I watched a great documentary called "American Teacher" on the documentary channel tonight!  It told the story of several teachers and the hardships they faced as they struggled in their careers.  It talked about the issue of not being treated as professionals, not being paid enough to really live, being expected to play the role of teacher, parent, counselor, etc.  It was a very refreshing change from the usual "teachers are to blame for the decline in the public school system" rhetoric that has been so popular lately.  Obviously, all the teachers in the family would enjoy it and it would give them some much needed validation.  More importantly though, it should be seen by those people who look down on the profession and say teachers are already overpaid and under-worked!

Cousin Camp comments

Camp Questions from Sis:

I don’t use this social medium often; hope I don’t screw this up. 

Sorry I missed this year, but being a Deegan, it won’t stop me from having an opinion J.

Regarding dinners – Since they usually take significantly longer to prepare then the other meals, I’m for any way to simplify.

Regarding camp $ charges – I’m for anything that will allow this piece of the weekend requirements to not be a deterrent to whom may or may not show up.

Regarding the role of competition – Every year it is said everyone is in charge of their own fun.  Thus if an individual determines he/she would rather be an observer or do something else, they should be allowed.  The only required participation in my view should be – listen to the hosts, treat the property with care, be in a good mood or at least not a bad/disruptive one, assist in covering camp cost, assist in set up and clean up as needed, and be observant (injury prevention) of the young ones.

Thanks for the opportunity.

Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Poppy Tom

Another Great Kid Book!

Thanks to a Terre suggestion, my grandkids are LOVING Jamie Lee Curtis's book called Today I Feel Silly and other Moods That Make My Day.  There's something universal about kids being "allowed" to feel cranky and evil sometimes!  Yet there's also a lot of positives in there as well.
    MamaKate

Hazel's Favorite Books

For those of you who might be looking for some new titles for the little guys, here are Hazel's current favs. 

The Wildest Brother, Pirate Girl and Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke
When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
Hey Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose

I've read these about 100 times, so I would love to know some of your kids favorites too!  

Kudos to Nichole!

Congratulations to Nichole!  Today in Ann Arbor, Kroger gathered thousands and thousands of their employees in the U of M football stadium so they could recognize EIGHT of their most outstanding employees...and our very own Nicher was one of them!!  She even got a gold shirt to wear around all day so that all those other employees could watch her walk by and be awed.  Way to go, girl!
We're not a bit surprised but it is nice to be recognized and rewarded for hard work and incredible smarts!
                                                     -An admiring MamaKate

Congrats to Chloe!!

The point of a college education:
             the ability to entertain oneself constructively,
            to entertain someone else graciously,
            and to entertain a new idea intelligently.

Congratulations, Chloe!  College Graduate!!
Whoo-hoo!!  And in only FOUR years!!

Consciousness Raising 2012

"Miss Representation" is a documentary about women in the media today.  Emily first suggested it and I finally bought it and last night we had an Okemos Screening of it with 8 women, mostly 30-somethings but two of us were over 50.  We all found it enlightening and the discussion following was lively and important.  Gabrielle also saw it and was moved.  For anyone raising a daughter, or working with young women, or interested in being a full participant in this culture of ours--I would highly recommend viewing it.  Since I now own it, I'd be happy to be your lending library.  Gabrielle might have a copy too.  Or I could bring it to camp for 88 minutes of viewing?  The people on the program span a large range in age, accomplishment, interest and focus.
  This is not just for women, however.  I would be very interested in hearing the guy perspective after viewing.