Starting to Post to the Blog

To post to the Rat Camp blog, first you must receive an invitation. Contact Elton at the email link at the top right of the page if you haven't been invited.
Once you receive your invitation by email, if you don't already have a Google account, you'll have to set one up. Click on the link in the invitation email to be led through the steps. You don't have to have a Google (@gmail.com) address to do this.

If you already have a Google account, you should be enabled to post when you log in (? and go to the Rat Camp blog homepage).

You might have to first click on Blogger on your Google Accounts page to access the blog.

After I saved my Google password in my computer, when I go to the Rat Camp homepage, there are symbols and links for me to click on to post and do other things.

Hope this helps, Elton

Hello to all!

I think this is a great idea and wonderful way for us to keep in touch.
I just have to comment on the name Elton picked - "Rat Camp". I don't know how many of you know, but that was the name of the camp on the ranch where I was born. A few miles east of Lake Arthur, NM. Pappo (my dad) was a cowboy there. Part of the old house is still standing and has been added on to. Later, Auntie Carol

Things you can post

A short list: audio, video, a picture, a slideshow (a series of pictures), even receive calls and voicemail! See blogger help for more.
Almost anything you can write in html code can also be included. It's not that hard. Look here.

Or when you're writing a post, click on Edit Html on the top right corner, and then click on Help in the topmost right corner. Then type HTML CODE into the search box. You'll find html tags that you can copy and paste into your post.

For more (simpler!) ideas, go to blogger help.

Birthdays, Please!

I'd like to make a list of all of our birthdays. Send me your birth date (and any others you know, or corrections!), and I'll put it on the list. Thanks!

Viewing a post and comments on one page

To view a post AND its' comments on one web-page, click on the brown title for the post. A new page will appear with the original post, with all the comments showing.

How-to-blog video

Click here for a video about how to make a blog. The first half of the video has already been done; the last part of the video shows how to make a post and add a picture.

How to Blog-Help!

Writing a blog seems to be new to all of us. As you learn how to do something cool, please make a post telling others how to do it, too. And label the post 'about blogging' so we can make a one-click resource for all the great ideas. Thanks!

Labeling Posts

Labels are an important part of blogging. It's the way the blog software uses keywords you choose to sort the posts.

When you're posting, please put your first name and family name, separated by commas (for example: elton, ersch), in the label box at the bottom right of the posting page. Your names will appear in the right hand column so others can click on your name and find your posts.

If you're posting advice about how to do something on the blog, please use 'about blogging' for the label. Thanks.

A nice visit...

I suppose I'll make a timely addition to the blog...Just a few days ago I traveled from Denver, Colorado to Berkeley, California to visit the University of California, Berkeley campus. I was considering pursuing a Ph.D. at Berkeley, but it turns out I'll end up across the bay at a certain rival school.

Anyway, while I was there, I had a lovely few days with Eron Ersch, his wife Burr Tyler, and their daughter Chloe. Thanks to Eron, Burr, and Chloe for opening their home and sharing their life with me...I hadn't seen them for nine years or so (I think it was approximately at or after Chloe's arrival), so it was particularly nice to catch up. Thanks again!

Another highlight of my stay was talking with Elton, Kumiko, and Louis via webcam. Although I did spend a couple of years in Japan, and I saw Elton and Kumiko several times during that period, this week was the first chance I've had to see Louis...Who is, of course, adorable.

Thanks to all involved for a great time. I figured this might be a decent (and timely) entry to kick off the blog.

The Ersch's in Japan

Kumiko and I and our son Louis, 3, live in Fujikawa, Shizuoka, Japan, about half-way between Tokyo and Nagoya on the Pacific coast. I teach English in the town's 7 schools (kindergarten, elementary & jr hi). Kumiko has been a stay-at-home mom since Louis was born. Louis (loo-ee, or roo-ee, in Japanese!) is a good boy, most of the time!

We're starting our 12th year here; for me, the longest I've lived anywhere, ever. Our home is surrounded by hills, has a view of Mt. Fuji, and is near the Fujikawa River. Our town sits at the top of the Suruga Bay.

When we can we like to take walks, have a campfire in the backyard, paddle our canoe or kayak, and travel. We have a van with a bed in the back that makes it cheap and easy to sleep most anywhere. The general safety in Japan and the hot springs that are everywhere make it easy.

My own hobby is mountain biking. I've also started another blog called DIY Health and Wellness and have a webpage for teaching English or other foreign languages.