AF: Goodman Precis

I really had to wrestle with this one.  Did you have trouble?

In her 1983 Boston Globe column entitled “The Family That Stretches (Together)”, journalist Ellen Goodman suggests that the language we have to describe the modern family and its consequent ties has not evolved nearly as much or as quickly as the blended family itself.  Goodman’s light, humorous tone, along with her use of anecdotes, informal testimony, and a light sprinkling of marriage statistics create a resonant and convincing argument.  Goodman points out the inadequacies of our language to describe families that extend beyond the biological connection in order to affirm the strength and flexibility of the evolving American family that may include stepparents, half siblings, siblings of ex-spouses, and the children of a stepmother’s half-sister.  Written for an audience more than 30-years ago but still relevant today, Goodman establishes a close and relaxed relationship with her readers -- many of whom live with familial puzzles themselves and struggle to find adequate language to describe and honor those bonds.

Pretzel Balls

Mayfair Reads needs volunteers to help us make pretzel balls for clubs day! If you can help, please comment and tell us! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! HAPPY FRIDAY!!! :) :) :)

WE MISS YOU!

I know it's only been like 10 hours, but we really do. We hope you get better soon and that everything's all right. Whatever the problem is, stay strong Fletch. <3 <3

The Reviving Ophelia excerpt

in case you need to look at the text while you finish up sentence 3 & 4.

Check back later.  I may try writing this precis again...if I enough have time and energy after dinner and the evening chores.

Oh, PS.  Despite many tries, the document always appears on screen upside down.  I've flipped it and saved it, believe me, but when it goes through the importing/exporting process, it turns itself upside down.  If it's upside down to begin with, it STAYS upside down.  Very weird.  Beginning to consider supernatural explanations.  So print it, or stand on your head.  I'm taking Hank for a walk.

How to write rhetorical precis: paperslide video

#weaselpecker

I love it when the news cooperates with what I'm doing in class.

This is a weasel that has jumped on the back of a woodpecker.  Its intentions are not friendly.  If you are on Twitter, the hashtag Weaselpecker will bring up all kinds of memes.  There's one of a shirtless Vladamir Putin riding the back of the weasel, both clinging to the back of this distressed woodpecker.

By the way, if you've fallen in love with Annie Dillard, you could read her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek for your nonfiction book review.

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