Word For The Day, Monday, August 11, 2003

The Verbivores | 8/11/03 | Teacher

[RikaStrom]

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “word for the day”. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the “word of the day”; in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. Practice makes perfect.....post on....

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surmise \sur*myze\, verb, transitive/intransitive; noun
surmising, surmised, surmises

1. To infer (something) without sufficiently conclusive evidence
2. To make a guess or conjecture
3. Reflection; thought. [Obs.]
4. An idea or opinion based on insufficiently conclusive evidence; a conjecture.

It wafted nearer yet, and then she knew That what before she but surmised, was true. --Dryden.

Etymology: [Middle English surmisen, to accuse, from Old French surmise, feminine past participle of surmettre : sur-, sur- + mettre, to put (from Latin mittere).]

[Argh]

I can't imagine why I surmise Miss Whyisa would be interested in this article.

[xsmommy]

the key is definitely to help them learn to put themselves back to sleep. i would disagree with rocking them and nursing them during nighttime wakings, because that is then what they become dependent on. they need to learn to rely on themselves to fall back asleep, not a boob, or an audiotape playing music, a la xsteen when she was a toddler.

[Gabz]

I don't like the WOD stuff either, but I never hesitated to call the cops.

Fortunately, I now live in an area where I don't have to worry about it. I'm not naive enough to think it's not around, but I don't have to worry about it happening in front of my door.

The loaded weapon I keep on hand now is for dealing with the possibility of a snake, as opposed to dealing with a dealer.

[Conspiracy Guy]

OK maybe a car will hit them and keep them from killing all the female Bluebirds in my nest boxes.

[Laura Earl]

OK maybe a car will hit them and keep them from killing all the female Bluebirds in my nest boxes.

That's OUR nest boxes, big boy!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I am not claiming possession just stating the loose cats are a problem.

[camle]

you are just a fountain of good thoughts today, eh?

[Laura Earl]

Yes, they are. However, camle has lost a beloved cat today, so in honor of him, I am taking the day off from dissing cats. That is until I get home, and find KC has done something stupid and nasty.

[secret garden]

This site sums up the method. I have a few other references if you're interested. Back to your earlier comment, there was probably no way the baby's grandma could do this job. One, the baby's not in their own home and forging his/her own routine with familiar surroundings and two, grandmas generally do not like to be disciplinarians. They already had that job and would much prefer to be the spoilers now.

[camle]

thank you, LE, for the kindness. The Pussy Cat was part of the family long before it were a family, and has always been around, in the background, etc.. Her death was not unexpected as she was becomming elligible to vote thie summer, and her health was declining. I have far too many cats to deal with, and knew for a long time that she would be the first to go.

that said, I am going to miss how she would ju,mp up on my lap and lay her head on my arm and purr...

[Laura Earl]

Bless you. As bad as I talk about KC, it will be a sad day when he passes away.

[Texan5]

Some cottage schools have started up in the city, too, but it appears to be primarily a suburban/rural thing. All of the several cottage schools in this area are owned and operated by certified teachers. Since they are really a cross between homeschooling and a very small private school, that may be a requirement. Some of them were started by the teachers when they decided they wanted to homeschool their kids rather than send them to/teach public school. However, they still needed an income, so they hit on the idea of homeschooling their own and someone else's kids for money. Two of these schools are operated by teachers who got disgusted with the system and retired, but still needed an income and loved to teach. Classes are limited to maybe 12 kids at the most, including the teacher's children. My neighbor says it is great-there are field trips, where the teacher piles all the kids into her Suburban and takes them to one of the many natural areas nearby, to a bank or other business, stock auction, etc to observe how business is conducted. Then it is discussed on the way back, and they write short essay on what they have learned on that particular trip. The local businesses are very cooperative and enjoy having the kids there. Since there is no PC crap, they say grace before lunch, and are taught according to Christian values. There is no "sex education", either. That is strictly left up to parents.

[camle]

sounds kinda like a crackpot operation. if you want to spend hours telling stories, etc. to the kid before bedtime, then go right ahead. it took me two days to teach the tyke thet bedtime was bedtime. Her mother's method of pacification sounds a lot like this method. The kid is in control and it doesn't work.

[camle]

well, I gots three more to go before I can even THINK about getting a good looking one.

[Laura Earl]

I've got two cats, and of course my dear LulaBelle.

[secret garden]

The key is setting up a routine and keeping it so the kids know what is expected of them. If you'd had a screamer, you'd have tried all kinds of methods. A 10-15 minute story once they're dressed and ready for bed helps calm them down and provide one-on-one attention. Power struggles are not pretty and guess who usually wins them?

[xsmommy]

i think it sounds great! a big problem, in my mind, with homeschooling, is ensuring that illiterates are not teaching their children. i am NOT saying that you need fed involvement, by any stretch, but it is a concern when you imagine some toothless type that never finished school themselves, is home teaching the kids. now i might be better educated than any of my kids teachers, but that doesn't mean i am the one to teach them either! you need to have patience and knowledge both, IMO>

[camle]

four left: Boring, Fat & Gray (bet you know what this oen looks like), Alpo, big white warrior cat - has the neighborhood dogs terrified, and the two brothers, Lo Mein and Chop Suey. They hunt in unision. Both have white feet, but Lo Mein is grey tabby whilst Chow Suey is black.

Alpo, of all cats has taken to sitting on my lap for a few minutes lately. Lo Mein is affectionate to a fault (he will wake you up if he wants to be petted), and Chop Suey is affectionate, but needs to be jump--started - ya gotsta pet him a few times before he gets in gear.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Had a male bluebird stand guard for two weeks following the loss os his mate to loose cat in the hood. Two different times this year. Cat hair all over the entry hole and 5 eggs in nest.

[Laura Earl]

Boring, Fat and Grey definitely sounds familiar!