Birds of a Feather

For two days they were here. The pictures really do not do justice to what we could see outside of every window. I had my zoom lens on, hoping to get a really good up-close picture, (which I didn't) but then the photo missed all that was still happening in the "big picture". On Monday, I think they must have blown in with the wind. There were lots of them. Probably hundreds. Robins. Hopping around in the yard and in the field and down the driveway to the road. Everywhere you looked, there they were.

It's all kind of wonderfully distracting. They are fun to watch. But it wasn't just robins. Josh yelled at me to "Come quick! What kind of a bird is that?!" I couldn't tell because it had its back to me and I am a rookie birdwatcher at best. Josh was describing its yellow chest and black "v" but I couldn't get a look. I was certain it must be a Northern Flicker because we have often seen them here. He was insistant that it wasn't. We got out our bird book and began looking through the pages. When we got to the Eastern Meadowlark he said, "That's it! That's the one!" I was skeptical. It was possible, even though the little map of their range in Minnesota showed us as being a little farther west than where they typically are. But, the next morning I saw it for myself, tried to snap a picture and failed, but can tell you that it definitely was the Eastern Meadowlark. Josh was right. He loves being right. :o)

Also on Monday I observed starlings trying to invade the bluebird house. The bluebirds were fiesty, though. They put on quite a little show for a while. They stood guard over their little residence, on top of the birdhouse and on the fence just below. When a starling would approach, they would swoop out and chase it off.


Starling on the feeder



Keeping Guard



Still Guarding



While the bluebirds were on duty, all the others were feasting.


Flicker



Hairy and Jay



Robin

This went on all day on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, even more. More robins, and a little later in the morning, red-winged black birds.



As far as the eye could see, birds! In two days we saw: robins, red-winged black birds, blue birds, starlings, juncos, blue jays, hairy woodpeckers, chickadees, sparrows, flickers, the meadowlark, and a northern harrier. Right from the window. (And although I haven't seen them yet, I have heard the rattling call of the sandhill cranes!)

By Wednesday, the robins and the blackbirds in their flocks were gone. Even that was distracting. I kept looking out the window and waiting for them. Oh, a couple of them came in sporadically throughout the day, but not in the groundcover of earlier. They were gone. Just gone with the wind. But it was fun while it lasted!

A Fresh Wind

In 1997, we said YES to an idea. It was somewhat new to us. It had been talk on the fringe of our lives and was now becoming more and more the conversation of our days. We knew that  there was something about it that tied in with our thoughts about faith and family. At the same time, the same spark was being ignited in the hearts of a couple families with whom we were well acquainted. We found some strength in our small number, and sailed out into the new world of homeschooling.

That was nearly fifteen years ago. Already! As is the case with most journeys that extend over long periods of time, we have known sunshine, fresh wind, and smooth sailing.  We have also known stormy skies, raw winds, and turbulent waters. Seasons. There have been times when I was exhausted, as home schooling naturally involves the children in all of the regular "life" activities--moving, babies, work schedules, loss, change. I have wondered if it was time to give up the ship. Through prayer and the example and encouragement of close friends, my convictions were fortified and I held on. I'm glad I did.  It looks as though blue skies are on the horizon.

And some fresh wind. I believe God has been breathing into my homeschooling sails. Guiding me through some choppy waters and turning the direction of this ship. We're heading in a new direction. A course already charted and led by Charlotte Mason- an educator, writer, and in 1892,  founder of the House of Education in England. Her following is growing.

I began to read of her philosophies about children and education early on. Although my heart agreed with what I was reading, the practice of it was so foreign to my ideas and experience with education, that I only took a small portion of the whole and began to put the rest of our studies together by other means and curriculum. I "dabbled". What I did do, and still do, was to incorporate lots of what Charlotte called "living books".

Living books are those that are beautifully written, and engage the child's imagination and stir them to wonder. No dry textbooks with condensed summaries of  facts. In the area of History as a school subject, we've been reading "living books" almost since the beginning.

   But, as time has gone by, our family has grown (a lot!) and in these mid-life years, there are a lot more

considerations to the planning out of our daily life than there were in the beginning. In the midst of these very busy days, I began to long for something educationally "fresh", something "more".  Also during these days, I began reading in the blog world more and more about Charlotte Mason. Many homeschooling families are putting her philosophies into practice and sharing their experiences on the web. Schools that follow purely CM methods are being established here in the U.S. and abroad. I began wondering more and more if this is what I was being called to. I took the books I had read in the beginning off the shelf and began skimming the pages that were marked with pink and green highlighter pens from earlier reading. I began to feel with more certainty that this was the "fresh, more" that I (we) needed.

As I continued to look more fully into this way that is "an atmosphere, a discipline, a life" ( CM ) I found some really wonderful and generous people--educators and moms--who were willing to answer my questions and share their passion and confidence in education lived out in their families the CM way. One of these wonderful women is Nancy Kelly. I found her blog, Sage Parnassus, late last year and knew instantly I had found a gem. (Go see for yourself -- you can click on the blog name in this post or from over in the sidebar!) She answered some questions I sent her way through email, and then invited me to come to their Truth, Beauty, and Goodness group that meets in Windom, MN. The boys and I went! BUT, an unexpected snow storm in southern Minnesota and a tight schedule at home caused me to turn for home without getting the chance to meet her in person! I spoke to her before leaving town, and at the close of our conversation, Nancy prayed for our family, our schooling, and for safe travels home. I knew I had found a friend! And a mentor! I decided to "jump in", so I spoke with Nancy again through her consulting service. She sent me just a few questions to answer, (to which I answered at length) and we set a time for a conversation by phone. I am so glad I did. It was very comfortable. Nancy was easy to talk with. She was kind and warm, and I could tell right from the get-go that she had really considered the things I had written to her. I could just "hear" her listening.  Her responses were not "here's what you need to do", but ideas. Encouragement.  Suggestions toward some books and resources. She had a sincere confidence and wisdom that comes from years of learning Charlotte Mason's principles and teaching them in her own home. She spoke as a friend who knows. I took notes. What a boost. She fanned this spark of interest into a flame. And came on a fresh wind!

Those days of uncertainty and struggle that have caused the sails on this homeschooling ship to lie flat and lifeless are disappearing on the horizon.  I have a renewed vigor toward the studies that will complete our school year in the next few months. I have a greater vision for next year and the years ahead. As a teacher-mom, my sails are taking on wind!