleans, doesn't it? I keep trying to remember whether the level of concern was this high BEFORE Katrina, and I don't think it was quite there. May God protect the Gulf coast.

Note to self: don't always believe Edu-Track when it tells you that everything is backed up, just before you upgrade to the latest version. Make hard copies.

CJ and Beth gave up their long holiday weekend, leaving just after classes on Thursday, to drive to west Texas and share their abilities and energy with our friends Jeremiah and Lora, cooking up a freezer full of meals for use after their new little one arrives. I miss them, but I'm so proud to have girls who live as servants to the household of faith and who do it with such joy and skill.

And now...I'm back to getting ready for our 24th school year! (Did I mention, btw, that my "baby" is in 7th grade? I'm so glad I have grandchildren to help with!)

Labels: Books, Holidays, Homeschooling, Kids, Political Observation, Sundays, The Papa