My Commonplace Book... Poem: "The Spacious Firmament on High" by Joseph Addison

I was reading a book by Grace Livingston Hill and came upon this poem. It was a beautiful poem that has been set to music as an Hymn. The poem was written by Joseph Addison.

The Spacious Firmament on high,
With all the blue Ethereal Sky,
And spangled Heav'ns, a Shining Frame,
Their great Original proclaim:
Th' unwearied Sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's Pow'r display,
And publishes to every Land
The Work of an Almighty Hand.

Soon as the Evening Shades prevail,
The Moon takes up the wondrous Tale,
And nightly to the list'ning Earth
Repeats the Story of her Birth:
Whilst all the Stars that round her burn,
And all the Planets, in their turn,
Confirm the Tidings as they rowl,
And spread the Truth from Pole to Pole.

What though, in solemn Silence, all
Move round the dark terrestrial Ball?
What tho' nor real Voice nor Sound
Amid their radiant Orbs be found?
In Reason's Ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious Voice,
For ever singing, as they shine,
The Hand that made us is Divine.
    ~by Joseph Addison 

I also found it being sung.

My Commonplace Book... Poem: We need to teach!

"We need to teach our daughters
the difference between:
a man that flatters her
and a man that compliments her.
A man that spends money on her
and a man that invests in her.
A man that views her as property
and a man that views her properly.
A man that lusts after her
and a man that loves her.
A man that believes he is God’s gift to women
and a man that remembers a woman was God’s gift to man.
And then we need to teach our sons
to be that kind of man."

Author Unknown

Book Review: A Child's Introduction to Poetry

A Child's Introduction to Poetry: Listen While You Learn about the Magic Words That Have Moved Mountains, Won Battles and Made Us Laugh and Cry by Michael Driscoll

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a nice hardback book with an extremely diverse selection of poetry. Along with the engaging explanations of the different forms of poetry; you will find little biographies of some famous Poets, and an accompanying CD of poetry that is read aloud.

Some forms of poetry you will find include; Nursery Rhymes (Mother Goose, etc...), Nonsense Verses (Jabberwocky fame), The Villanelle (Pronounced "Villain L" Dylan Thomas wrote some), etc... The poets include such well known personalitys as; Homer, William Shakespeare, Hilaire Belloc, Maya Angelou, and much more.

I really learned a lot about Poetry and the mechanics of writing them. My mom writes poetry, so it has always been read in my family. This book adds a depth to my enjoyment of it.

View all my reviews

Homeschool Expo

If anyone is reading my blog and lives in this area:

FREE Admission to the 2012 Chicago & Illinois Homeschool Expo - Ends
1/4/12! May 9-11, 2012 @ the Tinley Park Convention Center. Visit their
Facebook page for instructions on how to receive FREE Admission to the
2012 Chicago & Illinois Homeschool Expo! Please share with any of your
friends that are in the area! Thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoHomeschooExpo

Curriculum Ideas

I don't have any children, but I one day want to adopt or have a child.  In preparation for that day, I look over curriculum and try to decide what I would like to use for my future child or children. :D  I have always had this dream to adopt and to be a stay at home teacher and mother to my children.  Is this a silly dream?  I don't know.  I am 36 years old and do not have even a boyfriend, so I don't think I will be able to have blood related children, but there are so many children in this world that need a mother.  so, one day right?  lol