there are primary sources…

and then there are primary sources.

It was such a treat last week to visit the local American Legion War Museum with a group of homeschoolers. The displays were great, but they couldn’t compare to the stories and enthusiasm from the veterans who came just to speak with our children. God bless them.

That’s Mr. Bryant – above, and below as he appeared during his service in World War II. He was an absolute delight and though he is well past 80, he showed no sign of slowing down. In fact, I am pretty sure he could take me in a foot race. I could have talked with him for hours.

65 years later, World War II veterans still cry when they talk about the horrors they experienced. We have no idea. No. Idea.

The boy enjoyed it almost as much as I did.

Love this sign:

and in other news

Lydia over at Little Blue School very kindly included me on her list of Top Homeschoolers to Follow on Twitter. She “ruthlessly categorized” us, which is cool. I came in as “writer.” That works. :)

the tale of despereaux

OK, I am late to the party, but my review of The Tale of Despereaux is up at Heart of the Matter. This was a sweet, sweet story. It might be scary for wee littles, however.

beauty with ease

Pardon the shameless self-promotion, but I thought you might enjoy hearing about one more story in this month’s Upstate Parent and Palmetto Parent. I interviewed some moms who know more than a thing or two about beauty and I got their tips for all of us who feel a little challenged in that department. Lela Barker, owner of Bella Lucce, even gave me some wonderful recipes for homemade beauty treats.

Enjoy.

cut (or clip) that grocery budget

I hope you will check out my story on couponing in this month’s Upstate Parent. Two local women have taken this to levels that are just incredible.

hoy es el día del niño

Did you know that? (Today is the Day of the Child.) The holiday has been celebrated in Mexico since 1925, according to a press release I received from the lovely folks at Herdez salsa, and it promotes the well-being of children while honoring their importance to society.

Pretty cool.

Here’s a link to some kid-friendly recipes. My own children have been known to eat their weight in tortillas. I have a Peter Reinhart recipe for homemade tortillas that I just might try this weekend.

spring in the south

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any--lifted from the no
of all nothing--human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

~e.e. cummings