There is a rhythm and ease to our homeschooling and our Auburn life that was not here in the Fall. We are more at home here now, know more people and things to do, we more accustomed to the pace and nature of rural life. We are more used to the nature of homeschooling, farther removed from our previous lifestyle. Plus, we have been around more lately--we were gone much of November and December.
This settling-in is in contrast with the fact that our experience will be ending in a few months. For example, today I began the process of registering the kids back into the San Rafael City Schools. There was no trepidation in this process; the kids have loved school in San Rafael and have done well. But it is worth noting that as we are just getting used to this life in Auburn, it is time to turn a corner and begin preparing for our return to San Rafael.
And more important than going from one city/house to another, with our geographical return, we will be going from one life to another. I will return to work, the kids to school. We will leave animals, days of choice, and the quiet of space. How will that be? What lasting impact will this year have on our "regular" lives? How much will this year become part of our "regular" lives--after all, we will still be regular visitors to Auburn in the future?
Lately, I've been metaphorically comparing this year with the first "weekend" in a two-week-long life. God willing, I've lived, learned, and worked for about half of my life now. I've followed a more or less typical path through schooling, family and career--the "first week" of my life, in this metaphor. This year, I've taken a "weekend". Like any Saturday and Sunday, there is still lots to do and lots to learn. But it is a break from the routine. Now, like looking forward to Monday on a Sunday afternoon, there is some ambivalence about the return to the regular day-to-day--even if so happens that normalcy is worthwhile and full of meaning.
I am also recognizing and appreciating the rejuvenation and perspective I have received from my "weekend". For one, I feel fortunate to have found a way to create a two-week metaphor instead of a one-week one! Often people only have one "weekend": retirement. Maybe the next step is to find ways to have multiple-week metaphors... or week-long vacations. Hmmm. To be considered, but I also understand that that a life full of weekends would probably lack the appropriate level of meaning for me. In fact, what makes a weekend so special is its contrast with the rest of the week. Using the viewpoint the metaphor engenders, I am excited and interested to see how this year will grow in significance from the vantage-point of my return to "regular" life. How will it change me? What will I appreciate differently about my two lifestyles from the perspective of the "weekend" being over? Will I find ways to meld these lifestyles or will they be able to exist side-by-side? How will Juliana and the kids respond to these same changes and alterations of perspective?
It is interesting to get some preview of how our two lifestyles interrelate when we have visitors. This weekend the Pletcher Hessels visited; they arrived late Friday night after a busy week and we skied, gamed, ate and talked. They live a "San Rafael life" similar to ours and besides the transition
from one place to another, their entry into our "Auburn lifestyle" appeared fairly seamless. That transition period is an issue though. In many ways, it took us a number of months in the Fall. Now that we are more acquainted with it, perhaps it will be quicker and easier to return to our "Auburn" mentality. Or maybe it will just become a part of us.
As a young person, I did a lot of traveling in Latin America. When I returned home, I always wanted to hold on to some of what I experienced there: the kindness of the people, the pace of life, the realness of interactions, the richness of another language and culture. I think at first, there was a tendency to belittle America as something less real or pure. But what I came to realize is that both places were (and are) incredibly special (and of course full of faults). Furthermore, America is my home with my people and a part of who I am. But I gained so much from some understanding and connection to another place and people. That is what I hope can happen with this transition.
I suppose there will be some sadness in leaving this place when the time comes. But that won't be the overwhelming emotion. Mostly I will feel gratitude for the opportunity and joy in the memories. I hope to take new perspectives with me that will make me a better teacher, husband, father, son, brother, friend. I am excited to return to work and our home and community in San Rafael and I look forward to visiting Auburn often.
I am fortunate in my one life to know two lives that I love. It will be an adventure to continue living them together.
Joey
Our family journal during our year of homesteading, homeschooling, and travel.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
The Talking Power, continued
Chapter 5: A Call From the Mayor (3/9/12)
Since the “Magic at School” event, Magic was famous to the whole city. Whenever the family took her to the park with them they would hear mothers of young children exclaim: “Look, it’s Magic the talking goat!”
It was a rainy day at the house. The family felt tired as most people do on rainy days. I felt there should be some excitement on this dreary day. I was sitting there feeling sorry for myself when the phone rang. I raced to it hoping that excitement would be on the line.
“Hello,” I said, “ C.D. here.”
On the other side of the line a man’s voice said, “Hello C.D., this is the Mayor here.”
“Wow, what’s the topic?”, I said.
“I hear you have a talking goat. Look, my son has a birthday coming up. Could you possibly take her to the party? He would absolutely love that.”
“Depends on the date,” I answered.
“The third of May, two weeks from now.”
“Yes,” I said.
Two weeks later, Magic rocked the party.
To be continued...
Complete text at:
Sophia
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The tale of a face plant
You're cruising through foot deep powder. Suddenly, one of your skis is buried in the snow and your foot gets wrenched out of your ski's binding. All of a sudden, you're falling face-first into the powder. A rush of cold hits your face. Then you sit up. Snow is covering your goggles. So, you wipe the white snow covering your face and start groping for your disembodied ski. Finally, your gloved hand fastens around your missing ski.
Grace
The Last 2 Weeks
I've done a lot of fun stuff these last two weeks. Last week it snowed a ton and I went skiing 3 days, two of those days with my grandma. Even though the the weather was pretty brutal the skiing was amazing. The wind was blowing snow horizontal but the up side of this is that every run we skied had fresh tracks. Over the weekend we went to Mark and Tracey's house and spent the night which was fun. This week was also pretty good. On Wednesday I went for a fairly bad day of skiing but afterwards played ultimate which was fun. I have also been thinking about my bike ride which is coming up in 2 and a half weeks. I am really worried about it and hope I can survive it.
-Eli
-Eli
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Eli's Bike Ride for the Milo Foundation
We've been receiving a lot of questions about Eli's upcoming Bar Mitzvah bike ride, so I thought I'd share some logistic details. He will follow with a more personal post in the next couple of days. In addition, we hope to give some updates about preparations and from the road.
Where: From the Stewyurt in Auburn to the Milo Foundation office in San Rafael. Approximately 170 miles, depending on the final route we take. This is our approximate planned route (the two maps have different scales):
Part 1:
Part 2:
We have not been on many of these roads outside of Placer, Sonoma, and Marin counties, so if you know undesirable roads along this route in Sutter, Yolo, Solano, or Napa counties, let us know! UPDATE, 3/9: Thanks to some good feedback, we are now thinking of riding bike paths through Sacramento instead of the northern Placer/Sutter counties country road route. UPDATE 3/15: New route pictured above in two parts.
When: Goal is to leave on Monday March 26 or Tuesday the 27, weather permitting, and arrive in San Rafael at the Milo Foundation office by Friday March 30th. (But Saturday would be ok).
Who: Eli and Joey
How: We are cross-training for this trip by skiing, playing ultimate, running, and doing some bike riding. Hopefully it will be enough! We will carry our clothes, water, and some food, but stay at motels and eat out some as well.
Where: From the Stewyurt in Auburn to the Milo Foundation office in San Rafael. Approximately 170 miles, depending on the final route we take. This is our approximate planned route (the two maps have different scales):
Part 1:
Part 2:
When: Goal is to leave on Monday March 26 or Tuesday the 27, weather permitting, and arrive in San Rafael at the Milo Foundation office by Friday March 30th. (But Saturday would be ok).
Who: Eli and Joey
How: We are cross-training for this trip by skiing, playing ultimate, running, and doing some bike riding. Hopefully it will be enough! We will carry our clothes, water, and some food, but stay at motels and eat out some as well.
Why: Physical challenge, father/son bonding, and community support. Eli is raising money for the Milo Foundation, a non-profit animal rescue, shelter, and adoption center. So far he has raised about $1500 (and is working on this thank you letters!). If you would like to give (either a lump sum or on a per-mile basis), let us know or you can donate directly at: http://www.milofoundation.org (to do this, click
"DONATE" and complete required information. In the Additional Notes box,
please type "Eli's Bar Mitzvah"). Eli will also do some volunteering at Milo in April.
Joey
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Winter
This week winter finally arrived. Eli and I skied three days this week (and were joined by intrepid skier, Mamo, for two of them). It has snowed over 4 feet and we have been almost the only people on the hill. There is nothing like skiing a fresh powder run, having so much fun you go right back, and when you get there for the second go around, the only tracks there are yours. Or even better, it has been snowing so hard, your first ones aren't even there anymore.
Rain and hail has been falling in Auburn (not that I have been here much to enjoy it with all the skiing). Finally it is muddy and I feel like there was a reason I put up an awning in front of the yurt and a new gutter on the garage.
How beautiful and fresh everything is with its sheen after a good rain.
All hail the hail!
Joey
Rain and hail has been falling in Auburn (not that I have been here much to enjoy it with all the skiing). Finally it is muddy and I feel like there was a reason I put up an awning in front of the yurt and a new gutter on the garage.
How beautiful and fresh everything is with its sheen after a good rain.
All hail the hail!
Joey
Decisions
Decisions
Robert Frost wrote a poem about making decisions called "The Road Not Taken". There are a couple ways I can relate the poem "The Road Not Taken" to my life. In my life I have to make decisions and live with the consequences if they are good or bad.
I don’t necessarily remember the reason, but in 5th Grade I decided to take a path away from baseball. Now, 2 years later I regret that decision because I really like baseball, but I feel like I am to far behind to catch up with everyone else. In this case I look back on this decision with a sigh of regret.
This dilemma brings me to another decision. The 2 options are: try to play now in a league where I am only old enough to play by a couple days and am playing with people whom some are 16, or to not play baseball and almost definitely never play again. The problem with this particular decision is that what ever path I choose I will regret it. The trick with this decision is to pick the path I will regret less.
A more fun decision to make is what bb gun I should get. A while ago I chose a good one but unfortunately it only shoots pellets. The two bb guns I am choosing between now are a nice, single pump, that has a very unique coking motion that I really like but only shoots a little faster than the bb gun I have now. The other option is a much faster bb gun that is multi-pump and has a less desirable cocking motion. I think I could be happy with either one of these guns and I think it is mostly just about how I react to their strengths and weaknesses.
Life has lots of forks in the road, like in the poem. The way you take can change your life for better or for worse. You can also have a good attitude and make that worse path better.
Eli
From the editor, FYI:
Robert Frost wrote a poem about making decisions called "The Road Not Taken". There are a couple ways I can relate the poem "The Road Not Taken" to my life. In my life I have to make decisions and live with the consequences if they are good or bad.
I don’t necessarily remember the reason, but in 5th Grade I decided to take a path away from baseball. Now, 2 years later I regret that decision because I really like baseball, but I feel like I am to far behind to catch up with everyone else. In this case I look back on this decision with a sigh of regret.
This dilemma brings me to another decision. The 2 options are: try to play now in a league where I am only old enough to play by a couple days and am playing with people whom some are 16, or to not play baseball and almost definitely never play again. The problem with this particular decision is that what ever path I choose I will regret it. The trick with this decision is to pick the path I will regret less.
A more fun decision to make is what bb gun I should get. A while ago I chose a good one but unfortunately it only shoots pellets. The two bb guns I am choosing between now are a nice, single pump, that has a very unique coking motion that I really like but only shoots a little faster than the bb gun I have now. The other option is a much faster bb gun that is multi-pump and has a less desirable cocking motion. I think I could be happy with either one of these guns and I think it is mostly just about how I react to their strengths and weaknesses.
Life has lots of forks in the road, like in the poem. The way you take can change your life for better or for worse. You can also have a good attitude and make that worse path better.
Eli
From the editor, FYI:
The Road Not Taken
|
Two
roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear, Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I marked the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost |
First day of winter
The last two days have been snow days in Grass Valley. That means we have no school. Yesterday, all we did was read, watch movies, and play with Rosie. It seems a little like winter is just starting.
Any way, I drew some pictures of the goats (shown above).
Grace
Grace
Bye Ferd ! Bye Josie!
Yesterday Ferdinand and Josie left our family and joined another. We sold the two kids to a very nice family who seemed a perfect match for the babes. Every body was sad to see them go but they have just what we are looking for, two nice children ( J.P and Maya )who treat them as well as we do, a wonderful pen, and lots of their favorite foods. Though we will miss them, we are all grateful they would make them a home at their house. Even better, the Longtins are also making room for their mother and brother, Diego and Frida, in a few months. The family will be together again.
Sophia
Sophia
Friday, February 24, 2012
President's Week at the Stewyurt
This week we mostly "took off" from schooling as that is what most other kids seemed to be doing. Some call it "ski week" and we did ski on Tuesday. We also somehow did quite a bit as the kids' blogs indicate. It reminds me of the "Learn Nothing Day" that famous homeschooler Sandra Dodd ironically promotes.
In addition to ultimate, Eli is trying to decide whether to play baseball again this season after a two-year hiatus. He misses it and loves the game, but is worried he has "fallen behind" skill-wise and could let down his teammates. We'll go check out a practice tomorrow. What do you think he should do? It is fun to see him getting excited about things: ultimate, skiing, bb guns.
Sophia and Grace are filling our home with kindness and art: Sophia with her knitting and Grace with her watercolors. Their continued dedication to the animal kingdom is inspiring. They are both reading voraciously.
I am so thankful for my children and the time to be with them.
The school vacation time has meant visitors! Hip hip hooray :) Even more, Juliana has had a nice stretch of no work. Unfortunately, sometimes we are having so much fun that we forget to take pictures, but here are a few:
A number of you have expressed concern about the horrible accident we witnessed that Ju blogged about yesterday. It was awful to see first hand life becoming no more so suddenly. Moments before, a red Mustang sped by us in the passing lane. I barely gave it any notice. Then that. Though it was terrible and nurse Juliana was one of the first on the scene, the kids and I were able to avoid seeing too much gory detail. But we did see someone dead. It is so much worse for the victims and their families; our prayers go out to them. Drive safely!
Joey
In addition to ultimate, Eli is trying to decide whether to play baseball again this season after a two-year hiatus. He misses it and loves the game, but is worried he has "fallen behind" skill-wise and could let down his teammates. We'll go check out a practice tomorrow. What do you think he should do? It is fun to see him getting excited about things: ultimate, skiing, bb guns.
Sophia and Grace are filling our home with kindness and art: Sophia with her knitting and Grace with her watercolors. Their continued dedication to the animal kingdom is inspiring. They are both reading voraciously.
I am so thankful for my children and the time to be with them.
The school vacation time has meant visitors! Hip hip hooray :) Even more, Juliana has had a nice stretch of no work. Unfortunately, sometimes we are having so much fun that we forget to take pictures, but here are a few:
One of the twins does not belong. Can you tell which one?
Spring is visiting (and has been almost all winter), but promises to leave for a while so we can get some more rain here and snow in the mountains.
A number of you have expressed concern about the horrible accident we witnessed that Ju blogged about yesterday. It was awful to see first hand life becoming no more so suddenly. Moments before, a red Mustang sped by us in the passing lane. I barely gave it any notice. Then that. Though it was terrible and nurse Juliana was one of the first on the scene, the kids and I were able to avoid seeing too much gory detail. But we did see someone dead. It is so much worse for the victims and their families; our prayers go out to them. Drive safely!
Joey
Ultimate
Me and my friend just recently joined a high school ultimate team. The other day I went to try it out. It was pretty fun and since my dad plays it I was able to keep up with the rest of the kids pretty well. I have a good forehand but my backhand needs a little work. I am also pretty good at catching the disc but I have trouble getting open.
Eli
Creative Writing: Lilly (Chapter 7)
In 2 hours they were in town. Caroline decided it was time for Lilly's bathroom break. She walked over to a nearby bush and gently lifted Lilly out of her backpack. Caroline gasped, laying on the ground was a trampled on, hand written sign reading:
She was going home.
To be continued...
Grace
Complete story so far:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TTmAi0cjj7HQzyTMZe1ybr_FkpwHXpPTfjHAodkW3VM/edit
She was going home.
To be continued...
Grace
Complete story so far:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TTmAi0cjj7HQzyTMZe1ybr_FkpwHXpPTfjHAodkW3VM/edit
Finally!
I am finally done with my sweater. Yesterday we all gathered around the couch and watched me knit the last stitch if my sweater.
It hangs loose on me (because I want it to fit a while.)
It hangs loose on me (because I want it to fit a while.)
I learned a few new techniques. For those of you interested, here they are: triple needle bind off, picking up stitches, and ribbing.
I LOVE it. It isn't itchy, it is soft, warm, and very cozy.
-Sophia
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Five vehicles involved in fatal wreck on Highway 49
We are okay, but coming home on 49 from school today we observed this accident just a couple seconds ahead of us. The mustang was coming to a stop and it's driver had already died on the road. She had no pulse when I checked. She was so still, and damaged that we did not even attempt CPR. We couldn't move the other driver from her vehicle, it was so badly damaged. The door was crushed in. But she was conscious and talking. Many stopped to help. Prayers for all involved.
Five vehicles involved in fatal wreck on Highway 49
Driver of red Mustang came into oncoming traffic, officer says
By Krissi Khokhobashvili, Journal Features Editor
Courtesy Diane Felt
One woman is dead, another injured and the occupants of three other vehicles very shaken up after an early evening wreck on Highway 49 near Joeger Road.
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Abe Cho, at about 4 p.m. Thursday the driver of a red Ford Mustang traveled into oncoming traffic, striking a tan Infiniti, and continued to swerve out of control, coming once again into the opposing lane of traffic. The Mustang collided with a black Nissan Altima and then proceeded to strike two additional vehicles.
The driver of the Mustang was ejected from her vehicle and died at the scene, Cho said. She was the lone occupant of her vehicle. The woman driving the Altima was transported by ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
“I was one of the first hit, by a car flying in the air,” said Grass Valley resident Tammy Saling, who was driving a Chevrolet Silverado four-wheel drive pickup truck. She said she saw a car come across the center lane, hitting another car, and then it flipped in the air and struck her vehicle.
Saling’s truck was hit first in the front, and then in the rear, she said. Although she doesn’t remember clearly what vehicle hit her, there were red remnants stuck in her vehicle, and a piece of the Mustang landed in the bed of her truck. Saling said when she stopped her vehicle, “I saw both the red and the black car just demolished, and a lady lying on the ground dead, I think.”
Allison Crawford of Auburn was one of the first to stop at the scene, where she used her CPR training to help stabilize the Altima driver’s head while help was on the way. As first responders helped extricate the woman from her vehicle, Crawford kept up a conservation with her, “just hoping she survived and pulled through.”
Crawford said the woman was alone in her vehicle, which was full of groceries.
The driver and passenger of the Inifiniti, John and Linda Wood, were driving home to Nevada City when the Mustang, which they said was fishtailing out of control, came toward them.
“I did an evasive maneuver,” John Wood said. “Luckily, it just went down the side.”
The couple was traveling with their 2-year-old Boxer mix, Willow, who was in the backseat. The window on her side was broken out, and after the collision she started climbing to the front of the car, between the door and the headrest, to get to her owners.
“She’s really shaken up,” Linda Wood said as she sat on the roadside, patting her still-trembling dog.
The couple said they were not injured in the wreck, although, John Wood said, “I think my blood pressure is up.”
Five vehicles involved in fatal wreck on Highway 49
Driver of red Mustang came into oncoming traffic, officer says
By Krissi Khokhobashvili, Journal Features Editor
Courtesy Diane Felt
One woman is dead, another injured and the occupants of three other vehicles very shaken up after an early evening wreck on Highway 49 near Joeger Road.
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Abe Cho, at about 4 p.m. Thursday the driver of a red Ford Mustang traveled into oncoming traffic, striking a tan Infiniti, and continued to swerve out of control, coming once again into the opposing lane of traffic. The Mustang collided with a black Nissan Altima and then proceeded to strike two additional vehicles.
The driver of the Mustang was ejected from her vehicle and died at the scene, Cho said. She was the lone occupant of her vehicle. The woman driving the Altima was transported by ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
“I was one of the first hit, by a car flying in the air,” said Grass Valley resident Tammy Saling, who was driving a Chevrolet Silverado four-wheel drive pickup truck. She said she saw a car come across the center lane, hitting another car, and then it flipped in the air and struck her vehicle.
Saling’s truck was hit first in the front, and then in the rear, she said. Although she doesn’t remember clearly what vehicle hit her, there were red remnants stuck in her vehicle, and a piece of the Mustang landed in the bed of her truck. Saling said when she stopped her vehicle, “I saw both the red and the black car just demolished, and a lady lying on the ground dead, I think.”
Allison Crawford of Auburn was one of the first to stop at the scene, where she used her CPR training to help stabilize the Altima driver’s head while help was on the way. As first responders helped extricate the woman from her vehicle, Crawford kept up a conservation with her, “just hoping she survived and pulled through.”
Crawford said the woman was alone in her vehicle, which was full of groceries.
The driver and passenger of the Inifiniti, John and Linda Wood, were driving home to Nevada City when the Mustang, which they said was fishtailing out of control, came toward them.
“I did an evasive maneuver,” John Wood said. “Luckily, it just went down the side.”
The couple was traveling with their 2-year-old Boxer mix, Willow, who was in the backseat. The window on her side was broken out, and after the collision she started climbing to the front of the car, between the door and the headrest, to get to her owners.
“She’s really shaken up,” Linda Wood said as she sat on the roadside, patting her still-trembling dog.
The couple said they were not injured in the wreck, although, John Wood said, “I think my blood pressure is up.”
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Cyclops Mole: Life in a Harsh Climate
World X is much like our earth except for its extreme daily temperature swings. Either one of these extremes (-10º F and 160º F) would kill most earth creatures, let alone both of the extremes in one day. Some animals however have found ways to thrive in these harsh conditions.
The creature best adapted to it’s harsh environment is Subterrianious corrosivicus, commonly known as a cyclops mole. The cyclops mole avoids the extreme temperatures by going under ground. It burrows through the soil on the surface of Planet X using its retractable shovel-like claws. When it reaches bedrock,it strokes the rock with its four-fingered hand. This action opens thousands of tiny acid glands, releasing a 1 mm thick layer of sticky acid on the rock thus the name, Subterrianious corrosivicus. After about 10 minutes, the acid has eaten away about 2 ft of rock. Over time, Subterrianious corrosivicus will create an extensive tunnel system. Since it is pitch black in these tunnels, it uses antennae (some are over 1 foot long) to paint a 360º picture of its surroundings. Becase Subterrianious corrosivicus only goes to the surface for short occasional trips to get water, it has no need for more than one primitive eye.
Getting water on Planet X can be very tricky for the cyclops mole and other inhabitants of Planet X. During the night, all surface water is ice or snow which is impossible to drink and the temperature is below zero. As the sun rises, the ice melts and and evaporates (sometimes during the hotter parts of the year snow turns directly to vapor). By this point Planet X is completely covered in clouds that block out the sun. Because of this Planet X begins darkening cooling off creating night in the middle of the day. Then it starts to rain filling river beds, dry pond beds, and streams. Now all the creatures of Planet X including the cyclops mole come out of hiding to drink before night falls. Subterrianious corrosivicus can even store about a liter of water in its sponge-like tounge for later use.
The creature best adapted to it’s harsh environment is Subterrianious corrosivicus, commonly known as a cyclops mole. The cyclops mole avoids the extreme temperatures by going under ground. It burrows through the soil on the surface of Planet X using its retractable shovel-like claws. When it reaches bedrock,it strokes the rock with its four-fingered hand. This action opens thousands of tiny acid glands, releasing a 1 mm thick layer of sticky acid on the rock thus the name, Subterrianious corrosivicus. After about 10 minutes, the acid has eaten away about 2 ft of rock. Over time, Subterrianious corrosivicus will create an extensive tunnel system. Since it is pitch black in these tunnels, it uses antennae (some are over 1 foot long) to paint a 360º picture of its surroundings. Becase Subterrianious corrosivicus only goes to the surface for short occasional trips to get water, it has no need for more than one primitive eye.
Subterrianious corrosivicus would die if it weren’t for a small worm-like creature that lives in the trillions within the bedrock of Planet X. These little creatures called Bore Worms bore through the rock using small amounts of acid. When the cyclops mole corrodes the rock thousands of them are exposed. Subterrianious corrosivicus then licks the worms and and its own acid off the rock. The worms are then crushed against the roof of the cyclops mole’s mouth releasing their acid. The worms’ acid, along with its own, is absorbed by its large sponge-like tongue. This acid is concentrated in acid sacs in its wrists for later use. After their acid has been used, the worm’s crushed body is swallowed for food.
Getting water on Planet X can be very tricky for the cyclops mole and other inhabitants of Planet X. During the night, all surface water is ice or snow which is impossible to drink and the temperature is below zero. As the sun rises, the ice melts and and evaporates (sometimes during the hotter parts of the year snow turns directly to vapor). By this point Planet X is completely covered in clouds that block out the sun. Because of this Planet X begins darkening cooling off creating night in the middle of the day. Then it starts to rain filling river beds, dry pond beds, and streams. Now all the creatures of Planet X including the cyclops mole come out of hiding to drink before night falls. Subterrianious corrosivicus can even store about a liter of water in its sponge-like tounge for later use.
During the final hours of the day when Subterrianious corrosivicus and other animals come out to drink, others come out to feed. When water softens the soil of Planet X’s river beds a five inch long flounder like organism wiggles out of the softened soil in the hundreds. The schools of these flounders then swim down the river looking for prey such as a Cyclops Mole. When it finds its prey, the flounders latch onto it with their backward facing barbed hooks that cover their body. The flounder-like fish then begin eating into their prey. When the flounder-like fish eat their fill, the fertile females will lay their eggs in the quarry’s dying body. The body of the unfortunate creature will keep the eggs warm until the morning when the snow melts, upon which point the babies will hatch and burrow into soil of the river bed. The flounders often have trouble catching Cyclops Moles because their antennae can sense vibrations in the water from hundreds of feet away. Even if the fish do catch Subterrianious corrosivicus the antennae make it hard to find a place to grab on.
Even though Planet X is a tough place to live, Subterrianious corrosivicus has found a way to survive by by burrowing underground using its acidic hands and shovel like claws to escape Planet X’s extreme temperatures. The cyclops mole is preyed on by a small fish and eats an even smaller worm that is crucial to its survival.
"What a real E.T. might look like"
by Eli
From my window
At driveway's entrance, I see the goat kids are vexing their mothers by going out the small crack between the gate and post, to stand on the wrong side. Mamas can't fit through. And babies won't go further without them. So they call to each other. And Rosie barks in alarm from inside her own fence. I consider going out to herd them back when I see a child in black cape, with a tall scythe/ spear/ lance? appear, pushing babes back through the crack, fussing for them to go. He has a new haircut. He had seen from up the hill. Our neighbor Caleb. On duty even when he isn't. Love him. And his costumes.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Reader submission
Thank you to Mary Valente for sharing this wonderful poem in response to my last blog entry. I appreciate that our words are being read and considered and, even better, that caring and thoughtful ideas and perspective come back in return.
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, .......
Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, .......
Gibran
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Observations and Joey's Journal
I would like to share these observations I have made about the human experience as I live and school in close quarters with my family:
-Unheeded advice often leads to frustration and discontent for both giver and recipient.
-Taking responsibility is powerful for you and your relationships.
-While contentment is strongly influenced by who and what surrounds you, its ultimate source is your own attitude.
Joey
Before even speaking with Mark today, I had been reflecting how, as "teacher/dad", I find myself giving lots of advice (or, similarly, instructions). Generally, I think it is pretty good: Do your studies, Clean up after yourself, Be on time, Care for the animals, Treat each other with respect, Listen. I'm usually heard. I think my students/kids even usually listen and care. But how well is the advice really internalized? Remember Polonius in Hamlet with his tired: "Never a borrower nor a lender be"? Or the parents in Charlie Brown: "Blah blah blah..."?
Often what I have to offer seems unwelcome and/or I have to repeat it. This is frustrating for all involved--but not necessarily more frustrating than not giving the advice/ instruction at all and seeing things messy and undone! For example, when I hold back from reminding Eli to practice his trumpet (or feed his dog, or clear his dishes off the table, or whatever), my blood boils while he fiddles his iPod instead. Later he is frustrated when he can't play a song well (or he receives some other natural or artificial punishment for not getting his work done). Or, even worse, I get blamed for how it has turned out because I took him away from school where he would surely be getting better at trumpet (see earlier blog entry: "Melancholy").
With this in mind, I thought about titling this journal entry "Frustration." But after starting to write, I don't really feel all that frustrated any more. (Plus, on the heels of my "Melancholy" entry, I thought that might be a bit much--especially for some of our more compassionate readers). While the frustration I describe is present, to distill the extent of my feelings that way would be inadequate.
In place of simplifying, I'll try a more holistic approach. This requires some background:
This year, Juliana and I took a leap. We are following a dream. We are responding to our own observations about life and heeding the advice of all those who keep telling us: "it goes by so fast." We've slowed down and the dream is good. I have time to write and read and ski and travel and be. But as I've said many times, it is still life with all of its accompanying wrinkles. Once the novelty and excitement of "living the dream" passes, we still are inhabitants of our bodies, involved in our relationships with all of their complications, interacting with the unpredictable.
Furthermore, there are the kids. This wasn't their dream, necessarily. They have been dragged along, following with varying degrees of resistance, acceptance, enthusiasm, and neutrality. Really, this is always the way it is for kids. Early in life, they follow along with their parents. Eventually they begin to individuate and start making their own decisions. My kids are just starting that process of individuation. They are just figuring out who they are and what they want. They aren't sure our dream is theirs.
Eli, in particular, is at a place of uncertainty. This presents a challenge for all of us. I love that kid. I believe deeply in his abilities and heart. Yet he has not learned (or often chooses not) to take responsibility. So I end up in the position of giving the advice I have been describing.
I'll indulge in considering another example involving the young man: lets say we have a plan to ski tomorrow. The night before, Eli is given the advice/ reminder to prepare himself for the morning. He sighs heavily and may or may not do it. In the morning, he ends up rushing and apologizing and getting frustrated with himself. We are late. I have some choices: 1) remind him some more or help him, 2) leave him behind, 3) just stand by and let us be late. All of these are a bummer for me and him: 1) we are both annoyed by what has become nagging and/or he is "enabled" by my help and more likely to continue the behavior, 2) we both have a less good day--he is at home, I ski alone, 3) I'm mad at him for making us late and he feels bad about it. It should be noted that I have tried all of these options more than once. I dream of a new possibility: 4) he takes responsibility.
I don't want to be unnecessarily hard on my children. But it also seems there are some basic rules of engagement--responsibilities--that must be followed (consider the list from above that started with "Do your studies"). I understand change is gradual. Though "it goes by so fast", growing up also takes time. I think growth is what we are striving for here. And some of the change needs to come from me, too: let it go, let them fail, don't be overly attached to outcome. But it isn't always that simple as often their potential failure effects others--like me (as I tried to illustrate in the ski departure example).
I hope they will learn (and at this moment, I refer in particular to Eli). I hope I can find the balance to support them while also letting them be. Ultimately, their mistakes lead to their own frustration and their own desire to change. But we're in this together, so often the challenges are mine--the whole family's--to share.
Everything around us is so perfect as we "live the dream". I have time to write and reflect. We talk. I think I can sound my advice and still find a place of ease when it is not heeded. Though it can come with frustration, I appreciate the opportunity our interaction brings to for us all to question our habits and methods and to grow.
-Unheeded advice often leads to frustration and discontent for both giver and recipient.
-Taking responsibility is powerful for you and your relationships.
-While contentment is strongly influenced by who and what surrounds you, its ultimate source is your own attitude.
Joey
*
At this point, I'm conflicted whether to stop and say nothing more, or to go on and elaborate with some of what has inspired these observations. On one hand, I've always liked keeping a journal, and this space is my journal this year. My journal has always been a powerful place for me to codify and clarify my thoughts. But it has always been completely personal. This year, my journal is public. This feels a bit strange. I am concerned that I will be judged or boring or both. Despite this, I will go on. But know that what follows was not written to be read or judged. It is like a first draft or a preliminary sketch--not a final draft. It is not a call for help or comfort (or, ironically, for advice). It is just my thoughts, put down to help me understand my experience and shared to provide the interested reader (perhaps me in the future!) with some further perspective and meaning.
. . .
I got to speak with Mark Simon today, which is always refreshing. He told me that he recently emailed Eli with some advice and humor in relation to his Bar Mitzvah. We agreed that Eli probably understood the humor. We were less sure how the advice would be received.Before even speaking with Mark today, I had been reflecting how, as "teacher/dad", I find myself giving lots of advice (or, similarly, instructions). Generally, I think it is pretty good: Do your studies, Clean up after yourself, Be on time, Care for the animals, Treat each other with respect, Listen. I'm usually heard. I think my students/kids even usually listen and care. But how well is the advice really internalized? Remember Polonius in Hamlet with his tired: "Never a borrower nor a lender be"? Or the parents in Charlie Brown: "Blah blah blah..."?
Often what I have to offer seems unwelcome and/or I have to repeat it. This is frustrating for all involved--but not necessarily more frustrating than not giving the advice/ instruction at all and seeing things messy and undone! For example, when I hold back from reminding Eli to practice his trumpet (or feed his dog, or clear his dishes off the table, or whatever), my blood boils while he fiddles his iPod instead. Later he is frustrated when he can't play a song well (or he receives some other natural or artificial punishment for not getting his work done). Or, even worse, I get blamed for how it has turned out because I took him away from school where he would surely be getting better at trumpet (see earlier blog entry: "Melancholy").
With this in mind, I thought about titling this journal entry "Frustration." But after starting to write, I don't really feel all that frustrated any more. (Plus, on the heels of my "Melancholy" entry, I thought that might be a bit much--especially for some of our more compassionate readers). While the frustration I describe is present, to distill the extent of my feelings that way would be inadequate.
In place of simplifying, I'll try a more holistic approach. This requires some background:
This year, Juliana and I took a leap. We are following a dream. We are responding to our own observations about life and heeding the advice of all those who keep telling us: "it goes by so fast." We've slowed down and the dream is good. I have time to write and read and ski and travel and be. But as I've said many times, it is still life with all of its accompanying wrinkles. Once the novelty and excitement of "living the dream" passes, we still are inhabitants of our bodies, involved in our relationships with all of their complications, interacting with the unpredictable.
Furthermore, there are the kids. This wasn't their dream, necessarily. They have been dragged along, following with varying degrees of resistance, acceptance, enthusiasm, and neutrality. Really, this is always the way it is for kids. Early in life, they follow along with their parents. Eventually they begin to individuate and start making their own decisions. My kids are just starting that process of individuation. They are just figuring out who they are and what they want. They aren't sure our dream is theirs.
Eli, in particular, is at a place of uncertainty. This presents a challenge for all of us. I love that kid. I believe deeply in his abilities and heart. Yet he has not learned (or often chooses not) to take responsibility. So I end up in the position of giving the advice I have been describing.
I'll indulge in considering another example involving the young man: lets say we have a plan to ski tomorrow. The night before, Eli is given the advice/ reminder to prepare himself for the morning. He sighs heavily and may or may not do it. In the morning, he ends up rushing and apologizing and getting frustrated with himself. We are late. I have some choices: 1) remind him some more or help him, 2) leave him behind, 3) just stand by and let us be late. All of these are a bummer for me and him: 1) we are both annoyed by what has become nagging and/or he is "enabled" by my help and more likely to continue the behavior, 2) we both have a less good day--he is at home, I ski alone, 3) I'm mad at him for making us late and he feels bad about it. It should be noted that I have tried all of these options more than once. I dream of a new possibility: 4) he takes responsibility.
I don't want to be unnecessarily hard on my children. But it also seems there are some basic rules of engagement--responsibilities--that must be followed (consider the list from above that started with "Do your studies"). I understand change is gradual. Though "it goes by so fast", growing up also takes time. I think growth is what we are striving for here. And some of the change needs to come from me, too: let it go, let them fail, don't be overly attached to outcome. But it isn't always that simple as often their potential failure effects others--like me (as I tried to illustrate in the ski departure example).
I hope they will learn (and at this moment, I refer in particular to Eli). I hope I can find the balance to support them while also letting them be. Ultimately, their mistakes lead to their own frustration and their own desire to change. But we're in this together, so often the challenges are mine--the whole family's--to share.
Everything around us is so perfect as we "live the dream". I have time to write and reflect. We talk. I think I can sound my advice and still find a place of ease when it is not heeded. Though it can come with frustration, I appreciate the opportunity our interaction brings to for us all to question our habits and methods and to grow.
. . .
P. S. I started these reflections by clarifying that they were just a sketch of my thoughts and not intended as writing to be read, per se. I also said I was not seeking help or support. These statements are true. But if you have read this far, I am curious about your related thoughts and experiences. With the busyness of most folks' lives, I realize there is not lots of time for written reflection, but I'm interested, should you want to share.
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