And now for the "It's-a-nice-place-to-visit-but-I-wouldn't-want-to-live-there" part of our show.

Yea, well, maybe visiting some of these places is only for the more adventurous and stout hearted of our group. These places were abandoned, some of them in a hurry.  Some are so decayed they are dangerous to try to walk into.  I see two lessons when I look at these pictures.   First, look at the beauty and design, there is no excuse for plain or ugly anything.  Second, there is a profound lesson on detachment here.  Things are just things and, as they say, you can't take them with you.  Just follow the link below the photo to the photographer's web site. 

(Notice the 1 of 18 at the top of the picture, that is 1 of 18 groups of pictures,  206 pictures total)

Brillance vs. Warmth - Curriculum Can Only Do So Much

Perhaps not my favorite author, but he makes a great point here.   In your homeschool year do not be just the taskmaster-schoolmarm-authority figure, remember, you are first the Mommy.  The warmth of maternity makes your presence the perfect growing (and learning) medium for your children.