That's my boy

At midnight Yakov called to discuss the State of the Union speech with me. Normally I would have been asleep at that time but I had only been home a little while. Last night was my monthly book club and I had not heard the speech. I'm hoping he will call again after I have had time to read the speech, my preferred media anyway. And I hope I don't get another heart-stopping ring at midnight for the discussion. But any phone call is welcome. It feels good to share their enthusiasm whether for science experiments or politics. PRM

That's my girl

Shoshie just called from Israel to tell me how cool it was to make this,

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000047

Fun! PRM

Happy Tu B'Shevat

Please help Noach with his Civics Project.

He is doing a public opinion poll on a few controversial issues. There are only 5 questions, so it will only take a minute. Thanks for your time. PRM

Click here to take survey

Jewish women

had a bad weekend with the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords and also the death of Debbie Friedman. I will not comment on the tragedy in Tucson except to say that if you let mentally ill people have ready access to firearms, especially a Glock that can kill people, quickly and in large numbers, then you are going to have mentally ill people who commit these kinds of crime.I always hoped to see a Debbie Friedman concert. Our synagogue has been using her melody for the Me Shebeirach for the last few years. Shalom Rav is a personal favorite also. Her voice will be missed. PRM

Under control

There has been little of substance on this blog in quite some time. In years past, I would be spending much of this break preparing for the next semester for Yakov and Shoshie, choosing books and reading ahead. I don't have much need to do that with Noach. There are no mid-course corrections needed. He is reasonably happy with his studies this year and he is moving toward our goals for the year. In fact, I need to control my tendency to tweak and meddle.

Beginning in mid-January, I expect to start a middle school age group to do the previously mentioned free chemistry curriculum. I am looking forward to that. And the experience may provoke a blog note or two. PRM

Snow Day

The snow started yesterday at 11am. Yakov made it out in time but his first flight, to Atlanta, was canceled. The lady at the Delta desk was absolutely dogged in getting him to Dallas. She made phone calls, cajoled, begged other carriers to get him on a plane, a true example of good customer service, not often found in the airline, or any other, industry today. PRM

Merry Christmas to those

who celebrate it.

Generally this is a boring time for us but this year I have enjoyed having Yakov home from college. He came home Wednesday and is leaving this morning to join some of his friends from his year in Israel for a 10 day reunion.

While he has been here, I have loved watching him, JP and Noach jam after dinner each evening. Noach received a banjo for Chanukah and he has been working hard trying to play it. An envious Yakov tries to play it as well. The guitars come out and music swells, cooperative and competitive. I love it. PRM

Wednesday Wayback Machine

Taken just before the photo for the Abbey Road album cover. PRM

Out the other side

I started this week facing a dental appointment for a cleaning Monday morning. While there I mentioned some recent discomfort with a tooth. Before I knew it, I was scheduled for a root canal on Thursday. I couldn't do it earlier in the week because I had a screening colonoscopy planned.

Now it is Friday morning and I can relax. I will spare you the pictures but no problems were found during the colonoscopy. I suspect I talked quite a bit and who knows what I said? The root canal was essentially painfree yesterday. Love those endodontists; they are good.

This is what you have to deal with when you get to a certain age. And well beyond a certain age. PRM