Make a Candy Cell!

Whether you have decided to homeschool because of COVID or have been doing it for years, we parents know not every topic is easy to teach. When studying biology, learning about cells can seem daunting with all the technical terms. Making a cell out of candy is an easy, fun project to liven up your school (and your kids, once they eat it!).

First, use a drawing from a biology book or the Internet to introduce and examine the parts of a human cell. You need not spend much time on it; just spend time with your kids enjoying looking at the diagram.  The book we're using this year is The Human Body: An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders edited by Charles Clayman, MD. I picked it up at a book sale for three dollars.

Think of candies or foods that resemble the cell's parts. I bought the components at Dollar General for less than ten dollars. Here is what we used:

jello (cytoplasm)

whole mandarin orange (nucleus)

pretzel sticks (centrioles)

Circus Peanuts candy (mitochondria)

Twizzlers (endoplasmic reticulum)

Nerds (ribosomes)

gummy worms (Golgi complex)

caramel cream (vacuole--you only need one)

Bottle Caps candies (lysosomes)

And the perimeter of the container of your cell will serve as the cell membrane.

You will also need ten small square pieces of paper, and toothpicks.

Make your jello the morning when you're going to make the cell. Do it at least four hours in advance, so the jello has time to set. I put it in the fridge around 7:30, and by 11:30 it was set enough to use. I realize cytoplasm isn't orange, but that's a lot tastier than plain gelatin!

Before making the cell, I divided up the cell part names, which we wrote on each piece of paper. On the back, we wrote a short summary of the organelle's function. Take these papers and tape each one to a toothpick. You will use these as labels for the cell parts.

I also took each candy bag and labeled each one in advance with masking tape ("mitochondria" on the bag of Circus Peanuts, etc.). This helped us stay organized, because where candy is involved, excited chaos tends to ensue! When we were finally ready, we organized the cell parts on the counter: 

Now you're ready to take out your set jello and assemble your cell! What fun! 

We invited our neighbor friend over, as she's about to start virtual school. The three girls had such fun organizing and piecing together the cell. I think this will be a "sweet" school memory for all of us, and I guarantee we all learned and now care about the parts of human cells. 

I hope you can use this as a "treat" for your homeschool, too!

In memory of our sweet baby,

Nibbles Squeaks Wilde

Nov. 14, 2013-July 29, 2020

We miss and love you!

Parents Always Homeschooled; Now It's Official

Look at this guy! We have a few white squirrels who live in our yard. I take the time to notice them lest they become "ordinary." They're not quite common in our area, but not entirely unusual. 

Jesus said, "Do not worry about your life...look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?...But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things." (Matthew 6:25-26, 33-34).

I loved seeing him leaping this morning. He had no idea I was watching. He was going about his business, doing what God has put in him to do, under the watchful eye of the Almighty.

Parents have always been "home-schoolers," as it's always been the job of a parent to train up children. You are doing this all the time: in teaching habits (or not), in modeling behavior (whether good or bad), in how you respond to situations, and in daily life (how you manage your home, or not). All parents have abruptly been put into the role of what our culture calls "homeschoolers," or people who teach their children "academics" at home. Please quote me on this: Homeschooling is not super-human; it's supernatural. That's right; apart from God's help, you can't do it. I've been doing this seven years, and this is how I answer anyone over the years who has told me, "Well, I could never do that," as if I have some magic powers.

To this I say, "You're right! You can't do it. God can, and if you ask Him, He shows you the way." Frankly, it's ridiculous and insulting for anyone to insinuate that homeschoolers have been sprinkled with some special dust that enables us to do this thing that God actually commands all of us to do: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." One thing that makes me cringe is hearing parents act like they can't stand being around their kids. A gentle reminder: God gave you specifically those specific kids. He didn't haphazardly throw you together. There's a reason you're you, and that you ended up with those particular little humans. You took care of them in-utero, brought them home from the hospital, kept them alive through the helpless baby years, potty trained and clothed them. You made it through all those long nights of crying, feeding, and the like.

Our culture does parents and children no favors encouraging this mentality that I observe daily, the one of "my children are driving me crazy, and I can't stand being around them." Don't fall into the temptation to go there. You, an adult by age, already went through adolescence, so attitudes like this need to be killed. I'm speaking in firm gentleness and love: if your children drive you crazy, examine why that is. You are the parent. And right now, you have them at home. Let me encourage you that (again, with God's help), you can homeschool them...and love it.

First, what new "homeschoolers" will have to do is allow their minds to be transformed as to what "school" looks like. This forced time at home should do away with the notion that learning must take place in a classroom with desks, in which sit thirty people of the same age for seven hours a day. This occurs nowhere else except in our idea of a "school" setting. It's kind of like when we started going to a church that met in the auditorium of an elementary school. An older person, set in her ways, told me "That's just not church." Frankly, I don't recall reading anywhere in the book of Acts that a church has to be a brick building with pews and a liturgy...but I digress. You get the point.

Next, throw out the idea that "learning" requires textbooks and testing. I understand...it was hard for me, too. The more I've freed myself from all of this, the more freedom there's been. From the methods of Charlotte Mason, I've come to grasp that being educated is about how much one cares. Anybody can memorize facts for a test, pass and seem brilliant, and have no idea what the information means. Let's stop this nonsense.

Did you know that you have everything required for homeschooling? You don't need to rush out and buy expensive curriculum, or worry that your child left his books at school. Here are some simple ideas for your encouragement:

1. Remember our white squirrel? Your own yard is full of the wonders of God's creation. Go outside and observe one or two a week, drawing them in a nature notebook. Surely you have an old spiral notebook lying around, or at least some paper you can staple together. Make notes about the nature you find: rocks, leaves, flowers, grass, birds, animals, trees. If you don't know what they're called, use Google! Type in, "small white flower with pink center," or whatever. For an added bonus, look up the scientific (Latin) name, and make a note of it as well. When this crisis is over, keep up the nature notebook! This isn't a project for the school year; it's meant to last a lifetime.

2. Have a look at those books you own, but are normally too busy to read together. Dust them off, and have some read-aloud time! After a paragraph (or page, or chapter), have your child(ren) narrate what they can remember. Ask them to tell in their own words. Don't interrupt them; let them talk! If they give erroneous information, correct facts after they've finished. I bet you have hundreds of books that you could use. Everyone has at least one book about the United States, or flowers, or the human body. Everyone has a copy of at least one living book: Little Women, Robinson Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson. If you have one of your old textbooks from school, maybe you'd have fun using that!

3. Employ the above method, but challenge kids to write instead of telling aloud.  These narrations on paper will be shorter and more difficult to produce than the oral ones, but even if it's a little, be glad for the effort, and build.

4. I'm guessing you have at least one poetry book at home. If not, you have the Internet, so no excuses! Now, don't cringe when you hear "poetry." Remember, we're not under the bondage that our teachers created for us by making us rip it apart and explicate it to shreds. You have permission to just read it. Yes, you heard correctly. READ IT!!! Don't ask what the poet is trying to say, don't make your child write a poem...just read a poem a day, for the sheer enjoyment of it. If you want to get really crazy, pick one poet, and study his or her work every day for a month. I recommend Frost, Longfellow, and Wordsworth.

5. Find a famous artist to study. You may have a book at home, but remember, you also have the Internet! As with poetry, just enjoy the art. Have the kids observe one painting, and narrate it, as with your reading. Tell them to look at it carefully, for details. After a few minutes, hide the painting from view, and have them recount what they remember. You'll be amazed.

6. What about math?! For Pete's sake, here you should feel especially confident about finding a few random problems a day for them to do, just to keep the concepts flowing. No need to do ten pages of fifty problems each. 

7. Pick a composer (Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Handel, Schubert, etc) and listen to the same piece by him every day for two weeks. Life need not stop as you do this; put the music on from YouTube as you do other things around the house. Soon you will all recognize the works of famous composers! It's fun later to have the kids tell which ones are their favorites.

8. Delve into those "classics" that fill you with dread because they weren't made fun for you. You'll see them in a whole new light. Don't be afraid of Shakespeare, or Plutarch, or even Homer. No one is expected to swallow these works in one big gulp. Digest them slowly, over the long haul, which I anticipate this will be.

9. Copy poetry, lines from prose, quotes, Bible verses, or anything at all. This will help with handwriting, grammar, and spelling. 

I hope these suggestions help. Remember that you are a facilitator, while the kids are in charge of learning. Your job is to surround them with ideas, and let them formulate opinions. I believe you will enjoy employing these methods, as they've brought great joy to us.  First thing's first: Don't do anything without praying!! 

Lord, You know all about this situation and these friends of mine who are now all homeschoolers. Give them lots of grace, and show them the way. Let them proceed in freedom, not fear. Let them see the individual parts of their children that make them special, how you created them. Remind these parents that you love them and their kids, and that You are the ultimate Teacher. Thank you that we have freedom through the shed blood of Christ. Amen.

Go teach with confidence! 

Old Books for a New Year

Happy new year! How can it be 2020? I remember the "Downton Abbey" episode where the Dowager Countess exclaims, "1920! I feel as old as Methuselah!" I wonder what Granny and her counterparts would think of our world one hundred years later? That reminds me...this was my grandmother's 101st New Year's Day!

Well, technology may advance, but you know by now that old books only seem more endearing to me. My husband and I have a custom of eating downtown early on Saturday mornings at a 1950's-themed diner located in an old pharmacy. The walls are lined with glass medicine bottles once used there, and the soda jerks still wear bowties, with waitresses in poodle skirts. Sometimes  Frankie Avalon's "Venus" plays more than once on the jukebox while we're there! 

After breakfast, we often stroll a few doors down to the Hospice thrift store. The proprietors, a charming married couple, also have breakfast at Mike's, and we're all full and happy. Who wouldn't delight in a greasy omelet followed by the musty smell of old books, furniture, and bric-a-brac? It's a fact that I will almost always leave that store with something in my hand (yes, usually an old book). I'm crazy about two of my latest finds there:

This copy of 'Round the Year With the Poets by Martha Capps Oliver was printed in 1900. The inscription inside reads, 

To my dear 

Cousin Laura 

on her wedding-day. 

Alfred H. Stroh  

Nov. 30th

1900

Dear Cousin Laura must not have gone 'round too many years with the poets, because of the book's pristine condition! I have examined (almost to the point of insanity) the first name of the giver of this book. I'm pretty sure it says "Alfred," but there's a chance it's "Alford." I decided to look the name up. There's nothing for Alford, but evidently Alfred H. Stroh (1879-1922) was a Swedish Canadian who translated the works of one Emanuel Swedenborg. There is even a photo of Stroh, and his age would match nicely with the book, making him twenty-one at the time of his cousin's marriage. I have done more detective work on this book, the details having startled me, which will be revealed in a post in a few days. 

At any rate, this book is a compilation of nature poems, one for each day of the year. It includes the poetry of Longfellow, Shakespeare, Whittier, Kingsley, many female poets, and even some anonymous ones. I'm thrilled to start this new year (and decade!) by using this book in our homeschool. After our Bible reading, the girls and I will read each day's selection. We're actually doing school this week (with today off), so we spent Dec. 30 examining the Preface, and Dec. 31 reading a poem for January penned by the author. 

Look at those charming crinkle-edged pages! I believe Alfred would be delighted to know that his gift is being used almost 120 years later.

The second find contains three volumes in one book: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther by Dr. H.A. Ironside. I spied the spine among junky books, and when I pulled it out, the cover told me instantly I had found a gem. Yes, I confess that I do often judge a book by its cover. These titles were published in 1913, 1914, and 1905, respectively; this actual printing is from 1976. 

I did a bit of research on Ironside, and his life is fascinating! He was born in 1876, a boy-preacher, starting his own Sunday school of one hundred children when he was ten years old. At age 12, he heard Dwight L. Moody preach, and in 8th grade he went to work as a cobbler and dedicated his life to Christ. By age 18, he had to slow down only some, as his 500-a-year preaching engagements became too taxing. He spent his life preaching, teaching, and writing.

In reading about him, I've decided that H.A. Ironside was once a household name, probably well-known to anybody who called himself a Christian, yet virtually unheard of today. It's sad how time's march can trample the memory of such a prolific writer and preacher. I'm grateful that God led me to his writings. Not by coincidence (because the Lord orchestrates everything perfectly), when I found this book, I had already been going a little through the book of Ezra with the help of my Table Talk magazine. I added Ironside to it, and was instantly convinced that I will be on the lookout for more of his works. He tells the Word like it is, takes God's promises for what they are, and doesn't suffer fools. His intolerance for irreverence isn't at all legalistic, but the way all Christians--modern or a hundred years ago, as God's Word stays the same--should view it. I have enjoyed being under the rich tutelage of Ironside, and see him as a trusted mentor. 

Coming Soon: The treasure I found because of Martha Capps Oliver and Alfred H. Stroh...

2019 Book List

Merry Christmas and happy new year! It's hard to believe another year of reading has come and gone. I remain amazed that so many books can be completed over the course of a year, just by ingesting small bits at a time. I accepted this challenge some years ago when I heard other ladies talk about reading little by little, and chronicling the titles for that year. People tell me they enjoy this yearly book list, and it makes me happy to share the joy of reading with others. Let me remind you that as much as I love to read, I actually don't spend the majority of my day doing it. This continues to be proof that slow and steady wins the race.

This list is of books I've completed in 2019, not including the Bible, chapters of Charlotte Mason's series, articles from Karen Andreola's fantastic issues of The Parents' Review, and a magazine I greatly enjoy but have little time to read, Table Talk. I hope you will find some of the titles and descriptions intriguing. Starred titles are ones that my children and I read together.

2019 Book List

A New Song by Jan Karon (1997). Yes, it’s another Mitford series book…only it doesn’t take place in Mitford! I wondered how the author could have the audacity, until I became wrapped up in Father Tim’s interim job as priest at St. John’s, off the NC coast. The Mitford crew isn’t altogether abandoned, and I was surprised to become endeared to the gang in Whitecap so quickly. It seems that delight is found wherever Father Tim and Cynthia go…how could there have been any doubt?!

God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (compiled 2010). I look forward to reading this book every day, starting at the beginning of Advent, and ending on Epiphany, Jan. 6. It’s a joy to set aside a few quiet moments each day during this time to read Bonhoeffer’s ideas on Scripture, put with excerpts of his letters and sermons. 

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers (2018). Just when I think this author can’t get any better, she does it again! When Grace Moore becomes private assistant to reckless, moody artist Roman Velasco, they never imagine having anything in common. Slowly, both come to realize God’s redemption in healing two painful, broken pasts. 

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore (2017). In a word…WOW!! This is the powerful story of women who painted clock dials with radium in two different factories during and after WWI, and the horrific suffering they incurred as a result of poisoning. Told from the points of view of the women, this book reads like a riveting biography, not as a scientific book of research.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero (2006). I love Pastor Pete’s vulnerability about the religion he had versus a mature relationship with Christ. Through real life examples from his own experience, he encourages readers to pursue spiritual maturity. While an easy read, this is a hard call to deep change. 

The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson, MD (2015). This book is an excellent complement to Scazzero’s book, with a focus on shame. I have never heard shame examined so deeply. Thompson gives neurobiological explanations behind what happens to our brains in dealing with shame, but primarily focuses on what shame is, and gives readers confidence to begin healing from it. This book isn’t for those who can recall traumatic events, but rather for everyone, as shame builds from the slow, daily things that we often ignore or don’t realize. This is one of the most powerful, narrow-road, life-changing books I’ve ever read.

Hissing Cousins by Marc Peyser and Timothy Dwyer (2015). The title is continued as The Untold Story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. I saw this in the library and it caught my attention. These women were first cousins, brought up very closely, yet complete opposites in personality and politics. I found myself irritated with both for many reasons, yet enjoyed learning about them. I would recommend this as an interesting look into the sad, dysfunctional details of the Roosevelt family.

*Leave it to Beaver by Beverly Cleary (1960). This book is based on the old TV show, which has always been one of my favorites, and now my children and I enjoy watching episodes together. We love the hilarious scrapes that Beaver and Wally get into, and the funny, old expressions they use. I found this and another similar Beaver book online several years ago, and was surprised that Cleary had written them. Reading a chapter of this book aloud together before bedtime is a nice way to end the day. 

Beverly Cleary: A Girl From Yamhill by Beverly Cleary (1988). What a captivating autobiography this beloved author has presented! Many events of her childhood mirror situations that happen to her well-known characters of Ramona, Ellen Tebbits, and Henry Huggins. There are many scary, unfortunate parts of her childhood that Cleary also describes. The book only covers her life until age 18, and the end is abrupt; thankfully there is a sequel!

*Carry a Big Stick by George Grant (1996). This biography of Theodore Roosevelt is part of the Ambleside Online Year 5. Its rich vocabulary and description proved to be a challenge not only to my children, but also to me! What a fascinating man TR was, with his love of nature, the books he wrote, his full family life, his friendships, and of course, his life in politics. I especially enjoyed reading about the letters he wrote and journal entries, and how well-read he was. 

*George Washington Carver: Man’s Slave Becomes God’s Scientist by David Collins (1981). This book from the Sower’s Series is a rich, easy read. What an inspiring life Carver led as a learner and lover of God and nature! This living book is an ideal way to teach science and history.

*Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. What a shame that our schools and society create the idea that Shakespeare is to be dreaded, or is somehow too hard to understand! I read this play in high school and made a 61 on the test. This time around, reading for pleasure’s sake with my children in the safety of our own school, I actually understood and enjoyed it. I’m grateful that my children (who are four and five years younger than I was when I failed the multiple choice test) had a different experience than my first; theirs included small portions of reading, with narration and ideas. This play wasn’t something to “get through” quickly and pass a test, but rather a work to spend almost a whole school year reading and pondering, getting to know the characters and their plights. 

*King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table edited by Sidney Lanier (1950). We read the stunning edition from the Illustrated Junior Library over the course of an entire school year. There’s no way to pore over this challenging volume except slowly and deliberately. I was surprised to love this book, with its knights, jousting, damsels in distress, forest hideaways, royalty, swooning, hermits that provide shelter, and dwarfs that give aid. How many people have heard of this tale, yet have never actually read it from beginning to end? I recommend an edition in medieval-sounding English, which is part and parcel to the story. 

Papa’s Wife by Thyra Ferre Bjorn (1955). I love the books about Mama and Papa, but started reading them out of order. In this first book, we meet Pastor Franzon as he and his wife, Maria, meet, marry, and later leave Sweden for America with their children. The reader can’t help but be captivated by the family’s charming antics, and the descriptions of Swedish customs and foods.

What Your Childhood Memories Say About You by Kevin Leman (2007). This is an okay book for someone just starting an emotional healing journey, but those farther down the road may require something deeper. The author spends a lot of time endearing himself to his reader. I wanted more depth and fewer stories about the author. He does a decent job of pointing out the basics of beginning healing, but could’ve used fewer words.

Bob Newhart by Jeff Sorensen (1988). It’s strange for someone my age to have an interest in a guy like Bob Newhart, but I’ve always liked his 1980’s comedy, “Newhart.” As adults, my husband and I enjoy the reruns and appreciate Newhart’s dry wit. When I grabbed this book at a sale, my friend remarked that I was probably the only one who’d picked it up the whole time. She might be right, but others are missing out. Bob Newhart  has led an interesting life and career, and the author does a good job of describing the highlights.

Mother Culture for a Happy Homeschool by Karen Andreola (2018). My friend Karen has done it again: Here’s another soothing, uplifting, meaty read for homeschooling moms who don’t want to be bound to the status quo. To say that I love anything she writes is no exaggeration. This book, like her others, provides refreshing guidance and doable, simple ways to create freedom in homeschooling and “mother culture.” I will enjoy going back to this volume again and again. Thanks, Karen!

A Common Life by Jan Karon (2001). There’s always comfort in a Mitford book. This one is about the wedding of Father Tim and Cynthia, and how they and all of Mitford feel about the big event. As with anything in this series, my heart is warmed, and I don’t want it to end.

Village School by Miss Read (Dora Jessie Saint) (1955). I learned about Miss Read’s Fairacre series from Karen Andreola’s Mother Culture, and when I saw that Jan Karon recommended it, I knew it would be good. I admit it took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but as I kept on, I grew endeared to Miss Read, her pupils, and the people of Fairacre in England. This book has the warmth, coziness, quirky characters, and descriptive language that Mitford lovers enjoy. I can’t wait to read the next one, and Miss Read has a long list of titles waiting!

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (1998). How glad I am that a dear friend told me about Mma Ramotswe, Botswana’s only lady detective! Not only are her capers captivating, but so are the customs of southern Africa. The author mixes heartbreaking details of Mma’s past with interesting tales of her current life, making this a fast, exciting read.

The Burden is Light! by Eugenia Price (1954). This vintage volume was spotted at a book sale, and my interest was piqued from the beginning by the first sentence: “I was born once and thirty-three years later I was born a second time.” Every follower of Christ will appreciate Genie’s story of how she came to know Him personally. I love the old-time descriptions, and the fact that she was from my dad’s hometown of Charleston, WV. 

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith (2000). The second book about Mma Ramotswe and her detective agency is as enchanting as the first. Her cases keep the reader interested, as well as twists in her personal life. The orphan children and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are especially endearing. 

12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke (2017). The author has done extensive research on the effects that the smartphone has on our lives. He writes from a Christian perspective, giving practical insights about the overuse of our phones, and suggestions for better stewardship. The tone is understanding, not preachy, as Reinke himself admits to seasons of phone addiction. This is an easy read that applies to everyone, regardless of smartphone use patterns.

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon (2011). This book written by the current Lady Carnarvon describes in fascinating detail the time when the 5th Earl and his wife Almina lived at Highclere Castle. Although the series “Downton Abbey” is based on this place and family, there are many differences. I enjoyed the historical events of the time period, especially Almina’s work in running a hospital in the castle during WWI.  

A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy (1941). Utterly charming with twists of sad and sweet, this little book is full of warmth and joy. It is the story of little Peter and how he overcomes the fear and darkness that enshroud the shantytown where he lives. Ideal for older elementary/middle school students, but a treasure for adults, too!

Don't forget The Cloud of Witness, lovingly republished by Nancy Kelly in 2015. I love this volume, but just didn't get to it as much this year as I would've liked. I've been more intentional as the year draws to a close, as this sweet book brings such richness in poetry and verses. If you want to get into poetry but aren't sure where to start, this provides a good daily dose. 

Finally, I was grateful to receive several books for Christmas, but found two especially charming. Chiquito y Cola Rizada is second in the Children of the Americas series, published in 1957. It's more than a textbook, putting Spanish words into simple yet rich phrases and dialogues that are meaningful and get beyond elementary Spanish. This series is ideal for teaching my children as well as the students in my homeschool group class. 

And would you believe that this lovable book of West Virginia Stories and Biographies was tucked into my Christmas stocking? My husband has adopted the custom every Christmas of going to the same antique mall and hunting for at least two old books for me. This WV book was published in 1937 for use in that state's schools, and would lend itself wonderfully to narration. I've read some of it by the dim light of my bed at night; who knew there were once herds upon herds of buffalo in West Virginia? Also in my stocking was a small blue leather Ivanhoe, which the girls and I may read next school year. 

Happy new year (and much happy reading!) to you!

Coming Down From Chaos

When you've had a succession of busy days or months (or years), do you feel the need to "come down" from the chaos? I certainly do! The things filling up this time might all be good, but even so, they leave me breathless and desperate for a rest. God made our bodies to need rest, and He demonstrated this by resting after creating the universe. Jesus confirmed that the Sabbath was made for our rest. But, boy...it can be hard to stop!

The funny thing is, it can take me a while to rest, even on rest days! I find myself finding it hard to settle down all morning, and not really "resting" until two or three in the afternoon! In his book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Peter Scazzerro addresses this in detail. He speaks to the fact that although it's counterculture these days to stop and rest (he even calls it "doing nothing"), God's design for us never changes. We're left tired because we go, go, go. 

Isn't this little spread lovely? Several weary women flopped down at this outdoor table one Thursday evening some weeks ago. We chatted, laughed, shared stories, threw in some talk about Charlotte Mason's methods, and enjoyed each others' company. What refreshment!

Back to the busyness. The past few months have consisted of us deciding to downsize, getting rid of stuff (where did all of that come from??), launching into a whirlwind adventure of a fast house sale and buying one half its size, having a charming three-week respite at Ravenswood (see past post), then moving to our sweet tucked-away, over-fifty-year-old "new" house. 

Somehow we started back with school, then the month of May brought three tennis tournaments, two of which are big, special, out-of-town ones. As much as our family enjoys the sport and our daughters love to play, we are intentional about participating just once or twice a month. However, May is always the busy tennis month, and this year proved challenging because of our tiredness from the move. This is what prompted me to reevaluate the Sabbath, making sure that we are intentional about keeping days of rest. Per Scazzero's encouragement, I also like to take mini-moments of rest throughout the day. I've been known to drop my cares outside:

Poetry is something I'm also learning to love. Homeschooling has done that for me; my own experience in school caused me to dread poetry, as I was forced to write it while uninspired, or pick it apart for something my teacher was looking for. How refreshing it is to experience it for poetry's sake, to use it for cursive practice, and for our enjoyment of something beautiful:

May also brought several end-of-year activities, which meant planning and preparing. I felt sometimes like I was drowning in a fog, thinking about school, laundry, menu planning, cleaning, and when to practice for all those tournaments. These things that I love on a regular basis started to suffocate me. The devil loves to do this to us, take things in which we normally delight, and cause them to create havoc in our lives. I daily had to step back and breathe. Normally, we don't live activity to activity, in a state of chaos. No wonder people these days are frazzled, with no time. I had to purposely get lost in the roses: 

I said yes to my mom's invitations to the lake, even when there was housework and other stuff to do. 

Who wouldn't be invigorated after an afternoon at this place? There's no question that the hot South Carolina sun, the wind whipping my face and hair on a boat ride, and Jim's hot dogs followed by the ever-expected ice cream sandwich, all contribute to putting my brain back in order. 

One of our tournaments was in Greensboro. We found a cottage from 1900 in Winston-Salem, and stayed there for the weekend. The neighborhood is being revitalized, and houses over a century old are coming back to life: 

On the Saturday morning of our stay, I relished some moments on the front porch, praying and reading Scripture, enjoying the view of an old street, gazing at the big, red house across on the corner, and examining a blue jay who became my momentary companion.

During this time of unusual busyness, my dad developed an infection that landed him unexpectedly in surgery and in a long recovery, where he still is. Another thing continuously looming about in my mind is church. As our move put us over 40 minutes from our church home, we've been searching closer to where we live. I've long desired for church and community to be in the same place, and the search for a church home is neither easy nor a quick process. We've been surprised by the idea of home church, and are exploring this with great care and lots of prayer. 

Alongside all the activity and mind exercise, I've suffered physical anxiety and been very near to panic. People respond to stress in different ways. My stomach takes a beating, and in extreme times, I launch into a fog, losing focus, feeling short of breath and almost like an elephant is standing on my chest. There has been lots of prayer, and lots of stopping to regain focus. 

Thankfully during this time, my daughter made homemade monkey bread! 

When we were putting our house on the market, I had a few moments of tears as I sat in my cherished "red room." This room is where I started my days, at my grandmother's old secretary desk, after prayer in a yellow chair I bought some years ago at an antique store. I couldn't bear the thought of giving up my red room, and prayed for a new spot, one that I'd enjoy just as much.

This photo of my grandmother's living room was taken sometime in the 1970's: 

I remember when this furniture was reupholstered. It was around 1984, because I was about eight years old. I went into the house, and the room was empty. When I inquired about the furniture's whereabouts, my joking Papi said that some man had come by and said it was his, and had taken it. I knew better.

This furniture was acquired by my great uncle, Narcy Quintero, in New Jersey. Evidently, a friendly neighbor old lady left it to him, and she had gotten it from England. He offered it to my grandmother, who had to pay a whopping $25 to have it shipped to South Carolina. And the rest is history.

That furniture (still covered in the upholstery from '84) now sits in my new special place, the room that is the answer to my prayers:

 ...and I still spend my quiet times at the secretary: 

It's among these things that I'll be taking some good, long rests for the rest of this week. The final trip for a while was a four-day stint in Cary, the home of an incredible tennis facility where my daughter played in a southern level junior tournament. She kept winning, so we kept staying! I love the buzz of excitement at these events, the friendships made between girls and their parents, and the fellowship of seeing these friends, especially those we've gotten to know from all over our state of North Carolina. The competition was fantastic, and the time spent with my girls was wonderful. The highlight of the trip was watching my daughter play on a stadium court, with its own chair umpire calling the score! 

But now we're home, and are purposefully taking the next few days off from much of anything. I think I'll need several days to "come down" from it all!

Until next time...

Transition Time

Picturesque little gate at Sandburg Home

It's been too long since I've last posted, the reason being that we decided to sell our house and downsize. Things progressed at lightning speed, and in a day, we'd sold our home and needed to start looking for a smaller one! Lord willing, we'll be in our new home soon. In the meantime, we've been in a transition home, wonderfully situated in quiet Flat Rock, a short walk from the Carl Sandburg Home. 

We have been overcome by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Kendall Bryan of Jacksonville, and their adult children, in allowing us to rest here for a few weeks while we bridge the gap between houses. What a treat it's been to get to know the grounds where the author and poet Sandburg lived the last thirty-plus years of his life. We've made the most of our short stay here, taking frequent walks to the Sandburg Home, as well as enjoying the yard, and walking also to the post office (to check where our mail now goes!), and to the quaint restaurants and gift shop of Flat Rock.

We've managed to stay in a school routine, as I brought all of the books were reading. I wasn't sure how school would look, but quickly decided we needed the routine. It has been a wonderful learning experience for us in many ways. I picked up two books in the Sandburg gift shop: Rootabaga Stories, from which the girls and I read several nights a week, and Mary Lincoln, Wife and Widow, a thoroughly interesting and captivating biography. How extraordinary to spend time in these works, as well as at the author's home!

Here are some shots I've taken while exploring:

This breathtaking view is part of the street where we're staying. We walk past it to get to Sandburg's home.

On Sunday I explored a new trail on the Sandburg property. I stopped at a bench here, and enjoyed the tranquility for a few moments.

Lots of water on the property means lots of rhododendron!

The tail end of the trail that leads to the back side of the Sandburg Home...

...and this is where I ended up. There is something breathtaking about emerging out of the woods and seeing the Sandburg house; it's so serene and storybook, like a child allowed to play on the kind author's property!

I had been to the Sandburg Home before, but living within walking distance and experiencing it like we have over the past few weeks have made it special for us. This goes right along with a Charlotte Mason life: living books, nature study, fresh air, ideas...we never get tired of it!

I love the green of the farm manager's house, which now houses employees.

My children's favorite part of the property is visiting the goats. A main reason for moving to Flat Rock was the climate, in which Mrs. Sandburg could breed and raise her prize-winning goats. The goats here today are descendants of hers'. They roam freely, and are friendly with visitors. 

Pop John visited and also enjoyed the goats!

Interesting bits of nature that my girls discovered

The charming Sandburg home

The Lord has blessed us richly during our moving transition time. Many thanks again to the Bryan family! What sweet memories we will have!

The back yard at the house where we're temporarily staying. Flat Rock yards are largely covered with moss. This yard is peaceful and safe.

He looks at us through the back windows!

Until next time; hopefully not too long!