Category Archives: Potpourri

Books, movies and miscellaneous

Interesting Websites for Homeschooled Teens

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One of the joys of homeschooling is watching your kids take the initiative in learning new things. Here are a few fun and interesting sites where homeschooled teens can learn something new:

Wordspy.com keeps track of all the latest phrases entering our collective vocabularies. Those who love words will appreciate new words and phrases such as brickor mortis (slow housing market), adorkable (adorably dorky) and e-fence (the online sales of stolen items), along with others already in regular use such as bridezilla and McMansion.

The ultimate how-to site, Instructables is the place to go to learn to make anything from realistic, reusable latex wounds (just in time for Halloween—ugh!) to a solar thermal water heater for less than $5 (great science project!)

For those who are into the works of Shakespeare, the Shakespeare Insultor will keep you humble.

The Philadelphia Story

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I’ve been a classic movie fanatic since I was a little kid. The movies of today have done nothing to change my opinion that the old films are the best.

Case in point: This weekend we watched the 1940 film The Philadelphia Story (Two-Disc Special Edition) for the first time in quite a while, and it was as enjoyable as ever. It stars three of my favorite actors (Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katharine Hepburn) and is based on the hit Broadway play of the same name. It’s the story of an heiress who expects perfection in herself and everyone around her, and how she learns that “to err is human; to forgive, divine.”

James Stewart won an Oscar for Best Actor for this film, and Katharine Hepburn reversed the impending failure of her career by buying the rights and starring in it. Cary Grant is wonderful as always. The supporting characters are all very interesting, and there’s a particularly funny turn by Virginia Weidler as the main character’s precocious younger sister.

There’s no swearing, no sex, no violence (well, except in the first scene, lol) and lots of laughs along with just a few serious moments. Young children won’t appreciate this movie, but some teens might (primarily girls, I would think.) If you need a laugh, check this one out!