I think that a lack of cultural literacy nearly torpedoed two of my siblings' opportunities. This probably doesn't apply to the OP at ALL, but it's relevant to the discussion more broadly, I think. We were very sheltered (ATI Gothard) and didn't have a TV for most of our childhoods. We weren't exposed to a lot of variety in music. It wasn't all a locked tower and of course there's a lot more to our story. Anyway, two of my siblings were offered boarding-school dual enrollment college opportunities due to giftedness, very hard work, and good test scores at 16. They both went. The first almost failed out the first semester because they spent their time attempting to learn all the music they hadn't heard before and generally learning to fit in instead of studying. They pulled the nose up and the program was a huge asset to their objectives. The second, a decade later, did fail out because they were very overwhelmed and spent their time binge-watching tv. That first sibling will never homeschool. They consider it a disservice because of their isolation. The second is preparing to homeschool. Both are highly successful and have high levels of executive skills at this point, in maturity. Immaturity was a huge factor. But feeling like an outsider didn't help, and I'm trying to prevent that experience for my kids.

I made a list of culturally relevant movies and shows, and have been ticking them off, but I keep adding to the list. It really is impossible to be "literate" now that there's SO much being produced every day. Netflix blew any sort of canon out of the water, I think. I really went into the weeds with my list (Gilligan's Island, Mission Impossible, Star Trek, Jaws, Pinkie and the Brain...). And some things on it are in our family canon (Hogan's Heroes, The Hunt for Red October...). They don't need to watch every episode. It took about 4 episodes of The Jetsons to feel done. It's been fun, mostly.

I'm so sorry. What a sweet, well-loved doggo.

These are pretty horrifying, but maybe you need one of those water bucket traps. I think they work.

Whoa! Scary! I'm so glad everyone is ok. Good to know.

Just finished some vacuuming. I feel that. So satisfying...so gross.

The new crock pot is in service and does not stink. Leaving it in a tied trash bag with half a box of baking soda for a week did the trick! Thanks for the help.

"frosts my muffin" 🤣🤣 I'll be using this phrase from now on!

I think this is unrealistic and oversimplified. (Not you, but the complaint.) It's not that simple to tell exactly what made a sound at the time. If I hear a bang upstairs that sounds like my vacuum cleaner falling over, I can't assume I know what happened until I go up there or at least holler. Much more so under water, even with sophisticated equipment. It's easy to say, oh, yeah, that's exactly what that was, in retrospect. But you wouldn't bet someone's life on that assumption. Should they have stopped looking, even before they found the debris, while the people might have still had air? I think the confusing cross-information is normal for this kind of situation. The ocean is REALLY BIG. We, non-marine-study people, generally underestimate its size and complexity. I don't think it was possible to quit looking until Thursday. I accept that the media coverage was a tad breathless, but that is also normal.

Oh dear. Tuna? Though maybe a kitten wouldn't be old enough to be lured out.

Hugo was just establishing the detailed foundation that Tom Clancy built upon...at length. 😜

I'm so sorry for your loss. And I'm glad you were able to be there for her.

Happy birthday! Many good wishes for a feisty problem solving day tomorrow.

Maybe this? It looks like the text can be omitted if you contact them. General Education Diploma Holder for Students - Golden Engraved Certificate Holders for Diplomas and Appreciation Certificates (11X14, Black) https://a.co/d/9GiBbI4

Yes, the electric base, the piece I'd better not soak. But I'll definitely spray it some. I'm also considering leaving it in a trash bag with some baking soda for a few days.

Oh! Yes. Good idea. Thank you!

I got a crockpot from a lady today via marketplace. On the way home, I realized it smelled like an ash tray! I washed the main unit with water and a little Dawn, and put the crock and lid through the dishwasher. The crock and lid smell fine, but the main unit is still funky. What can I try next?

I started The Well Educated Mind with the novels section, so I think that helped me get started. The short sections about how to read each genre were, and continue to be, very helpful. What to ask myself about what I just read, how to seek background... good stuff. In your shoes, I'd look through that book and see if one of the sections speaks to you. It's arranged by genres, and if you don't find novels appealing, you don't have to start there!

I think this is going to turn out to be a really sad story. I hope they will be ok in the long run. https://apnews.com/article/colombia-plane-crash-jungle-children-survivors-b522276c1af57aa15c836efadc287b46

Right!? Amazing story. I'm so glad they are ok. Kind of makes those boxcar children look lame. 😜

We usually listen to the NPR news podcast, Up First. It's about 13 minutes long, and touches briefly on the main national stories. I don't usually find it sensational, and they tend to report more slowly on the breaking stories, so they tend to be more accurate than some. Not perfect, but decent.

My dad just adores the calculus program he found on wondrium. He's started tutoring struggling high school students now that he's retired, and used it to refresh his knowledge.

Well, I finished the series. I'm deciding to view this show as cathartic experience, I guess. As I told dh while watching it, I got a perm for those people. I'm not ok with that decade of our lives. I tell myself I wasn't seriously abused (some people's experiences were much worse). But I'm not ok.

I did not watch the original Duggar shows. We were in ATIA from my age 11 to about 16. The show concept always squicked me out. I'm on episode 2 and appreciate the background history they're including. I think they're doing a decent job. (And, may I say, I really like the inclusion of Dr du Mez in the first episode. She's a rock star to me.)

My ds11 likes this one. Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys https://a.co/d/9JyfnOw