Lesson 485: On a Serious Note

It's seriously summer.

One day hot and beautiful,

Here I caught the first tiger lily in bloom!--

---the next day rainy.

The rains created some serious puddles to jump in,

and some great water flow in the creek

ideal for rubber duck racing.

The boys placed bets on which color would win

like race track junkies.

Things turned serious

when a rubber duckie got stuck in the tube.

I love it when guys stand around and problem solve.

Even the little guys.

Summer is seriously the time for outdoor exercise

exploring nature,

and baseball.

Finding worms to fish

is serious business,

as is catching toads.

Ellen's mark of a serious golfer--

Onto the most serious topic of the week:

It's time for Natalie's wisdom teeth to come out.

4 impacted!

On Wednesday, June 28th, at 6:30 am

we would like all of the Lamp Post Readers

to say a prayer for Natalie--

that her body is strong and goes through her surgery fine,

and heals quickly.

Pastor Keith at South Harborcreek United Methodist Church

passed this out to the congregation a few years ago

and I keep it in my Bible and read it almost every day.

Our family would very much like to tap into that power next week.

Remember us, please.

And for another very serious story of the week 

and one that made an impact on my heart--

the suicide of a Bedford, PA teen who was a victim of bullying.

If you can read the full obituary with the commentary to the bullies, please do.

It is painful, but important.

Link to Obituary of Sadie L. Riggs CLICK HERE

Review this lesson for the weekend:

Know the difference between rude, mean, and bullying.

Test Next Week!

Pass or Fail.

100% A 

or it's an F.

It's simple.

Learn this and commit it to your memory.

Goodnight, Readers.

Please be kind to all things,

and also be kind enough to remember us on Wednesday morning, June 28th.

ELOISE

Lesson 484: Make Your Bed

Greetings, Readers.

I hope you are having a nice, summer weekend.

Eloise sure is.

I'm collecting money in $5 increments.

This was my Finder's Fee for locating Sam's ball cap.

This applies to everyone in the house--

you lose it,

you want help,

I'm your Finder.

But, there's a fee.

Every year I publish my Summer Rules edition,

with a posted set of family rules unique to the ages and stages of my children.

After 19 years of parenting, 

I'm finally seeing the payoff.

We no longer need posted rules,

taped to the cupboards made sticky from the summer heat.

We've consistently disciplined our children,

teaching them how to care for themselves,

each other, 

and our home.

Discipline is tiring.

It's consistent and relentless.

But the best thing about discipline,

is that it pays off eventually.

Discipline is often confused with punishment,

but they are not interchangeable terms.

I no longer need rules and rewards.

Incentives for good work

have been replaced with general $5 fines

for any infraction I see fit,

including,

but not limited to the following:

eye rolling,

failure to move upon command,

negative attitude,

back-talk,

incessant whining,

and passing gas in closed spaces.

Rewards are always plentiful

and come in many forms--

hugs,

high-fives,

treats,

and sometimes $.

My kids are neat and take care of their things

and I rarely have to get after them to pick up after themselves

or help around the house.

The simple rule around the Lamp Post:

If you see something needs done,

please just do it,

(and don't expect a parade to be held in your honor because of it).

We've whittled down the household chore command to just this:

Make your bed.

It's a pretty easy task for most of us because 

if you know Natalie,

making beds is her very favorite thing to do.

She helped me strip the beds,

wash the sheets,

and remake them this week.

Even the bunk beds!

My gal was in her glory.

I have to admit,

I swiped the idea from Admiral William H. McRaven,

US Navy Retired.

My nephew Jack received this book from my aunt and uncle

as part of his graduation gift.

This book is a must read for anyone.

A small, square paged, quick-read,

is simple enough,

and meaningful enough for anyone--

kid,

adult,

or senior.

There are plenty of advice books out there.

In an over quoted world,

there are a million to choose from,

but this book is unique.

It is practical advice gained through the Admiral's military experience.

For the Beast on the Bay-ers,

pay particular attention to this next one:

It is well worth the $10 investment.

Add Make Your Bed to your summer reading list.

Along with these....

In a recent issue of Time magazine,

Bill Gates recommended these books.

Bill Gates is an avid reader,

and the computer guy readily admits 

to preferring the paper page over a screen.

I don't know much about business,

but I am very curious to read this one.

Jimmy Carter's book will be my first purchase.

Here are four more that look good, too.

After I'm done making the bed--

well, technically,

Louie makes it most days,

I take a few minutes to read before the day goes into full summer mode.

Here's how Eloise has viewed summer through her lens:

In honor of Father's Day,

here is my new favorite song by the Zac Brown Band,

My Old Man.

Give this mellow and heartfelt version of Zac a listen.

Enjoy your weekend,

and don't forget to Make Your Bed.

ELOISE