A Good Yarn

Debbie MacomberWhen I told my mother-in-law that I was knitting a pair of socks for Matt, she said I should read this book.
I use to complain that my daughter didn't read any fiction. As I was reading this book it dawned on me that she probably comes by it naturally as I don't read a lot of fiction either. There was a time I did, wonder what happened?
Anyhow, this was a good book about the different experiences woman have and how women bond to help eachother through those life events. The common bond that brings them together and helps them cope is losing reality through knitting socks. I did really enjoy this book. I also realize I need to put more fiction on my list as it is relaxing and doesn't require as much thought. You can just get lost in a fictional world that requires little or no effort from you. At times, that is exactly what I need.
On another note, I have joined a knitting group that meets in Tacoma. I have only been to one meeting so far, but really enjoyed it and the comraderie of the other ladies. They also informed me that I have been knitting my socks inside out, good thing to know!

What Da Vinci didn't know; an LDS perspective

Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Andrew C. Skinner, Thomas A wayment

We all know about the famous book "The Da Vinci code", and many of us have started to question some of the things that were supposedly revealed by the novel. These three history scholars have taken the most interesting questions that the book generated and given them a true scientific testing.

An interesting book, especially for those history buffs. Like politics, I guesse religious history is something I need to learn more about as some of the book was a little deep for me.

If the Da Vinci code left you wondering if some of those truths were possible, you need to read this book.

The books cover the topics of:

Suppression of Texts within Early Christianity

A married Savior?

The Search For The Holy Grail

The Story Of Mary Magdalene

Leonardo's Last Supper

Women In Early Christianity

Although the book says it is from an LDS perspective, I really think that even non-members would appreciate the information in here. It is not overtly "mormon" and does not even mention The Book Of Mormon. It uses as research the New Testament, The Nag Hammadi Codices, and The Dead Sea Scrolls.

Math, math, math

Greg Tang

This session of coop I taught a math class for the 9 and ups. My mother laughed out loud when I told her because I am truly a math illeterate person. Well, seeing as how I have taken math all over again, thanks to teaching my oldest, I think I may have mastered elementary math (at least to the fourth grade, but that's OK I have three more children to experience math with if I didn't catch it this time :)

Anyhow, Greg Tang is one of those amazing authores who brings concepts to reality. I was introduced to some of his books while teaching elementary school and have become a true convert to his line of math books. They are little tricks and tales that have math built into them. Hey, sometimes you have to sneak it in where you can. I highly reccomend all of his books!!!

Some others that I have found invaluable are:

Challenging math puzzles; Glen Vecchione

Cool Math; Christy Maganzini

You can Toucan Math; David A. Alder

Also Highlights has a workbook type book that is all challenging math puzzles, some of them are really quite difficult, no honestly...... You can go to their website and the book is called Mathmania. While we are on the subject of highlights I will also throw in a kudo for Puzzelmania, Top Secret Adventure, and Which Way USA, all are excellent products...be sure to check them out !!

Welcome To The Homeland

A Journey To The Heart Of Rural America's Conservative Revolution

By: Brian Mann

I will admit it, I am a Republican living in a blue state.

Never thought it would be that big of a deal, until I moved here. Never really wanted to educate myself about politics, until I moved here. I was under the impression that except for a few passionate beliefs there wasn't a really huge difference between Democrats and Republicans, until I moved here.

Guesse the joke was on me. There are times when I bite my tongue than rather than profess a consrvative belief just to save myself the trouble of the "Are you insane? I thought you were a smart, capable person look." Maybe it was the living in Germany for five years that had me so naive. Now I am coming to understand that a majority of the people I live near and am surrounded by are Bush hating, gay marriage advocating, greener than green environmentalists. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but they are insistent and in-your-face about it. Heaven forbid that you believe anything but.

So, when I came across this book I decided to try to understand a little more about where they are coming from and what exactly it is they believe about us "conservatives". The book did not dissapoint. It was enlightening and interesting but I also found myself in uncharted territory. Guesse I need to brush up a little more on politics.

He delves into some of the beliefs and rationalizations that seperate the "metros" from the "homelanders" and guesses as to why those exist. He explains and rants about how scewed the Electoral College is and why.

Does it change my mind about anything, nope. I will continue to be a stay-at-home mom who homeschools my children, cares for my husband and house, goes to church every Sunday, does not vaccinate my children, wishes that no woman would ever desire to kill a child born or un-born no matter what the circumstances are, believes that the definition of marriages lies between one man and one woman, believes that the environment is running a course pre-determined by God and that man will never turn back the clock on that no matter how smart or dilligent we are, and wishes to move to a place in rural Idaho, Utah, or Montanna or perhaps stay near Seattle but invest in a plastic bubble.