Resources

This is a great time to be researching anything. You can find instruction on just about any topic known to mankind, just by searching for it on the internet. What's more, many brick-and-mortar establishments have some sort of educational material available. Homeschoolers don't have to look far for interesting add-ons to their curriculum.
My list of links is way too long to post, but here is one of my latest finds - and it isn't just for homeschoolers. The photos are gorgeous!

A day out for free!

Another year, another Smithsonian Museum Day! Are you free September 27th? Check here for free admission to select museums nationwide.

Negative Eating?

Everyone says that eating celery burns more calories than the celery contains, right? And that it doesn't contain much in the way of nutrients. So, why eat it?

At last, celery gets some respect. University of Illinois researchers say that a compound called luteolin in the crunchy stalk may help dramatically reduce brain inflamation implicated in Alzheimer's disease - they've shown it works in mice. Caveat: The chief researcher notes that the mice ate the human equivalent of abotu 47 servings of celery daily.

from USA Weekend, Eat Smart by Jean Carper

Empty Nest

This summer Jim and I have an empty nest - for a couple of weeks. While it doesn't change much for Jim - he still goes to work each day - it makes a marked difference in my day. What do I do with myself if I don't have to help fix kids' meals or break up arguments?
My list of projects is way to long to finish in one summer. So, I tackle a few, and leave the others for another time. This week I weeded the garden, mowed the lawn, did all the laundry (even the stuff from Dorothy's room!), sorted all the kids outgrown clothes (look out, Katie, here comes hand-me-downs!), started hand quilting Jamie's yellow quilt, and began stripping the paint off the bathroom window.
I don't think that anyone had ever stripped off any layers of paint. Ever. And a few of those layers seem to be enamel. It takes a whole day to strip off one side of the window, and that doesn't count the molding that is carved. I don't know how long that will take! I should be able to get it done before heading back to pick up the kids.
On the plus side, not only is the window's cracked and peeling paint going to be gone, but I will also have really strong arm muscles.