When School Gets it Right

“I hate School,” is not the first thing out of my kids mouths when I pick them up anymore. “Guess what I did in Specials today,” is what comes tumbling out in an excited jumble and fight to see who gets to talk first. Specials is the ingenious program started this school year that brings art and creative play and physical education back into our school. … Continue reading When School Gets it Right

Where to from here?

For the last week, I’ve been mulling over the reckless idea of a Singleness of Purpose. It floors me, the thought. I’ve been wondering about it almost nonstop – as if the quest for a Singleness of Purpose has been my purpose lately. Who are the people who seem to have one? People who dedicate large swaths of time to writing a book, who research … Continue reading Where to from here?

No Cookie Cutter Solutions

This is not a cookie cutter situation, where we can prescribe a common solution to a standard situation. This is Ben and this is me, and when Bean comes into the mix next year, it will be even more exciting. Ben is an artist, so our exploration of all things historical, scientific and literature-related focus on how art fits into these things. Bean is interested … Continue reading No Cookie Cutter Solutions

Complicating Simple

Here’s how the conversation went with my husband earlier today… “I’m afraid I complicate things,” I said. “No, Really?” he laughed. “But first you simplify your complicated, then that seems too easy, so you complicate it again, and add layers and extra buttons, and some fancy widgets, then you scrap the whole thing and go for simple again, but only if it can be in … Continue reading Complicating Simple

Chores, Homework & Accomplishment – Aha!

Chores. I remember being a kid and having chores, and thinking I was overworked and under-appreciated. I remember feeling like all I ever did was work. I know it takes a while to have a grownup mind, but wow, is the young mind a crazy place. I truly remember knowing for certain that our home would cease to function without my efforts, and that somehow, … Continue reading Chores, Homework & Accomplishment – Aha!

Regrouping and Using Curiosity & Creativity Locally

There are more tragedies in the world than I can fathom. The truth is, our world is so connected, we cannot help but know devastating details of incidents that happen across vast distances. Which is why I have unplugged recently. The recent cruelties and losses have been horrendous. I stopped listening to the radio. I haven’t been online in quite a while. It scared me … Continue reading Regrouping and Using Curiosity & Creativity Locally

Game Designed to Help Mom

Bean, Mom, Ben and our wrapped wrists and big stick! It’s not that I’m uncoordinated entirely, I simply lack normal depth perception, I think. I hurt myself all the time. Not serious injuries, but little, ridiculous, annoying misfortunes. I can hurt myself getting a book out of the bookshelf. People at work no longer worry when they hear me throughout the office bumping into things … Continue reading Game Designed to Help Mom

Friday Flashcards

The first decision for Success (according to an amazing book I just finished reading, and now will begin the joy of delving into it in more detail for the next few months) is The Buck Stops Here. The Traveler’s Gift, by Andy Andrews was a beautiful read. There are so many ways to explore how to incorporate these decisions into my life. The Buck Stops Here … Continue reading Friday Flashcards

Children Assigned Research Topics

 Bean a few days ago, striking a pose with a scarf. He likes to help accessorize me. Tonight, Ben wants to learn about the History of Toilets, and thinks that we can do a little research on the internet to learn about that amazing subject. When Bean heard this, he piped in that he would like to learn about the History of Beds. Then … Continue reading Children Assigned Research Topics