James Whitcomb Riley Home

We finally made it to one of the James Whitcomb Riley Homes in Indiana.

We had so much fun reading his poetry a few months back! What incredible storytelling coming through "the Hoosier Poet". Son proudly remembered this memory work:

On Any Ordinery Man in a High State of Laughtur and Delight

As its give' me to percieve,
I most certin'y believe
When a man's jest glad plum through,
God's pleased with him, same as you.

Shamefully, I didn't get a picture of the whole house--what was I thinking?! However, I did get these outdoor pictures. It was very crowded indoors (free day!), and taking pictures was not prudent. I will say it was an amazing preservation of his home of 23+ years...that he didn't even own, but rented a room in...for 23+ years! Astounding. Apparently, in that day and age (around the turn of the century) a single man did not live alone for no respectable woman would come work for him. So they would take up residence in the homes of families they knew. This home, where he died in 1817, was only preserved as the owners had no children to pass it on to. We really enjoyed the tour and I purchased a beautiful hardbound, illustrated copy of "The Raggedy Man"! Love it.

My two kids are the two farthest on each side.

This poem (that was apparently turned into a song at some point) of his adorned the walls outside the bedrooms:

The Perfect Prayer

Dear Lord! kind Lord!
Gracious Lord! I pray
Thou wilt look on all I love,
Tenderly to-day!
Weed their hearts of weariness;
Scatter every care
Down a wake of angel-wings
Winnowing the air.

Bring unto the sorrowing
All release from pain;
Let the lips of laughter
Overflow again;
And with all the needy
O divide, I pray,
This vast treasure of content
That is mine to-day!

I'm sure we'll eventually get to his other home (his childhood home) which is not too far from some friends house. His grave is also in town, so when the weather permits, we should probably go there too...just for fun...'cause cemetaries are fun...right?!! :)

Fair Oaks Dairy Experience

There is the neatest place in northern Indiana. It's called Fair Oaks Dairy Experience and is an incredible dairy farm and much more. The complex produces incredible milk, cheese & ice cream, plus they share with the public the unique experience (at least for us non-farmer types) of allowing the public viewing of the birth of calves. We walked in the birthing barn just as this was happening:

They offer wonderful tours and attractions for children like a giant air bag jump, which they call the "Dairy-Air" and even a climbing wall, giant milk bottle. They serve luscious grilled cheese sandwiches in their restaurant, as well as milk and ice cream!

If you're up that way, don't forget to stop in! We went on our way to Chicago. Heading north, it's about 1 hr and 15 min before Chicago to give you an idea.

Indiana: Where and When

We are in the midst of our Indiana state history and geography studies. This has given us a renewed interest in our state and all it's offerings! As you may have noticed, I've begun posting some favorite Indiana places and events in my right sidebar. I'll continue to add to it.

Here are some of the links I use to find great things in our state. These, and of course word of mouth, are invaluable. Should you know of a link, or a favorite spot I'm missing, please share!

Indiana State Festivals
South Central Indiana Homeschool Resources yahoo group (email notices only: not a forum)
Indiana State Parks
Visit Indiana
Indiana Tourist Attractions
Indiana Historic Places

Mt. Comfort/Indy Air Show!

After living here in Indy for nearly four years, we finally made the effort to attend the Mt. Comfort/Indy Air Show! This airshow "ain't" your small town, county air show. "Really huge" about sums it up. I've never seen so many interesting aircraft in one place. The children were in awe.

Now, the heat of the day was oppressive. The noise was thrilling. The crowd was plentiful. But there was more...

An experience that not everyone gets: to meet not one, but ten WWII veterans; survivors of the USS Indianapolis (sitting the length of the table behind my son in the picture to the left) which was torpedoed and sunk toward the end of the war. Nine hundred men lost their lives aboard that ship that day, yet these survivors, all in their 80's cheerily told us how glad they were to be at the airshow! They spoke of their wives and children; of lying about their age to join up, and about a book that they had collectively written about their experience--a harrowing tale indeed.

We excitedly filled our children in on what their presence meant. We told our oldest son about this chance he was getting that would probably never come again. A chance that is a rare bit of history in the making. The opportunity to shake the hands of men who should have died, but lived a lifetime as heroes of a long ago war. What a thrill...for all of us.

But there was more! We saw all the usual acrobatics of various aircraft, as well as all kinds of displays of weapons (son was thrilled!) and uniforms. There was possibly too much. My favorite plane though? The Raptor!

Now, my husband's head is full of all the boy junk you can possibly imagine. He can recognize the make and model of every car, airplane and motorcycle ever made (even from the sound of their engine!). But even he was taken back by the presence of the F22 Raptor. Now, this jet was big and loud and maneuvered like nobody's business. This being a "show", we all cheered and exclaimed how "totally cool" this jet was, but the grown up in me also was quite humbled by a machine of war. A weapon. Plain and simple. Husband and I could not help but speak of the pro-military effects of a show like this. Lest we forget...

I highly recommend attending this air show if you ever get the chance! We hope to go back every year.