Jeff came across this article in the Economist. The quotes in this entry are all from that article.

THREE pickup trucks pulled up outside George Norris’s home in Spring, Texas. Six armed police in flak jackets jumped out. Thinking they must have come to the wrong place, Mr Norris opened his front door, and was startled to be shoved against a wall and frisked for weapons. He was forced into a chair for four hours while officers ransacked his house. They pulled out drawers, rifled through papers, dumped things on the floor and eventually loaded 37 boxes of Mr Norris’s possessions onto their pickups. They refused to tell him what he had done wrong. “It wasn’t fun, I can tell you that,” he recalls.

Six armed police officers that refused to tell him what he had done wrong. What did he do, you ask?

Mr Norris was 65 years old at the time, and a collector of orchids. He eventually discovered that he was suspected of smuggling the flowers into America, an offence under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Can you imagine being locked up and called an international smuggling King Pin over orchids? Yes, orchids! FLOWERS?! Might that be an overreaction? How are any one of us made safer by that? What exactly are we protected from?

When so many people are technically breaking the law, it is up to prosecutors to decide whom to pursue.

When so many people are technically breaking the law is right. I’d argue that nearly every single adult in America breaks laws on a daily basis, probably a good amount of children too. Don’t believe me? Try me. Tell me where you live and talk to me about your life. I bet you I can find at least five laws you’ve broken over the last week, alone.

Why have laws if we are going to enforce them arbitrarily? That sets up for corruption and gives government and the enforcers scary power, something I argue here. Need we be reminded police, judges and prosecutors are all just people. They are humans vulnerable, moody and flawed like each and every one of us?

“You’re (probably) a federal criminal,” declares Alex Kozinski, an appeals-court judge, in a provocative essay of that title. Making a false statement to a federal official is an offence. So is lying to someone who then repeats your lie to a federal official. Failing to prevent your employees from breaking regulations you have never heard of can be a crime. A boss got six months in prison because one of his workers accidentally broke a pipe, causing oil to spill into a river. “It didn’t matter that he had no reason to learn about the [Clean Water Act’s] labyrinth of regulations, since he was merely a railroad-construction supervisor,” laments Judge Kozinski.

What do you think? Might we be unnecessarily imprisoning people? What kind of offences do you think should be punishable by lock-up? Does it do anyone any good locking up NON-violent criminals?

Jim Felman, a defence lawyer in Tampa, Florida, says America is conducting “an experiment in imprisoning first-time non-violent offenders for periods of time previously reserved only for those who had killed someone”.

Non-violent offenders. Why are these people even locked up? I mean that. Really think about it, what good comes of it?

“The founders viewed the criminal sanction as a last resort, reserved for serious offences, clearly defined, so ordinary citizens would know whether they were violating the law. Yet over the last 40 years, an unholy alliance of big-business-hating liberals and tough-on-crime conservatives has made criminalisation the first line of attack—a way to demonstrate seriousness about the social problem of the month, whether it’s corporate scandals or e-mail spam,” writes Gene Healy, a libertarian scholar. “You can serve federal time for interstate transport of water hyacinths, trafficking in unlicensed dentures, or misappropriating the likeness of Woodsy Owl.”

Serving time over flowers. Flowers. FLOWERS.

Peace,
Kelly Halldorson

Are you looking to get better pictures? Do you need help understanding your camera? Would you like some guidance in lighting, composition, subjects etc?

If you are in the New Hampshire area I’m offering a few workshops you might be interested in. The workshops are geared toward homeschooling families teens/adults but are open to others as well. Feel free to contact me for more information and/or to sign up.

The following is a tentative schedule of workshops. I’ll be adding more dates times as feedback comes in. If you don’t find a class/time/date/location that works for you drop me an email and maybe we can work something out. If you are interested I expect these classes to fill up FAST so don’t hesitate. I’ve already gotten tons of emails from folks interested in signing up but I want to keep the size of individual workshops small and manageable. Contact is: skeletons@halldorson.com

I’m willing to travel if you have a group interested and want to organize a class/workshop or series. Don’t stress about the age for classes, I’m flexible.  Let me know your issue and we can work it out. I’m also available for private lessons, contact me for info: kelly@halldorson.com.

I guarantee you’ll get at least a couple shots good enough to hang on your wall and say you took!

Kids are $20. Teens/Adults $30. As with everything I do if you can’t swing it or you have three family members that would like to participate talk to me! I’m sure we can work something out.

Workshop descriptions with sample shots…

Basics Workshop:
composition, camera settings, lighting, things to avoid, people, close-ups, scenery

August 17, 2010 @ Wagon Hill, Durham

(Ages 8-12)     2:30-4:30 pm

(Teen - Adult) 5:00 - 8:00 pm

August 18, 2010 @ Waste Management Trails, Rochester

(Ages 8-12)     2:30-4:30 pm

(Teen - Adult) 5:00 - 8:00 pm

August 19, 2010 @ TBA Manchester

(Ages 8-12)     2:30-4:30 pm

(Teen - Adult) 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Flowers:
close-ups, lighting, distant shots, silhouette, lighting

August 24, 2010 @ Prescott Park, Portsmouth

(Ages 8-12)     2:30-4:30 pm

(Teen - Adult) 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Insects:
shooting the little creatures, macro work, settings, how to get the bug where you want it

August 23, 2010 @ Nottingham Town Offices, Nottingham

(All Ages)  2:30-5:30 pm

People:
how to get great shots of  people, candid or posed

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Events:
weddings, parties, concerts, tips on getting good shots photojournalist shots at any event

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Artistic Shots:
tune your artistic eye anywhere, seeing everything in a different light

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Artistic Shots 2:
setting up shots, thinking creatively on the spot, having fun

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Sunsets/Sunrises:
never go wrong with a sunset, what to watch out for how to capture what you see

Wagon Hill, Durham

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Landscapes:
fields, mountains, streams, trees, farms get great outdoor shots wherever you are

North Berwick Primary School, North Berwick, Maine

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

City Buildings:
learn lighting tricks, angles, patterns for some unique city shots

downtown area, Concord

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Old Buildings:
run down barns and old houses

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Night Sky:
starry night, clouds, moon shots, how to get

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

City Lights:
glowing street lights reflecting off windows and pavement

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

Documenting Life/Blogging Shots:
get great shots every day, be ready to take a picture at anytime

TBA

(Ages 8-12) TBA

(Teen - Adult) TBA

There are many more examples where those came from, you can see more here. Feel free to email me questions or suggestions. And if you don’t live in the New Hampshire area but are interested in hosting a series of workshops, contact me! We are planning on doing some traveling so we may be able to arrange something in your area, even if that area is 1,000 miles away.

Peace,

Kelly Halldorson

skeletons@halldorson.com

I feel silly writing about this because I feel like this is something I should have known.

Did you know there are Damselflies and Dragonflies? Yep, I’ve been observing them closely for nearly two years now and even more closely over the last few months as I’ve chased and photographed so many. I recently picked up a field guide to help me easily identify all the critters I’ve been snapping photos of and there is a section called Dragonflies and Damselflies.

Apparently, according to my new book: Field Guide to INSECTS AND SPIDERS of North America by: Arthur V. Evans and other information I’ve gathered from around the Internet, it’s not as simple as I once thought. You know…big dragonflies and little ones. There are 1,000’s of varieties of both and surprisingly they are pretty simple to tell apart.

Ebony Jewelwing, damselfly

The simplest ways *I* see to tell them apart are

Damselflies:

• body shape, extremely thin - appears more delicate
• wings fold above the body when resting
• eyes more separate

dragonfly

Dragonflies:

• body thinker, more rugged in appearance
• wings rest at sides, often in x pattern
• eyes touching on top of head

Peace,

Kelly

Times Square

Not every victim of child sexual assault can hold up a sign in Times Square. Not every victim of sexual assault is comfortable talking about it or getting help. That is one of the many reasons Jeff and I have decided to give our book, Skeletons Don’t Sleep, away free (in digital format) to any and all survivors of child sexual assault. Are you a victim? Would you like a copy? Email Us: skeletons@halldorson.com

We have already given away over 100 copies. We want that number in the 1000’s. We want this book in the hands of every single survivor that needs it.

Want to know a little bit more about the project?

I wrote Skeletons with my husband Jeff. It’s the true account of his childhood sexual assault, our relationship, his father’s arrest through incarceration and the aftermath. The videos tell the story and the quotes are from people who’ve emailed us. It all helps remind us that giving away the book for free is the right thing to do, despite our personal financial struggles.

I am a member of a facebook group called “Stop Child Abuse”. Yesterday as I was looking at the the fan wall and I saw you video “Man With A Sign”. First off: Jeff, you are a very brave man. I, myself, being a child that was sexually abused can understand completely. You are an inspiration to me.

Dear Jeff and Kelly
I received your book. And I could not stop reading it. I read it all and it took me till 3 am.

I am writing from facebook, i would greatly appreciate a free copy of your book. I was abused as a child by a family member. I priced your book to purchase and at this time I can not afford to buy it, I am out of work on medical, just had my 4th cervical spine surgery in feb and suffer chronic pain, so i am limited with income at this point. I am very interested in your book to help me and others.

I just finished the book. I’ve spent much of the past day and a half reading it… obsessively…

I’ve just spent the evening sat in front of my computer in London, reading this from start to finish. Both of you are amazingly inspiring! Thank you so much for sending me a copy of your story.

Kelly: You are a wonderful and powerful woman. You are truly an inspiration as well.

Thank you for this gift and your voice in our world of many who would like to ignore this devastation and turn a blind eye. You are courageous!

If you are a survivor and you want a free digital copy of our book please contact us at skeletons@halldorson.com or on facebook.

Not a survivor but you want to support our efforts? You can buy a copy of Skeletons Don’t Sleep or you can donate to help fund our buy a PRINT book for our survivor program by emailing us at skeletons@halldorson.com.

If you are looking for a little positive, uplifting support/inspiration consider subscribing. We are going to give away a free (print) personalized signed copy to one of my blog subscribers at the end of the summer.

Jeff and I are also available for readings, speaking and discussions. For more information drop us an email at skeletons@halldorson.com.

We woke up pretty early because we had to get the plastic on the high tunnel greenhouse we (mostly Jeff) are building before heading to New Castle later in the day so I could take some photos for a Le Leche League brochure.

The temperature was warm but not hot and crisp but not cold. There was no wind. It could not have been more perfect weather to put the plastic on this greenhouse. The plastic came in a gigantic roll that weigh close to 100 lbs, if not more. Jeff had to first get it up to the top and then balance on the spine of the greenhouse as he unrolled it across 72 feet. Once it was unrolled the length of the green house he unfolded the sides and secured them down. We all had to help a little but Jeff really did all the hard work. It was no easy feet, especially seeing as our 80+ year old landlord came down on his tractor to watch. It was pretty nerve-racking but Jeff managed.

High Tunnel Greenhouse, if you need one of these put up anywhere in the US…contact us

While he battened down the sides Zoe and I did a little exploring in the yard. I chased a butterfly got a couple shots and Zoe found a great little green guy, missing a leg.

This may be a Red Spotted Purple. If you know otherwise please let me know and I’ll edit.

this would be Zoe’s find, a young Praying Mantis

It was supposed to start pouring around noon. Thankfully the rain kept away and Jeff was able to work on the greenhouse until I had to leave at 2:00 and head to the ocean. I had plans for a photo shoot. So, he was able to come with us! We stopped at Starbucks on the was for some cool drinks because it had gotten pretty hot at the farm toward the end of our time there.

It was  gorgeous at the beach, not too hot and not too cold. Complete with a cool salty breeze and breathtaking sky.

the sky in New Castle, New Hampshire

I started taking some shots of the kids. Jeff was sweet and played dad in a few of the shots. The theme for the Le Leche League conference I was shooting the promo shots for is, family…building strong families. I haven’t finished going through all the shots yet but while I was there I also tried to get shot of the individual families and/or moms with babies so they could have some pictures for themselves. Here are a few of those.

I have a ton more. I think I took nearly 200 photos. Not all are winners but certainly there should be a good amount to pick from for the conference promo shots. I’m satisfied with the shoot though I always wish I had taken just a few more shots!

It was also was an interesting photo shoot because it was the first time I’ve ever done a “photo shoot” without an SLR. That’s right, for these pictures and all the picture on this entry I used my Canon Digital Elph cameras. I have two.

Canon Digital Elph SD 960 IS

When Jeff, the kids and I were leaving there was another photographer setting up on the beach. He had a flash on a stand, a big family all dressed alike and a huge camera and lens. While I’m not opposed to big set-ups, I’m absolutely positive now that they are not *necessary* and like with many things in life we can often get by with much less than we think and still have a life filled with beauty.

We ordered pizza and picked it up on the way home. We also stopped at the grocery store and Jeff went in to grab a few things, including my new favorite…Truly Yours Bars by Tofutti. While Jeff was in the store the kids and I witnessed what had to have been the closest lightning strike I’ve ever experienced. I saw the actual line in my rear view mirror and while things were still lit up there was an immense BOOM.  It rattled everyone. Jeff said inside the store the lights flickered and people got nervous. He thought the building was struck. The kids thought the car was struck. I think it was just the ground behind the car and right in front of the store.

By the time we got home the storm had well passed over us. It was nearing sunset. I was sitting in the bedroom and suddenly saw the light from outside turn orange. I didn’t get up to look because I figured it was just a cloud passing in front of the sun or something. Then I heard Jeff yell for me to come take a look at something and Griffin shout, WOW! Oh my God!

I jumped up all freaked out but thought enough to grab my camera because generally that’s why people yell for me to come look at stuff these days.

We all walked out onto the front porch and everything and I mean everything was orange. It was as though we were walking into a sunset. It was still and silent and looked as though (one of my facebook friends described it) everything was in sepia. Almost as though you were part of some old silent film with the exception of our own voices. I took a few pictures but they really don’t do the experience justice. It was strangely creepy.

Overall a great day filled with lots of imagery, cool new people, bugs, learning, connections, happiness, ocean, sun, building and so much more. Thanks for letting me share a little taste with you.

Peace,

Kelly

Gorgone Checkerspot, Butterfly

If you asked me even as little as three years ago what the difference between a butterfly and a moth I probably would have said, I don’t know. Butterflies are pretty. Moths are icky?

The last couple of years I’ve warmed up a bit. I’ve always kind of liked butterflies but still wasn’t overly thrilled about touching them. My grandfather loved them. He passed away in March. This video is from a visit with him last fall.

His enthusiasm for the little critters along with my Something Beautiful project helped to broaden my comfort level a bit. Not long after his passing I got a bit obsessed with bugs in general. A recent visit to the Butterfly Place and now I’m especially loving the butterflies and the MOTHS! Oh, the moths. They are elusive little buggers.

Today we were at the farm and there were all kinds of little orange butterflies flying around. There have been tons lately but today they were dancing in the air in sets of two, playful and seemingly joyful. It had me wondering if they all just mate on one day. It was that crazy cool.

Mating Gorgone Checkerspot taken in Strafford, NH

Anyway as I was snapping away Bea, our landlord’s partner, came out. She’s in her 80’s. I told her I was totally loving all these beautiful little love-bird butterflies fluttering around. She responded, I don’t think they are butterflies. I think they are moths and I’m not so sure they are good. I read they lay the pesky critter eggs.

With Griffin standing by my side I said, I’m pretty sure they are butterflies. Moths fly at night. That was the one thing I remembered from our visit to the Butterfly Place. I knew there was something about the body too, moths being fatter but it’s not enough for me to notice. BUT one being nocturnal and the other being diurnal, that’s easy to remember.

Griffin piped up, That’s definitely a butterfly. It has skinny antenna and it’s body is thinner. And there are some other things too. It’s a butterfly.

Bea wasn’t convinced, Are you sure? I thought because it’s wings made a tent when it landed that meant it was a moth.

I promised to come back not only with a 100% surety on the moth vs butterfly debate but also I’d be able to tell her what KIND of a butterfly it was. Excited that Griffin seemed to know so much more than me on the topic I asked him to explain the differences to me and asked if he’d gotten that from our visit to the Butterfly Place.

No, well some, I watched a video there but also I just sort have picked it up along the way. Here and there. Kind of all over. Books and stuff too.

It turns out the little cute orange butterflies (the ones pictured above) are American Coppers. They are about an inch with their wings open. And there were literally at least 100 flying around everywhere. It was like orange confetti flew up in the air every time you took a step.

Without further ado I give you some ways to identify a MOTH vs. BUTTERFLY  (with photos) obviously like with everything there may be exceptions

MOTHS

• Fly at NIGHT. They are nocturnal.
• They have FUZZY or pointed antenna
• Chunky FUZZY bodies
• Wings lay flat down onto body
• some moths have pinchers

Atlas Moth taken at the Butterfly Place, see the FUZZY antenna

still working on the name of this guy (will update), check out the thick fuzzy body

Tiger Moth taken in Strafford, NH - found at night, notice how the wings lay and pointy antenna

BUTTERFLIES

• Fly during the day.
• Wings generally rest in upright position
• The bodies are thinner, though I can’t really tell all the time. They look very similar to me.
• antenna are clubbed or straight
• butterflies have straw like tongue
• usually brighter in color

more of those Gorgone Checkerspot, notice the antenna

upright wings, bright color and straw tongue

straw tongue, thin body and upright wings

Well, I hope that helps. I’ll probably update this post a bit so it might be one you want to revisit. I might add some more photos and/or names descriptions. Oh, and Bea thanked us for letting her know what exactly those orange cuties were.

As I was writing this Griffin caught me what we think is a hummingbird moth. I’ll post some photos in the morning. These creatures are fantastic!

Peace,

Kelly

NOTE: It’s funny. It would seem Griffin and I were right about them being butterflies but after a little more information. I think they are actually, Gorgone Checkerspot, NOT American Coppers.

Okay. I started writing a blog entry this morning about sibling rivalry, because it seems to be a big deal around here the last couple of days. It’s mostly in the car on longer trips, like to the CNHT picnic and to my parents yesterday. But it was also about the seating arrangement in my parents car when we he headed to the beach. So, I started a blog entry about how we deal with it. What works, what doesn’t and when nothing works. I wrote a little then I went up to the greenhouse to see how Jeff was doing.

All was fine there. Jeff was doing a magnificent job building, as usual. I chatted with him. I got some water. I took a few photos. Then I went over to the raspberry bushes to pick some raspberries.

The rain the we’ve had the last two days did wonders for the crop. There were more raspberries than I think our whole family could eat in a week. I started picking and eating away. I called Jeff over to see. He picked for a little bit.

Zoe and Griffin rode their bikes over from the house and started picking along side us. We were talking about how many berries there were and Zoe commented she’d like a container. Jeff went and found her one then headed back over to work on the greenhouse.

After Zoe had about two inches of the container filled she announced she was going to fill up the container for Wolfgang. She wanted wasn’t going to eat any while she picked. She wanted to give him the 32 oz container of organic raspberries and say to him, These are ALL yours enjoy them. You don’t have to share any of them.

I hadn’t mentioned a thing about their fighting this morning but apparently Zoe and I had been thinking about the same thing. How to get keep everyone getting along. I told her I thought it was very thoughtful of her and offered to help her fill up the rest of the container.

She did it. She filled the container. We drove back to the house and she gave Wolfgang the raspberries. He woke up, hopefully, feeling loved and grateful. He smiled, ate some of the berries and bathed.

Despite our living situation, the no power, the no running water, the cramped quarters, the heat, all the negative crap it’s neat to see my kids recognize for themselves the real abundance that surrounds them. We have unlimited organic raspberries to eat whenever. We have each other.

Just as the rain strengthens the bush and gives birth to new, mouth watering, juicy, deep red, delicious raspberries our struggles strengthen our family and give birth to new days, new experiences, connections, love, understanding and happiness.

Peace,

Kelly

When I take photographs, it’s easy. Actually, easy isn’t strong enough of a word. When I pick up a camera, when I look through a lens it’s like it’s an extension of me. I know what to do. I don’t often even have to give it a second thought. Sure some shots take practice but I usually know what to try. I know what questions to ask myself. I know what to look for. All the effort that is required of me is to be mindful. Mindful of the what I’m seeing, what I’m looking for in a shot, mindful of my camera’s limitations and mindful of my abilities.

It’s part of me. I think my photographs show that.

There are other things that come as easily to me.

Writing comes easily to me. I know I make LOTS of errors, I didn’t say editing comes easy to me. Just the writing.

Thinking comes easily. I’m a thinker. There is NO denying that. I think. I think. I think. I ponder. I question. I wonder. I evaluate situations. I observe people and events. I observer. I ponder more. I am a philosopher. There is no way around it. It’s something I can’t stop, though I’ve tried and others have tried…but it’s part of my being…part of my very fiber, probably my DNA. I don’t know exactly, I’ll have to give it some more thought.

Healing comes easily to me. I’m good at healing, people and animals both their hearts and minds. Maybe I’m supposed to be a nurse or a doctor. My kids are always telling me that’s what I *should* be. Or maybe I should have been a therapist.

Creating comes easily. I do much better at things when I do it my own way. If I don’t follow a recipe. If I don’t use a pattern.

Leading/Inspiring (as well as the negative flip side of that) comes naturally to me. When I write, photograph, say something people generally read, observe and listen. I’m not entirely comfortable with this. I don’t want to be a leader. I do enjoy being someone that inspires though…so maybe there is a balance I can find.

Honesty. It’s extremely hard for me to lie. Don’t get me wrong I have. I just find it incredibly draining and damaging to my soul. Even little white lies. Even secrets.

There are even superficial things that come pretty naturally to me. Like weight. I get it. I know what to eat. I know what to do movement-wise to keep my body weight where I want it. There is little effort, only mindfulness and mindfulness with practice becomes effortless.

Now, I haven’t told you all these things to prop myself up. I’ve written them all down because I believe these things are my purpose. There must be a reason why they come so effortless to me. I think these things are what I’m supposed to do with my life and for so many years I listened to other people and fought it or I ignored my true nature and fought it.

Today I work every single day to fulfill my purpose. I don’t know who or what gave me the purpose, nor do I think it matters. What matters is I fulfill my purpose. I do what do what I’m good at. To be what comes naturally to me. I live naturally. And what I mean by naturally is, I don’t fight the obvious.

That’s not to say I don’t live in the *real* world. I realize I need to make a living to feed my kids. To have a roof over my head but today instead of going along all the old wore paths I used to travel. I’m trying something new. I’m focusing on making a living doing what works for me, and my family. That’s why I’ve set up the “For Hire” page on this blog as well as the donate button.

Jeff is doing the same. So, please check out our the *For Hire* page and well if something strikes you that we can do contact us!

About a week and a half ago I got an email message on one of my email lists about PJ O’Rourke speaking locally, specifically at the CNHT Picnic. I know Jane, the organizer, from the Ron Paul 2008 campaign. Wolfgang is a pretty big fan of PJ and so am I. Wolf is also very interested in being on camera, doing video work and even acting. We’ve actually been talking about (& semi-working on) putting together a kid’s liberty focused web show that we could submit to Reason Tv.  So, it occurred to me that Wolfgang might not only want to meet him but maybe he’d like to interview him.

I asked Wolfgang stressing that it might not be possible but if it was, would he be interested.

He said, REALLY? Yes!

I sent Jane an email asking if it would be okay if Wolf, 15 years old, interviewed PJ when he was here. She replied, absolutely.

Yesterday Jeff and I were down then as the week ended I checked on how much this was going to cost. With the kids, Jeff and I the cost was going to be $60 plus the cost of gas to drive up to Hillsborough an hour and a half away. There was no way we could swing that. SO, I dropped Jane another note. I asked if there was any way we could get a discount and that we would be more than willing to help out with anything that needed doing. She was gracious enough to give us her extra ticket and let the kids in for free. All we had to pay was $15.

On the way up this morning we all chatted about what questions Wolf was going to ask. He jotted them down on his iTouch.

When we got there this morning we helped out with the table set-up and then headed into the kitchen. Jeff cooked. Wolfgang cooked. Griffin prepped veggies, breads and salads. I helped fill up the cold trays with potato salad and cleaned the recyclables. Zoe worked in the kitchen too.

A little later I set up my computer to unload the video footage I had already taken and who walks by but PJ O’Rourke. With Wolf standing next to me I introduced myself and asked if my son Wolfgang could do a short interview with him. He happily agreed while poking fun, That’s your son? Pointing at Wolfgang. What were you a child bride?

Mr. O’Rourke thought right then would be the perfect opportunity. We looked around for a semi-quiet spot and headed over. He was patient, kind and just plain damn cool. He answered every one of Wolf’s questions, which included questions about homeschooling, libertarianism, the oil spill, Ron Paul and PJ’s new book, Driving Like Crazy (of which he told Wolf NOT to read but said he should go ahead and buy it, just don’t read it for at least 15 years).

After the interview Wolfgang went and set up the video camera in front of the podium. We planned on videoing PJ speaking to the crowd.

Meanwhile Jeff was still working hard/hot in the kitchen and the other two kiddos were serving up food for the guests.

It was once again a great day and a fantastic example of what unschooling looks like in our home, facilitating interests and maximizing opportunity despite whatever struggles we may be having.

We went thinking…maybe…we might possibly….if everything went well…get to interview PJ O’Rourke. At a minimum we would get to hear him speak. What we got instead was we met a charming guy who was willing to give a 15 year old 15 minutes of his time, on camera! The kids got to work in a commercial kitchen, which Griffin told us repeatedly that he was loving it and having so much fun. He said if he had to do it every day he probably wouldn’t enjoy it though.

Wolfgang’s two favorite PJ quotes:

A hat should be taken off when you greet a lady and left off for the rest of your life. Nothing looks more stupid than a hat.

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

My favorite:

America wasn’t founded so that we could all be better. America was founded so we could all be anything we damned well pleased

We shared. We laughed. We smiled. We learned.

Peace,

Kelly

4. Choices

• unschooling: Children are free to make their own choices, so long as they are not hurting another individual.
• libertarian philosophy: Adults are free to make their own choices, as long as they are not infringing on another’s rights.

Peace,

Kelly

Photo by: Wolfgang Halldorson, Model: Zoe Halldorson

Just a quick rundown of our really cool day.

I wake up. Jeff heats up my water for my shower. Zoe and Griffin are up. I take the moths out of the freezer that I caught last night so I can take some photos outside. Both moths are still alive and well and I get some pretty good shots!

I look up info on one of them and find it’s a Tiger Moth and it starts as a wholly bear caterpillar. It’s too cool. Woolly Bear Caterpillars are my favorite and this Tiger Moth is too! While searching I find an awesome website: What’s That Bug?

The kids catch me a butterfly and another caterpillar. I get good shots of both. All before 10:00 am.

I bathe. The kids bathe. We bring Wolfgang and Zoe to a job. Zoe is mother’s helper and Wolfgang is doing some yard work. Jeff and I take Griffin to Portsmouth to get his tooth fixed. It’s early so we stop at Starbucks. Who stops in but Tom Bergeron. Griffin asks him if he minds getting a photo with him.

We go to get the tooth fixed. It doesn’t go as we’d been told so there was a bit of a bump there. Griffin needs a root canal so they started that. He has to go back in 6 weeks. He was supposed to get the tooth built up but since it was hurting him they wouldn’t do it but instead started a root canal. I’m a little grumpy about all that but…it will work out.

Stop at Walmart so Griffin can look around. On the way out there were some young, hungry travelers looking for food. We stop and take their picture and give them some water and five dollars.  That felt good.

We pick up Zoe and Wolfgang then went to go check out an old school bus for sale in Rochester. It was really cool and blue.

We go do the laundry in Dover. The kids ask if they can walk around with my camera. They come back with lots of pictures and video. My favorite is at the top of the page.

After we finish the laundry Jeff and I take a walk and the kids go walk around on their own and video/interview people about libertarianism. We end up at La Festa and meet up with the Liberty Meet-up group. We meet Chris Sununu (his father used to sign your money…don’t believe me go pull out an older bill) and get to ask him lots of questions about his run for Executive Council. Apparently his wife is a Libertarian…if only we could give him a little reason.

We leave La Festa and head home. I make scrambled eggs (local NOT factory farmed) for all while Jeff, Zoe and Griffin get water for tomorrow. Wolfgang takes care of the dogs and goes online. Zoe heads to bed early. I go in the room and work on the computer while Jeff snoozes next to me. Griffin builds things with his lego and Wolfgang is busy making music on his computer, still.

And as of conversations and learning today, some of the topics included…libertarianism, war, troops, peace, ideas for peace, girlfriends, relationships, moths, butterflies, stars, dancing with the stars, laughter, funny pictures, PJ O’Rourke, video interview questions, what makes a good web video, music, software, dogs, what kind of animals are around the house, how to get the water running faster, greenhouses, government, environmental programs, social programs, bodies of water, foreign policy, republican, democrat, governor’s council, elected offices, districts, distribution of powers, state vs. federal, drug war, drugs, troubled people, compassion, family, traveling, school buses, places to go, where to visit, when to leave, what to do on the road, life, purpose, goals, family, choices, reason, working, babysitting, mother’s helper, gardening, weeding, painting, inspiration, little kids, babies, breastfeeding, …and that is only one tiny tiny little piece of it.

Damn, I feel lucky.

Peace,

Kelly

I thought I’d put some of these shots together in one place. If you know what some of them are please let me know. I’ll probably come back to this post and add more as I find them…and add info too…

Found in our yard. Strafford, NH

Found in our yard. Strafford, NH

Found in our yard. Strafford, NH

Found on the house by the light at night. Strafford, NH

Tiger Moth. Found on the house by the light at night. Strafford, NH

Like many others we are struggling financially. Actually struggling doesn’t even begin to cut it.

Two years ago we were struggling but we had a nice Victorian home we rented. All the kids had there own room.  We had a nice vehicle, a Suburban without problems. We had lots of books and were walking distance to the public pool and downtown.

Today we have very little in the way of things. Very little. We live in a rundown trailer. We had to divide the back room into two separate rooms, one for the boys and one for Zoe. The rooms barely fit their beds. Most of our things got damaged in the move. Wolfgang quit playing hockey (for a team), in part, it was just too expensive.

About a week and a half ago, our electricity was shut off. That’s right, we have no power. We need way more money than we have to turn it back on. Part of what we owe is leftover from that Victorian we rented in Dover. I didn’t shut the electricity off to it when we left so what we owe includes a number of months we were not living there. It’s not something I’m upset about, at least not in the way of being resentful. I owe the money. We owe the money. And I don’t mind paying even for the time we weren’t living there because I feel we left abruptly and even wish we could do more for the landlord. They were great people we were caught just up with what was going on with us. I want to pay it.

We also have medical bills, student loans, even some tax stuff we have to sort out (although, I don’t believe we’ll end up owing anything there). We were weren’t/aren’t big on credit cards so it’s not like we have a lot of that kind of debt. It’s just life stuff. If we ever had something big to buy like a computer or whatever we’d just put the money aside and buy it outright. We didn’t do credit.

Neither Jeff or I have been working for a year and a half. Not working at a job, anyway. It’s not that we haven’t been working really. It’s that we have shifted completely the way we do things. Jeff used to go out and work and work and work at big construction jobs (which with the economy there really aren’t any now even if that’s what we wanted). He lived a life separate from us. And we lived a life separate from him. He was never home and my life with the kids had started to run parallel to his. It wasn’t good for any of us.

Today we focus on living a life that inspires us and our children. We focus on our life with the kids and our relationships with them and each other. We work toward reducing suffering through vegetarianism, we volunteer, we advocate for sexual assault victims (and have written a published a book all in the last year) and do our best to give positively to the world and the people around us. This has become our priority, our full-time job. What living this life entails is more work than anything we’ve done before, but with it comes more joy, love and connection.

We don’t take advantage of government programs like welfare, food stamps, public schools etc. because we feel it’s a violation of our core principles. We are not opposed to charity, in fact, we had a fundraiser to help publish our book and I just added a donate button to this very page.  It’s just if we are to take advantage of any generosity we want to know for sure it was freely given.

Presently our biggest efforts are finding ways to earn income to feed, house and clothe ourselves and our children in a way that is conducive to our family living.  But as with most new ventures there is a building period and in many ways it’s as though we are starting from scratch. I’m confident that our book, my photography, this blog, our Homeschool webshow and Jeff’s illustration work, our children’s book projects, my video work etc. will evolve to a point where we are not only financially stable but we have paid back all our debts and can give financially to causes that matter to us.  We just are not there *yet* — keep watching us and you’ll see we’ll make it!

How are we getting  by now?

We barter with our landlord for rent, right now we are building a greenhouse for him. A commercial sized greenhouse. We’ve sold a lot of our stuff, including most of Jeff’s larger tools. We share a cell phone. It’s a Boost Mobile phone that costs only $50/mo for unlimited use. We have another pay as you go phone around for when the kids need one but we probably put $10/mo on it…if that. We had to give our Suburban back to the bank last year. To get around we borrowed a couple of vehicles from friends and in January we bought a little Subaru for $500. It’s beat up but it runs and gets us to our groups and little jobs and it uses next to nothing in gas. We don’t pay for internet. We’ve found some WiFi spots around where we live and/or we go to Barnes and Noble or Starbucks (currently I’m sitting in Starbucks).

The loss of our electricity has been a gift in many ways. Laugh…but it has. It’s brought us even closer and shown us just how much we can actually deal with and still be happy. Really, truly happy.

Our goal as a family is to get out on the road. To travel around and meet other homeschooling/unschooling families. Last December we traded Jeff’s 1971 Harley Sporster for an RV. We took it on a couple of trips but now it needs a transmission. And we’ve been looking at school buses. We’d like to pick one up and convert it into a living space then travel around and meet, interview and video other families. Families that unschool. Families that public school. Families that homeschool. Families that private school. Families. Lots of Families.

The kids have been living with less than they are used to materially for the last year and a half. However they are living with MORE than they are used to freedom wise over the last year and a half. Because we’ve shifted to whole life unschooling. Our kids are free to make choices for themselves. They can choose when to get up, when to go to bed, when to read a book, when to build something, when to create, when to use play video games, when to play outside and so much more.

Some people might look at us and see neglectful parents, parents with kids that don’t have a lot of rules and don’t even have electricity…but those people would be so far from reality. Jeff and I have *never* been more attentive to the needs of our children than we have been this past year. We talk with them constantly about what their individual interests and goals are. We are WITH them nearly all the time. We bring them on adventures. We introduce them to more families and children who may or may not live how we do. We talk with them but more importantly we listen to them. We answer questions. We discuss. We find resources for their interests. Which include music, building, friends, technology, welding, boating, animals…and more of course…there is always more.

As a result we have children that write things like this. Kids that don’t complain about taking a bath with buckets of water (without electricity we have no running water). Kids that help lug the five gallon buckets of water from the greenhouse across the street every day. Kids that are actually excited about figuring out how to design a system of running/hot water that we’ll be able to transfer into an RV/Bus once we get one for the road. Kids that are just truly amazing.

When I hear people complaining about things like their AC going out, or their husband not taking out the trash I almost don’t know what to think. I’m living with no electricity. Actually, we do have a generator that we run for a few hours a day.  No running water (though we think we have that figured out so we should have it in the next couple of days). Our vehicle has not AC. We are mostly broke. We owe a lot of money.

Not to mention all the that is going on in the world at large…war, the oil spill…sigh…so much…

If you look at all the things we have against us it sounds like we have a miserable life. Then you look again and you see…

A husband and wife who have made it through infidelity, financial problems and much more. A couple who in the course of a year’s time have written and published a book that has moved and inspired literally hundreds of people all over the world.

A man who has decided to change his life for the better. A man who isn’t hiding from his past and is willing to put himself (and his skeletons) out for the world to see. A man who is dedicating his life to being a better husband and father. A man who is learning to be more compassionate and patient.

A woman that likes to take pictures and writes writes writes…with the aim of inspiring others in a peaceful way.

Three kids that I could write pages and pages about how great they are.

No, NONE of us are perfect. But we ARE happy. We ARE loving. We ARE compassionate. We ARE inspired. And we LOVE to learn.

Five people that love each other. Kids that love to learn and parents that are engaged and resourceful in finding ways to facilitate that learning. Whether it’s finding opportunities for the kids to earn money so they can buy things like iPods or a netbook or taking them on adventures to meet new people and have new experiences. A family that doesn’t just talk about their days but actually experience their days together. Kids that are allowed to be exactly who they are.

A family that chooses to live life by their own rules.

Creating love in these hard times is easy. You just have to choose to do it. Choose to see it. Choose to learn it. Choose to LIVE it.

Peace,

Kelly

On June 24th we visited the Maple Farm Sanctuary, here is what our friend Mimi (from O2 Yoga Studios) had to say about the visit…followed by some photos I took at the sanctuary. I am putting together a full 20 minute Homeschool Gone Child episode of our adventure too.

I was the first of what we hope to be many trips down to help.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

The following quotes are from a New Hampshire Union Leader Article, titled Decision to euthanize NH geese creates flap. The commentary is mine. The photo was taken earlier this year when a pair of geese visited our pond.

On June 23, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services were paid by two property owners to round up and euthanize geese that had been fouling their properties. The federal government refused to identify the property owners.

They rounded up these geese and their offspring and killed them.

Dick Wright of Newbury, who lives near the lake, wrote letters to the editor of New Hampshire newspapers last week decrying the practice.
He said the problem is property owners who create large lawns and fake beaches that attract the birds and detour them from their migratory route.

I find this piece very interesting.

Jared Teutsch, president of the New Hampshire Lakes Association, said conflict between the Canada geese and lakefront property owners is on the increase across the state.

He said native shores of brush are in some cases being replaced by lawns and man-made beaches. That is a welcome mat for migratory geese to settle down and nest. Once born here, they return and bear their own young and have life spans of up to 25 years.

So here is a case when we (meaning humans) are not destroying another creatures habitat but instead are creating something they inviting and hospitable and that’s not good either?

There is this desire to control…that is just HUGE. I think it involves issues of mortality and impermanence.

What do you think about it?

Peace,
Kelly

Two teasers for upcoming Homeschool Gone Child episodes…

and…

want to see more?

SIGN UP, it’s free and the link is right on the side there ====>>

Peace,
Kelly

I just stumbled across this comic. It was posted on a friend’s facebook page. I had just been contemplating writing a blog entry about libertarianism (purposely with a lowercase “l”) and women, or really the lack of women prominent women. Even this silly cartoon only has one woman and she’s the “arrogant” one. Grr.

Sure, you’re probably saying the modern day movement was all but founded by Ayn Rand and her Objectivist philosophy. Whatever…that was *one* women.

If you look at the Ron Paul movement…

Remember the Campaign for Liberty convention in St. Paul? The only women on stage there was the beautiful face, Aimee Allen. Not talking but singing…her (very cool) Ron Paul Revolution anthem.

Look at the Keynote speaker lineup for Freedom Fest 2010. Sixteen Keynote speakers, not a single woman.

The Reason Cruise only five announced speakers, all men.

The Cato Institute on the list of *experts* — is that two women’s names I see?

There are more examples but you get the point. Women step up. Men start listening. Sound good?

Oh wait I almost forgot, there are a few women in the movement….

Ron Paul Girl - Click here for the most popular videos

and the calendar girls…

I know there are tons of ladies of liberty out there. I wish the pool was a bit more diverse. I wish people (men) would listen not just to the pretty ones with no clothes on or the well-connected academics but also acknowledge the everyday, freedom-loving, family types.

Peace,
Kelly

Did you know you Regal Cinemas offers free movies during the summer? It’s called the Free Family Film Festival and it goes on all summer long! Here are the details:

REG’s Free Family Film Festival is Now Showing!
We have planned a fun-filled summer of select movies for kids and parents. Regal has proudly offered this free summer fun since 1991. Oh, did we mention that it’s FREE!

Selected G or PG movies start at 10:00am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and are limited to theatre capacity.

The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer. Tickets for our 2010 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.

What to see what is showing in your area? Take a look at the theater finder @ Regal Cinemas

We never end up making it…it seems but this year they have some really great movies. I’m sure we’ll get over to the cinema for at least one before the season ends.

If you are in New Hampshire here are the movies/dates…maybe we’ll see you at one.

Hooksett 8
100 TECHNOLOGY DR
Hooksett ,NH 03106
603-626-7177

07/06/2010-07/07/2010 Wallace and Gromit (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)
07/13/2010-07/14/2010 Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG)
Imagine That (PG)
07/20/2010-07/21/2010 Polar Express (G)
Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)
07/27/2010-07/28/2010 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)
Daddy Day Care (PG)
08/03/2010-08/04/2010 Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G)
Surf’s Up (PG)
08/10/2010-08/11/2010 March Of The Penguins (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
08/17/2010-08/18/2010 Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Open Season (PG)

FOX RUN STADIUM 15
45 Gosling Road
Newington ,NH 03801-2802
603-431-6116

07/06/2010-07/07/2010 Wallace and Gromit (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)
07/13/2010-07/14/2010 Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG)
Imagine That (PG)
07/20/2010-07/21/2010 Polar Express (G)
Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)
07/27/2010-07/28/2010 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)
Daddy Day Care (PG)
08/03/2010-08/04/2010 Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G)
Surf’s Up (PG)
08/10/2010-08/11/2010 March Of The Penguins (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
08/17/2010-08/18/2010 Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G)
Open Season (PG)
08/24/2010-08/25/2010 Tale of Despereaux (G)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG)

Peace,
Kelly

Every time I sit down to write about peace and the wars, I get overwhelmed. Terribly overwhelmed.

There is much to write about yet I don’t want to hurt or offend anyone, especially, not any of our men and women overseas or their families wishing for their safety back here at home.

I want to write about it. I want to communicate about it. Despite my desire to do so mostly I’m not able to. I’ll end up posting links to articles and/or an occasional short thought/observational but nothing substantial.

I’m going to try today. Hopefully, I can do it in a way that shares my perspective without causing anyone pain.

PLEASE if this entry moves you in any way post a response. I want to hear what YOU think. I mean that genuinely, whether you agree with me or not. I’m nobody special, nobody uniquely important…I’m just a mother, a wife, a daughter, a woman…with some thoughts…some questions…some dreams…not to unlike you. Your thoughts are just as valid as mine.

Here political cartoon is from two years ago:

It was emailed to me through a Ron Paul group during the primary season in 2007/08. I remember hoping it didn’t represent a reality. Surely, the artist was exaggerating…Obama, Clinton and the rest of the Dems coulndn’t possibly be pro-war? Can/could anyone be pro-war really? I thought. Obviously, the answer is yes. Sadly.

I checked out Obama’s voting record. I listened to Edwards talk. I had heard enough from Hilary (since high school) to know she and McCain were so close on the political spectrum they might actually be the same person but I read what she had to say anyway.

I never had intension of voting for Obama. 2008 was the year I stopped voting for the lesser of two evils and started voting only for candidates that support peace and freedom. But even though I was never an Obama supporter I didn’t dislike him. I didn’t think he was a *liar* either but I did question him to some degree.

I remember when he was elected my kids asked me. Do you think he’ll bring the troops home like he said?

I replied, I think he’ll probably bring some home pretty quickly. They’ll make a big show of it then the rest will stay put or move over to Afghanistan.

I never anticipated we’d be digging ourselves in deeper and deeper into war. I never thought Obama would be *this* pro-war. I really didn’t. Call me crazy, I just didn’t. I thought negative Obama administration consequences would be more about social programs, added regulation of businesses and a monstrous healthcare plan, NOT an increased negative presence around the world.

Clearly I was misguided and/or too trusting.

Barrack Obama is young, handsome, intelligent and an extremely well-spoken orator. It’s really no wonder he was so convincing (even a little bit to me)….considering what we had before.

When he made this statement…did YOU believe him?

And what do you think now? Do you think he’s trying?

I know I don’t think so. I think, sadly, he’s all for the perpetual war. It doesn’t matter if we are fighting Oceania, Eurasia or Eastasia…

I recently read the Rolling Stone article, The Runaway General. It’s worth reading. The article painted a fascinating, albeit disturbing, picture of our mission (and mismanagement) in Afghanistan. And despite my disagreement with some of the author, Michael Hastings’, conclusions I found it on the whole to be remarkably informative. Leaving me feeling woefully less-informed than I’m comfortable with.

From the start, McChrystal was determined to place his personal stamp on Afghanistan, to use it as a laboratory for a controversial military strategy known as counterinsurgency. COIN as the theory is known.

COIN calls for sending huge numbers of ground troops not only to destroy the enemy, but to live among the civilian population and slowly rebuild, or build from scratch , another nation’s government - a process that even it’s staunchest advocates admit requires years, if not decades, to achieve.

I thought our troops were overseas to protect our freedom? I care deeply about our troops. I understand and appreciate how many men and women enlist hoping to help their fellow citizens. I see them risking their lives and it breaks my heart. I wish every one of them was safe with their families here at home.

Afghanistan has surpassed Vietnam as the longest war. I have two teen boys. One will be 16 by the end of this year. What happens if this war continues and we run out of young men and women to fight in it. Should I worry about my boys being drafted?

Even if I needn’t fear a draft. My sons are young and the military promises to make men out of boys. Might they listen? Who knows.

Here are some more tidbits from the Rolling Stone article…

Obama has quietly begun to back away from the deadline he set for withdrawing U.S. troops in July of next year. The president finds himself stuck in something even mroe insane than a quagmire: a quagmire he knowingly walked into, even though it’s precisely the knid of gigantic, mind-numbing, multi-generational nation-building project he explicitly said he didn’t want.

You think? And just in case you didn’t realize *who exactly* this General that Obama hired to be commander of the US & NATO troops…

When Donald Rumsfeld made his infamous “stuff happens” remark during the looting of Baghdad, McChrystal backed him up. A few days later, he echoed the president’s Mission Accomplished gaffe by insisting that major combat operations in Iraq were over.

After Cpl. Pat Tillman, the former-NFL-star-turned-Ranger, was accidentally killed by his own troops in Afghanistan in April 2004, McChrystal took an active role in creating the impression that Tillman had died at the hands of Taliban fighters. He signed off on a falsified recommendation for a Silver Star that suggested Tillman had been killed by enemy fire.

I often find myself questioning everything.

I am heartbroken, frustrated and deeply saddened by the escalation of violence and increasing meddling on foreign lands.

Please can we consider coming home?

And one last thing to read and think about from Orwell’s 1984. It’s shockingly relevant.

‘We didn’t ought to ‘ave trusted ‘em. I said so, Ma, didn’t I? That’s what comes of trusting ‘em. I said so all along. We didn’t ought to ‘ave trusted the buggers.’

But which buggers they didn’t ought to have trusted Winston could not now remember.

Since about that time, war had been literally continuous, though strictly speaking it had not always been the same war. For several months during his childhood there had been confused street fighting in London itself, some of which he remembered vividly. But to trace out the history of the whole period, to say who was fighting whom at any given moment, would have been utterly impossible, since no written record, and no spoken word, ever made mention of any other alignment than the existing one. At this moment, for example, in 1984 (if it was 1984), Oceania was at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia. In no public or private utterance was it ever admitted that the three powers had at any time been grouped along different lines. Actually, as Winston well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia. But that was merely a piece of furtive knowledge which he happened to possess because his memory was not satisfactorily under control. Officially the change of partners had never happened. Oceania was at war with Eurasia: therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia. The enemy of the moment always represented absolute evil, and it followed that any past or future agreement with him was impossible.

The frightening thing, he reflected for the ten thousandth time as he forced his shoulders painfully backward (with hands on hips, they were gyrating their bodies from the waist, an exercise that was supposed to be good for the back muscles)–the frightening thing was that it might all be true. If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, IT NEVER HAPPENED–that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death?

The Party said that Oceania had never been in alliance with Eurasia. He, Winston Smith, knew that Oceania had been in alliance with Eurasia as short a time as four years ago. But where did that knowledge exist? Only in his own consciousness, which in any case must soon be annihilated. And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed–if all records told the same tale–then the lie passed into history and became truth. ‘Who controls the past,’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.’ And yet the past, though of its nature alterable, never had been altered. Whatever was true now was true from everlasting to everlasting. It was quite simple. All that was needed was an unending series of victories over your own memory. ‘Reality control’, they called it: in Newspeak, ‘doublethink’.

I have so much more to say…but that’s the start. I want to stop being afraid to
speak for peace. Thank-you so much for taking the time to read my thoughts.

Peace,
Kelly Halldorson

Yesterday, I got an email. It was an advertisement for a summer hockey program. Wolfgang hasn’t played hockey in two years now. I ignored it. There was no need to *unsubscribe* really…it was just one email. I can ignore that.

About a half an hour later I received a reply message from one of the other recipients of the bulk email requesting to be taken off the list. I realized right then the original email was from a bulk server that wasn’t set to discriminate who the email was sent from. In other words any time someone sends an email *to* this the reply address it’s sends a copy to everyone on the list.

For those of you who don’t understand how list-servers work it’s simple. You have a list of *subscribers* and then there is an email address assigned to that list, think YahooGroups. So if you want to send an email/newsletter/ad whatever to the entire list you just have to send it to the assigned email address. Now the thing is usually those lists are set up so you can only send FROM certain addresses. In the case of YahooGroups you can generally only send from an address that is ON the list.

When it comes to marketing lists or SPAM lists, generally you can only send from one or two addresses. Reason being if one of the recipients replies to the bulk email requesting to be removed or with a question it won’t go to the WHOLE list. Clearly this email list was NOT set up properly.

Over the next few hours I got up thirty emails requesting to be deleted from the list. Each email getting just a little bit angrier. People not taking the time to actually look at the original email or even think to try and make sense of any of it.

Here are some of the replies…

I fear the worst - it has taken on a life of its own - it is beginning to spontaneously reproduce! We are all doomed!!!

I do not know how apex got my email address. I have unsuscribed with them. Hopefully that will end this craziness.

Please remove me from any further Apex hockey emails.

Here are a couple of funny ones…

STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!!REMOVE MY NAME BEFORE LEGAL ACTION IS THE ONLY OPTION.

Legal Action? Against who…the other people that didn’t pay attention? Should we all take legal action against you for sending that?

These replies are being sent to everyone on the list, regardless of whether “reply all” is selected. Please stop sending any > response to> this e-mail blast.

Somebody actually got it!? Not just one person…as the day went on a few other people started to pay a little bit of attention. One person even wrote this smart thoughtful email:

Everyone. If you go to the original msg and follow the instructions to click unsubscribe instead of just hitting reply it will make everyones life easier.

The original message came from a listserv. The chances that the guy who actually sent this has seen any of these msgs is pretty slim.

Please just do that. I will email the contact listed on the original email to let him know not to send email blasts that way.

Jason

> ——Original Message——
> From: Lakers Registrar
> Sender: steveatchue@—-
> To: mhg-general@eblast——-
> Subject: What is this an open hole for spammers ??
> Sent: Jun 28, 2010 6:41 PM
>

I had considered sending the same type of email early on but I had the feeling it would just confuse the already oblivious masses. Not to mention it would just add yet another email to the hundreds we were all now receiving. Instead I sent this email to Jason (the subject line was how to stop this):

…but it’s much more amusing this way… isn’t it? 50 people emailing an
entire list not realizing that what they are doing is exactly what they want
to stop. I doubt many of them are going to read your very good advice. I
considered explaining it myself…but figured I would just be fueling it too
and chose, instead, to wait it out.

Peace,
Kelly

His response to me came after about a dozen more *remove me* emails and a couple copies of his email forwarded by someone else to the list AGAIN.

Good call kelly. People now emailing me asking to send them the link

Grrr

I guess so! It’s now morning and I am still getting emails from this list. Not nearly as many and I suspect by tomorrow the will be either stopped or everyone will realize to just ignore it…and let it run it’s course.

I just think the whole thing is amusing. Annoying, certainly, but amusing none-the-less. It goes to show how little people (even smart people - and there were lawyers, IT peeps and the like on the list) observe what is going on in the world. How most people are reactionary and don’t take even the smallest amount of time to take in what is really happening around them.

I now have in my email box individual’s names, phone numbers, email addresses, office numbers, and much more information I wouldn’t have otherwise gotten had they just given things a little thought. There is no way to know how many people are on that list. I’m guessing at least in the 1,000’s. And all these people that were so concerned with getting off this list…potentially opened themselves up to much more spam.

Slow down, breathe and open your eyes. It’s just an email.

Peace,
Kelly

Today while Jeff was remodeling a friend’s bathroom Zoe and I were at the table in the kitchen on the computers. She was sitting right next to me. She asked for some headphones and not long after I handed them to her she started uttering little phrases in German. I think I’ve wrote about Zoe’s interest in language before. She really loves to research, read about, translate etc other languages.

German was her pick of the day. She sat at that computer and practiced German using Google translate. You know it actually gives you the pronunciation?! What she did was type in English phrases and then read and practice saying the words aloud. She got a kick out of this one…

When I took her picture she said “I know your taking my picture” in German. She did a great job. She loved it and she had fun! It didn’t stop there though…the conversation continued through the rest of the day and it tied into other languages, history, government and art. Marvelous connections and conversation.

It was another one of those wow unschooling really works moments.

It’s an incredible life. Thanks so much for allowing me to share it with you.

Peace,
Kelly

Alright maybe it’s not anything new. Unschoolers and homeschoolers alike seem to be big into entrepreneurship…it’s not really *new* to our kids either but it’s always pretty cool.

The latest thing in the Halldorson household are these swords. One day at homeschool group Jeff noticed a few kids playing with nerf swords. He checked them out and decided he could do a much better job and for less money! The moms expressed interest and he made a prototype. I took a picture and posted it on facebook. The orders started pouring in. Jeff made the first order with the kids and now they plan on making them all.

Today at group Griffin showed off some of the swords they had made and jotted down designs and logged orders.

I’m hoping to put together a short how-to video for folks that would like to try making their own swords. If you are one of those folks, let me know and I’ll let you know when I post the video.

If you are interested in ordering your own custom halldorson sword…drop us an email at skeletons@halldorson.com OR message us on facebook and we’ll pass your order on to the kids.

Peace,
Kelly

These three photos are all taken with the same camera, at the same location, same time of day and same camera settings.

I used a Canon SD960 IS. It’s a low cost fantastic little camera that also shoots HD video!

They are all taken straight from the camera. No extra work was done to them on the computer. They are in the raw.

Why are they different?

It’s pretty simple and it’s a neat little trick I use, often, to get the light just how I want it. When using a non-SLR camera manual features are limited but if you work/play at it you can find little tricks like this one to get the camera to do things you otherwise wouldn’t be able to without the manual capabilities.

Here’s what I do. In the first picture I focused straight at the house. When I saw focused I mean I pointed the camera with that area in somewhat the center and then pressed the button down slightly. You can ear and see the camera focus on the area and then stop. I took the shot. It was way too dark for my liking.

For the second shot (standing in the same place) I pointed the camera down and focused on the grass just below the house. I could see the colors brighten up on the screen. When I had the color where I thought I wanted it I moved the camera back up then took the shot. The sky turned out washed out. I really wanted to get the clouds. They were a stunningly colorful sight.

I tried again. Jeff and the kids were waiting in the car so I just took these three in a matter of probably two minutes. If I didn’t have a car full of hot sweaty family members I may have spent a few more minutes playing with the shot. This last time I focused on the sky at the very top of the area I was shooting then lowered the camera down quickly and for the shot. I got it, almost. It’s not exactly what I *saw* but it’s damn close. A little touch up in Paint Shop Pro and it will be perfect, by my standards anyway.

Here is my finished image.

I say *saw* because really I “saw” all these shots. Think about when you walk out into the bright daylight after being in a dark house. Think about all the different things you see lighting and color-wise as your eyes adjust. A lot eh? Thats what I try to capture…the one (or two or three) versions of the landscapes, bugs, flowers, color, lighting, etc I *see* whether or not my eyes are adjusting.

Peace,

Kelly