In which we expand our joy of homeschooling....

My lovely, patient, obliging, ever ready student loves, loves, loves to read.

As part of our Waldorf inspired homeschool journey he is reading through all of the volumes of The Library of Pioneering and Woodcraft by Ernest Thompson Seton. We just started Botany and he is so excited and teachable.

I wanted to share two of the goals from "Woodcraft is Lifecraft"...

4. The Great Central Fire.

Represented in our law, and in our ceremonies. Only the re-creation of the sacred fire has power to thrill us and strike chords of primitive remembrance. When people gather around a fire they shed all modern artifice and return to the essence of self, revealing the naked soul. Since time immemorial, humanity has seen in this blessed fire the means and emblem of light, warmth, protection, friendliness, and council. When people have met together in peace and shared the warmth of the welcoming fire, it forges a lasting bond of union overcoming wide divergence in attitudes and perspectives. This fire is the symbol at the center of Woodcraft. We shall not fail to use its magic powers.

8. An heroic ideal.

Woodcraft offers an heroic ideal, an image of a mature human being, physically strong, mentally alert, spiritually attuned, dedicated to community service. Anxious to learn, willing to teach, inspired by vision. Prepared to share with others, with courage, intelligence, power and wisdom. Cognizant of the past, unafraid of the future, profoundly aware that action is only possible in the present moment. Able to use this moment to the best advantage, equipped to listen, communicate and actively respond as needed. By presenting an heroic ideal Woodcraft gives each individual the inspiration to set and then strive towards personal goals. Woodcraft is dedicated to exploring knowledge, increasing tolerance through understanding, and improving global environmental conditions.

"Maturity, not scholarship is the first aim of education." Woodcrafters... 

~Ernest Thompson Seton

Tell me, what could be better than that????

from http://www.etsetoninstitute.org/the-woodcraft-way/

Let me start from the beginning....

Images from another time, another place. My son was oh, so much younger then. We lived in an old faded cottage by the sea. Life was still simple but the world felt a bit more crowded there then it does now. I have always loved photos of the back of my son's head, seeing him view the world from my proper place, he is the arrow and we are the bow. Life is good.

Reflecting on this photo I am reminded again of all of my dear friends whom I miss and have not seen in over a year. My beloved Hannah, Jenny, Cheryl, Linda, Keiko, Jon, Christie, Madeline, I could fill these empty cyber spaces with the loves I left there in California. I feel their energy and miss their smiles. I sometimes can't believe that is has been a year, it seems like a dream. But, let me start from the beginning....