Category: Uncategorized

July 6th

Sgiobalta sat in the meadow this morning, licking the dew off the tall grasses.

She is quite the connoisseur (connoisseuse?) of different kinds of water.

There are water in the dogs’ water dish and water in the dogs’ water dish after it has been scrubbed – very different.

There are this morning water in the dogs’ water dish with ice cubes and ice cubes handed over directly as a result of very pitiable begging.

There is lake water – reached for, stood in, and lapped while swimming.

There is snow.

Snow is for eating and licking and for joyfully making dog angels in.

For the gourmet water-drinking dog, there is bath water. It’s warm, it’s flavored, it may be enjoyed cupped in Mama’s hand or licked directly off the bather (lest they smell too clean).

Today there is grass-served dew.

Independence Day

Like a Sabbath, Independence Day.

I will not drive, I will not touch money. I have already said thank you to Grace and the dogs. I have already encouraged students with brief messages.

Thanks and grace and song to celebrate the food I am privileged to have, free of hunger.

Thanks and chores and dance to celebrate the house I am privileged to have, free of vagabondage.

Thanks, thanks, thanks for cool water, for good books, and for good dogs who smell of grass and sunshine.

July 2

Cool grass, wet air, mosquitos

Stop and love on the lilacs’ pods which wait for ripeness and wind to shake them free.

There’s a space in the yard which I call The Spinney — 10 points to Ravenclaw if you know that allusion — and it is not a Spinney yet. But it will be. Grace does not mow between the two rows of lilacs so that it can become a Spinney, someday, full of lilac volunteers and wildflowers from the meadow.

There are four lilac babies so far by my count.

“Throw the ball!” they say, “The soccer ball!” And so I throw the soccer ball and they chase and sniff and leave it there.

“Bring me the ball!” I encourage, and both of them look at me as though they love me despite my mental deficiencies. It is not moving, it does not need supervision. They just wanted me to make it go. #ThinkLikeAnAussie

Spirit Play Support

I have created a few stories and a few support documents for you religious educators and home educators who are using the Spirit Play storytelling method.  Please use freely!  Also, many of the stories on the Beginning Reading pages can be adapted as Spirit Plays!

Spirit Play Story: Origin of the Moon    Accompanying Story Pattern!

Spirit Play Administrative Files: Spirit Play on a Shoestring.  My friends, this PDF of a Keynote presentation is having the darnedest time getting uploaded.  I will happily email you the 9.4 MB PDF file.

Earth Chart for Brent Annable’s Sphere


Western Hemisphere

This is a modest addition to the geometrifantastic “Stockinette Short-Row Sphere” by Brent Annable, found for free on his web site.  I’ve simply made an intarsia chart to help you turn one of his spheres into a model of Planet Earth.  I mean, every kid needs a stuffy planet, right?  Begin at the International Date Line and work westward (as the sun does).  You’ll find good success with slightly sticky yarns; smooth yarn such as bamboo would be very tricky.  100 yards each of green and blue will be more than sufficient; duplicate stitching Antarctica in white is a nice touch.

Earth Chart for Brent Annable’s Sphere