*my current theme, watermarks and all, was created in about 15 minutes this morning.

Anything else? Well, since I’m asking. I also want a portable Tom-Tom or Garmin so that I can start geocaching with the kids. Anyone geocache? I’m open for advice on how to get started. Share and share alike!

Have a great weekend. It is absolutely beautiful here and I plan on enjoying it. Maybe, and that is a big maybe, I will do a little Christmas shopping…but I do have to come up with bday gift for Jem. Hmmm….

Spent this afternoon meeting my new optometrist. Celebration here, I have finally hit a plateau with my vision!!! After years of degeneration I have experienced a slight improvement. I look forward to the visit when there is no change and I can seek a more permanent fix to my vision issues.

By morning it was 59 degrees inside and none too comfortable. Jem spent the day with the shivers because the fix it dude couldn’t come out until late. Tonight, we have heat. Glad for it because it is on and working fine, but I still have a chill. Maybe if I invited the other two dogs in to sit on my feet I would get rid of the chill. The little one at my side just doesn’t have enough body to keep me warm.

*whimper*

As you can see, I redecorated. IMO it is too early for Christmas decorations, but my husband disagrees. I loved the green theme that I was using yesterday, but there were issues with the comment page and I don’t feel like addressing them. So happy holidays people, KontansPlace is decorating early. I’m more in the holiday spirit this year so maybe it is appropriate. Last year the whole holiday thing was a chore. I’m not feeling that way this year so here’s hoping that it will be a very special season in our new state!

Now off to ….yep, you guessed it…work. Er, no that will be later I guess. Time for church first!

I have neglected my family…my house…myself…and my online activities. I claim full responsibility. Despite the demands of new school, I have to become more effective. Now if I can just figure out how…

not interested in noting Jacksonian Democracy.

not interested in listening to cartoons blaring from the other room.

wishing I could just go to bed and sleep.

wondering why the voices of cartoons are so shrill and obnoxious.

looking forward to Thanksgiving break in two weeks.

sick of telling the big kid to clean her room.

tired of going to check and telling big kid a path to the bed does not equate to clean.

looking forward to visiting with family in two weeks.

wondering what we will do with the big dogs.

ready to curl up and sleep.

not looking forward to my evaluation on Friday.

not ready for my evaluation on Friday.

procrastinating. Can you tell?

Jefferson neither totally opposed, nor totally embraced the industrial shift.  Jeffersonian Republicanism took a median approach to adapt American industry to the role of consumption.  Jefferson did not wish to abandon agrarian traditions, or cease trade.  In fact, with international cooperation Jefferson would have sought increased agricultural trade.  Continued agricultural production without foreign markets would create a surplus product that the United States alone could not consume.  The agricultural surplus, in the Jeffersonian view, was for supporting industrial progress abroad.  By supplying nations abroad with an American agricultural surplus, the nations would be able to focus on industrial growth without the worry of agricultural production.  It would be a mutually beneficial relationship, as the United States could build upon agrarian principles.

However, widespread factory development was not Jefferson’s plan.  Production could be achieved by independent manufacturers and in households, without encouraging the expansion or development of a large wage earning force.  In the industrial realm, America had the ability and labor to industrialize.

As McCoy pointed out in the last chapters of The Elusive Republic, the United States had improved upon many European inventions and had become rather efficient.  Debate continued concerning goods to produce.  Jefferson was not led to encourage production of goods not necessary to household use.  Goods of luxury and extravagance could still be obtained from Europe.  Producing them within the United States was unnecessary. 

The Jeffersonian idea of republicanism is self-sufficiency.  If everyone is independent they are likely to behave in a manner that will sustain the republic.  Agrarian society is centered on the principle of individual success.  Cottage industries are centered on the principle of individual success.  Without self-sufficiency and initiative, success will not be achieved.  Success of industrialization requires a collective effort.  Individuals must work for the good of the whole.  If one is not working to full capacity there is another that can pick up the slack.  In an agrarian society or cottage industry individual slack equates to failure.  It would certainly be nice to see a return to Jeffersonian principles of individual self-sufficiency, and apply such ideas to modern society.  I do not believe society has lost the concept of self-sufficiency.  After all, many are simply out to get what they can get for themselves.  However, at times I believe the concept of self-sufficiency is lost on a society that embraces bailout plans and stimulus packages.  Whatever happened to the idea that hard work pays off?  Is that still a valid principle these days or does it equal the hamster on the wheel, running fast and working hard, but getting nowhere?

Moment of the day:
I told students to take time to review/research the Lewis and Clark expeditions because we were not going to spend time hovering on them. I mentioned several great sites and included one where they could read the journal entries. Many of the entries detail their findings and they can read about the entire expedition, including some sites that detailed Lewis, Clark, and Seaman…the dog purchased by Lewis that was along for the journey. Not a big deal, but a few minds only picked up on the mention of Seaman.

Yeah, didn’t hit me until I noticed the many attempts to hide giggles.