- Joined
- Aug 6, 2013
- Messages
- 288
This picture needs some introduction.
Because of the nature of my work, I can be more flexible in timing than most are able. My oldest daughter is in 2nd grade and we are homeschooling her this year because of some problems at the local public school. The Frau is fantastic at this, but she and my oldest are two peas in a pod, and...well... they both can push each other's buttons. Today I get a note from the Frau who sounds like she is at her wit's end. After checking my calendar and checking out with my secretary, I grab a few things and head home to see what I can do. They have been studying history (the Assyrian Empire this week), and my daughter has effectively ceased to read. The daughter is in bed in time out.
Knowing my daughter, I poke my head in her room and toss a book on her bed. "What's this?" she asks. I don't answer. You see, I happen to have a masters degree in Semitic Philology from one of the top universities in the field. I spent six quarters studying the Akkadian language family (which includes Assyrian). What I tossed her was a "sign list" (sort of like an alphabet/dictionary hybrid). After she got out of time out, we read her chapter and then wrote Akkadian words and phrases using play-doh and a couple makeshift styluses I quickly produced using my Bushboot. The line on the play-doh in the picture is a common one from the Prism of Sennacherib, which records many battles of that Assyrian king. It says "I surrounded. I conquered. I plundered their plunder."
She had a ball.
I don't always feel like I'm doing a good job as a parent, but today I did good. As a dad and a husband. And I got to use a Fiddleback. What more is there?
Thanks for listening,
Michael
Not only a great story, but thank goodness you are taking the time to teach your daughter things other than the garbage they teach in school these days. I feel like we are heading for another dark ages (or the movie Idiocracy) and people like your daughter just might stand out among the throngs who were taught to regurgitate the same standardized drivel. OK, off my soapbox now. Nice picture of a nice knife.
