Wow! It has been several months since I blogged. And then I have find my username and password to get back into it. I think I need to make a file of passwords for easy referral.
The feds are trying to impose a one-size-fits-all national school curriculum, Common Core. States were bribed to sign onto it even before the standards were completely set forth. And North Dakota signed on. But now states are pulling out.
In the first place, it's unconstitutional. The 10th Amendment only allows the federal government to do things that are specific enumerated powers. I think the unconstitutionality of it is more problematic than exactly what standards have been set, although the standards apparently have been dumbed-down from many existing state standards.
Education is a difficult thing to measure also. Students can spit back answers on multiple choice standardized tests but can tests measure critical thinking, motivation to be a self-learner, and ability in creative skills? Should teachers or schools be rewarded or punished depending on the scores of their students? Can they be blamed if they are teaching the slow learners or students who start off underprivileged and just haven't caught up to the others?
Common Core also requires keeping detailed records on students that go into their permanent record. This data mining includes files on their social and emotional lives and could well be used for nefarious purposes against them or their families. Privacy would be thrown out the door and would make the NSA's files look tame by comparison.
Our congressmen need to be urged to oppose funding and implementation of Common Core.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Digging out from under neglected household chores!
I had some surgery March 2nd and the whole month of March and now ten days into April have been down time for me. Recovery seems slow but I can tell I'm making progress.
In the meantime... It is amazing how many small household chores get neglected that one does on a regular basis such as cleaning the fridge, especially if something doesn't get done for six weeks or possibly more. I took on that task this morning and had to toss some questionable foods that had been there way too long. I wiped down the glass shelves were all smeared up and it looks at least sanitary again.
Cat hair accumulates on our bed and couches. I let it go for quite a while after I returned from the hospital but finally broke down and vacuumed it off after I felt good enough to tackle doing it. After a week, it is absolutely necessary to tackle cat hair. And, especially if company comes, I like to at least have the couch cleaned off so they can sit down hair free.
Normally it doesn't seem like much of a problem to keep up on little things that need to be done like filling salt and pepper shakers, doling out our daily vitamins, making bread in the bread machine, mixing up orange juice from frozen concentrate, cleaning and chopping up celery before it goes limp, keeping up with watering houseplants, bringing up various foods from the storage room in the basement, picking sprouts off potatoes, using up leftovers so they don't go to waste, etc. But a person really notices how important these things are to a smooth-running household when they don't get done.
I am so glad to be getting back to normal and have the luxury of attending to all these details. It didn't bother me so much when I was first back home and still feeling pretty crummy, but now that I am better, I can't stand living so sloppily!
In the meantime... It is amazing how many small household chores get neglected that one does on a regular basis such as cleaning the fridge, especially if something doesn't get done for six weeks or possibly more. I took on that task this morning and had to toss some questionable foods that had been there way too long. I wiped down the glass shelves were all smeared up and it looks at least sanitary again.
Cat hair accumulates on our bed and couches. I let it go for quite a while after I returned from the hospital but finally broke down and vacuumed it off after I felt good enough to tackle doing it. After a week, it is absolutely necessary to tackle cat hair. And, especially if company comes, I like to at least have the couch cleaned off so they can sit down hair free.
Normally it doesn't seem like much of a problem to keep up on little things that need to be done like filling salt and pepper shakers, doling out our daily vitamins, making bread in the bread machine, mixing up orange juice from frozen concentrate, cleaning and chopping up celery before it goes limp, keeping up with watering houseplants, bringing up various foods from the storage room in the basement, picking sprouts off potatoes, using up leftovers so they don't go to waste, etc. But a person really notices how important these things are to a smooth-running household when they don't get done.
I am so glad to be getting back to normal and have the luxury of attending to all these details. It didn't bother me so much when I was first back home and still feeling pretty crummy, but now that I am better, I can't stand living so sloppily!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Kitty! In memory of "Chicago" (White Sox)
Kitty!
By Judy Stahl
On
the one hand, Kitty, you're a cat that naps
While
you're purring so contentedly curled in my lap.
As
you wake from a dream to stretch and yawn,
You
meow faintly for the cream that I fetch at dawn.
I
feel a paw touch softly upon my cheek,
Like
a flash to your bowl, you dash in a streak.
But
…
With
an ounce of pounce you'll jump on a table
And
navigate deftly twixt hot soup and ladle.
While
lavishing three last long licks at the butter.
We
shout ...NO!!!...
Beneath
a chair you slink, as we we fume and mutter
About
cat hair...contamination...putting you out for the night!
Oh
why can't a cat be trustworthy, honest, and truly contrite?
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