Starry Sky Ranch

brotherly love

Simple Woman's Daybook

 

More Daybook entries at Peggy's

For Today...

Outside my window... It is very early morning. The sun rose red and flaming over the eastern horizon.  

I am thinking... about my grandmother, about dying, about living, about goodbyes, and about being brave when one does not feel the least bit that. My beloved Gram, a constant devoted support of mine all my life, entered hospice last week and was not expected to survive the week.  She has double pneumonia and is in heart failure and no more intervention is going to happen. So now we wait.  My heart leaps to my throat whenever the phone rings. It will not be long but hopefully long enough for my heart to make some sort of peace with it. 

I am hearing... laughing boys eating pancakes and Michael Prince of All the Angels.  I loved it when the choir sang it so I am printing and going over the midi files for us to work on during morning time this week. 

From the learning rooms... Steady onward. It is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks it seems. All these years I have never used a spelling program. I bought into the assertions that there was no merit to copy and drill work. Then I had a dyslexic child.  Guess what?  I have a dyslexic child learning to spell and spell well. How? Very simple drill and testing.  She now is remembering and using words like 'requisite'.  Thank you God. 

Some highlights:

Drawing IA - This is a Donna Young freebie, at once straightforward and yet challenging. Increases powers of observation and disciplines hand and eye. 

Aidan remembered Ed Emberly had a farm page which he thought would be perfect for his geography notebook entry on farmland regions. 

I am thankful for... adult children.  This month has given us a glimpse at our future with grown children and it has been blessing untold. Husband and son have been coordinating my trip and son assures over and over that he will take care of everything.  And thus far, he truly has. Thank you Zach.  I love you!

From the kitchen... elk.  We were gifted with a ton of elk from a guy Allen works with.  We had the first of it in spaghetti sauce last night. Alannah is hoping to master the Wilton rose before we celebrate St Therese this weekend. 

I am wearing... a long (knee length) black wrap sweater  and black tank top under. Right now black floral print pajama pants. Can't think what will follow. Something else probably should before I head to town eh? ; ) 

I am reading... The Little Flowers of St Francis - again.  I first read his famous Perfect Joy excerpt many years ago. Try as I may, I have struggled over the years to really fathom how one could find joy in having everything go against our wishes. Then life happened, and more and more of my wishes fell by the wayside.  And somehow, I am coming to see maybe maybe there may come a day when I can say,

"..if we endure all those insults and cruel rebuffs patiently, without being troubled and without complaining, and if we reflect humbly and charitably that that porter really knows us and that God makes him speak against us, oh, Brother Leo, write that perfect joy is there!"

So, yeah.  Not there yet though. Not right off the bat at least. Darn it.

Alannah began Stepping Heavenward.  Aidan is reading Flame in the Night. 

I am hoping... to be able to say goodbye with some measure of grace. 

I am creating... not much, tangibly, given the circumstances.  We have this coloring page for St Michael and will be making angel crafts this week if we are home. A Christmas Ideas magazine sits in the kitchen filling my head with visions of cobalt blue. Yes, blue! Go check the magazine stands. 

I am praying... for grace, for Gram's happy death, for safe travel. For a cousin of a friend, also in his last days. And since this morning, for Christopher Klicka - counsel for HSLDA.  Mr. Clicka who wrote about "the importance of dying to ourselves and being committed to the training of our children" is in critical condition himself now.  it's been a sad time.

Around the house... Spent Saturday morning sorting all the piles that had been growing in the kitchen. All my school things are in a cabinet now. Annual school paperwork is filed. The counter is clear of non-kitchen stuff. Ok, it is clear except for a smaaaall pile of books.  I can't seem to be too far from my books. 

One of my favorite things... a baby who found her "outside voice" and can "dance" by bouncing up and down 

A few plans for the rest of the week...  there are no firm plans as yet. If we hear from family we will travel back to WI for the funeral. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...  I am certain God is trying to tell me something since there were two of these this past week. The second was so magnificent Allen called me on the way to work and to say, "Go look out the back window!" 

He maketh the storm a calm.... Ps 107:29

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross have become a favorite devotion of mine.  My absolute preference is for the version in Father Lasance's missal but you can find another very good version here. 

We were fortunate to be able to pray together at San Luis which is known for its outdoor, life sized, stations of the cross.  The bronze sculptures scale the side of the mountain leading to the mission chapel at the top.  Not to be missed. 

"He will bear their iniquities.."

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth." Is 42:16

"It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins." -Stations of the Cross

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear." Is 58:8

"My Jesus, I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt." - Stations of the Cross 

cake

One week left in the first course.  Here are some of the projects so far.  I am so pleased that the girls were able to hold their own in the class and master the techniques. This is the kind of real life work I love. 

Simple Woman's Daybook Sept. 21, 2009

Visit Peggy's for more Daybooks

note: this was begun yesterday but not posted.  Seems there is no time for blogging these days

Outside my window....  SNOW.  I kid you not. Yes this is the September daybook. 

I am wearing..... 3/4 length sleeved rayon print top with white tank under, boot cut jeans, brown leather shoes, but noone will see anything but the last item because it will all be under a WINTER COAT when we leave today.

I am thinking about.....  attachment parenting - in practice more than in theory.  Abbie is having major separation anxiety.  Like, I can only rarely set her down or she gives an unearthly howl.  Amazing that she learned to scale the stairs in spite of this...

I am thankful for....  the above : )   No matter how clingy she is this month, we have seen enough babies become toddlers to know that this is shortlived and grieved over when gone. All she has to do is flash that smile and we're good.

One of my favorite things.... bubble mugs sent from Ohio.  Oh man.  I haven't used anything else for weeks now. Mine is lower left in the picture. : )

 
I am going...  Cake class again this week - 2 left,  Dr. appt for me - getting my back manipulated...fun.  : /

I am reading....  a short booklet on Padre Pio and Far Above Rubies articles

In the learning room...... Some highlights from Sept:
Memorizing All Things Bright and Beautiful
Syllabication, speed drills, spelling tests, (Robert Louis) Stevenson, and solar system. : )
Bible study extras from here and here to go with Kieran and Aidan's religion assignments to include, yes, a toilet paper Cain figure.  I think I made a declaration about toilet paper figures some time back. Consider this my eating of crow.  After seeing the Montessori Journey lady's crafts I realize that sometimes we make ART and sometimes we do crafts so they can learn to follow directions and have fun.

play-do was such a big hit in the camper it moved into the house for several days of little people fun:

 

Around the house...   cleaned out the pantry and fridge and laundry room last weekend, the latter thanks to the dryer vent falling off.  Ah well, it is repaired and probably saved us from fire since I was able to clean the vent on the inside while we had it off.

From the kitchen.... made dinner this morning so it would be ready after errands.  Will pick up more frosting ingredients and make sugar cookies so the girls can practice this week's class techniques.

 I am hearing..... My Grandfather's Clock.   It was in the lesson plans this month and Alannah had sheet music for it.  Sorta ringing in our heads  now.  ninety years without slumbering, tick tock tick tock....

I am creating... embroidery again should Abbie agree. New Marie Barber pattern. Getting the finished one framed. There are pictures developed to scrapbook.  Now if I could arrange a few more hours in the day ... but I guess I am not the 'creator' of time lol! 

I am pondering...
 "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,  being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)

 Father gave a similar homily about humility and how we 'esteem' ourselves based on Luke 14:10. The whole taking the last seat thing.  Makes me think alot about our era of selfpromotion and how that factors in. When is that appropriate and when is it not?  Is it ever?  

A picture thought I am sharing....

Goodbye old friend

This week's news announced the death of Mary Travers, the "Mary" of Peter, Paul, and Mary.  The articles focused on her role as social activist but it wasn't 60's politics that came to mind when I heard the news. No, Mary Travers who shared the signature hairstyle of Peggy OMara of Mothering magazine was, for me, less about Vietnam etc and more about Puff the Magic Dragon and all the hours of Peter, Paul, and Mommy the boys and I logged in our minivan many years ago.  They are probably among the few of their friends who can sing We're Goin' to the Zoo (zoo, zoooo, how about you, you, youuuuu?)  and Blowin in the Wind. Hours and hours we spent with that cassette tape unwinding while we laughed over boa constrictors and make believe towns and drove through the Ohio countryside.  More hours spent watching PBS concerts. 

I miss it when I remember.  I miss the music.  I miss the little boys that were.  The news says that this music defined a generation.  It defined a period in our family's life as well but for different reasons.  The harmonies take me back to cloth diapers, attachment parenting books, the Chinaberry catalog, library story hours, and health food co-op's.  Asher has long maintained that life would be better with a sound track. If so, the soundtrack of our early family life would probably have been this, sprinkled liberally with Rafi selections.

I remember my mother stumbling over obituaries and struggling for words to explain why the death of a stranger would be so poignant.  I understand a little better now as we watch figures from our past move into eternity.  Their lives punctuate a place in our own history, while their going takes us forward to a point we too will reach in time.  Bittersweet to say the least. 

For now, there will be some youtube videos sent to boys in college dorms who no longer ride in the back of my van singing silly songs on the way to pick up soy milk and library books. And I will remember. 

Simple Woman's Daybook

see Peggy's for more Daybook entries

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window... misty moisty morning (see bottom)

I am thankful for... I am thankful for late night phone visits this week, friends who say just the right things, giving and receiving encouragement, and new beginnings.

I am wearing...out of workout clothes and into button down jean skirt, blue striped short sleeved cotton sweater, sandals. In need of a hair cut I think. 

I am remembering... why I do the things I do. In the course of sharing with others recently I have been convicted to recommit to some important principles. 

I am creating... a photography project which has my creative juices flowing.  It is good to make lovely things. Pictures come more easily than words these days. Creating pockets of silence is also beautiful.

I am going...to meet the contractor to  finish paperwork, send off some school paperwork, clean the van. 

I am reading...Love, Joy, and Peace by Fr Andre Prevot.  It's a short book but a slow read as I chew on it all. Also picked up Asher's latest, Columbine by Dave Cullen. Faster read. Disturbing.

Moira is reading The Perilous Road.  Aidan is reading Teenage Saint. Kieran is reading Catholic Stories for Boys and Girls. 

I am praying... for a son, for a kindred spirit I recently 'met' through the blog, for a dear friend, for a private intention 

On my mind...grace and that whole 'having eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear' phenomenon.  Faith is a gift, but not one we can give.  Only He gives. I wish it was not so. 

From the learning rooms... If last year won the strongest finish award, this fall wins the strongest start. The kids are in a great rhythm with their curriculum and rising to the challenge of studying and memorizing etc.  The littles are enjoying circle time. B-I-N-G-O is a big hit <g>

Pondering these words..."I abandon myself without reserve to God, that He may do with me absolutely whatever He may will. Therefore I have complete confidence in Him, since it is He alone who works, both as end and as means..." - Love, Joy, and Peace

Both as end and as means.  I keep coming back to this lately. 

From the kitchen...CAKE.  Lots of cake and cake accessories.  I never dreamed there WERE so many cake accessories.  The girls are enrolled in the Wilton Cake Course I this month. Did I mention there are a LOT of materials involved?  It's a good thing though.  They are learning so very much each week and sharing their new skills with me.  They are building a good stash for hope chests.  And hey, we have dessert covered. : ) 

Around the house...Aidan and Brendan's room is patched and ready for painting.  Granted, it has been ready for painting for a few weeks now....

Nevertheless, this is the week I tell you. 

One of my favorite things~Italian pottery, which looks remarkably similar to Mexican pottery, and makes me smile every time I pass it. Must get a picture. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: we are going to cake class, I am going to give Moira a haircut, and am continuing to hit the treadmill in the mornings.  And yes Allen, I am going to turn the treadmill on too. Go, me. : ) 

From my picture journal...

moment by moment

	"We should not wish for anything but what comes to us from moment to moment exercising ourselves none the less for good. For he who would not thus exercise himself, and await what God sends, would tempt God. 

	When we have done what good we can, let us accept all that happens to us by Our Lord's ordinance, and let us unite ourselves to it by our will. 

	Who tastes what it is to rest in union with God will seem to himself to have won to Paradise even in this life."

- St Catherine of Genoa

dunes

September is only half through but already has been full of travel and adventures in semi-homemade curriculum.  School has started and while it keeps us quite busy it has been absolutely satisfying in every way.  Could not be happier with it.  : )  When not cracking the books we have been out in the big, big world:

Labor Day weekend was spent at the San Luis Sand Dunes...

No time for more right now but I promise to drop back in soon.  Til then I wish you....

random

The week got away from me.  Ended up being filled to the brim.  I wanted to share some of the fun places I have visited.  But I didn't.  I wanted to share the fun things we did in school.  Too busy doing them. : )  Then came taping piano festival auditions and Dr. putting one daughter on an allergy diet and now its the weekend.  Almost.  The weekend is full of promise.   Will catch up on the flip side. 

Til then, random things that made me smile of late:  

little girl legs, dangling from piano bench...

abundance shared - thank you Bates family!

This one made me take a double take.  The things you don't run across in this house....

John Deere in the sunroom

silly dog, whose every breath says ,"Happy, happy, happy!" 

simple school day lunch.   stop, bless, enjoy.....

baby in her big sisters' smocked gown courtesy of Aunt Jane...

Have a wonderful weekend.  See you Tuesday.   Or so. : )