Oink by Arthur Geisert
I happened upon this book at the library today and Caleb loves it! He asked me to read it four times in a row and then read it to himself while I rocked Reva for a while. I could hear him oinking away in his room with two doors closed between us. I have a feeling this little book is going to appear in someone's Christmas stocking (if not his birthday pile).
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Go Outside and Play
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
Parts I and II were the most interesting parts of this book. (Later parts presented interviews with some people with crazy ideas like decreasing all cities to around 40,000; in his defense, the author doesn't condone the craziest of ideas.) Anyway, in the first two parts, we see some evidence that suggests interaction with nature (trees, bugs, etc.) has measurable positive effects on our intellectual performance, emotional well-being, and even physical health. I was most intrigued by the use of nature therapy to treat ADHD. I'm not sure how well the evidence would hold up (and will hold up if more studies are done), but it seems to make sense to me that kids need time outside to run around and interact with the natural world.
If you need any more reasons to turn off the computer, TV, or game console, check out this book. Of course, your time might be better spent on a hike or fishing.
Parts I and II were the most interesting parts of this book. (Later parts presented interviews with some people with crazy ideas like decreasing all cities to around 40,000; in his defense, the author doesn't condone the craziest of ideas.) Anyway, in the first two parts, we see some evidence that suggests interaction with nature (trees, bugs, etc.) has measurable positive effects on our intellectual performance, emotional well-being, and even physical health. I was most intrigued by the use of nature therapy to treat ADHD. I'm not sure how well the evidence would hold up (and will hold up if more studies are done), but it seems to make sense to me that kids need time outside to run around and interact with the natural world.
If you need any more reasons to turn off the computer, TV, or game console, check out this book. Of course, your time might be better spent on a hike or fishing.
Daily Inspiration
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis translated by Raphael Brown
I love reading books like this. I feel like a daily dose of the saints helps guide me toward living a better life in my attitude and actions in every day life. Some day I expect to make the time to really read a bit like this every day.
As enlightening and uplifting as the stories of St. Francis were, my favorite part of the book were the vignettes on Brother Juniper. He was so enamored by the love of Christ that his Brothers had to command him to stop giving away the very clothes he was wearing. He obeyed the command but not quite the spirit of it by allowing and encouraging a needy man to "steal" the habit right off his back.
I love reading books like this. I feel like a daily dose of the saints helps guide me toward living a better life in my attitude and actions in every day life. Some day I expect to make the time to really read a bit like this every day.
As enlightening and uplifting as the stories of St. Francis were, my favorite part of the book were the vignettes on Brother Juniper. He was so enamored by the love of Christ that his Brothers had to command him to stop giving away the very clothes he was wearing. He obeyed the command but not quite the spirit of it by allowing and encouraging a needy man to "steal" the habit right off his back.
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