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The Aardsma Weekly
June 22, 2008
Writer: Rachel Aardsma
Who Needs Summer Reading Contests?
The other day when I was in our local library, I noticed a poster that read, "Encourage your children to read over the summer by signing them up for the summer reading contest of '08. Read great books---win great prizes!" Other similar posters around town, and several radio ads I heard, convinced me that some people must have trouble getting their kids to read books.
Summer reading has never been a problem around here. Caleb told me that he has read several books recently. His favorites include "The Parable Of The Sower", from the Bible, and "Lord Of The Rings", by J. R. R. Tolkien. (Dad is currently reading that book to Timmy and him.) His favorite book is "Walter The Lazy Mouse", by Marjorie Flack. He also told me that he liked a book called "The Little White House", but I was not able to find out who the author of that book is.
Caleb is still a beginning reader, and these books that he mentioned are just right for his age. He enjoys listening to "Lord Of The Rings", but he is still too young to read it on his own. The other books he mentioned, however, he reads by himself. I remember reading "Walter The Lazy Mouse" when I was a little younger than Caleb. I liked it too, so it must be good!
Timmy likes to read too! His favorite summer reading books are all seven books in the "Great Brain" series, by John. D. Fitzgerald. These books, about John Fitzgerald as a boy, and his family, are action packed and a lot of fun! Timmy likes "Lord Of The Rings", too. Recently he read two books by Janette Oke about animals. He enjoyed "New Kid In Town", about a skunk, and "The Impatient Turtle" very much. Currently, he is reading the book of Jeremiah in his Bible, and learning a lot.
Caleb working in our potato patch. He is taking bugs off the plants. Photo by me.
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It took Timmy a while to get interested in books, but he really enjoys reading now. The "Great Brain" series got him going, and helped him to realize just how much fun books really are. I read that series myself a few months ago, and even I was laughing over the hilarious situations that John Fitzgerald, and his brothers Tom, Sweyn, and Frankie, manage to get themselves in and out of. I also remember reading the two Janette Oke books he mentioned. We've had those books forever, and they are excellent, simple stories that pretty much any kid will enjoy.
Beka doesn't have much time for reading right now, but she told me about a few books she has read over the last few months. She borrowed "Under The Lilacs", by Louisa M. Alcott, from me a week or two ago. This is a story for kids maybe a few years younger then Beka, but she enjoyed it anyway. Dog lovers especially will like this one, because it's all about a boy and his trained poodle who run away from a circus. Beka also read, and laughed over, "Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn", by Mark Twain. She related many of the oh-so-funny adventures of Huckleberry to me as we picked strawberries together, and we laughed ourselves sick over this famous classic. On a more serious note, Beka read a court case from the book called "My Life In Court", written by the famous lawyer, Louis Nizer. The court case she read, called "A Case Of Libel", involves a man named Quentin Reynolds, who is suing for libel. Need a little suspense? Read this court case! Beka also has enjoyed "It Doesn't Take A Hero", by H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and "The Fisherman's Lady", by George MacDonald. The former is written by a retired army general, and is a very informative book about all things army! Beka really liked that one, and said she learned a lot. The latter is a good story for all ages (I read it when I was about ten!), involving a fisherman named Malcolm, and all the secrets and mysteries about his past.
As for Matthew, he rarely has time to read, but when he does he has varied interests. When I asked him about his summer reading material, he could list two books: "Witness", by Whittaker Chambers (I will talk more about this one later), and "ABC's Of The Human Mind", by Reader's Digest. The book "ABC's Of The Human Mind" book is a very interesting coffee-table style book, covering a wide range of topics involving the mind. We all enjoy flipping through that book. Matthew especially seems to have secreted it away into his room and kept it there for quite a while! The other books he is currently reading are "Beyond Basic Dog Training", by Diane L. Baumin. One of his dog training friends lent this book to him. (I opened it up and it looks horribly boring, but I'm a cat person through-and-through, so my opinion doesn't matter!) He is also reading another coffee-table book called "The Way Things Work", written and charmingly illustrated by David Macaular. I love this book! I'm not much of one for mechanical or technical things, but this book opens up these subjects in a wonderful way! Using the most unique illustrations, the author explains all sorts of machines and mechanisms, and 'the way they work'. He also gets into other subjects like fission, electricity, and nuclear reactions. Here's another book we all love looking through!
And here is what Caleb was working on! These stupid bugs can easily ruin our potato crop, so we don't like them very much. Photo by me.
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Mom is always reading, it seems, but when I asked her what she has been reading lately, it took her a while to come up with anything! She said she's been so busy lately she just hasn't had time to read much! But when she has had time, she has been enjoying "Living On Less And Liking It More", by Maxine Hancock, a book for all of you who need help with budgeting and all that fun stuff! She is also reading a book about a missionary, "Uncle Cam", by James and Marti Hefley. (I've flipped through this book a few times myself, and enjoyed reading about 'Uncle Cam's' childhood especially.) She read "Witness", by Whittaker Chambers, and then a biography called "Whittaker Chambers", by Sam Tanehaus. Another book that she enjoyed, and that all the rest of us had fun with as well, is called "Ghost Liners", by Robert Ballard. This fascinating book is all about the Titanic, and many other huge ships, that all ended up as wrecks to be discovered under water by Robert Ballard and his crew years later. This is a truly amazing book.
Dad said he doesn't read very many books from cover to cover. He named mostly Bible books that he recently read: First and Second Peter, First, Second, and Third John, and now Jeremiah. The last book Dad read from beginning to end was the book "Witness", by Whittaker Chambers. (Yes, that book is making the rounds in this house.) "Witness" is the autobiography of the famous Whittaker Chambers. A one-time Communist spy turned Quaker, Whittaker Chambers has much to offer about Communism, the world, America, and much more. Although I've never read the book myself, listening through the wall as Mom and Dad laughed and cried as they read the book together every night was proof enough for me that "Witness" is one excellent book. Mom and Dad recommend it.
As for me, I read way too much to get very specific, but here are a few books that I have read in the last two weeks. I read "To Kill A Mockingbird", by Harper Lee, again. That beautiful story has to be my very favorite book, and ranks high on my most-read list too. I think this re-read was number six or seven for me. I read it for the first time when I was a little over eleven, and I've been regularly re-reading it ever since then. I am digging a little deeper with that story, and reading "To Kill A Mockingbird: Threatening Boundaries", by Claudia Durst Johnson, which is a book about "To Kill A Mockingbird". I also have read a story with themes that ring faintly familiar to "To Kill A Mockingbird", called "Summer Of My German Soldier", by Bette Greene. Matthew has also read that book, and we have all watched the movie version. It is an excellent book about prejudice and dealing with difficult people. However, this is not a book for younger kids, since it deals in a powerful way with issues like abuse, which kids under ten might find disturbing. Another book I recently enjoyed was the classic story "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", by Robert Louis Stevenson. I scared myself good with that one, but also found it very thought provoking.
So, that's what is on our reading list this summer! Whether we're out by the pool, swingin' on the hammock, relaxing on the porch, cooling off inside, or collapsing in bed, we know there's always a good book somewhere for us to read. We won't need any summer reading contests to get us to read this summer! In fact, our problem is just the opposite. It seems we'd all rather read than work or sleep!
The Weekly Bible Verse
Deuteronomy 8:2: Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Bits and Pieces
For the second week in strawberry season, we have actually had a fairly relaxed week! Well....as relaxed as this family's weeks every get. This 'fairly relaxed' week included looking at and talking about too many cars to count, a visit to the eye doctor, and lots of whispered conversations behind closed doors. It also held quarts and quarts of strawberries, large machinery in our front yard, a water problem, and a few other things!
The car thing is all Matthew's fault. For several years he has been driving a GMC Suburban, which David drove for a year or two before him, and which was our family car for at least two years before that. And since the Suburban was hardly brand new when we first acquired it, it can safely be assumed that it is pretty old now! It is having a lot of trouble with its various parts, causing Matthew some hassle. Lately Matthew has had to use our car for distances over thirty miles, since his car is not very reliable.
Matthew in his new car! Buddy is his most common passenger. Photo by Beka.
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This all adds up to one thing: Matthew needs a new car. So, he and Mom started looking and talking and wondering and comparing (and lets not forget arguing) about cars. Cars became the most popular topic of conversation for any and all occasions. And after investigating several options, Matthew hit on his car. Talk about love at first sight (or drive)! When he got home from test-driving one car, we all knew he had found the car he wanted. It was pretty obvious. He couldn't talk about anything else. The only problem was, the seller wanted five hundred more dollars than Matthew could afford. However, the seller kindly dropped the price and Matthew has a new car, a Nissan X-Terra. (If you're like me that name means absolutely nothing to you!)
Matthew, Dad, Timmy, and Caleb at the pet store. Photo by Mom.
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We have had some unanticipated excitement this week, due to a problem with our water supply. I don't know much about the whole thing, but I understand it was a problem with the water pressure. Dad noticed, while filling our big pool a month or so ago, that it took much longer to fill the pool then he had calculated it should. That led to other experiments and investigations, which led to lots of guys in big trucks showing up, which led to big machinery digging up our front yard, which led to more big machinery digging up the end of our road, which led to the fixing of all our water problems.
The whispered conversations I mentioned earlier have to do with Beka. Since her birthday is very soon, I'm up to my ears in secrets! Sweet Sixteen is a pretty big birthday around here, so I have lots to do to get ready for it. Everybody is always pulling me aside to whisper, "Hey, what does Beka want for her birthday?", "Rachel, I'm going to get her this, okay?", and, "Rachel, what do you think this idea?" Sometimes I feel like I'm going to explode with all the secrets I have to keep, and every day I acquire a few more that I am just dying to tell somebody. I'll relieve my poor brain and tell all of you all about it when her birthday is over. You can look forward to that, and lots of pictures.
A Word About The Weather
Another very, very hot week! However, the hours between five and seven in the morning are relatively cool, so the days are bearable. Also, we don't work outside during the hottest hours of the day, so we are all right! I sure am looking forward to fall, though.
"Dad, The Cows Are Out!"
Part Seven
"This is dumb," Peter announced, as if the information was breaking news. "This is really dumb."
"It is dumb," Robert agreed. "Really dumb."
"Yes. Dumb," Peter added. "Really dumb."
"Thank you very much," Victoria interrupted, before Robert could begin another series of 'dumbs'.
What Rob and Peter found so very dumb was the fact that they had to water rows of beans. Jodi and Victoria found picking strawberries just as dumb, but they, of course, didn't say so.
Robert gave the muddy, wet hose another half-hearted jerk and dug his toes into the mud the water had made.
"Aren't we almost done yet?" he yelled down the row of little bean plants to Peter. Peter flipped the hose around, sending a shower of water in all directions.
"No!" he yelled back. "I need some more hose. Pull on it!"
"I am pulling on it," Robert griped, pulling. "How much longer do we have to work on this row?"
"I don't know," Peter answered. "Another twenty minutes at least." He paused in watering for a moment to drench his shoes.
"Maybe if you'd work for once we'd finish a lot sooner," Robert said, casting a scathing glance in Peter's direction, who had, admittedly, spent most of the morning playing in the water. In response, Peter turned the hose on Robert, and for a moment all was chaos in the bean patch.
"Those boys are playing again," Jodi told Victoria, pointing in the direction of her little brothers, who had both removed their shirts and were running around, screaming and turning the hose on each other.
"They are going to drive me crazy!" Victoria said, laughing, as she stood up and went to break up the impromptu water fight and re-direct the attention of her delinquent siblings.
Jodi took advantage of her momentary absence to stretch out on the pathway of the strawberry row and rest her aching back. She was busy scanning the sky for any sign of approaching rain clouds---of which there was none---when Jacob appeared.
"Having fun?" he asked, as she sat back up and resumed picking.
"No," Jodi answered, as Jacob picked up a few baskets and began picking the row next to hers. "But I think Rob and Peter are." They both looked over at the bean patch, where Peter and Robert were laughing hilariously at something a rather exasperated Victoria had just told them.
"Any luck?" Jacob and Jodi laughingly asked her together as she approached, shaking her head.
"Not a whit," she answered. "I'm just glad they only have two more rows to water before lunch. I can never get them to stick to that job."
"Are Mom and Dad back from the market yet?" Jodi asked Jacob, placing a full basket where it would (hopefully) not be stepped on or tipped over.
"No. They had a pretty full truck this morning, so I doubt they'll be back before mid afternoon," Jacob replied, absently eating several berries and feeding the tops to 'Mr. Jefferson', who was perhaps the strangest dog on the whole property. He not only handily disposed of any strawberry tops around, he also had fallen in love with one of the chickens, and spent most of his day following her around. Mr. Jefferson also had a taste for green tomatoes, and liked to sleep in the four-inch space under the living room couch.
"We had such a good day at the market today!" Mrs. Barnes said joyfully, as she jumped down from the farm truck and began carrying empty boxes into the garage. "Our strawberries sold like hot cakes."
"I've always wondered about that expression," Jodi remarked to Victoria as the two joined their mother in taking care of the empty boxes. "Perhaps we should go into the hot cake business, if they sell so well."
"I think it has something to do with about a hundred years ago, but we could try," Victoria replied, laughing.
"We get to have hot cakes for supper!" Peter announced, busily hopping up and down the porch steps, despite his plea of five minutes earlier that he was "too tired" to help carry in the boxes.
"Pancakes," Jodi corrected. "But I guess it is the same thing."
Once all the empty boxes had been unloaded and neatly stacked in the garage, ready for the next day's packing, the girls and Mrs. Barnes headed for the kitchen to start supper. Jacob, Mr. Barnes, and Peter went down to the barn to start on the evening chores. Where Robert, was nobody knew. He had been sent to the garden hose to get cleaned up before supper, and had not yet reappeared. Peter, however, had his suspicions, and voiced them as he filled water buckets.
"Of course he isn't here. It's chore time."
A Word Of Wisdom
I played my first miniature gold game this week, and discovered that people who aren't any good at tennis shouldn't be expected to be any good at miniature golf either.
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