December 31, 2009
December 24, 2009
A Krauss Christmas
“Shimmy Down the Chimney (Fill Up My Stocking)” by the gorgeous voice of the beautiful Alison Krauss. Merry Christmas and Happy Winter Solstice!!
December 23, 2009
Grazing in the Snow, 12-4-09
I took my horse out for a ride in the rare Houston snow (12-4-09, 2:48 PM). Requires QuickTime to view.
Merry Christmas!! :)
November 27, 2009
Giving Thanks…
…for a ninth-grade student who said “Students in my class don’t know how to reason.” It is good that he grasps such a thing, and is learning from my work with him what reasoning is.
…for a fifth-grade student who, under my guidance, is learning how to think and use reason. She is being trained in methods deeper than and beyond math — of which latter she is getting a solid, objective grasp.
…for a high school senior who, under my tutelage, increased her SAT score from a 1630 (before I worked with her; this was a real SAT, not one administered for record purposes) to a 1970. That’s 340 points. And we did not even cover all the material I wanted, in the number of sessions I thought appropriate — i.e., she could have done better.
November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I hope you all have a fun, festive, feasting day. We deserve it for all the hard work we’ve put in this year — for all our productivity and profit, both financial and moral. Enjoy!
October 12, 2009
Happy Columbus Day!!
Mr. Scott Powell has a good collection of painting, poetry, historical analysis and general commentary about Columbus on his Website.
“Columbus Before the Queen,” by Peter Rothermel.
Image from Powell History. See also Mr. Powell’s good analysis and commentary on the painting!
“Columbus” by Joaquin Miller
“Christopher Columbus” by Carl von Piloty.
Image from Powell History. See also Mr. Powell’s good analysis and commentary on the painting!
Behind him lay the gray Azores,
Behind the Gates of Hercules;
Before him not the ghost of shores,
Before him only shoreless seas.
The good mate said: “Now must we pray,
For lo! the very stars are gone.
Brave Admiral, speak; what shall I say?”
“Why, say: ‘Sail on! sail on! and on!’”
My men grow mutinous day by day;
My men grow ghastly wan and weak.”
The stout mate thought of home; a spray
Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.
“What shall I say, brave Admiral say,
If we sight naught but seas at dawn?”
“Why you shall say, at break of day:
‘Sail on! sail on! and on!’”
September 29, 2009
Happy National Coffee Day!!
In “National Coffee Day Deals” (My Fox National, Tuesday, 29 Sep 2009, 10:36 AM EDT), Mike Brody writes:
Rejoice, it’s National Coffee Day. No one really knows how the event got started, but those who enjoy a hot Cup of Joe don’t really care — they just want their java fix.
See Coffee Universe for info on coffee; all you want to know and more.
HT: Grace DC.
September 17, 2009
Happy Constitution Day!!
At ConstitutionDay.com, they say:
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787.
and
On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. We encourage all Americans to observe this important day in our nation’s history by attending local events in your area. Celebrate Constitution Day through activities, learning, parades and demonstrations of our Love for the United States of America and the Blessings of Freedom Our Founding Fathers secured for us.
ConstitutionDay.com © 2009
On their page about the Constitution they say:
Adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, PA.
The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the Federal Government of the United States. It provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government. The document defines the three main branches of the government: The legislative branch with a bicameral Congress, an executive branch led by the President, and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court. Besides providing for the organization of these branches, the Constitution outlines obligations of each office, as well as provides what powers each branch may exercise. It also reserves numerous rights for the individual states, thereby establishing the United States’ federal system of government.
ConstitutionDay.com © 2009
Go visit the site! The site features the Constitution, the Amendments, and short bios of all the signatories. (But they weren’t Tories….)
Today is a day in history above all others: a day the natural, inalienable, individual rights of each man (and woman, if I need to clarify) was recognized as the foundation of proper, moral government. (It was only then that mistakes people had made through human history could be thrashed out.)
A day worthy of worship.
