Voucher Programs Work - so Shut Them Down!

Not everyone can homeschool; vouchers are an alternative. This war on successful voucher programs may extend to homeschoolers in the future.

Math Activities On-Line

I found this math-oriented site when looking for some information on isometric projection. My youngest was trying to draw a picture of a Popsicle-stick log cabin that she made. She was getting frustrated, and I showed her a free-hand method of 3-dimensional drawing. It wasn't clicking, so off we went to the internet to research. The site has some interesting flash games, activity packs, and such.

Government Budgets Illustrated

This short video is an interesting look at our federal budget, and the effect of cutting what one would think is a very large amount from that budget. Fact is, these numbers are so large that few can visualize how much money is involved, or how one huge number relates to another.

The concept behind this visualization is the same used by the math program we use here (Math-U-See) -- use manipulatives, that is, tangible/physical items that bring a material representation to an intellectual concept.

I, Pencil

I, Pencil is a great story of economics. Looking at a simple item every school kid knows, the author describes the intricate working of the market place that allows a pencil to exist. The point is made that no one person could make a pencil - the efforts of many, many people across the world, working in a co-ordinated manner not dictated by anything except enlightened self-interest, are necessary to gather all the raw materials and put them into a workable form.

This is easy for even grade-school aged children to understand, and it will give them a foundation for understanding market forces.

This link takes you to a download of this marvelous audio book presentation. This link takes you to a written version, with an introduction by Dr. Milton Friedman (who used this essay in an episode of Free to Choose).

Can she defend herself?

Early in our courtship I found my wife could defend herself. She studied a little Kung Fu, which helped, but more importantly she knew to stand up for herself, was aware of her surroundings, and was (and is) self confident. Sometimes she doesn't know when to back down (remind me to tell the tale of the drunk who was urinating in the bushes), but I normally feel confident she can protect herself. Oh yeah, she is also a better shot than I am.

Having firearms required some serious thought on our part. Having a gun in the house means that you may use it - sounds obvious, I know, but if you are required to use that firearm, you will likely injure or kill someone. One must know that in advance, accept it, know the ramifications it will bring, and pray that you will never need to use it.
Having a firearm for self defense and having children in the house adds another dimension entirely. The firearm is for self defense - in other words, it is a safety issue - but the children need to be protected from the possibility of injury due to misuse - in other words (again), their own curiosity.
One tool is the Eddie Eagle program that the NRA sponsors. It is a good starting point. Another tool is the dulling of the child's curiosity - if the weapon is not a mystery, and the child can handle it (with supervision, after the weapon has been rendered inoperative), then curiosity is lessened, as is the chance that the child will gravitate toward the weapon unsupervised. I've also taken the girls to an outdoor range - not so they could fire the weapon, but so they could hear the noise (with ear protection, of course) and see how destructive a bullet can be.
I would recommend Cornered Cat as a web site worthy of note for anyone, but especially women who may be considering (or already have) a firearm for self protection. My daughters will study the information here when they reach the right age.

Camera Repair - a cheap Dad strikes again!

My daughter's little Nikon Coolpix 2100 has been a great camera, but the plastic latch that the battery door slides into broke. Nikon wanted $95 + shipping to repair the darn thing, which is more than we paid for it!

This is the offending part - cheap plastic holding a spring-loaded door. A poor design, one which affects the 2100, 3100, and 3200 models - and one which Nikon changed in later models.


A glob of JB Weld, an epoxy with metal mixed in for extra strength. The stuff is versatile, easy to use, and strong.

This is a piece of silver wire I just happened to have on hand - I bought a roll to repair my Rosary a while back (yes, I really am cheap... er, I mean frugal). I attached it to the remaining latch with the epoxy, and tested it once the epoxy set. I then used more epoxy to fill in around and beneath the wire, so that the door would close and latch properly. An inexpensive and relatively elegant solution (I've seen some repair efforts that involve all sorts of external clamps and screws). My daughter is thrilled to have her camera back.

Lenten Purple Potato Soup

A side benefit of our recent trip to Monte Vista was the purchase of some nice potatoes, which happened to be purple in color. I thought of our upcoming Friday evening soup and bread supper at our Parish (this normally follows Evening Prayer, and precedes the Stations of the Cross). I thought it might be fun for the kids, and certainly it would be the proper liturgical color!

The image above shows one uncooked potato with the skin intact, one peeled. I learned that to keep the color, the potatoes should be baked or microwaved, then added to the soup stock (in our case, for Lent, we use either just plain old water or a home-made vegetable stock). I found there is less waste if the potato is cooked skin on, then peeled before being added to the stock. Some herbs and salt, a little milk to make it creamier, and you have purple soup.

Most thought it tasted very good. One young lady wouldn't try it because of the color. The purple potatoes have a little different flavor, perhaps a bit sweeter.

Still, a fun dish to make and serve.