Gemini Skies

When Louisa Comes to Town

2011-01-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

These are pix I didn't get to blogging back in August. Louisa took a break from the Manhattan heat to visit with us, and, most importantly, share the magic of her food. She is an amazing vegetarian cook.

Beach Party for E & V

2010-09-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hippie Camp

2010-07-29T09:09:00.001-07:00

>
The one above is from Greek Mythology Day. She is Athena. He may be Couselor Posideon. Love the hair. My kids...giant heart.

Library Girls

2010-07-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is one of my fav photos ~

2010-07-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Stitch & My Girl ~~

2010-06-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

C won Third Place in the Drawing category in an adult art show! It was a great experience for her. My girlie!!

Late Spring Around Our Place ~~

2010-06-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

Our Corner of the World Entry

2010-06-08T05:59:00.001-07:00

I love where we live. There are so many folks doing thoughtful work. These babes and mamas are from the farm where we get our raw milk. The farm is not far from us, and we like to visit often. A is hand-feeding them clover & other grasses and they love it. They are so friendly and sweet. If you are looking for local sources of food, check out www.eatwild.com

Sometimes it even looks like hsing!

2010-06-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

What. What? Is that a math book? It is, yes. We're finding it helpful at this point.

Big Brother Helping Her w/ Math Today, Little Sister Reading to Him Yesterday ~

2010-06-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

Why yes, that is a frothy tequila drink. My oldest made it for me. He is 21, for those who remember him as a nursing toddler. The VitaMix makes a nice smoothie as well. ;)

Not So Long Ago, Really ~~

2010-06-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

Now my friends can cry with me ~~

2010-05-28T08:03:00.001-07:00

As Time Goes By ~

2010-05-28T07:54:00.001-07:00

Beating Herself at Scrabble ~

2010-05-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

Barn Graffiti: When Country Kids Go Bad

2010-05-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Our Corner of the World

2010-05-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

King Corn on Netflix

2010-03-02T12:07:00.001-08:00

This is pretty much how I feel about winter ~

2010-02-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

Saving the World One Farm at a Time

2010-02-21T11:31:00.000-08:00

Food and More Food

2010-01-18T19:03:00.001-08:00

I was pondering whether I should discuss my thoughts about eating animals and animal products with my dear vegetarian and vegan friends. Why would I even eat meat? Of course I am thinking here about all my FB and blog postings about local foods, sustainablility, and especially that character Joe Salatin at PolyFace Farms. www.polyfacefarms.com, Barbara Kingslover, and Michael Pollan.

Maybe nobody cares or is asking such a thing, but I will tell you anyway. lol I was a vegetarian for over 10 years. Macrobiotic/vegan for about 5. Diet for a Small Planet made the only sense to me when all I knew was factory farming. Now I know there is an alternative. (Ethical vegans forgive me and stop reading). I am raising alternatives.

When I started thinking about respectful agriculture and sustainability and my climate, I couldn't figure out how to keep my children only in local protein, esp during the long winters, without looking to animals as a protein source, including eggs. I decided to respect the animals that I might eat, and yet limit the amount of meat we did eat.

It's one thing to be vegan and eat locally in a temperate climate. I was at Whole Foods the other day and I was again floored by the fact that every single fresh vegetable was imported from so many thousands of miles away. China, Peru, Chlie, Israel, California topped the list. That is a whole heap of damaging fossil fuels. On a recent trip to a Florida Whole Foods, the produce mamager could not find one item that was grown in Florida! "I know we have some. I guess not today." He showed me some locally produced (Miami) salsa. Of course, I ended up finding some local food at the Farmer's Market in Orlando.

My chickens live on my land; my children walk to collect the eggs. It's only a few weeks until pea planting time. I still have some butternut squashes from my garden, plus some potatoes and squashes from local farms that I am storing. There are even a couple of cabbages left, although they won't last much longer. I am hiding a few bags of blueberries and strawberries in the freezer, hoping to get us to March, when I go Fl and bring some back from my fav farmer's markets there. (Is car or plane travel an issue regarding carbon footprints? Yep. But it's not China or Columbia).

I do need to buy foods that are not local. We just can't grow & store enough in the summer to last us the winter yet. But my birds, well, they offer us excellent protein, in one form or another, all year long. They do not eat GMO corn or soy. They eat grass and are supplemented with organic feed from VT when the snow is too thick and the ground frozen. Although I am always amazed at what they do find at times. They also love the stored sunflower seeds we grew this summer, and the extra pumpkins and butternut squash from our gardens.

Please. We aren't doing super-great. I have Annie's Shell and coffee and olive oil and imported wine and more in my cupboards. We get take out Chinese or Pizza every Firday night. I have tempeh and tofu in my fridge from goodness knows where. Yet I do want to consider where my food comes from, and I want to feel awed by what it took to get it from ground to my (reusable lol) shopping bag. Feeding the whole world is a big, honking deal. :)

I can talk all day about this if anyone wants to. :) Check out Animal Vegetable, Miracle for more info. Urban Farmer is another fabulous book I recently discovered. It is by Novella Carpenter and is wonderful. Novella also has a wonderful blog.

2010-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

On Living Life & Homeschooling

2009-10-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

I don't blog much about how we homeschool, or hsing in general. It's so a part of us that it rarely merits separating homeshool life from life-life. We go about our lives; that's it. There is just life. Some people might notice we have an rather large number of books, which are on nearly every surface, from kitchen counters to sofas, to bathroom floors. We also have posters and maps decorating where Ikea prints could go ;). Our art work decorates walls and mantles, and poems are written on chalkboard paint in odd places...But that's us, and hsing or not, those books and other things would be there.

Yet. Homeschooling is different. It's 10:30am and one child is sitting, carefully slicing apples from the farmer's market and slathering them with peanut butter as she listens to an audo book, oblivious to the rules and regulations that go along with eating in school. She can enjoy the book without worries that every book she reads must become a convoluted report and/or numbing 'journal' entries about the protagonist. She can simply talk about the 'foreboding' and the symbolism of the rain. It doesn't have to be one long Herculean Labor which often sucks the joy out of literature and reading.

Another child is watching a movie...is that 'school'? Is it school when she wakes at 5am to work on her art, have quiet time before the bustle of the household disrupts the peace? Is feeding the animals, or taking a walk to the beach in the mniddle of a school day 'school'? It's not. It just life. And that's how we like it.

If you're still Out There reading-

2009-09-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

I know it's been forver since an entry, so echo echo, if anyone is reading, I do have news.

N has been cast as Atty Drummond in his college production of Inherit the Wind. He plays the lawyer defending the teacher who dares teach his students Evolution. The play is based on the Scopes Monkey trial. In the 1960 movie, Spence Tracy plays Drummund.

Is anyone surprised that our oldest is portraying a lawyer defending evolution?

I thought not.

Celestial Salad

2009-06-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

This is the salad C is eating at Ocean Beach People's Cafe (Scroll down for photo). My garden is brimming with chard and kale, so it's what's for dinner.

1 bunch kales, sliced thin (I wash the leaves, stack them, roll them if large, and then slice)
1/2 bunch red chard, sliced thin
1 cup black olives, sliced lengthwise
1/2 lemon, unpeeled, chopped
1 small tomato, sliced
1/2 cup tahini
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
4 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup water

Place kale in bowl with the sliced olives and a third of the tomato. Place the rest of the ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. You can remove the seeds from the lemon if you do not have apowerful blender. Pour mixture over the greens and mix well.

The Evil Obama Garden

2009-06-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Jeff is for real. So this is at the same time hilarious, and frightening. It's also not for little kids. Samantha Bee is rated R in this one.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Little Crop of Horrors

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Newt Gingrich Unedited Interview

Food Inc

2009-06-06T19:15:00.001-07:00

Coming soon to theaters. Check out the YouTube trailer, right.

Ocean Beach People's Food Store

2009-05-07T14:39:00.001-07:00

I've been to Greece, and isle of Nice, and I've sipped champagne on a yacht (ok, boat). I've also moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo (well, I *was* young, and it *was* Monte Carlo and I did win a few francs (pre Euros)). Yet one of my most favorite places is the OB People's Food Store in San Diego. They also have a vegan cafe that is amazing. These pix are from March '09.

FL Getaway With My Sisters, Aunt , & Mother ~

2009-04-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

C is not here because she 'hates Florida!" She stayed home with Dad and brother.

I Love These Folks!!

2009-04-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Good Person of Sezuan candid photos ~

2009-04-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

Our recent visit with N ~

2009-03-24T19:42:00.001-07:00

Big brother, little sister

"Tiger"

2009-03-21T14:19:00.001-07:00

California Update

2009-03-16T00:51:00.001-07:00

We spent today at DisneyLand, and I have to say that the Indiana Jones attraction rocks. It's the most surprising fun I've had on a ride in a long while. I'm reminded how much I prefer DL to DW, and yes, it feels a little embarassing to have such an opinion. The Priates attraction here beats DW's as well. I like how the boats go up and splash down without the least little drenching. It adds a fun, exciting element that is delicious. I also enjoy the indoor/outdoor aspect of the Alice in Wonderland ride. The Tea Cups & lanterns look lovely from that vantage point in the eveing. DL is very Walt and intimate, and I like that.

Yesterday we took the girls to LA. We did the Tar Pits & the Page Museum. We all enjoyed it quite a bit. It's truly an amazing place. I love the low key aspect of it...you don't feel in the middle of busy LA. We stopped for a bite to eat at The Grove (Farmer's Market) which has the most delightful atmosphere. It's got great energy, and the food and little kiosks are interesting and different. There was a woman selling Americauna eggs, which are the sweetest shades of pale blue/green. I chatted with her about them, and she told me about the cheese she makes from goat milk. It's so nice talking chickens wherever I happen to be. There was also the guy from Tutti Frutti Organic Farms selling wonderful fennel and more. It was hard not to shop that produce, but I can't see bringing lettuce etc back on the plane in my carry on. I bought a tomato, however.

Towards late afternoon, in fabulous LA traffic, we headed over to Grauman's Chinese Theater to check out the celebrity hand and foot prints. Will Smith has *huge* feet and huge hands, as does Clark Gable. Interestingly, my daughters didn't know who the heck Matt Damon was, but they did know Debbie Reynolds (Singing in The Rain), and Donald O'Conner ('The vestle with the pestle holds the brew that is true'). I forced them to take a pic with an actor dressed as Jack Sparrow. Maybe they will forgive me. I'm not sure. If you go, bring one$ because this is a way some actors supplement their incomes between jobs.
We then headed to Studio City and had dinner with Allie Raye, M's sister, who is an actor/writer/producer. We met her at Jerry's World Famous Deli, and I thank her for that. My Reuben on toasted sour dough was fabulous, and the Russian dressing pretty much the best I've had. Allie is funny and warm and we had a really *really* nice evening. I cannot figure out how to download my camera phone pic of us onto this blog. So for now, I offer this pic of Allie with Tom Cruise (from Google Image). She was Hamburger Mom in Minority Report.

We showed C & A our old neighborhood in Ocean Beach in San Diego, and my favorite food store in the whole wide world--- and not just because of the memories. The OB People's Food store, and even with a modern remodel, it's still the absolute epitome of a CA hippie health food store. They sell wheat grass by the crate. It's wonderful seeing a whole little pallet of green shoots in shopping carts. The very OB cottage we lived in, and where Doni & I shared a wonderful garden, where the swisss chard grew the size of elephant ears, is now gone, and in it's place is a small apartment building (in foreclosure). I didn't realize how much I missed OB until I stood on my old street, inhaling the scent and sounds of the surf. Later, we headed over to Mission Bay, and had dinner on the beach at a very happening cantina, and watched the sun set over the Pacific. It was lovely.

Thursday we did the afternoon in Old Town where the girls had the fried ice cream they had been craving. All of us shared some wonderful Mexican food with generous sprinklings of cilantro. Old Town also has a 19th century hacienda museum, so we've even been doing 'educational' things. lol Friday was spent at Sea World. As the dolphin show began, the sun came out strong from behind the clouds; it's touch on my sun- deprived New England skin felt like a great gift. It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

Tomorrow we hope that it is warm enough to hang by the pool in the morning, before we head out to the San Diego Zoo for the afternoon. Tuesday, I hope to take the children to visit the cove in La Jolla, and one more trip to OB. H has a meeting in San Francisco on Tues, but we'll stay here in SD.

Birthday Girl!

2009-03-03T08:24:00.001-08:00

Slow down, you move too fast...you've got to make the morning last...

We're going to California with the girls ~~

2009-02-24T10:28:00.003-08:00

H has some biz in San Diego & LA, and we're finally going to use some of his frequent flyer miles. The 4 of us are traveling RT for $30. We can't not go! I am starting to worry already about flying... it's just not my favortie thing. But the girls want to go, and I want to show them where their Dad & I used to live when we first got married.

My Dad is staying at our place with Z (he has school and loads of music prep for indoor), and N is away at school. A couple of years ago, H took the boys to SD with FF miles and we stayed home.

We have to make a fast planne transfer in CO, so I might not be able to take that Valium I get for such occassions as flying....urg.

A and I will also be going to FL with my sisters, mother, & aunt soon after that. I don't know why I've given myself more flying to worry about. I guess I still like an adventure even if I do not love flying.

Yes, It is A's birthday!

2009-02-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

I know some of you are awaiting new pix! But while I've found the camera, I now cannot find the card reader so I can upload the pix that are in that camera! There are Borrowers living in my home, I know it! I have never lost my camera before, and not the card reader. This is crazy. Get your psychic friends on this, please.

Happy New Year- The Year of the Ox!

2009-02-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

The new Lunar year is also a Spring Festival.

Not Spring

2009-02-02T10:23:00.001-08:00

Still no camera, so I continue lifting photos from Google Image. I have posted a reward for my camera.

Still Winter

2009-01-31T17:58:00.001-08:00

Winter is not my favorite time of year-

2009-01-27T17:52:00.000-08:00

Get With The Program

2009-01-22T10:24:00.001-08:00

Say Hello to my little friend:

The following conversation is based on a true story:

Mom, answering cell in car: Hi! What's up?
Oldest child: I'm calling to tell you not to worry about picking Z up from music. Mrs Newton called and she will bring him home.
Mom: Oh, that's so nice of her! I'm a bit lost here, anyway. I missed my exit.
Oldest child: How can you be lost, you have a GPS.
Mom: I know, but I am not sure how it works. I haven't brought it in the house to play around with it.
Oldest son, incredulous: You don't know how it works? You turn it on and hit Go Home.

Some car fumbling, oldest daughter plugs it in...and sure enough, on it goes and there is a House icon that says Go Home. Mom hits it. Well, what the heck do you know? The purple lights up a road and all one has to do is follow it. Wow, whatever will they think of next?

Mom: Huh! That worked.
Oldest child: Of course it worked. I programed in our address as soon as we got it.
Mom: Wow. Thanks!
Oldest child: You're welcome.

Cue hysterical laughing and mumbling from Mom. "I don't know how it works...turn it on and hit Go Home..."

Yes, well. Don't think I can't hear you all laughing at me. I can.

Under New Management

2009-01-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

In which I whine about winter & cropped pants--

2009-01-19T10:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I got away from winter and that was good and it was bad. But it's mostly bad. It's bad to escape it. It makes me feel worse knowing that there are people in warm parts of the world who are not thinking they can't wear capris because it's too cold, or that if you do, people will gasp and look away quickly, acting like you voted the McCain/Palin ticket.

I have sensory issues, ok, and I hate the feeling of fabric around my ankles, on the tops of my feet. Capris, despite being an obvious fashion statement that says "You have no fashion sense', are my default. I can pull them on, bypassing my poor ankles, without wanting to cry, "I hate jeans, I hate jeans". Have I said that I hate jeans?

I am supposed to meet friends today, but it's 20 degrees out and I have on capris. I can't go out in 20 degrees in capris. The thought of pulling jeans on makes me want to crawl right back into bed wearing my yoga pants (which are cropped, of course).

My BABY is not a baby!

2009-01-15T16:49:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday my darling boy, my first born. You are a gem. You've taught me so much, and your siblings benefit from your first- born, guinea pig status. You are a thoughtful and kind person, plus a most loving, gentle, & wonderful big brother.

Art by O

2009-01-13T07:43:00.000-08:00

I hear a lovely, satisfied, at- peace sort of humming. To himself, to all, to no one in particular, O gently sings, "This is art". He moves chalk pieces, hangs, then rearranges the silk. I wait a bit and watch, but can't help myself and reach for the camera. He says, "Ok take this picture", and backs away so I can.

2009-01-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

At R's in St. Petersburg

2009-01-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

Sigh Sigh Sigh ~ A Farmer's Market in December ~

2009-01-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

It was two days after Christmas when we visited this little market in Brooksville. I spoke with all of the vendors and asked about sprays etc. All of them said they are commited to not spraying, but none of them were certified organic. One young guy whose pic I didn't take, specifically pointed out which of his veggies were 100% never doused with a thing. One older guy, whose pic is there, talked about how he makes a pepper spray to help keep the destructive buggies at bay. I love farmer's market people.

The couple selling honey was very sorry that I had to go back to the snow and cold. I got a lot of sympathy about that, in general. And yes, I did bring greens back...some for the chickens and some for us. The hens are quite fond of swiss chard.

Ringing in The New Year!

2009-01-10T13:21:00.001-08:00

Yes, We Are Back!

2009-01-10T11:26:00.000-08:00

And why is it not spring yet?? I know some of you are checking for Florida photos. I haven't done that because I downloaded 375 of them. Which is just a bit overwhelming. Yah. ;) I am going to put a few up today & do a side show later this week after I sort...and delete.

We had a really nice time, and my mother- in- law is recovering well from her surgery. It's amazing how well she is healing at 87, plus her mind is as sharp as ever.

Ok, here's a pic of her, at least!

It's That Time of Year!

2008-12-18T08:54:00.001-08:00

I've removed the great Dar Williams song, but if you want to search, it's called The Christians and the Pagans.

HSer's Weekly Open Art Studio

2008-12-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

Please don't panic! All slide shows are here: http://hestiealand.blogspot.com/. This is another blog of mine, where all saved things (and perhaps more) go. You can also click on any slide show link to see all of my slide shows at slide.com.

N in The Eternal Quadrangle

2008-12-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

This was in the most recent Alumni News magazine. He's all grown up.

All-Age Matisse Workshop

2008-12-01T19:48:00.001-08:00

So indulge me a little Walt Whitman

2008-11-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

I Hear America Singing.

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe
and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off
work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deck-
hand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing
as he stands,
The woodcutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morn-
ing, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work,
or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young
fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
(Note-- this poem is meant to spill all over the place...Whitman wrote it that way. Interesting, no?)

A family trip to Mayflower II, Wampanoag Homesite & English Village at Plimouth Plantation

2008-11-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

What have I told my children about Thanksgiving?

2008-11-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

That it involved real people with real dreams coming to a world where real people with real dreams were already living. One of my favorite resources is the evolving work of the good people at Plimouth Plantation (www.plimouth.org). The work they do in tandem with native people to educate on the biculture reality of the 'New World' is heartening. I encourage a click of the link at top right to hear from Shirely Highrock. Shirely High rock is a Wampanoag elder (native name Green Water) who works and educates visitors at the Wampanoag homesite at Plimouth Plantation. The book above is one of my favorites. The story is told through the eyes of a native child and an English child. It is a book done at Plimouth, and the story is told with sensitivity. It's an accurate, good first book for children.

I've tried to emphasize to my children the truth that harvest festivals and gratitude are universal experiences shared by people everywhere. I can speak the truth to my children of what is and what was at the same time I acknowledge the blessings in our lives, and the amazing abiltiy of humans to test the waters of their dreams. Accepting the reality of America's begining doesn't mean that we cannot at the same time give thanks for our family and friends.

This book, subtitled Voyage of the Ship's Apprentice & a Passenger Girl, is beautifully photgraphed. It shows acurate hand made and hand dyed period costuming. The rich colors of the clothing is a great contast to our old images of the English in black & white and buckle shoes. As an additional treat, it has a photo of one of our hsing moms (C) with one of her homeschoolers (D or C, I don't recall, somebody let me know) as a infant when they worked as interpreters at Plimouth several years ago. (Double click the photo for an enlargement: you can see the cute babies much better, and also the fact that none of the English have buckles on their shoes. :)) Here:

I also highly recommend Mayflower 1620: A New Look At A Pilgrim Voyage. It is respectful of both the Wampanoag as well as the English. It tells the story of the Mayflower crossing, with maps, and includes a thoughtful passage about the Wampanoags entitled, An Established Nation. Worth a read, and sensitive to the needs of young children.

Anthropology Field Work Photos: Unsocialized & "Demented" Hsers in a Natural Habitat. Population: Increasing

2008-11-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

Work Hard, Have Fun! Laugh at the inane!

In the Blink of an Eye

2008-11-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

Our youngest boy has turned 15. Happy Birthday to our sweet Z! Your amazing sense of humour and your enormous, tender heart blesses our family each and every day.

Clay Magic

2008-11-19T19:03:00.000-08:00

Color Pencil work by C

2008-11-18T08:39:00.001-08:00

Watercolor by O

2008-11-18T08:34:00.001-08:00

That People Could Fly

2008-11-12T08:27:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite anthologies has long been That People Could Fly by Virgina Hamilton. It's a book of funny, silly, as well inspriational American Black Folktales. It taught me things I didn't know. I reread to my kids the title story the other day and was sobbing so much my children commandered the reading. I find myself tearing up at odd times of the day lately. My oldest and I agreed these tears are a cleansing of sorts.

There was a time long ago in Africa when the people could fly. They flew like blackbirds up above with their wings shining against the blue sky. When these people were captured into slavery they forgot that they could fly. They shed their wings on the long boats to America. As slaves the people lived in misery, they got sick on the waves of the sea and they no longer could breathe and smell the sweet scent of Africa.

Once in America, they were slaves and they had a master, and the master had an overseer, and the overseer had a driver. All of these people were very cruel to the people from Africa who once could fly.

There was an old man among the slaves who remembered about flying, his name was Toby. There was a woman among the slaves named Sarah and she had a baby tied to her back. It was hard to work in the cotton fields when you had a baby on your back. The overseer would yell at the slaves when they slowed down, and the driver would ride close with his horse and beat the slaves who were slow with his whip. That whip would cut a person so blood would run.

Sarah would work and work, hoeing and chopping, but the baby would get hungry and start to cry.

“Keep that baby quiet,” the overseer would yell. But the baby cried and cried. The driver would come close and crack his whip.

Sarah fell down. Toby came to her and helped her up.

“I must move on,” Sarah said.

“It will happen soon,” Toby said.

Sarah was so weak, she said now. The driver came and started whipping, and Sarah’s legs started bleeding.

Toby came back.

“Now, Toby, help me, before it is too late,” Sarah cried.

Toby replied, “Yes it is now.” Toby started chanting, “Kum yali, kumbuba tabe.”

Sarah repeated the words and started rising. She felt the African magic and rose as light as a feather, flying like an eagle, black wings against the blue sky.

The next day, it was so hot in the fields, people started falling from the heat. The overseer yelled. The driver cracked his whip and brought blood.

Toby whispered, “Kum kunka yali kum tambe.”

Man and woman began rising from the fields and rising above, flying like hawks and eagles. Toby was still there and the master yelled at the driver to kill Toby. But Toby started rising.

“Take us with you,” the remaining slaves said.

But Toby said, “I don’t have the time to teach you. Run to freedom.”

“Goodbye!” Toby said as he released his black wings into the blue sky.

The overseer told a lot of people about this. The master said it never happened.

But you know, everyone knows, they all flew towards FREEDOM!

Welcome Home, Z!

2008-11-11T17:05:00.000-08:00

Falling off the bus after an amazing few days in Annapolis & DC!

They sound amazing. What a wonderful group of young folks!

2008-11-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

From Annapolis. ~~insert blithering parental pride sobbing here~~

http://nesba.jalbum.net/NESBA%202008%20Championships/slides/Rodney_Megan__MG_9134_20081102.html

November Morning

2008-11-10T10:13:00.001-08:00

And the book for such a day ~~

Michelangelo & Frescoes with J

2008-11-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

Homeschoolers soy candle workshop ~

2008-11-06T09:24:00.000-08:00

For my son, a Young Democrat who worked to help swing PA:

2008-11-05T06:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Reader, even if you voted for someone else, please consider the enormity of this historic, amazing event for the United States of America. Natty, we are so proud of you our hearts are bursting.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

A Toe Jam Halloween Party!

2008-10-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

O was enraptured by Vinnie & the Dinosaur shadow cutouts. Happy, he crowed, "Dis is just a wittle bit scawy!" Plus, the bubble machine. Oh, the bubble machine!! (So is Chris cute as a cowboy or what?) Above: A Gathering of Homeschoolers.

All-new Toe Jam CD released!

2008-10-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, our very own beloved Toe Jam has just released Toe Jam in Outer Space. You'll hear many familiar voices. (Scroll my left side bar pix for a peek at a recording session!) Every Monday we South -Coasters can enjoy them at The Buttonwood Zoo.
Check it out: www.toejampuppetband.com

Why does our family love Toe Jam so much? Well, on one hand, who else but Vinnie & crew can get all the mommies and daddies and grannies and grampies dancing The Time Warp? That's a classic and not much tops it. However, Tom also makes a nice pizza.

And you can't shake a percussion stick at that.

Autumnal Townie Doings ~~

2008-10-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

We live in a community. There is something very special about participating in the pulse of where you live. We've spent crisp fall weekend mornings on the soccer field, chatting with families, cheering our children on. We've listened to the town's children make music. You can here them practice outside when you drive by. The director has joked they sometimes wake the cows. We enjoy their finished performances on the field. People don't go to only watch the kids play football...they also enjoy the music. Fall afternoons have been spent being amazed by the energy of the local cross- country teams. We parents chat as our children dissapear into the running paths in the woods. As the first runners emerge, we stop chatting and begin to clap, we call out words of encouragement to sweaty runners who are not our own. We clap and cheer until the last runner crosses the finish line. This is community. This is our home.

Is that a chicken in your sink?

2008-10-24T16:36:00.002-07:00

Yes, indeed. (That is a bucket, not a pot, by the way). Here Daisy, one of our gentle Rhode Island Reds enjoys a sore foot soaking in an epsom salt bath. After a bit of TLC, rest, & a dab of Neosporin, she was on her way.

2008-10-24T16:36:00.001-07:00

Horse Barn

2008-09-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Houston, We Have Plants ~~

2008-09-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

A peek into the last week or so ~~

2008-09-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

From the top down: Not Back to School Picnic, A's B'day, KG's baby shower (It's a girl, born Wednesday!), The Grange Fair, Homeschool playgroup at the P's, first soccer practice of the season for A, snuggled up for some Calvin & Hobbes, C & A hanging out at the computer together, Z, and gifted Leon making music, some of C's art, pulling the last of our carrots.

A Peek

2008-09-10T11:10:00.001-07:00

Two of C's recent creations.

September

2008-09-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

2008-09-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

These photos simply do not represent the hours it took to make this space party-friendly. Truth be told, it's still not complete. The dirt represents where our Hydrangeas will go.

:Sniff: They grow up so fast!

2008-09-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Early morning breakfast of fresh greens and grain.

Removing sod to make a patio ~

2008-09-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, this is absolutely as much fun as it looks. ;) Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday!

2008-09-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

In the setting sun of a late summer day joy abounds. These sweeties are cousins, but also good buddies. Sack race ribbons all around for E's 9th birthday.

So, this one time at band camp ~ The Pit

2008-08-31T16:33:00.000-07:00

It begins: Another season of DHS Music. This time with a boy on Timpani. (Or kettle drum or timp). Very booming, very dramatic. Very cool. Yes, you might recognize a (former) homeschooler or two here as well. (We're *everywhere*! )

Free Range: What's it All About, Chickie?

2008-08-29T05:57:00.001-07:00

Dear fans of Gemini Skies eggs,

First this news—Sept 1 will bring an increase in our egg pricing to $4/dozen, which still represents a wonderful value for our product.

Next-- Thank you for loving our product. Our delicious (and nutritious!) eggs are from happy hens, living interesting hen lives. They range, (as the hawks allow) and pasture (in movable pens that let a chicken be a chicken, but keep them safe if predators are nearby.) They eat lovely weed and grass salads on our untreated land. (Fun fact: Hens are not vegetarian! They love bugs and worms, for instance). Our girlies breathe fresh coastal air, and are supplemented with 100% organic poultry grain from Vermont. (Another fun fact: Dandelions and Dandelion greens are one of the most nutritious 'weeds' available, anywhere. Their list of attributes is nearly endless).

We thought you would enjoy this article from Mother Earth News on *why* pastured and free -range eggs are better for you, and better for the hens.

From Mother Earth News, 2007

“Most of the eggs currently sold in supermarkets are nutritionally inferior to eggs produced by hens raised on pasture. That’s the conclusion we have reached following completion of the 2007 Mother Earth News egg testing project. Our testing has found that, compared to official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient data for commercial eggs, eggs from hens raised on pasture may contain:
• 1/3 less cholesterol• 1/4 less saturated fat• 2/3 more vitamin A• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids• 3 times more vitamin E• 7 times more beta carotene
These amazing results come from 14 flocks around the country that range freely on pasture or are housed in moveable pens that are rotated frequently to maximize access to fresh pasture and protect the birds from predators. We had six eggs from each of the 14 pastured flocks tested by an accredited laboratory in Portland, Ore. The chart at the end of this article shows the average nutrient content of the samples, compared with the official egg nutrient data from the USDA for “conventional” (i.e. from confined hens) eggs. The chart lists the individual results from each flock.
The 2007 results are similar to those from 2005, when we tested eggs from four flocks all managed as truly free range. But our tests are not the first to show that pastured eggs are more nutritious — see “Mounting Evidence” below for a summary of six studies that all indicated that pastured eggs are richer in nutrients than typical supermarket eggs.
We think these dramatically differing nutrient levels are most likely the result of the different diets of birds that produce these two types of eggs. True free-range birds eat a chicken’s natural diet — all kinds of seeds, green plants, insects and worms, usually along with grain or laying mash. Factory farm birds never even see the outdoors, let alone get to forage for their natural diet. Instead they are fed the cheapest possible mixture of corn, soy and/or cottonseed meals, with all kinds of additives — see “The Caged Hen’s Diet” below.
The conventional egg industry wants very much to deny that free-range/pastured eggs are better than eggs from birds kept in crowded, inhumane indoor conditions. A statement on the American Egg Board’s Web site says “True free-range eggs are those produced by hens raised outdoors or that have daily access to the outdoors.”

You can find the entire article here:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2007-10-01/Tests-Reveal-Healthier-Eggs.aspx?page=2

Happy (and healthy) eating!

Watchin' the Flowers Growing--Ba Da Da Da Da, Feelin' Groovy

2008-08-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Playing cards, mincing basil, making music, reading books. Enjoying Summer.

Gifts of Summer ~~

2008-08-02T07:31:00.001-07:00

There is amazing bounty in our corner of the world. We are very lucky. The season is short, which makes it so special and tender. This week, in addition to good, fresh food, grown with minimal chemicals (our farmers care!) we purchased tiny golden organic plums from the Quansett Farm booth, and organic blueberries from the Silverbrook Farm booth. With gratitude and joy, I can't decide who in my community (beyond my family and friends) contributes more to my quality-of-life; the thoughtful local growers, or my beloved librarians at Southworth. Ah, summer.

Ordinary Miracles

2008-08-01T06:44:00.001-07:00

All of earth is crammed with heaven

And every bush aflame with God.

---Elizabeth Barret Browning

Tiskets, Taskets, Homeschoolers Make Baskets

2008-07-31T06:16:00.000-07:00

A Little Bit of Summertime in My Soul

2008-07-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

Sister Blessings ~~

2008-07-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Meet The Feathers ~~

2008-07-22T06:51:00.001-07:00

As Melanie told Rhett, "The happiest days are when babies come!" Even when they are of the poultry variety. Thanks to Jen & her son (homeschoolers, too!) at local Coop du Jour, we have added Buff and Rose Silkie hens, along with non-commercial breed (future) layers. The babies are Americaunas, RI Reds, Australorpes, Barred Rockes, and Dominiques, a heritage breed. They join our ever-growing family of organic, pastured & free-range, happy hens, living actual chicken lives, doing chicken things.

A Little Birthday Review ~~

2008-07-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Not too much birthday, really. Just the right amount. There was the party with family. Then, as an excersize in herding cats, we gathered the homeschooling friends together. As a treat, the friends also included C, an exchange student from France, hosted by A's family.

Happy Birthday, My Darling Girl

2008-07-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

You are a joy. I thank the universe a million, billion, trillion times over for bringing us together. I love you beyond any words.

Renaissance Man: Musician Incarnation ~~ You didn't think there were enough a hours in a day, did you?

2008-07-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

File This Under: Could We Be Cuter?

2008-07-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

A Little Garden Update

2008-07-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Stock: A's Stage Debut as The North Wind

2008-07-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

Not Wordless Wednesday

2008-06-25T06:33:00.001-07:00

Treasure on a shelf made of clay ~~
Family of mice ~

A whole summer of library for the taking ~~