What Do You Want to Know About?

Did you know that most of what you look for on the internet is documented? Although I may not know who you are, I know what you searched for to find me! Here are the top ten searches that found my blog yesterday.

#1 search term: Chelsea Link. This is the homeschool teen who got accepted to all the best universities in the country. I’m surprised how many people still look for her. What do you want to know about her?

#2: the cons of homeschooling. This is one of my favorite topics. You’ve come to the right place. I have talked about the cons of homeschooling, the cons of being homeschooled, and the basic realities of what homeschooling is like. Most likely, this will be my next book. So, tell your friends.

#3: are homeschool kids weird. Why, yes they are. Do you have a problem with that?

#4: college classes at itunes. Did you know that you can get free online classes all over the internet, including itunes? It makes me happy to think that people are specifically looking for these.

#5: what do kids say about being homeschooled. Kids say a variety of things. Some good, some bad. Here’s a recent find, where a homeschooled teen went to high school.

#6: teacher discount bookstore. Barnes and Noble and Borders both hold semi-anual teacher discount weeks. I try to post the info when I get it, but I’m not always on the ball. Anyone have a link with more timely info?

#7: spanked homeschool young girl. What. The. Hell?

#8: homeschool definition. That’s easy. Kids don’t sit in a classroom all day. But to be truthful, this has been debated a million times before. It’s really not worth it. Don’t go searching for an answer. It’ll just lead you to insanity. Doubly so if you’re looking for the definition of unschooling.

#9: marathon diploma. Hmmm, I wonder what this person is looking for? A diploma for being trained in how to run a marathon? Or a diploma that you earn very quickly? What do you think?

#10: presidential opinions homeschool. Oh boy. Really, this is a non-issue for me. You really won’t find much about this on my blog. Why? Because I won’t decide on a president based on his opinions of homeschooling. It doesn’t matter. He’s got bigger things to worry about. It’s up to us in CA to deal with homeschooling. Now, I DO care what my governor thinks of homeschooling. And so far, I’m pretty happy with his take on it.

Thanks for finding my blog through the search engines. I hope that you found some good reading when you arrived here.

No Fireworks for Independence Day

Does taking fireworks out of the equation make celebrating Independence Day any less meaningful?

Fireworks are illegal in our area because of fire danger. Our community celebration at the Starlight Bowl won’t have fireworks either.

It is strangely empty without fireworks. I remember, as a kid, lighting fireworks in the street with my dad, bucket of water at the ready, for what seemed like hours. We lit sparklers as soon as there was a hint of sunset. We lit snakes and tattooed our sidewalk. Then we listened to Piccolo Pete sing his ear-piercing song.

These are memories that really stick in my head. And our kids won’t have these memories. For that, I’m a little sad.

Instead, they will have memories of going to a friend’s house, or a family member’s house, having a BBQ, playing outside until it’s dark, then playing Rock Band until way past their bedtime.

In either case, it’s still the 4th of July. Can we have a similar appreciation for our independence, and our history, without fireworks? Or does it take away from the celebration, making our recognition of the beginnings of our country less poignant?

Independence Day is a holiday that leaves me somewhat confused, while also feeling lucky. Celebrating the history of America gives me mixed feelings. I’m glad that I live in this country, and celebrate the freedom we have today in my own way, everyday. Yet, I like England too, and the rest of the UK. I like Europe. They all started off as monarchies, and they evolved.

Our independence from England back in 1776 was a big step—a declaration that we can stand on our own two feet. But we have made a lot of mistakes. We aren’t perfect. And I wonder sometimes, whether a teenager fighting against his parents to go it alone when they don’t think he’s yet ready, is worth celebrating. Or, is it simply the only way it could have been?

The celebration of Independence Day is bigger than the US. It’s a time to celebrate everyone in the world who is free—free to travel, free to talk to whomever they want to, free to study what they want, free to eat the food they want to, free to wear the clothes they want to. And sadly, even in our own country, there are many who are not free to do these things, sometimes due to our own government’s actions.

So today, as I celebrate Independence Day, I think about fireworks with my dad, I think about BBQs and spending time with the people we love, and I think about how complicated our world is, and that we are lucky to have happened to landed where we are, and living the wonderful life that we do.

Happy 4th of July everyone. Namaste.

What the Hell Is Unschooling?

Periodically I check out the search terms that people use to find my blog. Today, someone found me with the query, “What the hell is unschooling?”

I think it’s awesome. So much passion, and wild curiosity.

And it would make one punchy book title.

New Feed Options on JE

I just added two new features to the menu on the right: RSS feed and Email updates.

Let me know if you have any problems with it.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

Holiday Slow Down

I can tell it’s the holidays in the blogosphere – I only have five or six updated blogs in my RSS feeder this morning, instead of 15-20.

My dad arrived yesterday, with his family. Typically, when he’s here, we don’t sit around the house. So I won’t have a lot of time to get near my computer.

If you happen to be surfing the blogosphere this week, and you happen to arrive here, I wish you a week of fun and laughter, life and love.

Happy Gobble Gobble Day!

The number of things I’m appreciative of would need more than a blog entry. I am thankful for all the people in my life. And the many things that I have.

This list is not at all comprehensive.

My entire family (in particular my hubby and children who fill my daily life with joy)
All my friends (in particular my friends who I could call at 4am)
My editors Angela, Ellen, Candy and Laurie, and all the other people who help me do my jobs better.
All the people who support this blog, support my writing and who live with me in cyberspace (including all my fellow nanoers)
My freedom
My womanhood and mommyhood
My coffee I’m drinking, and all the people who worked to make that cup of coffee happen.
Lappy. Without Lappy, I don’t know what I’d do.
My house, which although messy, keeps me warm, dry and gives me a comfy place to rest.
My working body – although not perfect, it does a darn good job toting my spirit around.
All the animals, trees and earthy things that keep us alive just by existing.
The turkey who gave its life for us to be able to eat Thanksgiving dinner.

Eat well. Love well. And sleep well. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

My Baby’s Birthday – We Got Her a Webkinz

My “baby” is 4 today. We got her a Webkinz. It’s a polar bear. She named it “Beary”. She’s putting her house together right now and learning how to get around. It’s so cute.

Happy Birthday to my baby girl!

Cats Are More Interesting than Politics

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but it just makes me laugh to see that a blog about cats doing silly things is more popular than the CNN politics blog.

(Note: “Cat” site potentially unsafe for work/kids in spots.)

Juliette McDonald – It’s a Brand New Day

Congratulations to my friend Juliette McDonald for receiving the Parent’s Choice Award for her album – It’s a Brand New Day! It’s well deserved.

Hugs Juliette!

Sick and Help?

So, I’ve been sick for a few days with a sinus infection and some virus thing that has wiped me out.

I keep thinking of blogging, but every time I come up with something to write about, I fall asleep and forget what it was.

So, I need your help. I’ve been meaning to watch this preview, but haven’t been able to get around to it, being sick and all. Not to mention that I’m not really an audio/visual person – even when I’m not sick. Have any of you watched it? Should I make the time to watch it? What’s your take on the preview?