The Eagles: Assisted Living Tour

I've kinda crapped out on the blog the last week or so - posting articles and whatnot instead of actual posts. Things I wanted to share, when I didn't really have time to write. I've never really done that before, and I'm not sure I like it. Although, I gotta say, it was easier than actually writing a post.

I've had all these things I've wanted to blog about, but now that I actually have time to do so, I've forgotten most of them. Maybe I'll remember as I continue.

The one thing I do remember I wanted to write about is last Wednesday. MM and I went to see The Eagles. I can't stop ranting and raving about how absolutely amazing it was. The Eagles have been the soundtrack to much of my life, the first music I can really remember listening to. Them and Jimmy Buffet.

I can't even describe how I felt listening to them. I actually cried during I Can't Tell You Why. Because I'm such a sap. It reminds me of my husband - "Nothing's wrong as far as I can see/We make things harder than it has to be" and "Every time I try to walk away/Something makes me turn around and stay" - and there they were. Real, live tears. Through the whole song. I swear, ever since I had BW EVERYTHING makes me cry. Sheesh. Anyway, our marriage has had so many of its ups and downs through the years, and it's a song I can really relate to. Thinking about walking away, but, being unable, unwilling to do it.



Anyway, no opening act, just three hours of them playing. A few of their individual solo hits, a smattering of the new stuff, most of the major classics, and they were INCREDIBLE. For so many of the songs, I just leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and let the music engulf me. It was magical. Yes, I'm a dork. Music does that to me, though. Especially music that has been such a big part of my entire life.

Anyway, on to other subjects.

The big upset in the home schooling 'sphere is the whole GMA unschooling thing. Ugh. On one hand, it pisses me off. Yep, being with your kids all day long, creating an open environment for them, providing them with inspiration, support, freedom to follow their passions is lazy parenting. While shipping them off to school and not being involved in their education at all isn't?

On the other hand, it's the media. They presented the story they wanted to present, they chose the parts they wanted to to support the story they were writing. It was one sided. We all know that, right?

Now don't get me wrong: there are lots and lots of brick and mortar school parents who bend over backwards to be involved in any way they can with the schools and their kids. And then there are others who don't. Others who ship the kids off to school and that's the end of their involvement. Who are so happy to have a little peace and quiet. A free babysitter.

My feelings are that no one solution is right for everyone. Some kids do great in b and m schools. Some families don't have any other options. Some kids that are home schooled would probably be better off being educated by someone other than their parents. But the nice thing about the country that we live in is that there are options. We, as parents, should always strive to do the best we can for our children. And if we feel that option is home schooling or sending our kids off to school, then we should do what we feel is best. And be an active participant in which ever choice we make.

I don't understand why this is such a dividing issue. Just because someone chooses to do something different from what you do doesn't make it wrong. Just like religion, folks. Believe what you believe, accept that others are trying to do the best they can for themselves and their families. Good fucking god, people. Why the controversy?

Personally, I plan on home schooling BW again next year. He wants it, I want to do it, and I think I can do a better job for him at home. I'm also voting to raise taxes for education. Because the schools need it. And better schools lead to better communities, and better communities lead to better cities and states and nations and so on. This doesn't have to be such a divisive issue.