The US Constitution and Religion

I have been thinking a lot about the US Constitution lately, and how American history, American government, and American laws are taught in the public schools and in our homes.  I have also been thinking about how people do-- or more often do not-- discuss religion in America.

I have been struck several times lately by what seems to me an odd thing.  Friends have said that they hope I am not offended if they ask questions about my religion.  How odd!   To me, religion is not a hidden thing.  And yet, it seems to be becoming more and more hidden in America. 

I think, throughout the history of the world, nothing has been more dangerous to individuals, families and nations than coercions of Church and State.  Wars, bloodshed, hatred and tears have been the legacy of these two powers combined.  Understanding this, the founding fathers of the US Constitution took great pains to see that two remain separate.   And yet, recently, the division between these two has been eroded-- in a back handed, sly and sometimes misunderstood way.  Instead of prescribing Catholicism or Protestantism, the government has been pushing and coercing us to adopt atheism.  

(One method is by confusing the idea of public with the idea of government sponsored.  These two are not the same.  Public prayer is not government sponsored prayer.) 

I was deeply bothered several years ago when I heard Bethany's kindergarten teacher telling the children about the first Thanksgiving.  She said that the Pilgrims gathered to have a big meal and give thanks.  "Who did they thank?" she asked the class.  One of the children said, "God!"  The teacher shook her head no.  "They were thanking the indians," she said, and the poor little boy who had given the correct answer looked very confused.  Afterwards I asked the teacher if she knew that her lesson on Thanksgiving had been incorrect.  She said, "Yes, but that is what I have to teach."

WHAT?? Are we in a communist state here?  Is our government rewriting history to fit the current version of politically correct?  Who gave the school district, the state, or even the federal government the right to change what really happened?  I was horrified and sick about what I had seen.  And I still am.  

I'd like to quote President David O. McKay in his remarks made in 1962 in response to the US Supreme Court's ruling on prayer in public schools.  "By law, the public schools of the United States must be non-denominational.  They can have no part in securing acceptance of any one of the numerous systems of belief regarding God and the relation of mankind thereto.  Now let us remember and emphasize that restriction applies to the atheist as well as to the believer in God."

It seems to me that trying to teach US history without mentioning God is like trying to teach the settlement of California without mentioning gold.  How can we teach about any of world history-- the everlasting conflicts in the middle east, great pieces of music, art of the middle ages, even the cold war-- without talking about God and religion?  A person simply cannot be well-educated without knowledge of different religions.  Curiosity about other's beliefs is a hallmark of an intelligent being.  

 

Does this mean public schools should teach religion?  Yes, and no.  I think they should teach about all religions in an academic manner.  Our children should understand the basic beliefs of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and all other major world religions.  They should be taught the parts these religions have played-- good and bad-- in world history, in the lives of great leaders, and in current events.  Without this, their education is fractured and incomplete.

Now, I will get off my soap box and go get into the shower.  Have a wonderful day.  And please, discuss religion with someone today.  =)       

 

Grandpa Joe and Some Awards! =)

Naomi sculpts people's faces out of clay, Play Dough, and stuff like that.  They are really quite good.  A couple of days ago she made-- out of green Play Dough-- Grandpa Joe from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the book she's reading right now.   I thought you might get a kick out of seeing him.  =)

I keep forgetting to mention that my blog-- this blog-- won an award!  I entered the Book Arts Bash, a writing and arts competition, in a couple of different categories.  I entered my poem, Exiting Eden, the first three chapters of Jacob's Peak, and my blog, all in their respective categories.  Apparently the novel and poetry competitions were the stiffest, with hundreds of entries from around the world in each age group.  Bethany and Josh both had poems chosen as finalists, Elizabeth had a movie preview and a book cover (made with Rachel and Sadie) chosen as finalists, and my poem, book and blog were all chosen as finalists!  Pretty darn good for one family, if I may say so myself!

The judges were a great group of people, including Lois Lowry (The Giver), Jack Prelutsky (First Children's Poet Laureate), Bruce Coville (Unicorn Chronicles, Shakespeare retellings and lots more), Robert Pinsky (US Poet Laureate),  and Mir Kamen, (eminent blogger and author of Woulda Coulda Shoulda).  

Bethany's poem, Finishing Twelve, won first place!  Elizabeth's, Rachel's and Sadie's book art for The Goose Girl won first place!  Elizabeth's movie preview for Saving LiZZy Fish won first place! And my blog-- the very one you are reading-- won first place!   =)  

Here's what Mir Kamen had to say about my blog:

Rebecca's blog has everything I tend to look for in a regular read-- she has a sense of humor, but it's not all comedy; she writes about serious maters, but in a genuine, thoughtful way; the topics are varied.  I come away feeling like I've learned something about her, but without the over-sharing that can result in TMI or stultifying boredom for the reader.  My favorite blogs feel like a chat with a friend, and that's what I get from Rebecca's writing.  A little of this, a little of that-- a lovely little peek into her life, her family, her history and her writing.

 Thank you Mir!  What a wonderful compliment, especially from someone who knows blogging like she does.  =) 

And just one more note.  I recently finished reading A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was fun, lighthearted, page-turning, old-fashioned romance, and I highly recommend it.  =)       

Book News

In the world of children's book publishing, today was the big day!  Newbery, Caldecott, Printz and other awards were announced.  Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book took the Newbery and Beth Krommes took the Caldecott for The House in the Night.  

In my own little publishing world, I had bittersweet news today.  Two publishers have been considering Jacob's Peak, and today I received this letter from one of them.

Dear Ms Watson,

Thank you for responding to my query and sending me the first three chapters of The Other Side of Jacob's Peak.  I'm terribly sorry for having had this for so long, especially since I have to pass.  I think you have a wonderful premise.  So wonderful, in fact, that I signed up a similarly plotted manuscript some months ago and think it would be problematic to have them both on Dutton's list.  However, I enjoyed the narrative voice, and welcome you to send me projects in the future.  

I'm sorry the news is bittersweet, especially after the wait.  I wish you the best of luck in finding the right publishing home for you project.  I'm returning the materials herewith.

Sincerely,

Julie Strauss-Gabel,  Associate Editor

Dutton Children's Books

Augh!  What is this "similarly plotted ms?"  I want to read it when it comes out.  And...  I really, really, really want to find a home for this book.  

In the mean time I have begun work on a book that, I recently realized, I have been thinking of since I was very young.  Like maybe eight years old.  It's a strange story, sort of a fairy tale feeling, with odd things, a bit of magic, and some nasty grown-ups.  No title yet.  I hope it works. I'll let you know.  It feels so familiar, I guess because it's a story I've thought about for most of my life, in one way or another, so putting it on "paper" (or the computer screen) will be weird.  I'm still at the think-about-it-as-I-drive, write-out-different-plot-variations, try-different-characters-on-for-size stage.  But I am quite certain it will get written rather quickly.  

And while I work on that, I hope and pray for the other publisher to LOVE Jacob's Peak.  To laugh, and cry, and shout, and stomp, and then pick up the phone and call me and say, "I absolutely Must Have this book!"  Now you know what Rebecca hopes for.

Have a wonderful day!  Enjoy the new award winners!  =)     

Dead Weeds

I have been taking my camera everywhere with me lately, photographing everything.  My kids' violin lessons, things I see while sitting at stoplights (these pictures are not very interesting, I must admit.  Stoplights are not in the most romantic locations), and dead weeds.  Lots and lots of dead weeds.  They are really quite stunning.  I suppose some of them are probably not technically weeds, but still--

I hope to put together a lovely slide show entirely of dead weeds some time soon-- probably after my working time turner arrives-- and I'll post it here when I get it done. In the mean time, here are a couple of photos to get you thinking about the beauty of dead weeds.  =)

In other news, we are finally taking down our Christmas tree today.  Procrastination is a speciality of mine, but I've been getting a bit lax.  We had one particularly memorable year when we didn't get the tree down until Easter.  It might have gone that far again this year, except that Mike has the day off, and he put the kids to work on it first thing this morning.  

Photographing everything is part of my New Life.  (Rebecca version 40.2)  In this life I wear red, carry a camera, and am organized.  So far it's going well.  I found some wonderful red shoes at the church clothing exchange and brought them home, even though-- at the time-- I did not own anything else red.  But the thrift shop had a wonderful red boiled wool jacket and a bright red sweater with wooly white sheep.  Bethany is happy to let me borrow her voluptuous red coat.  I picked up a red purse at said thrift shop and Voila!  The New Me!  Dressed in red, photographing strangers, stoplights and dead weeds.  (I'm not sure about the legality of photographing strangers at stoplights.  I should probably look into that.)  And between photo shoots, I clean out obscure corners of my house.  I've thrown away countless little bottles of hotel shampoo, found more art supplies than any one person should be allowed to own, and wondered how unlabeled, burned CDs manage to multiply in bottom dresser drawers. 

Have a wonderful MLK day, Inauguration Day, and remaining pieces of January.  And please, enjoy the dead weeds.  They only last so long, you know.       

A funny moment in the Watson house

Bethany just finished reading Twelfth Night and came upstairs very happy.  She sat on the couch and smiled and buried her face with happiness in the quilt I sat under.  I asked how it was and she said, "good."  I asked if everyone ended up with the right person and she said, "yes."

Then Peter said, "Wait a minute.  Didn't we do Twelfth Night?"

Bethany held out the HTT shirt she was wearing that said Twelfth Night in large white letters.

Peter said, "Isn't that by Shakespeare?"  We said "yes", and he said, "I didn't know we did Shakespeare!"

Bethany said, "We didn't.  You weren't in it.  I was."

Peter said, "Oh.  Who were you?"

"Curio."

Peter just gave her a look and said, "That's not helpful.  Just tell me who played Romeo."

This is a picture taken on my recent  trip to Utah.  From the left we have Rachel, my Dad, my Mom, me and Elizabeth.  We are standing in my parents' front yard.  =)

For just a moment

For just a moment

I savor the softness

of the morning light

the press of my pillow

the quiet comfort of my quilts

as simple thoughts

slip into my mind

turning from dreams to reality

I remember responsibilities

The day begins

Happy Happy Happy =)

Christmas is over.  It was SO nice!  Rachel and Elizabeth were here and I loved having them home.  They left today to go back to school, and although I will miss them, to was so nice to have them home that I am still feeling all happy inside.  =)

I'm writing, by the way, during a party at my house.  I'm not usually a recluse, but since I am not a teen, I feel confident that they don't mind the fact that I'm ignoring them as completely as possible.  Their stories of unreturned love via text messages, being nervous at Christmas recitals, and rounds of giggles from the girls when the boys tell lame jokes all leave me feeling grateful for an escape into cyber space.  They have retreated into the basement, so I am left with a little piece of quiet.  As I write, the candle Rachel gave me for Christmas is burning on the table beside me.  It's a Salt City Sugar Cookie candle, and it smells delicious.  I keep thinking I should go find whatever is smelling so good and eat it, but then I remember it's my candle.

One of the things I got for Christmas was... (drum roll please)... a camera!  Woo Hoo!  I am so excited!  It arrived in the mail yesterday, and I've been playing around, trying to figure it out.  You'll notice (I hope) a couple of new photos on my side bar.  Yes, they are from my new camera.  As are the pictures of Rachel's roses in the new slide show at the bottom of this page.  Which reminds me!

Rachel and Elizabeth both had dates for the New Year's Eve dance!  They dressed up in formal dresses, did their hair in amazing and lovely styles, and were out all night.  The dance was at the Marriot Center in DC, and when they got home the next morning they both looked happy and exhausted.  At least I think they did.  I had been trying to sleep on the couch (to see them when they came in, not because of Mike) and hadn't gotten much more sleep than they had.  Rachel's date brought her a dozen roses, and I took several pictures of them.  You can enjoy them, minus the lovely scent, at the bottom of this page.

Yesterday, before the camera came in the mail (darn it all), we all went to the National Cathedral.  It is amazing.  Rachel decided to have her bridal pictures taken there, which I think is a wonderful idea.  Now all she needs is the right guy.  (No, he has not entered the picture yet, who ever he is.)  We used Rachel's camera and took tons of pictures, which I will post here if I get around to it.  If you are in the area, and have not been to the Cathedral before, I highly recommend it.  Bring a camera.

We got one large family gift this year.  I have had such a hard time not talking about this one!  Every time I called Rachel or Elizabeth, every time my kids discussed gifts, or traveling, I just about burst at the seams with excitement.  

We had opened all the gifts under the tree and the kids were wandering off into the kitchen or up to their rooms, when I pointed out to Peter the box beside the couch in the family room.  "What's in that box, Peter?"  He opened it and said, "More presents!"  There was one for each of us.  Bethany found a travel diary and a miniature beach chair, towel and shells.  Joshua found a book on pirates.  Peter got a book about the making of the Panama Canal, and Naomi found a book on wild animals in Panama.  Rachel and Elizabeth each got travel books on Panama.  Mike got David McCullough's book The Path Between the Seas on CD.  

Rachel was the first to figure out what was going on.  She looked around and said, "Do you all know what this is?"  Everyone else just stared at her.  Then Elizabeth squealed and ran to hug me while the other kids said, "huh?"  I pulled out an envelope at the bottom of the box with our confirmation for flights to Panama at the end of April!  Woo Hoo!  We are leaving the country!   Vacation!  Escape!  I am so excited!  (Can you tell?) 

And now... I have a question.  How do you decide what to make as New Year's resolutions?  Or do you even make them at all?  

I do.  Every year I resolve, basically, to become perfect in the coming year.  My resolutions this year include writing every week day, loosing weight, attending the temple monthly (almost made it last year!), and being a wonderful, amazing and incredible wife, mom and homeschool teacher.    ...Well, ok...   I break those last three down into slightly more manageable pieces, but you get the idea.  Usually my husband writes down everyone's goals in the family, and then brings them out from time to time during the year to ask how we're all doing.  It's very helpful and only slightly annoying.  

So.  Do you have any goals for this year?  Anything new you hope to accomplish or become?  Do you write them down, tell someone, or keep them to yourself?  And how about last year's goals?  Do you remember what they were?  

Ok, Mike is home with Peter and Naomi, so I'd better go work on that wonderful wife and mother bit.  

Happy New Year!