Books I'm Reading.....

Ok, seriously...how is it possible that some people don't like to read? I was just pondering this the other day and came up with no good answer. I mean, no matter what your interest...there's a book that fits. And you can take them almost anywhere; handy! Ah well, I probably won't ever get that one answered. But, since the topic of books and reading was one of a very few consistent thoughts floating through my mind today, I thought I'd share the three that I'm reading right now (why limit myself to just one, right??)

The first one is actually for a womens Bible study that I'm attending this summer. We wanted something a little less labor-intensive than what we do fall and spring semester, but this has actually turned out to be great! I actually am planning to use this with Rusty when he gets older because I think it's a fantastic way to learn the basic framework of the Bible that too often gets pushed to the side.


It does a great job of going through and explaining the purpose of the different books (eg, history, prophecy, poetry, etc), timelines, locations and the main individuals associated with each section. Amazing how much more sense some things are making and I've been in church since birth! Highly recommend this one.


And because I think it's just a good plan to always have some good fiction to delve into (especially in the summer!), I'm reading "Captain Blood" by Sabatini. If you like historical fiction at all, this guy is great! This one takes place in the 1600's during the time of King James the II beginning in England and moving on to Barbados. Very well written and fun!


And finally, a more serious book of a sociological bent that I really think is an important read, especially for anyone with sons or who works with kids on a regular basis. I tend to be of the belief that there's not a big problem with admitting that boys and girls are different. Actually, I think it works out really well because I tend to think that it's harder to get everything done and enjoy life when everyone is exactly the same. Mind you, I don't think girls are inferior in any way, shape or form, but once again, I'm not freaked out by noticing that there are differences. This book looks at the "girl crisis" that some very well-funded groups are focused on solving and how that crisis not only doesn't exist, but actually ignores the "boy crisis" that is going on (eg., higher dropout rates, less aptitude in reading/writing, etc). And worse than that, is the idea that boys are seen as bad (and not simply bad, but likely future batterers and rapists) and in need of reform, just because they're boys.

Apparently the way to deal with that is to simply raise them as girls. Ummm...what?? Here's a lovely tidbit from a conference as an example: "...one of the participating teachers boasted of her success in getting boys in her kindergarten class to dress up in skirts. Another proudly reported that she makes a point of informing boys that their action figures are really dolls."

Ok, it's late and I think it might be uncomfortable to actually camp out on my soapbox, so I will wrap this up now! If ya'll decide to read any of these books, let me know what you think!:-)

Parker Days

As most of you know, we currently live in a town called Parker which is approximately 20 miles SE of Denver. It was incorporated back in 1981 and had about 260 people at that time. Now, 27 years later the population is closer to 45,000, but the town council has worked really hard to keep a "small town feel" with a lot of different town festivals and activities which are really pretty cool.

One of the town traditions that helps keep that "small town feeling" is an event held every June that is offically the "Parker Country Fair", but is actually called "Parker Days" by everyone...old habits die hard, I guess! It is a LOT of fun because it's a combination of carnival, fair, and non-stop concert events and it's held right in the middle of town just down the street from our house. Talk about convenient parking!

We had a great time this year. It started on Friday night when my friend Janice and I went to hear a U2 cover band and they were actually really good! Topped it off with a funnel cake. Friends, music and fried food...you know you just can't go wrong with that!

The next morning was the parade which, conveniently, takes place on a street approximately 30 seconds from our front door. We decided that Rusty would probably find it more entertaining this year than last and so we headed on over.

It's starting!







This is a replica of a church right down the street...so pretty!

Oh come on...a Republican donkey...I can't be the only one to get a kick out of this one;-)



The next day we walked down after church to take Rusty to the petting zoo. The baby animals were too cute:-) He gave a few goats and a llama hugs, but spent a lot of time watching the pony rides in the next pen. You know, the ones we DIDN'T pay for because we thought he'd like the petting zoo more. Can we say "grass is always greener"??;-)

And We're Off!!!

Ok, as I'm sure you have all assumed, the schnitz has recovered since my last post and is now off and running FULL SPEED AHEAD once more! And fortunately, in spite of losing quite so much of the food he did manage to eat during that time and eating almost nothing the rest of the six days he was sick, he's been eating non-stop since and has gained back whatever weight he lost. This is a very relieved mama!

So, for just a sampling of the non-stop entertainment we've enjoyed since his recovery...here goes!

Ahhh...beans...the breakfast of champions. Oh and I'll take a cup of coffee, please!

Oh no...caffeine denied!

Cartoons with Daddy make up for the lack of coffee.

Man...I'm chilly...surely Mama will never miss her slippers (what do you MEAN I should put on some britches??)

Woohoo...Mama will NEVER find me in here!

Does Louie look a little less than relaxed to you?;-)

Our lives definitely go a mile a minute when the schnitz is healthy, but he is an awful lot of fun and I'll take the chaos (and exhaustion:-) over him being sick on the couch any day of the week!