Summertime And The Living Is Easy!

 Hello, Friends. 

Welcome Summer! Tuesday, June 22 was the summer solstice and officially summer. We are on the downhill slide of hours of daylight to dark. 

Summer Songs To Get Stuck In Your Head

What is a great way to learn a language? Sing the songs! 

In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry

Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald

Boys of Summer sung by Brad Paisley (cover of the Don Henley classic)

Fireflies by Owl City celebrates our favorite summer bug

Where to Go

Lawrence W. Inlow Park  International Friends popular meet up spot has reopened! Take the kids and have an afternoon of free fun. 6310 E Main Street.

Current Events: Energy Explanation and Help

This article from The Hamilton County Reporter has information about electric bill pricing and where people can get help with paying their bills. Visit the Reporter for more interesting, hometown articles.

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

There are five Amendments to the Fifth Amendment. This quick link  to The Constitution Annotated webpage provides an outline cases headline precedent for amendments to this amendment. Fans of the crime TV shows (like Law and Order) are familiar with people who “plead the Fifth” on the stand. People also may also say that they plead the Fifth in casual conversation meaning they are not going to comment about whether they did or did not do something.

American Sign Language: 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom

American Sign Language often gets us to thinking about how words are used. Uncomfortable, awkward and uneasy are sometimes used interchangeably, but are significantly different signs. 

Kid's Conversation: 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom

Many of our kids started a "winter" vacation. We are still getting together over the next weeks. We are enjoying REBUS puzzles. This The Reader's Digest article has a nice collection with answers to get you  in a REBUS mindset.

downhill slide or downhill side: meaning that something is gradually decaying or getting worse or that something is getting easier

precedent: an earlier event or action that is used as a guide for similar events or actions

stuck in your head: when a song plays over and over and over and over in your head, like a cold, the only way to get rid of it is to pass it to someone else!

   

Happy Father's Day

Hello, Friends.

Sunday we celebrate Father's Day, which is the third Sunday in June. In the United States, Dads are celebrated with bar-be-cues, sports, t-shirts, beer, ball caps. Classic gifts were neck ties and watches. Father's Day was proclaimed in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson and was signed into law in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. Happy day to the men in our lives that love and care for us and tell really bad jokes! And speaking of Dad Jokes, here are 280 Dad Jokes guaranteed to make you laugh or groan or just roll your eyes.

Fireflies or Lightening Bugs

These insects are out in full force here in Indiana. The beautiful light show began in earnest this past week. Fireflies were appointed recently as the state insect. Read more in this Thought and Company article: 10 Fascinating Facts About Fireflies. If you decide to catch them, practice catch and release. Be sure to leave your jar open outside when you are finished so we can enjoy them the next night.

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized.

Unlike the previous Amendment, this Amendment has a great deal of discussion and cases that weigh the matters of how a people may be searched and how items may be seized. Cases and instruction covering how to obtain a warrant, how the warrant must be executed, where and how including home, work, vehicle, schools, etc. are detailed in court cases. The Annotations are lengthy, detailed, and interesting to read to learn the cases and the history that explain the history making this Amendment necessary (leading back to English law) and the American Revolution through current times and situations.

We are still meeting through June!

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT, Zoom

detailed: supported by many facts, comprehensive, complete

issue: supply formal, official public statements

lengthy: somewhat

out in full force: lots and lots of them are out there

practice catch and release: have the custom of capturing something but returning it or let it go with no harm (eg. trout fishermen must practice catch and release in National Parks or be fined)

probable cause: reasonable grounds for an action

secure: protection against something

seizures, seized:

Warrants: official, legal documents authorizing police or other law enforcement to make an arrest or carry out other actions relating to the administration of justice

Summer Weather: What a Wonderful World

 Hello, Friends.

We are seeing a big shift in our weather this coming week. Chilly weather is giving way to a heat wave. Do you prefer to stay in chill in the A.C. or go out and chill at the pool or a park? 

What? or What!

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong could get you wondering about the word "what". In this case, what is an exclamation "sound" that emphasizes something surprising or remarkable. Think  

WONDERFUL WORLD!

What a Wonderful World by Sam Cooke gives a different perspective.

What makes your world wonderful?

The Third Amendment

No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner prescribed by law.

The Third Amendment has no further discussion from the Supreme Court. This right is straightforward.

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom 

We reviewed and used our vocabulary with songs. With ASL words become tangible and actions as well as concepts. 

Marimba TikTok

What a Wonderful World

My Money Don't Jingle

June 13: When we aren't signing we are singing! Join the conversation.

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT, Zoom

We were treated to Ode To Joy on the piano. Love, love, love when we share our talents!

June 17: We will talk about slang. Here is a Rebus Puzzle to get you thinking.

A.C.: air conditioning

chill: relax

quartered: lodged or stationed in a specific place

Flying Fluff

Hello, Friends.

This year the cottonwood seeds are spectacular. They are flying like snowflakes and piling in the grass and blowing in the street. Only female cottonwood trees produce the fluff that can spread for miles. While some people find this messy or irritating, this miracle only lasts about a month and is beautiful. Davy provides a great summary about these giant trees.

Here is what it looks like in my neighborhood (We are on a walk. Meet two of my three huskies who know it really isn't snow.)

Meet Up at Newfields

We had a nice, small meet-up at Newfields on Thursday. This is a great place to take the kids, see art, and play on the lawn of the Lilly Mansion. The first Thursday is free.

COVID 19

COVID 19 is still among us. We are also seeing an upswing in other cold and flu-like symptoms (cough, sore throat, fever, body aches).

COVID 19 Tests and Testing Guidelines from the CDC outlines times when you may want to test for COVID. 

Quarantine or Isolate outlines actions to take when you have been exposed or test positive for COVID 19 (with or without symptoms).

Second Amendment to the United States Constitution

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The Second Amendment is the right to keep and bear arms. A discussion of this right can be found here. This right is not unique to the United States and has a long history in other countries. The purpose of the law is for citizens to possess firearms to preserve life, liberty, and property. Wikipedia carries a short article to begin study.

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom

We had a break for Memorial Day. Join the conversation on June 6.

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT, Zoom

We had a great meeting! It started on the move in my truck. Our Friends had many happy or fun things to share including a beautiful and vocal Siamese cat.

In English shuck corn and oysters but peel bananas and oranges! A banana and orange have a peel, but corn and oysters do not have a shuck. Does your language have the same word for this activity?

We are watching Stranger Things on Netflix. We learned about a circle volleyball drill. We are cooking desserts in cups in the microwave. Thanks for the visit!

June 10: Bring your fun things. And here is a Dental Crossword Puzzle for you to chew on.

among: surround by; in, through, or around

bear arms: 

chew on: think about

fluff: 

infringed: 1.actively break a law; 2. limit or undermine

keep: own

on the move: not staying in one place

vocal: talkative