The Top Five Things We Learned in our First Year of Full-Time Homeschool

The Top Five Things We Learned in our First Year of Full-Time Homeschool

Well, we made it! Our “last day of school” was just over a week ago!  Yet, even as we prepared to celebrate that milestone with homemade certificates and unconventional pomp and circumstance (aka running through the sprinkler in the backyard), I found myself hesitating to use the words “last day.”  One of the things we’ve discovered this year is that learning can happen every day, anytime, anywhere.  So instead of imposing an “end” to the learning and sending the signal…

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“Tootie’s Table”

“Tootie’s Table”

As we near the end of our first year of full-time home schooling (prepare for celebratory post next week), my heart has been calling me to talk about “Tootie’s Table”…because, well, that’s where our home school takes place and might just have been where this whole inspiration began. “Tootie” was the affectionate name given to my maternal grandmother, Lutie.  And, Tootie was a teacher.  Not just any teacher, she was one of the best.  When she was still with us,…

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On Learning

On Learning

Ok, first I feel the need to address the elephant in the room.  (Well, it may be an elephant only to me, but still I feel the need to address it.)  It’s been a minute since I’ve written a post.  Ok, more than a minute…it’s been six weeks.  Six weeks. Yikes! But, as much as I’m kicking myself for getting off-track, I’m also realizing how much I’ve missed this.  So, we’re back.  And just like I tell kids when they…

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“Let’s Go Fly A Kite”

“Let’s Go Fly A Kite”

As I washed the breakfast dishes this morning, I looked out the window and noticed the swift breeze rustling through the trees.  “This would be a great day to go fly a kite, guys,” I said to my boys. The inspiration was clearly in my soul, as I had listened to that very song, “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” from Mary Poppins, twice in the last two days.  Last night, we hosted a virtual event with our theatre company, looking…

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“The Moments Between”

“The Moments Between”

In my acting classes, I’m always asking my students to think about the “moments between.”  What is the thought that the character has between those two lines of dialogue?  How does the reaction to what just happened inform the thought process, and therefore what they choose to do or say next.  It’s one of my favorite parts of script analysis.   But lately, I’ve been thinking about “the moments between” of my own life, lived in real-time. I am wondering if…

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“Unexpected”

“Unexpected”

The tale of a homeschooling family that never thought they could That’s us.  Yup, we were like the reverse of that Little Blue Engine that “thought she could.”  We swore we couldn’t, we wouldn’t, we didn’t want to…homeschool our children, that is. And some days I still can’t believe that we took the leap.  But, without doubt, it is the best thing that has ever happened for our little family.  We want to share our story for two reasons: First,…

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“Where I Come From”

“Where I Come From”

Part One: Play Me Some Mountain Music I lost my last grandparent on Saturday, February 20.  “Grandma,” as we called her, was 101 years old.  She was one of the strongest women I’ve ever met…and I mean literally strong.  She lived a modest, simple life in the mountains of Appalachia.  She worked hard farming, canning, quilting, and cooking.  Think of how much of history she witnessed…101 years…the Roaring 20s’, the Great Depression, the dawn of television, the first man on…

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“What It’s For”

“What It’s For”

What it’s for. (Once again, a “hat tip” – also his term – to Seth Godin.) I got so caught up in “Who It’s For” last time, that I didn’t really get to this part. So, here we go. What’s it for? As I mentioned in the last post, the life I’m looking for is a life on purpose.  One with balance and quality time…and white space; one with adventure, creativity, curiosity and a love of learning; one where I…

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“Who It’s For”

“Who It’s For”

Who is it for? And, what is it for? These are the first two questions that Seth Godin suggests you use when starting a new project…any new project.  And let me tell you, it totally works.  By asking these two questions and really spending time in thoughtful contemplation, it can really clarify your work.  The mission becomes clearer.  It’s easier for the people you seek to serve to know that the work is for them.   So, while we’re getting started…

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“Just Start” – (or, “Seth Godin made me do it”)

“Just Start” – (or, “Seth Godin made me do it”)

written December 28, 2020 So, I’m a big Seth Godin fan.  I mean big.  (If you don’t know his work, click here). I read his daily blog, listen to his podcast and read his books.  Most recently, I dove into his newest book, The Practice.  It’s all about shipping your creative work – noticing things, having something to say…and saying it publicly.    Not for fame or notoriety.  But, as Seth says to put yourself “on the hook” – to show…

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