Sunflower Houses by Sharon Lovejoy

My favorite thing to so, since 2001 is to  plant sunflowers, growing them into a Sunflower house; something I learned about long ago.



Sunflower Houses, Garden Discoveries for Chrldren of All Ages, by Sharon Lovejoy, is a fabulous find.  I bought it at the Library book sale.. the one in the bookcase in North Spokane.  Fifty cents is all it cost me for a very cool book indeed!  It is fun to read and a delight to the heart, as I read through it considering all the marvels of growing things and the magic they do spark in a child's heart and mind.

After reading this book, I am now inspired to try new and interesting things, like a butterfly garden... (shaped like a butterfly of course...) or a clock garden, where the plants in the garden open and close at various, predictable times of the day.  My most favorite idea from this book, the most practical for me, may be to plant a rainbow garden. 

That looks a little like this:Off I go to pull some weeds right now!


Too-da-loo...

The Law by Frederic Bastiat

The Law was written by Frederic Bastiat in 1850.  Just the same it is as relevant today as it was when it was written.  I highly recommend the reading of this short, easy to read book that will help you understand more about the LAW.

You can read it on-line at : http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html

Taming the Techno Beast by Todd Wilson

 Taming the Techno Beast  is a book I bought at a recent conference where the author spoke.  It's a small book, and easy to read.  I got it because I am a sort of anti techno person... (She said as she typed on her computer, using the internet....) I mean, I think one should be careful that such things do not suck up your life... and I know how they can easily do that.  Also, I liked hearing what Todd Wilson had to say too, as he talked about issues pertaining to parenting and homeschooling... and knowing he had a heart for the Lord, I was also interested to hear what he had to say about this techno beast.

I found it to be interesting and insightful as he talked about how technology sneaks in and how i consumes you when you least expect it.  IT is funny how you start with your kids playing seemingly  innocent, educational games like Winnie the Pooh or Carmen San Diego and the next thing you know it becomes babysitting sort of time... and then the next thing you know they've  moved on to other games that fulfill the entertainment need and then people are playing games instead of playing with friends.

I think the book was a good reminder to be thoughtful about this technological world that has emerged and how we spend out time, how our kids spend their time.  He says that we cannot kill the beast... because it does exist, it permeates our culture, and we should recognize how it can be used for both good and for evil.  He says though that we need to tame it, bring it under control..and not let it control us or our kids.