Culture of Honor

Yesterday in my Social Psych class, we were discussing the Culture of Honor.  Basically, the culture of honor is a pattern of violence that just happens to be centered in the Southern culture.  You can google the term culture of honor if you want more information.  But if you will, just allow me to put my own spin on this term... to me, it is reminiscent of the mama bear protecting her cubs.  Perhaps, in days long gone, we Southerners had to protect what was ours, what we had worked for, and what we died for, or maybe that is just too simplistic...

Is there something intrinsic, something gutteral, something that we're born with that gives us the desire to protect our young with all that we are?  Call to mind a mama bear attacking, growling, clawing, even dying to protect her young from a predator.

Yes, I know, I am taking liberties with the true meaning of the scientist's definition of culture of honor, but I promise, I am winding down to actually having a point for this story ...

A few days ago, I believed one of my children was . . .ahem . . .slighted (to be polite) by someone in an authority position.  This incident was humiliating and degrading and caused him quite a bit of grief.  Remember mama bear?

Now you see where I'm going with my ramblings.  Phone calls were made, more phone calls were made to those in authority positions, meetings were had, and yes more phone calls.  I'm not satisfied.  I'm like a dog with a bone.  I know it's hard to understand without actually knowing what the incident was and for that I apologize, but I don't believe it should be posted here in a public venue.

For me, the culture of honor is a badge that should be worn with honor.  I am mama bear.  I am southern.  I am proud.  I am a member of a community of sorts of like minded individuals who protect what is theirs and that, my friends, is my God given privilege as a Mother.

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What do you think?  What lengths would you, as a parent, go to protect your child?  I try to teach my children to be open minded, to be accepting, to take others feelings into consideration, and all the other things I believe a child should be taught to grow up to be a good, productive citizen.  I have spoken to other parents who have told me those ideals are outdated.  Today's children should be taught to do what it takes to succeed and it doesn't matter who you step on to achieve those goals.  I can't wait to see your thoughts and opinions . . .



And just because I can't actuallly post without a picture

This is the reason I do what I do

Ranger & Maverick

Rainy Sunday

It looked overcast all day and about 4 this afternoon, the bottom fell out.  It lasted about 10 minutes.  But I managed to grab these while it was raining.

Raindrops on dill

A single leaf following the rain drops

Rain drops

Those raindrops made me thing.  I have been so focused on my classes lately - intent on keeping my GPA as high as possible.  I realized, watching those brief moments of rain drops, that I need to direct my focus elsewhere - so I pulled the kids into the bed and snuggled for a few minutes. Of course they were anxious to get back to what they were doing, but we snuggled, tickled, and giggled for a few minutes.

The older I get, the faster time goes by.  It is so important to grab each and every moment possible and soak it in.

Chex mix with bat and pumpkin shaped pretzels - the boys favorite new snack

Sugar cookies with royal icing - lasted long enough to cool on the cooling racks

Mystery cake - this has got to be one of the easiest cakes I've ever made.  Thanks to the fine ladies over at Mennonite girls can cook for this great recipe

Roasted pumpkin seeds - so easy and for some reason the boys say they taste like bacon... Hmmmm I don't get that, but they are delicious!

Around the yard



Can you identify?



Do you know what kind of butterfly this is?

This may be the same bird as picture one

No idea what this guy is either

One is the loneliest number

There's just something about watching a leaf's lackadaisical journey on water

These guys have made themselves scarce since the mockingbird took over

Rosebreasted Grosbeak

"Mom is a cadillac that thing in your eye?"

My adorable, sweet, goofy Maverick asked me this morning if a Cadillac was that thing that happened in your eyes.  Allow me to explain why he would even ask this...

Last week I made the boys a new cd featuring some fun oldies.  The old song "Beep Beep" is their favorite.  The little Nash Rambler was following a Cadillac.

Maverick was wondering if a Cadillac (cataract) was painful...

Click on Nash Rambler above to hear this classic favorite!

Halloweens past

I was talking to a friend of mine from birds and blooms and was reminiscing about the boys adorable Halloween costumes from years past.  I was also lamenting the fact that this is the first year they don't want a "cute" costume.  They want ugly masks and fake blood and plastic, glow-in-the-dark machetes and swords.

Robin and the Banana

Joe's pumpkin

Maverick the Alligator

Ranger the Cow

Ranger the Hippie

Ranger as Thomas the Tank

Maverick the Hippie

Maverick as Henry the train

Reid's Apple Fest

Chainsaw carving

Chainsaw carving fawn

Handcarved ducks

Miniature reindeer

Solar lights atop upside down painted pots

Ranger on the bungee

Ranger and Maverick

Maverick on the giant slide

Ranger holding the cottontail in the 4-H tent

Maverick holding the cottontail

Maverick won this throwing darts

Lord Malcom from the Society for Creative Anachronism

This group put on an amazing show of medieval battles

Maverick on the giant slide again

We had a wonderful time today at Reid's apple fest.  The crowd was amazing, the vendors were incredible, and the food smelled great.  The pork chop sandwich was one I wanted to try, but I didn't want to stand in that long, long, long line.

I can't believe it's the middle of October . . .

I wonder what's in there

My little barn is sinking

Ready to take on the world

Downy woodpecker, I think

I've no idea what this is, but it has the longest tongue it tickles me with when they land on me

Cabbage field in Hico, Tennessee

Ranger smiles

Noisy bluejay

Fallen tree

Knot

What a treat! **Updated**

A few days ago I was hanging clothes on the clothes line when the branches in a nearby tree began to shake and quiver.  I was afraid it was a kitten stuck up high in the branches again.  We had a stray kitten get stuck up there last week.  Then I heard it.  A sound I'd never heard before.  Now my curiosity was piqued.  The branches started shaking again and the largest woodpecker I'd ever seen dropped down to the feeder for half a second then flew away.  My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking, I was so disappointed I didn't have my camera.  After asking a few knowledgable folks and doing a bit of googling, it was a pileated woodpecker.  I'm hoping he comes back.

Later that day, I heard a similar noise.  Thinking it was my new guest I ran to grab my camera.  I was going to be prepared this time!!  This is what I got.

This trickster mocking bird trying to trick me into thinking the woodpecker was back!! 

I've had finches year round.

I went to Lowes and purchased a new feeder and "special" birdseed so I'm hoping the woodpecker comes back.  I would LOVE to get a picture of him.

I'm on fall break from school Monday and Tuesday so I'll be doing a bit of "fall cleaning".  The boys are on fall break from school the whole week.  Ranger is so mad...

He has to get his middle school shots on Tuesday.  He is not a happy camper.

Then they'll spend the rest of the week with nanny and papa!!  They are so excited!

Papa and Maverick

Nanny, Barron, Ranger, and Maverick

Nanny and Ranger

Papa and Ranger

Silly papa

Sweet Nanny

***UPDATE***

I snagged these this afternoon. 

Still wondering what kind've tree this is

Robin

Mockingbird

Chickadee

Chickadee

Maverick

Ranger loves rearranging the letters on the garage!