I am shaman, hear me bore...

Sometimes I get the feeling that there are people who view our recent changes in views as some kind of "experience". As if we watched some "magic" show and were so impressed. Or heard the words of a prophet and decided to eat like him. It is as if the difference between random information and science doesn't matter. Generally the interest is lost before I even mention that once you start to eat whole grains you will eat less; and that when your taste buds adjust to less sugar and more flavor, foods will taste better. Which are very important keys to being able to eat this way forever. (Instead of going back to old habits and gaining the weight back. Lots of people seem concerned about that, because of "dieting". No amount of explaining can convince them that I am not "dieting".) This is especially interesting, because I am usually asked "how did you loose the weight?" Yet when I answer I get this look as if I am asking them to join a cult. A cult of wasting money on organic, and reading labels, and lots of cooking. I sometimes decide that it is pointless to give any more information only a few sentences into the conversation, because I can tell that the person thinks I eat like an alien. Often I sense a posture of "you may have time to read ingredients, but I don't", and what a "radical". I can't imagine the reaction vegans and vegetarians face. I generally glaze over the topic anyway, because so often going into detail results in being left to talk to myself. I see now why it took me so long to learn it. I wasn't looking for the knowledge yet. I needed it and knew; I just didn't know how to filter it all, so I didn't. I don't know if that is what is going on with the people I talk to, but I know that most seem to think that my mind has changed about things because of a "religious" type epiphany of something. If only that were true, then there would be the possibility of returning to a state of blissful ignorance with the whimsical change of faith. I could choose a new deity and believe in angels again. Unfortunately that is not why I "changed my mind" about "everything". It's called learning, and it is not reversible. there was one comment on the original post: 1 comments: cristele said... Great post! I feel the same about beef. I used to roll my eyes over when I would hear a vegetarian hysterically screaming "do you know what *they* *DO* to these poor animals?" But not anymore. And you know what I would answer now? And do you know what they do to their employees, too? They are treated as poorly as the cows -granted they dont get slaughter...but you get my point ...;-) I heard on the radio a 14 yo who was telling he couldnt explain the slaughter house conditions to his parents, and he concluded saying "it's very sad when you cannot deal with where your food comes from"

I am shaman, hear me bore...

Sometimes I get the feeling that there are people who view our recent changes in views as some kind of "experience". As if we watched some "magic" show and were so impressed. Or heard the words of a prophet and decided to eat like him. It is as if the difference between random information and science doesn't matter. Generally the interest is lost before I even mention that once you start to eat whole grains you will eat less; and that when your taste buds adjust to less sugar and more flavor, foods will taste better. Which are very important keys to being able to eat this way forever. (Instead of going back to old habits and gaining the weight back. Lots of people seem concerned about that, because of "dieting". No amount of explaining can convince them that I am not "dieting".) This is especially interesting, because I am usually asked "how did you loose the weight?" Yet when I answer I get this look as if I am asking them to join a cult. A cult of wasting money on organic, and reading labels, and lots of cooking. I sometimes decide that it is pointless to give any more information only a few sentences into the conversation, because I can tell that the person thinks I eat like an alien. Often I sense a posture of "you may have time to read ingredients, but I don't", and what a "radical". I can't imagine the reaction vegans and vegetarians face. I generally glaze over the topic anyway, because so often going into detail results in being left to talk to myself. I see now why it took me so long to learn it. I wasn't looking for the knowledge yet. I needed it and knew; I just didn't know how to filter it all, so I didn't. I don't know if that is what is going on with the people I talk to, but I know that most seem to think that my mind has changed about things because of a "religious" type epiphany of something. If only that were true, then there would be the possibility of returning to a state of blissful ignorance with the whimsical change of faith. I could choose a new deity and believe in angels again. Unfortunately that is not why I "changed my mind" about "everything". It's called learning, and it is not reversible.

Funny delusions

The dream goes like this... Trent is saying, "She is not responding to the medication. I tried to tell her there is no house, but she just keeps saying, 'anyday'." His mom replies, "So, she thinks you're moving into a big, beautiful house on Monday." "Yes, but when Monday is over, she will say we are moving on Friday. It just goes on and on." Worried, they all look at me, as I pack the china, again. Ha Ha Ha No, seriously. We are moving... in 3 days,... probably!

We're going a little stir crazy here...

And, it may take even longer... I hope the silliness holds out long enough! Hint: where's the finger? Taylor just wanted a pic of the "star wall" for posterity.

Just funny...

The new issue of Skeptic arrived. It brought something unusual with it, I don't even know a word for it. It's kind of similar to the monologue by Lewis Black on the Root of All Evil clip that I posted on the other blog. It is the one between Ultimate Fighting (which I enjoy) and blogging. Too funny. He says something like, "people shouldn't be allowed that deep in my head." And, that his diary always sounds stupid when you read it later. That is true, for me for sure. This issue's SkepDoc article has a piece called "Natural is Good", I tried to find it online, but didn't. Anyway, she is making the case that not everything natural is good. I have said that myself before, so it wasn't earthshattering to me. But now that I look at the new title, I think "did I really say what I mean". I don't know I guess that is the danger of snapshotting yourself into a public "diary", by any name.

CFL's and a scare...

I've heard all the stuff about CFL's and mercury, but I also heard that they aren't as scary as all that. I haven't investigated further, then tonight, just now. The bulb in our living room, right above Trent's head came loose from it's base (didn't see anything broken glass) and started to leak a light smell. This is why the world is a frightening place, especially when you feel poorly informed. So, I found a few things to clear the air, and we played outside, while the room aired out. This is what Snopes says. However, for further information, I searched for "Mercury Poisoning". While I know that online sources can be misleading (so can books and magazines) I was still brought to reality by the Wikipedia article. Reading the "causes" section of the article, reminded me that there are several sources of mercury that I can't avoid and many that I only recently avoided. Who knows, mercury may not even be the most sinister thing in the bulbs anyway. Nothing like some knowledge to calm the panic. Peace ***Updated- I spent the evening comparing the relative amounts of mercury (fish to bulbs) and reading more about the effects and cleanup and decided that I am very glad it didn't break. ***Updated again- Here is a link from a blogging friend in Australia with similar issues. ***Updated- here is the link to the levels in fish. Notice it is in ppm. Also, exposure to those tiny levels in fish are spread out over time. While the 4 mg in the bulb comes all at once when it breaks, as a vapor! so anywho, glad it didn't break. But, another interesting thing I have learned is that all animal meat has some mercury (well, 98% or so does) from bioaccumulation and that if you live within 30 miles of a coal power plant, it settles and spreads in the air you breathe at home. I feel so exposed! Just for poops and laughs, here are a few links to the EPA and what they have said about mercury and it's sources. Comments from the original posting: 2 comments: Anonymous said... You had compared to mercury in fish with that in the bulb? Just wondering if you have figures to share? October 6, 2008 9:23 PM circusmind said... I will look it up again and post it for you I know that the amount in the bulbs should be listed on the link to wikipedia from the word bulb. I don't remember where I saw the amount in fish. Give me a day or two

CFL's and a scare...

I've heard all the stuff about CFL's and mercury, but I also heard that they aren't as scary as all that. I haven't investigated further, then tonight, just now. The bulb in our living room, right above Trent's head came loose from it's base (didn't see anything broken glass) and started to leak a light smell. This is why the world is a frightening place, especially when you feel poorly informed. So, I found a few things to clear the air, and we played outside, while the room aired out. This is what Snopes says. However, for further information, I searched for "Mercury Poisoning". While I know that online sources can be misleading (so can books and magazines) I was still brought to reality by the Wikipedia article. Reading the "causes" section of the article, reminded me that there are several sources of mercury that I can't avoid and many that I only recently avoided. Who knows, mercury may not even be the most sinister thing in the bulbs anyway. Nothing like some knowledge to calm the panic. Peace ***Updated- I spent the evening comparing the relative amounts of mercury (fish to bulbs) and reading more about the effects and cleanup and decided that I am very glad it didn't break. ***Updated again- Here is a link from a blogging friend in Australia with similar issues. ***Updated- here is the link to the levels in fish. Notice it is in ppm. Also, exposure to those tiny levels in fish are spread out over time. While the 4 mg in the bulb comes all at once when it breaks, as a vapor! so anywho, glad it didn't break. But, another interesting thing I have learned is that all animal meat has some mercury (well, 98% or so does) from bioaccumulation and that if you live within 30 miles of a coal power plant, it settles and spreads in the air you breathe at home. I feel so exposed! Just for poops and laughs, here are a few links to the EPA and what they have said about mercury and it's sources.

Impromptu Learning..

I apologize in advance for the not so good pics. What do they say about the cat and curiosity? Morlynn stopped by for a day, and she found a caterpillar. By the end of the day, she was calling herself "the caterpillar whisperer". There were other funny names, that I don't recall. So, we set out to identify it. First, we tried eNature.com, and bug guide.net. (Did you know you can get animal calls as ringtones on eNature? My cell never rings, but still a neat idea. They even had a wild Turkey call.) Then, through ask.com, I found this great site and solved the mystery. The site is whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk. The caterpillar is (try not to snicker) a pusscaterpillar. (Of course it is. I just had to think "thank goodness my kids aren't old enough to think dirty".) It's hard not to let your adult "guilt" interfere =). You could pronounce it "pus", but I refuse to teach incorrect pronunciation. lol. There are two pictures, ours looked a little like both. This site didn't provide additional information so I searched again. I found bugsinthenews.com It is actually a Puss Caterpillar, and .... it stings. Yeah, dirty and dangerous, what are the odds. Who said homeschooling is easy. This site provides information about how to handle the sting and a nifty homemade poultice (on the encounters page). This apparently absorbs stings. I will do a little more research about this. It is a good thing/lesson learned that I have always insisted that the kids are careful with caterpillars in particular, and choosy about the bugs they touch. They caught it on a twig and handled carefully, so we didn't get stung. And, we sent a report on our "famous" caterpillar. Pretty cool for a bit of "school".

I love to laugh...

In case you haven't noticed, I (not sure how Trent feels) think that laughing is one of the most important thing you do each day (possibly because it has been hard for me to do before). I love comedy, and generally laugh about lots of things that others don't. This morning Whoopi was on Reading Rainbow (no, my kids don't watch/like it, but it was on PBS after Between the Lions) and it reminded me of how much I like her. Not only is her brand of humor right up my alley, but also, she has a many opinions that I share. I was thrilled when she was selected for the View (even though I rarely see it). I have read her book, Book, and it was funny! Anywho, this made us laugh today. I couldn't find Whoopi on Reading Rainbow (wasn't funny, anyway)... And, this is to annoy people... and, this is because I love Whose Line Is It Anyway... And finally, this is Morlynn's little joke...

I've been holding it in...

There are few things that annoy me on TV. I need to get them out now. First, I really wish "the news" would stop referring to fast food places as restaurants. I really think they shouldn't even be called fast food (now that I think about it). They don't serve food; they serve corn on corn, with potatoes fried in corn. And, not even "real" corn. Well, I just looked in the Webster's for the definition of restaurant; I'm afraid there are loopholes, as the definition involves the buying of "meals". That's why they call the alternatively packaged corn "meals" on the menu. (*I say this from an economical, fueling the "dead zone", view only. I don't want to gross you out by going in to the real ingredients in cow feed and the "bread" in the buns.) Second, diet pill commercials. "Do you have excess fat? Check you hips, what about your thighs? Look one more time, you might not see it. Ok, well, never mind the health of your heart. Don't worry about what your stomach tries to filter nutrients from. Just keep shoveling in the crap and take this pill. Then, you can lose (check the fine print) 1/2 a lb a week." Seriously!

Another wild weekend at the Patchwork House...

Jewel spent the weekend taking apart the microwave (she won't be able to reach it when we move), and telling her dad to "Shhh!". She is getting more and more independent. And as you can see I am making changes to the blog. I will get a new pic for the top after we move and get comfortable. The name obviously comes from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I am pretty sure it is in the book in the series called The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I love the idea of the Total Perspective Vortex; it shows you your actual "place" in the universe and influence on it. Everyone (in the story) who steps into it, goes mad. I think education is much like that. The more you learn, the smaller you feel; and it does, in a way, make you a little crazy, if you learn thoroughly. I presented the idea for a sign that said TPV (in the long form) for the classroom in the new house. Taylor wasn't as impressed as I expected, but he said that it would work until we thought of something else. =) We decided to call this place the Patchwork House, because each person we've know who has lived here has told us what part of the house they rebuilt or repaired or repainted while they lived here. And, now our buddy Pete and his new future wife are moving in, and they already have plans to personalize it. We have funny names for most of our previous homes, but none are so loved as this place, with a close second going to the first home we shared. I use the term home loosely, shack is more appropriate; hence the name, The Broken House. The cool thing about the name is that Taylor at the wise old age of 3 came up with that name and started using it to describe the place, all on his own, while we were moving out of it. We were leaving our new home to pick up a load of our stuff, and he said, "OK, let's go to the broken house." Ah, the wisdom of youth. And finally, because I am not good at writing finished paragraphs, only 5 more days to go! Peace!

Yeah, I did it...

That's right, I changed the blog name. I'm like Madonna, man... I reinvent myself. (Best if spoken in the voice of Tommy Chong). There will be more changes to come; new house, new look. Or whatever you have to say to justify it. So, goodbye to The Small Piece of the World We Tend. The only alternative name I considered was "what the heck is natural anyway". We don't eat much Pirate's Booty anymore, so it was time for the pic to change anyway. And, we are making bigger changes to the family blog. It's all so exciting in a very "only for grown ups" kind of way. =)

Marion Nestle is an author that I have seen referenced numerous times by authors, and now again in the Omnivore's Dilemma and Cooking the Real Age Way. I am hoping to come across her latest, What to Eat, on bookmooch. In the meantime, I visited her site and was happily surprised by a page titled "controversies". I have found lately that I can learn more from two "scientists" arguing than any other type of conversation. This listing has some fantastic reads. The exchange with the Sugar Association was entertaining, and the link from Fox News is sure to elicit an emotional response. It made me want to cry, I know people who watch it and believe the crap they say. Evan Eisenberg is another who was already on my list of things to read. I heard about the Ecology of Eden from another homeschool mom. I have picked it up and flipped through it at the bookstore and it seemed to stick with me, so maybe it is good. For a test run on him, he has articles online that you can read. More are listed on his site (first link).