Nancy Machaj

Thanks list!

I just read Lyall Watson's book Elephantoms, which indeed, was quite
unschooly and fascinating. Unfortunately, while I was trying to find
it in the library, I tripped over a step stool with wheels and fell
and scraped up both my knees. Luckily, I didnt squish my baby, though
he was asleep in the sling, which is why I couldnt see the dang stool
in front of me.

One thing he mentioned in the book is that in a survey they did, a
large number of children chose elephants as their favorite animal. My
dd, who is turning 4 in 2 weeks, has never mentioned elephants
before, but today told us a big long story about how much she wants
an elephant pinata for her birthday. She danced around waving her
"trunk" and made trumpet noises to show us what she wanted :)

About Music & Lyrics...I had never wanted to see it before. But, two
things happened. One was Sandra writing about how you can always get
*something* from an experience if you are open to it. The second was
spending an evening with my brother, who spits out practially every
sentence with his obvious disdain and disapproval. He was so snotty
and disagreeable, that I realized what a waste it is to be snobby and
superior. I resolved to be more open-not less discerning, but just
less snobby. I guess I had written off Music and Lyrics as a sappy
chick flick, but it was pretty funny in parts and I did like the
songs. I really liked the teen pop princess! LOL

another connection....in the movie, Hugh Grants character is always
sarcastic, funny yes, but also a little mean. Its been on my mind
lately, sarcasm and optimism and unschooling....My DH is very
sarcastic and often uses it as a defense mechansim to deflect
communication, etc. and I wonder if I take his barbs too seriously or
sarcasm as a way of life is not compatible to peaceful family living.

anyway, always learning,
Nancy


*****
blogging at:
http://happychildhood.homeschooljournal.net




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Sandra Dodd

-=-I guess I had written off Music and Lyrics as a sappy
chick flick, but it was pretty funny in parts and I did like the
songs. I really liked the teen pop princess! LOL-=-

She's my favorite character, "C"--what a hoot! It must have been a
blast for the choreographers and set builders to set up for her music
videos.

-=-I realized what a waste it is to be snobby and superior. I
resolved to be more open-not less discerning, but just less snobby.-=-

"Discerning" is an interesting word. Like "judgment" confusing
people between "being judgmental and "using good judgment."

-=My DH is very sarcastic and often uses it as a defense mechansim
to deflect communication, etc. and I wonder if I take his barbs too
seriously or sarcasm as a way of life is not compatible to peaceful
family living.-=-

I used to be sarcastic with a few particular friends of mine. It was
like our whole relationships were based on dialogs filed with
sharpness and rough sarcasm. We were in our 20's or so, too. And as
we got older, we became more interested in making each other feel
comfortable instead of uncomfortable.

Maybe if you just don't respond to the sarcasm it will fade.

I do think that cynicism will cancel out unschooling.

Sandra




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