rodney brought home the LCC course catalog from his testing and advisor meeting day and i devoured the graphic design program. art, art, art classes! design, design, design classes! electives of MORE art and design classes...drool drool.
i'm bitterly jealous and already sick of the several times a day report about this or that planned out class schedule and this or that bemoaned math class, etc. etc. and all i hear (besides all that) is maybe you can go next year. or the year after that. yeah yeah.
why does my stuff always get put off til the last? yes, i know it's more practical this way. i know all the logic stuff. but that doesn't change it being yet another occasion of my dreams, wishes, standards....etc...coming dead last.
i'm happy for rodney--my jealousy takes nothing from that. he's wanted this for a long time, too. and he's settled on what he wants to study and is excited. it's wonderful for him, and for all of us. it's very exciting to think of the comfort and stability offered by a degree-job. it won't wreck his body and will use his mind. he's studying to be a water conservation technician, which is awesome and necessary. so kudos to all that stuff. i know it and appreciate it...
but this is my blog and i can whine if i want to!
so picture me stomping my feet and wailing "I WANNA GO TO GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOL! I WANNA MAC AND A BIG PALETTE OF OVERLY EXPENSIVE MARKERS! I WANNA STUDY EVERY KIND OF PRINTING IMAGINABLE !" STOMP stomp.
okay, i guess that's enough.
maybe next year.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
my mysterious reply from jim goes, SLSD board chair...
"Thanks for the detailed letter, Megan. I have a feeling that this story is not over yet..."
i THINK it is meant to be encouraging...but he could also be expressing his frustration over the obvious fact that we will not die! i'm hoping it was encouragement.
i THINK it is meant to be encouraging...but he could also be expressing his frustration over the obvious fact that we will not die! i'm hoping it was encouragement.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
it's summertime and the living is(n't) easy...
hard times have befallen us. rodney's shoulder finally heals up enough so he can work and there ISN'T any! come on, rich people, build your additions! thanks to dad for helping us through some mortgage trauma. rodney is going to school this fall! that's exciting, eh? he meets next week with a "career counselor" to figure out what best to study and get his associate's degree in. la-ti-da. i'm jealous! i've been dying to study graphic design for the last two years...but maybe next time.
fortunately the garden is booming--i've never been so rich in greens! salads and greens at every meal--they really improve the staples of pasta, rice & beans, and potatoes. it's all better with a big side of greens. we ate our first head of broccoli last night and the peas are jumpin'. i'm grateful that we're totally poor at a time when there is a lot of good food growing, or we'd be supremely screwed and all die of scurvy before the fall. i jest...but just a little. oh yeah! i saw my first lil green tomato this morning! yes!
i've almost completed my first knitted hat--red and green stripes. it's awesome. and by tonight my needles will be freed up for the instep and toe of my second sock--which i had to postpone finishing until i had more green yarn. which i do now. it feels so cool to KNIT something! you turn this long string into something cool looking and usable! it befuddles me that people invent things like this, human ingenuity is so wonderful.
the pig hormones have not had any effect yet, but hopefully in a couple more weeks i'll notice some improvement (please. please, please, please!)
all is mostly well, other than the poverty and job insecurity and inhuman tiredness...we're all still basically happy and enjoying each other and the world around us. learning new things and interacting with friends and the larger community. dreaming big. last night rodney said that as soon as we have money we're getting a dishwasher! his time at home has really changed his perspective on THAT topic!!! yay.
today i am grateful for:
1) parents
2) hope
3) rodney's opportunity
4) flax seeds
5) my booming garden
fortunately the garden is booming--i've never been so rich in greens! salads and greens at every meal--they really improve the staples of pasta, rice & beans, and potatoes. it's all better with a big side of greens. we ate our first head of broccoli last night and the peas are jumpin'. i'm grateful that we're totally poor at a time when there is a lot of good food growing, or we'd be supremely screwed and all die of scurvy before the fall. i jest...but just a little. oh yeah! i saw my first lil green tomato this morning! yes!
i've almost completed my first knitted hat--red and green stripes. it's awesome. and by tonight my needles will be freed up for the instep and toe of my second sock--which i had to postpone finishing until i had more green yarn. which i do now. it feels so cool to KNIT something! you turn this long string into something cool looking and usable! it befuddles me that people invent things like this, human ingenuity is so wonderful.
the pig hormones have not had any effect yet, but hopefully in a couple more weeks i'll notice some improvement (please. please, please, please!)
all is mostly well, other than the poverty and job insecurity and inhuman tiredness...we're all still basically happy and enjoying each other and the world around us. learning new things and interacting with friends and the larger community. dreaming big. last night rodney said that as soon as we have money we're getting a dishwasher! his time at home has really changed his perspective on THAT topic!!! yay.
today i am grateful for:
1) parents
2) hope
3) rodney's opportunity
4) flax seeds
5) my booming garden
Friday, June 20, 2008
my letter to the south lane school board
Dear Board Members,
Last night was the yearbook party at Blue Mountain School. Two of my children attend Blue Mountain and I am writing in hopes to inspire you to find a way to keep working with us to form a plan that satisfies everyone’s needs. The party was a bittersweet occasion. It was great to see everyone again, to play and chat, and enjoy good food and company with our community. It was also sad, sadder than the word “sad” allows for. No matter what happens now—whether we find a successful solution that keeps the school open, or we don’t and it closes—it was the definitive END to something beautiful that nourished my kids and my self. The Blue Mountain community will never be the same again. I have faith that we will rebuild our community, that it will be different, but still strong and creative and supportive. But I mourn for what we have lost. Two of the staff members are leaving, and my kids will miss them bitterly. One of the student families is moving to California…their family includes two young girls who played frequently with my two girls. I had always been so grateful that my children had these wonderful friends, in and out of school. I thought they would grow up together, to help ground and inspire each other. I thought as parents we would be able to celebrate their achievements, support their falls. I was so grateful to know that my kids had not only their own family to be a net under them and to cheer for them and appreciate them, but also this other family, who would love and honor them. I was excited to do the same for their beautiful children. That family would not be leaving if the future of the school had not been in such turmoil, so uncertain and stressful.
I want to tell you about my girls. My daughter Vesta is ten and my daughter Hazel is seven. They also have a little brother, Jubal, who we all hope will one day attend Blue Mountain School. Over the last school year, both girls’ reading abilities have skyrocketed. As a parent who loves reading, is a writer, and deeply believes in the idea that if you can read, you can learn ANYTHING, it was very hard for me to watch school years go by in which my daughters never did much with reading. They had the basic skills required to read and if you pointed to a word or sentence, they could read it to you—but there was no interest or drive to read, though they have always loved being read to, so I know they loved stories and books. It helped me survive this non-reading period to look at all the teenagers at Blue Mountain, those who were there from the beginning or very early on, who were not only proficient readers, but who now LOVED to read. I knew those kids hadn’t learned to read “on schedule”, and it reassured me to see them with wonderful, literary books in hand, that they were obviously reading for pleasure. I bit my tongue, which wanted to wag at the girls: “take reading classes, take reading classes!!!” and tried, sometimes unsuccessfully, to keep the faith that they WOULD read. Now they both do. They often read to me, which of course I love…but I also see them toting books into their room to read before lights out. Which I love infinitely more!
Both of my daughters have participated in running businesses at school, especially over the last year. This has been interesting and exciting to watch. Not only does running a small business require precise math skills—for making change, buying and selling goods, keeping track of inventory and so forth (as well as the measuring skills required to bake or prepare the goods they were selling), but subtler skills as well—like figuring out how to price their goods. When they began their ventures, the pricing seemed random, and while I did suggest that it might be a good idea to figure out how much they spend to get the products and price things with that in mind, they learned the concept much more successfully by trial and error. My seven year old thinks almost everything should cost a quarter, so everyone can afford it…but she quickly learned that you don’t make a profit that way! It was very exciting to watch them really grasp the concept and then do the work to figure out prices that were fair for everyone.
Both girls have been certified for the sewing machines at school and often bring home items they have made: purses, pillows, toys and dolls for their baby brother. Vesta even explained to me how to use the buttonholer! She also sewed matching aprons for all the participants of her ice cream business, telling me after each one how she had further perfected her skills, what she had learned to do better and how each one got progressively smoother to make. Having just started on my own path of learning to sew, I have greatly enjoyed hearing about her experiences.
They do so much at school, I couldn’t possibly describe it all, or explain to you all the intricate details of their learning processes. I can tell you it is thrilling to watch and be a part of.
I can understand your reluctance to lend support to a school in which it seems like the kids “don’t do anything”. It’s true that sometimes kids are sleeping on the couch, playing video games, hanging out…it seems like not doing anything, but I don’t believe it is. I think that honoring your body’s need for rest is important—so many people in our culture don’t listen to their bodies and just drudge through life, tired and unhealthy. I feel grateful that my kids have a school where the needs of their bodies are respected—though my kids aren’t teens yet, so they don’t ever nap at school, they’re too busy playing and learning. My kids also don’t spend much time on the computers, but I’ve watched the other kids gaming away—not the way I’d choose to spend my time, so I was surprised to see that they are actually learning a lot while they do it. The video games and the role-playing games actually involve a lot of quick math skills, reading skills, map reading skills, strategy, and cooperation. It’s pretty cool. I won’t be buying my kids an x-box anytime soon, but I’ve learned it’s not an invalid way to spend your time.
I also love that the kids are able to socialize with each other, and I was incredibly surprised and pleased to see how well all the ages get along with each other. Often the older kids teach the younger kids, and frequently include them in their activities. They treat them with respect! There are so many different types of people in that little school, and so many opportunities to learn and grow. One student is autistic—super friendly, but sometimes in your face. It has been so great to have him in our community, opening everyone’s heart and teaching us all patience and understanding. He’s amazing, every time I see him he asks me about Jubal, checking up on his age and weight, always remembering the previous numbers, as well as Jubal’s birthday. He always calculates how many months I’ve told him Jubal is, figures out that is still one year old, then he announces that he was once a one year old, too (to which I reply that I was, as well, many years ago). Then he says that some day soon Jubal will be two. I have grown to really love these interactions with this boy, as I know others have, including my own kids and my husband, who is not generally a very patient person—it’s fun to watch him interact with patience and real interest to whatever their latest topic is.
This school is a real gem. I know it is hard for you to see or understand that. I know it is very, very different from the schools you’re used to working with. I apologize to you that we have so far been unable to quantify the learning in a way that you can understand the depth and breadth of it…it’s really challenging for us, because we are there all the time, we know the kids, we see them grow and learn. It’s hard to reduce all that they are and do into a number or a percentile. I am committed to continuing to try and find a method that works for you and us. I will do anything in my power to keep Blue Mountain open for my kids, for all the kids. It is my sincere hope and goal that we can heal the wounds between us and learn to work together, so that we can all feel satisfied and happy with Blue Mountain School. I am one of the parents who will be very involved in the school in the years to come, and I do not wish to harbor bitterness or anger, I only wish to have a successful school, available to all who choose to attend.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long and winding letter, I appreciate your time and hope you will consider finding a way to work with us to remedy your concerns.
Sincerely,
Megan MacCullen, parent
Last night was the yearbook party at Blue Mountain School. Two of my children attend Blue Mountain and I am writing in hopes to inspire you to find a way to keep working with us to form a plan that satisfies everyone’s needs. The party was a bittersweet occasion. It was great to see everyone again, to play and chat, and enjoy good food and company with our community. It was also sad, sadder than the word “sad” allows for. No matter what happens now—whether we find a successful solution that keeps the school open, or we don’t and it closes—it was the definitive END to something beautiful that nourished my kids and my self. The Blue Mountain community will never be the same again. I have faith that we will rebuild our community, that it will be different, but still strong and creative and supportive. But I mourn for what we have lost. Two of the staff members are leaving, and my kids will miss them bitterly. One of the student families is moving to California…their family includes two young girls who played frequently with my two girls. I had always been so grateful that my children had these wonderful friends, in and out of school. I thought they would grow up together, to help ground and inspire each other. I thought as parents we would be able to celebrate their achievements, support their falls. I was so grateful to know that my kids had not only their own family to be a net under them and to cheer for them and appreciate them, but also this other family, who would love and honor them. I was excited to do the same for their beautiful children. That family would not be leaving if the future of the school had not been in such turmoil, so uncertain and stressful.
I want to tell you about my girls. My daughter Vesta is ten and my daughter Hazel is seven. They also have a little brother, Jubal, who we all hope will one day attend Blue Mountain School. Over the last school year, both girls’ reading abilities have skyrocketed. As a parent who loves reading, is a writer, and deeply believes in the idea that if you can read, you can learn ANYTHING, it was very hard for me to watch school years go by in which my daughters never did much with reading. They had the basic skills required to read and if you pointed to a word or sentence, they could read it to you—but there was no interest or drive to read, though they have always loved being read to, so I know they loved stories and books. It helped me survive this non-reading period to look at all the teenagers at Blue Mountain, those who were there from the beginning or very early on, who were not only proficient readers, but who now LOVED to read. I knew those kids hadn’t learned to read “on schedule”, and it reassured me to see them with wonderful, literary books in hand, that they were obviously reading for pleasure. I bit my tongue, which wanted to wag at the girls: “take reading classes, take reading classes!!!” and tried, sometimes unsuccessfully, to keep the faith that they WOULD read. Now they both do. They often read to me, which of course I love…but I also see them toting books into their room to read before lights out. Which I love infinitely more!
Both of my daughters have participated in running businesses at school, especially over the last year. This has been interesting and exciting to watch. Not only does running a small business require precise math skills—for making change, buying and selling goods, keeping track of inventory and so forth (as well as the measuring skills required to bake or prepare the goods they were selling), but subtler skills as well—like figuring out how to price their goods. When they began their ventures, the pricing seemed random, and while I did suggest that it might be a good idea to figure out how much they spend to get the products and price things with that in mind, they learned the concept much more successfully by trial and error. My seven year old thinks almost everything should cost a quarter, so everyone can afford it…but she quickly learned that you don’t make a profit that way! It was very exciting to watch them really grasp the concept and then do the work to figure out prices that were fair for everyone.
Both girls have been certified for the sewing machines at school and often bring home items they have made: purses, pillows, toys and dolls for their baby brother. Vesta even explained to me how to use the buttonholer! She also sewed matching aprons for all the participants of her ice cream business, telling me after each one how she had further perfected her skills, what she had learned to do better and how each one got progressively smoother to make. Having just started on my own path of learning to sew, I have greatly enjoyed hearing about her experiences.
They do so much at school, I couldn’t possibly describe it all, or explain to you all the intricate details of their learning processes. I can tell you it is thrilling to watch and be a part of.
I can understand your reluctance to lend support to a school in which it seems like the kids “don’t do anything”. It’s true that sometimes kids are sleeping on the couch, playing video games, hanging out…it seems like not doing anything, but I don’t believe it is. I think that honoring your body’s need for rest is important—so many people in our culture don’t listen to their bodies and just drudge through life, tired and unhealthy. I feel grateful that my kids have a school where the needs of their bodies are respected—though my kids aren’t teens yet, so they don’t ever nap at school, they’re too busy playing and learning. My kids also don’t spend much time on the computers, but I’ve watched the other kids gaming away—not the way I’d choose to spend my time, so I was surprised to see that they are actually learning a lot while they do it. The video games and the role-playing games actually involve a lot of quick math skills, reading skills, map reading skills, strategy, and cooperation. It’s pretty cool. I won’t be buying my kids an x-box anytime soon, but I’ve learned it’s not an invalid way to spend your time.
I also love that the kids are able to socialize with each other, and I was incredibly surprised and pleased to see how well all the ages get along with each other. Often the older kids teach the younger kids, and frequently include them in their activities. They treat them with respect! There are so many different types of people in that little school, and so many opportunities to learn and grow. One student is autistic—super friendly, but sometimes in your face. It has been so great to have him in our community, opening everyone’s heart and teaching us all patience and understanding. He’s amazing, every time I see him he asks me about Jubal, checking up on his age and weight, always remembering the previous numbers, as well as Jubal’s birthday. He always calculates how many months I’ve told him Jubal is, figures out that is still one year old, then he announces that he was once a one year old, too (to which I reply that I was, as well, many years ago). Then he says that some day soon Jubal will be two. I have grown to really love these interactions with this boy, as I know others have, including my own kids and my husband, who is not generally a very patient person—it’s fun to watch him interact with patience and real interest to whatever their latest topic is.
This school is a real gem. I know it is hard for you to see or understand that. I know it is very, very different from the schools you’re used to working with. I apologize to you that we have so far been unable to quantify the learning in a way that you can understand the depth and breadth of it…it’s really challenging for us, because we are there all the time, we know the kids, we see them grow and learn. It’s hard to reduce all that they are and do into a number or a percentile. I am committed to continuing to try and find a method that works for you and us. I will do anything in my power to keep Blue Mountain open for my kids, for all the kids. It is my sincere hope and goal that we can heal the wounds between us and learn to work together, so that we can all feel satisfied and happy with Blue Mountain School. I am one of the parents who will be very involved in the school in the years to come, and I do not wish to harbor bitterness or anger, I only wish to have a successful school, available to all who choose to attend.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long and winding letter, I appreciate your time and hope you will consider finding a way to work with us to remedy your concerns.
Sincerely,
Megan MacCullen, parent
i feel sick
last night was the yearbook party for blue mountain and i want to curl up and cry all day from it. lesley and elise are moving on to other jobs, other lives. the dickson's are moving to california. a bunch of the bms kids are moving on to other schools, where they can be assured the schools will be open for them. i am full of sadness and anger and the bitter will to keep fighting the injustice of the south lane school board. the hearing's in a couple of weeks, the application will be filed this weekend, lots of ideas for ways to appease the board are afoot...i'll be writing my letter to the board today.
and just in time to help boost my energy for the cause...i have an answer to my unwilling lethargy and metabolism that will not budge no matter what i do. hypo-thyroidism. woohoo. i'm now on the potentially long road of figuring out how to balance everything correctly. the solution? pig hormones. from pig thyroids. weird, eh? the company that makes them is called Armour...you know, like the giant meat company. freaky. i try to console myself with the idea that at least every bit of those pigs is going to use, no matter how much i disagree with industrialized meat production, blah blah, blah. the thought of having to take a pill every day for the rest of my life is super depressing, but i don't think i can really get around it. i didn't do anything to ruin my thyroid, it just happened. but it sucks to have part of your body not work right. it just feels sad and disappointing and weird and frustrating. i haven't come across a definitive reason for why the thyroid malfunctions--but, not surprisingly, one of the posited theories involves CHEMICALS IN OUR FOOD AND DRINKING WATER!!! shocking, ahem. so thanks industrial farmers, industrial age, monsanto, idiots everywhere that produce plastic and pollute the earth and the seas and the skies. a hearty thank you from my fucked up body! ironic that the solution comes from industrial food production, isn't it. it's a vicious circle like those GMO patented seeds. but i won't keep ranting on. i'm feeling bitter and depressed and like this really sucks.
but i would be remiss if i didn't also say that i am hopeful and excited at the prospect of feeling better. rain energy upon me, o pig hormones. fill me up with your frolicking, mud-loving, intelligent spirit. give me the energy and i'll use it to my best abilities and make you proud, pigs.
i'm grateful for:
1) the people involved in blue mountain who are continuing to try and find solutions.
2) the people involved in blue mountain who have to move on now, but who are beautiful, kind, generous, witty, amazing people who changed my children's lives and gave them gifts beyond measure with which to build the framework of their own realities.
3) pigs and their apparently humanistic hormones.
4) my garden which feeds me, relaxes me, inspires me, and fulfills me.
5) the spirit of good which will not die.
and just in time to help boost my energy for the cause...i have an answer to my unwilling lethargy and metabolism that will not budge no matter what i do. hypo-thyroidism. woohoo. i'm now on the potentially long road of figuring out how to balance everything correctly. the solution? pig hormones. from pig thyroids. weird, eh? the company that makes them is called Armour...you know, like the giant meat company. freaky. i try to console myself with the idea that at least every bit of those pigs is going to use, no matter how much i disagree with industrialized meat production, blah blah, blah. the thought of having to take a pill every day for the rest of my life is super depressing, but i don't think i can really get around it. i didn't do anything to ruin my thyroid, it just happened. but it sucks to have part of your body not work right. it just feels sad and disappointing and weird and frustrating. i haven't come across a definitive reason for why the thyroid malfunctions--but, not surprisingly, one of the posited theories involves CHEMICALS IN OUR FOOD AND DRINKING WATER!!! shocking, ahem. so thanks industrial farmers, industrial age, monsanto, idiots everywhere that produce plastic and pollute the earth and the seas and the skies. a hearty thank you from my fucked up body! ironic that the solution comes from industrial food production, isn't it. it's a vicious circle like those GMO patented seeds. but i won't keep ranting on. i'm feeling bitter and depressed and like this really sucks.
but i would be remiss if i didn't also say that i am hopeful and excited at the prospect of feeling better. rain energy upon me, o pig hormones. fill me up with your frolicking, mud-loving, intelligent spirit. give me the energy and i'll use it to my best abilities and make you proud, pigs.
i'm grateful for:
1) the people involved in blue mountain who are continuing to try and find solutions.
2) the people involved in blue mountain who have to move on now, but who are beautiful, kind, generous, witty, amazing people who changed my children's lives and gave them gifts beyond measure with which to build the framework of their own realities.
3) pigs and their apparently humanistic hormones.
4) my garden which feeds me, relaxes me, inspires me, and fulfills me.
5) the spirit of good which will not die.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
updateland
just some random updates, it's all i've got energy and time for....
socks
i finished one sock and it fits and works like a sock should. i'm nearly done with the heel flap of the second sock, which will be followed by the gussets. i'm feeling confidant that i can do it successfully. the knitting class is continuing to meet, but at the axe and fiddle now. next week i'm taking the stuff i'll need to learn to make hats. i bartered six soaps for the class, so all i have to do is buy the yarn, which i can pay for with the extra soaps i sold to another woman in the class.
garden
i fit as many of my tomato plants as i could into various places in the garden, and i set up the soaker hoses to drain the yard tub. collards, kales, broccoli, cauliflowers, onions, beans, peas, potatoes, and whatever else i'm forgetting to mention, are all thriving. we are currently--or just finished--eating from the garden: radishes, lettuce, kale, spinach, peas, strawberries (only 2 so far), arugula, italian dandelions, rainbow chard, and corn salad. most of my herb seeds didn't take. i think i still have time to try again.
blue mountain school
it's up in the air. we have to try to renew knowing that it's nearly impossible that the board will renew us, so that we can appeal the renewal, in which case we'd have a decision in september...if the decision isn't what we need it to be, we could go to court (trying to get an injunction to keep funding until it's resolved). we had one of those long, brain and body-numbing meetings last night. we decided to declare our intention to open in september with the caveat that we have no idea how long we'd be able to STAY open, given all the horrible circumstances. families like ours will be fine, because we're just going to homeschool if the school closes. but for families who have had to seek out other schools to enroll in, it's a tough decision. if they come to bms and then we close, they have to start in a new school in the middle of the semester, which would likely be painfully hard, especially since it is a whole new system with a lot more demands and restrictions than they are used to. those families will have to decide for themselves what to do, those of us for whom it will be less debilitating if the school closes midstream are soldiering on, for now. there's a hearing about the renewal on the 7th of july and a bms board meeting to decide about whatever happens at the hearing on the 9th of july.
health
my under-the-neck-and-through-the-shoulders pain is back. it's getting in the way of all the stuff i want and/or need to do and i'm hoping it will resolve quickly. it tends to inspire these nauseating headaches, which also slow me down.
i had an appointment with a naturopath last week and am having blood drawn this morning to be tested for all kinds of exciting things like vitamin levels, hormone levels, cholesterol levels, iron levels, cell counts, etc, etc...
in the mean time i've been advised to follow the blood type diet...i'm an O positive...i'm supposed to eat a ton of beef and veggies (except a few that aren't good for me) and avoid dairy, beans, bread....it's a pain in the ass, sort of to have to think about it and eating that much pastured beef would probably be cost prohibitive, so i'm just slowly meandering my way there at the moment. i followed the diet before when i was pregnant with hazel and did feel really great, so i know it works well for me. but it's super challenging and i'm not sure how well i can do it this time. i also now eat a tablespoon of cod liver oil and two tablespoons of ground flax seeds every day in a smoothie, which sounds gross, i know, but if you put enough fruit in the smoothie, it's not bad, really.
that's all the updates i have time for right now. i hope all is well in your world and you are feeling loved today.
i'm grateful for:
endurance
patience
love
faith
the act of surrender
socks
i finished one sock and it fits and works like a sock should. i'm nearly done with the heel flap of the second sock, which will be followed by the gussets. i'm feeling confidant that i can do it successfully. the knitting class is continuing to meet, but at the axe and fiddle now. next week i'm taking the stuff i'll need to learn to make hats. i bartered six soaps for the class, so all i have to do is buy the yarn, which i can pay for with the extra soaps i sold to another woman in the class.
garden
i fit as many of my tomato plants as i could into various places in the garden, and i set up the soaker hoses to drain the yard tub. collards, kales, broccoli, cauliflowers, onions, beans, peas, potatoes, and whatever else i'm forgetting to mention, are all thriving. we are currently--or just finished--eating from the garden: radishes, lettuce, kale, spinach, peas, strawberries (only 2 so far), arugula, italian dandelions, rainbow chard, and corn salad. most of my herb seeds didn't take. i think i still have time to try again.
blue mountain school
it's up in the air. we have to try to renew knowing that it's nearly impossible that the board will renew us, so that we can appeal the renewal, in which case we'd have a decision in september...if the decision isn't what we need it to be, we could go to court (trying to get an injunction to keep funding until it's resolved). we had one of those long, brain and body-numbing meetings last night. we decided to declare our intention to open in september with the caveat that we have no idea how long we'd be able to STAY open, given all the horrible circumstances. families like ours will be fine, because we're just going to homeschool if the school closes. but for families who have had to seek out other schools to enroll in, it's a tough decision. if they come to bms and then we close, they have to start in a new school in the middle of the semester, which would likely be painfully hard, especially since it is a whole new system with a lot more demands and restrictions than they are used to. those families will have to decide for themselves what to do, those of us for whom it will be less debilitating if the school closes midstream are soldiering on, for now. there's a hearing about the renewal on the 7th of july and a bms board meeting to decide about whatever happens at the hearing on the 9th of july.
health
my under-the-neck-and-through-the-shoulders pain is back. it's getting in the way of all the stuff i want and/or need to do and i'm hoping it will resolve quickly. it tends to inspire these nauseating headaches, which also slow me down.
i had an appointment with a naturopath last week and am having blood drawn this morning to be tested for all kinds of exciting things like vitamin levels, hormone levels, cholesterol levels, iron levels, cell counts, etc, etc...
in the mean time i've been advised to follow the blood type diet...i'm an O positive...i'm supposed to eat a ton of beef and veggies (except a few that aren't good for me) and avoid dairy, beans, bread....it's a pain in the ass, sort of to have to think about it and eating that much pastured beef would probably be cost prohibitive, so i'm just slowly meandering my way there at the moment. i followed the diet before when i was pregnant with hazel and did feel really great, so i know it works well for me. but it's super challenging and i'm not sure how well i can do it this time. i also now eat a tablespoon of cod liver oil and two tablespoons of ground flax seeds every day in a smoothie, which sounds gross, i know, but if you put enough fruit in the smoothie, it's not bad, really.
that's all the updates i have time for right now. i hope all is well in your world and you are feeling loved today.
i'm grateful for:
endurance
patience
love
faith
the act of surrender
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