Three Poets Workshop

This morning I invited my three scholars to a poetry workshop (Just so no one thinks that life is harmonious bliss 24/7 here at Casa Sullivan, my invitation was rejected by my oldest scholar...) which I called the Three Poets Workshop. I read four poems by three poets, and after some drawing (the kids drew while I read) and discussion (JB learned what "oft" and "jocund" and "pensive" mean.), they voted on their favorite.

JB then chose one to copy, based not on beauty or rhyme scheme, but on which was the shortest. Well, here is the one I liked the best, by William Wordsworth:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee;
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company;
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Check these out: 2 great links for evangelization

Several days ago, my son and I were at a mother-son picnic sponsored by TORCH, our homeschool support group, and another mother was so on fire about the power of these commercials being aired in Arizona. It is CatholicsComeHome.org and click here to learn more.

Also, Sunday the girls and I went with my friend Sandra and some of her girls to the
Pure Fashion Show. Click here for the link.

O come, let us adore Him...

After a really wild and wonderful 5 days (dress rehearsal, play, grandparents visiting and Pure Fashion Show), we (mom and kids) all landed in the chapel in front of the Blessed Sacrament for our weekly Adoration and prayer time. We have been going every Monday for this Holy Hour for this academic year. It is a time of peace and guidance.

Soft, lovely rain in Georgia...

This morning I silently crept out of bed -- as silent as a person can be with two huge dogs lopping along behind her. It was darker than usual at 7:45 a.m. I let the dogs out back and sat down to pray in our well-worn recliner in the family room. Yes, I started to drift back asleep, but the prospect of grinding coffee, feeding the dogs and looking out the window, with everyone sound asleep upstairs, got me up and going. I let the dogs back in for their breakfast. Then, the rain came.

It was lovely. It came in soft waves, stopping a bit, then swelling back in a soft, yet abundant, shower. I was thinking of how, two days earlier, my dear friend Jenny and I were taking a slow stroll over at Newtown park and the moist breeze was strong, yet soft and damp, the way it can be at the seashore early in the morning or late at night.

This week we were blessed to catch up with friends in our neighborhood who we have known since our #1 daughter was in the womb. Next month, we celebrate 14 years in this house. I know the next 14 years of life will go by even faster (what is it about time just whizzing by the older you get!?!). Jenny and Terry, I love you gals with all my heart! We have seen so much of life together. Life holds so much in the way of joys and trials, laughter and weeping; and, at the same time, there is so much love and hope to help us stay our course. May we all stay blessed!

A picture book for all ages -- The Happy Rain.

The Happy Rain (click here for link) was such a good read. It is a picture book for all ages, especially those who like a good laugh! It is written by Jack Sendak and illustrated by Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are was a favorite of mine: I read it to J last week.) Highlights: While the flowering trees and shrubs, our pink tulips and the tender lime green shoots of the deciduous trees are easy on the eyes, it has been overcast and chilly here. Good time for clutter removal. We had our house enthroned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary last Thursday -- very solemn and fun and beautiful -- the quintessential "both/and" of Catholicism (that's for you, Rach...). What else? Lots of playtime with friends. First dance class for JB. First "Mud class" for J; he made a squirrel which we'll see, after firing, next Thursday. Oh! and, last Friday, Mom and friend, Lisa, had a needed MNO. Some of my friends know that I really like Holly Pierlot's book A Mother's Rule of Life. I should write a rule of life for disabled ("differently abled," if you like, which I do!) moms. Christianity really covers all the bases. If I just show up for the practice of my faith, I am amazed at how creative we can be in getting the really important things done. My prolonged illness and subsequent disability has taught me, and still teaches me at every turn, how important it is to reach out for support and encouragement. And, of course, to be a source of support and encouragement. M took the above photo with her phone at J's 1st "Mud" class. A blessed Eastertide to us all!

Spring Cleaning: this Mom is on a Mission.

A week from this Thursday, we are to host a celebratory dinner after JB's acting in our TORCH coop's play Alice in Wonderland. So, please pray for me that I can keep the spring cleaning going (We made a big Goodwill trip today.). I think it is no accident, that after a very short time surfing on the Internet, I came upon this post on Elizabeth Foss's blog. Ouch! --and, praise God! -- at the same time. It is so often a struggle for me to get my children involved in household work. We are making progress and doing much better than we were a year ago. We still, however, let things go and are out and about, when we should be in and working. I want to do a better job of taking short walks, or a picnic in the yard, as a break. It seems when we get out in the car, the day escapes us and so do our chores.

"It's soft and dry and doesn't fly."

I had a few hours to run errands by myself this past Saturday. One of my stops was the library. I checked out three Henry and Mudge books by Cynthia Rylant. JB loved these books, and J does too. Henry's cousin, Annie, gets a pet rabbit. She does not want a turtle -- wet -- or a crab -- hard -- or bird -- that would fly around crashing into things. Hence, Snowball, the rabbit, is "soft and dry and doesn't fly." J copied today's date and this sentence in very inventive script.

The kids and I are leaving for Cumming here in a few. Challenge girls' club is such a blessing. I need to take more time to count my blessings as I am in serious need of an attitude adjustment. I have been very negative lately (I experience waves of negativity.). I know the remedy: prayer. So, please pray for me and I'll pray more for myself.

Wrapping up March

JB and I are out the door in a few to try a dance class thru the local parks and rec. I am sending our March attendance in to the county. Highlights: J, JB and our husky Tyler and I took a lovely walk in the woods late this morning. We bought some really cool books at Barnes and Noble yesterday. Adoration yesterday was so needed and so appreciated -- thank you Lord!