Poverty in America

Two former co-workers met on the street.

Ann: "OH Becky, we all just miss you so much since they laid off your department."

Becky: "Have they hired anyone back?"

Ann: "No, they just redistributed the work and sent the essential stuff overseas. Cost cutting, you know how it is."

Becky: "Yes, I know."

Ann: "They're doing so good now, I got a bonus."

Becky: "Good for you, Ann."

Ann: "Yes, we're going on that cruise I told you about."

Becky: "Do send me a postcard."

Ann: "I will. You know Becky, you lost so much weight. I just hate you for looking so good."

Becky: "You should try my new diet."

Ann: Is it one of those expensive drink diets?"

Becky: "No."

Ann: "Is it one of those with the special food?"

Becky: "No."

Ann: "It's not counting calories, is it? I hate that."

Becky: "No."

Ann: "Don't keep it a secret. Tell me!"

Becky: "Poverty."

Book Review: Reading Magic Review

Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
For this reviewer, there were no revelations in Reading Magic. Most of what Mem Fox writes is in the “of course” category for me. But what was exceedingly enjoyable was her take on reading to kids. Her style and examples were delightful.



This was a quick read in the pick-it-up, put-it-down, pick-it-up style of reading I seem to do these days.



While waiting at the dentist’s office, I read a portion of this book aloud to my 13-year-old son, who said, “I love it when you read to me, even if it’s reading about reading.” Reading Magic provides plenty of ammunition against the the learn-at-school-only crowd.



Get this book if you want to understand how children learn to read, how to teach children the particularly difficult language of English (which is only about 50% phonetic) or how to improve your read-aloud persona. Read it. Follow the suggestions. Read to your kids, every day for just 10 minutes. You will be glad you did.



For the rest of this review, check out the review section at eclectichomeschool.com/








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Book Review: Winning Words

Winning Words: Sports Stories and Photographs by Charles R. Smith, Jr.

My review

Reviewed for www.eho.org, should be on site shortly. Sports play such an important role in children's lives. Coaches need to stay focused on the positive aspects of sports and motivate kids to do their best. Winning Words provides some great examples with some inspirational quotes.


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Confessions of a Neighbor Namer

I like to think of them as pet names. It isn’t something that everyone has or deserves. Pet names are saved for those neighbors and co-workers who have at one time, or more likely many times, sunk to the level of absolute idiocy, far past the “give-em-a-break” line of demarcation, on one or more of the characteristic of personality scales by which levels of humanity are rated.

Most pet names evolve over time. They change based on the latest stupidity witnessed. Frankly, I try really hard to NOT notice what my neighbors are doing. But even with great effort, the dumb just seeps through the fence and all the “ignoring them” resolutions. It usually happens after a loud bang. Even though I know, it’s just another neighbor proving that the missing-link is alive and well, I can’t help myself from looking. I’m compelled to go see what made that noise. I’m caught in the Gladys Kravitz syndrome again, looking through the window and seeing things I wish I hadn’t seen.

I stood stunned, as I watched a near 50 year old, 5’6” wanna-be-scumbag-biker with his new Harley, in his new jacket, with his new bandana, yelling at his wife to help him pick up the motorcycle that just fell over in the drive-way.

I stood aghast, at the fist-fight on my front lawn, which was actually, just friends of my neighbor. That was our introduction… I’ve seen this one, misjudge the location of the edge of his deck, the intension was to through the contents of the B-B-Q on to the ground below, but he missed and the red hot coals rolled all over on the deck at his feet. Currently, we’re watching his cooler collection grow. Apparently, every time he goes on a picnic, fishing or camping trip of sorts, he forgets t bring his cooler and buys another one to add to the stack behind his house, where he can’t see them, but I can. There are four and we’re just a few weeks into summer. How many will be there by September? One wonders… the anticipation is intense, isn’t it?

The transformation of a pet name brings with it the history we as neighbors share. At the beginning, before they reveal their truly stupid self, I use their names. If a neighbor is destined for a pet name, it doesn’t take very long before… Doug becomes Duh-oug, Duh-oug the Goof, Goofy Doug, Doofy. Sad but true, each revision is a reflection of one or more episodes of usually drunken (we hope) stupidity witnessed by neighbors who a) couldn’t care less and b) are trying to avoid knowing anything else about these people.

The only trouble with using pet names exclusively when referring to neighbors is that it preempts ever calling them by their given names again… once you name them, it’s just better not to talk to them anymore. Talk about them, yes. To them, No. Because they’ll never understand what you mean when you forget yourself for a moment and say, “See ya later, Doofy.”