Slow progress

I'm making slow progress on my big passion project, writing a book about Nature-Culture. The research of a new topic - water, drought, and pollution - is daunting. I have so much to learn. Also, I continue to be very busy with social obligations, doctor appointments, fundraiser events, and childcare. The trick is to get organized the night before so I don't eat into my writing time in the morning.

Agenda Today:

1. 

Read 

"Brainstorm"

2.

 Five days of passion

3. Outdoor preschool brainstorm

Grandma Camp in May

May brings more outdoor activities with the boys: Park time, wading pool, chalk, clay, hopscotch, bike rides, and so on. With just a little thought, I can plan activities that also teach new skills, new ideas, and new emotional competence. 

Drawing chalk flowers and balloons

In May my themes are flowers and monsters. 

Agenda:

1. Flower projects

2. Monster projects

3. May Nature Table

Days of Grandsons

Our days are defined right now by our grandsons; we plan all else around them, and they make us who we are.

They are with us on most days of the week, rain or shine and in sickness and health. Our house is filled with toys and kid-friendly furniture. We schedule around them and for them. We are exhausted by them and miss them terribly when they are gone.

On Grandson Days we prepare for field trips, library visits, collection walks, and art projects. I think about how I will include them in my garden work and in my cooking. And I remember to be flexible, because I never know when they will be interested and when they will not. 

1. Read "The Creativity Book"

2. Teaching art

3. Collection walks

4. Acorn and pinecone rolly-polly painting

5. Seed medallion

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day! The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970, and it still remains a big event in the environmental movement. Interest and participation in Earth Day has increased and spread around the world, with millions of people taking part. 

I do many things everyday in my life to help the earth: I live in a small house; I walk and bike, and work at home; I buy used stuff and buy locally; I use the library instead of buying books; I compost, recycle, and grow my own food, I lead an Earthcare support group at my Quaker Meeting, and I work with other climate activists to help change the way we use carbon in our community.

Agenda today:

1. Study regenerative farming

2. Take action

3. Artwork

An energetic shift

I'm making an energetic shift towards being an elder; I mean, someone who is a strong, calm presence, a wise-woman teacher and mentor, for my grandson, family, and community.

I've identified the two things that hold me back (the same old two things that always hold me back):

-I don't believe I'm wise or expert enough yet.

-I'm afraid people might belittle me.

I can take care of the first by studying my heart out - I'm good at that, and quite enjoy it! I can become expert in pretty much anything I set my mind to, and wisdom arrives when I take time to contemplate and analyze everything I've learned.

The second requires an energetic shift towards self-confidence. I know I'm a fierce, strong person and can handle people being petty, but the fear of embarrassment is strong in me also. I need to somehow disrupt the link between my self-esteem and the need to appear wise: It is good also to appear human!

1. Read "How to Manifest"

2. Contemplate my humanity

3. Teaching in my community

4. Teaching my grandsons