News From An Acorn

Heart Journal Entry

Heart Journal Entry. A day among others.

Nine-thirty one morning a boy recalls the sounds and sights
of visiting dad imprisoned for murder.
He's young and strong and broken already at twelve. 
His hands flex into a fist and says,
"I am not like my father, no matter what they say."

I tell him he's distinct, whole and separate.
He listens. Hopes, wants to believe
and agrees to continue on a little card
called "next appointment."

At 11:00 another child of fifteen going on twenty-two

Protecting Children Online: The Basics

Dear Visitors,

I'm offering this information here, which I cover extensively as part of my professional work with children and teens on my work Web site at DartmouthYouth.com, because I've already had visitors ask me about it on my blog. But since this my personal site, I'm going to roll thirty years of working with young people into telling you straight what's really important and what is not. If you want the nice measured professional coverage, then please visit my work site. If you want to save time, hear what's most important, then read on!

Rowing Whaleboats!

"Ready All? Pull Together!"

Some of my friends are happy for me when I announce that I'm going rowing with a team of other guys at 5:45 in the morning, but they're happier still that they're not with us!

This is the first post in a new category called "Ready All? Pull Together!" in which I hope to give you a glimpse of the sights, sounds and experiences of this activity.

One whaleboat, 29 feet long. Five rowers and one boatsteerer. That's all the power we need.

I've always been an early riser, so rowing three times a week at 5:45 in the morning is never an issue for me. But to get out there, on the water, and make this little vessel go using only the power that each of us arrived with, is the draw for me. No engine to power up or maintain. No fuel costs either! No sails to hoist, trim, set or care for either. Just me, just five others, oars, camaraderie, and time on the water.

Getting Married

As some know, I've been leading a retreat program for children, called Junior Yearly Meeting Retreats (JYM) for twenty years now. At our weekend retreats, there are many things, rituals really, that children enjoy doing year in and year out. One of the favorite activities that children enjoy doing is putting on their own "talent" show on Saturday night, complete with M.C's, sign-up lists, music, dance, performances, skits, you name it.