Category Archives: Back to School

Aunt Tomato Reads…Gene Logsdon

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Every time I pick up a Gene Logsdon essay, I say to myself “why don’t I read more Gene Logsdon essays?” They’re thoughtful, pastoral, and practical. And they’re contrary. Mr. Logsdon’s Wikipedia biography can be read here and includes a … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged Being contrary, Gene Logsdon, Ohio, ramparts people, rural living, The Contrary Farmer, Upper Sandusky | 2 Comments

Aunt Tomato Reads Eight Pages Per Day

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

In November, I was looking longingly towards December and all the free time it would bring to slow down, quiet down, and read more. Reading is an important item in a writer’s toolkit, but December came and went and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged Christine Rosen, Gene Logsdon, Jim Baumer, On Writing, People of the Screen, Reading, Reading more, Stephen King, The Contrary Farmer | 2 Comments

My Five Cents Worth

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

2008 was a watershed year for me. One hot summer day, I walked out of my office with my old Nokia cell phone and called one of the smartest people I know. I asked why the stock market was dropping … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged friends, Gold, James Wesley Rawles, Kyle Bass, saving nickels, Silver | 1 Comment

Neighborly Voting

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

When I was a high school sophomore, I ran for president. I think I made a great speech, although I don’t recall a single thing I said. People clapped, they voted, and I was elected to serve. It was exciting … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged 2 party system, As much as it is possible, Divide and conquer, Jim Baumer, Loving my neighbor, Peace begins with me, voluntary action | 2 Comments

Hurry Up, there’s No Huddle

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

I don’t remember exactly when I started following NFL football. I went to football games in high school and college, mostly because I liked being outside in the fall, cheering and walking around. I didn’t understand football, though; it just … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged Bill Belichick, Boomer Esaison, Football as a metaphor for life, Gus Malzahn, Hurry-up, No-Huddle, Shannon Sharpe, Vince Lombardi | 5 Comments

I Don’t Want an Oompah Loompah

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

We all know Veruca Salt, the spoiled brat in Roald Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In the 1971 movie version I grew up with, I distinctly remember her lines “Daddy, I want an Oompah Loompah and I WANT … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged Eliot Coleman, Myopia Hunt Club, Roald Dahl, Veruca Salt | Comments Off

Into The October

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

When I was in college in the early 1980’s, I kept a journal. There was always something about October at the University of Maine at Orono that made me both sad and happy; I wrote the phrase “into the October” … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged Dire Straits, food security, October, October Break, Psychedelic Furs, Sony Walkman, U2, University of Maine at Orono | 2 Comments

The Republic of Chair Pad

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

How did I find Zero Hedge? Was it on a sunny day like today? What was I doing when those first apocalyptic storm clouds starting creeping up on the horizon of my chicken coop-sized condo? Likely, it was 2009 and … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged Braided rugs, Chair pads, Charles Hugh Smith, Junk, Stuff, Zero Hedge | Comments Off

Back to School

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Julie-Ann Baumer

It’s September; the big yellow buses are everywhere. I think about education. I think about my own formal education and through conversations with co-workers and friends who have children, I think about what is considered “education” today. I have friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Back to School | Tagged Being a lifelong student, Economics, Mathematics, Value, Zero | Comments Off