A Dangerous Adventure by Art in Kenosha

If you haven't done so yet, please read Art's article on the ChildLight USA weblog. It is a beautiful description of the unity of life, the lack of separation between life and education, of the transforming power of a living education. It is powerful.

This blog will be quiet for a while. I'm off to Colorado for 2 1/2 weeks and am so far the only one with access. See you again in mid-August. Jennifer

There is no separation between life and education

Before I tuck my self into bed for my last sleep at home, I want to direct your attention to Art's article on the ChildLight USA site. His is a beautiful piece of writing, inspiring me to see the unity in life, the way that, while we try to compartmentalize, life spills from one container to another, and a living education causes our lives to overflow with the beauty that God has written into each stroke. Okay, I'm mixing metaphors terribly, but you can read the real beauty yourself if you hop over to ChildLight USA.

Good night!

Vacation Time!

The past few days have been filled with an assortment of tasks and activities. Now we're in the final stages of preparation for our long-awaited trip to Colorado. Excitement is mounting as we get ready to drive through several states, visiting the Amana Colonies in Iowa, Laura Ingalls Wilder site in Walnut Grove and De Smet, stopping at Mount Rushmore and then to the Renovare Covenant Retreat in Colorado. While in Colorado we'll also visit Whit's End and see the source of so many hours of wonderful audio entertainment.

None of us are able to read in the car because of motion sickness, so we're stocking up on audio books: Beric the Briton (by G. A. Henty; a historical fiction book set in Ancient Rome, read by Jim Weiss), A Tale of Two Cities (from LibriVox), Tom Sawyer, Charlotte's Web, and more. We are going to have to plan some 'story-free' times, though, or we'll never talk to each other and the children won't sleep at all!

We'll be back mid-August and I'm sure there'll be lots to tell about!

Jennifer

Anna Botsford Comstock

Through the Handbook of Nature Study blog, which we've referred to a few times in our meetings, I was directed to an interesting little article on the Internet: In 1988 Anna Botsford Comstock was inducted into the Conservation Hall of Fame.

Isn't it exciting to know that Comstock has been recognized for the contributions she has made to Nature Study? And to think that many of our children (as well as us!) are benefiting from her wisdom and insight.

I believe that she'd be honoured to be recognized in such a meaningful way, don't you?

In her book, Comstock emphasized the rewards of direct observation. She was ahead of her time in stressing the importance of natural relationships that work to form what we now call an ecosystem. The point of her approach to nature study, she said, was to "cultivate the child's imagination, love of the beautiful, and sense of companionship with life out-of-doors."

-- From the Conservation Hall of Fame Website

You can read about other inductees by visiting the National Wildlife Federation's inductee page.

We Talk Much and Watch Little

"...but how interesting and amusing it would all be were it not for the tendencies which, in these days, we talk much about and watch little against. We bring up our children in the easiest, happy-go-lucky way, and all the time talk solemnly in big words about the momentous importance of every influence brought to bear upon them." -- Charlotte Mason. "Inconstant Kitty." Volume 5: Formation of
Character. Page 28.

Could this not have been written today and not 100 years ago? Could it not have been written about me?

I am so stricken by the words "talk much about and watch little against." This is me. At my worst, true, but also at my most typical. I love philosophy, theory, ideals, and deep conversation about ideas...But the tasks called forth by those ideas, following through on those ideals, those are a challenge to me. They are hard work, those tasks. But how can I compare the worth and the cost of the task when they are weighed in terms of the formation of character of the Ones I Love? I want to see the end result of good parenting, of development of strong habits, of thoughtful education. But the day to day effort is wanting. And the harvest of my slothful sowing and tending is beginning to come in.

Is it ever too late to cultivate those habits and attitudes in our children which we want to see blossom in adulthood? Those measures of self-control, the heeding of the Spirit?

Lord, grant that I would not grow weary. Forgive my inattentiveness, the lip-service I've paid to the ideals. Transform me, step by step, habit by habit. Wash me in Grace. Strengthen me for the long walk with The Ones I Love.

God Crutch

Who among us is not broken? Who among us can stand on our own? Is it ever too late to reach out for the Crutch?

I encourage you to read this post on Anne Voskamp's blog. It is a note she received as a comment from Kim Kautzer of Write Shop on one of Anne's earlier posts.

Blessings to you today.

Jennifer

One Thousand Gifts

123. Cheeks red from exertion in the brisk evening air.

124. Calls of encouragement voiced on the field.

125. Adults willing to give time to coach my children.

126. 12 years with My Girl.

127. Hair grown to give away.

128. Approaching event that will refresh us.

129. Dear Man's complete support of my going to North Carolina.

130. Time together.

131. Generous friends allowing Dear Man to use their vehicle while I'm away with ours.

132. Water available at the turn of a tap.

133. While I am not yet what I will be, I am no longer what I was.

134. Magnolia beauty, creamy whiteness of multiple hue.

135. Time, the commodity of relationships.

136. Complex relationships, multiple connections.

137. Prayers surrounding a hurting woman, raising her to your care and protection.

138. Groups from varied backgrounds collaborating freely.

139. Your sustaining hand through times of extended sleeplessness.

140. Safety through 3000 km of driving.

141. Vision for education.

142. New friendships.


This is a catch up post of Gifts. To see my entire list, look here.