Northern Noise

It's Halloween again.  This year I'm going to be in Anchorage so I'll miss out on the trick or treating.  Bob can take the boy and, unless things change by Monday, it will be a warm and low snow evening.  I keep thinking of the years of 20 below and snowstorms, but this year has been weirdly mild so far. Jed is probably going to be an astronaut.  Aileen is still deciding.  This year, no costume for me.  I'm not in a school and I'm not trick or treating, so mellow I will be. I suggested to Ali that we make her a tin woodsman costume, with a cute heart inside.  She liked the idea for a minute, then nixed it.  I suggested a little girl, an octopus or an M&M.  No go.  I suggested she take her dad's overcoat and galoshes and go as a flasher.  Her dad said no.  I wonder what she'll decide. I was a punker one year at Lathrop, and then we went to buy a new car and I looked like an 80's throwback crazy woman.  It was a cool costume though, and the stude

18 years ago today one of my oldest, dearest, and onery-est friends got hitched.  She married a great guy, and they're put up with one another -happily it seems - for all these years.  I had the honor of being her maid of honor, one of my fondest memories. One memory I have is that it was my first time to rent a car.  I flew into Seattle from school in Fairbanks, rented a car and headed out to the boondocks of Oroville, Wa.  I brought with me my electric blue bride's maid dress.  My mom was supposed to make it for me, and she pretty much did.  Only she ran out of time and motivation before she got  the button holes done.  So she figured she could accomplish the same look by sewing the buttons on the outside, and attaching snaps to hold it shut.  Hmmm, that was a decision that would haunt me later. The whole family was there - on both sides and everyone was happy for Bill and Denise.  I always really liked Bill, and not just because he owned a bar and had a lead on lots of b

On election day I think about Shakespeare - specifically Julius Caesar and Macbeth.  hmmm. Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights; Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous. (Julius Caesar, 1.2.192)  'Tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. (Julius Caesar 2.1.22)  Fair is foul, and foul is fair. (Maceth I.i.12) Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it. (Macbeth I.v. 64)   I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other.  (Macbeth I.vii.25-28)   When in doubt, look to Sh

I have been trying to remember to stop every day and give thanks for the blessings I have.  I love my job, I have a wonderful family, although we're not always the healthiest family we don't have anything chronic or life-threatening.  We have enough money to live, our house is modest but comfortable, we have heat and we generally all get along pretty well. It's a shame that it often takes something bad to remind of us of how lucky we are.  A friend's cancer, a too-early death, an unexpected divorce, or a bad choice with devastating consequences...these things remind me that one never knows what tomorrow will bring. I need to translate my thanks and blessings into action.  If I can be healthier and reduce the risk of contracting a disease that will make my family hurt, I need to do that.  I need to tell people thank you, and how much I care for them. So here's my reminder to myself.  Peace.

I miss teaching literature, Shakespeare especially.  I think of literature as a science experiment.  Since we can't take actual people and put them in various, potentially traumatic situations we read.  The thesis is simple:  if we take character A and add environment or conflict and then shake it up, what will happen?  Literature shows us this and then we can ask ourselves, how would I react in that same spot? Shakespeare is especially awesome because his plots and characters are so relevant throughout time and for all people.  Issues like ambition, guilt, love, honor apply to everyone.  I miss helping students realize that, not only can they understand Shakespeare, they can enjoy it.  And that amidst the sex and death and laughter are themes that will shape the choices they make in the future. I don't know that I can find a comparable topic or experience to teaching Shakespeare within my current world of facilitating curriculum and teaching teachers.  But I guess I'

I haven't blogged in forever it seems, and I miss just sitting down and writing.  I think part of it is the new job, and new classes starting and just the business of it all.  Kids have kept us busy as well and we've had a great experience with Sophia, Aileen's German exchange sister here with us.  She leaves Saturday morning, and Ali goes back to her mom for the week... it's gonna seem awfully quiet around here. We're also transitioning into fall.  After some beautiful days over the Labor Day weekend, we've had some rainy and cool days.  I saw my first hard frost down in the creek beds the other day.  The golden red of the leaves has given way to dry brown and a more sickly color and soon they'll be gone.  The driveway today was carpeted with fallen leaves, and when - if- it ever dries out I'll be out raking the yard. I was reading over some past blog posts the other day.  And then I talked with a former student who had me laughing over tales of her

The other day I had to use the restroom at Fred Meyer.  While I the stall I saw a pregnancy kit stuffed into the garbage can.  It made me really sad.  I remember when Bob and I took our pregnancy test with Jed.  The thought of someone being alone in a stall in Fred Meyer finding out something so important, so miraculous has stuck with me. I'm grateful for my family.

Haven't been blogging lately.  I miss the writing part but feel like nothing exciting is happening to report. My friend Sheila does this great "reasons to be grateful for" as well as blogging about important issues.  My uncle has a blog about fishing on the Kenai.  My creative friend Kathleen has, like, art and her movie trailers.  I used to have funny stories about my son, but at age 8 his smart little comments and nudity take on a tone more tawdry and irritating than cute and charming. When I was in the classroom, a thousand hilarious things happened each day.  Teenagers are funny and it's easy to feel justified in mocking them, at least a little.  During the summer I got to check out exotic locations like Las Vegas and Rockaway Beach, Oregon.  Last few weeks have been pretty tame - work, home, chores, rain, watch an episode of Lost with Bob and head to bed.  Get up.  Repeat. Maybe I need a hook - like many bloggers have.  I mean, the whole Julie & Julie mo

Cool this morning, The light is different Yellow leaves appearing in the green Rain constantly lurking (fair is here) Sunshine in the afternoon, but not so warm Kids talking about back to school supplies Feels like fall

Well, I'm about to start a new adventure.  After being a classroom teacher since 1995, I'm about to become a year-round educational employee.  Yesterday I accepted a job as the secondary curriculum coordinator for the school district.  It's kind of still sinking in, but I think I'm excited about the change. For the past year I've been working on a Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction, so when a position came open that required this degree and would let me use what I learn, I felt like I had to apply.  I was sort of surprised to get it, but am really excited as well as flattered that my current boss thinks I can do the job. This means that I will be facilitating curriculum revisions, working with school counselors, planning professional development, organizing district-wide events such as Poetry Out Loud, and completing "other duties as assigned"  I still get to work with great people in a great department. The downside is that I'm

This week I've got the kids - well, Jed and Aileen - at the beach.  Yesterday was beautiful weather.  We went up to Seaside, which is a fun, family friendly tourist town.  We shopped, went to the Aquarium, did some boardwalk rides....  The Seaside Aquarium was fun.  Not too big, but nice exhibits.  Both the kids liked the octopi.  Now, before some grammarian out there protests, be advised I did some research.  According to (ahem, please don't tell anyone I cited this source) Wikipedia, the following is true: Currently there are three plural forms of octopus : octopuses [ˈɒktəpəsɪz] , octopi [ˈɒktəpaɪ] , and octopodes [ˌɒkˈtəʊpədiːz] . Currently, octopuses is the most common form in the UK as well as the US; octopodes is rare, and octopi is often objectionable. [7 ] I like octopi, so that's the one I'm using.... I mean, I can be objectionable too, right? The aquarium also had harbor seals, including two adorable babies.  There was a viewing window and they would

So my son loves video games.  And my dilemma is whether I let him play them, and if so, how much?  I admit, I use them to my convenience.  For example, when we're traveling I'm happy to let him plug into Pokemon for the long flight.  But when we're home, I don't like 'em much. On the other side, I can see him using problem solving skills to get through some of these role playing games.  He gets SO frustrated and then stops, ponders, and re-tries.  He also likes to read all the "stuff" - the intros, the discussions between characters, the Nintendo Power magazine.  I think about my two cousins who grew up on lots of video games.  They both turned out okay (well, by our family's standards anyways). It's not like all he does is play games.  He reads, he plays soccer and badminton, he plays with the dogs and his friends and runs around like a yahoo.  But on some days, like today when it's rainy and cool outside, and we were up late and I'm w

I like to watch boxing, and to read about boxing.  I think part of it is that I associate boxing with my grandfather, who was a Golden Glove boxer back in his day.  I remember the cardboard cutouts of him in his boxing stance that that sat in his office.  He looked young, and tough.  It's also that xoxing is an individual sport, of toughness, speed, stamina, determination.  I admire that.  There can be no blaming a teammate in boxing, or a trainer.  It's only the boxer in the ring. There are so many good movies about boxing and, like all good sports movies, they show that boxing is a metaphor and archetype that speaks to us.  From Brando's plea to his brother, "I could have been a contender" to the family of parasites swooping into Hillary Swank's hospital bed in Million Dollar Baby, to Russell Crowe's portrayal of Depression era Jim Braddock, a symbol of the American spirit - boxing movies show us something about ourselves and our society. As a kid I

After sixteen years in the classroom, I still love teaching.   I do find myself, however, trying to put my finger on how “things” have changed.   I don’t consider myself a cynic, but I think the general view of the purpose of education has changed.   When I was a student, in my early years of teaching, and even now I fundamentally believe that learning, that education, is an end unto itself.   Becoming learned, becoming educated makes one a better person, opens up doors of insight into other people, cultures and times, and allows one to move through the world connected to the big picture.   Over time, a shift has occurred.    Education - taking classes , reading a book, earning a degree – is now viewed as a necessary step towards earning a living, checking off the prerequisites in order to get the job and earn the bucks.   Learning for learning sakes is a foreign concept, and school respond by forming career academies, pre-vocational programs of study, and focusing on testing

So this morning we're hanging out and reading.  Jed's moved from Harry Potter to one of the graphic novels I'm supposed to read for my summer class.  I've been reading the news online, drinking some coffee, the breeze is blowing outside... summer vacation in Fairbanks is awesome, isn't it?  We filled and rehung the bird feeds this spring, and have been getting lots of avian visitors.  We've got a pair of woodpeckers nesting in the woods below the house, lots of robins and chickadees.  I wish I knew more about birds because there are a few I don't recognize.  Della used to get excited about them, now she lays on the deck watching them, occasionally lifting her head to make an obligatory snap in their direction, like she thinks she's supposed to be a fierce hunter.  Ha. I wonder about how folks who aren't teachers do it.  How do they get up and go to work each day, how do they take their kids to daycare all year long?  These lazy mornings just hangin

I'm not sure whether Jed thinks he's a dog, or the dogs think they're boys. Either way I've had to fuss at all 3 of them today about rowdy behavior in the house.  So then they move it outside for awhile, but end up back in the living room rolling around growling and playing.  All three are also giving me backtalk.  I knew 8 year olds and huskys talked, but labs??  Jed is covered in dog fur, as Dimas is shedding big time.  Della is exhausted, but can't stand not to play.  She just walked into the shut patio glass door.  I think I'll get the vacuum out.  All 3 of them hate that machine.  he he he

So I made my first trip to Las Vegas, Nevada.  Did ya'll know that Las Vegas means "the meadows" in Spanish??  Interesting, because I always picture meadows as being kind of green, and the only green I saw in Las Vegas was leaving people's hands and going into slot machine and over priced stores. Still, it was a good trip.  For one thing, I got to spend a week in a hotel with my husband and no children.  In all of our years of teaching and working together, this is the first time we've traveled together for work, other than the time I went as the assistant wrestling coach to chaperone his female wrestlers. We stayed at Caesar's Palace, which was filled with statues and fountains.  In fact, I realized that in Las Vegas one can see the Eiffel Tower, an Egyptian pyramid, the Arc de Triomphe, a Venetian canal (complete with Gondolas), an exploding volcano, and Elvis.  Why travel anyplace else when you can get it all in one spot?  I did get to hold a pair of Ch

So a new threshold has been crossed in the world of Hadaways.  Last night, Jed had his first sleepover.  For some crazy reason, his teacher and the other 2nd/3rd grade multiage class have a sleepover at the school at the end of the year.  Jed had initially said he wasn't going to go, but changed his mind the morning of.  So after school yesterday, he looked carefully at the packing list, prepared and packed his duffel bag, and waited for his father to get home and take him. To say he was a little wound up with excitement is a true understatement.  I actually worried one of his sisters would kill him before he was able to depart.  Finally, I sent him out on to the porch to watch for his papa.  He started on the porch, and soon had his duffle bag in the yard while he ran up the porch and down the driveway watching for Bob's truck.  I sat inside, listening to him talk to the dogs until eventually, I heard the pickup in the driveway.  Then, suddenly, I heard doors open, doors s

I had a post that is gone... so strange... maybe I'm not as funny as I think I am....

"Because I could not stop for Death / He kindly stopped for me" These words from an Emily Dickinson poem have run through my head several times in the past few days.  Death, it seems, has a sense of humor because I have what my family and co-workers are calling the "death cough" and instead of moving it, it's just hanging around. I think the term "death cough" is really not appropriate, especially given the way I feel.  I'm more of a poet at heart and would describe it as, "the sounds of a pot party in the asthma ward."  It's hard to believe that the noises coming from me are the sounds of only one person.  And I feel like my old '84 Blazer looked after 8 seasons driving a washboard road to work every day.  Falling apart one piece at a time, I rattle when I start up, and eventually even when I sit still, and folks who look at me think, "that horse should be put out to pasture." Now that I've mixed a bunch of me

It's funny, Lori L. commented on my last post about the title, and how she thought it might be about something, or someone, else.   We've been having lots of good conversations at our house lately about that "something else."  Like kids all over, my own children have been seeing a lot on the news about the death of Osama Bin Laden.  We've discussed the basic premise that, we don't ever celebrate someone's murder, even if they're a bad person.  On this point, we're all agreed. It's a little harder to talk about what makes a person a good person or a bad person.  Or to figure out whether revenge is ever okay, or what justice is.  Ali is reading Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies and Julius Caesar , all texts that address these issues of the strong exploiting the weak, the noble ideal vs. the real, fear vs. love.  The death of Osama Bin Laden, the chaos of the Middle East, the daily news all provide worldly venues for the ideas to manifest in actua

So apparently the second grade class my son is in has a large contingency of Barney haters.  That's right, I said Barney.  As in the big purple dinosaur that teachers children how to be friendly and kind to one another.  I don't know why Barney has become the target of their twisted 8 year old minds, but apparently he has.  I know this because each day my son comes home and sings another variation of an "I hate Barney" song.  Today's song is sung to the tune of the sweet holiday carol, "Joy to the World:" Joy to the World, Barney is dead! We bar-becued his head! What happened to the bo-dy? We flushed it down the po-tty, Around around it goes, Around around it goes, A-ro-und, a-ro-und around it goes! Yes, the song is disturbing.  Yes, I'm concerned about my son's sense of humor, even though he assures me that "everyone is doing it."  And I guess the peer pressure to sing anti-Barney songs isn't as unhealthy as peer pressure

Somehow I've become a bit of a techie.  I started this blog in 2008 when I wasn't even 100% sure what a blog was.  Since then, I found a few readers, and I've learned to put a link to a video or include an image.  Then, I took a new job where I had time to learn "stuff."  I had always wanted to learn to use technology in my classroom, but never took the time, nor did I really think I could figure it all out without taking away from my content.  This year, I began by creating my own work website to share resources and teaching ideas.  I have taught courses on using Garageband to create poetry podcasts.  I have taught students to use Noodle Tools and Google Earth.  I even led the professional development presentation on the school district's draft technology curriculum. Now I'm taking a course for my master's degree called something like "Integrating Technology."  Our first assignment was to create a blog and to create a Delicious account.  V

I love the fact that days are getting longer, the sun is shining, summer vacation is looming, and the world has taken on a cheery glow.  However, there is one aspect of spring that I dread each year.  The slow reveal as the snow slips away of the yard cleanup that has to happen. This year the melt has brought previously unknown horrors.  Apparently over the winter the black dog decided to expand her evacuating exploits - we have poo all over the damn yard.  See, our dogs are usually in the  house or in the pen, so clean up is localized.  But this little dog is an escape artist, and no matter what we've tried she would escape during the day and run around in the yard.  We knew her destructive powers to some extent.  She, literally, chewed down three smallish decorative trees that I've been babying for the last 7 years.  She found a sled that didn't get put away and gnawed the sides off.  Now we have realized that she's pooped all over the place and we have to tread car

Tonight our family sat around and had a discussion about the book Animal Farm .  Aileen has a seminar tomorrow where she has to take a position on a statement that says (basically) "The weak are always exploited by the strong, which is unfair."    Bob and I were trying to convince her to take the position that the weak deserve to be exploited.  It turned into a great conversation.  We talked about what makes people strong or weak, the different kinds of strength and weakness, and whether people have choices about how to live their lives and where they end up.  We talked about getting things done, and even horrible people like Stalin could be successful at getting their goals accomplished.  It's just that the goals were flawed. We talked about how society exploits people, and how lots of people seem to prefer to be told how to think, what to buy, what to believe, who to vote for, what type of soda to buy....you get the point. Most people are like the sheep in Animal Fa

Okay, so are you loyal readers seeing pastel-y colored easter eggs on my blog background or just black??  I see easter eggs, but my mother says it's all in my psychedelic mind....

I've always liked Dolly Parton.  I remember her first probably in the movie 9 to 5 where she uttered the famous words, "I"m going to turn you from a rooster to a hen in one shot!"  I really liked her in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas , where she sang "Hard Candy Christmas" which is a great song.  The movie A Smokey Mountain Christmas with Dolly and Lee Majors is my favorite cheesy holiday movie, and is now a tradition with my own kids. I think what I like about her is that she's smart, and she's talented and she seems genuine.  Even with the big hair, the big boobs, and the big personality, she seems like a real person.  One who can laugh at herself, who enjoys life. Her music is great.  A few years ago we started listening to her bluegrass albums, which was great. Halos and Horns is probably my favorite.  She made an album that was all covers of old folk tunes from the 60's, which was also fun.  I especially like her reactio

One thing I love about Sunday morning is pancakes.  It's not that I really like the actual pancakes that much, but I love the process of Sunday morning pancakes at the Hadaway Household. It starts with Bob standing in front of the sink lamenting the huge amount of dishes that were left after Saturday night.  (In addition to the tradition of pancakes on Sunday morning, we have a tradition of no dish washing on Saturday nights.)  After he laments awhile, he digs into the dishes.  About halfway through the process, and after cleaning any key cookware, he either gives up or calls upon an offspring to continue the chore.  Meanwhile, tubs of flour, sugar, cartons of eggs, boxes of Jed baking mix and a jug of milk emerge from shelves and refrigerator to cover all available counter space.  At this point, I make sure I stop entering the kitchen, as it's just too scary.  Around this point in the process, Bob turns on some music (Neil Young, anyone?) which adds to the general sense of

Overheard today... "This chocolate is so good that if I had fire ants invade my mouth, I wouldn't even care!  Unless they tried to eat my chocolate."

So I learned how to change the background on my blog to all sorts of cutesy things... including Easter eggs in bright spring colors.  Hmmm, I wonder if keeping up this trend could cause me to become one of those perpetually happy, Pollyanna, elementary-school teacher types? Nawwww, probably not.

Last night I heard a noise in Jed's room.  I peeked in and saw Ali lying on his bed with him, reciting Antony's funeral speech from Julius Caesar .  It was amazing to watch.  Jed was listening and offering his opinion about her performance.  After she was done, Ali came out and gave me a hug and said she loved her little brother.  It made me get a little teary.  A few minutes later, Ali was in the bathroom and Jed came out and told me, "When Ali comes out of the bathroom, will you tell her she's welcome to come recite Shakespeare to me any time." When I was pregnant with Jed, both of his sisters expressed a lot of concern about having a "half-brother."  Hannah told us that she, "HAD to like Ali" but wasn't sure she would like having a brother.  I remember hearing the girls talk about the situation.  Hannah explained to Ali that it was helpful to have a younger sibling because "you can blame stuff on them."  Ali nodded in agreem

Bobbi Flekman : You put a "greased naked woman" on all fours with a dog collar around her neck, and a leash, and a man's arm extended out up to here, holding onto the leash, and pushing a black glove in her face to sniff it. You don't find that offensive? You don't find that sexist? Ian Faith : This is 1982, Bobbi, c'mon! Bobbi Flekman : That's right, it's 1982! Get out of the '60s. We don't have this mentality anymore. Ian Faith : Well, you should have seen the cover they wanted to do! It wasn't a glove, believe me. One of the greatest movies, ever......

Today my thoughts on education were influenced by the colleagues with whom I share an office.  A couple of highlights from our conversations. 1) When people are faced with something new, they can either embrace it, be fearful, or ignore it.   Most teachers don't embrace change for lots of reasons.  For one thing, teachers tend to be the ones for whom school worked.  Another is that teachers have seen a lot of trends, expectations and jargon come and go over time; it makes sense to be skeptical.  Also, the disconnect between policy makers at the national and state levels and the kids and teachers living daily in the classroom can be huge.  It can be hard to be told what to do by someone who has never seen the students you care for, worry about, and spend each day with. 2) Some people just forget they have a boss.  There's an attitude among some teachers that they can go in their classrooms, shut their doors, and do what they want.  Those people resent it when someone tells t

When I started teaching, I read the curriculum guide which told me some basics of what I was supposed to teach, and then I taught.  I did my best teaching, planned assignments and scaffolded ideas, and then I gave my students some sort of test to see how they did. I also gave a test because I needed some grades for the grade book and tests are expected in high school classes.  If students didn't do well, I suggested they study harder, come work with me after school, and sometimes I offered to let them retake the test. I had a few epiphanies those first few years.  One was that I could usually predict a student's test score before s/he ever took the test.  Another was that sometimes it was hard to figure out what to write the test about.  Writing tests was hard in itself because I'd never taken a test writing class (although I had taken a lot of tests).  I'd put some vocabulary matching, some multiple choice, some short answer, some true and false.  The questions on th

Apparently the boy's father also has his "moments." Overheard last night.... Papa: "Jedidiah.  If you get out of that bed one more time, I am going to beat you." Jed:  "Hmm.  What will you beat me with?" Papa:  "A big pot." Jed:  "Okay.  I guess I'll stay in bed." Granted, Jed has never been beaten by his father, so I found the question rather funny.  But when I shared my amusement with his dad, all he could say was, "Maybe we haven't beaten him enough... that might be the root of the problem." So much for my calm and mild mannered husband...

I've identified another definition of happiness. Happiness is being at the bottom of the pile of the boy, the dog, and the husband, who ignore me while they chat about watching Globe Trekker and the dog tries to steal the boy's tortilla.

Went to work before 7:00 today and it was light outside.  Wore my light coat.  Came home and it was 26 degrees above.  Left my coat unzipped as I walked to the house.  Sun coming in the windows might be giving off a little warmth.  Snuck out of the office to get a cup of coffee and the sun hit my face and it felt amazing and the air entering my lungs made me feel momentarily invincible. Now some people might want to rain on this happiness parade by reminding me of daylight savings time, but it won't work.  Spring is beginning.  My spring break has begun and I'm going to sleep in tomorrow and clean out my car, and maybe even the refrigerator. A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period — When March is scarcely here Monet's "Spring" A Color stands abroad On Solitary Fields That Science cannot overtake But Human Nature feels. It waits upon the Lawn, It shows the furthest Tree Upon the furthest Slope you

Sometimes on a Sunday morning, heaven is being able to lie in bed and enjoy the laziness of knowing you don't have to be anywhere.   Often on those mornings, my hubby and I will read the papers on our iPhones, feet touching under the covers but mostly ignoring each other, listening to the kids and dogs downstairs making craziness.  Sometimes we'll plan out our week and compare schedules, making sure all the "have tos" are covered.  This morning we got in a conversation about the meaning of happiness.   Although the subject is light, the conversation got kinda heavy.  Happiness is the only goal, but it can be hard to define, let alone achieve.  And when one has a family, happiness is tied up in the well-being, the states of others.  As Martha Washington is credited with saying, " The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances."  Still, there is a connection between circumstance and happiness, and in the dispositions of

Jed: If onomatopoeia is words that sound like what they mean, would automatopoeia be a mechanic who tells you what he really thinks about your car?? (my boy is too clever, yes?)

So I have spent the last day and a half not arguing with my child about his family heritage.  Yesterday he announced to me that he has "Ninja blood, on dad's side."  My husband is pretty darn western European, the ancestors that came to America were mostly from Wales, with a few from Scotland.  No Japanese anywhere in sight. So I responded to my son.  "That's fun to pretend.  It would be fun to be a ninja." To which he responds, "It's not pretend mom.  I really have ninja blood.  Dad just never told you about it, but we looked it up on his family tree." I tried to continue a rational discussion with my son that explained that, like it or not, we're a pretty darn whitebread sort of family.  He dismissed my factual explanations with a wave of his hand and a rolling of his eyes.  What do I know?  Apparently I have clumsiness in my side of the family so I don't recognize ninjas.  And besides, if he didn't have ninja blood how coul

Apparently I'm a bad parent.  (and I wonder how many of you are thinking something like, "You just figured this out?") See, this morning my son was reminded, gently I might add, to finish his chore of feeding the devil dog.  He put on his boots, headed to the dog food tub on the porch and returned with, literally, two pieces of kibble looking lonely in her bowl.  I told him he needed to go get more food, to which he replied with a huffy, nasty tone and an eye rolling.  I got my "very stern" voice and told him he not only better finish his chores, but he better then sit down and drink his milk and that I was NOT happy with him for being so disrespectful and it would not be tolerated.  He complied. A few minutes later, being the progressive parent I am, I thought to follow up the exchange with calm talk:  "Jed, I'm sorry that I spoke harshly a few minutes ago.  I hope you realize that your family is always going to be here, and it's very importan