Walnuts On My Windshield

#16, October 16, 2004

I have never liked algebra. When I was in 9th grade, I took Algebra I from a man who was really weird. He was a tough teacher, I don't think I learned much algebra from him, and I only remember three things from that year:

1. A project we had to do with different-colored planes of plexiglass. We were required to buy expensive materials to build these models that I think (looking back) must have been depictions of the equation of a plane. That was a big part of our grade, and it was a messy scene.
2. The only time in my life that I ever cheated on a test. I copied from a guy who aced the test and I got a C. Go figure, but it taught me a lesson I've never forgotten.
3. Crying myself to sleep night after night, because I could NOT understand the problems in my homework assignments.

I had a really good teacher in 11th grade for Algebra II; Mrs. Alice Jo Gadberry. She was nice, she took time to explain things, and although I never felt like I really mastered the material, I did manage to pull an A out of the class.

I disliked geometry (those dreaded proofs!), but at least I understood it. Not only did I dislike algebra; I have never understood it or even seen a practical use for it in my life. After all, it's only been 27 years since I took it and I don't think I've used it yet.

Katie is working through Algebra II and preparing to take the College Math CLEP test. If she does well on that one, I think we will have her hit the College Algebra CLEP test next. She has been studying algebra for long enough that we are both sick of it. Today, she brought me a question about functions; what are domain and range? She had read the explanatory material five times and it still didn't make sense to her. That's why she brought it to me. I read the explanatory material and it didn't make sense to me, either. I burst into tears. It reminded me of my ninth grade year and all those nighttime tears over algebra. I resent the fact that something so trivial can upset me so much.

Thankfully, Scott has a pure math degree. I suppose things like algebra make sense to him. He explained to Katie that, in a Cartesian coordinate system, domain is x and range is y. Now, that I can understand, but why on earth couldn't the book have simply given that explanation???

I am glad that most areas of my life are simpler than algebra! Today we did something simple as a family. We planted bulbs. Scott took me on a date last night, and, as is often the case, we ended up at Wal-Mart. Now, don't you dare think badly of my husband! We actually enjoy wandering through Wal-Mart, and besides, he was taking me to Lambert's; where you wait for 90 minutes, but then enjoy a super meal plus yummy throwed rolls. We drove to Lambert's and Scott put our name on the list. Then we went to Wal-Mart for an oil change and stroll. While there, it struck him that it would be nice to plant some bulbs, so we bought daffodil and tulip bulbs, a nifty hand pick (which could also serve as a weapon), four trowels (two metal, one plastic), and a box of bone meal - whatever that is.

We told Andrew this morning that we would be planting bulbs in the afternoon. He thought we'd be burying light bulbs, and he said that sounded like a lot of fun.

Much can be learned by planting bulbs. For example, as unlikely as it may seem, six inches is actually quite a significant distance; especially when it is measured straight down through turf, soil, and rock. Most things underground that create sparks when slammed with the hand pick are actually not Civil War relics. Even after you load back into the hole all the dirt you dug out of it, the hole is never full. Half worms are gross. Boys really enjoy dirt and all the livestock it contains. If you heap the dirt over the bulbs that have been planted along the edge of the sidewalk and then do the recommended post-planting watering, it only takes seconds for the resulting sheet of mud to spread over the entire length and width of the sidewalk.

In six months, I will let you know if we have daffodils and tulips in exchange for this afternoon of exertion and enlightenment.

Until next time,
Patty

From My Bookshelf:

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson, rank: 9. I tried a while back to read Bryson's book about hiking the Appalachian Trail, but the humor was too raw and the language too coarse for my taste. I picked this one up in a large print version - not because I need the large print, mind you, but because the blue cover stood out among the other books in the travel section. In a Sunburned Country humorously chronicles the author's wanderings throughout Australia. There were a few slightly off-color anecdotes, but nothing highly offensive, and I totally enjoyed this book! I now have at least a cursory understanding of Australian geography, history, culture, and bio-diversity. The book was a perfect introduction; just enough information about a particular location or situation to pique one's interest, but not enough to overwhelm or bore, and all presented in a style that's readable and frequently laugh-out-loud funny.

Quote of the Week:

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~ Muriel Strode

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