This year we are doing a Countdown to Halloween. It will start tomorrow - the 18th of October - 13 days before Halloween.
I've seen the idea for a Countdown to Halloween on the internet, Flickr, and Pinterest. However, what caught my eye out of all the variations was one from The Home Teacher that focuses only on the 13 days leading up to Halloween.
Not only does the site have a variety of different educational and fun activities, there are also ideas for including a daily service project component which gives this holiday a different focus. It's just not all about fun, costumes, and trick-or-treating...it's about making a positive difference in the community.
So, looking at the 13 themes on The Home Teacher, I rearranged them to fit our schedule. I also picked out activities that I thought looked fun and/or meaningful for each day.
The themes we are doing are below. There are links to the posts that include the activities we did plus photos, instructions for activities, and recipes:
Thursday, October 18 => Witch
Friday, October 19 => Black Cat
Saturday, October 20 => Monster
Sunday, October 21 => Vampire
Monday, October 22 => Skeleton
Tuesday, October 23 => Spider
Wednesday, October 24 Ghost
Thursday, October 25 => Owl
Friday, October 26 => Mummy
Saturday, October 27 => Haunted House
Sunday, October 28 => Candy Corn
Monday, October 29 => Bat
Tuesday, October 30 => Pumpkin
On Wednesday, October 31, we'll have special Halloween-themed meals, the girls will dress up in costumes, and we'll go trick-or-treating.
As we did last year, we'll visit the senior cottages (1-level homes where seniors live in our community). The girls made sure that with senior they visited they wished her/him a Happy Halloween and gave them a compliment (e.g., the way they decorated their home with Halloween decor, a pretty display they had out by the front door).
I'm excited about this year's Countdown to Halloween, and hope Sophia and Olivia enjoy the activities that we'll be doing each day.
Showing posts with label Autumn Blog Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Autumn Blog Challenge. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Countdown to Halloween - A New Family Tradition
Labels:
autumn,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
community service,
donate,
donation,
education,
family traditions,
food,
halloween,
holiday
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Pumpkin Molasses Cookies...An Autumn Comfort Food
One of my comfort foods around the year are cookies. When I was growing up, there was always a dessert after lunch and dinner. If there wasn't, the meal felt incomplete.
So, it's no surprise that when I look in my recipe box that the desserts, cookies, and pies sections have the most recipes. Even in my "recipes to try" binder, there are substantially more dessert recipes than any other category.
Recently, I saw this pin for Pumpkin Molasses Cookies from My Baking Addiction, and wanted to try it.
The cookies are soft and have a subtle pumpkin-molasses flavor. They are a nice alternative to ginger cookies (which I make during the autumn) and pumpkin bread.
Pumpkin Molasses Cookies
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
2 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup molasses
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1/2 cup sugar, for rolling
Directions:
1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and pepper.
2. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar, molasses, and pumpkin puree and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the egg and beat for 1 minute more. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing until the flour and spices disappear. If flour remains in the bottom of the bowl, mix the last of the dry ingredients by hand to avoid over beating. You will have a very soft dough.
3. Divide the dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Freeze for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The dough is sticky, so chilling the dough for an even longer time is fine.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Put the sugar in a small bowl. Working with one packet of dough at a time, divide it into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball. Roll the balls in the sugar and use a the bottom of a glass to press down on the cookies until they are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick. Transfer to cookie sheets.
6. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12-14 minutes, or until the top feels set to the touch. Remove baking sheets from the oven. Let cookies cool 5 minutes on the sheets before transferring them to a cooling rack.
7. Repeat with second batch of dough.
Notes:
I was a bit nervous about putting the 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper in cookies. I've never used black pepper in cookies. So, I was curious to see how that would affect the taste of the cookies. Honestly, I couldn't taste it in the cookies. Perhaps it just gives it an extra boost of spiciness.
Also, I was able to get 48 cookies from the dough. These were sufficiently large enough for a serving. So, in the future I would divide the dough into four sections and freeze it for 30 minutes.
It's also important to use the dough right from the freezer or refrigerator. If it gets to room temperature, it will soften quickly and the cookies spread out more when they are baked.
So, it's no surprise that when I look in my recipe box that the desserts, cookies, and pies sections have the most recipes. Even in my "recipes to try" binder, there are substantially more dessert recipes than any other category.
Recently, I saw this pin for Pumpkin Molasses Cookies from My Baking Addiction, and wanted to try it.
The cookies are soft and have a subtle pumpkin-molasses flavor. They are a nice alternative to ginger cookies (which I make during the autumn) and pumpkin bread.
Pumpkin Molasses Cookies that I made.
Pumpkin Molasses Cookies
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
2 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup molasses
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1/2 cup sugar, for rolling
Directions:
1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and pepper.
2. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar, molasses, and pumpkin puree and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the egg and beat for 1 minute more. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing until the flour and spices disappear. If flour remains in the bottom of the bowl, mix the last of the dry ingredients by hand to avoid over beating. You will have a very soft dough.
3. Divide the dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Freeze for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The dough is sticky, so chilling the dough for an even longer time is fine.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Put the sugar in a small bowl. Working with one packet of dough at a time, divide it into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball. Roll the balls in the sugar and use a the bottom of a glass to press down on the cookies until they are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick. Transfer to cookie sheets.
6. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12-14 minutes, or until the top feels set to the touch. Remove baking sheets from the oven. Let cookies cool 5 minutes on the sheets before transferring them to a cooling rack.
7. Repeat with second batch of dough.
Notes:
I was a bit nervous about putting the 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper in cookies. I've never used black pepper in cookies. So, I was curious to see how that would affect the taste of the cookies. Honestly, I couldn't taste it in the cookies. Perhaps it just gives it an extra boost of spiciness.
Also, I was able to get 48 cookies from the dough. These were sufficiently large enough for a serving. So, in the future I would divide the dough into four sections and freeze it for 30 minutes.
It's also important to use the dough right from the freezer or refrigerator. If it gets to room temperature, it will soften quickly and the cookies spread out more when they are baked.
Labels:
autumn,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
family traditions,
memories,
Pinspiration,
Pinterest,
recipe
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Learning to Drive a Car
The first car that I learned to drive was a 1979 Honda Civic. It was a white, two-door car with an AM radio.
This very compact car somehow fit two adults and three teenagers back in the late 1970s-early 1980s. It was not the most comfortable car, but it certainly was fuel-efficient which was important to my parents.
The Civic also was a stick-shift. It was less expensive to get a stick-shift than one with an automatic transmission. So, my parents got the stick-shift. Because my Dad grew up on a farm, he was used to operating stick-shifts. My mom never drove the Civic...she used the green station wagon.
I was the first one who learned how to drive the Civic (my brother also learned to drive it, but my sister never did).
When first learning how to drive there was so much information that I was trying to process while simultaneously trying to learn to operate the stick-shift. It was very different - and much more difficult - than sitting in the simulator in driver's education and pretending to drive.
My Dad taught me to drive the car in the parking lot that was about a mile or so down the road. He picked times when there were no cars in the lot and no one was around...thankfully.
Normally a calm and collected man, my Dad was pushed to the brink of frustration with my challenges in learning to drive the Civic. Never moving out of second gear in the parking lot, my speed probably never exceeded 10 miles per hour. That was probably the easiest part for him.
What was significantly more challenging were the rough - and often jerky - shifts between gears. "You need to shift more smoothly," he would tell me.
I would try again. Same result...the car would jerk forward and backwards as it would go between gears. Eventually, I figured out how to drive "normally" and graduated from the parking lot to the city streets and county roads (never the highway).
One afternoon my Dad took me out to practice driving. When I was a teenager, Plymouth was still relatively undeveloped and there weren't a lot of homes or traffic.
Things were going well until I had to make a left-hand turn from a main road to a side road. As I slowed down and stopped to let an oncoming car drive by, I noticed that a lady was waiting for me to turn onto the side road. The pressure was on.
I tried to gently lift my left foot from the clutch. In my nervousness, I did it too fast and the car stalled. I quickly started the car and tried again...a bit more flustered than a minute ago.
Same situation...trying to get out of first was jerky and it stalled. I motioned for the lady to turn while I attempted to get the car started again.
"She has to wait for you to go because you have the right away," he said. I could tell he was beginning to lose his patience (which was very unusual)...or maybe it was embarrassment that his daughter couldn't drive a car.
Finally...on the third try...I was able to get the car started, get it out of first gear smoothly, and make the turn.
It was, by far, the most stressful moment while learning to drive the car. Other than that, I enjoyed learning to drive the car with my Dad.
When I went to college, my parents gave me the Civic so I could have a car to drive to work and home to visit. It was the one that I used for four years until about 1989 when I purchased my first car: a Ford Escort.
Intently...and at about 3 miles per hour...she drove through the pasture. As she neared the barn she slowed down and stopped. "I don't think I should go any further," she said. She was worried about driving through the 8-foot gate opening.
"That's fine. I can take it from here," I told her. So, she parked the Jeep and we traded spots. I drove the rest of the way through the backyard and to the driveway.
She still remembers and talks about that day as if it were yesterday.
It was such a positive memory of learning how to drive...and being trusted to do more challenging tasks on the farm.
This very compact car somehow fit two adults and three teenagers back in the late 1970s-early 1980s. It was not the most comfortable car, but it certainly was fuel-efficient which was important to my parents.
1979 Honda Civic.
The Civic also was a stick-shift. It was less expensive to get a stick-shift than one with an automatic transmission. So, my parents got the stick-shift. Because my Dad grew up on a farm, he was used to operating stick-shifts. My mom never drove the Civic...she used the green station wagon.
The 1970 Chevrolet Station Wagon.
The station wagon my parents had looked very
similar to this one...except it was green.
I was the first one who learned how to drive the Civic (my brother also learned to drive it, but my sister never did).
When first learning how to drive there was so much information that I was trying to process while simultaneously trying to learn to operate the stick-shift. It was very different - and much more difficult - than sitting in the simulator in driver's education and pretending to drive.
My Dad taught me to drive the car in the parking lot that was about a mile or so down the road. He picked times when there were no cars in the lot and no one was around...thankfully.
Normally a calm and collected man, my Dad was pushed to the brink of frustration with my challenges in learning to drive the Civic. Never moving out of second gear in the parking lot, my speed probably never exceeded 10 miles per hour. That was probably the easiest part for him.
What was significantly more challenging were the rough - and often jerky - shifts between gears. "You need to shift more smoothly," he would tell me.
I would try again. Same result...the car would jerk forward and backwards as it would go between gears. Eventually, I figured out how to drive "normally" and graduated from the parking lot to the city streets and county roads (never the highway).
One afternoon my Dad took me out to practice driving. When I was a teenager, Plymouth was still relatively undeveloped and there weren't a lot of homes or traffic.
Things were going well until I had to make a left-hand turn from a main road to a side road. As I slowed down and stopped to let an oncoming car drive by, I noticed that a lady was waiting for me to turn onto the side road. The pressure was on.
I tried to gently lift my left foot from the clutch. In my nervousness, I did it too fast and the car stalled. I quickly started the car and tried again...a bit more flustered than a minute ago.
Same situation...trying to get out of first was jerky and it stalled. I motioned for the lady to turn while I attempted to get the car started again.
"She has to wait for you to go because you have the right away," he said. I could tell he was beginning to lose his patience (which was very unusual)...or maybe it was embarrassment that his daughter couldn't drive a car.
Finally...on the third try...I was able to get the car started, get it out of first gear smoothly, and make the turn.
It was, by far, the most stressful moment while learning to drive the car. Other than that, I enjoyed learning to drive the car with my Dad.
When I went to college, my parents gave me the Civic so I could have a car to drive to work and home to visit. It was the one that I used for four years until about 1989 when I purchased my first car: a Ford Escort.
1989 Ford Escort.
I had a car like this one from 1989 until 1996.
Last year, when Sophia was 10 years old she was tall enough to reach the gas and brake pedals on the Jeep. We were harvesting pumpkins, and I asked her if she wanted to drive a load up from the field to the driveway.
Needless to say, she was thrilled. Since she wasn't going to be driving on the road, it wasn't particularly challenging driving. She got behind the wheel, and I gave her a brief lesson about how to drive the car. It has automatic transmission, so she didn't have the challenges I had when I was learning. Her main goal: drive through the pasture.
Sophia's first time driving the Jeep.
Sophia nearing the barn and shed.
"That's fine. I can take it from here," I told her. So, she parked the Jeep and we traded spots. I drove the rest of the way through the backyard and to the driveway.
She still remembers and talks about that day as if it were yesterday.
It was such a positive memory of learning how to drive...and being trusted to do more challenging tasks on the farm.
Labels:
agriculture,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
family traditions,
farm,
memories,
rural life
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Charley Weaver - A Family Heirloom
When I was a child, my Dad use to show my sister, brother, and me a Charley Weaver bartender toy that he received as a gift. Charley Weaver shakes the mixer and then "pours" the martini in the glass. Charley takes a sip, his face lights up, and then smoke comes out of his ears.
Back in the early 1970s, we were obviously entertained by rather odd toys. I couldn't imagine a parent these days pulling out her or his bartender toy and having the kids be equally enthralled (unless it was, of course, a family heirloom).
About a year and a half ago, on May 12, 2011, I took Charley Weaver out of my Dad's Deacon office at home. My parents hadn't seen Charley Weaver in action for a long time - probably 30+ years. Needless to say, they enjoyed seeing him and laughed as the smoke came out of his ears.
I think it brought back some happy memories for my Dad who was in the late stages of Alzheimer's Disease at that point. It was these little things - a toy, a flower, music, or a bowl of ice cream - that could bring incredible joy to my Dad at that point.
After my Dad died, the one thing I wanted was Charley Weaver. It was something that truly was a family heirloom, and something that had so many memories and laughs tied to it.
So, when my Mom asked what my sister, brother, and I each wanted that remind us of Dad, my Mom was surprised that out of all the things I wanted, this toy would be the thing that I would choose.
"You can choose something that has more value...something more expensive than that," she suggested.
"No...I would like to have Charley Weaver...if that's okay with you."
And it was.
So, Charley Weaver sits in his box in my office closet just like he did in my Dad's office. I'm afraid that if he would be displayed, something would happen to him. Charley Weaver will come out periodically so I can show Sophia and Olivia how the smoke comes out of his ears and his face turns red.
Seeing a family heirloom like this infrequently makes me appreciate it more...and I hope that the same excitement I had when I was young and got to see Charley Weaver in action is passed along to Sophia and Olivia.
Charley Weaver in action.
Back in the early 1970s, we were obviously entertained by rather odd toys. I couldn't imagine a parent these days pulling out her or his bartender toy and having the kids be equally enthralled (unless it was, of course, a family heirloom).
About a year and a half ago, on May 12, 2011, I took Charley Weaver out of my Dad's Deacon office at home. My parents hadn't seen Charley Weaver in action for a long time - probably 30+ years. Needless to say, they enjoyed seeing him and laughed as the smoke came out of his ears.
I think it brought back some happy memories for my Dad who was in the late stages of Alzheimer's Disease at that point. It was these little things - a toy, a flower, music, or a bowl of ice cream - that could bring incredible joy to my Dad at that point.
After my Dad died, the one thing I wanted was Charley Weaver. It was something that truly was a family heirloom, and something that had so many memories and laughs tied to it.
So, when my Mom asked what my sister, brother, and I each wanted that remind us of Dad, my Mom was surprised that out of all the things I wanted, this toy would be the thing that I would choose.
"You can choose something that has more value...something more expensive than that," she suggested.
"No...I would like to have Charley Weaver...if that's okay with you."
And it was.
So, Charley Weaver sits in his box in my office closet just like he did in my Dad's office. I'm afraid that if he would be displayed, something would happen to him. Charley Weaver will come out periodically so I can show Sophia and Olivia how the smoke comes out of his ears and his face turns red.
Seeing a family heirloom like this infrequently makes me appreciate it more...and I hope that the same excitement I had when I was young and got to see Charley Weaver in action is passed along to Sophia and Olivia.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Pumpkin Carving
Today's prompt for the Autumn Blog Challenge is "How would you carve your jack-o-lantern this year? Funny, scary, not at all?"
Sophia and Olivia like to draw faces on pumpkins and carve them. Some are happy faces while others are scary faces.

Olivia carving her first pumpkin.
(Taken on October 30, 2011.)
2009 marked the first year that Sophia carved her own pumpkin. Up to that point, she drew the image on the pumpkin (just like Olivia did) and I carved them.
Sophia and Olivia like to draw faces on pumpkins and carve them. Some are happy faces while others are scary faces.
(Taken on October 30, 2011.)
Last year, in 2011, Olivia tried her hand at carving her first pumpkin. Up to that point, she drew the faces on the pumpkins and I would carve them for her.
She tried lots of different ways to hold her pumpkin in place while she carved it. Using her feet seemed the best way for her to hold the pumpkin still.
Olivia carving her first pumpkin.
(Taken on October 30, 2011.)
A couple of years ago, in 2010, we used patterns to create images on the pumpkins. The first step was using a tool to punch holes in the pattern so that the image would be transferred to the pumpkin.
(Taken on October 23, 2010.)
The next step was to take another took and carve the shell to different depths. In that way, the candle light would shine through the pumpkin skin and give different shades of light to the image.
(Taken on October 23, 2010.)
Whenever we are carving pumpkins, it seems like the dogs are interested in what we're doing. The cats avoid the kitchen (where we carve pumpkins) during that time.
(Taken on October 23, 2010.)
Olivia's finished pumpkin in 2010 was a moon with some stars.
(Taken on October 24, 2010.)
Sophia's pumpkin was of a cat. It involved both cut-out sections as well as sections that had been scraped, but not cut all the way through the pumpkin.
(Taken on October 24, 2010.)
(Taken on October 30, 2009.)
It looks like during 2009, the girls had similar ideas about how a pumpkin should look.
(Taken on October 30, 2009.)

Montague watching Olivia separate the seeds
from the stringy part of the pumpkin.
(Taken on October 30, 2009.)
One of the things that we enjoy after we're done carving pumpkins is making toasted pumpkin seeds. They are great eaten as a snack or as a topping on a salad.
Montague watching Olivia separate the seeds
from the stringy part of the pumpkin.
(Taken on October 30, 2009.)
In 23-24 days, we'll be carving pumpkins. We have found that if we carve them and put them out too many days before Halloween that they don't look as nice as they did the day we carved them.
(Taken on November 2, 2009.)
Labels:
agriculture,
autumn,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
family traditions,
halloween,
holiday,
memories,
rural life
Friday, October 5, 2012
Pumpkin Spice Bread - Favorite Autumn Recipe
One of our favorite recipes during the fall is for pumpkin spice bread. It is a recipe that I asked my neighbor for when I was a teenager.
She made a loaf of spice bread for my parents, and it was so delicious. It's a moist, flavorful bread that is great for breakfast or as a accompaniment to a salad for lunch.
Pumpkin Spice Bread
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup pumpkin
1 2/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
Directions:
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin together. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients and then add them to the liquid ingredients.
Grease or spray a loaf pan. Pour batter in pan. Bake for one hour at 325 degrees.
She made a loaf of spice bread for my parents, and it was so delicious. It's a moist, flavorful bread that is great for breakfast or as a accompaniment to a salad for lunch.
Pumpkin Spice Bread
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup pumpkin
1 2/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
Directions:
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin together. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients and then add them to the liquid ingredients.
Grease or spray a loaf pan. Pour batter in pan. Bake for one hour at 325 degrees.
Labels:
autumn,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
food,
memories,
recipe
Saturday, September 22, 2012
3 Things that are Important to Me
When I thought about the three things that are important to me, I thought of many different things:
=> Compassion
=> Gratitude
=> Kindness
=> Happiness
=> Animals and birds (domestic, livestock, and wildlife)
=> Nature
=> Peace/peaceful environment in which to live
=> Creativity and creative inspiration
=> Art (visual, music, dance, and theater)
=> Laughter
=> Sharing
=> Forgiveness
=> Spiritual inspiration and growth
=> Volunteering to make a difference locally and globally
=> Time comfortably spent alone to balance time spent with others (this is vital for introverts, like me)
=> Knowledge/wisdom
However, if I had to narrow it down to only three things of importance, my top three things would include:
=> Basic needs. Nothing extravagant or wasteful...just enough to get by would be fine with me. Just as long as I have oxygen to breathe; enough food and water; clothing; and shelter...I'm content.
=> Basic self-affirmation. For me, this includes having a loving family; connections with others; and a purpose for living.
=> Good health. Although good health isn't something that is guaranteed at any age, as I get older, this seems to take on a new meaning. Particularly as I age and have seen my parents get into their 70s and 80s, the things that I take for granted now - my memory/mind, mobility, eyesight, good blood pressure, healthy heart - all are things I hope to have when I am older.
=> Compassion
=> Gratitude
=> Kindness
=> Happiness
=> Animals and birds (domestic, livestock, and wildlife)
=> Nature
=> Peace/peaceful environment in which to live
=> Creativity and creative inspiration
=> Art (visual, music, dance, and theater)
=> Laughter
=> Sharing
=> Forgiveness
=> Spiritual inspiration and growth
=> Volunteering to make a difference locally and globally
=> Time comfortably spent alone to balance time spent with others (this is vital for introverts, like me)
=> Knowledge/wisdom
However, if I had to narrow it down to only three things of importance, my top three things would include:
=> Basic needs. Nothing extravagant or wasteful...just enough to get by would be fine with me. Just as long as I have oxygen to breathe; enough food and water; clothing; and shelter...I'm content.
=> Basic self-affirmation. For me, this includes having a loving family; connections with others; and a purpose for living.
=> Good health. Although good health isn't something that is guaranteed at any age, as I get older, this seems to take on a new meaning. Particularly as I age and have seen my parents get into their 70s and 80s, the things that I take for granted now - my memory/mind, mobility, eyesight, good blood pressure, healthy heart - all are things I hope to have when I am older.
Labels:
Alzheimer's Disease,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
health
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
5 Short-Term Goals to Help with Grieving
When I think of short-term goals, I think of goals that can be accomplished in the next three months. My most important five short-term personal goals are ones that are quite difficult for me because they relate to my father (he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease in autumn 2011 and then died in winter 2012).
Although this is not the most cheerful topic I've written about, it is a necessary one. Setting goals and being proactive, to me, is an important part of grieving and moving through complex feelings related to the loss of someone I loved dearly.
So, from October through January, five of my short-term goals are:
1. Go through all of Dad's homilies and create a book. Copies of the book will be given to family members as well as those who would be interested in reading his homilies. All of the homilies were written while he was a Deacon for about 15 years.
2. Do a countdown to Halloween with a focus on doing activities that are meaningful. Every year we would get together as a family for a Halloween dinner. The children would change into costumes and go out trick-or-treating. This was a happy time when the grandchildren could show their grandparents their costumes; and we could spend time together as a family.
This year, I'd like to do something similar to the Countdown to Christmas...but, perhaps, a shorter duration (1 week versus 24 days). I'd like to try to create some positive memories to replace difficult ones from last year (see #5 below).
3. Begin working on handmade gifts and legacy gifts in October. By starting in October, I will have almost three months to work on projects. The latter gifts also will help with grieving issues (see #5 below).
4. Host Thanksgiving. This will be the first Thanksgiving since Dad's death. Even though he wasn't able to be with us last Thanksgiving since he was in the nursing home, this is the first Thanksgiving that he truly isn't with us.
Honestly...my goal is just to make it through the day. Having a higher expectation that it will be "fun" or "a celebration" is too much the first year after his death. That being said, I'd like to do some things that positively remind me of Dad (e.g., make some food I always made for him that I knew he enjoyed; make the dressing he taught me to make; have all the bird feeders filled since he loved birds).
5. Reduce the number of activities and commitments from October 1st to Epiphany to reflect upon and deal with grief of Dad's death. This will be a highly stressful and emotionally-difficult time period because of dates firmly etched in my mind:
=> October 3, 2011 - I had to take Dad to the nursing home. Without going into detail, suffice it to say that the ride to the nursing home was incredibly sad, not to mention the time waiting in the lobby.
It was made even more difficult when Dad had a period of awareness while waiting in the reception area. He looked at me and said, "I will miss home" and I knew he knew where he was and why he was there. It was a horrible feeling because this was not where he wanted to be;
=> October 9, 2011 - The last time we gathered as a family for a birthday party;
=> October 15, 2011 - The day Dad didn't know me even though I told him my name and that I was his daughter. Despite this, we had a good visit together and two of my favorite pictures of him when he was at the nursing home are from that day - one in which he is genuinely smiling as he's listening to what I'm saying
=> October 19, 2011 - The last time I talked to Dad on the phone and he couldn't say my entire name after I told him my name. He was trying to repeat my name to Mom who was standing near him He struggled to repeat my name and was able to say just "Ann Ma...Ma..."
“Ann Marie, Dad. It’s Ann Marie,” I said gently. “It’s okay,” I said trying to acknowledge that he couldn’t say my name.
Within five minutes of being on the phone with him he asked his Stephen Minister (who also was in the room with him) if he knew who was on the phone.
On many levels, it was such a sad conversation for me. It represented an end to conversations on the phone with Dad that I enjoyed for so many decades...and of being called by my name by Dad. He always seemed so excited when I called and would announce to Mom that I was on the phone: "Dorothy! It's Ann Marie!" I miss hearing that. A lot.
=> October 20, 2011 - The last time Sophia, Olivia, Mom, and I spent with Dad where he was walking, able to look at the birds, enjoyed seeing Eenie and Shadow (two of our cats), and smiled authentically;
=> October 23, 2011 - The day I was called by the nursing home to tell me that Dad was transported to the hospital after an outburst at the nursing home. I sat with him in a locked ward while he was in full restraints while the medicine to calm him took effect. (Dad was a very peaceful, calm man so this behavior was very out of character...the disease clearly had full control of him at that point.)
My head was resting on the metal bars of the hospital bed, and he took his hand and gently touched my hair. Then he spoke a grammatically-correct sentence (the first one I had heard in a very long time...probably well over a year): "I am sorry I ruined your life," he said.
Of all the things he could have said...that was not the one I wanted to hear. It, truly, is the farthest thing from reality. Yet, probably to him - as he realized he was in wrist and ankle restraints and in a dark, quiet room - that it probably looked dismal. Although I assured him he didn't ruin my life, and that I was so happy he was my dad...this one sentence he said still haunts me and is upsetting to me today.
=> October 24, 2011 - The day I was called by the hospital he was transferred to (the geriatric psychiatric unit which treated seniors who have Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, depression, and a host of other diseases of the mind/memory) saying I needed to come right away because he had to be put in full restraints again and couldn't be calmed down. I sat next to him in his bed to comfort him until he fell asleep.
=> October 23-November 4, 2011 - the days he was in geriatric psychiatric unit and then returned to the nursing home. Out of all the days there, there was only one near the beginning where he seemed to recognize me when I came to visit him. He waved towards me and told the nurse who was feeding him, "Look who's here!" That was the last time I heard him say a full sentence and show recognition of me - albeit for a brief moment.
The amount and variety of medication used to reduce the stress and anxiety from Alzheimer's Disease basically left Dad unable to walk, hold his head up, feed himself, smile, and talk. For all practical purposes, Dad's personality and "spirit" was taken away during this time period.
Seeing other seniors in the unit was equally as disheartening, sad, and emotionally difficult. It was a period of seeing suffering, fear, anxiety, depression, and stress at its worst. Likewise, it also was a time that I saw respect for and dignity taken away from those who deserved better during the last part of their lives.
November 12, 2011 - Visited Dad with Eenie again, but his eyes remained closed and his head down for much of the visit.
Took him outside since it was a nice day. The nurses helped get him into a jacket and put a heated blanket on his lap to help him stay warm. We took him on the swing. Although he seemed to enjoy the movement of the swing, it was a bittersweet time. It would be the last time he went outside.
November 27, 2011 - Sophia, Olivia, Mom, and I visited Dad. Sophia played the Edelweiss on the harp:
and both the girls and I played a song on the piano for Dad and Mom.
It was the last time the girls saw their grandfather. (They were able to talk to him on the phone the day before he died and say goodbye to him.)
=> November 28, 2011 - Dad was put on hospice care;
=> Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's Eve/New Year's Day - The holidays spent without Dad because he was in the nursing home and his needs far exceeded what we would have been able to handle on our own...not to mention not having a vehicle to transport a wheelchair in;
December 15, 2011 - This was the last day I saw Dad's eyes open for a prolonged period. I made a scrapbook for him with pictures of people and things I thought he'd like to see.
=> New Year's Eve - I spent this holiday evening with him (after visiting my mom in the hospital due to complications from diabetes). That's when he said his last word to me: "Yes" when I asked him if he wanted something to drink;
=> New Year's Day - I got the call that said I needed to come in because he was dying and it was time to say "goodbye";
=> From January 1st-5th - I remained at his bedside until he died at 6:57 a.m. on January 5, 2012. (I remain very thankful to my brother to this day for staying with Dad and Mom for four hours each night - from 8 p.m. until midnight - so I could sleep in the family lounge; and then be able to spend the other 20 hours of each day with Dad and Mom and ensure that both were receiving the medical care they needed.)
=> January 6, 2012 - Would have been Dad's 80th birthday. It is also Epiphany and he always referred to himself as an Epiphany Baby.
Although this is not the most cheerful topic I've written about, it is a necessary one. Setting goals and being proactive, to me, is an important part of grieving and moving through complex feelings related to the loss of someone I loved dearly.
So, from October through January, five of my short-term goals are:
1. Go through all of Dad's homilies and create a book. Copies of the book will be given to family members as well as those who would be interested in reading his homilies. All of the homilies were written while he was a Deacon for about 15 years.
2. Do a countdown to Halloween with a focus on doing activities that are meaningful. Every year we would get together as a family for a Halloween dinner. The children would change into costumes and go out trick-or-treating. This was a happy time when the grandchildren could show their grandparents their costumes; and we could spend time together as a family.
This year, I'd like to do something similar to the Countdown to Christmas...but, perhaps, a shorter duration (1 week versus 24 days). I'd like to try to create some positive memories to replace difficult ones from last year (see #5 below).
Sophia and Olivia in costumes with
my Mom and Dad/their Nana and Papa.
(Taken on October 31, 2010.)
Dad with an eagle
at the Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota.
He was very excited to see and learn about the eagles.
(Taken on July 19, 2010.)
4. Host Thanksgiving. This will be the first Thanksgiving since Dad's death. Even though he wasn't able to be with us last Thanksgiving since he was in the nursing home, this is the first Thanksgiving that he truly isn't with us.
Honestly...my goal is just to make it through the day. Having a higher expectation that it will be "fun" or "a celebration" is too much the first year after his death. That being said, I'd like to do some things that positively remind me of Dad (e.g., make some food I always made for him that I knew he enjoyed; make the dressing he taught me to make; have all the bird feeders filled since he loved birds).
The last Thanksgiving Dad was at the farm.
(Taken on November 25, 2010.)
5. Reduce the number of activities and commitments from October 1st to Epiphany to reflect upon and deal with grief of Dad's death. This will be a highly stressful and emotionally-difficult time period because of dates firmly etched in my mind:
=> October 3, 2011 - I had to take Dad to the nursing home. Without going into detail, suffice it to say that the ride to the nursing home was incredibly sad, not to mention the time waiting in the lobby.
It was made even more difficult when Dad had a period of awareness while waiting in the reception area. He looked at me and said, "I will miss home" and I knew he knew where he was and why he was there. It was a horrible feeling because this was not where he wanted to be;
=> October 9, 2011 - The last time we gathered as a family for a birthday party;
=> October 15, 2011 - The day Dad didn't know me even though I told him my name and that I was his daughter. Despite this, we had a good visit together and two of my favorite pictures of him when he was at the nursing home are from that day - one in which he is genuinely smiling as he's listening to what I'm saying
Dad and Mom. Sophia took this picture of them.
(Taken on October 15, 2011.)
and one of him holding a picture he painted of an autumn tree;
Dad with an autumn tree he painted.
He used to be able to paint very well, and
we used to have one of his paintings over the fireplace.
Alzheimer's Disease truly takes skills
we take for granted away which is sad to watch.
Despite the difference in skill, I have this painting on my wall
and enjoy seeing it because it reminds me
of how proud my dad looks holding the painting he did.
(Taken on October 15, 2011.)
“Ann Marie, Dad. It’s Ann Marie,” I said gently. “It’s okay,” I said trying to acknowledge that he couldn’t say my name.
Within five minutes of being on the phone with him he asked his Stephen Minister (who also was in the room with him) if he knew who was on the phone.
On many levels, it was such a sad conversation for me. It represented an end to conversations on the phone with Dad that I enjoyed for so many decades...and of being called by my name by Dad. He always seemed so excited when I called and would announce to Mom that I was on the phone: "Dorothy! It's Ann Marie!" I miss hearing that. A lot.
=> October 20, 2011 - The last time Sophia, Olivia, Mom, and I spent with Dad where he was walking, able to look at the birds, enjoyed seeing Eenie and Shadow (two of our cats), and smiled authentically;
Dad, Shadow, and Sophia.
(Taken on October 20, 2011.)
=> October 23, 2011 - The day I was called by the nursing home to tell me that Dad was transported to the hospital after an outburst at the nursing home. I sat with him in a locked ward while he was in full restraints while the medicine to calm him took effect. (Dad was a very peaceful, calm man so this behavior was very out of character...the disease clearly had full control of him at that point.)
My head was resting on the metal bars of the hospital bed, and he took his hand and gently touched my hair. Then he spoke a grammatically-correct sentence (the first one I had heard in a very long time...probably well over a year): "I am sorry I ruined your life," he said.
Of all the things he could have said...that was not the one I wanted to hear. It, truly, is the farthest thing from reality. Yet, probably to him - as he realized he was in wrist and ankle restraints and in a dark, quiet room - that it probably looked dismal. Although I assured him he didn't ruin my life, and that I was so happy he was my dad...this one sentence he said still haunts me and is upsetting to me today.
=> October 24, 2011 - The day I was called by the hospital he was transferred to (the geriatric psychiatric unit which treated seniors who have Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, depression, and a host of other diseases of the mind/memory) saying I needed to come right away because he had to be put in full restraints again and couldn't be calmed down. I sat next to him in his bed to comfort him until he fell asleep.
=> October 23-November 4, 2011 - the days he was in geriatric psychiatric unit and then returned to the nursing home. Out of all the days there, there was only one near the beginning where he seemed to recognize me when I came to visit him. He waved towards me and told the nurse who was feeding him, "Look who's here!" That was the last time I heard him say a full sentence and show recognition of me - albeit for a brief moment.
The amount and variety of medication used to reduce the stress and anxiety from Alzheimer's Disease basically left Dad unable to walk, hold his head up, feed himself, smile, and talk. For all practical purposes, Dad's personality and "spirit" was taken away during this time period.
Seeing other seniors in the unit was equally as disheartening, sad, and emotionally difficult. It was a period of seeing suffering, fear, anxiety, depression, and stress at its worst. Likewise, it also was a time that I saw respect for and dignity taken away from those who deserved better during the last part of their lives.
Sophia was feeding Papa (my Dad) since
he no longer could feed himself.
(Taken on November 4, 2011.)
Dad, Eenie, and Sophia.
(Taken on November 12, 2011.)
Took him outside since it was a nice day. The nurses helped get him into a jacket and put a heated blanket on his lap to help him stay warm. We took him on the swing. Although he seemed to enjoy the movement of the swing, it was a bittersweet time. It would be the last time he went outside.
Dad on the swing with Olivia and Maureen.
(Taken on November 12, 2011.)
November 27, 2011 - Sophia, Olivia, Mom, and I visited Dad. Sophia played the Edelweiss on the harp:
Dad listening to Sophia play the harp.
(Taken on November 27, 2011.)
and both the girls and I played a song on the piano for Dad and Mom.
Olivia playing her Christmas recital piece
for Mom and Dad.
(Taken on November 27, 2011.)
It was the last time the girls saw their grandfather. (They were able to talk to him on the phone the day before he died and say goodbye to him.)
=> November 28, 2011 - Dad was put on hospice care;
=> Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's Eve/New Year's Day - The holidays spent without Dad because he was in the nursing home and his needs far exceeded what we would have been able to handle on our own...not to mention not having a vehicle to transport a wheelchair in;
Dad holding my hand on Christmas Day.
(Taken on December 25, 2011.)
December 15, 2011 - This was the last day I saw Dad's eyes open for a prolonged period. I made a scrapbook for him with pictures of people and things I thought he'd like to see.
Dad looking the album I made for him.
(Taken on December 15, 2011.)
=> New Year's Eve - I spent this holiday evening with him (after visiting my mom in the hospital due to complications from diabetes). That's when he said his last word to me: "Yes" when I asked him if he wanted something to drink;
=> New Year's Day - I got the call that said I needed to come in because he was dying and it was time to say "goodbye";
=> From January 1st-5th - I remained at his bedside until he died at 6:57 a.m. on January 5, 2012. (I remain very thankful to my brother to this day for staying with Dad and Mom for four hours each night - from 8 p.m. until midnight - so I could sleep in the family lounge; and then be able to spend the other 20 hours of each day with Dad and Mom and ensure that both were receiving the medical care they needed.)
Dad's hand in my hand.
(Taken on January 2, 2012.)
=> January 6, 2012 - Would have been Dad's 80th birthday. It is also Epiphany and he always referred to himself as an Epiphany Baby.
During happier times...
Dad and Mom with Sophia and Olivia
on their First Communion.
(Taken on January 9, 2010.)
Labels:
Alzheimer's Disease,
art,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
birds,
costumes,
halloween,
holiday,
legacy gifts,
memories,
music,
painting,
pets,
Thanksgiving,
therapy,
vacation
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Phy Ed: My Least Favorite Subject in School
The mere thought of physical education classes during elementary, junior, and senior high school bring such difficult - and painful - memories.
When I was growing up, the teacher would always pick two of the most popular kids in school to head up the teams. One by one, the two leaders would choose who they wanted on their team. Invariably, I was always one of the last ones to be chosen. It's not a good feeling.
Once I was on a team, things didn't improve. Depending on the sport we were learning about and playing, the class was either palatable or truly nightmarish.
One of the activities I dreaded was dodgeball. Dodgeball was never playing in a friendly way. Rather, the boys would take the ball and throw it with as much force as they could muster to hit their "enemy." The force of the throw - combined with whatever that ball was made of - was painful and often would bring the girls to tears. The teacher did nothing. It was all part of "the game."
Swimming - which should be an enjoyable activity - was made miserable for both the teen boys and girls who had to wear school-issued maroon swimsuits. As I recall, the teen boys' swim trunks (I don't think they call them swimsuits...or maybe they do...who knows) were...shall we say...brief, at best. The teen girls' swimsuits would have been stylish in the 1940s or 1950s (about 30 years prior to when I went to junior and senior high school). Normally self-conscious at that age, teens were made to feel infinitely worse by the administrators' choice in swimwear.
Oh! I can't forget to mention the "shower checks." The phy ed teacher would sit by the shower area - a large room with multiple shower heads and another equally big room with racks for tiny towels. The teacher sat with a checklist. After you showered, you had to pass by her and say your last name so she could put a check mark next to your name. If she felt you didn't have enough water on your body, she would send you back in for shower #2.
On Fridays, all the students had to bring their school-issued gymsuits home (a one-piece suit that zipped up the front - light blue on the top and navy on the shorts - with the student's last name written on the back across the fabric covering the shoulder blades). The intention was that the suits and socks would be washed by a parent.
On Monday, the gymsuits had to be checked by the phy ed teacher. If she felt that the suit wasn't washed properly (or at all), you did not get a check mark. Your grade would be lowered by at least a couple of points.
Despite all the negative memories, let me assure that there were a couple of bright spots during phy ed: tumbling (in elementary school), gymnastics in junior and senior high school), and parachute games (elementary school).
Also, in junior high my friend, Brenda, suggested we join a sports team: girls volleyball. Lacking much of any athletic skill - especially in volleyball, I was surprised she suggested it. The volleyball coach said we did not have to know how to play volleyball to join the team, we would learn everything we needed to know as part of the team.
Indeed, I did learn how to play volleyball...quite well, in fact. Unbeknownst to my classmates in my phy ed class that I was on the volleyball team, I was...once again...chosen last when the phy ed class began learning how to play volleyball for six weeks.
As it became my time to serve, the boys on the other side made some catty comment to the effect of "Don't worry about this one. She can't even hit the ball."
"Really? Oh...let me show you," I thought to myself.
I overhand-served that ball with such determination at the boy who made that snide comment. Needless to say, he was caught off-guard and failed to return the ball to my team.
My turn again to serve. I again served directly to him, and his lack of skill showed. After multiple times, I had made my point. He never again made a derogatory comment about my skill in volleyball.
Although volleyball boosted my self-esteem, proved that I could do something that I set my mind to, and made me a valuable member of a team...it shouldn't have had to be that way.
Sports - physical education - taking care of one's body...all should be enjoyable. Being in a class shouldn't mean it gives other kids a right to belittle and bully other kids who may not be as talented or skilled in sports.
I hope things have changed since when I went to school and had to take phy ed. Helping children and teens find a sport or physical activity that they are passionate and excited about should be a goal of teachers - whether they are in public, private, or charter school; or homeschooled.
My goal, as a homeschool parent, has been to introduce Sophia and Olivia to a variety of physical activities throughout the years.
Out of all the activities they have done, swimming and equestrian vaulting are, at this point, the two favorite activities of both the girls.
At home, they have enjoyed swinging on the swings, archery, bike riding, and walking the dogs.
I hope to continue to integrate more physical activities into homeschooling this year which will hopefully introduce them to new areas of interest and continue our journey to better health.
When I was growing up, the teacher would always pick two of the most popular kids in school to head up the teams. One by one, the two leaders would choose who they wanted on their team. Invariably, I was always one of the last ones to be chosen. It's not a good feeling.
Once I was on a team, things didn't improve. Depending on the sport we were learning about and playing, the class was either palatable or truly nightmarish.
One of the activities I dreaded was dodgeball. Dodgeball was never playing in a friendly way. Rather, the boys would take the ball and throw it with as much force as they could muster to hit their "enemy." The force of the throw - combined with whatever that ball was made of - was painful and often would bring the girls to tears. The teacher did nothing. It was all part of "the game."
Swimming - which should be an enjoyable activity - was made miserable for both the teen boys and girls who had to wear school-issued maroon swimsuits. As I recall, the teen boys' swim trunks (I don't think they call them swimsuits...or maybe they do...who knows) were...shall we say...brief, at best. The teen girls' swimsuits would have been stylish in the 1940s or 1950s (about 30 years prior to when I went to junior and senior high school). Normally self-conscious at that age, teens were made to feel infinitely worse by the administrators' choice in swimwear.
Oh! I can't forget to mention the "shower checks." The phy ed teacher would sit by the shower area - a large room with multiple shower heads and another equally big room with racks for tiny towels. The teacher sat with a checklist. After you showered, you had to pass by her and say your last name so she could put a check mark next to your name. If she felt you didn't have enough water on your body, she would send you back in for shower #2.
On Fridays, all the students had to bring their school-issued gymsuits home (a one-piece suit that zipped up the front - light blue on the top and navy on the shorts - with the student's last name written on the back across the fabric covering the shoulder blades). The intention was that the suits and socks would be washed by a parent.
On Monday, the gymsuits had to be checked by the phy ed teacher. If she felt that the suit wasn't washed properly (or at all), you did not get a check mark. Your grade would be lowered by at least a couple of points.
Despite all the negative memories, let me assure that there were a couple of bright spots during phy ed: tumbling (in elementary school), gymnastics in junior and senior high school), and parachute games (elementary school).
Also, in junior high my friend, Brenda, suggested we join a sports team: girls volleyball. Lacking much of any athletic skill - especially in volleyball, I was surprised she suggested it. The volleyball coach said we did not have to know how to play volleyball to join the team, we would learn everything we needed to know as part of the team.
Indeed, I did learn how to play volleyball...quite well, in fact. Unbeknownst to my classmates in my phy ed class that I was on the volleyball team, I was...once again...chosen last when the phy ed class began learning how to play volleyball for six weeks.
As it became my time to serve, the boys on the other side made some catty comment to the effect of "Don't worry about this one. She can't even hit the ball."
"Really? Oh...let me show you," I thought to myself.
I overhand-served that ball with such determination at the boy who made that snide comment. Needless to say, he was caught off-guard and failed to return the ball to my team.
My turn again to serve. I again served directly to him, and his lack of skill showed. After multiple times, I had made my point. He never again made a derogatory comment about my skill in volleyball.
Although volleyball boosted my self-esteem, proved that I could do something that I set my mind to, and made me a valuable member of a team...it shouldn't have had to be that way.
Sports - physical education - taking care of one's body...all should be enjoyable. Being in a class shouldn't mean it gives other kids a right to belittle and bully other kids who may not be as talented or skilled in sports.
I hope things have changed since when I went to school and had to take phy ed. Helping children and teens find a sport or physical activity that they are passionate and excited about should be a goal of teachers - whether they are in public, private, or charter school; or homeschooled.
My goal, as a homeschool parent, has been to introduce Sophia and Olivia to a variety of physical activities throughout the years.
Sophia and Olivia swimming while on our
"Not Back to School Trip" to New England.
(Taken on September 10, 2011.)
Out of all the activities they have done, swimming and equestrian vaulting are, at this point, the two favorite activities of both the girls.
Sophia during equestrian vaulting.
The picture is dark because of the lighting in the arena.
(Taken on July 19, 2012.)
At home, they have enjoyed swinging on the swings, archery, bike riding, and walking the dogs.
Olivia and Sophia swinging on the swing at
Franconia Sculpture Park.
(Taken on December 3, 2011.)
I hope to continue to integrate more physical activities into homeschooling this year which will hopefully introduce them to new areas of interest and continue our journey to better health.
Olivia ice skating at a local rink.
(Taken on January 14, 2010.)
Labels:
Autumn Blog Challenge,
equine vaulting,
homeschooling,
horses,
memories,
physical education,
unschooling
Monday, September 10, 2012
Art: My Favorite School Subject
When I was in elementary and junior high school, my favorite subject was art. I enjoyed both the process and projects I did in the different classes I took.
During elementary school, the art activities were more craft-based than art (e.g., colored salt patterns in a jar). However, I do remember learning some fundamental skills and doing projects that I enjoyed - like learning how to enlarge a drawing using a graph (this was in fourth grade). My project was enlarging a picture of Pooh. I spent a lot of time on it in class, and was happy with how it turned out.
By sixth grade, my parents gave me an opportunity to go to summer school. At that time, the classes I was able to choose from were focused on hobbies and life-skills.
For example, I remember taking a pottery class which I thoroughly enjoyed. I still have the clay wastebasket that I made in that class. In fact, I used it throughout my junior and senior high school years when I lived at home.
I also took a needlework class in which I made a crocheted baby blanket. The stitching, honestly, is better then than what I could do now.
In 7th-9th grades, the art classes became more specialized. A trimester class would focus on one subject (e.g., calligraphy, pottery, rug making). I tended to take the classes in which I could make and use something. The rug I made from yarn and burlap in 8th grade is still in my bedroom at my mom's home. It's an image of a cat playing with a ball of yarn.
By the end of 9th grade, though, my parents strongly encouraged me to shift my focus from taking art classes (even though I enjoyed them) to classes that would better prepare me for college. Art, to them, wasn't a viable career for me. (Perhaps that was a gentle way of telling me I didn't have the skill needed to be an artist.)
The time I enjoyed in the art wing of junior high never happened at senior high. My classes were all in the other parts of the school - in math, science, literature/English, geography, history, and other college-prep courses.
I often wonder what would have happened if I did take art classes in senior high. Would my direction in life and career have been different than what it was prior to being a parent and homeschool mom?
During elementary school, the art activities were more craft-based than art (e.g., colored salt patterns in a jar). However, I do remember learning some fundamental skills and doing projects that I enjoyed - like learning how to enlarge a drawing using a graph (this was in fourth grade). My project was enlarging a picture of Pooh. I spent a lot of time on it in class, and was happy with how it turned out.
Doodles in my nature journal.
(Taken on February 15, 2011.)
By sixth grade, my parents gave me an opportunity to go to summer school. At that time, the classes I was able to choose from were focused on hobbies and life-skills.
For example, I remember taking a pottery class which I thoroughly enjoyed. I still have the clay wastebasket that I made in that class. In fact, I used it throughout my junior and senior high school years when I lived at home.
Nature imprints in clay that Sophia, Olivia, and I did.
(Taken on September 8, 2009.)
I also took a needlework class in which I made a crocheted baby blanket. The stitching, honestly, is better then than what I could do now.
A crocheted dishcloth I made using a new stitch I learned.
(Taken on April 9, 2010)
Rug in progress at Enfield Shaker Museum in New Hampshire.
It reminds me a bit of the process that I did, except at the museum
they use cloth rather than yarn (which is what I used).
(Taken on September 8, 2011.)
The time I enjoyed in the art wing of junior high never happened at senior high. My classes were all in the other parts of the school - in math, science, literature/English, geography, history, and other college-prep courses.
I often wonder what would have happened if I did take art classes in senior high. Would my direction in life and career have been different than what it was prior to being a parent and homeschool mom?
Labels:
art,
Autumn Blog Challenge,
crochet,
memories
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