The Continents Collide

A history party was the perfect way to wrap up our school year! What could be better than a gathering of good friends, a medieval feast, and an opportunity to share what's been learned in history this year?

Here are a few of our favourite characters:

Queen Hatshepsut meets Queen Sharazhad

Courtly Musicians

Let the show begin!

A round of applause for our entertainers, please.

Welcoming Summer

They Come! The Merry Summer Months.

They come! the merry summer months of beauty, song, and flower;
They come! the gladsome months that bring thick leafiness to bowers.
Up, up, my heart! and walk abroad; fling cark and care aside;
Seek silent hills, or rest thyself where peaceful waters glide;
Or, underneath the shadow vast of patriarchal tree,
Scan through its leaves the cloudless sky in rapt tranquility.

The grass is soft, its velvet touch is grateful to the hand;
And, like the kiss of maiden love, the breeze is sweet and bland;
The daisy and the buttercup are nodding courteously;
It stirs their blood with kindest love, to bless and welcome thee;
And mark how with thine own thin locks--they now are silvery gray--
That blissful breeze is wantoning, and whispering, "Be gay!"

Good Lord! it is a gracious boon for thought crazed wight like me,
To smell again these summer flowers beneath this summer tree!
To suck once more in every breath their little souls away,
And feed my fancy with fond dreams of youth's bright summer day,
When, rushing forth like untamed colt, the reckless, truant boy
Wandered through greenwoods all day long, a mighty heart of joy!

William Motherwell

Sweet Little Cousin

Visiting has been such hard work, the little guy is plumb tuckered out!

New Neighbor = New Friend

Ode to B

Hard working and diligent
Calm and thoughtful
A loyal friend
Where trouble, tribulations, and dark clouds may form
B is far from them, sailing on calm seas
Fingers dancing across the piano keys
Studying diligently all day
Knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading
Baking great treasures
Spending time with her brothers and sisters
Daydreaming in the garden
Growing beautiful flowers,
Being there with her mom
Helping to keep the house in order
Making “Bethany’s” at Althea’s Tea house
Pat’s right hand
Inventing her wedding day
Her prince charming, and a baby

Love,
Dad

A Word From Dad

A Model Citizen

Today we celebrate this momentous occasion in the life of one B, Daughter of ours, and the product of 13 years of teaching by Lori. So, I give credit to Lori for her 13 years of great teaching.

B is another product of the "G educational system" that is slowly taking over the far right wing of the Republican party. B identifies with that radical fringe of the conservative population that is infiltrating the highest ranks of government and insidiously permeating the minds of the liberal left, thwarting the diabolical plots of those scheming judicial activists, and promoting diligently the suffrage movement in Polk County. Go B !

Speaking of Polk County, as I thought about what I would say today, at B ’s graduation, my mind focused on that would we would all agree is of utmost importance – that is the process of building a strong, happy, healthy society. I think that the best contribution that one can make to society is not in the high profile work of a political figure or activist, but in the quiet daily life of a contented soul, who is at rest and at peace with God, family, friends and her neighbors. This person who, on balance, runs an emotional surplus (we all have our days) and who has the capacity to reach out and touch other peoples lives who, in turn, are able to reach out and touch even more lives, and so on. This nuclear explosion, if you will, of kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control creates true and long-lasting societal, cross cultural and most multi-generational change in our society.

Our responsibility, then, is to create the framework that provides for this strong sense of purpose and contentedness. This contentedness allows one to be both a leader and a follower, a teacher and a student, a worker and a manager, a mother or a career person.

Enter B , who is very content in the garden, at the piano, and with her family, and would like nothing more than to continue on in the tradition of her mom and get married and raise a happy, healthy family. Even so, another four years of school is beckoning her on – four more years to prepare her for her calling, so that she has just that much more to give. We wish B God’s greatest blessing on her during these next years, as she continues to prepare herself for life’s greatest calling.

So B, nice work! You’ve been an outstanding student, a great help to you mom, and a loving and giving sister to your brothers and sisters. Congratulations on your graduation, and may God richly bless you in life’s journey. We all look forward to enjoying that journey with you.

Congratulations, Lavender Girl

Graduation Day has come in the blink of an eye. It hardly seems possible that 13 years have gone past since we began this journey together.

When I reflect back on the years of your education the words that most come to mind are CREATIVE and BEAUTIFUL. Whether you’ve been refining you music, or writing a character sketch, or working on a piece of handwork you’ve created something of beauty, something worth keeping and you’re not afraid to invest time and energy into the project.

Today is an exciting turning point in your life, the end of one chapter and the whole rest of the book lies ahead yet to be discovered. There are many wonderful opportunities to be explored and plenty of time to narrow the choices. I know that whatever you set your hand and mind to doing you will do with all that is in you.

Come September I’m going to need to grow a new right hand! The selfish part of me would love to keep you at home forever. It’s been a joy teaching you and now you’re ready for a new challenge.

With all my love,
Mama

On Our Horizon

The home stretch has come 'round once again. One last week to count of this 2006-07 school year. We've really been winding down all the past month, finishing a book here and a book there or deciding to abandon certain others in lieu of more pressing activities.

Looming in the forefront of all is Lavender Girl's upcoming graduation. Oh, but that makes it sound like an unpleasant task and I don't mean that at all! I'm very pleased and excited to graduate my dear girl next in line. But there is a lot to be done before this grand event and not very much time remaining. And, of course, there is nervousness to battle on both our parts.

Meanwhile we've had Sunday School promotion. Ladybird and Moonchild performed in a musical presentation of "Jonah". Lavender Girl traveled to Iowa and back for her cousin's graduation. And we're still unpacking boxes or shuffling them around to better places in the garage.

I have to keep reminding myself to, "Just do the next thing!"