Large Protest in Washington, DC on September 12, 2009: God bless the U.S.A !!

Here are some pics from Washington on September 12, 2009. It was a huge yet peaceful crowd; bigger than the million-man march, but mostly un-noticed and un-reported. Why?  Because it was a very  large crowd made up of mostly Conservatives, of course; or "nuts" and/or "racists" as some big-mouths promote.  SHAME, Shame, shame on the predominantly favoring-the-left-wing-Agenda Media for pretty much  ignoring this very well-attended event (so, what else is new?!).  Take time to read the placards, and note the number of young participants (future voters) involved.

aerial view of the large crowd

Graceland , Part 3

Ready for more of Chicagoland's colorful history of its rich and famous citizens through this world-famous tourist spot/cemetery?  Here we go....

Potter Palmer & Bertha Honore Palmer(pic courtesy of Graceland.com)

Potter Palmer (1826-1902)  & Bertha Honoré Palmer (1850-1918). Erected 1921.

I knew a little bit about Potter Palmer through his partnership with Mr Marshall Field.  I had  heard of and seen the Palmer House Hotel, but I've yet to step into its lobby, LOL. Click  here  for more details on their lives.  Surrounding the two huge sarcophagi, beneath the floor, their loved ones are also buried.

Daniel Hudson Burnham (1846-1912)

Pic courtesy of Graceland.com

Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men's blood."

--DHB

Daniel Hudson Burnham (1846-1912), was a world-famous architect and city planner, Click  here  for more detailson his life and accomplishments.  He's quite famous in the Philippines as the planner of  Baguio City , Philippines.  I love the fact that he is buried on his own ISLAND (a-la Diana, former Princess of Wales).

Inez Clarke

Inez Clark (1873-1880) died at the age of six. She is usually our last stop before we exit the cemetery.  Her monument always makes me feel a little sorrowful, especially after I've had children.  Click  here    for more details on her life and gravesite. 

O, death where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

~ 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Just a few blocks away from the cemetery is Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs!  Go, Cubbies!!!

The Friendly Confines!

Secret to School Success & High ACT Scores

From an email by HSLDA :  Purcellville, VA—Recently, ACT published its results for 2009. On a scale of 1–36, homeschoolers scored an average of 22.5, which beat the national average of 21.1. “This is a remarkable achievement and shows that homeschool parents are successfully preparing their children for college,” said Michael Smith, president of HSLDA. 

According to ACT officials, research shows that high achievement on the ACT strongly indicates a “greater likelihood of success in college.” Success on the ACT test also reveals that the courses taken by high school students to prepare for college have been effective. 

A total of 1.48 million students took the ACT in 2009 which included 11,535 homeschoolers or just under 1 percent of the total.

The new ACT results also support the numerous studies which show that homeschoolers are out-performing their public school peers in K-12.  The latest study from the National Home Education Research Institute shows that the average homeschooler scores 37 percentile points higher on standardized achievement tests than the average public school student.

It has always been the position of homeschool advocates that the one-on-one instruction provided by dedicated parents is a more effective way to educate children. It’s also much cheaper.

The average public school spends $10,000 per child per year whereas the average homeschooler spends $500 per child per year. Homeschooling is also growing rapidly. The National Center for Education Statistics, part of the Federal Department of Education, estimates that homeschooling is growing at around 7% per year.

Due to the success and growth of the homeschool movement Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews recently concluded that, “Homeschooling is the sleeping giant of the American education system.”

To find out more please visit http://www.hslda.org/
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a 26-year-old, 85,000 member non-profit organization and the preeminent national association advocating the legal right of parents to homeschool their children.

As some of you know, we are a  home-schooling family.  I thank God for the opportunity; and I thank God for our children's academic success.  It is He who makes it all possible.

Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth

~ I Corinthians 8:1 

More on Duct Tape: Hats, Shoes, Wallet -- you name it

Friday Night was the start of a Christian Women's Conference at the Campground in Wisconsin. Jared has, once again, volunteered to work at the Camp kitchen.

...by love serve one another.

~ Galatians 5:13

The place holds good memories for him. He learned how to be a really good dishwasher. Through his newly-found friends, he also learned the many uses of duct tape. He has since passed on that skill to his siblings. Stuck on an island, lost in the jungles, or wiling away the hours at a place in the middle of nowhere, they will never lack for accessories with duct tape in hand. Take a look ---