Have hope for changing minds.

Looking back on the decade:

Ten years ago I was a very far left liberal. Probably more of a communist. And an atheist. And wanted to work for the government.

Heh.

30 Today

Thanks, Mom and Dad!

A Fun Way to Introduce Magnets to a Preschooler

I place a little, black disc on the table in front of my two year old. "Little disc, little disc, follow my command! Move in circles now, if you understand." The disc moves in circles on the tabletop, seemingly on its own. My son's eyes widen in amazement. I continue, "Listen, disc, listen disc, you must listen well. Move back and forth now, like a swinging bell." The disc moves back and forth. My son is delighted. Next, I pretend to concentrate very hard while moving one finger around in the air. The disc follows it below on the tabletop. My son is thoroughly impressed, so I stop and let him take the disc off the table.

"That," I say dramatically, "is a magnet."

Then I show him the one I was holding under the table to make the first one move. He holds both of them, and they click together. I show him how to do the trick. He moves the magnet under the table to make the one on top move around.

He thinks magnets are really cool.

Success.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence."

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

-- Calvin Coolidge