Homeschooled

Stefan Merrill Block is the author of Homeschooled: A Memoir. Stefan is the younger son in a family with two boys. His Dad worked as a counselor in a mental health clinic. His mother was a stay at home Mom although later she tutored other kids in math. Stefan's Mom encouraged him to be homeschooled. She didn't want him to grow up. She said she didn't want him to be damaged by the school environment. He reluctantly went along with it. They were living in Texas. Together they spent time swimming in the pool in the backyard or shopping at a mall. After five years of this he pushed to go back to school for high school. The adjustment was hard. He didn't know how to take tests. He didn't give up. He asked teachers for help. Eventually he caught up and did well in school. The author writes about his mother's manipulation of him honestly but he presents her with respect and affection.

 

 

 

 

August(us)

 Augustus was a chubby lad;
Fat ruddy checks Augustus had;
And every body saw with joy
The plump and hearty healthy boy.
He ate and drank as he was told,
And never let his soup get cold.
But one day, one cold winter’s day,
He scream’d out — “Take the soup away!
O take the nasty soup away!
I won’t have any soup to-day!”

 

Next day, now look, the picture shows
How lank and lean Augustus grows!
Yet, though he feels so weak and ill,
The naughty fellow cries out still —
“Not any soup for me, I say:
O take the nasty soup away!
I won’t have any soup to-day.”

 

 The third day comes; Oh what a sin!
To make himself so pale and thin.
Yet, when the soup is put on table,
He screams, as loud as he is able, —
“Not any soup for me, I say:
O take the nasty soup away!
I won’t have any soup to-day.”

 

Look at him, now the fourth day’s come!
He scarcely weighs a sugar-plum;
He’s like a little bit of thread,
And on the fifth day, he was — dead!

 

When I was in elementary school I was assigned to memorize a poem. I chose this poem out of a book of poems that my parents owned. They had a set of ten children books. The poem was written by Heinrich Hoffman 

Some Bright Nowhere

 Ann Packer is the author of the family fiction novel called Some Bright Nowhere. This is a story about a couple named Claire and Elliot. They lived in Connecticut and raised two children. Now Claire is riddled with cancer and Elliot is her loving caregiver. As she enters the last months of her life, she has a request that breaks Elliot's heart. After forty years of marriage, how can Claire ask such a thing is she really loves her husband? Are her friends really her friends or just major interferers in an otherwise happy marriage? The story is told mostly by Elliot who is the only likeable person in the book.

 

 

The Paris Novel

Ruth Reichl is the author of The Paris Novel. The main character in this historical fiction novel is Stella. Stella lives in New York City during the 1980's. She grew up without a father. Her mother was generally absent during her life. Her mother cared more for herself and her reputation than she did about Stella. Stella got a job in a publishing house as an editor. When her mother dies Stella inherits an envelope with some money, a plane ticket, and a note that tells her to go to Paris. Stella goes to Paris. She lives there with her old habits of living frugally and thoughtfully. She walks into a thrift shop. The owner of the thrift shop insists she buy a beautiful dress. Stella decides to make an impulsive decision which ultimately changes her life. Now Stella takes chances. She indulges in delicious meals. She meets people who knew her mother and her mother's ways. She finds her purpose in Paris. I enjoyed reading her descriptions of various Paris neighborhoods and museums since I went to Paris this year. I also enjoyed the meals and wine Stella enjoyed once her life opened up to appreciating food and wine.

 

 

The Wish

I listened to the audiobook called The Wish which was written by Heather Morris. The story is about a 15 year old girl names Jessie who has terminal cancer. She has a dying wish. She was always a big video gamer. She wants a video game that features her favorite spots, her family, and herself so that her friends and family can interact with her virtually once she is gone. The Make A Wish foundation contacts a gaming company. The best virtual reality game inventor is 29 year old Alex. Alex is an introvert and a little damaged. He grew up in the foster care system. He is lonely. Alex and Jessie don't hit it off right away. What Jessie wants is very ambitious and Alex isn't sure he can deliver. This nice story is all about relationships and emotions.

 

 

June Grass

I know it's July but today I picked seeds of June grass at the Nature Conservancy site of Weaver Dunes. I picked two half gallon empty milk jugs of June grass.

I was so glad the sky was overcast because we were very warm. By the time we finished at 1 p.m. the temperature was 85 degrees. We had a nice breeze. An Eastern towhee sang for us while we worked.

Our group included a dozen people. Some from Winona, some from Rochester, and some from Minneapolis. This is blazing star. We could have picked hoary puccoon seeds but those are hard to find without the flowers.

We found white and purple prairie clover.

These are partridge peas. I had a good day out on the prairie today!

 

All In Her Head

I read a book written by Elizabeth Comen. She works as a breast oncologist. Her book is called All In Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies And Why It Matters Today. This is a book that every woman should read although it will make you angry and frustrated. The author will go through eleven body systems and explain how women have been examined, judged, ignored, shamed, and gas lit. Women continue to be mistreated until this day. The mistreatment of women is woven into our culture and even enlightened female doctors will engage in the practice. In between the history of medicine the author includes snippets of experiences with her own patients which I found very interesting.