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.

The Church in a Destructive Age

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.

This is not a new book; it was written in the late 1950s, but has been appearing in new editions ever since. It is one of the few science fiction books to treat the Church seriously and faithfully within the present and future depicted in the novel. St. Leibowitz (who is not a saint when the book begins but is already long dead) joins the church at a time when mobs are destroying all places of learning and all learned men and women in a misguided effort to find restitution for the devastation and destruction of a nuclear war. He forms an order charged with collecting, memorizing and saving what remnants they can of learning for future generations.

The most interesting part of the book in my opinion describes the Radiation Disaster Act in action. The Green Star Relief establishes mobile units to humanely and expediently kill those who have received a lethal dose of radiation. The Church disagrees with these centers and all they represent.

Here are a few quotes relevant to issues our society currently faces. When asked why he cannot allow the Green Star Relief doctor to counsel individuals to travel to the euthanasia center, the abbot says:

Because if a man is ignorant of the fact that something is wrong, and acts in ignorance, he incurs no guilt, provided natural reason was not enough to show him that it was wrong. But while ignorance may excuse the man, it does not excuse the act, which is wrong in itself. If I permitted the act simply because the man is ignorant that it is wrong, then I would incur guilt, because I do know it to be wrong.

Below is a quote of the priest's thoughts as the relief doctor leaves:

Seeing misery everywhere and detesting it, and sincere in wanting to do something about it. Sincere--that was the hell of it. From a distance, one's adversaries seemed fiends, but with a closer view, one saw the sincerity, and it was as great as one's own. Perhaps Satan was the sincerest of the lot.

Late in the novel, Father Zerchi pleads with a young women who has been convinced by the Green Star Relief doctor to take herself and her baby to the euthanasia center. Imagine the struggle of this poor young mother, broken and sick herself, watching her little one, barely recognizable and whimpering in pain, knowing there was no way to save either life. I can understand how she feels when she says "I cannot understand a God who is pleased by my baby's hurting!" The priest answers:

"No, no! It is not the pain that is pleasing to God, child. It is the soul's endurance in faith and hope and love in spite of bodily afflictions that pleases Heaven. Pain is like negative temptation. God is not pleased by temptations that afflict the flesh; He is pleased when the soul rises above the temptation and says 'Go, Satan.' It's the same with pain, which is often a temptation to despair, anger, loss of faith--"

Later, he changes tactics:

"No! I am not asking you. As a priest of God I am commanding you by the authority of Almighty God not to lay hands on your child, not to offer her life in sacrifice to a false god of expedient mercy. I do not advise you, I adjure and command you in the name of Christ the King."

Dom Zerchi had never spoken with such a voice before, and the ease with which the words came to his lips surprised even the priest. As he continued to look at her, her eyes fell. For an instant he had feared that the girl would laugh in his face. When Holy Church occasionally hinted that she still considered her authority to be supreme over all nations and superior to the authority of states, men in these times tended to snicker. And yet the authenticity of the command could still be sensed by a bitter girl with a dying child.

Even in the most difficult, horrific circumstances, we must protect and cherish the lives God creates.

As a side note, a little blurb I found here reminded me that the threat of annihilation remains, but now they can destroy an entire city without fear of environmental repercussions. That's right: Throw those weapons all you like, then move your citizens right in. No consequences. It's comforting to believe Christ will come again in glory before terrorists or governments could destroy the world with weapons such as these.

The Books that Changed Our Lives

The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture by Wendell Berry

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan

First, a confession: I haven't read Mr. Pollan's book. I imagine I'll read it eventually, but there are only so many pages a working mother of two can get through.

I did just finish the Wendell Berry book. Josh urged me to read it now that he's become a great believer in the small family farm, including convincing me it should be our family goal. I have no problem with the small family farm; perhaps because it's already in my genes, but I agreed to read the book because he was so excited about it. I found it a convincing argument against commercial agriculture at the expense of the small farmer. I can understand how Josh feels because having read it, I'm now anxious to begin our little family organic farming experience, complete with draft animals. (The desire for draft animals may die down, though Josh and I have discussed keeping a horse once we're established, for riding and other fun.)

I'm not going to write much here simply because I haven't the time, but if you're interested in the Papsdorf family dream, these books will give you an idea where we're headed.

Now It's Everywhere

It seems everywhere I look now, I see new support for homeschooling. I suppose it's a combination of looking for it more and actively seeking it out. Here's a link to that great journal I've mentioned before, First Things:

Homeschooling and the Christian Duty

It's a good response to those (none of whom have spoken to me) who argue parents who coose to homeschool their children are withdrawing from the world. Now that we're living in a little house in a neighborhood just as she describes (including a large number of older residents who complain about the "young set" down the street), I understand exactly how we could develop stronger relationships with our neighbors by being home all day. Since I work, it's not quite the same, but my mother-in-law has been out and about meeting people often.

I've Known It All Along

All those big corporations really are evil.

Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child and the New Consumer Culture
by Juliet B. Schor

This book has made me realize the evils of marketing and advertising are even worse than I had imagined (mostly because I try not to dwell on them). I was shocked to read about the studies showing negative impact of advertising on kids that are just being ignored by politicians and even educators. Josh and I didn't need any more evidence of the benefits of homeschooling, but this book provided more. Compulsory schooling is forcing our kids to attend schools that allow marketing agencies in (for a fee, of course) to insinuate themselves into kids' lives. And that doesn't even count programming like Channel One (which I'm sorry to say was in my high school though I only remember watching it a few times).

Josh and I aren't big into brands and don't even watch a lot of movies or TV, but reading this book has opened my eyes to some of the "advertising" we've allowed in without even realizing it (examples: the Oreo cookie game, Cheerios books, Elmo clothes, and all the clothes with brand names like Old Navy). I don't think we're going to get rid of them altogether (seriously, the Lightining McQueen toothpaste has changed toothbrushing in our home much for the better), but some things will find their way out the door never to return and much more will never make it home.

Especially if you are considering sending your kids to public schools (and perhaps even private or parochial ones), read this book (or one like it).

[Update: Apparently, there can be good in advertising.]

So Sad

I don't usually link to newspaper articles, but this one just broke my heart:

Prenatal Test Puts Down Syndrome in Hard Focus

Since Josh and I would never choose to abort a child, we recognize the possibility that our children may grow up in the world as a distinct minority, if we were to have a child with a disability. I worry about resources being diverted from treatments for conditions that often lead to abortions. It's already happening. The March of Dimes, for example, uses abortion as a way to decrease the incidence of birth defects. As if killing the child is a better way to address the problem than researching ways to treat a disease or providing support to enable a disabled child to reach his or her full potential.

I apologize if you're reading this after the article is no longer accessible.

The Importance of Gratitude

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less
by Barry Schwartz

This book was another of Josh's finds. It's a fascinating look at why having more choices can actually make people more unhappy. It touched on everything from choosing a career to choosing a pair of jeans. (I've always had a problem myself with the toothpaste aisle. Why in the world do we need so many options?)

The first 10 chapters presented a convincing set of studies and reports that having too many options does indeed make an individual unhappy, and has contributed to increasing levels of depression and stress in American society. I thought it was interesting to see how religion, faith and family values can help people deal with this particular kind of stress by limiting options to those that are morally acceptable.

The best chapter, in my opinion, was the eleventh chapter. Here, Schwartz gives some concrete ways to decrease the disadvantages while still enjoying the benefits of all the choices we have today. The eleven steps he gives are all directly related to the evidence presented in the preceeding chapters, but I will try to sum it up in laymen's terms:

Take some time to consider what's important in life. Pay attention to those choices and don't worry about the others. Go with what's "good enough" more often than finding the absolute best. Once you've made a decision don't give yourself the option to go back and choose something else. Be thankful for what you have. Don't waste time and energy on regret. Be aware that whatever you choose, eventually it won't bring as much pleasure as it did at first. Keep expectations within reason. Don't concentrate so much on what others are doing or buying. Embrace limits and constraints that eliminate choices for us.

If you're interested in how these strategies can combat the depressing effect of too many choices, read the book. It's a pretty quick read.