Poetry highlight: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I just wanted to take a moment to share some "mom schooling".  I decided to take on the challenge of memorizing a poem, Snowflakes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is part of a high school literature course that one kid was working through last year, but I decided I should try it myself. It is suggested to spend time memorizing for 15 minutes each over 3 sessions. My sessions including rewriting the poem several times because repetition is the best for me. Also, I don't memorize very well anymore. Needless to say, I do not have this poem memorized, but I do have a better understanding of each line and the poem as a whole, and I would definitely recognize it if I heard it out of the blue somewhere. 

I wrote it on the white board that is displayed in our living room, where I can see it and often read it while I am doing my yoga. Sometimes lines pop out at me and I ponder them more. Now it's time to start erasing words each day.

My very first rewrite was just on a piece of paper (yes, don't mind the white scribbles on the bottom right, I was just practicing some snowflakes for the next project).

My 3rd writing was in a book where I keep special projects and drawings. I watercolored the page with some winter colors and snowflakes (that ran because I used the wrong paint pens), then I wrote it out in my best cursive. Writing in cursive isn't easy, but sometimes I like to practice it.

I got to thinking about his other poems and works and remembered that he also wrote one of my favorite Christmas carols, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. The story behind this song is both heartbreaking and uplifting. I did a little searching to see if there are any books about it and found a few things. First thing I found was his story retold at a Tabernacle Choir concert featuring Edward Hermann (an actor from one of my favorite shows--Gilmore Girls). 

There are of course many versions of the song/poem sung by many other people too. It's a very pretty song. I also found some books that I would love to read. I will share those after I have found and read them. It's kinda fun getting sucked into a rabbit hole of learning for myself once in a while. Also, poetry is something I'm starting to love more lately. I don't know if it's age and wisdom, or just taking the time to really understand it better, but I am enjoying it a lot these days.

Wordless Wednesday: Front porch sittin'

 A new rocking chair for the front porch, and my blooming Camelia...

Books I finished--October

 Finished 2 again for the month of October. Here they are!

Just David by Eleanor H. Porter

This is a book that is part of the High School level 1 Literature/Language Arts course for The Good and the Beautiful. I read it too because I had never read this one before. It's a sweet story of a small boy and his view of the world and how it changes as his life circumstances change very drastically.

Quotes:

p. 63--"With the coming of Monday arrived a new life for David--a curious life full of 'don'ts' and 'do's'. David wondered sometimes why all the pleasant things were 'don'ts' and all the unpleasant ones 'do's.' Corn to be hoed, weeds to be pulled, wood boxes to be filled; with all these it was 'do this, do this, do this.' But when it came to lying under the apple trees, exploring the brook that ran by the field, or even watching the bugs and worms that one found in the earth--all these were 'don'ts'."

p. 73--"Very soon, however, David discovered that there was something to be found in his wanderings besides squirrels and roses--and that was people. In spite of the strangeness of these people, they were wonderfully interesting."

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

This was such a cozy fun fall read. It has the feel of a Hallmark movie or Gilmore Girls with a small town feel and love in the air. This book also came with a music playlist on Spotify. A first time having something interactive with a book.

Last but not least, some new reading shirts! These are so fun and comfy.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Thankful Thursday

 

We have always done at least 1 fall camping trip and I have always loved them. It's a bit different than summer as everything is changing and it's chilly so the campfire is so cozy. Very thankful for fall camping trips!

Books I finished in September

It's just a few weeks late, the books I finished in September. I finished 2 books. Which is great for me!

Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life by Helen Czerski

This book gave my brain a workout! But, it was amazing to get some very real life examples of basic physics concepts (some still pretty complicated). By the end of this book I felt very small in a big amazing world. It brought a lot of things into perspective. I really love how she tied in the tea at several parts of the book. It was kind of fun. I didn't get the exact quote, but my favorite part was her solution to tea splashing out of her cup--instead drink cappuccino for the foam layer on top to help keep it from splashing out as you carry it. She of course did a much better job of saying that. It just made me smile.

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein

This book was so helpful that I decided to buy a copy after returning this one to the library. So many useful meditation ideas to help the thought cycles of fear change to love and faith. 

p. 33-- "Samantha's story reminds us that the energy we put out is what we will receive. Take a moment to reflect on where you focus your energy. Are you projecting an attitude of apathy, stress, jealousy, or fear? Look closely at how what you focus on reflects back to you what you receive."

p. 99-- "The messages in this book are meant to challenge these limiting beliefs and encourage you to take on a new perspective--one that lets you learn to trust fully in a path and a power greater than you."

Thankful Thursday

 

I am so excited and thankful to finally be in a place where I can start going to the local quilting group. I've wanted to go for years but have always had conflicts or little kids, but right now things seem to be lining up for me to go. I'm really enjoying it so far!