Saturday, December 23, 2006
Our gingerbread house cratered.
But we tried! I think I've had the kit in the pantry for AT LEAST 2 years. In some of my clutter purging, I've thought about tossing it, but I just held on ... So tonight, Belle and I attempted to build a gingerbread house. We got the walls up. We got the roof on. We got a row of candy down the center of the roof. And then things started heading south. One of the walls caved in and the "frosting" was too flaky to recover it. Next year, we'll start EARLIER and we'll start from SCRATCH.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Write your name in RUNES
This is fun: Write your name in runes. I tried to copy the pics of our names to post here, but it only copies one rune at a time, and I'm just not that patient right now. I'm actually in a flurry of Solstice surfing, which is NOT what it's about, but nevertheless ... Ben is playing a money game with Belle, so I have a few moments to myself and this is what I do with it. Several years ago, I could cast runes, but I'm not even sure where to find them now. I've thought often about making a new set, though. Maybe that will be a new year's project for Belle and me.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Happy Yuletide!
Twas The Night Before Yuletide
C.C. Williford '
Twas the night before
Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! the earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
"What happened?" they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
"What caused the earth's shudder? What caused her to shiver?"
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone's perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
"My name is Gaia," the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
"I've come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet . . ."
"I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn't filled with fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that's mulled or other hot brews."
"There aren't any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles' glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?"
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
"Come, my children," she said, "Let's play."
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered 'round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun 'neath the tree's finery.
They were just reaching home when suddenly it came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
"Happy Yuletide, my children," she whispered. "Good night
C.C. Williford '
Twas the night before
Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! the earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
"What happened?" they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
"What caused the earth's shudder? What caused her to shiver?"
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone's perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
"My name is Gaia," the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
"I've come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet . . ."
"I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn't filled with fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that's mulled or other hot brews."
"There aren't any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles' glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?"
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
"Come, my children," she said, "Let's play."
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered 'round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun 'neath the tree's finery.
They were just reaching home when suddenly it came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
"Happy Yuletide, my children," she whispered. "Good night
Radishes
On Sunday, we planted carrots, radishes and green onions in each of 3 different test tubes so we can watch how they grow. It's only been 3 days and the radishes are growing like CRAZY. Some of them are half an inch tall. So we went in and thinned them out so that there would be room for the strongest to grow. The carrots are barely making a motion (we can see it in the dirt through the glass of the tube); and the green onions are getting a small sprout (also under the soil).
Belle learned how to work Sudoku puzzles today and she's doing VERY well, but not all that hooked on it like I thought she might be. She's spent most of the evening playing doctor's office with a broken keyboard and her plastic headset.
Belle learned how to work Sudoku puzzles today and she's doing VERY well, but not all that hooked on it like I thought she might be. She's spent most of the evening playing doctor's office with a broken keyboard and her plastic headset.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Our Gifts This Year
Well, as evidenced by the lack of new posts, we are staying very busy. But not in a "good" way. Just busy. So I told Belle what my gift to her will be in the new year -- It will be the gift of my time. And she has promised to give me more of her time as well. We are so caught up in the busy-ness that we are losing track of ourselves.
In the morning, we will be planting a carrot, a radish, and a green onion in individual test tubes and watching them grow. Will hopefully keep track of that here. Many pics to post, but not sure when I will have a chance to catch up.
In the morning, we will be planting a carrot, a radish, and a green onion in individual test tubes and watching them grow. Will hopefully keep track of that here. Many pics to post, but not sure when I will have a chance to catch up.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
A Haudenosaunee "Thanksgiving" Prayer
I don't know who wrote this, but I think it's lovely ...
GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL WORLD!
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Our cats must REALLY love us!
Okay, yesterday I rescued a mouse that was trying to get away from one of our cats (outside). While the cat watched suspiciously, I covered the mouse with a flowerpot, slid a piece of cardboard underneath, and carried the mouse to a big tuft of pampas grass to release. And then today, there were two dead mice outside -- one on our porch and one on the sidewalk leading to our porch. Needless to say, this is a difficult concept for a 6-year-old to accept. "Gifts" from cats, however well-intentioned, are always great tragedies. I suspect we'll soon start a graveyard.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Butterfly Rescue
Anabelle rescued this butterfly out of the pond. She then kept it on the pine needle until its wings were dry enough to fly away.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Math Whiz
Well, I don't like Bratz dolls, but I've relaxed my stand on refusing to allow them in the house. That was making them FAR too coveted. So now Belle is allowed to have them IF she pays for them herself. Today, she really really wanted a Diamond Bratz Kid or whatever they're called. I told her they were $20 and she needed to use her own money. So she pulled out her change jar and started counting. I told her to just get the quarters and make stacks of 4 until she got to $20. I can't BELIEVE how fast her brain clicked on that -- As soon as I said it, she wailed, "But that's EIGHTY quarters!" like it was going to take forever or something. I just couldn't believe she figured it out that fast.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Wealthy Witches
Anabelle was coloring a picture of a witch and she asked, "Is the witch our goddess?"
"Well, yes, in a way…"
And I explained how that picture of the witch in the pointy hat, etc. was the product of something else. I asked her if she remembered those people who started believing a different way and wanted everyone to believe the same thing as them. She did remember. So I told her they made the picture of the witch look “scary,” when really, that’s just an exaggerated version of the Crone. And as she colored a picture of “Lil Witch,” she told me this:
"This is called a Wealthy Witch."
"Oh? What is a Wealthy Witch?"
"They help god to make healthy people. So actually, we weren’t ALL just made from god.
"And a Wealthy Witch can look any way you want it to look. It can look any way it might be.
"And sometimes … A Wealthy Witch might seem like a ghost, but they help to give birth to children.
"Yes, they’re in the hospital and they might seem like a ghost because they’re invisible, but really they’re helping to give birth to the children.
"There are lots of different kinds of Wealthy Witches."
I won't explain my own interpretation of this. I think hers is interesting enough.
"Well, yes, in a way…"
And I explained how that picture of the witch in the pointy hat, etc. was the product of something else. I asked her if she remembered those people who started believing a different way and wanted everyone to believe the same thing as them. She did remember. So I told her they made the picture of the witch look “scary,” when really, that’s just an exaggerated version of the Crone. And as she colored a picture of “Lil Witch,” she told me this:
"This is called a Wealthy Witch."
"Oh? What is a Wealthy Witch?"
"They help god to make healthy people. So actually, we weren’t ALL just made from god.
"And a Wealthy Witch can look any way you want it to look. It can look any way it might be.
"And sometimes … A Wealthy Witch might seem like a ghost, but they help to give birth to children.
"Yes, they’re in the hospital and they might seem like a ghost because they’re invisible, but really they’re helping to give birth to the children.
"There are lots of different kinds of Wealthy Witches."
I won't explain my own interpretation of this. I think hers is interesting enough.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
SARA, Anabelle's BEST PET EVER
Anabelle loves her Leopard Gecko and claims it is her best pet EVER. That's a pretty big claim, considering how many favorites she's had in the recent and not-so-recent past. Anyway, Sara is the lucky one and here are a few photos to show how big she's getting. She was just a little baby when we got her, but she's growing ...
And as she grows, she's getting stronger and stronger. She really scrambles to try to get out of the hand and look around. We have to be really careful of her tail. It's nice and fat like it's supposed to be on a healthy lizard, but everything we've read says that it can break off easily. Even though she could grow a new one, there's the risk of infection if it comes off.
Here's a nice pic of Sara in all her gecko glory ... I have to admit, the little lizzy hand on the little thumb is really cute.
Anabelle wrote a story ...
We haven't read The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but Belle claims it as her inspiration for the following story:
The Fourteen Dancing Princesses
i am let me tell you a story here it is:
once apon a time thare where 14 danseing princesses
trare father was a king and a warrior he was alway's thae gard warrior
and garded the whole kingdom and was soon in a big war.
the pricesses ware vary vary vary scard of thare father in a big war.
they where so scard that they dressd up as MEN!
and refused to join the big war and fight and pertect thare father.
they soon noticed that they coud not do it BUT!
they soon noticed that they really did IT!!!!!!
and thare father was still alive
and they all whare as happy as can BE!
and they all lived happly
ever after
the end.:did you like it?
The Fourteen Dancing Princesses
i am let me tell you a story here it is:
once apon a time thare where 14 danseing princesses
trare father was a king and a warrior he was alway's thae gard warrior
and garded the whole kingdom and was soon in a big war.
the pricesses ware vary vary vary scard of thare father in a big war.
they where so scard that they dressd up as MEN!
and refused to join the big war and fight and pertect thare father.
they soon noticed that they coud not do it BUT!
they soon noticed that they really did IT!!!!!!
and thare father was still alive
and they all whare as happy as can BE!
and they all lived happly
ever after
the end.:did you like it?
Sunday, October 08, 2006
I often see myself in Anabelle's eyes ...
... I mean, not only am I looking into the eyes of my daughter, but I am seeing my own eyes looking back at me It's hard to describe. It's like I could look in a mirror and look into my own eyes as a child. And that was never more true than tonight. See for yourself --
Seriously, can you even believe that my mother ever took me out of the house???
However, I'm not quite sure that my eyes ever looked quite that ... animated. Therefore, Anabelle makes even these glasses look GOOD! JEEPERS CREEPERS!!! Where did she get those eyes?
Seriously, can you even believe that my mother ever took me out of the house???
However, I'm not quite sure that my eyes ever looked quite that ... animated. Therefore, Anabelle makes even these glasses look GOOD! JEEPERS CREEPERS!!! Where did she get those eyes?
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Baby Coming
This is one of Anabelle's recent creations. When I took this pic, the paint was still wet. I commented on her cool choices of color and asked her to "tell me about this picture." And you notice the shapes in the middle stripe? Well, that is the beginning of a baby ... kind of reading the symbols from right to left. Starting from the right, you notice the beginning cells that get together to make a baby. When you see the first circle -- that is when the cells first meet. And in the last circle, you see that the cells are starting to divide. I asked about the designs in the top stripe and she said, "Those are just more of the mother's cells on top." I asked her what the title of the piece would be and, after brief thought, she decided to call it "Baby Coming."
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The Rule of Three
I just explained the Rule of Three to Anabelle for the very first time. She is endlessly fascinated with incense ... We just cleaned the stove till it shone and then lit incense on top of it -- The stove is where we fix the food that nourishes our bodies, so ... we want it to be clean and we want it to be blessed. So anyway, OF COURSE, she wanted her own incense again. And I told her that she can't just carry incense around the house all the time -- she needs to form an intention with it. So her intention is to continue our house blessings until we finally have it clean like we want it (it's slowly headed in that direction after our clutter issues are being worked out with the use of industrial-strength garbage bags). And the reason this matters to her is so that we can have a HOUSE PARTY when it is finally cleaned the way we want it. YEAH!!!
Oh, anyway, the Rule of Three. It was just kind of a "milestone," because it was the first time I've mentioned it to her. When we were discussing "intentions," as usual, Spiral Rhythms was playing in the background. And just at that moment, the song said, "Ever mind the Rule of Three." So it was the perfect time to introduce the concept. I just told her that whatever thoughts and actions she sends out into the Universe will come back to her three times. So she must make sure that what she puts out into the Universe is what she wants to come back to her. She just trotted through the classroom with her incense, so I suppose the classroom is now blessed. :-)
Oh, anyway, the Rule of Three. It was just kind of a "milestone," because it was the first time I've mentioned it to her. When we were discussing "intentions," as usual, Spiral Rhythms was playing in the background. And just at that moment, the song said, "Ever mind the Rule of Three." So it was the perfect time to introduce the concept. I just told her that whatever thoughts and actions she sends out into the Universe will come back to her three times. So she must make sure that what she puts out into the Universe is what she wants to come back to her. She just trotted through the classroom with her incense, so I suppose the classroom is now blessed. :-)
Did you know that Buddha is a goddess?
This is not the first time Anabelle has presented me with this theory of hers. A few weeks ago, she told me, "Buddha is the Goddess of Everything." So today we talked about it. When she said that Buddha is a goddess, I replied, "I don't really think so. Everyone came from the goddess, but Buddha was not a goddess." And the young genius replied, "Since everything came from the goddess, everyone is a goddess." *phew* Not sure how to respond, but it seques perfectly with the idea of the Christ-Mind.
Monday, October 02, 2006
And because we're ECLECTIC ...
After our wild goddess dancing in the kitchen last night, Anabelle read something about komodo dragons on the side of her shampoo bottle. And said asked, "How did god make the first komodo dragon?"
"Hmmmmm.... I don't know. What do you mean?"
"I think komodo dragons were probably the first animals on earth."
All the interest with firsts came with our last trip to the beach area of Lake Ray Roberts. We always find lots and lots of little shell fossils and it started a discussion of what the earth was like before there were people. And then, of course, Anabelle started to wonder about The First Person. From my notes on that day, I found this:
"What if, instead of 'one first person,' a whole bunch of people began to appear at around the same time? What do you think?"
"I don't know ..."
Anyway, we talked about Native Americans, Columbus (because he's the one that used the word "Indians" and WHY he used that word), Pilgrims, christianity in England, etc. etc. We talked about how all the people in America today, except the Native Americans, were originally from somewhere else. And so on....
It's actually morning right now and I'm much better at blogging in the evening. Just wanted to post about god and the komodo dragons.
"Hmmmmm.... I don't know. What do you mean?"
"I think komodo dragons were probably the first animals on earth."
All the interest with firsts came with our last trip to the beach area of Lake Ray Roberts. We always find lots and lots of little shell fossils and it started a discussion of what the earth was like before there were people. And then, of course, Anabelle started to wonder about The First Person. From my notes on that day, I found this:
"What if, instead of 'one first person,' a whole bunch of people began to appear at around the same time? What do you think?"
"I don't know ..."
Anyway, we talked about Native Americans, Columbus (because he's the one that used the word "Indians" and WHY he used that word), Pilgrims, christianity in England, etc. etc. We talked about how all the people in America today, except the Native Americans, were originally from somewhere else. And so on....
It's actually morning right now and I'm much better at blogging in the evening. Just wanted to post about god and the komodo dragons.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
You're the rain and I'm the sun ...
So it's Sunday and you know ... a lazy day. And Anabelle and I were cooking dinner, shrimp stirfry. And Anabelle made the stirfry. The whole thing. And while she stood and stirred endlessly, I told her, "That's why they call it stirfry," as if it were a history lesson or something. And while the sauces simmered, we danced. The song that brought us together was "Dance, My Children, Dance" by Spiral Rhythms. I'll get to the lyrics, but what Anabelle and I learned was this ...
We found ourselves dancing in a circle, sometimes slow and sometimes fast ... Sometimes by ourselves, and sometimes with our arms linked ... but always in the circle. And we began to talk about how that must have been what the first people on the earth felt like. That they would gather together in circles to honor the earth, our first goddess. And we talked about how perhaps the first goddess may very well be Mother Earth. Which led to a discussion of circles and cycles ... inhale, exhale ... dance ... under the moon ... in a circle ... around the fire ... together. Which led us to compare (because it's Sunday) what the very first people on earth worshipped and all the other kinds of worship that there are nowdays. And how all those religions all started with our common ancestor ... the first people dancing in a circle, around the fire, under the moon. *whew* It was like a history lesson or something. And all the while we twirled around the kitchen together, dancing and laughing ... worshipping.
And as we danced, Anabelle began to narrate our movements -- She said, "We move forward and backward, together and apart -- When we're like this, you're the rain and I'm the sun. But when we move back like this, I'm the rain and you're the sun." And she explained to me this ...
thare woud be no sun or rain if thare was no earth that we live on. anabelle
My daughter is a genius. And here's the song to which we were dancing:
Dance, My Children, Dance
(PJ Seale 2002)
I call the earth, the fire, the wind and rain
Dance my children dance
To guide you on this mortal plane
While you, dance children dance
I made the ground soft beneath your feet
So you could, dance children dance
And the fire to bathe you with it’s heat
While you, dance children dance
I made the rain to fall to cool you down
While you, dance children dance
And the wind to blow you dry again
While you, dance children dance
I made the sun by day and the moon at night
So you could, dance children dance
So you’re always in my loving light
While you, dance children dance
And you dance with the
Sun and the moon and the wind and the rain
And you dance with the earth and you dance with the flame
And you dance with the stars in the velvet sky
All things dance in the circle of life
So I call you to my circle now
Dance my children dance
In peace and love and togetherness
May you, dance children dance
Always, dance children dance
All things dance, children dance
We found ourselves dancing in a circle, sometimes slow and sometimes fast ... Sometimes by ourselves, and sometimes with our arms linked ... but always in the circle. And we began to talk about how that must have been what the first people on the earth felt like. That they would gather together in circles to honor the earth, our first goddess. And we talked about how perhaps the first goddess may very well be Mother Earth. Which led to a discussion of circles and cycles ... inhale, exhale ... dance ... under the moon ... in a circle ... around the fire ... together. Which led us to compare (because it's Sunday) what the very first people on earth worshipped and all the other kinds of worship that there are nowdays. And how all those religions all started with our common ancestor ... the first people dancing in a circle, around the fire, under the moon. *whew* It was like a history lesson or something. And all the while we twirled around the kitchen together, dancing and laughing ... worshipping.
And as we danced, Anabelle began to narrate our movements -- She said, "We move forward and backward, together and apart -- When we're like this, you're the rain and I'm the sun. But when we move back like this, I'm the rain and you're the sun." And she explained to me this ...
thare woud be no sun or rain if thare was no earth that we live on. anabelle
My daughter is a genius. And here's the song to which we were dancing:
Dance, My Children, Dance
(PJ Seale 2002)
I call the earth, the fire, the wind and rain
Dance my children dance
To guide you on this mortal plane
While you, dance children dance
I made the ground soft beneath your feet
So you could, dance children dance
And the fire to bathe you with it’s heat
While you, dance children dance
I made the rain to fall to cool you down
While you, dance children dance
And the wind to blow you dry again
While you, dance children dance
I made the sun by day and the moon at night
So you could, dance children dance
So you’re always in my loving light
While you, dance children dance
And you dance with the
Sun and the moon and the wind and the rain
And you dance with the earth and you dance with the flame
And you dance with the stars in the velvet sky
All things dance in the circle of life
So I call you to my circle now
Dance my children dance
In peace and love and togetherness
May you, dance children dance
Always, dance children dance
All things dance, children dance
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Amazon has my number.
You know how they send those e-mail recommendations every so often? Well, there are usually at least one or two books that are right on target. But this morning I got a list of books that makes me want to drop some money in the Amazon coffers! The Unprocessed Child: Living Without School, Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting, I Believe in Me: A Book of Affirmations, Quantum Psychology: How Brain Software Programs You and Your World, Fairy Island: An Enchanted Tour of the Homes of the Little Folk, Making Waldorf Dolls. Do they know me or WHAT? Seriously, this was the list of recommendations in ONE e-mail. All my book-ratings and reviews have finally produced a perfect list of recommendations.
Friday, September 29, 2006
What did we learn today?
Well, it would be hard to say in so many words. But I know the day was filled with moments of spontaneous insight. What's funny is ... by the end of the day, I always find myself asking, "What did we learn today?" Kind of like ... "Tell me one thing you learned today." And even though I know we learned a huge amount, that filled our hearts and spirits as well as our minds, it would be difficult to take a test on it or present it as a factoid at the dinner table. Interestingly enough, my mother asked me yesterday, "If you are a homeschooler, how do you ever learn to take tests?"
Hmmmm..... "Why would a homeschooler need to take tests?"
"Well, so they can take tests. You know ... when they're adults."
"What kind of tests will they need to take when they're adults? Cholesterol tests? Yes. Hearing Tests? Probably. But history tests? Probably not."
Okay, both of us were missing the mark entirely. She knew exactly what she was trying to ask me, and I knew exactly how I was trying to respond, but we were speaking from two different worlds. Homeschooling is a new concept for her, as it is for many people in my family -- she has no point of reference. So she asks. And because the concept of sending my child to public school is just as unusual a concept for me; or allowing other people to get paid to spend the day with my child because I don't have the patience to do it myself ... Well, that is my world. So we try to communicate about these things, but we're speaking from completely unique perspectives and it just takes us a long time to understand. But we try. We really try and eventually, even if we may not really understand, we are able to embrace each other's need to be heard.
I don't know what we learned today. After a full day, the three of us ended up hanging out at Barnes & Noble for over an hour. Maybe even for over two hours. Anabelle read all the new picture books that are out. She really enjoyed The English Roses, but wanted me to read it to her and it was just a long book, so I didn't. Then she read joke books -- I've never heard so many silly knock-knock jokes at one time in my LIFE. And finally, at checkout, she hugged me and buried her head in my stomach and said, "You smell soooooo good at night." And I know the smell she was talking about. It's kind of a warm mom smell. And the only one that ever has it is your mom. And now I have that smell. Awesome ...
And then when we walked out the doors of the bookstore, she threw her arms out, smiled up at the sky and shouted, "HELLO WORLD!"
It's hard to really describe what we learned today.
Hmmmm..... "Why would a homeschooler need to take tests?"
"Well, so they can take tests. You know ... when they're adults."
"What kind of tests will they need to take when they're adults? Cholesterol tests? Yes. Hearing Tests? Probably. But history tests? Probably not."
Okay, both of us were missing the mark entirely. She knew exactly what she was trying to ask me, and I knew exactly how I was trying to respond, but we were speaking from two different worlds. Homeschooling is a new concept for her, as it is for many people in my family -- she has no point of reference. So she asks. And because the concept of sending my child to public school is just as unusual a concept for me; or allowing other people to get paid to spend the day with my child because I don't have the patience to do it myself ... Well, that is my world. So we try to communicate about these things, but we're speaking from completely unique perspectives and it just takes us a long time to understand. But we try. We really try and eventually, even if we may not really understand, we are able to embrace each other's need to be heard.
I don't know what we learned today. After a full day, the three of us ended up hanging out at Barnes & Noble for over an hour. Maybe even for over two hours. Anabelle read all the new picture books that are out. She really enjoyed The English Roses, but wanted me to read it to her and it was just a long book, so I didn't. Then she read joke books -- I've never heard so many silly knock-knock jokes at one time in my LIFE. And finally, at checkout, she hugged me and buried her head in my stomach and said, "You smell soooooo good at night." And I know the smell she was talking about. It's kind of a warm mom smell. And the only one that ever has it is your mom. And now I have that smell. Awesome ...
And then when we walked out the doors of the bookstore, she threw her arms out, smiled up at the sky and shouted, "HELLO WORLD!"
It's hard to really describe what we learned today.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Well. Anabelle wants HOMEWORK.
But she doesn't want the homework I provide for her. She wants the kind of homework that she wants. Whatever that may be. Period. Usually it's math. The math from our curriculum books? Noooooo. The math that we write down ourselves or just call out to her. I'm thinking it may be time to start trying to impose a *little* more structure on this whole thing. Maybe a notebook would be nice. A notebook with completed HOMEWORK assignments. We shall see...
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Speaking of reading ...
Because Anabelle IS such a proficient reader, I'm wondering about word attack skills and spelling. One of the best "tips" I've discovered is keeping a dictionary on the dining room table. She LOVES to look through the dictionary and learn new words. The dictionary we're using is one of those big, fat, humongous dictionaries from Reader's Digest that belonged to my great grandmother. Went to B&N the other day and looked at all the different choices for children's dictionaries. Tough call.
"Classical" Education, Well-Trained Mind, ETC.
Talking about unschooling made me take a good hard look at our "curriculum." I would have to say that it's eclectic, with a strong lean toward the classical. I haven't read the latest edition of The Well-Trained Mind, but when I did read it, the thing that stuck in my mind was that learning to READ is the job of the kindergartener. So that's done. Anabelle can read just about anything you put in front of her. Seriously! I had bought the entire "Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading" -- everything available, the COMBO PACK -- and we never opened it. I forgot the reason, but Peacehill Press had made a mistake with our order and by the time it arrived, we were already smoking along and it was just too late to go back to a phonics approach. So it's whole language and literature-based all the way now. We're going to use the Language Lessons and Story of the World, though. I've got to say that I really LOVE SOTW, but we are moving through it very, very slowly. I can't seem to flesh out a "plan" for working through the book in a 3 year period. I'm just anxious to mummify a chicken. ;-)
Anyway, now that we're officially first graders, it seems to be time to read the revised edition of WTM and finally start working my way through The Well-Educated Mind. It kinda freaks me out at times. Anabelle is only 6 and, when I read all this stuff, I want to do it ALL and I want to do it NOW. I guess I could start by getting that classroom organized ...
Anyway, now that we're officially first graders, it seems to be time to read the revised edition of WTM and finally start working my way through The Well-Educated Mind. It kinda freaks me out at times. Anabelle is only 6 and, when I read all this stuff, I want to do it ALL and I want to do it NOW. I guess I could start by getting that classroom organized ...
"Un"school RULES!
Anabelle never really liked the sound of "un"school and I can't blame her. But we seem to be moving in that direction. I mean, the two of us are just about the epitomy of *spontaneous*, so it seems to work. We were at the lake the other day and some ladies asked Anabelle if she had come to the lake after school. Belle told them, "I'm half homeschool and half unschool." That was the first time she really tried to incorporate the whole idea of unschool into her repertoire. Really, I'm of the opinion that it's just a word. However, that's certainly NOT the way the "Radical Unschoolers" look at it. Anyway ... We had been at the lake for hours and learned quite a bit and I had finally explained to Belle that it was pretty much what I had been trying to tell her that unschooling is like. So it was on her mind. Anyhoo ...
That said, we're still putting the classroom back together and it's looking pretty good. I can hardly wait to start moving back toward a rhythm of some sort.
The lake was waaaaay low the other day, but also nice and clean because of a weekend rain. Until the last hour, we were the only ones there. Ellen and I had brought out books to read, but since the place was deserted, I ended up spending my time playing with Anabelle. She picked up shells and I picked up fossils. And we walked all the way up and down both sides of the shoreline as far as it was possible. We dug up clay, caught a baby frog, etc. etc. etc. It was so much fun that I'm kinda anxious to go back. We actually haven't gone AT ALL this summer because it was TOO HOT. Yes, it was too hot to go swimming. We tried to stay close to air conditioners. Relaxing and having fun together brought up all kinds of conversations and I can't exactly remember how they started ... I know we had a long talk about the difference between the lake and the ocean ... And Anabelle said something about the "first people" that were here, and I said they were Indians; Ellen corrected me and said they were Native Americans. That led to a discussion of WHY they were originally called Indians (Columbus) and then how most of us are actually from Europe and HOW that happened (Pilgrims, Mayflower). I figured that was pretty first grade ... later we can talk about immigration, etc.
One side of Poppop's family (Viets) was either German or Dutch. It started in the 1600's with a physician who ended up in America because of a shipwreck. There is a BOOK of the Viets family that goes all the way from then until about the time Poppop's parents were married. I think the next thing we need to make is a family tree. Perfect, because that's exactly where Story of the World starts.
That said, we're still putting the classroom back together and it's looking pretty good. I can hardly wait to start moving back toward a rhythm of some sort.
The lake was waaaaay low the other day, but also nice and clean because of a weekend rain. Until the last hour, we were the only ones there. Ellen and I had brought out books to read, but since the place was deserted, I ended up spending my time playing with Anabelle. She picked up shells and I picked up fossils. And we walked all the way up and down both sides of the shoreline as far as it was possible. We dug up clay, caught a baby frog, etc. etc. etc. It was so much fun that I'm kinda anxious to go back. We actually haven't gone AT ALL this summer because it was TOO HOT. Yes, it was too hot to go swimming. We tried to stay close to air conditioners. Relaxing and having fun together brought up all kinds of conversations and I can't exactly remember how they started ... I know we had a long talk about the difference between the lake and the ocean ... And Anabelle said something about the "first people" that were here, and I said they were Indians; Ellen corrected me and said they were Native Americans. That led to a discussion of WHY they were originally called Indians (Columbus) and then how most of us are actually from Europe and HOW that happened (Pilgrims, Mayflower). I figured that was pretty first grade ... later we can talk about immigration, etc.
One side of Poppop's family (Viets) was either German or Dutch. It started in the 1600's with a physician who ended up in America because of a shipwreck. There is a BOOK of the Viets family that goes all the way from then until about the time Poppop's parents were married. I think the next thing we need to make is a family tree. Perfect, because that's exactly where Story of the World starts.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
We seem to be off to a slow start this year...
...but that's okay, because we're learning how to improvise and we're learning lots of other things as well. Since Momo is at the Senior Center now, we go up there at least 2 or 3 times a week. Anabelle has made MANY new friends and loves to participate in the activities. She is very kind to everyone and they absolutely love her. As I watched her strolling around the room during Bingo yesterday, it reminded me of when I was a little kid doing the exact same thing at Bellmire.
We've also been doing a lot with Girl Scouts -- FUN! Anabelle had started guitar lessons, but isn't so sure she wants to continue. She'd like to take piano instead. I think! She may have changed her mind already. Then there's karate that's about to start and we're trying to decide about theater classes in Arlington.
We're still working on the organization of our classroom and that gets a little *slow* at times, especially since we tend to get distracted when we uncover books or games we'd forgotten about. Ben taught Belle how to do card tricks and from there, I taught her to recognize the different "suits" in a tarot deck. From there, she made up her own "magic" tricks.
And here she is NOW, so it's time for me to quit blogging.
We've also been doing a lot with Girl Scouts -- FUN! Anabelle had started guitar lessons, but isn't so sure she wants to continue. She'd like to take piano instead. I think! She may have changed her mind already. Then there's karate that's about to start and we're trying to decide about theater classes in Arlington.
We're still working on the organization of our classroom and that gets a little *slow* at times, especially since we tend to get distracted when we uncover books or games we'd forgotten about. Ben taught Belle how to do card tricks and from there, I taught her to recognize the different "suits" in a tarot deck. From there, she made up her own "magic" tricks.
And here she is NOW, so it's time for me to quit blogging.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
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