Friday, November 30, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
My Big Daddy.....The Academic
Like my grandfather before me, my education has continued throughout my lifetime. Not by entering the hallowed halls of the institutions of higher learning, but by entering the massive shelves of books offered by the public library.
I called him Big Daddy and he was my grandfather. He grew up a farmer and had only an eighth grade education according to his academic records. When speaking with him a person could determine that he had carried himself far past that recorded level of education. He knew what was important about true learning. He knew that the person who hungers for learning finds the answers for himself.
He loved to read books. Zane Grey westerns were a favorite. He devoured issues of Readers Digest often delighting in quizzing me on the meaning of words. He showed his pleasure when I knew the definitions of words he had only recently learned himself. It meant I was getting an education. He wanted an excellent education for his children and grandchildren. He asked questions. He had a critical mind. He was not arrogant about knowledge that he gained. He just continued to seek to learn more.
My wall is painfully short on the diploma's that I set out to obtain. I earned a high school diploma. I finished a paralegal course. I attended college. I completed a variety of programs during my employment in corporate America.
What has served me best were the lessons I learned about learning. Whether it was learning the principles being discussed in the meetings I attended or how to bake artisan bread or milk a goat, I would find a book. I have so often heard, "You can't learn that from a book.", only to smile and know that I can learn a whole lot from a book.
I want a good college education for my children but more than anything I hope that I can instill in them the lifelong love of learning and how to teach themselves the things they need to learn.
I called him Big Daddy and he was my grandfather. He grew up a farmer and had only an eighth grade education according to his academic records. When speaking with him a person could determine that he had carried himself far past that recorded level of education. He knew what was important about true learning. He knew that the person who hungers for learning finds the answers for himself.
He loved to read books. Zane Grey westerns were a favorite. He devoured issues of Readers Digest often delighting in quizzing me on the meaning of words. He showed his pleasure when I knew the definitions of words he had only recently learned himself. It meant I was getting an education. He wanted an excellent education for his children and grandchildren. He asked questions. He had a critical mind. He was not arrogant about knowledge that he gained. He just continued to seek to learn more.
My wall is painfully short on the diploma's that I set out to obtain. I earned a high school diploma. I finished a paralegal course. I attended college. I completed a variety of programs during my employment in corporate America.
What has served me best were the lessons I learned about learning. Whether it was learning the principles being discussed in the meetings I attended or how to bake artisan bread or milk a goat, I would find a book. I have so often heard, "You can't learn that from a book.", only to smile and know that I can learn a whole lot from a book.
I want a good college education for my children but more than anything I hope that I can instill in them the lifelong love of learning and how to teach themselves the things they need to learn.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Bunnies!
We feed fresh hay, pellets, and they get fresh food daily. In the winter extra hay is provided for nesting and to keep warm. In the summer, we keep the cages shaded but as open as possible to give a cool breeze. We also provide any additional heat or cooling that is needed in extreme conditions.
In the past we have bred and raised rabbits. At one time we had as many as thirty rabbits at one time. All were healthy and fit. We have found that it is important to provide good food and and good ventilation for them as well as lots of clean water. The girls love caring for them and they are a good project for children with adult supervision.
Preparing the Garden...yes now.
Since the end of the summer I have been working on a new plan for the garden for next year. We began with the defunct cover for the trampoline. The frame of the trampoline was recycled. The cover was used to make the base of our new bed for the garden bed. It has grown considerably deeper now with the additions from our bunnies. My husband has been adding grass clippings as well as the spoiled hay from the bunny cages. All of this will be composed by spring and make a lovely planting bed.
The Value of Coconut Oils for dogs and you!
One of my dogs has had skin problems for quite some time. I have taken her to the vet and done rounds of antibiotics and other remedies to no avail. The tentative diagnosis was allergies. I was disappointed. That just couldn't be the case. The other dogs in the household were picking up a scaly, itchy, scabby looking skin junk that appeared just above their tails first. That was not allergies.
Long story short I ended up being told about using Organic Coconut Oil in the food of my dogs. I already gave them fish oil as food does not contain enough of the vitamins and oil that they need. I wormed them. I stopped all baths unless absolutely necessary and then used only high quality shampoo with all natural ingredients. One brand in particular. I gave them the coconut oil. Lo and behold, I have dogs with clear skin!
A little more research and I found that it is wonderful for human skin as well and can be used in cooking and baking. It is touted as a super food, of sorts. Thought you might like to know.
Long story short I ended up being told about using Organic Coconut Oil in the food of my dogs. I already gave them fish oil as food does not contain enough of the vitamins and oil that they need. I wormed them. I stopped all baths unless absolutely necessary and then used only high quality shampoo with all natural ingredients. One brand in particular. I gave them the coconut oil. Lo and behold, I have dogs with clear skin!
A little more research and I found that it is wonderful for human skin as well and can be used in cooking and baking. It is touted as a super food, of sorts. Thought you might like to know.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
How exactly do you mess up......
spinach. This week I heard another recall on bagged spinach. With things like spinach, peanut butter, and pet treats topping the lists of dangerous products I am always on the lookout for ways to bypass using products that require processing. I no longer buy the nicely washed bags of any greens. I watch the brands of peanut butter and other products. I make my own products when I can. Here is a way to make tasty treats for your dog without additives or danger.
For training treats you will want very small treats. Liver works well for that. You may use beef or pork. Pork, of course, is cheaper. With the cost of everything rising at an alarming rate, I have found I can make them cheaper. Also, I do not have to worry about the ingredients because I control them.
Cover cookie sheet with foil for easy cleaning
Lay slices of meat (liver, pork, chicken, beef....) on cookie sheet
Bake in 350 degree oven for 1.5 hours or until dry and done.
You can experiment with the time. For larger treats you may want them to be a bit more dry so you would increase the baking time. For training treats you will want them to remain fairly moist so I keep it at the time listed. Slice to desired size and place in zip lock bag in refrigerator. Will keep for week or freeze and defrost a bag at a time.
Suggested meats
Beef heart
Beef kidney
Beef liver
Pork liver
Chicken
Lamb
Duck
Hint: You do not have to buy large quantities of any one thing if you have only one dog. Often there will be small packages of meats after weekends or holidays on markdowns.
P.S. This is not vet advice. I am simply sharing my experience with you as I try to reduce the need to use processed treats and other products. As always, use your discretion.
Robin
Thursday, August 30, 2012
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