Black Holes: Light Bending and Mind Bending

My daughter is homeschooled utilizing the Classical Conversations academic program. This year she is in Challenge I. As part of her curriculum she is required to complete a research paper, and she chose 'black holes' as her subject.

Do you have any idea what it's like to try and describe a phenomenon that may or may not exist (although astrophysicists seem pretty sure that  they're out there) and that has properties that incorporate some of the most difficult scientific theories in the field?

Let's just say I'm wishing she had picked something a bit, er, different. Like quantum mechanics, perhaps.

New Month, New Entry

I was blessed to grow up in a house full of music. Although neither my mother or father played an instrument, they loved to listen to music of all kinds. In our home, Harry Belafonte met Aida, Mitch Miller sang alongside Peter, Paul, and Mary, and the great Russian composers followed the Singing Nun. Instrumental, vocal, ethnic, operatic, folk,contemporary, or classical, it didn't matter.We heard it all, and I am thankful for that legacy.

As a parent I have tried to pass this rich musical heritage on to my children. They have grown up listening to all kinds of music, and each has had the opportunity to play an instrument. Their tastes are eclectic and I am glad.

Thank you mom and dad. And mom, you were right; I did grow up to love opera, just like the two of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOfC9LfR3PI

Lá Fhéile Pádraig! Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

This wee fellow traveled from Ireland over 40 years ago.

Gran, my mother's mother, brought him back to me when she visited Ireland. 

Her family,  the Reekes family , was Irish, but I know nothing about them. 

Every year on Saint Patrick's Day I wear my leprechaun.

A Few of My Favorite Things: In Pictures

A Few Of My Favorite Things-

1. Your favorite food

2. Your favorite drink

3. Your favorite movie









4. Your favorite TV show

5. Your favorite book

6. Your favorite animal

7. Your favorite hobby

8. Something that annoys you

9. The worst hurt you've ever had

10. Least favorite thing to do

11. One thing you can't stand but you know you do too

12. Least favorite school subject

13. If you could be anything what would you be?

14. If you could live anywhere where would you live?

15. What does your dream house look like?

16. What does your dream car look like?

17. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

18. One thing you want to do before you die

19. Dream vacation

20. Biggest goal in life

Valentine's Day

February 14th is the memorial day for Saint Valentine. Because he refused to renounce his Christian faith and because he secretly married Christian couples when aiding Christians was against the law, Emperor Claudius had him arrested. When he tried to convert Claudius, the emperor had him clubbed, stoned, and then finally beheaded. Valentine is said to have been martyred on February 14, around the year 270 AD.

Texting & Driving: One Word Can Change Your Life Forever...

 

"...that a text message sent at 12:05 is the reason she is dead..."

" I sent one stupid, meaningless text--LOL--and killed a man..."

"People don't realize, it can just take 3 seconds..."

"...where u at..."

le cinéma: Departures

Yes, it's in Japanese, and yes, it's subtitled, but none of that matters after the first 30 seconds. This is a luminous, tender, and funny film that uses the universal languages of music and love to tell its story.