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

Memorial Day Weekend

Hello Friends,

Memorial Day in the United States is marks the beginning of summer. Pools open. Picnics and parades mark this day. Memorial Day is the day we recognize those men and women that have given their lives for our country to preserve our freedom. The Real Meaning of Memorial Day from Education.com is a great discussion about the holiday and talking about the significance of service and sacrifice.

Indy 500

Even if you are not a race fan or an Indycar fan,  you have to get excited for this weekend. It is good to be back at the track and at the event full steam and in person.

Indy 500 events at the track for the big weekend.

Indy 500 Festival Parade 

Indy 500 Parade in Indy With Kids has great tips for taking your family to see this internationally televised parade.

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

We met briefly, but it turned into a full, one-hour discussion. In English we use have two ways:

• Have: I have two cats. (possession)
• Have to: I have to get food for my two cats. (must)

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

We met and talked about our interests and lives. 

We talked about "pet names" or what we call people instead of their names. In the United States we may say: honey, baby (babe), sunshine, sweetie, darling, dear. Endearing terms are another way of saying pet name.

Two favorite songs to enjoy:

AURORA - Runaway - YouTube

Official髭男dism - Universe［Official Video］ - YouTube

full steam: operating according to normal standards

Summer Break, sort of...

 Hello, Friends.

The end of our class sessions is always sad, but we are happy that our staff and students are ready to go out and enjoy the summer and the world. 

We wrapped up our meetings and classes for the 21-22 year this week. We saw many changes in our world this year. We got through COVID lock downs and isolations as well as saw strife around the world. This newsletter is viewed in many countries all around the world and we were sad to see metrics disappear from some locations. We plan to continue to post periodically through the summer. Sign up for delivery into your e-mailbox.

Fall planning is afoot! Staff is training and tech is getting polished.

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

Our teacher and Friends have decided to keep meeting over the summer. We are learning more vocabulary to support our conversation. This is a great class to build your skills. Kinetic learning is a way to support your language skills and ASL is one way to productively add a language while you build your linguistic skills. Log on using your Zoom links.

International Bible Study

We wrapped up 1 Timothy 6. This book is a gold mine of advice and is very thought provoking. We had great comparisons with current events and honed our conversation skills. The search for truth and caring for each other are main points. Calling out specific groups that were causing grief within the community and how to address these concerns are a highlight of this letter. We learned that we have to read to the conclusion to understand the whole picture of the community, the problems, and the fact that grace is paramount. In retrospect, the very specific nature of the conversations led us to insight in the community that the young Timothy was leading.

Take a few minutes to read 1 Timothy in one sitting to get the full picture.

International Friends

We wrapped up with a "meeting" at Cake Bake. It is good to meet together in person and eat delicious food.

English Classes

American Accent Class had an old fashioned party at Kathy's house. Our American English classes met on Zoom to wrap up the year with Kahoots. We are looking forward to keeping our skills up over the summer with meet ups in person and on Zoom.

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

Our international kids are still in school. They want to continue to Zoom. Who are we to say anything different! Join us if you have the link. If you would like the link, email for registration.

afoot: in process or underway

calling out: reprimanding

gold mine: a rich source

metrics: numbers or statistics

paramount: overriding

sort of: not really

strife: violent conflict or contention for superiority

the end...is: sneaky subject/verb here

Happy Mother's Day

Hello, Friends.

Oh no! This did not post on Sunday! I am so sorry!

Happy Mother's Day. This Sunday we celebrate all of our moms. Thank you for all you do for your children and for all of us. We know that being a mom often means reaching out and caring for others who are not in our family with love, food, comfort, and advice. We know that when our physical mom is not close, we can depend on each other to step in and that is the case for so many of us. We also know that our mothers have a special place in our lives because if it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here today.

Wrapping Up the School Year

Wrapping up the year is so hard to do. I hate ending our classes, but a pause helps us to recharge (and gives us time to plan and develop more for you).

Summer does not mean you really get a break. Watch for meet up announcements and check our webpage for meet up events. This year our local Friends want to get out and see all the things we have been missing as well as hang out with our Friends. For our Friends who are not close by, watch for Zoom meet-up announcements. Everyone is welcome to join our meet ups. If you are new to our meetings, come and see. If you are an old Friend, we miss you! Drop in for a visit and say "hi".

American English QuickStart

These pages are designed to help our Friends access American English words, phrases, and concepts to help you live a good life in English. We are collecting areas, concepts, and topics for you to quickly review and learn or brush up your American English. Help us! Add to the comments or email your needs, ideas, tips.

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

We continue to build vocabulary. We reviewed our vocab in conversation. We voted to continue meeting at the same time over the summer months. If you wish to continue conversation and basic language building, join our ASL class. Email for the Zoom link if you don't have our links.

May 9: Review animals and Mother's Day.

International Bible Study: Tuesday, 9:30-10:30 AM EDT, Zoom

Timothy gets advice for caring for widows in 1 Timothy: 4. What a beautiful study for Mother's Day week! Paul's advice for the community is that families (children and grandchildren) are responsible for caring for widows. When a widow is over 60 and has no none to care for her, the church should provide support. When a widow is young enough to remarry and have a family, she should be free to do so (because it best for both her and the community).

Paul advises Timothy regarding leaders: their payment, offences (and how to determine if there really is an offence), and recognition and accolades. Paul advises that regardless, sins become evident. Nothing can be hidden.

While there was much that was specific to this situation, we discovered that there was much to inform us in our current society.

May 10: We are wrapping up 1 Timothy. Where we had doubts about respect and direction, we are finding that getting the full story informs us about the culture and the expectations for leaders as well as the community. Stopping short early in this book would have not allowed us to understand the full measure of the problems facing the church and the respect that Paul had for women and the community.

International Friends: Tuesday, 10:30 AM EDT, in person

We continued our in-person meetings with a field trip to the Indianapolis Arts Center. The day was rainy, so we enjoyed the indoor arts exhibits. The weather cleared up, and we walked to Broad Ripple and enjoyed lunch along the canal.

May 10: Our final meeting is at Cake Bake in Broad Ripple meeting at 11:15.

 Afternoon Conversation Has Ended For the Year

English Classes: Thursday, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM EDT, Zoom

English classes discussed and reviewed a letter of application. We applied everything we learned this year to help our Friend tell her story.

May 11: We meet for our last class. Our American Accent Class is closing the year in person. Our other classes are ending the year on Zoom (because not all people are local and Zoom from other time zones and countries. Join us as we end the year.

Kids' Conversation and More: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT Zoom

We found out that many of our Friends don't have fun! What?!! While the United States are taking a break from school, most of our Friends have school until July. Sunday is Mother's Day and is an important day for all of us. 

May 12: Kids' Conversation is continuing through the summer (or winter if you are south of the equator). If you want to join us, email us. Next week we are sharing one fun thing (be sure to do something fun), Mother's Day, and hearing about birthdays.

accolades: award or special honor 

cleared up: rain, rain, go away!

informs: gives facts 

local: located in a community or area

vocab: vocabulary