“The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze.”
- John Updike, September
Ah, September…you’re here at last! You bring cooler temperatures, “bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils,” and the heady aroma of new crayons and markers…
For the past two days, the children and I have been working on refurbing the classroom. Though our resources are quite limited this year and the work is so much harder from a wheelchair, I’m quite pleased with the progress we’re making. There’s something so very hopeful about readying a space for learning. As home educators know: learning isn’t confined to a specific time or space…it takes place anytime, anywhere. Nevertheless, a well-ordered classroom should and often does invite the scholar to work. To create. To explore. Or, if nothing else, to cut paper into teeny, tiny bits…spill glue…and sprinkle glitter all…over…everything.
Long live the spirit of creativity!
Thank heavens for a really good vacuum cleaner!
And Magic Erasers…
Our first day of school is September 13th…we’re such traditionalists…we never, ever start before Labor Day and are pretty particular about starting after the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year, we’ll begin as we have in a few years past…with what we have, not sweating what we don’t! God is good…and we’re all ready to resume our homeschool journey, confident that our Good God is smiling upon our humblest efforts. And after all, it’s the little things that count, right? Whenever the big things seem beyond our control, we can always show our faithfulness by doing “small things with great love!”
Here’s to a great homeschool journey…that starts with a single step.
If you’ve already begun your journey…may God bless every step and guide you down the path!
If you haven’t yet begun…may God aid you as you equip yourself for an exciting year of adventure and memory making!
May all home educators and scholars grow in knowledge, faith and love…
Blessings,
We have quite a few leftovers from the years. If I can help with a book loan (or two), let me know. They are just collecting dust.
Barb: Is there no end to your sweetness and desire to help? I just may have an unexpected gift coming to aid in our home education efforts…should it not work out, your offer will not be refused! Hope your school year is a blessed one…
…and September here means we’re having our first tiny taste of spring! And my grandchildren are already looking forward to the end of the school year ‘only’ 3 months away.
Have a successful and blessed year Kimberly, how blessed your children are to be homeschooled. I was a school teacher (in a Catholic school) for many years and I can tell you, school is no place for children!
Wow, Jean…once again the reminder of our flip-flopped seasons from my friend from the the other side of the globe! Thank you for your prayers and good wishes. I’m so thankful for the privilege of being allowed to homeschool. I know there are so many moms who would do anything to be in my place, but for many reasons just can’t. May God bless all scholars and teachers…it breaks my heart to think that there are children who suffer in the pursuit of faith and knowledge…may God enlighten all who teach!