tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36155080482743295152024-03-24T10:45:30.763-07:00Urban Wild Childurbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-46945301644818381732014-10-09T09:38:00.001-07:002014-10-09T09:38:35.330-07:00Mountain Cave Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Or </font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Chapter 3 - In Which we Catch Newts and Gryffin is Sad</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(Note: this entry is a few days old, we have since spent a night in the smoky mountains in Tennessee and are now on our way to Mammoth caves in Kentuky)</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkSjXOHprFaJUn3I8N2Sq1mHEBLI-wPCWJAoPfvvfkTEKEI6QiBfvzxB1Mp1f9HvoZfB7KUewrA8K4lioc7F9E9UuNonW7Hb-M31R3e-cXVzXbap8sC8PDZ4U7Z1BP9KgH5dq0XF1LFg/s640/blogger-image--535841741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkSjXOHprFaJUn3I8N2Sq1mHEBLI-wPCWJAoPfvvfkTEKEI6QiBfvzxB1Mp1f9HvoZfB7KUewrA8K4lioc7F9E9UuNonW7Hb-M31R3e-cXVzXbap8sC8PDZ4U7Z1BP9KgH5dq0XF1LFg/s640/blogger-image--535841741.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgeM2bEi8VWBGUd4DYmNPf_PD7hpDAfbNiS-huV0Lf8kCdm-dOm84-Jm1wxaHBGHZuEH0HfGqcG3BdT-r8zzPHVdPtW5T4C3FphZJIcJnG_BjFBRXjIyFoC2HRPUhb-JDttcRPwInqp8/s640/blogger-image-2042980007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgeM2bEi8VWBGUd4DYmNPf_PD7hpDAfbNiS-huV0Lf8kCdm-dOm84-Jm1wxaHBGHZuEH0HfGqcG3BdT-r8zzPHVdPtW5T4C3FphZJIcJnG_BjFBRXjIyFoC2HRPUhb-JDttcRPwInqp8/s640/blogger-image-2042980007.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We left the incredible views of Shenendoah behind and decided to make an early stop on our way to the Great Smoky National Park...to give kids time to play with fire at a campsite (& to give me time to write, read, do yoga, have a leisurely cup of tea, anything besides drive and cook and setup/strike camp). Cave Mountain Lake campground in the Jefferson National Forest of Virginia sounded perfect: "At the very least we know it'll have a cave, a mountain or a lake," Sky pointed out. And driving into the campground we all were excited. The forest was lush and lovely. The trees were huge beautiful giants, that Gryffin called "the Kings and queens of trees". We found a campsite with a log crossing a tiny stream (perfect for playing Robin Hood and little john) and set up camp. It was only 4;00 (remarkable!) so we decided to take the short hike to the lake, where Gryffin was wanted to swim. And then things got interesting.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZpS_BfnaqfUJNiw7UYUqi6YCIkXx02uJGGFcm3f-4f_QyWZrgv9OrHwwct5SUUHRSx7hG5onSVX1EhW_5mkelEfjO50s0tlMf_G_TSi74ufXGPOWcmSYlQIjXMLjzMvC5aEPPH3G1og/s640/blogger-image--1230510583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZpS_BfnaqfUJNiw7UYUqi6YCIkXx02uJGGFcm3f-4f_QyWZrgv9OrHwwct5SUUHRSx7hG5onSVX1EhW_5mkelEfjO50s0tlMf_G_TSi74ufXGPOWcmSYlQIjXMLjzMvC5aEPPH3G1og/s640/blogger-image--1230510583.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We started off through the misty trees, rain coats on 'just in case'. After a bit we realized that the lake was much farther then i had anticipated...and it began to drizzle. We discussed turning back, but both boys were determined to get to the lake, so onward we went. And the lake was worth the walk! Beautiful, yes, but even more exciting the shores were full of newts! And I do mean full. Like reach your hand in and pull out a newt. Which, of course, is what the boys did, with great delight...until I heard thunder and insisted that it was time to leave. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yL1kLkMiDktwIdKC4hyphenhyphenEYmkdaV0JDiAlZspxwtKtXRGgLuGw9YiVy90Ds0EeBrYzcWfR20uIRIHkT4ggLt9gYaMO_l8DL62D345WpZuiv2G1HTH9O5EAWykCWjx0i4opIgiDbGJ-uCE/s640/blogger-image--1154075452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yL1kLkMiDktwIdKC4hyphenhyphenEYmkdaV0JDiAlZspxwtKtXRGgLuGw9YiVy90Ds0EeBrYzcWfR20uIRIHkT4ggLt9gYaMO_l8DL62D345WpZuiv2G1HTH9O5EAWykCWjx0i4opIgiDbGJ-uCE/s640/blogger-image--1154075452.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>As we started walking back, the rain began to pick up and soon it was a deluge. It rained so heavily that we couldn't see well and MISSED THE TURN TO THE CAMPGROUND. Walked right past it, in fact. At this point we were truly miserable. My and gryffin's jackets had soaked through, and Gryffin was very very sad. And once we realized that we had been walking too long and that we had gone the wrong way, he became scared too. Skyler though...Skyler was amazing. He gave G his jacket. He kept telling us how excited he was to be having a 'real adventure'. He was positive and strong and loving toward his little brother...can you tell how proud I am of him? We backtracked and found our way...I dropped the boys off at the shower to start getting warm (honestly...at this point I was a little worried about Gryffin getting hypothermic...that can happen very quickly with children) while I went on to get the car, warm dry clothes and all. And again, Skyler stepped into a role of responsibility, helping Gryffin into the shower and making sure he felt safe while I was gone.</div><div><br></div><div>Whew. Eventually, warmer and cleaner and somewhat dryer, we headed back to our campsite. The rain had tapered off, back to a misty drizzle but every single thing we had set up was soaked through. Our tent had puddles on the inside, as did the fire pit. After a quick dinner, we reorganized the car and made a cozy, but cramped, bed in the back.</div><div><br></div><div>"I think we should call this chapter: In which Gryffin catches newts and gets sad", said Gryffin, reviewing the highlights of the day. "I hate camping in the rain", I said, anticipating how I was going to pack up all the soaking wet gear and clothes in the morning and how impossible it is to dry out on the road. "Well," said Skyler, stealing my line, "If that's the worse we have to deal with, I think we're pretty lucky".</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1u-ltjlPK5V_UAi-lNZZzHAYBKTSEVRZPZ1UwbFPmV63fUbv8eu5BSC8A_pJnhRmgXVC8mO8GV8IDuwBRwjp4fetJr3sC9-6MWxd6J07jzWafcmiBY3WVue99gGh84dKmiE5z5NyzHc/s640/blogger-image--2054828251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1u-ltjlPK5V_UAi-lNZZzHAYBKTSEVRZPZ1UwbFPmV63fUbv8eu5BSC8A_pJnhRmgXVC8mO8GV8IDuwBRwjp4fetJr3sC9-6MWxd6J07jzWafcmiBY3WVue99gGh84dKmiE5z5NyzHc/s640/blogger-image--2054828251.jpg"></a></div><br></div>urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-50562461274577145162014-10-07T08:43:00.001-07:002014-10-07T08:43:39.013-07:00Shenandoah<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIucnxqPx7L66BFDdBU7eJSrkvfqiYQwlMQjrP0XRbOkVFpzqP6ZZG_xLVyiTKFqWYrP_embe9P2FKX7lTenZy6suC2bfeNIKkk7h6MTqzPyeXXIED-E1FmGC6qE8c9EtwjlqiYoqz6Y/s640/blogger-image-970268028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIucnxqPx7L66BFDdBU7eJSrkvfqiYQwlMQjrP0XRbOkVFpzqP6ZZG_xLVyiTKFqWYrP_embe9P2FKX7lTenZy6suC2bfeNIKkk7h6MTqzPyeXXIED-E1FmGC6qE8c9EtwjlqiYoqz6Y/s640/blogger-image-970268028.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div>I knew it was going to be a lot of work. Camping with two young children is a lot of work. Traveling with two young children is a lot of work, too. But traveling AND camping with two young children, as the only parent...it's relentless. Add phone problems, freezing temperatures our first night, rain last night and right this moment is the first breath I've taken in...well...a while. This morning I had to consciously stop and take a minute to tie my bootlaces...which yesterday I never managed to make happen. <div><br></div><div>And yet...and yet...</div><div>An almost full moon reflecting on the lake next to our campsite in Pennsylvania...</div><div>Singing at the top of our lungs to 'Closer to Fine' as we watch the Appalachian mountain appear...</div><div>Skyler insisting on stopping to jump out of the car to 'touch every state', even for the 15 minutes we were in Maryland...</div><div>Watching Skyler grow into his young man self as he takes over tent responsibility...</div><div>Snuggling with my boys at night reviewing our adventures (deer and bunnies and the heron in our campsite and that funny car we passed)...</div><div><br></div><div>And the "wow!!!"</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElRzXRHXgybWafai0GUlja2JGvmL6HiQ0RYo5up0HBeIriyZgza3vCkchxuG3mG9LXz5m7PqZcJRv_2JEu-cLnYPVMqb1KdD2tTI2iNGVH7DoeJLv5yJoaReZot9w9yK5mTO6w3dMgI4/s640/blogger-image-1969555356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElRzXRHXgybWafai0GUlja2JGvmL6HiQ0RYo5up0HBeIriyZgza3vCkchxuG3mG9LXz5m7PqZcJRv_2JEu-cLnYPVMqb1KdD2tTI2iNGVH7DoeJLv5yJoaReZot9w9yK5mTO6w3dMgI4/s640/blogger-image-1969555356.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwPeoP1EGSm4i1BKouWM4btzjSN53B_EgUo2XKt2SKm-gxExun3O4ZOhnl5KRwZZ_UHAxr1df5GF0eYkHLcFg39y9-b7kt8DMQJ9iMUDSa0CquHJZHzp66WuExeWo_uQtpWYAocxaPoQ/s640/blogger-image--233113981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwPeoP1EGSm4i1BKouWM4btzjSN53B_EgUo2XKt2SKm-gxExun3O4ZOhnl5KRwZZ_UHAxr1df5GF0eYkHLcFg39y9-b7kt8DMQJ9iMUDSa0CquHJZHzp66WuExeWo_uQtpWYAocxaPoQ/s640/blogger-image--233113981.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecp9J9Al8XhxeAy6mIPIhh5lbhrkbildEzo5ZQIEeunJYaDlfHn1ylQ4_MNIQujSDCg9ZTdxcNdpWtJAFtzzpX7-nKLzAb5lIb13WIIstTqf1daEuNJaGk4pOXH4RAEl6N8vPZo0EWaI/s640/blogger-image--801421962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecp9J9Al8XhxeAy6mIPIhh5lbhrkbildEzo5ZQIEeunJYaDlfHn1ylQ4_MNIQujSDCg9ZTdxcNdpWtJAFtzzpX7-nKLzAb5lIb13WIIstTqf1daEuNJaGk4pOXH4RAEl6N8vPZo0EWaI/s640/blogger-image--801421962.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidt7_gqdANEliP-8-hJA-9j57rbMXveKZ97Rj6j6R-Ca-XCMqc7gmSZ4oR7MyQNzpz_-18G3q3_QmZr8iidwr9AiDOYuFKqDBiI0RNfeNuUUjJ8ypQuDp72Zkg2NuSxLrW8tm8oStPsQ/s640/blogger-image-1430838401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidt7_gqdANEliP-8-hJA-9j57rbMXveKZ97Rj6j6R-Ca-XCMqc7gmSZ4oR7MyQNzpz_-18G3q3_QmZr8iidwr9AiDOYuFKqDBiI0RNfeNuUUjJ8ypQuDp72Zkg2NuSxLrW8tm8oStPsQ/s640/blogger-image-1430838401.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The "Wow!" Makes it is so absolutely worth every moment. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-71365854750018945922014-10-05T07:49:00.001-07:002014-10-05T13:20:11.918-07:00Urban Wild Child hits the road...<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well lovely readers (all two of you!), it is time. Time for an adventure! Time to see new horizons, take a breath in big open spaces, time for an experience, time to make a new memory. In other words...time for a ROAD TRIP! The boys and I (now age 10 & 6) are heading south and then west for a few weeks...and 3G signal allowing, I hope to share some of our adventures with you. Here. Via my phone. So...I ask your patience with iPhone quality photos (I'll post some DSL camera shots when we return) and tiny keyboard typos and hope you have fun traveling along with us. </span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74S1TVVJXsP9TwfNVlLoXLCeNhoghNp2BKdpjJemYxU26Br35gQgmak4nBqD-A33MMOFKfHXcf1J739fNdo4eTLgRbtyHHS1SeTZ_rczUOmSL8lXGPnNdUTZuI7SYvbvLQdbaWr-zRGE/s640/blogger-image-1299545776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74S1TVVJXsP9TwfNVlLoXLCeNhoghNp2BKdpjJemYxU26Br35gQgmak4nBqD-A33MMOFKfHXcf1J739fNdo4eTLgRbtyHHS1SeTZ_rczUOmSL8lXGPnNdUTZuI7SYvbvLQdbaWr-zRGE/s640/blogger-image-1299545776.jpg"></a></div>urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-69471241867874200752013-04-26T17:01:00.001-07:002013-04-26T17:01:45.869-07:00Favorite Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS3uCZNNitg5OEhgdioLoG_seOyS4IOaGSTQLeK1vhKINYy_BFVQrkkG3urTxDbDeto_V0hkFAlCqJH65EdBbWzdbAiHxJdJbaTYhYhAtmtQM5TECYJJQQabIuKieswd4eORLflluZ_Y/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS3uCZNNitg5OEhgdioLoG_seOyS4IOaGSTQLeK1vhKINYy_BFVQrkkG3urTxDbDeto_V0hkFAlCqJH65EdBbWzdbAiHxJdJbaTYhYhAtmtQM5TECYJJQQabIuKieswd4eORLflluZ_Y/s640/IMG_1294.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-44241275387636352782013-04-25T18:21:00.000-07:002013-04-25T18:21:57.979-07:00Playing Hooky<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6Aj4LdlijIFlBP-eeCErkZjnHBWW0pgoW5Cv6fCpQH-qwj3RS_FBLT0BSGriLVIiC6I7ggc6zY9QYyqJ1yB9TdpjCW3eNrGvcBZ6f1_zFMm4GU8Yg2OtLTuUaMWqTGTsW9fmbsbCEmU/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6Aj4LdlijIFlBP-eeCErkZjnHBWW0pgoW5Cv6fCpQH-qwj3RS_FBLT0BSGriLVIiC6I7ggc6zY9QYyqJ1yB9TdpjCW3eNrGvcBZ6f1_zFMm4GU8Yg2OtLTuUaMWqTGTsW9fmbsbCEmU/s640/IMG_1269.JPG" width="426" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been an intense and challenging couple of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Boston in general, for our family in
particular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So today I called off all
our varied plans and activities and instead we took a day-off, a mental-health
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played hooky </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rarely do this, and I think that there
is something about homeschooling that makes it more difficult for me to call
the day off then it would be if my children were in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s that our activities and social opportunities
seem particularly precious because they don’t automatically exist, but instead
need to be planned and executed by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps we rarely cancel our day because what we have planned is so
lovely – and our planned activities for today were quite wonderful (a play date
with Homeschool Co-op friends, a hike and building project with others).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But isn’t playing hooky in part the very
reason to Homeschool?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We Homeschool so
that we can have the flexibility, the time, to really listen and respond to the
needs of our children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The beautiful spring afternoon, my children’s need for time
just with me, and my need for a view of the horizon led us to Singing Beach on
the North Shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there we were,
soaking up the sun and the beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me,
writing and taking photographs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While my
two boys completely engaged themselves in the creation of waterways, dams,
pyramids, spillways, and mud farms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
three solid hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Really this is a post about gratitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so thankful for my beautiful, creative
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a spring afternoon at the
beach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my life, my safety, my
family, my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the sun’s
return, the flowers in bloom, the constant changing of the ocean, the expanse
of blue sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m grateful that I
listened to the true needs of my children and my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that we played hooky today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-70147536630930143392012-11-09T15:18:00.002-08:002012-11-09T15:19:12.624-08:00Favorite Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-66024348650561979852012-10-19T09:28:00.000-07:002012-10-19T09:28:29.797-07:00Favorite Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-23842465514053479062012-10-09T10:00:00.000-07:002012-10-09T10:00:47.177-07:00Favorite Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-17650061914974180172012-09-28T05:39:00.002-07:002012-09-28T05:39:35.176-07:00Favorite Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em>Some of you have already seen this photo, but most of you haven't. In honor of Gryffin's upcoming birthday I'm posting HIS favorite picture of himself. He says "My eye is looking right into the frog's eye!" </em>urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-39144403816510488862012-09-19T16:46:00.000-07:002012-09-24T06:32:22.002-07:00Three Sisters Soup<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>This post is in honor of my two sister, with whom I usually celebrate this turn of the wheel. Due to scheduling conflicts we won't all be together this Equinox :( --- miss you!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought I'd share with you a recipe for Three Sister Soup. This is the soup I make every Autumnal Equinox, to celebrate <strong>Mabon</strong> or 'The Second Harvest'. (<strong>Lammas</strong> - August 1st -being the first harvest, and <strong>Samhain</strong> - Halloween - being the 3rd or final harvest). The Three Sisters are corn, beans and squash, all traditionally grown together in a wonderfully symbiotic relationship. The corn becomes a support for the beans; the beans add nitrogen to the soil to fertilize the corn and squash; the squash acts as mulch for the corn and beans, shading the soil and base of the other plants. These three are harvested at the same time (right now!), and eaten together form a complete protein. (Well, really the corn & beans are a complete protein, but I couldn't leave out sister squash & all her yummy vitamins). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Like any recipe I create, it's all very loose. So if you try it out - get creative, season as you like...but don't forget to say a spell, a prayer, or a blessing as the soup is simmering. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>Three Sisters Soup</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup dry <strong>aduki beans</strong> (soaked overnight)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 large <strong>onion</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lots of <strong>veggie broth</strong> OR 2 bullion cubes & water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1-2 strips <strong>kombu or wakame</strong> (seaweed)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">BOIL until the beans are fairly soft, then chop and ADD</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">4 (approx) large <strong>carrots</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 <strong>sweet potatoes</strong>, peeled </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 <strong>delicata squash</strong>, peeled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">SIMMER for a bit, then ADD spices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">lots of <strong>cumin</strong> & <strong>cardomom</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">some <strong>basil</strong>, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>thyme</strong>, <strong>cayenne</strong> (a pinch!), <strong>salt</strong>, <strong>pepper</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1-2 cups cooked <strong>corn</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">SIMMER a bit more, until the flavors come together. Serve hot with homemade bread and really good quality butter. Yum!</span><br />
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<em>From this stew of sisters three,</em></div>
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<em>all shall eat in harmony,</em></div>
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<em>and may this warmth stay in the heart,</em></div>
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<em>as we return to home and hearth!</em></div>
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<em>Blessed be</em></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sisters! Equinox camping trip 2009</span></em></td></tr>
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<br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-19930212036014781042012-09-18T07:29:00.001-07:002012-09-18T07:47:38.190-07:00Rhythm<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about rhythm and
balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the autumnal equinox rapidly approaching, I'm more aware of the balance of light
and dark, of day and night, and the transition into fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been planning curriculum for the very
limited amount of formal ‘school’ I ask from Skyler (I know, I know, I’m
late!!!) and trying to find a way to fold teaching into our day -- or to fold
our day around teaching -- </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">while still enjoying these beautiful days outside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rhythm is an idea I’ve embraced since first learning about it
through Waldorf education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rhythm is our
movement through the day, repetition, the balance of in breaths & out
breaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all the many wonderful
things I’ve learned from Waldorf, this has been perhaps the most
helpful, and not just to homeschooling, but to parenting in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like thinking of our days, not in terms of
schedule or structure, but in terms of rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do we begin & end each day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is the pace of the day? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When do we socialize, stay outside?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When do we come in and embrace quiet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do our transitions look like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rhythm is not rigid, it’s paying attention to
the flow of your day, finding the balance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hzxrJ4MLAmQrN22u28G9qobfsRxrsc3Sc87JA_3jBhmcuaOQjGhk6GGp6E3tXu-JNjNDYD49qgur9MVFZDMiEh4IUJ_JyoOjhZvGjgrfVJhH612lAZborRfxJbDqN_9_rCgX2p9t-tQ/s1600/IMG_5651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hzxrJ4MLAmQrN22u28G9qobfsRxrsc3Sc87JA_3jBhmcuaOQjGhk6GGp6E3tXu-JNjNDYD49qgur9MVFZDMiEh4IUJ_JyoOjhZvGjgrfVJhH612lAZborRfxJbDqN_9_rCgX2p9t-tQ/s640/IMG_5651.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beginning our day with Yoga</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As parents, I think we all recognize those days (or weeks)
when the rhythm is working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those days that
we move through with a certain amount of ease: things get accomplished without
feeling rushed; it feels like everyone’s (even mamas!) needs are getting mostly
met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have moments to breath, enough
time alone, enough time outside, enough time with others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps even clearer are the days (or weeks,
or MONTHS) when our rhythm isn’t working: when everything feels rushed but
nothing really gets done, we’re all crabby, we’re too busy, too alone, or
bored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those days when things just feel
‘off’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdVBjPw2QqrNjPtWaTrvH2M12KeaD1Yk_XKNSCrImksIKsZNMlKqQJEVH3Cy7vtDZuYeflNnRCKxEgY1AhwU_ImIwMJ6Y8asCzMCu7rLZh1oJ3QLfBW6mSPSL1ej3T6PVltMbwKpCgeI/s1600/IMG_5660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdVBjPw2QqrNjPtWaTrvH2M12KeaD1Yk_XKNSCrImksIKsZNMlKqQJEVH3Cy7vtDZuYeflNnRCKxEgY1AhwU_ImIwMJ6Y8asCzMCu7rLZh1oJ3QLfBW6mSPSL1ej3T6PVltMbwKpCgeI/s640/IMG_5660.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morning work - Skyler math</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1zGi6pzataGDjiSMF3_A9gv4rRGCCtGBD9HGm3hFW4WaEmi4c84wRsm-iv3nH142EEvdMvMsvQh_DVY2UQy2OgKHESsitbLzgP2OmAYIq-rlWCpU6agXaTXl-REoWTELIEEnyPWt1XU/s1600/IMG_5657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1zGi6pzataGDjiSMF3_A9gv4rRGCCtGBD9HGm3hFW4WaEmi4c84wRsm-iv3nH142EEvdMvMsvQh_DVY2UQy2OgKHESsitbLzgP2OmAYIq-rlWCpU6agXaTXl-REoWTELIEEnyPWt1XU/s640/IMG_5657.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morning work - Gryffin math</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the boys were babies, their very clear needs dictated the
rhythm of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even last year our
rhythm was dictated by early risers, a need for a lot of physical activity, and
Gryffin’s very important afternoon nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The boys were up at 5:30, leaving Skyler time to eat breakfast, get
dressed, play, & still do an hour or so of mama-directed school work BEFORE
we left the house @ 9:00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We filled our
morning with activities, playground time, library, science museum, adventures,
and then would head home for lunch & nap – when Sky & I (both
introverts) would retreat with our books to opposite ends of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About
once a week we would go out again after nap, but mostly that time was spent
playing, doing ‘projects’, cleaning and cooking dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
rhythm was easy for me to hold, Gryffin’s nap was a precious and necessary (for
all of us) priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The balance of busy
morning and quiet afternoon felt right.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EgWKZQwl6P3c8TwMnlI6pvVXKHYmSmr7znDhZHDyoGU6pmlkoB-joEH49W6jSotEdpUo2ofq2ybCZ24q3y5_8tDP5cb3odu1IrKJINO_viiKgaN_nhvYbJGQsUPpK90cobCAjTpJnlA/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EgWKZQwl6P3c8TwMnlI6pvVXKHYmSmr7znDhZHDyoGU6pmlkoB-joEH49W6jSotEdpUo2ofq2ybCZ24q3y5_8tDP5cb3odu1IrKJINO_viiKgaN_nhvYbJGQsUPpK90cobCAjTpJnlA/s640/IMG_5663.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homeschool meet-up - Playing 'Capture the Flag' with 20 other homeschoolers</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, this summer Gryffin rather abruptly outgrew his nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both boys started going to bed later &
sleeping later (until almost 6:30)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
let go of any formal lessons as the weather got warmer and the rhythm of our
days changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started hanging out at
home longer during the still cool and comfortable mornings, playing, cleaning, and
cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started packing our lunches
to go, and we’d leave the house around 10:30 or 11 for afternoon adventures –
to Walden, the beach, the woods, or just park hopping around the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would come home late – usually right
before dinner – cook something fast (to not heat up the kitchen), eat and take
long lukewarm baths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rhythm sometimes
left us a little too busy to work on projects or keep the house tidy, and I
have to say we welcomed those few rainy days to balance all the sun and
fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gsohkjtz4ByA4RnGgxhtSi_fKMFsXdpzjeFCkVWAaFZCDYIp7v7a2Cqe0kWURx9gUYvhxo4ZMWnULcEEWFdJGkzQxU7KWDQRRNtzuk0yorAGixZ1APMiqZ4It4lmq0Us6owFHEC1tQw/s1600/IMG_5682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gsohkjtz4ByA4RnGgxhtSi_fKMFsXdpzjeFCkVWAaFZCDYIp7v7a2Cqe0kWURx9gUYvhxo4ZMWnULcEEWFdJGkzQxU7KWDQRRNtzuk0yorAGixZ1APMiqZ4It4lmq0Us6owFHEC1tQw/s640/IMG_5682.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch at home on the backporch</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p> N</o:p>ow it’s time to find a new rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather is changing once again – autumn brings
a return to our home, to cooking, inside work, crafting and ‘school’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But without the strong dictates of naps and
weather, it’s a rhythm I will have to create – a HUGE challenge for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like a certain amount (read – ‘lots’) of
floating through the days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without structure
imposed externally, I easily become un-tethered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will start writing here & not notice
that the kids haven’t eaten in hours…until I hear them start to fall apart in
the other room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the rhythm of the week is determined
by activities, but the internal rhythm of our days is imposed by me, & I
find this sooo challenging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although
Skyler easily floats through the day with me, Gryffin (because of his age and
who he is) desperately needs a strong rhythm to lean against. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pHCJ08fWk5MO3LSvdqzRTaTwstnPKvAWBnzHfdEjhIdk3XtCgNyTn4YN7NDk3hCuxVmPvTZwLBsHFekHm6wr5I9nlvKritnOqlqdadS7Gl8RWXWQR3ON82M4kQXir7FPZ95AMbZYojo/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pHCJ08fWk5MO3LSvdqzRTaTwstnPKvAWBnzHfdEjhIdk3XtCgNyTn4YN7NDk3hCuxVmPvTZwLBsHFekHm6wr5I9nlvKritnOqlqdadS7Gl8RWXWQR3ON82M4kQXir7FPZ95AMbZYojo/s640/IMG_5761.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Late afternoon playtime with Cousin Bea</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCALsp0pQ_w_LK88TaKZwsupU_HB8riPh60pD1fIX-srs-KgFQIll6hG8shwj_QObSizAYPhICNlxmucWMVMMB5vdPE_r7n1TTsMnHgSq9VdDMqqYstDRlG3YdAfCPxTbbRAMyyznxXQ/s1600/IMG_5803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCALsp0pQ_w_LK88TaKZwsupU_HB8riPh60pD1fIX-srs-KgFQIll6hG8shwj_QObSizAYPhICNlxmucWMVMMB5vdPE_r7n1TTsMnHgSq9VdDMqqYstDRlG3YdAfCPxTbbRAMyyznxXQ/s640/IMG_5803.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Working on a project at the 'Fountain Park'</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I try to find the balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to make sure we have time to work on mama-imposed
work AND time for the boys to create their own wonderful projects and explorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to find the right rhythm between
activities and time to read and play and imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
trying to make sure that we have time to breathe and notice our breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That we have time to socialize, make friends,
play with other children, explore being a team and time to be alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That built into the rhythm of our day and
week and year are moments of stillness, time to honor the change of seasons,
time to pay attention to the natural world, and time to recognize the sacred rhythm
in ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>What does the rhythm of your day or week look like? Do you find it changing for fall?</em></span><br />
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urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-60933142941989112342012-09-10T18:30:00.001-07:002012-09-11T16:12:53.099-07:00Artist's Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzeNVH3pEJCyEpfRQg4G4v4A8ynUzk-8ebhQFK521kbeJw4ZbCKbIPnFs3D7XTZDAabz1HKu8eYKLAm7C5h1RDBxb7BoWvrfFGGRsy9dFdQbtyFPOxxXVjl9Hj1wQnlsHPRfBYBCVYTU/s1600/IMG_5527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzeNVH3pEJCyEpfRQg4G4v4A8ynUzk-8ebhQFK521kbeJw4ZbCKbIPnFs3D7XTZDAabz1HKu8eYKLAm7C5h1RDBxb7BoWvrfFGGRsy9dFdQbtyFPOxxXVjl9Hj1wQnlsHPRfBYBCVYTU/s640/IMG_5527.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, after a wonderful weekend filled with family, we decided to take stay close to home. However our getting-things-done & lounging-about-the-house plans were derailed by the presence of an extremely loud wood-chipper operating just outside our front windows. Such is city life. The boys enjoyed watching the action for a while, but there's really only so much grinding noise we could stand, so out the door we went. I decided to bring the boys on an Artist's Walk -- which I'm hoping to create as a weekly ritual. I'm looking forward to sharing the results of these walks here with you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbprPtjKPE4AI0a_P9rt86cp9Z0Q_LJiG2KtS-s2BWuMRWoQj0Q3XSm-XrwVqKTolMzQUlMXNyNzCSUL_na2hJUlIt8fFxXP0p86RWdHcHkJz4NzAxnBnLsge84ijsxxgOmXuaQRa58uI/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbprPtjKPE4AI0a_P9rt86cp9Z0Q_LJiG2KtS-s2BWuMRWoQj0Q3XSm-XrwVqKTolMzQUlMXNyNzCSUL_na2hJUlIt8fFxXP0p86RWdHcHkJz4NzAxnBnLsge84ijsxxgOmXuaQRa58uI/s640/IMG_5525.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An "Artist's Walk" is a walk taken without a particular destination in mind. Instead, the goal is to gather observations and experiences. We record these moments by writing descriptions & phrases, by sketching, by taking pictures. On an Artists Walk we pay attention to the tiny details, the interesting moments, we pause to look, savor, remember. We move at Gryffin's pace. Skyler & I pretend to be 3 again, fascinated by puddles, cracks in the sidewalks, bugs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On an Artists Walk I try to enter into my child-mind and hang out with my children there. When I slow down and pay attention, I begin to notice the details of what surrounds me. I become absorbed in my senses, and from that place, wonder and fascination builds. Things I would normally just walk by, show up for me in new and interesting ways. I am inspired to look, to see, to listen, to create. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Establishing the ritual of this intentional creative practice is extremely important to me, and part of my goals for the boys and myself in this homeschooling year. Like many mamas, homeschooling or not, I can easily find myself directing all my creative energy toward my children. When they were babies, each day was a creative exercise in trying to figure out how to meet their needs & (maybe) feed myself. Or take a shower. (Seriously - the creative problem solving in trying to figure out how to wash my hair with a super attached tiny baby was all I had the energy for). Now I expend a tremendous amount of creative energy in figuring out schedules, curriculum, dinner, the balance of the day. And although mama-ing is important and enriching work, it doesn't always fill my need for creative self-expression. Because really, I can't express myself through my children. I help them express themselves. And where does that leave me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, it leaves me taking pictures with my children on this lovely fall-like day, while we talk about what images strike us as beautiful or interesting, while we find the richest, most expressive adjectives we can to describe what we see and hear and feel. I watch them role down a grassy hill and stop for acrobatics. We laugh at Gryffin running in circles while Skyler tries to snap his picture. I am surprised by Gryffin's interest in urban objects and wild camera angles. I am inspired, not only by what I find on our walk today, but by my children's explorations. Together, we find our creative voices and I find myself renewed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SKYLER'S PICTURES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRYFFIN'S PICTURES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>I'm so impressed by their photos, I am bursting with mama-pride! I am inspired.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-54996129058007851212012-09-07T07:59:00.000-07:002012-09-11T16:10:36.992-07:00Favorite Photo Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqLHMRPm-OfqnxwTcxYK1mZNr40PLhOBK8TWDgD8vrQNIMFgUzC6b2nMU_uw83ZmkkP06ANLKSodkZMKx0Ie-PFyQH__38UC_LNoxU8soUbNY9UzWVR_m8PC8qF2WxoAntIT0QlxexKQ/s1600/IMG_8214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqLHMRPm-OfqnxwTcxYK1mZNr40PLhOBK8TWDgD8vrQNIMFgUzC6b2nMU_uw83ZmkkP06ANLKSodkZMKx0Ie-PFyQH__38UC_LNoxU8soUbNY9UzWVR_m8PC8qF2WxoAntIT0QlxexKQ/s640/IMG_8214.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em></em><br /></td></tr>
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<br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-41292661969159903062012-09-06T08:21:00.002-07:002012-09-11T16:09:24.003-07:00Not-Back-to-School<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsokxWHoY-Kjkc14g0fk1GTmAyIoccBgRiEmz9flp8esfviYJPt0f-gc361V62hKf0pzMFMWyvln_3Y7Pb17fUIy2fB74bWK0-TcqYfAKqp1By3NG5d3G7sU3DMrICLWcIknRouNLJ1s/s1600/IMG_8122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first few weeks of back-to-school are always difficult
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of our summer friends are
suddenly unavailable and our Homeschool classes and groups haven’t begun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The playgrounds are empty, and athough
Skyler & Gryffin enjoy having the place to themselves, I have that eerie
feeling that everyone is off doing something fun without me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel excluded, left out -- </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a feeling that reminds me of my own
experience of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I start to
fantasize about all the things I would be able to do if I my children were at
school, it’s a rich & delicious fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I imagine the art classes I would take, bringing my laptop to the coffee
shop and writing all day, napping, reading wonderfully long complicated books,
days filled with quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine a
clean house (but strangely, I never imagine myself cleaning – it is a fantasy after
all).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, the reality is that Gryffin is only 3
years old, so this fantasy wouldn’t be possible even if Skyler was in
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it sounds so…nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fNg64C7xb3OiKYej7FZTsslDljkJMfimYCvsEsbmKWs6iIUEk33TNp7JJsB7q8O2QMHWbd55LWL5pWLTqjjeI0NpPGDIqtkoIRL-zH91Ur2EFUQq3swZWnUSo6-fltib5O3UDXP5L1g/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fNg64C7xb3OiKYej7FZTsslDljkJMfimYCvsEsbmKWs6iIUEk33TNp7JJsB7q8O2QMHWbd55LWL5pWLTqjjeI0NpPGDIqtkoIRL-zH91Ur2EFUQq3swZWnUSo6-fltib5O3UDXP5L1g/s640/IMG_4923.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I realize that this escape into fantasy is not really
about what I want for myself, but is more about avoiding my fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These first few weeks in September are marred
by low level (and sometimes not-so-low level) anxiety, sleepless nights,
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I making the right choice
for Skyler?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What opportunities for
friendships, experiences, and learning am I NOT allowing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I making the right choice for Gryffin, who
lives so strongly under his brother’s influence?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I making the right choice for me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love being with my children, playing and
learning together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, Erik works
long hours, and I am sometimes overwhelmed by being the boys one and only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Then I remind myself that I know how to do this – after all,
we’ve been homeschooling for 2 years already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even when Skyler was in Kindergarten, I guided his academics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I taught him to read – well, he learned to
read, with some help from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a
strong homeschooling community in place, classes to cover the things I can’t
(soccer, gymnastics, Ninjitsu), co-ops and meetups to give the boys more
opportunities to create friendships, and learn how to negotiate group dynamics.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yP2fG00CrRZ7i8FzfJkYH_DQsRSX3qHYEhe4KCOL2lkaR1mLZzH56VNQWd9Bz2L4hQ0WrYmUcSbcuJwqEpQt2EswAM4EIJfopdNYWgEGLQ2rEhiDekHqpfvRqUX9zJLj0SD6bbtUWY0/s1600/IMG_4880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yP2fG00CrRZ7i8FzfJkYH_DQsRSX3qHYEhe4KCOL2lkaR1mLZzH56VNQWd9Bz2L4hQ0WrYmUcSbcuJwqEpQt2EswAM4EIJfopdNYWgEGLQ2rEhiDekHqpfvRqUX9zJLj0SD6bbtUWY0/s640/IMG_4880.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It helps even more when I remember that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boys</i> know how to do this homeschooling
thing even better than I. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I write this, they are both completely
absorbed in projects they developed themselves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gryffin is creating a massive glue & white
paper construction, while telling a story about a woman dressed in white who
lives in Connecticut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skyler has decided
to make himself a top-hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This involves
tape measures, a compass, a pattern created from newsprint then reworked in poster
board, and an ingenious method of creating a series of tabs to attach the brim
to the top part of the hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did he
figure that out? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together they are discussing
the magic show they will soon be putting on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I pause in writing to convince them to comp me a ticket (rather than pay
the $5.00 they requested).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skyler stops
working on his project long enough to show Gryffin how to write the word “Magic”.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNr6T4O4hm2D8wJRHPrL-yiiEyOoPTQoFkIDqDIULm93DGbGwnOeOXEPvLjMZTUgJlq0qbwCGlvAfPf4Id3BWs2glchDX-gmyrpr-M8LQ5P611mH7WygOvOEReJ1JLs2w8DmalOIY4Us/s1600/IMG_4984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNr6T4O4hm2D8wJRHPrL-yiiEyOoPTQoFkIDqDIULm93DGbGwnOeOXEPvLjMZTUgJlq0qbwCGlvAfPf4Id3BWs2glchDX-gmyrpr-M8LQ5P611mH7WygOvOEReJ1JLs2w8DmalOIY4Us/s640/IMG_4984.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know not every day will have this ease, interest and creative
energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in these anxiety filled
first weeks of fall, I hold onto the memory of the days that do: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when one project flows into the next, when my
messy house is evidence of a day spent making things, when the science museum
is empty and ours to explore, when the kids are so involved in their own
projects that I can pick up that wonderfully complicated book and read a
chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember that the magic of learning happens every
day in small and important ways and – lucky me! – I get to be a part of it all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWDE91XAiDQVT5YwD6iL4B4GWyWCSqawytEs7q3BhglsI-Rk-7pjMJ-ANgt1F7CUARqMkRlInwJPkrB-HN4L9e3Yz0C3VLKLy-J0UE0CyUePuTcvR-tG9PLYJ_n9M9e1FjO8PH3NNfBE/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWDE91XAiDQVT5YwD6iL4B4GWyWCSqawytEs7q3BhglsI-Rk-7pjMJ-ANgt1F7CUARqMkRlInwJPkrB-HN4L9e3Yz0C3VLKLy-J0UE0CyUePuTcvR-tG9PLYJ_n9M9e1FjO8PH3NNfBE/s640/IMG_1134.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-54158054889286719832012-09-04T10:09:00.002-07:002012-09-11T16:10:09.704-07:00This Morning<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning we awoke to rain. Skyler woke early (5ish), but stayed on his top bunk to read (<em>The Mysterious Benedict Society</em>). Gryffin was already in the big bed, so stayed snuggled in and asleep to the late hour of 6:30. We breakfasted, made the beds, opened the windows wide to let in the smell of the rain & watched the garden drink deeply. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7PUHiQvI7HXBJk86X9XgkBnE5O-htAb3LaGen-UwgXCAc3QOiKeLvohvxPujcIe-sdRVdLKvlPTwy32inyFvs_k45vMXLetfmepMaC-tvA4F8uEGeiqnWu67VRwATbfhA4YyTpM1Q5A/s1600/IMG_4844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7PUHiQvI7HXBJk86X9XgkBnE5O-htAb3LaGen-UwgXCAc3QOiKeLvohvxPujcIe-sdRVdLKvlPTwy32inyFvs_k45vMXLetfmepMaC-tvA4F8uEGeiqnWu67VRwATbfhA4YyTpM1Q5A/s640/IMG_4844.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Corner of 'The Big Bed', everyone's favorite place to watch the rain</span></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqBH6gka24eZzXA1y4MyG0G1N1hqEWyH9zcQLKjVRd64kYr-9RtFECPa5SKHb-CYutYSD8KVNgUYACPjvP6UjV_vhl9D56GlIao5xf0zTgPofOgOe9BDbAjQZ8DRYGo6GO8uMCPqNvFI/s1600/IMG_4860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqBH6gka24eZzXA1y4MyG0G1N1hqEWyH9zcQLKjVRd64kYr-9RtFECPa5SKHb-CYutYSD8KVNgUYACPjvP6UjV_vhl9D56GlIao5xf0zTgPofOgOe9BDbAjQZ8DRYGo6GO8uMCPqNvFI/s640/IMG_4860.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKCfQhBtV-grzOMXpFEElKpMCRkUMwftE5bcQkIYDPTupoPd0PquvtMhvLslpPslbRBtT2b2y3kuAIMv8eQOqTMDTM9j6Q2bI-jvyndpZZGm4Z84JMSqIDJlQYrWfmWvrIQVhzxGuizA/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKCfQhBtV-grzOMXpFEElKpMCRkUMwftE5bcQkIYDPTupoPd0PquvtMhvLslpPslbRBtT2b2y3kuAIMv8eQOqTMDTM9j6Q2bI-jvyndpZZGm4Z84JMSqIDJlQYrWfmWvrIQVhzxGuizA/s640/IMG_4851.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning the boys are doing projects with maps...I have no idea what sparked the interest, but maps are located and pondered over. Gryffin finds interesting things on the map of Massachusetts, Skyler is finding all the places he knows on the map of Cambridge. Right now, Skyler is sitting at his new desk, working on a graph paper, to scale, map of his room, which includes a number of secret and previously undiscovered passageways. Hmmm. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s5Plie7xltYMEe0gZcft96re2am_biQSwIJ2EJ-hAK5BnsxlNwyp2kFhPO958sfQlGLkZkvxmUJ2RAWurO9OHJR7te200Wvcr2xQqqFuBI2heEbAUwhpCWE5ldrUAzsoxzicsdM2DJ8/s1600/IMG_4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s5Plie7xltYMEe0gZcft96re2am_biQSwIJ2EJ-hAK5BnsxlNwyp2kFhPO958sfQlGLkZkvxmUJ2RAWurO9OHJR7te200Wvcr2xQqqFuBI2heEbAUwhpCWE5ldrUAzsoxzicsdM2DJ8/s640/IMG_4845.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtLq8E58ZLbo-b2AjkX3Odfzr-XM2YXqMIpvx9b6Utc7Nu_od02EkdnKybxe1gZ_brF92sUWu643kjeioef4xO6WKCIGvsdPA7-hbCeN_9HEDhaedBnLElEac1939jaWryNItyhkiKPc/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtLq8E58ZLbo-b2AjkX3Odfzr-XM2YXqMIpvx9b6Utc7Nu_od02EkdnKybxe1gZ_brF92sUWu643kjeioef4xO6WKCIGvsdPA7-hbCeN_9HEDhaedBnLElEac1939jaWryNItyhkiKPc/s640/IMG_4847.JPG" width="425" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Skyler's new desk was our labor day labor :). A true 'back-to-school' prep for this homeschooled child. This desk was found on the curb across the street -- we spent the weekend removing awful hardware, sanding down even more awful dark-brown laminate, and painting. There's a piece of plexiglass covering the top so Sky can conduct science experiments or mix wizards potions without destroying the surface. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later in the morning the boys were invited by my sister, her husband & my niece for a walk to the wet park. I join them later, walking along with my camera in hand and find these moments...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Camera play - puddle focusing on the surface</em> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Camera play - same shot, but focusing on the reflection</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cousin Beatrix</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Peek-a-boo-Bea</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We return home...me to my tea & this post. The boys to further rainy day explorations in the backyard, where there are holes to dig and worms to find. And treaure to bury. And mud to make. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div align="center" style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<em><span style="font-size: small;">"in Just- </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;">spring when the world
is mud- </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em>
</em><em>luscious the little </em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;">lame balloonman </span></em></div>
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</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;">whistles far
and wee </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em>
</em><em>and eddieandbill come </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em>
</em><em>running from marbles and
</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em>
</em><em>piracies and it's </em></span></div>
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</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;">spring </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;">when the world is
puddle-wonderful"</span></em></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em>e.e. cummings</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[I know it's late summer, not spring, but this morning was soooo mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful that I just had to add ee cummings to my post. Hope your morning was luscious & wonderful too.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-90676885633714564262012-08-31T04:50:00.001-07:002012-09-11T16:10:59.380-07:00Favorite Photo Friday<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOqfdVipQBt___iOkscVEctnXWBM3zSjgr9ZaW37yYXXdPaDUclO1JQXLZYDpsqlBxK9vCCtaO-lghq_PH9BySfmDwLhjx5UYU31QfJFNADqVpmY2FPexFqII3jkYsfVxk4h_c_LQBVE/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOqfdVipQBt___iOkscVEctnXWBM3zSjgr9ZaW37yYXXdPaDUclO1JQXLZYDpsqlBxK9vCCtaO-lghq_PH9BySfmDwLhjx5UYU31QfJFNADqVpmY2FPexFqII3jkYsfVxk4h_c_LQBVE/s640/IMG_3903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-24791626888692620262012-08-30T10:34:00.000-07:002012-09-11T16:11:28.965-07:00Swimming Lessons<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This summer has been all about swimming. In late spring, the boys took swim classes, Gryffin a beginning class & Skyler level 4 "Stroke Development". They passed their classes with excellent marks (proud mama that I am, I put the only 'report cards' they've ever received on the fridge) and took their new-found skills into the summer. Since then, the boys and I have found any excuse to swim. We are all much happier in the water.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fUkYeUwL7GB32wNhxEMXrqvYYuF4HXWZI0-MXoVxCZkgNdEmHAfZEumyaqwLN6gGfKM-eIyXhShb6J2VTf87CywIOaUf9-h2qdpBZEqH6iV5ROZE3JIZPD0DKBL2fRUgm6gBqng1DFw/s1600/IMG_4765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fUkYeUwL7GB32wNhxEMXrqvYYuF4HXWZI0-MXoVxCZkgNdEmHAfZEumyaqwLN6gGfKM-eIyXhShb6J2VTf87CywIOaUf9-h2qdpBZEqH6iV5ROZE3JIZPD0DKBL2fRUgm6gBqng1DFw/s640/IMG_4765.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Gryffin 'swimming' on my back -- this is my favorite picture of myself, go Erik!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skyler has been swimming independently for years, mostly UNDER the water. Now I watch Skyler execute a rather good, and (in typical Skyler fashion) very quick crawl, complete with the dreaded rotary breathing. When we swim across that small cove in Walden, he's much faster than I (I prefer the sedate & slow side stroke). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skyler has always LOVED being in water. When he was an infant, and even a toddler, baths were our go-to cure for teething bouts, insomnia, grumpy days, illness, heat waves, boredom. But being out in water over his head was a challenge for Sky. Feeling nervous and out of control, he would cling to me like a little koala. I couldn't understand his discomfort -- Skyler! Who was so fearless about any other physical challenge, nervous about swimming? Why, I'd been taking him to the water since he was tiny! And me, I loved swimming, how could he not? Then, when Sky was 3 years old we BOTH had a series of nightmares about him and the water. At this point I figured the divine (or my sub-conscious, whatever) was giving me a pretty strong message & I should probably just let the swimming thing go...and I did. Water was playtime, but just to his waist. So what transitioned Skyler from this child afraid of going into water over his head to the cormorant-like swimmer he is today? The gift of fins & a mask when he was about 4 1/2. Almost instantly Sky was swimming independently, under water, diving, doing flips, out in deep water. The mask helped Skyler not only see under water, but helped prevent water from going up his nose. But the fins were even more important -- they helped him swim fast enough that he could stop himself from sinking (my 0 body-fat boy has no buoyancy), he could now literally keep his head above water. Now he swims beautifully, without the props, and chooses to stay under water. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEWnz2LhoCnzkXabRrEF2UgphtrUQtV41oZWn2zfqxmFk6Bz4ppcfeX5dpuS6ud4QJj_oosNpvwJyIm1LC0NtN-F71gqv5WbWfEMVC-0z3AAJAfrb_Ufz8vC1_fNzIAle1EDmNk2JGD8/s1600/IMG_4325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEWnz2LhoCnzkXabRrEF2UgphtrUQtV41oZWn2zfqxmFk6Bz4ppcfeX5dpuS6ud4QJj_oosNpvwJyIm1LC0NtN-F71gqv5WbWfEMVC-0z3AAJAfrb_Ufz8vC1_fNzIAle1EDmNk2JGD8/s640/IMG_4325.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gryffin has had a slightly different journey into the deep end. G has always been scarily fearless about the water. At 6 months, while in vacation Florida, he crawled directly into the ocean up to his chin & would have kept going if I hadn't grabbed him back. He was that toddler that walked off the steps of the pool into water over his head. His preferred way to play at Walden was in water up to his chin, walking on tip-toes to keep his head above water. Unlike Sky, he didn't really like being held out in deep water (although he'd swim on my back for a bit). At swim classes last spring Gryffin figured out that he could swim independent of adults, with just a noodle under his arms - I wish I could duplicate in writing the sound of his delighted squeal. Imagine a very roo-like "look at me swimming!". </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwdyLw7_2HmCWU0R4GfIQETs4jvCEVGlkQcLWK8KprmJNk9ZmCWKz3DvsPakYYOgppGZSTvkQAryWHs66BkDs_21SJUckJcM4K-CfTO1KzBVjgAukqXjvvg0aqa7L3jVCl5Uta6jPz7c/s1600/IMG_4208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwdyLw7_2HmCWU0R4GfIQETs4jvCEVGlkQcLWK8KprmJNk9ZmCWKz3DvsPakYYOgppGZSTvkQAryWHs66BkDs_21SJUckJcM4K-CfTO1KzBVjgAukqXjvvg0aqa7L3jVCl5Uta6jPz7c/s640/IMG_4208.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even more exciting was the moment this summer Gryffin started swimming "for real". Gryffin taught himself to swim at Walden on a rare visit when Skyler was in camp, so just the two of us were at the pond. I was on the phone embroiled in a very intense conversation with my sister, while vaguely keeping an eye on Gryffin. I noticed him bringing his large bucket out into the water where he turned it upside down and jumped off. It took me an embarrassingly long time to notice, but eventually it occurred to me that he was jumping off the bucket and <em>swimming</em> for about 4 feet. In a nice tidy dog paddle. Well, that was the beginning & now he swims comfortably for about 10 feet before needing to put his feet down or grab onto my shoulder. He's working on his diving and his back float. He's had his first experience swimming independently in the ocean (playing a frightening for mama game called "rescue", where he dumped himself - without warning - off of his boogie board and would fight the waves to swim to me or Sky). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SupreN_gvF00jkqYTUI3wn2gJcLNNrgM1GbLp335X-bRH2OJgro1GM-OqyxY1PmqGW9sud4BIoFnp9KZEHixixHDSaBfm8DxWZ2Q80Y-10ayA4GUeMeROMFzX9y3LaTJ-Pz0ZYR9Nfg/s1600/IMG_3282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SupreN_gvF00jkqYTUI3wn2gJcLNNrgM1GbLp335X-bRH2OJgro1GM-OqyxY1PmqGW9sud4BIoFnp9KZEHixixHDSaBfm8DxWZ2Q80Y-10ayA4GUeMeROMFzX9y3LaTJ-Pz0ZYR9Nfg/s640/IMG_3282.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I take from my boys and their adventures in swimming a few lessons about learning, individual timing, and faith. When Sky was 3, I couldn't have imagined him the same child who I struggle to keep up with as we swim. I am reminded that my job is to give them opportunities, and then the space and time to explore on their own. Gryffin's self-taught swimming reminds me that the explorations that make me nervous may be the exact exploration they need to move forward. I take in the lesson that sometimes they learn more if I'm not watching. My boys continue to teach me to have faith in them,in their process and pace. I take from them a reminder that children are not taught. Children learn. And that when the timing is right that learning happens effortlessly, and with joy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT50iy2VcQqF-9lCIouGmdRcuX-4RVmdxzUTi5GW58JVFVuC4u9gQv_JeDlX5afYHjQqJBOkfO6jIOJWyoDZJPGUh06mKwjrS7CFeotFUQ0Q-G_U1ldCog_rpLvDO7Pwdl-Be4CYjr2U/s1600/IMG_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT50iy2VcQqF-9lCIouGmdRcuX-4RVmdxzUTi5GW58JVFVuC4u9gQv_JeDlX5afYHjQqJBOkfO6jIOJWyoDZJPGUh06mKwjrS7CFeotFUQ0Q-G_U1ldCog_rpLvDO7Pwdl-Be4CYjr2U/s640/IMG_4236.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM4pZ702Ju2WRx6jnMOKt32TNpruYqUfZoYMleM_UxZb_CRlmsgZABnjXCN9Nwp2P2bq-zJYWvfRlsb4R17uRDp-LmKFWVduqqB9aFDycGTiJxanejfHQNMKJVvuVJBdepnLCzS_JlAk/s1600/IMG_4237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM4pZ702Ju2WRx6jnMOKt32TNpruYqUfZoYMleM_UxZb_CRlmsgZABnjXCN9Nwp2P2bq-zJYWvfRlsb4R17uRDp-LmKFWVduqqB9aFDycGTiJxanejfHQNMKJVvuVJBdepnLCzS_JlAk/s640/IMG_4237.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-76715957010507933712012-08-12T06:36:00.000-07:002012-09-11T16:12:29.005-07:00This Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aEaqiS53R9qgZqC8opGlIrO90WTQEQGPcrrNxjCVYk4vu7Wr2UOyIMOF3XJ5ZCtxK_rm1D1zBqnJJZy1NblQZVwNIaue-AsngsHiBJEG5mVqi50qA6-Cb4gcxz4t4jkG6WTUCPxSajI/s1600/IMG_4382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aEaqiS53R9qgZqC8opGlIrO90WTQEQGPcrrNxjCVYk4vu7Wr2UOyIMOF3XJ5ZCtxK_rm1D1zBqnJJZy1NblQZVwNIaue-AsngsHiBJEG5mVqi50qA6-Cb4gcxz4t4jkG6WTUCPxSajI/s320/IMG_4382.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning I am sitting on the screen porch in an old, white wicker rocking chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretending to read, but instead find myself putting the book down to gaze at the clouds rising out of the pines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZgFrPgbfXmvhnNMgsgWHb8RT7n_1upXHKQlOkSAkGGyvuynDYWAE9pYeTmQPhUEjUETF2QkDbx7aL6rYpJ7kCHY6xEsASFsH_9sLeOEV6HEsZYzAOQD-H_pwP1NNy3DPwJfUDidQKHo/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZgFrPgbfXmvhnNMgsgWHb8RT7n_1upXHKQlOkSAkGGyvuynDYWAE9pYeTmQPhUEjUETF2QkDbx7aL6rYpJ7kCHY6xEsASFsH_9sLeOEV6HEsZYzAOQD-H_pwP1NNy3DPwJfUDidQKHo/s320/IMG_4336.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It rained all day yesterday & last night, and I can hear the increased volume of water in the sound of the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear the summer song of cicadas, the string accent of crickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though it’s 8:15, the world doesn’t seem quite awake yet, still wrapped in a blanket of mist.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I grab my camera and set off on a morning walk, alone. Here are some of the photos I took along the way, without a single picture of the boys (shocking!), but instead a few pieces of the quiet awakening world.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>"How can you explain that you need to know
that the trees are still there, and the hills and the sky? Anyone knows they
are. How can you say it is time your pulse responded to another rhythm, the
rhythm of the day and the season instead of the hour and the minute? No, you
cannot explain. So you walk."</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ~Author unknown, from <i>New York Times</i>
editorial, "The Walk," 25 October 1967</span></span></div>
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urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615508048274329515.post-32222485590776784392012-08-11T08:58:00.000-07:002012-08-11T11:29:50.856-07:00Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygaA0oA8xEYBJ7Q_b72B6Yr4nVUi6AaZLHD0A7JxMae1Y1Nj94CrPFfHn4TSZ-SOS3uJQt9WbqzsY69rC76fUJpCm6zllORzo5v0vm0sS3hQCjQwIioSaf09U5H0OkNLif7ZYQXYV8Io/s1600/IMG_4059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygaA0oA8xEYBJ7Q_b72B6Yr4nVUi6AaZLHD0A7JxMae1Y1Nj94CrPFfHn4TSZ-SOS3uJQt9WbqzsY69rC76fUJpCm6zllORzo5v0vm0sS3hQCjQwIioSaf09U5H0OkNLif7ZYQXYV8Io/s400/IMG_4059.JPG" width="265" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUhP_Hm9qiUPleH5HkMbQ9jwvyvxvGPr_YAb-sUsEHnPBf1vKTkMoodU4RUjbKT3nDnoPx9PIxr3sQ3x9Q5MVMYgat07n8g-ADePUtsgCZ6ci8OFOFVWNEn7aybCm3q2C7GlH_SBGo2E/s1600/IMG_3912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUhP_Hm9qiUPleH5HkMbQ9jwvyvxvGPr_YAb-sUsEHnPBf1vKTkMoodU4RUjbKT3nDnoPx9PIxr3sQ3x9Q5MVMYgat07n8g-ADePUtsgCZ6ci8OFOFVWNEn7aybCm3q2C7GlH_SBGo2E/s400/IMG_3912.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find it infinitely
amusing and a bit ironic that my first entry in a blog titled "Urban” Wild Child is all about the very rural vacation we’re having in Vermont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go ahead, laugh along with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Or at me, I don't mind.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">’ll write more about why I chose this
particular blog title later, but for now I'd like to share some images of where we are this
August...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeb-9PqZ_C14EPVcGLZjxaTNkjhOrhAHj30BHlqyOo7fXmXbDEGDMMXgXUjFWtiXV69kK4JPvZwvqwtzmkxfUrjUCXVhQp3IuksMnd0xEI2ZZw5qe1brd-ZxBCEc4h6jPCedhEgFKU6_Q/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeb-9PqZ_C14EPVcGLZjxaTNkjhOrhAHj30BHlqyOo7fXmXbDEGDMMXgXUjFWtiXV69kK4JPvZwvqwtzmkxfUrjUCXVhQp3IuksMnd0xEI2ZZw5qe1brd-ZxBCEc4h6jPCedhEgFKU6_Q/s320/IMG_3944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About 30 yards away from our pretty farmhouse is <em><strong>The River</strong></em>, constant companion & plaything, just deep enough for the boys to swim & provider of many, many frogs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet, sweet summer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Watch for more posts soon, but know that I'm still in the process of refining & figuring out...well, everything (does anyone know how to right justify a blog title in blogger???). Feel free to comment, I'd love to know what you think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blessed be,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">C.--</span><br />
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<br />urbanwildchild.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486156035287397034noreply@blogger.com3