Technology and civility

I was listening to Leo Laporte (http://leoville.com/) this last weekend.  The one thing I remember him talking about was his surprise at receiving a letter from a fan of the show.  Not only was it handwritten, it was written in cursive.

Leo wondered if there was a need for cursive anymore.  He didn't ask if there was a need for handwritten notes anymore, but it would be the next logical place to go.  I will admit that it is much easier to pick up the phone to call or text, or to send an email of thanks, to announce something, invite, or just say a simple hello.

But, I have been thinking about the loss of something that I don't know if enough people are noticing. 

I have seen my dad's birth certificate.  He was born in 1937 and the certificate looked like it was handwritten calligraphy.  The birth certificates of my children, my husband and myself are just typed out forms.  I receive Christmas cards via email.  They just aren't the same.  I love having the cards hanging up on my wall during Advent and Christmas for the whole family to enjoy and read. 

I think about the letters that I have from my grandmother, who died over 10 years ago.  I cherish the letters that I have from her.  I love re-reading them.  My husband was was in the Army for much of our engagement.  I remember how I lived for those letters.  During basic training we were only able to talk on the phone on Sundays.  I have them all put away in a special box. 

Don't get me wrong.  Voicemail and Skype and the rest of technology have their place.  I have a voicemail from my dad, who died five years ago this month.  He calls me every three weeks.  I love hearing his voice.  I wish that I had been able to Skype with my husband when he was in basic training and later in the First Gulf War. 

But, if we can't take the time to write a simple note, what does that say about us as a society? 

Download and Go Rollercoaster Unit Study

http://fruitofhands.blogspot.com/2010/08/download-n-go-roller-coasters.html

She has the opportunity to win a Download and Go unit study on Roller Coasters.  It looks like a fun one.  Check it out!

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY July 13, 2010

Outside my window...there is a breeze going through the sycamore trees.

I am thinking...about how I am going to get to the funeral on Thursday.

I am thankful for...friends, cyber and in real life ones.

From the learning rooms...things are quiet for  now.

From the kitchen...I think the light is on, but no one is in there.

I am wearing...my purple shirt and white floral skirt. Nice and cool for a summer day.

I am creating...travel plans for Thursday

I am going...to King City on Thursday.

I am reading...The Scarlet and The Black

I am hoping...that the running around this afternoon flows well.

I am hearing...one of the kids making a table wobble.

Around the house...it is time to straighten up a little.

One of my favorite things...summer birthday parties.

A few plans for the rest of the week: piano lessons, dance classes, funeral, cleaning the studio.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This was taken at my nephew's graduation.  The young lady on the left is my oldest daughter.  The one on the right is my second daughter.  The one in the middle is my niece.


The Simple Woman is a wonderful and simple way to journal.  Check her out at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/  You can also meet other women who are taking time out of their week to journal as well.

Remember what to ask for

As a homeschooling mom I hear, "I don't have the patience to homeschool." My reply is usually that patience isn't required but that asking for the grace to homeschool and then to be open to that grace is what is key.

But, reading an email today reminded me that I should also be more specific in what I ask for. In other areas of my life, I am more specific in what I ask for during prayer.

Specifically the topic of the email was about slow readers. What was the first thing it listed to do? Take it to God. Wow, fail on my part. I pray for my children. I ask that God lead me to help them in what they need in their daily life. Why haven't I remembered to say, "Lord, please help #5 with her reading?" That is specific.

http://heartofthematteronline.com/helping-your-slow-reader?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+heartofthematteronline%2FYoZh+%28Heart+of+the+Matter%29&utm_content=Yahoo!+Mail

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY July 7, 2010

Outside my window...there are a lot of teenagers in the pool. They are taking a dip after hiking in the riverbed.

I am thinking...I would really like to go on a retreat.

I am thankful for...my husband.

From the learning rooms...all is quiet.

From the kitchen...all is quiet.

I am wearing...peasant shirt, denim shorts.

I am creating...a information file for Ford Excursions.

I am going...to the Family conference Sunday

I am reading...The Bride.

I am hoping...the mayhem stays outside.

I am hearing...the six year old tattle on Jesse because he tore the noodle into shreds.

Around the house...things are quiet because the mayhem is outside. :)

One of my favorite things...my online friends.

A few plans for the rest of the week:shopping, birthday parties, Family Conference

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

These are actually two of my husband's favorite things. :) The truck is actually simple. It is a 1969 Chevy C10. Definitely not as complicated as what the Suburban's engine looks like.


Please take a look at the original Simple Woman...http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Summer Devotion Challenge

A homeschool support group that I am a part of is having a devotional challenge. It starts July 1st so get your Bible and start reading it for at least 5 minutes tomorrow. Memorize a verse per week.




http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/forum/topics/summer-devotions-challenge?groupUrl=Biblestudy&id=1983515%3ATopic%3A2076465&groupId=1983515%3AGroup%3A1469420&page=8#comments

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY June 22, 2010

Outside my window...The air is still.

I am thinking...that we need to plan something for our anniversary on Friday.

I am thankful for...My niece Jasmine. It is her 17th birthday today. :)

From the learning rooms...all is quiet because the kids are at VBS.

From the kitchen...all is quiet.

I am wearing...a summer shirt, denim skort, and metallic flip flops.

I am creating...a list of things I need to pick up for the 4H barbecue tomorrow.

I am going...back to the church because my daughter needs ibuprofen for her knee that she injured last night at dance.

I am reading...magazines. No books sound interesting to me right now. I don't
know what is wrong with me. Wait, I am reading Ozma of Oz to the Littles.

I am hoping...that it doesn't take too long to finish up the laundry. HA!

I am hearing...the dryer.

Around the house...all is quiet.

One of my favorite things...A Black and Tan sundae at Leatherby's Family Creamery
in Sacramento.

A few plans for the rest of the week: various family birthdays and anniversaries and a 4H barbecue

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...this is my niece (on the left) and my daughter #2 at Leatherby's Family Creamery in Sacramento two weekends ago. We were in town for Becky's brother's graduation from high school. It just isn't a trip to Sacramento if we don't get a visit in to Leatherby's.