I recently finished The Grammar of Our Civility, my selected book for the Dewey 400s. This book was not the inspiring read that Climbing Parnassus was. Perhaps if I had read this title first, I might feel differently. In many ways this book emphasized why classical studies are in the state they are instead of why studying the classics are an important area of study.
Having focused much of my recent reading on non-fiction, I have turned to lighter reading and began the Cat Who books yesterday. I'm finding the reading challenge good in that my reading is focused, but I'm finding it hard to avoid dipping into the books that cross my path particularly related to daily life issues. As always, reading for my class, although enjoyable, vies for attention among all of my other reading interests.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Frustrations
Some days and weeks are much more frustrating than others. This week in particular has seemed to be one frustration after another. After last weekend, I was pulling my hair out and really ready to go back to work. However, I had a really difficult time getting to work as the car became stuck at the end of our driveway. It took my husband and a neighbor to get me out. Later I needed to take our son to the doctor and became stuck in here driving as well. Fortunately, I was able to get it out myself.
Home life has been frustrating not because we haven't gotten along, but because time runs away from us. Several evenings this week, we were out out and about until late and then it's time to put the kids to bed which leaves no time for cleaning. I'm also trying to catch up on rest after not sleeping well last weekend and getting to bed later than I should most of the time.
I also spent a great deal of time trying to figure out what we are going to do to celebrate Lent. I gathered some good ideas but haven't had time to begin implementing many of them yet.
Work life has been frustrating as well. A student worker resigned this week; another informed me he isn't returning in the fall. I already know another isn't coming back because of an internship and possibly a second as well. It is so frustrating to train them and watch them leave time and time again. Several other frustrations arose involving the need to get permission for everything. This need to seek permission forced me to be "wait listed" for a conference. The second need to get permission hasn't been decided yet but involves participating in a state committee. However, it would be nice to hear "Congratulations! That's a great opportunity!" before hearing "Well, we'll have to see how that impacts your other work and if you'll have time."
Home life has been frustrating not because we haven't gotten along, but because time runs away from us. Several evenings this week, we were out out and about until late and then it's time to put the kids to bed which leaves no time for cleaning. I'm also trying to catch up on rest after not sleeping well last weekend and getting to bed later than I should most of the time.
I also spent a great deal of time trying to figure out what we are going to do to celebrate Lent. I gathered some good ideas but haven't had time to begin implementing many of them yet.
Work life has been frustrating as well. A student worker resigned this week; another informed me he isn't returning in the fall. I already know another isn't coming back because of an internship and possibly a second as well. It is so frustrating to train them and watch them leave time and time again. Several other frustrations arose involving the need to get permission for everything. This need to seek permission forced me to be "wait listed" for a conference. The second need to get permission hasn't been decided yet but involves participating in a state committee. However, it would be nice to hear "Congratulations! That's a great opportunity!" before hearing "Well, we'll have to see how that impacts your other work and if you'll have time."
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Snow Day reading pleasures
We celebrated February 1st by enjoying a snow day. I was as excited as the children to receive this reprieve from my normal schedule. I attempted to put the extra time to good use by catching up on my reading for class. I had hoped to study for my exam as well, but Pocketful of Pinecones called to me instead. I attempted to read the short chapters in between my other reading and study, but alas Pinecones won and I finished it this morning while enjoying my hot chocolate.
I had checked out Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola last fall before I learned of the various reading challenges. Thus several of the items in my Dewey selections for the reading challenge appear due to their prior selection and some of the area are more heavily populated. Pocketful of Pinecones, a often recommended book about nature study in the Charlotte Mason tradition, was an enjoyable but not taxing read. Although a non-fiction work, this "diary" of a fictitious depression era home educator read quickly and easily. As expected, the nature study ideas were welcome and I hope to incorporate them more. However, I feel guilty due to the hard work of this wife and mother doing her laundry, keeping her house tidy, gardening, learning herblore, sewing, knitting, and other tasks that comprised her day. So in addition to the call for more nature walks and study, the call to more industry in my house keeping and time management echoes.
Alas for the next few days, home industry must wait its turns while I prepare for my exam. I hope the siren call of reading this title is replaced with diligence in other matters.
I had checked out Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola last fall before I learned of the various reading challenges. Thus several of the items in my Dewey selections for the reading challenge appear due to their prior selection and some of the area are more heavily populated. Pocketful of Pinecones, a often recommended book about nature study in the Charlotte Mason tradition, was an enjoyable but not taxing read. Although a non-fiction work, this "diary" of a fictitious depression era home educator read quickly and easily. As expected, the nature study ideas were welcome and I hope to incorporate them more. However, I feel guilty due to the hard work of this wife and mother doing her laundry, keeping her house tidy, gardening, learning herblore, sewing, knitting, and other tasks that comprised her day. So in addition to the call for more nature walks and study, the call to more industry in my house keeping and time management echoes.
Alas for the next few days, home industry must wait its turns while I prepare for my exam. I hope the siren call of reading this title is replaced with diligence in other matters.
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