Fog’s Children

Riona and her father have a secret.  It’s up to her to travel the continent and find those few who can be trusted to share it and keep a dream alive.  She must use her wits to avoid suspicion, find her new friends, and teach them skills they’ll need to help the glowing ember of freedom live through her country’s dark night.

Fog’s Children: Chapters 1-5 of 10

Fog’s Children: Chapters 6-10 of 10

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

Primary Readers!

Ready for reading beyond “Pony and Little Girl”? Here are some primary reader stories which my kids loved – our heroes use cooperation and their wits to engage in adventures laced with welcoming values and fun.

The Great Laundry Mystery Karen’s Mom is marrying Gwen’s Mama, and the girls find adventure in the middle of all the preparations! Â Karen is an extra-energetic gal and her almost-sister Gwen is a very deliberate, careful girl. Â How will they work together?

Nthabi’s Star What could the Sea Faeries be searching for outside Nthabi’s window? She’d better get her favorite adult and go help them!

Katherine’s Gift How can a kid solve the problem of getting a gift for her baby sister?  It can be tough when you have no money, no transportation, and you’re not allowed to leave the yard without a grown-up. Thank goodness for Cat Magic!

Junior Brigadoons Sometimes adventures are closer than you know! A sister and brother learn things they never knew about fire safety and help out a friend in need.

Abigail and the Sea Abigail makes a magical friend!  The two girls from different worlds combine their wits to diffuse the danger of the Great Grump.

Sweetheart Mitten

 

It’s the Cold Latitudes Dilemma – how to hold hands with your sweetie on a romantic walk through the snow without getting frostbite?  A stockinette hand pouch with cuffs!  Add your own beautiful cables or color work, of course.  It goes particularly well with a matching pair of mittens, shared by your non-holding hands. Makes a great Valentine’s or engagement gift. Price is $2.00 through PayPal.  




Celebrate Samhainn

The days grow shorter, the harvest comes in, we settle our debts, and we forgive one another.  When the veil parts between this world and the After World, may your tears be of joy and sorrow, loneliness, and acknowledgement that those we love will always love us.

The Wild Ride Written from the perspective of a young ghost, this story tells of her love for her family mingled with her willingness to move on from this world.

The Next Great Adventure This service occurred at the UU Congregation of the Upper Valley, Norwich, Vermont, on October 30, 2011

Celebrate Yule

The winter solstice is a time for family, memories, generosity, and the re-birth of hope throughout the world.  May it be joyful for you.

Tante Claus  A wider look at life at the North Pole.  Discover holidays – and Elves! – from all over the world, and just exactly what Mrs. Claus does.

Prime Numbers

What’s the deal with prime numbers?  Grab your crayons and discover some great patterns while searching for primes!   Prime Number Grid

Every number can be written as a multiplication sentence – which can be very useful when the numbers get too big or too many.  Here’s practice re-writing each number from 2 to 100 as the multiplication of Prime Factors.  Prime Factors