Winter Tires

OK, this is random. :)
I seem to be surrounded by more and more "modern" Californians and other assorted urban folk. Made mention of walnut tires and siping (and re-siping) the other day. No one knows what I'm talking about. Of course, I'm not afraid of snow like they seem to be. It's important to have a healthy respect for driving in snow and ice, but not to be frightened by it.

Now, I've never had walnut shell tires myself, but my grandparents used to swear by them for traction. My mom also recalled to me that they were highly thought of for snow. Also, rather than get a new set of studded tires for snow, have your existing tires siped (cut new grooves in for traction) to make them last through the Winter... then get a new set of tires in the Spring.

Anyone else remember such things? or am I all alone? ;)

Homeschool -- throwing in the towel

Well, it's been 9 months since the decision to homeschool. I haven't blogged near as much about it here as I should have. Today is my son's first day back in public school. This has been a hard time and a difficult transition with the deaths of so many loved ones, relocating, and much more.

On one hand, I feel like it's been a failed attempt -- that it turns out homeschool (in the format we attempted) was not the right long-term decision for us. On the other hand, though, I am hoping that this 9 months has provided a better footing (especially emotionally/socially) for "success" back at public school. I'm hoping that we've broken the downwards spiral he was in before at public school.

Fingers crossed... knock on wood... remind me to breathe. Hoping this is the right decision for now.