Girlie and her seeds

of=50,590,393

Originally uploaded by all4reagan.

On Spring Equinox, Girlie got things started for spring. This little cubby of a room is beneath our basement stairs. Not useful for much else, Big Daddy brought home the sheets of reflective insulation board and the lights off a demolition job a few years ago. We purchased special bulbs that are like natural sun, and voila, our seed starting room.

Girlie got to work with the potting soil. Then she recorded each plant on a chart as she put the seeds in. She worked happily for most of the afternoon, singing.

seedroomwk1

seedroomwk1

Originally uploaded by all4reagan.

At the end of the afternoon, she had organized everything so well. She used the staple gun to attach the empty seed packets to the wall over their bunch, and had everything watered and the lights on. All week, she was diligent about turning the sun lights on every morning and watering her seeds, and turning them off in the evening.

The results…

seedwk2

seedwk2

Originally uploaded by all4reagan.

One week later, we have green everywhere!

Honoring my inner farmgirl

As I mentioned a few days ago, I am totally loving “MaryJane’s Ideabook” by MaryJane Butters. Even if you can’t find the book to page through, make sure to check out her website for all things organic.

As the school year draws to a close and spring just starting to open, I am especially enjoying this book. With the prospect of a long-distance move including the possibility of land equal to a farmette, I am paying serious attention. I have been savoring each chapter, allowing myself the luxury of brewing the ideas in my own cup, so to speak.

This morning, after making coffee and putting a loaf of bread in to bake, I snuggled back in bed. I read her chapter on “Each Other” with the window open and birds chirping, and two dogs breathing heavily next to me. Her first stories were about small-town communities of past decades, and then she moved on to those of her extended farm community of the last twenty years.

I have to admit I almost cried for the longing of community again, like that I enjoyed growing up. A time when neighbors knew more than each other’s name and what kind of car they drove. A time when you didn’t feel awkward running next door for some baking powder instead of hoping in the car for the store. A time when kids behaved in front of all other adults, for they knew their parents would have received a phone call about any misdeeds before they walked back in the door.

I live in the town of my youth, returning after a half decade spent in the bustle of Philadelphia, and a few odd years in one of its’ suburbs. We’ve been here for another decade, over which the town has transformed into a small city. Instead of the largely Pennsylvania Dutch population of my youth, it has become a favorite spot of transplants from New York and New Jersey commuters with the former population moving away or dying off. The quiet days filled with childrens laughter and birds singing has been replaced by car alarms and loud ethnic music blaring from speakers in windows facing out. Apparently they have never heard of IPODs in their former state. While I used to enjoy evenings out on the patio, the noise makes us stay inside. The change often makes me tense and ornery.

But then I get in the country, walking about while the kids take their outdoor education or riding lessons, and the peace returns. The kids are like this too, often feeling stressed and asking to take the dogs walking on the trails a few miles away. They comes back relaxed and happy, and the dogs doze happily all evening. Girlie’s new evening pastime is just driving around the yard on an old riding mower with the blades up, just to enjoy the outdoors a little.

As such, I read about the open fields and animals and life of some of my blog friends with farms. I recall the happy days we used to spend at a friend’s farm, doing chores right along with them so we could all relax for a few hours after lunch together. I remember the folks I met at their picnics, and the happy, easy camraderie that comes with the respect of working the land.

Yes, I am sure I sound all romantic right now, but I am not ignoring the frustrations and problems that arise. It won’t all be daisies, I’m sure. But I realize that I am living here now, holding on to a romantic notion of a past that will not return either. I am wondering why I am so hesitant to leave a place that is not fulfilling me, nor my family. Thigns have changed so much that my comfort zone is no longer comfortable, and the fear of new change is much less than the fear of the changes all around me.

When I look ahead to the rest of my life, my daydreams are filled with walks in the woods and evenings crocheting on the porch. I want to raise chickens, and garden, and have huge picnics on our land. I don’t want to any noises but those from critters or my children. I want to have my coffee outside, in my pjs, without worrying about anyone seeing me. I want to skinny dip with my husband when the kids are visiting friends. I want to spend August afternoons with sweat dripping off my brow as I make homemade pickles and relish and put up more veggies than we can ever eat. I need to honor my inner farm girl.

There are some perks here I am doubtful to find elsewhere, like the homeschool learning center and a few special friends. There is that worry in the back of my head that my kids will feel like they are without friends and become sullen and lonely.

At the same time, I am certain that there are special perks to be found everywhere, if you take the time to look. Our lifestyle would be slower and busier at the same time. We would be more productive, for sure, but there is a peace about it. Big Daddy would still be working off the farm, so the emphasis would be more on pleasure than sustainable living. Plus, by the time we moved (over a year away) Scout would be driving, and soon ready for college. Girlie’s personality is more inward, and she would relish everythign about it. We want to spend the last few years of them with us creating a home that they will want to return to with their families for years to come, not one we all rush to escape.

My soul needs open air to breathe again….

Homeschooling Teens-Get An Assistant Principal

For those that have been following, I have learned that homeschooling my teenaged son has grown more and more difficult. I had always worried this would be so because the work is more advanced and I really was not jumping at the chance to revisit high school geometry or physics. But I have found that each day with him is like entering the ring for a prize fight. He is one of those kids that must disagree with me, or his friends, on all counts.

At first, we battled over everything. I mean, this kid has opinions about from important things like paper deadlines and respect issues, to trivial my choice of paint color or hotdog toppings (Yocco’s sauce, onions & mustard-for my hometown girls!) . While I am not one to back down from a real challenge, I realized I was falling into his miserable game.

I thought back to high school days, and remembered that whenever someone was getting out of line in school, they had to visit the assisant principal. This was the man with the sign on the wall stating, “That which doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” (Seriously!) He was a man of little words, but when he spoke, you listened.

As such, Big Daddy was given the role, or rather I hurled it at him with the volacity of a Brett Favre pass. Now, Big Daddy has always been more than thrilled that I took care of every aspect of our homeschooling, and has been rarely involved by choice. But I was tired for fighting in my home, and especially tired of being disrespected as both mother and teacher, and the time had come for him to step in and help.

We had a very productive family meeting, which our new assistant principal led with the seriousness. Scout admitted that he couldnt stop himself for arguing with me, even when he knew I was right. Big Daddy set some rules for a happy home, and gave us each some ground rules. I was to force myself to not remind him about chores and deadlines more than once a day, and keep track of how many days before Scout actually does what he should. Any academic deadlines missed will result in a drop of a letter grade for each day late. There will be no extensions, and only the offer of additional work can bring the grades back up.

Scout was told it was time for him to grow up and realize that discord in the home is not “fun” and that his immaturity was the cause of him thinking it was fun to fight with me. He was given the responsibility to succeed or fail. Moreover, he was told to respect me and all I do for him. I was to no longer organize and plan his life and schedules ,but let it up to Scout to do for himself. Big Daddy and Scout would continue meeting up a few times a week for progress reports.

It was also agreed that if his academic performance did not pick up to previous levels, he woudl be enrolled in a cyber-charter school for the next year. This would make others his teachers, taking me out of the equation. It would, however, mean that he would have to give up his MOnday’s at the Learning Center ,as he would not have time for both.

~~~~~

A month has passed, and I have to say I wish I had hired an assistant principal sooner. Scout was very distressed at the idea of cyber school, as he knows they require 5-7 hours of logged schoolwork or more a day. He did not want to loose contact with his friends. Realizing that he was responsible for the outcome was unsettling, at the very least.

At first it was really difficult for me to drop back and not feel the need to remind him of a deadline. One night early on, I asked if he wanted to do Latin homework with me. He opted to push off Latin until the morning to play video games all night, forgetting he had a theater rehearsal the next morning. I nearly bit my tongue off to not remind him. He was forced to arrive at Latin in the afternoon without his work done, and unprepared for a quiz. He failed, and was sullen. He was even more depressed when he realized I aced it. I said not a word, and let him think it over.

I had to let him struggle and fail, and trust that it was the only way for him to get it. This scenario showed once or twice more, and then a change began to bloom like spring. The third week in, he decided to plan his work evenly over the early part of the week, so his weekend was free for fun. He came to me while I was cooking Friday night and told me he had been so stubborn because it feels so great to face the weekend with nothing hanging over his head. I tell you, I almost dropped the pot!

Last week, I went over the kid’s log books, and found that he was going to be twenty credits shy of a full year of art history credit. He had just been assigned a 15 page research paper for his writing class, and I asked if he had a topic. He mentioned a few ideas about guitar players and rock bands. I told him about the log book, and wondered if he would consider doing his paper about an artist or art movement instead, so that he could get the full credit. Instead of the normal arguement, he smiled and said “That’s brilliant. Can you help me think of an artist?” I did a good job collecting my thoughts, as I was stunned at this delightful change. We got some art books out and he decided that DaVinci was the best choice for such a long paper. He thanked me for helping, and I hugged and thanked him for being open and letting me help. It was historic for us!

More than our homeschooling flowing more smoothly, our home is much more peaceful. I see a change in Big Daddy too, as he realizes how much he had been standing on the sidelines with the kids. On Sunday, he spent hours with Girlie, having her help him get a riding lawn mower running and then watching her drive it happily around the yard. Last night, he helped Scout practice his speech and reorganize it . Tonight, he is going with us to our learning center’s Speech Night, where Scout and a lot of the other kids will be participating.

His involvement allowed me to take my teacher’s cap off for a while. I was able to grade a few papers, take a bath and read a book for pleasure. Girlie and I picked out some projects for end of the year teacher’s gifts, and made our shopping list for the fabric store. And I went to bed early…..I can get used to this!

We all have learned some valuable lessons. Scout has learned to appreciate me and to be more responsible. Big Daddy has learned that he has a lot to teach both his kids, and there is much joy in the experience. Girlie has learned that she can have a great time sharing with her Dad as well. I have learned that good things can come from giving over some of the control, and asking for help is not weakness, but honesty.

Across Generations

We had such a lovely experience yesterday. After a few weeks of preparation and planning, the Girl Scout troop finally had their day visiting the folks at the assisted living facility for the day. I went along as an extra set of hands and to photograph the event.

We arrived with one of the community rooms already full of smiling faces, eagerly awaiting our arrival. The girls spread themselves out sitting amongst the residents, some of which needed help for our first game, Bingo. The girls had used some of their cookie money to buy prizes, and as the residents won, the would take the baskets around for them to select. Each took a turn calling the numbers for the game, and rotated throughout the room.

After the first hour, the residents voted to play more bingo instead of word games. As the hour progressed, there was more and more laughing between the girls and the seniors. Girlie, usually a bit reserved in new situations, was so helpful and affectionate. I saw numerous ladies just reach out for her hand, which she happily held.

The center treated us to a pizza lunch, and many of the residents opted to have a slice with us instead of their meal in the dining hall. Girlie jumped up to play waitress, taking drink orders. Without being told, she was asking the other girls to deliver plates and napkins, and drinks and pizza. I sat watching with pride the gentle manner in which she had directed the whole meal. The director of the facility gave her a hug and asked if she wanted to come run the place when she went on vacation!

After the girls cleaned up after lunch, they were given cards with interview questions. Many of the residents had been girl scouts or campfire girls. The shared stories of their experiences and their lives. One woman had just celebrated her 99th birthday, and still could recite the Girl Scout Promise! Another had been in a Conneticut troop run by Daisy Lawrence’s daughter, who had been one of the founders of Girl Scouting in America! It was amazing to see the ladies become more and more animated as they shared to their captive audiences. The laughter and hugs were soon overflowing.

One woman, Miss Jeanetta, especially clicked with Girlie. She was a sweet and very proper lady, whom we later learned had lost her husband of over 61 years a little over two years ago, and had been working hard to assimilate into her new lifestyle. She had been a girl scout and grew up on a farm and in a small town so had amazing stories to share. She was so gracious, and so grandmotherly…something Girlie has not really had in a senior of her years.

They sat together during our last hour of crafts, and I watched in awe as the two bonded. They exchanged addresses , so that they can write to each other. They held hands and listened to each others stories. Girlie asked if we could please visit again, and they were both so excited to realize that we live rather close and could easily do so. They adopted each other as grandmother and granddaughter, and we planned a few future visits where they would share puzzles and photos.

At the end, there were many hugs and kisses and thanks being offered between the residents and the scouts. I had no idea just how much our visit would mean to these women and men who rarely get to see children anymore. We made plans to visit again as a group in a few weeks to bring back a scrapbook we are going to make them of our visit. This has become about so much more than the Bronze Award they earned.

Our new friend invited us to see her room, so we would know where to find her. Girlie eagerly walked beside Miss Jeanetta to her room, carrying her gifts and prizes for her. They chatted on and on. Miss Jeanetta proudly showed us her collection of lighthouses and photos in her room. We hated to leave. She walked us back down to the front desk, and we made plans to visit again in two weeks.

Girlie got in the car and was bubbling over. She was truly thrilled and adored Miss Jeanetta in a way I have never seen her warm to someone. While there, I had read a notice they were looking for a crochet teacher for a few classes over the summer. Girlie asked me to please sign up so she could visit with her new grandmother. She is already planning some spring crafts to make for her.

I love this for Girlie, on so many levels. Not only has she shown me that she is a leader among her peers, but she is a girl who doesn’t hold that terrible stigma against older folks. She was kind and open and really listened to them. To those that had trouble speaking, she quietly held their hands. She didn’t even laugh as the other girls did when the one woman, a bit addled by senility, tried eating the flowers we brought them (“I love salad” ) but quickly offered her a cookie instead.

Yes, I believe this is the beginning of beautiful friendships, across generations.

A Few New Reasons to Smile

~ Spring is really here-
Not just a day on the calendar as I had feared, but spring is in the air. The temps are warm enough to open the windows during the day and air out the house, while letting in the bird’s joyous songs.

~ A book for the FarmGirl in all of us- I am in love with my copy of “MaryJane’s Ideabook-Cookbook-Lifebook” by MaryJane Butters. This book deserves a post all its’ own. It is over 400 pages of gorgeous photographs, delightful stories, and more amazing ideas than you can shake a stick at. While I was doing my first brief perusal, I kept thinking how perfect this would be for Wisteria, Jove, Becky,and Doc, and any other woman who is a farm girl at heart.

~ Hawaiian Kona Coffee-
I thought Jamaican Blue Mountain couldn’t be beat, but I have to say Hawaiian Kona coffee is so smooth, with such a lovely texture, one sip can change my day. Mmmmm!

~ Natural Egg Dying-
I wish I had tried this earlier. No more silly little pills and watered-down colors for us! The whole experience….the colors, the smells, the fun brought the joy back to egg dying for us. And yes, you do add vinegar (Martha Stewart suggests a ratio of 1 tbsp per cup of water ) . We are very glad we decided to do this now, as are planning to do it again for Easter holidays. This too, will be another post when my pics come back.

~ My Canon Rebel 35 mm with Super Macro Lens -
Why I ever tried to set this baby aside for a silly little digital is beyond me. I must have had momentary insanity. On Wed, Girlie had her first riding lesson of the season. It was a sunny day, but there was still snow on the ground. I adjusted the lens to take close shots of the farm cat, then out again to the pasture to the grazing Percherons. I turned and adjusted it further (300 range) and could snap clear, beautiful photos of Girlie in the far ring and see her grinning face.

I can’t wait to go out birdwatching again and get the great shots I’ve been missing.

~ Our school year is almost over-
I sat down with our lesson planners and counted up days and entries since January. We have managed despite the flu to catch up, and will still be done with all our book work, except math, in the first week of May. We will spend our time the following two weeks on a few field trips for PA History, environmental science, and fine art. We will also do some art at home, and have a lot of fun. All things considered, we will be done on May 14th!

~ No more softball-
Over the last three weeks, Girlie has been getting weekly calls from the softball team she was on last year. First from the guy who runs registration, then from a friend back on the team, and this week from the coach himself. While she had been pretty firm about not wanting to give up so much of her spring and summer again (March-mid July), I wondered if knowing how much they valued her skill as a catcher would sway her back on the team. After each call, she told us that she thanked them but explained that she had plans for the summer that included swimming, art, and other adventures. She just wanted to spend time relaxing with her family. I am ever so grateful she is strong enough to not be pressured.

~ Bronze Award Activities-
I am very excited to see how everything works out for this weekend’s bronze award activities. I love that the girls are getting the chance to spend time with the seniors at the assisted living facility. I am hoping that we will find some special folks that we can adopt to visit monthly. There is so much that they can learn from the seniors, and so much we can offer them.

Wishing you all can find your own reasons to smile this week!

Abundance of Seeds and Eggs

Natura in minima maxima
Nature is the greatest in the smallest things

This year we are welcoming spring in a big way. As part of the botany unit, we are starting quite a few of the flowers and herbs for Girlie’s cutting garden today. She is interested in both medicinal plants and cutting flowers, and her selections were based on both research and beauty. Today we are starting valerian, peppermint, echinachea, cosmos, cherry blossom, larkspur and celosia.

Girlie did a great job with the information from the seed packets in scheduling the plants so that all will be ready for the garden simultaneously. Every week or so, there will be others started with the goal of planting the second week of May.

Ad praesens ova cras pullis sunt meliora
( Eggs today are better than chickens tomorrow)

We also have been inspired by all the egg symbolism and fertility surrounding the Spring Equinox. Taking inspiration from Billi-Jean at My Bountiful Life, we will be dying eggs using natural dyes. We decided to try just a few this time, and record our results. Our hopes are for blue (bluberries), red (beets), pink (dark cherries), yellow (onions), and green (spinach). I can’t wait to see how they turn out. The best part is we can do it all again in a few weeks for Easter!

Scout is unfortunately quite bogged down with theater rehersals, so he isn’t taking part in the planting or dying this week. We have been trying to make Latin a daily habit. Never one to back down from a challenge, we still have three solid months to finish out this year. If nothing more, by studying it together he is witnessing the process of dissecting the sentences and working through them step by step. It reminds me of working geometry proofs…and it, too, becomes easier the more we use it. He is starting to enjoy it more, seeing it as a puzzle.

I have been trying to make it fun, by finding an interesting quote each week and having the kids translate it. I found this great resource of Latin quotes that has inspired the game.

They will love our quote for next week:
Mater tua criceta fuit, et pater tuo redoluit bacarum sambucus
( Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries)

Girlie’s Beach Quilt

Girlie’s Beach Quilt

Originally uploaded by all4reagan.

After much fiddling, I finally am getting the photo up to the blog. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy making simple projects like this with Girlie. It is nothing special, just a simple use of some soft cotton flannel in great colors. The back is solid purple, as the edging. It is full-size, and will be great on the beach. Now, if the weather would just cooperate and we can use it !

Creativity is the only thing blooming!

After 8 1/2 inches of snow and sleet on Friday, the only thing blooming around here is our creativity. But it is blooming on so many levels I wanted to share.

I spent Friday making the quilt sandwich, and then sewing the quilt together. I tried something new instead of just simple knot quilting by hand. A friend had shown me how to machine quilt, and since this is very thin beach quilt made of cotton flannel, I gave it a try. The print is of fairies, so I used an heirloom stitch which, when trailing around, resembles pixie dust. It was so quick, and has a very nice effect. Girlie is now begging for warm days so we can take it to the beach.

I have become infatuated with sewing again. I am so thankful that I was asked to make the costumes for the play, as it forced me to spend enough time at the machine to now want to make all sorts of projects. Again, I am a true novice, but I am going to sign up for a few more classes at the sewing center and start working on mother’s day and teacher gifts for May.

Girlie is becoming interested in sewing again as well. She was so happy with it and her homeschool class, until they began making doll clothing. The craft sewing and small projects had been challenging, yet fun. Since my daughter never quite got into the doll thing, she had no interest. We have found quite a few cute projects of late that she wants to make, and I am going to find a book to go over the basics for us both so we can make sewing part of our days again.

We found out that the drawing class Girlie wanted to take will not be offered again next year at the learning center. In talking with a homeschooling friend who has a degree in fine arts, she recommended this wonderful program, Artistic Pursuits.
Of all the programs she has seen, she feels this is the most thorough and user-friendly. I am taking her word for it, and ordering the 7th grade program.

Scout spent some time with the airbrush system Big Daddy had gotten last year on Friday afternoon. He painted two model car frames, and will hopefully put them together today. His training hike for the Appalacian Trail was cancelled due to weather, so I expect he will spend today as he did yesterday…playing video games.

Girlie has found yet another graphic arts download for the computer, and has been practicing a lot. Her skills are really increasing. I want to get her a printer soon, so she can start printing out some of these creations and keeping a portfolio of them for herself.

I also pulled out some of my scrapbooks this weekend, trying to get ideas for the lessons I will teach next year. As I went through the memories were wonderful and we went from tears to laughter many times. Then, the frequency of pictures dropped, and the albums became more about special events and vacations. I realized that over the last three years, I have really stopped taking pictures as I used to do. The texture and depth of my displays and journaling left the albums as well, as they no longer were telling a cohesive story of our lives.

Just Friday, when Girlie was rolling in the snow with the dogs, I didn’t reach for the camera. Why? The truth is I stopped taking photos when I turned away from my old standard 35mm to digital three years ago. For years I would tear through rolls of film, mail it off to Snapfish, and get the prints back as well as have them saved in online albums. Would there be a few bad photos? Yes, indeed. But there would also be many other exquisite photos, close-up or panaramic shots that took your breath away. I cannot duplicate that with a digital, at least not without spending a ton of money I don’t have right now. Plus, the added nuisance of uploading and all the computer crap that goes along with it is just too time consuming for me. So I am dusting off my old faithful Canon and getting back to business.

It is hard for me to think of planning activities for hte first day of spring this week, but I cannot ignore the calendar even if the weather does. Hoping the creativity will rub off there as well….