Caterpillar

Pocket College

An interesting project bases on the works of Rousas John Rushdoony, see: Pocket College Wiki and PocketCollege.com

Pocket College is an online Christian college equipping the saints to advance the kingdom. Why Pocket College? For all the same reasons you homeschool. For ages 16 and up. Learn on your schedule, where ever you are. Learn while you work full time or start your own business. Everything presented in the context of the truth of Scripture. Available online; formatted for a smartphone. Tithe based tuition: no loans; no debt. Instead build capital and gain job experience.

Suo Gân

Suo Gân, a Welsh lullaby

    Huna blentyn ar fy mynwes
    Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
    Breichiau mam sy'n dynn amdanat,
    Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;
    Ni cha' dim amharu'th gyntun,
    Ni wna undyn â thi gam;
    Huna'n dawel, annwyl blentyn,
    Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam.

    Huna'n dawel, heno, huna,
    Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun;
    Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu,
    Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun?
    Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu,
    Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon,
    Tithau'n gwenu'n ôl dan huno,
    Huno'n dawel ar fy mron?

    Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
    Gura, gura ar y ddôr;
    Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
    Sua, sua ar lan y môr;
    Huna blentyn, nid oes yma
    Ddim i roddi iti fraw;
    Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes
    Ar yr engyl gwynion draw.

    Sleep my baby, at my breast,
    ’Tis a mother’s arms round you.
    Make yourself a snug, warm nest.
    Feel my love forever new.
    Harm will not meet you in sleep,
    Hurt will always pass you by.
    Child beloved, always you’ll keep,
    In sleep gentle, mother’s breast nigh.

    Sleep in peace tonight, sleep,
    O sleep gently, what a sight.
    A smile I see in slumber deep,
    What visions make your face bright?
    Are the angels above smiling,
    At you in your peaceful rest?
    Are you beaming back while in
    Peaceful slumber on mother’s breast?

    Do not fear the sound, it’s a breeze
    Brushing leaves against the door.
    Do not dread the murmuring seas,
    Lonely waves washing the shore.
    Sleep child mine, there’s nothing here,
    While in slumber at my breast,
    Angels smiling, have no fear,
    Holy angels guard your rest.

Childcare?

The picture is of a commercially available piece of furniture used in "childcare" centers, looking more like equipment made for a dog pound babies spend hours locked in these kennels every day. The average cost of "childcare" in the US is $12,000 per year, often costing more than college tuition. And these institutions have hight rates of disease than prisons. Sadly many working mothers are losing money when one on adds in the cost to the family. And negative on the children can't be calculated in terms of money.

The Goblin Market

An 1859 poem about two sisters and some goblins. Follow the link below to read the poem.

The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti

Evening by evening
Among the brookside rushes,
Laura bowed her head to hear,
Lizzie veiled her blushes:
Crouching close together
In the cooling weather,
With clasping arms and cautioning lips,
With tingling cheeks and finger-tips.
"Lie close," Laura said,
Pricking up her golden head:
"We must not look at goblin men,
We must not buy their fruits:
Who knows upon what soil they fed
Their hungry thirsty roots?"
"Come buy," call the goblins
Hobbling down the glen.
"O," cried Lizzie, "Laura, Laura,
You should not peep at goblin men."

The Duties of Marriage and Family.

The Duties of Marriage and Family.

The Duties of Husband and Wife

So much for their duties that be further off from equality in the family, as parents and children, masters and servants. Now those that are more equal are husband and wife, whose duties are either common to both, or more particular to either of them. The common duties. First, they must love one another with a pure heart, fervently. This duty both husband and wife must perform mutually one to another, which that they may the better strive for, let us consider of some excellent commodities that will proceed from this love. First, this benefit will certainly ensue: if there be fervent, and dear, and matrimonial love betwixt themselves, it will preserve and guard them from all unchaste actions and strange lusts, as appeareth, Prov. 5:19-20.

A godly form of household government for the ordering of private families, according to the direction of Gods word

Therefore at the beginning of their marriage, the wise and discret husband ought to use all good meanes to winne the good liking of his wife towards him: for if then their love be fixed, and truely setled one towards the other, although afterwards they come to some houshold words and grudgings, yet it proceedeth but of some new unkindnesse, and not of old rooted hatred; and therefore the sooner remedied. For love and hatred be mortall enemies, and the first of them that taketh place in the heart, there it remaineth a dweller, for the most part, all the dayes of life: in such wise, that the first love may depart from the person, but yet it will never be forgotten at the heart. But if the wife from the beginning of marriage, do take the heart to loath and abhorre her husband, then a miserable life wil follow to them both.-John Dod & Robert Cleaver

What is the Biblical Trustee Family?

The trustee family has the most power and scope. It is called the trustee family because its living members see themselves as trustees of the family blood, rights, property, name, and position for their lifetime. They have an inheritance from the past to be preserved and developed for the future. The trustee family is the basic social power … The head of the family is not the head in any personal sense but as family head and as a trustee of powers.-R. J. Rushdoony

For Better or Worse

Young people are assaulted by a ridicule of matrimony; they are barraged by appeals for a revolt against marriage; they hear catch-phrases promising a new freedom for a new age. The press, the radio, the stage, the screen, — this quadruple alliance which often helps mold their thoughts, — are often confederated in attacking home ideals. And youth cannot altogether escape the impact of newspaper headlines nor the panderings of erotic novels, which, banned by a wiser generation, are now offered in unexpurgated editions at a few pennies for daily rentals... Marriage is a divine institution, established by God Himself. It is not a social evolution or a heritage from any alleged brute ancestry. As the gift of God, sex, marriage, and family life are holy; and even though disfigured by sin, they should be honored by all men as divine bestowals... In the choice of a companion for life the decisive factor should not be wealth, physical attraction, higher education, and social position, but common devotion to the one Lord and Savior, the harmony of religious oneness... A general compatibility of age, culture, and race is normally essential for sustained happiness... Christian marriage must be marked by an intensity of self-sacrificing love. Wedded life characterized by frigid aloofness is not only greatly displeasing to God, but also soon becomes a caricature of the true conjugal devotion-Walter A. Maier

How Do You Socialize Your Children?

How Do You Socialize Your Children?


A good short video on the foolish attacks on homeschoolers.

Legalism?

I am starting to think "legalism" is becoming as bad as "sexism" or "racism." It seems to be an all purpose and meaningless insult by anyone who doesn't like moral standards. In theory opposing legalism shouldn't be antinomianism-the belief Christians have no moral obligations.

But after some reading I see I misunderstood it's meaning somewhat; "Legalism is alleged against any view that obedience to law, not faith in God's grace, is the pre-eminent principle of redemption." I always thought of legalism as forgetting the spirit and purpose of the law. Also often one thinks of legalism as tolerance of immorality on the grounds of convoluted argument. The fault of the Pharisees was not that they made rule rules to keep themselves holy, but that they made rules to excuse their unholiness, as John Owen (1616–1683) said; "These two principles, their own reputation and that of their sect, constituted the life and soul of Pharisaism of old."

In a perverse way this modern-day anti-"legalism" is becoming a form legalism in which people use to create convoluted arguments to justify their own selfishness. It seems many use such argument to get around the fifth commandment and it often does pave the way for antinomianism. I don't recall any place in the bible where it states eating nothing about eating nothing but candy and staying up till 1:00 a.m. are banned, but parents don't let their young children do such, is that "legalism" too? A rebellious daughter may accuse her parents of "legalism" if they require her to dress in a modest or traditional manner. This poisonous anti-"legalism" destroys tradition and morality.

On the other a child can be rebellious in legalistic way, following the letter of what his parents tell him, while doing things which they should know is wrong. This is a complex topic.

"Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."-Deuteronomy 5:16

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."-Proverbs 22:28

"Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes -- our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth: tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death."-G. K. Chesterton

The Homespun Dress

The Homespun Dress by Carrie Belle Sinclair (Text)

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Is The Hand That Rules The World
A poem by William Ross Wallace

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow--
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky--
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

150 years old mechanical city village of denmark

The Sacred Trust of Family

The Duties of Husband and Wife

So much for their duties that be further off from equality in the family, as parents and children, masters and servants. Now those that are more equal are husband and wife, whose duties are either common to both, or more particular to either of them. The common duties. First, they must love one another with a pure heart, fervently. This duty both husband and wife must perform mutually one to another, which that they may the better strive for, let us consider of some excellent commodities that will proceed from this love. First, this benefit will certainly ensue: if there be fervent, and dear, and matrimonial love betwixt themselves, it will preserve and guard them from all unchaste actions and strange lusts, as appeareth, Prov. 5:19-20.

A godly form of household government for the ordering of private families, according to the direction of Gods word

Therefore at the beginning of their marriage, the wise and discret husband ought to use all good meanes to winne the good liking of his wife towards him: for if then their love be fixed, and truely setled one towards the other, although afterwards they come to some houshold words and grudgings, yet it proceedeth but of some new unkindnesse, and not of old rooted hatred; and therefore the sooner remedied. For love and hatred be mortall enemies, and the first of them that taketh place in the heart, there it remaineth a dweller, for the most part, all the dayes of life: in such wise, that the first love may depart from the person, but yet it will never be forgotten at the heart. But if the wife from the beginning of marriage, do take the heart to loath and abhorre her husband, then a miserable life wil follow to them both.-John Dod & Robert Cleaver

What is the Biblical Trustee Family?

The trustee family has the most power and scope. It is called the trustee family because its living members see themselves as trustees of the family blood, rights, property, name, and position for their lifetime. They have an inheritance from the past to be preserved and developed for the future. The trustee family is the basic social power … The head of the family is not the head in any personal sense but as family head and as a trustee of powers.-R. J. Rushdoony

Has College become a Moloch Cult...

I do have to wonder if college is becoming a Moloch Cult, especially in the case of young women. What do parents get from it other than having their children debauched, then move far way and not give them grandchildren. Sadly one will find very little like John Henry Newman's "Idea of a University" in a modern University; in many cases one finds little of educational value. Look at the student newspaper at most universities one will find articles on sex, rape, and perversion; and advertisements for bars, abortion, and pornography. Dormitories are dirty poorly-run cesspools, where debauchery is encouraged. Even "Christian" colleges most of the time seem unwilling to stand for morality. At what point do parents say no? I don't know the answer to this problem, but the general culture is evil. I am not necessarily saying young people should not go to college, but sometimes needs to be done...

On a related note see this article at the Ladies Against Feminism site, while the article is about young women, but much of it applies to young men as well.
Letters on College, the Workplace, etc

Is this what college does for young people...

A very depressing story from the Thinking Housewife "Emmie’s Adventure" and "Emmie’s Future" (Not for young readers)

And yikes...

Down the Ivy-Covered Lane

Should homeschooling parents send their children away to college? I am not completely sure of the answer to this question. But what I have seen of the "public school system" and colleges, has left me with a feeling it might be better to keep child out of school altogether. I recall a few years ago Maggie Gallagher asked has the time come for "home colleging." The Internet, CLEP exams and other leaning options may provide a workable compromise.

College From Home

Also see: Venereal diseases now the main cause of infertility.

Doll Commercials: Yesterday and Today....

And we wonder what why young women fall into moral degeneracy....

Mattel Chatty Cathy TV Commercial 1963 (dead)



Update: Well, that link is dead here one that works: Mattel Chatty Cathy TV Commercial 1963


Bratz Girlz Really Rock Dolls Commercial



Note: I am not endorsing the first toy just making social comment on the commercial.

Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Maria Shaw Mason

Charlotte Maria Shaw Mason (1842–1923) was a British educator. Her thoughts and ideas have been developed into methods which are commonly used in homeschooling curriculum.

Charlotte Mason on her education:

“My mother was delicate and required sea air, so it happened I was born in Bangor and that my earliest recollections are associated with the sea. My father, J. H. Mason, was a Liverpool merchant, a ‘dry-salter’...a refined and simple man, very fond of books....I had no brothers and sisters, and both parents were also only children...My parents, who were glad of the occupation educated me (with some lessons from outside), my father taking some subjects, my mother others, at first through the medium of Butter’s Spelling Book, with its long lists and hard spellings, its Aesop’s Fables and Lord Chesterfield’s Letters to his Son.”

See:
Ambleside Online: An Introduction to Charlotte Mason

Kindergarten 1898

Kindergarten 1898

Click on image to get a better view.

Video: "Life in a Victorian Home"

"Life in a Victorian Home"

A good video, it does not have the silliness and Victorian bashing one often finds. But by the 1890 electric lights, electric fans, modern bathrooms, and central heat were available so in the late Victorian period people would more often have had running water, water closets, central heat, closets, and other modern house fittings, but many people lived without many of these thing far more recently than many people realize. I would not quite agree with all of the material in this film but a very good film overall. I like that it points out nothing was wasted and that crafts and work were a normal part of everyday life.

"Home Living" a great blog

A great blog:

Home Living by LadyLydiaSpeaks

Her most recent post is a list of some her best articles: Most Requested Posts

Croquet

History of Croquet

The Croquet Association

"The private world of Tasha Tudor"

An interesting book about the well known children's book illustrator Tasha Tudor and her home, garden, and way of life.

"The private world of Tasha Tudor"

Tasha Tudor has written and illustrated more than seventy-five beloved children's books since her first, Pumpkin Moonshine, in 1938. Now seventy-seven years old, she lives on a farm in southern Vermont, where she has recreated an early Victorian world. To capture this intimate portrait of Tasha Tudor, photographer Richard Brown followed her throughout a year on her farm. By interweaving Tudor's own words and more than 100 color photographs... She says, "Everything comes so easily to me from that period, of that time: threading a loom, growing flax, spinning, milking a cow". Dressed in antique clothing, spinning and weaving her own linen, cooking on a woodstove with nineteenth-century utensils, Tudor inhabits a world that in these evocative photographs speaks to all who long for a simpler existence in harmony with the seasonal rhythms of nature.

More Links:
Cellar Door Books
Tasha Tudor And Family
Tasha Tudor Museum