http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd recent pleonast.com entries by user madtomkidd en-us http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=601081 If you read my outstanding wife's recent post, you know we bought 6 more goats. They are, indisputably, meat goats. Well, I took the first one in this morning (along with a runt from the last set we bought). I was on the road at 5:30 and it was as dark as a night gets. I make the 50 minute drive, drop off the goats and head back. Thanks to the daylight savings (maybe the ONLY benefit), the sun started to rise as I returned home. After a while, I saw some of the most amazingly beautiful clouds lit with an entire palette of colors and texture so bold... well, I almost had a tear well up and just had to thank God for letting me see such a beautiful sight and for being so awesome to create such things. I hope you are/have been able to see something truly beautiful in God's creation today! 2008-11-19 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=598932 That ^^^ was supposed to be the title to yesterday's entry, but I blanked when I sat down to type it up. And only two people got the reference - frankly, I'm disappointed. Maybe some might fare better with this title. Had a good b-day except for having to go to work. Stacey bought me my very own copy of Settlers of Catan - a VERY pleasant surprise! Willow picked out a nice new dress belt, and Rosemary picked out a great Ohio State ball cap for me. I was able to go to dinner with Dad and Mom at a great little pizza joint that's only in the greater Cincy area (including a couple of other locations - one in Dayton near UD's campus). It's called Deweys and, in a lot of ways, it's what Noble Romans of years ago was mixed with a little bit of Pies 'n' Pints. I'm taking tomorrow off and we're probably going to head out to the outlet mall, but that isn't certain at this point. Now, I'm looking forward to thanksgiving at our place and then Rosemary's birthday. It will be, too, cool th... 2008-11-13 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=598570 I know some will get the 42 reference, but, if you do the math, that's me today. I used to be pretty hyper about birthdays, but I guess I'm maturing (at least a little). It used to be more fun when I wanted some comic books or GI Joe figures. Now, I need things like tractor parts, and would like books, bee hive parts, an iPod touch and a handgun. Those all cost a little more than GI Joes. I'm more concerned about paying off bills than accumulating things, I guess that's - in part - what it means to grow up. Oh well, at least she is a whole month older than I am (^_^) 2008-11-12 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=595968 Am I happy with the outcome? No. Am I concerned about the course this all could take? Yes. Am I worried about it? Nope, Jesus said not to do that. On the previous post, there are only 3 or 4 who would get a pass for "follows directions". I'll summarize my thoughts: 1. I went through the public education system. I graduated 3rd in my class (not second only because of some accounting irregularities out of my control). I was bored. 2. There are good teachers in the public school system, but it often seems that they are in the minority. 3. There are three common objections to home education (that doesn't automatically make them arguments FOR public education) and I've seen them all to be the products of misunderstanding. Jeff said it best - it's all about the parents and their priorities. If those are right, whichever path can work. 2008-11-05 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=594963 It hasn't been too overwhelming lately, but when we declared our intentions for home education, there were many who gave the "why?" and "won't you miss out on ____?" questions. Due to some discussions in other areas lately, I want to turn this around - forget that institutionalized education is the "norm" today. Disregarding the fact that "everyone is doing it," what arguments would you present to sell someone on the benefits of government education? I'm automatically ruling out any argument that says "it's better than homeschooling because ______" - I want positive arguments that extol the wonders of the public education system. Ready... go! 2008-11-04 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=592577 Well, all of us are at various levels of illness. It's mostly sinus/chest related junk, but it isn't fun. I did get the doors up on the barn (finally), but need to adjust their balance and get a little more trim up to have it totally finished. Sunday, I spent most of the afternoon building a second temporary hayloft to hold 24 bales of hay I earned/bought from my uncle. I had to build a second, because I bought 20 bales of straw a little over a week ago. It looks more like a barn inside now! Saturday, I took the girls up to Greenville to pick up the goat meat. I was very happy with the work the guy did, there were just a couple of items where our communication didn't line up. Consequently, I spent about 5 hours packaging and butchering pieces of goat. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would - even more after Stacey sharpened the knives for me! Now, the only hurdle I have to clear is gutting/field dressing a goat. I can kill, I can butcher, I just haven't cleaned one o... 2008-10-28 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=591015 ...I didn't ask Stacey to marry me. That's right, I didn't ask. We had a great dinner at the Winds Cafe in Yellow Springs, strolled down the street a little bit. I was about ready to faint I was so nervous. Then, I pulled out the little box with the little ring in it and - being nervous - words weren't coming to me and before I could get anything out, she nearly tackled me. So, I took that as "yes" in body language to my implied, "do you wanna?" yesterday was the 103rd month anniversary since we were married, but I thought I'd share this little story. Have a great night! 2008-10-24 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=590374 I woke up at 5:00 this morning (I want to do that regularly, but haven't made it yet) because I had to take a drive. I headed out to the barn and put a few goats in the back of the truck, including Meat. After roughly a 1 hour drive, I dropped them off, requested how to have them carved up, came home, took care of the other goats, cleaned up and headed into work. Meat has served his purpose. I'm not ashamed to say it, I got a little choked up as I was leaving and said good bye and thanks to him. That is what it is all about. He had a good life with us, we took care of him and now he gets to fulfill his role. I don't think it's "honorable" or "more manly" to not feel some emotion when losing an animal. I've cared for him for months. This was also a reminder that it is necessary for other things to die so that I can live. Spiritually, it was necessary for Jesus to die so I can live. With our increasing separation from the source of our food, I don't know th... 2008-10-22 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=587363 The meeting ended Sunday, so I guess it's time for a new entry. We did get a lot of work done while off from work, but there is still plenty more. I'm just afraid that we won't quite have the stove preparations finished by the time we get COLD at night. We'll be close, though. We're completely wiped out from days of working and long evenings with good lessons (lots of great points to remember & contemplate), so, we're happy to be back to "normal" I'll post pics of the hearth, painted kittens, barn progress in the coming days. I should also have mp3s of the lessons up in the next week or so. Have a great day! 2008-10-14 http://www.pleonast.com/user/madtomkidd?l=5&entryID=584433 First and foremost, come out for any of the meetings you're able to: Also, this is a good week. I only went in to the office today, I'm on vacation the rest of the week. I'm hoping to finish the doors on the barn tomorrow and get the inspection wrapped up Wednesday. Thursday, one of the brothers from Bath Rd. is coming to help install something of a hearth for the new wood stove we bought on Saturday. I hope to get to play a little disc golf with Jeff friday. Then, go see my cousin, Chris, do some rally cross racing on Saturday. i'm tired just thinking about it all (^_^) The good thing is that I get to be home and see my wonderful wife and spend time with our beautiful daughters. 2008-10-07