Women's Conference and Wildlife

No-- the women at the Stake Women's conference were not wild.   They were all very well behaved, mostly in Sunday dress, even.  I was a rebel and wore slacks.  Mike saw what I was wearing this morning and asked, "Are you going like that?"  When I informed him I was, he said, "Don't you want to call some friends and ask what they are wearing?"  Maybe it was my lack of sleep, I don't know, but I said I didn't care what anyone else was wearing.  It was a Saturday and I was Not putting on a dress.  So ha!  (Ok, I didn't say that last bit, but it was implied.)

The conference was a success.  If anything it went a bit too smoothly.  I'm not sure how many of these we've done now-- maybe 4?  But I can definitely say that planning a conference for over 200 women is now something we can pull off like clockwork.  So afterwards we decided that if we're still at this next year, we're shaking things up a bit- doing something completely new and unusual.  (Notice that "if".  It seems pretty big to me.)  

We had wonderful speakers presenting on many aspects of happiness.  My favorite was Rachel Ashbey (hmm... don't think I spelled that right), a psychologist we imported from Virginia Beach (and Karen's sister!) who talked about The Psychology of Happiness.  Why do some things make us happy and others not?  I had a bit of an "Ah ha!" moment during her class when she was talking about how we identify ourselves in certain ways, and then when those things change, we go through a bit of a crisis, wondering who we are.  And yes, I am 40.  I've scheduled my mid-life crisis for this April.  It was good of Rachel to point out what I might do to avoid it, if I should decide I'd like to cancel that appointment.  =)

We've had a few run-ins with wildlife over that past few days.  Since it's after midnight I'll be brief.  (Remember how the lack of sleep affected me this morning?  If I don't go to bed soon I will undoubtedly be going to church in my pajamas tomorrow.  And my bathrobe.  It's COLD in that chapel!)  

While walking Heidi yesterday, Bethany encountered a fox.  She and the dog gave chase (whether Bethany wanted to or not), but the fox got away.  Bethany lost her earbuds in the process and got a few scratches, but had a good run through the woods.  I assume she'll write more about it on her blog.  It was quite the little adventure!

And then Rachel told me about the ducks.  Apparently she and Elizabeth were walking past the duck pond on their way to school (wild ducks live in a little pond just south of campus) when they noticed one duck across the street from the others.  When they went to investigate, the duck came up to look at them, followed them, ate from their hands, let Rachel pick it up, and eventually came and sat on Elizabeth's lap!  Rachel had her camera and got some pictures which she said she'll post on her blog.  I won't tell you the end of the story.  Check out Rachel's blog to find out why the duck crossed the street and to hear the Paul Harvey.  =)

And!  You'll never guess!  Naomi actually made a joke!  And it was funny!  (First I need to explain that Naomi rocks from side to side during the night.  We have to move her bed away from the wall so she doesn't bang-bang-bang on the wall while she rocks, and when she wakes up in the morning her hair would make any London hairstylist proud.  I have tried for 9 years now to get her to stop rocking, but nothing works.  Sharing a bed with her is simply impossible.)   

Anyway, I was telling Mike that I've figured out what activity hurts my elbow the most.  (Sore elbow-- orthopedic doctors, PT, no improvement-- don't recommend it)  It's sleeping.  During the day my elbow is bearable unless I do something stupid- like pick up my purse.  But at night I think heavy duty pain killers would be in order.  Or just general anesthesia.  Mike suggested I try a brace at night, but I said that I think the problem might actually be that I'm holding still.  Naomi piped right up and said, "Mom!  You should try rocking!"

And now, to bed.  And tomorrow, church!  Who knows what I'll be wearing?  =)  

Notes on a Violin Recital

Today was our solo violin recital, and as you can see from the photos, three of our kids played.   Bethany was third on the program, right after the amazing Andrew, who is 8, (I think) and played like he belongs in Carnegie Hall.  The teacher introduced Bethany, saying it was her first recital, and Bethany said, "And I have to play after Andrew!"  We all laughed.  Bethany played Andantino by Suzuki very nicely.  =)  Naomi was a couple of students later and played Minuet 1 by Bach with beautiful dynamics.  And several students later the teacher announced a special guest.  Peter got up with his chicken puppet (the guest) and had the chicken announce his piece, The Happy Farmer, by Schumann.  

These recitals are a wonderful mixture of advanced students playing amazing pieces, and young beginners squeaking out a few notes of a Twinkle variation on their tiny 1/16 size violins.  

While some of the students merely play notes which fall onto the floor of the church panting and gasping for breath-- others play music that rises like light, filling the air with emotions drawn from the very souls of those who hear.  The difference has nothing to do with age or technical proficiency.  Little Andrew can play like a gypsy and coax the cold stones from the wall into dance, and some of the very beginning students bring feeling to a Twinkle variation-- while a technically advanced student may, when she is done playing, find her notes lying in a puddle on the floor before her.

    

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."