Little House in the Big Woods

Today, Mary and I curled up next to each other as I read Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Soon we were reading from Mary's trundle bed all snuggled up under a down comforter for warmth. Mary had recently read stories of pioneer children and found them sad, as so many died from injuries.  She was so happy and heart warmed for the up beat pace of Little House in the Big Woods. She was thrilled that Laura was real and this was about her life.  She wants to read the rest of the set.

I was struck by the daily family traditions and rhythms.  Laura's family engaged in family work.  Christmas gifts were handmade.  They lived providently and stored for the future. There was also a thread of teaching obedience and selflessness throughout the book. There were consequences for disobedience.  There was love shown after punishment.

This story took place about 137 years ago.  I marvel at all they had, because all they were able to do. Today, in our modern world we are vulnerable.  We lack knowledge and skill to care for ourselves. I feel the need to really focus on practical skills and knowledge. I also feel the need to build a vibrant home by strengthening our daily traditions and habits of life.

Classics I Have Read in 2010

19 January  Little House in the Big Woods. 

Oh Dear!

My hunter gathering has survived a famine. I am finding time to snack and graze again. I did not keep a list of the books I have read this year. Presently, I am two chapters away from finishing reading a Princess reading-Mother Carey's Chickens by Wiggin to Mary and a handful of chapters from finishing reading Swiss Family Robinson by Wyss to the family. Princess readings are readings associated with The Princess Academies, in this case it is one of the Prairie Princess readings that deal with provident living. I read a great article by Walter Williams called Future Prospects for Economic Liberty from Imprimis the other day and have been munching on articles lately, and I think it is worth reading again! I seem to have lost my rhythms. I want to get back reading regularly and posting my reaction here. I do not see that until after 1 November.

Shelf Life Revisited

Last week, Roger put up my new white Billy bookshelves from IKEA. I rejoiced in thinking I can soon have all my books back in the house. However, before I could do that there were four boxes of books Roger's sister had brought up when Julia got married and I had not a moment to open them until last night. I open four boxes of books, it was like an early Christmas. These were a gift from Roger's sister, a collection of books from her mother's heirloom collection of books.

Like Christmas, for sure. In those boxes were hardbound copies of St. Nicholas Magazine stretching from 1874-1928, with the decade of 1880s missing. These lovely volumes include serialized stories from the most dearly loved children's auhtors of those times. I decided that I would read from these volumes to my children that thereby their life might be enriched by them. Of course, sneaky me, I would be enriched by them as well. They took up two 33" wide shelves and one 15" wide shelf. I get to report here on my readings. Then I can share the blessings with others.

Hunter-Gatherer, Farmer, or Blind?

Am I a hunter-gather when it comes to reading, snacking as I go? Am I a farmer who has found my plot and am going after it tenaciously day after day? Or have I gone blind and ceased to read?

This is pathetic. I have not posted here in a while. You might think I have lost my sight, or possibly my ability to read, or desire to do so. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

I thought life would slow down after my graduation from graduate school in October that life rhythms would resume where they were before. For a while, I could not read because I lost my glasses, I needed a new prescription anyway and so I got one. However, after that what can I say? Life happened. No excuses madam! OK. For truth's sake, I must take responsibility. I made choices, many of which I do not regret. What? Not all? Well, I have to be honest and admit that my days and calendar are my choices, if I lost my rhythms and time was consumed, it was due to my own choices.

I did not stop reading. I have been snack reading, grazing, hunter-gathering, if you will. A little internet research here, contracts to read there, Drupal guide, to consume and learn, scripture study, and reading from classics aloud to Mary. So, what were some of these "classics" I have read from to Mary? Yes, classics because of the lessons carried from them. Some classics I have snacked from, or are in progress of reading to Mary(just off the top of my head):
1. The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
2. Queen Victoria: May Blossom of Britannia, England 1829 by Lawrence Yep
3. The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
4. Princess Kaiulani: The People's Princess, Hawaii 1889 Ellen Emerson White
5. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
6. Mother Carey's Chickens by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin

I am a week from launch on my The Princess Academies, L.L.C., website, and after that I have my school website to update and make more user friendly, and work on my Mentoring Our Own website. At least the first two are being created in Drupal so there is cross over there. The School site material is already created. It just needs some tweaking, reorganization and a smoother format, at least I do not need to recreate the wheel! The last site, someone has offered to build for me, and I need to look at that. So, it looks like no return to rhythms once known. Why should I? My life needs have changed. What worked when I had a large family at home, may not be what me or my family needs today. I need to get over that fantasy of returning to older patterns and take charge of my time, adjust, and lay new rhythms in place that work with the changes in my life and make sure that I continue to have a well furnished mind that does not slip into a lumber room.

It is time for new default settings. I have to remain spontaneous, even among new rhythms. Yet, somethings will always stay. Meals, bedtimes (though they may adjust to the seasons), devotions, time with loved ones and friends, and so forth. I can prioritize reading again. For now, it may be just reading aloud, but I can carry a book with me and snack as the opportunity arises...wiggling it back into my life.

I can carry a folded paper to jot down epiphanies. and store it in a binder for future reference. Thus creating kind of a 21st Century Commonplace Book. I can read bringing sweet refreshment to my soul. Fuel my creativity. Create a vital and vibrant store to bless others from. Oh, this need to read is so vital. I guess I have wanderlust when it comes to reading and I need to accept that. Have a read, will travel!

Classics I Have Read in 2009

1. The Scriptures
2. A Little Princess
3. Mother Carey's Chickens
4. Swiss Family Robinson

Sidetracked Creative

A look at my books experienced in 2008 is revealing. It does not look good, maybe one a month average. Life happens and creativity can side track me. What will 2009 hold in store?

The Growing Stack

It appears that I have more book marks in books than I have time. Ah, this thesis process will be done soon and I can then devote more of my learning time to finishing these books.

What Counts?

I am reading aloud to Mary and she is reading other books aloud to me. What counts to be added here?