OK, one more

I promise, no more video links for a while. After this one. The Red State Update guys do a great job of celebrating and parodying Redneck culture. You never quite know if they're making fun of Bubbas, or everyone else. Probably both.

Language Warning: PG-13

Even Wierder

Virtuoso Wierdness

OK, so it's kind of a strange thing that these folks are doing. But they do it so well.

Unburied Treasure

We've gone looking for these things before, but never found any. Today, Adrianna stumbles across one in the grass behind the Art Institute, of all places.

They're called Morels and they are highly prized in this part of the country. I guess we can take the scientific name, M. deliciosa, as a hint as to what their essential property is.

Adrianna, by the way, has a knack for spotting things that she didn't necessarily know she was looking for. If a group of people are walking through the forest, she's always the first one to say, "Hey! Look! It's a Hyena!" or whatever the creature was that was trying to sneak past or sneak up without anyone noticing. She is also the only one who can find lost things. We believe these talents arise from an anatomic structure located in the uterus, because it doesn't work when she's pregnant. More about the Uterine Thing Finder later.

Walking the Walk

On the Homestead, we try to be choosy about the media in our lives. One program we feel has been both entertaining and inspirational is New Life Live. (Click here for webcast and audio archives)

New Life is a radio/webcast program on the pattern of Dear Abby, Ann Landers, etc. People call in with the kinds of problems that people have in their lives, asking for advice. What makes this program different is the folks doing the listening, asking the questions, and offering the advice: a rotating team of mental health professionals who practice from an explicitly Christian perspective.

The world suffers no shortage of spiritual lessons, nor people eager to share theirs. Most of the major religions and philosophies generally agree on most of them. The difficulty lies in operationalizing spiritual principles - putting them into practical use in our daily lives. This is where the New Life team so excels.

When we listen to the show, we rarely hear callers calling in with the same kinds of problems that we are wrangling with. But we still learn from New Life's thoughtful way of approaching problems and thinking about solutions. One thing that's particularly helpful is when they help callers role-play interactions with other people. They have a great way of fostering connection, while still addressing the problems or issues that need to be addressed.

Listening to this program has changed the way we approach each other and work together on problems.

I would especially commend this program to anyone who can't see the positive, healing, loving side of Christianity. If you think all Christianity is rigid, judgemental, guilty, shameful, or oppressive, this program might show you a glimpse of the positive, loving, redeeming kind of Christianity to which we on the Homestead aspire.

Give it a listen!

Boring analysis of the ammo shortage

Tam offers an explanation of the ammo shortage that does not involve government conspiracies, black helicopters, malfeasance by manufacturers, or flying saucers.

How boring.

Early Spring on the Homestead

Spring is at least trying to spring. By which I mean, we haven't had any snow for over a week.


Adrianna's seed starts are coming along nicely. For whatever reason, we only ever get a small percentage of our beans to sprout. The basil, onions, and Romas seem to be doing fine.

Byron has a connoisseur's appreciation for mud puddles.

Jane in her first Easter dress, looking a bit dubious. It's her default facial expression.