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May 20, 2007
True Facts About the Current State of the Homeschooling Book
#1 - Tammy printed out most of what I consider done with the book (although I have since added a few things to what I had previously considered done and have finished yet another chapter), and if you were to bind the finished manuscript pages together and throw them at someone, I believe it would inflict pain. This seems to me a good sign.
#2 - Likewise, if you stand on a chair and drop the manuscript on a wood floor, it makes a very satisfying thump. (Serious bonus points to anyone who gets my reference, although I expect no one will. Sigh.)
#3 - I still haven't successfully committed my book's title to memory, so when people ask me about it, I get all, "Ummmm... it's like Libraries and Homeschoolers or Serving Homeschoolers in Libraries or I don't know. It's got the word 'homeschooling' and the word 'library,' I think." It's kind of embarrassing, yet every time I ask my brain to retain this bit of information, it slips away again.
#4 - I've been doing very little that isn't directly related to writing my book this past week, although I did go to Sierra and Paige's dance recital in the good old Kendall High School auditorium last night. I would like to report further on the recital as it was even more awesome than in past years, which is hard to believe since this event is, normally, quite awesome. (HINT: Ron sang loudly in public. HINT: Lynn danced ON STAGE. HINT: Paige screamed, "NO!" very loudly in public ON STAGE.)
Now I must go read more stuff about homeschooling because, goodness knows, I just haven't read enough.
Posted by adrienne at May 20, 2007 03:02 PM
Comments
This make me feel better about my complete inability to memorize my cell phone number, or my husband's.
Posted by: web at May 20, 2007 04:08 PM
I likewise cannot memorize my own cell phone number or, I'm afraid, anyone else's besides my friend Tracy's, and I've only memorized hers because it consists of three numbers. This isn't her number, but the pattern is: 122-3333. Literally, that easy.
It takes a lot of repetition for me to memorize numbers. My late husband decided once that it was important for me to know my license plate number, so he started quizzing me about it. It took about four months for me to successfully answer one of his pop quizzes with any kind of regularity. I had to get new license plates after he died, and I haven't been able to memorize the new number, which is all sort of ironic.
What is even more ironic -- or maybe just telling of my personality -- is that I can fairly easily recount things like song lyrics, poetry, lines from films, and what I ate at almost every event I've attended ever.
Posted by: adrienne at May 20, 2007 05:14 PM
Memory generally links to things you like or your strengths so it makes total sense that you do not remember your license plate number but you do remember meals and words. I do not remember my license plate number anymore. I do remember dates and events and I can usually place events in order pretty well.
I think you do not remember the title because they changed it so you're being passive aggressive about it, your little way to ignore the authority they have by ignoring the new book title.
Posted by: tonderdo at May 20, 2007 09:54 PM
I think you meant to write, "your charming way to ignore the authority they have."
Posted by: adrienne at May 20, 2007 10:04 PM
As a homeschool mom AND a children's librarian - I am VERY curious about your book - you will let us know when it's available, right!?!? Sounds WONDERFUL as homeschool moms are always asking me how come our library serves homeschoolers so heavily - my answer?? I have a good idea what homeschool moms want!!!
Posted by: BeckyB at May 20, 2007 11:06 PM
Hi, Becky -- great to hear from you! I love seeing crossover in the homeschooling and library worlds, and I love hearing that more libraries are out there offering targeted services. :) I'm sure I'll be shouting from rooftops when the book is finally published. It's for ALA Editions and is in two parts. The first half focuses on philosophies and trends in homeschooling, my attempt to show that homeschoolers share some characteristics but are, in reality, a really diverse group. The second half of the book shows how to build programs and services for homeschoolers. I've been working on the book for well over a year, and I'm really excited about it. I'll be submitting the manuscript to my editor in about two weeks, but then we'll begin the process of editing and proofreading and that kind of thing. I'm trying to produce something that is informative, interesting, and useful. We'll see how I do when the reviews come out, I guess.... :)
Posted by: adrienne at May 21, 2007 07:32 AM
The comment may say "passive aggressive" but you were suppose to read "brilliantly independent iconoclast." You are "charming" much in the same way I am "delightfully irreverent."
Posted by: tonderdo at May 22, 2007 09:20 PM