October 10, 2009
October 9, 2009
Topsfield Fair
I love the Topsfield Fair, and this year went solo for a photo walk. This competition was for rider and horse in Halloween costume. The Vegas girl/horse in the last photo won. Such fun, and some ideas for those of you who might be dressing with your horse this year.
October 7, 2009
Journaling with kids
As a person who as kept journals for as long as I can remember, it is a natural thing for me to journal with kids. When I was teaching, each of my 7th graders had to keep a journal in which they wrote for at least 15mins each day. I kept the journals in class to ensure privacy and did not read them unless asked to by the kids. I think learning how to reflect on your life is a valuable skill to learn.
These days am journaling with my nephews - it is a fun activity we all look forward to. Everyone takes out their journals, I put on some good music and bring out the markers, etc and we draw, write, talk, share. Will post a couple of pages from their journals when I get a chance.
These days am journaling with my nephews - it is a fun activity we all look forward to. Everyone takes out their journals, I put on some good music and bring out the markers, etc and we draw, write, talk, share. Will post a couple of pages from their journals when I get a chance.
Revolutionary Road
Finally a movie made for mature audiences. I loved it. The acting is sublime - both Leo and Kate were mesmerizing. Using the "crazy" guy as part of the story telling was pure genius. Did anyone else notice that the story was about the adults and not centered on the kids? How refreshing. Snippets from the movie keep flashing in my mind - "we are not different, we are simply ordinary".
A movie I will certainly watch several more times. I know there is book - will have to add that to my list of books to read.
A movie I will certainly watch several more times. I know there is book - will have to add that to my list of books to read.
October 6, 2009
Recent Reads
1. The Elegance of the Hedgehog
My book club book for last month. I started out loving it, then spent several chapters scratching my head, then enjoyed it again. Now looking back, I realize I love the book. Though was not at all sure of this while I was reading it. This is a very smart book - about a woman and a girl, who both hide how intelligent they are for very different reasons. It is about perceptions - what we think and believe to be true of others - when really we often so rarely get below the surface of another person. A gem. I will read it again. I think there was much I missed because I was annoyed at parts during my first reading of the book.
2. Ptolemy's Gate
Loved this. Dragged out the Bartimaeus trilogy as long as I could, and since this was part of my summer pleasure, finally dived back in to finish it. Fun. Escapist. Reminded of my of the joy I got reading as a kid - curled up with snacks. Am going to explore what else the author has written.
3. Dinotopia
Oh, another book I loved from start to finish. It is written in the format of an artist's journal - how could I not love that? The story and the art is incredible. Cannot wait until my ns (this is my short form for nieces and nephews - ain't that a mouthful?) are old enough to read this aloud with them.
My book club book for last month. I started out loving it, then spent several chapters scratching my head, then enjoyed it again. Now looking back, I realize I love the book. Though was not at all sure of this while I was reading it. This is a very smart book - about a woman and a girl, who both hide how intelligent they are for very different reasons. It is about perceptions - what we think and believe to be true of others - when really we often so rarely get below the surface of another person. A gem. I will read it again. I think there was much I missed because I was annoyed at parts during my first reading of the book.
2. Ptolemy's Gate
Loved this. Dragged out the Bartimaeus trilogy as long as I could, and since this was part of my summer pleasure, finally dived back in to finish it. Fun. Escapist. Reminded of my of the joy I got reading as a kid - curled up with snacks. Am going to explore what else the author has written.
3. Dinotopia
Oh, another book I loved from start to finish. It is written in the format of an artist's journal - how could I not love that? The story and the art is incredible. Cannot wait until my ns (this is my short form for nieces and nephews - ain't that a mouthful?) are old enough to read this aloud with them.
I love the Fall
Am loving the seasonal change - even though feel like we barely had a summer. My toes are back encased in socks. Love the clean, sharp, crisp fall air. The colors. The way the sun feels on my skin. Lovely.
October 3, 2009
October 1, 2009
Q&A
Questions. They help clarify things. They can open up whole areas to be explored that I had little knowledge about. I find that most adults tend to be careful about what they question. After all, we have created a mental map of the world that works, and dang it we do not want to change it - not only is it hard work, but can be downright scary to do so. So goes the saying: Ignorance is bliss. Maybe. Maybe not.
And then there are answers. Asking a question does in no way mean that you will get an honest/accurate/truthful/complete/satisfactory answer. Does this diminish the asking? I think not.
So, what brought this up? My nephews - aged 6 and 4. They have not been "socialized" enough to understand that questions are dangerous. It has been interesting to see the excitement that the statement "you can ask us anything" has generated. Oh the questions! They have always asked questions, but since we had this conversation, the flood gates have opened. It is simply incredible what they think about. I think far too many adults do not give kids enough credit. Am reminded of something I read a long time ago: "kids only tell adults things they think the adults can handle". It made me stop in my tracks. Think back to your childhood. Makes you think no?
I've spent half my life in Catholic schools. At least it feels that way to me. Yup, all the pros applied - though in my opinion, I think that the uniform was by far the biggest pro. When I took time away from the corporate world to teach, one of the recurring conversations I had with my kids was this: "if you only spend half as much time on your homework as you do on your outfit each day, you'd be a straight A student". But there was a big con. Huge in fact. One of the golden rules was "Thou shalt not question". This is a fantastic way to control kids, but is in my opinion one of the biggest way we hobble kids. They are sponges, soaking everything in, trying to make sense of the world they live in and the people around them. What are they to do with all those questions and creativity? Umm, I know what I did - spent more time that I care to remember in the headmistress's office being punished.
Which brings me back to my nephews. Oh the questions the ask. Yesterday the 4 year old asked me how solar panels make electricity. So we had a basic circuits lesson and then moved on to the more pressing question the 6 year old had: how many rows of teeth do sharks have?
We have learned much about each other in the process. The kids learn that there are no taboo questions and that they will get a honest answer, and I have learned about how their minds work, the dots they connect and what they are thinking about. Priceless.
But don't take my word for it - try it with the little and not so little people in your world.
And then there are answers. Asking a question does in no way mean that you will get an honest/accurate/truthful/complete/satisfactory answer. Does this diminish the asking? I think not.
So, what brought this up? My nephews - aged 6 and 4. They have not been "socialized" enough to understand that questions are dangerous. It has been interesting to see the excitement that the statement "you can ask us anything" has generated. Oh the questions! They have always asked questions, but since we had this conversation, the flood gates have opened. It is simply incredible what they think about. I think far too many adults do not give kids enough credit. Am reminded of something I read a long time ago: "kids only tell adults things they think the adults can handle". It made me stop in my tracks. Think back to your childhood. Makes you think no?
I've spent half my life in Catholic schools. At least it feels that way to me. Yup, all the pros applied - though in my opinion, I think that the uniform was by far the biggest pro. When I took time away from the corporate world to teach, one of the recurring conversations I had with my kids was this: "if you only spend half as much time on your homework as you do on your outfit each day, you'd be a straight A student". But there was a big con. Huge in fact. One of the golden rules was "Thou shalt not question". This is a fantastic way to control kids, but is in my opinion one of the biggest way we hobble kids. They are sponges, soaking everything in, trying to make sense of the world they live in and the people around them. What are they to do with all those questions and creativity? Umm, I know what I did - spent more time that I care to remember in the headmistress's office being punished.
Which brings me back to my nephews. Oh the questions the ask. Yesterday the 4 year old asked me how solar panels make electricity. So we had a basic circuits lesson and then moved on to the more pressing question the 6 year old had: how many rows of teeth do sharks have?
We have learned much about each other in the process. The kids learn that there are no taboo questions and that they will get a honest answer, and I have learned about how their minds work, the dots they connect and what they are thinking about. Priceless.
But don't take my word for it - try it with the little and not so little people in your world.
September 30, 2009
Trip Journal
One of the fun things about a trip is that I get to create a new journal, and I am currently working on one for my upcoming trip to Las Vegas. Selected various papers, and decided to have them spiral bound. I find this type of binding makes a journal easier to use while traveling, and also allows me to easily add pages, collages, etc. Here is a spread I created to capture the trip details - will be filled in while traveling. If you notice that there are 3 kids in the spread, and you connect that to my 3 nieces, you win extra points. Click on image to enlarge.
September 29, 2009
September 28, 2009
September 27, 2009
Recent Movies
1. Changeling
Had heard about this story a couple of years ago and loved the movie. It is hard to watch and I found myself talking to the screen, but it was well done. The corruption of the LAPD boggles the mind, but even more upsetting is the way that women are treated by the cops. Jolie is wonderful in this role. Realize that I tend to like Eastwood movies.
2. W
Okay this was kinda like picking a scab and bleeding all over again, but Josh Brolin is magnificent in this role.
3. Nothing But the Truth
Here is another movie made for adults. A good story without explosions and car chases, and yet you are kept on the edge of your seat as you wait for things to get worse than they already are.
4. The Secret Lives of Bees
Loved the book and really liked the movie. Great acting by every single person in the movie.
Had heard about this story a couple of years ago and loved the movie. It is hard to watch and I found myself talking to the screen, but it was well done. The corruption of the LAPD boggles the mind, but even more upsetting is the way that women are treated by the cops. Jolie is wonderful in this role. Realize that I tend to like Eastwood movies.
2. W
Okay this was kinda like picking a scab and bleeding all over again, but Josh Brolin is magnificent in this role.
3. Nothing But the Truth
Here is another movie made for adults. A good story without explosions and car chases, and yet you are kept on the edge of your seat as you wait for things to get worse than they already are.
4. The Secret Lives of Bees
Loved the book and really liked the movie. Great acting by every single person in the movie.
September 24, 2009
Random Musings
- Love, love. love spending time with my nephews. They are amazing little people. We had hours of fun hanging out yesterday - and ah yes, doing homework. Love the questions they ask. Love how they connect dots. Love everything about them. And I have a trip planned to go see my nieces in less than a month. How lucky can this Aunt be?
- Picked up a bagful of books from the library yesterday. If you don't use your local library try it. It is like Christmas once a week. Delightful.
- The Autumnal Equinox is behind us. The days are getting shorter, but what fab weather we are having. The colors are simply stunning - it's like looking at a painters palette when I go for walks.
- Just back from one such walk, which culminated in a serving of Bear Claw (my fave ice-cream) - bliss!
- Oct is hovering in the midst of next week. How the heck did that happen?
September 23, 2009
Health Insurance
Now, you gotta think that any rational person is completely in favor of ensuring that everyone has good health insurance. Not insurance tied to having a job - your attaboy for being a good hamster on the wheel - but insurance because you are a valued member of society and what hurts one hurts us all. Cannot even begin to imagine the heartbreak of families that have to file for bankruptcy because someone got sick. Or the millions of uninsured, who don't get regular checkups, and so instead of preventative medicine we practice emergency health care.
How long before we get to the promised land of insurance for all? Obama is working to make it happen. GOBAMA!
Check out this interesting video.
How long before we get to the promised land of insurance for all? Obama is working to make it happen. GOBAMA!
Check out this interesting video.
September 19, 2009
Recent Reads
1. The Other Side of Paradise
This is a memoir of a girl brought up in the non-tourist parts of Jamaica. Abandoned by her mother and not claimed by her father, she is raised primarily by her maternal grandmother. It is a hard life, of poverty, abuse, fear, loneliness, wanting to belong, waiting to be claimed. While the writing is not great, the author certainly captures the bleakness of her situation, and her struggle to be somebody that people would want to claim.
Have not been to the Caribbean islands in quite a while, though have visited many of them. They are so beautiful, yet I'm always left with this uneasy feeling - as tourists we have so much more than the locals, and real life for many of the natives is dismal and without hope for a better tomorrow. I find it hard to really relax in such environments. This book reminded me of those feelings of ambivalence I have about visiting the Caribbean.
2. A Circle of Quiet
Recently "discovered" this author - kinda feel like Columbus when I say "discovered" :-). Heard about her in a podcast and decided to read her journals before I read her fiction. Have loved reading this. It has felt like reading letters from a wise and dear friend - she covers so many topics, and with the exception of her religious leanings, we see eye to eye on many things. I have found my own journal pages taking on more depth as I think about how to capture ideas, thoughts, glimpses into insight. Loved it and will certainly be reading her other works.
3. Wide Open
Been feeling blocked creatively lately, and this is one in my library that I've been dipping into again.
4. Blue Latitudes
Our current read aloud book. Am loving it.
This is a memoir of a girl brought up in the non-tourist parts of Jamaica. Abandoned by her mother and not claimed by her father, she is raised primarily by her maternal grandmother. It is a hard life, of poverty, abuse, fear, loneliness, wanting to belong, waiting to be claimed. While the writing is not great, the author certainly captures the bleakness of her situation, and her struggle to be somebody that people would want to claim.
Have not been to the Caribbean islands in quite a while, though have visited many of them. They are so beautiful, yet I'm always left with this uneasy feeling - as tourists we have so much more than the locals, and real life for many of the natives is dismal and without hope for a better tomorrow. I find it hard to really relax in such environments. This book reminded me of those feelings of ambivalence I have about visiting the Caribbean.
2. A Circle of Quiet
Recently "discovered" this author - kinda feel like Columbus when I say "discovered" :-). Heard about her in a podcast and decided to read her journals before I read her fiction. Have loved reading this. It has felt like reading letters from a wise and dear friend - she covers so many topics, and with the exception of her religious leanings, we see eye to eye on many things. I have found my own journal pages taking on more depth as I think about how to capture ideas, thoughts, glimpses into insight. Loved it and will certainly be reading her other works.
3. Wide Open
Been feeling blocked creatively lately, and this is one in my library that I've been dipping into again.
4. Blue Latitudes
Our current read aloud book. Am loving it.
September 17, 2009
Walk in the Park
The weather continues to be beautiful out in these parts. Feels like fall. Leaves are starting to turn. Yesterday I went for a walk in the park. Below is a photo essay of my walk.
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