Letter to my children: Flush out your emotions now

Letter to my children: Flush out your emotions now

“Okay, you are almost done with your corrections for your quiz. Please write out ostrich 5 times.”

Bean sat, stone faced, arms crossed, body rigid, brow furrowed.

Gosh, darn it, I was hoping to squeeze one more quiz in - but this is her 36th quiz this year.

“Dearest, this is the last spelling quiz of your 3rd grade year. Just five more words. You can do it.”

Derision slide across her continence.

Read More

Give World Peace a Hop

Give World Peace a Hop

I started practicing Transcendental Meditation in 2007. Over the years I have more or less consistent in my twice a day practice depending on hospital doings and the age of my children.

When I received my mantra I also learned about the TM-Sidhi program. It is the pinnacle of a series of advanced TM techniques - culminating in the practitioners being able to do yogic flying. A whole group of Sidhas flying together has been proved to increase coherence for the society at large.* This coherence creating effect is called the Maharishi Effect.

So it is a two-fer. I get to replug myself daily, swim in the world of Pure Consciousness, and do yogic flying. Secondly, if I do my program with a group - we are creating peace for everyone around us.

Read More

Homeschool Learnings: Brain Coherence and the Rock Cycle

Homeschool Learnings: Brain Coherence and the Rock Cycle

“No wait Momma, we need to get our names back before we start!”

“Oh right, what is your name again?”

“Umbrella, unicorn, lemonade.” Bean started laughing. “You Momma, you are Sailed Muppet Icicle.”

“Okay Umbrella, let’s see if we can get your name back.”

“Super fast.”

“Okay, super fast.”

In chorus, both of our hands clapping and slapping we started. “Avocado Avocado is the name of the game, if you mess up once you change your name! A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H…”

Read More

Letter to my children: Being in the Middle, Middle-Aged, or Sandwich Generation

Dearests Beloveds,

I hope very much when you are my age I am compos mentis enough to remember what it is like to be in the middle. If not, this is why your Momma is writing, and you are welcome. Feel free to throw it in my face and have me reread - I would be honored.

Read More

Letter to my children: A Life Skill List

Letter to my children: A Life Skill List

Dragon, you ask us, “What do you talk about on your dates?”

Bean, you implore us, “Momma, no! Stay home with us! Don’t go out!”

“Can’t my loves, we need some time just the two of us. If it makes you feel better - usually we end up talking about you.”

“Really?” Wide happy faces.

Really, my beloveds, really.

Recently, we talked about our vision for our family and our goals for your homeschooling homesteading (schoolsteading) life with us before you venture out on your own.

Read More

Homesteading Middles: Uncovering Spring

Homesteading Middles: Uncovering Spring

“Momma, each bump holds a surprise!” Bean, gently moved cardboard aside, revealing pale yellow daffodil stems.

“I know, this is so much fun!”

“So much fun!”

She looked up at her brother, tromping toward us over the leaves and cardboard. “Careful Dragon, don’t step on any of the bumps - they might be daffodils pushing their way up.”

Read More

Letter to my children: Labels suck, Survivorship rocks

Letter to my children: Labels suck, Survivorship rocks

Dearest Beloveds,

If you choose to spend rainy afternoons as adults reading these letters (and maybe my book) from your Momma than you will have gathered by now that I am what is known as a cancer survivor.

I don’t like labels.

That label to me immediately evokes infusion machines, anti-nausea medication, and pit of my stomach fear. “Survivor” is not much better as a label.

Survivor of what? Of life? Of the human experience? You might as well say that every person on this planet is a survivor of one thing or another.

Read More

Letter to my children: The Schism of our Modern Existence

Letter to my children: The Schism of our Modern Existence

Dearest Beloveds,

We started giving you two an allowance starting about a year ago to motivate table setting, dishwasher emptying, dog feeding, general chores, and collecting of eggs. This past summer the two of you purchased your first tokens of commerce at CVS.

“Really, you want to spend your money on that?”

“Momma, I love it!”

“You have a closet full of stuffies. It is made out of plastic which is poisoning the earth. It came from China on a big ship that pollutes the air and water. It is going to end up in a landfill and poison the earth more as it decomposes. Are you sure?”

Read More