Magnolia Preparatory Academy

Image credit: Annabelle Kisky

STRIKE OUT: Unfortunately, we didn't participate in any formal events for Global Climate Change Strike day today. 

Instead, we gathered around the computer and talked about the event, starting with its impetus, a Swedish girl named Greta Thunberg. Best to let her tell you about how the movement started. 

Thunberg makes many important points in her TED talk, perhaps none more important than the fact that "the climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change."

Today, students and adult allies took the the streets all around the world, to draw attention to the climate change crisis. 


At home, the kids and I used an online calculator to computer our family's carbon footprint. I'm not sure how accurate or valuable that calculator was, other than it did make us think about our actions and choices and cumulative impact on the environment.

We also took a climate change awareness quiz on a CNN page. To me, the quiz was a more engaging and educational activity. I'd recommend you check it out. It only takes about 5 to 10 minutes. 

So marching raises awareness, as does talking, but as Greta Thunberg would tell you, what we really needs right now and going forward is ACTION. This short video drives that point home. 


I should probably put a plug in for NASA's climate change website here: https://climate.nasa.gov/

FLOORED: Stories from the never-ending process to update the house continue. This week, the kids and I have spent several hours down in the basement. We installed a new plank flooring system in a downstairs bedroom. It's not rocket science, but it does take attention to detail and a little brute force. 

We covered some 1962 (likely asbestos-laden) tiles with a very modern-looking pattern. It features maps and signs from subway systems around the world. 

Yes, I know it's weird, but that's why we like it. :)

While it might seem like having CJ and Annabelle help install flooring is forced labor, I honestly view it as important to their education. Knowing how to fix and build things is so important, IMHO. There's no reason to have to pay someone to do a project like this. It really only required a utility knife, a measuring tape and a hammer. (Yes, we use a jigsaw for some cuts, but could have gotten by with the knife if that was all we had.) 

One thing Annabelle learned during the process is that a ponytail is a good idea. We had to cut her out, so to speak.

We also pulled out dozens of lineal feet of molding, sanded it and painted it. We hope to reinstall that this weekend. I really, REALLY wish that I'd labeled the pieces as we pulled them off. It would have made reinstalling them a snap. Instead, we're going to have to puzzle it back together. That's a mistake I won't make again. Live and learn.

Speaking of learning, when we finished up the floor yesterday, I told the kids, "You guys could totally install a floor like this by yourselves now." And every time they walk past that room, they can look at it and know they had a hand in improving it. Super satisfying!