boys are fun

I was cleaning my back sliding door today and guess what I found? A dead earwig taped to the top of the door. There it was, stuck between one piece of scotch tape and the glass. Now I'm not sure if the earwig was deceased before it was adhered to the glass or if the poor insect faced the traumatic loss of life due to taping but I thought it was nonetheless an interesting choice on the part of my sons. At one time in my life I would have found this act heinous and declared the perpetrator and sicko but as the mother of three boys I have learned that these displays are quite common and no indication of future criminal activity. I have to say, boys just add such a different dimension to any home. I'm glad I've been thrice blessed.

She's here

Here is our butterfly. She emerged this afternoon and we have sent her on her way. We know she is a girl because she is missing two black spots on the lower, center of her wings. Only males have those, they release pheromones. This was a great little experience this summer, I look forward to raising more next year.

Metamorphosis continued

Here are some pictures of the caterpillars. These aren't my caterpillars but this is EXACTLY what they did. The hanging "J" is the first sign they are close to cocooning. The second photo is the skin splitting and the pupa emerging, the third is the pupa stage and the last is the chrysalis. I should have a butterfly in about 2 days, maybe sooner.

Save Yourself

I have to wonder at what Fed. Chair Ben Bernanke has been thinking lately. I wonder if he feels a little like God after looking at the mess we Americans have gotten ourselves into with the debt loads we carry. Too bad he can't just say "Stop making such a mess of the economy people, this has nothing to do with interest rates.". Someday we are gonna have to learn fiscal responsibility.

Human weakness

I've read a lot about the Utah mine disaster and I have to express my disappointment over the media reaction to Mr. Murry, the mine owner. Even the Governor of Utah jumped on the band wagon by chastising Mr. Murray about holding press conferences and being available to the public by saying that if Presidents of airlines don't do that, mine owners shouldn't either. What?

Now maybe Mr. Murray isn't the most congenial person. In fact maybe he down right stinks at interpersonal relations and can't put a compassionate thought through his lips but please, lets cut him a little slack. He's made himself available to the press and to the families. He originally vowed to pull those men out of the mountain no matter what condition they might be found in. I believe he's tried to help. He cared more about helping others than shielding himself from lawsuits (which will surely follow). He lives on the mountain, he's worked with the rescue miners and now he's getting ripped to shreds in the public press. Folks, I think when human beings are faced with tragedy we lose our ability to see beyond who we can blame for what happened and on to how we can make something better from it. Sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes all our technology and education, all our political might, all our public policy can't make things right. It's taken SIX holes to find these miners and there is a high probability these men won't be found. Let's face it, we are physically weak in comparison to the strength of this mountain. We hate to be reminded that we are not in control of everything around us. We hate to be reminded that sometimes, we're just not gonna get the outcome we want. At times like these the difference between the people who are miserable and hateful and those who find peace and start to heal is that latter sees past the obstacles and make a new path.

I feel very sad for the families of those men. I can't imagine knowing my husband is buried inside a mountain of coal and I may never get to mourn him properly. My prayer is that these families can find it within themselves to forgive so that they can grieve and they can heal.

GFC 7

Here's the latest Good Force Challenge: Take 5! Arrange to take five extra minutes tucking your kids into bed. You'd be amazed how much can be said in five minutes and what your kids will tell you if you let them know they have your full attention. Don't have kids? Take 5 for yourself at bedtime. Write in a journal, read a book, meditate. It's a great way to end the day.

Back to School

Got two of the kids back to school today! (Do you hear the sound of angels singing?) My house is quiet and clean. I'll admit, it's nice to be on a schedule again but I am a little bored this afternoon without too much to do. Here are some pics of the kids this morning.