August is often a very busy month for our family, and this year is no exception. We're busy with Dryst's soccer pre-season, birthday party preparations, working, getting ready for our autumn activities (yes, the planning process has begun), making fresh salsa, creating music, being present for some folks who need our help, grieving and healing, and of course, sneaking in a swim in the pond whenever we can.
I've still managed to keep up on my reading this week; much of it is inspirational, which helps keep me going when I start to feel overwhelmed or exhausted. Here are some links worth sharing.
This article addresses that feeling of getting overwhelmed, and offers ideas on how to create space for yourself within the chaos.
You can embody kindness by being more open, and letting go of fears that hold you back.
Sometimes we just need to go beyond our comfort zone, and seek out the types of adventures that wake us up to our passions.
Especially during a busy time, it's important to love what you do. Even when you don't.
For further help on living and loving life, check out these tips that keep you on your toes.
What can your body tell you that you might not be aware of consciously? This video has interesting information and an intriguing exercise on behavioral kinesiology.
And finally, if you can take a few moments to relax, even during a busy week, the stillness will help you recharge and restore your energy.
Showing posts with label homeschooling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschooling. Show all posts
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Starcat's Favorites: Digging In
Well, hello there! I guess I haven't written anything here since last week's favorites. I've been digging in deep this week, working on a few projects that kept me busy. This Wednesday was the kids' end-of-year portfolio review, so I got to look over all the things they did this past year, and see how things are going on our unschooling journey. The short answer is, very well indeed! In the process of creating portfolios, talking with the kids, and meeting with our certified teacher, I also got lots of ideas for things they'd each like to pursue beginning this fall. Which brings more work to do, but it's fun putting together resources and ideas.
Also, BlackLion and I were immersed in our first week of the twelve-week course The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I'm loving it! I did even more journal-writing than usual, and I plan to share some of it here on the blog. And of course, I've been working on my book, Starcat's Corner: Essays on Pagan Living. I received the copy edited manuscript and have been reviewing it and answering some of the publisher's questions. All of that, plus lots of swimming during the heat spell we've been having. Fun!
I did have time to find some lovely tidbits to share with you this weekend, though. Happy clicking!
Found this great new blog to check out - and I love her post on imaginal cells and surrender. Mmmm.....
There are benefits to being shy. Who knew? Well, I guess I did, but not back when I was younger and at the peak of my shyness and anxiety.
Three little words that will uplift your spirits...they might not be the ones you're thinking of, either.
I love this yummy post about making your life into an abundant garden. Tasty and nutritious!
Here's a rather intense, but excellent, article about the deep need for poets, dreamers, artists, and thinkers. We truly need the power of the imagination.
And in case you're feeling a bit overwhelmed this month, check out this energy report for July. Big doings!
Have a relaxing weekend...
Also, BlackLion and I were immersed in our first week of the twelve-week course The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I'm loving it! I did even more journal-writing than usual, and I plan to share some of it here on the blog. And of course, I've been working on my book, Starcat's Corner: Essays on Pagan Living. I received the copy edited manuscript and have been reviewing it and answering some of the publisher's questions. All of that, plus lots of swimming during the heat spell we've been having. Fun!
I did have time to find some lovely tidbits to share with you this weekend, though. Happy clicking!
Found this great new blog to check out - and I love her post on imaginal cells and surrender. Mmmm.....
There are benefits to being shy. Who knew? Well, I guess I did, but not back when I was younger and at the peak of my shyness and anxiety.
Three little words that will uplift your spirits...they might not be the ones you're thinking of, either.
I love this yummy post about making your life into an abundant garden. Tasty and nutritious!
Here's a rather intense, but excellent, article about the deep need for poets, dreamers, artists, and thinkers. We truly need the power of the imagination.
And in case you're feeling a bit overwhelmed this month, check out this energy report for July. Big doings!
Have a relaxing weekend...
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
My Half-Year Check-In
Is it hard for you to believe that we're already halfway through 2012? It is for me. So I thought I'd do a check-in on how I'm doing with my goals for this year. Not in a judgemental way (or at least, I'll try not to be that way), but more to see what's going well and how my focus could be fine-tuned for the rest of the year.
Air: I'm doing awesome with my writing! In particular, my book is now in production (I still just love saying that). That said, I have many more writing projects that want my attention. I want to put more focus on those. My music (which I'll put here, with creative stuff) is going well. Drumming with Dark Follies is fun and such a terrific learning experience. I took a cool art class at our homeschool co-op this spring, and want to do more with it. We have our homeschool portfolio review in a couple of weeks, and I think things are going pretty well in that area. I haven't gotten to the prose poem or studying yogic texts yet this year, though my studies in general are going along well.
Fire: I would say that I'm definitely making progress with my callings. As noted above, becoming a published author is going along well. I also secured a spot as a guest blogger on a very popular spirituality website; my post will appear in August (the first of many, I hope!). We're still working on getting the word out about Feline Dreamers; I get discouraged sometimes with the slow progress, but most of the time I just keep on building towards it. I'm definitely working on my self-love, though I am reminded to dive back into the use of affirmations, which I haven't been doing as much. I'm also doing well on releasing things that don't serve me. I think there is a teensy problem with the idea of only agreeing to things which feel like a passionate "yes!" - there are just too many of them! I need to slow down a bit and try not to do so much.
Water: Here's an area where the slowing down will help me to go deeper. I want to pay much more attention to self-nurturing, intuition, and connection to my guides. I do have a dream journal project planned which is going to be really fun (more on that in another post). I have been using my empathy to help community members in various ways, mostly in one-on-one settings, so that's going along well.
Earth: I've been loving the time I've spent out in nature this spring and summer thus far! Very grounding and energizing. Barefoot hiking is just so much fun, and so is doing my journal-writing practice outdoors. I have been bringing in little bits of money from my calling, but mostly it's been other work-for-money. I still need to make a big leap in the area of abundance. The same with health. I've made some progress, but then I revert to old habits (comfort food, for example) and forget to really listen to what my body is telling me. Some work to do here, for sure.
Spirit: My spiritual practices are going pretty well. Sometimes I forget. Don't we all? But for the most part, connection and presence are part of my daily life. I've been able to spend lovely time in sacred space, particularly with my Full Moon circlemates. I haven't done much yoga lately, and I want to get back to it. Shrines, altars, and the Wheel of the Year project are some other things that want my attention.
Well, that sounds about right as a mid-year update. I think the idea of slowing down and putting my focus on the quieter elements of water and earth will be helpful as I move into the second half of the year. I'm feeling the groove starting to shift, and connecting with those deeper energies. Mmmm. I like it.
How are you doing with your personal goals and intentions for 2012? How can you build on what you've been doing so far? What adjustments will help you be your best self?
Air: I'm doing awesome with my writing! In particular, my book is now in production (I still just love saying that). That said, I have many more writing projects that want my attention. I want to put more focus on those. My music (which I'll put here, with creative stuff) is going well. Drumming with Dark Follies is fun and such a terrific learning experience. I took a cool art class at our homeschool co-op this spring, and want to do more with it. We have our homeschool portfolio review in a couple of weeks, and I think things are going pretty well in that area. I haven't gotten to the prose poem or studying yogic texts yet this year, though my studies in general are going along well.
Fire: I would say that I'm definitely making progress with my callings. As noted above, becoming a published author is going along well. I also secured a spot as a guest blogger on a very popular spirituality website; my post will appear in August (the first of many, I hope!). We're still working on getting the word out about Feline Dreamers; I get discouraged sometimes with the slow progress, but most of the time I just keep on building towards it. I'm definitely working on my self-love, though I am reminded to dive back into the use of affirmations, which I haven't been doing as much. I'm also doing well on releasing things that don't serve me. I think there is a teensy problem with the idea of only agreeing to things which feel like a passionate "yes!" - there are just too many of them! I need to slow down a bit and try not to do so much.
Water: Here's an area where the slowing down will help me to go deeper. I want to pay much more attention to self-nurturing, intuition, and connection to my guides. I do have a dream journal project planned which is going to be really fun (more on that in another post). I have been using my empathy to help community members in various ways, mostly in one-on-one settings, so that's going along well.
Earth: I've been loving the time I've spent out in nature this spring and summer thus far! Very grounding and energizing. Barefoot hiking is just so much fun, and so is doing my journal-writing practice outdoors. I have been bringing in little bits of money from my calling, but mostly it's been other work-for-money. I still need to make a big leap in the area of abundance. The same with health. I've made some progress, but then I revert to old habits (comfort food, for example) and forget to really listen to what my body is telling me. Some work to do here, for sure.
Spirit: My spiritual practices are going pretty well. Sometimes I forget. Don't we all? But for the most part, connection and presence are part of my daily life. I've been able to spend lovely time in sacred space, particularly with my Full Moon circlemates. I haven't done much yoga lately, and I want to get back to it. Shrines, altars, and the Wheel of the Year project are some other things that want my attention.
Well, that sounds about right as a mid-year update. I think the idea of slowing down and putting my focus on the quieter elements of water and earth will be helpful as I move into the second half of the year. I'm feeling the groove starting to shift, and connecting with those deeper energies. Mmmm. I like it.
How are you doing with your personal goals and intentions for 2012? How can you build on what you've been doing so far? What adjustments will help you be your best self?
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Honoring Creative Expressions of All Stripes
BlackLion and I have recently, through our drumming with the Dark Follies vaudeville troupe, gotten involved in the steampunk movement (click here if you'd like to learn more about what that means). We attended the Steampunk World's Fair in New Jersey last weekend, and had such a fun time! If you link up with me on Facebook, you can see my photo album. The costumes are so creative and fantastical that I could have sat in one place, just people-watching!
Not only did we enjoy performing and hanging out with the troupe, we also got to connect with some unschooling friends.When we returned from the trip, I was looking through Facebook at the pictures other people had posted. My friend Dayna, who was there because of her son's passion for all things steampunk, had posted a picture of him in his costume, which included a replica of a flintlock gun. I noticed there were a lot of comments, and started to read them. I was amazed to find that a couple of people were objecting to seeing a young teenager in a "warlike" costume, and even offended that she would "let" him be part of this type of event. They seemed truly offended by the photo.
Why was I so astonished? I'd attended the full three days of the festival, and despite the presence of weapons as part of some of the costumes, I'd seen nothing at all to indicate violence or conflict. The vast majority of the folks at the festival were polite and jovial. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the shows and vendors, and although alcohol was being served and consumed, I never witnessed any fights or altercations. The festival attendees were there to have fun, show off their creations, and connect with others.
I'm a very peaceful and non-violent person, and it never occurred to me to look askance at the stories that were being spun as part of the steampunk genre. ElvenTiger and Dayna's son hung out together at the festival, and part of their play was having mock battles. In fact, when we were getting ready to leave, they said farewell by staging a "big final battle," which took place on the midway, with BlackLion providing a dramatic drum soundtrack. They were so clearly playing, having fun exploring ways of being in the world, that it never triggered any fears or worries that they would bring real violence into their experience. They, like the other attendees, were exercising their imaginations.
As someone who values peace as well as imagination, I strive to honor creative expressions of all types and stripes. I don't think that playing violent video games, re-enacting historic battles, or role-playing swords and sorcery leads to more violence in the world. In fact, I see these as healthy ways to channel the natural aggression that we brought forth from our earlier days as humans. We are evolving, and by expressing ourselves creatively, we unlock new ideas and ways we wish the world to be. Rather than fearing the actions of those who act or dress differently than we do, particularly teens and young adults, let's look deeper and honor their unique self-expression. We teach by example, and what better lessons than living our ethics and valuing the diversity of human experience?
Not only did we enjoy performing and hanging out with the troupe, we also got to connect with some unschooling friends.When we returned from the trip, I was looking through Facebook at the pictures other people had posted. My friend Dayna, who was there because of her son's passion for all things steampunk, had posted a picture of him in his costume, which included a replica of a flintlock gun. I noticed there were a lot of comments, and started to read them. I was amazed to find that a couple of people were objecting to seeing a young teenager in a "warlike" costume, and even offended that she would "let" him be part of this type of event. They seemed truly offended by the photo.
Why was I so astonished? I'd attended the full three days of the festival, and despite the presence of weapons as part of some of the costumes, I'd seen nothing at all to indicate violence or conflict. The vast majority of the folks at the festival were polite and jovial. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the shows and vendors, and although alcohol was being served and consumed, I never witnessed any fights or altercations. The festival attendees were there to have fun, show off their creations, and connect with others.
I'm a very peaceful and non-violent person, and it never occurred to me to look askance at the stories that were being spun as part of the steampunk genre. ElvenTiger and Dayna's son hung out together at the festival, and part of their play was having mock battles. In fact, when we were getting ready to leave, they said farewell by staging a "big final battle," which took place on the midway, with BlackLion providing a dramatic drum soundtrack. They were so clearly playing, having fun exploring ways of being in the world, that it never triggered any fears or worries that they would bring real violence into their experience. They, like the other attendees, were exercising their imaginations.
As someone who values peace as well as imagination, I strive to honor creative expressions of all types and stripes. I don't think that playing violent video games, re-enacting historic battles, or role-playing swords and sorcery leads to more violence in the world. In fact, I see these as healthy ways to channel the natural aggression that we brought forth from our earlier days as humans. We are evolving, and by expressing ourselves creatively, we unlock new ideas and ways we wish the world to be. Rather than fearing the actions of those who act or dress differently than we do, particularly teens and young adults, let's look deeper and honor their unique self-expression. We teach by example, and what better lessons than living our ethics and valuing the diversity of human experience?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Recent Doings at the Homestead (and Beyond)
I've just noticed that I've had an inadvertent blog vacation, and haven't written anything here for quite a while. Hello there! How have you been?
Let's see, what have we been up to for the last couple of weeks? A whole lot, really! As an update to my last post, I've submitted both my article to Kind Over Matter, and (drum roll please) my book proposal for "Starcat's Corner: Essays on Pagan Living." Yay! I was really pleased to get those things done, despite having a bit of a tough time around Mercury being in retrograde (which seemed to coincide with a particularly difficult, er, time of the month). That convergence might have contributed to my lack of blog posts, now that I think of it.
Speaking of drums, we also have a bunch of gigs scheduled for this spring and summer, as part of the Dark Follies Rhythm Orchestra. In fact, we'll be attending the Steampunk World's Fair in New Jersey in May! Our drum rehearsals with Dark Follies have been going well, and we'll be showcasing our new tunes in early April.
We're also gearing up for the Life Rocks! Radical Unschooling conference, happening in just over two weeks. ElvenTiger has been counting down the days, and starting to gather up things we want to bring (art supplies for the door decorating contest, materials for the faerie house building workshop, and the like). Which reminds me, I need to order my new swimsuit.
We've been very busy with the homeschool co-op we belong to. I've been helping get the class schedule all set for the fourth session; one of my new friends and I have been working on it together. Dryst will be teaching a soccer class, and already has his full complement of twenty students signed up (well, twenty-one, actually). He's also working on his performance for the upcoming prize-speaking contest. BlackLion and I are getting our international vegetarian cooking class ready for the new session.
Dryst and I have an ongoing Scrabble game set up on the kitchen table, and we just got him signed up for lacrosse, which starts in about a week. I'm reading the first book of The Hunger Games aloud to ElvenTiger and BlackLion, and we're all really enjoying it. We've had a bake sale, a jewelry party, and ElvenTiger's swim classes, along with our regular homeschool group gatherings and get-togethers with our extended family. Busy busy!
At the homestead, spring's approach has brought us a renewed focus on health. We're enjoying lots of smoothies, salads, and steamed veggies. We got a mortar and pestle, and I'm going to make some new Indian spice blends, like garam masala. I've already been making a yummy curry powder blend, and I want to expand my repertoire. The weather has been warmer this week, so I've been hanging out laundry again, and really enjoying the fresh smell of the clothes.
I'm thankful for the spring weather, my delightful family and friends, and for feeling creative again. I'm sure I'll post more soon. I hope your early spring is going well!
Let's see, what have we been up to for the last couple of weeks? A whole lot, really! As an update to my last post, I've submitted both my article to Kind Over Matter, and (drum roll please) my book proposal for "Starcat's Corner: Essays on Pagan Living." Yay! I was really pleased to get those things done, despite having a bit of a tough time around Mercury being in retrograde (which seemed to coincide with a particularly difficult, er, time of the month). That convergence might have contributed to my lack of blog posts, now that I think of it.
Speaking of drums, we also have a bunch of gigs scheduled for this spring and summer, as part of the Dark Follies Rhythm Orchestra. In fact, we'll be attending the Steampunk World's Fair in New Jersey in May! Our drum rehearsals with Dark Follies have been going well, and we'll be showcasing our new tunes in early April.
We're also gearing up for the Life Rocks! Radical Unschooling conference, happening in just over two weeks. ElvenTiger has been counting down the days, and starting to gather up things we want to bring (art supplies for the door decorating contest, materials for the faerie house building workshop, and the like). Which reminds me, I need to order my new swimsuit.
We've been very busy with the homeschool co-op we belong to. I've been helping get the class schedule all set for the fourth session; one of my new friends and I have been working on it together. Dryst will be teaching a soccer class, and already has his full complement of twenty students signed up (well, twenty-one, actually). He's also working on his performance for the upcoming prize-speaking contest. BlackLion and I are getting our international vegetarian cooking class ready for the new session.
Dryst and I have an ongoing Scrabble game set up on the kitchen table, and we just got him signed up for lacrosse, which starts in about a week. I'm reading the first book of The Hunger Games aloud to ElvenTiger and BlackLion, and we're all really enjoying it. We've had a bake sale, a jewelry party, and ElvenTiger's swim classes, along with our regular homeschool group gatherings and get-togethers with our extended family. Busy busy!
At the homestead, spring's approach has brought us a renewed focus on health. We're enjoying lots of smoothies, salads, and steamed veggies. We got a mortar and pestle, and I'm going to make some new Indian spice blends, like garam masala. I've already been making a yummy curry powder blend, and I want to expand my repertoire. The weather has been warmer this week, so I've been hanging out laundry again, and really enjoying the fresh smell of the clothes.
I'm thankful for the spring weather, my delightful family and friends, and for feeling creative again. I'm sure I'll post more soon. I hope your early spring is going well!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
ElvenTiger's Week
I've mentioned before how my daughter ElvenTiger, who is 12, isn't really academically inclined. By this I mean that she's not the type to learn by sitting and doing worksheets or writing reports, although she has done those things. However, she does love to learn, and she's always learning new things. Her preferred style of learning is hands-on, active, and relevant to her life.
So I thought I'd give a glimpse of the types of things she does by talking about what she's been up to this week. Monday we had a birthday party for her Dad and Grampa. ElvenTiger helped me make the veggie pot pie, including the crust. We ran some errands while her brother was at soccer practice, and she chose and purchased a gift for her Dad from money she had earned doing some yard work for her Grammy. We went to the party and spent time with family. We also did our usual Monday ritual of watching "Dancing With the Stars" and critiquing the dances.
Tuesday was a quieter day. On her own time, ElvenTiger has been knitting, watching "The Addams Family" on Netflix, getting her Halloween costume ready, reading to me, and playing outdoors.
Wednesday was our weekly homeschool group. ElvenTiger not only hung out with her friends, but also went to an improv theater class with some of them. She got to participate in the class, and had a fun time. When they all came back, we played some dominoes and chatted. She also did artwork, making bookmarks with a friend. She stayed overnight with her friend and they did some more work on their costumes.
Thursday is the day for the new homeschool co-op gathering. ElvenTiger made a beautiful small basket in her basket-weaving class. She hung out with friends at lunch, and then in cooking class she learned to make four different kinds of cheese. She usually brings her knitting, and has helped a new friend with her knitting projects as well.
On Friday ElvenTiger and BlackLion went on a mushroom foraging expedition with a bunch of other homeschool families. A mycologist came and taught them about the different types of fungus they had gathered. ElvenTiger found a type of mushroom that glows in the dark! After that she had soccer practice. In the evening we had a fire, which she enjoyed with her Dad, and later we listened to jazz and played some Skip-Bo.
Today we went to a cemetery tour that my Mom was hosting. While Mom made a speech about the family who was buried there and their history (it was a small cemetery on a local farm), ElvenTiger, BlackLion and I provided the atmosphere. We dressed up in costume and walked around in the background, as if we were the ghosts of the family. We put our improv skills to use, and also provided some music, with drum, flute, and voice. It was fun, and we learned local history while helping out the local historical society.
Now we're off to ElvenTiger's soccer playoff game. Of course, woven in and around all this activity is a bunch of other stuff, including lots of conversations about a wide variety of topics. ElvenTiger plans to make some applesauce this weekend, from some local apples we were given. We have a family potluck tomorrow, as well as more soccer. Life is full and rich and educational...and fun! I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into the life of an unschooled 12-year-old. Now I'm off to chauffeur her to the game!
So I thought I'd give a glimpse of the types of things she does by talking about what she's been up to this week. Monday we had a birthday party for her Dad and Grampa. ElvenTiger helped me make the veggie pot pie, including the crust. We ran some errands while her brother was at soccer practice, and she chose and purchased a gift for her Dad from money she had earned doing some yard work for her Grammy. We went to the party and spent time with family. We also did our usual Monday ritual of watching "Dancing With the Stars" and critiquing the dances.
Tuesday was a quieter day. On her own time, ElvenTiger has been knitting, watching "The Addams Family" on Netflix, getting her Halloween costume ready, reading to me, and playing outdoors.
Wednesday was our weekly homeschool group. ElvenTiger not only hung out with her friends, but also went to an improv theater class with some of them. She got to participate in the class, and had a fun time. When they all came back, we played some dominoes and chatted. She also did artwork, making bookmarks with a friend. She stayed overnight with her friend and they did some more work on their costumes.
Thursday is the day for the new homeschool co-op gathering. ElvenTiger made a beautiful small basket in her basket-weaving class. She hung out with friends at lunch, and then in cooking class she learned to make four different kinds of cheese. She usually brings her knitting, and has helped a new friend with her knitting projects as well.
On Friday ElvenTiger and BlackLion went on a mushroom foraging expedition with a bunch of other homeschool families. A mycologist came and taught them about the different types of fungus they had gathered. ElvenTiger found a type of mushroom that glows in the dark! After that she had soccer practice. In the evening we had a fire, which she enjoyed with her Dad, and later we listened to jazz and played some Skip-Bo.
Today we went to a cemetery tour that my Mom was hosting. While Mom made a speech about the family who was buried there and their history (it was a small cemetery on a local farm), ElvenTiger, BlackLion and I provided the atmosphere. We dressed up in costume and walked around in the background, as if we were the ghosts of the family. We put our improv skills to use, and also provided some music, with drum, flute, and voice. It was fun, and we learned local history while helping out the local historical society.
Now we're off to ElvenTiger's soccer playoff game. Of course, woven in and around all this activity is a bunch of other stuff, including lots of conversations about a wide variety of topics. ElvenTiger plans to make some applesauce this weekend, from some local apples we were given. We have a family potluck tomorrow, as well as more soccer. Life is full and rich and educational...and fun! I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into the life of an unschooled 12-year-old. Now I'm off to chauffeur her to the game!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Hardy Girls, Healthy Women
Last night I attended a gathering of about a dozen homeschooling Moms who are interested in learning more about empowering their pre-teen and teen daughters. It was held at the lovely home of a woman I'd "met" online. She runs an e-mail list for homeschoolers in my area (a great resource), and she's also a devoted reader and fan of this blog (which, dear readers, is very flattering indeed!). And, in one of those "Maine really is a small state" moments, it turns out that I worked with her brother for years! They're both smart, witty, kind, and really fun folks.
Anyway, she hosted a talk by a young woman named Megan from Hardy Girls, Healthy Women (HGHW), a group founded by author and activist Dr. Lyn Mikel Brown. It's based in Waterville, Maine. HGHW has been around for 11 years now, and their mission is to empower girls to be strong and confident in the face of a mainstream culture that urges them to focus primarily on their looks and the latest fashions.
The first part of the talk was sobering and disturbing. Despite the feminist activism of the past 40 years, some things are getting worse for girls and women. Recent research by the American Psychological Association shows in detail how the sexualization of girls in the media is increasing, and the damaging effects it has on their still-forming world view and self-esteem.
The empowering part was that research also demonstrates how these negative effects can be dissipated when girls learn to think critically about media images and gender stereotypes. This is particularly so when they work together with peers and with mentors close to their own age. HGHW has a whole list of programs that put girls together in groups (run by these same girls, and young women a bit older), not only to help them understand and deal with these cultural biases, but also to empower them to become activists themselves and work to make changes in their communities. They also have a whole lot of fun in the process.
It looks like the hostess of last night's gathering, who is very involved with HGHW, will be starting a group for girls ages 11-14 (or so), and I'm going to see if it's something that ElvenTiger and her friends would enjoy. She's adapting it a bit from the usual school-based programs, so it will be more useful to homeschoolers. The program will most likely be art-based, which is right up the girls' alley.
I'm so thankful I went to this event, not only because this is valuable and fascinating work, but also to finally meet the hostess in "real life." There were four or five of us Moms in attendance who are part of the new Thursday homeschool co-op, too, including the Mom of one of ElvenTiger's new friends, so that was cool. I'm also grateful for the work that Megan and the others at HGHW are doing. I've included some links in this post, in case you want to check it out for yourself and the young women in your life.
Anyway, she hosted a talk by a young woman named Megan from Hardy Girls, Healthy Women (HGHW), a group founded by author and activist Dr. Lyn Mikel Brown. It's based in Waterville, Maine. HGHW has been around for 11 years now, and their mission is to empower girls to be strong and confident in the face of a mainstream culture that urges them to focus primarily on their looks and the latest fashions.
The first part of the talk was sobering and disturbing. Despite the feminist activism of the past 40 years, some things are getting worse for girls and women. Recent research by the American Psychological Association shows in detail how the sexualization of girls in the media is increasing, and the damaging effects it has on their still-forming world view and self-esteem.
The empowering part was that research also demonstrates how these negative effects can be dissipated when girls learn to think critically about media images and gender stereotypes. This is particularly so when they work together with peers and with mentors close to their own age. HGHW has a whole list of programs that put girls together in groups (run by these same girls, and young women a bit older), not only to help them understand and deal with these cultural biases, but also to empower them to become activists themselves and work to make changes in their communities. They also have a whole lot of fun in the process.
It looks like the hostess of last night's gathering, who is very involved with HGHW, will be starting a group for girls ages 11-14 (or so), and I'm going to see if it's something that ElvenTiger and her friends would enjoy. She's adapting it a bit from the usual school-based programs, so it will be more useful to homeschoolers. The program will most likely be art-based, which is right up the girls' alley.
I'm so thankful I went to this event, not only because this is valuable and fascinating work, but also to finally meet the hostess in "real life." There were four or five of us Moms in attendance who are part of the new Thursday homeschool co-op, too, including the Mom of one of ElvenTiger's new friends, so that was cool. I'm also grateful for the work that Megan and the others at HGHW are doing. I've included some links in this post, in case you want to check it out for yourself and the young women in your life.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
End of Soccer Season
Today Dryst has his final soccer game of the season. He's been playing on the junior varsity team for the local high school. Dryst has been playing soccer since he was six. He loves it with a fierce passion, though he's getting tired of playing in this school district, because his team rarely wins. I think it's a combination of being a rural area with less population than some of the surrounding teams, and being in an area that focuses heavily on the other kind of football. He's making the best of it, though, and wants all the playing time he can get. He'll be starting indoor soccer in a few weeks, which will take him through the winter. Then there's lacrosse in the spring, and perhaps spring soccer if we can find a team.
ElvenTiger had her last scheduled game this past weekend, though she may still have a playoff game or two (not many, as she too is in the aforementioned district, though on a travel team, not a school team). She's played since she was five, following in her brother's footsteps, and her interest in soccer is winding down. I think this may be her last season. She said she isn't interested in indoor soccer over the winter, and declined to play for the school team this fall because soccer every day was too much. ElvenTiger likes playing, but it's never been her passion, just something fun to add to her other activities. This winter she's going to be taking swim lessons - she's a great self-taught swimmer, but wants to learn the various strokes. She wants to become a lifeguard when she's old enough, too.
I've never been a sports person, and when the kids first started getting interested in team sports I was dreading having to watch all those games. Surprisingly, though, it's been fun (for the most part) going to the games and cheering them on. And since I'm only there for the kids and supporting their enjoyment, it's mystifying why some of the parents get so wound up about the games and scores! Amusing, though, most of the time. But I guess I'm a soccer Mom - the supportive kind, that is. At the end of each season I get a little sick of it, particularly all the driving we have to do for practices and games. So I'm glad to see this soccer season end, and perhaps just a wee bit sad that ElvenTiger is probably finished with it for good. On the other hand, it'll be exciting seeing what cool things she does next, and I always enjoy watching Dryst play his various sports, pouring his heart and soul into it every time he's on the field. Go team!
ElvenTiger had her last scheduled game this past weekend, though she may still have a playoff game or two (not many, as she too is in the aforementioned district, though on a travel team, not a school team). She's played since she was five, following in her brother's footsteps, and her interest in soccer is winding down. I think this may be her last season. She said she isn't interested in indoor soccer over the winter, and declined to play for the school team this fall because soccer every day was too much. ElvenTiger likes playing, but it's never been her passion, just something fun to add to her other activities. This winter she's going to be taking swim lessons - she's a great self-taught swimmer, but wants to learn the various strokes. She wants to become a lifeguard when she's old enough, too.
I've never been a sports person, and when the kids first started getting interested in team sports I was dreading having to watch all those games. Surprisingly, though, it's been fun (for the most part) going to the games and cheering them on. And since I'm only there for the kids and supporting their enjoyment, it's mystifying why some of the parents get so wound up about the games and scores! Amusing, though, most of the time. But I guess I'm a soccer Mom - the supportive kind, that is. At the end of each season I get a little sick of it, particularly all the driving we have to do for practices and games. So I'm glad to see this soccer season end, and perhaps just a wee bit sad that ElvenTiger is probably finished with it for good. On the other hand, it'll be exciting seeing what cool things she does next, and I always enjoy watching Dryst play his various sports, pouring his heart and soul into it every time he's on the field. Go team!
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Co-op Love!
Our family has joined a homeschool co-op. What this means is that families get together (in this case, about 80 families!) and together we offer classes, clubs, activities, and other fun things. The kids range from babes in slings to independent teenagers. So far ElvenTiger and I have been the ones exploring it, though BlackLion made his first visit to the co-op this week. A couple of the other families from the Maine Wholeschoolers have joined too, and on alternate weeks I give some of the kids a ride, while their Mom is at work.
Here's a typical day: I picked up the two kids and we drove to the co-op. We arrived and greeted friends and acquaintances, and checked out the announcements for the day. ElvenTiger went off to her basket-weaving class. BlackLion got all signed up as one of the parent volunteers (he and I are going to offer an international cooking class this winter). I joined some Moms to make a hula hoop. After we created our awesome hoops (mine is purple, green and white), we went outside to learn to use them. I admit, while both my kids are awesome hula hoopers, I've never been able to figure it out. I made some progress, though, and I think I'll get the hang of it, with practice.
Then it was lunch time. We heated up and ate our soup that we brought, and chatted with some folks while we ate. Kids of all ages ran around. We helped brainstorm some ideas for a new co-op name. A bunch of teens were having lunch together, planning the group's fall/Halloween party. BlackLion left to go take Dryst to his soccer game.
After lunch we had cooking class. We made artisan bread and homemade butter. It was fun! I stayed to clean up while the others went on to their classes. ElvenTiger has a free period then, and she went and hung out with a new friend, helping her with her knitting. I talked with some Moms who came to help clean the kitchen, and went for a walk with a new friend of my own. Then it was time to go home. It is such a fun community, and I'm thankful we joined.
While I was there, I learned about a very cool weekend experience for teens at MIT coming up later this fall. It sounds fabulous. I think I'm going to ask Dryst if he wants to go, as sort of a mother-son weekend. We don't have as many interests in common as ElvenTiger and I do, but I think this would be something we would both really enjoy, and learn from. I love this lifestyle!
Here's a typical day: I picked up the two kids and we drove to the co-op. We arrived and greeted friends and acquaintances, and checked out the announcements for the day. ElvenTiger went off to her basket-weaving class. BlackLion got all signed up as one of the parent volunteers (he and I are going to offer an international cooking class this winter). I joined some Moms to make a hula hoop. After we created our awesome hoops (mine is purple, green and white), we went outside to learn to use them. I admit, while both my kids are awesome hula hoopers, I've never been able to figure it out. I made some progress, though, and I think I'll get the hang of it, with practice.
Then it was lunch time. We heated up and ate our soup that we brought, and chatted with some folks while we ate. Kids of all ages ran around. We helped brainstorm some ideas for a new co-op name. A bunch of teens were having lunch together, planning the group's fall/Halloween party. BlackLion left to go take Dryst to his soccer game.
After lunch we had cooking class. We made artisan bread and homemade butter. It was fun! I stayed to clean up while the others went on to their classes. ElvenTiger has a free period then, and she went and hung out with a new friend, helping her with her knitting. I talked with some Moms who came to help clean the kitchen, and went for a walk with a new friend of my own. Then it was time to go home. It is such a fun community, and I'm thankful we joined.
While I was there, I learned about a very cool weekend experience for teens at MIT coming up later this fall. It sounds fabulous. I think I'm going to ask Dryst if he wants to go, as sort of a mother-son weekend. We don't have as many interests in common as ElvenTiger and I do, but I think this would be something we would both really enjoy, and learn from. I love this lifestyle!
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Dilated
No, no, silly, I'm beyond the childbearing years. I have teenagers! I'm talking about my eyes. I went to a new eye doctor today. My awesome Dad drove me, and he paid for the appointment (it was my birthday gift). So my blog today will be relatively short. I would have written it later, when my eyes don't look like those of some of the demons on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but it's Wednesday, so I'll be at homeschool group.
I guess I'll just say what's on the agenda for today: eye appointment (check!), finalizing my order for the new food co-op (yay!), laundry (now that the sun has come out), making more soup, making paper snowflakes for a project, watching a new Christine Kane video (if my eyes feel better), taking Dryst to soccer, and of course hanging out with the crew at the Maine Wholeschoolers' Wednesday meetup. Perhaps even a nap. Should be fun!
I guess I'll just say what's on the agenda for today: eye appointment (check!), finalizing my order for the new food co-op (yay!), laundry (now that the sun has come out), making more soup, making paper snowflakes for a project, watching a new Christine Kane video (if my eyes feel better), taking Dryst to soccer, and of course hanging out with the crew at the Maine Wholeschoolers' Wednesday meetup. Perhaps even a nap. Should be fun!
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Sharing the Joy of Journals
This fall, ElvenTiger and I joined a newly-formed homeschool co-op group in our area. Well, the whole family is a part of it, really, but we're the ones who have gotten involved so far. ElvenTiger's taking classes in basket-weaving and cooking, and next session will be helping teach a knitting class. She loves it.
I'm having fun too, helping with the cooking class, meeting new friends, and learning how to hula hoop. Next session I'm offering a class on journaling. I've been keeping journals since I was a kid, and doing daily journal writing since 1997. I just love it! Journaling helps me practice my writing craft, capture memories of our daily life, gain deep insights into who I am and who I'm becoming, explore my dreams, and work through my emotions. I currently keep a dream journal, a personal journal, and a Tarot journal.
It's also fun creating a class in which to share my passion for journal-keeping. I'm choosing journal entries from authors and historical figures to share (for inspiration), finding exercises to get class members writing, and gathering resources to share. Once I see how the class goes, perhaps I'll gather my favorite parts into a journaling workshop to offer to the public.
I'm having fun too, helping with the cooking class, meeting new friends, and learning how to hula hoop. Next session I'm offering a class on journaling. I've been keeping journals since I was a kid, and doing daily journal writing since 1997. I just love it! Journaling helps me practice my writing craft, capture memories of our daily life, gain deep insights into who I am and who I'm becoming, explore my dreams, and work through my emotions. I currently keep a dream journal, a personal journal, and a Tarot journal.
It's also fun creating a class in which to share my passion for journal-keeping. I'm choosing journal entries from authors and historical figures to share (for inspiration), finding exercises to get class members writing, and gathering resources to share. Once I see how the class goes, perhaps I'll gather my favorite parts into a journaling workshop to offer to the public.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Pondering Reading
Yesterday ElvenTiger tried out for her first play, "The Grinch." Along with three of her friends who tried out with her, she got a part as a Who villager. This means she'll be part of the "Whoville Chorus." Since she's even more interested in singing than acting, it's perfect for her.
I think I was more nervous than she was about the audition. She practiced a Christmas carol, as instructed - she sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in a jazzy campy sort of style that she said the director liked. I was worried about her being handed part of a script to read. She still reads slowly, and I thought she might have trouble acting while reading something she hadn't seen before.
It turned out to be a non-issue. She and I practiced the page of dialogue while she was waiting her turn, and since most of it was in rhyme, she internalized it quickly (this kid has a musical soul). I didn't go in to see the audition, but she said she was easily able to perform her part, using a combination of reading and remembering what we'd already rehearsed. Very cool.
So today, I ran across this article and, as an avid reader myself, I agreed with much of it. The only part I took issue with was forcing kids to read on a schedule not their own. I do understand why that's important for a school system, which needs to standardize things for large groups of kids. But I personally prefer it when kids learn things according to their own schedule, based on their interests (thus unschooling, which works so well for us). Actually, we do and have done many of the things on the list in the article, but on the kids' own timetable.
As usually happens (I love synchronicity), another article popped up, this time on Facebook, where an online unschooling friend mentioned it. I love the way the two articles complement each other (from my perspective), even though they come from very different philosophies of education.
Then I started actively looking for essays on late readers and unschooling, and formulating the idea for this blog post. My two favorites are one by well-known author Sandra Dodd, and one from a website I'd never seen before. As a bookworm with a house full of books who has been reading to her kids since before they were born, I find the topic fascinating. And it's also quite interesting to me to observe how Dryst learned to read quite easily and fluently, and ElvenTiger, raised in the same household, is taking her time and developing her own ways of learning to read. Some would say, and I started to write, that she "struggles with" reading, but I don't think that's the case. She finds it challenging, but like many things in life, it's worth taking the time to practice, and ultimately master.
I think I was more nervous than she was about the audition. She practiced a Christmas carol, as instructed - she sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in a jazzy campy sort of style that she said the director liked. I was worried about her being handed part of a script to read. She still reads slowly, and I thought she might have trouble acting while reading something she hadn't seen before.
It turned out to be a non-issue. She and I practiced the page of dialogue while she was waiting her turn, and since most of it was in rhyme, she internalized it quickly (this kid has a musical soul). I didn't go in to see the audition, but she said she was easily able to perform her part, using a combination of reading and remembering what we'd already rehearsed. Very cool.
So today, I ran across this article and, as an avid reader myself, I agreed with much of it. The only part I took issue with was forcing kids to read on a schedule not their own. I do understand why that's important for a school system, which needs to standardize things for large groups of kids. But I personally prefer it when kids learn things according to their own schedule, based on their interests (thus unschooling, which works so well for us). Actually, we do and have done many of the things on the list in the article, but on the kids' own timetable.
As usually happens (I love synchronicity), another article popped up, this time on Facebook, where an online unschooling friend mentioned it. I love the way the two articles complement each other (from my perspective), even though they come from very different philosophies of education.
Then I started actively looking for essays on late readers and unschooling, and formulating the idea for this blog post. My two favorites are one by well-known author Sandra Dodd, and one from a website I'd never seen before. As a bookworm with a house full of books who has been reading to her kids since before they were born, I find the topic fascinating. And it's also quite interesting to me to observe how Dryst learned to read quite easily and fluently, and ElvenTiger, raised in the same household, is taking her time and developing her own ways of learning to read. Some would say, and I started to write, that she "struggles with" reading, but I don't think that's the case. She finds it challenging, but like many things in life, it's worth taking the time to practice, and ultimately master.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Ahhh, September
I love September. Even though we're unschoolers, that back-to-school vibe in the air gets me feeling creative and productive. I'm making lists and checking them twice. I'm concocting ideas for new projects even as I try to keep up with the ones I already have on my plate. I join things, and say yes to events, and follow trains of thought that I might not, at other times of the year. Part of it, I think, is that it's my birthday month, and that fills me with energy. I think we each have our own personal new year, beginning around the anniversary of our birth. My dear friend the astrologer has offered me a birthday reading, and I'm looking forward to it. I feel this will be a big year for me.
I've also started on a 30-day program of custom-designed affirmations. I'll be passing along more information later, but my mission is to listen to these audio affirmations at least three times a day for 30 days, and see how my life transforms. I'm very psyched!
So, what else is happening in our lives? Well, both kids are heavily into soccer season. Practices have been going on for a while, and ElvenTiger had her first game this week. Dryst's first game as a high school soccer player is today.
BlackLion and I went to Cape Cod this week, to drum for Dark Follies in the troupe's first out-of-state gig. We were at the Cape Cod Festival of Magic, and had a fantastic time performing and hanging out with all kinds of cool creative folks, mostly magicians. It went really well. We made some new friends, and hope to be invited back for next year's festival.
The kids are gearing up to focus on things that interest them this fall and winter: learning French, figuring out some more amateur magic tricks, diving into some new math concepts, sewing, exploring history, and of course reading. Because we're not back to any kind of official school schedule, we're also able to do stuff like this.
This weekend we're visiting OceanMouse, who's recovering from surgery, and bringing her lots of yummy goodies to eat. We'll stock up her fridge and bring her a delivery of things to do as she heals (books, DVDs, and games). Oh, and probably go swimming in the ocean near her adorable cottage home. Then we're going to come home and help a friend move. Along with laundry, writing, games, music, and all the other things we love. And hopefully some relaxing and recovering from the busy month of August.
Have a terrific weekend, and be sure to take the time to relax!
I've also started on a 30-day program of custom-designed affirmations. I'll be passing along more information later, but my mission is to listen to these audio affirmations at least three times a day for 30 days, and see how my life transforms. I'm very psyched!
So, what else is happening in our lives? Well, both kids are heavily into soccer season. Practices have been going on for a while, and ElvenTiger had her first game this week. Dryst's first game as a high school soccer player is today.
BlackLion and I went to Cape Cod this week, to drum for Dark Follies in the troupe's first out-of-state gig. We were at the Cape Cod Festival of Magic, and had a fantastic time performing and hanging out with all kinds of cool creative folks, mostly magicians. It went really well. We made some new friends, and hope to be invited back for next year's festival.
The kids are gearing up to focus on things that interest them this fall and winter: learning French, figuring out some more amateur magic tricks, diving into some new math concepts, sewing, exploring history, and of course reading. Because we're not back to any kind of official school schedule, we're also able to do stuff like this.
This weekend we're visiting OceanMouse, who's recovering from surgery, and bringing her lots of yummy goodies to eat. We'll stock up her fridge and bring her a delivery of things to do as she heals (books, DVDs, and games). Oh, and probably go swimming in the ocean near her adorable cottage home. Then we're going to come home and help a friend move. Along with laundry, writing, games, music, and all the other things we love. And hopefully some relaxing and recovering from the busy month of August.
Have a terrific weekend, and be sure to take the time to relax!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Kid Interview
I borrowed this fun idea from Ordinary Life Magic, one of my favorite unschooling blogs. The idea is that your kids answer questions about you, and you get some insight into their view of you. I thought it was pretty fun, so I interviewed my two. Try it with your kids - it's a lot of fun!
Dryst, age 14 (well, 15 in just one week):
1. What is something I always say to you?
I love you.
2. What makes me happy?
Cats.
3. What makes me sad?
Arguing.
4. How do I make you laugh?
Usually by laughing yourself.
5. What was I like as a child?
Shy.
6. How old am I?
Forty...um...one? Is that right? (yep)
7. How tall am I?
Five foot one-and-a-half. (he’s very aware of this, having recently passed me!)
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Uh, have fun, I don’t know...you enjoy a lot of things.
9. What do I do when you’re not around?
Rejoice (heh heh). That’s funny, come on!
10. If I become famous, what will it be for?
Your Feline Dreamers.
11. What am I really good at?
Um, smart things. Writing. Cooking.
12. What am I not very good at?
Sports.
13. What do I do for a job?
Feline Dreamers.
14. What is my favorite food?
Uh, Indian food?
15. What makes you proud of me?
Lots of things. How smart you are, how nice you are, everything, I don’t know!
16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
I don’t know, that’s are hard one... Wait, Velma!
17. What do you and I do together?
Uh, swimming a lot. We haven’t really done anything just the two of us for a while.
18. How are you and I the same?
We’re about the same height, we have about the same color eyes, and we’re related. Oh, and we’re both Virgos.
19. How are you and I different?
You’re a chick and I’m a dude. Um, I’m sporty, you’re intelligent.
20. How do you know I love you?
Because you’re nice and loving.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
This test is interesting. It seems like it was made for younger kids, though.
ElvenTiger, age 12:
1. What is something I always say to you?
Hmm. You say "meow!"
2. What makes me happy?
Kitties.
3. What makes me sad?
Um, arguing, and when kitties pass away.
4. How do I make you laugh?
Your smile.
5. What was I like as a child?
Quiet, and you loved to read all the time.
6. How old am I?
41.
7. How tall am I?
Five foot one-and-a-half, almost two.
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
I have to say either swimming or reading, but you love a bunch of stuff.
9. What do I do when you’re not around?
Read, be quiet.
10. If I become famous, what will it be for?
Writing.
11. What am I really good at?
Grammar - you’re an English major.
12. What am I not very good at?
All the sports, except for soccer.
13. What do I do for a job?
You write.
14. What is my favorite food?
You don’t really have a favorite food, you like all kinds of foods.
15. What makes you proud of me?
Um, well, you’re always happy, even when things are tough.
16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
This is gonna be a fun one (thinks about it). The cat on Tom and Jerry!
17. What do you and I do together?
A lot of stuff, mainly swimming, but also reading together.
18. How are you and I the same?
We both love to swim. We both don’t like fighting. We’re related. Our eyes. Oh yeah, and how much we love cats!
19. How are you and I different?
Our hair is one of the ways. I don’t know...
20. How do you know I love you?
Because of the way you smile, and just... you! I know you love me because you’re you.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
You’re awesome!
Dryst, age 14 (well, 15 in just one week):
1. What is something I always say to you?
I love you.
2. What makes me happy?
Cats.
3. What makes me sad?
Arguing.
4. How do I make you laugh?
Usually by laughing yourself.
5. What was I like as a child?
Shy.
6. How old am I?
Forty...um...one? Is that right? (yep)
7. How tall am I?
Five foot one-and-a-half. (he’s very aware of this, having recently passed me!)
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Uh, have fun, I don’t know...you enjoy a lot of things.
9. What do I do when you’re not around?
Rejoice (heh heh). That’s funny, come on!
10. If I become famous, what will it be for?
Your Feline Dreamers.
11. What am I really good at?
Um, smart things. Writing. Cooking.
12. What am I not very good at?
Sports.
13. What do I do for a job?
Feline Dreamers.
14. What is my favorite food?
Uh, Indian food?
15. What makes you proud of me?
Lots of things. How smart you are, how nice you are, everything, I don’t know!
16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
I don’t know, that’s are hard one... Wait, Velma!
17. What do you and I do together?
Uh, swimming a lot. We haven’t really done anything just the two of us for a while.
18. How are you and I the same?
We’re about the same height, we have about the same color eyes, and we’re related. Oh, and we’re both Virgos.
19. How are you and I different?
You’re a chick and I’m a dude. Um, I’m sporty, you’re intelligent.
20. How do you know I love you?
Because you’re nice and loving.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
This test is interesting. It seems like it was made for younger kids, though.
ElvenTiger, age 12:
1. What is something I always say to you?
Hmm. You say "meow!"
2. What makes me happy?
Kitties.
3. What makes me sad?
Um, arguing, and when kitties pass away.
4. How do I make you laugh?
Your smile.
5. What was I like as a child?
Quiet, and you loved to read all the time.
6. How old am I?
41.
7. How tall am I?
Five foot one-and-a-half, almost two.
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
I have to say either swimming or reading, but you love a bunch of stuff.
9. What do I do when you’re not around?
Read, be quiet.
10. If I become famous, what will it be for?
Writing.
11. What am I really good at?
Grammar - you’re an English major.
12. What am I not very good at?
All the sports, except for soccer.
13. What do I do for a job?
You write.
14. What is my favorite food?
You don’t really have a favorite food, you like all kinds of foods.
15. What makes you proud of me?
Um, well, you’re always happy, even when things are tough.
16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
This is gonna be a fun one (thinks about it). The cat on Tom and Jerry!
17. What do you and I do together?
A lot of stuff, mainly swimming, but also reading together.
18. How are you and I the same?
We both love to swim. We both don’t like fighting. We’re related. Our eyes. Oh yeah, and how much we love cats!
19. How are you and I different?
Our hair is one of the ways. I don’t know...
20. How do you know I love you?
Because of the way you smile, and just... you! I know you love me because you’re you.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
You’re awesome!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Self-Educated
I'm just about finished reading "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" by Grace Llewellyn, and I can't recommend it enough! (Quester asked me if I wasn't a bit too old for it, and my answer was an emphatic "no!" and a big smile). It's such an amazing book. I already had a similar philosophy, that if allowed the time and space to learn, kids (and people in general) will learn amazingly well by pursuing their passions. But the book has propelled my interest in self-education to a new level (not just for my kids, but for myself as well - can I unschool my Masters' degree? Oh yes indeed). The voices of the teens and parents quoted throughout the book are just so inspiring.
Here's just one of many amazing quotes, this one written by teen unschooler Kim Kopel, who describes herself as "self-educated."
"I began to see that so much of this pressure to go to college, get a 'good job,' be successful, and so on, was based mainly on fear. 'Do this, or this will happen to you.' 'Go to college, or you'll never be able to get a 'good job' and support yourself.' And so forth. No one expected me to go to college because I thought I'd find a life worth living there, or that it'd be a place where I would mature as a person. They expected me to go because I'd end up a social reject and would starve to death on the street if I didn't.
"Something inside of me snapped at this realization. 'That's it,' I said to myself. 'I'm not going to run my life on fear; what point is there in a life in which you do things because you're afraid of what will happen to you if you don't? How can you ever be happy if you live on fear - there will always be something else you have to do to keep something terrible from happening to you. I'd rather starve to death and be rejected than be afraid forever and never have a moment's peace!'"
Last night we had our Maine Wholeschoolers' Midyear Review, a sort of talent show put on by the kids in the group. Each participant does some kind of presentation on something they've been working on or a topic of interest. We've been doing it for several years. Now that the kids are all in the double-digit age range, and many of them are teens, the show has gotten more interesting, and the kids' projects more self-directed. The kids in the group are mainly unschoolers. Last night we saw presentations on some of their passions (ballet, drumming, sports, making paper airplanes, art), reports on subjects of interest (owls, The Gettysburg Address), and a performance (guitar and vocals) of a song one of the teens wrote. It was wonderful to see the kids up there showing what they love to do.
Over the past few months, I'd been a bit concerned about my own kids (especially Dryst, as he's the eldest) and their motivation to pursue their passions and their education. I've had many conversations with other parents of teens about motivation, when to push and when to let go, and college preparation. Through these talks, and the reading I've been doing, and just spending time with my kids and their friends, I'm reassured. We're part of the wave of the future, when education will be considered a joy rather than a burden, and we as a culture will realize that the love of learning, when given the freedom to grow, comes as naturally to us at all ages and stages of life as it did when we were babies learning how to crawl and walk. Our family is self-educated - and thriving!
Here's just one of many amazing quotes, this one written by teen unschooler Kim Kopel, who describes herself as "self-educated."
"I began to see that so much of this pressure to go to college, get a 'good job,' be successful, and so on, was based mainly on fear. 'Do this, or this will happen to you.' 'Go to college, or you'll never be able to get a 'good job' and support yourself.' And so forth. No one expected me to go to college because I thought I'd find a life worth living there, or that it'd be a place where I would mature as a person. They expected me to go because I'd end up a social reject and would starve to death on the street if I didn't.
"Something inside of me snapped at this realization. 'That's it,' I said to myself. 'I'm not going to run my life on fear; what point is there in a life in which you do things because you're afraid of what will happen to you if you don't? How can you ever be happy if you live on fear - there will always be something else you have to do to keep something terrible from happening to you. I'd rather starve to death and be rejected than be afraid forever and never have a moment's peace!'"
Last night we had our Maine Wholeschoolers' Midyear Review, a sort of talent show put on by the kids in the group. Each participant does some kind of presentation on something they've been working on or a topic of interest. We've been doing it for several years. Now that the kids are all in the double-digit age range, and many of them are teens, the show has gotten more interesting, and the kids' projects more self-directed. The kids in the group are mainly unschoolers. Last night we saw presentations on some of their passions (ballet, drumming, sports, making paper airplanes, art), reports on subjects of interest (owls, The Gettysburg Address), and a performance (guitar and vocals) of a song one of the teens wrote. It was wonderful to see the kids up there showing what they love to do.
Over the past few months, I'd been a bit concerned about my own kids (especially Dryst, as he's the eldest) and their motivation to pursue their passions and their education. I've had many conversations with other parents of teens about motivation, when to push and when to let go, and college preparation. Through these talks, and the reading I've been doing, and just spending time with my kids and their friends, I'm reassured. We're part of the wave of the future, when education will be considered a joy rather than a burden, and we as a culture will realize that the love of learning, when given the freedom to grow, comes as naturally to us at all ages and stages of life as it did when we were babies learning how to crawl and walk. Our family is self-educated - and thriving!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
An Unschool Update
"We tackle our schoolish sort of work in the mornings. It's quite possible to pack twelve or thirteen years of traditional schooling into about five or six at home by waiting for readiness and desire. Most children will buck a lot of sit-down work at eight, but seem to want it at twelve or thirteen. They know what they want to accomplish and are ready to do whatever it takes." - Shari Henry, in The Homeschooling Book of Answers, edited by Linda Dobson
We're certainly finding this to be the case lately, in our family and in the lives of our unschooling friends. Well, except for the part about mornings; our family is made up of night owls, so we do most of our academic work in the early afternoons, after lunch (or brunch, as the case may be). Anyway, for various reasons and as they get older, most of the kids in our homeschool group are now doing more formal schoolwork. Of course, they're still pursuing their own interests, learning through games, and active with various hobbies. I thought I'd give an update on what Dryst and ElvenTiger are up to, since it's been a while since I've done so.
Dryst, age 14, is doing Saxon math, which he mostly enjoys. We both like the way it progresses by adding new material and also providing plenty of review. He's using a computer program to begin learning French, which is going well. I'm re-learning along with him, and it's fun to play with the language together. Although he's a strong reader, much of the reading he does is magazines (he reads several, from cover to cover) and comic books. He's a good speller and can type well.
Dryst is regularly in touch with many of his friends, both ones he knows in real life and people he's met online. He plays a lot of X-Box, and for him it's about the social contact as much as the fun and strategy. He just got a new game, Dragon Age 2 for the PC, and has been exploring that. For the annual Maine Wholeschoolers' Midyear Review, he's putting together a presentation on "flopping" in major sports. We just signed him up for lacrosse, which starts next month (assuming the snow melts...) and soccer won't be long behind. He went through a rough time this winter with up-and-down emotions and some insomnia (mostly due to changing hormones, we think), but has seemed to even himself out recently. He enjoys music, sledding, and watching "That 70s Show" (thanks to Netflix).
I just started reading "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" by Grace Llewellyn, and I absolutely love it. I hope Dryst will pick it up, too, as I think it has many great ideas. I'd love to see him become more motivated at actively pursuing his passions. He wants to work with his Dad this summer, so we'll see where that goes. I have to remember that most everyone on my side of the family is a "late bloomer," and realize that he has the delightful luxury of "being a kid" as long as he wishes.
ElvenTiger turned 12 this winter. She has three close girl friends who she's in touch with regularly. She likes to knit, cook, and listen to music. She sings and makes up her own lyrics. She's always been very creative and artistic, and continues to draw, do crafts, and cultivate her interest in fashion. She's been playing PC games like Minecraft, Webkinz, and Dragon Age.
Her main type of learning is hands-on, so the academic work doesn't appeal to her much, at least on a consistent basis. ElvenTiger, if she had been in school, might have been considered "learning disabled" in terms of reading, or at least have been bullied into reading before she was fully ready. What we've discovered is that she has a different way of approaching reading, and recently she and I have both seen a lot of progress. She loves being read to, and has been devouring audio books. Lately, while helping a younger friend with his reading, she's realized how much she already knows. This confidence has led her to do more reading on her own, and be a bit more bold about figuring things out rather than just asking someone else to read it for her. An adult friend who has a very similar reading style to ElvenTiger also suggested turning on the captioning whenever we watch a movie or a show, and she seems to find it helpful.
Discussing books in her book club has also given her the confidence to realize that she does have the understanding she needs, even if she doesn't yet devour long chapter books on her own. She and I have been enjoying the library together, and her project for Midyear Review is all about owls. It's been great to see how excited she's been about learning new owl facts, and sharing them with family as she researches.
That's the basic update. I continue to do lots of research about homeschooling and unschooling, and keep up with new ideas and theories. I'm learning the balance between offering ideas and "pushing" them in certain directions. I'm blessed with wonderful kids, and a supportive community. And my own love of learning, which is just unstoppable.
We're certainly finding this to be the case lately, in our family and in the lives of our unschooling friends. Well, except for the part about mornings; our family is made up of night owls, so we do most of our academic work in the early afternoons, after lunch (or brunch, as the case may be). Anyway, for various reasons and as they get older, most of the kids in our homeschool group are now doing more formal schoolwork. Of course, they're still pursuing their own interests, learning through games, and active with various hobbies. I thought I'd give an update on what Dryst and ElvenTiger are up to, since it's been a while since I've done so.
Dryst, age 14, is doing Saxon math, which he mostly enjoys. We both like the way it progresses by adding new material and also providing plenty of review. He's using a computer program to begin learning French, which is going well. I'm re-learning along with him, and it's fun to play with the language together. Although he's a strong reader, much of the reading he does is magazines (he reads several, from cover to cover) and comic books. He's a good speller and can type well.
Dryst is regularly in touch with many of his friends, both ones he knows in real life and people he's met online. He plays a lot of X-Box, and for him it's about the social contact as much as the fun and strategy. He just got a new game, Dragon Age 2 for the PC, and has been exploring that. For the annual Maine Wholeschoolers' Midyear Review, he's putting together a presentation on "flopping" in major sports. We just signed him up for lacrosse, which starts next month (assuming the snow melts...) and soccer won't be long behind. He went through a rough time this winter with up-and-down emotions and some insomnia (mostly due to changing hormones, we think), but has seemed to even himself out recently. He enjoys music, sledding, and watching "That 70s Show" (thanks to Netflix).
I just started reading "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" by Grace Llewellyn, and I absolutely love it. I hope Dryst will pick it up, too, as I think it has many great ideas. I'd love to see him become more motivated at actively pursuing his passions. He wants to work with his Dad this summer, so we'll see where that goes. I have to remember that most everyone on my side of the family is a "late bloomer," and realize that he has the delightful luxury of "being a kid" as long as he wishes.
ElvenTiger turned 12 this winter. She has three close girl friends who she's in touch with regularly. She likes to knit, cook, and listen to music. She sings and makes up her own lyrics. She's always been very creative and artistic, and continues to draw, do crafts, and cultivate her interest in fashion. She's been playing PC games like Minecraft, Webkinz, and Dragon Age.
Her main type of learning is hands-on, so the academic work doesn't appeal to her much, at least on a consistent basis. ElvenTiger, if she had been in school, might have been considered "learning disabled" in terms of reading, or at least have been bullied into reading before she was fully ready. What we've discovered is that she has a different way of approaching reading, and recently she and I have both seen a lot of progress. She loves being read to, and has been devouring audio books. Lately, while helping a younger friend with his reading, she's realized how much she already knows. This confidence has led her to do more reading on her own, and be a bit more bold about figuring things out rather than just asking someone else to read it for her. An adult friend who has a very similar reading style to ElvenTiger also suggested turning on the captioning whenever we watch a movie or a show, and she seems to find it helpful.
Discussing books in her book club has also given her the confidence to realize that she does have the understanding she needs, even if she doesn't yet devour long chapter books on her own. She and I have been enjoying the library together, and her project for Midyear Review is all about owls. It's been great to see how excited she's been about learning new owl facts, and sharing them with family as she researches.
That's the basic update. I continue to do lots of research about homeschooling and unschooling, and keep up with new ideas and theories. I'm learning the balance between offering ideas and "pushing" them in certain directions. I'm blessed with wonderful kids, and a supportive community. And my own love of learning, which is just unstoppable.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Yes, It's Still Winter
These Maine winters can be, well, long. I mean, it's only the end of January, and we'll probably have snow at least through early April. Think about it. I'm already tired of the cold. The appeal has even worn thin for ElvenTiger, who loves snow. Every day lately, it's been either very bitterly cold, or actually snowing. This afternoon, though, the sun is shining and the snow on the trees looks incredibly beautiful. As a friend said, it's more fun to have a "real Maine winter" than a snow-less, brown and dreary landscape. I agree.
What have we been up to? Well, let's see. Here's a sampling of our indoor projects for the cold and snowy days: making origami animals, creating new Indian food recipes, reading to each other, baking, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (though Dryst prefers Family Guy...which I just don't find funny at all), having sleepovers with friends, chatting, playing Webkinz (yes, even the adults), having pillow fights in the living room, playing board and card games, sleeping late, and playing with the (rather bored) cats. Dryst wants to learn Spanish. ElvenTiger hosted the girls' book club on Tuesday. BlackLion and I interviewed one of our young unschooly friends, AresRules, for our PawedCats Podcast. We're also writing a new e-book. Quester has been busy working and snow-blowing. This weekend it's our turn to host the monthly family potluck. The theme this time is A Warming Winter Brunch.
Each Wednesday we have homeschool group, and even though it has snowed the past three Wednesdays in a row, we've ventured out anyway. We've got the trusty Subaru, and the other families seem to agree that it's worthwhile braving the weather to hang out with our friends. Last night we had enchiladas, played Zombie dice, talked about a wide variety of subjects, the boys played X-Box together, and the girls went to the mall (to give some fashion advice to one of their tribe who wanted to get some clothes with her birthday money).
So, we've been keeping busy and having fun. And, of course, dreaming of spring. I'm off to curl up in the sunlight with a book. Meow!
What have we been up to? Well, let's see. Here's a sampling of our indoor projects for the cold and snowy days: making origami animals, creating new Indian food recipes, reading to each other, baking, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (though Dryst prefers Family Guy...which I just don't find funny at all), having sleepovers with friends, chatting, playing Webkinz (yes, even the adults), having pillow fights in the living room, playing board and card games, sleeping late, and playing with the (rather bored) cats. Dryst wants to learn Spanish. ElvenTiger hosted the girls' book club on Tuesday. BlackLion and I interviewed one of our young unschooly friends, AresRules, for our PawedCats Podcast. We're also writing a new e-book. Quester has been busy working and snow-blowing. This weekend it's our turn to host the monthly family potluck. The theme this time is A Warming Winter Brunch.
Each Wednesday we have homeschool group, and even though it has snowed the past three Wednesdays in a row, we've ventured out anyway. We've got the trusty Subaru, and the other families seem to agree that it's worthwhile braving the weather to hang out with our friends. Last night we had enchiladas, played Zombie dice, talked about a wide variety of subjects, the boys played X-Box together, and the girls went to the mall (to give some fashion advice to one of their tribe who wanted to get some clothes with her birthday money).
So, we've been keeping busy and having fun. And, of course, dreaming of spring. I'm off to curl up in the sunlight with a book. Meow!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Winter Photo Essay
I thought it was time to share some images of what we've been up to so far this winter. Here goes!
We've been partying with our friends.
The boys won the New Year's Eve competition, hands-down, with their hilarious skit.
We've been playing lots and lots of games: board games, video games, card games, dice games, and role-playing games.
The cats have had a bit of cabin fever.
We've been reading (individually and together), crafting, cooking, baking, and writing.
We went sledding.
We celebrated some birthdays, including ElvenTiger's.
Sure, it's been cold, so we've been on the computer a lot.
But we've also been out taking walks.
Along with, of course, the usual dinner discussions, watching movies together, chatting with friends, sleepovers, and well, life. Hope your winter is full of fun and friends and learning, too!
We've been partying with our friends.
The boys won the New Year's Eve competition, hands-down, with their hilarious skit.
We've been playing lots and lots of games: board games, video games, card games, dice games, and role-playing games.
The cats have had a bit of cabin fever.
We've been reading (individually and together), crafting, cooking, baking, and writing.
We went sledding.
We celebrated some birthdays, including ElvenTiger's.
Sure, it's been cold, so we've been on the computer a lot.
But we've also been out taking walks.
Along with, of course, the usual dinner discussions, watching movies together, chatting with friends, sleepovers, and well, life. Hope your winter is full of fun and friends and learning, too!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thanksgiving Week Plans
How did it get to be Thanksgiving week already?! I've been enjoying a rather quiet and introspective month, by choice, but I'm also glad for the arrival of the holiday season. I thought I'd share some of our plans and projects for this week. I just posted this blog's address on a new Unschooling group in Facebook, too, so "hi there, new readers! Welcome!"
ElvenTiger and I are still working on her room renovations. Actually, I'm procrastinating just a bit while writing this blog. I'm headed upstairs to do some more painting, soon...really. We're working on the second coat. It's a lovely rich purple. ElvenTiger is also involved with indoor soccer (none this week due to the holiday, though), knitting projects, and math. She's taking a math class through our homeschool group and seems to be enjoying it. They're doing fractions right now - I think perhaps her extensive cooking experience will help her in that regard.
Dryst is involved with a new PC game called Minecraft, which is in the beta stage, or maybe it's alpha...anyway, he and BlackLion have been having fun figuring out new strategies and techniques to use. He seems to be in the midst of another growth spurt - eating a lot and feeling a bit low-energy. Though he's working on setting up a football game in our yard, followed by a sleepover. His indoor soccer season hasn't started yet.
We're hosting Thanksgiving, as is our tradition. We'll have a slightly smaller crowd this year, which is good because it means everyone will fit around the table. My brother and his new wife and step-daughter won't be joining us, as they're headed north to see some of her family. I'll miss them, but I'm so happy that my little brother has a family of his own now. Our Thanksgiving menu features seitan and vegan gravy (my Mom makes turkey and gravy for the meat-eaters), smashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, squash, the infamous slimy onions (and another onion dish that is less slimy), homemade cranberry sauce, and oatmeal rolls. Dessert will feature four pies: apple, pumpkin, chocolate cream, and raisin, plus some fudge. Wow!
This week, in place of our usual weekly gathering, our Maine Wholeschoolers homeschool group is headed out to see the new Harry Potter movie together. I can't wait! We'll also be drawing names for our Secret Santa gifts, which we exchange at the big New Year's Eve party.
My other projects include getting our Winter Solstice invitations sent out, working on some recording for Feline Dreamers, writing, and of course cleaning the house for the big day. Busy elves! I hope your holiday is fun and full of family, friends, and delicious food. Count your blessings!
ElvenTiger and I are still working on her room renovations. Actually, I'm procrastinating just a bit while writing this blog. I'm headed upstairs to do some more painting, soon...really. We're working on the second coat. It's a lovely rich purple. ElvenTiger is also involved with indoor soccer (none this week due to the holiday, though), knitting projects, and math. She's taking a math class through our homeschool group and seems to be enjoying it. They're doing fractions right now - I think perhaps her extensive cooking experience will help her in that regard.
Dryst is involved with a new PC game called Minecraft, which is in the beta stage, or maybe it's alpha...anyway, he and BlackLion have been having fun figuring out new strategies and techniques to use. He seems to be in the midst of another growth spurt - eating a lot and feeling a bit low-energy. Though he's working on setting up a football game in our yard, followed by a sleepover. His indoor soccer season hasn't started yet.
We're hosting Thanksgiving, as is our tradition. We'll have a slightly smaller crowd this year, which is good because it means everyone will fit around the table. My brother and his new wife and step-daughter won't be joining us, as they're headed north to see some of her family. I'll miss them, but I'm so happy that my little brother has a family of his own now. Our Thanksgiving menu features seitan and vegan gravy (my Mom makes turkey and gravy for the meat-eaters), smashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, squash, the infamous slimy onions (and another onion dish that is less slimy), homemade cranberry sauce, and oatmeal rolls. Dessert will feature four pies: apple, pumpkin, chocolate cream, and raisin, plus some fudge. Wow!
This week, in place of our usual weekly gathering, our Maine Wholeschoolers homeschool group is headed out to see the new Harry Potter movie together. I can't wait! We'll also be drawing names for our Secret Santa gifts, which we exchange at the big New Year's Eve party.
My other projects include getting our Winter Solstice invitations sent out, working on some recording for Feline Dreamers, writing, and of course cleaning the house for the big day. Busy elves! I hope your holiday is fun and full of family, friends, and delicious food. Count your blessings!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fall Photo Essay
I have so many friends who are terrific photographers that you'd think I'd be intimidated. But actually I've been inspired lately, and have been taking lots of photos. BlackLion and I decided to do our own photos for our weekly e-newsletter, Dream Journal, and that's been fun. I'm a joyful amateur. So, taking a cue from a couple of my favorite blogs, On Bradstreet and Frog Creek, here's a fall photo essay on what we've been up to lately.
Dryst and ElvenTiger have been doing fall soccer. Dryst in particular has been so involved with soccer this year...
...that he's on two teams.
We've celebrated a bunch of autumn birthdays, including Star-dog, who is now seven.
I've done some scrapbooking, with a helpful assistant.
We participated in the Maine Wholeschoolers' 4-H display (and ElvenTiger also won first prize for her cookies!).
Enjoyed our backyard...
...and the river nearby.
ElvenTiger has been working on her Halloween costume. She's going to be a Mord'Sith, from the Legend of the Seeker TV series (which is based on the Sword of Truth series of fantasy books by Terry Goodkind).
We've been hanging out with friends a lot, and took a road trip to meet some online friends in person.
Which was a lot of fun, but I was too busy enjoying the party to take pictures, I guess. The same goes for several other gatherings recently. I guess I'm more likely to take nature photos, so here are a few examples.
This was a pink house I saw on a walk, and I just thought it was pretty with the sunlight on it.
Our friends got a new kitten, Alice.
She seems to like ElvenTiger.
And not to forget...we've been lounging around, too.
(He's tired out from reading all those books!)
Well, that's some of what we've been up to. Hope you enjoyed it!
Dryst and ElvenTiger have been doing fall soccer. Dryst in particular has been so involved with soccer this year...
We've celebrated a bunch of autumn birthdays, including Star-dog, who is now seven.
Enjoyed our backyard...
ElvenTiger has been working on her Halloween costume. She's going to be a Mord'Sith, from the Legend of the Seeker TV series (which is based on the Sword of Truth series of fantasy books by Terry Goodkind).
We've been hanging out with friends a lot, and took a road trip to meet some online friends in person.
This was a pink house I saw on a walk, and I just thought it was pretty with the sunlight on it.
Well, that's some of what we've been up to. Hope you enjoyed it!
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