Where's the noise?

     People are always amazed that our house is so quiet.  They expect screaming kids, loud music, the ping-pinging of computer games.

     Why so quiet?  No television--we have one but it's for special events.  No computer games--nada, not one.  We've got computers for homework.  No headphones with music blaring.

     Our children can sit quietly for a long time.  I suspect this is because of two factors.  When they were young, I brought them to school with me (I'm a teacher) and they would sleep through class or amuse themselves quietly.  The main reason I suspect they are not overly noisy is that we belong to the Society of Friends.  A Friends worship service is mainly an hour of silence, while you consider your spiritual self and your community.  The silence is an integral part of the worship.

     Most of the noise in our house comes from a pet cockatoo, who is VERY noisy.  He was a gift.  If I had known then what I know now, we would have refused it.

GeGe