My 1910 Old School Biology Lab Desk is done!

A long time ago, I wrote a post about an old Biology Lab desk I had found at an estate sale (HAHA! Exactly a year and a day ago!). It was pretty beat up. It had once been used in an old school in my town that was torn down in the 50′s (I believe). One of the teachers who worked there snagged the desk before the school was torn down and he kept it in his garage for years and years.

In doing some research, I found that this desk was made around 1910 or so. The company who made these desks only built furniture for schools. This desk was used for 2 students to do biology experiments. It has 4 drawers, a cabinet for supplies and 2 pull out, circular seats. There are also 4 slide out, cutting board style, pieces of wood. My Dad and I restored this desk together and we discovered that the smaller pull outs were for dissections because after sanding and removing grime, there are lots of cut marks. We left them there! The larger ones (missing and are being made from scratch by my Dad) were probably for writing work as you used the main table area for experiments.

Here is what the desk looked like before we restored it:

Here’s the desk now:

I am so excited to have it in my living room! It’s especially cool because I homeschool and although I won’t be using it for experiments, it’s awesome to have an old piece of educational history in my home. It was so fun to work on this with my Dad too. Getting that one on one time I don’t get all that often. He had more time to work on it than I did, but I came over on several Saturdays to spend as many hours as I could helping strip and stain. The larger slide out writing areas are still needing to be made and I’m sure my Dad will get to that when he can. For now, I have a gorgeous pieces of historical furniture in my living room to enjoy for many, many years to come!

Yes, I have a chicken named Loraine.

My chicks are getting big. They are a little over 2 months old and living permanently in the outdoor coop.

Our pullets are Black Australorps. We have 10. The only way we can tell them apart is their beaks. They all have different beaks. Some have names, but others don’t. That’s because their beaks are too similar and we can’t tell them apart from the rest. So far we have Super Bee, Toffee, Vanilla Bean, Ginger, Loraine, and Marsha.

In the greenhouse, I am still watering and caring for my seedlings. My beans and peas have sprouted. I have cucumbers and broccoli coming up. A few tomatoes have ventured forth. 1 pumpkin. The peppers are still sleeping.

As for the garden, I’m still pretty sure we are reducing it’s size, but I just don’t know when. For now, I proceed.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

To garden or not to garden….that is the question.

Sadly, I am debating on whether or not to do a garden this year. Although I have seedlings started in my greenhouse, I have been sort of side swiped with some health issues and I simply don’t have the energy it takes to work in a garden. Which makes me incredibly sad. My husband and I were talking yesterday and we discussed a variety of options.

My garden space is pretty big and the thought of having it go to weed makes me cringe. So we’ve discussed making it even smaller, back to its original size. Which was just 4 raised beds 12′x4′ and 1 small dirt bed. I could probably handle that, except my raised beds need an overhaul. Ugh. I’m hoping that if we do the overhaul on them, my husband and children can do most of the grunt work.

This year I have a variety of tomatoes started, some different types of sweet and hot peppers. We’re growing onions and potatoes. I’ve got broccoli going….peas, beans…..it feels like a lot, so I may end up not planting most of it. Just typing that makes me sad. I don’t know if I’ll have the energy to can in the fall, so I don’t want to plant so much that it goes to waste. I may end up donating overflow to a local food bank just to keep it simple. We’ll see.

For now, I’m still thinking and considering possibilities….

Smile on your brother….

Just a song I love to finish this day….

Love is but a song we sing
fears’ the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
or make the angels cry
Though the dove is on the wing
and you may not know why

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
everybody get together
and try to love one another right now

Some may come and some may go
He will surely pass
When the one that left us here
returns for us at last
We are but a moment’s sunlight
fading in the grass

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
everybody get together
try to love one another right now

*

If you hear the song I sing
you will understand…listen
You hold the key to love and fear
all in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
Its there at your command

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
Everybody get together
try to love one another right now

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
Everybody get together
try to love one another right now

I said…..

*Come on people now
smile on your brother
Everybody get together
try to love one another right now
right now

~The Youngbloods

A touchy subject…one I’m working through.

I’m about to write something that many people in my life with probably disagree with strongly. I’m writing it because I feel it’s the right thing to do. Usually when something is weighing on me, I write about it to sort it out. I don’t have it all sorted out in my head yet, and I’m using my blog to work through it.

My husband and I had a conversation the other day about the issue of gay marriage. 

Here’s the thing. As I listen to the men (and even some women) around me, I have a hard time having much respect for their points of view on this. I think mainly because I am a woman. 

Hear me out.

It wasn’t really that long ago that women were still considered property of men. Although they were called “wife”, they had no rights under the law and the law backed itself up using the Bible. The Suffrage movement came along and our mainly white male dominated society fought hard and violently against women being able to vote and have rights under the law. Rights that gave them protection against domestic abuse. Rights that gave them the privilege of voting and having a say in government, and as time went on, to own property, have credit, and have a profession. Not only were women fighting to have rights, but they were also trying to stop the enslavement of black Americans – also considered property and nothing more than animals. Opposition used the Bible as their weapon to keep women and slaves where they should be.

But they lost.

They lost because in America, we believe in personal liberty and equality. Our constitution – that all people – men, women,  and children of all colors and races are free and equal. Women got their rights, and then the Civil Rights Act came along that guaranteed that no matter your race, gender, disability…..you were a human being due all the liberties of other human beings – freedom and equality.

That is a simplified statement of the history of social change obviously. If I went into it in length, this post would be much longer and I don’t have time to make it too long. As a woman, I am grateful for my rights and for the women who fought hard to give me equality in America. I wouldn’t call myself a feminist, but I do believe that I am equal with my husband and he does not own me. However, this does go in direct opposition to what the Bible says and what those who oppose social change tout. Don’t get me wrong, I am not dissing the Bible….I am dissing the people who angrily stand up, thumping their Bibles against things like gay marriage. It wasn’t too long ago that my great, great grandmother was cattle in the eyes of the Biblically influenced law. The same men (and women) who fervently denounce gay marriage and homosexuality as an abomination under Biblical law are the same ones who have accepted women’s rights and no longer own slaves.

It feels like a double standard. I’m sorry. It does. 

I am not trying to put anyone down here. I just can’t wrap my mind around why the “church” needs to control the “state” in this matter. So you believe homosexuality is wrong. Gotcha. But didn’t you (general you, meaning American Christian society) believe the same things about women’s rights and slavery once too? If you’re going to be so literal about the parts of the Bible that should be upheld, then why not all of it? Why not reverse the 19th amendment? How about the Civil Rights Act? 

Do you see my point here even if you don’t agree with it? I’m trying very hard to wrap my mind around these inconsistencies in a way that gives me compassion and also an informed opinion. I am trying to balance my beliefs with what is being said around me. I believe that gays are people too. They have feelings. They have life goals. They have families. They have jobs. They pay taxes. They buy houses. They have children. They go to college. They save money. They join sports. They join the military. They don’t sound much different than me, honestly. I do/did many of the same things. But I wouldn’t have been able to had people not stood up to the masses of angry Bible thumpers back in the day…… 

I don’t know….these are my thoughts. Incomplete as they might be….Please know that I am not putting down Christians or the Bible. Hey, I go to church. I am just trying to understand these things for myself. I tend to view life from a compassionate perspective. One that takes into consideration the feelings of those who are being persecuted, but also make sense of the things I’ve been taught my whole life. I tend to question things that feel wrong. This is one of those things.

Some thoughts……

I came across this quote today:

You are young, my son, and, as the years go by, time will change and even reverse many of your present opinions. Refrain therefore awhile from setting yourself up as a judge of the highest matters. ~Plato

Lately I’ve been hit across the face with some strong opinions from people I know mean well, but they sound angry, un-compassionate, and hateful. While I do disagree with their point of view, I try very hard to see things through their eyes in order to keep peace. In the end, I do feel angry inside because they are unwilling to do likewise with me. Their view point sounds judgmental, rather than informed. It sounds closed minded, rather than objective. And yet, these are the very excuses they cling to in order to defend themselves: It is my right to be judgmental and closed minded because that’s what being a [religious/political stand] is – holding tight to what I believe is right, no matter what. They tell me that in order to even explore the other side, listen to the other perspective, it is “accepting it as ok”.

Here’s the thing……Part of being a mature adult is, in fact, clinging to your ideals and beliefs. Without your ideals, religious beliefs, political stands, philosophies, etc, a person tends to just flounder around. It’s good to believe in something. It’s good to know where you stand on things. But here’s where we humans tend to get into trouble – We tend to think our way is the only way (maybe it isn’t?) and all others are wrong (maybe some aren’t?) and it’s my right to tell you so (perhaps it’s not) and if you don’t accept MY way, you’re doomed (probably not). Wouldn’t it be better for all people if we could just listen more? Maybe be willing to accept another opinion/belief system/political stand with out damning it? Maybe being willing to hear someone out, be able to disagree, but have a mature conversation about it?

The older I’ve gotten, yes, my views on things have changed considerably. In fact, they change from year to year based upon life. My fundamental beliefs have not changed much, but how I view the world has. When people are so uptight, immovable, unwilling to hear others, holding so tightly to their beliefs that it alienates people, it is something I can’t respect, no matter what your position in life is. Is it so important that you be so doggone right that you hurt people around you? Is it so important that you show them how wrong they are and you lose friends? Is not life about loving and showing compassion and caring? About relationships?

I respect people who are firm in their beliefs and what they stand for. I stand up for what I believe in too. But when your beliefs come with a message of hate, anger and *gasp* intolerance for others, I’m sorry, I can’t respect that. I don’t hate you for it. I don’t mud sling you for it. I don’t name call. In fact, I respect that you feel so strongly. I don’t feel that you are the final authority on the subject just as I am probably not the final authority either. How about softening your approach? How about being willing to listen, even if you don’t agree? I’m happy to listen to you. I am willing to disagree with you and maintain a relationship with you. Do you have to get so upset, angry, bunchy and bend out of shape because we don’t agree?

I think that if more people took the time to really listen….REALLY LISTEN…. to someone different from them, they might find some commonalities. When you refuse to even hear someone, you cut yourself off from having some great friendships. People are just people. We’re all struggling to get through this life. With a little more love and a lot less judgmentalism, a kinder approach, perhaps our world would be less divided.

Of course, these are just my thoughts….

Wanderlust

We went to Portland for spring break and had a terrific time. I love Portland. Like LOOOOOOVE Portland. When we got back, the next day was April Fools. My husband and I decided to play a prank on our kids. All three of our kids loved Portland. They kept saying over and over how they didn’t want to come home (the sign of a good vacation). So we decided to play on that. We decided to tell our kids that we were moving to Portland for April Fools.

We set the stage. I ‘liked’ several Portland real estate pages on Facebook hoping my bigger kids would see them. We printed off  some Portland colleges info and laid them strategically around the kitchen hoping our oldest would see it. I made a really nice meal for dinner. My husband informed me he was willing to take this joke to tears level….I wasn’t so sure. As we sat down to eat, my husband said:

“Kids, your mom and I have something we’d like to talk to you about.” They all looked around the table.

“Our trip to Portland wasn’t just for vacation.” My son sinks down in his chair. My oldest daughter looks right at me and says, “We’re moving to Portland?” I look at her and shrug my shoulders and nod my head yes. She puts her head in her hands. My youngest perks up and gets all excited and says, “WE’RE MOVING????REALLY?????SWEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!” (Always my girl who’s up for adventure!)

Then, my son starts to get mad. “You can just wait until I’m out of the house. I’m not going anywhere.” (He’s nearly 18.)

Then my oldest daughter starts to cry.

My youngest starts to bounce in her chair. She’s excited.

My husband just keeps going on and on not realizing our 14 year old Princess is bawling her head off. (Oblivious man.) I get his attention and point to her. He stops talking. All at once he and I say,

“APRIL FOOLS!!!!!”

My son starts to laugh.

Princess gets up and rushes out of the room.

Duchess gets upset and sulks.

After a few minutes, Princess doesn’t return to the table, so I got look for her. She’s in the bathroom trying hard to stop crying. Her tears have turned from extreme sadness to relief. I felt bad. I didn’t think she would take it that hard!! I get her to come back to the table and my husband apologizes for making her cry. I knew the crying level was a bad idea.

We’re all laughing and eating dinner. My kids are amazed that we were able to get them so badly! They seem to think they KNOW when we are fooling them. HA! Not this time!! Duchess is a bit bummed still, but eating and laughing nonetheless. 

Until bedtime…..she comes in bawling. She wanted to move. She was up for the adventure. She was ready to take it on full tilt! (She is so my child.) I tried to console her the best I could, but I suspect most of her emotion was sugar crash from all the easter candy. She eventually went to bed and stopped crying.

I will admit that there was a tiny part inside me that wished we were moving. This is the longest I’ve lived anywhere in my life. I’ve lived in Idaho for 22 years. Moved here at 18. We’ve lived in this house for 9 years. We have a very stable and consistent life right now…..but part of me longs for change. I have never liked my town. I have always hated living here. But it’s where we settled and our children are settled with their lives and friends. My husband has a terrific job. I should be grateful and content! I would say 75% of the time I am. The other 25% dreams of living in another state. Or traveling around seeing the country. At least moving to Boise. I get this Wanderlust that I can’t seem to tame inside me and sometimes I just go nuts inside wishing for adventure. Wishing for a change of scenery, people, and experiences.

But….here we are. The advice I gave Duchess I have to abide by myself. It’s good to have roots right now. We have much to be grateful for. When she’s older, she can explore the world to her heart’s content. Until then, we will have to be happy with fun vacations that take us out of our little circle world.

A rant…..of sorts.

As swimsuit season approaches, I find myself filled with angst. Don’t all women?

Here’s my issue. Why is it so bad to have cellulite? Why is it a sign of laziness or ugliness? I would consider myself to be a healthy, fit person. I do not obsessively go to the gym, but I am active. Why do I need to look like the women on t.v.? Why am I made to feel insecure about my body?

This is not a new rant. Women have been complaining about the media and it’s portrayal of aging women. In order to be relevant, sexy, acceptable we are told we need anti-aging creams, plastic surgery, no cellulite, long lustrous hair and no wrinkles. Women spend millions of dollars every year in order to keep themselves looking like a 20 year old. Why? Why is wisdom and aging so bad? Why are women considered ugly when their body begins to soften, their hair begins to gray, and wrinkles begin to show?

Who says the media is the measuring stick for beauty?

I am a 40 year old woman who has dedicated my life to the raising of my children and the keeping of my home. I eat right. I exercise regularly. I laugh often. I am a healthy 5 foot 7 inches, 140 pound woman. I have curves. I have cellulite. I have wrinkles. But my wrinkles are from smiling. My husband thinks I’m gorgeous and sexy. My children are nurtured, wonderful human beings. I feel like I am beautiful.

I AM BEAUTIFUL.

I read a quote recently from Suzanne Somers. I don’t have the direct quote, but she said she’d rather have age and wisdom, than be in her 20′s again. She’s in her 60′s and she doesn’t expect to look 20, nor will she try. I like this. Age and wisdom is beautiful. Having plumped up lips, a paralyzed forehead, and spending 30 hours a week in the gym is foolishness, not wisdom.

Women go through 3 stages in their lives: maiden, mother, and crone. Each one is beautiful. Crone has taken on a very negative tone in our society. But a crone is that embracing grandma who bakes cookies and loves her grandchildren. Crone is the older woman who gives advice to a younger wife. Crone is the woman who sits back and enjoys the empty nest and seeks ways to volunteer her time in the community. Crone is the time of a woman’s life where she hopefully looks back and sees growth, maturity, and satisfaction in her life.

So, cellulite? Yes, I have it. Softer curves? Yep. Wrinkles? You betcha. Graying hair? Absolutely. Should I be self conscious about any of these things? No. I need to remind myself that beauty isn’t on the surface, beauty comes from who I am and who I am becoming.

Two posts in one day!

My 17 year old son isn’t always the most affectionate person in the world, but he shows love in other ways. Lately, he’s been showing love to his sisters in funny ways. They get annoyed by it at times, I see it as sweet. Today, he was running his pencil through my 14 year old’s hair.

Princess: What are you doing? Stop drawing in my hair!
Scout: (Does it again.)
Princess: Ugh! Stop!
Me: Princess, he’s not trying to annoy you, he’s showing you love in a weird, brotherly sort of way.
Princess: Why do men have to be so weird?
Scout: It’s not men, it’s brothers.
Princess: Brothers are weird.
Scout: No, it’s how we show love. It’s implied. It’s the way Dads show love to sons. IMPLIED.
Me: Oh whatever. Your Dad’s love for you is not implied. He shows it all over the place to you.
Scout: Well, ok. But my love for Princess is implied.
Princess: Whatever. Stop putting your pencil in my hair.

Punched in the Gut

After months of making a concerted effort to eat cleanly, I had an evening last night where I made the decision to order fast food delivered. What a huge mistake. I think in our fast food lives, we get so used to our guts feeling so crappy. For years I dealt with gut issues. So when we eliminated crappy food from our lives, I didn’t realize how great my gut had been feeling.

My conversation with my husband over this was to the tune of: we can’t always eat perfectly and once in a great while isn’t gonna hurt us. True. Sometimes it’s just hard to eat right. However, my laziness and being super tired was a bad excuse for not providing my family is a decent, home cooked, clean meal. Now I’m paying for it.

Lesson learned.