Andrew

Way back when, my cousin love-bombed my parents with books from his perspective.  One of them was Ender's Game.  I blasted through it in two days and I periodically return to it even now.  It sent me on an Orson Scott Card binge, but none of the others had this book's power.  Ender's internal voice is similar to mine.  His relationship to others, being a part of things yet always separate, is simply human.  Discovering that you are your community's favorite weapon is an experience understood and whose pain of shared responsibility for horrors, while overblown, is not overborne.  

I am eager to see the movie version, but I am certain it cannot live up to the book.  How will they get us in Ender's head?  That is the sight to see, the rest of it is simply something for him to think about.  

Coming Home

Last weekend I went on my first Catholic retreat at St. Lazare's.  I was at a low place with many things, and I needed help.  Father Vincent and Father Frank gave me that help through silence, through teaching, through the Eucharist.  The part I loved best was Confession. There's no rush on retreat, and there's help in working out your salvation, almost like an IEP (individualized education plan).  The long-forgotten pleasure of having a room to myself, especially with the lovely lake view, was remembered, as I relied on the consolation of privacy should I become overwhelmed.  My fellow retreants were so faithful to the silence, but we were still present to each other.  The food was good, but not rich like a fancy hotel.  Simple comforting meals, including two versions of roast beef, made a nice break, but didn't steal the show.  The grounds were lovely and well maintained.  

I felt as if I had come home.  I felt burdens eased and skills learned.  I felt God.  

They are shutting St. Lazare's at the end of July.  

I feel like a stolen child coming home just in time for her family to move.  I feel like people who visit Disney World on the last day it is open will feel.  I feel like a precious pearl is being ground to dust.

It takes time to make something as wonderful as St. Lazare's, and we are letting it slip away.  The waste makes me so sad. 

Pray for St. Lazare's, Father Vincent and Father Frank

Happy Sandals Day!

The day we set our feet free for the summer! All that shopping, it's quite a feat.

Sister Zita

Today is St. Zita's Day, my patron saint.  I went looking for her ripples in the world as part of my celebration and found this sister who persevered under Communist oppression.  You can learn more about this nun and many others at the Interrupted Lives Exhibit.

I found lots of nuns who identified with St. Zita and it's amazing the things they've done.

Courage for Our Friends

When I was a small child I had waking nightmares that still make my skin crawl. There were black and fuschia vultures on the ceiling flying in lazy circles. I slept with my arms above my head because claymation creepy crawlers were all over my covers and trying to get under them. I tried to overcome them, then I'd try to tolerate them, then I'd lose it and scream for Mother. They ran away from Mother. All family remedies were tried, but there was only tolerate them or scream for Mother.

Until that night, that night where things change that comes in every story, even if it's just poor, bald death. I was lying there miserable when a small white cat came, a kitten really. For once there was something more to think about than the creepy crawlers and the vultures. Kitty was vulnerable and needed protecting, so that's what I did. I wrapped myself around the kitten and went to sleep. I slept better than I had in a long time. I was heart-broken the next morning when I woke up and the kitten was gone. Mother was glad I'd slept in, but very confused about my new cat. The nightmares were gone for good, and the strategy of finding courage by protecting others has always paid off.

But I still miss the cat.

In the Spring

My thoughts always turn to Fall. I know I won't be able to relax during the summer if I don't have some kind of plan for next year's homeschooling adventure. This summer is going to be one of the best summers on record, so I'm getting to gittin'.

This year was such a success that I'm going to follow the current model closely. I was lucky this year because I could lump two kids in together on writing and grammar, next year I will have three kids on very different levels for math, reading comprehension, and writing/grammar. Because reading comprehension and math can be done independently for the most part, I'm not as concerned about that, but writing/grammar needs substantial time. I'm also going to use three separate curriculums for writing/grammar so there is no overlap.

Bible this year was a book of prayers, and a Bible timeline we followed story by story. I think we'll upgrade to The Divine Office and The Chronological One Year Bible.

Science, we watched Physics and Our Universe from The Great Courses and did a coloring page about the elements on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday and Thursday we did applicable Science in a Nutshells from Delta Eucation. Friday was Co-op, or whatever needed catching up. We'll follow that pattern again with Earth Science, Understanding Space, and maybe the Meteorology class. I have fallen in love with the Science in a Nutshell. Two experiments every week! I am such a cool mom, and all I do is open the box. They also fill in gaps and bring learning down a level.

History, is my favorite subject. It's the longest story ever told. We are skipping most of modern history and going back to the ancients. Monday and Wednesday, Iris will work through SW Bauer's book on the ancients, making notes and writing a summary. Peter and Jimmy will do her Story of the World curriculum with me. Peter will write his own notes. Jimmy will tell me what to write down. Tuesday and Thursday, we will watch History of the World: A Global Perspective. I will work in lectures from The Other Side of History and 30 Masterpieces of the Ancient World. We will also color in Dover coloring books about the period.

Reading comprehension, I like to use every opportunity to connect the things we are learning, so for those who can read I gather age appropriate books about the period of history and science discipline we are studying. My kids also enjoy some vintage open court from the seventies.

Writing/grammar, My older girls loved Write Source. Writing with Ease and First Language lessons were short enough to get done with Peter in the time frame he cared to spend on those subjects. I'll definitely use them again. My only real question is what to use to teach Jimmy to read. He is more of a sitter than he was, but I don't know what will capture his attention, or at least that he will endure. Research needs to be done.

Bedside Manor

This is the top of my bedside table.  I've dusted and straightened, but really this is a place that stays neat.  Mostly due to the larger space beneath it, but still it stays neat.  Let's start with The Holy Family that Zuzu gave me for Christmas one year.  Aslan is guarding The Holy Family.  A packet of Christmas cards that somehow took on the task of holding my glasses sits in the middle.  My fitbit is useful both waking and sleeping, and as it is Michigan in the winter, I have an electric blanket controller.  A picture of Kurt and I kissing in the limo on our wedding day is crowned by my crucifix.  Clutter to sleep by.  What's on your nightstand?